Archives

Welcome on a new edition of my weekly ritual, Gratitude Friday (if you are not familiar with it, please go read how it came up and what it is about).

I know it’s been a few weeks since my last Gratitude Friday and I apologize. Did you continue to find time to focus on your Gratitude ? I really hope so <3

My mood has been really wonky and I have not felt like this for a veryyyy long time so it took me by surprise. I am still trying to figure out ways to help me with that.

Every single day, I have a few minutes dedicated to reach out within and be thankful.

This week, I am thankful for:

• Having finally bought our plane tickets for France. We had to make the tough decision to report it AGAIN so no french Christmas.
• The comfort of home.
• Books books books.
• Music.
• Morning walks.
• Make-up.
• Being able to witness how beautiful Fall season is here in Québec.

Tell me, how was your week ? What makes you burst with Gratitude today ? Share in the comments <3

Coming back to my Studio is harder than I thought it would be. It still does not feel homey as I hoped it would, but it is getting there, slowly but steadily (I will film a Studio tour as soon as it looks better).

When I was in BC, my go-to stores were Opus and Clipper Street. I had the chance to have both in my town. But now, it is challenging to get some points of reference regarding where to buy my fine art supplies and scrapbook-y supplies. I knew about Scrapbook Centrale though because they receive amazing international teachers all year round.

I love Dina Wakley and her work so when I saw on Facebook that she was coming here for several classes, I jumped in. Even though it was two days prior and I was not sure there would be any spot left for me. The fact that my friend Caroline told me she was coming to the class I wanted to attend was just the cherry on top (see, I know Caroline for years, online, but we never met until that day).

I chose the class about working in series. We were 4 by big tables. Dina was generous to share as much supplies as she could pass the border with (not that easy anymore, apparently), so we could discover her products.

It was an all-day class and we had a bit of time for lunch. Caroline knows the place way better than I did ; we went to Maiko Sushi (which is the one restaurant our realtor said was really good… oh I miss Vancouver’s sushi, guys !). It was expensive but delicious.

I am still not painting everyday like I used to, but I have no fear that it will come back sooner than later. I need to find a project, something to get back to it. I am sad not to have continued my #365NixiesIn2016 project but I am doing my best not to feel too guilty about it either (and… most of them are still looking for new homes, if you are interested).

This class was what I needed to remember how good painting feels. 

Mixed Media is what makes me feel alive. It lights me up as nothing else does. I do miss it but it feels forced at the moment (however as I am writing this I wonder: maybe I DO need to force myself in the Studio ?).

Scrapbook Centrale is a big store, they have some supplies I had been desperately looking all over to find and the staff is really nice. It is not close to home and I am not driving yet, but I hope to go back (why not to give classes ? who knows…).

I am so happy to share with you today a new {Art Journaling In Motion} video showcasing a special project I am part of.

A few months ago, Tina Walker had an open call to artists who would be willing to participate in an idea she had: she would prepare and send the same envelope of supplies, and from it we would create anything. We did not know what she would pick and were all unaware of the level of “it is out of my comfort zone” that would fill the parcel.

And this project was born: Starting from the same place

I received it in the midst of unpacking our house and my new Studio, and just took a glimpse when I got it in the mail, then it sit for a while. In it, were a ViewMaster disk, a stencil by StencilGirl (you know I love me some stencils, right ?), some painted/dyed canvas, some Fabritac, resisters (yes, the electrician thingy), some Amazing casting products and chipboard pieces. Lots of fun stuff that gave me quite some thinking to do prior to start.

I really tried to use everything, at least partially (as you can see, I cut some of the fabric for my signature droplets, for example) but could not use the green fabric for example (I am keeping all the leftovers for future projects).

I really invite you to browse what the others created: it is as diverse as can be and so much fun to see how we all used the same supplies to begin with but ended up with such different projects 😉 You’ll find a tool with all the links at the end of this blogpost.

Here are a few close-up shots:

That’s it, another year has passed and a new one is at its inception point. Funny how the anticipation builds up for ONE day a year, but nothing is really predictable…

31.

I love birthdays, I love celebrating. I want the person to feel special, to know s-he is so loved. It is not about the gifts (even though yes, it is always nice to know people took the time to think about it etc).

My birthday, as Samhain and the New Year, is a time for me to reflect on what the year felt like, what worked and what failed. A lot happened for us… we moved across the country, sold our house in British-Columbia and bought a new one (very different) in Québec, built a swimming pool in our backyard, have to adjust to a new school system… just a lot packed this year.

I have not created anything in like three months. I both felt frustration and relief that I could take that time away to regroup myself, get grounded in our new place and care for our girls that went through a bit of a difficult time when we arrived.

I am also thinking: what do I want my 31st year to be like ? what do I absolutely want to accomplish ?

I do not have all the answers right now but working on it. Sketching, writing… these are my go-to tools when I am around this time of the year.

Tell me: how do you like to celebrate YOUR birthday ?

Welcome on a new edition of my weekly ritual, Gratitude Friday (if you are not familiar with it, please go read how it came up and what it is about).

I am writing this Gratitude Friday while taking a pause in packing my supplies for a fun day of learning from Dina Wakeley. I grabbed a very last minute spot yesterday and I am so excited to finally meet her (I have always missed her when she was at my former local scrapbooking store in British-Columbia).

The school year is now in full swing, we met the teachers for the first time yesterday, some hard truths were told but it will be okay.

This week, I am thankful for:

• My mom finally feeling some relief elsewise
• The opportunity to learn from an artist I love
• Meeting an online friend
• Releasing the first episode of my new video series {Inspired By}
• Good nights of sleep
• Books
• Our swimming pool
• The friends my daughters are making
• My cold finally leaving my body
• Hope in our future
• Having my home Studio almost ready

Tell me, how was your week ? What makes you burst with Gratitude today ? Share in the comments <3