snickerdoodles

the Buddha series...

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.

 

Taking some time tonight to work on my Buddha Series of photo art.  There will be nine in the series and the edited images are just the start of what I hope to create.  

Stay tuned as my vision progresses.  Since I was little and my Grandparents had a big jolly Buddha on their bar I have been fascinated by them.  I am blessed to have a dear friend with a gorgeous garden with a very special Buddha collection I was able to do most of my images from.  

Here are a couple more...

 

 

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full moon in Cancer, guidance from MYSTIC MAMMA...

Home to be...

essentially Snickerdoodles, creating aromatherapy blends for you...

a happy spirit...

I have been exploring Pinterest tonight working on my new heART key studio logo artwork as well as some work for another business I am excited to be involved with.  It is my happy place of ideas and images.  It is where I find myself often when I feel stuck or uninspired.  While scrolling I saw this quote and wanted to share it right away.

Techinically it is now Sunday, and I can think of no better way to begin a new week than moving forward with a happy spirit.

Adding this to my new and ever-growing heART key studio Pinterest page.   Life has been so busy with several projects lately I haven't had much time at all to devote to my own business, I would love a visit and follow to both heART key play places if you feel inclined.

Have a beauty-full new week friends,

oxo

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aw aw awooo....

happy to play a wood sheep this year...

fall families...

   Despite my whining and determined efforts, summer is ending.   I waded in the lake for nearly an hour today before I mustered up the courage to actually swim, it's getting rather chilly.  As much as I wish we could have a couple more weeks of summer there are a lot of things I adore about autumn...

#1  FAMILY SESSIONS!  

The warm evening light.

Endless fields of freshly cut hay or corn to shoot in. 

Orchards with rows of trees loaded with gorgeous fruit to frolic in. 

 Families wearing fun outfits in rich jewel tones. 

 The leaves...especially yellow-leaved maple trees.  The smell, the crunch and the endless possibilities for play. 

The crisp air after a summer of shooting extremely hot weddings that left me completely spent.

Fresh additions to families i'm photographing again...

hello Jax, you were just a sparkle in your Momma's eye last time we worked together and your big brother and sister were wee kiddos.  

  Speaking of sparkly eyes, your folks sure know how to make them...

It took a lot of jumping and making strange noises and dancing about and finally a lolly but Jax and I bonded from either side of the camera and I got him to look my way in a couple group shots.   Soon I'll share some images of the whole Barg family but I couldn't resist sneaking these up before retiring for the night. 

Last but not the least favorite thing I love about working family session in the fall is BOOTS!  I got absolutely filthy tromping through the fields tonight in my flip flops...time to bust out boots of all sorts in the name of work!  lol 

happy weekend friends,

oxo

 

 

"Up Yours"

    
   As much as I try and phase out my old glass painting business, kasperzak's design co.,  I have a really hard time saying no... especially when the orders are fun ones from favourite customers from afar.

 
Like Ruth....every year since 2006 I have stocked her up with several of these sassy glasses.  They have a story that is something about a toast going wrong and they are a fun reminder for those involved.

 
Hearts are still one of my all time fave motifs to paint...this one isn't the best example of my work but you get the general idea.  The nature of the paint I use means every piece turns out slightly different.

I have yearly orders from customers I've never met...they order new custom mugs for new staff members or new grandchildren or new friends.   I have shipped glass just about everywhere and it's got home with tourists from a store I sell from in Whistler to places all over the world...it's kinda cool.

In my kiddo art classes I really enjoy teaching them to paint....it opens up a lot of possibilities for them to create gifts and treasures over the years.  Last week we combined a lesson on pointillism with painting a glass candle holder.  They used toothpicks, chopsticks and q-tips to carefully create patterns and colour combinations influence by the works of Seurat.  Each piece is also signed with their name and date on the bottom.

Here are some of the works from the 8 year old group...

 
Pretty cute stuff...it took a lot of patience and concentration for them to fill their projects.  They did much better than the older group at staying on task.  Good job kiddos!

I've been filling quite a few glass orders lately in hopes of tucking a little stash away to upgrade my computer and photo software soon...unfortunately there are always things like a broken dishwasher, a dog needing his yearly vet visit or new car brakes that keep gulping up my efforts but I am confident one of these days I'll manage to sneak my savings past the daily money gobblers long enough to get ahead. 

 If not I will start wearing a sign around my neck that says "Will trade glass, art lessons, photo sessions (and possibly naughty children) for computers, PS5 and camera lenses !" 

