My Creatively Random Life

My favorite movie from 2012 was another hard choice for me, anyone who knows me if they were asked would probably say that my favorite movie of the year was The Avengers. And having watched it a good 15 times at this point one would think I agreed. However, when I really sat down and thought about the movie that stuck with me the most this year was The Amazing Spiderman. I know, I thought it was weird too.   It's not even because Andrew Garfield was on Doctor Who because I didn't clue in on that until much later.  (seriously though, and with Tennant too)  It's because it is the one movie of the year that I and both of my kids enjoyed together.  Also it is the longest movie Cat can sit all the way through.  (she is a HUGE Spiderman fan, I don't know why)   I think it is awesome that I have passed along my love for superheros to my children.  (I am not the biggest Spiderman fan)  I also thought this movie was WAY better than the last box office go round w

This December I participated in For The Love of Writings' Bloggy Ornament Exchange.  I love exchanges, usually I do craft associated ones because I love making stuff and I love learning new techniques from other people.  However this year I was not feeling the Christmas mood and needed some inspiration to get my Christmas tree put up.  Not having the kids for Christmas Eve made me kind of wonder what the point was know what I mean?  The idea of an ornament sent from somewhere else was just the spark I needed to get myself into the Christmas spirit.  After all it would need a home right? Cat had a blast picking out the ornaments (she felt they were friends and needed to stay together) to go out to my recipient and we got it shipped out on Sunday no problem.  I hope they made it to their new home in a timely fashion. Meanwhile, I got this super awesome ornament last night: Isn't he adorable?  It's hard to make out in the picture but his stomach says "Tweet Th

This is how I figured I'd get away with not being able to decide on a favorite album this year.  Totally cheating, I know, but I could not help myself.  After all, this soundtrack took people who normally make me want to stuff my ears full off cotton like Taylor Swift and made me able to say I have a favorite song by them.  (I never thought I would ever say that) Anyways, my favorite soundtrack this year is: It was a bit of a toss up for me though as I am also hugely in love with the soundtrack from The Avengers.  (surprise, surprise)  In the end Hunger Games won because the songs just stick with me more.  My two favorite songs off of the album are 'Safe and Sound' which is Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars: And 'Come Away to The Water' which is Maroon 5 Featuring Rozzi Crane: But really the whole album is worth a listen to.  Defiantly money well spent. 

For Christmas this year I thought since my children just have so many toys, books, and other stuff we would try and go a different route.  They were surprisingly receptive to this idea when I put it to them (I think it was mostly dislike of cleaning their room) and very enthusiastic for a simple Christmas. One of the first projects I took on was to make them each a scarf.  For Ace's I used Red Heart's Team Spirit Yarn (which came out this year) in red and blue.  I the way this scarf turned out with the asymmetrical stripes.  Kind of reminds me of Lego in the way it looks like they are snapped together. I really think he will like it.  (at least I hope)

Picking my favorite album of 2012 was a very difficult decision, there were a lot of good albums that came out this year.  There were some that I really liked, some that really spoke to me and some that got a lot of replay in my house.  There were two that did all of these things.  This one got first billing.  *drum roll*  As this is the second blog post I have devoted to Emilie Autumn I think it states that I think that she is a brilliant artist, talented and all that normal stuff.  But this album speaks to me on a level that her previous albums did not.  I've had a lot of very dark days this year (and in life in general) and something in this album stirred something inside me and helped pulled me through a lot of that.  Which was much appreciated. Plus, it's just an awesome, quirky album! So I am going to end this post with my two favorite songs off of Fight Like a Girl which are on completely different ends of the Emilie Autumn spectrum of music.  'Girls! Gi

Where did the time go?  I'm not ready for December yet.  December means Christmas parties and concerts and all sorts of goings on. I just can't handle that right now. The very thought of all the things I have to get done over the next few weeks makes me want to stick my head in the sand and not come out until late January.  And I do this stuff to myself.  Oh, I think I'll make more gifts this year, it will be more personal.  I think I'll take the kids on a trip for Christmas, they have too much stuff and they will have so much fun.  I think I will have a New Year's Party, I haven't had a party in ages and I hate going out. Etc, etc, etc...  Please note that I am actually insane.  I craft stuff for most of the people I am making gifts for all the time.  I am sure they would love a nice gift card.    Taking the kids away is fair, I used to love going away with my parents when I was a kid and I think the kids will have a great time.  Hopefully I will make it

I read this today about coping with stress and it really hit home for me.  For the past few months a have been a huge mess (totally not coping) and it has been affecting every aspect of my life.  The tiniest bit of bad news sends me careening off kilter (usually in a bad direction) So as I read that little blurb today I was reminded of the saying 'like water off a duck's back' which was something my mom said to me a lot when I was a kid.  (I got bullied a lot)  When I stop to take a deep breath, none of my problems are so serious, and if I were to stop and take a deep breath I probably wouldn't freak out so much. So I have decided from now on, every time I feel that stress coming on to repeat 'like water off a duck's back' under my breath.  (try it, you'll understand)  If that doesn't work to loosen me up for the moment I might actually be worried about something, not just stressed.

