Not a fancy Blog.

Not fancy but still a challenge. Ater moving into our wee home I find I am overwhelmed with what to do with the place. I have so many projects to start or finish , along with the task of settling in. It`s been a month and still I am looking at an empty living room. I had planned on painting it and reupholstering furniture I have picked up along the way. Its ground to a humongous halt and is like having a white elephant in your house. So, task of the day is to organize. List making and maybe a few photo`s to use on the blog at a later date. Even list making is a chore today but if I get it done it might make it a little easier to choose what is priority and what is not. I also have discovered an Aladin`s cave of a shop and it is just within walking distance.Something I will not go into until I have at least 3 projects done...says I? (quiet chuckle to oneself)Aparently, according to my Hubby that knows me so well, it is filled with goodies. Such temptation! Back on track.. list making. Well maybe after my massage.

BACK AGAIN!

As you all can see I took the summer off. Winter was extremely difficult for me last year so I wanted time to "sort my head out". Have I achieved that? Probably not because life has a habit of changing the game once you think you have figured it out. My life evolves, an ever changing view and beliefs. So much has happened this summer and I will be blogging about it over the upcoming weeks. So far we have moved,my oldest son moved out, I`ve applied for a huge new job, our beloved family dog passed away after 18 years of devotion, work comings and goings and so much more crafty and painting stuff to show and tell. I have decided to stick with blogging for now as means to express myself and not to get "caught up" in the world out there as much.Inspiration is a good thing but competition breeds disatisfaction in my own life and work and I don`t need it.Plain and simple. I will write as if to entertain myself and my beautiful followers ,if I gain m ore "friends" great.If not ...its all good. In the wise words of another blogger I will "let myself be Awesome" hahaha.

Something odd happened this morning.

It`s Sunday morning and I had a very lazy start and woke at around 9 am something that rarely happens.Hubby and middle boy awake but quietly going about their lazy morning.(Actually Hubby was just getting in from working 4am till 7am)Anyway, this is not the odd thing that happened.I have been thinking a lot about my blogging or not blogging depending on how busy I have been.In fact thinking about many things in my life and the turmoil it is becoming and my anxiety about the speed and lack of control.Getting back to blogging I wanted to think and reorganize how I do things so it is more regular and getting back to what it started out to be about....me!I also questioned whether to continue or not.Yes ,,the thought to stop before I get halfway through the year.I signed in to Blogger this morning and the very first blog I went to update is "frugal Decor Mom" Low and behold her blog was a goodbye blogg titled "I have come to a conclusion"Letting her followers know why she is ending her blog ,how it is taking her time away from her children and husband and how she wants to get back to what means the most to her. Isn`t it strange when you are searching for answers something always "pops up"?I have always believed in things will open to you at the moment it is ready to be accepted in to my life.I just have to listen. So the question still remains.Do I stop blogging or do I just reorganize?.........I really do not know.So my favourite mantra right now is "Keep Calm and make a cup of tea" So I will do this and then come back later or tomorrow morning with the result. Happy Sunday peeps.

"Just For the Record"

Another challenge,another blog.I was going to spend my day organizing some things for our upcoming move but felt drawn to my sanctuary(craft room).I decided to try another challenge this one being from Echo Park papers.I can do a layout or perhaps a card?Nope, I decided to do a canvas.I bought a 6x6 pad of papers called "Just for the Record" and it is packed with gorgeous vintage style prints but I found the colour scheme more bold than the usual faded vintage.This reminded me of old English apron fabric and embroided hankies. I prepared my canvas with 2 prints one was a old newspaper print the other was like an old fashioned catalogue page.Lots of Mod Podge later and top coated I decided on a bird house with banners looking like an old laundry line.

I even used some patterned papers to make do for flowers along the bottom edge of the picture.Her is a closer look

When all is said and done I enjoy any of the crafts I do and try to find the right project for the right paper.This pad of 24 6x6 papers from Echo Park was screaming birdhouse treatment.(smile) I will however be doing another one but use if for a "she-art" canvas to come in the near future.I wait for inspiration.Happy scrappingerm I mean paper crafting peeps.

