winggleam studios

To Carve or not to Carve

2011-10-10T09:44:00.000Z

Or do we even bother in getting a pumpkin for Halloween this year? Looking back at the "pumpkin shots" from previous Halloween's , we really don't go all out since we live in flats and don't have either of the places where pumpkins often work best - a porch or a garden. When I was growing up we used to carve the pumpkins, putting a candle in it and sticking it outside - like everyone else...

We did try the year before last to have a pumpkin indoors - but the smell of pumpkin is a bit much in a small flat.

Instead of a real pumpkin we'll probably have a go at some alternative ideas like papier mâch é, fabric or even bring these babies back out...

If I do decide to carve maybe do these?

I love going to Martha Stewart for last minute ideas...

Introducing ASA.BOT

2011-09-26T13:29:00.004Z

I created this little guy for my baby nephew Asa (he turned one last month)... His first action figure!

It all started with this book I bought from a Japanese book store while we were in London celebrating Canada Day at Trafalgar Square... I made a few things from the book... some bunnies a little monkey for Peter a couple of kitty cats... I was toying with idea of making him a teddy bear from the book, but changed my mind and designed this felt robot named ASA.BOT!

ASA.BOT stands at 11 inches and he is on his way to Toronto...

more pics of ASA.BOT here

Project 365 - 2010 December

2011-03-06T10:34:00.003Z

December 2010 Highlights from the Project 365 - 2010 Project. Don't forget you can see all 365 pictures here! It was a lot of fun and I wanted to start another 365 this year but I decided to start it in about 16 days....

Project 365 - 2010 October & November

2011-03-06T10:26:00.004Z

Project 365 - 2010 highlights from October and November last year...

October 2010

November 2010

Project 365 - 2010 August & September

2011-03-06T10:18:00.003Z

Project 365 - 2010 highlights from August and September last year...

August 2010

September 2010

Project 365 - 2010 Update

2011-03-06T09:59:00.003Z

Project 365 was a success... I just haven't gotten around to posting here since, like, June with updates for April and May... (Ooops!) So the next few post will be be of the highlights for those missing months... So to start here are some highlights from June & July 2010...

June 2010

July 2010

Project 365 - April & May

2010-06-02T12:09:00.004Z

I've been so busy lately, that I forgot to post a selection of pics from April...

April was a good month... Peter and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary (wow 10 years!) I've been baking a lot more... I'm kindda liking the fact that cupcake making has become so popular... finally I can get piping bags and other cupcake making accoutrements... and I've also been busy working on a couple private projects....

May seemed to dragged on and on... of course more cupcakes, the LOST finale and the finicky British weather... will we have a proper summer?

Project 365 - March

2010-04-07T09:31:00.005Z

Ah March... it was a good month... not only did I turn 38 (and I'm ok with that) I started painting and journalling again and of course spring is finally here, so people are a little more cheerier (winter makes people mean and grumpy) I successfully baked red velvet cupcakes and they were amazing! I finally have Season two of Twin Peaks on dvd (it was just released here on the 22nd of March...

I do have a lot of other projects on the go and I will try and share what I can here... I'm feeling a little overwhelmed really but also happy to be busy doing what I love doing...

♥

march so far...

2010-03-07T15:28:00.002Z

Project 365 - February

2010-02-28T15:17:00.004Z

photo highlights from February...

New Year Start Over

2010-02-28T14:51:00.002Z

Can I have a 2010 restart? This January and February has not been too kind to me health wise... first of all I kept getting sick with cold after cold... which then developed into a very nasty ear and throat infection that had me house bound for a few weeks... I lived on white tea, grapes and watch Olympic recaps.... (Go Team Canada!) antibiotics, vitamin C and painkillers...

So basically I'm back on the horse and with my projects, Goals and Disciplines for this year... Unfortunately I'm still on book one for my 50 books in a year... but Project 365 - One photo a day is still going strong...

other things I wish to do are:

visit Paris
visual journal more
paint more
crochet a blanket
knit a sweater
redecorate studio
redo/revamp websites
visit family in Canada

So fingers cross... hopefully March will be better.. I hope

Project 365 - January

2010-02-02T12:06:00.005Z

photo highlights from January...
see more here

oh yeah, I have another cold... lucky me

Read 50 Books in a Year

2010-01-12T14:30:00.001Z

Looking around our flat I’ve put aside 20 books that I’ve been planning to read, I also keep a little note book with recommendations of other books that I plan to reserve from the local library... so why not give myself the goal to read 50 books (that I haven’t read) in 365 days... that’s almost 1 book per week...

