Foto Friday: Vancouver 2010 Olympics- The Athlete’s Village

I’m in Chicago this weekend, but actually had time to write this post and schedule for another Foto Friday!

Here are some pictures of the Olympic Athlete’s Village in Vancouver.  The Village was closed to the public, but there were great views from the Cambie Street bridge.

You can see the Swiss flag, Russian, Fin, Australian and of course, Canadian flags!

These buildings have been/will be converted into condos and some buildings will be used for affordable housing.

 

THE famous Australian Boxing Kangaroo flag…this thing is HUGE!

There was a bit of controversy about this flag, since it’s not approved by the IOC.  But somehow, it survived.

The Canadian condos:

 

Happy Friday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Vancouver 2010,Athlete's village,Boxing Kangaroo,A Paper Buffet,Foto Friday,Winter Olympics,Vancouver,British Columbia

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Mojo came home!

 

Turns out, I just needed a little Bo Bunny to lure Mojo back!

 

 

I had a request to make some neutral baby cards for a friend and this Bo Bunny paper was just the thing  to get my creative juices flowing again.

Using Bo Bunny Flutter Butter Honey, Flutter Butter Willow and Flutter Butter Breeze, and my favourite combination of SU Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla, these baby cards came out perfectly!

I saw this layout on a blog (which has totally gone missing from my bookmarks) as a way of using up scrap paper.  I was instantly inspired and really love how this one turned out.  I will absolutely be using this sketch again.  The original sketch used four different patterns, but I like the look of three.

 

 

I had to laugh at myself; I hate putting panels on cards (I never measure when I’m making a card). I typically ignore those sketches and pick something else. So for my first card in nearly a month to be one with panels, is really quite shocking.  

 

 

In case you’re wondering, I did measure for this one; the Old Olive mat is approx 4” wide; each panel of DP is 1 1/4” wide. I used my MS border punch and finished the card with some Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon. On the inside is a piece of the Green DP layered on Very Vanilla, with the bottom border punched to match the front of the card.

“Hello little baby” sentiment is from the SU Sweet Little Sentiments set.

The next card, I used  the same paper, but a much different layout and stamp set.

Instead of using a horizontal piece of paper, I used SU Old Olive 1 1/4” Grosgrain striped ribbon.  I love this ribbon, but find it hard to use on a card and keep it flat enough to mail in a regular envelope, so this was a good compromise. 

I layered some more Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon.  I love this stamp, it’s from the SU Big on Spring set; I paper pieced the onesie and added some MS Turquoise glitter. 

Three turquoise rhinestones balance the bottom corner and bring out the turquoise in the DP.

I kept the inside simple again, but matching the front; using the same DP I used to paper piece the onesie, layered on Very Vanilla and Old Olive.

 

 

 

 

I’m glad to have my Mojo again; especially since my mom has requested a special Birthday Box and half a dozen Easter cards!

Happy Sunday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Bo Bunny,SU,Stampin Up,Old Olive,Chocolate Chip,Very Vanilla,Sweet Little Sentiments,Big on Spring,baby cards,handmade cards,A Paper Buffet

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You Capture- Reaching

I’ve mentioned before I’ll be starting a photography class in a few weeks, and it really can’t start soon enough.  I’m a self taught photographer shutterbug and have been taking pictures since I was 6 when I got my first camera.

I have many pictures I’m very proud of, but I’m looking forward to learning the technical aspect of photography and think my photos will just keep getting better.   I’ve had my new camera for about four months now and I just keep discovering how happy I am with it.

I’ve wanted to participate in the You Capture weekly challenge for quite some time, but this is my first ‘entry’ if you will.

This week’s challenge was “Reaching”

My little white violet; reaching for the morning sun.

Happy Saturday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: You Capture,photography,digital photography,violet,plant,reaching,A Paper Buffet

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In Concert: Marianas Trench - Massey Hall, Toronto

It’s been far too long since my last Foto Friday, so here’s a bit of a special edition.

Last week I went to Massey Hall in Toronto to see a  Marianas Trench concert.  As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve wanted to see them for a while, but missed their shows here in London last year.  I saw them perform at the Olympics, and snagged a ticket to their Massey Hall show went I got back.  I can safely say, I hope I don’t miss any future shows here in London.

(However, I will consider bringing earplugs…16 yr old girls scream in decibels which should only be created by dog whistles).

It was entirely refreshing to pay a reasonable amount for a ticket, (and I scored a 5th row seat) at an incredible venue to see an amazing performance.  No outrageous stage set, no costume changes; just music.

