hey!

well, my sign is done and my port hope book is done and now i'm working on my next book.a christmas book about mollie of course! now...this week i have learned of a couple of people who are following my blog but in a negative way so...this is my last blog.it's weird about a blog because i have only 1 follower and no one ev er comments.recently,i've heard that certain people are reading it and then twisting it in the outside world.i used my blog like a journal and have decided to journal in private from now on.i will miss blogspot but it must be done.bye-bye

signs...

hey! well today i went off to look at a sight where a sign i'm making is going.i came away with a great idea or a least i think so.i'm going to make 3 huge flowers in wood.forget me nots.time to get out the jig saw and a mask! last week once my book was done, i completed my flowers.i bought 2 sheets of galvinized steel ,the cutter that goes 3 ways and got out my gardening gloves.i wasn't sure how i was going to make flowers but i saw it in my head and just went ahead and cut one out.once i started to bend it about it took shape.i then made leaves, a stem and then a big bow and a length that looks like ribbon.it's very pretty !today i'm painting them.they need lots of coats so it will take a few days.i can't wait to see the sign complete.anyway, all's well.....

i'm done!

well, the day has arrived! my port hope book is finally finished!it's at the printers as we speak. now comes the proof parts but the great news is they have presold 40 already so that's good.i've written my mollie doodle christmas story and have already begun to illustrate it.i need to make money so i can help my girl with her car stuff.drivers training is 750.00 and since i'm on my own,work must be done.she's worth every penny i have to make though.i don't regret a thing!not even marrying my ex even though i knew in my heart, he wasn't right for me.i got my daughter out of that fiasco and i am blessed. i thank god everyday that he left us/ran away before he could hurt her anymore,me too for that matter! it's amazing how life works out.i'm also working on a sign where i made steel flowers.it is turning out better than i had hoped.i'll send a picture when it's complete.anyway toot-a loo!

big day......

ok................here i am! i finished 12 pages of the book entirely! only 14 more to go! it's going to be nice when it's done.i'm sure they(port hope people) are wishing it was done already but good work takes time.i have a lot of doggies today and had a 8 month old baby for the day too! i'm pooped and still i must make dinner and finish painting my flowers.i'm doing a sign for a lady and decided to make stand up flowers.i bought some sheet metal and a cutter and as of a few minutes ago i now have 12 forget-me-not flowers.they are real cute! must go.....

getting close!!

hey! i've got the first colour down on my port hope book! now i have a few more coats and it will be ready for press!can't wait.it's been a lot of work but i think it's because these people are not my personal friends so i'm trying to make it the best i can. and...i still have to decide on a cover!.i was invited to sell my books at the studio tour this past weekend! i had a lot of fun,talked too much and sold some books.win,win,win! now i'm just finishing a stand up panda cake for em's birthday tonite.i can't believe she's 17! that means i'm 17 years older! holy hanna! how'd that happen. at least i'm not all wrinkled up yet.i hope it happens slowly so i get used to it! antway,gotta go!

wordstock

hey there! yesterday i was one of 11 authors set up in collingwood for wordstock.we were a tiny part of this event .we were all set up under the town clock with our books on hand for those who walked by.even though we weren't a focal point of the event ,we all had a lot of fun! i talked so much,my throat was raw! no surprise if you know me! ken came with us.my 93 year old boyfriend and author extraordinare! he enjoyed himself too! we made connections and for me i connected with some old contacts and some refreshing new ones who loved my work.we all sold a few books and enjoyed the company we kept. everyone who went to the friday night gala raved about it so..ken,emilty and i have put it on our calendar to see next year.it was a day well spent.i met a really cute girl named Pooleh.she loved my books and i invited her to visit our home to meet mollie in person.she is just adorable.hopefully on day she'll shop up.her dad loves creemore beer so there is a strong chance.today is work around the house day and maybe the garden if i can get out of my pj's! happy day!

still working.....

hello... well i'm on page 7 now! on my last blog the word should be black not bkack! that's what i get for hurrying! i had a great day today.got a lot done on my book.took the dogs for a good walk and when we went through town,we ran into all kinds of nice people.i even had a balloon order.it's all good! we're 2 days away from "wordstock" and really looking forward to it.i don't think it will be that good.it's their first year and we aren't important in it but i think it will be fun anyway.we're going with Ken so we're guaranteed to have some chuckles. must go.....

yahoooooooooo

yahoo! the bkack is done and i'm already colouring! yeah!!! it's nice to get back to my solitary work.i checked all of my markers this morning and had to throw out about 30.dry.i'm going to have to get a ride to curry's this week for refills.well, gotta go......

awwwwhhhhh........

well...it's first day back to school.i miss my kid already.we had a great summer together.i gotta say..i lucked out when i got her!!!my book is out and i shall embark on finishing it.i'm kinda excited to get it done because i want to work on another book."christmas with mollie doodle" it will be a good seller before christmas.ken .emily and i are off to wordstock this weekend in collingwood.it should be fun.i just hope we sell books and maybe get some exposure.that's what i need more than sales so we'll see.ken is a blast so it will be fun no matter what!gotta go....

hey!

hello.....well,the pool is put away so...it's officially the end of summer at our house!today is very cold and very windy.a vast difference from thursday.it was so hot i thought i was going to melt, literally!!!!the backyard looks clean and barren.oh well, that's our seasons.we're just getting ready for a b&b customer.i'm happy because that rumour is still floating around that i'm closed! it's so infuriating!!!anyway...next week is port hope book week and on the weekend i'm going to be part of the wordstock in collingwood.i'm /we're going with ken thornton-our buddy.he's a 93 year old author.originally,i was thought i was going to be featured as one of the authors of note but as usual-for me- i was left out and became an after thought -but it's too late.so....we're going under the town hall clock with all the other authors ,like us,and hope for a few sales.i could've used the exposure but as i've said all along -i have to make my own hype.this years goal! i just wish it could be easier but then everyone would be doing it.this part of my business is a huge struggle! must fly, bye bye

busy,busy!