My second foray into jewelry making came at Miss Cat's request, I have a black and silver bracelet made of bead of varying sizes that she is always asking to wear that does not fit her.  So in typical craft addict fashion I went and picked up some beads in various colors (I only had tiny ones at home, honest) She sorted through the tiny packages with a devotion that made me proud.  Seriously, I love that kid I will miss it when she no longer sports the stuff I make with pride.  (I can hope that it never comes to that right? Ace hasn't hit that point yet) Anyways, she picked out these large purple beads, medium pink ones, and tiny green to purple beads.  I really loved making it for her, even though I dumped all the beads off when I was tying it and had to start all over.  (that sucked) Did I mention she has the smallest wrist ever?

Of all the things I have ever been into crafting jewelry has never been very high on my list, just the thought of working with all those tiny little bits made me break into a cold sweat.  Then I bought this adorable little bracelet and earring set from a lady last year and I thought well stuff like this has got to be pretty easy. So I bought some beads and some elastic cord to make bracelets and they dissolved into the pit of craft supplies never to be seen again.  Then over the summer when the kids and I were at Buskerfest I found this lady who made these gorgeous (and I do mean gorgeous) beaded bracelets and anklets with little bells on them.  The funny thing about that was about a month before I had comment to a friend that I had wanted to find one for Cat after I saw a patient's daughter wearing a pretty gold one.  Cat (like her Mom) is obsessed with shiny things.  Anyhow, long story short, we both got beautiful jingly new anklets and I had a wonderful conversation with t

So here it is my list of my favorite things from the 1990's.  Enjoy! The movie Mermaids was released, this may be one of my most loved movies of the nineties. Starring Cher and Winona Ryder it has a great cast and it actually deals with issues which a lot of movies today don't.     My favorite thing from 1991 was the release of Nirvana's Nevermind.  This album continues to be one of my staples for listening to and without it so much of the music I know and love today just wouldn't exist.   So, being Canadian and all my 1992 is naturally devoted to the Toronto Blue Jays winning the World Series.  This was a huge deal being that there were so many firsts involved in it, first world series game played outside the United States, first non American team to win the world series.  Then they did it again.  GO JAYS GO!  Seriously, living in Toronto in the early '90's you would have thought people around here liked baseball or something

How could I not join something that awesome?  Especially since it A)  has a super awesome graphic: B) Only involves one day worth of blogging (I know I have been a little lax in that department lately, if it makes you feel any more loved I have like twelve blog posts written that just need pictures added to them) and C) lets me tell you all my favorite things about the 1990's.  I love the Nineties, I was in high school in the mid-nineties so this is a time that has imprinted itself very deeply on my life.  *claps hands* Plus this will be my first Blogfest so that in and of itself is rather exciting.  Woo hoo.  So look for my post on October 15 detailing my favorite things from each year of the nineties.  And if you would like to join in on the fun check out The Nineties Blogfest at Dave Wrote This. 

As my boss was not going to be in the office today I saw it as the perfect oppurtunity to wear the oh so gorgeous boots that I bought in August.  The boots One of my absolutely favorite things about fall is that it gives me a chance to wear the boots from my perhaps a shade too large boot collection.  That makes me happy on the inside and really on the outside as well.  One doesn't exactly pair boots like that with yoga pants.  (not that I wear yoga pants to work, my boss would hit the roof) When I was dropping the kids off at daycare I had the following conversation with one of the other moms.         "Nice shoes, do they make your feet hurt?"        "Nope."        "Really?"        "Yup." Okay, so it wasn't really much of a conversation but I was pre-coffee and just grateful that Cat wasn't having a major meltdown about being left this morning.  But it did occur to me later that as this is my first time wearing the

