Off Off and Away!

Last week Wednesday, I was feeling pretty good. Why? I finished putting the last touches on my Christmas cards on December 17th - but better late than never! I've wanted to do this many times in years past, but I would get started too late, be uninspired for a design, and eventually we would have steamrolled right into the new year with another Christmas passing by in a blur.

Check out that stack!

This year I have at least a dozen cards going out today (I'm glad I had enough money for postage - some of these are international) and each time I sat down to write another card, I was reminded of how I met that person. Some were friends I met in college, some I met because we shared similar tastes in movies, and some because we were involved in the same hobby at that time. Others make up family that I'm keeping in contact with, and others I'd just like to send a warm thank you for supporting me.

This year's card: Season's Greetings! Festive in red!

It made me think about, well, me. (I know that sounds a little funny to read - trust me, it felt that way to write it!) I always hoped I'd get the chance to know people who lived in different places, and now as I look back, that desire has come true. I've got people in my hometown, folks just across the border, and even a few overseas.

An inside view, with plenty of room for a personal message.

Sometimes I get down on myself for feeling as if I haven't grown in the ways I wanted to, but making and writing these cards has reminded me how much of an impact these people have made in my life, and the positive impact I've made on their lives.

You don't have to be sending dozens of cards during the holiday season, or even have your mailbox full of letters. Just as long as you can call, email, text, or write one person and tell them how much they mean to you makes all the difference to them... and for you.

Happy Holidays :)

Creatively Christine

Snow Day

Yes, that is a man walking his wee dog in all this weather.

Since I'm staying in, today will be a crafting day. We'll see what sort of creative mischief I can get into.

It's been snowing all night, with still no sign of stopping! I'm glad I decided to avoid the traffic. Later on I'll get in to the snow and clear the driveway. Until then, time for another cup of tea!

Creatively Christine

HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING!

No... wait. That's not right, is it?

Yes it is!

For those in USA, this past weekend marked Thanksgiving. You know, turkey with all the trimmings resulting in a food coma by the end of the evening. For those of us in Canada, we celebrated our Thanksgiving back in October, hence the name of this get together - Friendsgiving.

It's a chance for our group to get together, practice our cooking skills (we're forgiving if a dish doesn't quite come out the way it was intended - but we might tease you about it for weeks to come!), and assemble one last time before holiday commitments fill our calendars.

It was a smaller crowd than in the past, but check out this year's spread!

I'm thankful I was able to capture this even though I left my camera behind! And spending time with friends!

Mmmm! Coconut curry soup, green beans, carrots, mashed sweet potato with garlic, stuffing, cranberry sauce, quiche, and of course - TURKEY with gravy!

Please excuse my photos - I forgot my camera a home! So my iPod had to make due. No pretty close-ups this time. :(

What were you thankful for this year? Sometimes we have a tendency to overlook the good stuff because we've been bogged down by the negative. I know I do it. But this year take some time to think about it - find those little things to appreciate. There may be more than you realize.

Creatively Christine

We're Off To The Fair!

Two weekends ago (my time DOES fly!) I had the pleasure of attending The Royal with my friends.

For those that might not know, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair takes place every November in Toronto. It's a great family event and experience for students to learn all about best in agriculture, local food, and equestrian competitions from across the country. It's the largest combined international equestrian competition and indoor agricultural fair in the world!

A little more history on The Royal, from their website:

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the product of the vision and determination of a handful of industrious farmers just after the First World War. Lead by W.A. Dryden, a Shorthorn cattle breeder from Brooklin, Ontario whose idea it was to create a National agricultural exhibition that would be the showcase of the best of the best in Canadian agriculture. Dryden saw this as a way to help improve all domestic animal breeds and establish national judging standards. So in 1918 he gathered all the prominent livestock associations together and outlined his vision for the exhibition. This group agreed with Dryden's vision and set up a committee with Dryden as its chairman. The original name of the committee was The Agricultural Winter Fair Association of Canada, but was later changes to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association of Canada after His Majesty King George V granted permission to use the word "Royal".

It took Dryden and his committee another 4 years to see their vision become a reality when the first Royal Agricultural Winter Fair opened November 22, 1922. 91 Years later The Royal remains the main event in the agricultural calendar for farmers, horse lovers, livestock breeders, buyers, sellers, food lovers and visitors young and old. No other fair or agricultural exhibition can compare to The Royal, where each year, champions are crowned from the best of the best in Canadian agriculture.

My favourite part has always been seeing the animals! Sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas, cows, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, chickens... whew! I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

"If I see this on Instragram... I swear by my pretty floral bonnet: I will end you."