Great music.

I was  stoked about my seat near the stage and what I hoped was a great opportunity to take some really good concert pictures.  My photography class doesn’t start until April; I brushed up by re-reading my camera manual and making my setting adjustments to each mode ahead of time, so I wouldn’t have to spend a lot of fiddling at the concert. 

I’m thrilled! with how these shots turned out, so without further ado…

Lead singer: Josh Ramsay

 

One of the few colour shots I took; I was really feeling the black and white.

 

 

Bassist/Vocals Mike Ayley

  

 

Drummer/Vocals: Ian Casselman (he was hard to photograph; from my seat at least one cymbal was always in the way)

 

 

Guitarist/Vocals: Matt Webb

 

(I have a hard time choosing, but this one might be my favourite photo; I love the light and the shadows.)

 

 

 

 

It was hard to capture all of them in the same frame, because of the size of the stage, but I did manage to get one that I really like

 

I’ve seen 30+ different bands in concert; these guys are in my top 5, hands down.

If you haven’t checked out their latest album Masterpiece Theatre, go now.

Right now.

I mean it.

You can see the entire set of my Marianas Trench @ Massey Hall set on Flickr.

Happy Friday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Marianas Trench,Josh Ramsay,Matt Webb,Mike Ayley,Ian Casselman,Massey Hall,Toronto,Canadian Music Week,concert,photography,music,live music

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Wanted: Mojo.

Have you seen this Mojo?

Last seen: Sometime in early February. Mojo was pushed very hard to prepare for Valentines Day. I went away on Vacation and thought it would be enough time for Mojo to recover. When I returned home, Mojo was gone. I waited, and put out some supplies, hoping Mojo would return on its own. But Mojo is still gone.

Mojo, if you’re reading this, I need you. I miss you. We’ve done so many great things together, I’ll never take you for granted ever again. I’ll be more careful not to push you to the brink of exhaustion. We can figure this out. Please come home.

Love,

A Paper Buffet

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Have you ever lost your Mojo? What did you do to get it back?

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Up cycled mini envelopes!

I decided to try my hand at ‘up cycling’ or recycling…which ever term you prefer to use.

Inspired by a paper shopping bag, I created mini envelopes! I was quite pleased with how they turned out, but my real challenge was making the envelope glue to seal them.

 

Envelope glue is available commercially, but alas, here in Canada, it’s quite hard to find.  A few internet searches resulted in recipes using vinegar and gelatin.  After two batches that were simply not sticky enough, I swapped the vinegar for water as per a new recipe and it worked! A few drops of peppermint extract made it minty fresh and voila!

 

I made some mini note cards out of Kraft paper to go with the envelopes, and scored some horizontal lines in them. I like the simple card and flashy lime-green envelope combo.

 

This set is available in my Etsy store and I’ll be adding some more mini envelope and card sets soon.

I’m working on a few more projects and still trying to get back into a routine.  I’ll be going to Toronto tomorrow night after work to see one of my new favourite bands- Marianas Trench.  Their song “All to myself” caught my attention last year, but I missed their two shows in London.  I finally got to see them perform at the Olympics, and found out they were playing one show in Toronto this week.  I was lucky enough to get a ticket in the 5th row, so I’m pretty stoked about getting some good pictures and practicing my photography skills.  I only wish my photography class started sooner! (another 4 weeks until it starts).

I’ll be sharing pictures once I get back, although not sure they’ll qualify for this week’s You Capture….which is “Quiet” ;)

Happy Wednesday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: upcycled,mini envelopes,mini cards,A Paper Buffet,Marianas Trench,You Capture

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Birthday card for Dad

I still haven’t totally found my mojo, but I mustered up enough craftiness to make a birthday card for my Dad. And got it in the mail.  We’ll see if he gets it on time, but two out of three ain’t bad.

I went to my favourite place for inspiration, the Clean and Simple Blog and used FLT80 for the sketch.

I thought this was a great sketch for a masculine card (which we all know I struggle with). I used kraft paper for the base, some SU chocolate chip and striped paper I had in my stash.  Of course, SU Birthday Whimsy was used again.

I just got home from seeing Alice in Wonderland ( LOVED IT!) and now I’m getting ready to go to a friend’s place for dinner and to watch the Oscars (and eat the Chocolate pot de Crème I made yesterday).

Happy Sunday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: stamping,birthday,birthday cards,A Paper Buffet,Clean and Simple

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