Every now and then we are not so, so busy at the office first thing in the morning and I actually get to listen to the morning radio show.  Usually it bores the crap out of me and I tune out as I go about my daily paper work and reports but today they were talking about the how and why of people naming their children. This has always been a topic that fascinated me, long before I had children.  My early writing journals are filled with name lists and character descriptions based on random names.  As well as musings on what I would name my future children.  Said children, my daughter especially, should be glad I was not a teenage mother.  She would have had a slightly less 'tolerable' name to say the least.  I do believe I went through a phase where I wanted to name my future daughter Destiny.  Although I doubt it would phase her at this point, the kid has some questionable nicknames and answers to pretty much anything.  I as her mother tend to call her Mittens the kitten as

So Ace went back to school yesterday.  He was pretty excited about it, up and ready to go by 6:15 in the morning.  It was fantastic to see that kind of enthusiasm for learning in him and hope that it sticks with him forever. So far we have managed to be organized and out the door on time both days.  Yay!  (hey, this is huge for us)  All that practicing and lecturing I did last week really seems to have paid off.  The cooking I did on Friday helped as well.  I was determined not to be making lunches at 6:00 in the morning this year so I spent time squirreling away recipes for lunches on Pinterest .  On Friday I made  up a batch of my son's favorite homemade chicken noodle soup to freeze in small batches for school lunches here and there.  I also tried out these Pizza Muffins  (I tripled the recipe and froze them in twos for lunches).  The pizza muffins were a huge hit and he took them yesterday for lunch.  It has also been requested that we try them out with other filling,

First off all, Asylum of The Daleks airs today!!!! YAY!! Almost takes the sting out of having to work on the long weekend.  I don't feel the jumping up and down excitement I have going into previous Series but I am anticipating it just the same. Now on to Pond Life: The whole Ood in the loo thing was a bit absurd and even after watching it a couple of times I'm not sure if it was absurd in a good way or a bad way.    I love saying it though, "Ood in the loo." It's like saying "Dinosaurs on a spaceship."  or "Snakes on a plane."  Not really productive but it sounds awesome. Part four of Pond Life just makes me want my very own Ood.  It could make my coffee and do my laundry.  Le sigh.  I would be nice to him or her (do Oods have sexual designation?)  Part Five of Pond Life was a bit creepy to me.  Also, poor Rory.  Why does something bad need to happen to Rory?  (yes, we don't know that but it is implied)  I love Rory!  <

Now that is a better teaser!  It was much more interesting.  I at least got a good giggle out of it.  I can just imagine the Doctor showing up in the middle of the night and alluding to some future catastrophe.  No sleep after that, no sir!  

For a blog with creative in the name I have done very little blogging about anything of the crafty nature lately and I feel a little bad about that.  That's not to say I haven't been up to my eyeballs in the crafting department.  I just haven't finished anything lately as I am as unfocused as chipmunk who just downed a pot of espresso.  Luckily Halloween and Christmas are both just around the bend and that gives me somewhere to focus my creative crazy.  And I have put my foot down on starting any new projects before my current projects are finished so there should be a whole bunch of stuff coming up here in the next little while. (YAY!) In the meantime my house is a disaster of craft supplies, I have jewelry making kits and half finished projects every where.  How my children resist the urge to start unravelling balls of yarn is beyond me.  (especially those multicolored ones)  The only thing left to decide is a craft for the kids to make for people for Christmas I am

This year due to health issues I opted out of walking in The Weekend to End Women's Cancers, I honestly felt that it wasn't in my best interest to take on something so daunting when I was in the process of seeking answers to the health problems that were plaguing me.  I still wanted to do something though, just on a smaller scale. I don't know very many people who can say that cancer hasn't touched their lives in some way, a friend, a loved one, a co-worker, a family member.  But it has damn well waltzed through mine and I have watched people fight and survive (and I thank every god that ever existed for that) and I have watched so many people fight and lose. So, when my friend Shane of Fame Freelance Services asked me to join his team for the Terry Fox Walk I jumped at the chance.  A) because he is awesome and it is always more fun to do things with a team and B) it meant I would be doing something and I felt good about that.  If you would like to support joi

When I first heard that song that plays on the radio all the time, "Glad You Came" I thought it was catchy so I downloaded their album on my phone because I pay for a monthly music subscription and what better way to use it that attempting to broaden my musical horizons? Unfortunately due to my tendencies to download everything and anything that catches my ear I have way too much on there to ever really get a chance to catch what I am listening to.   Mind you sometimes that is a good thing because some "music" is just crap and I am way too lazy it song by song and clean out the stuff I don't like.  Anyhow, the other day I just happened to have my phone in my hand when the following song came on (I was texting a friend) so when I started singing along to it because I like it I took the time to look at what and who it was.  And then I played it again.  While I am usually not a huge fan of boy bands I kind of like The Wanted.  Or at least I like this s

