April 29, 2016

Jamie

Last night I hosted my Dream Team mastermind group and it was awesome. What a treat to have people over. it's been something I haven't been doing nearly enough of and something I enjoy so very much. I'm going to have to create more opportunities for this - and not just so I can buy treats ;)

Shannon
I've been doing a lot of reading this month, including a lot from this graphic novel series called Lumberjames. It's set at a camp and follows a group of friends who love to say "Friendship to the Max!" and "What the Junk?" It's been a lot of fun to read, but I was also happy to see the story of the first several comics come to a close because even though I enjoy it, I read it at the computer and that's not the best way to read for me. It was kind of cool to jump into something, enjoy it, and be okay with now going on to whatever the next adventure will be.

Suzie

This is an instagram photo of a gluten-free crust I'm working on. Reg wasn't thrilled about it when I told him I was going to use it for his rhubarb pie so I might make something else with it. The quality of my photos isn't super great because it's an older phone. Sometimes I wonder if that's worse for me than not using Instagram at all, since I am supposed to be a food photographer...

April 28, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday was a bit of a trying day but there will still great highlights, including getting out to choir. We sang a beautiful arrangement of Manic Monday, You can actually see it here at least for a while on Periscope. And on Monday there's a big event to honour Prince. We'll be singing When Doves Cry at Massey Hall. 

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Shannon
It was so exciting to wake up this morning and see that the plants get sunlight in their new spot! I knew this intellectually, but it was that much more power to see it in reality. After taking the picture I promptly fell back asleep :)

Suzie

I have moved all my "work" stuff out of my crafts room because I couldn't take the crappy internet connection anymore. In some ways I think it's working out because now the mess in the crafts room doesn't upset me as much. I even painted some backdrops for my foodie photos. BTW, I ended up painting over the yellow. I tried. I just don't like that colour.

April 27, 2016

Jamie

This is one of my favourite pictures of Shibumi because it really looks like her. I love her linebacker stance, especially because she's so wee! Yesterday was a good "get stuff done" day. I got to the gym, did some writing and an interview, worked with a client and did a big tidy-up because my mastermind group is coming over on Thursday. I'm so excited they'll get to meet the kittens. Well, if they don't hide. (the kittens, not my mastermind ;))

Shannon
It was super fun to celebrate Alien day by watching both Alien and Aliens. I actually was out earlier in the day and ended up being pretty tired and fell asleep during (both!) of them. Oh my. Getting old!

Suzie

Tuesday was a much different day. A lot of it doing errands, cooking, cleaning... All very exhausting stuff. No time or energy for creativity so I decided to at least get something fun done I would put my name on all my own clay tools so I could take them to open studio without people thinking I stole them. I have been watching way too much Grey's Anatomy because I keep thinking I want to be the Christina Yang of the clay studio when it comes to being meticulous and ambitious but have the heart of Izzy Stephens and none of Meredith Grey's sad issues, LOL. Can you tell I can't wait until I go back on Friday? Until then, more Grey's Anatomy...

April 26, 2016

Jamie

Whoa,the proportions of this photo are a bit odd. Still, Shannon's new art setup looks awesome! I am so glad that yesterday I could take a little bit of time off work and spend the afternoon with Shannon making some big progress on the apartment. Sometimes that final push is tough and it was good to be able to help. The place is awesome!

Shannon
I am so happy that Jamie was able to come over today and help get the apartment feeling that much more homey. I am super close to being unpacked, but there was a lot of things that needed shifting, or tucking away (or pulling out and tucking away again), to get to the next stage for organizing. And on the much more fun note, getting some nice, happy fun stuff a home. Like my plants! Which are now in a window! So exciting! Thank you Jamie!!

Suzie

I bought this Japanese tin a week ago for 50 cents wanting to use it to make plates! I had my first official independent open studio and it was so quiet! Only one other person came to play with clay for a bit but for the first half hour I could really focus and do my own thing and make a plate. You cut out the clay to the shape you want, put it on this really deep foam and push down with the funky shaped tin to help give shape and lift the sides of the plate. So cool! I used the scraps too and was just in heaven. I even got to hang out with my pottery teacher and one of the painting teachers for a bit. Everyone was so nice. I can't believe how lucky I am to have this resource so close to me.

April 25, 2016

Shannon
It was so much fun to get out to the and see Jungle Book! It was so really good, both a touching story and also quite an amazing technical feat. I couldn't imagine that we'd ever get to the stage where talking animals would feel so real. Pretty amazing.

Suzie

Laburnum always remind me of Mom. This weekend was quite quiet, spent at home working on a lot of foodie projects but I did get out for a walk and was surprised to see this little bush.

