Busy Busy Busy

Did I say busy? You betcha! Why are you so busy you may ask... so here is why and the categories that they belong to...

Hi there, my name is Mommy:

Declan and I went to the home opener of the Toronto Marlies last night at Ricoh Coliseum. Although the team lost to the Binghamton Senators in the shootout (final score 2-1), a good time was had by all. We are season ticket holders - that's 40 regular season games. There are a lot of Sunday games this year which will be a challenge as Declan's games will be Sunday nights - so we will probably have to only go to first two periods in order to make it back for his own game. It was great to reconnect with other season ticket holders who we haven't seen all winter. Sharilynn and Mary from MWSL we there also and were kind enough to give us a ride home.

We gave Brent Aubin and Bianca Lajeunesse a present for their new baby, Kelly. We also saw Annette Pogge (Justin's mom) and Marci, his absolutely adorable girlfriend.

This is Brent and Declan.

Here we are with Justin and his playoff moustache. I am pleased to report that he has shaved it off!!!

We bought a Halloween gingerbread house and put it together this afternoon. That black icing looks gross and tastes...well, gross too! ugh!

I am beading fiend

I have a bunch of orders to fill for earrings, bracelets and earrings. The Markham Curling Club social committee has ordered a bunch of bracelets and earrings and I am happy that I found a cute charm of a rock and brooms. I have also been asked to do a make and take for Swarovski at the Creativ Festival. It is going to be a pair of earrings. They are beautiful. I will do a reveal after the sesssion, so as not to take away any thunder. I have been asked to teach at Bead Junction, but I am all booked up until January so look for me there, then. I have three classes (I think - maybe more) scheduled at beadFX - so check their website for the details. Hurry though, because the classes sell out fast. I was at beadFX with Ellie Peters and we had some fun. I had bought some beads of her Etsy site and she was kind of to deliver them. Talk about an enabler!! They are gorgeous little lampwork beads that I am going to use to make an assortment of earrings. Rosemary as always was a riot and promoting my classes in a slightly overly loud voice - gee was she trying to get my attention? What a hoot! I will also be teaching at techniques night in December for the TBS and teaching at the Bead Fair in November.

Queen of the Volunteers

I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the TBS and that also means that I coordinate the TBS booth at a variety of shows along with getting people to volunteer in it. The next show is next weekend at the Creativ Festival. Next week is also the Annual General Meeting of the Markham Women's Slo-pitch League. There is a movement afoot to nominate me for President of the League. Not showing up to the AGM is not an option. When I missed the TBS election meeting, I was still elected the Volunteer Coordinator. tee hee. I will be speaking to the Scarborough Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals about upcoming colour trends and jewellery fashion in November.

CineSiege

One of the major events for the Department of Film at YOrk University where I work full time is CineSiege. It is the showcase for the best student films of the previous year. There is an amazing amount of work, by a great team, in order to pull this event off. October 20 is the date of this year's fest and it will be taking place at the Royal Cinema.

Bahamas here I come:

Somewhere in the middle of all the craziness, I am heading to the Bahamas for a week for a softball tournament. Thirty-six players from Unionville and Markham leagues are heading down on October 23. We have a game the night we fly in!!! Three days of baseball and then four days of fun in the sun.

I think I am too busy to be excited. I have to focus and make to-do lists or I will become unhinged and spin completely out of control.

If the blog isn't updated daily for the next little while - you'll know why!

Another Super Class at beadFX

Another 8 wire bead crochet necklaces were born on Sunday, October 5 at beadFX! The Wire Bead Crochet Basics class was a hit with 8 participants.

Here are some shots of the "hookers" in action:

Heather and Jen
Ann and Marlene

I have to send a special shout out to these two fabulous women. If it wasn't for Ann and Marlene, I would not be teaching wire bead crochet today and spreading the love of this technique. At the Spring TBS Bead Fair, I had my very first booth showcasing my creations. These ladies went absolutely berserk for the necklaces and wanted to learn how they could do it to. As the day went on more and more women were so intrigued by the wire bead crochet and kept asking when would I be teaching. Ann and Marlene came by later in the day to remind me that they wanted to learn! My first newsletter went out in September and they signed up right away. When I saw them walk into the classroom yesterday, I almost cried, because I owe these women so much. When you are at a bead fair/craft fair/convention - you never if you what you say to an artist may change their life....it happened to me and I will be forever grateful.

Florence and Marianne

Michi and Jan

The ever fabulous - Cynthia Fawcett - of Cynful Creations - you should read her blog too!

Jen and her finished Emeralds and Sapphires necklace

Marlene and her Starry Night necklace

(sorry about the closed eyes, Marlene!!!)

Jan and her Starry Night necklace Ann and her Topaz Temptation necklace

Heather and her Starry Night necklace

Heather and I went to York University and lived in the same residence, McLaughlin College. We had many a good time at the Cock N'Bull. Heather signed up for this class after we reconnected on Facebook. It was as if no time had passed at all - and I won't tell you how many years ago our first year university was!!! We went out for dinner after the class to St. Louis Bar and Grill, where my friend Roy works. Roy wasn't there, so Heather and I took over his bartending duties. NOT!

It was a wonderful day.

Thank you to all who enjoyed the day with me.

