this charming girl....episode 1 maple leaf

i've always been obsessed with all things miniature. i think this love of the lilipution comes from childhood memories of my late dad  (richard negri - theatre designer) making models of theatres, set designs and  people in costume. i can clearly recall a tiny but perfect, purple umbrella he made for me, from a coloured cellophane candy wrapper, after weeks of me bugging him. i loved that delicate little umbrella.

many years later my petite passion shows no sign of fading. my treasured charm bracelet is a living testament to this. each charm represents a place, time, person, animal, interest or memory that i hold dear.

last count, there were 52 little charms...but there's alway space for another.

every charm has a story - each week i'd like to share one ♥

1. ~ a maple leaf.

over 20 years ago in England, one of my sisters met a Canadian. she moved to Ontario & married him.

i spent countless vacations visiting them and fell in love with this breathtakingly beautiful country.

in 2008 i followed suit and moved here permanently with my family.

i feel at home.

my little maple leaf charm is actually silver but for today it's GOLD ~ in honour of all the dedicated and amazingly talented Olympic athletes that have done this nation proud in the Vancouver 2010 games  ☺  

the Heels have arrived!

Dancing with the stars all night  + towering stilettos = unhappy feet :-(  

Revive your soles with the soothing sensation of peppermint & eucalyptus essentail oils and smoothing pumice scrub.

Click your heels together...the dancing queen is back!

read the backstage story of the Heels

get happy feet here ♥

the weekend starts here - join the friday follow party!

hey, it's friday - start your weekend here and join the Friday Follow celebration hosted by one 2 try, hearts make families and midday escapades! you're invited to join in every Friday to welcome new blog followers and to discover a whole new world of exciting, funny & interesting blogs that are out there. it's all one big party with the aim of sharing, having fun and gaining new friends!

here's how YOU can join the celebration:

• link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below.
• you only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops...
• follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. they will follow you back.
• follow as many blogs as you like.
• comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.
• follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.
• it's as easy as that, so what are you waiting for - join the party! :-)

      

sunshine blog award

well, what a lovely surprise - I've been nominated for The Sunshine Blog Award by the amazing, hard working and extremely talented Mortira from inspirational beading. It is awarded to bloggers whose positive and creativity inspires others in the blog world. The rules for accepting the award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.


I'm so thrilled...but that's not even the best bit which is getting to choose 12 fabulous blogs to nominate myself...so here goes, in no particular order!



redesigntechnologies & birchbeerboutique
audrey's country crafts
the sanctuary
sew dandee
poocheze
calico fiasco
farren square
akane designs
scoutie girl
one 2 try
the lost earring
the blooming wild flowers


happy blogging - share a smile today :-)

when winter was fashionably late....

so it's here at last, like a long lost friend - just when i'd almost forgotten it hadn't visited yet. i awoke to that soft, silent, pristine blanket of pure whiteness...it may not be everyone's favourite guest but it's beauty is always welcome in my heart, evoking wonderful wistful childhood thoughts of Narnia.

RX96SS2V9UBK

my first interview...

a little taste of joannie's stunning work

One of the nicest consequences of venturing into soap making I've discovered, is meeting wonderful new friends -  who create the most amazing pieces.

I've recently entered a contest to win the most beautiful turquoise earrings, crafted by the extremely talented Joannie of joanniel creations. I have nothing but admiration for her work, so I was really over the moon when she approached me for an interview to feature on her simply stylish blog.

Read the whole interview at http://joanniel.blogspot.com/2010/02/soap-stars.html

check out her handcrafted jewellery and original art at joanniel creations

Oh, and don't miss your chance to win those gorgeous earrings

...you only have until March 5th!

use this link to enter right now :-)

life's little treasuries (take one)

stunning pieces from some of Etsy's finest

the good earth by soapstar

girly gorgeous by soapstar

life in multiples by botanical theatre

mother nature by the log chateau

i NEED my coffee! by soapstar

moody blues by little bear's mom

sunrise, sunset by soapstar

pink champagne by simple sundries

Saturday Shopping - the mini series!

What a wonderful surprise  - this Saturday morning I awoke to news that my little soap samples aka the mini series have been featured on Audrey's Country Crafts blog! 

wanna buy some? visit my Etsy shop

 Audrey is amazing, hugely supportive of Canadian handmade talent (of which she is definitely a part..)

