Thursday, January 10, 2008

Calender 2008

Last year I made a calendar for Alizée. Here is 2008's:

Friday, December 21, 2007

Xmas Skating

Today was the traditional skating activity, right before Xmas holidays at Miranda's school, where I taught for 8 years. Parents are invited to help with the skates and some join on the rink. Not my case this year, I took a few pictures and chatted with some of my former colleagues, t'was really cool...

The only minor problem, my niece fell and hurt her chin. Her dad who's a dentist took care of everything. It was too cute to see her twin brother worried by the incident, he felt so bad for her...
So my little one skated for the last time with her primary school. Next year will be a very different thing. I am not too nostalgic, I know that when a fantastic moment is over, it makes room for other great moments...

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Latkes

T'was sooooo delicious...
A tradition during Hanukkah.
Thanks Emily!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Oh Xmas Tree, Oh Xmas Tree!

I experiment with lots of things, including our Xmas tree!




Oh, and sweet baby Jesus was brought by Miranda on her last shopping spree :-)
Mystery solved!

Friday, December 14, 2007

13 Things that Make our Xmas Tree

1. a little tree
2. tiny blue lights
3. fuchsia snowflakes
4. beaded garland
5. a crown on top of the tree (looks amazing!)
6. flashy green ornaments
7. sequins on metal wires
8. sparkly turquoise bows
9. a blue pashmina to cover the foot of the tree
10. a gift under the tree
11. baby Jesus on a golden bed (we still don't know who brought it home, it just «appeared»!)
12. a pine cone I received from Angela
13. lots of love (hey, it's tough to find 13!)

Bitter Sweet

My daughter introduced me to Bitter Sweet. Too cool...



Monday, December 10, 2007

The Miniature Earth

I've always liked this comparison...

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Homemade Food


Today, Claude and Miranda prepared great homemade food, most of them being traditions such as meat pies, donuts (Noëlla's recipe), potato pie (a childhood memory), egg rolls, Parmesan fondues and stuffed rolls. We'll eat meat pies at my in-laws' party. We started eating the donuts (an excellent desert, especially with a touch of Nutella!). The potato pie is already gone and we'll taste the other food soon...

Thanks you to our cooks... xx

Friday, December 7, 2007

13 Holidays Traditions

We still call it «Christmas», but since there's no religion involved for us,
we'll talk about holidays...

1. Decorate a Christmas tree (a couple of years ago, we started doing a mini instead of a big one).
2. Do a winter scene puzzle.
3. Eat homemade meat pie and donuts (by Claude and Miranda).
4. Watch «24» episode after episode.
5. Play boardgames (to please the girls).
6. Go to the «boxing day».
7. Watch, «Lord of the Rings» (trilogy), again.
8. Wear pajamas all day long, at least once or twice.
9. Go to Claude's family party in Drummondville.
10. Read, do arts and crafts.
11. Sleep, lots and lots of sleep...
12. Eat differently (everyone decides what they'll eat and when they'll eat, usually leftovers).
13. Go to the movies (this year: National Treasure 2, L'Âge des ténèbres, Breakfast with Scott...)

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Hours of Pleasure

You know about my passion for fabrics... Well I've been on the production mode for a couple of weekends. I made 3 aprons including a cute red and white one for Miranda ( for a Xmas play at school). I also made 3 tote bags; one I use for work, one Alizée needed for her phys. ed. clothes and a last one for a gift exchange at Claude's office party.

This weekend, I need to focus on my godchildren's presents, I don't know what it will be yet, probably aprons made of funky fabrics. Oh, and Miranda asked me for a tote bag as well.

I love doing projects I can complete in a day. It' so different from the quilts that take forever. And, as always, no pattern, I just look at different models and there I go. Too cool!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Moving Forward

Alizée is having fun with Photoshop.
She does stuff like this. It's great, it's her.
She's good, isn't she?

Friday, November 30, 2007

13 Reasons I'm on Facebook

Yes, I'm on Facebook. Started a couple weeks ago.
Didn't like the concept at first, but I'm enjoying it more and more now.