If you are a Doctor Who fan then you know that the new Series 7 Trailer launched this morning.  Now, anything I have to say about this can only be considered a spoiler if you (like my son, who wants to be surprised) have not (will not) watched said trailer.  With that being said I recommend that you not read any further or do so at your own risk.  So, I have not been highly anticipating Series 7, even though 90% of my favorite Doctor Who episodes have been Moffat episodes since he took over the helm I just haven't felt it.  It took all over Series 5 for me to warm up to Eleven.  (like until the Christmas Special and then I had to watch it all over again with a better attitude)  Still, I watched this trailer this morning right away (well as soon as I dropped the kids off as Ace did not want to be involved) and let me tell you it did what any good trailer does.  I AM NOW DYING FOR  SERIES 7 TO START! Why you ask?  First of all dinosaurs on a spaceship, um awesome.  Then, is

I finally emptied my camera (three months and 420 pictures not terrible) and I discovered that while I was out and about on various adventures I had done a bit of my favorite pastime. 

So having a little girl and tending to think a bit like one myself I have long been jealous of the darling little sparkly sneakers that she gets to wear.  I had picked up this pair of Airwalks on sale (complete with the glitter laces) and decided that they could use a little bling. My blank slate Hot Fix Stones Hot fix tool So I went for a bit of a pattern but it's pretty random large stones in lines and then smaller stones in between.  It was kind of tricky in some spots because of the curve of the shoes but it was fun. Sparkly So pretty They definitely sparkle that's for sure.  Look really cute too.  One of my favorite projects that I have done this year and the whole thing only took about 20 minutes. 

Now I know that there may be some of you that are thinking how interesting can that possibly be.  I myself would have been too before I actively started using my Twitter account this year.  Now, I say active but it's not compared to most people who use social media. I mean I follow a few celebrities I find interesting, companies I dream of working for, the places I buy craft supplies from (sales alerts, coupon codes. DUDE SO AWESOME!!) I MAY possibly use it to stalk the cupcake lady. (not crazy if you live in the GTA check out The Cupcake Diner then you will do it too, I promise) Sometimes I also make the occasional tweet, they may be witty or profound. (ha, ha, more like not) But mostly it's used to find super awesome things to say damn that's awesome to or I have to make/buy/visit/drool over that. For example a few months ago  this super awesome Hello Kitty Star Wars charm bracelet from Fashionably Geek.  I would never wear it but I want it so bad, so if yo

Okay, so I'm going to be the first to admit that this is not something I probably actively sought out on my own.  I had heard about it and thought it was interesting (in the hmph neat and now I am moving on with my life kind of way) and really I had only heard about it because I have a tendency to leave my TV on the Rogers preview channel as I never actually watch anything on cable when it is on.  (I love my PVR!) Point of the story is that when my friend asked me if I wanted to go see it I said sure why not (instead of you jerk how dare you go see Spiderman without me!) and I am glad I did.  The movie playing at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto (which I had never been to before) so it was a nice little adventure out for the afternoon right off the bat.  And I love a good adventure.  The movie itself was brilliant.  I was stunned at the range of emotions that I went through over the course of the film.  I highly recommend seeing this to everyone, the story is brillian

So, I received this Liebster Blog Award from Teresa at Memes and Fiction .  And I am rather stoked about it as it is my first blog award.  (happy dance)  The rules are easy enough, I have to answer 11 either/or questions and then Tag 11 Bloggers with less than 200 followers and ask them 11 quick questions thus passing the award along to them.  I figured I could do that so here goes:  1) Would you rather have your child's high school guidance counselor be Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell?   Simon Cowell. 2) Would you rather have to keep your keys permanently attached to a hoop earring or have to always wear your socks on the outside of your shoes?   Socks on outside of shoes.  3) Would you rather remove your two front teeth with a bottle opener or pierce your ears, nose and navel with a hole punch?   Pierce my ears, nose and navel with a hole punch. 4)Would you rather be able to cool coffee to a drinkable level with merely one blow or be able to miraculously neatly con

It comes a little late in the day, but I had to take a minute to state how incredibly proud I am to be Canadian.  To be part of a country that is so awesome and spills forth such spectacular talent into the world.  I spent my Canada Day with my kids running around hunting dinosaurs and stalking cupcakes.  We are skipping fireworks tonight as they were tired and cranky kids are not my thing.  (nor are crowds)  I hope everybody had a fantastic day! 

