Saturday, March 26, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 25:

One thing I do love to do and wish I did more often........is Bake!  I love it more than cooking!
Especially something Yummy and Artistic.  These were created because I had to compete with my Christmas Macaroon Snowmen (for Veer's School Holiday Party).  So I made Cream Puff Bunnies for Veer's Spring Concert!                                                                                                 www.2create.ca

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 24:

I love walking through the city!  It's amazing the things you find just laying around...
Shoes....Socks...Pants....&  today's find.....Work Gloves!  
I looks like these were just taken off and the worker walked away.  I wonder if he will return?
Guess's everyone.....Mudpit or Oilsands?                                                                    www.2create.ca

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 23:

I am Craving Color!!!
I want Blossoms, Buds on trees, Green Grass, Yellow Sunshine, Red/Orange Sunsets, Voilets, Sweet Peas, Lilacs, Roses, Peonies and so much more!
This is my attempt at spring!                                                                                 www.2create.ca

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 22:

Patterns!
Not everyone will love this photograph, but I do!
The Obvious Pattern is why I had taken this.  It was just after rush hour and I was amazed by the pattern that life had added to this intersection. When they say that a picture is worth a thousand words,  this is one of those photographs!  There is so much more to the story behind this.
Not only are there tire treads but more than a hundred footsteps also appear as you go beyond the main pattern.  What I imagine when I see this image..........is the faces, the outfits, the lives, of all those that have passed my home and this intersection.                                                                 www.2create.ca








Monday, March 21, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 21:
This scene of the snow sparkling beneath a street lamp has always reminded me of when I was 5 years old sleeping on the top bunk of my bunk bed. My brothers fast asleep......one on the bottom bunk and one in a crib.  It was winter and I would sit looking out the window, tucked beneath my blankets and marvel at this sight.  I would often think of them as winter fairies dancing beneath the moonlight!
 I was lucky enough to see this tonight!                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                     www.2create.ca


Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 20:

When I was creating this image it brought many things to mind.
My love of anything silver......
My Mother in Law shopping with me on more than one day to complete my collection.....
My Husband that surprised me with a beautiful variety one cold January morning.......
My trip with my Grandmother and Mother crossing into Mexico and taking a taxi that had no doors on the front passenger or drivers side.....
My Sister in Law(Apreeta) and her love of Wind Chimes!
So that is the title I give this!

Wind Chimes!                                                                                                    www.2create.ca

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 19:

As you must know by now I have a Sweet Tooth!  And almost any sweet will do!
I could list them .......
Cheesecake
Brownies
Strawberry Shortcake
Cookies
Chocolate(the really good stuff  / it used to be Calebaut but I am following the owner to Papa Chocolate)
Pastries(especially the lovely, dainty French pastries!)
Penny Candies(which are no longer a penny)
Pies
Christmas Puddings
Icecream
........the list could go on
........ Last but not Least.........Indian Sweets!

Haldiram's  is a Must when traveling to India!  These were brought Fresh from India just a day ago by a lovely friend!                                                                                                   www.2create.ca

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 17:

    When Irish eyes are smiling
    Sure it's like a morning spring.
    In the lilt of Irish laughter,
    You can hear the angels sing.
    When Irish hearts are happy,
    All the world seems bright and gay.
    And when Irish eyes are smiling,
    Sure, they steal your heart away.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I have thought about this day for the last week.  Because of my Irish heritage, I have always loved the idea of this celebration.  The most beautiful Irish Green...Shamrocks....Leprechauns....Rainbows & Pots of Gold.  Everything so mystical & happy.  It always feels like I am connecting with my ancestors in a common interest. The Funny thing about St. Patrick's Day is that my Great Grandfather McClung was an Orangemen.  In a jist, it means that St. Patrick's Day was a Catholic Holiday (Shamrock representing the Trinity) and He was a Protestant & he outright opposed this holiday.  Today most, if not all of the meaning behind St. Patrick's Day is lost, especially in North America.  I still think it is a fun day but will be more respectful of what my Great Grandfather's Beliefs were by also celebrating Orangemen's Day which is July 12th!

