Whywaitforlife

Some Valentine Ideas

2012-01-26T03:59:00.000-08:00

This is a leap year and, yay, we get one extra day! Anyway, I'm starting to think up ways to surprise those I love with little Valentine gifts that don't cost the earth or wrap themselves around the hips. The one above is a cute idea that is easy to make from a sample size of Tabasco. If you can't find that, why not just attach the little sign to some red hot chillies?

Time flies ...

2012-01-22T07:37:00.000-08:00

I'm finally on my feet again and ready to take on Edinburgh. Life with the little guy is interesting and, good heavens, doesn't it take energy to keep up. He received a lot of gifts at Christmas but seemed to enjoy the box some of the gifts came in much more than the gifts themselves. The box became a flying machine, a boat, a hiddy box, a storage box for his gifts, a reading desk, an art table and his favourite -- a sitting stool.

I like to think he also enjoys his Cath Kidson Cowboy bedlinen. That's him cuddling up with a few friends.

As for my own activities, I managed a couple of articles for the Citizen and am now trying to come up with some Valentine ideas. My biggest project, however, is under wraps as I will be working on it with a couple of great pals. Meanwhile, I'm off to the National Museum of Scotland later for some storytime and play with guess who??

Edinburgh is a'flyin'

2012-01-03T02:47:00.000-08:00

The winds here are really scary and don't show any signs of abating. Lots of cancellations including buses, public parks, etc. Here's a video showing a trash bin flying down Leith Walk, close to where I stayed last year.

Think I'll stayin today.

High Street Ventures

2012-01-02T07:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone!! I hope 2012 holds all kinds of goodies for you. Here in Edinburgh, we’re all are recuping from bad colds that hit us on Boxing Day but are still able to enjoy ourselves in bed with lots of books and games. Hogmonay for us was quiet although we did enjoy the fireworks at midnight.

I did manage to get out for a couple of hours to see what bargains I could find and learned that the holidays here are ALL about SHOPPING. Boy was it an eye-opener. I saw women with shopping bags the size of small cars (okay, okay, not cars but definitely skidoos) struggling against 40 km/hr winds and scurrying from store to store hoping to snag a last minute sales bargain. Most women had at least 2 such bags per arm but I’m sure if their arms were longer they would have held more! And these women were determined - if you saw something you liked, they'd grab it from you before you could blink. I saw clerks being pushed to the ground when bringing in more stock as people grabbed the boxes out of their arms. Is it like this in everywhere?

The sun is out and the wind has died down a little (30 km/hr!!!) and I will be hitting the high street again - this time with my camera to record what's going on.

The View from Here

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am in Edinburgh. It’s been over 3 and ½ weeks already and I’ve only just got myself back on Scottish time. The trip over was eventful – especially when our pilot at Ottawa airport announced that the flight over would be a very bumpy one and he was waiting for instructions for a different flight plan. The alternate route was only slightly bumpy and we made very good time only to reach London and be placed on a holding position over Heathrow.

Getting to Edinburgh from Heathrow was really fun – we were thrown about by 60 km/hr winds hitting us head on, tossing the plane about like a toy. And landing was more of a real adventure. In Edinburgh, all the planes had been moved behind the airport because of the winds. Before leaving London, just before take-off, four of us claimed the same seat on the BM flight to Scotland and, as a result of the mix-up, each of us got to sit in first class throughout the boisterous flight – hey, I never say no to free drinks and snacks!

By the way, that’s a view of Salisbury Crags from our window.

Hot Stuff - Ikea and me

2011-11-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

One Christmas, at my former home, I decorated all the bookshelves with burning tea light candles. I was careful in placing the tea lights inside my lovely little glass yoghurt containers I brought back from Paris. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the candles from burning up the undersides of my bookshelves. Ever since, I've been careful how I used them. And now, of course, the fact that lit candles set off the smoke alarm in my current second storey basement apartment forces me to use them ONLY OUTSIDE on my BIG balcony.

