My iPod is my sketchbook

Lucky Card! Lucky Me!

2012-02-09T17:22:00.001-05:00

Look! I received a Lucky Card (001) last week from my mail art pal, Dean! And, it actually works because not even 2 days later, while thumbing through one of my favorite Mixed Media magazines, I actually discovered that they used a piece I had submitted to them. As they sent the work back with just a "thanks for submitting" letter, I would have had no idea otherwise . How lucky is that?
Oh, and of course, I'm really lucky to be receiving such awesome and always humorous mail art from Dean. I count myself very lucky for that.

Catching up...

2012-01-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I've finally have a chance to sit down and play "catch up"on blogging about last weeks incoming mailart. And, a very quality haul it was:

Beware of Copies Which Can Be Found On Coffee Mugs from Dean Marks (France)

Wow, a lot of juicy reading on this card! Now I know the NATO Phonetic alphabet (very useful), when the clocks go forward and back (always trying to figure that one out), British History Rulers (in order), how to figure out my BMI (that may be embarrassing), Dean's Birthday (hope it's a great one!), and many bits of information that I'm always wondering about at one time or another. Thanks, Dean. Who needs Google when I've got this with it's wealth of info!

Next: this lovely card from Sue in South Africa. It's so delicate. Thank you for your greetings, Sue. I hope your holidays were fantastic as well.

Toronto has been very mild, weather wise, but also very grey. So, "Mellow Yellow" from Emmy of The Netherlands was the best thing to receive (next to a shot of vitamin D), to chase the winter blues and greys away! Receiving it immediately warmed me from head to toe. Thanks for the boost, Emmy!

And then, there are always the surprise packages I receive from Superhero Lobster Johnson, which can keep me busy to no end. I haven't even gotten around to last weeks "challenges" (But, I will. Really.). Anyway, if any of you are on Google+, you need to check out the "Lost Art" project, he has going and all the magnificent "Lost Art" that has been coming in to this project. A very busy man, our Superhero is. I can't keep up.

So, there's the mailart round up for last week. May your week be filled with interesting mail and not junk nor bills.

This Weeks Incoming Mail

2012-01-14T13:50:00.002-05:00

January, as expected, is one of those go slow months as everyone is coming off holiday mode and trying to "get back to normal" mode (whatever "normal" is for you.).
So, here is this weeks latest:

"Lumenes" by Sabela Bana of Spain

A package full of surprises from Superhero Lobster Johnson

A splendid poem from bil copeland

I Have Always Wanted...

2012-01-07T14:04:00.001-05:00

...my own Tiny Town Post Office!!

While checking out the McCord Museum in Montreal yesterday, I spied this fun object in their Toys2 exhibit.

I think I'll make my own.

Bonne Annee, mon ami Laurence! Bonne Annee, mes amis!

2012-01-01T13:20:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I had posted much of my December mail art haul for this blog. As I received most of it at the end of the week, I was just wanting to get the post done before the years end. One piece in particular, I hadn't opened up fully. It's from my new mail art friend, Laurence in France. So, without any further ado:

Merci du bel art, Laurence !

December Mail Art Round-Up! Yee-Haw!

2011-12-31T14:39:00.017-05:00

I have to admit, I've been a bit lax lately on this blog. My other blog, "Zombie Kitty Kawaii! Travels The World" (http://zombiekittykawaii.blogspot.com/) has kind of taken over my free time (laugh track) and, of course, there were the holidays (which, if you still have school age children, are still going on.), among other things.
So, I've decided to post all my December mail art for your enjoyment here. Now. Before the New Year rings in:


"GOTIJ" mail from Cheryl Penn.

"Victoria, B.C." inspired mail from Thom Courcelle.

Drawing on envelope by Thom Courcelle

From Iowa City pal, Superhero Lobster Johnson

Backside of Envelope (too good not to share.)

Lovely "cottonwood" from Marcia Cirillo

"The Red Laundry" by Guido Vermeulen

From new mail-art "ami", Laurence

A beautiful postcard collage from Lee in California

What A Haul!!!

2011-12-29T13:33:00.001-05:00

I got all this in the mail today!
W00t!

Mail Art Received (Part 2)...

2011-12-18T09:24:00.001-05:00

Brain Cells #799 and #807 by Ryosuke Cohen. Happy Sunday!

Mail Art Received (part 1)

2011-12-18T09:15:00.001-05:00

I received this very festive postcard last week ( I know. I've been a bit distracted by my other project, Zombie Kitty Kawaii Travels The World.). The message with it, made me howl hysterically. As it is only 6 (6!) more days until "that day" as I am writing this, all I can answer to you, Mary, is "Yes. Yes I am."

Junk Mail, Junk Mail, Cool Mail...

2011-11-26T14:46:00.005-05:00

"Balloon Glasses"

Just when I thought it might be a pretty dry week and that all that would be received were flyers from the local businesses with promises of Black Friday deals (no, it really doesn't exist here in Canada, but that's another story.).

Can you spot the "Balloon Glasses" in this mail art?

My first piece of glory came from my mail pal, Dean, who really is one of the funniest people in this universe. If you go back a few posts, you can view some of the postal comedy he has sent me. This time around, I have received this wonderful piece with a history of Hot Air Ballooning. I'm kind of mad about Hot Air Balloons and want to own my own dirigible. I sent Dean a pair of "Balloon Glasses" previously, hence the theme.

And, now for a bit of "ballooning history"

The other lovely piece I got was what I like to refer to as the "unexpected surprise". Mail art that just comes out of the aether. This is better then chocolate, ok? So, a big thank you to you, Sherri from California, and I would be very happy to join your "7 Deadly Sins" mail art call.

Lovely, isn't it?

Two Good Mail Days In A Row...Sweet!

2011-11-16T15:41:00.001-05:00

After a really dry week of not receiving anything, but Christmas flyers, came these 2 lovely pieces of mail. One from Lee Goldberg (top) and the other from Guido Vermeulen (bottom).
I get cool mail and my postal person is really, really swell.

Brain Cel 803...

2011-11-04T14:48:00.001-04:00

...in today's mail, sent from Ryosuke Cohen...did I happen to mention I get really cool mail?

Hidden Gems...

2011-10-27T19:51:00.001-04:00

...The Night The Circus Really Came to Town...

Toronto School of Art's "Hidden Gems" event is one that certainly knows how to put the "fun" in fundraiser. Everything from Stilt-walkers to the performers circulating among the guests (many who were also dressed up for the evenings soiree), this Circus themed evening would have made P.T. Barnum proud! A Night of Surprises, Art, Mystery and Wonder indeed!
But, I have blathered on too much already. Here are some of the photos from Wednesday evenings affair:

LLBQ Project: My Question(s) Returned

2011-10-12T16:00:00.001-04:00

Oooooh Wheeee!
Now, what have we got here?
It's the answer to my Life Long Burning Question!

So, what did I ask after all? Well, let's just say that sometimes I have a one track mind...

Thank you caring citizen for answering my questions. I know they weren't particularly deep, but at least you knew where I was coming from( And, fezzes are cool too, by the way!).
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Life Long Burning Question Project @ Nuit Blanche - Toronto

2011-10-08T16:05:00.001-04:00

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in The Life Long Burning Question Project in Toronto as part of Nuit Blanche. It was a mail project run by Stephanie Cormier, Camille Turner and The Toronto School of Art. The idea was to send out as many postcards randomly to as many people as possible and they would return them with their Life Long Burning Question. The postcards were then hung up in a gallery space which allowed the public to read the questions and answer them. The postcards would then be sent back to the participants after Nuit Blanche, answered. I thought I would post some photos from this event as I know I sent postcards out to some of you (I wish I could have sent out more, but I ran out of time and postcards.). It was a really fun event that received great responses from all those who attended.

