I've had My Digital Studio for quite some time now. Close to a year to be exact. I kept postponing playing with it, and finally, tonight I did it! I pulled a random photo out of my "to be scrapped" stash, played with it, and here is the result:


I am quite happy with it for the first ever layout, but I need to figure out a few tricks, it is a little flat, don't you think? Oh, well, I might fix it a bit sometime in the future.

It is very late, for me, that is. One more picture of the stuff I am making for the next Portobello West Art and Fashion Show. I will be there on May 29th - come and see me. I'll give more details later. Too sleepy now.




Blog ya' later,

Often times I am asked "What's new? What's coming up?". Well, I have news for you. You know that little jewelry of mine that I've been making lately? I am starting to work with some Canadian artists and was very fortunate to be allowed to use their work. I tell ya, their art will make this jewelry sparkle so bright!

The very first artist whose art I've used for my pieces is Regan McDonell. Regan is a full-time artist with a background in printmaking, collage, illustration and graphic design. Her work has included clients like Much Music and Feist, and Calvin Klein and Disney have bought her surface and textile designs. You're not wondering how I got so lucky to be able to use her art now, are you? What, my awesomeness is not enough to attract an immeasurable talent like hers? Ahem. You can check more of her wonderful work at her website - it's a feast for your eyes. Look what I've made though:



B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L if you ask me. Thanks, Regan!

There is another question I am asked often - how do I take my photos and what camera do I use? You really want to know? OK... My camera is Nikon D50 DSLR with a 18-200mm lens and I LOVE IT! As for the set up, I have a light box. A great tool, right? I take it out (if I know where I left it last time) and I set it up, all while praying there are no parts missing again, then under the mountains of stuff piled up on my desk I try to pull up what I want to take a picture of, only to find it on the floor covered by newly acquired supplies. If by now nothing went terribly wrong, no worries, this is when it often does. Wondering how? Guess who is sitting pretty on my chromakey blue backdrop? Well, see for yourself:


After a couple of minutes of me hoping he will just go away - he attacks my set up.



And this is when I throw my arms up in defeat and go and make a coffee. Nothing could be wrong with a day that a good espresso can't fix.

Now, you tell me blogging is easy peasy lemon squeezy? Not in my house... :-)


Blog ya later,

Saturday before going back to school. I quite enjoyed the spring break, I love having my kids home. Everything is so much slower and more relaxed. We've spent days reading, playing games and watching movies. We all love going to Reifel Bird Sanctuary so we did that too. It is so peaceful and you get to see so many birds. My older son Milan is turning into quite a photographer. One of the pictures he took:




Yesterday I posted about Portobello Market last weekend, but didn't have any pictures of my display. I do have a picture of the guest book I've made for the market. Supplies used are mixed, some are SU, some are dollar store, some are online purchases... Lookie:








I hope you like it. That's it for now. More coming soon.

Blog y'a later,

You know, I keep promising myself and occasionally others that I will blog on a regular basis. And I really have every intention of doing so. But then, things happen. Family things. School things. Work related things. Good things. Bad things. Just things. TOO MANY THINGS!

What was going on lately? Well, a lot. Let me see...

At the end of January, we got a cat from Vancouver SPCA. Raddatatt is 8 months old, mostly Russian Blue as far as I can tell and is the most social cat I have ever seen. He is GORGEOUS!!!!! We all love him a lot, except occasionally my husband. See, Raddatatt has a person to cuddle (that would be me), a person to play with (Milan and Charlie), and then a person to nibble on his toes 4 o'clock in the morning when he is bored and wants some company (now, that would be my husband). I think it is funny. Tony doesn't. Anyway, look, isn't he gorgeous?





