I'm in love with this painting. One of my bestees, a fellow kula member, painted it. Just had to share some beauty and talent. Spread the love. More details on this paiting and the beautiful wolftress behind it can be found here.
I love the little dedication to the Kula Clan near the end.
"My Kula. My clan of women whom without you my life would lack such great depth and understanding. Ours is a wolf pack of strong Alpha females who arise to power in that of nurture."
LOVE. XO. S
As much as I love to gift a handmade something, receiving a surprise-crocheted-cowl-in-the-exact-colour-I-was-gonna-make-for-myself-from-one-of-my-best-friends-instead could quite possibly top that. FYI - feel free to crochet, knit or sew for me ANYTIME everyone! Thanks T. I love it! XO. S
I'm so pleased to be sharing this with you. When I took the job at Whole Foods in October I had no idea that I would end up collaborating with them. One of the Assistant Store Leaders came to me wanting to find a way to bring the Juice Caboose in and I'm pleased to announce that this Saturday March 10th is already our first appearance.
Whole Foods is taking a big chance on a little company. Juice Caboose will be coming in and setting up out front from 12-4 pm at the Whole Foods Park Royal location and selling our awesome concoctions to help women all over the world start their own businesses and lines of work and get themselves up and out of poverty. This is a really great cause. I can't tell you what part is my favourite about the Whole Planet Foundation - women, helping alleviate poverty, small businesses but one thing that I especially want people to know is that out of the money raised 100% of it goes directly to the cause. Whole Foods the corporation pays the administrative fees of the Foundation. Not many nonprofits can claim that and that makes me extra proud to be supporting.
Naturally, I'm also really excited for a great location this Saturday and again Saturday March 24th and the opportunity for a whole new group of people to try my drinks. This also makes me greatly nervous. I really have come to love and greatly respect the people I work with and I truly hope not to disappoint.
Here's hoping that Juice Caboose makes a big stamp in alleviating poverty this weekend and hopefully many more returns to this neighbourhood. XO. S
It recently came to my attention how lucky a lady I am. Not just because of all the good things that happen to me but also because of the good people I know. When I posted about raising funds for a new generator for the Juice Caboose, I was so honored to receive donations from fellow bloggers. Women that I had never formerly met, with whom my relationship has been completely online. How incredible is that? I think it's pretty amazing.
One of those amazing ladies is Serena. We connected a while ago during one of my Green Smoothie Challenges. She is an incredibly talented artist, photographer and mama, and I really wanted to share her and her work with you. She lives in Winnipeg with her two children and hubby, sells her goods on her Etsy Heavens Earth and blogs about life on What a Sweet Life. Please welcome the enchanting Serena!
EC - What are your biggest challenges as a mother?
Serena - For me the biggest challenge is giving up control. I generally want to just go go go and always have a new project in my head, something I want to do with the family or a place I want to visit. Having a just turned three-year old, a seven month old, and a husband who is on 24/7 call, means that if we want to have quality time as a family, we can't have a set schedule where on Monday we would do this, Tuesday that and so on. Living without a schedule is actually pretty freeing. We do have a rhythm at home that we fall into regardless of who is home and what we may want to do that day. I've also had to accept that just because I want to finger paint in the morning and bake cookies in the afternoon with my son while wearing my daughter on my back, doesn't mean that either of them want any part of it or any part of me, sometimes they just need their Daddy! I'm learning to just roll with it and not take it personally.
EC - How did your work as an artist begin?
Serena - I don't have a grand story about how I became an artist. I didn't go to school for it, in fact, I did the opposite, I was a science student in university. In my late teens and early 20's I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease - this became my wake up call. I wasn't studying sciences in university for the right reasons; suddenly having a "good" job wasn't important to me anymore. I decided not to finish my degree, got a job (that turned into a wonderful career) with the federal government and started to do things just for me. I have always loved art.. always. I honestly can't remember not being interested in it in some form. Being "sick" suddenly made it ok for me to start exploring art on a professional level. At one point I was in a local gallery and just casually asked the owner if they were looking for new art and she said to bring my stuff down, so I did, and she loved it! This was a pretty big milestone for me. From there I started to do more and more art, have it displayed and sold in more galleries, and explore what would be involved in representing myself as an artist.
My husband has also been very involved with me pursuing art - he has always 100% encouraged every new project, every new genre, medium; I know how blessed I am! He really encouraged me to open up Heavens Earth on Etsy and put in the time to create new work.
EC - What motivates you?
