Under The Wire

(this is not my dark angel, but a little fae that I did several years ago)

As per usual, I am just under the wire for completing my angel piece for the ADO Monthly Challenge. I set a goal to try and do every challenge this year and got off to a rocky start by missing the January one! This challenge, as can be seen is angels

I decided to do a dark angel. This piece is one of my Kindreds, so I did not want her to be too dark, but I didn't want her all light and fluff either. She is shown below as a WIP, with her gown (antique beaded netting), and the very rough templates I made for her wings.

Below, she is getting her hair "done". Messy, messy job.

Done! I am going to have to figure out what my hubby did to the settings in my camera when he borrowed it, as I am not happy at all with how my pics are turning out.

I truly believe we all have angels in our lives. Just as we are so unique, angels must be too - perhaps not all have earned their white wings yet...just like this little gal

Now I have to find my manual for my camera and retake some pics so I can list her in my Etsy shop

By the way - did I vaguely hear the word "Spring" mentioned recently? Last weekend, (no snow, sunny) I would have believed it. Today? Not so much

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Wordless Wednesday

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Canada Eh?

A friend sent me this short little feature presented by Tom Brokaw. I thought it was really well done. Growing up in Ontario, we learned more US history and geography in school than we did Canadian it seemed, and there were some facts in this that I wasn't even aware of

My mom was born in the US and we used to travel Stateside every year for our holidays. My sis and I quickly learned that the US curriculum had very little about Canada just by the questions that were asked almost as soon as we crossed the border. So if anyone is interested in finding out a bit about Canada and its relationship to the US, check out the vid above (it is approx. 6 minutes).

And, here in Ontario, I hardly ever hear anyone say, "Eh" LOL

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WHAT IS IT ABOUT MARIE?

As a queen, by the time she was executed during the French Revolution you could say that she was not very popular. Quite a change from how she is almost revered now by so many.

Marie Antoinette had a relatively short and rather tragic life. She died at the age of 37 after a very short trial and accused of some heinous trumped-up charges. Is this why we tend to champion her today? Is it the romance and beauty she brought to the court? The over-the-top glamour of her life during the heyday of Louis XVI? A time in history of pomp and ceremony which will probably never be equalled?

In today's world, Marie is almost a cult figure. Books, memorabilia, movies and art work are dedicated to this woman who lived over 200 years ago - which brings me to the point of this posting.

The very talented Tristan Blakeman of Enchanted Revelry is having a giveaway in celebration of attaining the rather enviable position of 500 followers to his blog. For those that follow Tristan's blog, we know he likes glitz, glam, all things beautiful - and Marie. He has created the absolutely beautiful mini theatre (shown below) of Marie in her rose garden.

For your chance at winning this stunning piece of art, please check out this post on Tristan's blog.

SATURDAY SNIPPETS

I can't remember where I saw this, but coffee lover that I am, I thought it was brilliant! What a great gift this would be for that special couple that not only love each other, but also love their coffee!

Genetics is a funny thing. Obviously siblings.....how could I tell?

I'm hoping to finish up these Kindreds this weekend - they still need at least a day's work. The one in front with the long sleeved black dress will be a dark angel for the ADO February angel challenge.

I know I'm jumping from one thing to another in this post, but it is titled "Saturday Snippets". On Thursday I was thrilled to receive several parcels in the mail. I belong to the Vintage Fashion Guild and twice a year we have a members-only yard sale. SOOOOOO much fun! From two of the members I purchased (at a complete steal) the antique handbags below:

The beaded drawstring one is in almost perfect condition. Unfortunately the beaded leather bag has a case of leather-eczema but parts of it can be salvaged. I think the small leather belt coin pouch would look great in a collage shadowbox.

This box was like opening a Christmas present! Antique laces, black beaded trim, middy binding/trim, and an assortment of tiny brass, rhinestone, metal embellishments that can be used in a million different ways! This was all from a member in Montreal.

Several weeks ago I finally got around to purchasing some back issues of some of the Somerset Publication mags, and I also received them on Thursday! I can't wait to delve into these! I love the inspiration I find in these mags and after seeing so many varied and talented artists on the OWOH blog event, I have a yearning to spread my wings and try out some different mediums and styles of work.

Before I close, I want to give mention to a giveaway on the very talented Lisa Gatz's blog

It is for the newly published Steampunkery book. I want this book and I hope I win, however it would be selfish of me not to let others have a chance too (right?). Either click on the link above, or click the button for Lisa's giveaway at the top of my lefthand tool bar so that you can enter too.

Okay, I'm off to have lunch and then out to run some errands!

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Not A Wordless Wednesday

Rene Maltete

I have a couple of things to post about today, however this is the photo that I was planning on using for "Wordless Wednesday". How cute (and typical) is this!