The Unity May Challenge

It is that time again and another Unity challenge. This month is "Tooty Fruity" and although I only have 2,count them 2.A pear and a cherry fruit related stamps.This was the first challenge.The second challenge,I have never done anything with fruit before? The only thing I could decide on was the colour scheme,I did`nt even have a photograph. I searched through my files and came across this photo of my son,Liam and his girlfriend,Alyssa. The day was beautiful and so were they.

I think it turned out nicely,they were my favourite summer photo`s last year.

My first love is scrap-booking,which began in the year 2000.I have always gone back to it and find a lot of my personal "sanctuary" when I am scrapping.Unable to sleep last night (did`nt go to bed till 3 a.m. I decided to make a card from the same stamp.( I do love Unity stamps for there clarity)

One of my favourite colours is orange.All stamps are Unity.Paper is Basic Grey and Bazzill(scraps)
Here are a few more layouts I have completed over the past week. The story behind these ones is I found 2 shoe boxes full of old photos of the boys. I was so excited to find them and forgotten some of the moments I had captured. My task this month and probably the summer is to get the all scrapped. It was so much fun finding them though.

I love this layout for another"friendly"challenge.
It may of taken a few extra hours to do the flowers( I did 3) but it was worth it.Gavin was about 6 and in gymnastics and always hammed it up for a camera.

more..

I could`nt think of a title for this collection of photo`s, so I used the border of stamps as the title.
one more layout

finally, a Christmas layout from many moons ago,probably close to 10 years.I look back at their silly faces and remember how much fun they were.Good times.

It is wonderful finding long lost photo`s but difficult to scrapbook,specifics are gone.I am going to see what I can find out there in "google-land" to help with some but I think mainly rely on other`s memories because it is far better than mine. At the end of it all though I remember the love.Happy scrapping.

Happy Mother`s Day.

Mother`s Day is meant to be a celebration of Motherhood.Women who have had a role towards another in a nurturing loving way.What is it to be a mother?To be honest I`m not sure.It changes over time as my children grow.It is all the usual "it" words.Teacher,nurse,provider,chief cook and bottle washer.All of it.It means to raise your children to be good and honest with others but more importantly to themselves.I love being a Mum.All the pain and joy, the double edged sword, you can`t have one without the other.It means a journey of self discovery because as my boys grow and change so do I.Its inevitable.It`s the change I struggle with but love at the same time.Again the pain and the joy. I have watched a TED talk by Brene Brown today about Vulnerability which helped me get through my day today. We have to love whole heartedly. Embrace it all in its beautiful imperfection.This I think is what it means to be a Mum.
To my own beautiful mother,I love you and to me as a mother .Yes.I am enough.
Happy Mothers Day. Be kind to each other.

Hair,education and me.

As a stylist and past educator I feel it is so important,if not the most important thing for a stylist to do is to keep attending shows and education seminars.If I ever hear a stylist who says they have "seen it all" or "done it all" I would say then you should quit because you are doing yourself or your clients a disservice. I cannot in a hundred years get enough of hair shows,competitions or seminars. Even if I come away with one thing useful to my craft then I have spent my money wisely.Let`s face it our education isn't cheap,it can run into hundreds of dollars but it is so important to see the trends,new techniques or even just pure enjoyment of this fantastic industry.
Pure enjoyment would be the way I would describe Tony Ricci of Edmonton,yes our very own Canadian stylist. Who has won so many awards I can`t list them all. What I was more intrigued with was the fact he started his working life as a welder. Thanks to his two hairdressing sisters he turned his skills to a much more inspiring use.

It is difficult if you are not in the industry to see the inspiration or sheer pleasure of viewing something that is so "out there" but as I see it it is an extension of another form of art and sometimes should be just viewed as such.It might in a watered down form end on a the head of a bride?
For the most part though I go to seminars to learn and to bring new ideas to my chair on the next business day.Here are some examples of this past weekends class with RUSK,whom in my opinion are leaders in the art of cutting and texture.I am never disappointed.

Inspiration for this collection came from major cities around the globe.I hope I spell this correctly from the Tribeca area of New York, apparently infused with vintage stores and artists this would fit right in with creative minds.

colour goes hand in hand with any cut as this shows. I am loving the steel, icy greys that are coming through as a trend and against lavenders and violets it looks awesome.
This next was Anime inspired and is an absolute gem.I am only sorry this iPhone shot does not do it justice.