Serena - My family is my biggest motivation. I love my family more than anything in the world and I just want them to be proud of me. Pretty simple eh?!
EC - What lessons have you learned from selling your artwork and starting a business?
Serena - I think the biggest lesson that I've learned from selling my art online is to not take it personal. I used to feel bad about my work when it wouldn't sell hours after being uploaded on site. I soon realized that there is a lot more to just making art available for purchase. Promotion and advertising is huge and something I struggle with. I've also had to learn and embrace that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It used to make me very upset to see people using very similar techniques and layouts. When Cloth Paper Scissors magazine contacted me about doing an article on my technique, I didn't know what to do! Thoughts of everyone knowing how I create my art and copying it started rushing through my head! I did come to realize that no one gains anything by hoarding techniques, and that even if everyone knows how to do my work, it doesn't mean that they will do it or if they do, that it will be exactly the same... its like cooking; just because you have your favourite restaurants recipe, it doesn't mean that you'll stop going there to eat!
EC - What fulfills you?
Serena - So many things! And they do change from day to day, season to season. Right now I'm finding fulfillment in: seeing the way my children look at each other; making my husband come out of his comfort level and try new things; nourishing my family; being authentic (living the beliefs I preach); letter from our sponsor child overseas; giving thanks for the small things (I think its the easiest way to make someone's day); finishing a custom painting. My list could go on and on!
EC - How have you evolved over the years as an artist?
Serena - Over the years I've leant that it's OK if I don't want to do something that will generate revenue every day, or even every week; that its ok to do art/create something for me and my family. Being ok with this, makes me a better artist because I'm truly doing my art because I want to, not because I "have" to. I've also learnt to embrace my style and not be so worried if someone will like it.
EC - What is your ultimate creative goal?
Serena - This will sound strange I think, but until about a month ago, I never had any creative goals! I've just been happily treading along doing my own thing. Around Christmas, for some reason, I got it in my head that I want to be in House and Home magazine - ridiculous eh?! Id love to see my painting, jewellery or my fabric in it; I would be over the moon!
Thank you Serena and family for sharing your stories with us. You can read more about Serena at her blog What a Sweet Life. If you are interested in Serena's art work, jewels or fabric check out her Heavens Earth Facebook Page or go directly to her Heavens Earth Etsy site.
For the month of February you can receive 20% off anything in Serena's Heavens Earth Etsy store!! Just use the code: feb2012 to receive your discount. Start your Easter shopping early. There is such fabulous stuff to be had! XO. S
C and I were very honoured to be a part of a special day for one of my bestees yesterday. Having a bunny was a dream that she started manifesting a while ago and yesterday it became a reality. I was very inspired by her process of getting to this point. She did not dive into a commitment but waited until she was aware and ready to carve out the time, space and finances to bringing home a furry friend. I know that Angel is the absolute perfect little bunny for her. It reminded me of how long we waited before we were ready for Georgia and even still I didn't bring home the first puppy that made eyes at me. It was a delightful afternoon and we're very happy for them. In particular, Uncle C.
Further to the awesomeness that comes from sharing a special experience with someone, I liked having a visit to the BCSPCA with C. It was our first visit there and I hope that he brought a little bit of what he learned about the place home with him also. We read over some stories of children donating birthday money and collecting treats for animals and he searched through pamphlets hoping to learn more about the animals that they kept there. For me, I was surprised to find out that most of the people that were hanging out in front of kennels weren't there to adopt, but were actually volunteers that come in just to spend time with the animals. It opened my heart a little more. There is just so much greatness out there! XO. S
So many factors led us to having a 4 Cats Art Studio Jackson Pollack Party. A small apartment, the weather in winter, the number of invited. etc. I think that if C had a summer birthday somehow I would still be worried about the weather outside for a party as it is Vancouver. C initially wanted a Cowboy party and I did a lot to try and make it happen but winter isn't a key time for Cowboys. And since he has a small class of 9, we wanted everyone to come and a small apartment such as ours wouldn't work. Thus the 4 Cats Art Studio Party that I hoped we might have someday came sooner than ever expected! It was sooooo worth it. I mean, what kid would really say no to an hour of throwing paint around? Okay, at least a few clean freak kids but mine is not one of those. He was sold instantly and he loved every moment of it! The host was awesome, the children had a blast and in less than a week we will have a giant piece of artwork that we will always remember that day by.