However, that did not stop me from figuring out how to regift the ones I still had on hand. I was terribly chuffed when I came up with what I thought was terribly original by making up little packs of these candles to give to visiting guests. But it seems Ikea is on the same wavelength although I have to say a few weeks AFTER I came up with my packages. As the Ikea post shows, tea light candles make original take-me-home Christmas gifts. Of course their photo shoot is sexier than mine, but my packaging is completely recycled so I feel good about sending this gift home with my guests. Beat that, Ikea!

By the way, on a completely different topic, check out these ideas at my recycling blog for repurposing clothespins and coat hangers (along with Kraft paper, and even a branch or two), into nifty little Christmas Advent Calendars. You've got one day left if you want to make them.

Edinburgh Bound

2011-11-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

Only days now and I will be in Edinburgh again!! Can't wait. Whenever I get excited about something, I always get this that funny, almost nauseous feeling in my tummy that only goes away once I'm on the plane. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what clothing and stuff to take and what to leave. Because I'm into making stuff, a lot of my packing consists of the tools and materials that I think I may need. The solution? These will be going out today as a parcel to myself.

Meanwhile I'm just putting the finishing touches on my Christmas article photos. The sun never did come out (and not expected tomorrow!!) so I worked like crazy shooting setups on my BIG balcony with a wind that could have taken me out too. Now I have to do some magic with my photo software.

Since I'm off to Scotland, I thought it would be nice if one of my projects reflected this with these cute little gift cards or tags. To make I used up bits of tartan ribbon and gift wrapping paper saved from last year. I used cookie cutters to make the tree and star templates. It's amazing what you can do with just a little.

Did I mention that two gals from Flash Mob Volunteering came by and I joined them to clean up the vacant lot beside my building? I made a callout a few weeks ago to the group and was delighted with Sunday's response. Brenda and Lisa were awesome, bringing along shovels, rakes and garbage bags. After we were done, Jan over at the Sun Cafe offered us tea and coffee for all our hard work.

Christmas article ideas and more

2011-11-25T05:59:00.001-08:00

Christmas is only a few weeks away and even though I'm busy packing up my stuff for my move to Edinburgh, I've found time to make some goodies for my Ottawa Citizen Christmas articles. I've been trying to photograph these projects for the articles but the sun won't be coming out today (I hear it may be tomorrow - thanks Annie!!) so I'll be braving the cold and lugging my stuff onto my BIG balcony to catch whatever light I can.

In the process of searching through my stacks and recycling bins for inspiration, look what I found, tucked away (and forgotten)--these lovely vintage Christmas song sheets that I probably bought at the Great Glebe Garage Sale years ago. The cover colours are gorgeous and have inspired me with some great ideas. You'll see them soon, I hope. Meanwhile enjoy the view.

Thoughts on moving on

2011-11-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well, the workshop at the Daily Grind Art Shop was a hit and I got to meet some nice ladies who seemed to be quite taken with my offerings. We repurposed greeting cards into little boxes (perfect for just one perfect carmel fudge or a piece of small handmade jewellery), gift tags, and tree decorations. As well, we reused magazine by transforming them into Christmas cards and envelopes, gift bags and, of course, those cute little Christmas trees. Just perfect to use in a tablescape or to decorate a hall table, book case, or mantel. Walked home down Somerset Street a real high.

It's odd that I get so nervous before holding a class but always leave feeling on top of the world. Must be the vibes I get in those workshops.

Anyway, I woke this morning at 6:00 am to the bang, slam cacophony of garbage trucks collecting the trash behind Bank Street cafes and restaurants. No milk - so tea instead of coffee for breakfast. But it was so sunny and clear that I couldn't feel too upset. Filled a few more storage boxes before heading out for my milk and stopping for a coffee at Bridgehead.

In some ways I've gotten fond of my second storey basement apartment but there are some things I won't miss. For example, having to make my toast outside on the balcony because if I do it in the kitchen it sets off the smoke alarm and wakes the neighbours who now just yell at me to turn it off (when it happened for the first time, I heard people rushing out of their flats and heading for the stairs before I shouted it was a false alarm!). I won't miss the concrete construction of the building which, although it deadens voice and music noise, is so unforgiving when it comes to impact noise - who clacks around on high heels at all hours and all over the place every so often? And, of course, there's the early morning chorus of the garbage trucks which come EVERY MORNING!!!

