Happy Halloween!

It was Quin's first Halloween.... well, that is not completely true, she did dress up as a dragon when she was 6 months old and went to hangout with Courtney and Lucas to hang out candy to Edelweiss kids, but at 2 1/2 this is the first Halloween where she actually knew what was going on. Thanks to a bit of a primer by the Bernstein Bears the day before, Quin was all geared up to dress like a giraffe and to go out hunting for candy. She doesn't get to eat much of that stuff, but she LOVES it, chocolate especially (chip of the old blocks), so we had no idea what to expect.

We started out the evening, after a Rocky Mountain Flatbread Pizza and salad dinner, by trick or treating in our cul-de-sac. We went to 4 houses, which was enough to fill Quin's pumpkin pail (thanks, BeGe), and for her to get a sweet grab bag, that included bubbles and halloween play dough!


Then, we walked down to the YWCA for their Halloween party. The weather was amazingly nice for Banff. Last year it was frigid, which is part of the reason we didn't trapes around with a 1 1/2 year old. This year was down right balmy. Our little giraffe actually got a bit overheated from being inside too long. The party at the Y was awesome, donations were accepted but not expected, and you should be ashamed of yourself if you didn't give one. There were craft tables, balloon animals and hats by Crazy Larry, cookie decorating, face painting, grab bags, a haunted house, and oodle ad oodles of costumed volunteers making oodles of kids happy.


After this we walked to the Community Grounds for a GIANT bonfire and a stellar fireworks display. Our friends Laurie, Jonathan, Kim, and Kevin joined us. There was hot chocolate and hot dogs. Once again, everything was complimentary. Banff really knows how to do things right. If anyone thinks there is no a good local community here, is totally wrong. There are so many cool things to do for families. As we walked home at the end of the evening we thanked our lucky stars that we live in suh a beautiful place where we can safely walk in the dark to all the going-ons in town. Thanks, Banff.


As for candy eating, Quin did have hot chocolate, a hot dog, a cookie, but she carried her pail of sweets all night and never asked to eat one. She even fell asleep with her beloved pail. She picked it back up in the morning and carried it around until lunch time, when I found her behind door, quietly eating Smarties, the evidence all over her face. For now, the pail is mine...

Recycled Art After School Program

I have been having a great time visiting the Banff After School Program on Monday's to teach Recycled Art to the students. There are usually 10-12 students aged 6-12 years old. It is a good mix of boys and girls and everyone is very enthusiast about the projects. I plan to post about it each week now that I am not so crazy busy but I will post about the last two projects here because I am bit behind. I am going to work with the program coordinator, Cheryl, to create a manual of our projects that can be used by other programs.



A few weeks ago we had a bunch of cardboard egg cartons to use up so I decided to have the kids make some little men sleeping in bed. Think The Seven Dwarves but we only made three.




And actually they turned out to be mice, ninjas, and every other little character the kids could think of. Very fun! You can see the instructions for this project here. It is one of many projects created by Alberta Egg Producers. In addition to using up egg cartons we put to use fabric remnants from old decorator books that were given to me by an interior design shop.


This week, since it is the week of Halloween, we made spider web paintings. I saw this once on a program called Mr. Maker, which my daughter watches, and I watch with just as much interest as she does. The show is made in the UK. Check out the website which has projects. For this project we used scrap matboard, which we put into a shallow metal tray. The kids picked a paint color, we used tempera, and I squirted a good sized circle of it in the middle of the matboard. Then, the kids took a marble and stuck it in the paint, then moving the tray back and forth and round and round, the marble rolled through the paint, leaving paint trails that made up a "web". While the web dried, the kids made spiders out of colored paper, markers, and googly eyes.





HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

PRE Birth Announcements AKA Pregnancy Announcements

I really am not sure what you call these, but I wanted to come up with a clever way to tell our families that we are expecting another child. With our daughter, we lived near my husband's family so we were able to tell them all in person. And we called all of my family to tell them. Now, we don't live near any of our family and the prospect of trying to decide whom to call first, and when we would have time to call up to 10 people to tell them, was a bit daunting. I have a book by Danny Seo, "The Green Martha Stewart" called Simply Green Parties. I read it a few months back and there was a project where he used baby clothes as invitations to a baby shower. When I was at my friend's children's shop, I noticed some used preemie onesies for a few bucks a piece and had an idea... I could turn them into pregnancy announcements, mail them all on the same day, sit back and wait for people to start calling us. This way, since everyone lived in different areas, and had different commitments and schedules, we could expect about a call a day. What a great way to make recycled announcements out of these ultra small onesies...

Oh My Goodness, I am 8 1/2 weeks!

