I am hooked on this letter format … as you might be able to tell!

I’ve been playing with folds and ways of creating something unqiue to write in/on, and mail … the BENTO BOX LETTER has been the ticket. Now I have decided to see how many variations I might be able to create. These two are pretty fun. A five piece set in more grounded and earthy colours, and a set that is bright on the inside and out (two different colours, pretty wild!)

BENTO BOX BRIGHTS and BENTO BOX EARTH TONES are limited editions … because at any given time, I have no idea whether I will ever be able to get these papers again. 

See them here: 

Finding ways to expand my world …

Over the past few months, when I have been feeling the need to explore something other that the things I know, I have been taking online workshops.

The first was called Sketchbook Revival, and it was two weeks of different people showing what they do in their sketchbooks. It was inspiring.

The second was an off-shoot of that, one of the artists, Terry Runyan who does these great watercolour blog creatures. I have since bought her new book, Painitng Happiness Creativity with Watercolors, (Leaping Hare Press ©2022)

The images above are my first tries at this endeavour!

The third was a DIY Marketing course that reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that my style of marketing is outside of social media. While those around me are talking about building numbers and such, I am only wanting to connect with individuals and make meaning. So far, I am not feeling like the two go together … at least not for me.

So, I am going to forge my own way of getting out there in the world, that feels just right for me. I will say, it will be rather “old school” … but in times like these, that will be unqiue!

Desktop image for JUNE.

Yes, it’s time to change your desktop again … something new and fresh to start the month.

Just right-click the image and you should be able to save it to your computer and make it your desktop image for the month. If you have any problems, please let me know!

June offers us some fabulous days of celebration: 4th National Cheese Day (US), 12th International Falafal Day, 14th International Bath Day, 18th World Sustainable Gastronomy Day, 21st Indigenous Peoples Day and on the 22nd, World Rainforest Day. 

As always, every day offers something to celebrate, so I hope you will. 

New to the compendiumshop … more ways to send joy through the mail. ORIGINAL Mandalas on black card stock (there are 8 new ones as of this moment, with more coming!)

Life in the country is ever-changing and unfolding … 

In the past couple of weeks, we have experienced living outside the city in new ways. We had a power outage because of high winds, and in the city, that doesn’t effect EVERYTHING, but in the country it does. No power means no water. No flush toilets. Nothing. Our landlords were kind enough to bring us a big bucket of water so that we could flush the toilets, and offered us bottled water to drink. It was the wake up call we needed to be more prepared for these things. We now have stocked up on water to drink, and we have a NEW, large garbage pail in which to collect water from our showers, to use in emergency or to water the plants in the hot season. 

The other BIG, new-to-the-country event was a BEAR. Yes, a real, live, big bear at our back door, last Friday night. Then yesterday it was back, strolling through the yard. Yup, this ain’t the city anymore! 

Add to this, one of the neighbours cats has decided to become the laziest of hunters … it found the hutch of the resident rabbits, and promptly snatched one as it came out … only to return the next day and wait at the opening for another one. No, that’s not going to work for me. So now I watch out for it, and run outside and scare it off immediately. 

Yes, living in the country is a new level of high maintenance!

Wishing you a life full of living!

~sarah

The start of something wonderful …

These are my two latest acquisitions, bought together. Twins in different shapes!

They have now moved beyond their original look, seen here. They have their base coast of satin black, and are looking quite smart already!

It’s been lovely to work on these two, to sink into that place where I feel all that has gone into making them. They have some pretty nice details on them. 

At this moment, I have NO IDEA what the tops might become …. but, as always, I will listen carefully at each step and proceed gently until all is revealed. 

Stay tuned!

You can’t really go wrong reading Pema Chödrön

 I guess I have probably read all of Pema Chödrön’s books, and all have come at exactly the right time and have been perfect.

Her latest, Welcoming the Unwelcome, Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World, (Shambhala ©2020) seems to be the perfect read for THIS moment. It is helping me to get through these turbulent times, reminds me of things I know, but have somehow forgotten to bring forward. Her words are like a good friend, helping you navigate tricky waters. 

