March 31, 2014

Jamie

Yesterday I was delighted to get some time for art day! It was great that the lesson we're workign on simply started with doodles. I've been really surprised by so much of what's going on with me creatively right now - and I'll share more on stART!

Shannon
Art Day! It was really interesting to do this art day ness, I'm still settling on which face to use or if I want to keep making more potato heads, but so far this one it quite in the lead for the running.

Suzie

I ended up deleting the Damn the Man blog but I just haven't had the heart to write on my suzieridler blog. It's just too associated with the past. So much change is coming for me and I want to really embrace it and document it. All of it starting off with the move and then my life out west. I am hoping to continue crafting and getting involved in the geek culture out there. Fingers crossed. So I created my latest blog Crafter Geek & Freak.

March 30, 2014

Jamie

Clearly, Jinx doesn't approve of what we're watching! I wonder what she's going to insist we watch?

Shannon
Feet felt random to me :)

Suzie

This was the most random thing that has happened to me, well, maybe ever! I don't know if you saw on FB but yesterday we went downtown and went to a place I haven't been to in a long time for hot chocolate and in their window was my photograph! It was also on their tables inside. I knew right away it was my photo but Reg wanted me to make sure before I said anything. I was right. I am mad they did it but wonder at the odds of me discovering it? I took this photograph at least a year ago and had no plans to go back to this spot. I of course am going to write to the owner to figure out what's going on but still, totally RANDOM!

May 29, 2014

Jamie

I'm so glad we got some dancing in yesterday - and it looks like Shannon and I were the only two in Canada that did! It was so exciting to see that come up on the World Stage and know - that's us!

Shannon
I'm been a crazy YT machine and doing way to many videos, but ... they've been fun so many it's not too many! Anyhow, as I love that I can use custom thumbnails now but one of the funny things is I also like to have a good mix of thumbnails that are actual stills from the video and alas this pic I took, I ended up not using because I went with a still! But I really liked the image so I thought I would share it here :)

Suzie

Wow. It took a lot of energy to clear out my packed closets and prime it. It needs at least one more coat but the crafts rooms is getting close to being completely ready for storage and turning it into a bedroom. It was rough, I haven't slept through the night in over a week so I only have an hour or so of energy to do stuff during the day but I am making the most of it while I can. 

March 28, 2014

 

Jamie

Guitar night last night! It was a very small class - only three of us there, which meant lots of nerve-wracking personal attention, LOL! We made great progress on the classical piece that we're learning and got a new song, You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones. I am so loving having this in my life - not to mention what has kind of turned into date night with Justin!

Shannon

I recently started The Sweater Project 2014 and am sharing the journey of the sweater over at my YouTube channel.  I have already made some really good progress and have been much more motivated to keep working on it (read: I've actually *done* stuff!).  Of course, I have my trusty yarn sided sidekick to keep me moving forward too! 

Suzie

I just finished with packing up the kitchen (five boxes) and next is my crafts room. One task I have been dreaded is emptying out the closet and priming it. It's still that dark blue the crafts room was. Reg kind of freaked out when he saw all the stuff that will be going into storage. I am still getting rid of stuff but there is a lot I want to keep and it's kind of freaking me out too. 

March 27, 2014

Jamie

I'm checking out a drawing class at Creative Bug and am surprised to say that I'm loving it. Drawing has always been intimidating to me and this class just opened up the possibility of doing the kind of drawing that I actually do like to do but that somewhere along the line I got the message wasn't "real". So I spent some time doodle/drawing and having an absolutely wonderful time. In fact, this became the backdrop for a new Creative Sparkler which I shared this week.

Suzie

Yesterday we got over a foot of snow but did not lose power. We have never had snow-covered windows before but it was like a white tornado swirling around out house. Often when I looked outside, I could only see white. I found the storm exhausted and spent a lot of time in bed but then got up and made cookies. I hear we have another storm on its way and I'm just so sick of it. I can't wait to leave!!!

March 26, 2014

Jamie

My day was infinitely brighter when I received this lovely package from the dear and beautiful Julie Gibbons - all from her creative heart. What a joy!

Shannon
I totally forgot to take pictures today, but I did watch the Teen Wolf S3 Finale and found this Teen Wolf pic. I really have enjoyed the show, although I feel bad as there is so much screaming in it! I enjoyed this season and look forward to more, although I'm surprized it's coming back so quick (June!). Fun times. Minus the screaming, of course.

Suzie

I can not remember the last time Reg and I did dinner and a movie but what a treat! Burgers at Jungle Jim's and then off to see Veronica Mars. I said I would support the movie (I was going to donate to their kickstarter campaign but they had already reached their goal when I tried) so I was going to see it damn it! I remember watching the first season and thinking how brave it was a show. How cool it was to have such a smart and tough female private detective who always had her camera with her. When the show was cancelled, I was devastated. Now I have closure. It was like a two-hour episode but that is what I wanted. Clearly others did too. I was expecting an empty theatre but nope, quite a few showed up too. Now if that show would only go on Netflix!!!