1. I don't have too many friends yet so I don't feel overwhelmed.
2. Someone I worked with a long time ago and who lives in London contacted me and we're sharing about our everyday life.
3. There are silly things: some make me laugh, some make me smile.
4. I love the visual bookshelf application (books, CDs, DVDs on display).
5. I enjoy updating my profile (recently discovered I can post about my favorite singers, groups).
6. You can write a short sentence about how you feel at the moment, what you're doing (status).
7. You have a word to say about the people who want to be your friends (you can deny them your friendship. That's funny, don't you think? I feel I'm back in high school, well, no, elementary school :-).
8. It's a collection of networks. I don't see how big it can be yet, but it is.
9. When someone contacts you, it sends a message to your email (so you don't have to check there for messages too).
10. You can even have a Christmas tree on your profile!
11. There are so many gadgets, it's a world of discoveries...
12. It's new, everybody's talking about it and I wanted to understand the «thing»
13. I think there's something there...

Photo Swap Surprises!

And here we go! Photo swap kits are on their way... Received my first kit the day before yesterday from Ani (photos, sweet recipe, drawings, kind note) and a second from Nina today (photos, postcard, ready-to-send card and envelope, personal note). I'm so happy I discovered swaps through blogs. I started with postcard swaps and then, one day, Ani suggested a photo swap +1 (with a little something as a bonus!). On top of looking for original ideas, we don't suffer the performance syndrome, we're just having fun. And we don't even know each other «for real»! Well, I tell you that and then I realize I kind of feel I'm getting to know them through their blog, their photos on flickr. What a nice idea. I'm delighted when I think of future swaps. What will it be? I don't know, we'll see! One thing for sure though, I'm ready, anytime for those who might be interested!

Friday, November 23, 2007

13 Discussion Topics

In the car with my daughters, we discuss lots of things...
1. places we want/ will travel
2. credit cards (a concept to understand for the younger one, a new step for the older one)
3. future career
4. school stuff
5. music we listen to (High School Musical for Miranda)
6. a video of my daughters when they were much younger (very funny)
7. weekend projects
8. stuff we need to buy (clothing at the moment)
9. films seen, to see
10. next year (high school for the younger one, cegep for the older one)
11. friends
12. cars (Miranda is learning the brands, Alizée is learning to drive)
13. and oh, we say silly things too. Sometimes, lots of silly things :-)

Snow

Oh, don't think I'm the kind of person who likes winter. Nah... I don't like winter but snow is so beautiful. Beautiful snowflakes falling down. Of course, we're only at the beginning of the snow season, I was working from home, I was not freezing and snow was still white, not yet gray/brown/black. Well, it was lovely here. And with the morning light, it was simply magnificent. The trees were heavy from the ice that covered the branches, there was still a bit of snow, the contrast between the whites and the sun, wow.I was afraid to be late for my meeting in Montreal, but I really wanted to have pictures so I asked Miranda to take a few for me. The one above was taken from her bedroom window. I love the reflection of the sun, it looks like decorations in a Xmas tree.
As soon as I arrived from work, I rapidly took my camera and toured the yard to capture exceptional scenes. It smelled great, fresh crisp cold air, everything was white, I enjoyed the "crunch crunch" of my footsteps in the snow. Yes, it's slippery, the stairs are covered with bumps made of snow/slush/ice, it's freezing outside and winter eventually gets on my nerves, but between you and I, isn't snow fantastic?

Friday, November 16, 2007

13 Songs that Make me Dance

Some recent, others, well... Still, they make me dance (sometimes even sitting on my computer chair!).

