Well, as they say, another one bites the dust.

ARTistry 2007 came to a close on Sunday at 5pm with the last of our participants trickling out of the Art Centres doors at 4:55pm. It was a great event by all accounts with lots of tired, creatively charged up students expressing to me how much they enjoyed themselves and the workshops offered.

I’ve held many workshop events before [ARTwerx 2002, 03, 04 and 05] that focused on mixed media, collage and altered art and featured multiple instructors of 8 or more each time; but never before have we had this mix of scrapbookers and mixed media artists. I confess it was a bit of an experiment. This uniquely developed event combined scrapbooking and mixed media art and was an educational mix that I firmly believed would foster creativity, inspiration and artistic growth. We wanted to push students out of their ’safe’ creative boxes and encourage them to experiment with techniques and styles that they might normally have not considered. I think everyone walked away pleasantly surprised and artistically refreshed; it was wonderful seeing the excitement and joy in the student’s eyes. So cool…

This weekend, the blending of mixed media artists and scrappers was magic, bringing together two distinct art groups. I hope we bridged the gap for artists from both sides to come together, learn and experiment. To our participants and instructors: Thank you for taking the leap and trying out things you may not have voluntarily signed up for; thank you for trusting our instructors; and thank you for pouring your hearts into this inspirational weekend.

Before I forget, I must thank the crew at Clipper Street in Langley, in particular Cory for jumping on board and providing a great night’s entertainment for our local and out of town artists. Everyone, including the instructors, all had a great time and I truly appreciate your unwavering support and bolstering of my spirits throughout the event prep [when my mfg. product was delayed, jeopardizing the class kits LOL! You were right… they showed up just in the nick of time!] and during the event when you offered me a place to nap in your office LOL! Here is a quick peek at some of the antics from the Clipper Street ARTistry All Night Crop.

Props also go out to our class and goodie bag sponsors… we appreciate all your support and will be knocking on your doors again next year =)

• Lazar StudioWERX
• Fontwerks
• Melissa Frances
• Lovebug Scrapbooking
• Pick of the Patch Scrapbooking
• Clipper Street Scrapbooks
• Bazzill Basics
• Heidi Swapp
• 7 Gypsies
• Ruby Dog’s Arthouse

I’ve added a gallery of photos, taken this weekend on Day 1 and 2 of the event, check it out here. [I actually got to have a little fun on Day 3 and sat in on Ali’s class for part of the day on Sunday, so much fun!] It was so amazing watching the creative process each student went through and their unique ways of working and interpreting the same projects. Awesome!

To my amazing instructors and friends. THANK YOU!

• Ali, Claudine and Donna:
  Without you three, this event couldn’t have happened. I applaud your inspiring, artistic vision and truly appreciate your willingness to experiment with me in this unique event. Love you guys!
• Claudine:
  You rocked the Poppets(R) this weekend girly and we ALL miss you already - especially Lulu.The Star Wars room is ready whenever you want to visit!
• Ali:
  You are a delight, hilarious, patient and a wonderful inspiration to me in so many ways. I am so glad to call you friend. Love you!
• Donna:
  You make me laugh with your repeated requests to hear me say process, about and lever. Your ‘drilldo’ will forever be etched in my brain. F***ing A***hit. Love you too!
• Gen:
  My friend and co-conspirer of arty. Thank you for dragging yourself in early to help on Friday even though you were still sick. Thanks for keeping me entertained and sane. Thanks for sharing your table and supplies with me on Sunday. Thanks for just being, well, you.
• Terry:
  My rock of Gibraltor, my hero and my beloved sherpa. Without you none of this [our business, my art, this event, our life] would be possible. I love you more than you know. <MWAH> xoxo

So that’s about it… I’m absolutely exhausted and creatively charged up at the same time. My studio is a small disaster and I’m back to regular work tomorrow. Life is good.

So it begins… I always love and dread this day. This is the day that things can go wrong, go left, go right, go fast and go sloooooow. Today… it was a great day.

I dread the first day because if things are going to go sideways, it usually happens between 9-10am. Today, morning check-in went really well and nearly everyone arrived on time, in the miserable Vancouver weather. Gen was a tremendous help [thank you girly girl!] and Terry [#1 honey, hubby and sherpa] was amazing. He’s ALWAYS got my back. A supportive and truly an amazing man - I LOVE you sweetie.

I also LOVE the first day because I know that once 10am rolls around, whatever craziness that could happen, has happened and most people just settle into their art weekend ready to recharge their creative juices.

Everyone, by all reports, had a great first day. Scrapper’s who had never worked in mixed media were shaking up their artistic repetoire with Claudine. Mixed media artists who had never scrapped, were scrappin’ up a storm with Donna. Ali’s class was incredible and very special, it is a one-time only class program that won’t be repeated anywhere else. AWESOME day!

