Another Hurdle Cleared

My sweet daughter, C, came home for reading week on the weekend.  Being a clever and foresighted kind of a girl she booked her wisdom teeth removal for this morning (despite it being Family Day, a statutory holiday here, the dental surgeon was working).  At 9AM sharp she went in for the surgery and by 10AM we were leaving.  Of course, we were leaving again at 10:15AM as the nausea kicked in just as we got to the door the first time... poor little, puff-faced thing just went where guided, murmuring over and over "sorry, sorry, sorry....".

Safely home and tucked into bed on the sofa with painkillers, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics on board.  Quite a nice set up - cushions, covers, fireplace, picture window onto greenspace and sky, television, video, water, juice, kleenex, ice packs.... if only she were in shape to enjoy it.  Thank goodness the wisdom teeth will soon be relegated to a fast-fading memory, to be remembered with a shudder and no more.

Three impacted wisdom teeth came out, so I expect she'll be hurting for at least a few days.  I am (almost) glad, since it gives me a great excuse to hover and baby her a bit.  With my youngest child, C, only a year away from a DOUBLE honours bachelor's degree in TWO science programs, you get fairly few opportunities to take care of her like the baby she will always be to me.

I love the time spent with my other baby - art - but children are wondrously special.

This past weekend was particularly child-filled as I spent two days with my youngest niece, E, who is 9, while her Mommy was indisposed.  My elder niece, K, is only 13 but called to let us know that she has been invited to enroll at a highly-thought-of boarding academy, and my nephew, A, who is already 17 has, thus far, been accepted at every university to which he applied and has merely to decide which program he most wants to accept.  My daughter is home for her wisdom teeth / reading week and my son, R, who is almost 24 is finishing the first half of his graphic design course at college...

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy watching these bright young people develop their own, special wings and fly bravely toward their futures.  I am so grateful to be spreading my own wings with such a positive, encouraging and hopeful response.

Life truly is beautiful.

Happy Beadsday!

That Bead Lady

 Now, I know that many of my readers aren't from Ontario, or even Canada, and that's a real shame for any number of reasons.

One reason is the exquisite jewel box of a bead store in Newmarket, Ontario.  "That Bead Lady" is owned and operated by Cathy Lampole, her gracious manager Alison Layton, and a loyal crew of lovely ladies.  They always have a cheerful greeting and a welcoming smile for everyone.

I know quite a few bead stores and as far as I am concerned, they are ALL splendid - covered inside with beads how could they be anything different? *G*  Some shops are brisk and bold and eye-grabbing, while others are warm and cozy and fascinating.

"That Bead Lady" is bright and cheerful and fresh.  The various types of beads are arranged by size and colour and type.  The open floor plan and waist-high tables make it easy to browse for specific items, or consider an inspirational find.  The displays are put together by Alison, who has a special flair for setting these up.  I particularly like how the samples on display run the gamut of style and colour and are clearly labelled by the name of the beader; it's lovely to see from one to the next how a specific style is particular to each person.  The light is bright and clear and shows the beads very well, making selection a breeze.

I have to admit my favourite place is the bench by one window.  There's a window ledge almost a foot deep, where I love to put beads while considering colour combinations, so I can see them in natural light.  In fact, I think I can safely blame the myriad of beads used in my pink Fortunteller directly on the huge variety available and the ability to mix 'n' match combinations at this shop!

I'm pleased to announce that I've booked two dates with this lovely shop.

On Saturday February 23rd I'll be teaching a class that is perfect for anyone wanting to expand their Peyote skills.  We'll work with increases, decreases and variations to create dimensional, geometric shapes, perfect for component work.

On Sunday March 17th we'll have a bit of a party to celebrate receiving the actual, printed, GORGEOUS first-edition copies of "Contemporary Geometric Beadwork".  You can purchase a copy at the store, or visit my shop if you're not local.  I'll be delighted to personalize a copy just for you!  There will also be a slightly more advanced class that will expand on the February class and explore some of the concepts central to the book - bellybands, wings and horns.

We are going to have TOO MUCH FUN! Wanna come play?  Visit "That Bead Lady" to register.  I can't wait to meet you!

Happy Beadsday!

The Book Is Coming! The Book Is Coming!

The beautiful, BEAUTIFUL book now has a confirmed shipping date of February 28th!!!!  I've got my labels all ready to go and am putting together the last bits of swaggery... I'll get them off in the post as soon as is humanly possible after arrival.

Do you have yours on order yet?  I've been through every page, in full colour, and you are going to LOVE THIS BOOK.  It's so different from anything I've ever seen before; all due to Kate McKinnon's distinctive genius, I assure you!

A TON of eye candy, with plenty of descriptive and illustrated information regarding technique, elementary instruction, exciting projects and a host of inspiration to super-charge your own geometric explorations.

Happy Beadsday!

Snow Day!

Oh my goodness, what a snow we just had!  Inches and inches fell in huge, light flakes for hour after hour... we ended up shoveling / snowblowing / scraping the driveway every hour on the hour just to keep up!  The following day was a gorgeous blue sky over a thick, clean white blanket - very pretty! 

Even Baby Bette decided to take a walk; with snow 18 inches deep (at the LEAST), she had to stay on the driveway.

Our poor garden lights were just about covered up; if I had a decent camera I'd have taken a picture of them in the evening. When they lit up the snow around them just GLOWED with light.  Thank heavens the solar-power collectors on their tops were clear to allow for charging; the lights were completely swallowed at the bulb height!

 Our lovely neighbours are a big part of our lives so we keep a walkway open for them (and the post carrier, newspaper delivery, etc.) in the middle of the dividing hedge - those poor privet bushes are quite literally encased in snow!













My poor father was worried that the gas mains weren't free of snow and could potentially ice up, so these are his footsteps around the front of the house, looking toward the neighbour across the street; he sank past his knees with every step!

I hope you're happy and warm right now.

Happy Beadsday!

Gone

A lost and lonely soul has chosen to move on to the next world.  If only he could know how much bright promise he held within and how many people would have helped to lift him up, if only they had known...May his broken wings heal beautifully strong and carry him where he needs to be.  I will miss him.