1. I Will Follow / U2
2. Breaking the Habit / Linkin Park
3. Numb / Linkin Park
4. Pictures of You / The Last Goodnight
5. How Far We've Come / Matchbox 20
6. World Hold On / Bob Sinclare
7. Into the Ocean / Blue October
8. In Between Days / The Cure
9. Vogue / Madonna
10. I Miss You / Blink 182
11. 1 2 3 4 / Feist
12. Move Along / All American Rejects
13. That Girl is Poison / Bell Biv Devoe ( Because of Scrubs)

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Portfolio

Meeting with Tanja tonight to continue working on our book. What a great experience, an incredible opportunity to work on our own, and then together on such a nice project.

Because of this project, I've re-discovered my old collages and painting exercises, my little arts 'n crafts pleasures. I have many portfolios to keep my stuff, and once in a while, I like looking at them. When I do that I realize I like what I've done, that they're more beautiful, more to my taste then when I created them. Right after collaging (is this a word?) and painting, I have the tendency to see all the little details that don't make my creation as perfect as I wanted to.
On top of working on our book, we did a few artsy things tonight. Nothing big, just girly stuff while listening to Electrolove, Regina Spektor and... Diane Tell! Yes, Diane Tell! Well, to be honest, we were singing too loud to hear her... Too funny to find out that Tanja and I have another common interest!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

5 Things to Do to Be Happier

Last week, Stuart Knight suggested us 5 things to do to be happier, more motivated.

Here's the list:

1. Let go of fear. (Do it!)
2. Decide to have better conversations. (Easy! I'm not really good with small talk, anyway...)
3. Take responsibility. Stop making excuses.
4. Let go of what I can't control. (Getting better at this...)
5. Be the absolute best you can be (no more, no less).

Monday, November 12, 2007

SPEAQ 2007

Usually I don't talk about work. Today is an exception. Last week, I was at SPEAQ and I had such a great time. I saw fantastic people (some I knew, some I got to know) with whom I had great conversations.

I've attended quality presentations and I learned lots of stuff, especially about technologies. As a good learner, I've already reinvested to make sure I remember about them: I've created a del.icio.us account (adore), a Facebook account (don't really like it yet, but we'll see) and as soon as I can, I'll try the wikis...

I've also listened to great conferences, very lively and motivating. Fresh air is always welcomed when comes a season like fall: Thursday evening, an energizing hyperactive, Friday morning a moving "preacher", Saturday morning a colleague who makes great links between technologies and learning and a man who inspires anyone who meets him...

Monday, November 5, 2007

Miniatures

I was living with Françoise the year I studied at Ottawa University. She was a very funny woman from Belgium, and with her I laughed like I never laughed before. Sometimes I miss her... I often wonder what she's become.

Françoise had many miniatures on an old armoire and I was fascinated. I wasn't 20 and she was a great friend. Françoise was a little older than me and I learned a lot from her (Brel, food, how to have lots of fun). When I left, she offered me one of her miniatures. I still have it. It belongs to a collection of useless knick knacks decorating my kitchen.

In my collection (I've always collected stuff from as far I can remember, I guess it's part of who I am), are ducks from Martine, a flower from my love, a handmade bird made by Alizée, a fishing thing (don't know what it is, really) found in Bar Harbor, a jug brought back from Greece by my sister Valérie, a few pebbles (Washington, Percé, Forte dei Marmi), teeny-weeny shells, a «#1 teacher» frog (gift from a student), Claude's pocket knife, a toy green monster found in San Diego and some more...

I don't buy miniatures, they simply come to me. And these little treasures remind me nice things, great moments, important people of my life. That's precious!

Friday, November 2, 2007

13 Signs We're Close to Winter

1. I now wear socks everyday
2. Gotta wear a coat even when it's sunny
3. Winter tires are being installed
4. Trees don't have leaves anymore
5. My car sleeps in the garage
6. Gotta heat the house once in a while
7. There are good TV shows to watch
8. Winter clothes have replaced summer clothes in my wardrobe
9. I'm giving training sessions again
10. We're thinking about going South (West?) to run away from cold for a vacation
11. Hockey and football seasons (and I'm definitely not a fan)
12. We don't drive with the windows rolled down anymore
13. We change time this weekend...

