Days off

Photo credit: Perry Mastrovito

Going to breathe the fresh air of Gaspésie, meet some old friends (one of them I haven't seem for over 15 years!) and try out our new camping equipment... Weather is very bad so I don't know how long I might stay. But I'm going to see the ocean, to pick some beach pebbles and to take 10,000 photos so... life is beautiful!

See ya friends!

Summer creations

Summer is a very creative period for me. I feel inspired and stimulated by the life in nature all around me. My ideas are clearer, I use brighter colors and I work faster, enjoying more what I'm doing.

Lately I worked on many new glasses sets. Here are some photos of my latest stuff.




I particularly love that patchwork tray. I'm proud of the result, as I'm often scared that I'll make a blunder when I make big pieces!

I'd looove to hear you about my new creations. What do you think? The designs, the colors, what does it tells you? What kind of color combo do you like? I have a lot more to do and I'll use all your suggestions for my coming work!

Boxes and stickers

I'm preparing for a 5 days exhibit in August and ordered last week some custom pillow boxes from LilithEvy and ZD stickers from Pixel by Pixel. I received both and they look awesome - all orangy and fuchsia! 

I was a bit upset at myself because I forgot to mention I wanted round stickers and ended up with squares, but they still look good. I'm wondering now if I'll just cut some of them in circles... Prefer round than square in everything!

Moroccan Treasury

My painting is featured in an amazing treasury! You still have 2 days to view it and click on each item! Imight buy the Moroccan Lamp + Mosaic prints... They would go well with my Moroccan style kitchen...

Giant!

Inspired by the Family Summer Center, I decided to try making a huge calendar to help with planification and also for the kids to have an idea of what's going on this summer. 

Of course my summer calendar has nothing to do with the Craftzine version but I had fun and the guys are very excited about it. I used an old vinyl blind. We wrote on different post-its everything we wanted to do and when we decide to do an activity, we put the post-it on the right date. I used different colors for people we will see - either home or elsewhere (yellow), special event/activity (pink), others - like garage sale (orange) and Mommy's events (pale yellow). 

At least they don't ask me 1000 times a day anymore when we're going camping or which night there's a soccer game. Everything is there. I'm also reminded every time I look at it that summer is short, so let's profit!

Reflections

photo credit Mattfinish

I came accross two very powerful quotes in the last days and felt an urge to share. On my journey to heal myself, I discovered some simple sayings can dramatically change my way of seeing life and handling it. I also feel I could help change your perception by sharing with you. Who knows... Maybe these words will found a resonance in you as they did in me. Read and reflect.

"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." - Og Mandino

"We have the ability now to get to know our little child within us. We have neglected that child for a long time. Like any child they are going to get your attention one way or another. We have let her run wild in the streets with our credit cards. She has neglected to clean her room and to eat good foods. She stays up way to late and doesn't get enough sleep! This makes her cranky. Oh and she spends way too much time on the computer and doesn't get enough exercise. Do you know anyone who would allow her children to do this? So why do you allow yourself to do this?" - FlyLady

A special one for my french friends :)

"(...) Pourquoi prend-on le temps de s’émerveiller devant un chevreuil ou un orignal, pour ensuite ne porter aucune attention à un écureuil? C’est la rareté, bien sûr. Mais quelle drôle d’idée, lorsqu’on prend le temps d’y penser! Ce n’est pas le degré d’originalité d’une expérience qui la rend extraordinaire, mais notre degré de réceptivité et la qualité de l’attention qu’on choisit de lui consacrer. On peut déguster un simple verre de jus de pomme et en retirer énormément de satisfaction, tout comme on peut manger un super gelato à 5 $ la bouchée sans même le goûter parce qu’on est trop préoccupé. C’est définitivement l’état intérieur dans lequel on est qui est délicieux, non pas ce qui est en train de se passer à l’extérieur…" Marie-Pier Charron

Kids Holidays - and what it means for a Mom

Haven't find time in the last week to write even one line. Holidays are here, for the kids, I mean - so mine are over! I'm trying to keep them busy so they don't fight (the favorite activity of two boys that don't have something constructive to do). That means I'm also quite busy and don't find the time to blog/write/twit/list on Etsy/paint.

Weather was nice last week so that was kind of easy. Playing outside is an activity in itself so I don't have to be too creative. But rain came during the week-end so we had to find something to do inside...

I bought this 'carnival' kit a while ago and thought it was a good time to take it out. Little One (4 y.o.) took 2 minutes to finish his 2 masks. Big Brother (6 y.o.) took ages. I was so proud of him. He was taking his time, choosing carefully his colors, he was so into it, reminded me of me - that was a good feeling. I really enjoyed watching him (I secretly hope my kids will be artists!). 

So! My summer will be like this, a break from my usual occupations, quality time with my little guys, playing, watching, taking too many uninteresting photos and trying to enjoy some time away from the computer...

I'll try to post as much as possible but I already know I will not be able to be as active as I use to.

Have a nice summer!

Welcome to Artsyville!

Have you seen these amazing drawings? I'm so crazy about them - the colors, the doodles, the messages... Everything is perfect in my artistic eye. 

I found Aimee's art through her Artsyville blog first, then discovered her Etsy shop and thought all her doodleprints are  interesting. This is the kind of stuff that really catches my attention. Very inspiring, too. Triple love!