Merry Christmas to one and all

The gifts I'd leave beneath your tree,

Aren't those that you can touch or see,

Not wrapped in Christmas tissue gay

But gifts to bless you every day.

The gift of friendship warm and true,

Is one that I would leave for you

Good health and happiness and cheer

To keep you smiling through the year

The gift of peace and joy,

With prayer to guide each path you trod

And when your heart has lost it's song

The gift of hope to cheer you on.

These are the gifts I'd leave for you.

Skinny book #4 for Altered Abbey

Here is a peek of my pages for book 4 ... (click on the photo to enlarge)

I'm looking forward to receiving the finished book.

Swing ... and a miss

I have been frantically working on my Altered Abbey skinny book pages. Twice.

Twice you ask? Yes, twice.

I was on track - backgrounds done, images dyes in tea and cut out (almost all), words printed, cut and dyed and a tree image altered and printed.

Then my sewing machine died and my little guy got really sick. I can still hear his little tiny voice apologizing (??) for being sick in the middle of the night as I stripped him and the bed. Poor little guy. My heart still goes out to him thinking about it.

The pages were quickly set aside with a deadline looming. I checked the site for updates and hoped I could pull it together in time.

My original idea had been to sew the acetate to the pages. That was before my machine broke down. I am not a whiz with the spray adhesive. My test page looked awful (No, I wasn't being hard on myself - it looked sticky and gobby).

Time to figure out something else. Think, think, THINK.

I headed in another direction which I wasn't entirely sure of, however, I kept working madly.
My little voice kept saying no, no, no! I ignored it. Phew! Finished.
I set the pages aside to dry.

A couple of days later ... I took out the pages and they were a mess. There was NO WAY I could submit them in good conscience. Don't believe me? Here take a look yourself.


I sat and stared at the pages with growing horror. I had to start over. I was officially late a few days already. Should I or shouldn't I?

I did. It made me really late (Sorry, sorry, sorry Chrysti) but I feel much better about my contribution to the book.

So that's what I have been up to. I'll post pics of the new pages soon. Just working up the nerve.

ATC Night - theme 'Winter'

This month was a twinkly snowflake breeze!

I have been so consumed by my skinny book that I didn't have time to fuss and fret this month.

I did 13 cards in just over and hour. That's lightning fast speed for me. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of one of my cards but I can tell you what I used to create them.
Due Date: 14Dec07
Theme: Winter
Supplies used:
Rubber Stamps: Stampendous, Gel a Tins
Paper: watercolour
Ink: Versafine - Majestic Blue
Paint: watercolour - blue (I'm sure it has a proper name but I've no idea)
Embossing powder: Diamond Sparkle

The meeting was in full swing when I arrived.

We had a new face this month. Yay! Welcome Sandy!

Participants for this month were:

Traders: Martha, Hope, Florence, Diana, June, Susan V., Marissa, Daniza, Ludgera, Mary, Kris, Sandy and Cori

Observers: Colette

Beverly, Jacqui, Susan W. we missed you! Come visit again. OK?

What is wrong with people?

This story really made me mad. It brought tears to my eyes.

I mean really, Santa's letters?

that Book! Cover to Cover

As promised, I am posting each individual page of my Altered Abbey 'Thinspiration' Skinny book.

You can see the cover here.
Thanks to my friend Kenny for taking the photos for me.

In Order of Apperance

Page 1: My page.

Page 2: Denice O'Heron



Page 3: Amy Smith



Page 4: Jamie Vowell



Page 5: Jane Melohn



Page 6: Kim Tedrow



Page 7: M. Kathleen Hendrix



Page 8: Joanie Hoffman



Page 9: Annie Yu



Page 10: "Inner Guidance Dance" by Gena Lumbruso



Page 11: 'Originality' Kristin "Krissy" Chadwick



Page 12: Katelyn Thomas



Page 13: Chrysti Hydeck



Page 14: "The Old Schoolhouse" by Mary Foreman


Page 15: Seth Apter



Page 16: "Create" by Laura Melohn



Page 17: Susan Goodell



Page 18: Tina Shoaga



Page 19: Mary Franzenburg



Page 20: Tamara Randi



Page 21: Florence Brick



Page 22: Nici Derosier



Page 23: Beverley Teichrob



Page 24: Ellen Gray



Page 25: Jane Altshuler
This page wasn't bound into the book as it is very thick. I guess it was to hard to punch through. I'm going to try to find a way to add this page to my book. Wish me luck!