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Regina Spektor

My last musical crush (discovered on one of my idol's «Myspace»): Regina Spektor. Go visit her website and view, listen to her music videos. Divine moments!

Driving with the CD playing is one of my little pleasures these days...

Friday, October 26, 2007

13 Items I'd Bring Along in Case of an Evacuation

The California situation makes me really sad. I was in San Diego at the beginning of the year and felt so good there (and the people were so nice), I feel for them. It made me think about how I'd react. Best of luck to all of you. I send you positive energy...

1. My laptop (I have so many photos in there, plus many years of work...)
2. My photo albums (from the pre-digital era, along with the newest ones)
3. A few of my jewels (sentimental value)
4. My daughters drawings boxes (it'd take much of the trunk space...)
5. My souvenirs box (okay, now we're squeezed in the car)
6. My digital camera and my batteries (that are always charged, ready to be used)
7. A few books (beautiful ones, some who make me feel good and 2-3 I haven't read yet)
8. A drawing, crafting, painting, collage-making kit (that would be my therapy in such a crisis) and my portfolio
9. A notebook (I have many waiting for a purpose) and a few pens to tell (exorcise?) what's happening to me
10. A few DVDs (those I like to watch again and again, that make me feel good)
11. My quilts (useful and full of great moments, I love sewing)
12. My recipes (some are very precious...)
13. My transverse flute (my first big purchase, at the age of 14)

(As you can see, nothing «essential» on my list. It would be easier to find, to buy them compared to my souvenirs...)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Halloween

I love Halloween. Not really the dressing up part, I don't really like that and I just don't see where my daughters got that passion for costumes. They have a room filled with stuff (jewels, scarves, wigs, hats, old clothes definitely "out") and they still use the costumes.

What I really like is giving candies to children. I'm done wandering through my neighborhood with the girls, to look for gold (candy?) mines. Now, I'm one of the sugar shacks! I like to talk to the kids, fool around with them. Some people are discouraged to see teens (well, almost adults in some cases!) still going trick or treat. I'm not, they make me laugh and I find them pretty courageous, knowing that one house out of two doesn't open their doors to them.

Every year, I wear an accessory though, to keep me in the spirit I guess. I don't know what it'll be this year but I'm so happy that I'm not away for work (like last year...), yay!

I don't live in a "kiddy" street so I have less visitors than if I'd lived a few streets west. That's why when monsters, princesses and vampires come to my door, they get the jackpot!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Update on "Messages for You"

I continued to distribute some today:

• One in the newspaper we read in the restaurant where we had breakfast.
• Another in the movie slot of a sex-shop (ma daughter was so ashamed).
• Finally, in a department store, in the pockets of over-sized pants.

Tomorrow, another region is targeted...
:-)

New Angle

Yesterday Elliot came for a new type of visit a photo «lesson», one of my new godmother - godchildren activity (Friday evening, it was Anaïs' turn). At a point, he was looking at the drawings he offered me a while ago that are posted on my armoire. He looked a little puzzled in front of this one:I told him I liked his truck, that it probably lost its three wheels, that's why they were on the side of the street. He came closer, turned the drawing upside down (still taped on the armoire) and said: "Now, that's better!
See, it's a birthday cake with candles and a present on its side..." Well, not too «quick» the godmother, hey?

Friday, October 19, 2007

13 Things I Like Doing For/With My Daughters

1. Do their hair (dry or flatten)
2. Watch a movie, TV series
3. Clear the table (much faster as a "group" and we take advantage of that time to chit-chat)
4. Drive them here and there. (My man likes it too)
5. Being able to give them an allowance (they learned a lot about money and saving because of that)
6. Listen to them
7. Talk to them
8. Share passions
9. Cuddle up
10. Go shopping (not for the buying part but for the time spent together)
11. Eat at the restaurant (we take a longer time to eat then)
12. Go on vacation (close or far away)
13. Take care of them when something is not going on too well (whatever it is)

Have I ever mentioned how much I adore them? :-)

Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Message For You

I was inspired by an idea of Keri Smith's book Guerilla Art Kit but I didn't actually do it, I've let it simmered down, I guess. I have tons of projects in progress and I don't have enough time! Between sewing, the writing of the book, taking pictures, blogging, well, I work full time too!

