February 29, 2012

Jamie

Every other week I head out for an entrepreneurial art picnic with a group of amazing creative business women. We share our adventures, challenges and celebrations while cutting, gluing and drinking great coffee. I love working at home but it's a joy to get out, connect and be inspired by these amazing women.





Shannon

And that would be my cat snuggling up on my to do list. At least I had a cute reason to leave it be... but I actually still snuck it out from underneath him and he curled right back up to sleepyland.

Suzie

I have finally been adding items to my Etsy shop again for the first time in years. It feels kind of weird and good at the same time. It is something I have wanted to do for quite a while. I won't be officially launching the re-opening of my store until I have 10 items up there and wow, do I ever like hearts! I have so many heart pendants but that won't be a surprise to you two, LOL. Although the use of the words "Not in a skuzzy evil way" within my Jezebel Root Attract Wealth Necklace Amulet post might be.

February 28, 2012

Jamie

Fun with paper! Considering my love of collage and dreamboarding, I have lots of magazines hanging about. It was fun to find a new way to play with them: making coasters! Mostly I enjoyed making these as a puzzle for my brain and fingers! 

(Here's a tutorial)

Shannon

When I first saw this leaning against the side of a house I assumed it was a painting or piece of art; but then after looking closer I wonder if it literally just randomly looks like a cute lil creepy person with long dangly dreadlike hair. Who knows? Either way, I love it.

Suzie

I don't know why I get nervous to do this kind of thing but I finally started adding white skull decals to my black mixer named Rebel thanks to Stickers by Design. I am absolutely in love with the look, it is exactly what I wanted. Although I may add more, LOL. Just too cool!

February 27, 2012

Jamie

Out this weekend I forgot to take pics (which never happens!) except for when I saw this colour story from across the store. It had more of a purple hue than comes across in this picture. I love a monochromatic scheme and whether I'm buying socks or shirts or dresses my colour story is:

Black, Grey, White

Purple, Pink
Silver.

Shannon

Weekend Watching - Awesome action Bounty Hunters, emotionally complicated drama Sympathy for Delicious, catching up with National Treasure that a friend lent me (it was really fun), continuing X-Files rewatch and of course one of the biggest nights in film for the year: The Oscars!

Suzie

We had a rare Sunday at home (which is good, we needed it) so I attempted to improve upon Iron Chef Bobby's Flay's pumpkin soup (which Reg called a melted pumpkin pie) with homemade apple dumplings. Also did six loads of laundry I think? I lost track.

Rewind: February 26, 2012

Jamie

I miss Bascha all the time. We lived quite a journey together, all the way from her being a stroppy flea-bitten 3-lb stray to us both falling in love with Justin to carrying her in my arms in a blanket to the vet on her last day. One of the joys of my life is giving her the love and home she needed to shift from her high-strung street self to a cat that would melt into our arms, feeling safe, sound, and full of love.

Suzie

REWIND! I adore this photo of you Shannon! You look so happy and I am pretty sure it was taken at Christmas because the box for "The Poppery" that Jamie bought for the family is still in the corner of the kitchen and I think the Speak & Spell you are playing with was a Christmas gift.

Man, the floors in the kitchen were so weird! I do love seeing all the tea cups on the kitchen table though.

February 25, 2012

Jamie

One of my favourite outings every month is my entrepreneurial lunch or coffee with my dear friend Annabel. For, wow, over three years now we've been having this regular get-together to share our celebrations, challenges, thoughts and ideas. It never ceases to inspire me.

Shannon

I really enjoy checking into Get Glue for when I'm watching TV, especially when watching live and getting stickers or the random stickers that you never know you'll get. Like this one I just got - A check in hero after checking in 500 times. 500 TIMES!!! OMG. That feels like a lot. And I only use it for TV, no film or music or books. That's a lot of TV. I'm scared to look back to when I started..... But the sticker still is darn cute.

