Weekend Goodness

1. Crafternoon with a friend.

2.  An extra hour of sleep.

3.  First "red cup" of the season from Starbucks.

4.  Deciding to be over bronchitis and going for a run.

5.  50% off Body Butter.

Playing with Stamps

As I mentioned in my last post I had fun carving my first stamps on the weekend.  I started without really researching it - now I realize gouging more out around the shape would make a clearer image, I think I could also trim them a bit more.  I used this starter kit from Michaels (with a 40% off coupon!) which has everything you need to get started, although you need to supply your own stamp pad or paint.

The first design I tried was some simple holly shapes, one with "two bump" leaves, another with "three bump" leaves.  I find the first ones easier to draw but I think the second look more realistic, what do you think?

Next I worked on a design that's been percolating in my mind for a few months.  I love white on kraft and the bit of gold really makes it stand out.  The third gift along is made out of washi tape, not part of the original plan but I love it!  This was a test design, on the final version I'd like to use gold leaf for the accents (I just used a gold marker here).

Carving is something new for me, this was an easy way to start and I think I'm hooked!

Weekend Goodness

1.  Christmas stamps from Canada Post.

2.  Free ice cream from Marble Slab.

3.  Carving my first stamps.

4.  A visit to my local fabric store.

5.  Fall forest hike.

Birthday Goodness

1.  Feeling love from friends and family.

2.  Cupcakes from a local bakery.

3.  A handmade card left in the door.

4.  One last trip to the lake (for the season).

5.  Unexpected sister time.

Weekend Goodness

1.  Tea on the porch.

2.  First trip to Ribfest.

3.  Picking an ice cream flavour.

4.  Quiet evening at the lake.

5.  Kneading cinnamon bun dough.

Weekend Goodness

1.  Catching up with friends.

2.  Crab & shrimp salad.

3.  Visiting 60 Years of Designing the Ballet.

4.  A long bike ride (the first in too long).

5.  Studying old family photo albums at the Art Gallery.

England Experiences - Number 4 - Olympic Mania

We were in London a few weeks before the Olympics began but there was already a lot of Olympic stuff around.  Rings were everywhere! On the Tower Bridge:

In the train station (St. Pancras).

And although we couldn't go into any venues we did see a lot (from a distance).


The Olympic Stadium.

The Aquatic Centre.

The Equestrian Stadium.

The Olympic Park.

Not a venue but just as important - security!

Transport for London was getting ready for the Games, putting up signs to venues and warning people that it would get busy on transit.

The British Museum had a display about the Olympics, not very big but there were gold medals on display!

On our last night we were in Cambridge and saw the torch relay.  We arrived over an hour before the torch came through to stake out our spot and it turned out to be perfect - right in front of an exchange!  First lots of promotional vehicles came through.

The next torch bearer took pictures with the crowd while he waited for the torch to arrive.

Police kept everyone in order.

 Finally the torch arrived and the flame was passed.

The media was there to capture it all.

I meant to have this post up earlier but since the Games started I've been spending a lot of time sitting on my couch watching! I'll admit it's pretty much all the time I don't have to be at work or somewhere else.  Thankfully they only last 2 weeks and then life can return to normal!