Check out her blog for the low down on all things crafty and her own fabulous handmade & handpainted creations at her shop - Audrey's Country Crafts :-)

This recycled distressed denim jeans tote of Audrey's is one of my favourites -  perfect for Saturday morning shopping - love it!

Oh, Canada! team spirit...

Go Canada!

'dazzling lakes, stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes with never ending skies, trees ablaze with fall colour, sleek cityscapes, cosmopolitan cafes full of delicious treats...'

I moved to Canada with my family, from England nearly 2 years ago & settled in the 'feel good' town of Cobourg on the breathtaking shores of Lake Ontario. I find wherever I travel in this beautiful, I'm uplifted by the most wonderful sights, scents and sounds.

These inspired me to create something special that would evoke all the feel good senses and bring a smile to the face. I am not alone...

I have discovered a tremendous wealth of creative, innovative & hugely talented artisans in an astoundingly wide variety of different fields, country wide.

They did not hesitate to welcome me into a new family - Oh, Canada Team Etsy

View their remarkable work & feel their warmth at...

oh,canada! teamblog

oh, canada team! forum on etsy.com

oh, canada! team facebook page

oh,canada! team flickr

the Heels - you can never have enough shoes...

Well, that's what I believe and I can hear a vast sisterhood of budding Imeldas echoing my sentiments already...but I'm pretty certain there's an equal and quite opposite male mumble in the background chorusing 'another pair?! you can only wear one pair at once you know, darling..'

What do they know!

Anyhow, imagine my delight to discover that Toronto has it's very own shoe shrine, where you can worship all things that decorate the feet. I'm talking, of course about the wonderful Bata Shoe Museum.


I visited a few weeks back - arriving there appropriately on foot, having walked the dazzling gaunlet of designer stores on Bloor St. West.

Loving the beautiful open stairway in the entrance hall which connects the 4 galleries - especially how it was flooded with light from a coloured glass wall of windows.

First gallery 'all about shoes: footwear thru the ages', personally I found this tale of evolution far more interesting than Darwin's theory! ;-).

Adorable silver Indian Paduka (Sanskrit for sandal apparently) with their intricate floral engravings from 18th century Jaipur, these might have been given to some blushing bride.

Oh, and I giggled at these armoured Sabatons from the Gothic period - me and my sister used to force our poor feet into ridiculously pointed boots too, in our 'Gothic' phase, lol!

Ok, so the King's shoes weren't suede but there is some blue there (rockin' a classic nautical look really...)

And a girl after my own heart - Marilyn Monroe once famously said "I don't know who invented the high heel, but all women owe him alot". Her 1957 red pumps would be perfect for Dorothy!

I've a bit of a thing for zebras, so I was drawn to Pablo Picasso's solitary shoe but it did evoke strange images of him hopping around or perhaps it's a romantic case of 'whomever the shoe fits...'

'beauty, identity, pride : native north american footwear' is a 
gallery packed with 90 pairs of native shoes, boots & moccasins.


Amazing beadwork, rich colours and bold patterns!

Onto the ice...'bound for glory : cutting-edge winter sports footwear' - this gallery was packed with eager school kids, excited to learn about past winter sports heroes and soon to be 2010 Olympic gold medal winners (Go Canada!).

There was something magical about Canadian figure skater Barbara Wagner's Phantom blades - she won a gold medal along with her partner Robert Paul at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games 

Luge shoes by Adidas, kinda reminded me of my old pencil case! 

Last but by no means least 'on a pedestal : from renaissance chopines to baroque heels'.

Wow! I'm talking 'sex & the city' fabulous, Carrie eat your heart out! 


Ok, so now the museum visit is over and my feet are tired & achey. Can't wait to get home, soak & soothe them using something that'll leave them silky smooth & tingling fresh - ah, I feel a soap inspiration coming on...

So enter  The Heels - handmade cold process foot soap in delicate & sophisticated  shades of pale greyish blue, with a reviving blend of peppermint & eucalyptus essential oils and a smoothing pumice scrub layer.

They're looking good on the curing shelf, and smell divine - think a dusting of gold mica will top them off beautifully...what do you think, ladies?

I'm sure the glamorous cast of The Hills, (once they stop filming and kick off their Manolo Blahniks) - would welcome The Heels in Hollywood with open arms and grateful feet!