Good Mail Day!

Look what finally arrived in the mail!! I love good mail days!

Here's a peek at my page & interview questions. My friends Seth Apter & Penelope Harris are also on this book, but aside from those two, all the other artists are new to me, which will make for an interesting read. Art Journal Kickstarter is full of eyecandy and interesting commentary on each of the artists' creative process and it's sure to inspire anyone who loves art journaling. Want a copy for yourself? You can find it here.

Seeing my art between the cover just never gets old. It's a thrill every time! 

Catching Up!

Hello! I know I've been scarce around here in the last week or so. Two reasons: 1. my laptop is on its last legs and keeps crashing and 2. volunteering! The laptop issue will be alleviated this weekend, thanks to a sweet friend who has recently upgraded her computer and has offered me her old one. (Thanks Michele!)

I have so many things to share!

Last Sunday, I got up early and headed to the park to volunteer with the annual Terry Fox Run. I finally got to meet Leah Pells and her beautiful Pads service dog Smokey who is a black Lab. You know how I feel about black Labs! Smokey helps Leah serve the students she teaches and connects with them in a way only sweet gentle dogs can do. He is a beautiful boy and so incredibly mellow. Indy desperately wanted to play with him, but he was working.

The Terry Fox Run was lovely. My favourite part was all the message people wrote in chalk on the park sidewalk where the run ended. I took the selfie posted above in that spot. I love that people did that. There was also a banner for people to sign saying who they were running for. I put my husband's name and also added the name of a little boy who was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with a rare brain stem cancer. I only know of this child through a friend, but I wanted his parents to see a photo of his name on Terry's banner and know that they are not alone as they face this terrible thing. This is exactly what Terry was hoping to put a stop to when he began his Marathon of Hope.

  The Vintage Pearl and Curly Girl Design partnered for a giveaway and I was lucky enough to be the winner! The necklace & note cards that were also part of the prize arrived yesterday in the magic mailbox. Had to giggle that they *almost* got my name right! 

Everything came wrapped in this mission statement bag.

Curly Girl sent me a stack of 25 of their greeting cards. When I saw a card set was part of the prize, I figured there would be about a 1/2 dozen, not 25! I think they sent me one of everything they make! The cards are lovely and I predict some very good mail days for friends in the future. 

The Vintage Pearl prize was so prettily wrapped.

Inside the box was this silver necklace which was *so* meant to be mine. I put it on right away and I don't think I want to take it off. I love how the little pearl tinkles against the silver when I move and reminds me its there.

THANK YOU Vintage Pearl & Curly Girl! I feel so spoiled! Now I just have to decide what goodies to treat myself to with the $25 gift certificates from each of them that were also included!

I have begun volunteering with the organizing committee for the 2014 Wheelchair Curling Championships which are being held in my community in late January. So far it's been a challenge with my computer crashing constantly, but the work has been interesting. 

I had dinner with my friend Courtney last Sunday and she asked if I would be willing to work with the Skiing Is Believing program this year. I was very touched that she would invite me because I know how much this program means to her. I was thrilled to accept. (It was a no-brainer!)

I also got the official word that I will be working with a new group of students for the Interprofessional Health Mentors Program for 2013-2014. I'll be finishing up with my current group at the end of the year, so they will overlap briefly. I met with my current group last week and we were all kind of stunned to realize we will only meet one more time before their program wraps up. The time flew by so quickly! Our last meeting is going to be over dinner somewhere nice. I am pretty sure they will remain in touch-they are such lovely women. I am excited to meet my new group at the end of this month and see which disciplines they are from.

I'm meeting up with my art partner in crime, Penn tomorrow and we're going to spend the day Gelli Printing. She is heading off to England shortly to visit family, so it will be nice to hang out and have an art day before she goes.

Autumn officially arrives tomorrow. I am already enjoying hearing Indy crunching through the fallen leaves in our backyard. I wait all year for this season-it's my most favourite. I think this says it best:

From my heart to yours, HAPPY AUTUMN!

Magic Mailbox: I've Got Mailart!

