Try Something New - Starting Over

Today, Day 5 of my Try Something New project, I was finally able to begin the final stages of my new studio makeover.

The project began almost a year ago, when in this post I spoke about my studio reno.



Well, as life would have it that room did get renovated, but not for me. My Mother, newly retired and in need of some company, ended up moving in with us. While I am so happy that this event occurred, it happened suddenly and we all had to make sacrifices in the short term. For me, that meant giving up my studio reno to make a bedroom. We now have 5 people, 2 cats and 1 dog in our urban 1900 square foot living space, and while we are a happy bunch and all well-loved, it hasn't been easy.

For the last eight months I have been without a permant work space. I have toiling away, in the garage, the laundry room, the basement (have I mentioned I detest spiders!) anywhere I could find a little bit of room for my work table.

To tell the turth, I have been miserable working this way, but today that all changes, as I was able to begin to move into my NEW STUDIO. It's a lot smaller than the room I had originally planned on having, but it gets amazing light and it's all for me!

I just started filling it today, here a just a few of the things I have to work on (trust me, it's all a labour of love).




I will be back this week with more pics of my lovely new space to be:)

Try Something New - Baking!

Today, Day 4 of my Try Something New Project, I was busy in the kitchen baking! This is pretty impressive for two reasons, 1. I was also busy all day painting my new stuido(yay, but more on that another day) and 2. I can't bake, not even a little bit, everything I bake seems to turn disasterous. But, I promised I would try new things and I'm determined this year to shake my baking curse.

I don't know why I can't bake, I can cook. People rave about my cooking, but when it comes to desserts, my husband assumes the role of baker, and I'm left to do the dishes. Not tonight:)

I started simple, with and apple crumble which I was pretty sure I couldn't mess up and I was right! I used this recipe, which turned out pretty darn good I must say. Tonight, husband is doing the dishes.


Here's the result!

Try Something New Day 3

Day Three of my Try Something New Project was spent with my youngest little boy in his Dalcroze Eurhythmics music class in our wonderful neighbourhood music school for parent participation day.



The Dalcroze method is a creative approach to learning music through body movements and by going to the class, something I normally couldn't do when I was working outside of my own business, I was able to participate first-hand in something I would otherwise just heard about.

It was really interesting to see how the teacher could focus a group of four year olds on such big tasks, such as learning rythm, tempo, ear-traing etc., using something that is more familiar to them - moving their bodies. It was also cool to see that my once shy little guy is coming out of his shell and is actually taking on a leadership roles. Sweet.

Here are some additional links for Dalcroze Eurhythmics:

http://www.dalcrozeusa.org/
https://www.msu.edu/user/thomasna/

I'll be back Monday with something New!

Trying Something NEW

Day 2: TEA TIME

I have to admit that I have always been a coffee girl, my habit has now brought me up to a staggering 4-5 cups a day, but I have decided to give afternoon tea a try instead. So, for Day 2 of my try something new project I went out to my neighbourhood shop to find something new.



I came home with a sampling of teas from Steep and Infused , a local company which was previously unknown to me (yay, another NEW thing!).

Today's choice was Japanese Cherry (a japenese green sencha tea with rose petals and natural cherry flavour) and I am so happy that I tried something New! The smell alone made me feel all warm and fuzzy and the exotic taste really made the whole ritual enticing. I think this new thing could stick:)

Do you have a favourite tea I should try?

Thanks for sharing my Something New today. Penny

2010 Trying Something New

Ok, I realize it's a little late for a new year's post. It's already January 20th and I haven't updated my little blog in oh so long, yet here I am, with renewed hope and promise for a new year - 2010 - holy moley.

I would love to say that I have been away becuase I have been working feverishly on all my new goodies, but it just isn't so.

I would love to say that my adoring children have kept me tied in knots with their constant demands, but the truth is they are kind of being good at doing for themselves lately (sigh).

I would love to blame it on a busy social life full of glamourous events and outings that take me away from home and computer for days on end. Actually, that's not entirely true either, I kind of like my quiet life and close friends and small gatherings.

The HONEST truth is that I have been in a rut. A post-holiday kind of rut that has made me rethink life, work, and my general well-being. BORING! So, after I was done feeling sorry for myself, I decided to embark on a little something to jump start my creative juices again.

2010 will be the year of the NEW for me. I decided to try at least one (1)new thing everyday and document it here. It may be a new craft, a new food, or just a new challenge to make my small little life (which I have to say is rather ok as it is) just a tiny bit larger.

Today is DAY 1. I took a sewing machine esstentials class at the adorable Workroom and finally learned, or at the very least tried to sew. It actually wasn't today, it was 2 weeks ago, but I had to start somewhere and I wanted it to be with this post becuase I was so very proud of myself (even with all the little imperfections).



Here's to trying something NEW, I'll be back tomorrow with another new adventure - I really am looking forward to what 2010 will bring.