Happy New Year!

Today is my nephew's 3rd birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDWARD!

It's also New Year's Eve - we're spending it at my brother's place, playing games like Smart Ass & Cranium. How are you celebrating?

Home for the Holidays

We're heading home on the train tomorrow (early morning), so things are going to be a bit quiet around here. I'll be back next year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Item of the day: Holiday Table Runner

I really like the subtle holiday feel of this table runner by saratogastitches.

Item of the day: Pining for You

These earrings by moderntrinkets are fabulous!

Mosaic Monday

Ice Skating

1. Winter wonderland, 2. Winter Water, 3. global-warming off-day :), 4. «Trial and Error»*

Item of the day: Chocolate Nut Clusters

I did some Christmas baking all weekend. My favourites are the coconut balls & truffles I make - they're a lot of work though. If you're looking for all the taste and none of the effort, check out nikid's chocolate - you can't go wrong! I'm particularly fond of her nut clusters.

Weekend

So my exam yesterday went really well. I found it pretty easy - and realized how much I miss exams. Yes, I know. I'm a loser. A nerdy one at that. :)

Then the graduate student federation had their holiday ball. It was SO much fun! Of course we were super smart and remembered to take zero pictures... but I felt fabulous in my dress. Maybe I'll try to convince Pat to get re-dressed so we can take a picture this morning...

There was a raffle - and each ticket you had a guess as to how many Ependorf tubes were in this jar. I guess 112, 87 and 72. My friend guessed 112 too! How random! My friend also won the big door prize - a large basket of goodies. Then my other friend won a sweatshirt. And then it was my turn! I won a $50 gift certificate at a posh little clothing store. SWEET! Our table CLEANED UP the prizes! :D

THEN. They revealed how many tubes were in the jar - 87!!! NO WAY! I WON! Again! This time $20 at a coffee shop.

So, all in all a VERY good night! Now today, my mom is coming down with my grandparents for my cousin's birthday - so my mom will be staying the night. Fun!

EXAM DAY!

My Molecular Pathology exam starts at 1 today. This is my first Master's level exam - but I'm not too worried. Should go well.

Tonight, I'm celebrating at the Holiday Ball. I picked up the cutest dress at Le Chateau - I can't wait!

Item of the day: Mango Sherbet Bowls

I absolutely love these stacking fabric bowls by PiecefulDesign! The colours are fabulous & the fact that they're made with coiled clothesline is really neat!

Item of the day: Twisty Tree

I like this whimsical tree ornament by indigotwin. Even better - it's on an "A" block!

Item of the day: Colouring Art Book

This is the neatest idea I've seen on Etsy in awhile - a colouring book with art prints from a favourite artist of mine, BELLACOSAART.

These little portfolios are completely customizable - you choose the colour, words, string and 5 out of 7 prints. Once you're done drawing, you can frame your art!

Item of the day: Ribbons - Don't Forget

This dainty ring by sparklethots is too cute!

Mosaic Monday

Winter Wonderland

1. Winter Wonderland, 2. winter in march, 3. snowflakes, 4. Winter wonderland

Item of the day: Candy Cane Brooch

This weekend I pulled out all my decorations & put up my tree - I'm finally getting into the spirit of the season! This month has crept up so quickly! Only 2 more weeks until I head home for Christmas! Yay!

Recently, I was searching for a holiday pin for my coat and came across this adorable porcelain one from HolidayDesigns. Sweet!

Holiday Maker's Market

I have a booth at the Holiday Maker's Market today! It runs from 10 - 3 at Christ's Church Cathedral (in Hamilton).

I think I'm ready. I have everything stacked by the door. I only forgot to get change yesterday, but we have lots of time to do that this morning. We're going to pick up the rental car at 8. I put both of my shops in vacation mode so I don't sell anything twice. Yes, I think I'm ready!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! I'm getting pretty nervous / excited! Can't wait!

Item of the day: Waterway I

Ooooooh, this original coloured pencil drawing by bluebirdhill is absolutely stunning! I'm amazed at what this artist can do with pencil crayons ... the workmanship is exquisite and very, very realistic!

This piece reminds me a lot of the mouth of the Veuve - my parents live on that river still & a lot of my childhood was spent in & on that river. Swimming, boating, skating, ice fishing. Ah, happy memories! I'm really looking forward to going home for Christmas!

Saturday December 5

What are you doing Saturday? Nothing? Want to come to my craft show?

I'll have a booth in the Maker's Market at Christ's Church Cathedral in Hamilton (Ontario). It runs on Saturday from 10 to 3.

I'm really excited! I'm hoping this one will go better than my first one - I think the venue is perfect for me.

I have a better idea on what to expect & how to set up my table. I only have one table this time, so I don't think I'm going to bring any sewing stuff. I'll have my globes & beaded ornaments hanging in trees (the ones my dad made me & a small table-top artificial Christmas tree). I'll probably line my mini notebooks in a square basket. And my earrings will be displayed in this box I made myself this week:

I just have to add a ribbon around the bottom. I'm debating on whether I should paint it, but I probably won't. I may hang bracelets from one of the dowels too.

Anyway, just wanted to send out the invite - now back to preparations!

Item of the day: CroqueMonsieur bracelet

I really like this funky bracelet by 3squares. Very unique!