Just kidding...I'd never trade my boys for anything, I keep telling hubbie he's make a great gigolo but he's not so keen.  Okay, not nice...but I am just getting him back for letting me know last minute he invited his hockey team over for dinner after the game!  You've never seen a house get cleaned quicker than mine did this afternoon.

oxo

back from the looney bin...

  I'm back from my mini-nervous breakdown.  I won't go into details but everything little thing and anything that could go wrong did...and many a months of late nights caught up with me.  I am officially out of tears and ready to move on.

Just wanted to quickly share the raw canvas washes I did last Thursday after the art class I teach was over.  I was inspired by their work and decided to use up the acrylic colour washes I had blended for their mixed-media projects.

 
The series is called Messy Days...Happy Times and can hang horizontally as shown or vertically.

Each off-white, un-primed canvas is 12x12 and I have yet to sign them.

I will be selling the triptych for $150.

 
Here is an extreme close up of canvas #3.

 
and of course of canvas #1 as I wanted you to see the splatters and detailing.

Just thought I'd share here before I send it along to Etsy.  Painting can be so cathartic...I will definitely be doing more expressive stuff like this in the future.

Life is messy...but somehow these hues of green and blue bring me peace and help me look past and see the happy times amongst the chaos.

oxo

the cutest kiddos...

  The first part of today I worked on glass orders for one of my jobs... kasperzak's design co. and it's fine and dandy but it's more a way to pay the bills then do something I am passionate about.  

 BUT, this afternoon I have been doing my favorite job...as a family photographer.  Finishing up edits on the two family sessions I did last week and loving every minute of it. 

 Lovely families, a beautiful spot, fresh snow and sunshine...not to mention the cutest kiddos!

 
 
These owl hats are the best...Jen found them at Chicken Little in town.  Cute sweaters on the kiddos are compliments of their Grandma. 

 I've ordered a similar style of Owl hat from my super-crocheter friend Sam...her hats are incredible.  She will be at the Lavington Bazaar with me and 28 other artisans this Thursday night from 4:30-8:30.  There will be homemade chili and buns for dinner, Santa pics, kid's crafts and more.  Bring a food bank donation to be entered in a door prize draw!

 
Oh my...little Autumn has the sweetest smile and was easy as pie to work with.

 
Now, I need to get back at it before the boys get home.  I am so excited to finish up these edits and get the photos to these families.

oxo

Oh, sheesh...one more I wanted to share of this great family...

 

ta da! a new ETSY shop to share...

  After two days parked on my rump I am pleased to announce my new ETSY shop is open for business!

Check out snickerdoodle life on Etsy... www.snickerdoodlelife.etsy.com     New stuff will be added on a regular basis too.  Of course if you live in Whistler you can always save on shipping and pop by...and for everyone else I will provide the most reasonable shipping possible.  Quoting prices to ship was the trickiest part and it might take me a while to get my estimates spot on. 

Thanks once again to my brilliant internet friend Laura for her graphic design assistance.  You can find Laura on my sponsors sidebar at DeLollies.  Computers make me crazy...I know what I like and how I want things to look and Laura keeps me sane by making it happen. 

Please share the new online shop with everyone you know via email, facebook, carrier pigeon, message in a bottle, whatever you can, I am forever grateful for your support!

 

hand-painted mugs, $15 ...available on Etsy now

it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

Yesterday I got the outside holiday lights hung finally (taking a break from cookie mayhem!)  and this morning we woke up to lots of lovely fluffy snow...it was perfect.  Snow makes Ryan run with glee and the boys love it.

Feeling very blessed lately...last night a wonderful friend hosted a night where everyone brought gently used clothing, toys, gift items and food to make Christmas Hampers for families in Mt. Currie, our local Native band.  There was TONS of stuff! 

 Before we packed the hampers we exchanged winter wear for our kids and ourselves if needed.  Everyone in our family got a fabulous new jacket...both boys got brand name, high end Burton and Special Blend jackets we wouldn't normally be able to afford.  I got hubbie a much needed waterproof shell in bright orange to keep him safe and dry when he walks to work in the dark early morning.  I also found a super cute brown down puff coat for me I love, such a treat!!!

It was very fun and since it's Eco Friday I thought I would suggest it as a tip.  Do an exchange with your friends, swap toys and sports equipment your kids have outgrown....my boys do not care at all if things are used, skates are skates.  Switch up some books to stuff their stockings, and small toys they have grown bored with.  We all have things sitting around that we don't use that might be loved and needed by someone else.    All our closets were sorted through again as well....some things were sent to consignment to help with new clothes and a big package of warm weather wear was sent off to Namibia via a friend.  Things are tidier and we are glad to be able to offer something.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

—Winston Churchill

 

 

 

 

how to: fuzzy little trees...

