Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Webcam

As I am getting ready to leave on Thursday for Japan, I am testing my skype settings and equipment so I can talk to John and Zoe while away. The webcam image is quire something, isn't it....? Let's say I won't win a beauty contest!! At least it all works and I can stay in touch!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Capsule hotel

I was browsing a bit to check out Tokyo. See what I came across: Capsule hotels:
These are small cubicles, stacked, at the train station for when you miss the last train or are incapacitated.... I don't think I will be missing my last train!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Babies....

My mother had 11 children and they ranged in weight from a little premie baby of 4-5 lbs to as big as 12... The majority of us were born at home. My mom was a strong and healthy woman and there were virtually no problems. Healthy weights, right?
Check this out:
This is quite something!!!!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Japan coming close!

Well, next week Thursday I am leaving for Japan and I am checking things out. I booked some tours and checked out the hotels booked for us. This is the garden of one of the hotels...
So beautiful.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

A great day

What a stunning day it was yesterday! First I walked 5 k, then relaxed in the hot tub. Managed to clean the house a little too. Then we set out to go to the "shops at Don Mills" antique show". It was in the new outdoor mall. There was a jazz band, the sun was shining and we ran into my brother-in-law, his sister and my niece and nephew. Afterwards we met Carmi for dinner and it was great to catch up and hang out. All-in-all it was a great day!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Antique Fair

There is an antique fair at the shops at Don Mills, this weekend. I may check it out .....

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Old and new

I finally had some energy to do something creative, albeit small... I found a pretty stone and a vintage earring. Voila, with a bit of wire, a pretty pendant. And here is a photograpgh with my new camera!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Adorn it!

I have not been to a jelwery making event for quite a while so when I came across this one, I decided to at least check it out. It looks really good and I think I will go! Exciting...
http://www.artunraveled.com/AdornMe10/AdornMeHome.htm
Check this one out: Janice Berkbile and these amazing beads.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

inspiration

OK, I admit it. I am lacking inspiration. I am not doing much in terms of jewelry. My work area is a gigantic mess. Nothing like in this picture from the spring. I am busy at work and in the evening while the weather is still great I am having trouble being inside. I decided in August to get back to regular exercise so walk 5k every night. The booking of the Swansea town hall should prompt me to start planning but so far I have more Japan on my brain than making jewelry...

Monday, September 14, 2009

Camara wisdom

My little point-and-shoot digital camera has been acting up and so, with my upcoming trip to Japan, and the fact that the camera is 5 years old, I decided to buy a new one. It is a new Panasonic model. It has many features and I am excited to try it out. I have to tell you though that these days these things have so many options and buttons that I feel I need a PhD to be able to understand it all. I am just going to point and shoot and see what happens....

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Visitor

Today I spoke with Linde, the eldest daughter of my long-time Dutch friend Ciele. She is coming to Canada and asked to stay with us for a few days. I am excited and look forward to her visit. What I find amazing is, that while we differ in age significantly, I don't really feel that much older. Funny how that goes. Ciele and I go back a long way and it seems to me that friends you make when you are a teenager or younger tend to be the ones that are forever. Too bad she can't come with her daughter. Oh well, next time perhaps.

Friday, September 11, 2009

SAVE THE DATE!

On Saturday December the 5th we will be having our annual Christmas sale again. Last year we were at the Zion Church in North Toronto. We are returning this year to the Swansea town hall in High Park and so spread the word!! More news to follow in the weeks to come.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Summer

Don`t you just love this summer weather! It is my favourite temperature. Not too hot and not to cold, crisp and bright skies. Just wonderful. I have decided to walk everyday so I set out after dinner to walk across the neighbourhood. Funny, you get to see houses you din`t notice before and meet people you never met before. And maybe get into better shapoe and loose some weight while having fun. While up north we walked at dusk. Take a look to see what the scenery is like there.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Sarah's Key


I just finished a great book. It is called "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay. It is about the intertwining of two lives. One in today's world and the other life the life of Sarah who was part of an arrest during raids of the jewish quarter in Paris by the French police during the sewcond worldwar. It is excllent if you are lookinbg for something new to read.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Art Jewelry Magazine - Video: Using a Tumbler to Polish Metal

Here is a link to how to use a tumbler. When I have completed a jewelry piece, I always finish it with 20 minutes in a tumbler. It hardens the silver and provides a high sheen and a beautiful polished look. It is a well worth the extra step.