Currently...

wanting // this tee from Etsy

needing // to get back to the gym. I am getting soft and my sleep is suffering for it!

feeling // crummy...I better not be getting a cold!

also feeling // so damn cold! It's freezing in here!

working on // doodling some narwhals...I mean, design stuff for work....yeah.....

looking forward to // putting on my warm, sparkly leggings when I get home, cracking a beer, and doing absolutely nothing! Or maybe I'll get some blog posts going...

planning //  the weekend's camping menu: lots of burgers and dogs and snacks!

missing //  The Dude! He is camping with his grandparents this week

thinking about // change, being brave, and late nights

I promise I have an actual blog post (almost) ready to go for tomorrow. It's another re-cap of my summer...I hope you like food!

later loves

This post is dedicated to...jackalopes

As per one of my "New Year's Do-Dads" I want to play more with my paint and art. My latest Lovely is a nice step in that direction, but I started her last year, so she sort of doesn't count (gasp!)

I've been playing and experimenting with some mixed media pieces that were really exciting at first, and now I don't know what to do with them.

I need something simple that I can complete in one shot. I need some inspiration.

I need jackalopes.

Some people love Santa or the Easter Bunny, but I love jackalopes! **SPOILER ALERT** Even though they aren't real.

I am thinking of dedicating a wall in my house to jackalope art.

Dude...that's a great idea! I'm glad I thought of it!

And maybe with some of my own art up there as well...something that is totally awesome and I can finish in one sitting, so it doesn't end up in a pile on my desk with other stuff that is sort of related piled on top and then it gets moved below the desk into no-man's land where there is no escape and no salvation.

Also, what a slick Halloween costume that would have been! Maybe next year...

later skater alligator

photo sources: business card, lady riding, head shot, the black apple print, studio mme print

New Favourite...Denim Bag!

I'm more of a dark denim kind of girl (slimming factor?), but I love the kitschy-retro look of acid wash!

But I will never ever wear acid wash jeans...never say never, I know. I just can't see it happening. And I will never ever wear a denim shirt, or a denim vest again ever! I would wear it to be ironic, but just end up looking like a (bigger) doofus (than I already am).

thankfully...

with lavender and lace posted this to her etsy store the other day, and I fell in love!

And I wanted it for myself, but I made myself promise I wouldn't click "BUY NOW", and would instead try to make one! Thereby fulfilling multiple goals and promises I have made to myself in the last couple of weeks.

I've never made a bag before...oh my, what have I gotten myself in to!

I can't do a zipper to save my life, so this bag will have a snap! Yes...much better.




I am kind of totally in love with how it turned out! I still have some finishing touches to make, and some alterations to the strap, but I think it will be put into commission next week! EEK!

later skater alligator

p.s. Have been doing some thinking and dreaming and I have some things to share later...have to make sure sure before I post anything...changing my mind on a second-by-second basis makes it hard to make a decision! Maybe I'll lighten the mood with a fashion post later...hmmm

Get Your Craft On...

Some crafty inspiration for you...

red envelope

Land of Enchantment

J2 Jewelry

Read this blog: modcloth

A variety of people keep telling me that I am undercharging for my Lime Door wares. I am not trying to undervalue my hard work and time and effort that goes in to the creation of my little headbands and media pockets. But I do think that one of the main reasons I think twice (or thrice) before buying items on Etsy is that the $$ seems awfully steep! And I want people to welcome arts + crafts into their life at the smallest expense possible. I think these fun little treasures should be everyday treats, not something we have to save up for!

I also think I am going to limit the number of posts I do with this kind of slant (Etsy looks, craft and art from other people). There are other blogs I read that I love, except when they do posts like this. It's kind of...boring...So I am going to focus on posting more of my own stuff, and less from other people! But this kind of stuff will still pop up now and again. I'm always being inspired by other's people's art, and I think sharing that is one of the fun things about blogging!

Later skater alligator

purty things

I love art and illustrations. Every once and awhile I imagine that I could do it...but I am so out of practice, so I just spend my days drooling over other people's beautiful art!

