Small Business Saturday

I am a strong believer in supporting small businesses. Especially locally owned. So when I stumbled across this website Small Business Saturday, I was so excited! I think it's a fabulous idea. Normally I don't watch tv. In fact for the longest while I refused to own a tv. Lately though I've been watching a few shows here and there and all these commercials about 'Black Friday' has me roaring (they are pretty funny) but also shuddering at the thought that I now feel guilty about my previously 'cute' and very practical Christmas gift ideas, and now has me feeling obligated to go buy ridiculous presents. The funny thing is I still didn't know what the eff a Black Friday was until I heard of Small Business Saturday. I knew it meant spending money at big name stores, but I didn't realize that's what the whole day was actually dedicated to.

So if you're feeling the itch to spend money this weekend, why not turn to small businesses? Look at your list and see what you can buy locally, or even online through small businesses (think Etsy or ArtFire ). If you're on Facebook check out fan pages for great products ( Clay Cafe Avalon , L.A Crafts , The Huggable Hoots Collection are a few of my favorite hehe). You can also check out this link for other ideas.

Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs. - treehugger.com

So I decided to join in on the fun of this Saturday Small Business idea, and from Friday, November 25 (one month before Christmas!) until Sunday Novemeber 27 at 11:30pm (Newfoundland Time - because I miss home) There will be free shipping up to $100.00 on all orders in Canada and the United States! So if you're looking for a unique holiday present, this is a great time to check out my collection! You can check them out on Facebook or on my website.

Think BIG Shop small!

A Victorian Holiday Weekend

If this weekend didn't put myself or the locals in the holiday spirit, then I'm not sure what will. The events began Friday night at the newly renovated Victoria Square. A live band played Christmas carols in the bandstand as hundreds gathered around singing along in good holiday cheer. The mayor, Rob Small, started the crowd in a countdown as he lit up the square with holiday lights. We then gathered into the church where The Amherst Regional High School's band played Christmas carols as the audience sang along. After ever song Owen clapped and requested "E-I-E-I-O". What a little cutie. The night's festivities ended at Dayle's, a local department store where Roger White read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Just before he started reading, all the lights in the store went out, as he began to read parts of the store lit up with a little scene depicting that particular scene in the story. The last set of lights lit up the beautiful staircase where students stood singing Christmas carols. I must admit, I'm falling in love with this town!

ok so this one is blurry, but you get the idea...goal for new year: new camera!

Saturday, my darling Sarah came over to help me with this silly pellet stove. It's the most simple thing to operate and yet do you think I can get it started? Not for the life of me. Luckily Sarah came to my rescue and I could paint the day away nice and toasty. Soon Beth and I headed to her gym where we met up with Owen, Kayla, and her family and some friends. We kept warm inside with hot chocolate while we waiting for the parade to come. Never in my life have a I seen a Christmas parade at night before, but it was awesome! So much hard work went into these floats. Hats off to everyone involved!
My camera isn't loving life at the moment, and therefore I ask you in advance to forgive the pictures, but I managed to find a few half decent ones just to share the fun.

I'll be posting more photos to my Facebook page later on, so pop on over there to see the rest of the pictures I salvaged hehe. Well I should get back to my painting. Lots to do before the Christmas Bazaar!

Newest Collections

After much anticipation, here it is at last, not one, but TWO new collections! I have been a very very busy soul these past few months down in the Spidey Cave! Both collections are very close to heart, which is why I wasn't sure if I was going to keep them for my private collection or let the world see. I finally decided one night as I sat staring endlessly at them, that there was a reason these images came to me. Because of that, they must be honored and left as is. Hope you enjoy them.

*For some reason I cannot access the editing aspect of my website, so for now all art can be viewed here or through my Facebook page. You can contact me by email at sadiejane26@hotmail.ca for any inquiries.

Sea, Land and Air Collection

Just Keep Swimming
2011
Acrylic and mixed medium on canvas
16x20 - $320 Plus S&H



Life's Greatest Gift
2011
Acrylic and mixed medium on canvas
16x20 - $350 plus S&H





This Journey Requires Patience
2011
Acrylic and mixed medium on canvas
20x20 - $400 Plus S&H

Metamorphosis
2011
Acrylic on Canvas
18x24 - $430 Plus S&H

A New Life
2011
Acrylic on Canvas
20x20 - $400 Plus S&H

Blackbirds
2011
Acrylic and mixed medium on canvas
6x12 - $80 Plus S&H

And as a surprise, I second collection. This one is a mini collection. The first 4 paintings I created when I moved here

Home - petite collection

Home
2011
Acrylic on Canvas
4 8x8 paintings - $65 each or $250 for the whole series Plus S&H



The Cat Came Back

Well, the cat came back. I have three darling whisker faces at home (well four if you include my boyfriend, he has quite the whisker face himself haha) but they are all indoor kitties. So when I found out Jake was an outdoor kitty, I was a bit curious how this would work. Last night as I prepared to settle down for the night and get ready for bed, I went outside with the bag of treats and shook them as I called out to Jake. Nothing. I started shaking the bag a little more vigorously. Nadda. Went to other doors, opened them, shook the bag..still not a thing. My heart started to race. This is not best kind. Finally, just as I gave up and turned to head inside, a hear the most precious little meow. Jake!! You came back! What a sigh of relief. When it came time for bed, I scooped him up, brought him into the bed and hoped for the best. He curled up on my housecoat and purred me to sleep. He was still there when I woke up this morning. Oh I'm in kitty heaven. It's been too long.