It was a big step for us to go outside the home. I do like doing things up at home so the jump outward to a location does in fact require a lot of organization and the jump from 5 children to double makes a difference in the experience. A good one, slightly overwhelming but still all good. I think the most overwhelming part is C accepting so many presents at the same time. Eeek. Where do they all go? I don't know why I'm mentioning that anyway. I'm pretty sure I'm the last person in the free world to host a birthday outside the home. The hostess did the mostess of the entertaining. Of course you probably knew that too. I was in heaven, free to photograph and even sew on the rogue button that the dog chewed off C's birthday crown while the children splattered, shot and popped paint! My favourite part as always is the food and decor. I was dedicated to bright rainbows in decor and the food, an inspiration that I found at Little Red Caboose "Eat Like A Rainbow". C's request for strawberry shortcake was granted and of course, deliciously gluten free! My contribution to entertainment outside of footing the bill, was the original Olivia book which has a Jackson Pollack painting in it. I loved the idea of showing them what they did is true art and of course, we just love Olivia. She reminds me a lot of C.
And now that the manic excitement of a 5 year olds birthday is over, the mellow closeness of C's real birthday comes tomorrow. I'm looking forward to bringing things back home for the day. We celebrate at the Waldorf school in the morning, Grandparents included! and will fill the rest of the day with presents, tea, board games, more food (of course!) and in honour of C's Saint Mate St. Lucia there will be lots of lights and some saffron. SEE YOU TOMORROW! XO. S
We met our little friend D when we first joined the Waldorf School Parent and Tot program. We live close by to each other and she connected really well with C. They've been great friends since. As have I and her parents. I've gotten to know them quite well and I consider them part of my community. I've had the pleasure of making her handmade presents for the past 3 birthdays now. It's been a real treasure that she enjoys them so much. This year at the Christmas Fair in the Market I caught a glimpse of little D trying on a felted princess hat. In true Suzanne fashion, I thought, "I could do that". And even though the felt was still drying in the birthday bag upon arrival, I did in fact do that.
The pattern is a free knitting pattern that is later felted that I found a very long time ago when I first joined Ravelry found here. I used Debbie Stoller's Full 'O Sheep for the knitting and some really special scraps for the veil. Each piece of fabric is from something of mine. The blue tulle is from a petticoat that I wore in a play, the velvet is from my princess costume this past Halloween and the lace is from the dress I wore to my friends wedding in the fall. It just worked out that way beautifully.
For this particular occasion though my knitting projects don't end there. As this was not only a birthday party but a Fairy and Gnome birthday party, C also required something to wear. My inspiration was your every day, garden variety, Garden Gnome.
So yes, the beard is knitted. I found this free Santa Beard pattern, also on Ravelry and knit it up with some random boucle type yarn that I had sitting around. It knit up in an hour. You'll see that I made modifications to the pattern as this beard is much smaller.
As for the hat, this pattern is from the book More Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. I've been wanting to make this hat for a while. I bought some Bernat Roving in Cherry which turned out great for the Garden Gnome but as you can see authentic hand spun roving wool as pictured on the cover of the book make for a truly beautiful gift and hat. I will definitely make this one again in the future and will keep my eye out for exceptional yarn to do so.
My friend Jen did such a lovely job decorating. It was like walking into a Martha Stewart birthday party photo shoot. Very pretty and classy.
And as always after D's birthday, the countdown to C's birthday begins. I'm excited. It will be anything but pretty! XO. S
Happy December 1st.
I'm so excited to see the newest Winter edition of Rhythm of the Home up and online today. I find so much inspiration from the mama's, families and activities that are posted each season. Here's some of my favourite goodies that I hope to find time for over the upcoming holiday season.
Ten Children's Songs You Can Play By Learning Just Two Guitar Chords
WInter Festivals and Celebrations
An Interview with Amanda and Steve Soule
Make Your Own Herbal Throat and Cough Candies
Enjoy exploring! XO. S
I want to redirect you to another blog today. Heather at Shivaya Naturals posted a really lovely piece recently called "Finding Time". It spoke to me and I just had to share. Enjoy. XO. S
Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite,
All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play.
~Joel Benton
Good night Halloween. Literally I tuck you in to your bed. Another year of merriment complete. It was great fun. Greater fun was experiencing it all through C for the first and last time as a 4 year old. As I say at all ages, I love this one best. Good night Halloween. Time to make sweaters, ornaments and presents. Time to look forward to winter activities like toboganning and skating. Time to look forward to Santa. Time, horray, a little bit more time on my plate now that you are on your way. XO. S
