Happy Holidays

Signing off for a few days now to spend time with family and friends! Happy Holidays to everyone!

Winter Inspires

There have been a few cm of snow in these parts lately. It's been really cold too. Normally the temperatures stay above 0 Celsius through much of the winter here on Vancouver Island. However, it has been -3 in the day so needless to say the snow is sticking around and today we have another snowfall warning 5-15 cm and tapering to flurries overnight.

My favourite version of Baby it's Cold Outside from the movie ELF performed by Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel hee hee

The snow is so beautiful and inspiring. Nolan and I went down to the big toboggan hill on Sunday. I must have taken over 200 photos.

Blog Header for CAGO Program

The Resident Canada Goose Management Program BLOG: cago-vi.blogspot.com

We are awaiting funding for a resident Canada Goose Management Program on Vancouver Island.
So I thought I would get started and just keep my fingers crossed for the funding to come through. It's important to spread the word about the geese and why there is a problem regardless.

In the 1960's geese were brought here to increase numbers for hunting. It wasn't long before populations grew and then folks realized that the geese were not migrating, they were staying all year long. Years later the local estuary damage caused by the geese is a reminder that human intervention can cause lasting problems. A volunteer addling and banding program has been in place for a number of years, This year we hope that funding will push things to a more serious management level.

Inspiring Spaces are Important!

I have had my home studio in the basement for more than a year now. It's always been the plan to redecorate. The walls are yellow and the carpet is orange, there is diagonal cedar in one area and linoleum straight outta the late 70's. It's a rental property so we are limited with what we are willing to invest here. So I think I have a plan. WHITE!!!
I am going to paint all the walls white and give the ceiling a coat too. I will compliment that with black and white objects and shelving etc. I have 2 plates from the "Homemaker" series circa 1950's that kinda spurred the design.

HERE ARE THE BEFORE PHOTOS


At first it was a spare room....then an art room (check out the carpet)


They look kinda like this but flat and no scallop on the edge.
Actually the original inspiration for this room came from a designer named Andrea Schreiber As_Art_Up who lives in Germany. Follow this link to the COOLEST CHAIRS EVER. I have a couple chairs in my office that are prime candidates for this decopatch project!
Note the linoleum :(blech...the original "studio conversion" on the right

I plan to start the painting prep this weekend. Here are some photos via decorology (photo credits on their blog)


The inspiration wall above is awesome! I have the cables already. Ideally I would like 2 old wood ladders for magazines and other inspiration that can be draped.

Wish me luck!

I forgot to tell you about Spoonflower!

Spoonflower is in it's Beta form. This little company is a custom fabric service. Here's what you do (right from the web site)

Love fabric?
Print something unique

• Spoonflower lets you print fabric from designs you upload to your own account on our web site.
• All your designs are private unless you choose to make them public. We will never sell, print, or share your designs without your permission.
• There is no minimum fabric order and no set-up fee. You can order a swatch for $5, a fat quarter for $11, or multiple yards at $18 each. Registration is free.
• At the moment, fabric choice is limited to 100% Bella™ cotton from Moda™, a maker of very high quality fabrics for quilting.
• We are based in Mebane, North Carolina, but ship all over the world.
• We are happy to have you here.

Hello Lucky

I found these cards in a shop in a small but funky town called Edison in Washington state. Located near Bellingham in the Skagit Flats. An amazing ratio of super cool stores for such a small town!
I got the cards in the Shop Curator See more photos here
Across the street was the Breadfarm, the Breadfarm sign was done by a very talented metal smith named Ries Niemi
and on the other side was the Lucky Dumpster.
Wow, what a lot of talent on one corner of Edison Washington!

It was a fantastic little side trip on our Arlington for Thanksgiving and Space Needle in Seattle journey.



www.hellolucky.com

The BEST Online Radio Station Ever!

I am a big fan of online radio. I usually listen to Accuradio or Aol radio. Depending on the mood required I might listen to anything from Alternative 90's to Big Band Swing to French Female Vocalists. I usually listen to Listening Post (Office Friendly) on Accuradio.com but recently I found a slightly burried gem on Aol radio.
Launch the aold radio player and expand the "Eclectic" Category and there is a sub category called"Relax Tracks". This station is great for working and being creative. A fabulous mix! Artists such as The Breeders, Beck, Wilco, John Lennon, Ben Harper etc

I can't say enough about this fabulous station!! Give it a listen
http://player.play.it/player/aolPlayer.html?v=4.1.43&ur=1&us=1&id=