End of the Season at Cascade Gardens

About two weeks ago my kiddos, our neighbour, Sue, & I took a walk into town. It was a beautiful Saturday, and while I usually have a ton on my plate, I had nothing that needed to be done. My hubby was finishing up a painting project in our garage, and needed the kids, who associate Daddy with bikes and play time if he is near the garage, out of his hair. We ambled to town, where a triathlon was finishing up. One of the things I like most about living in a National Park, is that there is always something going on. We walked to Shakes, to have one of our favourite things, Bubble Tea. If you have not had one, find somewhere to try one, NOW! I became addicted to them when I lived in Ottawa, and could get them on Somerset in Chinatown. On our walk back home, we stopped at the Cascade Gardens, which provide a lovely little shortcut to our house. The Gardens were amazing, and I kicked myself for normally walking the other way to town. How could I have been missing all of these beautiful poppies and African daisies? As tourists snapped away, so did I. And I felt grateful, once again, to live in such an amazing place, and happy that we walked through the gardens before the frosty mornings got to the flowers.

Three Artists on a Day Trip - High River & Nanton, Alberta - Part Two

If you missed Part One you can read it here....

Self Portrait in antique store, Nanton

After Dea, Millie, and I left High River, we headed to Nanton. Dea is working on an artists book, and the images that inspired it, were from Nanton. She had originally wanted to make collage using the images, but decided there was enough of a story line to warrant a book. And since she now NEEDED more photos for her book, and since one of my hobbies is collecting old images of other peoples' families, I begged to go along.

Ghost from the past.

The hands of time have stopped...

I heart cigar boxes...

Oh yes, another self portrait

Millie & I

Every orphaned typewriter I see, I want to take home...

Dea & Millie at the Tumbleweed Cafe

Oh, I am SURE we will!

Ladybugs were everywhere at Annie's in High River, we ended up with a stow away....

Dea did find her photos and letters. I found some as well. And some more silverware for my spoon assemblages, a few books, some buttons, and a charming little camera, all to be shared another day.... 

 Where is your favourite place to hunt for treasures?

Three Artists on a Day Trip - High River & Nanton, Alberta - Part One

Last Sunday, my wonderful hubby stayed home with our kiddos while I went on a highly anticipated day trip with my dear friend, Dea Fischer, and her amazing daughter, Millie Rose. None of us are morning people, so it is nice that nothing was open at our final destination until noon. We rolled out of Canmore in Dea's jeep, our first stop: High River...

When you get three artists into a car, with nothing to do but look at the scenery and chat, of course we talk about art. Actually, I think we talk about art everywhere... anyway, it was a real treat to get to talk with Dea about our separate and joint ventures. We both always have something on the go, and it is nice to hear about what the other is up to. We just completed joint and single submissions to the 2012 CREATE in California and are working on a book proposal...

After about 2 hours, maybe it was less, we arrived in the beautiful little town of High River. The gorgeous little houses struck me right away. I live in a completely over priced condo/town house in Banff. I get house envy when I go to small towns like this because I know I could have a huge house with a huge yard and garden if I lived anywhere other than Banff. But, of course, not many people have the privilege I do, being able to actually live in a National Park, so I accept and love our little abode in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. But, the artist in me dreams of a more picturesque home, instead of a cookie cutter one... oh well.

Our mission in High River was to visit our friend, artist and owner of Art and Soul Gallery, Annie Froese. I met her while giving artist demonstrations at Canmore's ArtsPeak Arts Festival earlier this year. She and her friend, Larissa Mclean, were sharing a studio in the same area I was, as part of The Edge Gallery's, leg of the art tour. They are both colourful, beautiful women, who make colourful, beautiful art. We traded work and contact info and promised to see each other again. I bumped into Larissa at the Canmore Mountain Market a couple of weeks ago, by surprise. I am glad I did because she was not able to be there to meet us. Annie, invited us to come to her gallery for a little show and tell of our work.

As we were looking for Art & Soul, Dea noticed some beautiful geraniums along the sidewalk, and exclaimed, "That must be it!". She was right. Both Annie & Larissa are synonymous with flowers, in my mind. We parked the car and headed to the back of the gallery where Annie's garden and her studio is. Both are so lovely!!

We spent a couple of hours enjoying the gardens, exploring the gallery, drooling over Annie's studio space, eating lemon meringue pie, photographing one another, show and telling our latest work, and making plans for future visits. Dea & I would love to teach classes at Annie's one weekend, and to play with Annie in art making as well.

Here are some photos of the fun we had... you will notice a couple of photos of ladybugs. They were everywhere and an element of the trip that I will always remember...

Part Two will continue our fun with photos and tales from Nanton...

Quinny's First Day of Ballet

I studied ballet and pointe for 12 years. I also learned tap, jazz, and character. I have fond memories of those days and have always hoped to join an adult ballet class. I am not one to push the things I like onto my children so when Quin asked to take ballet last year I was happy it was her own idea. And as long as she wants to study it, I will find a way to make it happen. This was her first day, earlier this week (I love her Converse High Tops with her ballet wear)...

Mail Art Fun at Craft Cafe

Claire Wilkinson of the Banff Snail Mail Society

On Friday night, we were lucky enough to have Claire Wilkinson, of the Banff Snail Mail Society, at Craft Cafe. The first time I heard of Claire was at the Banff Public Library, a place I am quite fond of. When I walked in and read a poster saying that on Thursday nights I could make mail art, using vintage typewriters, I was sold. But, at the time, I had a wee one, and evenings were difficult for activities. Fast forward to this summer, when I started to talk with Claire at the Banff Community Greenhouse, where we both have a plot. By the end of the conversation, I had figured out who she was. I asked her about an upcoming workshop she was holding, and about some supplies I was looking for, and she sweetly wrote back to me via Etsy, where I have a shop. Ever since then, I have been wanting to invite her to Craft Cafe. I finally did and was thrilled when she said, "YES!"

Mail Art by Sheena Miller

Mail art started in the 1960s, and is simply visual art that goes through the postal system. Here is a brief history.

I plan to write a blog post for Highline Magazine about Claire's evening at Craft Cafe, so I won't spill the beans here. Just wanted to share a couple of photos. And to say how pleased I am that Claire generously provided a little maintenance for my little gem of a typewriter. She gave me a new ribbon for it, is reinking my old one, and taught me that I have a highly sought after machine. It is from 1949 and they sell for up to a $1,000 completely refurbished!! I won't part with mine. I am thrilled! I won't even say how little I paid for it... ok, $25!! Amazing...

My lovely little Royal...

My favourite key... thank goodness, I have shift freedom ;)

Ok, I will be sure to keep you "posted" about my Highline blog post from Craft Cafe. In the meantime, please leave me a comment if you like to create and send mail art. Would you please share some links to your work or to any info you would like to share about this movement...