Here is an Irish Blessing that hung at the top of the Stairs in my Grandparents home!
May the road rise to meet you,May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.                                                              www.2create.ca

Friday, March 18, 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 14:

Googly Eyes!!!
I know this is supposed to be a photo a day but I could not resist this video.  This is one of those moments that really melted my heart! I love the Sense of Humor that my son has, just like Daddy!  For the longest time he has laughed so hard at our game of "Googly Eyes".  It can be played with anyone or anything.  With Mommy, Daddy or his favorite Bhundar(his Gorilla).  It gets even funnier with the Gorilla especially with Daddy.  It goes something like this.
Gorilla flashes googly eyes at Veer! ( Daddy pulls back gorilla's eyelids and shakes his head at Veer)
then and explosion of laughter!
Veer flashes googly eyes at Gorilla! ( Opens eyes as wide as possible with eyebrows raised)
another burst of laughter!
Gorilla's Turn!
Laughter!
Veers Turn!
Laughter!
after rounds of this Daddy flashes Gorilla's behind!
Veer rolls all over the bed with Laughter!
and this is then repeated for half an hour ...and just before bed!

This is a tame version.....He Let me record him while we waited to pick up Daddy!    


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Daylight Savings!

Daylight savings literally sapped me of all energy!  But Almost back to myself I will be catching up and posting 4 personal project posts by tomorrow evening.  Keep watching some may be very interesting.


Sunday, March 13, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 13:

I love my stroller!
Outings with Veer can be Happy or Strained! He had been to the Auto Show earlier this morning and had a bit of a crazy time running way from his Daddy!
I sometimes forget & I overestimate Veer's maturity. A typical 3 year old! all he wanted to do was run! I should have sent the stroller with them, instead I thought that Veer would be able to listen to Randeep give instructions. When I picked them up the question was...." Veer, did you have fun?" the response was a silent shake of his head while sucking his thumb. I questioned my husband "did you have fun?"

"No, Veer wouldn't even let me go see all of the really good cars! All he wanted to do was to see the KIA's and Hyundai's. The whole time it was veer saying "I can do it, I can open the door by myself, I want to see that one" "

I did laugh a little.
So when I was offered up to take Veer back to the Auto Show I did! But I took the stoller!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 12:

Winter is surviving the cold, short daylight, chapped lips and cabin fever.
I must say that there are a few things I simply love about winter. I love everything draped in White and so Clean and Pure.  I love the Holidays and Wrapping up in a Warm Blanket!  But my favorite thing is the frost!  I love the way nature creates Art so dainty, as if a million Fairies danced across a window leaving their signature....An True Original! 
Goodbye Winter!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 10:

A Winter Safari:   I am certain that the root of my passion and desire for photography started as a little girl, sitting amidst stacks of National Geographic Magazines, living a surreal life in each of the images. 
I may never become a "National Geographic Photographer" but I will go on the Adventures of a Lifetime with my Family, capturing every moment.  One such dream has always been to go on Safari.  What a dream to see every animal imaginable in the wild!  The danger and excitement all caught up in a handful of images. 
Here are a few favorites from my Winter Safari!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 9:

Recycling!  I have always thought that recycling was a great idea.  I have not been an active participant for most of my life yet it is something I strive to practice in its entirety. 
So the day has come. 
I sit looking at my stack of newspapers that I so desperately need to deliver to the recycling bins.  Although, I must put far more effort into recycling than those that have a Blue Cart...Carted to their door by the City of Calgary.  If only we were so lucky as to have that convenience at such a small cost! 
 Instead of having a Cart right out my back door, which I can then roll(so easily) right down to the curb for it to be picked up by the City, I must choose my method of transportation carefully.