Think Different

2011-10-06T08:45:00.001-04:00

Like many others, I was very sad to hear about Steve Job's passing last night. But, I'm not going to wax poetry about all this. I'll leave that to the others more capable then myself. I'm going to tell a personal story instead.
My son, who is now 12, is a very big fan of Apple and Mr. Jobs. When he was younger, I remember him watching every "keynote" that he could find on You Tube. He would watch them over and over again. He practically could recite them by heart. He had me upload "Mactracker" on my iPhone, so he could read about the different Apples/Macs and their specs. He made me buy each new MacWorld, when we would visit the bookstore.
I didn't have the heart to tell him about his hero, "Steve", as he was getting ready for school this morning. But, his father and I will probably have this conversation later on today with him. I know he will be very sad. So, what will I say to him? I will tell him the best tribute he can pay to his hero is to do well in school (I know, very "parent" of me.), to believe in yourself and to remember that just because you create something in your garage, doesn't mean it can't set the world on fire.

(Btw, the above photo is the "Apple" car, that my son made for a Kub Kar rally a few years ago.)

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Apology Part 2...

2011-09-30T16:51:00.001-04:00

...or how I love to alter stuff for my own amusement and then some...

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Apology Accepted...

2011-09-29T16:27:00.000-04:00

...Canada Post...I think...

Received this yesterday. I must say I love the official looking bag it's packed in. It kind of reminds me of the time that the TSA decided to open my suitcase on a flight home from New Hampshire, and rifled through it. Then they left a note of apology. Good thing I always leave my dirty laundry on top!

I even got an official letter of apology inside. As this is (was) a Zombie themed "add and pass", once I alter it, it should make a good addition.

But, what really amazes me is how some of the more 3D mail I've received gets through the system unscathed (see previous posting), while this one looks as it's been eaten. The "bite" out of the top of the envelope is my favorite! Someone must have been working a long shift somewhere and had gotten hungry. Maillllll!
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Holiday On The French Riviera!

2011-09-29T08:15:00.001-04:00

When I received this the other day, I was truly amazed by it and how it managed to make it through our postal system completely intact (more on this in a future post). But, this mail-art gem is a gem because of the personal note on the back:

It certainly made me howl with laughter! A very cool piece of mail-art indeed!

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Ryosuke Cohen Brain Cell

2011-09-23T15:45:00.001-04:00

The mail delivery was late yesterday. So late, in fact, that I thought is was a "no mail day" (not even junk mail, which sometimes has it's merits.). I had just come in from my evening walk, only to see the mailman making his delivery. "It's a letter from Japan for you." says my husband, handing it to me. I saw the name and return address and thought, "Wow! A Ryosuke Cohen Brain Cell (#799)!" I had only heard/read about them. I never actually expected to receive one. The Boychild thought it was so cool, that he has been begging to hang it in his room (or at least make a copy for him to hang.). Me thinks I may have a future little mail-artist in the works.
And, that my friends, is inspiration of the "Brain Cell".
For more information on Ryosuke Cohen:
http://www.ryosukecohen.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryosuke_Cohen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Cell
http://brain-cell-compilation.blogspot.com/

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Balloons Of All Colours

2011-09-21T18:59:00.001-04:00

I received this collage in the mail today from my mail pal, Diane (she who sent me the "stuffy" a few weeks ago.).
It's so delicate and I really love the transparency that's happening in parts of it.

I know I have said this before, but I do get the coolest mail. Even my mailman thinks so.

5 in July (or I've just been too lazy to blog all summer)

2011-09-13T08:50:00.001-04:00

It's September 13th. Today is supposed to be lovely and warm, before the temperature drops and we get some cool fall weather for the rest of the week. In honor of this, I am writing about July. Did you happen to notice we had 5 weekends of July this summer? Apparently, this only happens once in 823 years. Cool, huh? So, what does one do to mark this momentous event, but join the "FIVE" mailing and create some mail-art that is "5" (or "FIVE") themed. See results below:

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My Mail-Friend Superhero

2011-08-17T15:25:00.013-04:00

Over the last 2 months I've been trading mail with an IOUMA member known as "I'm a Superhero and I can Fly and Shit". I've finally gotten around to photographing/scanning some of the works. I think it speaks for itself and, therefore, I encourage you to spend some time with it. Thank you.

Zombiesemics
By Superhero

Madonna without Child and PoemBy Superhero Aug.8, 2011

Zombie Book 1 (Front)
By Superhero July 30, 2011

Zombie Book 1 (Back)
By Superhero July 30, 2011

(Superhero, I hope I have the titles correct. Let me know if I don't.)

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I Get Cool Mail Pt. 2

2011-08-13T20:34:00.001-04:00

This I received from a fellow Canadada mail-artist, Carl, from Peterborough. They are images Xeroxed from "The Metabolic Notebooks".
A good mail day it was indeed.
Hmmm...maybe I need to change the name of this blog...nah...

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I Really Get Some Cool Mail Somedays...

2011-08-10T17:47:00.003-04:00

...like this:

This is the first "stuffy" I have ever received in the mail from my mail pal, Diane, in Illinois. And, in case you are wondering, no, it was not in an envelope. It came as is, as you will see in the next photo (which is why it is so cool):

The Boychild was so impressed, that he felt he should have it.
Hands of my "stuffy", Kiddo.

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Wise Words

2011-07-21T20:31:00.001-04:00

Did you ever have a saying that just resonates with you? My mum always use to have one that she used to say to me (in Dutch, of course); "every sock needs an old shoe". To me, this meant, there was always someone out there for someone else. Great.
Which brings me to something that was said to me the other day by my most favorite cousin, who was in visiting from New Mexico. We were suppose to meet for coffee and breakfast, but our plans were waylaid by unforeseen circumstances.
I was telling my cousin how sorry I was that I would miss her time around. She told me that there was a saying about such circumstances; "If you wanted to make god laugh, tell him you plans." Wonderful.
This definitely will be in my thoughts anytime things don't go as planned.

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The Battle of Hogwarts Lives on My Coffee Table.

2011-07-15T09:15:00.001-04:00

I have a really lovely glass coffee table in my livingroom. But, unlike most coffee tables, which house very expensive coffee table books, mine does not.

What it does house is a Hogwarts Castle. A Lego Hogwarts Castle.

This would probably be enough to cause a cardiac arrest to any number of interior designers; I can just imagine Colin and Justin busting through my front door and accusing me of a number of interior faux pas, especially having a plastic castle plonked on such a lovely coffee table in the middle of my living room (to be *truthful*, there was a time I wanted a "home heist", but not now.).

"Hogwarts" has been living on my coffee table since the Boychild built it at Christmas. I kept thinking it would eventually be moved down to his Lego table in the basement (silly me.).

I have to admit, it has grown on me. Whenever I'm on the phone, I sometimes find myself adding and moving around the "minifigs" to my own amusement (The Boychild will move them back to their "proper" places.). It's become a silent game of sorts between us. I suppose he'll eventually get fed up and remove it to the downstairs out of my clutches.
But, as I write this, "Hogwarts" remains steadfast.

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Toronto's First Postoffice

2011-07-10T18:57:00.002-04:00

... A must visit for the postally inclined...

For Doors Open Toronto, I finally had the pleasure of visiting Toronto's First Postoffice with my family. Now, I know what your thinking; it's probably along the lines of "why would I send something through the post when it can just be just as easily be emailed?" It's faster, I'll give you that, but there is something of a personal nature that email lacks.

My son, who also wonders sometimes about his Mum's Mail obsession, found the activity of writing with a quill and ink letter engaging.

He especially liked how his letter could be folded into an envelope and sealed with wax. "Just like in Harry Potter!" he exclaimed happily.

Toronto's First Post Office is open 7 days a week (!) and is located at 260 Adelaide Street East in Toronto

free art.: Urban Exploration

2011-07-08T09:48:00.002-04:00

This is a Group-Blog I got invited to join through the IUOMA. Worth a peek. Here is one of three photos I submitted. You'll have to visit them to check out the rest;0)

free art.: Urban Exploration: "Police Activity; Chase Me, Mommy!; St. George-YUS line; Three Urban Exploration Submissions by Louise Kiner @ My iPod is My Sketchbook !"