From the jacket cover: 
“… Pema Chrödrön offers fresh wisdom, heartfelt refections, and the signature humor and insight that have made hera beloved guide during turbulent times. In an increasingly polarizedworld, Pema offers us tools to find common ground, even when we disagree, so we can buld a strong and broader seanse of community”.

Yes, it is all of this and more!

Desktop image for MAY.

Yes, it’s time to change your desktop again … something new and fresh to start the month.

This image is from my 2022 calendar … one full of unusual days of celebration. These include some rather interesting ones this month … May 6th, World Naked Day, followed immediately on May 7th by World Laughter Day. Hmmmm, one has to wonder about the timing of these two things.

And there are many more, but I do believe my favourite for this month is: May 31st, National Speak in Full Sentences Day. Thank you Simone for alerting me to this important occasion!

If you want to learn the basics about something quickly, check out the kids section in the library! That’s where this little volume came from. Exploring the World of Hummingbirds, by Tracey C. Read, (Firefly Books ©2017). It’s great. I learned so much in 20 minutes of reading it … and now my observations of our herd of hummers is richer with this knowledge. 

I am happy to say, there are many new things in the works over here!

I have some new products to be launched soon and an ever-expanding pool of ideas that are brewing, which feels so wonderful. Each day seems to offer me more insight into where my energies are most needed and welcomed. Each step is inspiring the next.

Wishing you a week filled with brilliant and inspired next steps.

~sarah

Adjusting to new circumstances … and finding joy.

The settling in to our new home is essentially complete. Aside from a few things still to hang, we are functioning much the way we did in our old place. One change that we made was to drop cable tv from our world, which was a big decision, but one we are happy with, for sure. In place of tv, we will grab videos from the library, or watch online stuff from CBC Gem , BritBox or Knowledge Network. It does cut down on the hours spent watching stuff.

Lately we wanted to watch a series on DVD that we got from the library, so I hooked up the whole tv/stereo thing in anticipation … only to find that our DVD player has died, or at least become unwilling to play with or for us anymore.

The solution was to truck on in to my studio and use my computer for our viewing pleasure. Turns out, this has been a wonderful experience. It’s cozy like a den. It feels very comfy, much more so than the larger livingroom for viewing.

So, I have decided, at least for now, that we don’t need to replace the DVD player … we can do just fine with our new circumstances!

I think we are going to have to name our new place,
The Hummingbird Ranch.

 I don’t know how many we have, but there is a constant coming and going of Anna and Rufous Hummers from the feeder, which has to be replenished frequently. Who knew the smallest bird on the planet could drink so much sugar water?

And why do we feed these little wild things white sugar? Don’t know the answers, but do know they are loving it.

What fabulous little beings they are to watch! I want to know more about them, so I have ordered about 6 books from the library to become more knowledgable about this wee creatures.

I have a book about the about the attributes of animals, as told by some First Nations in North America … and the hummingbird is JOY.

This is inspiring me to think more about joy.

For many years I have had this wonderful piece by Diane Kremmer. The series is called: “If Hummingbirds Wore Helmets” and this particular one is “Egyptian”.  I can certainly say that this piece has brought me joy each and every day …. as well as a definite smile to my heart.

 A small art tool with some very big potential.

I have recently discovered that Avery, the company that makes labels, is branching out in to some new products, and they have caught my attention.

This one is Clear Static Cling Labels. Size: 8.5 x 11″

Essentially, they allow you to make a sign to put up anywhere, and remove without damage. WHAT? This is too cool ….

I am drawn to the clear ones, although they do have white ones as well. But the clear ones means that whatever background you put it on, will show through!! How neat is THAT?

I admit, I have not tried them yet, because I just don’t know what I want to put on them, or where I want to use them, but I do know they are useful.

I love the way industry is now accommodating small business in their products, making it easier for people to customize their look and feel.

I think this product has a lot of potential applications, and look forward to sharing what I finally do with my package of eight sheets!