The fire engine and ambulance and traffic noises don't bother me = only the street cleaning truck that stops beside my building for a break drives me nuts and has me thinking of wicked ways to turn off the engine. Hasn't anybody heard about how damaging idling emissions are to the environment??

But I admit, I love living downtown. I'm close to everything I need - grocery stores, library, pharmacy, cafes, craft (Staples - really a business supply store but so much more for me!!). It's all a mixed blessing.

So that's me today. Ciao!

Christmas Workshop today

2011-11-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

I will be holding a Christmas decorations workshop this evening at the Daily Grind Art Cafe on Somerset. One of the decorations we'll be making is my fabulous Christmas trees by recycling magazines (well, not really mine, Reader's Digest and good ole Martha actually did it first - no, I'm wrong, it may have been the Boy Scouts since an early manual shows how to turn a book into a tree or a clown!!). Anyway, back on track, Sean will be displaying his version of my trees in the display windows over at Britton's magazine shop in the Glebe. So go over and take a peek.

The one shown is made from an old book but you can use junk mail brochures as well as magazines. To see some other versions go to my recycling site.

What's going on.

2011-11-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

I find myself so swamped that I finally am enjoying a good night's sleep (I'm normally a hopeless insomniac since childhood - Dad would go looking for me every morning to see where I ended up). With my move and workshops to prepare I find that I'm neglecting a lot of other stuff. But not to worry, I'm enjoying myself too, in a way.

Also selling off some stuff that I know I don't want to keep. Trimming my life has shown me that I don't need a lot to create a cosy home but there are some things I will not give up - like my globes and my toy truck. I tried to photography some of the paper Christmas trees I will be presenting at one of my workshops at Bloom Artisan but am too pooped to focus properly. To see what I'll be doing, go to my recycling site.

While making up samples for my workshops I watched my favourite DVDs. All old ones in black and white from the late 40s.

My all time Christmas favourite is "Christmas in Connecticut" (and Sean knows why). The more recent versions are tripe!! Another favourite is "The Bishop's Wife" with Loretta Young and Cary Grant as well as "Come to the Stable".

Well, back to my packing. Ciao for now.

Christmas Workshops

2011-11-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Sean and I will be holding a number of separate workshops at Bloom Artisan and I will be holding one at the Daily Grind Art Cafe.

Sean is a gift-wrapping genius and you simply have to go and take his workshop. He'll show you how to wrap a gift so beautiful, you may not want to open it but just enjoy the wrapping.

My own workshops will lean heavily toward recycling materials. You can expect to make wonderful little Christmas boxes, gift tags, crackers, tree decorations and, yes, it's true, even little Christmas trees. All from recycled material.

Did I say I was busy?

2011-10-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

So busy in fact that I couldn't find the time for an image for this post. Ran around looking for storage boxes for packing up, a friend came by to pick up my clothing stack to go to a hospital charity shop, and another came by to pick up my kitchen castoffs plus I had to take photos for Sean's gift wrap workshops. Not a bad start to the weekend.

I'm going to send the rest of the Saturday with friends and just sit, chat, and eat. Later we'll put up the Halloween decorations and join the neighbours for the traditional Halloween haunted walk with the kiddies. The kids still visit homes for their treats but the goodies have to be scrupulously examined by parents before the kids can enjoy them - minus a few samples.

By the way, I'll be presenting a Green Christmas Decorations workshop at the Daily Grind art cafe at 601 Somerset St. on Tuesday evening, Nov. 15. Register at the cafe for some holiday fun and ideas.

Last Halloween hurrah and Xmas workshops

2011-10-27T05:52:00.000-07:00

Am all excited about my first Christmas workshops at Bloom Artisan which start on Nov. 18 (details to come) but I thought I would have another bash at Halloween before closing off. The fabulous image is from Sweet Paul, a foodie and craft blog that has oodles of great recipes and crafty ideas. Check it out.

