Tag Archives: painting

solstice birds, wishes and tea

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The shortest day was so very full, with lovely lingering tea drinking to start things off (my fave organic Earl Grey) and a candlelit lunch date for Dimitri and I, served by three sweet girls playing Restaurant in full form.  Some time to share our love of needle felting with a little friend, more tea (Rooster Rooibos Chai from the TeaFarm nearby in Cowichan). Then somehow there was not enough time for errands, so I reduced the list and just made a couple quick stops, sharing gifts, receiving handmade cookies, picking up treats for the wild birds that share our green space.  Then, finally out to enjoy the Solstice fresh air. Enjoying the crunch of snow underfoot, the last bits left in the yard and along the road, as I walk along with my happy pup (she really does love the snow, it makes her young again). Picking up a daughter bubbling with joy as she reads jokes from the book her friend gifted her with. Home to a cozy fire and more sewing and then a bit of frenzy as we try too quickly to race to get supper on the table and make our annual Solstice treat for the birds. Feeling frazzled, I was going to suggest we just put out the new feeder and move into candlelit stories, but the girls requested the usual “stringing cranberries” and though there were some short temper moments for all of us, this did help me slow down again.  As I watched Alex patiently string her berries while Raena whirled about with her flashlight outside (hanging her string on the yew tree), I realized that they do enjoy these Solstice traditions of ours, as much as I do (and on this busy night, even more than me).  Time for a new tradition to help us all find the peace I always hope this night will hold….a candlelit bath for the girls, they listen while I read them a sweet story and then we each blow out one of the candles and make a Solstice wish.  I breathe in the magic of what is possible in the rebirth of this coming season, I welcome the light and wish for PATIENCE and a kind, BIG heart leading my way!

What are your Solstice intentions my friends?

Before I tuck my girls in, we make time for a snuggly story (the chapter in Becca At Sea tonight is titled “Seafire” and speaks of midnight starlight and bioluminesence in the sea, how perfect).  I finish the night with laundry, a few more holiday decorations, more tea (Peaceful Petal Blend from my dear friend at La Belle Vie Studio) and a bit of Mary Oliver. This one jumps out at me tonight (read fourty instead of sixty, it could be my own heart speaking from the pages):

Halleluiah

“Everyone should be born into this world happy
and loving everything.
But in truth it rarely works that way.
For myself, I have spent my life clamoring toward it.
Halleluiah, anyway I’m not where I started!

And have you too been trudging like that, sometimes
almost forgetting how wondrous the world is
and how miraculously kind some people can be?
And have you too decided that probably nothing important
is ever easy?
Not, say, for the first sixty years.

Halleluiah, I’m sixty now, and even a little more,
and some days I feel I have wings.”

2014 calendars are READY!

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Where does the time go?  It keeps zooming along and here we are looking at the last month of 2013!  It has been an amazing year and I am hoping for more good things in the coming year.

To get us all started, I am happy to announce that I have completed my 2014 Year at a Glance Calendars in time for holiday gift giving!  Many of you requested I do so after I launched them a little late last year (in the New Year).  After much deliberating and polling of some of my artsy friends, I have decided on four designs for this year: “Rain Meets the Sea”, “Trust the Universe”, “Milk Please”, and the very popular “Tea Cup To Do List”.

Thanks to my hubby for creating a beautiful template and a local print shop for zipping up my order, I now have some for sale in my etsy shop and at Artzi Stuff in downtown Nanaimo.  And I mean SALE — since I want to spread my art around with a smile, I am offering these once again for a great price — just $7.50 for each 12 x 18 inch poster!

These poster calendars are is printed professionally (and locally) on 100% recycled paper. Good for the earth and great for the office, kitchen, or studio to help you count the days. I highly encourage reusing this calendar too — at the end of the year, crop off the months and save the art for your wall.

Have a look and make an order soon if you want some in time for Christmas gift giving.  I am placing my first print order on Wed Dec 11th, so can deliver or ship the first orders shortly after that.  Of course, I am happy to take orders from you any time and will get them to you as fast as possible (printing takes 2-5 business days).

I am going to settle in and enjoy this busy festive last month of the 2013 and when January comes I will be ready for another year of amazing-ness with a brand new calendar! Tea Cup will be at my work office, TRUST will go in my studio, Milk Please will go in the kitchen and my man has chosen Rain Meets the Sea for our home office.

I wonder, which 2014 design do you like the best?

making truth cards

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Here’s a peek at something I love to do — make “truth cards” (AKA doodle cards, art cards, inspiration cards).  With only a little bit of time and no rules, you too can make little pieces of art that make a big statement!  Start with scraps of watercolour paper (or tear up your cereal boxes) & some paint (or crayon, markers, pastels)….add a cup of tea, some glitter glue and a typewriter (or your favourite pen), get your hubby to put on some good tunes….you will make MAGIC!   One of my latest cards was inspired by Florence and the Machine’s “Never Let Me Go”….the ocean reference in the song speaks to me and that, combined with the live plankton we checked out with microscopes at our Oceans Day event, made for a very playful little card. I love capturing my favourite quotes or a special moments on these wee cards.  I gift them, I pop them in the mail, I prop them on every table top in the house, and washi tape helps them live on the walls.

What fun, fast art project ideas are you loving these days?  Feel free to share your ideas in the comments for all to see (and try)!