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.

Newest Painting

Here is painting #2. I'm really enjoying this class, and learning so much! I can't wait to start #3 next week!

Winter Farmer's Market

Here we are at The Wise Hall for the last day of the Winter Farmer's Market. It'll resume in a couple of weeks to it's summer location at Trout Lake. Buy local!!!

Mother's day !!!!!!!

Don't forget about Mom this May 11! And what Mom doesn't love jewellery?

http://www.luxe-design.com/

Stanley Park

How lucky are we that we have such a magnificent park right off of Vancouver's downtown. On a sunny day, it is just heavenly. It was really windy this day though, so it was a bit chilly, but we found a sheltered spot and had a lovely Smokie slathered in fried onions for lunch. With mustard... lots of mustard.

IT'S COLD!!!!!!

OK, the Rhododendrons are blooming. Cherry blossoms are out in full force. The Magnolia's have already bloomed, and the flowers are starting to fall off the tree. So WHY oh WHY is it still so cold? Global warming my ass! Here is poor Henry looking at me like," WHEN can we go to the park?" It snowed on Friday. This is Vancouver. We LOVE to brag about how we have the best weather in Canada. It NEVER snows here! And if it does, it melts in a day. Well, that's still mostly true, but who was laughing this weekend? Ontario! They had a beautiful, warm spring weekend back East. I guess they deserve it though... they had a truly wicked winter. I was there twice in the last 6 months, so I experienced it first hand!