Final photo for today is a long hair model with a twist. One of my favourite client lines is "I want something new but don`t take much off the length" This girl here was no exception.So with a few interior layers and some very clever texturizing she kept her length and still made it feel fresh.

For those who aren`t stylists,talk to your hairdresser,ask what is new,ask about products,colour,anything.Treat your stylist as the professional he/she is.We want to try new things.I`m not saying have a silver , asymmetrical cut but step outside of your comfort zone and try new methods of texture,styling or a few foils of a new colour.Why?because you are worth it.
For those of us who work in this industry go to classes,try something new,refresh your passion for why you got into this job in the first place.We have one of THE best industries in the entire world.We get to do what we love and be part of our clients lives.You are doing an important job.You are worth it.
LET YOURSELVES BE AWESOME.

The Birdhouse

I have finally finished this canvas and it will be the first I will hang up in my house. I`ve decided to make art and hang it rather than oooh-ing and ahh-ing over the internet at ones I cant afford.The Birdhouse is yet again a trial run for me and I love the colours on this one.I also used Unity Stamps in amongst the other rub ons etc.. I think I might put another birdie in the picture but not sure.For now how ever its on my wall.

This will be posted on the Unity challenge page for this months challenge.
I used butterflies, and border stamps and the phrase "Rise Above It All" seemed apt for the little,wee birdie trying to reach a perch. Happy Monday peeps.

Two Birthdays, a Wedding and a bit of a nerd..

It`s been almost a week since my last blog and so much has happened.Firstly, my youngest and oldest boys had birthdays.My youngest officially a teen and my oldest officially drinking age? Oh My!

I had moments of thinking about them as young children and felt very sad for a fleeting moment. Very sad.Sounds nuts I know but I don`t feel like I should have a 19 year? I have awesome kids,they make me proud.My oldest,Liam,is flying off today to a sunny vacation with his girlfriend and this to is a first.Firsts with children don't always have to be their first step or first haircut but a steady string of events that move away from the parent to becoming independent.Their role changes and so does mine.One I am still figuring out but quite pleased with the job I have done so far.
The event of a century,not my kids birthday but the event... The Royal Wedding.

Yes,I was one of those who woke up early, 5a.m. to watch.Why would`nt I? It is an event of grandeur, tradition and national pride. I am English and a Royalist and darn proud of it. I love the Queen,I love the tradition, I love my country,I also love a good wedding.(My invite must of got lost in the mail!)
I got a sense of motherly pride when I saw Will and Harry leaving for the Abbey(and how stunning is the Westminster Abbey.)I was choked up by the crowds who probably spent all night waiting for a glimpse.Just a glimpse of our Royal family.
Then came Kate.Looking stunning.My first thought was how much she looked very "Grace Kelly" and that beautiful tiara.Which was given to the Queen on her 18th birthday by her mother.I thought it was all very tastefully done. Appropriate for the event and so very sweet.
My favourite bit(there are a few)was when Prince Harry looked for Kate and then leaned in to say something to his brother.Priceless.
So, they are wed....

...and at this point I had to go to work. The rest of my wedding viewing was late at night and surfing the web for every scrap of the day I could find.The world watched and the media coverage was intense but just to have one day where somewhere in the world something happy and worth celebrating was unfolding was a huge morale boost for the country and made my day a good one. At work I even decorated and it made for a talking point for everyone that came in.Quite a good day actually.

What can I say,I`m a bit of a nerd....
Got another post soon this time,my take on hair shows.

My Unity Place and "Because I Care" 6x6 Easel Card.

I have recently signed up to My Unity Place which is a community of fellow paper crafters that want to share their cards, scrapbook layouts, multi media art and so on. A community of like minded women who just want to share what they love and bring about a positive enviroment.Which is great for beginners like me.It is also a spin off of the stamp company Unity stamps.Here you can buy beautifully crafted stamps or choose to go a really fun route and that is the Kit of the Month club,which is what I do.Pay a certain price each month and receive a beautiful sheet of stamps in the mail to play with and build up your collection.
Card making is not my first love but have been trying to improve what I do,I constantly make little mistakes usually spotted after the card is put together..urgh!(really I should be wearing my glasses.)Seriously though,it is a good way to send someone a personal gift that is made from the heart.
."because I care" is a 6x6 easel card and is so pretty no matter what I dress it up with and is relatively easy to make.Maybe I should do a tutorial.(hmm never done one,might attempt it over time?)
.