April 22, 2016

Shannon
I'm back on the "do a zillion projects" train, and the latest is returning to my read/watch all of Shakespeare project. I plan on watching Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet on the weekend, and just started reading Henry IV Part I, which is pretty interesting so far. I'm so excited to get back to this project, it amazes me that we still read and share and express the stories 400 years later. Talk about legacy!

Suzie

Went to my official first open studio for clay but had hardly any sleep and totally forgot to take photographs. I have been making thyme oil and here it is out on the front step to rest under the full Scorpio moon. Can I ever feel it and let me just say... I am not the only one...!!!

April 21, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday was a day of highs and lows. The low is that not only is my computer out of commission but it looks like my data has been lost and though I have a backup it is really out of date. As it stands right now everything from the past year, from the writing I've done to the workshops I've created to every single picture of the kittens is gone. We're going to invest in data retrieval and see if they can get anything at all. One the much brighter side I had my photo shoot at Fresh Collective and it was WONDERFUL! I had the best time. The clothes are amazing. I fell in love with a few pieces, including this gorgeous cuff, and  immediately had to bring them home with me. I really hope the pictures turn out well and reflect the amazing experience I had not only as a role model but as a woman who feels like she just found a store that actually is designed for her!

Shannon
This is a bit of a random shot, but it's definitely my fave of the day. I have no idea exactly what it is but it's from the stats/analytics page in YouTube. And I think it's totally pretty.

Suzie

Not going to lie. Wednesday was rough. The only consolation was finding amazing deals at a thrift store by my doctor's office I rarely get to go to. This little house container appears to be very similar to my cookie-themed cookie jar and they are both from Japan. So it might be part of a series and cost me $3.50. I got some other kitchen treats too and only spent $8. I think I found my new sugar container!

April 20, 2016

Jamie

It's amazing how much the light has changed. It seems like yesterday I was going to the gym in total darkness. Now the birds are singing and the sun is coming up. Somehow that makes things a bit easier. Though it is kind of cool getting up in the dark. I'm surprised to say that I'm actually quite enjoying going to the gym! it was also great to chat with both of you yesterday and to film another episode of stART!

Shannon
What a very full day yesterday! It was awesome to giggle through a lot of stART, and chat about some more intense questions too. I really appreciated talking through so much with you too! As the day was quite full and busy, I didn't take many pictures and didn't download what I did take which leaves me with my every always morning picture of my mug and morning pages to share. I wonder if these get a bit tiresome after a while, but today it's what I got!

Suzie

After recording stART I went out to the post office and picked up my mini tripod! It even has a suction cup in the bottom post so that gives me more confidence that my camera will be safe. It is just so adorable, I can't stand it!

April 19, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday I had a great time out for an entrepreneurial inspiration jam with the Fresh Collective Role Models. I'm really excited to be a part of this venture. It was wonderful to be in creative conversation with other women out to create something wonderful in the world!

Shannon
I absolutely adored this memoir by Alan Arkin, and although I could have just sped through it I decided to savour it by drawing it out over a few weeks. And still, felt like it finished too quickly.

Suzie

Very early day going to the hospital (I forgot my camera!) and then came home and mostly rested. Watched a lot of Season 3 of Nurse Jackie and Reg took me to A&W for dinner. So glad that is done!

April 18, 2016

 Jamie

I'm so glad that yesterday was a lovely day full of sunshine, the garden and art because Saturday was full of frustration and worry! My computer has crashed and despite hours of working on it, it remains in need of attention. Justin is taking it into the shop today and I'll be trying to figure out how the heck to do all my work and also make sure that everything is even more secure in the future. In the meantime, Shannon and I had a great art day working on our series for the Year of Yellow. This is bringing up lots of challenges, but we're working our way through! I'm sure we'll share more during start! Oh... I have to figure out how I'm going to do that!

Shannon
It has been exciting to work on some art in charcoal, one of my favourite mediums of all time. Messy, intense, and forgiving. All good things in my book!

Suzie

This weekend was all about work. Working on recipes I was commissioned to make, a video on making beef stew for Reg and getting a giveaway post and newsletter prepped for Monday ahead of time since I have my procedure Monday morning. I am so exhausted, it's stupid. Everything always happens at once!

April 15, 2016

Shannon
My (near) close encounter! In the daytime, no less.

Suzie

Another epically long and challenging Thursday with open studio orientation which was so tough! We had to push clay through this mesh thingy and then shape it into slabs. OMG, so physical! At least I got to pick up some of my pretty dishes that I am in love with. Fun night at D&D too but so tired and people are going to open studio next Thursday so I'm not going to get a break from two events on a day just yet. It was sad, finishing the class. I absolutely loved it and realized, I am not good with things ending.