"Vessel"

Gingiber's Owl Calendar

"Coexistence"

"Ticking Clock"

"Sugar Skulls Bird"

(photo is not loading, so go check it out yourself...)

"Coffee and Pancakes"

note to self: Is it too early to start a Christmas list? Cause I think I just did!

later skater alligator

Feedback please...do these kind of posts inspire or just infuriate? Inquiring minds want to know...

More Halloween Inspiration

Etsy Ideas...but don't just go and search Etsy to find handmade decor. There's a lot of tacky garbage out there...oh my!

I'm beginning to think this would be an awesome costume!

for Lucas...and then I could be the Wicked Witch of the West! (Just the regular, spooky version though...not the "sexy" version...geeze Louise)

I am confused as to why some of the flying monkey costumes are brown and some are bluish grey. Which was it people!?

All this talk of the Wizard of Oz makes me want to read the original book and find all the other books I have in my house. I found it online...what a nice way to pass the time.

I've been thinking of doing something like this for myself. I could go back through my old anatomy textbook and get some good prints...maybe one year I'll get my butt in gear and get on that!

Speaking of skulls...

How amazing would this be as a costume! And how much work to get it "just right" wow... I found a really amazing face-paint job on Etsy last week, and now I can't find it again! ARGH! And I can't find the source for this photo either...poot.

On that note: how cool would a Sugar Skull Party be!?! Possibly the best part of this page is the following statement: "If you have access to any children"...umm yes? Also this line: "Remember, in Mexico, if there are [sic] an odd number of dancers, the odd man out has to dance with a broom!" I'm not making this stuff up! But really, it would just be fun to decorate sugar skulls and eat lots of food and crank the tunes. And make everyone dress up...can't forget that! And now that I am fully committed to the "Sugar Skull" search...

And since I love anything geeky, this sugar skull print is too fun for words. I also found a cross stitch pattern for a lady sugar skull with some crazy rockabilly hair. Also these...

Aren't they too fab for words? Not to mention the artist is from Medicine Hat!

I'm thinking that next week I want to do lots of Halloween crafts with Lucas...HA! We'll see if he gets into the spirit this year. We have finally decided on a costume (thanks Mom!), so I have some accessories shopping to do. Plus, I still need to come up with something for myself. Value Village here I come!

k. m outta here. word to your mothers.

later skater alligator

photo sources: flying monkey costume, movie screen shot, skull print, makeup (unknown), green sugar skull painting (it's a stupid tumblr link within a blog...argh), ukulele sugar skull print, sugar skull wood brooch

Portland...I miss you

This Portland Bingo print is quite possibly the most awesome thing I have seen lately! I'd be close to getting a "black out" if I was playing this particular bingo game (I don't remember seeing an elk statue and we didn't get to the OHSU tram, and what the heck is the "tiny horse" thing all about!?)

Find it here...and then buy it for me!!

I have been dreaming about Portland lately...it just keeps popping up. I guess the majority of the blogs I read are based there...go figure! There are so many more things I want to see there, and even though I hate going on vacation to the same place more than once - not counting Jasper - I might have to make an exception to this rule of mine!

later skater alligator

p.s. happy thanksgiving!

threads and letters and such is life

this is a lotto wish list...

Urban Spectacles

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24Karas

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Little White Dog

`home``

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Brilliance Found

filigree ring

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Mod Cloth Beauties...

Central Park West dress

Recently Promoted dress

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My Threadless tees have yet to arrive bathed in brown paper goodness. So much for having something fun and new to wear in Portland. Every time I see a UPS truck drive through the neighbourhood, my eyes follow it with hope and longing, only to have that hope dashed when he takes a right instead of a left. I suppose there is still time.

*****

Shameless Garage Sale Plug

Lakewood Community League is having a Garage Sale and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday. Food service starts at 9:30 and shopping starts at 10. I will be there with a table of my own filled with lots of crap that I just couldn`t bring myself to throw away...I mean, lovely treasures for your home!

Join me and buy some crap treasures so you can support my terrible craft-addiction.