This weekend I'm off to visit friends up in Wakefield for some ghouling Halloween fun. I'll be taking along all my horrid Halloween projects to decorate their home with but they've got pots of sinister ideas as well. Oooooooooh, what ghastly fun to look forward too!

Today and early next week, I'll be hitting the recycle bins to see what I can pull out and transform for my holiday workshops. Mmmm - let's see - cards, boxes, tags, bags, trees (yes trees!!!), garlands, advent calendars, gift wraps, decorations, etc. My friend Sean will be doing gift wrap workshops on different evenings at Bloom Artisan - his work is so fabulous that you simply have to go and sign up. His workshops are on Nov. 15 and 22.

If I can squeeze them in, I'm also looking at doing workshops at High Jinx and the Daily Grind art cafe both at Somerset St. here in Ottawa. Again, details to come.

And on top of this I will be packing up as I will be giving up my second storey basement apartment (which I admit I have become rather fond of once friends pointed out its advantages - location, balcony, errrr, location, balcony, easy to clean!!). Edinburgh, here I come.

Still Monday - Halloween Project Update

2011-10-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

I'm still working hard on my Halloween projects. I can't help noticing how much of my stuff is bright orange as opposed to the black theme I was hoping to work in this year. But that's coming later this week. Right now take a peek at what I've been doing over at my recycling site. The winter cherry (or Japanese lantern) garland is a favourite and so easy to make. The above shot is one way of displaying it.

By the way, Sean and I are heading off to High Jinx tomorrow to do up a Halloween window. Drop by to say hello and look over the bargains in the store.

Monday morning, again!

2011-10-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

The weekend was cool, sunny, and blustery - a perfect autumn weekend. I set off to shoot some of the autumn colours but the wind beat me to it and almost all the trees were losing leaves faster than I could set up the shot. Never mind, I had a great time anyway. Stopped by the Daily Grind cafe, at 601 Somerset Street West, which opened its door on Saturday for the first time and anyone stopping by was treated to free coffee and goodies. It's a lovely place to grab a bite and enjoy some real Mexican delicacies - gluten-free, too. That's the cafe's kiddie corner above.

Tomorrow, I'm off, along with my friend Sean, to do up a Halloween window at High Jinx at 621 Somerset Street West (just a block away from the Daily Grind). Stop by this great shop to buy great retro furniture and decorative accessories and, as Leigh and Karen donate stuff to those who are in need, donate furniture or what you aren't using anymore.

I'm so in awe of these great ladies here in Ottawa who are so fearless and so determined to make a change in the world around them. Kudos to all - Wendy, Karen, Leigh, Krissie, Diane.

Rain, rain, go away

2011-10-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

It's been raining for the last couple of days and so, when I finished my morning runaround today, I settled down to waste the afternoon with brie sandwiches and tea and one of my favourite movies, Painted Lady, starring the now saintly Helen Mirren. It's a nice movie because it has all the elements I enjoy - angst, art, auctions, mystery, and London.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that the location of the auction house (called Bellamy's in the film) was actually Sotheby's on New Bond Street in London. In the film, Helen Mirren's character enters via the back door (St. George Street) used by employees and the punters who have something to bring in for appraisal. I loved seeing the indoor scenes - the wonderful staircase and especially the library where I spent so much of my time researching furniture provenance.

It is a nice film, perfect for a rainy day, and somewhat sad, too, as it's really all about how lying (outright or by omission) to those we love can be deadly. Our lady Helen does a credible job as the has-been blues singer who gets caught up in a drugs and art scam and no, that's not her singing the songs in the film.

Thanksgiving decor ideas ...

2011-10-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

and here they are. The above is idea # 4 of my Ottawa Citizen article. Just a simple edging of leaves on both sides of a table cloth or runner. Easy to make and easy to remove. I also have other ideas that I'll be posting for autumn decorating leading to my favourite holiday - Halloween (after Christmas).

A plus tard, mes chers!

