Self Portrait Challenge * Patterns

theme is patterns. I took this at the Portland Chinese Gardens. It was our first time there and it's so gorgeous. These sakura flowers were all over, 'paved' with smooth, black stones that had been turned on their sides. So pretty.

The Garden Bracelet

I took a beading class yesterday, from the fun and amazing Kelly Angeley. She's been seen all over the pages of Stringing Magazine - including the cover of the Spring issue!
So below is the bracelet I made.... click on any of the pics to see them larger, directly on my flickr page, where I've stuff written about each shot.

At long last, I have made something new! This will be the first in a series that I'm making with this gal.... this one is called The Escape Artist.



Credits and steps taken to create it can be seen here.

White Wine Bunnies

Ok Seriously, could this bunny be any cuter? My uncle and his wife have 8 new bunnies hopping around. Oh how I miss my old place, with our bunnies all about. Don't worry animal lovers, no bunnies were harmed for this photo :)

My X, his wife and 3 additional (since ours) kids are in town. Bless his little heart, he's here visiting his son, for the first time in 10 years. Despite my sarcasm, I'm happy he came to see Tyler, in Tyler's environment. They are having fun and it's about time.

Tomorrow, we are driving up to Portland for Tyler's last INS stuff.... his fingerprints. Yahoo, the whole immigration thing will be done, finally. Now he can get a job - woo hoo! While up there, we are picking up his best buddy Ian from the train, from Canada. I love Ian - so I'm tickled pink he's spending a week here. I just wish his mom was coming too. I miss my best friend SO much, it's kill'n me. One day.....

4th of July

We made it....

I'm a wee bit bitter that not a single person in my family called to wish us a happy anniversary. Jeepers.... 10 years folks.... well at least Snoopy gives a shit.

How 2 : make a magnetic storage & inspiration board

You will need:

• metal flashing (available at hardware stores)
• scrapbook paper
• glass puddles
• glass topped metal containers
• spray adhesive or carpet tape
• tacky glue
• mighty magnets
• ribbon (optional)
  

Directions

• bend 1/4 of the flashing over a sharp edge, so that it forms a stand
• spray it front surface with spray adhesive or cover with carpet tape
• place the paper on and trim as needed
• paint the backs of glass puddles or glue on a little scraps of paper and let dry, then glue a mighty magnet on each one
• glue ribbon around base of glass topped tin, if desired, to dress them up a bit
  
• glue mighty magnets on the back of each tin and let dry completely

There you have it! It's perfect for:

• holding inspiration pics with the magnets and those special charms or beads in the tins
• holding recipes with the magnets and favorite spices in the tins
• holding pics and postcards with the magnets and postage stamps and stickers in the tins
• holding food/health diary with the magnets and vitamins/daily pills in the tins

What else can you think of?

Happy Canada Day!

June 28th marked my 10th year here in the ol' USA, but I still must hum the O' Canada tune in my head today! I'm still Canadian after all. I really don't want to become a US citizen, I'm happy just being a resident.

Spirito di ZNE

Yesterday I was featured at Sprito de Zne!
They wrote a really nice blurb about me - how cool. (thanks gals)
Check it out here.