Test

2011-07-08T09:30:00.001-04:00

Ok Blogpress. Why are you not working for me?! Blech.

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A Whole Whack of Mail...

2011-07-07T11:42:00.002-04:00

...to be sent off, now that everything "postal wise" is back to normal. You could say, I'm one happy girl (or you could say, I kind of obsessed, which would be true as well.). - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

TARDIS Take Away Coffee Cup

2011-06-18T17:43:00.001-04:00

TARDIS Take Away Coffee Cup
Originally uploaded by Louise Kiner

My "Tardis Take Away Coffee Cup" has the distinct honor of winning the Coffee and All That Jazz "Art Cup" contest.

A good payoff for a few hours spent playing with a new set of Copic Markers.

Gallifrey, here we come.

From Boo

2011-06-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

As of midnight, last night, Canada Post is on strike. Sad state of affairs for the mail-artists and Etsy/Artfire craft sellers in this country.

But, what came in under the wire that cheered my soon to be mail-art drenched soul? This wonderful card from Boo, as part of "Mail-art 365". Thank you, Boo! It will be my beacon of hope that this strike doesn't last too long!

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I Survived The Lego Store Grand Opening...

2011-05-15T16:10:00.001-04:00

...and lived to tell the tale...

Ha! What some parents, including moi, won't do for their children...wait in long line-ups on the opening weekend of the Lego Store at Sherway Gardens. I have always taken the attitude that nothing was worth waiting in a long line for; concert tickets, sales, amusement park rides, etc. Well, you get the picture. Not until this weekend anyway. My son, who is quite the Lego-maniac, had been counting down the days when this Mecca of brick-topia would be opening, so how could we disappoint? And so, we wait in line. Not an easy task. One of the staff had noticed my son was having difficulties waiting; she spoke to him, and, I guess, spoke to a supervisor. She kindly let him jump the cue. I couldn't thank her enough.
He quickly picked out his Lego kits he'd been saving for and gave them to Dad who lined up to pay.
So, I followed him around for the next hour (yes, that's how long the line up was to pay), while he excitedly wandered from place to place looking at all that was offered.

There was some very cool displays; my favorite being the Lego biker girl (above)
and the Lego sushi (below).

The staff were incredibly nice and answered all my son's queries. He's very excited about joining their builder's club. I'm excited that they have bricks in Tardis blue (but, I will get them another day.).
So, was all this worth the line-ups and madness? I just had to look at the Boychild's face to see it was.

"Hey Mom! This looks like you!"

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Cool 'zines...

2011-05-11T17:25:00.000-04:00

...and so I open my mailbox very tentatively...

...expecting the same old, same old as I've been getting the last few days. You know, bills and junkmail, etc. etc. It's been one of those weeks mail-wise, which means the mail-gods and goddess' are telling me I need to make and send off more mail-art.
I've been a bit on the lazy side of late...but I did post 3 items yesterday, so that should merit some kind of postal goody, shouldn't it? And, it does...

...a very colourful envelope containing these very cool 'zines made by my Twitter friend, Jessica, of the fine blog Nature's My Friend, which I implore you all to check out. "Mountains Made Of Fur", I know she had made when she and I were both suffering with tendonitis at the same period of time. Her "tweets" about creating it inspired me to make my "Canadian Space Agency Artist Trading Cards" (as seen below; it could be done on a computer with Photoshop or whatever.).

"Who? Hoo!" is filled with her delicate, yet bold drawings of one of my favorite creatures on this planet (there's a reason why Harry Potter had an owl and not a rat. No offense to the rats. Really.). I also love the surprise centres of both 'zines and how they fold out. Really clever.

Well, Jessica, you've done it again and inspired me!

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Bathysphere; You Are A Thing of Beauty.

2011-05-10T10:32:00.000-04:00

I saw this beauty while out on a drive last Tuesday night. A real bathysphere! Now, what one would do with a bathysphere these days is the big question.

But, next to my own personal dirigible, this is the gift for me.

Splendid!

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And now for another edition of "Be Splendid...

2011-05-06T15:32:00.004-04:00

...in which Louise and her very good pal, Siri, visit their very first Steampunk Convention....

I have a confession to make. I love steampunk. I have also spent months lurking on various Steampunk sites and reading many blogs. So, when I read months ago that Steampunk Canada would be mounting a convention in the Toronto area, I, of course, would take the opportunity and have to go. And, I would have to take my good friend Siri along. She, of course, agreed to this venture.

Although, neither of us could do the whole weekend, we opted for the Sunday portion of the program, of which there was still quite a lot going on. We started with the intriguing "Steampunk Around The World: Steampunk Beyond Victoriana" led by Jaymee Goh (silver-goggles.blogspot.com). It was an engaging panel which encouraged much discussion by Goh and the audience members in attendance. For more information on the subject, a recommended website by Jaymee Goh is Beyondvictoriana.com. Another website that also might be of interest is Multiculturalism for Steampunk .

The Mad Science Fair was fun and quite mad (of course!); I'm not quite sure who won the "Cup", but all the creations were marvelous; from the modded Ghostbusters pack (above) to the mummy-wrapped chicken, which was later to be unwrapped (below).

This is where I and my dear friend, Siri, parted ways, so I implore you that you will have to read her account of this marvelous Sunday as well on the Turtleduck blog .

I attended 2 more panels; "Steampunk Costuming On A Budget" led by Stephanie Lalonde and J.M. Frey. Very sound advice was given as one can be very overwhelmed by all the Steamy accoutrements available. My favorite being (and I admit, I am paraphrasing here) to go slow; start with one good piece and build around it. Very sensible advice indeed.

As every good adventurer, time-traveller, Airship Captain, etc. should have their own journal, the next panel I attended was "Bookbinding- An Introduction To Non-Adhesive Bindings" led by John Morgan. I learned so much in that one hour about simple bookbinding that I have actually made 3 books since then. Thank you, sir!

This day came to a perfect ending with a performance by Professor Elemental ( I could not help myself and purchased his CD and have been listening to it ever since.).

For it's inaugural year, I would have to say the Canadian National Steampunk Exhibition was a success. My only thought as I was leaving was "is that all there is?!". It had definitely left me wanting more. I had a splendid time and I look forward to next years event. And, I hope to be able to spend more time at it.

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50th Anniversary of the First Man in Space Pt.2...

2011-05-03T16:18:00.001-04:00

...and more! Once more this gloomy rainy post election day has been brightened by an excellent piece of mail. This time from Tomsk, Russia.

A nice surprise to receive such a lovely print as well.
Brilliant!

"Keep calm and carry on", as they say.
Now, where is my cuppa brown joy?

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I Am The Urban Spaceman, Baby...

2011-04-29T08:55:00.004-04:00

"I see Earth! It is so beautiful! "
-Yuri Gagarin, Cosmonaut

This month marked the 50th anniversary of the first man in space; him being Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who completed one rotation of the Earth in his Vostok spacecraft on April 12,1961.

14 artists from The IUOMA (International Union of Mail Artists) Postal History Boutique group created a special mailing to mark this historic event at the suggestion of one of it's members. There are still one or two cards to come, but April isn't over yet.

Over and out, Space Cadets!

Follow this link for film footage of this historic event:

http://m.boingboing.net/2011/04/12/video-footage-of-yur.html

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Doctor, Set The Way-back Machine For..."

2011-04-22T13:32:00.001-04:00

1979. Or maybe 1980.
Tom Baker was still the Doctor. His companion was the very capable Sarah Jane Smith (played by Elisabeth Sladen) and "Doctor Who" was on TVOntario hosted by Science-Fiction writer Judith Merril (who I once had the privilege of being stuck in an elevator with.). The series was always a year or 2 behind what was being shown in the UK and the internet did not exist in the capacity as it does today (Feeling old yet?).