It’s been a week of opening and reawakening on so many levels. 

It’s been a good week of getting things in motion. I didn’t really understand how much I hadn’t been able to tend to, until I was able to tend to it again.

I am back in flow in a new way. Ideas are percolating and things are getting done.

Today I scooped up two small side tables to refine, and I look forward to what they might become.

There are a few new projects in the works  – early stages for sure, but moving nonetheless!

Wishing you a week of steady forward motion!

~sarah

The first pieces completed in the new studio! Ready for their new homes.

The table, named Mie, came from friend who no longer needed her. She is a lovely size, and as it turns out, underneath the dark stain of a typical Bombay Company piece, the grain of the wood was quite wonderful. I left it natural, with just a light stain to emphasize the beauty of the grain. She has very sweet feet too!

The other piece, also from the Bombay Company, was an antique store find. Of course I see it as a writing box, but apparently it is called a memory box. Beautifully finished inside in black velvet.

Both pieces chose my custom red paint, which I mentioned last time. Yes, I do like this colour on them!

Fewer, Better Things was recently brought to my attention again. I pondered getting it several years ago, and resisted … but then when it resurfaced, I paid attention, and I know why. It’s quite wonderful and it tells me that other people think about, appreciate and respect things the way I do.

Of course, the book itself, being about the quality of things, is beautifully presented and lovely to hold. The paper used inside is soft and generous in your fingers. For me, it completes the experience of what I am reading.

In the chapter Communities of Respect, Adamson says, “People often speak of the ‘tacit knowledge’ of craftsmanship, and for good reason. What happens when a maker, a tool, and a material come together is difficult to grasp from the outside, because it is intuitive and embodied.” YES, exactly!

In The Contact Zone, I loved this description: “… when we ignore our material environment, we are essentially forgetting who we are and where we came from. If we divorce ourselves from our collective memory of a place, we alienate ourselves from our surroundings and from people alike, choosing isolation over group identity.” I think we are all starting to understand this concept more fully afte the past few years of forced islolation.

The subtitle, which is actually set above the title is: The Hidden Wisdom of Objects. All in all, a very mindful read.

Fewer, Better Things
Glenn Adamson
Bloomsbury Publishing
2018

Making your own stickers … any way you want!

I create my own clear stickers for packaging. The reason I like clear is, they don’t “stick out” as much, they blend with their background. 

I first started using them as return address labels, because the white labels just look hidious. 

Now I use them to create a variety of stickers that I can use in a wide range of ways. 

First I start with Avery Full Sheet Clear labels, this allows me to make any size or shape I want, and mix it up if I want to. 

Since this materials works in both laser and inkjet, the fun is available to anyone!

How could you use this technique? And what might you put on your stickers?

I love to find new ways to use things I already have.

Discovering a new use for my white Posca® markers was such fun, as was the clear stickers to enhance my mail. Learning new ways to work with things I have excites and energizes me. It must be why I watch people make things all the time online. Just to see how they go about it inspires me, even if they are working in a material that I never use.

It doesn’t matter what you work with, I think it is more important to know how you work. Are you in flow with your materials and process? It is something I learned from drawing and painting mandalas for so many years. Every single one I do teaches me something about what I am doing and why I am doing it.

May you have a rich and inspired week of discovery!

~sarah

HOUSEHOLD TIPS, I didn’t know.

There are many new things in our new home, things that we have never had before. Stainless steel appliances, a glasstop stove, and granite countertops. Yes, I know, very shishshee … but my point is one of a more practical nature. Cleaning them. 

Whoever thought any of these surfaces were a great idea of a kitchen, must never do their own cleaning! All of these surfaces are what I would refer to as “high maintenance”.

All of that being said, I can now confirm that buying the specialty cleaning products for these surfaces does make a difference! I am now sure that the previous tenants didn’t use the proper cleaners, because when I did get them and cleaned the surfaces, they suddenly looked brand new!