Thanksgiving article out this weekend

2011-09-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

My Ottawa Citizen Thanksgiving article will be on the newsstands this Saturday. Buy one and see what I did. For a peek, go to my recycling site. The feather wreath is easy to make (no it's not part of my OC projects). Just wind a couple of feather boas (buy them at dollar or charity stores) around a wire coat hanger pulled into a round shape. Easy and quick to do. Looks good, too.

Me this morning

2011-09-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough and busy couple of weeks and this just says it all for me.

Thanksgiving Day article

2011-09-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

My Thanksgiving Day decor article will be in the Ottawa Citizen this Saturday so I can't show you what I did. I do have some other ideas that I came up with using pinecones and hydrangeas from a friend's garden. Hydrangeas are perfect for all kinds of autumn decoration and last a long time. Easy to work with, too.

And you know me, the simpler the better. Here all I did was plunk the hydrangeas into a nice old urn and, voila, was done. I have some more easy, peasy ideas for both Thanksgiving Day and Halloween over at my recycling blog.

Here they are ...

2011-09-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

My revamped Ikea Ingo table and Rast dresser. I decided to go conservative with both pieces of furniture as I am a redecorating fiend and it's easier to keep furniture neutral and change around things like drapes, seat and cushion covers, even rugs.

Ta-da! My Ingo table. I painted the legs white and then stained the top with a chestnut stain. The paint I used for both pieces was an environmentally-friendly, low odour, zeroVOC emissions paint that was expensive ($60. for a litre can of the white paint) but was worth it. Both the stain and paint needed sanding between coats (two) but was worth the effort as both were also very fast drying.

I used the same paint on the dresser and used the stain on the knobs.

Catching up

2011-09-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today's the day I've targeted for catching up on all the promises I made about what I'd be posting. My scattered brain cells lead me astray but I promise to follow through. I will be shooting and then posting pics of my Ikea table and dresser and pointing to my other site featuring what I've been doing. Meanwhile here's a picture of my favourite working materials. Enjoy 'til tomorrow.

Just a little something I picked up ...

2011-09-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

at the Friends of the National Library and Archives book sale at St. Laurent today. Lots of great buys for a buck or two. I got loads of maps for only a quarter each. Whoo-ee, I love sales. Love the Excuses and Lies book - just what I need!!!!

The bug book is full of zoological drawings and is in Polish (or Hungarian). Wonderful colour plates and black and white drawings. All three of these books are great for my Halloween projects but I also got a bunch to give as gifts for friends and family for upcoming birthdays, etc. A lot of these books are actually brand-new, too!!

Sale is on today until 5 pm and this weekend.

Halloween thoughts

2011-09-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Well, the shops here are all showing Halloween decorations for sale even though it's still over a month away. It's given me the impetus to start on my own Halloween ideas. Having visited a few craft stores such as Michaels and De Serres, I find it a little depressing (ah, the right mood for Halloween!!) to see that so much is available to buy that there's so little left for one's imagination. I'm not really knocking it but do we really need more stuff to buy??

This year, I'm focussing on what I can make with what I've got. No massive splurging on pumpkins. The few I do get I'll dress up in lace and net stockings or paint them although I will have one or two orange pumpkins for the colour punch but the rest will be painted black or white and maybe even stencilled. So, that's it for the pumpkins. By the way, the pumpkins will end up as pie (just cut off the painted skins and scrap out the innards) and I'll roast the seeds for munching.

The rest of the stuff will come out of my cupboards. I tend to keep things from previous years so I do have some Halloween decorations (spiders, black and white balloons, etc.) on hand. My budget is $16. mostly for photocopying (I don't have a printer), a few pumpkins and the sunflowers which I couldn't resist buying and that's it. I want to be a little more subtle with my Halloween decor (okay, I'll freak out as Halloween gets closer) to add a little elegance and flair (get off the floor from laughing, Olly, I can but try!!) to my decor this year.

For example, I just added a fearsome spider to one of the sunflowers and leave it at that. A surprise for anyone getting a closer look. And a lot more places for these little (subtle??) surprises. You like??

To see what I'll be up to, follow my ghoulishly clever Halloween projects here.