First I Bag them......Lug them to the elevator in 2 or 3 trips down to the car.......Veer attempting to help but getting underfoot.   Next, Down the stairs.....into the trunk......Buckle Veer.....Start the car and drive off.  Luckily I know where there are a couple of recycling sites or I would also need to take the time to google that. 
Lastly I pull up to the large bins and deposit the newspapers for recycling  and drive back home.
Needless to say I look forward to the day that I get to have a Blue Cart! 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 8:

International Womans Day!  What would represent every role in my life........Shoes of course!  
A  few of the Roles......
A Wife(the white sandles I wore when I married my amazing husband)
A Mother(the black flats with flowers on the toes that I wear to take Veer to school)
A Daughter(the delicately beaded, hand made black leather Jutti's my Mother in Law helped me select)
A Friend (the camel fur lined boots worn on cold afternoons at the playground with Max's Mommy)
A Gemini(the Red shoes are my Sassy Creative twin & the Nike's my athletic schedule driven twin)
A Fashionista(the Ralph Lauren Mary Jane's that I love)
A Photographer(the Black suede, flat heeled boots, that I have loved and worked in on so many days!)

This really is only the beginning of my many shoes! What do you wear? What do they represent?  To walk in any woman's shoes for a day would give us a greater respect for each other!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 7:

Scent...... evokes so many memories.  So subtle that we often do not even realize that a scent is attached to an event, until years later we have a faint recollection.  I have been told that every woman should have a signature scent.  Something that, when loved ones, catch a ribbon of it floating on the breeze will remember.

Over the years I have searched for that scent.  Enjoying so many, yet never finding one that embodies my persona perfectly.  For now I have chosen 2 signatures.....I suppose they represent my Gemini traits.

What is your signature?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 6:

Lego had become a large part of our household this winter since it has been so long and so cold!  Typically it is a day of building race cars and houses.......instead the last 2 days has been building Calgary!
Veer has been so excited asking....."Can I play with Calgary now?" 
Mommy......."No, not yet, I am still building it.  that was all day yesterday and this morning. Then it was this.....
Veer....."Can I play with Calgary now?"
Mommy....." No, not yet, I want to photograph it first."  
Veer....."Now can I play with Calgary...Pleeaaasse?"
Mommy "Not yet,  I will let you know when you can"   
Veer...."Mommy have you pictured Calgary yet?"  
Mommy........"Not yet,  what did I just tell you?"

This went on for a couple hours. 

This is our Home.....Calgary!
Tomorrow he will get to play with it!  He so badly wants to demolish it!
(our Home is the Yellow building on the far right of the photo)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 5:

The first Bracelet:
As I quietly entered my grandparents bedroom while we were visiting I paused to inhale it all.  The bed off to the right and lining the wall opposite the bed a length of bureau doors. Ceiling to floor doors made of a textured wood that I have never come across since. Opening the one that I knew housed the Jewels I held my breath in anticipation.  There they were hanging on the door every kind on necklace imaginable, from silver & gold to watermelon seeds & shells. The treasure I searched for was in the top drawer. Slowly I pulled the drawer and there is was glinting in the soft dim bedroom light.  The sparkling deep emerald green rhinestone bracelet......now sits with my other treasured jewelry. 

The second Bracelet:
Every morning I would jump on my bike and ride to my grandparents before my parents were even up.  I would talk to my Grandmother for hours.  When ever I arrived and no one was there I would try on my favorite bracelet. It had clear crystals, which I thought were diamonds,  that dangled from the band. When I would put it on and twist my wrist it would make a particular sound that I have never forgotten. I would dance in her bedroom keeping the treasure in eyesight, then carefully replacing it to it's special place in the middle, top drawer, velvet lined pocket.  This too is now part of my collection.

My Grandmothers have no Idea what they really gave me when they passed these to me.  As for so many other loving gifts of Bangles and Bracelets  given to me over the years I envision the thoughts of the person selecting these precious pieces.