My calculations were just a wee bit off, I thought I was only 6 1/2 weeks pregnant, although, I had not actually sat down with a calendar to plot it out. I wanted to wait for my first midwife appointment. Yes, I am still pinching myself, because about two weeks ago, Alberta Health announced they will begin to cover midwifery care in on April 1st, 2009! This is AMAZING news and something I have been hoping for since we moved to Alberta when our daughter was 7 months old. We had Quin in a birthing centre, in Gatineau, Quebec, with a wonderful midwives Johanne and Christine. It was such a good experience, something I will never forget, and something both Andre and I were so happy with we wanted to do it again. Midwives are well trained, generous women, who save on medical costs while providing a healthy woman who is having a routine pregnancy with a less medicalized, more personalized experience.

Here is Midwifery Philosophy of the Alberta Association of Midwives:
The practice of midwifery is based on the understanding that pregnancy, labour and birth are profound experiences which carry significant meaning for a woman, her family and her community. Midwifery is grounded in the belief that having a baby is a natural life process and an opportunity for considerable growth. The intent of midwifery care is to enhance these life experience.

Midwifery is traditionally holistic, combining an understanding of the social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, psychological and physical aspects of a woman's reproductive experience. Midwives promote wellness in women, babies and families both autonomously and in collaboration with other health care professionals.

Midwifery is a partnership between a midwife, woman and her family which is based on mutual respect. The women is the center of the childbirth experience and a great influence on the health and well-being of herself and her baby.

I am blessed to have Mireille Caron, of Canmore, as my midwife. We had our first meeting with her tonight and I am so excited not only to be pregnant but to once again be under the care of a midwife. She said our babe is due around June 7th, 2009 :)

To read more on the funding of midwives in Alberta go to the Alberta Health site.

Asparagus Lasagna YUM!

This is what I made for dinner tonight and it was amazing! Enjoy with a caeser salad, fresh baguette, and if you aren't pregnant like me, a nice glass of wine. Perfection! Here is the recipe. Recipe and photo are by Vegetarian Times.

Article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook

Thanks to Michelle Macullo, who wrote a really good article about my current show at the Banff Public Library. She really "got" me. It is always a bit strange when someone interviews you for an article, because you say what you have to say, and then don't read the article until it is in print, which at that point it is final, and if anything you said was misunderstood, there is no way to clarify. Michelle did awesome. If you would like to read the article you can go to the site or read on...

Vintage Polaroid Creates Innovative Art
Published: October 16, 2008 7:00 AM
Updated: October 16, 2008 7:34 AM

By Michelle Macullo BANFF

Making one's passion a career is a dream for most. But for Bow Valley photographer Tiffany Teske, it's a reality.

Over the years, she's made the time and effort to keep her skills sharp. More importantly, she indulges in the craft, simply for the sake of art.

During the month of October, Teske steps away from the business aspect of her career and enchants audiences with Seeing Double: Reflections on Human/Nature in Banff, a playful look at the artist's view of Banff.

The exhibit features 23 unnamed colour, double-exposure images taken with the soon-to-be-extinct Polaroid Spectra film. The juxtaposition between the human and natural elements results in an entertaining and unique peek into why Banff enchants Teske. The project took her nearly one year to complete, while she explored the relationship of humans and nature during all four seasons.

While drawn to Banff's beauty Teske, unlike many local artists, isn't driven to capture the mountain landscape on paper.

"I think there's an expectation that if you're a photographer in Banff, people assume you do landscape photography," she said. "I prefer to examine little nooks and crannies - the interplay of people."

Teske took a minimalist approach to Seeing Double, relying on "lots of junk that's useful for art," including use of a $5 Polaroid camera purchased at a thrift store, recycled mats, frames and expired film. Not only was she able to reduce her footprint, she was surprised by her efforts.

"I was thrilled when I discovered the camera worked," she grins. "I never knew what I was going to get. And because of the size (of the photos), people have to get up close to really see what the images are about."

Teske's career as a photographer was accidental. While she enjoyed the craft and tinkered from the age of seven, she didn't take formal classes until her post-secondary years of education at the University of Maine in Augusta. She intended to study nursing, but "the pieces (acquiring the necessary pre-requisites) just never fell into place." And before she knew it, she was studying photography full-time.

Since then, she's achieved renown for her work with the analog photographic process, particularly using the Polaroid films. She regularly exhibits her work in solo and group exhibitions in both Canada and the U.S.

The show's one-of-a-kind images are available framed or unframed. More information on Teske's services and products is available at www.oldesage.com

Seeing Double: Reflections on Human/Nature in Banff runs until the end of the month at the Banff Public Library Art Gallery.

30 Things in 30 Days - #25 - Buy in Bulk

In an effort to reduce packaging, it is encouraged to buy in bulk. Now, just because you buy something in bulk doesn't mean that there will be less packaging, you need to examine this on a case by case basis. For example, when you buy bulk toilet paper at Costco, you are getting enough toilet paper to last you for months, BUT each roll is individually wrapped in plastic, like at a hotel, although at least most hotels have their TP individually wrapped in paper. But, for another example, when you buy nuts, dried fruit, or dry goods in bulk you usually are reducing packaging. In the US try BulkFoods.com. In the Canada, try Bins and Bins.

