Cooling off...

Here's Henry on his first swim in the ocean of the year. I was being the nervous nelly though, as there's a pack of seals in the area, and they've been known to attack dogs from time to time, so we were keeping him pretty close to shore. He just loves swimming, nd he's good at it! We always joke that he looks like an X-Large rat that escaped from the freighter when he gets out of the water... well, an XL, XCute rat!

Fraser Valley Fishing Lodge

Had a fabulous weekend away at the Fraser Valley Fishing Lodge. We didn't actually partake in any fishing, just relaxing, but next time I might be inclined to learn a little fly fishing. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a great time

exploring the area. Harrison Hot Springs is just down the road, so we went and had a great lunch and strolled the lakefront artisan booths, as it was the Harrison Festival of the Arts that weekend. This is farm country, and there is produce, cheese makers, hazlenut farms and this area is known primarily for their corn... it is the best! Unfortunately we were just a little too early for the corn, but we get it fresh in the city as we're only 2 hours away. The lodge had bison roaming in the filed right across from our patio. They were quite friendly for bison, and there were eight 2 week old calves that 1 male spawned... I guess he knows what he's doing!
http://www.fraserriverlodge.com/english/

My birthday!!!!!!!!

It was my birthday on the weekend, and I had a "37 going on 7" birthday party! I had hot dogs and cupcakes and loot bags! It was a great time and I'm still recovering! You may note that I'm wearing my angry cupcake pin... it felt appropriate considering all the cupcakes that were consumed that night!

The Prince (?) and the Pea!

We came home the other day, and somehow our small dog managed to ( jump/ climb/ we're not really sure) up on this pile of cushions and blanket. It's pretty tall and unstable! He looked kind of busted when we walked in... who me? I'm not doing anything wrong! Don't mind the mess... the cleaning lady was off that day...

I love apples!

I think I'm addicted to apples.... W and I have been on a healthy eating kick, and for some reason apples have become my staple food. Red, green, large, small... I don't care, I love them all! My favourite would have to be a variety called Pink Lady. they are so crisp and juicy, and are such a beautiful colour. These Granny Smith's just looked so incredible in the this bowl (another One of a Kind Show artisan) that I had to take a picture.

Etsy Finds!

I just bought this adorable pin from a fellow Etsy artist. I just adore it! She does all sorts of fruits, veggies and sweets that are angry and bitter! I think they're just pretending though... what does a cupcake have to be mad about? Oh, maybe getting eaten...
Check out her shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5189052

Chip's Not Dead Yet

On Friday night we went and did a fun run in Kitsilano for BC Childrens Hospital... the Lululemon man Chip Wilson matched everyone's $25.00 registration fee dollar for dollar, so that's a good chunk going to a very good cause. People had a great time dressing up and rocking out! We were walking with Team Journey, who is the daughter of a customer of ours who has unfortunately had to use BC Childrens Hospital a few times in past years.

Still Life

These bud vases make me happy. I bought them from a Quebequois artist at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto last Christmas. This artist does the most amazing ceramic mosaics you've ever seen. When I find her card amongst my piles of paper, I'll post her name.

My Mom brought the little dried twigs home with her from Paris... she knew I'd love them!

I need some sun...

This has been the crappiest Spring on record for a while. It's raining and cold right now as I write this. Summer is officially supposed to start on Friday, so something better change PDQ! I'm posting some more Phoenix photos, to make me feel better. This is Montezuma Castle. It's a deserted primitive settlement, it was quite an amazing sight!

These are my newest babies... For the first time in a while... I've made something I really, really like! I love paper so much, and have been collecting it for so long (years!) and finally have a fun way to use it. I have enough cards to last me a lifetime, mind you... but hopefully I'll sell a few here and there. They're in my Etsy shop, so if you need a card, you know where to go!

MTV MOVIE Awards!

We were very excited and honored to be invited to be included in the gift bag at the MTV Movie Awards!