Finally, it's Andrea (aka Hula) who gave me a little boost to give the mini messages project priority number one.

The idea is simple: leave small strips of paper on which a simple message, a lovely note is written. It's an anonymous gift to strangers: to inspire them, to make them smile, even to have them think. An example? Well something like:

• Life is great, isn't it?
• You're an extraordinary person.
• Use recycling bags when you run errands. It's good for me. Thanks, Your Planet xx
• Be nice to people you love.
• Happiness is contagious
Etc...

I started leaving my messages yesterday: in a mailbox slot, between page 1 and 2 of the local newspaper at the gas station, and a last one at my daughter's school stuck in the fence.

I still have a basket full of messages to distribute, but I'm not rushing it. I've decided not to go on an expedition like Andrea; I'll have some with me and will leave them whenever I'm inspired. Tomorrow, I have to go to Montreal for work (meeting + filming) so watch out big city, I'm coming!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Miranda's Bed

A bedroom is a shelter, a very private place, especially if you don't have to share it. My daughters have that feeling of a personnal space. That's cool. And if we are restricted by the available space (old houses for average incomes have rooms that are quite small...), imagination has all the necessary space. On her bed (yes, it was done that day, yay!), we usually find lots of animals, well organized, well behaved, no fighting around here. A few weeks ago, though, she got rid of most of the plush toys (they're hidden somewhere...) and kept the "green" ones (okay, okay, the polar bear isn't green...) with hippopotamuses in the middle of the bed.

Hippopotamuses are synonyms of a lot of souvenirs, the most important being the nickname Miranda gave them when she was very young. Even if she started talking at a very young age, she sometimes had to modify the most difficult words. (and hippopotamus, between the age of 2, well, that's something...). She called them "petits potames» (meaning little tamuses, in French). Too cute, hey? We kept the name... I offered a «petit potame» to Eliane last year. A new tradition is born!

Imagini

Found this on a blog (can't remember which one) and remembered by another blog. I've finally decided to put this visual portrait representing me on my blog.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Photo Swap +1

You like photography?
You like receiving interesting out-of-the-ordinary stuff in the "snail" mail?
Feel like trying something new (or not that new)?

Well, come here... Ani gives the details of a photo swap +1 (+1 being an element to include in the package; a leaf, a postcard, a recipe, etc...)

I looooooove swaps!

13 Things I've Seen on the Road This Morning

1. Road work
2. People in a hurry
3. People not in a hurry
4. Traffic jam
5. A bridge
6. An overpass that is being rebuilt
7. Huge trucks
8. Impolite drivers
9. Car rears
10. Corn fields
11. Stores, restaurants, gas stations
12. Policemen (very little, in fact)
13. Fog, rain, drizzle (and my wipers going left, right, left, right...)

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Fooling Around


Spending time with children, it's the gift of fooling around. Nice, sweet fooling around, nothing wild or dangerous. With my godchildren (who are twins), I'm rediscovering simple pleasures, my daughters being teenagers, I no longer fool around much (well, sometimes we still do...). So, last Friday, I picked them up at school and we did crafts, took a snack (not a healthy one, I'm the godmother, remember!) and we played outside (basketball and jump rope).

They blew in their straw to make their juice pop, picked ice cubes from their Christmas glass (much more fun in October than in December!) with their fingers, put them in their mouth, let them melt a little (of course they had water on their chin and the table was a mess...) just for the fun of it. They would never be allowed to do that at the restaurant, during family meals, but with their godmother, come on, let's get crazy!

Me? Well, I watch them, I laugh a little, I take loads of pictures (85 in 90 minutes!) and I remember the good times, when my daughters were younger, when I was a child. So, fantastic quality time with great kids... They do know how to behave too!

