Friday, July 31, 2009

ON VACATION!!!!!


I'M ON VACATION!

We're driving home today, leaving around 1:30 - 2ish. I'll be coming home on the train next Friday. A whole week at home! Plus, I'll get to go spend a night at my gramma's cottage! I can't wait!
I'll try to take lots of pictures to show you when I get back! Until then, I have an item of the day scheduled to post each day - so don't go anywhere while I'm away! See you soon!

Item of the day: Seafaring Earrings

Ooooh, these gorgeous seafaring earrings by ShopClementine are making me anxious for the beach! I'm going to stay at my gramma's cottage next Tuesday & I can't wait!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

My Little Garden

I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned how I started growing some herbs this summer - basil, cilantro & parsley. My three favourite & most-used herbs. It's going to be wonderful having fresh ones available! Here's what my garden looked like last week:I was pleased - look at the third set of leaves starting to grow!When I went to check on them this week - I really noticed a difference, especially in the basil.Large (ok, small), healthy basil leaves. I want to try one with a fresh tomato. It's probably a bit soon to be plucking the leaves off though...The parsley & cilantro are doing less well, but still hanging in there. The plants that remained in the terrarium showed the most improvement though:Again, the basil is doing exceptionally well.I'll be cooking with it in no time! And hopefully the small pots & terrarium will do well indoors come winter time.

Item of the day: Curvaceous Cups

I love playful designs, especially when it comes to everyday items, like cups. These curvaceous cups by jfishdesigns would be especially fun to hold.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Item of the day: Gladiator Sandles

Handmade shoes aren't something you see often on Etsy - but these gladiator sandals by zuzsi are pretty awesome.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Item of the day: tori necklace

I love this spectrum series by thebline. The thin polymer clay rods are a perfect medium for mixing bright colours.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009

ACEO-X Submissions

Time's up! Everyone's ACEO is due!

I know quite of few of you have been foaming at the mouth to see all the ACEO - and no wonder! They're absolutely gorgeous! I really wish I was getting them all...

Here they are (some of them have really pretty backs too, but in interest of space, I won't post them here):

17. ME - Amanda - Ulixis.etsy.comI know which one I'm getting (privilege of setting this exchange up:) - which one did you get? Please leave a comment to let everyone know when (& which one) you got!

I hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

Item of the day: Olive Tree

My friend Angie is a wonderful artist - I love all of her work, especially her bubble trees in her jellybeans shop. But her latest watercolour, this olive tree, is definitely my favourite. I just can't help but smile when I look at it.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Item of the day: Alphabet Vinyl Decal

I love these vinyl wall decals - a great way to add colour & interest to your walls without ruining them with holes. I think this funky alphabet one by TastySuite is especially neat.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Item of the day: Oriole Studs

Although I love dangly earrings, especially when I leave my long hair down, stud earrings have quickly become a staple in my jewelry collection. They're perfect for everyday wear. I especially love these oriole studs from birdandbrier - the sweet little birds make them something special.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

ROM! (Part 3)

Dinosaurs - always cool to see. It's really amazing how BIG they are! The lighting in these rooms wasn't the best, but I was pretty pleased with how these ones turned out.
A giant fish & turtle swim through the air.
While contemplating this enormous turtle, I was wondering what the shell was made of in order to leave those huge holes...
Careful... the sneaky t-rex is going to get you! Look at him creeping up....
AHHHHHHHHHHH! RUN!

heeheehee - yes, I did get Pat to take a picture of me "running" from Rex, but the photos were all too dark.

Item of the day: Fly West in Blue

I mentioned my love for encaustic art last week - here's another gorgeous piece, this time by EffieGirlyFinery. I love the unique 3D thread elements and the definite country feel of the barn & silo!

Monday, July 20, 2009

ROM! (Part 2)

Biodiversity! The first thing we saw was this weird eel-like sea creature. It looked SO fake! I sure wish I could remember what it was...
The birds in flight are always cool to see.And we couldn't pass up the bat cave!There wasn't only animals - lots of plants too. Pat only took a picture of one - what he called a Mario flower. The largest flower - and probably one of the stinkiest! The rhino was really cool - his name is Bull. He was one of the largest white rhinos, lived at the Toronto Zoo and died last year. Finally, I saved the best for last. My favourite animal, the zebra!

ROM! (Part 1)

Pat & I went to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto on Saturday. It was only the second time I've been, and Pat's first, and it was an amazing experience! The special exhibit we went to see was the Dead Sea Scroll - you can't take pictures of these exhibits - but it was incredible!

The architecture of the ROM is also pretty amazing. And a little confusing - we got turned around trying to find the dinosaurs. Pat was taking pictures quickly, so a lot of them were blurry - but a few turned out. Here's a great picture of one of the stained glass windows.The ROM has a "main entrance" with a large atrium & open staircases on each side. Of course, you have to enter by the side since there's more room for the ticket sellers there. Still, the mosaic ceiling of this atrium is remarkable - the gold was really brilliant. This wasn't Pat's best picture - you can just make out what it says: "THAT - ALL MEN - MAY KNOW - HIS WORK."Within the open staircases, there are totem poles. Massive totem poles - one over 5 stories tall.After the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, we had lunch. Then we went upstairs to see Biodiversity, mammals & dinosaurs (Part 2 & 3) and a special exhibit on minerals & gems (Part 4). Up another floor, we browsed through Ancient Cyprus, Greece & Medieval stuff - and then it was time to go. Unfortunately, the battery of our camera died by the time we made it to the 3rd floor, so I only have one picture from there.

We were incredibly lucky actually - there was an exhibit on the 3rd floor that was supposed to close July 9th, but was still there. It was The Book of the Dead - Amet's (something or other, I don't remember his full name) Book of the Dead. The lengthy scroll was laid out with explanations - it was so interesting. If you were a well off Egyptian, you had a book commissioned to ensure your safe arrival in the afterlife. The spells & drawings in the book were meant to guide his way. This one pictures shows Amet (in a white robe on the right) with some gods, while his heart is being balanced in the middle. If his heart doesn't balance, the monster in the left middle (on a throne) will eat him.The drawings were exquisite. The hieroglyphs, as well as the Aramaic/Hebrew of the Dead Sea Scrolls, were so precise, regular & perfect. Mind-blowing, absolutely mind-blowing.

Stay tuned for Parts 2, 3 & 4!