Busy busy

rainy days are perfect for...

well, it is the last day before I head back to work. Had an amazing vacation! I did create a travel journal, which I will load once the last entry in complete. But in the meantime, check out some of my latest creations.
I love this stamp set - Artistic Etchings

This is an insert I designed for my simply adorned pendant, by stampin up!

Here is Two Step Bird Punch card, I designed for a card swap:

Lastly, I designed this Cardinal Christmas Card for a team meeting this week. We had to design a Christmas Card and prepare the supplies for everyone to complete at the meeting. This is my first...

Have a great week - I will be back soon with my travel journal...

Dean

it's been a while...

holy cow! I can't believe that an entire month has passed already!

Let's see what has happened: had a birthday - as a result I am one year wiser, Scott grew older, we started out renovations ( I have a laundry room and a hobby room which I share with a star wars fanatic) and I became a Stampin Up! Demonstrator. So I have been a wee bit occupied. But here is a peek of what I have been up to....

Have a seat

Artistic Etchings

Fox & Friends

Manhattan Flower

Sweet scoops

This is a mini-flip album I made for each of the children:

This is a mini-flip album

That's it for now!

Zentangles

Here are some zentangles which I have been working on. Happy with the designs, but the pen quality is poor. Need to pick up some Microns and give those a shot.

News: I am officially a Stampin'Up Demonstrator  - a creative coach, if you will. Stay tuned...

Proud Mama

Driving home last night we received a call on our cell - it was our daughter's school. {holding breath}. Hale was being awarded "most improved" in jr girls basketball. The Athletic Awards were held this morning. It was a wonderful ceremony - and I am so proud of my baby-girl! Way to go Hale!
pics to follow...

Living the Life I have Imagined

What do I want to attract in my life?
There is a need to change my thought pattern, my language and focus...
Get out of the rut and be present.
I know all of this - but need reminding...

Dean’s a crab

It’s true, I am born under the Cancer sign and appropriately -- I am crabby.

Ovewhelmed with family life and work.

As soon as I stop, I fall asleep.

Need to get my art-on...

All work and no play makes dean cranky...

spread your wings and be free!

This is exactly how I feel when I create. I have been itching for weeks to do this, but travelling, getting back to a routine - sometimes being artsy has to take a back seat for a bit. Although it doesn't have to like it.

I jumped at a class my friend Angela was teaching last week - didn't know what it was, what the projects looked like - I didn't care. Anything Angela does is amazing and if it got me out of the house, out of my head - I was game. We ended up making, 2 mother's day cards (using various techiniques), and stamped candle with a lovely stamped box to give it in, and a little flip-cover case for post-it note pad. This got my momentum in gear!

I started this canvas on Saturday night and put the finishing touches on last night. I am happy with it.
I also decided that I would see if I could see some of my art on etsy. I am going to give it a whirl once I have 10 completed. I have 3 so far to put up.

I also discovered cellu-clay, which is instant papier-maché. I sculpted out some crows and round button-flowers. Once they dry I will podge tissue on them. Can't wait to see how they turn out!

Stay tuned!
xoxo dean

Mickey! -- I miss you!

Please indulge me.
Disney was always a dream for me. Even as I write this, my eyes are tearing again - I am so full of joy and missing. I can remember the very first time I heard of Disney. It started with receiving my very first postcard from my Aunt Helene from Disney - it had Snow White and the seven dwarfs on it. Not long after, we had a family gathering at my Aunt Suzanne's. Aunt Micheline and her family - along with Aunt Helene had just returned. There we sat with our Mickey ears (a souvenir with our names on the back, mine was pink) watching the home movies of their trip. I wanted to go. But I don't recall ever asking my parents, nor were there any promises of someday visiting the Magic Kingdom -- I just knew in my heart that someday I would love to go.
Scott and I often reminisce about our childhood and on Sunday evenings at 6pm - we would cross our fingers in hopes for a cartoon instead of a tv movie. LOL. Disney was a huge part of our lives growing up...Fast forward to Hale being 3 years old and the promise of taking her and Nicholas when she was ten. We would hope that we would have enough money to go...Hale turns 10. As a family, we have gone through some tough financial challenges, things are looking up, but we couldn't go that year...or the next...
Fast forward to 2009. My step-father passes away and a few months later I get a phone call from his bank. It seems that there is a little bit of money left and I am listed as the beneficiary. I have exactly enough money to take our family to Disney - on a trip of a lifetime! Our very first family vacation.
Even leading up to our departure, I refused to read about the parks or dream what it would be like. I had a fear, deep-down that it might get taken away.
April 12th, 2010. We are in Walt Disney World - I can hardly believe it! We stayed at the Polynesian Resort "Aloha Cousin" for eight days, and are treated like royalty. On the beach, in the distance you can see Cinderella's Castle. Hop the boat and you are there within 10 minutes!
We visited all the parks - hugged Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore, Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, Stitch, Jessie, Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
Our favorite rides were: Pirates of the Carribean, Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Everest, Thunder Mountain... and so many more.
As I walked down Main Street USA, glancing up at the Castle, the icon of my childhood - I take a deep breath, and soak it in. We have arrived. We are here.
Of course the music. Every store, street, ride - has the sounds to accompany ever feeling you are experiencing. We have made our playlist and are in the midst of putting it all together. And you know how a song can bring you back to the very moment you heard it...?