On my way home from picking my husband up from the ER the other day, I stopped at the post office and this beautiful envelope was waiting for me: 

                           

Isn't it gorgeous? It was full of goodies from Roben-Marie Smith! I am going to put it up on the inspiration board behind my desk so I can see it every time I sit there to work.

Roben-Marie has taken her beautiful work and turned it into collage (left) and sticker sheets (right). These are destined to find their way into my art journals. The colours and textures are so delicious!

                       

She has also made these delightful postcards! Roben-Marie has two online stores if you'd like to order some artsy goodness for yourself. There's her Etsy shop (which for right now is on vacation, but be sure to add it to your favourites so you can find it later when she resumes business) and there's her Paperbag Studios shop where she has a whole host of rubber that is perfect for art journalling.

She also has some really cool online workshops. My friend Greta has been taking You've Got Mailart and recently sent me this envelope she'd made in class. I hope to take this one in the near future-it looks like it would be really fun and inspiring. She is one exceptionally talented woman!

THANK YOU Roben-Marie for your perfectly timed gift. It arrived on a day when I most needed some mailart love. You are extremely generous and I am deeply appreciative of your kindness.

Now I want to sit down and play with paint!

The Magic Mailbox: Postcards & Ephemera

Yesterday was an good mail day!

Teresa Robinson and I decided to do a postcard exchange and this is the one she sent to me. She's been working on an index card a day for some time now. You can see some of them here.

I love how the message is so serendipidous. I'm going to hang it on my inspiration board behind my desk so I can read it often! I like the part about being of service (the foundation of my life) and becoming "an evergrowing channel for the light". I've talked about luminaries several times here on my blog. It's a theme that comes up over and over in my life.

This was the stamp on the envelope Teresa sent. I am a fan of unusually shaped postage. I'll be keeping this! I'm going to peel it off carefully and put it in my journal.

The second piece of mail was a package from Jessica. A couple weeks ago, Janice of Papier Valise and Janine of Uppercase Magazine hosted a Paper Stampede in Calgary, Alberta. I emailed Jessica to tell her about it (talk about enabling!) and the lucky duck went. There were all kinds of amazing goodies to be had and she very generously sent me some of her purchases! Have a look see:

Fabric ribbons with numbers & x's and o's, a  matchbook style package of 5c hardware store tags, a foxy "Got Craft" button for my button collection, bird book pages...

...a copy of Wordbasket from 1978 (they always have the most amusing ads), a packet of 90 joss papers...

..charming letter press postcards...

...Canadiana postcards...

...two packets chock full of emphemeral goodness...

(the reverse of both packets)

I was absolutely delighted to find vintage medical labels, which I collect inside, along with some really cool film canister labels! There was so much amazing stuff to add to my journals.

And then there was this: a Canadian Land Inventory map from 1971, the year I was born. I have an affinity for old maps, especially those from Canada. I opened it up to find this:

The colours are actually more vibrant than they appear in this photo. I was delighted! I have several ideas of what I'd like to use this for. I'm going to colour copy it-it's just too amazing to cut up!

Thank you sweet friends for such a great mail day! I loved everything and can't wait to play in the studio over the long weekend. Your timing was perfect!

Uppercase Magazine: Something To Love

A couple weeks ago, Meghan, who recently fulfilled a dream to have work published in Uppercase, (Yay Meghan!) was having a giveaway for a year's subscription to the magazine. For those not in the know, this is THE most aesthetically pleasing, design savvy publication for "the creative and curious" and is a Canadian publication! (Which makes me ridiculously happy.)

I am extremely pleased (and grateful) to say I WON!

Issue 16, Knot Now arrived yesterday. In addition to Meghan's great article about overcoming negative self-talk in order to embrace her creativity, there were so many things to love about it. The abecedary is about thread and stitching. There's a photographic tour of The American Can Company, a place, which judging by the pictures, I would love to spend an afternoon. There is also an article about North Woven Broom Company, which was of particular interest to me because I have family that lives on Kootenay Lake and have been to their shop (located in a lovely old barn in Crawford Bay) many, many times. In fact, my step dad trained with the blacksmith across the road from them, years ago. This same blacksmith often crafts ornamental handles for their brooms. The whole area is a mecca for artisans and makers of all kinds.