And then, at the end of February, we had Stampin' Up Regionals here in Vancouver. That was a great fun. I got to meet some people I only knew from online forums up to that point. As most of you know, Regionals mean swaps. Lots of swaps. Here is one of mine that I did for Regionals. For some reason, my camera didn't really capture how vibrant and beautiful those colours are. I might have to redo the photo. Lookie:





Then, last weekend, I was participating in Portobello West Fashion and Art market. It was fantastic! Well organized, well visited. Everything ran really smoothly. Did I take a picture of my display though? No, of course I didn't. My bad. That is ok though, I will do it again, maybe in May. I will let you know.

I am hoping that I will put together new classes schedule and post it over the next few days. Also, one of my technique clubs is starting again beginning of May and I do have 1 spot left in it. Let me know if you would like to take it.

Stampin' Up has filled up their clearance rack with new items, there are lots of nice goodies there. Including grab bags - first time ever. Just click on the picture and go to my site, then click Shop Now. I know I couldn't resist getting few things.



OK, that is it for now. I should be back in a couple of days. Unless I decide to hibernate again.


Blog Y'a all later,

I hope you all had a great Christmas. We sure did. We spoiled our kids rotten, and let me tell you, they deserve every bit of it. My house has turned into a LEGO central, we've spent days putting together all the stuff they've been given. My older son was also given a real newtonian telescope and we're hoping to try it out tomorrow. We are all very excited about that. I can tell you that all our camping trips next year will be planned around the light pollution. :-)

I am also trying to put together a classes and clubs schedule for the next 6 months. I am opening a new club in February, so let me know if you would like to join us, or you know someone else who would like to do so.

Here are some new classes for you.

"VINTAGE VALENTINE" CLASS

This Valentine's Day, why not gift a loved one this beautiful Vintage Valentine gift set. The vibrant colors and patterns from the Sweet and Sour Speciality Designer Paper add an amazing background for each of the four cards, and who doesn't love the added "bling" that the Basic Rhinestones and Silver Glass Glitter adds to each of the cards and the matching portfolio!



Date: January 22nd, 2-5 PM, or January 25th, 6-9 PM
Cost: $30
Location: My house, 3150 Stephens Street.

To reserve your seat please call or email me. Sign up and pay by January 5th and save $5 off your class fee. The button below will only be active until January 5th.

Vintage Valentine Class

Saturday Session $25.00 Tuesday Session $25.00

"BRING ON THE CAKE" CLASS

This fun, bright and colourful birthday set gives you so many options! You can choose to make either the boy or the girl version, OR mix it up and make six of each! The co-ordinating Birthday Box will hold up to twelve cards and envelopes….so go ahead and have fun!

GIRL VERSION:



BOY VERSION:




Date: February 19th, 2-5 PM, or February 22nd, 6-9 PM
Cost: $30 for one, or $50 for both versions
Location: My house, 3150 Stephens Street.

To reserve your seat please call or email me. Sign up and pay by February 5th and save $5 off your class fee. The button below will only be active until February 5th.

Choose your option

Saturday Session - 1 set $25.00 Saturday Session - both sets $45.00 Tuesday Session - 1 set $25.00 Tuesday Session - both sets $45.00

That is it for tonight. I'll be back in New Year. Meanwhile, have a happiest of New Years and let's hope that 2011 is the best year ever for all of us.


Blog ya' later,

What a name, eh? It makes you wanna go and see it, right? Come check us out on Granville Island at Carousel Theatre's studio (1411 Cartwright Street) and get some sweet last minute gifts while supporting local artists and Carousel Theatre for Young People! This is a perfect opportunity for all of you who haven't seen my jewelry yet and keep asking about it. Come and chat with me...

Well, as you know, I've got totally behind with my Christmas crafting. So, what do I do? Make a Valentine's Day project. Ha! Lookie:



I will be teaching this on Saturday, January 22nd, 2-5 PM and Tuesday, January 25th, 6-9 PM. Come and make these adorable cards and a gift box to keep them in. Even envelopes are included. Plus, as always, I will make you a rally good coffee. E-mail me to book your seat.

