Canada Day Recap and Mail Goodies

Not much to report here. Been taking the kids to the park- for picnics and play time- alot.
On Canada Day we went out for crepes with Crazy Tony (my very young & funny Uncle).

Then we walked along some gorgeous trails at the Kortright Centre. I hate hiking but I now understand why people like it so much. The views are just breath-taking and make the time go by fast.

I got this package from Maija and I had to show you the cool retro packing tape she used :)

Look at all the yummy goodies she sent! I fell in love with the cracked pepper popcorn, the 3-in-1 instant coffee and the cool Trader Joe bags- when I was visiting Maija in Phoenix. Maija also sent me the Piddlestix Zine- knowing that my work is in there :) Thanks girl! Did you know you can buy the Zine on amazon now?

Then I got this pretty invitation in the mail-from Natalea! I am SOOOO looking forward to going and staying for the weekend for some girly fun!

Well, we have a wedding tomorrow and I'm antiquing on Sunday so I'm off to rest with my popcorn and G7 coffee :)

Trash to Treasure and Beeswax Fun!

Now that the kids are home, I have been so busy that I didn't get a chance to blog in the past week. I have been sneeking in some time to craft though.

I put my German dolls to good use by making this collage. It represents my best creations: my kids!

Then I used some old parts as frames for my bottles. I also used beeswax for the first time and I am HOOKED! I was scared I'd mess up the bottles but they actually turned out pretty cool. I may post one in my shop.

Then I created this wall hanging with some old door parts. The keys unlock the door to my castle in the sky. Building castles in the sky is another way of saying that you're building dreams.

I joined Karens' Creative Spaces- Blog party, so be sure to visit me on July 24th. Click here to join in the fun!

Here's a little vignette of my German dolls-in my studio...

Tomorrow is Canada Day!!! We are going out for breaky with my Aunt & Uncle (a.ka. Crazy Tony) as a tradition and it's my sissy Julie's birthday. For my American pals out there, have a great 4th of July!

School's Out and Sad News in the Media

I never thought I would say this but it is waaaay too hot out here in Toronto!!! I'm having a hard time breathing and am getting pressure headaches because the humidex is always too high!

Anyway, my Ema has now graduated from SK and tomorrow is her last day of school! My kids can't wait to hit Professor's Lake and to go to the cottage in Haliburton!

Since my man doesn't go to school, he has already been enjoying the weather- and his ice cream!

Hydrangeas and peonies are my favourite flowers, so I have 2 bushes of each! I still get so excited when my peonies start to burst!

I'm sure you have all heard -in the news-all the latest sad events that have occured. It's sad that on The Bachelorette, Jake is perfect for Jillian- but she's going after the two-timing Wes..LOL!

What's even sadder is that Jon & Kate are getting a Divorce! I feel bad for the kids and I feel anger towards Jon.

Then just a few hours ago, Farrah and MICHAEL JACKSON passed away!! I'm still in shock! I used to kiss Michael's posters and had the same red leather jacket -as his-with the black stripe! It seems like bad things happen all at once!

It has been so long since I have created anything, so today I made a dress out of patterned tissue paper :)

Then I added a German doll to an old altered bottle- to be used as a vase for a pretty peony.

Enjoy the sun!

Gothic Lolita Rocks!

Wow am I ever enjoying this hot weather!!! I have been taking the kids to parks every day.

Last weekend we had a great time celebrating Father's Day! Here is a candid shot of me and my 4 sisters- with our dad :)

Also over the weekend we had a lot of celebrities in our city of Toronto- for the Much Music Video awards. My home girl Fergie was here, as well as Lady Ga-Ga! Paris Hilton also came looking for me cause she wants me to be her new BFF..ha,ha! Even Jake from Twilight was here, woo-hoo!

So a few weeks ago the famous Miss Vicky (who has published many books) approached me to make lots of banners for all of her sites!! This one is for her blog.

Miss Vicky has Art Retreats on the go, as well as celebrity events- all of which I designed banners for. It was such an honor working for her!

Then Vicky told me that her daughter: Miss Carlyfornia- makes Gothic Lolita clothing. This was the first time I ever heard of it and I LOVE it! I'm thinking of getting the magazine (to the right) through amazon.

The clothing is gothic with a Victorian twist and it is so creative!

I then learned that Carly is making Gothic Lolita clothing for Blythe dolls at Valley of the Doll's Candy Land event!

I wouldn't have the guts to wear the clothes but I sure can dress my girlz in it!

So Vicky actually sent a Gothic Lolita dress for Sarafina!! Doesn't she look fabulous?!?!

I'm off to take the kids to the water park! All the kids know me there as 'Funny Mom'..giggles~!