Seeing Double: Reflections on Human/Nature in Banff Part Three

My Lovely Family

I had many, many wonderful people show up to my exhibit opening at the Banff Public Library. Unlike a public or private gallery on Main Street, where people may wander into an opening or vernissage in the course of an evening because they happen by, the Library openings are mostly attended by people who are invited. I did put announcements in the paper, but in the end, it was mostly people I knew at the show. I was deeply touched by the people who took the time to come and see my work, at my first solo show in Banff.


My friend and chiropractor, Dr. Dorothy and her husband.


My friend and show coordinator, Kim.

I want to thank Kim, Dr. Dorothy, Pam, Drew, and Silver, Megan and Corinne, JT, all the Mom and Kids from our neighborhood, Maureen, Annie, Louise, and William, Cheryl, Michelle, and their friends, and anyone who I hope I have not forgotten... blame it on Mommy brain :)

The icing on the cake, which really, really made me feel special, was that my friends at Victory Thrift Store, sent me flowers!! I had called the Library earlier in the day, and Kim said, "Someone sent you flowers". It had me thinking all day, who sent me flowers? When I opened them and read who they were from, I was so grateful. I go to Victory about once a week. It is the perfect place for me to find toys for Quin, and things for me to repurpose in my artwork or to use in our home. Our friends there, Nathan, Wendy, Shelley, Maureen, and Keely, are very welcoming and friendly. They even save me old books, camera, and photographs! Maureen sent the flowers on their behalf. I was so shocked by the flowers and the starting of the opening, that when Maureen walked in the door, I didn't even have the flowers out on the table :( She chided me about that! It was so good to see her, she has been sick, and I have not seen her in months, just email. I was touched that she not only sent the flowers but that she and a friend came to the show. They used it as an excuse to go out to dinner in Banff and then to come to the show. Maureen is a crafty lady, who enjoys collage and mixed media, and the work of Claudine Helmuth. We are always planning to get together and create but have not been able to. Maureen also encourages me to continue practicing how to sew. She find me books and spurs me on. Thanks to Victory! They mean so much to me that I have always given 10% of the sales in my Etsy shop to their Operation Jacket Frost Program, which provided jackets, snowsuits, boots, and other winter items to children in need.



I am a foodie, so there was plenty of food and drink to be had by our friends. I ordered mini cupcakes for the kids and adults alike, from Cozy Cave Bakery. We were also supposed to have soft pretzels from JK Bakery in Canmore, but they forgot to make my order. We had cheese, baguette, meats (which being a vegetarian I didn't order on the specified CHEESE tray), and juice from Nester's Market. And wine and spirits.

Seeing Double: Reflections on Human/Nature in Banff Part Deux

This is the second part post about my solo show at the Banff Public Library. To catch up on the first post go here. As I revealed in my post below, I found out a day before the show that I am pregnant (while battling the stomach flu)! I was glowing inside at the opening. My friend, Kim, who is also pregnant, is the one who was coordinating the show for the Banff Public Library. When I had found out she was pregnant we were talking about how fun it would be if I was pregnant at the same time, and now I am! I could barely get in the back door of the library before I told her the news :) And then I broke out the bottle of denatured wine, so we could celebrate. I was not ready to let everyone know, so this gave me a cover and Kim is due in March, so she is showing, but this allowed her to celebrate with me and during the show.



Here are some more images from the show. I also have images from that night that I will put into another post along with some stories...

I'm Pregnant!

Yes, it's true :) My husband, our daughter, and I will be welcoming this little babe into our family sometime around June 4th, 2009! We are thrilled! I found out when I was only 3 1/2 weeks along, and I am now 6 weeks, and pretty much everyone we know, knows. Stay tuned for a couple of pregnancy related posts which I have been meaning to write. My life has been so crazy! Let's just say that during the week I found out I was pregnant, I was finishing matting and framing my solo exhibit for the Banff Public Library, hanging the show, working my 2 day a week job at Silver Spoon, teaching recycled art for the Banff After School Program, as well as digital photography and ballet for the Town of Banff Community Courses, planning my exhibit opening... then I got the stomach flu in the middle of the night, took the pregnancy test the next morning, and put the cherry on top of a crazy busy week that had its share of ups and downs. Things seem to only happen to me like this. When nothing is happening, nothing happens. When everything is happening, just add some more! The news of our babe did help me through the flu, and I was happy that I was fine the next day (was hoping the nauseau was all flu related and not morning sickness) and able to go to the opening. I drank denatured (non alcoholic) wine and no one was the wiser :) although I was bursting inside!