I’m a little late in starting, but I’ve been known to finish a book in day.

Project 365

2010-01-11T11:41:00.009Z

In this post I mentioned that I will be listing my Goals & Disciplines for this year... so my first goal for 2010 is to take and post at least 1 photo a day for 365 days... that sounds easy doesn't it? Well it's still early days... The question is would I feel the same way in 4 months time?

It is a good exercise, even though I’m on day 11 I've notice how I'm taking time to look around and appreciate the beauty in everyday life. You can follow my progress here. Also at the end of each month I'll post an update here with a collection of 15 or so photos from the month.

Here are some tips to do your own Project 365

Treats

2010-01-08T15:08:00.005Z

I love Baking!

I usually bake and gift Gingerbread cookies for my friends. Well for the second Christmas running I was not up to the challenge of baking and icing dozens and dozens of cookies... Christmas 2010 for sure! Promise!

So this Christmas I came across this recipe for Oreo Truffles... Can I just say YUM! I made 3 batches and I even whiped up a label for packaging up the treats...I wanted to give out Nigella's Hokey Pokey... that didn't turn out to well... Next time I'll do it this way for sure!

♥

Happy 2010!

2010-01-04T12:10:00.006Z

Happy Belated New Year Everyone! So what did you do? I was in bed by 11pm.... I'm still fighting this cold, that is about a month old... I'm in the clear now I think... I hope!

I am so behind on everything, this cold took a lot out of me... it was a rather dire Christmas and I'm glad that it's over... I just need to finish taking down the decorations and that will be that.

I really think 2010 will be a fabulous year... my head is bursting with a lot of creative ideas and projects... so watch this space! For the rest of the month I will be posting my Goals & Disciplines for 2010... (I think I have about 8)...

until next time then!

♥

2009-12-23T14:28:00.003Z

I've been so sick over the past 2 weeks... it's almost gone (the cold) I just have this awful chesty cough... I wasn't able to finish my Christmas crafting with this cold and taking extra hours at my part-time job... by the time I have free time to do anything or take pictures, it's to dark!

Well I guess after Christmas I'll have some photos to share with you... for now have a very Happy Christmas!

Making Christmas : The Beaded Garlands

2009-11-24T14:55:00.008Z

I've been feeling quite crafty lately (maybe because of Halloween?) So why not whip up some decorations for Christmas... and why not.. It seems that I've hoarded a lot of beads, fabric, wire, more beads over the years... it's about time I took them out and made something...

My garlands were inspired by this and this from Cox & Cox...

I call one above the Ice Garland... I may add lights to it, I'm not sure... it all depends where I put it.. I'll know for sure once the tree goes up... it may end up in the kitchen..

I'm still working on this red and copper one.... it may be a garland or maybe a wreath for the front door... I may even patina the copper wire... still not sure

After Halloween

2009-11-05T12:57:00.007Z

This Halloween we decided to have another couple over for a little spook-fest... we had treats... a quiz and watched a not so scary movie (Prom Night 1980) it was a very fun evening!

I really enjoyed decorating the flat.... we even brought in a pumpkin... very Martha, no? It only took me 15 mins for me to do... I will definately do this again next year...

Actually I did a lot of Martha Halloween decorum this year (time was a factor this year... I bought some plastic skulls that I spray painted black then covered in glitter..

I made the bat garland and large owl face for our entertainment unit...

pumpkin heads for Peter's Alice Series...

it was a lot of fun! now it's time to make decorations for christmas and get some knitting done... it has been really cold in the flat these days...

♥

Jumping Right In

2009-09-07T17:01:00.005Z

I've been keeping my self busy... making art, working on the portfolio and even working part-time in retail (what ever pays the bills right?) other than that summer has been been a complete wash out... I've been really looking forward to autumn though... I currently have a few knitting projects on the go....

Keeping myself busy

2009-05-19T13:58:00.006Z

Currently working on updating both websites, new art for my art and photography portfolios, new art for the Etsy shop.

So when do I find the time to knit?

♥

the swing of things

2009-03-19T11:37:00.004Z

So I've been back from Canada over 2 weeks now and I'm finally getting things done... the weather so far this week has been absolutely gorgeous and I'm finally feeling creative again!

This Sunday will be my 37th birthday... I'm not sure how I feel about that... ask me again on Sunday

♥

I'm back

2009-03-03T11:50:00.002Z

from my 2 week break for my little sisters wedding in Canada... the wedding and reception was absolutely beautiful great fun! ... my sister had Stillmotion film the day so below is the same day edit they put together...