Bees! So very important to the environment in more ways than I could count! We spent a good five minutes trying to find the elusive queen, sadly with no luck.

For the little ones, and big ones, there was a petting zoo filled with goats, sheep, a cow, and even some alpacas. I think this is the one part I wish I could have gotten better photos.

"I find your lack of butter disturbing."

Talk about playing with your food! The butter carving competition looked fierce. Blue ribbon for second place, and a red ribbon for the winner! Of course I had to add in Darth Vader himself.

This something I definitely need to work on - my action photography. I have so many shots of the equestrian competition, and only a few came out with any sort of clarity of the horse and rider. My friend gave me a few tips on the fly, the results of which you can see above. Her advice - instead of staying stationary as the horse comes through the frame (and hoping to catch the horse in a clear shot) follow the horse through the course and keep it at the centre of the frame while shooting.

Practise will certainly make perfect with this technique.

What else do I love about The Royal? The food, of course! I don't have any photos to share because it's very difficult to taste all that deliciousness while holding a DSLR in one hand. I tasted artisan cheeses (who knew you could flavour goat cheese in so many tasty ways?), pleasing jams (of which I took home a jar of wild blueberry), Canadian-made teas, (Canadian Shield sounds like a great tea for cold and flu, doesn't it?), and I purchased a starter kit to grow quinoa at home. The food court featured fair favourites like poutine, funnel cake, and CORN DOGS! This food has a special place in my heart, so of course I had to get one. There were also more international items like fajitas, tacos and sushi, as well as wraps, bubble tea, smoothies and so many other vendors it's all a colourful blur.

I loved going to The Royal as a child on field trips and that love has stayed with me into adulthood as I can now appreciate even more all that it has to offer. 

Until next year!

Creatively Christine

BOOM! WHAM! KRACK-OW!

I've been waiting a long time to share this particular project on here because - guess what? Instead of just recording another project I'd like to start, this is one I finished! I completed it a few weeks ago, but since it was a gift, I couldn't share it without ruining the surprise.

POW! CRASH! BAMF! Comic book magnets!

Bonus Serenity for good measure!

Loki, mischievous as always.

Aren't they great? And a great way to introduce more fandom into daily life. These little guys feature Hellboy, Nightcrawler and Loki.

For her birthday, I asked my friend what her fave comic book characters were, and set out to find them - but I realized that most of these are newer characters that I might not find in the dollar bin at my local comic book shop. So a better solution for me was to find the images online, which worked because I didn't have to buy comics for 3-4 different characters. Instead I was able to save the images I needed, size them for print, purchase my supplies, and craft away!

Baby Hellboy!

TIP: I noticed the magnets I purchased made a few scuff marks on my white fridge. Solution? A bit of clear top coat nail polish on the back, and all was well.

You can see the thin coat of clear nail polish on the back of this piece.

I think I should make some for myself, but I'm into several fandoms.

Hmm... Doctor Who magnets, anyone? Or perhaps Sailor Moon? :)

Creatively Christine

Afternoon High Tea

As the weather turns colder, and we start bundling up in our autumn attire - what better way is there to spend a lovely fall afternoon than with friends and a cup of tea?

Now this might not be your 'cup of tea' - but for our group of eight ladies that came together to celebrate the birthday of one of our own, it was an outing I was looking forward to all week!

Afternoon Tea is a ritual that requires participants to slow down and take the time to enjoy conversation, as well as delicious little goodies. Believe me, by time we got to the hotel, I was hungry even though I ate a good brunch!

After making my tea choice (everyone got their own individual pot of tea), I was eager to begin. Usually I stick to a few particular blends: most variations of green tea (when brewed appropriately), and Earl Grey combinations. Not terribly interesting, is it? For this occasion I wanted something lighter and fruity. I like to have my teas 'black' – without milk or sugar. 

For me, choosing is the hardest part. I know what I like, and there are many choices that cater to that, but I was considering each tea in the collection - which made for a daunting task. Each one seemed better than the last! But I did make a decision! My choice for this occasion ended up being a brew that featured passion fruit and turned out to be perfect.

But what is afternoon tea without the food?

MMMmm~! Scones and sandwiches. What is it about small sandwiches that makes them taste so good? Just looking at these photos again is making me hungry – is it lunch time yet?

Clockwise from top: Cucumber with Sundried Tomato Paste and Dill Cream Cheese, Grilled Chicken with Granny Smith Apples Citrus Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt & Chives, and finally Smoked Salmon with Wasabi Sour Cream and Salmon Caviar

We were treated to the mouthwatering choice of scones with two flavours of preserves and Devon Cream, sandwiches, tarts, and of course, petits fours – the dessert!