There’s no place I’d rather be

Then on my surfboard out at sea

Lingering in the ocean blue

And If I had one wish come true

I’d surf till the sun sets

Beyond the horizon ...

...Lalala i kala hanahana

Me ke kai hoene i ka pu'e one

It’s time to try the Hawaiian Roller coaster ride...

The other day we are driving to work and I am singing the Hawaiin Rollercoaster Ride – I start smiling and laughing – and it turns to tears. I cannot stop crying.

I made it. We made it.

It was pure magic – where nothing else matters.

I can’t wait to go back.

Mickey --- I miss you!

bon voyage!

The official countdown has begun. It is real. I am going to Disney World! So excited that I can barely sit still...wonder how the kids can stand it...
Will post upon our return, until then
MICKEY! WE'RE COMING!!!
Dean xoxox

Happiness is... (in no particular order)

 

 My family

Uncontrollable giggles

Spontaneous hugs

Flowers in bloom

Being creative and inspired

Starbucks, grande, half sweet mocha coffee misto

Love, love, love

5 sleeps until Disney...

{sigh}

Life...

Down the Rabbit Hole

I remember the very first time I was exposed to Alice in Wonderland. I was 6 or 7 years old, curled up on my Grampa’s chair, grasping the novel in my hands. I too followed the rabbit into the fantasy of Wonderland... not too long afterwards I was sleeping overnight in my step-sister’s bed, at my parent’s new home – when I awoke, I stared at a strange euphoric illustration of Alice getting advice from the caterpillar...

Maybe it is all the hype of the recent release of Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland (which I plan to see soon) mixed with my fascination with bunnies and that Easter is fast approaching...no matter yesterday was the day I was going to start the creative process with this fantastic story in mind.

Almost done – still need a few finishing touches with my black pen...a little nervous that I will ruin it. But here it is...

A, B, and C

I have always been fond of cursive writing and hand lettering. When I was a little girl, I would sit for hours with my Mother Goose book, copying the stories to practise my penmanship. People often comment on my writing and ask me to write things out for them. There was also the time that my Father-in –Law asked me to write on photo-plaques, thanking sponsors for the soccer teams. I was certain that the guy’s name was Harry, he was Harry to me. His name wasn’t Harry. LOL.

Anyways, the whole point is that for the past year, I have been searching for book and on-line links to expand what I already know and haven’t had much luck. The Gods shone upon me last evening. As I was browsing through Chapters, I spotted a book on my way out – Hand Lettering, by Marci Donley & DeAnn Singh. There was a section on Celtic Alphabet to boot – SOLD!

From Green to Blue and everything in between!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Here is the past week in a nutshell...

Green - Scott and I attended the annual St Patty's Day Tea. This year was extra special as the Grade 5 class is the host. So Nick-Nack dressed up in his crisp new white shirt, donned a green hat and was eager to do a great job of serving and looking after his clients. This is really great for the kids as they wait for years for their turn for the tea. Many people kept dropping by to tell us what an outstanding job he did. In addition to the sandywiches, coffee, and yummy sweets - being pampered by our courteous server was the real treat!

Blue - Thursday evening, Nick was a bundle of nerves. After months and month of waiting and training endlessly, it was the night of belt testing. Mind over matter, patience, discipline, focus and determination were all factors that Nick tapped into while journeying through the gruelling belt test. After several hours of technique, (some butterflies) and an awesome circle -- Nick was awarded his blue belt. Way to go Buddy! we are so proud of you!

Everything Else!
Hale made the basketball team! Yay! Can't wait to watch some intense games.

Last week was my last with my old colleagues! They treated my like a princess - Breakfast with the gang, pho with Sara (and Buddha), godiva chocolates and flowers from my girls! Thanks you guys - I will miss you muchly!

Here is my newest page in my journal - it was a little crazy and wasn't sure where I was going with this, but am really pleased with the results.

Lastly, passports apps are in - we are that much closer to our Disney Holiday!

Have a fabulous Monday!
xoxo Dean

Not so lazy Sunday...

Despite the day started out with sunbeams playing across my bedroom, while I lay in bed listening to the birds singing - trying to pick out new and unfamiliar chirps (the odd agravating meow of a frustrated cat watching the birds...) Sunday was a not so lazy day.
Scott had to work (at least from home, but end of fiscal makes him frown) so I sat at the other end of the table and started to play.
Firstly, I boiled some water and placed 2 tea-bags of Tazo Passion Tea in a glass measuring cup, along with some muslin to let it soak. After several hours I wrung them out and hung them to dry. Perfect!

Secondly, I had a vision of a lemonade-violette colored cards that I had wanted to do with my new stamps. Very nice!

Thirdly, I finally finished my journal page I had "in progress" for a couple of weeks now. I am entering a new phase of creating, as previously mentioned, but still feeling tentative about it. It is coming, as is Spring.

Enjoy the day!
xo Dean

first sign of spring...

20+ years and still going strong.
It was the spring of 1989 and it just seems like yesterday that Scott and I started dating... not a day goes without the mention of how nice I look, or how his heart flutters when I walk in the room. He is my soulmate and I love him endlessly.
Today as I got in the car after work, he said that he had seen his favorite first sign of spring... "Dean in heels".