Nick + Nat's SDE // Toronto from StillMotion on Vimeo.

congrats to my sister Natalie and my new brother Nicholas!

&hearts

2009-02-14T09:26:00.002Z

happy valentines day!

Getting ready

2009-02-13T14:45:00.003Z

My sister is getting married on the 21st of this month, so Peter and I are flying out to Ontario Canada for the wedding... we will be away for 2 weeks... It's going to be great to see family and to meet new family... I'm really looking forward to this visit.

We leave early Monday morning so I've been rushed off my feet these last few days washing clothes, finishing off projects and knitting some mittens...

a belated happy new year...

2009-01-22T17:07:00.006Z

One of the things I'm trying to do more often is try to make more new dishes... the Salmon Pasta was a big hit.

My handy helper... keeping my double pointed needles together...

I started these sock spring last year... I finally finished them... they are sooo cosy!

...

2008-12-22T14:02:00.004Z

hope you have a wonderful christmas!

...

2008-10-21T09:19:00.003Z

ok... this is embarrassing... why can't I keep this blog updated... why should it be so difficult to post a picture, say boo! or something.... it's like October already... shesh!

My 3 week temp job ended last week (I was there for almost 4 months) It was a very handy experience and I meet some amazing people... very cool environment.

So now, what next? well I' still doing the freelance thing and I'm currently redoing the websites and creating a new portfolio... I also need to really sort out the studio.... seriously now!

Hello Again

2008-08-02T12:42:00.003Z

I can not believe that my last post was way back in April.... for real?

Well of course a lot has happened since then. The last few months has been a roller coaster emotionally, financially, creatively and spiritually... we are on a up and things are looking promising... I'm currently working as a temp Art Worker in the heart of London and I'm finally feeling creative again after a 2 year dry spell. Peter and I had an Artist open house in July and we did pretty well with that.

I should by the end of this month have new items available to purchase in my Etsy shop... original art, prints, jewelery... you know what I mean... and hopefully I'll be able to keep this blog updated... I should be able to do that on the week ends as I do my laundry and catch up on my emails.

ps- I'm also really behind on my knitting :(

stuff

2008-04-12T10:14:00.004Z

There's another print available on Etsy... I have a few canvases in the works... I just need to sort the studio yet again to have some room to work in.... While I was cleaning and sorting I came across all of my beads and jewellery findings that I had hoarded throughout the studio... we are talking about thousands of beads here... I've made over 50 pairs of earrings so far in gun metal, antique gold and antique copper ear hooks and wire. This purple pair is mine.

The earrings will go up when I receive the pillow boxes the earrings will sit in with pink tissue paper... I'm such a sucker for packaging :)

♥

Currently working on...

2008-03-28T22:47:00.004Z

Advanced...

2008-03-24T17:15:00.005Z

Well... I'm 36... Can I still say that I'm in my mid 30's?

I'm ok with being 36... it feels alright... mind you I only turned 2 days ago... I had such a great day! Peter and I threw a little rpg party with a few friends... with nibbles, cake a lot of coffee... it was really fun.

Today I brought our scanner into the warm sunny living room (why is it snowing?) and scanned some of my negatives... I've been putting this off for a while... I rather set my darkroom up and do it the traditional way but a last month I took Advanced Digital Black and White Photography by John Beardsworth out from our local library... I liked it so much I ordered one from The Book Depository. I can't wait to get started!

Huh?... What?

2008-03-20T18:14:00.006Z

Two posts in one month? What's going on? Is everything ok?
this is just a quick post to say that I finally have prints up at etsy

Inactive Life?

2008-03-19T14:32:00.004Z

Not so... I assure you. I have been busy.

I can't believe that it's almost my 36th birthday (this Saturday)... So what have I been doing?
Well not much knitting. I have a few projects sitting around in storage bags... Oh wait last week I started on a scarf that was available on the spring issue of Knitty.

Last Friday Peter (my husband) and I attended the launch of The Green Tree Gallery.... (Peter and I have a few pieces up) I'm currently putting together a few open edition prints, that will be available on my Etsy shop.... Peter's Shop is up and running!

♥

still here...

2007-12-26T13:36:00.000Z

trevi fountain - Rome 2007

I can not believe that my last post was way back in October... sorry about that... since then I've been to Rome, had a terrible cold and busy knitting away Christmas gifts and watching a lot of Dark Shadows....