Here is a partial list of some of the celebrities that were participating in the event, and who may soon be seen wearing our jewellery;

Gene Simmons and family, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Roger Zamudio, Selma Hayak, Kim Kardashian, Brooke Shields, Terri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul, Fergie, Sidney Pointier, Heidi Montag, Chelsea Handler, Jessica Simpson, Ashley Simpson, Rex Lee, Bernie Williams, Michael Madsen, Jeremy Piven , Spencer Pratt, The Girls Next Door, Jessica Alba, Lorielle New, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Natasha Hendstridge, Chris Cornell, Jessica Garner, Tyra Banks, Posh Spice, David Beckham, Lorenzo Lamas, Alyssa Milano...
Wow! That is some major namedropping!! We will soon have some photos of this super exclusive event to share, we will put them up on our site soon, you can check back here on the blog.

Get one of your own! Here are some of the designs we created exclusively for the event, you can order one too! Get one just the way it is or as always, feel free to create your own!

Weekend fun!

I went to Gibson's last weekend for a girls night with my friend and her two daughters. A lot of chips and pizza were consumed, and we did gymnastics out on the lawn. Oh, and we watched Enchanted... loved it! Awesome ending! These flower shots were taken in their yard. I'm so impressed by people who can grow things... I can keep Rosemary and Thyme alive, but that's about as far as my green thumb goes.

Mopey Dog

Here is Henry on the weekend moping outside, because there was a fly in the apartment. He's terrified of them for some reason. We put him on doggy Prozak to try and help him with his irrational fear, but it didn't help. He's OK outside, but if one comes in the apartment, he just freaks. If anyone has any experience with such a starnge affliction, let me know!

On the Waterfront

I love our harbour. It's so industrial and there's always something going on. The freighters fascinate me... Where did they come from? Where are they going? And the tug boats... I have this deep desire to be a tug boat operator for a day. Maybe I shouldn't actually drive the thing... just go along for the ride.
The juxtaposition of nature vs. industry is kind of neat too. Sometimes I'll see Bald Eagles soaring overhead when I'm on the seabus going to work. It's not uncommon to see seals and otters hanging around too. A large colony of seals live down by the marina near the dog park. I'm a little nervous letting Henry swim down there actually... they have been know to be aggressive. I'm sure he's kick their asses though (not!)

I worship Darwin

Well, worship might be a *bit* strong, but I think he was one of the greatest minds that ever existed. My Dad and I went to see the Darwin exhibit at the ROM when we were in Toronto. It was fantastic. I was shocked to learn that the exhibit couldn't get any major sponsorship from the usual suspects that sponser the big exhibits, because the nature of the subject matter (evolution) might offend some of their customers. I couldn't believe this was an issue here in Canada. I've always thought of Darwin as this guy with the beard in the photo, but the show really chronicled his life starting from chidhood. It was a great insight into the man, not just the icon (or pariah, depending on which side of the fence you're on!)that he has become.

Granville Island

This was a lovely day at Granville Island a couple of months ago. There is a donut shop there called Lee's Donuts, and they have the very best donuts. Seriously make it a destination if you're ever in Vancouver. TO DIE FOR! Anyways, I was REALLY going to hang out with my Mom and nephew, the donuts were an afterthought (yeah right!) but I was good. I shared!

http://www.seegranvilleisland.com

Henry has a cold

or allergies... I'm not sure. He's been snoring a lot more, sneezing a lot more, and kind of snuffly. Hopefully it's nothing, but if it doesn't get better in the next few days we'll have to take a trip to the vet.

Apple Version 3

Bullfrog

This is from last Sunday's Family Guy. Warren and I were both crying we were laughing so hard. Poor little frog...

Mango

Here is a little 4x6 painting I did of a mango. It started off *quite* disastrously, but I let it dry for a few days, then re-worked it and I think it turned out alright in the end. I still need to do some work on the background, but the mango itself is DONE!

Combat Paper Project

I just had to share this inspiring documentary about the Combat Paper Project. It's a truly touching video, and the process of cutting up their uniforms to make something useful and beautiful seems to be a cathartic step in the healing process for them. Enjoy!

Fun with Dolls.

These pictures were taken a few years ago on a summer wine tasting trip to Naramata... yes, I caught Warren playing with dolls! Leave him alone for a while with a glass of wine (or 5!) and this is what can happen. Hanging out on the patio, enjoying the sunset and a nice glass of Pinot Gris, suddenly notice our friends kids doll, and voila! ART! I bought him his own when we got home, but he was not amused...

An apple a day...

This is a 4x6 oil painting I'm working on. Now that I've worked on it a little more, I can see how unfinished the first one looks. It's not finished yet, but I'll wait until next week to look at it with a fresh eye.