Uppercase is a magazine you can look at over and over again. I especially love all of the delicious little details and the way it's chock full of eyecandy and brain food from cover to cover. Even the classifieds (one page! this magazine's all about real content!) are presented in a way that is both interesting and classy. Oh and post cards! Did I mention postcards? Well there were TWO tucked between the pages. I am a postcard junkie from way back. 

Thanks to Meghan and Janine Vangool, (publisher, editor & designer of Uppercase) I am all set to have a year's worth of good mail days! 

That is most certainly something to love!

Good Medicine

Things have been quiet here for a bit because I was off having treatment. By treatment, I mean spending 3 days last week shuttling back and forth to the hospital to have IV steroids, which is about as much fun as it sounds. Somehow, I don't remember steroids being as rough as it's been this time. About an hour or so after the first dose, I get pretty sick with side effects and it was all downhill from there.

I've spent a fair bit of time in bed since then, though on Monday, I had to schlep out to UBC for a specialist's appointment and in a moment of insanity, also agreed to meet with a med student for an interview afterwards, even though I felt like death warmed over. I have NO idea how I managed it, other than sheer force of will. (or insanity...)

For the last 4 days, my throat has been absolutely raw, so I went up to my GP's office to see if I needed to worry about it. Being on immuno suppressants, I have to be very careful about infections. While I was up there, I popped by my post box and there was a package waiting for me in the magic mailbox! I wasn't expecting anything. The parcel was from my friend Amy. 

This is what it said on the side:

Which I found amusing, given the state I've been in. When I opened it, it was chock full of goodies-like this beautiful three strand bracelet she made me! 

This bracelet is autumn, any time I want to experience it! The yellow pearls remind me of kernels of corn. There's a old brass oak leaf, which reminds me of home and an "L" charm. Oddly enough, I only have one other piece of jewellery with an "L" on it. Years ago, Lisa Call surprised me with an beautiful "L" charm she made especially for me from precious metal clay. It was the first charm with my initial I've ever been given. I put it on a charm bracelet and I treasure it. I LOVE that Amy has given me a second one. It's just so thoughtful and special. 

There were also some great art supplies:

This funky journal, which reminds me of a zine.

An interesting variety of embellishments to play with-birds in cages, trees, clocks, mini red clothes pegs and cards in tiny paper bags. There was also a cool hexagonal box, which I somehow forgot to photograph. Oops! The bracelet was inside of it.

And three packages of washi tape! (8 individual rolls in total.) My washi tape collection must surely be at 100 rolls now-I will have to count later. It's just a wee bit of an obsession. Artistic crack, really. *grins*

The box did not lie-what was inside was pure medicine. Just the kind of medicine my battered soul so desperately needed this week. I am convinced that the cure for anything is art therapy and the love of a good friend. THANK YOU Amy for your perfectly timed gift. It meant everything in this moment.

What goes around, comes around-a parcel for you will be in the mail soon, I promise! 

Magic Mailbox: Lab Love

Yesterday there was a surprise package from my friend Maria Lamb in the magic mailbox. I had no idea what it could be. When I opened it, I saw this:

A hand felted mini Indy! Maria has been creating tiny dogs of various breeds for some time now. She begins with forming a wire structure and then builds the body from batting and wool on top, making the dogs poseable. Here's a link to her needle felted animal collection.

What I love best about the Indy she created is that he's blackish brown, which Indy is-his mum was a black and his dad was a chocolate, so he has a brown undercoat. You can usually see it best in his summer coat which is less thick. The summer sun brings out the brown in his fur.

Maria is so talented and especially good at creating dogs. She did portraits of Indy's little brother Dexter for my best friend Lisa & her husband Lance which I gave to them as thank you gifts a few years ago.

THANK YOU MARIA!! I adore this gift more than words could say. It was a lovely surprise and I will treasure it always. 

xox

Magic Mailbox: The Sweetest Gift

A mysterious box turned up in the mail today. 

