February Happenings

February is proving to be a busy month around here. Green Chutes issued an artists' challenge in January - Art by the Square Foot. It could be anything as long as it fit within a 12" x 12" size. I thought this sounded like fun so I signed up. On Friday I finally had it done and took it in. Here is what I came up with:

I embroidered a design on to fabric and created a "pocket" for the mirror to fit into. I mounted it on to a 12"x12" board (with Will's help) and attached some ribbon for hanging. I'm happy with the way it turned out and was excited to turn it in. I can't wait to see what the other artists have come up with. 

This past Saturday I went snowshoeing with a friend up to Lake Cascade. I had never been to the lake before so I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, there was hardly any snow, but we strapped on our snowshoes anyway and went walking around. The trails up there were not very well marked so we ended up wandering around, eventually walking the length of the golf course that was beside the lake. 

A frozen Lake Cascade. Although there was hardly any snow, the lake was completely iced over. The people on the bottom right of the photo are ice fishing and some people were snowmobiling across the lake. We even saw one ice skater gliding along. 

The frozen lake

Here I am out on the lake 

Standing on the ice

It was quite beautiful up there, even if the wind burned our cheeks. 

On an unrelated topic, I thought I would add this photo of Sugar looking so handsome. 

I also signed up for a Month of Letters Challenge that I heard about from a friend. Everyday that the mail runs, I am supposed to put something in the mail. While it's been difficult to do something every single day, I have sent out quite a few letters. This was the perfect kick in the pants I needed to get in touch with people that I hadn't talked to in a long time. 

My first two letters. The top one - I made the envelope myself out of a piece of card stock that was the centre of a roll of wrapping paper. 

Moira's First Violin Concert

When Moira started middle school she signed up to play the violin. We are all pleased at the way she has picked it up and even taught herself how to play Happy Birthday for Kyla's birthday. Last Tuesday her class had their first concert. The kids did a really great job. Here are a few videos of the songs they played:

On top of a wonderful performance, Moira also received a certificate for getting on the "A" Honour Roll. We are so proud of our Moira. 

Why I Am Grateful for Snow

I'm sure most people groaned when they got up this morning and saw that we got three inches of snow over night. Me, I was glad and here's why. 

One: it means that the temperature was warmer. After enduring three weeks of subfreezing temperatures (usually 0*F/-18*C at 6:30 am to a high of 22*F/-6*C at 3pm) anything above freezing feels like a heat wave. Walking Kyla to the bus stop this morning didn't cause pain in any exposed skin. It was glorious!

Two: All the ice that has accumulated over the roads and sidewalks has been covered so walking around the neighbourhood isn't risking your life. Yesterday getting Kyla from the bus stop in the afternoon, not only did we both fall and land on our behinds, but we were also slipping all over the place. It's very unnerving to be constantly losing your balance. 

These pictures were taken just a few days ago when everything was icy. Our poor weeping maple was so weighted down with ice. 

This is what we woke up to this morning: 

Liam couldn't wait to start shoveling. We managed to clear the sidewalk in front of our house, but it only exposed the ice that was still underneath. It ended up making it more treacherous than if we had left the snow where it was. 

Our backyard:

This is where the pool is supposed to be. 

Suki

 It's icy in the chicken coop where the water drips down from the deck up above, making for an unsteady place to tread for people and animals. 

The girls have been spending the days by our back door to stay out of the ice and snow (and to see if Suki left any breakfast crumbs for them). 

Green Chutes

Dear Blog,

Believe it or not, I really have missed you. Life is so incredibly busy and most of the time I don't know if I'm coming or going. This spring is going to be no exception. I'm finally in my last semester of school. I'm taking two intense classes and I'm awaiting my practicum placement. I'm also volunteering two mornings a week at Moira's school library. On top of all that, I still have my other responsibilities like kids, husband, home, pets and yard. There is little opportunity to do nothing anymore. I'm not really complaining, though. I've never been very good at sitting still. 

Another thing I have going is selling my items at Green Chutes. It's a quasi artists' co-op with about 100 members. We pay a monthly fee plus a small percentage of our sales and we volunteer eight hours per month. I love it there! Not only is it a great place to sell my things, but everyone is so nice. It never ceases to amaze me how talented people are. It's rare that I can work a shift without buying something. I've been at Green Chutes for a year and a half, but I haven't taken any pictures of it, so I decided to rectify that. 


Green Chutes is located in a retail space, but it's so big and open that it's like being in a warehouse (but nicer). 

The store shares part of its space with a small cafe. 

There are four of these shipping containers and this one is mine. 

Hedgehog and tree stuffies

I love making pillows. They are like making a little piece of functional art. The pillow on the right with the state of Idaho on it is a good seller. I can't make them fast enough. 

Colour-your-own pencil cases and a pillow with "love" embroidered on it. 

The desk that I bought for $10 and completely refinished. That's Thelma sitting on top. 

Colour-your-own zombie dolls, mens' scarves and womens' scarves

Here is Louise modeling for me. 

Brooches

My clothing rack

Christmas ornaments I made that also double for Valentine's Day or any day, really. 

Everything I make is made out of upcycled materials from t-shirts and blazers to coffee bags and sheets.  I love the challenge of seeing beyond "what is" to "what could be".  Anything that I think I can cut up and make into something else is fair game.