An exercise in frustration

Printing on tissue is very frustrating!!!!!


AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!


OK, I feel better now.

family sunday and Santa

We managed to be out the door on time (sorta).

Onto the 505 streetcar (it came first), I love taking the street car. We meander through the downtown to our destination. We decide to walk down to Queen Street via the Eaton Centre.

I've walked through the Eaton Centre many, many times but it's all new with a toddler. I loved that it was almost devoid of shoppers as we strolled. (Merry Christmas to one and all. lol.) He loved the reindeer and Santa's sleigh. I was dazzled by the Swarovski Christmas Tree. What can I say? It's a well known fact I am drawn to all things shiny. We all enjoyed looking at the window displays. What is it about Christmas displays? They just seem brighter, happier and joyful.

Out of the Eaton centre and onto the street. Where we patiently waited for the light to change and were almost struck by a car. As usual, the driver was speaking on their cell phone, their passenger, merrily driving along while not paying attention. I would have wrote the license plate down but it happened so quickly. After safely crossing, I stopped and gave my son a BIG hug. He wanted no part of it - tough kid, momma needed it.

We stopped to check out the Bay windows, they were gorgeous. For just a moment I was transported back to the magic of childhood. I was getting all nostalgic but was quickly returned to reality by an impatient toddler. Maybe he'll be impressed next year.

We arrived at the Arcadian Court for breakfast with Santa. They had elves, a balloon artist, an musical entertainer, face painting, colouring books and food. Oh and a really huge Dora that terrified him.

We met up with my friend, her husband and her adorable daughter. It was so fun to meet her. They brought our little guy a gift. (ohmygoodimsoembarrased) Why didn't I think of that? I was born without the proper girl gene. I even forgot their Christmas card. Can you spell L * O * S * E * R ?

We headed back to our table to have breakfast and wait for the big guy. My son and I got matching snowflakes from one of the ladies who was face painting. I tried to get him interested in the singing but he wanted to sit at the table with us or maybe it was the balloon reindeer.

Then the moment arrived. Santa! Santa! Santa!

We lined up to get a picture with Santa. He was a little wary but no crying this year. He was thrilled to get a little yellow bear and a candy cane. All in all, it was a fun event. We plan to go back next year.

breakfast with Santa

We are taking my son to have breakfast with Santa this weekend in the Arcadian Court at The Bay downtown. Then we are taking our photos with Santa. I love taking photos with Santa.

I'm really looking forward to it, even though my son has loudly announced he doesn't like Santa.

While I'm there I going to check out the interactive holiday windows. Here's a little promotional blurb:

The Bay is spreading festive cheer among children, adults, and even
technology buffs, with the latest Christmas window technology from IBM. For the
first time ever, the Bay's famous Christmas windows could include your image.
Using new technology from IBM, a high-tech sensor will capture the image of a
passers-by and project it into the window. The results can also be printed on a
4x6 holiday postcard compliments of the Bay. The windows at both the downtown
Toronto and Vancouver locations are using the IBM developed technology as a part
of their Christmas displays. With its hi-tech sensor capability, the system
reacts when it senses a customer touching the graphic display.

I'm curious to check it out and see how people are responding to it.

I also really excited to meet up with a friend from work at the breakfast. We have never actually met but have known each other for years.

And everywhere that she went, that book was sure to go

It came. It came. It came. It came!!!!!

My long anticipated skinny book came in the mail today.

It is so lovely and absolutely worth the wait. I want to take pictures of every page and share.

A tiny bit flaky

I saw this a few days ago on Heather's blog. Her's are so curvy. I wonder how she did it. This morning I finally got around to making a couple, however I can only find this one. Hmmm.

I like it.
I guess I'll have to make a new one...

or two

She did it!

Congratulations to the wonderful, talented and dedicated Carmi.

She accomplished her goal of 2,500 handmade cards for the One of a Kind Sale. It makes me tired just to think of it. lol.

Today is her first day at the show. You need to check out her exquisite, luscious cards. Her both is O37.

Why are you still here?