On my most recent move, I had rediscovered a pile of these fanzines in a box. I had made them with my brother and a group of like minded friends. We were all very young at the time; barely in our teens.

There were 4 issues created (although issue 3 is missing; hopefully to be found in another box somewhere), all painstakingly typewritten and Letrasetted. All, with the exception of #4, were photocopied and then hand-stapled. I even found a "fan-letter" that was written stuck in-between one of them. I sat back and flipped through them delighting in the enthusiasm that dripped from every page. Not great writing but heartfelt for something we cared about and took seriously at the time.

For me, I think I have just re-opened the Pandorica.

Addendum: I found I couldn't post this blog without mentioning how saddened I was about the passing of Elisabeth Sladen last week. She wrote the book for every one of the Doctor's companions who came after her and will be missed.

When Mail Goes Astray...

2011-04-18T16:25:00.000-04:00

I received this lovely package back after it's 'round the world tour, courtesy of the Royal Mail. It was sent off to a mail call way back in February. As it never arrived at it's destination and had missed the deadline (I knew this, as the person who was running the Mail Call had kindly been in touch and was keeping me informed by email, of course!), I just resigned it to the Lost Mail Fates.

As you can see, it arrived home safely yesterday with some lovely new stickers ("no such address"). Upon closer inspection, I had indeed forgotten to write a number in the postal code portion of the address.

I guess the saying "measure twice, cut once" goes for sending mail as well.

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50th Anniversary of The First Man In Space

2011-04-12T17:01:00.001-04:00

By the way, today marks the 50th Anniversary of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin. Now that the "blackout" has been officially lifted by "mission control", I will now post these lovelies that I have received. Feast your eyes, folks, on this one by Carla:

More to come...

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I Do Like Surprises...

2011-04-12T16:14:00.001-04:00

I definitely thought this day was going to be a total write off this morning when I found myself in the Pediatrician's office with the Boychild, who woke up with a sore throat. Fortunately, the day has gone rather more smoothly than expected due to the mail arriving with this lovely mail-art postcard from "Thom" of the "rainy Pacific Northwest":

It's amazing how something so simple can lift ones spirits.

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Mystery Mail.

2011-04-08T21:40:00.001-04:00

After 2 days of just junk mail being delivered to me, I finally got a very cool piece of mail from a mystery someone, who is part of 50th Anniversary of the First Man in Space group mailing (or the "Spaced Out" mailing as I like to call it.). I know I said we were on a "blackout" on this one until April 13th, but a small taste of one of piece of work I've received couldn't really be too harmful, especially since it is mystery mail. And, it was too good to keep to myself. Sooo, here it is;

Notice, it's marked as non-machinable, which makes me wonder if it was hand cancelled? It's all a mystery.

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Listen To The Mail

2011-04-05T10:02:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was truly a mail-art extravaganza as I received 4 pieces of excellent mail. Unfortunately, I can only share 2 of them due to The Postal History Boutique's "Space" mailer "blackout", which will be lifted April 13th. So, you'll just have to wait until then, but I promise, it will be worth it.
Onward.

From Lin:

And, a thank you postcard from Nikki who writes the blog "For The Love Of Cats~~Mail Art":

By the way, the "This Better Not Go in The Trash" stamp was on the back of Lin's card.
Wouldn't dare!
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Mail-art and Postcards and Letters, Oh My!

2011-03-28T18:25:00.001-04:00

I admit, I am hooked on receiving mail.

About 10 months ago, I joined an online group called "Postcrossing". The idea behind this is very simple. You sign up; then request to send a postcard to a random address that you are given somewhere in this big, ol' world. When it arrives at the said address, the receiver of the card registers it and then you receive a postcard in turn from someone else, but not necessarily the person you sent your card to. Being one who loves surprises, this really appealed to me and I found myself sending a postcard or two (or three) a week to someone in the world who I knew through a random address given to me and their profile page, when I requested it.
And, the best part, is that I would receive postcards in return. Really great postcards. With messages. Messages telling me about what was on front of the card; about the day they were having or a book they might be currently reading. And, great stamps. But, to be honest, I started looking for something more ( I still "Postcross", by the way.).

My next foray was when I had joined a pen-pal group on Steampunk Empire, where one would write letters in their "Steampunk Persona". It was quite the creative writing challenge, which I had enjoyed very much. Unfortunately, it was short lived as I can imagine it became more work then most who had joined realized. Pity.

Back in December, I was fortunate enough to find a link to the International Union of Mail-Artists site through the Ning network. I had read "Good Mail Day" (by Jennie Hinchcliff & Carolee Wheeler; an inspiration and epiphany for me.) and I had done some mail art in the past ( Many years before social networks were popular; I had been "invited" to participate on a few occasions.), so I had some inkling what it entailed; you need to send mail to get mail. So, I signed myself up and started sending handmade collaged postcards to anyone who "friended" me. I have sent off things to "mail calls" and have done group "mailers" (I have never received so many great Valentines in my life!). I must send out, on average, 5 to 10 pieces of mail and postcards a week (between that and Postcrossing, which I still enjoy.). Sometimes more (my mail out last week was 14 cards and then some.) The postal person at my local loves me.

But, don't get me wrong. The internet and social networking I will not knock. After all it has made the world smaller. But, receiving "snail-mail", to me anyway, still makes the world more human.

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Two Hands Good

2011-03-17T15:19:00.002-04:00

It's amazing how much we use our non-dominant hands. Really.
Finally, after a bit more than a month off with tendinitis in my left hand, I can finally get back to the things I enjoy the most and will try guitar playing in the next week to see how that well goes. But what I was truly amazed at were all the little things I couldn't do because of it, like typing on my computer (sorry, one fingered typing does not cut it), opening a bottle or a jar, using a can opener (not electric), working on my assemblages and collages (a personal disaster I might add), cutting things with an exacto-knife or a kitchen knife (dangerous at the best of times), writing letters (hey, I still need one hand to hold the paper in place, right?), just to name a few things of which really require 2 mitts. Oh, and it was just irritating. Period.
But, that doesn't mean I didn't do anything. I continued my painting class (although making acrylic skins and transfers was a bit, mmm, difficult; fortunately my transfer mojo was working); I even got some mailart postcards/ATC's ready for a IUOMA mailer using my computer, a Wacom tablet and even one using an app on my IPhone (Really!) . So all was not a complete loss. As for my Artfire shop, you know, the one I had been blogging endlessly about? Well, the few items that were going to go in it actually sold (which is good), so I will need to make some more, but since it requires 2 good hands, they will just have to wait. But, I did eventually figure out an easier way to work out the shipping (also good).

So, there you have it. I didn't abandon you, my 10 (maybe 11) dear readers. I was just on a self imposed hiatus due to circumstance and that can sometimes be alright.

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Today I'm thinking about...

2011-01-02T10:22:00.001-05:00

...pizza...that's right, pizza. Windsor Pizza Chef pizza in Windsor, Vermont.

And, without risking of sounding too much like a "foodie", it's one of my and my husband's and the boychild's favorite places to enjoy some really scrumptious pie. Not a gooey pizza at all.

Am I making you hungry yet?

Local lore also has it that it was where J.D. Salinger would quell his pizza cravings. So, if it's good enough for J.D. Salinger, it's good enough for me.

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Blogging from the forest...

2010-12-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

Why? Because I can, darling, because I can....

Wishing you all a Happy New Year from a forest in New Hampshire...

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Adventures in Online Commerce: Shipping. I don't get it. (Pt. 6)

2010-12-25T08:39:00.000-05:00

This will probably be my last post until after the New Year about my adventures in online commerce.