On another sigh of relief, I have decided to make no changes to my paintings. I stared for hours at two paintings that had been bothering me the most. Paired together, I truly like them. This could change with the next wave of emotions granted, but for now, I am at peace with my collection once again. So I shall start snapping some pictures and get them posted soon. Unless my mind changes again haha. Oh my.

Well I should get going. I want to get down to the gym again to help Beth paint the offices so she can start renting them out. Oh it's so hard to do anything when you have an awesome cat like Jake around to snuggle all day.

Settling In

Here I am at my temporary home for the next month. I must have been a nomad in a previous life, because I can't seem it sit still in this one haha. I pulled into the driveway and just as I got out of the car, Jake (the kitty of the house) appeared on the doorstep to greet me. Filled with purrs, kisses and a cute little meow, we went inside and dipped into the treats bag. I think I'm on his good side.

It was so weird packing up my art supplies and a few other things at Beth's house. As I loaded up the car, I couldn't bring myself to get in it and drive away. I sat on the front step playing with Noel (Beth's dog), then puttered around inside waiting for Beth to get home from work. Finally I decided to just hit the road. I'm not a fan of night driving at all. Sure I'm just getting used to day driving haha. I sent her a txt and off I went.

So here I am, with a vegetarian lasagna in the oven and a bowl of ice cream to tie me over til dinner is ready haha. As I was preparing dinner, part of me felt 19 again. Living on my own for the first time, in my own little apartment. I remember that first night, as I sat down with my pizza and juice and the little tv that came with the place, just defended by the silence of living alone. I quickly learned to love this feeling, though it was scary that first night. I couldn't help but smile as the memory danced in my head. Life has taken me so far from that August night. I turned on the radio, struck up a conversation with the cat (he's quite the little chatter you know) and went on my way. Being alone can be the most wonderful and rewarding thing when you use that time in a healthy way. I have a little planner here next to me which I want to fill out tonight or tomorrow, so much I want to do with all this "me" time over the next 4 weeks.

No word from the paper yet. However, he did only apply Friday, and it was a holiday, so I will practice patience. Well, we both will practice, he's pretty anxious as well. Lots of positive energy.

Now, to tackle to the painting situation. Having doubts about my collection is not the best frame of mind to be in when I want to put them on display for the holidays. The more I look at the particular two I brought with me tonight, the more I wonder if I really need to change anything, or start over. It's always the paintings I dislike the most that people seem to be drawn to. And truly, it's not about worrying what people think or if they will sell (ok to some degree it is lol). That's just a bonus really. But in all honesty painting for me is about the process, the joy in getting lost in a world of acrylics and music and canvas for hours on end. I never began painting with the intentions to sell. In fact the first time I heard someone ask if they could buy a painting I nearly fell through the floor. I'm sure there is a home out there that is perfect for one of these paintings. If not, that's ok too. I felt incredible creating them. That's all that matters at the end of the day.

Packing My Bags

Wow! Here I am hanging out with Monday morning again. Where does the time go?

Today I will  be packing my bags and moving into Karen's house for the next 4 weeks as she is off exploring the world. I'm looking forward to being on my own for a little a bit. Excited about some plans for a bit of self work before the holidays get here. I must admit it's going to be weird with Beth not around. I almost don't want to pack my bags, but it'll be lovely too. I have  lots of plans to keep me busy.

Before I get ready to settle in though I have a few things to do around the house. I also want to get down to the gym soon and help Beth with some painting. She's going to be renting some office space (hint hint for anyone looking hehe) very soon, so we're getting it all ready. I am also anxious to hear from Craig today. He sent his resume in to the local newspaper, Amherst Daily News and is hoping to contact them today. I never get my hopes up too much when he applies for work in case he doesn't get the job and has to stay in Newfoundland working at his current job. He's putting a lot of positive energy into this one, I can't help but get a little excited.

I have a funny feeling today is going to slip away in a hurry, so I must be off to get some work done. I want to make sure I can post my new collection this week. My inner critic is not impressed with some of my recent paintings. I started off loving the collection and now I am wondering if I should just start over again, or work with what I have. I guess you will just have to wait and find out. ;)

Create yourself a wonderful day and week!!

Lest We Forget

11.11.11
Lest we forget.

On this eleventh day, of this eleventh month at the eleventh hour, Canadians stop in silence as they remember the brave souls who left the comfort of their homes to fight for our protection.

To my knowledge, no one in my family fought in any of the wars. It was never mentioned to me at least. But I have stood in the empty battlefields and seen the enemy line. I have fought my own war, and I know people who have been severely impacted by war. My heart goes out to them, and to everyone else whose lives have been changed from war.

I wish there was a way that the world could take the sandbox lesson of "use your words" into adulthood instead of having to use violence. Sadly this ideal world does not exist.

For the lives lost, the scars that remain, Lest we forget.