Tinker's Gallery

change... and my Non

Change... trying to embrace change around here lately. In many ways I feel like I have changed, my life has changed. Back in June I lost my Non - my maternal grandmother - but that term sounds so cold and she was so warm and loving and so much more than that to me.  I haven't blogged in ages, haven't quite known what to write about. But perhaps I will start with this and work my way back to getting to a place where I can create and blog and do and be.

This is what I wrote and read for my Non's funeral...

I always look back on my childhood with the fondest of memories. In many ways it was idyllic and that was largely because I was blessed with two fabulous women in my life - my mom and my grandmother.

Today we are here to celebrate the life of my grandmother and I would like to tell you a little bit about her and what she meant to me.

She called me 'Al Babe' and I called her 'Non'. We were so much more than grandmother and granddaughter - we were kindred spirits - we were friends.

I spent countless sleep-overs with Non at her house on Second Avenue where I felt completely at home with Non and Gramps. Non always made my stays so enjoyable. My favourite memories are of the everyday things we did together. She knew how much I loved bath time at her house - I was so little that she would have to hold my hand and help me into the big, white, clawfoot tub. Non would wash my back and then sit and chat with me while I spashed in the suds 'til my fingers and toes were pruney. Then she'd help me out, wrap me in a fluffy towel and squeeze me tight. 

After my bath there were snacks and card games and then there would be reading and snuggling in her big, cozy spool bed. We'd giggle and laugh and chat about our day until I drifted off to sleep - I can still remember the sound of the blind rapping against the window frame as the breeze blew outside and the little birds chirped. How I loved our time together up in her room.

I could go on forever about all the things we did together - like the baking, the singing and piano playing - and all the art - so much art. But what I really want everyone to remember is that Non was a kind and beautiful person from the outside in. She taught my mom and me that a woman could be all things... she was elelgant, smart, fit, sassy and fun. She was equally at ease in an evening gown and high heels or jeans and moccasins. She was good and kind and effortlessly gave of herself.

I have a quote that I would like to share with you now...

The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most-likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honour. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents.  Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt. Leo Buscaglia

Non took every opportunity to make her love felt. She was love - she was amazing. It is difficult to say good-bye for now but I find comfort in knowing that Non is at peace, with a clear and beautiful mind. She is with Gramps and her family and I'd imagine that she is dazzling them in heaven!

I am so thankful for all the time I had with Non - so blessed to have had her in my life.

I will miss you, Nonny. And to borrow a line from the song that you and Gramps held so dear... "I'll be loving you always".

Sweet peace to you, dear Nonny. 

made: a tote bag and a tutu!

I have been enjoying a little creative time lately. And the thing about creating is that it makes you want to keep creating!! Lots of ideas in my head and it's becoming evident that I need to make the time to let them come to fruition. Here are a couple things that have come out of the studio recently...

This tote bag was a gift for our dear, little friend Gracie. It's sized to fit our favourite books so it can be used as a book bag, a tap shoe bag or a general tote for all the little bits and baubles that little girls love to keep in tow. The initial monogram was inspired by this post at lovelydesign. Sharilyn is a wonder - her creativity is endless and always so inspiring.

And here is a photo of the little ditty I made for Hannah...

I have wanted to make Hannah a tutu for quite some time. When several of the girls at tap class showed up in tutus my fabulous friend Karen (Gracie's Mom!) and I decided it was time to give it a try. There are lots of tutorials out there - we took a bit of info from lots of them to create our own kind of tutus. They're easy and fast and fun. The tulle is just strips cut from 6" spools, the strips are tied onto 1" elastic waist bands and we added ribbon for a little extra something. Hannah loves hers but instead of sporting it at tap class she prefers to wear it at home or dress her stuffed animals in it - Wyatt even had it on his head at one point - who knew a tutu could be so versatile??!!

And today... we are running errands, going to the library and hopefully baking banana bread.