March 25, 2014

 

Jamie

It was so exciting to launch a new meme at Jamie Ridler Studios yesterday: I Made This! How much people enjoy Show & Tell both at Creativity Coffee and during the Old Skool Blog-a-thon really made me feel like this would be a fun thing to create space for in the new studio. I hope that shared creativity will inspire everyone and bring their creativity to life!

Shannon
It was quite a long day yesterday, but with the weather turning a nicer tide I decided to stop for coffee and journal (and ...ah... have some banana bread). I've really missed going out to journal, and I really hope I can get back in the swing of this habit as it makes such a positive difference in my life.

Suzie

I emptied out my closet yesterday because it has to be painted and stuff is finally going to go into storage when I discovered this! I remember after I graduated I didn't really want to do anything with my degree but Reg insisted so we got a modest frame. Now? I think it's time to get a really nice frame for it and hang it with pride.

March 24, 2014

Jamie

It was awesome to get out to the movies this weekend! I really enjoyed Divergent and came to like Tris more and more through the film. The reviews have been lukewarm at best but I thought it was great.

Shannon
It was very exciting to get out to the movies on the weekend with Jamie and Justin and watch Divergent! I quite enjoyed it and thought it was a pretty faithful adaptation of the book. And it's so exciting to see films with female leads. Woohoo!

Suzie

We finally found it! It's the perfect mirror for the bathroom downstairs! I had given up that it was going to happen. The photo doesn't capture the aqua colour very well, still having some tech issues with my computer. Anyway, we found it. Soon the downstairs bathroom is going to be so beautiful! I wonder if I am allowed to take this mirror with me after we sell the house? I just love it.

March 23, 2014

Jamie

I really spent the majority of the day getting my newsletter ready to go out today. The good news is that I had a really good time putting it together. It's not that the newsletter itself takes tons of time (well, it does) but mostly it's getting everything in place so it's ready to share. I'm really glad that I've decided to start sending it weekly. The feedback's been wonderful and though it is in some ways more work for some reason it feels much more filled with ease.

Shannon
I had to pick this one for randomness because...I could barely even figure out what it was!

Suzie

Yes, that is Ms. Jinx-a-roo! How is that for random? I am trying to go through and organize my photos from when I was in Toronto last year. This is one of the first photos I took and it is of this quirky little lady. I am still grappling with the realization that I got on that plane a year ago one month from now. It has been hard looking back but it starting to be time to do that kind of thing. With a kitty this cute, it makes it much easier.

March 22, 2014

Jamie

It was great to head out for lunch with my friend Annabel yesterday. As soon as I'm downtown though I want to run a million errands! Yesterday I got a couple of wonderful rings that I am so excited about. I also just loved this retro map of how the subway used to look - very cool!

Shannon
It was so awesome to get caught up on this weeks episodes of The Voice, although I think the recap show was the most fun as after that they really quickly start reducing the contestants. It took a bit longer to get into this season, but I already feel strongly about so many of the people on the show - and the coaches too!

Suzie

Are you bored yet? I am! Yesterday I tackled all my glasses, mugs, plates… Put around 1/3 of them out into another room to prep them for storage. I did four coats of paint because these cupboards really needed it and would have the most impact. I also painted the shelves. Then I cleaned down all the outsides of the cupboards and will be doing touch ups tomorrow. I am not doing all the shelves but most of them are now done. Next is putting stuff away and cleaning up. Ugh! That was NOT easy but they say kitchens sell houses and mine is going to be PRISTINE!

March 21, 2014

Jamie

What a big day! It was so exciting to launch the new studio site - even if we weren't ready! There is still a lot to add, to share, to build but the process has been amazing and the feedback stellar. I'm especially excited that everyone found it really easy to find their way around. That was something we were really going for. I'm delighted I could end the day with a glass of champagne to celebrate!

Shannon
I had such a hard time decided *which* sweat program to do , but this one ended up being tons of fun! I wish you could save favourite sets. They should totally add that feature to Just Dance!

Suzie

Yesterday I gave myself a day in the kitchen to make homemade beef broth from scratch. Took four hours and it was awesome! Now I have to figure out what to make with it.

March 20, 2014

Jamie

Today was all about getting the website ready to go for tomorrow! I was so nervous about the move, especially about taking the old site away but making sure that I don't lose any of the content. <<knockonwood>> it all turned out well and I have access to both sites and can build this new one gradually and beautifully. Yay!