Inside was a pretty turquoise tin. 

The card taped on top said this:

Inside were two layers of beautiful, delicious Purdy's chocolates:

Dark chocolate is my favourite.

This sweet gift was from my best friend Lisa. Years ago, we met while working on the crisis line. As she often puts it, we instantly took a dislike to one another, so we were destined to be friends. We've been inseparable ever since. 

It's a blessing to have someone in your life who knows exactly what to do when your spirits need lifting. It's been a rough 3 1/2 months. (Understatement of the year.) My heart is so tender right now that even the smallest act of kindness reduces me to tears. They were rolling down my face as I tasted a chocolate. I savoured the coconut one-it was heaven.

THANK YOU Lisa, for always being there for me in innumerable ways; for being  my confidant, my sister, my mentor and the person I most love laughing with. You make my world so much better simply by being in it. I adore you, always.

xox

Good Mail Day!

It's here! Stampington's Somerset Studio arrived in the magic mailbox today! I didn't know they were going to send me a complimentary issue. They usually do when you write an article for them, but I forgot they also do it when they publish your work. I am glad they did-I haven't been able to track one down in stores here yet. (Though certainly not for lack of trying!)

So here's my work between the pages. I posted images of my entire 5x5 submission here, if you'd like to see the whole thing. Seth did a great job on the article, all TEN pages of it! It's really nice that Stampington made so much room in this issue to showcase some of the 110 pieces Seth received for this call. Congratulations Seth! Long live The Pulse! Seth is now working on his second book, which is wonderful news. I can't wait to see it!

Also in the November/December issue is a great artist profile by Rice Freeman-Zachery about my friend DJ Pettit. DJ is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and she crazy talented. She does amazing work combining her beautiful photographs with paint and textiles. I've taken a class with DJ and the techniques she's developed are like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was great reading this article and seeing how her work has grown over the years. She sent me one of her handmade books years ago and I treasure it. It's so uniquely DJ.

In addition the the magazine, the mail also brought my order from Artchix Studio. When I saw these really cool palmistry wood cuts online and had to order some for myself. (I have a thing for hands!)

Helga always ships things lightening fast and they're always beautifully packaged.

She also includes something a little extra and these were the extras this time. Love them! Yesterday was a good mail day all around! 

Magic Mailbox: London 2012 Edition

I had the honour of guest blogging for Andrea, of Athletes First while she was away in the UK at a conference and she very kindly offered to bring home some swag for me from London 2012 as a thank you. 

True to her word, these fabulous goodies arrived today! There's Mandeville, the Paralympic Mascot (who at this moment I can totally relate to, seeing as I've been a one eyed spectator!) a mug to match (in my favourite colours!) and two packages of Cadbury chocolate mascots. I'm going to save the chocolate till I go to Whistler. It seems fitting to eat 2012 chocolates where our 2010 alpine events were hosted and you can bet I'll be saving the wrappers! Those will end up in my journal for sure!

Andrea also included a beautiful card that depicts eight rowers. In addition to being a Paralympic ski guide, she is also a rower. She said the card was in celebration of the silver medal the Canadian Women's 8 team won last week. Andrea has friends who were rowing in that boat! 

So, so cool and very much appreciated! THANK YOU ANDREA!! 

Stylin'

I got new glasses! I have been having some serious trouble with my vision over the last couple of months, so I finally broke down and saw my opthomologist. I love her because not only is she a great eye doc, but she brings her dog Blaze to work. Blaze lies quietly on her bed in a corner of the exam room so you'd never know she is there, unless you're like me and bring her cookies, in which case she becomes your best friend. 

Anyway, I'd seen Dr. W only 6 months before, at which time everything was fine. Something definitely went haywire since then, so I had to get progressives.

What I love about this pair is that they are frameless, so they just disappear when you put them on. I'm still working on getting used to wearing them-progressive lenses make the floor and walls look like they are rippling (like the ocean) so my brain keeps thinking I'm going to trip. It's weird, but eventually I'll get used to them. 