I've discovered that before I can actually post anything for sale in my "studio/store, I need to have the shipping figured out beforehand. No easy task, I have discovered, especially if all your items are different sizes and weights and I need to have costs for "primary" (one item) and "secondary" (more then one item) shipping. Then there is the added task of also figuring out what it would cost to send it the U.S., as well as internationally. Ugh. Too much to think about. So I decide I'll ask my local Postal person, she knows everything and is always helpful in these matters. And, she is helpful. She hands me a brochure on shipping and tells me I should go to the Canada Post website. Should be easy, I think. But, I discover everything seems to be priced from postal code to postal code. And, priced by weight. And, size. Not so easy or obvious as I hoped. Mmm...I'll definitely have to purchase a scale; then figure out what box size(s) will do; then I'll need to do some postal code to postal code test pricing.
But, it's going to have to wait until the new year...

Happy New Year, all!

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Adventures in Online Commerce: Reading is cool (Pt. 5)

2010-12-11T14:25:00.003-05:00

As I was trawling around Artfire the other day, I happened upon their help guide called "The 45 Day Guide". Oooooh, this sounds good.
Upon reading it, I realize, that according to this help guide, I've only gotten up to "Day 2", so far, which requires me to read a whole load of articles, so that I actually understand what I'm doing here.
For that day, I read. Just read and nothing else.

Reading is good.

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Adventures in Online Commerce P. 4

2010-12-09T08:58:00.002-05:00

I guess I can't very well keep avoiding this bio/blurb/shop's policy business. So what better way to figure this out then to read what others have wrote before you. Brilliant!
I start with shop policies, copying and pasting the ones that sound good like "all sales final" or "all items shipped by Canada Post". Anyway, I get about 7 or 8 policies posted. Well, that wasn't too hard.

Next, "the blurb". I check out one of my old cv's as I know it has an artist statement of sorts. Hmmm... I only can write 125 characters?! No matter, I'll just edit it down and take out the fluffy parts which kind of bugged me anyway. There...125 characters of slimlined beauty.

Bio.
Again, I am on the hunt to see what others have written in the bio area. Bugger. Most of them have hardly written anything! Some have written too much. Ugh. Not very inspiring, is all I can say. So, I begin by writing a "Welcome- to-my-online-shop-and-would-you-buy-something. Please?" sort of thing. Honest, direct and not very long.

And the final addition; a very nice photo, so that whoever visits your "shop/studio" knows that you really do exist.

I can feel, nay, know I'm getting closer to having my shop up and running...

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Adventures in Online Commerce P. 3

2010-12-06T13:47:00.005-05:00

I find nothing harder then writing about one's self. I even have a former instructor, who would laugh at knowing how true this is for me. Usually, if I have to write my own bio, it means finding something else more meaningful (and possibly more painful) to do avoid this task: like the laundry; or housework; or plucking my eyebrows. But, never the less, here we are. So, I skip ahead to the Method of Payment.
You figure this would be pretty easy, but there was more to it than I thought, as I had to set up my own PayPal account. Don't get me wrong, there were other options. But, how many people do you know, who shop online, pay by check. Really? Sooooo, I sign up for my PayPal Account, but it will still take a few days for everything to be confirmed. Good thing, I'm not ready to open shop as I still have a bio, blurb and shop policies to write up. Remember?
Something tells me this whole undertaking is going to take longer then I anticipated.
Mmmmm....to be continued.....

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Adventures in Online Commerce P.2

2010-12-04T17:11:00.003-05:00

I did it! I picked a name for my online shop. As daunting as that hurdle was, I managed to a) pick a name that I could live with (and that wasn't lame) and b) wasn't already taken by someone else, which by the way is always a possibility. Phew.
Now on to the next task: filling out the rest of this behemoth.

"Pro" or "basic"? I chose "basic" for now, as to be rather blunt, it's free. No, you don't get all the extras, but that's just more stuff to fill out and who wants that? Not moi.

"Avatar": easy. I have one always on hand (my self-portrait as an old-style pilot: I like it anyway and it has served me well.), but if you don't, you can always put up something temporarily in the meantime. Maybe a photo of your old Auntie or pet lemur or the type of thing you'll be selling, how novel? At least you can change it, in any case.
"Shop banner" (also easy): now that your shop/studio has a name, it's just a matter of picking a nice font (I just used one I downloaded for free off the internet.) and put it over top of a nice copyright free image. I figured, this could always be changed later as well. I want to get up and running, right?

Fortunately, with the "basic" package, you don't get much choice when designing your page; in fact, you only get a choice of 3 colour schemes. I choose the blue one. Done!

At having to fill out the shop bio, blurb and policies, I feel a sudden urge to lie down for a nap....

To be continued...

Adventures in Online Commerce P.1

2010-12-02T16:00:00.003-05:00

I've been toying with the idea of setting up an Etsy or Artfire site/shop over the last few months and I finally took the plunge a few days ago. My reason being, mostly, that my basement work area is beginning to get crammed with the box assemblages I make and it's time I did something about it. I chose Artfire over Etsy, not for any particular reason other than I had looked at it a few times and I kind of liked it's name (yes, yes, I know, very shallow...actually more like lazy... but anyway...). So, I proceed to sign up and started to input all the info required to set up shop.

Difficult task #1: what to call your "studio" upon signing up. "The name you choose cannot be changed", I am informed. Choosing a name, especially one you can live with, can be a challenging task; it's kind of like naming a child (with the exception that if the child hates his/her name they can change it later, much to your chagrin.).
At that point, after staring at my laptop for a few minutes (...hours...), I decide that I've had enough for the day and that it's a good time for a cup of coffee.

To be continued...

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The Business of Art Business

2010-11-15T15:01:00.001-05:00

Here is a blog link that was passed on to me by my friend, Betsy (she actually posted it on our Alumni Group Page), and I thought it might be of interest:
http://www.artbizblog.com/
Read it now and bookmark it for future reference! You will not regret it.

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Voting day ...using the "Goblet of Fire Method"

2010-10-25T07:48:00.000-04:00

It's voting day in Toronto! Let's see which candidate will be chosen from my Goblet of Fire!

"Wingardia Votee-oh-sa!"


Did you really think I was going to tell you									who I was voting for?

Voting: The Goblet of Fire.

2010-10-22T14:37:00.001-04:00

In a few days, the citizens of Toronto the good will get another chance to cast their ballots and will, hopefully, get a Mayor and City Council, who will get it right this time. Now, this isn't going to be a blog on who or what to vote for, as I'm sure you are all sick to death of the reports, soundbites and polls that have been a part of our daily lives for the last few months.
No, this is going to be about the method I will be using to determine who I will vote for in this election and not necessarily for the coveted position of Mayor. That's an easy one as they're all over the media anyway. What I mean, is for the City Councellors. I live in Ward 3. Etobicoke. I would have never guessed that there was anyone running, as I have not received any of the usual pamphlets, phonecalls or visits from either the person running or a representative for them offering to kiss my baby or put a sign on my front lawn. Nothing. In the last place I lived, I got visits from them all. This time, I actually had to look up whether or not there was someone running in this Ward.
So, how is one to determine to vote come election day? By using what I would like to dub "The Goblet of Fire Method" (appologies to J.K. Rowling):
Get a very nice goblet (or something similar; after all there is only a few days left.). Make sure to draw an age line around it, so those under 18 can't mess with it. Write the names of those running for City Councellor on some scraps of paper with waterproof ink. Before you drop the names into the goblet, make sure to add a spoonful or two of baking soda and some vinager, to make it smoke like a volcano. Now, quickly add the paper scraps. Switch off all lights, except for the most dramatic one and make a big fat production in front of your friends, family, co-workers etc. by choosing a name out of the goblet.
Voilà. Your choice is made. Just don't forget to bring it with you to the polls on election day.

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World Post Day- Hooray!

2010-10-10T10:40:00.000-04:00

As I was too busy celebrating what would have been John Lennon's 70th Birthday, I totally forgot about another important October 9th Celebration, World Post Day. But, there is still time left for post-celebratory things you can do:

1. Join Postcrossing (www.postcrossing.com)- I love sending and receiving random postcards in the mail. It's an adventure and it sure beats junkmail and bills. Don't wait, do it now! Sign yourself up!