Father's Day and Blog Awards

Just a quick note wishing all the dad's in your life a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY today!
Thanks to my late Nonno Raniero for protecting us from the boys at the park and for pulling out our loose teeth!

Thanks Nonno Paolo in Italy- for spoiling me when I came to visit you!

Thanks Dad for being a shoulder to cry on when I was having a hard time! Thanks also for all those trips to Florida and all the yummy meals you cooked for us!

Thanks to my Father-in-Law Fortunato for welcoming me into your family with open arms, for keeping our family close and for always smiling!

Thanks to my man Vince for always helping me with the kids. You make a mean sugo, you do a great job washing the clothes every week, you're so handy around the house and the kids love monkeying around with you!

We took Vince out for lunch at a yummy Italian Restaurant yesterday and the kids made him adorable gifts. Today we are having lunch and dinner at both grandfather's places. Hope your day is nice too!

Before I go, I just wanted to thank Beki for 2 more blog awards!!!

I love meeting new bloggers and appreciate their comments. Beki is such a sweet girl and I am honored that she passed these awards onto me!


Have a great day!!

Niagara Art Sisters Retreat-Part 3

Welcome to Day 2 of our Art Sisters Retreat! Martha woke us up by singing a lovely 'Good morning' song and Vivian made us a delicious breakfast!

Jenny couldn't make it at the last minute, so she had a stand-in. She was a good sport even though she smoked and drank alot ;)

After breaky, we took Martha's purse class! I realized then that I am very impatient when it comes to sewing! Martha however- was sooo patient even though her sewing machine broke!

Vivian even whipped up this felt charm for me while we were sewing.

Here are the purses! You can view the instructions in Martha's article in this month's issue of Somerset Sew!

Maija made a beautiful cover for her journal with her fabrics.

All weekend I had Maija iron my clothes...LOL..NA! Maija taught us how to make cute skirts afterwards.

Here is my gorgeous skirt- made with Sis Boom fabric.

In the afternoon we set off for Niagara Falls! Maija was so excited to see it and it was hilarious how she reacted to the cold mist close to the falls.

Here we are all soaked :) Luckily we weren't wearring white tops..hee,hee!

Guess what was in my Blythe bag?

Our little stow aways! They were in awe of the Falls.

They were also worried about falling in :) The Tourists thought we were crazy!

We decided to have dinner at the Skylon tower- as it had gorgeous view of the Falls. Before we even reached the top, the laughs began! It all started with being given the middle finger ;)

We had some censored and unexpected moments that made us bust a gut laughing/crying. It's those moments that truly make the trip memorable! Love you Nat!!

Vivan let loose and enjoyed a nice Skylon drink. Look at the gorgeous view behind her!

Back at the cottage, Martha was baking away!

She baked these yummy muffins and I added to it- old little dolls that looked like us. Let's just say that MAija got really FRIENDLY with one of the dolly picks ;)

We also used Jenny's fabulous personalized toppers! Thanks for checking out our pictures and for all your kind words! I'm going to try and get all caught up with your blogs soon!

HUGS!

Niagara Art Sisters Retreat-Part Deux

Some party girls came to crash our weekend :) Molly to the left- is Maija's, Sara and Cassi -in the middle- are mine, and Violet to the right- is Viv's.

My girlz thought Maija was groovy baby!

On to the gift exchange. It felt like Christmas in June while we were opening our goodies! This is my travel kit that I made for everyone.

Martha made edible mint buttons and sweet pin cushions.

Vivian gave us adorable earrings that were packaged so pretty.

Gorgeous packaging from Natalea. Inside was a beautiful mini canvas with our Art Sisters image, an adorable framed Charlotte collage, some bubbles, yummy taffy, monogrammed note pads and an aromatic travelling kit.

Awesome embroidered pin up dish towels -as a hostess gift- from Nat!!

Jenny couldn't be with us this time, but she sent us the most adorable lolly cupcake picks. Each one was made to look like us!

Jenny painted Viv's pick with white hair! How cute!

Delicious bath bombs, a sweet softy, art supplies, cute personalized pens and an old Canadian book from Maija.

Here we are- holding up Maija's personalized pens and adorable softies!

Maija also gave me all these awesome Charlotte heads-eeeeek!

Later that evening we opened our softies!

Everyone loved the ones they got. I am just amazed at how each softy was so different and how talented everyone is!

The bear is from Viv, the baby holding the doll is from me, the bunny is from Martha, the yo-yo doll is from Nat and the papier mache doll is from Maija!

I'll be back with pix of Day 2! We had a purse and skirt class and we visited and dined at Niagara Falls!!