I used scraps of Crate paper and Basic Grey brads.The scalloped edge is a Martha Stewart border punch which I bought from CraftySteals another one of my favourite sites.If you have`nt already check them out. HAPPY SCRAPPING FOLKS.

The Scrapbook and Other Stuff.

Lovely long Easter weekend,5 days off and my first break since Christmas,I so needed it.I have been busy finishing up a lot of loose ends and trying to organize my craft area so it is a little more accessible.Firstly though,I have been making a scrapbook for a co-worker and finally I have it done.I am going to post a few of the 20 pages I have completed.Yes, 20.The one thing I have learned doing a gift book is that you can`t embellish as much as you would like,especially around the photograph.The end result is a lot less on my pages.
"The New Arrival"

Most of the book are double layouts

This one was only for records."M" ( the new mom) went to U C Baby so I made a envelope for her to store her disc and the other page had pockets in the same colour scheme to store papers of some sort.

This is called "A Day In the life of..." I wanted to provide lots of chances for journalling so she doesn't forget the little things as baby "W" grows.

The monkey page is one of my favs because of the sheer fun of the paper.It was the inspiration for most of the colour schemes,browns,reds and a very funky green. Love these monkeys.This paper I found at Michaels.

"Motherhood" page was more of an experiment.I sprayed Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Blue Skies) over a paper doilie and liked the effect,it also has a flip page for more journalling or a secret mummy message.Finished with Jenni Bowlin rub ons.(I`m finding it so difficult to find rub ons?)I think it turned out rather pretty and very feminine.

This weekend we also celebrated my beautiful baby boy who turned 13.Now I have 3 teens in the house.Yay me and loving it.We had a good day of being together as a family nothing to exciting but I loved every minute.

and finally a mixed media painting I also completed.I actually sketched this idea first and tried to transfer the idea over to the canvas.I was very pleased with the results because it was all my own idea,a true original.My first.I`m thinking of doing another for Mother`s Day for my own mum and making her hair as red as I remember."In My Mother`s Arms"

Hope everyone has a great week.Now onto a new project.Hmmm?

Its New Week....

I can not believe its the end of March already.It went by so fast I can`t remember what I did, only what I did`nt do? Time to be a little more "with it" and get myself sorted.BUT beofre that I will share my latest She Art Girls. I find I am getting more comfortable with this multi media art and have experimented on a few things I amnot ready to show.I didnt realise how personal this is and it feels like I`m showing a part of myself that I`m not comfortable with? Cofidence takes time I guess?
This one is titled "I Have Spread My Dreams Under My Feet"

"She Made Today Count"

More to follow I have to pop out and do foils on a friend...:)Happy Monday.

Where Does the Time Go?

It has been a very busy few weeks.Work was overbooked and chaotic,something I hate to work in but you get thtrough it.At the other end, you sit and wonder how you pulled it off but you do?In the middle I tried to do some more painting but then March Break hit.Why is it nothing gets done?NOTHING!I have had headache after headache and a respite when I had some reflexology done by our wonderful therapist.For 5 days I was free from my sciatic nerve.This morning "Hello,I`m baaack!" grr....
Its first day of spring, sunny but frosty.Beautiful, crisp Spring morning.The garden full of deer and snoozing kids.Perfect time for that first cuppa.I do love Sunday mornings.
So plan for today?Sorry to say no new blog till tomorrow, only housework and sorting out the winter gear to get it ready to put away for another year. Happy first day of Spring.

Week one of my She Art E-course.

I have loved every minute of this course so far and week two is about to be begin. I am waiting for the time difference to catchup and I open my hotmail to find the anticipated allotment of video`s.So far I have completed 2 canvases and it has taken a week to go through the stages.So, my usual patient self is no where to be seen and resorted to drying things with my travel dryer.Which,by the way, is one of my little light bulb moments.Do not go and invest in a fancy labeled project dryer because it is the same power as a travel dryer, which most of us own and if you don`t they are usually cheaper than a brand named one.
Anyway, back to She Art. Here is my first and second canvas.I am actually nervous about showing them becauseof the obvious errors but we all have to start some where.One of the considerations of this group is to not let fear stop you."LET YOURSELF BE AWESOME"So here goes...."She Had Colorful Dreams"

A little close up..