Christmas was very quiet. Yesterday we had Ginger Glazed Ham with Spiced Peaches (that Nigella Express cookbook was really handy) sprouts and roasted butternut squash... Peter also wanted a roast chicken... for dessert we made Nigellas Mount Blanc.... sooooooo goooood!

Glorious Autumn

2007-10-02T13:00:00.000Z

I do love this time of year.... There's a delisious fog going on this morning... I'm tempted to go out for a walk... but my camera isn't charged *bugger*

Things have calmed down on the family front, so I'm hoping to put in some serious studio time... I'm really looking forward to our little trip to Rome next month...

hopefully I'll be able to get a pair of these from Irregular Choice.... yum!

Keeping Up Apperances...

2007-08-31T11:09:00.000Z

Gee... I really should break out of this habit of posting once a month. I have been busy... honestly!
We have a lot going on family wise, with my father-in-law planning to remarry, selling the house and moving to London. It's been pretty world wind as he will be moving into a smaller place, Peter trying to save our items and suitcases that are stored into the loft by the end of the September.... it's a good thing we just live down the road.

I'm currently in a art slump.... unable to create any art. I have been very busy with my knitting and I've become obsessed with Ravelry.

Oh and guess what... we are going to Rome November 26th-30th...

Should be fun... I've always wanted to go to Rome... other Italian locations are Florence and Venice.

I have so much to complete today, it's not even funny...

out from hiding

2007-07-23T13:23:00.000Z

well I haven't been hiding really... just trying to cope with everything that life has been trowing our way as of late.... everything is fine now, it just got a little stressful around here... I've also been in some sort of artist rut... still working with it... oh well

So we've seen the 5th Potter film and finished the final book... didn't like the film but looooved the book! the book ended pretty much the way I thought.

Knitting has once again saved me with the on going stresses in life... I'm happily chugging along my Clapotis in Noro Cash Iroha, the Chevron Scarf in Lorna Laces Black Purl and a pair of Slytherin Socks....

...update...

2007-06-22T14:14:00.000Z

I can't believe almost a month has gone by without me posting... we've been so busy with work and all... I've finished re-reading the 6 Potter books so I'm ready for book 7... I've started another knitting project... and i'm curretly fighting a terrible head/sinus cold... that's it really... oh and I found purple peppers in the supermarket...

caffeinated happiness

2007-05-25T10:00:00.001Z

We bought our 2nd coffee maker yesterday... Something very simple with a timer and makes filtered coffee... (I couldn't be bothered with one of those pod thingies) So now I'm totally buzzing on my second double coffee....
Coffee makes me so happy... I am not looking forward to the crash though

knitalong

2007-05-21T08:12:00.000Z

So I decided to make the Two Toned (one tone) Fitted Shrug, my first project Buffy Knit Along project... hopefully that will encourage me to finish it, since I started in March.

I'm such a slow knitter... or I've taken on a lot of projects to do with my busy schedule... what I really should be doing this week is clean out my studio and stock the etsy shop...

As for the Knitting the Classics knitalong I'm almost done reading The Inferno, and I'll probably cast on the project end of the week.

the quiet weekend...

2007-05-20T18:34:00.000Z

This was suppose to be our RPG weekend (I play Dark Ages Vampire with my husband as the Storyteller, and two other friends) but it was canceled... So I spent most of yesterday and a earlier today bumming around eating brownies that I had baked for the game, with lots of earl grey tea... (earl grey my new bitch these days) and I knitted...

this pic was taken few days ago... the heels are completed now. The Pattern is the Nautilus by Anna Bell. I'm soo liking this pattern... I'll start the celebrations for my first "two at the same toe-ups" once I've finished... but it is looking good :)

well I better get back to cooking dinner. Tonight we are having Tuna Pasta Salad with Mediterranean Style Seasoning...

The Potter Post

2007-05-11T15:13:00.000Z

Get this and other HP countdowns at LeakyNews.com

OOOh! Can't wait! and to Celebrate I've just ordered some yarn in the Slytherin House Colours Green and Grey (Silver) to knit me a pair of Socks... I'm such a geek!

What I really want to do is throw a Harry Potter Book Party... hmm we shall see...

Joy Luck Buttons

2007-04-20T08:48:00.000Z

Last weekend I joined Knit the Classics.... What happens is each month we all read a "classic"/popular novel and knit a themed project... actually we can also crochet or sew... anything using fibers... you get the point...