Go!

updated @ 18:43 on 27Nov07
Wondering where to go in Toronto: Go!
Not in the area? You still can view and purchase them (lucky you;): Go!

Valentines for Veterans

I think this is an incredible program.

I encourage you all to make some valentines. Make as many as you like. Just make them!

I'm going to suggest that my son's daycare make valentines. In fact wouldn't it be great if every school made them in lieu of exchanging them with each other?

Make some and send them to:

"Valentines for Vets"
Veterans Affairs Canada
Communications Division
P.O. Box 7700
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 8M9

Hey, if the Valentine Grinch (she loathes the day) will get out the pink&red paper, hearts and doilies. There is no reason why you shouldn't too!

Card Exchange in Bolton

We zoomed off to Bolton today to meet the ladies for the card exchange.

The theme for Black, White & Silver. They did a fantastic job. Take a bow ladies.

Obsession has its rewards

You may recall this post about my quest to find a secret in the new PostSecret book.

I have been dashing into stores to flip through each copy to find one with a secret.

I also couldn't buy one (or peek in the store - I did a bit) until I found that elusive copy. Pure torture.

Today I found one! (thanks to June's eagle eye.) It was a bittersweet secret and it made me a little sad. I know exactly what Corey meant now.

I read it cover to cover tonight. I will again tomorrow.

Not a good week for tech stuff!

I must be cursed this week. Revenge of the machines.

My sewing machine gave up the ghost too.

The upy-downy (yes, it's a highly technical term) thing won't move now. I figured it probably wasn't a good thing to keep flooring the petal.

Wish me luck getting it repaired. I need it real soon.

pay it forward

I heard about this on Martha's blog. Sounds like fun.

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF (Pay it forward) exchange.
I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!
The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.
So basically, if you are one of the first three comments, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!

Once you sign up, you will need to copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.

Alright then! One person (Jo) is signed up. Yay! She is from Australia (how cool is that?)
Two people are signed up! *dances excitedly* Franca is from France. I love bloggers.

You might recall this post. I still find it highly amusing that not one single person signed up. Maybe I should be offended, however, it's extremely hard to maintain when you burst out laughing.

Extraordinary Society of Mixed Up Media Artists Club Night

I was late. What else is new? I feel like I am always rushing to do something or go somewhere lately.

The demo was well in progress. I figured that I would quietly abstain as I work ever sooooo slowly.

I wandered up to find a plate but frankly was to embarrassed to ask for one due to my extreme tardiness.

Instead I grabbed a coffee (bless whoever brought it!), settled in to catch up and admire the WIPs. I was content to simply admire but Martha insisted that I do a plate too. She had no problem asking for a plate for me! I will post my plate sometime within the next few weeks. I have to use my remaining vacation days (11!) in the next four weeks. So in theory I should have the time!

I was really happy to discover that I did not miss the 'What's new, what's hot or not?" part of the meeting. It is truly my favorite part of the meeting. OK, I like the big reveal too, but it is stressful. Will it ever stop being stressful?

Carmi has decided that we will be taking turns for the demo in the upcoming year. I like the idea - seems like fun - but what the heck am I going to teach these talented women?

It was time for the big reveal! I was curious to see the alterations made to the dreadful doily.

But wait. I was time to see next month's assignment first. It's loathsome. It's horrid. I hate it. Oh goody.

Back the reveal... Delicious results. I really love the that everyone comes up with such a unique creation. I can't wait until Carmi posts a photo of the most recent assignment.

I made a Christmas ornament.

I cut up my doily and dyed it in tea and randomly stitched it with other embellishments. I tried to make a little pointsetta using the pink flower but it didn't look right to me. I buried it under some lace instead. I played with ArtEmboss metal and sewed it to my ornament. I really liked using it - even if I did slice my palm open once (OK twice.) I will be using it again on cards and ATCs real soon.

I distinctly recall someone saying 'where is the doily/flower?' when it was my turn. It's there, you just can't see it from across the room. lol.

RIP Blackberry

It died. Today.

The warranty just expired a few months ago.
I'm not eligible for a device upgrade for a couple of months.

I think I could cry.

Wait. I am.

Sweet suprise - RAK

This came in the mail today. I love getting mail.

It even came in an envelope with real stamps. * joy*