Thanks Anaïs, thanks Elliot.

Your godmother xx

Friday, October 5, 2007

New Label

Inspired by her, I've decided to start new posts under the label: «Home, sweet home». We all have in our house nice little coves, inspiring spots that make the different between living somewhere and being home. So, here and there, posts about my little home...

When I bought the house, it belonged to a man who worked with wood. He left his worktable behind. After painting it, sanding the countertop and oiling it, well, the result was quite satisfying. Since we don't have a lot of work space in the kitchen, this solves our problem temporarily. Practical, simple and country-style, love it!

13 Things I Find Disgusting

1. Slimy, crawly, flying, stinky creatures
2. The smell of sewers in a big city
3. Children who don't blow their nose when it's obvious they really need to
4. Adults who do the same
5. Water on counters in public restrooms (and toilet paper on the floor)
6. The smell of perspiration
7. The texture of raisins (too swooshy)
8. A fish plate with the head still there (fish in general, I must admit)
9. The smell of children's hair after a warm day, especially if they played in a sandbox
10. Dirty nails
11. People eating with their mouth open (except if it's for a joke, then I find it quite funny)
12. People who spit on the ground (come on... grow up!)
13. Children who scratch their boo-boos

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Mother and Daughter(s)

Being a mother, is big. Being the mother of a daughter is bigger.

I mean... From the moment a little heart beats in our womb, we suffer from fatigue, nausea, etc. And this is the body only! Because emotion switches are present and our brain puts itself in warp speed: will I be a good mother, am I ready for this, is this the right time, and so on.

Changes, questions, emotions all over the place and that's what they call the happiness of expecting! Well, it's true... It's just that it comes with all those "difficulties» mentionned above. 9 months is a long time and that time is spent figuring out answers to those questions, it gives us the time to get used to the idea of thinking about someone else before us, it allows us to be in the "mommy" mode.

I had a first daughter in conditions that were not ideal. Well, no, they were ideal, but no father in the portrait: my family was present and supportive, my friends understood and were supportive, I was healthy (I gave a concert 2 days before delivering and I was still going dancing the last few days) and I was in a very good mood.
When the nurse gave me my baby after many hours of labor (but a rapid delivery), I couldn't see if the baby was a boy or a girl, even if it was obvious. I was in a weird state of mind, my brain couldn't process the information. That's when I became a mother, that I had a daughter.

Having a daughter is not a burden, it's not complicated, it's not a lot of problems (which is not the case in India where -I heard this on the radio this morning- some people get rid of female foetuses to avoid bankruptcy, because there you still have to pay a lot of money for your daughter to marry). Having a daughter, when you're a woman it's having the possibility to have a close relationship with someone who is going to go through the same steps, phases, stuff you've gone through in a different world, with different influences, with a little bit of you.

Ok, let me explain. When I was a child, I went through girls' stuff, phases in an "x" world. Because I lived with my daughter, I guided her, influenced her and she's going throught the same stuff, phases in a "y" world. She's using what I've given her in her life. And I chose to give her the best of what I myself received from my mother. I guess we're hoping to improve the education we give our daughters. Promote the best and avoid the worst.

However, girls go through the worst anyway. It might even be necessary: difficulties probably make use stronger, more equipped. We can still guide them, talk to them, prepare them for the "worst".

Without promoting anything here, there's a company that sells beauty (the message is interesting, but we're talking money, right?) in a healthier, more appropriate way...


Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Lonely

My love is away and I miss him... No panic, he'll be back very soon. It's crazy, a while ago, I would have been so happy to be on my own at home for a couple of days. Falling in love does that to people, they get goo goo when their love is away for a few hours, days. Can't possibly imagine what it would be if he had to go for weeks!

We're trying to act like big girls, Ali and I. I work more (evenings as well), I cook meals (gotta eat), I watch TV without looking on my left (where Claude usually sits) and I sleep with a pillow in my arms (no comments...). And, uh tomorrow my friend Tanja is coming so we can continue working on our great project.