2. Join Postsecret (www.postsecret.com) and mail them one of your deep, dark secrets (anonymously of course.).

3. Pick up a really touristy postcard and send it to someone you haven't heard from in a long time. A friend or a maiden Auntie, they'll love it.

4. Do you have an artistic bent to you? Ever wonder if you put an address and the right amount of postage on a really odd item like a popcan, would it get there? Then pick up a copy of "Good Mail Day" by Carolee Gilligan Wheeler and Jennie Hinchcliff and invite yourself into the world of Mail Art. It's fab and this mail art fun will only cost you the price of a stamp (unless you are trying to post an elephant, of course.)!

Just remember, in this day and age, snail mail does rule!
Happy World Post Day, belated.

(Btw, to find out more about World Post Day, see Postcrossing's blog, http://www.postcrossing.com/blog, on the subject. )

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Harry Potter style wand

2010-10-06T10:07:00.003-04:00

Harry Potter style wand
Originally uploaded by Louise Kiner
This is the first time I am using the flickr blog it tool, so I am sharing the Harry Potter style wand I made out of a sheet of paper and a glue gun, if you can believe that. Now I'm kind of addicted and I am making a second one.

Here's the instructables link if you want to make your own (and it's cheaper then purchasing one. And, it looks way cooler.).
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-awesome-Harry-Potter-wand-from-a-sheet-of-/

Nuit Blanche: A Kid's Guide To Conceptual Art

2010-10-04T20:12:00.001-04:00

So, how exactly does one do Nuit Blanche with their 11 year old in tow? Well, here were a few of my solutions, so we could take part in this night of art extravaganza:

1) Find a birthday party! With balloons! And cake!

("Happy Bithday to_")

2. Get their yah yahs out with a dance party!

( "Dances With Stangers")

3. If they start getting cold (after all, it is October!), just find them a nice bonfire to warm up. There's bound to be one somewhere...

("Pine Cone Colony")

4). ...or a nice house made from a bus shelter...with a Twister game to keep them occupied!

("The Bus House Collective")

5. And finally, if they lie down in the middle of the street, take them home.

They've probably had enough conceptual art to last them until next year's Nuit Blanche.

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5 things I love about "Word on the Street"

2010-09-27T16:59:00.000-04:00

Fall.
My favorite time of year.
Not because of the fall colours, nor the cooler weather (well, I do like the cooler weather, that I'll admit.).
It's the "Word on the Street" book festival. Somehow, it's become a family tradition to attend this fest. So, here are 5 reasons I love it so (not in any particular order.);

1. The discovery of the new; new authors, new books, and not something you would find in Chapters/Indigo/ Amazon neccessarily.

2. Where else can you get a "Polkaroo" button and wear it proudly and not feel completely silly.

3. Authors! Authors! Reading, signing books and chatting with their adoring public.

4. Hey! Isn't that Giselle from TVO Kids?! Look hon, it's Giselle!

5. Book bargins and lot's of them! I try not to buy any books for weeks before hand, just for this. And, giveaways! Stand in the right spot for a few minutes and some one may even offer up a freebie!

So, there you have it. Only another 364 days until the next one. "Word on the Street", I await you with baited breath.

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Wacked Out Dreaming

2010-09-20T08:57:00.001-04:00

Usually, I can't remember
my dreams clearly, but this one is truly on the wackier side, for me anyway.

I'm in an art class. The instuctor is prickily in nature and has us writing down in our sketch books some kind of mathimatical equations (I did say wacky, right?!). I look down at my notebook and realize that I haven't written anything that she's been saying down nor have I been listening to her at all! Suddenly, she stops, looks around the room and says, "you do realize everything I am telling you will be important to your future in this class." I flip to the back of my sketchbook and, lo and behold, is this indescribable math equation! I am sooooooo relieved that I actually wake up. It's 6:30 am and my alarm is beeping madly.

I really do need to cut down on my caffeine intake. Or something.

Sweet dreams.

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5 things about the "Ex"...

2010-09-06T12:43:00.000-04:00

I had my once yearly (or mostly yearly) visit to the Canadian National Exhibition or the "Ex", as many so fondly refer to it. Anyway, in order to mark the end of this years Ex, here are my 5 fondest thoughts on it, not in any partcular order:

5) The Airshow; I admit it, I love the Airshow. I am completely amazed at the nerve of some of the pilots and how they allow their planes do what they do. I know people complain about the noise, the pollution etc., but it's only once a year. This year Mother Nature made sure of that.

4)The Food: Where else can you eat a whole bag of Tiny Tom Donuts or fried butter or Belgian Waffles with ice cream and not actually feel guilty about it?

3)The Crowds: I'm not big on crowded places, nor do I like line ups either, but if I was from another planet, this would definately be the place to go to observe humanity. Fascinating!

2)The Shopping: I see people walking arounds with bag loads of stuff. Could someone please tell me where this secret amazing shopping area is, as I can't seem to find it.

1)The End: The Ex always marks the last 18 days before the kids go back to school and I know all you parents out there are secretly checking off your calenders, aren't you?

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Balloon Derby 1901

2010-08-09T08:54:00.001-04:00

As part of the "Six by Eight" exhibit, which was held at The Paper Place in Toronto, this was the entry that I had submitted. Now that the exhibit is down, I figured I would share it.

I wish I had something more clever to say about it, but it's only Monday morning and I am only on my second cup of coffee.

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Horsing Around

2010-07-27T11:04:00.001-04:00

If you had read my blog a few posts back ("A Stable Summer Memory"), I wrote about spending a month hanging about the stables at summer camp. What I failed to mention was the beast of a horse that for some reason I was always made to ride: "Leroy Brown" (as in the song "Bad Leroy Brown"). Not to say that he was really "bad", but to a height challenged 12 year old girl, he was pretty monsterous, his breath was bad and the flies really liked him. Bleh.

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"Six by Eight" Exhibition

2010-07-07T11:47:00.000-04:00

Here's another upcoming show I'm invoved in. This time it, won't be heisted by the G20. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you all know about it:

"Six by Eight" Exhibition
on view July 6th - August 5th
at:
The Paper Place
887 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1G5
416.703.0089

A Stable Summer Memory

2010-07-01T10:18:00.001-04:00

The second summer I spent at an overnight camp in Northern Ontario. They had a horse stable and I probably spent more time there then with my cabin mates. Actually, I had such a great time that the night before I had to leave, I phoned my parents and begged them to let me stay an extra 2 weeks (which they did). Needless to say, when I got back from camp everything I took up to camp with me, smelled like a horse stable, causing my parents to burn it all, rather then washing it.

Washi: Remember When…

2010-06-09T18:19:00.000-04:00

Here's an upcoming show I'm invoved in. Just thought I'd let you all know:

Launch Projects presents

Washi: Remember When…
June 16 – June 26, 2010
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 17, 5-8pm

“What Remained of the Expedition...” by Louise Kiner

Launch Projects is pleased to present, “Washi: Remember When…”, a group exhibition featuring works on Washi paper. The exhibition is in partnership with “Washi Birthday Bash“, a city-wide celebration organized by The Japanese Paper Place. The celebration commemorates the 1400-year-old history of Washi paper.

Washi is the name of the exquisite paper that has been handmade by skilled Japanese craftsmen for more than 1400 years. Over the centuries, each of hundreds of variations of the paper was indispensible to Japanese daily life-in homes on windows, at shrines, on battlefields, on rainy days in umbrellas, and in elegant court calligraphy. At the turn of the 19th century there were some 80,000 families making washi. Today there are roughly 320 individuals who carry on the tradition.

Participating Artists: Jared Bond, Kelly Cade, J. Lynn Campbell, Linda Chen, Tara Cooper, Pamela Dodds, Natalie Draz, Emily Eng, Henna Kim, Louise Kiner, Cathy Lang, Emma Lau, Diane Antoinette Mohan, Alexey Osipenko, Janet F.Potter, Gianluca Primucci and Andrea Williamson.

