The Ridler sisters, Suzie, Jamie and Shannon, discuss their creative projects, from challenges to celebrations, and support each other's creative lives.

Friday, March 31, 2017

March 31, 2017



Shannon

In getting ready for Jason's visit it was time to do another big tidy up, and Jamie helped me with that yesterday and Justin helped me today get some art up on the way. It's amazing that it really feels just that much more like home with art on the wall - especially pieces that I've had for so long like these two which I did at OCA so many years ago. I really love being able to see all of the different pieces up and what instantly had a home and others that I'm still not sure where they will go Like so many thing, it's an ongoing process!



Suzie

It was such a beautiful day until it wasn't.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017

Jamie

Well, I just let the energy of the day take me today. I was up in the wee hours with the cats. Then instead of coworking, my friend Tanya and I went for a massive walk. I ended up with >20,000 steps today and look at the kind of views we saw! Also robins and bloom snowdrops - spring is here! I also managed to get over to Shannon's for a power session of progress getting ready for Jason's visit. What a day!



Shannon

I sooooooooooooo didn't think I would get caught by Big Brother Canada this year...but I did. I'm hooked. It makes me laugh, it makes me smile and I love how Canadian it is. If it counts for extra credit, it was my physio show today!



Suzie

I have been going to VV constantly looking for this set and it finally showed up! I painful $25 but it is seven pieces of nostalgic pottery and I had to have it. I had a 30% off coupons thanks to all my donations. It was a very weird day too. I was supposed to go to my doctor but the office cancelled so now I am going tomorrow instead. I never go for walks that late in the afternoon but I couldn't stay in when the sun finally came out and tah-dah!!! There it was, waiting for me. Just makes me feel at home.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

March 29, 2017

Jamie

I ventured to a new salon for a haircut today and, lol, no, this isn't it. It's a shop nearby. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the sunshine including this beauty. A new style was a great way to get into the energy of spring!


Shannon

With getting ready for Jason's visit I thought I would take the opportunity to do my seasonal crossover for the kitchen. I think spring is going to be a colourful season!


Suzie

Yesterday after stART I made the dough for chapter 2 of my book. Today before drawing class I made the teardrop chocolate orange cookies. Tomorrow hopefully I will have the energy to glaze them and do the photoshoot. I am starting to think the name of my book should be something like Foodie Alchemy because it really is about transformation, just of experiences and memories instead of substance. It is hard though. But hopefully will end up delicious.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

March 28, 2017

Jamie

Chatting with you two was definitely the highlight of my day - but I didn't snap a pic! So, Shibumi will have to suffice. I knew when I brought the tulips home, there would be trouble. I can't wait until the garden comes back to life so I can safely enjoy flowers instead of worrying about them getting eaten! Thanks so much for our good chat yesterday. It really helped.



Shannon

Yesterday was so jam packed, I didn't actually get any pics in! I usually take at least one during stART but my phone was charging at the time so no luck there! I had a great time catching up as we shared what we've been up to. It's been quite a time!


Suzie

This card must be representing our time together for stART because I am not feeling this energy anywhere else. That said, I totally love this card and had a blast hanging out with both of you.

Monday, March 27, 2017

March 27, 2017



Shannon

There was some movie-ing this weekend! I got out to see Logan *and* I saw Arrival. Those were two really big movies on my to watch list, so it was nice to see them! Both were pretty heavy, and quite good, but I think now it's time for some sunshine-and-rainbows stuff!



Suzie

Yesterday we went out to a fancy pants Jewish deli in Gastown in downtown Vancouver with a friend of ours and a big gang of her friends. It was a dark and depressing day. Great way to make the most of it and nothing like a Reuben sandwich to make things better.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

March 26, 2017


Suzie

Saturday started off as a pretty great day. I did my waffle post, got out to a bakery to try a pie that they have in a city contest and then I came home to find out my site had been hacked. In my attempts to delete the corrupt files, it has now completely disappeared. I can't even get into WordPress at all. My friend is going to work on it but it is not looking good. I went out tonight to listen to some music at a cafe in New West because I knew I would just obsess about it all night. So now I am home.... obsessing about the future of Suzie the Foodie.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

March 25, 2017


Suzie

I finally got back to the studio to help with some cleaning (paying my dues and such), making pieces for a potential glazing class I might be in and finishing off glazing pieces that needed more coats to be food-safe. Then we played D&D at night. OMG, so tired!!!