A few months ago, during a nasty battle with insomnia, I became addicted to The Late, Late Show.  Seriously addicted.  As in I now PVR it so I can watch it.  (yup, I am that crazy about it)  Really it's because he has a TARDIS on his desk, how can you not love someone who has a TARDIS on their desk?  (or a dinosaur)  Anyways, I have learned many interesting things watching this show (other than there is no useful reason for me to have a PVR) most of which will serve me absolutly no purpose in life.  (like most of my knowledge, Grade 10 math for example)  I have learned that some of my favorite celebraties have no fashion sense what so ever (which would be disappointing if I cared) but most of them manage to wear awesome shoes. I have learned that some of the actors that bore the crap out of me are actually interesting people (at least in short doses) and that some that I found interesting bore that crap out of me.  I have learned that they sell weird and awesome things in Scott

At this point in my life I can honestly say I have broken most of the bad habits I had that I thought were bad for me (or so I thought).  I quit smoking, I gave up the fast food addiction, etc.  Now my vices are pretty limited shoes, coffee, craft supplies and there is no way I am giving them up.  (I should probably give up the coffee, some days I vibrate but...) Anyhow, I have noticed lately that due to some nasty turns of the universal wheel of fortune I have given way to a very bad habit that I have got to kick.  Negative thinking.  I am spending way too much time these days looking at my life from a negative point of view and that is making me have a much harder time of things. So I have picked something that I want, in this case I found an online course in dressmaking in a style I like, (I am thinking like Jessica Rabbit but it's a bit more Marilyn Monroe ish)  and for every day that I notice that I am drowning myself in negative thinking and turn my perspective around I am

The other day, while taking a quick break from work, I decided to browse through the book section of the local thrift store.  As always I had my eye out for books off my current (insane) reading challenge but instead I found an absolute treasure.  A pristine copy of one of my all time favorite fantasy books, which lead me to do a little dance as my current copy is being held together by an elastic band and has been retired from my bookshelf due to being "over loved." The book in question, Chirstopher Stasheff's 'Her Majesty's Wizard', is everything as a reader I want in a book and everything I strive for as a writer.  It has believable characters, they are flawed and human with personal issues they have to overcome before the larger journey can be completed.  It's a light hearted book with a brilliant balance between good and evil (and a dragon, I love dragons and this one is AWESOME!)  I am one of those horrible readers (especially in fantasy) who

As the school year draws to a close for my son and he shows his growing pride in his new found command of French and various other skills he has learn since since September I find myself reflecting more and more over my own childhood days. Unlike my son, who has a very strong command of and even stronger interest in science and math, I leaned heavily towards English and writing.  Even at so early an age as he is now my imagination was awash with a million ideas dying to spring forth and create their own little world.   I was often accused of daydreaming and not paying attention (okay, so I wasn't paying attention) and I longed for the day when I could be a grown up and spend my days writing and let my characters tell their stories.  Sadly, I then grew up and realized life isn't that easy.  With the birth of the previously mentioned beautiful little boy my writing got pushed to the side as reality of life as a working mother hit.  Now I am learning to write from a new pros

Naturally, being the shoe addict that I am, I was all over this article from The Huffington Post about being able to judge a woman by her shoes.  I was more than a little eager to see what my standby favorite pair (a strappy pair of black sandals with a 5 1/2" stacked heel) said about me.  Or these: Recently purchased, only worn once but already they've wormed their way into my heart.  (I mean, come on they are gorgeous right?)  There's a good possibility that being judged on either pair of these shoes (or most of the shoes I prefer to wear) that most people would probably judge me as a calm, extrovert. Truth be told I am neither of these things, but a rocking pair of heels makes me feel like I can be or anything else I want to be.  I just don't feel the same in flats, no matter how cute they are. 

Lately life has been doing a lot to get in the way of the flow of my creative juices, I am sure you have probably noticed from my major MIAness (that should totally be a word) in the past month.   It's been a little bit depressing to say the least. Anyhow, the other day I got a text from a friend that provided a jolt of creative inspiration.  (Who knew?  I mean, probably other than him.  He is useful like that.  It's probably why we are friends.  Other than the fact that he encourages my shoe addiction.  I will happily be friends with anyone that does that.)  Er, back to my point I think. He sent me this link  which deals with taking the things in life that don't go your way (which tends to happen more often than not) and turning it into something positive.  Which is something that I think every artist does, whether they be a writer, painter, designer, singer, etc.  Otherwise we drown in the pain that life piles on us.  I thank my friend for the gentle kick in the rea