Troll 2 party menu a big hit

The 1990 Troll 2 movie rates a ZERO percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so what more reason would we need than that to throw a Troll 2 party? Here are photos of some of the glorious food that we devoured at the party ...

Nilbog cupcakes

Nilbog Water ingredients are: White Grape Juice, 7-Up and Green Food Colouring

Green Jell-O popcorn balls

Green noodles

Green Deviled Eggs and Pea Soup

It's all in the presentation folks!

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

For any Troll 2 enthusiasts out there, we also had Double Decker Bologna sandwiches in paper bags as well. Yum!

We also watched the Best Worst Movie documentary made by the child actor who was in Troll 2. It was fascinating, touching and sad. This documentary rates 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

What do you get when you cross The Scream with Finn the Human?

Happy All Saint's Eve everyone!

The Scream costume I made for my son, David a couple years ago ~
best (and cheapest) costume ever!

Finn the Human pumpkin I carved this morning

Finn tries on The Scream for size!

Steampunk Jewellery, Painted Ties and Airship Pirate Plushies foot the bill

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of acting as a creative consultant with a theatre arts collective called Graffiti Mix that my son Zach and his friend Brittni dreamed up in 2011. Recently, Graffiti Mix presented its first one act play production featuring 4 plays that were written and directed by Zach, Brittni and their friend Nicole. To fund this venture, we decided to use some of our artistic skills to create things (mostly recycled or reused materials) and sell them. Here are a few samples:

A sampling of the Steampunk Jewellery we created ...
The 2nd necklace on the left is the only one out of this bunch that hasn't sold yet.

Buzz ~ one of our Airship Pirate Plushies. Each time one sells, it's sad to see them go.
(Each plushy comes with his/her own biography)

"The Scream" hand-painted tie that started it all.

After the show ... Cast & Crew of Graffiti Mix's 1st One Act Plays ~ July 2013

Don't you just love a wedding?

Our son recently got married. I was asked to do some of the creative stuff such as flowers and centrepieces and wedding cake. I thoroughly enjoyed my task and was pretty happy with the results.

flowergirl's bouquet

the new Mr & Mrs

It was raining on the day of the wedding, so photos were taken at the local conservatory. This random guy asked to have his photo taken with the bride ~ he was on a scavenger hunt, and was very happy to find a bride.

 

 

homemade wedding cake ~ yum!

 

 

Wedding photographs by Jeremy & Kristin Ross of Photography by JK.
Check out more of their photos of the wedding at this LINK.

Does Snowstorm = Creativity?

Yesterday it snowed really, for the first time this winter. We've only had a few snow falls with a skiff of snow here and there. But finally, in February, we were finally hit with some real substantial snow.

What did this mean to me? Suddenly, I felt like creating again. It was as if there is a correlation between cold, wintry weather and my creative drive. Weird, I know. But I did complete two projects yesterday that have been hanging around for ages, including a Gnome painting. Could this mean that I may start back working on my chairs again? That would be awesome!

I'm not one of those people who can just pump stuff out for the sake of pumping it out and all too often, "life" gets in the way of art. While this lousy weather seems to play a part in my sudden desire to create again, but maybe also, hearing about my friend Laura (Canadian Chickie and of all about Pretty! fame)  opening up her brick and mortar artsy store, la TaDa! vintage boutique & creative studio has inspired me as well.

Here's to snowstorms and the creativity bug!

Love (or something) is in the Air

Valentine-ish Candy Corn ~ yum!

It's Valentine's Day! This is the day when we like to shower our love and attention upon our special someone.

Mildred the monkey  enjoys the view from the wall sconce 

I gave my husband a kiss this morning, only to realize that he is suffering from a nasty flu. Oops! I realized that it was probably not a healthy thing to do the split second I did it. No worries, my hubby had the perfect solution. He said to me: "You can always spray your mouth out with Lysol." Helpful man. Helpful man.

Seasonal confections always in my gumball machine ~
this week it holds Candy Hearts!

Steampunk!

Part of the Steampunk jewellery collection for sale at Dickens Day

"Ha'penny" Pendant and Ring/Gem Chain ($25 ~ Available)

I've been helping create some Steampunk jewellery for a Graffiti Mix fundraiser. Graffiti Mix is a nonprofit arts collective that my son and a friend of his are launching. They hope to present a full length play in the coming year, and for now much of the preliminary work is being undertaken. 

"Coggler's Triangle" Pendant and Chain  ($22 ~ Available)

It goes without saying that fundraising is always a challenge. Since the play has a Steampunk-ish aesthetic, we thought selling Steampunk jewellery would be a fun endeavour. 

"Heart of Time" (Sold)

"Time Traveller" Pendant and Golden Chain  ($24 ~ SOLD)

Yesterday, we started selling some of the pieces we created at the Concordia University during their Dickens Day celebration (Charles Dickens 200th Birthday).  We hoped to sell at least 5 of our pieces. We far exceeded our goal for the day ~ perhaps this was because of the Dickens Day special prices we were selling for. At any rate, we were very pleased by all the positive feedback we received from many people who stopped by our table to have a peek.

"Lady Liberty" Brooch ($10 ~ Available)

In making these one-of-a-kind pieces, we aren't rushing over to Michael's to buy supplies. All our pieces are created using recycled jewellery parts which each artisan sees in a new way...

"Heart's Door" SOLD

"Regina" Pendant and Ball Chain ($22 ~ Available)

So we're still looking old broken jewellery to create more fun Steampunk jewellery and

I'll post more photos for you to look at later. 

"Bobbin Works" Pendant with Ball Chain ($22 ~ Available)

So long 2011 ~ hello 2012!

2011 has been a tough one and I am very happy to say adieu to it. 2012 is here and I look forward to it with hope in my heart that it will be a better one.

Irene, my mother-in-law in her younger days ~ she passed away in March at age 81

January means that I start my hunt for unique 2nd hand or handmade gifts ~ Christmas is only 12 months away. Antique malls, garage sales, flea markets, craft sales and the ReUse Centre are all potential locations to find such gems. Finding treasures for my friends and loved ones is such fun!

I am also hopeful that I will get more art done in the months ahead. I have a wing-back chair which is primed and ready to paint. Now all I need is some inspiration to get down to painting another fine art chair!

What great plans do you have in your head and in your heart for 2012?

Christmas Past

7 days until Christmas ... are you ready?