This months book is the Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan... so Monday I managed to find a copy at our pathetic library and finished it yesterday... I wanted to consume it in one sitting, but it has been a fairly busy week. I few ideas jotted down for projects... nothing finalized as yet. Our read for next month is The Inferno by Dante... I should be getting that today from Amazon along with some of the past titles that they've read before... I've taken it upon myself to read and do projects for some of the titles I missed.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past few days... I think we have another couple of days before we get our official April Showers... so I'm going to take advantage of it.

I'm putting the final touches on my submission on the ArtErratica Button Swap.... I've included one red and one pink Italian etched shell buttons and 2 vintage plastic buttons (they are stacked together on the card)

Socks

2007-04-13T10:42:00.000Z

Well... I finally did it... I Knitted my first pair of socks! Yippee! I actually finished this pair last month and I'm currently working on my second pair, but still.

The original pattern is from Sensational Knitted Socks which I shortened the leg section ...
Yarn: Merino Cashmere Sock in Exotic from The Knittery. I still need to buckle down and photograph my past projects though.

I've been knitting on and off for the last 10ish years... While I was studying at the Ontario Collage of Art and Design (OCAD) I took a knitting class ... we were taught basic knitting, crochet and knitting with a knitting machine. The main focus of this course was knitting as a fine art than wearable art... so I spent my knitting experience knitting scarves... lots of scarves... and jewellery... never really having the time to get into serious socks and sweater knitting... That all changed last year (almost six months ago) when I had my hysterectomy due too fibroids... I needed something to do while I was recovering in the hospital and while I was at home.

good friday

2007-04-06T08:42:00.000Z

We wanted to take it easy this week-end... we just have so much to do... yikes!
proper update soon... I promise

doing well - feeling fine

2007-02-06T19:56:00.000Z

So sorry that I haven't updated here... I've been sick for so long and my surgery 12 weeks ago was one huge step in feeling better. Before I had no energy to do a thing... Now there isn't enough time in the day to do all that I want to do! I'm still sore around the incision (and I have a nasty scar) But I feel great otherwise.

I've been keeping myself busy with some knitting, crocheting, baking, designing and taking part in a few swaps.... These bird nest are a simpler version of a best and branch pin that I made way back in 2004... The eggs are made out of freshwater pearls... I made 34 of these for the ArtErratica Valentine Swap I should get about 33 back...

Tonight is chick flick nite... Devils wears Prada was released yesterday and my darling husband bought me a copy... He is so sweet... and he is willing to watch it with me... what a doll

twinkle

2006-11-14T18:26:00.000Z

Wow! Where have I been?

We've been so busy the last few months... A lot has happened (and is still happening) but we are ok :)

Peter has just finished showing at The Inspired Art Fair and did rather well... I'll be in the hospital for 5 days (hysterectomy) not really looking forward to that... I'm 34 and we wanted children... But it has too be done :(

We plan on having a quite Christmas and New Year (it will take about 6 weeks for my recovery) a lot of DVD's good food and gentle walks for exercise hopefully we'll get snow

:)

anti summer

2006-06-29T14:11:00.000Z

So we are well into summer... we've had our hot days and very rainy days... Wimbledon has kicked off (I prefer to watch the final matches) the World Cup is full swing. I hate summer... I'm more an Autumnal/Winter type person... I love wearing turtle necks heavy tights with my skirts and scarves... I love wearing scarves... I love Halloween and I love watching Hockey...

sigh... oh well

I've been rather busy working in the little studio (I really should get a new window blind) making tin heart pins (see pic above), working on my portfolio, applying to galleries, making mini books, completing my websites...

later...
suz

winged heart

2006-06-03T11:57:00.000Z

it's been rather quiet here in winggleam studios... Well it doesn't help having a head cold... very painful indeed. I have been tinkering at the coffee table and made my self a crude little pin.

This pin really makes me happy. I love winged hearts... Actually I love wings! I might make a few more and sell them... mmmm

Brighton Fringe

2006-05-17T13:53:00.000Z

Peter and I shared a table... I sold a canvas (I had about 20 5x5 canvases for £30 each) It was very interesting... I really wanted to suss out the UK art buying market with my more "decorative" and "light" work..

2006-05-12T12:04:00.000Z

Well I'm back! Feeling a little under the weather (headcold) We have a very busy weekend ahead... selling art for the Brighton Art Festival at the Brighton Marina... wish me luck!

day one

2004-10-21T13:28:00.000Z

I've done this before...