Good night my love, sweet dreams!

Friday, September 28, 2007

13 Projects For My Weekend

1. Cook something sweet for Creacamp
2. Gather my stuff for Creacamp
3. Go to Creacamp (Can't wait!)
4. Continue the quilt I started last weekend
5. Go to the grocery
6. Read a little (this, this or this)
7. Surf on the Internet
8. Do my Gratitude Journal
9. Start a new sewing project or cut pictures from my magazines
10. Vacuum cleaning and ironing (yukky...)
11. Spend loving moments with my lover
12. Spend time with my daughters
13. Watch a few Smallville 6 episodes with Alizée

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Clean «Green»

We never know when we will make an interesting discovery.

Last Friday, as I was with my daughter filming for work, we made a short stop at a store. Sophie had already mentioned how great she felt by cleaning «green», but honestly, I thought it might be easy in a big city like Montreal to find those products, not here. Well, I was wrong. There's a store at 570 Mondor (close to a place I lived a looooong time ago), in Saint-Hyacinthe, where they sell all the necessary cleaning stuff for your body, clothes, windows and floors.

As soon as I finish my naughty-so-bad cleaning products, I switch to «green» stuff. On top of everything, the gentlemen there are really nice. At my daughter's school, they've gradually replaced soaps and cleaning products for ecological products. And you, when do you switch to «green»?

Sunday, September 23, 2007

There You Go!

I told you I wanted to hang my poster in a different way. 6 clothespins, a little hot glue and there you go!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Masks From Bonaventure (Gaspésie)

I've discovered Gaspésie a couple of years ago and I adore it. Wide spaces, proximity to the sea, breathtaking landscapes, pebbles on all beaches, small villages, it's pretty different from the big city which I adore as well; as you can see I'm a woman full of contrasts!

These masks, painted by Miranda remind me wonderful souvenirs from Bonaventure, a nice village close to la Baie des Chaleurs. I found this place on the Internet where my daughters and I have spent half a day painting masks. Since then, I crave to go on vacation and stop by different similar places. Haven't found what I'm looking for, yet...

Friday, September 21, 2007

13 Positives Aspects of Filming in My Hometown

For my work, I have to produce a short film and it's been great...

1. The inspiring theme (peace...)
2. Having Alizée as a camera woman
3. Finding a nice store where they sell biodegradable cleaning products (I'll talk about it later)
4. Talk to nice people
5. Talk to people I haven't seen in a long time
6. Being at ease to talk to strangers
7. The positive reactions of everyone I met
8. Find great ideas, an interesting concept
9. It was a wonderful day (a very warm day too!)
10. The great sense of humor of many people
11. The people's generosity
12. Having some difficulty to find a filthy place or one filled with junk, in my hometown
13. Realizing that we made many people happy by filming them

Thursday, September 20, 2007

How to Be An Artist

This is what I offered my friend for her birthday, yesterday. I bought one for myself too, it's such a wonderful poster. Instead of framing it, I'm going to try another way of hanging it on the wall. As soon as I'm done, I'll post it. For now, I'm just leaving you with SARK's suggestions of actions to seriously do, to be(come?) an artist. Inspiring... (FYI: I ordered it here. Took a while to get it, but t'was sooooo worth it!)
Again, happy birthday, T!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

I'm a Happy Person

I love the postcard swaps because I love doing them, first of all. I also love them because, for once, I can receive something fun from the mailman. And since I work mostly from home, I have a chance to see him coming, I expect him (well, not in the sense that, well you know, I don't expect him him, I just expect what he can bring me, there, said...) from day to day.

Yesterday I received my moo minicards and I had the same feeling: excited to have something fun in my mailbox. Today, excitement reaches climax: I received my moo stickerbook AND a gift for me and my partner in crime that I ordered a month ago (can't tell you what it is, 'cause she might be reading, right now, and her birthday is only tomorrow, so shhhhhh!).

I know it's a little childish to get excited for such a small thing, but when you work from home, alone all day, you get excitement where you can!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Finally Here!