Check out my new Chucks! I've been eyeing these runners for some time, but I was having trouble making up my mind which colour I wanted. It was a toss up between red or aqua, my two favourite colours. I finally decided on the red, though I have not ruled out buying a second pair at some point. 

 Yesterday this set of gorgeous Boho tribal bracelets showed up in my magic mailbox, a belated birthday gift from my friend Pilar  . She is so sweet. I *love* them! I have plans to wear them to the opening of the gallery show next week. Pilar has more of these beauties, each one entirely unique, in her Etsy shop if you simply must have some for yourself! THANK YOU Pip! I will treasure them.

I'm gearing up for next week, which is going to be epic in terms of crossing big things off my life list and being BUSY! Hoping to have tons of photos to share when all's said and done!

A Gift

Yesterday afternoon, a parcel arrived from my friend Pip. Inside was a wee box and when I opened it, nestled inside was this beautiful bird ornie. I think it's made from paperclay and she painted it with the palest of egg shell blues. There's a primitive charm as well. At first I thought the symbol on it was an acorn, but after taking a second look, I believe it's a sacred heart, which is so signature Pip. I absolutely adore folk art and this is so special.

I wanted to take a photograph to share it here, so I did...and then it morphed into this image. I just couldn't help myself. *laughs* I love that this became a collaboration between someone I love and respect so much and I.

As an artist, there's nothing I love or appreciate more than a handmade gift. I've hung the bird above my desk in the studio so I will see it every day.

It instantly became one of my most favourite things.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

I have the best friends in the world!

Wee Kiwi Houses

Look what arrived in the magic mailbox-wee houses all the way from New Zealand, from my pal Lisa Ryder! They are really cool and now I can't wait to do something with them. We both made 20 to exchange, so that's alot of homes!

I have to make a trip to a certain store to  get supplies to carry out the next step in our plan, but as soon as I have, I'll post here and show you what we're doing with them.

Getting art in my mailbox beats the heck out of getting bills!

Magic Mailbox: Hallowe'en Petite Inspiration Swap

Last month I signed up for the Petite Inspiration Box: Hallowe'en exchange. I was assigned two partners and so I made two boxes to send out, which I shared a couple of posts ago. This week, the magic mailbox delivered the two boxes my partners sent. (Apologies for the darkness of the photos-I took them last night and the studio was gloomy in the evening with the rain.)

Jamie Vowell sent me this yummy book bundle along with her box, which is in the foreground with the vintage doily on top. The book bundle was so pretty I almost didn't want to untie it!

This pretty card was inside the parcel. Jamie lives in Bozeman, Montana. I just love Montana-it's so beautiful and the people are incredibly nice. I've vacationed there a fair bit and it's one of my all-time favourite states.

These were the goodies tucked into the matchbox. Acorns (real ones!), mini pumpkins, silk ribbon, a teeny silver shaker (adorable!), buckles, glass stoppers, string on an old spool, paper inchies, trims, a skull bead...fun stuff!

Inside the book bundle was a selection of fabric pieces and more trims. I LOVE this piece. It's got a circular embroidered pattern to it and it's tea stained. I am so taken with it and I think I am going to make an ROD journal cover with it. I think it should stay in the largest piece possible to be used and it's perfect for a cover. I have a hand crocheted lace snowflake another friend gave me that her grandma made which I think would look cool sewn in top of this. Yes, I have plans!

My second partner was Diane Bouchard who sent me this fantastical crow box. Isn't it cool? She even made a crown for it!

It always amazes me how much you can pack into the wee drawer!

 

Ephemera, stamped fabric swatches, wee boxes of trinkets, a ceramic doll arm, trims, a vial of googly eyes, stickers, metal bits...

In addition to the box, Diane also sent extras: a container of spider putty (which reminds me of "slime" which was the "in" thing when I was a kid) which I WILL be playing with! Tons of cool trims and a bag full of ephemera.

I am so thrilled with everything they sent and blown away by their generosity. Thanks Ladies for spoiling me! I know that all these wonderful things will find their way into my various art projects!