April 14, 2016

Shannon
It's been a lot of resting recently, but I was able to do some vlogs and it felt so good ! I got back to one thing I've enjoyed a lot but haven't done for ages: chatting about series premieres. I think I had more fun vlogging about it than watching the actual show I talked about (oh, what a pitfall that can be). That said, it was a good albeit dark, show. Then... back to resting.

Suzie

I fought the urge to nap by making a strawberry rhubarb cake. Going to take it to the gals at our open studio workshop tomorrow. Overall, very busy tired. Very tired. Hope I sleep after sacrificing my nap.

April 13, 2016

Shannon
During some rest time recently I've been watching Psych, and I couldn't believe during one episode that they had in a scene the exact same mug that I was drinking tea from! What are the chances?

Suzie

Didn't get out to do much except get blood work done. That always wipes me out. Did some blogging and made a grilled cheese sandwich for International Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day.

April 12, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday my Writing and Drawing Comics class with Summer Pierre started. I was up early so I dove right in and did the whole week's lesson in the morning. It was fun to do some drawing drills and also draw 9 pets I've known. It was kind of hilarious because, um, clearly I know cat people!

Shannon
I didn't think I took any pictures today, but when I looked I had this one of a bird! I don't know what kind it is, it was pretty tiny but it looked a little different from the regular brown birds I see all the time. Quite a little cutie!

Suzie

Monday was all about food! I had held off grocery shopping for three weeks because Reg through out his back but we could wait no longer. Went to Kin's, the liquor store, Quiznos for lunch and the Superstore for a big whack of food. All while recovering from Iron Maiden. So tired....

April 11, 2016

Jamie 

The kittens really, really love these mouse toys. I generally have to take out all three at a time and try to throw them in different directions. I think pretty soon some replacements will be in order! 

Suzie

In general the weekend was quite quiet until we went to see IRON MAIDEN last night! OMG, it was amazing! We had so much fun, the performance was astounding and I can't believe we got home within 20 minutes. Happy Belated Birthday Reg!

April 10, 2016

Jamie

Lately the kittens have taken to sleeping on the bed, which in some ways is awesome but they always seem to want to share my side! Sometimes in the middle of the night I wake up and have nowhere to move because I have one kitten by my belly, one behind my knees and one at my ankles. We're like pieces of a puzzle that fit together just so.

April 9, 2016

Jamie 

I'm so glad I felt well enough for Journal Club and that my voice held out exactly long enough. I am so loving this hour together on Fridays!

 

Suzie

Was hoping for a day off today to do what I want but things change. I did get some time to try and make some of my own thyme oil that I want to use on a potential thyme amulet. First time I played with my air hardening clay at home. Had a lot of failures but some successes. Really trying to fit time in for Suzie stuff but back pain got me and I had to rest a lot of the afternoon.

April 8, 2016

Jamie

Yesterday I took a bit of gentle time at the computer. I've signed up for a photography class and had a really interesting time thinking about my history with photography and how that ties me to Mom.

Shannon
I got through 2 more boxes yesterday, both of CDS and it's interesting to see that there are different times in my life I bought music...and then there are times where I didn't at all. It took me longer than I thought it would to make decisions and figure out how to organize stuff, but when I got to what felt good (for now), I broke into Just Dance 2016 and grooved to a few songs to celebrate decisions made.

Suzie

Today was our last clay class. I only got to glaze one plate last week but Hot Orchid rocks. I did a ton of fast glazing today so next week when we get our open studio orientation I will have a ton done and still have more to glaze. I absolutely can not believe how much we did and learned in this class. They're having an advanced glazing class this summer and I'm getting my name on the list and so are a lot of my classmates who I really like. Fingers crossed this journey doesn't end here!

April 7, 2016

Jamie

I continue to feel horrible and spent the whole day in bed. It was nice to have Escher keep me company for almost all of it! He really can be a lovely quiet and close presence.

Shannon
Snow in April. I'm unimpressed.

Suzie

Did some photography of my jewelry and used a background I painted myself. Not sure I like it as much as the wood but not too bad for the photo of these earrings I made. Turns out pink backdrops do not work for food, LOL.

April 6, 2016

Jamie

I am feeling super impatient with being sick but my head is so congested that there really is not very much that I can manage to do. Luckily, I have the kittens to keep me company. Look at Scout and Escher being all cute!

Shannon
Early in the day I totally had a moment where my eye was drawn to red fluttering at the window, and when I raced over I saw it was a cardinal! It was so happy I caught a picture of it before it flew away. What a beauty!

Suzie

Had an awesome time chatting with Shannon! Totally cheered me up. So did this massive salad I made for lunch (I appear to be incapable of making small salads). I had never used Mom's Caesar salad dressing on a tuna salad before and it was fantastic. I did have to lie down because of my migraine but thankfully it has finally dissolved.