Friday is for Gran & The Fiddlehead - Part 4


This post is dedicated to my Gran - it is my weekly letter to her and it also commemorates a recently family reunion and trip taken along the Leicester Loop in England during which time we rented 5 narrow boats and spent 2 weeks steering ourselves around the English countryside. A trip I will never forget! It was one of the best times of my life; waking up to see the water outside my window, to hear the motor starting up, and to know we were off on other day of sight seeing around the English countryside with 35 family members all in tow! Below are pages from my Moleskin sketchbook.


Taking a break to dock, read a book, make a meal and tour the area.


Many a walking trip was spent touring Old English Churches and cemeteries where I collected little flowers to tape in my sketchbook.


Gran Part 1
Gran Part 2
Gran Part 3

The New Look

I just have to brag about my brand new business card, designed by graphic designer extraordinaire, Frank D'Angelo - a Windsor, Ontario based designer, artist and inventor!

The artwork along the top of the card comes from three of my paintings. The outer images were both painted with acrylics on wood; the left one is called "Mother Nature" and the one on the right is called "Night Angel." The middle painting is a watercolor called "Diogenese Lantern Fairy." These paintings are also part of the oracle card decks that I use for my Soul Readings.

Surprise! Here's the back of the card:

Etsy Canada Spring Sale and Giveaway!


I've teamed up with 25 independent artists and crafters from across Canada to offer a limited, one week Etsy Spring Sale beginning Monday, May 18th. Etsy is one of the largest artist and crafter communities on the web and I've been a member since March, 2008.

HOW TO ENTER OUR 25 ITEM GIVEAWAY CONTEST

1. You can enter once without a purchase by leaving a comment on our Etsy Canada blog post.

2. You will get an extra entry with each purchase (ie. 5 items equals 5 entries.)
3. If you blog about our sale and leave a valid link you will get another entry.
4. You can visit each shop involved in the sale, pick a favourite listing from that shop, and then post the link in the comments section on the Esty Canada blog post. This means you can leave 25 links from 25 different shops in the sale and you will get 25 entries into the draw.



TWO FOR ONE SALE IN MY SHOP!

I will be having a 2 for 1 print sale happening in my etsy shop during our Spring Sale. Buy 1 print valued at 14.95 and receive a 2nd print free!

I AM OFFERING A SOUL READING GIVEAWAY!

I am offering a 1 Question Soul Reading valued at $25.00 for this giveaway.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS & CRAFTERS

acageybee.etsy.com
akane.etsy.com
asecondtime.etsy.com
barefoottams.etsy.com
beadcrazed.etsy.com
bedtimebeads.etsy.com
brynnalex.etsy.com
bylynnkrestel.etsy.com
carolforsyth.etsy.com
cocosjewelry.etsy.com
deandymentstudios.etsy.com
debrasdesigns.etsy.com
elseetee.etsy.com
ficklefaerie.etsy.com
gillianbeads.etsy.com
groovyglassgirl.etsy.com
jansonpottery.etsy.com
luckytroll.etsy.com
luludesign.etsy.com
owlandpussycat.etsy.com
prettybetty.etsy.com
radclothing.etsy.com
sleepymoondesign.etsy.com
squareware.etsy.com
whiterabbit21.etsy.com

Friday is for Gran & The Fiddlehead - Part 3


Friday's post is dedicated to my Gran who now resides in a nursing home. She was the proud owner of the Fiddlehead, an English narrow boat, also known as a canal boat. In 2007 she treated 35 family members to a memorable family reunion on the Leicester Loop in England. We were 5 narrow boats in all, and we ranged in ages from 8 months to 91 years old (Gran herself!)

Gran, my hubbie and me, eating one of our favorite meals, the Ploughman's Lunch along with a pint of Bitter. Gran said it wasn't up to par though, due to the pasta side. I also learned to say 'Bitter' not 'Bitters' and that there is no tipping in England, instead you buy the bartender a drink!


I spent most of my time sitting on the bow of the boat painting, sketching and writing in my Moleskin Journal - here are some watercolors from Day 2 of our two week trip.

If you need to catch up, here are Parts 1 and Parts 2 from our trip.

In Honour of Mothers Everywhere!


I recently had a Mother's Day Giveaway contest on my Facebook Group page - the winner was randomly chosen and received the silk art print pictured above titled "Vera" - this is a painting I did of my own mom as a cat! To enter the contest I asked folks to "Tell me everything you learned from your mother" and I got some great responses which I feel need to be repeated!

So here are the entries and thanks again to all the participants who wrote in.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY MOTHER

My Mama is Rosalinda (I love her name! It means 'beautiful rose') and she has taught me plenty of things, but the biggest thing is to never stay quiet, and to always speak my mind when the timing and place is right (we don't need me getting in trouble now do we!) Though I'm just 17 and have much growing and much more to learn I feel that I am who I am now because of her. Cristina

My mom, Bonnie, developed cancer when I was 13 and died when I was 19. These were my teen years. I was self-centered, selfish and wanted to be a kid. It was hard for me to understand exactly what was going on and I took her for granted. Looking back, I can say she taught me to face difficulties head on, to appreciate life, and to always try to see the good in any situation. She was remarkably patient and tried her best to give me a normal life during her illness. I really appreciate what she did for me. Cindi

I learned from my mother to always Listen, Learn, and Love. Oh did I mention I have 7 indoor and 3 outdoor cats? I LOVE CATS! Sheree

How I learned to love my mother:
After many years of hard times together, (30 to be exact,) we seem to have found common ground and can communicate in a gentler way now. She was deaf since age 2 and I could always feel sorry for her, but could not find it easy to be patient and communicate properly. She used to nag me so much, but it was because she did not hear everything and wanted to make sure I was okay. She could not hear her own baby cry you see, so it was to constantly check up on her to see if she was okay. She just ultimately never lost that habit, even after I became a teenager. (I, being 'her baby'.) Well, after the years and the distance, we watched each other and found the other side we were looking for. I saw how she did her work with full dedication and she saw how I took on challenges and found solutions to the most difficult situations. She inspires me and I inspire her. I'm far from her now and really miss her. I hope we can connect on Mother's Day by skype! Anna

I'm going to leave a post about my Grandmother. She was a wonderful woman who taught me how to love through difficult circumstances. Although she lived far away from me, she found ways to send me her love, and I wouldn't be the strong person I am today without that. I miss her always. Susann

My mother taught me to always have compassion, understanding and most of all forgiveness. She always said that life is far too short to hold a grudge and that when you let anger live in your heart, it will take away the joy you could be feeling. Amanda

I learned to ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE AROUND ME...I try...Renata

What I learned from my mom:
1. What a really great teacher is
2. A great respect for learning.
3. A love for crafts people and their work.
4. How to keep a secret.
5. How to work hard with integrity.
6. How to do a great job, be of service, and help others.
7. How to love and show emotion openly and honestly, no holds barred.
8. How to be maintain one's privacy.
9. How to be honest, even if one has to be blunt about it.
10. How to be a good mother.
Kathy Crabbe