Letting Go and Jumping Right In

This is a picture of me ziplining this summer. Yes, it's me hanging over a canyon with almost 300 feet to the ground.  It was amazing! It was exhilarating! It was so scary!  My hands were red and sore after the first zip because I was gripping on the cable for dear life.  Altogether there were nine zip lines and somewhere in the middle I actually managed to free both hands in the air for a few seconds.

It's a strange feeling as they attach your cables to the first line. You don't really even have time to think about it.  Both my daughters had already fearlessly lept off the platform and now it was my turn. All I had to do was run off the platform (eek!) and trust that my harness and cords and cables were all secure (don't think about it!).  It was somewhat comforting to know that this was all I had to do.  Stopping was left to a device on the cable that slightly slowed you down about 15 feet from the end and then one of the young, hunky crew members would catch you in his arms....{{snap out of it}}...oh, sorry about that...

It's one of those activities that gives you a real boost.  I think my husband and girls were pretty impressed that I didn't give a second thought to doing this (well, not out loud at least).  And for me I'll have the feelings and memories to fall back on whenever I feel that self doubt creeping in.

Deep Teal - Fall 2011 Pantone Colors

Teal and Brass Necklace by nancywallisdesigns.

Deep Teal is a strong, blue-toned green. It can reveal the ocean depths and the colours of the sky at twilight. It's one of my favourites and I am forever being drawn to this colour whether it's in the form of a fabric, wall paint or jewellery upon my neck.

Wear it.

Silk Satin Dress by larimeloom.

Merino wool fingerless gloves by Neeka Knits.

Live in it.

 House & Home January 2011 issue

Go for the dramatic with deep teal walls.

Chauncey chair by West Elm

My Creative Mess

My obsession with beads is a constant struggle.  I have quite a collection.  I also have bought more organizing containers than you would ever believe all in the hopes of having one of those super clean and organized houses (you know the kind you see in magazines).  One day I'll show you them in all their glory when I get closer to finishing my studio.  It is amazing when they are sorted and organized.  I love being able to go right to the box and find just what I'm looking for. I have a bit of a strange system some are sorted by colour, some by type and some by size but it works for me pretty well.

The thing is though I find I'm the most creative when I'm surrounded by inspiring things.   Lovely piles of little glass beads can literally make my heart skip a beat.  Colours everywhere.  Turquoise, green, pinks and shiny things can make me giddy.  Sometimes the best things happen when working this way.  An unexpected roll of a bead into another pile can stir the most interesting ideas.

I've decided I'm just going to roll with it.  I'm just going to live in my creativity and I guess so is my family. I'm still working on my studio space but I do like our dining room the best. It's bright here and I can have the window open and listen to the birds outside.  My computer is close by, the coffee pot is steps away and of course so are my beautiful beads.  So for now I guess I'm just going to let my beads have their own dinner party at my dining room table.

My new creations.

 

Coffee Liqueur - Fall 2011 Pantone Colors

Chocolate Bronze Beauties by Wallis Designs.

Rich and decadent Coffee Liqueur brings a sense of elegance to fall.  It's a beautiful alternative to basic black. 

Wear it.

Felted scarf by Jumi Felt.

Off the shoulder long sleeve tee by tangente.

Live in it.

Source: House and Home February 2011 issue

Sepia toned feather photo by The Gingham Owl.

Smell it.

Mocha latte soap by Tracy Gurley Bath and Body.

Dune Collection: Pink Sand

Here's a peek at some of my new designs. I fell in love with these beads at first sight.  A beautiful rustic look with its marbled edges but perfectly pink and feminine.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

Our dog Mabel prefers when we are all together and she prefers that togetherness to be on land.  While my husband and our youngest were out for a sail a weekend ago Mabel paced the dock and waited patiently for their return.  She could barely contain herself as they got closer to the dock.

What's really cool though is this is my husband's childhood sailboat - it has to be forty years old (or maybe even more!).  He has such fond memories of sailing with his dad when he was younger it's nice to be able to see him extend that to a new generation.  It's great to spend some time with the girls with no distractions, electronics or texts.  Just the wind, water and some new memories.

Who's eating our tomatoes?

We didn't plant any new tomatoes this year but while weeding in the spring my husband uncovered a small tomato plant that must have reseeded itself from last year's crop.  Unusual I would think in our climate but a welcome sight nonetheless.  He potted it and staked it and watered it and the little sprig grew.  We were so proud when it actually was growing it's fruit. Only a handful mind you, but really these were like 'borrowed' tomatoes.

There is this fine line when growing your own tomatoes.  How ripe do you let them go on the vine?  We were going for just the perfect red...and we almost had it...

...and then 'someone' took a few nice bites.

I think the culprit might have looked like this after pulling off this deed.

Squirrel photo by ara133photography.

Cheeky little fellow.

Additional note:
My sister Kathleen just directed me to some amazing baby squirrel pictures.  I've never seen pictures of baby squirrels so close up! Check out this blog Resurrection Fern.  It definitely gives me a different perspective on these critters!

Quarry - Fall 2011 Pantone Colours

Jade and sterling silver bracelet 
                 by nancywallisdesigns.

A reliable medium blue grey that feels chic and modern.

Wear it.

Chunky knit cowl by Happiknits.

Burnout blues t-shirt by ellembee.

Pleated purse by EdensWake.

Live in it.

(Source: House and Home Condos 2008 issue)

Pillow by Valerie Johnson of Pillowville.

L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland

A beautiful day to remember from our August holidays in Newfoundland.

L'Anse aux Meadows is a National Historic Site located on the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland.  At this archeological site you'll find reconstructions of three Norse buildings, the earliest known European settlement in the New World. The archaeological remains at the site were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

The history and discovery of this area is very interesting.  It's also a very pretty place to visit with a lovely walk and trails around the shoreline.

Fall 2011 Fashion Colours

Each season, Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to identify the most directional colours.  Earlier this year they released the 10 most important colours of the season for women's fashion.

(Image: Pantone)

Taking cues from the great masters, sepia tones of old Hollywood, Chinese opera, cityscapes and countryside, designers are paying close attention to texture, contrast and color for fall 2011 – pairing menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals, incorporating both old and new influences, and creating an intriguing balance between colors. (Pantone)

“Designers take a painterly approach to Fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. 

A lovely mix of neutrals with bright pops of colours. This is a colour palette that I liked right away.  I can easily visualize wearing these colours (except for maybe bamboo which I think I would have a hard time pulling off). As well, I can see these colours extending right into my home.  Orchid Hush and Quarry would look lovely on a living room wall, pared with charcoal grey. Nougat, Coffee Liqueur with Deep Teal would be a stunning combination as well.

What colour do you like?