Ordered a few weeks ago, my "moo minicards" have just arrived. I've taped some on my postcards' envelopes, I wanted to share my joy with my fellow swappers. I've made a keychain with another. I'm so eager to share them with my friends and family! On the back are written my blog and flickr addresses. They're like business cards, but prettier and way more personal...


Friday, September 14, 2007

13 Books I've Enjoyed Reading

1. Mister Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran (Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt)
2. Someone I Loved ((Anna Gavalda)
3. Hunting and Gathering (Anna Gavalda)
4. I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere (Anna Gavalda)
5. Salt on Our Skin (Benoite Groult)
6. In the Fast lane (Alexandre Jardin)
7. Silk (Alessandro Baricco)
8. Stargirl (Jerry Spinelli)
9. The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Mitch Albom)
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (J.K. Rowling) (The Whole Serie, in fact...)
11. The Red Notebook (Paul Auster)
12. The Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zafon)
13. We Need to Talk About Kevin (Lionel Shriver)

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Postsecrets

I bought a very special book a few weeks ago at Urban Outfitters. I should have bought books # 2 and # 3 (not there anymore...). I'll eventually order them on the Internet. And I just discovered that there is a # 4! Postsecrets is a very interesting idea that originated from a blog. Here's a short video that says it all and the music by Sia (Breathe Me) is fantastic.

I love that type of stuff...

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Nurturing Creativity

To be creative or not to be creative. I always tell people that everyone is creative. And if we lose some aspects of it as we get older, we must nurture creativity, it's vital. Well, others think the same.

Working in education and having that train of thought, if only you knew how good I feel when I hear that...

The clips are approximately 20 minutes long, but they are sooooooo worth it! Enjoy...

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Alizée creates surprising things. And this mural is exactly like that. She told me she worked hard to get this shape as she placed the photos one by one. Click on the picture to see it larger. You will see that those girls are really having fun. What a great idea to print the photos with different colored filters. Lots of work, hmmm.... of fun!

Friday, September 7, 2007

13 Signs That Fall Is Coming

1. Our garden is history
2. The lawn is filled with apples that fell from our trees
3. Nights are colder (okay, not tonight)
4. In the morning, we need to put on a little sweater or something
5. It's getting darker earlier in the evening
6. The girls are back to school
7. I'm doing my postcards for the fall swap
8. I'm preparing training sessions that I'll be giving soon
9. I don't go swimming anymore (my man still does)
10. Maple and apple leaves are changing colors and falling on the ground
11. There are lots of wasps (because of the apples!)
12. Going to Montreal in the morning is not easy
13. At Marché Jean-Talon, there are looooots of fresh vegetables (great colors and flavors...)

A Little Late!

I know, today is Friday and usually, I write about something I love on Thursday. Well, yesterday I went out, arrived home late, I was tired, not inspired, bla-bla-bla...

So here I am. I've received a beautiful postcard for the Fall Postcard Swap and it inspired me so I started mine. They're not entirely finished, but they're on their way.

I find this idea of making and sending postcard so interesting. And we send them to perfect strangers sometimes living far away from home. And it's a pleasure to send them as much as to receive them. And it's a great opportunity to create, to find a concept, to get ready for it, to start it, to see our ideas become reality. I really like postcard swaps. Do you?

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Blog Things

I've discovered this site with little "things" to add to your blog.

I've decided to include this one, for fun. I felt like a teenager again...

You Are a Purple Crayon

Your world is colored in dreamy, divine, and classy colors.
You hold yourself to a sky high standard, and you are always graceful.
People envy, idolize, and copy you without realizing it. You are an icon for those who know you.
And while it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it's paying off!

Your color wheel opposite is yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you.

A funny thing, I did the quiz where it's supposed to tell me, after some totally unrelated questions, which 2nd language I should learn. Well, a revelation: I should learn French! Seriously!

Neighbour

I've seen this short film many times and I still laugh when I see the guys' face...