Here are a few others of my very first one.She has legs that are crooked and I was quite frustrated because I like the rest of it.I showed my son and he said she looks like she`s blowing in the wind.I like his style. So crooked legs an`all I will show my first creation."She Was Happy To Just Be"

Close up of the corner ...

The main thing I learned is not to let crooked legs and "mistakes" stop you.I also found as this is art therapy it will trickle over to life.Not in a big "wow my life is so high right now" but in making things believable for oneself. Keep trying.Small steps.

Now I`m of to see if week two has arrived and more posts to follow.

I`ve been rejuvenated.

I have found this winter particulary hard,long cold days,very little exposure to the sun and snow,so much snow.I have tumbled into a seaonal depression like no other.I am aware of this and have search high and low on how to combat it,its a daily struggle and is by no means over but... a little ray of sunshine entered my life.Dramatic maybe.The truth definatly.
I love scrapbooking,I love art and on my bucket list earlier in January, I revealed I would like to take an art course.I had in mind my firstclass would be maybe sketching.I found SHE-ART GIRLS.If you have ever liked to decoupage,tole paint scrapbooking any multi media art, then this is the course for you.It is owned,organized and a woman of pure inspiration Christy Tomlinson.
I have entered into week one of the basic backgrounds,she Art Girls and what Christy likes to use for her art.It`s so much fun and to be honest have not felt thrilled about much lately.I have now completed my first canvas with massive imperfections but I love it for what it is. My second and third canvas are still in progress but when they are complete I will show them,debut them, here on my blog.Hopefully this weekend.The only getting in my way is the fact I have to go to work.Grr!Darned reality gets in the way somedays.This is why I havent blogged lately but just wanted to let you know what I "up to".Have a happy day.

The Stylish Blogger Award

A lovely thing happened today,I got a nice suprise email from a fellow blogger Katie "The Scrapbox" that I had inspired her and also sent me a blogger award.The reason it made me smile is I have inspired someone and the other that this award is a pay it forward idea.Something I like to live by,a good thing passed on.I started my blog more as therapy really but have become aware of such a great community of like minded bloggers.So now to business.8 things about me that maybe is not new to some but I will try to think of orginal things?
1.I would walk to the end of the earth for my children,3 wonderful boys all individual and interesting people.
2.I sometimes wish I could win the lottery so I can help my family and friends and host one huge party and decorate it like an old fashioned street party like in the old days of England.
3.If I believed in reincarnation I would want to come back in the next life taller..Haha!
4.I adore Jane Austen and Bronte novels especially Jane Eyre and Persuasion
5.I love tomatoes.haha.My favourite sandwich is just tomato with a little salt.ER I know but hey we all have our failings.:)
6.I hate winter.Yes, hate is a strong word but I really could`nt find a stronger one.
7.I love my sisters heart and soul and wish I could get us altogether and enjoy a curry and a massive gigglefest.
8.My favourite downtime activity is a long soak in a bubble bath (preferably with Lush products),a scrapbook magazine and a cup of tea.
I could probably come up with 8 more but I`ll leave that to another post.
Now for 8 bloggers that I love to follow (Stalking at its best :) )
1.http://wildflower.blogspot.com
2,http://scrapbox00.blogspot.com/
3.http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/
4.http://www.happylovesrosie.com/
5.http://kstoreyxo.blogspot.com/
6.http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
7.http://www.thatmilitarylife.blogspot.com
8.http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com//
These are 8 I follow,my top 8 but I have other favourites in my blog list.Some of these are new bloggers ,like myself,and some are established.Either one for me are entertaining and inspiring.There are so many women out there and I admire them all. I will post the Award button aas soon as I figure it all out hahaha.Maybe nuber 8 is,I am so slow with computers.

My world(scratch that),My Bathroom Just Got a Little Prettier!