I will always remember the First Day of our Marriage as we sat opening gifts and another treasure gift was placed in my hands, I had wished that I could have been transported to India to give my newest Father the loving gratitude in the form of a simple hug!  To know that he had been so thoughtful as to  choose the gift for his new daughter, a Set of the most Beautiful Bangles I have.  With little gold tassles and white stones.  I will forever cherish these.

There is a story behind every one of the Bracelets & Bangles in the images today.  I keep and treasure each one!

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 4:


Deep Purple.....Apple Green.....Royal Blue.....Gold.....Shamrock Green....Torquoise.......I have looked at my Peacock feathers a million times and still am facinated as the light dances across each one coaxing a different color to my eye.  By the Hundreds they proudly display themselves for me each day.  Nature has a brilliant way with color combinations!  Something Every Artist should learn from!

Just one of my Favorite Things!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 3:   The humor that Brightens my days!

I had a completely different Idea for Day 3 when my Husband announced for the second night in a row that he was planning on trying to fool our son by sleeping in an unusual location.

Let me back up a little.

For the longest time Veer has had 3 habits.  First...he is a thumb sucker,  Second.....he insists on rubbing our lips while he sucks his thumb in his sleep.  I have stopped it when it comes to myself but sadly my Husband has not......so "Daddy" is attacked every night at some point.  Thirdly .......Jumping on "Daddy" in the morning at any point between 3-6ish followed by snuggling, thumbsucking, hair tugging & lip rubbing.
So now to fooling Veer.  Last night Ron lay on the floor to sort out a back issue and decided that he would sleep there in the hopes that Veer would not be able to find him in his stumbling sleepwalk that he does every morning and jump on him.  Instead, Veer decided to join me in bed and when "Daddy" was not there he walk out to the living room and with no hesitation took a flying leap.

Tonight  Ron Announces, yet once more, that now he is on a mission see if Veer's Habit can be broken.  The hiding spot....Under the Dinning Table! 
Through tears of laughter I realize that my husband is very serious as he is crawling beneath with a blanket and pillow in tow, then asking if I will tuck the chairs in tightly to better disguise himself from our son!  Just another amazing day in my life!

Enough of the preamble here is the evidence!

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

Day 2:


I am making this a tribute to my Mother on her Birthday! If I could capture the scent of Shalimar that would describe her perfectly. If I was able to create a portrait of her to take today it would include so many things. I would need Pink for sure...and not just any pink,  a very soft pale champaign pink. I think flowers and Crystal, Paints & Canvas's, Fabrics, Baking & Books.  She is a very Creative, Loving, Giving woman.  I have learned so many wonderful things from her over the years. How to Sew, to Paint, Sketch, Design, Bake, Cook, and Generosity.  To be Adventurous (except her little food phobias) and to be Spontaneous! To have a deep love of Family & of the Lord.  I have learned to Create and to see as an Artist because of her.  I may not capture all of this in this image .....Instead I will do my best to show you my vision of her with what I have at my fingertips.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Personal Project | Irish Eyes are Smiling...A Self Portrait!

DAY 1:
As the hectic day was drawing to a close I realized today is the first day of my project, and started to think about what I wanted to share with you.  So many things crossed my mind, but all were interrupted by...."Mommy" pause "I love you!"  So I put my thoughts aside and concentrated on my sweet 3 year old.

His dinner request: red, yellow & orange Bell Peppers...Done!  His bath request: toys...Done!  His bedtime book request: Jack & Jill....Done!  Lights off to snuggle with my little angel as he sucks his thumb, rubs my lips and tucks his cold toes between my legs.  Aaah!  One of the simple pleasures of being a Mother!  During this moment is when I decide that this has to be my Favorite time of day!  So today I Share with you my Sleeping Little Veer!
(I could not decide on just one!)