Here are a few quick shots from the first day of classes…

Before we head off for the first day, here is the quick update on Kodiak…

NO CANCER!!! Whooooo hoooooo! The lump is a salivary gland inflammation that will be monitored, but the overwhelmingly great news is that my black lump, big boy Kodi is cancer free.

I’ll post again later today when I have a few more minutes.

This statement couldn’t be more true than at this very precise moment. Here’s why…

1. CRAZY workload at the regular office right now… OT everynight for a week.
2. ARTistry 2007 - an event I’ve been organizing, baby-sitting, etc.. for 6 months starts in less than 2 days and I have 70+ Kits to pack that are STILL missing product from one mfg. Oh well, shit happens and as usual - I roll with it.
3. People start arriving for ARTistry 2007 tomorrow and there are hotel check-ins and airport pick-ups to do..
4. Cleaned my house very very thoroughly last night just for my special guest/friend Claudine, who is teaching at ARTistry 2007 this weekend. SOOOOO happy she’s staying with us instead of at a lonely hotel - so are the kitties =)
5. Have had the work week from hell with 2 major press deadlines, work to be finished before I’m off for 3 days and just general crazy crazy happening here.
6. Had the kitties into the vet for surgeries this week [yes, I know… STUPID STUPID STUPID!]:
   • Lulu had her 4.5 month old spaying and is doing fine. She ended up with a minor tooth infection that inflamed her gums and lip [I noticed Monday night], so she’ll be on antibiotics for a few days.
   • Kodi had his dental cleaning with no problems… He also had a pea-sized lump in his lower cheek/jaw area removed [a teeny, tiny little bit was left because the vet saw no point in pushing farther into the area that necessary and causing undo trauma]. The only problem is that it doesn’t look like a simple cyst [as we had hoped] and may be a tumor. It’s being biopsied over the next few days and we’ll know better what is going on by Friday. Our vet doesn’t believe that it’s cancer and based on how he has been acting since we noticed it, I would agree and probably is just a beign tumor. It’s near/on his salivary gland… so, if it is a non-cancerous tumor [which it IS - visualize visualize] then we leave it alone and just monitor it for growth an/or change. If it’s his salivary gland, we also leave it alone, since it really doesn’t seem to be bothering him much and just monitor it’s size and drain as required. To remove the salivary gland is MAJOR, DANGEROUS surgery and there is no way in H-E-double hockey sticks I’m putting him through that. NO WAY… so we wait.
7. Bringing home the kitties tonight. Kodi has a cone on his head, it’s hilarious… photos to come definitely! and Lulu has a small incision in her abdomen that is healing - just gotta make sure she’s not picking at it too much.
8. Have to finish the teachers class lists
9. Have to pack the goodie bags
10. Have to make a few small signs
11. Have to make one quick and small trip to Pt. Roberts for a package that was mislabelled and didn’t get picked up today - shit!
12. Have to pick up some groceries, paper towels, wax paper and a COSTCO run
13. Have to try and sleep for a few hours…

All this has to happen BEFORE 9am on Friday March 23. I just keep saying to myself  "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…"

I think I’m insane…

I’m taking a live national IQ test tonight called Test the Nation… Hmmm, should be interesting! I may report back with the results - if they are favorable LOL!

Updated 10:15pm PST:  The National IQ Test is finished and I did relatively well. Here were my results…

• Language: 9 out of 12. Synonyms and Antonyms I rocked, but damn, I hate those Comparison and Proverb questions!
• Memory: 3 out of 6. Not so good. CLEARLY I need to play some more online Memory games or something to wake that part of my brain up.
• Logic: 12 for 12!!! This was a shockingly great score for me. I’ve always thought of myself as a logical person, this test proves it LOL!
• Visual Memory: 3 out of 6. Again… memory. Not so good… Geez I hope this isn’t a sign of early Alzheimers. Must start taking ginseng and whatever other ancient chinese herbs will help with memory retention.
• Math: 9 out of 12. Pretty good results here. I had figured this would be my worst area, guess not.
• Perception: 9 out of 12. I rocked the Puzzle pieces 4 for 4, but the last three Series shapes threw me off my game.

Overall my score was 45 out of a possible 60, which based on my age puts my IQ at 118. That’s pretty darn good, in fact… it’s above average! The range is 90-109 = Average IQ, 110-129 = Above Average IQ and 130+ = Superior IQ.  Well Boo Boo, looks like I am smarter than the average bear. Cool!

In the meantime, here are some new goodies for the DigiWERX productline in our online store: A cool set of Vintage Ledger Journalling Spots! To purchase and download the files visit our website by clicking here.

Here is a preview of these fun ’spots’…

GUESS who was caught in the fireplace again. Not actually IN the act this time, more like the aftermath of an afternoon romping in ashes and trying to figure out HOW to get the birds at the top of the chimney… Yep, little miss Lulu.