Yes my bathroom just got a little prettier.Do you ever walk around a shop and see something you like but the price tag is a lot more than you want to fork out?I saw some pharmacy jars online for $45 and said to myself, "self you have plain glass jars at home like these ?Do something?"Enter plain glass jars....
The larger of the group found in a box and the others $1 dollar each at the local Dollarama.( I love that place for glass vases and such)

Then I thought and thought about the images I would like.The two larger ones were old fashioned and were screaming french vintage.The smaller of the two? I was`nt sure at all? So, I went on my favourite clip art site,"The Graphics Fairy" and search for ages for some images I like and the rest was a matter of using Mod Podge,ribbon and sentiments.Once the lager jars were done I lightly spray it with walnut ink to age it a little further. here is what I ended with.

and.....

.Now I went to work on the smaller of the jars which I usually keep make up things in. I found the most lovely images on The Graphics fairy,Take a look.I love the bathing beauty competition,they are so levely to look at

and.....

and finally....

This has to be my favourite...

I hope you like what I have done? Now I`m addicted so I`m on the look out for more glasswares.Muwahaha!

"Just Be You" layout

To be honest I had posted this layout this morning but the more I looked at it, the more I didnt like it.Sometimes, when scrapping I feel "stuck" and then when I`m finished, do not like the end product.Sometimes I move on thinking I`m being to picky.Sometimes I take it apart.This is one of those "sometimes".
I changed the background cardstock and added more things to please my eye. I try to spread my wings and do a different type of layout and chose to use scraps of paper, something I`m trying hard to do.I hand tore the hearts from My Mind`s Eye "laundry Line"and only used one photo.
Part of the reason I did this layout is to upload it to a Unity challenge,Unity Stamp Co is one of my favourite sites for stamps and I am part of their monthly stamp club, where I receive a kit once a month full of wonderful variety of stamps.Its a way to build up my stamp collection without a lot of cost.(The only thing I need now is method of storage,maybe another blog when I find one?)
Unity has begun a monthly challenge one per month for the whole year.This Month is HEARTS.

The second reason is I found a box of long,lost photo`s from `91 to `93 and this one is my son Liam,who is now almost 19. I had almost forgotten how extra cute he was when he was two years old.AWW Bless!He loved playing in cupboards and boxes and always,always had a smile. So I journaled this memory around the large heart to be different.I am much happier with this layout but still may need a little tweaking! Happy Scrapping.
Here is a sneak peak at what I am working on right now

The Black Swan

I rarely am blown away by a movie these days.Story is usually predictable and come away feeling like I`ve been ripped off.I wanted to write a little about The Black Swan. I was moved by it and freaked out by it and has left me thinking about it all day,so this is more to do with exorcising a demon or two.(JOking)It was unexpected and beautifully portrayed by Natalie Portman whom I always remember her in Star Wars.This is her moment, as was said to her charater. The story kept you watching and in parts grossed out and in others a little uncomfortable. The point is,I felt something. Whether it was sympathy,disgust or amazement,I felt some emotion. Every little girl wants to be a ballerini but this was the ugly side of it and yet it was so enchanting.I also have to say I loved seeing Winona Ryder as a washed up dancer,great job and worth a mention. I loved(as the little girl in me would ) all the clothes and tutu`s.End scene magnificent.Oscar worthy for sure and I would love to see Ms Portman get this on the 27th of February.Very well deserved.(Just my opinion)

Snow,snow and what`s in the forecast?More snow!

Since moving to Nova Scotia I have lived through some amazing weather systems but I have to admit this year I am having a difficult time functioning,even on a basic level. Going to work is some days impossible most days a slow crawl off this back road to civilization.So I thought I would share some photo`s of it,might even scrapbook it?(actually, not until the summer when all of this is a distant memory.)

Waking in the dark to a rather eerie scene of snow laden tree branches and that unmistakable sound of a fresh snowfall,complete silence.Not a sound,I know but anyone who has experienced this will nderstand what I mean?So as the light hits the sky we see...(The "bump" in the far right is our van.Hahaha)

.. this was taken early January and nothing has changed since.Its still the same and what is it doing today?SNOWING.Gotta laugh or I`ll cry.

The thing is,everyone keeps telling me,is to keep busy.I read my favourite blogs,www.happymeetsrosie.com,www.serendipitychicdesign.com and so on.I scrapbook and I have 2 books I can start but I so long for the colour green. Happy days my fabulous followers(all 4 of you!)I wonder how people "get" followers?lol