Suzie

Normally I would never order a book from the library before April but when I heard about the DVD in this book I just had to. Apparently her wire work and tutorial is very helpful so I picked up the book before another big weekend storm hit and I am going to watch the DVD today as the wind rages outside. I hope I like the DVD more than the book which has jewelry that is way too complicated for my taste.

February 24, 2012

Jamie

I've had my eye on this scarflette on Etsy for about 2 years! It was one of the first things I put on Pinterest. And now I get to wear this beauty thanks to a birthday present mix-up which turned into this. Thanks, Mom!

Shannon

Keeping up with my accomplishments at a glance sure looks like I've gotten a lot done!

Suzie

I have been stuck as to how to finish off my pendants and then decided to make sliding knot cords for them. That way they are adjustable and I don't have to worry about sizing them. Of course I needed a photo to remind me how to make them so I put my iPad on an easel which worked like a charm. I just wish that on Crafty Thursday my neighbour wasn't attacking firewood with a chainsaw because I had a migraine. That was not a good part of the day but the rest was fun and productive.

February 23, 2012

Jamie

When I bought my laptop I invested in a large one, figuring I'd primarily be moving it throughout the house. Now that I've been co-working over at my friend Tanya's house, I've been in need of a case and haven't found anything that both fit and I liked - so I made my own! This is the first time I've just made up my own crochet pattern. It's super basic but I'm so pleased with the results!

Shannon

My prep notes for chatting Hexed with Suzie! I actually don't usually print them out but often favour complete long hand on top of taking notes while watching the shows, but I did them a bit different this week. I usually write up a little synopsis + some insights & questions, all on 1 piece o paper! Quick references for the win! Except when I can't read my own handwriting.. which happens... for maybe about 1 show a week, lol! Good thing Suzie's got my back :)

Suzie

Have not been feeling very well and have also been running out of food so I took inspiration from both of you and made that split green pea soup but foodie-fide it a bit with stuff I had on-hand. Reg said it was better than Habitant! Which is exactly what I have been trying to accomplish so thank you both for the inspiration.

February 22, 2012

Jamie

One of my creative projects this year is to create a daily collage journal: one page for each day of the year. Sometimes it captures the mood of the day. Sometimes it's a mini dreamboard, letting the Universe know what I'm yearning for. Sometimes it holds my movie ticket stubs.

Shannon

I did a really good clean of my kitchen on the weekend, and although I wasn't happy to see more mess it did make me smile and laugh to see this one lone piece of popcorn that must have launched from the popper to the beside-the-sink-with-stuff-spot.

Suzie

Yesterday I wanted to finish off Cold Porcelain Mermaid Shell Copper Pendant and turn it into a necklace. Reg had brought home all this jewellery from Curacao for me to use in my creations that you can see at the back of the photo and it just made me so sad. I had a hard time taking it apart (normally I love doing that). It felt like I was destroying our dream so I stopped and sang some Patti Griffin instead.

February 21. 2012

Jamie

I feel like this could be a picture of so many of my days! 

Though the view is the same, I may be exploring, creating, learning something entirely different. Justin had to work this Family Day, so I spent a delicious day writing, working on an e-course that will guide you through an entire year of dreamboarding, complete with meditations and journal questions for each full moon to deepen the magic.

Shannon

Yesterday was a (provincial) holiday here so I actually had a day of unplanned time and spent some of it creating a video and attacking 'the stuff' in my apartment. I moved over 6 months ago and it's really time to you know... be settled.

Suzie

Life was too insane yesterday to take photos. Lots of phone calls and stuff to do. So glad I started the day with these Qi Gong exercises. I don't know what happened at the end of this video, it got cut off, but doing part 1 and 2 really heated me up and got me out of breath. I am more and more convinced this is an effective practice for those with fibromyalgia and that the illness may be caused by stuck chi in the sore spots. Still not sleeping though.

