ABC Wednesday - "Up There"

It was difficult to choose this week. I had been planning on "unicorn" for ABC Wednesday as my daughter has collected unicorns for a long time (ok - I bought them for her - one for each birthday and in stockings!). But I am unable to upload any new photos right now, so I had to use what I had already uploaded.

So next would have been "underwater" as I had some great underwater shots when we were in the Bahamas last March Break. Alas, they weren't where I could access them (of course!)

Sooo - I decided on "up". I have a love of photographing skies - so have many to choose from. Please enjoy a few views of "Up There".

I had to finish with a few fireworks from July 1st last year - way "UP" there!

Sisterhood of the Purple Bicycle!

Mel of From Clutter to Shine is inaugurating a fantastic new Sisterhood - the Sisterhood of the Purple Bicycle! What a concept. Her idea is that we are all on a journey together and are there to support each other. As Mel says "we take strength from each other as we move forward, as beautiful works-in-progress. "

You must check out her manifesto and read how it all came into being. Join in this new Sisterhood by leaving a message with Mel.

Wreck This Journal!/ Postcard Friendship Friday

Today begins a new adventure - "Wreck This Journal" (by Keri Smith), the Next Chapter blogging group, headed by Jamie Ridler.

It promises to be fun, creative, and take us places we may not want to go! I hope I am up to the challenge. Not matter - let the adventure begin!

My first step was to write my name - in many different ways. Had no white - made block letters - then the letters are white inside! As I worked down the page I realized I was placing my name in the wrong sections - but wait - Jamie said there was no wrong, no mistakes. This definitely is my kind of project!

I thought I would peek in the book. I had kept it in the bag since I bought it. I was very good about not looking too soon!
The first page I opened to said "break the spine". How could I do that?? Books are my friends, they are to be treated with respect. So, I closed the book and visited a few blogs. Jennifer set hers on fire! If she could do that, surely I could bend the book back a little.

So I gingerly took the book and snapped it. "Ouch!" I then apologized to the book.

I have a feeling that this won't be the worst I do to it!

As I am into report card writing mod now, just taking a few minutes free time a day to play with this book and visit the blogs of a wonderful group of women, will be a very welcome break.

And I may not be able to post pictures for a while until I get the upload terminal (have no idea what it is really called) fixed. In my rush to upload some pictures tonight, I pushed the plug into the computer. Ughhhh!

I have many more wonderful blogs to visit and fellow adventurers to meet! Looking forward to this very different adventure!

Postcard Friendship Friday

Once again it is Postcard Friendship Friday. Trying to decide what postcard to share was difficult. Do I chose one from a favourite trip or one sent by others? Then today at school I noticed our album of postcards and thought it would be a perfect choice.


Our class did an international postcard exchange this year and we received over 90 postcards - mostly from the U.S., but some from Britain and Australia. The children loved receiveing them and we had fun finding where each originated. We sent out 90 as well - a bit costly but worth the effort.


Here are 3 of my favourites.
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Here I was ready to post them and what did I do - but push the terminal into the computer! I had taken photos and was ready to upload. But in my zeal, I pushed too hard, the wrong way! My son-in-law may be able to fix it but not until Sunday.
So - my dilemma - do I wait to post til Sunday (but will also be doing report cards!) or post first the words today and the pix later (part 1 and 2)? As you can see I decided on the second!

You could use your imagination and try and guess where they are from:

1. 4 koalas sitting in a tree
2.Durham Cathedral where the Harry Potter films were made
3.Smith Falls/Chimney Rock/Toadstool Park

Stay tuned for part 2 - coming soon!

ABC Wednesday

Maybe it is the teacher in me, but this new challenge I just discovered appeals greatly to me.
(Better late than never!)

The challenge is to use the Letter of the week in some way - whether photo, idea, poem, or art.

This week's letter is T.

T is for:

Totem poles. During our trip to BC last summer, I saw several totems - many in Stanley Park. when I saw the letter for the week, I immediately thought totem.

There is something about the history and art of these unique totems that always affects me.

IF this challenge appeals to you check out ABC Wednesday.

Sounds to Wake UpTo

It's funny how many things stay at the edge of consciousness until something makes you notice them. Then you frequently see or hear them - whether it is a phrase, a song or object.
When Leah at Creative Every Day intoduced June's theme "Sound", I was not sure how I would use it this month.

This morning I was awakened at 5 and as I lay in bed, I could hear a virtual symphony of birds outside. First one bird would start and then another would pick up the refrain. As I listened, I could pick out so many different bird calls. I could just imagine them calling to each other, sharing news and gossip.

Normally I am not an early riser - 7 am is early enough! By the time I am awake, the regular noises of the street drown out the birds. Yet this morning I did not go back to sleep as I usually would and instead listened to the music.

It was such a pleasant start to the day. I might not have focused on them if I hadn't been nudged by the "Sound" theme. Thanks Leah!

June 1st - The Challenge Begins

Day 1 of 100 Days - have almost made it through the first day and so far so good!

I am joining Rowena's (Warrior Girl) challenge: 100 _ in 100 Days. Check out her blog for a pledge and more info on where it could take you.

My goal is to spend at least 30 minutes a day being creative - it could be collage, ATCs, journalling, photography, writing.

As well, I want to use these 100 days to be kind to myself - to eat better, to exercise or dance, to meditate and to be more positive. (Nothing like putting it out there for all to take note of! and yes, losing weight, is I hope, part of the taking care of myself!)

Three months is generally thought of as the time needed to change a bad habit or develop a new one. These are my goals then - to develop the habit of creating daily and being active and positive.

As Rowena suggested I am keeping a journal of my journey.

I finished my ATCs for the "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" Exchange today and mailed them off. (Once the exchange as been made I will share the results.)

As well I have been working on a watercolour collage - using pieces from previous works as a background. It has been fun.

I found the perect symbol for it - the heron.

I have been drawn to this graceful bird for a long time. In most places where I have lived, there have been herons. Recently one has nested at a large pond near us and I have seen it several times. Last summer I was only metres away from one while in a park in Victoria. I took a lot of photos.

Ever since reading about the symbolism of the heron on Collage Diva's blog, I have wanted to use it in my art. The symbolism of this bird is well known in Chinese, native and Egyptian cultures.

It is a symbol of going with the flow and of working with the elements.

For Native people it represents inquisitiveness, determination, curiosity.

For the Chinese, it represents patience, strength,purity, long life.

II am not sure where I want to go with this but I have definitely enjoyed the process.