Friday, March 24, 2017

March 24, 2017


Shannon

Yesterday was quite the full day! Got some vlogging done (including a Star Trek Book Tag - which will be up next week!), headed to the library and got to have coffee with Jamie! I have had some grumpy days this week, so this was a very nice change of pace to have a day full of awesomeness.


Suzie

This is a crap photo but I didn't have my fancy camera on me but you might be able to see the first cherry blossom in our neighbourhood bloom, middle and to the right. Vancouver Island has been covered in blossoms for a couple of weeks now. I don't remember ever being this far behind them before but our winter was brutal. Had kind of a brutal day myself but also got out to the movies to see Studio Gimli's Spirited Away. OMG, what a weird movie! I think I had blocked it from my mind. Shannon, that one might haunt you. Very good though.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

March 23, 2017

Jamie

I worked hard yesterday. I worked on everything from the podcast to the yearbook and I did it all on very little sleep. At least I had good company :)


Shannon

I've been watching Star Trek during physio and I finished the series. I already miss it. I wish you could put TV series on Shuffle in Netflix so you can just keep watching them. I enjoyed re-watching the series and there was actually 1 or 2 that I don't remember seeing before, even though to this point I have been 100% confident that I have seen them all. Normally that would freak me out (and it does freak me out, a little), but on the other hand it was pretty to see something for what it felt like being the first time.



Suzie

Had a couple of deliveries come for product reviews so I am a tad swamped with trying all sorts of stuff, photographing it and writing about it. It all comes at once. Did lots of laundry too and tried to rest but the phone kept ringing or the doorbell would ring. It was so weird, like life waiting until I was relaxed and then pouncing on me. Think I am going to have to hold off saying yes for a while.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017



Shannon

I had a major lack of photos as it was an appointment day, so this is when I got home and konked on the couch. Was fun to catch up and watch other people's wrap ups for the readathon I did over the past week.



Suzie

Long day! Did drawing class, blogged rested and then made dinner. Forgot to take photos of the PC matcha cheesecake at class that I brought. Everyone loved it but one person. It has taken me a long time getting used to blogging the day before but one thing I like about it is it seems to be a good thing to do when my energy gets low. Although I did still nap afterwards, LOL.
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Tuesday, March 21, 2017

March 21, 2017



Shannon

I had so much fun watching the movie together today! I took a picture of us Zooming but it appeared to disappear! So strange. At least I snagged this one, and more importantly we got to hang out together :)



Suzie

It was great being hermits today today! I still have my grumpy pants on but at least I was in awesome company. Thanks for hanging out.

Monday, March 20, 2017

March 20, 2017

Jamie

Yay for art day! The sun was shining, the temperature higher and there were grapes and good company. All of that equals awesome. I just loved working on my junk journal. I could make these day after day after day after day!


Shannon

I snuck in a little moment with Shibumi while I was at Jamie's for Art Day. It was so much fun to work on art and get to visit and get to see the cats too, fun times!



Suzie

Had quite the weekend and spent Sunday at a flea market (more like an antique market!) and was working on my book when Reg called and asked if I wanted to go out to dinner. Hell yeah! Discovered a Chinese food place that is not that far from us that rocks and got to meet a lot of cool people too.
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Sunday, March 19, 2017

March 19, 2017

Jamie

She looks like a little bit of a grumpy pants in this photo but she was actually quite relaxed. I'm easing back into life these days. I got to the gym, which was great, and took a gentle, restorative class. Justin and I also got out to dinner, which was such a joy! It is so good to be feeling better.


