Creative Saturdays

Today was gallery day...I love Saturdays at the Fundy Gallery of Art.

I probably should have been more productive, but I did get two dolls turned and 2 monsters created. I just love Orangy...one eyed with a flair of an eyebrow and the most awesome shade of green pants...who would not want this guy, I think! The plaid dude is just all mustache and spectacles....A bit of a strong man/geek.

My production was slowed from paying too much attention to the art class that Alma was listening to on the Internet....didn't think the guy would ever stop critiquing and actually teach the class, not that even Alma was painting today...but we both came away with more insight into was wrong with paintings, as the guy really only liked one completely, and I had to agree with him. Also learned a little about powder pastels and their application and about what can be left off a colour palette, very educational day.

Also, I now have in my stash Sharon's discarded project....yup she has started anew....even had to make a trip to Michael's...she is just so funny...but look out Oscars, because she is going to look great....so the piece to the right in the picture is the piece that didn't work, I told her what a great skirt....it might just be a new skirt for one of crazy dolls...who knows! But it truly was a rewarding, creative and educational day.....

Best of Couture

Once again my friend Sharon has outdone herself on my Christmas gift. Some may remember my Oscar dress that she made me last year; well this year I received the most adorable and practical granny square vintage inspired skirt. I cannot contain my excitement....nor my desire to wear it....we all know what I am wearing to the Fundy Gallery of Art tomorrow , this piece of art....

I love the triangle hemline, is that not the coolest...it was suppose to be fringed to make it even, but I could not have that, it was it was suppose to be a little longer, but knee length is more my style. Oh and I mention that there is orange in it...this is better than any Pj’s people leave the house in, I can now go out wear the “lap” blanket and I know it is going to be oh “wow” not the disgust people give at wearing Pj’s, but I will have the same comfort....now to find the right shirt or sweater ....I am so spoiled, but really there is more to the story....

Originally, she gave me another granny square skirt that I fell in love with in a magazine earlier this past Fall and I knew I had to have it, so I bought and passed it over and said “I need this, I love this” and from there the saga begun....my Christmas gift in the making, the colours were perfect, purple, grey and black...she worked tirelessly, it was a lot of work....it got bumped by some other projects, including those awesome Angry Bird hats she made my boys, and the head warmers that she made both Mary and I, and those snowflakes for her daughter to give to her co-workers, and the breads, and paintings she made, but alas she presented me with my skirt just after New Years, I was so excited....and then I put it on and ...it was too big, I wanted to cry...this was not like a material skirt where you could just put it under the needle of the machine and zip up the side, no these were individual squares that were put together, these modern patterns did not compensate for a decreased waist size....people are suppose to be built straight or pop out, and even a ribbon or tie would not work...just too much bulk. I hated to break the news to her, but she took it like a grain of salt and found another pattern within hours it felt, and here we have the do over....and a magnificent piece of couture...once again the story of the Friday Night Knitter Club rings true....I am privileged to have such a wonderfully talented and loving friend.

Renforth Winter Village

Every morning when I drive Jeevan to school I look at the New Winter Village that has developed at the Renforth Wharf. It had grown over the past couple of weeks, more “shacks” being added, adding more colour and texture to the icy landscape; the essence of winter culture in the Maritimes. What a community that is built, close knit, cozy but freezing at the same time, all with a common goal in mind...Smelts.

For those who are new to this winter phenomenon, Smelts are little fish and not ones to be eaten one at a time; no you need a “feed” of them. I never liked them as a child, although my dad couldn’t wait to get a feed, and my mom dreaded their presence. These little things, that you gut using your scissors (cut off the head and slit down the belly) really aren’t worth the effort, gutting them is a pain and eating them is worse given how boney their backbone truly is...for a small fish way too many bones. I am wondering why my Dad loves them so much; all I can say is Yuck! It must have to do with the purity of the fish, given that they are small, it is not about freezing his butt off, as he doesn’t go to the shack, he get delivery...it can’t be the light coating of flour Mom puts on them....but it is something, but be about the culture, the season, the thrill of how many will be in that pound, as you will not just eat a few of these fish, they are way too small.

To those in those fishing shacks, I wish you great daily yarns; new friendships and a prosperous season and I will miss you all once the thaw of Spring arrives.

My Knits!

Mommy, I need my Knits....A couple of months ago while shopping at The Hospice Shop, Jeevan spotted knitting needle in a basket. Mommy, I need these knits, I said are you sure. Yes, I need to knit...I am thinking this will not last. So after lots of shopping and checking everything out, and a lady who worked there telling me, that needles were dangerous, I confirmed with him that he needed them, Yes, I need. Would you rather have a toy, no, I need these knits...home ward bound we go....

Today, he discovered, my purchase from this past weekend's adventure. Red, Briggs and Little yarn, hoping it will work for a project, not that it is what I had in mind at all...but what's a girl to do after all it took to get to the wool event in Florenceville. Jeevan proceeds to tell me that he will knit this yarn, Red is his favourite. Without a doubt he did his best!

He claims he needs lessons, so look out Auntie Sharon, you can't knit and crochet in front of me on Thursday nights for the past 3 yrs and not expect me to want you to teach me how to knit, as it does not come naturally, and Mommy can't help!

Rainy Day Suprise!

Today the rain made me think that it was time to surprise Jeevan at pick-up with the bear he is has been asking me to make for almost 3 weeks. Well today was the day. I stuck him in my pocket and off to school we went....and Jeevan was elated...and of course commented on its bow tie, as that was a very important part of the creation. He fit in his coat pocket too...and I was met by a wonderful note at his cubby....

It was just a perfect day and glad Jeevan had the best day at school and that little bear met his expectations.

When the time comes to let go...

20 years ago I was getting ready to head off to University for the first time...getting bedding ready, my mom offered me some white pillow cases that she had, so I thought, perfect, but I bet everyone will have the same so I embroidered my name, or I should say my dad's "name" for me....at that point in my life he was the only person who called me DAR. Recently, when cleaning my linen closet, I realized that I still had them, imagine, I have been across the country and back

and STILL had them...well I can't remember the last time I used them....but oh they were just the perfect feel and texture for yes my favourite thing, tea-dying...they turned out great....now they are on their way to becoming a "Darla Girl", which Darla Creations will be launching in the near future...what better way to use them...who knew that BA in Art would lead to the "Darla Girl" doll ....oh and I left with another very inspirational piece on the first day of the rest of my life too....you'll hear about that soon too...stay tuned....and thank you mom for believing I could be anything and giving me some pieces of home to make sure that I did!

When 6ft is short...

For those who know me, my kids are tall. My oldest is 6'3 and my 3 yr old is 3'6.5 so he too will be over the 6ft mark... But as we discovered yesterday at the MillRats basketball game,being 6ft is short. You had to feel bad for number 10, despite is good looks and in the the real world, above average, but in his world he is short....especially when a fellow player is 6'7, 7 inches is a lot...I have many friends who about that much shorter than me and there are times when it is awkward. Well, he looked like a runt...but ran like fire and played like a pro...leading the team to victory....so being 6ft truly is not all that bad! I strongly recommend taking in a game...great time to be had by families.