I know, it’s a small thing, but having a fresh and well maintained home is important to me. I like things to work well and look good … but believe me, not in a fussy way!

Mixing up some red paint. 

I love red paint, but it’s not easy to find just the right shade of red most of the time. Yes, I have this shade in my head, and every time I try to mix it, I get sort of close, or I get something surprising that I like. 

You see, I never learned colour mixing in school, I still have never really learned it. For me, it’s all trial and error. But I have had some great discoveries along the way. Somehow I love not being too attached to outcome … but letting the element of surprise enter the studio and have fun with me!

This week, I mixed up a batch of red metallic paint that ended up being the basis for three pieces in the studio. 

I find it particularly fabulous to layer reds. For some reason it is just a colour that get better and better. 

The studio continues to evolve, and feel like “home”.

Funny how in this move, some of the furniture pieces I used to use a long time ago, have come back to me. There is a long pine side-board table that belonged to my sister Anne. She had it, I had it, she had it, my sister-in-law had it for awhile, I had it again … then Mary Ann had it for most of the past 17 years … and now, it’s the centrepiece of my new studio. It is a hardworking, everyday table, and I am loving it. 

There is also the 1920s writing desk, make of quarter-sawn oak, that I used for so many years. It also found it’s way to be used by Mary Ann for the last several years … now it is back to being my computer desk once again. 

These two pieces are among my favourites, and it is somehow very comforting to be using them again. Like hanging out with old friends everyday. 

Wishing you a wonder and delight-filled week ahead, reconnecting to things that make you feel really good!

~sarah

Although I am trying to take pictures of birds, I am not that successful. I feel quite lucky to have captured this Stellar’s Jay grabbing a snack.  I am enjoying the rhythm of the birds, they seem to come at certain times of the day, and that feels very comforting. 

I stumbled across this amazing “bookazine” in the bookstore a little over a month ago, and I am still enjoying it tremendously.

Handværk decoration comes from Denmark, and this one is the English edtion. Each article is about somone doing work by hand. in this issue I have, there are articles on hand made lampshades; textile design; jewelery, mosaics, traditional wallpaper making; a cabinetmaker; costume work; fabric repair, a tattoo artist, and a delightful collection of other things. It is very inspiring!

I am loving it because it reflects my own desire and practice to work with my hands, do things with intention and not rush. It is about getting in touch with all the senses and aspects of your chosen work.

To get a visit inside really old factories making traditional wallpaper is fascinating. I love their intentional decision making about each aspect, from the inks to the paper surface, Ulricehamn’s Wallpaper Factory, (Ulricehmns Tapetfabrik) wants to improve the quality of their work, they look toward collaboration with others, and are dedicated to sustainability in both materials, deposal and in the new people they bring onboard.

In a world where so much is mass manufactured, and faster is seen as better, this bookazine is reminding me that those concepts couldn’t be further from the truth!

haandwaerkbookazine.com

And here, for your desktop pleasure, I offer you some calendar wisdom. You can click on it to upload and then use it as your desktop!

Also … my calendar tells me that April is a very big month of great things to celebrate … it all starts off with being National Poetry Month!

On the 2nd you can celebrate International Pillow Fight Day (please use soft pillows).

Don’t miss International Moment of Laughter Day on the 14th and Erasure Day on the 15th.

We end the month with two of my favourites, on the 28th, World Pay-It-Forward Day, and on the 30th, World Indie Bookstore Day!

What a wonderful month to celebrate!

This week finds me back in full swing in my new studio … four pieces on the go, on the painting side of things … and more ideas for non-paint projects. 

I was reminded this past week how important it is that we are aware of our own energy. I knew mine was low and a bit disconnected for a wee bit too long, but when it came back, suddenly my work started to sell again. I became “visible” in the world, just as if I had walked through a doorway and into another room.

Having experienced this before, it didn’t surprise me, but rather it reminded me how much I need to be connected to a larger picture.

Here’s wishing you a joyous and connected week ahead, filled with pithy conversations about what’s happening in your life!

~sarah