Self-Portrait Thursday!

Having fun painting! One of the guys working at the art store gave me a big lecture about using my hands to spread the paint on the canvas. Something about metals and health… blah, blah, blah…(kidding). I know he’s right so I bought myself a box of gloves. They are working well, even if they are a bit too big. It doesn’t make too much difference to the process, and my hands are clean at the end, which is a bit of a bonus.

In other taking-care-of-myself news, I am aiming to drink my full litre of water a day. But not just water, slightly (Celtic-sea-)salted water – in order to not be in the washroom every 10 minutes. I just learned this yesterday, and it seems to be working!

Meeting the Creative Coconuts

Last year, I joined the “Creative Coconuts”, an online creative community started by Marisa from Creative Thursday. [This community has recently ended, just so you don't go looking for it!] I met so many great people there, and got to know them through the community and on Twitter. When we found out that Marisa was going to be teaching at the Makerie, four of us jumped at the chance to meet (and create) in real life!

I flew in a day early and stayed with Anne and her family in Boulder. I adored them all and had to laugh when Anne was worried about whether or not I would be comfortable with the high energy of her kids. Luckily, I am quite used to that, with three of my own!

The following day we met with Sarah for lunch, before heading up to the retreat for registration. Amazing brunch was eaten at tangerine. If you are ever there, please try the “Green Eggs and Ham” – sooo yummy!

Sarah and I in front of “Art is Power, Create a Spark” posters.

Sarah’s instagram photo of Anne and I with Marisa’s fabric at Fabricate.

Monica and I at our Bloom True class!

The Creative Coconuts meet in person!

The Coconuts go crazy!

I am so grateful to have met these four amazing women, and I am looking forward to another reunion.

Gratitude Tuesday and Happy Birthday MOM!

Happy Birthday to my amazing, beautiful, creative and inspiring mother, a.k.a. MA! My mom has given me so much: my love of rainbows, my competitive streak, my parenting style, my scoliosis survival, my knitting and crochet knowledge, my love of yarn and books, and the list goes on and on. Thank you Ma, for everything you do. I love you. xoxo

Today, I am grateful for:

1. My mom spending last week with us and taking care of the kids and cooking while I danced for 6 days straight during the Core Connexion teacher training! My mom rocks!

2. Spending the weekend dancing with my BFF, Angela!

3. The supportive and wonderful dance community.

4. Warm weather is back!

5. My back supports me.

6. The feeling of slipping between freshly laundered, high thread count, sheets. Oh, and our amazing mattress.

Painting: a progression (part 2)

Sarah‘s painting, as I received it:

What I did to it:

Painted during Flora Bowley‘s Bloom True class at the Makerie. A magical experience. Click here to see part 1 of this post.

National Screen-Free Week

I will be away next week, from April 30-May 6. Not really away, but not online! Oooh, this will be hard! No blog posts, no Twitter, no Facebook, nuthin’! The kids’ school is encouraging everyone to join in on National Screen-free Week, so I said I would give it a go! I will miss being here, for the first day, at least! Luckily I will be dancing most of this week, so that will keep me away from the computer anyway!

I’ll be back on May 7! Anybody going to join me? If you comment below then I’ll know you cheated! Ha ha!

Flashback Friday: 1992 & Happy Birthday Husband!

Back in October, 1992, I met the love of my life. I knew he was for me the moment I saw him. Somehow I knew that we would end up together that night – just ask my mom if you don’t believe me; I called her right away to tell her so! I can hardly believe that we have known each other almost 20 years. I’ve almost known J.P. (I call him by his last name, though) longer than I haven’t known him!

Happy Birthday to the man who makes me laugh, really listens to me, knows me better than anyone, is the best father three kids could ask for, is patient, kind, gorgeous, loving, fun, funny, and my partner-for-life.

So in honour of his birthday today, I am bringing you a photo from when we first met. Fashion of the times: dark tortoiseshell glasses, layered haircut with bangs.

From the cassette vault: the Waterboys! JP and I used to listen to this album (plus Sarah McLachlan) over and over again, during our endless hours staring at each other.

Painting: a progression (part 1).

Painted during Flora Bowley‘s Bloom True class at the Makerie. A magical experience.