February 20, 2012

Jamie

I love that I have a series of photos of Shannon taking her series of photos every time we go to a movie for the Book-to-Film club. We just saw The Secret World of Arrietty based on the Mary Norton book, The Borrowers. The movie was captivating. The animation was magical. I'm so glad we're on this journey together.

Shannon

Weekend watching this weekend was really voluminous. Not quite sure how I made it through so many films in 1 day plus a slew of DVD extras with a few more to go. I will be one busy person reviewing this week! Good thing that all of them were enjoyable and all of them stuck with me, especially Café de Flore and The Secret World of Arrietty.

Suzie

Had a very stressful day of unexpectedly rushing out of the house into town. Not the relaxing day we had planned so it concluded with some shopping therapy with Reg's gift card on the way home. Can you tell who bought what?

Rewind: February 19

Jamie

A couple of years ago we started a project of cleaning and organizing some of Mom's slides. This wonderful shot is of Suzie and Mom. Suzie have you seen it before? I'm pretty sure it's from Sauble Beach.

Suzie

OMG Jamie, no, I have NEVER seen that one before! Thank you so much, it's wonderful and OMG, I am wearing pink. I LOVE it, thank you.

And here I was being sneaky using a photo I think you sent me years and years ago of you, me and Jason in our backyard. Man, I remember exactly how that chair feels. I love your pink pants and that is how I remember you back then exactly. And I am a tomboy, as usual, LOL.

February 18, 2012

Jamie

Shannon and I hung out at my place tonight and ate this Thick and Hearty Split Pea Soup from Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen. Tasty! It was particularly exciting because Shannon found an ingredient I've never been able to find anywhere ever: liquid smoke! It was totally delicious.



Shannon

Haha, and that is what the soup Jamie made looks like! It was definitely yummy and a huge highlight of the day. Thanks Jamie!

Suzie

I am so happy that not only did I get to spend $10 on some cool crafting supplies at the dollar store, I actually walked there on my own! I have been slowly getting out of the house and out for walks, which is February is unheard of! Not to mention the time of year but it has been very hard for me to get my cardio back from having pneumonia so this was great motivation. If I ever really get the hang of resin (I have started emailing the company about my clouding issues) I think these will make the cutest foodie pendants ever!

February 17, 2012

Jamie

But the real question is: does art save Bob Harper? Hehe! I was a bit worried reading the description of Bob's intense approach to yoga that it wouldn't respect what I love about the practice and would just be aggressive. I've only had a bit of a look but so far that's not the case. Plus Bob's love of training and his expertise really comes through. I haven't had a chance for even the briefest look at Jenny Doh's Art Saves but I'm really looking forward to it.

Shannon

Spent a day training and was treated a welcome surprize of a beautiful, nutritious and delicious lunch. Learning & lunch. Works for me :)

Suzie

I spent a big part of Crafty Thursday (formerly known as Creativity Thursday) trying to figure out how to make a video in iMovie. It hurt my very own skull as I turned my Ice Resin photo tutorial into a slideshow with music. Super steep learning curve but as Shannon always says, you only have to do it for the first time once. Thank god!

February 16, 2012

Jamie

Yesterday Justin and I had the treat of wandering through Kensington Market as we did groceries for Mom. There's always something to look experience and explore in this pocket of Toronto. It's hard to see but this community centre was full of what looked like huge, colourful puppet heads. Of course, I had to pull out my camera.

Shannon

I know this probably looks like nothing that interesting but for me it represents a HUGE sense of accomplishment as I recently just got through a HUGE backlog of reviews after a few delays including being sick for a huge chunk of January. But I am now officially up to date and I plan on enjoying it as much as I can! Victory Dance!!

Suzie

Yesterday I decided I was finally going to do it, I dyed my own hair for the first time! The highlighted area really picked up on the red from the "Dark Warm Brown" colour which was perfect, exactly what I wanted to have happen. Thanks Jamie for letting me know about L'Oreal's Healthy Look product, it was so easy to follow!

So glad my hair didn't turn green, LOL.