I would love to go to sleep right now, but I need to make few more things for this weekend. No rest for wicked....


Blog y'all later,

I know I've been absent for a long time again. And, you know, I don't feel bad this time. As usual, life has happened again, but this time it was different.

As many of you know, I arrived in Canada almost exactly 16 years ago. I came here by myself, no friends, no family, and I knew there would be good times as well as bad times ahead of me. In a year or so following my arrival, my sister arrived here, as well as the second cousin of mine with his wife and two very young daughters. We usually don't think of second cousins as someone very near and dear to your heart, but these cousins were different. Over the last 15 years they have become very important to me and very much loved. Their children grew into lovely young ladies with great future ahead of them. Until three years ago, when at age of 20, their older daughter Natasa was diagnosed with Ewing cancer. For three years she has been fighting this cruel illness with a courage of a lioness. When no one believed that she could get cured, she was certain she would get better. There was so much fate, bravery, wisdom and love in her young life. She was thought of as a miracle child after she managed to walk on her own again although no one believed it possible. And then, the cancer has returned. With a vengeance, attacking her body savagely and without mercy. And boy, did she fight!!! She fought back with every ounce of her mind and fate. Alas, this time she couldn't win.

So, if you wonder where I was for so long, how come I don't post - the life has happened again. Only, this time, the life was not something I wanted to talk about. These were the bad times.



Natasa Skoro, March 4th, 1987 - December 2nd, 2010

Look-up baby, it's all blue sky.
Put your hands in the air, and soar up high.
Get to know the angels, don't be shy.
Go on baby, go on - fly.


We love you Natasa...

Well, today is the day I started to post my jewelry listings on E-Bay and Facebook. I am excited. In celebration of this new line, from now until Christmas, I am offering free shipping in Canada and US. So, wanna do some Christmas shopping? Lookie:













Square and round pendants are $15 each, while a rectangular one is $20. They all include a choice of necklace. A bargain, right?!?!?

We had the first snow in Vancouver. I felt the way I've always felt with the first snow - excited, playful and Christmas impatient. I know, I know, it is not very grown up to dance with my kids through the house, holding hands and singing about snow. :-) We were out in the garden around 7 am, made angels and trierd to catch snowflakes on our tongues. I don't want you to think we had oodles of snow, it is West Coast, you know... Here, this is my street on Saturday morning.



And here are my boys, rosy cheeks and all.






Some cards coming up tomorrow, hang in there, I haven't forgotten about paper...


Nighty night,

This is great news! For a short time, until November 30th, Stampin' Up is offering special on purchasing the demonstrator starter kit. The whole kit, normally valued at $215, is offered at $107.50. That is 50% off. I wish I could buy the kit all over again... You get so much stuff: 3 wood mount stamp sets, 1 clear mount set with a clear block, 1 wheel with a handle and an ink cartridge, 1 ink refill, 2 card stock packs, 1 patterns designer pack, 4 ink pads, 1 Versa Mark pad, @ markers, Ribbon, stamping dimensionals, Stampin' scrub, Stampin' Mist, stamping sponge, snail adhesive, blender pen, decor elements with applicator, 8 catalogues and business forms. I am getting giddy all over again just typing all this up. Here, read up what Stampin; Up has said in their flyer:



If you become a demonstrator in my group, you get to attend my classes for half of the cost, you get to attend a monthly group meeting for demonstrators with business ideas and projects, plus you get to do the best job in the world. Contact me for more details.

I am still playing with my new jewelry line. Wanna see the holders that it will be sold on? Are you ready? I love it, if I may say so myself. Look:



DECEMBER SPECIAL/KIT IN MAIL

Place an order of $50 or more with me in December and I will send you the instructions for this:



Or, e-mail me and you can purchase a kit with pre-cut materials and pre-stamped images for $30.


No other pictures tonight, but watch for them tomorrow... Off I go to sleep now.

Blog y'a later,