Shannon

I did it!! I completed the Readorama readathon and read 7 books in 7 days. Holy smokes. I am still floored I pulled that off. I did go with lots of shorter choices including a novella, a kids book and a play but I still read over 1000 pages in a week and finished an audiobook. It was a lot of fun but I do hope I didn't overdo it, and throw off my reading energy by cramming so much in a short time. We'll see ! It was very fun to share what I was reading as the days went on, and I look forward to doing a wrap up video. The energy of it reminds me of film festivalling, but without like.. . having to go outside.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

March 18, 2017

Jamie

It was so great to get out with Shannon for a fun Friday night! We hung out at Indigo and bought some treasures and then went to a close by diner that we used to go to with Mom. What a wonderful way to wrap up the week!


Shannon

Day 5 of the Readathon and I think I might now be on the downward spiral. I know it's unlikely I will finish these books, and find myself now in a bit of a race-to-the-end mindset, and I don't want to rush any of these as I think they all would be more enjoyable at a not strained paced. And I really don't think I could finish The Chysalids unless I didn't do anything else for 24 hours. All that said, I'm not sure how I'll approach the final 2 nights. I might just want to sleep! This has been really intense, but also a lot of fun.



Suzie

Went to see the final Wolverine movie which was very violent but very good.

Friday, March 17, 2017

March 17, 2017


Shannon

Okay, I bet this looks very suspiciously like the previous days... because it is. I am continuing the readathon and two of the books I'm reading are taking a bit longer than expected, but I'm gonna keep on keepin' on with them! I also added another kid's book to the mix: A Wind in the Door, which is the sequel to A Wrinkle in Time. I'm enjoying it so far, it's a great combo of sweet but also kids dealing with some crazy stuff. I like fantasy that's like that! And I paired one of my most favourite bookmarks with it.



Suzie

Had a bit of a rough day. Walked all the way out to another McD's for a maple Danish and they didn't have them either. I pushed myself too hard and got upset and left when I really should have rested a while but I did not want to waste money on food I didn't want to eat. When I came home I discovered this fairy door at the base of a tree in front of my favourite house in my neighbourhood. That cheered me up a little but I spent most of the rest of the day in bed or on the couch.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

March 16, 2017



Shannon

Yes... there are MORE BOOKS! I'm continuing The Chrysalids, which is pretty cool but dang the font is so small I am not confident I will finish it during the readathon even though it's only 200 pages. I also picked up one from my favourite romance authors, to lighten things up and have something a little more fun. That was the thought, but turns out it's a we-have-to-save-someone-from-the-evil-king kinda of deal. I hope it doesn't get too dark! We shall see.




Suzie

Quite the whirlwind day because I didn't sleep thanks to McDonald's maple caramel latte the day before (the things I do for product testing) and Michelle gave me a lesson in Lightroom (brain is exploding with intel) and I had a Mystery Bag delivered to me with goodies from President's Choice so I did a quick video. Man, I am exhausted! Better sleep tonight after all that craziness.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

March 15, 2017

Jamie

Yesterday I had a lovely time writing morning pages with Journal Clubbers. It was so cozy with the snow outside and a blanket, chair and good company inside. It ended up being a very productive day though I am having a hard time finding my way to ease back in as opposed to overdoing it. Getting a good night's sleep will hopefully help.


Shannon

More reading goodness today! I finished off the kid's illustrated Beowulf (I had no idea there was more than just the Beowulf and Grendel bits), it was a lot of fun to read! So far I've read two books (one kids, one novella), made a replacement pick for the one I let go of, and than realized I need another replacement pick unless I want to read two Christmas set romance novella's. Haven't decided on that yet, but for now... on to The Chrysalids. Oh man, I hope that's not Christmasy!



