MaP it jewellery

Over the past 7 months, I have been non-existant in the blogging world.  Life has been incredibly busy and in my spare time I've been focussing on other things, like crafting!!  I've discovered a wonderful company called Close To My Heart and it has re-kindled my passion for scrapbooking and cardmaking.. or is it all just an act of creative accumulation?!  LOL... Well whatever it is I've been able to use the creative side of my brain,  and in the process have also realized  I really need the creative "Me" time.    So I thought i'd post a small note about my latest creative venture.    Since getting back from Italy with my mom and brother,  travelling and plotting my next trip is basically on my mind ALOT!  So I thought why not find something creative to do with travel. This led me to discover the beauty in maps... and VOILA... this is my latest creation:

A faux antiqued gold chain and pendant with a map of Lucca, the place in Italy where my mom and I spent one fabulous week.  All products,  except the map,  are from Close to My Heart, http://shellyreb.ctmh.com/retail/category.aspx.  

 If anyone out there is interested in buying one, email me and let me know a)the city you'd like b) if you'd like antique silver or antique gold ,  and c) what shape you prefer, circle or square and I'll send it off.  

Wishing you a creative day!
Shelly

Ciao Italia!!

I was very lucky to be able to travel back to the country where my ancestors came from.  The old country of Italia!   It was the most amazing adventure.  I travelled with my mom and brother and we had a wonderful time.   I was in absolute awe of the ancient ruins, building and architecture we came across.    We explored the cities of Roma, Firenze and Venezia  and then got to meander through the towns of Assisi, Pisa, San Gigiminano, and Bologna.   Then my mom and I got to experience life for 1 week living in a small Italian medieval walled city called Lucca.   We chose this town as it was the place my 3times great Nonno called home back in the mid 1800's!    It has been 3 weeks since we've returned back to Canada and I have close to 1500 photos to process and relive.     So bear with me as I try and re-create our trip.

Time flies and can transform right before your eyes!

It's hard to believe my last blog post was Jan 2012!  Where has time gone!?  These days life seems to be so busy and full and I've come to discover I really miss any creative time I used to have.  So, it's a bit late but... I've decided to try and etch a little more creativeness into my days.  Some days that will be virtually impossible, but others it will be wide open!    So I'm starting NOW -  by recharging my artistic side, dusting off my camera (or my iphone) and hoping to blog on a regular basis. 




HEART IN NATURE

Last summer while on vacation I found these 2 little dragonflies perched on some snake grass.   They were just sitting next to each other and as I started to snap away at them they configured their bodies into a heart shape!  I know what they were doing!!  -  but it amazed me that it before my eyes they transformed.   Wow -  nature is so powerful!!! 

Sid Dickens artwork

I've been hearing a lot about Sid Dickens artwork. So when my mom got us a gift certificate for a Sid Dickens tile for Christmas I was thrilled! The hardest thing was trying to chose only one!! So after much contemplation, this is the one we decided on:

    It's fittingly titled "Live in the Present".  I love it!  Can't wait to save up my pennies for the next one.    Check out his art work at  www.siddickens.com.   He is originally from Prince George BC but now resides in Vancouver BC.   Wonderful work he does!! 

Winter snow scene

We got a small dump of snow last night and today the sun came out making everything bright and sparkly.  This scene from a near by park looked very calm and peaceful when I came upon it.  I just love the look of trees in the winter.    

The little reader

What a better way to spend a dark winter's night than by reading. I happened to catch my 11, soon to be 12, year old daughter reading last night. When I looked at her I thought of the little girl that she used to be and the beautiful young woman she is growing into. She loves to read and this picture totally reminded me of being a tween, reading a great book with headphones on! Only difference, the title of the book and the music playing! XO

Happy New Year 2012 ~ a time to reconnect

Another year is upon us and it feels like a great time for a fresh start.  What I like about a brand new year is the opportunity to do it all over again,  and learn from past years mistakes,  make new mistakes and learn valuable life lessons , good and bad.    For me this upcoming year will be about RECONNECTION!   Reconnecting with family and friends,  that I have not talked or visited to for a very long time, and reconnecting with myself.  Over the past few years during the busyiness of life, I seem to have gotten lost in there.   So for me a big part of 2012 will be reconnecting with who I am, so that I can be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, family member, and friend.   I am surrounded by so many wonderful people in my life and feel so blessed to call them family and friend. 

      photo credit www.tinybuddha.com
My wish to all of you throughout this year of 2012 is for PEACE - inner peace,  HAPPINESS, and HEALTH.   May you life your life to the fullest!