Thank you, and good night.

(god damn keyboard...thanks goodness I have a call into my `tech support``...I love you Russel!)

it's Monday people!!!

This is on my birthday list. a dalek cake. oh my! it even moves. be still my heart.

photo source

*****

And speaking of my birthday, I have debated long and hard about what I want to do to celebrate my birthday. Have a party? Have a couple of parties? Karaoke? Rent a hall? The whole nine yards? Or just go away.

I have decided to go away...to Portland!!

I am so excited! Russ, Lucas and I in Oregon...woo hoo!

And I knew giving the idea to "the Planner" was my best plan. Russ has checked for flights and rental cars, and what's the cheapest way to get there, and all that other stuff. He really wants to see Seattle, so he figured out it's more expensive just to fly to Portland than to fly to Seattle, rent a car there, tour the city for a bit, and then drive to Portland! So I get my trip to Portland plus a road trip! Yippee!!!

And since I like to plan all my vacations around food, I have already found 6+ Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives locations in Portland for us to try. Plus some other fun diners and coffee shops and a great farmers market. Also, I've read that you can take kids (and dogs) into pubs there!?!?

And we're staying in the Ace Hotel.

And it's going to be awesome!

Thirty here I come!!!

*****

The office saga continues. Today there is no furniture in my office, but there is a painter. Today I can't sit at my desk because it is pushed up against a wall in the hallway. Today I had to look in two different rooms to find something to work on, and even then, I don't have everything I need so I am wondering why I'm even here today.

Dianne isn't coming in. She's the smart one.

*****

I did some more sewing yesterday. I bought "dim-out" fabric to add to the curtains in Lucas' room. It is a giant pain in the butt to sew, but I completed most of one panel. And I am very proud of myself...so I have moved onto the pillows in the LR...it's about darn time!

And then I see this fabric on Etsy and think, my house should have a boat theme (oh gosh, it so shouldn't!!!)

source

Anthropologie used to have a dress in a similar fabric (in navy) that I was in love with. Choreographer Mandy Moore wore it in an episode of SYTYCD. It was just as perfect as the picture.

*****

My class went so well on Saturday...it was like a play date with three lovely ladies!!

I didn't take any photos, but Electra did. I just checked her blog, and no photos yet, but I'll keep you posted.

I love how in these types of classes everyone's end product is so different from each others and from the demo. It makes me happy to see people just create, and play and have fun...no boundaries, no rules, no measuring!!

And I made another book, and my transfer technique finally worked...well, sort of. It worked better than it ever has before!

I need more paint play dates in my life...any takers?

*****

I am just beginning to realize that I have only a short time left to complete my 30 Before 30 List. I'm not worried about getting everything done-done, but it would be nice to have made a good dent. Heck, I don't even have 30 goals listed in there for gosh sakes!

any suggestions?

*****

don't you just love wooden things?

i sure do.

source

Source

but speaking of wooden things, I am going the way of Nadine via Whiteberry Reinvented and painting my bedroom furniture white. yay! instead of finding new pieces (annoying, pricey, have to convince Russel), I am going to repurpose the old ugly ones.

I'm hoping to use Mom's garage for most of the work, so I don't have to worry about things getting dusty and dirty in the yard. It's more moving of things than I would like, but I'm hoping it will be easier in the long run.

And if you have never checked out Lee Valley...do yourself a favour and browse through their hardware catalogue. Oh. My. Goodness. How do you even pick a favourite? I like page 52 letter G, page 48 letters O through U,  page 46 all of it, and page 10 with the key holes.

Decisions, decisions...

We were at Home Depot yesterday, ordering new blinds for Lucas' room, and so I wandered through all the fun aisles while Russ was doing the boring stuff. I found some fabulous wall paper that had a sea foam base with shiny silver damask-type print on it. Wow!

And I have begun to fall in love with laminate floor again. But I keep changing my mind on what I would like, so I just can't decide. Plus, I like to procrastinate the actual doing of work...I am more of an "ideas girl" so even if we bought flooring next week, it might not get done until 2012!! HA! Hence the installation option...duh Lisa.