And.. a wonderful UPS person just dropped off the cashmere cardigan I ordered from J.Crew. I have never owned a cashmere cardi before - it was so on sale I just couldn't resist. The colour is called 'bright papaya' - the perfect way to brighten up a rainy Monday! 

sunshine and soul

Lately I find myself looking for sunlight - searching, yearning for it. I love the sun. The other day when the sun shone in on the dishes as I rinsed them and set them on the tea towel I couldn't help but smile - and grab my camera! I have to admit that saying good-bye to February and hello to March was big for me - to me March represents all good things... spring, sun, renewal and fun. So looking forward to spring and warmer weather.

Another little bit of sunshine in our home - love the light and the shadows.

On another note... I was the very lucky winner of a recent giveaway. The lovely and inspiring Emily hosted a giveaway on behalf of  Erika Martin and her fabulous Soulology Project. It was kind of funny... as I started to read through the winner's comment I thought 'this sounds a lot like what I wrote' and then as I continued reading I realized that that was because it was my comment - I guess you could say I wasn't expecting to win. But, oh, I'm so glad that I did - this will be a wonderful, creative journey that I am in need of. Looking to fill up my soul and open up my heart to the creative process. I'll let you know how I do! Thank you Emily, thank you Erika!!

And for today... a little tidying, a little baking (chocolate, almond, toffee bars!) and perhaps a little sewing project. And speaking of sewing... later this month I will post photos of my studio and my sewing nook - just a little tweaking (and a trip to Ikea!) and then I'll be ready to show you one of my favourite little hideaways.

Happy Friday - have a great weekend!

Hannah's favourite spot

Lately this is where our girl loves to hang out and create...

This easel has been set up in the kitchen for quite some time - it has often been a busy spot but since we angled it a bit to get more sunlight and set the little Ikea stool in front of it Hannah has been working there steadily. She will wake in the morning and ask for a fresh piece of paper and then she if off in her creative world. Some days are particularly prolific - we now have a box that holds roll after roll of her lovely, thoughtful renderings. She has taken to setting up her favourite books for inspiration - some days it's The Aristocats, recently Hotel for Dogs and today it was all about Scooby-Doo. I have visions of always having an easel in the kitchen for her - no matter where we move or how old she is I think art will always be part of her and I will always, happily make room for her easel!!

a day of celebration

Today was a wonderfully busy day. It was a good day - a day of gifts and cake and hugs and kisses - a day of being thankful for our two 'little ones'!

My favourite thing about the day was when Paul found Hannah and Wyatt snuggling in Hannah's bed in the wee small hours of the morning - they were smiling and giggling in anticipation of the big day that lay out in front of them. I so love the way they love each other.

And now... I will get some rest and get ready for some fun, productive and creative days! So looking forward to some time in my studio!

a little post and a photo...

We have been enjoying some serious winter weather here... Hannah and Wyatt had a snow-day on Friday and this gave us the opportunity to have some snowy-day family fun from that day on. There has been lots of outdoor fun in the snow and indoor snuggling, reading and baking - Paul made banana bread and I made chocolate, almond, toffee bars - yum!

Here is a shot of our Christmas book basket...

Not sure where I saw this idea first... likely from Ali, Soule Mama or Molly (for some reason I can't link anyone right now - will work on that!). I love having everything gathered together like this. We have another little basket full of Christmas and snowy day movies.  'Rudolph' has been big this year - we've watched it twice so far and I'm sure it will be on again soon. Hannah has an intense love for Rudolph - this was heightened last year when 'he' left lovely, flannel pj's for H&W. Hmmm... I wonder if he'll bring anything this year??!! You never know!

And for this afternoon... there will be a tiny bit of shopping, some gingerbread house construction and maybe a little bit of wrapping. 

Hope you are all well and having some winter-time fun!

Sometimes I miss this...

Going through iphoto tonight I came across lots and lots of photos that I love. I get lost in iphoto whenever I get into it - I should really be in bed right now, sleeping off the beginnings of a cold,  but this is more fun.  Our camera was a dinosaur of a digital so the photos are often blurry but I treasure them.

Here's one that made me smile...

and made me miss their 'littleness'. Some days were c-r-a-z-y but for the most part we shared a lot of smiles and laughs and wonderful little moments.  My fabulous babies - so, so blessed to have them! 

a quiet moment...

