Seeing dots

I've been hard at work on my 20 page polka dot circle book that needs to be out by this weekend.

Here are some of the pages. Have a look and let me know what you think.

They still need some work!

Sushi

I have a new favorite place for sushi. It was discovered by happy accident last Sunday afternoon.

I'm pleased to say that the food and service was excellent.

My son is one of the new criteria I use when assessing a restaurant.

I am not one of those parents that expect you to adore my child on sight.

My son is expected to behave in public venues such as a restaurant. Unlike most parents I will leave if he is to disruptive.

The fact remains that some restaurants and their staff are much more child savvy than others.

Our waitress even fashioned training chopsticks for him with the addition of rolled paper and an elastic band. He was thrilled and so proud. He did very well considering that he was using them for the very first time and new experiences can be frustrating for a hungry toddler.

Her attention to detail and wonderful service made me a customer for life.

We went again last night (minus one) and it was yummy!

kindness of a stranger

My day was discouraging. Just one of those days.

I feel indifference is the norm in the city I live in so I'm always touched by simple kindness.

You can never underestimate the impact of kindness to another person.

Today someone held two doors open for me while I was struggling to manage a toddler and several packages. I could tell she thought it wasn't any big deal.

It meant a lot to me.

Thwarted by a small metal object Part 2

I finally called a local sewing shop and essentially begged for help.

The gentlemen who took my call was really nice (considering it's store policy not to provide this type of assistance unless you purchased your machine from them.) and at last help!

He finally let me bring the machine into the store tonight. It took 10 seconds for him to put in the bobbin.

Did I ever feel stupid.

O.K. next step. Putting thread on the bobbin and threading the machine...easy right?

Thwarted by a small metal object

It just looks benign.

I assure you it's not.

I am embarrassed to admit that I can't figure out how to put the bobbin in my sewing machine.

I keep doing it wrong.

Which becomes immediately evident.

My final attempt of the evening resulted in the loud bang, accompanied by a grinding noise because it was now jammed. I peered closer and realized that the needle was bent.

Oooops. Not that way.

Island picnic

My very first picnic in Toronto. My guys took me to the island for Mother's Day.

I chose a spot right by the water. It was cold, damp and hostile birds attended.

In other words, it was perfect.

Happy Mother's Day!

For All That You Have Given Me

For all that you have given me,
I can return but love. For you
Bound up the wounds I did not see
And gave me hopes and passions new.

I can return but love for you,
Whose unmoved faith my heart did move,
And gave me hopes and passions new,
And loved me till I turned to love.

Whose unmoved faith did my heart move?
The mother of my heart, not blood,
Who loved me till I turned to love.
And I became the soul I would.

The mother of my heart, not blood,
Bound up the wounds I did not see.
And I became the soul I would
For all that you have given me.

~ Nicholas Gordon


I love you Mom.

Royalty

It was the theme for the ATC group for May.

Recall the sparkly post? It was my tiara - all the way from the UK.

Yes, I wore it on the subway (made more sense than carrying it in my hand) and I did get some strange looks. lol.

I was surprised by the number of people who had no reaction. I guess I was just another 'weirdo' on the transit system.

I was disappointed that no one else wore a tiara. They all forgot.

Participants for this month were: Beverley, Susan V., Sarah, Jolanta, Martha, Jacqui, Diana and Joanne. Marissa dropped off her ATCs at the store but we were unable to locate them. :(
Thank you to all who I traded with.

Due Date: 11May07
Theme: Royalty
Supplies used - Paper: Glossy cardstock (unknown)
Ink: Jacquard - Versafine - Royal Blue, Crimson Red Adirondack - Eggplant, Slate
Transparency: Staples - ink jet
Images: Classy 'n Smart, Dance Smartly, Flaming Page, Horometer, Kennedy Road, Kingarive, Nijinksy, Northnette, Vice Regent, Victoria Park
Tissue: white
Matte Medium: Liquitex

Susan W., Mryn, Ludgera, Marissa and June we missed you.

So not in the 'zone'

I need to learn to just go with my 'gut' about the cards I create.

Design-wise everything that could go wrong did go wrong for this month's submission. I won't even bother showing you the reject designs. They are hideous.

I did learn what not to do from this experience. lol.

Soooooo I scrapped them all at 5AM this morning and came up with this instead.

I hope the ladies aren't disappointed with my very simple submission.

Fun eye candy

A new ATC book. I've been waiting impatiently all week long.

1000 Artist Trading Cards byy Patricia Bolton (editor-in-chief of Cloth Paper Scissors & Quilting Arts) finally arrived today.

Let me be frank.

It is NOT as glorious as the Artist Trading Card Workshop by Bernie Berlin.

It is a nice coffee table style book. The layout is dry - it reminds me of a catalog. I may keep it for the wonderful mixed media (fabric/sewing) ATC inspiration.

Thanks for the great gift hon! Love ya.

sparkle, sparkly, sparkling

It came in the mail today!

I can't wait for ATC night.

Crazy? Who me?

Absolutely.