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Have I mentioned that I am in love with mushrooms lately? No, not the hallucinogenic kind...c'mon people.

source

I think I need to find a Mushrooms of Alberta book. They are just so proliferous this year, and so many more varieties than I have ever seen before. I love me a fun-guy!! HA!

All this talk of mushrooms reminds me of my Bio 107 Lab TA. He was into mushrooms. And he was quite a character.

*****

And for one last bit of inspiration before I clock out for the day (it's not even noon yet and I have officially given up)

Cartwheels in my Mind

scrapbooking, inspiration, crafts, life

i love blogs like this

plus, it's pretty!

later skater alligator

about me...

today I am...going to go to Toys R Us and hope to high heaven I can find some water guns for Lucas' birthday.

yesterday I...spent one hour in a McDonald's play area (note: McDonald's "food" does not agree with me...)

tomorrow I...am going to the St. Albert Farmer's Market with the mini-fam...yay!

feeling creative? no, not really. but I am really jonesing to get some time to craft in the next couple of days. I have made a lot of headway on cleaning up my studio.

latest craze...cutting all of my big papers into 5x7 pieces for mini albums. I have a huge stack of them now. It's the best thing to do while watching SYTYCD and surprisingly, I feel much lighter for having done this.

technique post...nowhere close to being finished. lots of computer stuff that I am just not in the mood for this week. crap-ola.

bought a book...number three in a four part series that is taking forever to come out, gosh. it's about Dragons and magic and stuff. yeah.

pictures...not today. I got nothing.

no, wait...

etsy comes to the rescue again!

sources: earrings, Eat decal, boots, origami

later skater alligator

p.s. Nadine has yet another super bee-u-tiful card class at TM. check it out here

dreary

today is a cold, blustery, rainy, dreary day. I'm thinking Edgar Allen Poe, or the Cat in the Hat story before the Cat gets there.

last night I was so tired. After I put lucas in to bed I cleaned up a little downstairs then promptly put on my pjs and read Sense and Sensibility in bed before going to sleep myself before 11! Oh my! That's early for me. I sort of remember Russ coming to bed shortly after - with his laptop - and me hitting the lap top because I was flailing around for some reason...!?!? I think I might also have been chatting...oh dear. I was up at 6, which is also a rarity for me, and at work by 8:30. It's all the working out I did on the weekend...I've got this weird and wonderful burst of energy! now, I must put it to good use (and not evil, y'know, cause with great power comes great responsibility...)

I have been working on some fun fun things! But nothing is really complete as of yet. So I'm hoping for a super awesome blog post tomorrow, or Thursday at the latest.

Thanks to everyone new who has been checking out my blog, and entering my giveaway! I also plan on getting some blog-reading in tomorrow and I hope to check out all of your blogs as well. So exciting!

I heart jackalopes and pen-and-ink drawings. this is a match made in heaven...

source

the forgotten

that could be the title of the story of the movie of my life: "the forgotten"

hmmm...

I did forget about the giveaway. sorry peeps. fortunately, this just gives me more time to collect awesome things for it! hazaah! And i'm still totally serious about getting twenty comments (or more) before I give this baby away.

it is cold at work today. chilly willy. and I get to stare out my window at the rainy, empty sidewalks below. i'm so happy it's raining today and will be nice and warm on Wednesday. maybe Lucas and I will leave the house this week.
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Today I am inspired by...

Home...

Sources: banner, snail, rosie music, TTV home, home plate

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Camping...

Sources: Sweet Summer Nights, foxes fire, trailer t, airstream photo, Airstream Alice

I can't wait to go camping this month!! Granted, the trailer I will be sleeping in isn't near as cool or retro as an Airstream, but it's a fricken huge and awesome (so I am told) trailer. No tent, no freezing cold nights, no rain drips through the tarp...where's the fun!?!? To pack: comfy clothes, a good book, cookies, sunglasses, camera, portable scrapbook

*****

Happy Summer Everyone!

view from the beer garden