Suzie

Drawing class today and we had a fun day of making silly surprise portraits and yes, I drew that cupcake Kawaii head! We also did some serious portrait work too and I continue to shock myself at my ability to draw people and do it quickly. Quite the juxtaposition to this drawing, LOL. Oh and everyone loved the lady fingers!!! Big hit. Made me very happy.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

March 14, 2017



Shannon

I have a feeling all my pics this week will be for the readathon I'm doing! This was my first set of books that I dove into. I've already finished one (a romance novella described as Buffy-meets-Downton-Abbey which was okay), I'm about halfway through an illustrated retelling of Beowulf (kids books for the win!), and I the third I'm going to give a pass on. I'm feeling stronger about letting go of books I don't think I'll enjoy, especially with the restraints of a 1 week readathon! Let go and grab the next one. Here is hoping I find all winners to enjoy for Day 2!



Suzie

I made ladyfingers for the first time after we recorded stART. Couldn't find my piping bags anywhere and hurt myself in the process of tearing apart my kitchen and injured my... you guessed it, finger! I can tell you I was no lady when that happened. Ouch! Guess it's a good thing I ordered more bags recently with those new piping tips. I baked these for my drawing class tomorrow. Going to dip them in melted chocolate and add sprinkles. Fun! Had an awesome day chatting with you two today too. Thanks for all the support.

Monday, March 13, 2017

March 13, 2017




Shannon

I had a blast of a time making bookmarks for the books that I'm reading for the marathon I'm doing this week. It's been so long since I've made any, and this time I mostly used one full image per side whereas before I've done more collage. It's wild how even something you've done multiple times you can still take a new approach, and still enjoy the result! Now... back to reading for me!!

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Suzie

It was all about the brioche this weekend and what to do with it! Rich, eggy and delicious brioche bread that I used for Gordon Ramsay's first cooking class. I thought I might as well also learn how to make brioche as well so I taught myself. We also did an epic grocery shop so we finally have food again. A good foodie weekend.

Saturday, March 11, 2017

March 11, 2017



Shannon

I decided to participate in a readathon next week, one... because coming up with what I wanted to read was so much fun... and two, because I realized I never had before. I do lots of listing, and working though lists, and projects, etc, but I haven't actually participated in a readathon before! I was a bit worried about overcommitting, but I realized it's just a week and if I don't last the whole time that's totally fun. Fingers crossed it's a good experience!



Suzie

I was in a bit of a rush today. I got my Campbell's Soup post done and posted, got out to the library, stopped by VV for a peak (no purchases), got food at Chong Lee and then picked up meds at London Drugs. I also worked on a brioche dough and did some painting for my book. Productive day and so glad I got some rays, we're in for rain for the next week. Thought about going to the studio but I heard there was no clay so I thought I would get more done at home and I did!
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Friday, March 10, 2017

March 10, 2017

Jamie

For the first time in weeks I feel a smidge better. It's a good thing too because I needed to film the next installment in the Junk Journal Journey class. Luckily Shannon came over and was a huge help with teaching how to bind the pages together. I couldn't be more in love with this process. I just wish I felt so much better!


Shannon

Had a great day hanging out with Jamie and helping out with a Junk Journal Journey video! Once I got home it was rest time ... with Gammera! I decided to find and watch the last 8 B-Movies that I never made it through in my SciFi Suprize series and this was the first one. It was awesome. HUGE turtle. Wacky impossible perspective. A model boat through icebergs that coulda been done in a bathtub. Sassy 60's hairdos. And did I mention the HUGE TURTLE?


Suzie

Getting to go out for coffee with Zorica who is here for a wedding was definitely the best part of my day! Showed up for a prescription that they were supposed to have ready and didn't even have a record of me stopping by IN PERSON to order it. Then my site got hacked. Yup, this was definitely the highlight of my day.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

March 9, 2017



Shannon

It was a very moody weather day! Awesome winds throughout the day and the sky looked different every time I looked out the window. Pretty amazing!



Suzie

In honour of International Women's Day we went out for lunch and used a gift card I got for a post I did last year! We have $3 left on it so we did very well. Reg also picked up McD salads for dinner. It was very odd not doing any housework at all for a day but I am not complaining. Hope you both had a good day too!