There are so many fears right now that I can't deal with that tackling small ones like this on my own gives me some sense of personal accomplishment.

February 15, 2012

Justin and I had a fabulous time at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) for Valentine's.

The Maya Exhibit was wonderful - I feel so inspired artistically by what I saw (no photos allowed in there).  I was also truly amazed by the dinosaur exhibit, particularly remains from Ontario. Imagine a Mastadon here!

Shannon

So I ain't much of a romantic, but I am a Twi-fan and lookie what came out just in time for Valentine's :) And because it's not just about sparkly vampires, I also picked up the Indonesia action film Merantau with Iko Uwais (he's soooooo awesome) and from director Gareth Evans who won me over last September with The Raid at TIFF. Can't wait to check it out!

Suzie

I took Valentine's Day off. No blogging! Well except here but you know what I mean. I thought the best self-love challenge I could do would be get me to face some of my crafting fears that keep me small. So I actually read the manual for my drill press and my vise and experimented. I ruined a few things which did not break my heart. I am just staying open to disasters, as long as those disasters don't physically hurt me. I learned a ton and feel so empowered!!!

February 14, 2012

Jamie

I think Justin and I have started a new tradition! We're taking Valentine's Day off but instead of going out for dinner today, we went out last night! No crowds. No overpriced menu. Just the two of us, an old favourite restaurant and a lovely, leisurely, romantic evening.

Shannon

Yes, I know .... The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift just *screams* Valentine's.
Huge Thank You to Jamie for surprizing me and sending me this, and for surviving me pretty much going into a tizzy over last week after a really long, awful day where what kept me going was being able to finally see this film on TV.
And then it wasn't on.
Now I can watch EVERY DAY if I want to! YAY!!

Suzie

Jamie, I finally invested the $3 to get the ap you recommended Insight Timer for meditation. The only problem? I had my iPad on mute and didn't know it! I was sitting there for probably 10 minutes thinking to myself, I know it's gone on longer than 5 minutes. Too funny, LOL. So I did it again later on for just 2 minutes and realized it has a starting bell. Love that you can make notes afterwards, it's awesome.

I meditated in my crafts room because my stress has hit the roof and I love this ap! Totally worth the money. Three bucks for sanity? I'll take it.

Looks like Jamie is full of surprises eh Shannon? Nice! And I'm going to see The Woman in Black tonight. So romantic for Valentine's Day! :)

February 13, 2012

Jamie

The snow and cold made it a good day for tea and reflection. My table still holds the holidays: a Christmas tablecloth that evokes Latvian dinners, a tall vase that holds our anniversary's white lilies and roses. Journal time helped me get clear on what this year holds for Jamie Ridler Studios and what resources will be required.

Shannon

One of my Sunday rituals is to go for coffee to journal, make lists and plan for the week.
I find an immense difference in my day and my week when I do or don't do it.
If I don't do it, I feel grumpy and overwhelmed and even though I'm out of the house for a couple hour I still end up overall being more productive than if I had just stayed home.
It's weird, but it works.
And I like things that work.

Suzie

Guess it was a paperwork kind of day. We had lots we had to go through and while we took breaks we watched High Fidelity and the new show Smash which I liked more than I thought I would.

Rewind: February 12, 2012

Jamie

Rewind: I can't believe it was only 3 years ago that we renovated our kitchen. This is the 'before' shot. You can tell by the removed handles on the drawers that we were about to make a change. It was such an interesting process and today it's really reminding me of how far we've come.

Suzie

As you can tell, I'm having a really rough time. It reminds of those horrible years in high school. Somehow I got through that and I'm going to try and celebrate the fact that this latest cycle from hell is going to end. I ended today realizing that my Ice Resin pendants are totally cloudy and just all-wrong because it's so cold and damp here. I think I'll go back to the kitchen for a while. I can't deal with any more failures.

Thanks for the support Jamie & Shannon! We were with a family member all day Saturday who was recovering from surgery. To come home to your comments here meant so much to me!