Clockwise from left: Lemon Square, Coffee Tart, Homemade Marshmallow, Chocolate Flourless Cake with Raspberry, Pumpkin Tart, and Cheesecake with Strawberry. So fancy.

I'm a sucker for cheesecake, and I love strawberries - so of course I had to have that one! Since it's fall, I chose the pumpkin tart too. Gotta get in all my pumpkin eatin' now! I heard wonderful things about the flourless cake in the form of delighted moaning. Maybe I should have chosen differently?

Another Happy Birthday~!

I vote we make this an annual event!

Creatively, Christine

I Love It When A Recipe Comes Together

Living in Canada has left me befret of a delicious American institution: The Cheesecake Factory.

I've visited this restaurant once in my life, but it left quite an impression! So imagine my surprise when I find a recipe that mimics their Avocado Egg Rolls! This recipe is courtesy of The Novice Housewife.

These rolls are little bites of heaven.

THESE. TURNED. OUT. AMAZING. 

But since I’m my mother’s daughter, of course I changed up the recipe to suit~ :)

This duplication called for cilantro/coriander which I didn't add because I don’t like cilantro, (I find it’s flavour to be too strong and distinctly overpowering) and I reasoned that if I bought coriander instead, chances are the rest would go to waste seeing as I don’t usually cook with it. So curly-leaf parsley was my swap.

Regular tomatoes are featured in this appetizer, because, well, sun-dried tomatoes are expensive! I diced them up just the same, making sure to remove the watery part of the slices so they wouldn’t make the filling mushy.

I don’t have a deep fryer, so my go-to was a small, deep pot with a base that could take enough heat to get the oil hot enough for frying. I will admit, this was after I learned that a frying pan is not necessarily right for all types of frying needs... Since I used a smaller pot, I didn’t have to use so much oil to get it deep enough to fry the rolls two at a time. All I needed was about an inch of canola oil.

There was no dipping sauce because the recipe called for cashews (and I’m allergic), but I’m certain that if I bought a tamarind dipping sauce (the same used for samosas!) it would be a perfect match.

The results were delicious! And what's even better is that most of the ingredients (except for the egg rolls) are items we usually have at home. The egg rolls didn't even cost $2!

This turned out to be a really great recipe - because living in Southern Ontario means the closest Cheesecake Factory is in Buffalo! This recipe will make a nice addition to my party finger-food repertoire.

Creatively, Christine

Not Sari About This Purchase

I apologize for the pun!

Sometimes you see something, and it's such a good buy, you can't HELP but purchase it – even if you have no idea at the time what you can create or upcycle from it.

Enter a purchase from my local charity shop: a burgundy sari.

A sari, or saree is a South Asian female garment that consists of a drape varying from five to nine yards in length, and two to four 
feet in breadth, that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff. (source)

I was wandering through the aisles, just passing a bit of time, when I saw this gorgeous silk fabric peeking out from between random bedding sheets. Yes, you read that correctly – bedding. It had been sorted into the 'bed/bath and other section'. Which is a shame, but I suppose it's a great set of circumstances for me. There were a few other saris, but this one really caught my eye.

Now the task remains: what can I create from this gorgeous length of embroidered silk?

I've been searching all over for different projects, from pillow cases, to long vests, handbags, skirts and everything in between – but I think I've settled on a dress or mid-length skirt. I'd rather have something wearable than decorative to do justice to this amazing find.

Creatively, Christine

Make a Birthday Wish

Happy Birthday Christine~!

I'm about to turn a year older, and as always when you get to a certain age, this event brings with it a lot of reflection about 'the road so far...' You start asking yourself questions that never would have crossed your mind but for this once-a-year event. (I'll leave you to fill in the blanks as to what these questions might be.)

It can all be, well, a little overwhelming.

Recently, I've found out something about myself - I live happily when engaged in creative pursuits - even if all I'm doing is learning something new. Researching and making new projects is what keeps me happy! If I'm not being creative in some aspect of my life (beyond work) I'm just not myself.

This past year I've coloured my hair (for which I've always gone to the salon), and sold my hair accessories at a convention - for a profit, imagine that! I also tried picking and canning for the first time, and taken so many amazing photos. With each of these projects and much more, I've enjoyed the entire creative process from inception to completion - even the stumbling along the way~!

So here's to another productive year - may all my glue hold, my stitches never fray, and the food make mouths water!

Creatively, Christine