We arrive home from work on Wednesday evening, was greeted by our evening welcoming committe, as per usual; however, we noticed a very big difference in Miss Lu’s feet… Gone were her lovely, frisky white back leg stocking and front toes! In there place were dark, nearly black, furry fireplace cleaners. YAY! Welcome home Mom and Dad! <Meow> I love you… <meow> purr purr purr.

Well… up she went with us into the bathroom and got a bath in the sink with mild shampoo and lots of water! Amazing how strong a barely 2lb cat can get when she DOESN’T want a bath. Should have thought about bath time and water BEFORE you ventured behind the fireplace screen huh Lulu?? Maybe next you’ll think twice.

Here is the evidence of her naughty afternoon:

Evidence File:

Yeah… we still love her =) and no we’re not giving her up for adoption. Good try!

Tonight, late, after the Canucks hockey game… as usual, silliness ensued and we discovered that Lulu has a unique gift. She can balance scotchtape on her head!

Yes… in the style of Oolong the Pancake Rabbit, Lulu has demonstrated exceptional skills at head balancing! I think we will work to try and develop these skills, if for nothing else than our own entertainment and fun. However, we don’t think we’ll be able to use pancakes as the Japanese rabbit did - Lulu will hoover anything edible before you can even blink an eye!

Here is Lulu exhibiting her exception skill:

Note: the scotchtape looks like a pill-box hat, very Jackie O. LOL!!

Next… Lulu as a Goaltender!

Now if only we can get her to hold a McDonald’s Mini Hockey stick… Awesome!

Here’s what I had for lunch today. Yummy looking huh? Not much nutritional content, but LOADS of fiber [I kill myself with laughter mwah ha ha ha!].

I’m knitting another felt bag in this luscious carmine red, coral and twisted wool yarns. Should be a good one! and bigger than the other two I’ve done.

Also bought a super yummy LOFT yarn in grey, chartreuse and slate blue. that will also be born from the balls as a felted bag.

Having a slow sleepy day - me thinks it’s the crazy weather… I’m looking forward to a cozy night at home with T and the furbabies.

Me Me ME!!! [Hand up in air waving furiously] 
Loooooooong night last night. Packed, invoiced, charged and prepped for shipping 25 retail orders from 8pm until 2am. We hand pack alot of our Poppet line and I’m always amazed at how long that can take some times. I’m pooped and Starbucks is my friend. I’m off to Point Roberts at lunchtime today to do the big USPS drop off, leaving me with only a couple of CHA orders left straggling as I wait for payment information.  It’s all good…

NOW, I have to switch gears and start final prep for ARTistry in 2 weeks. WHEW! There is light at the end of my crazy work tunnel… only 3 more weeks to go.

In other news…  I’m finally getting an assistant graphic designer to work with/under me, here at Parks. THANK GOD! My sanity level will undoubtedly return to normal, the tick in my left eye will stop and I’ll be a happier, calmer Christina.

Been a good couple of days around here =)
Peace OUT!

And apparently my hubby Terry’s twin lives in Australia!

We were at the Canucks Game last night [we beat Tampa Bay 5-1 - yipeee!] and a guy in front of us kept turning about to look at Terry. We thought it a little odd. Then, during the first intermission, he turned around again and after staring at T for a minute, asked him if he was from Australia. Nope we said, and then the guy explained that he knew a guy in Oz that looked EXACTLY like Terry… uncannily so. So, Glen Noble of Australia… if you are out there, or if you know him, please send us your photo! We’d love to see how much you really look like T LOL!

For me… a bit more odd thing happened after work, on the way to pick up T for the game.

My cell phone rang. Thought was T so I answered it. The guy on the line asked for ‘Chris’ - uh ya, that’s me. He proceeds to tell me he is calling from RBC [Royal Bank Canada] where I do both my business and personal banking. Then the mystery dude says that he is replacing Priscilla, my account manager and that he wishes to discuss the $350,000 deposit I have at the bank and how I would like it invested. HOLD THE PHONE… WHAT WHAT WHAT?!?

I ask: "Who are you calling?"
RBC guy replies: "Chris"
So next question: "What number are you calling?"
RBC guy: "778-231-xxxx"
Me: "Um… ok you’ve got Chrisina aka Chris on the RIGHT phone number… I have a $350K deposit in the bank?! What is the last name on the account?"
RBC guy: "Chan"
Me: "DAMNIT! That isn’t me… I’m the whitest white girl on the planet right down to my very fair skin and light blue/grey eyes. Guess my last name isn’t Chan. Can you transfer the funds to the last name Lazar-Schuler?"
RBC guy: "Sorry no. This is very weird. Same first name, same number, different last name. I would if I could just because this is toooo coincidental, but I’d lose my job. Good try though. And sorry to disappoint you."  He hangs up the phone…

WEIRDNESS…  Gen, watch out next Tuesday, who knows what craziness will ensue with the two of us taking in the Minnesota Wild next week?? We better watch for pucks!