I was doing my usual thing... checking my e-mail, checking my regular blogs, sipping tea and enjoying the quiet and then it hit me... I have time to blog now!! Finding moments like this have been rare lately - lots of organizing, running errands, attending appointments, laundry, phone calls, vacuuming and more vacuuming - lots of this because our dear Hudson has turned into a dirt lover and a digger. He takes great pleasure in digging in up to his elbows (do dogs have elbows?) and prancing back in the house (without a care in the world) wet, dirty and usually full of leaves. It snowed here yesterday so thankfully his fascination with digging has shifted to a new found love of eating trails of snow. Now when he comes in he's just covered in the tiny balls of snow that cling to his fuzzy, adorable self - he is so cute and so kind - it's hard to get cross with such a happy little man!

As for today... today there will be laundry, and tidying and purging of things cluttering up the studio. I have a project in the works for the studio - it requires a visit to Ikea (love that!) and when it's done I'll post a photo. For now I want to sneak in a little fall mosaic before it's too late.

 

We've had a lovely fall - full of fun and sunshine - and now we're ready for all the wintry goodness coming our way!

I should run - lots to do before I pick H&W up from school. Stay tuned though... new things coming here. I'm going to work on a schedule for next week - a new challenge for myself in terms of fitting in exercise, a little business venture, cooking, baking, blogging - the works! Come back and check on my progress - goodness knows I'm going to need a few cheerleaders to get this off the ground!

a week in the life... days 3 and 4

So yesterday got away from me and I didn't have time to post. This project is a little more involved than I expected but I am determined to see it through. Funny how yesterday the 'words' part of things fell behind (will catch up on that tonight!) and today the 'photos' were hard to come by. Here are a few images from yesterday...

We are still home with colds/coughs/on-the-verge-of-asthma-symptoms and despite the restless nights and the cabin-fever we are coping well. However, today was tricky... things seemed to keep going wrong... nothing insurmountable but let's just say that my fridge is not working and Hudson managed to pull apart the berber carpeting in the family room - the only carpet I actually like in the house!! So, the refrigerator repairman (why does that job description always conjure up images of a Saturday Night Live skit??) will be here on Saturday sometime between 8 and 4 (love how they really pin that down!) and, as for the carpet, we will get creative with the glue-gun and hope for the best.

So, when life hands you lemons - or a broken-down fridge and chewed up carpeting - what do you do?? You take a deep breath and make a fort out of dining room chairs and cozy blankets - you snuggle, and giggle and realize that life is still pretty darn good!!

And now I'm going to feed the dogs, clean the kitchen (with Paul, right Baby??!!) and watch a little of the vice-presidential debates. This Canadian girl is interested in what they have to say!!

'a week in the life' - day two...

Enjoying the process of really looking at what we do on a daily basis. Having H&W home from school makes this week a little different but different is good sometimes, right??!! And we, thankfully, are making the best of our days. More tv and computer for all of us today - definitely exceeding our daily max 'screen-time' but if you can't when you're sick when can you?? We tried to watch 'The Incredibles' but ended up opting for 'Scooby-Doo' when Han and Wy tired of the super-hero thing - I guess it's just not their bag! This gave me a little chance to rest/nap (which I NEVER do) on the floor with them where we had laid out a bunch of blankets and pillows to make a cozy 'bed'. There was also some serious snuggling, snacking and sipping going on over here - even made a new warm drink for us - warmed apple juice with mulling spices. Hannah liked it, I really liked it and Wy thought it was 'fizzy' and opted to have good-old, cold apple juice from the fridge.

Here's a look at the photos from today...

So how about me finally getting a mosaic done?? I know I'll have to learn to tweak them a bit (the photos are not in sequence and this mosaic is rather huge!) but it's a start. Kind of fun! 

As for the Kraft Dinner - I'm fessing-up to it right now!  It's a weakness of mine - that and the occasional Pop Tart or bag of Munchies. Kraft Dinner just felt right today. I tried to make up for it with the healthy plate of pears, grapes and Kashi crackers. So help me god!

So, off to bed for me - hoping to get my 8 hours tonight!! See you tomorrow!