This was our Make & Take project last night and they turned out really cute.  I was inspired by Charlotte Lyons and her amazing blog House Wren Studio.    This was the image I found on her site that I used to lure friends to come craft with me...

Here is how we did it:

Over the last two years I have been saving up wool and lambswool sweaters, by washing them in hot then cold water and shrinking them they get really thick and felty.

The stands are small, pre-drilled pieces I bought at Windsor Plywood, they were about $1.80 each, then the trunks are just doweling cut into 5 inch lengths.

Make a tree template out of stiff cardboard and trace it with chalk onto your fabric of choice. Hilarie used a lovely mossy velvet on the backside.

  Cut out the shapes.  Make the sizes a little different to keep them interesting.

Sew on any decorations or beads you would like to decorate your tree, leave about a half an inch around the outside to allow the machine foot to pass.

Put the pieces right side in and stitch all the way around...leave about an inch and a half at the bottom to stuff your tree and insert the stick.

Once stitched turn it right side out and stuff through the bottom.  Sneak a little white glue in the bottom them insert the tree trunk and stitch tightly around the stick and close the opening.

Now you can add a little decoration to the top if you like.  Use your imagination. 

The bases can be decorated with wool, glitter, paint or a simple clear coat. 

This one is my favorite and I'm keeping it.  It was a bit of a fluke that turned out well.  It is a little bit Dr.Zeussy and I love anything Christmas with colour and whimsy.  I am going to do a few more with an outside blanket stitch and maybe attempt a 3-D version...also love her idea to use spools.

 

I have been gathering stock in kids cups, felted trees, cabouchon magnets and decoupage pieces and hope to open a small etsy store next week or maybe even a blog category with stuff for sale.  The trees will be $12 each...the three fair-isle ones are available as well as two more stripy ones.  Comment if you are interested. 

It's officially our anniversary tonight and hubbie and I have to really work on our house plans...the first set of drawings is looking good but is not quite there yet.   Have a good night!

Sex and the City!

Today is the big day here...the new Sex and the City movie starts.  Although we are far from being in the city I am looking forward to putting on some heels and joining some friends for some martinis and a night out.  We are going before for a little get together at Lily Cosmetics Boutique, http://www.lilycosmeticboutique.com/index.html; then off to the show.

I must admit, I was not originally a huge follower of Sex and the City show, maybe because we didn't get HBO and I couldn't watch it! ha.  I did love the book, it's fun and entertaining but was hard to relate to at times.   I have never been a city girl and have basically been paying my own way since I was 19, so it gets rather frustrating watching shows where women pay such a huge price for material things.  Purses that could be rent money or shoes that could be a mortgage payment!  I know I should just let go and be happy for them but I struggle with it. 

It's like those extremely popular Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella...I barely made it half of one.  Becky Bloomwood was the dumbest character ever, constantly whining about debt and the new ridiculous items she must have.   I could just whack her!  I didn't find it funny at all.  I like a fluffy fun story as much as the next person but she was downright annoying.  Maybe it's because we live in Whistler where 9 year olds wear $100 Lululemon pants,  so many people rent and have great stuff but live in debt.  It freaks us out, folks in their 30's and 40's doing it all, living it up but not planning for the future.  No RESP's for their kids, no pensions, no RRSP's, no savings, no medical benefits...  Isn't that what happened with all the unfortunate people in the US who got way over their heads in debt and are facing foreclosures now on their homes?  It's scary.  We worry about them...what happens when people in our age bracket are 55 and want to retire?  I don't know maybe everyone will get a spanking huge inheritance to live off...I hope so!  Now I feel like Suze Orman giving a dramatic lecture, and I've gone off on a wild tangent.  Sorry but it's been on my mind lately as my son is getting older (9) and his friends are starting to put huge emphasis on labels, and stuff.  Waay too young.

Anyways, back to Sex and the City... it was a fabulous book.  I also liked Candace Bushnell's other books : Lipstick Jungle and Trading Up.  Her characters are well-developed and clever.  Whatever happened to Lipstick Jungle?  I was loving that show.  Maybe it's time to get the Sex and the City DVD set and start from the beginning - especially with all the poop on TV now.

In honor of fashion, and stylish women everywhere I did this one of a kind 'Fashionista' vase.
It has been fired and is washable, comment if you are interested.  $75.00