Susan Seddon Boulet

I have been so fortunate over the last year to meet such wonderful bloggers. My life has truly been enriched.

One person that has made a big impact on my life is Renee of Circling My Head. Many of you know Renee through her very inspirational blog. Renee has gone through an extremely horrible rough patch lately with her own health, concerns about her sister's health and losing her mother and her beloved nephew. She is currently in the hospital in Winnipeg and dealing, (as I'm sure only Renee does with strength and humour) with a rather brutal upsurge of her stage 4 breast cancer. Please, if you have a moment, spare some prayers and/or healing thoughts for Renee so that she can soon return home to her family.

I would like to thank the very talented, beautiful Zan of Vagabond Creations for awarding me with the cheery Sunshine Award! I'm thrilled that you thought of me Zan, and I thank you!

In accepting this award, there are a couple of rules that I have to follow (nothing too strenuous, thank goodness!)

The Rules are:

- Put the logo on your blog or within your post

- Pass the award to 6 other bloggers, and link the nominees within your post

- Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog

- Give mention to the person that gave you this award and link to their blog

Now the hard part ~ there are SO many bloggers that I would like to give this award to. I treasure all the blogs I follow and each one gives me a burst of sunshine when I visit. Six is the magic number however, and listed below are the ones I am happy to forward the Sunshine Award to.

Vicki of All My Yesterdays

Julie of Bellabelle's Blog

Marcie of A Work of Hart

Pearl of Pearl

Tristan of An Enchanted Revelry

Kim of Sea Gypsy Studio

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Cordula Is Leaving Canada

Packing my bags!

I was so excited to find out where Cordula's new home would be this morning.

I went to the Random Number Generator and here is the number it gave me: 263

Comment #263 was posted by Linda of Linda's Home Sweet Home! Cordula will be leaving Canada within the next couple of days and going to live with her new family in Utah, USA

Congratulations Linda!

I was so overwhelmed at the response that Cordula received and I had hoped to complete another figure as a secondary prize - unfortunately, my time ran out. I do plan on having a lot more giveaways on my blog though....this was SO much fun! This was my first year participating in the OWOH blog event and it was such a fabulous experience.

A most heartfelt Thank You to all the bloggers that participated and to everyone that took the time to visit my blog and to leave such wonderful comments.

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Love is in the Air

Just as this little house fae has found her heart's delight in the form of yummy red cinnamon hearts...

...others will also find their heart's delight today

Be it a sizzling passionate love...

An exciting young love....

A comfortable 'old' love...

a strange odd-couple love...

even a love fraught with jealousy...

The celebration of this day can be traced waaaaaaaaay back

(Click here to read more about the history of Valentine's Day)

And even if you are alone on this particular day

Try not to be sad, but make the best of your day

(Graphics Fairy)

Because Hearts are Trumps - in all forms

Have an Awesome and Happy Day

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P.S.

The fantastic OWOH event is almost over! Today is the last day to place a comment for a chance to win my offering, Cordula . The drawing is tomorrow!

Thank You(s)

I am totally flabbergasted (<--- that is such a strange word, but it does describe how I feel) by the number and content of the comments posted on my OWOH giveaway for Cordula. I thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to check out my blog and introduce yourself. It is beyond heartwarming. I wish I had 'a Cordula' to send to everyone. I'm hoping to add a couple of other items as secondary giveaways and am currently playing with several ideas and will have to see what I can come up with.

~ and ~

I would also like to thank the Baroness for awarding me with the above Kreativ Blogger award. I'm honoured and very appreciative that this wonderful (and very artistic) woman thought of me.

I was very fortunate to receive this same award last year, so I'm not going to pass this one on (ha! sounds rather selfish doesn't it?), however I would like you all to check out the Baroness' blog if you aren't familiar with it. You will be amazed at her beautiful jewelry creations and her warmth and sense of humour.... Baroness Bijoutery

Now, I'm off to my studio to try and transform some lumps of clay

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During Every Day .....

....regardless if you have to go to the office

run errands,

catch up on housework,

and tend to the kiddies........

.....We all need those special few moments, our own little Island in the Sun

Hoping everyone, no matter how busy their day, can stop for that one special, magic moment.

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pics from shorpy.com

Wordless Wednesday

Rene Maltete

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This is Pretty Awesome

The Dancing Inmates of CPDRC ~ This Is It

These inmates (1,500 strong) of maximum security prison, Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre, in the Philippines, made web history on June 27, 2009. On hearing about the death of Michael Jackson, they put together the tribute, shown in the vid below, in 10 hours.

They've come a long way. Costumed and choreographed these same inmates perform "They Don't Care About Us" from Michael Jackson's This Is It" documentary. I'm thinking that this is a great way to rehabilitate!

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