Launch Projects
404 Adelaide St W, Toronto, M5V 1S8
Wed -Sat, 12-5pm
416-364-2475
www.launchprojects.ca

The Japanese Paper Place
www.washisummit.com

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Crikey! More Angels?!

2010-05-29T18:37:00.001-04:00

Just when I thought it was safe to go back into the garden...another "weeping angel" appears. No wonder the stuff on the bar-b-que burned! No one wanted to be out there.

No blinking. Just drinking.
Oh well...

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Lower Bay...Toronto's creepiest station

2010-05-26T14:23:00.000-04:00

So, how does one actually spend Victoria Day? By travelling the Bloor-Danforth subway line, of course, just to get the privilege of riding through the elusive "Lower Bay Station". "Lower Bay Station", as you may (or may not) know, is generally unused with the exception of some movie shoots, a Nuit Blanc happening and a film festival party of some sort (don't ask me who or what, as I wasn't exactly invited.).
Anyway, here is some photographic proof of this adventure in transit.
Frightening?! Isn't it?!

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Don't Blink! Don't even think of it!

2010-05-17T13:54:00.001-04:00

After this weekends Dr. Who episode ("Flesh and Stone"), I couldn't help myself and had to photograph this angel in a shop window I had passed while strolling in St. Jacobs. I used some weird setting on the old camera phone.

Scary, isn't she?!

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Goggles made of "Washi"

2010-05-16T10:29:00.001-04:00

When I saw that Launch Projects had a call for submissions for their "Washi: Remember When...", show, I felt I just needed to take up the challenge. It's all part of the "Washi Birthday Bash" which will take place in Toronto next month to celebrate 1400 years of this fabulous paper.

Now if you've ever had the pleasure of working with Washi, you probably have observed that it's pretty delicate, yet quite strong. Why in the world I decided to create a pair of flyers goggles as part of my piece was definately an exercise in patience and ingenuity. So, using the Washi, some matte medium and, my favorite building material, toilet tube rolls, I embarked on my goggle making.

I finished them up 2 days ago and was so pleased at how they turned out, that I immediately pinned them on the styrofoam head I have hanging around and plopped my flyers hat on top.

Cool. I need to share this.

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Fun with postcards

2010-05-12T20:59:00.001-04:00

Here's something fun and mildly distracting. Weavings with postcards. And, as much as I'd like to claim having thought it up, I can't. It was something I learned in the collage class I'm taking and, frankly, it's so brilliant in its simplicity. Anyway, I have dubbed this piece "The Beatles vs. Elvis meet the Quarrymen", as they are all in there. Grin.

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"Nevermore"

2010-05-11T09:06:00.000-04:00

Ok. I admit it. I've been pretty lax when it comes to my blogging. It always seems that there is just not enough time in the day lately.
So, I'm going to make it up to you by posting my recent submission to the magazine "Cloth, Paper, Scissors", just to show you I don't spend my days only drinking coffee and checking my social networks.
Titled "Nevermore", it was inspired by a combination of the Edgar Allen Poe poem, "The Raven" (who says "nevermore".) and some photos I shot of a local graveyard (I was there as part of a painting workshop. Really. I'm not a complete ghoul.).

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Every cloud has a silver-blue lining.

2010-04-02T10:53:00.000-04:00

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. Now, I'm not going spell out all the facts about this neurological disorder as I know you can look it up yourselves, if your so inclined. But, I did want to write a little something about it.

My son, who is on the spectrum, will be involved in an art show through the school board this month involving students who have autism. Each student is required to write about their work, a short bio and something about what having autism means to them. Now, just to put things in perspective, we've never had the "diagnosis" talk with him as we felt that he will ask when he's ready, and up until now, he's not asked about it. I have to admit, I kind of have always been worried about having this 'talk' as I hoped that I would be able to explain it as honestly as possible without making him feel too 'different'.
But no more:

"I feel awesome having autism because you can go to the Geneva Centre to have a playgroup with other people. I feel really happy to have autism because I'm special and smart. My teacher makes me feel good about myself. My friends and family make me feel good too!"

After reading this about 30 times (or more), all I could think was how every cloud has a silver lining. In this case, a silver-blue lining.

Happy World Autism Awareness Day.

Time well wasted part 2 -"The Explorer"

2010-03-29T18:24:00.000-04:00

The Explorer by Louise Kiner on Polyvore.com

I admit it, I just couldn't help myself. It was as if it were calling to me: "You must create another, you must."
So, I did.

Time well wasted!

2010-03-25T16:35:00.001-04:00

A tinkerer and one heck of a airship pilot. by Louise Kiner on Polyvore.com

I did this for the Ada Lovelace Day Contest that is being run by Clockwork Couture. Worth a looksy as it's a whole lot of fun:
http://ow.ly/1qlN4

A Quilt of David Tennant T-Shirts

2010-02-06T17:03:00.002-05:00

You're probably thinking, "what is she on about now?! " But, before you pass judgement on this, just give me a minute to explain this latest idea, which I can't take credit for. Unfortunately.
Because it's soooo brilliant.

As you may know ( or may not know, or may not care, which also may be the case.), Bonham's Auctionhouse in London, England is having an auction this month of 166 lots of all sorts of Costumes and Props from the Dr.Who series ( current and classic) in order to raise money for the upcoming series.
Browsing through the online catalog I spy lot #5. The only thing I could probably afford to bid on:

" The Tenth Doctor (David Tennant), Unknown Episodes, Series 2 - 4 A collection of miscellaneous T-shirts,
Estimate: £120 - 180
There is a special collection notice for this lot. Please contact us for further details." ( no photo)

My first thought was "who'd want to own a bunch of mankey old Gap t-shirts, even if they are David Tennant's, and what would you do with them anyway?" So, on I went perusing the catalog looking at all the things I couldn't afford.

Anyway, I happened to mention this to a fellow knitting friend, who is a writer and a science fiction fan. "Well," she says, "you could always make them into a quilt."

A quilt...of David Tennant t-shirts...phwoar!!

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Victorian Toy Theatre pt.2

2010-01-29T16:40:00.004-05:00

So you have all your supplies now, what's next? Well, I just spent some time thumbing through the few Dover books I had ( if you don't have any, the local library probably has some and it's free. You can also sign up for the Dover Sampler online. Also a freebie.).

Unfortunately, I don't have any of the architectural books, so I just chose images I felt would work and did some altering/covering. I did some of this in a photo program on the computer; you can use photocopies if you don't have access to a computer/ scanner. I printed out my front wall and back wall images on cover stock, rather than regular bond paper; it's heavier and it tends to attach to the foam core a bit better and doesn't bubble up as much. I used matte medium instead of white glue for this for the same reason. It spreads more evenly.

The size of your theatre: well, you can be like me and just wing it or you can be organized and already have you front, back and foam core floor all nicely cut to size, so you don't end up with a pile of foam core in foam core purgatory ( I have the photos to prove it!).

Just for the record, the front and back of my theatre are approximately 7 x 9.5 inches. The floor is approximately 8 x 12 inches. This is just the way it turned out. Just remember, measure twice, cut once or you will end up with many pieces of mis-cut foamcore (which I guess you can always use for other projects.).

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But I digress...

2010-01-22T15:48:00.000-05:00

This morning, I locked my keys in my car. Click. My keys and my celphone sit on the backseat with my groceries, taunting me. Now, before you think, "how the heck did she manage that?", I would like to point out that I am obviously not the only one on planet Earth to accomplish this rare feat.
Believe me, when my neighbour, who I approached to use a phone to call my husband about this asked me why it happened, I had to really refrain from telling him the truth. That I actually wanted to spend 40 minutes (each way) riding the subway, to visit my husband at his work to get the spare key and read the local free rag of a newspaper on the way home at my leisure.
Click.