By the way, who knows what a croque-monsieur is? Well, as some of you may know, monsieur is French for mister and croque means bite. So it's a French dish - kind of like a warm sandwich actually. I've had a croque-madame before at a small restaurant in our hometown, where Pat & I went out for dinner on our 2nd anniversary (we're at 8.5 now - happy memories♥).

Item of the day: Teal Twig Panties

There's nothing better than fun undies - I love opening up my top drawer & seeing a rainbow of colour (bursting out at me no doubt). Plus, you can always use new ones! These essential twig panties by Recession are super cute & in my favourite colour for this season.

Item of the day: Eco Toes

I saw these sweet little slippers by infusion in at Etsy Finds email - they look super comfortable! I like these stripes myself, which are your favourite?

Mosaic Monday

Snowflake

1. Snowflake @ 20090111_231501, 2. One perfect snowflake, 3. Snowflake- B&Wh, 4. Snowflakes with Greenery

Item of the day: Hand Blown Glass Ornament

These hand-blown glass ornaments by boogievilleglass would look fabulous on your Christmas tree - and even better in your window year round!

Item of the day: Great Wave felted bag

This hand-felted pouch by CBino is fabulous!!! The amount of detail is amazing & the cute little pompom zipper pull finishes it off nicely.

Item of the day: Maria Flamenco Yellow

I love this bright, flirty shirt by IslaNewYork!

Mosaic Monday

My (Etsy) Christmas wishlist:

1. Old world skeleton key earrings by ANORIGINALJEWELRY 2. Cultured pearl snowman necklace by JL67 3. Snowflakes watercolour print by jellybeans 4. Camellia leather shoulder bag by gogovivi 5. Bella's elegant long arm mittens by LamaWorks 6. Deep teal satin skirt by larimeloom

Item of the day: Queen Ann's lace scarf

Teal is my favourite colour this season - and I just love how the beautiful Queen Ann's lace looks exactly like snowflakes on this gorgeous jersey scarf by NewDuds.

Speaking of treasuries...

I was finally able to catch one today! Check it out!

MSOE Treasury

Check it out - I'm featured in this great treasury with some fellow MSOE team members!

Item of the day: Avocado Salt and Pepper Shakers

This salt and pepper shaker by DainaCeramics has to be just about the coolest set I've ever seen!

Item of the day: Rabbit Cuff

I love this sweet little bunny cuff by theilluminatedowl. So cute! I also like that the cuff is adjustable due to a flexible band of metal inside. Very cool!

Item of the day: Ceci n'est pas une cravate

If you want to make your guy smile this holiday season, you should pick him up this witty tie by toybreaker. Of course, he'll have to know a bit about art history to get it - but the confused look on his face might be just as amusing!

Mosaic Monday

Breast cancer - for my Aunt.

1. Breast Cancer range (basic), 2. Pink for the Cure, 3. Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon, 4. A rose against breasts cancer, 5. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 6. For All You Special Breast Cancer Survivors!!!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!, 7. THINK PINK, FIGHT BREAST CANCER, 8. Breast Cancer Awareness, 9. Women free of breast cancer !!!

Item of the day: Nymphaea

I love the flared shape of this acacia bowl by sweettidings - a set of 4 with some salad tongs would make a great gift!

Item of the day: Roseglen

I love this bright sunny painting by rachelaustin. The cheery flowers & cute little birds just make me smile - and the map underneath adds another dimension of interest.

Item of the day: Survivor

The item of the day today is dedicated to my aunt, who underwent a successful surgery yesterday. This survivor necklace by 2BellesBeads is stunning and reversible - something I may have to pick up once this ordeal is behind us all.

I'd appreciate it if everyone of you could say a little prayer for her - it would mean a lot to me and my family. ♥

Item of the day: Reflections

This abstract landscape by CarolOnEdge is absolutely stunning! I love the pink in the clouds!

Wordless Wednesday

Lest we forget.

Item of the day: Tunic Dress

I'm not sure what it is about this tunic by plumprettysugar - but I love it. I think it would look great with a pair of jeans!

ACEO-X (2.0): the submissions

Finally, here are the ACEOs from ACEO-X (2.0)! Once again, they're absolutely stunning!

I apologize to all the participants for the delay in posting these photos (the deadline for sending was yesterday), but I was waiting on one more picture. Even though I haven't received that one (don't worry though, it's because of computer troubles, not because of non-participation), I've decided to go ahead and show them all so you can wonder which is yours!

1. Amanda (ME) - Ki, Sumerian Earth goddess

2. Kat (H20works) - Autumn Days

3. Niki (nikid) - Naked Tree

4. Amy (RubyMoonDesigns) - Gather

5. Kate (scientificculture) - Wide-Eyed Smiling Acorn

6. April (applelovesorange) - New Morning7. Leslie - Fiery Tree

8. Deslynn (DeslynnWDesigns) - Japanese Fan

9. Ruby (missyandme) - Fall Foliage10. Donna (ARTBYDONNAROSE) - Autumn Leaf

11. Melissa (catscradle) - Tipsy Turkey

12. Heather (PnsNNedls) - computer problems, so no picture

13. Kara (karalennox) - Colors of Autumn14. Jerise (jerise) - Falling Leaves

15. Jena (marinebiochic07) - Oak Leaf & AcornsWhich do you think is yours?!???

Please leave a comment when you get yours (and which one) so that others can do a process of elimination!