The Sporty Side of Life

Some of you may know that wire bead crochet is not the only passion in my life. I also play softball. This year I was originally playing in three leagues, but by the end of the season, I was down to one. I had a knee injury at a tournament this year and was out of commission for about 4 weeks - not fun! I play third base, but have been known to stand in the outfield hoping nothing comes my way. It's funny, I am fine playing the infield with balls coming at me at incredible speed at close range; it's the long hit ball drifted into the outfield that kind of freaks me out.

I play with the Markham Vets in the Markham Women's Slo-Pitch League. I also played for the Don Valley SPL and the York University SPL as well. I have been playing since 1994 and love it. They call me Pinky - because of my pink cleats and metallic pink shin guards that remind everyone of the Power Rangers.

This picture was taken at the MIST Tournament, where we came in 2nd. Notice the cute bat boy in the centre of the pic - my Declan!

I am headed to a tournament in the Bahamas on October 23 for a week. Woo-hoo! I am totally jazzed about going. Between the Unionville league and ours, there are 36 women going. No husbands, no boyfriends, no kids!!! Can you say HEAVEN!!!!

We held a euchre tournament Friday night to raise some funds for the trip and it was a successful event. We had loads of fun. Ambrose from the Bahamas Tourist Board came by with two jugs of Bahama Mama mix, a bottle of rum, some t-shirts and pins. If Jane ever makes a drink for you....be prepared!! Whoa! I think there was more rum in mine than mix. That is perhaps why I am looking a little goofy below. Perhaps that is why I won the booby prize for lowest score. After two pints of Coors Light and two Bahama Mamas - my math skills go right out the window.

What's trump again???

Mary and Stephanie

Joan, Paulette and PaulHenry - the big winner of the evening - he looks innocent, but trust cards in his hands are like a weapon!

Cathy and Kim. Cathy was the life of the tournament. She was also a prize winner. If you value your life - never play musical chairs with this woman. Don't let the white hair fool you!

Donna dealing and Suzanne counting cards!

Thanks to all who cam and supported our event!

Yet another picture from the John Bead/Jablonex Fashion Show

This picture was taken by Brandon Allen, who is the official John Bead photographer. I don't know what sort of magical camera he has - but I think I look pretty darn good in this picture. He was intrigued by the necklace and of course I let him take a picture!

I particularly love this necklace - The Showstopper! It is crocheted with sterling silver wire and Jablonex seed beads and fire polish in crystal, crystal ab and labradorite. Wherever I am wearing this - people literally stop in their tracks!

Brandon tells me that the pictures he took at the John Bead Fashion Show are posted on the website. Let's go look.... http://commerce.johnbead.com/eStore2/frmDisplayContent.aspx?setContent=fashionshow2008

Goodbye September, Hello October!

September has been a whirlwind! With the starting of school and all that entails (for those that don't know - my full time job is with the Department of Film, Faculty of Fine Arts, York University), to catching a bad cold, the first TBS meeting of the year, the Bead Oasis, teaching classes at beadFX, my son's hockey try-outs and the finals of my softball league.....I think I need a nap! In fact I have today off! As mentioned in yesterday's post, I am headed to the Bahamas later this month for a softball tournament. I am off to the passport office this morning to hand in the worst passport picture you have EVER seen. However, there is good news to this story - after 1:00 pm, I am off to John Bead to pick up my latest order. Woo hoo!!!

I have been remiss about posting the rest of the pictures I took at the Bead Oasis, so here they are:

Uh - yup - that's me! Volunteer Coordinator for the Toronto Bead Society
Susan Hood of Glass Harp - all the way from Nova Scotia!
Will the real Susan please stand up?
Susan and her friend Pat - also from Nova Scotia

Heather from Bead Junction - check out that necklace!Colleen, the beekeeper from Cobourg, who took my Wire Bead Crochet class at beadFX. I sneak attacked her with the camera.

Colleen and Judy (the birthday girl from my class at beadFX post)
The three amigos or Charter Members of the "You can never have too many beads" Club.

The picture says it all! Below is a picture Kirsty's famous Cow Necklace. As soon as she makes one - someone buys it! Look at it fondly - you may be lucky enough to see one in real life. (ATTENTION JANE SKINNER: YOU NEED TO OWN THIS NECKLACE!!!)
This is the wild and crazy Stefanie Ogden and her friend Carol of The Bead Den. As is the case with most people named Steph(f)anie - this one is especially dangerous. Except only to me, as she lives down the street from me - within walking distance. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? I can call her up and go over and pick through all the lovely beads at a leisurely pace. VERY DANGEROUS!!! She is an enabler. Approach with caution!

My fav young and hip lampwork designer - Erin Maloney!
Joanne Wolverton of Rypan Designs

The inimitable Amy Waldman-Smith. I keep wanting to call her Amy Wynn. Which is a combination of her own name and Erin's company name Air Wynn. Or maybe I just watched Trading Spaces for too many years!

Kimberly Harris and Amy Waldman-Smith
Amy's spectacular bead display board.

Here are some of Amy's Angels.

Do you think Amy will notice if I just run away with the whole tray of angels?

The Super Sensational Sensitive Soulful Susan Stortini!
Here is Sue Wise yucking it up. I think she was secretly thinking - take the damn picture already!
Here is one of the Toronto lampowrk pioneers - Lesley Wannamaker!
Elly Peters and her mom!

Would you believe I still have more pics to post?

Time is flying - off to John Bead I go!