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Victorian Toy Theatre pt. 1

2010-01-17T10:44:00.032-05:00

Over the holidays, I picked up a copy of "Artist's Cafe: Best of Somerset Studio Art & Design" (Volume 3). Inside there was an article on an artist who wrote about making a Victorian Toy Theatre ("Model Behavior" by Michelle Ward). Upon further reading I thought to myself' "Ahhh... I need to make one of these." As the instructions were rather vague, but the photographs lovely, I did what I always do when trying to figure out how to put stuff together. Google it. I found some really great information and even some fun patterns. But, like the author/artist of the article, I wanted to make this theatre my own. So, what's one to do, but to dive in.
As I am writing this, it's still under construction, so I'll be writing this as the work progresses. I guess the best place to start would be to give you the tools and materials I used:

-Craft knife, always use a fresh blade.
- Tacky Glue
- Matte Medium
- Foam Core (2-3 sheets, because if you're like me a miscut is always possible.)
- Dover books for images or any images that inspire you.
-Access to a computer/photo program or photocopier
-Cork back metal ruler
-Straight pins (to hold structure)
-Pencil
-Self-healing cutting mat

Anyway, this is the start. You might discover as you work better ways or tools or materials that work for you.
Below are some of the images I picked for the front side of my theatre.
See you in a few days.

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The Art of Victorian Collage

2010-01-08T08:43:00.002-05:00

I love collage and being a self proclaimed sucker for Victorian costume drama, I couldn't help but having to post this. I thank the friend who emailed me about it. I only wish that the Met was a bit closer. Anyone have a Time Machine or Portal I could borrow?

http://www.metmuseum.org/Special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId=%7B07E0F589-3CF2-4929-9F71-469BC40A403E%7D

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Die Cold. Die hot.

2009-12-30T09:07:00.000-05:00

I'm in New Hampshire and I can't remember it being so cold. Ever (it's -15c or 4.5 f ). Anyway, my brother-in-law, Ted, who is from Texas, brings up the theory that would you die quicker being dropped in the middle of a forest in New Hampshire, naked on an extremely cold day (like we were having that day), then you would if you were dropped in the middle of the Texas desert, naked, on it's hottest day. This, being the reason why people prefer to live in warmer climes then colder ones. Well, I don't disagree that hypothermia wouldn't get you within a few hours in option 1, but at least it would be quick. As for option 2, I admittedly hate hot weather, so being dropped in the middle of a desert would be a slow, painful demise, no water and horrendous heat exposure , not to mention the possibility of spontaneous combustion (which could be fairly quick, come to think of it.).
My final word on all this, however, is that it all adds up to which you prefer, if you like a more seasonal climate, you'll choose option one; if you like hotter weather, you would go for option two.
Happy New Year, Ted.

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I want to spend my Christmas with..

2009-12-24T15:32:00.001-05:00

...a Dalek. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuBJ5H9m3Sc&sns=em

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
(Big Thanks to my friend, Carla, for passing this along to me.)

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5 Things We Can All Learn From The Doctor.

2009-12-21T12:53:00.002-05:00

With David Tennant's tenure as the tenth Doctor ending very soon, I am putting forward 5 lessons I have learned from his reign.These are not in any partcular order:
1. Water is patient. It always wins.
2. When cornered by a Sontaran, always go for the vent in the back of the neck. A tennis ball will do the trick very well.
3. A Dalek is not a robot.
4. If someone (or something) says you need to to be upgraded, run! Just run!
5. When in doubt, invoke the Shadow Proclamation.

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself : NPR

2009-12-14T18:21:00.003-05:00

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself : NPR

Interesting article/radio segment about Lord Babbage's Difference Engine. If it came to pass, instead of being scrapped by the British Government, Victorian England could have had itself an Information Age. Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, recognized the genius of Babbage's work and helped put his ideas down in writing.
Worth taking 5 minutes out to listen to. Great photos as well.

I know. I lied.

2009-12-13T15:24:00.004-05:00

I know I promised to write something every 2 weeks, but here's a great link to make up for my lethargicness ( Is that actually a word?). Enjoy!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Great-Artist-Warm-Up-Exercise/

Steampunk self-portrait and apologie

2009-10-30T10:07:00.010-04:00

Here is my portrait of my Steampunk alias
Ms. Euphrasia Griffin, adventuress.

Why not get your own Steampunk persona?
Go to:
http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/steampunk-resources/steampunk-name-generator

Many thanks to Countess Nettie Lushington for sharing.

Now for the apologie. I know I've been lax writing this blog as life sometimes gets in the way (as we all know.). For my gentle readers who have been checking in, I will post you something of wit and value once a week. Failing that, my penance will be to wear a hair shirt until I get something written for you. Thank you.

Julie, Julia and Julian.

2009-08-04T18:11:00.001-04:00

Now here's a concept. I cook my way through Julia Child's cookbook and attempt to feed what I cook to my son, who is an especially picky eater and won't eat anything that is not shaped like a pizza, a hotdog or a grilled cheese sandwich. Then I write a blog about it.

( Ok. I admit, he likes salad, pasta and snowpeas, too. Grudgingly.)

Textin' & Drivin'

2009-07-19T10:05:00.001-04:00

I always thought it was a myth that the number one cause of car accidents was drivers texting, until I actually witnessed it the other day. We pulled up beside this car at a light, and lo and behold, the guy in the car next to us is texting away with a real goofy look on his mug. He then proceeded to make a real bone headed driving move when the light changed.

Look, if the 'office joke' is so good that you need to put your 2 cents in, at least pull over, so you don't kill someone.

Fed up with the Toronto Garbage Strike?

2009-07-18T09:33:00.001-04:00

When in the "dumps", make art!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPTjzdXYNug

Memorial.

2009-07-08T18:34:00.001-04:00

Everything that can be said, has been said, so I will say no more.

Computer vs. Paper

2009-06-29T15:14:00.001-04:00

So, for the 2nd day in a row the Servers go down and I get sent home. It is not even ¹pm. My animation pals kid me that would never happen with paper.

I say it's Micheal Jackson's ghost in the machine for disrespectin' him in my previous blog.

Paper-1. Computer- 0.

(Sorry, MJ.)

You finally did it, MJ!

2009-06-26T08:39:00.001-04:00

You got you name breathed into the same sentence as Elvis ( and not his daughter) and a full night of coverage on CNN.

Pity that the music hadn't mattered for the last 20 years.

R.I.P. Hopefully things go better for you on the other side.

One More Reason I Like Etobicoke

2009-06-25T08:25:00.001-04:00

Hark! Is that not the sound of garbage trucks I hear? Darn right it is! Just one of the things the GTA amalgamation couldn't take away or change. So, while the garbage strike lingers on in Toronto, Etobicoke gets theirs picked up and hauled away.

Suggestion Toronto: Instead of dumping garbage in greenspaces and beaches ( where you and the kids may enjoy), why not dump it at Cityhall, Queens Park or the CUPE head offices instead. You can be sure as **** that that will change all of their tunes.

Run, ants, run!

2009-06-23T16:57:00.001-04:00

What is my preferred method of dealing with an ant infestation? Why it's using the vacuum cleaner, of course! RRRRRRR!!! Run, you little buggers, run for your lives! RRRRRRR!!!!!!

Shouty Girl Pt.2

2009-06-17T16:39:00.001-04:00

Oh, when will it stop!

" Shouty girl" and her stoner boyfriend are at it again! If they weren't so pathetic ( and loud), I might actually find their whole drama downright entertaining. Right now, it's just distracting me from reading my novel.

Who on earth said the suburbs were quiet?

"Shouty Girl"

2009-06-15T13:57:00.001-04:00

There is nothing more entertaining than watching " Shouty Girl" and her stoner boyfriend yell at each other on a quiet Sunday afternoon. It is truly bad teen drama at it's finest.

Vic-tor-ia

2009-05-18T15:09:00.002-04:00

Ahhh...Victoria Day! A day that celebrates a Queen who is long since dead; who coined the term "We are not amused" and who created The Torchwood Institute.

Anything for a holiday, eh?