Shannon
I'm sooooooo excited to have a physical dictionary again! I spent loads of time looking through it and writing out works and definitions last night :)

Suzie

So there must be a little of a "completist" in me because once I started painting some of the cupboards white, I just couldn't leave the other ones that dingy green that I hate. They say kitchens sell houses so I'm going for it. Turns out it's a great way for me to go through stuff, consolidate, decide to give some stuff to the food bank… It's taking forever though but my instincts say, do it! So I am...

March 19, 2014

Jamie

So tech challenges were really frustrating but there were a few fun moments like this cute one from filming my segment of stART with the peanut gallery, aka Shannon. What a hoot! I've got to go watch the show and catch up with you, Suzie!

Shannon

So..... I took this picture *before* we started stART yesterday, and before the tech flew out the window.  I still enjoyed catching up as much as we could live with each other, and then getting to revisit it on YouTube too!

Suzie

Our little library was packed with stuff we had to take to donate after stART yesterday and that was very stressful and difficult. It is one thing to say good-bye in your mind, I suppose it is another to actually let it go. I am personally thrilled that today we can actually walk into this room now. It is going to be turned into my new office space so for that to happen… Oh but I kept my black zombie wig!

March 18, 2014

Shannon

Planning is a big Monday thing for me, and here is a planning moment (doubles as a lunch-ing moment).  And I again forgot to take a pic of dinner!  Just a regular one.. but a good one.  Ah, well :)

Suzie

Another kitchen painting photo! What a shocker! LOL. These newer cupboards did not like having the wood painted on but I did the inside of them but it will definitely require another coat at least. I also worked on the downstairs bathroom and have just one more part to paint and we can put it together!!! I can not wait for that to happen. Last night I felt like I had been run over by a truck but soon we will have two rooms officially done!

March 17, 2014

Jamie

Yesterday was a super creative day! I made my dreamboard in the morning, made art with Shannon in the afternoon and practiced guitar with Justin in the afternoon! I'm looking forward to talking all things creative with you guys for stART!

Shannon

These are a few side pieces that didn't quite make my art day piece.  I actually really like having a few extra pieces, they can always find a home in my journal and then it reminds me of what I was working on at the time.

Suzie

And so it has begun! I am officially decluttering my kitchen. It began with all the stuff I had along the top of my cupboards. Then I started to go into my cupboards and figured out what would be donated and what will be put into storage. I think I donated 1/5 which is pretty good for me considering I didn't think I would donate anything. Soon my kitchen will have zero personality. Well except my cupcake clock. I have to have something in there that says Suzie!

March 16, 2014

Jamie

My random pic for Sunday is actually from Saturday! Justin and I had a great outing just doing errands. I was so excited to invest in a Play Station Network card at Staples so that we could get new songs for Just Dance 2014! We had a blast trying them out and laughed all our way through Sexy and I Know It - wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah!

March 15, 2014

Jamie

A wonderfully relaxed Friday, including a Hello Kitty treat - thank you, Shannon! I thought I'd share this picture because it cracks me up - what looks like some waft of something special out of my mug is actually a Kleenex from the box behind!

Suzie

Yesterday I did more painting even though my back hurt. I am going to be getting stuff ready to go into storage so my creative life and even kitchen life is going to change significantly. Slowly buy surely I am going to get this done.

March 14, 2014

Jamie

One of my favourite things in the world is to get out to a coffee shop with my journal, a book - and for the first time ever, a sketchpad! It's such a treat to just while away an hour or two refilling my well! I'm so glad I got some of that time yesterday.

Shannon

After many, many years of awesomeness it was time for my red pants to find a new life.  It was a bit weird to cut them up into patches and rags, but considering they looked like they just survived the piranha scene from The Toy, I knew it was time. I'm keeping the stripes though. They will end up on one project or another.

March 13, 2014

Jamie

After a balmy 7 degrees on Tuesday, look what arrived yesterday! I watched the storm all day from the studio. It wasn't so bad being an indoor observer with a cup of tea.

Shannon
 So... four tries recording direct to YouTube and no luck! Grr!  But, downloaded Movie Maker and wasn't too bad recording directly to that (thanks for the recommend Jamie!) and then the upload wasn't all that bad.  And I figured out how to clip off the end, which I wouldn't normally do but I goofed and needed to.  I hope I don't get crazy hit by the editing bug.  But the happiness of it all was I got my video up, and it sounds better than my regular ones (yay) although doesn't look are sharp (aw, well). Constant learning!

Suzie

I did too much yesterday but couldn't help it. I did a second kitchen cupboard. This way the two worst ones are now officially done! But my back is really hurting. Last night I dreamed I told someone I was leaving Nova Scotia so there is obviously a mental shift happening and I like it.