What does one wear to a wedding held at Toronto's Old Fort York you ask.

Well after a little research, an outfit that is reminiscent of the Fort's Officer's uniform and the Sgt. Pepper's album cover. The first show of my season is the Beyond the Valley studio tour and there will be uniform jackets for the fashion forward fashionista in all of us. www.beyondthevalley.ca

Repeat Customers

The robins are back and nesting in one of our sculptures. Here is an example of coexistence and mutual appreciation. There are only a few ways to make a completed sculpture more interesting and this is one of them.

Busy Days at Gallery 111

It was a busy weekend at Gallery 111. The Barrie Spring Art Tour brought many through the doors. Spring really is upon us now and it's about time. Not that I'm anxious or anything...... well yes I am. New season, new art, come check it out.

Ruby Diego on TV

That's the way it goes, hurry up and wait. I got to the studio nice and early so that I could dress the two girls who host the local show, DayTime on RogersTV, and then I sat and waited. I always bring work with me so I got some sewing done in the greenroom. Just before the show we were ushered into the studio where we sat and waited again. OK it's my turn. How do explain what your clothing design business is all about in 5 minutes? I have an assortment of jewellery on the table behind me but we never got to it. I could have talked about my designs for an hour but I'm happy with what we did. Show's over, picture time and we say our goodbyes. The two hosts look great in the clothing I provided for them. Thanks girls.

Buttons

I couldn't believe this when I saw it. A jar of Haunted Buttons. I thought I was the only one that was scared of, repulsed by and fascinated by a jar of buttons. I am a sewer and have been making clothing since I took home ec in high school so how can I be afraid of a jar of buttons. I have a vivid memory of sitting on the stairs going down to the basement in my childhood home and staring around the corner to my Mother's sewing area and that big jar of buttons. I must have been about five or six at the time. I don't know why they bothered me but a jar of buttons can still do it to me. In my adult life I have very rarely worn anything with buttons on it. No button down shirts, it's always been pull-overs for me.

Tucson.....

What to do... What to do............ You can find any size of almost any mineral here, from amethyst to petrified wood. This tent is full of pearls, pearls and more pearls. The string I happened to pick up was selling for $2800. Buckets of mineral slabs were available for lapidary work. New to Tucson this 6.5 ton meteorite. The gem tents go on and on. Just stopping for some waffles at the side of the highway. The Mineral Explorer with a fan.

Here we are in Tucson again.

We came originally just for the gem show but now we come for the eccentric city as well. Riding the city bus, like we do lets you see all aspects of city life. In the north of the city there is a new Whole Foods,"whole paycheck" grocery store that has a bar serving wine and beer on tap with large screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. The store was packed with upscale patrons wandering around eating and drinking. In the south end is another grocery store which caters to the Mexican population. It reminds me of our No Frills grocery at home with the addition of Virgin Mary statues in every size and almost every hot sauce known to man. My new favourite grocery store is one we found today just a short walk from where we are staying. My guess is that it has been around since Tucson was a whistle stop for the railroad. There wasn't any dust on top of the cans so there must be a half decent turnover. Hope so! Mom and Pop shops have never looked so good.