hey! i'm just doing a quick note to say hi to anyone reading my blog? we finished artcamp and ran away for the weekend to toronto.we were in the pawsways show all about dogs mostly and some cats.we met Lube Goy ,a very funny lady from royal canadian air farce.boy, is she a hoot! we got to spend a lot of time with her and a funny lady named Pat and a real cutie singer named Johnny from Germany. didn't sell too much but it was just nice to get away.since we got back i launched into one of the bed and breakfast bedrooms.i painted it with flexrock .that was difficult to paint on the wall but once i got the hang of it,we sailed along.it looks really good.i'll post a pic when it's decorated.it's costly but worth it.flexrock is good for that room with the imperfect walls.anyway, i gotta go cause i'm pulling weeds from the driveway! getting ready for b&b customers for the fall. this means school is coming.emily and i have had a great time together thios summer.i will miss her during the day...oh well... happy day!

again....

hi there! this is a picture of my artcamp kids at dairy qeen.we did the facepainting and crafts for their fundraiser for sick kids last thursday.we got paid in lunch and ice cream! the kids were thrilled! it's only 2 more days and we are done artcamp for another year.it was a fabulous summer with only one nasty bump in the road.i got a visit last wednesday from the ministry of child services.yep! it seems some "people" called anonomously(of course!) and said i had too many kiddies for a daycare and that they weren't supervised properly.it was scary at first but once they realized that i operated an artcamp not a daycare, they were satisfied that i would not be crucified for trying to make my living.now i know, that i've done nothing wrong but i gotta say---- when these people arrive at your door and begin their grilling(their job) it's pretty scary!!!!! i can't help but wonder why what i do is soooo important to others and why they constantly try to strike me.will this behaviour stop? probably not. i guess i just have to live with this part of my life...for now.

we were invited last week to pawsways in toronto.we will be reading our books and selling them at a dog event they are holding.we can't wait!it will be like a holiday for us and we will be surrounded by people very much like us.well, i must go as i have to prepare for tommorrow.bye

yahoo!

hey! it's me! yes, i'm not keeping up as well.i've had a great but busy summer so far. artcamp is still going strong and i still haven't worked on the port hope book but as soon as camp is over and we've had a little holiday,i will get back to it!i've been invited back to pawsways in toronto for a book reading and signing.i'm quite excited because it's a big event.might sell some books or better yet get some much needed exposure! that's on august 21-22.we're going to enjoy some time away.now i have to our escape! well that's all for now.we're getting ready so em can take pics of three planets tonite at dusk. happy night!

reflection...

good morning! i'm sitting here with a cup of really good coffee and reflecting on my life.last night ,i got a glimpse of that teenage angst that everyone talks about. i think the hormones are raging! i sort of got my feelings hurt and it all made me realize just how precious my child is to me.when she wakes up i just want to yell at her and make her see how i feel ---but---i've decided not to.if it is just hormones, then i will just be making things worse and the more i thought about it, she already feels bad.my lips will be sealed! as hard as that is for me!!!!! sometimes and this is one of them...i long for the little girl who depended on me for everything and looked up to me....oh well, i know it all must change but i don't like it too much. the artcamp is going very well.this week is photo week so the munchkins take photos all week under em's tutalidge(SP) and on thursday we're going to a photo studio and getting their best photo printed out. we then will come home and frame them.the old mill restaurant in town offered to hang them for a week. the kids are thrilled.me too!it's been a great summer so far.happy day!

friday!

hi there! well, another week of artcamp has come and gone.a few challenges this week! i think it was the mix of kiddies. we did do a lot of art and they played hard! i haven't worked on my book at all.i guess it will have to wait till september.my creativity is next to zero after the wee ones go home.both em and i are just pooped!!! it's been an incredibily busy summer and guess what? i've actually made some money...weird...this year with my new attitude the camp has been a great joy.i have kids who really want to work.soooo refreshing! i also have those who just want to have fun.one day last week, i was feeling like i should be pushing them to do more than play.i looked at all 13 of them laughing and screaming in the pool.i yelled,"thanx for coming to my ARTCAMP! they all stopped in mid play for just a second...then they yelled back at me"your'e WELCOME" i realized at that point that they were really having fun and isn't that the point? i pride myself on my structure but it's moments like this that i have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture! i gotta say too...my daughter is amazing! she is such a good camp partner.we've worked together for so long that she now anticipates what i'm wanting next.i love that girl sooooo much and i know just how lucky i am! thanx dolly!

friday!!!!

just finished dance camp,had some dinner and now we're off to stock up for next week.our artcamp is going great!!! everyone pays in advance...WOW!!!! we're actually have a good summer financially for the first time in about 4 years. i got caught in the (i can't say NO) to kids and parents without money.i'm all for helping others because em and i have been there! when i see the parents of the kids i brought in for free ,openly making fun of me in public, it hurts...so this year as i said ,i took only paying beautiful kiddies.they are totally amazing! they all want to be here and the art that comes out of them is very gratifying to em and i.it feels like we actually are making a difference in a few little lives.isn't that what it's all about.oh yeah! i received communication from my ex today! it was a very strange letter.almost as if the mean part of his brain had been taken out and i'm not kidding!!!! it left me feeling completly creeped out.either he did indeed have a labotomy or he was writing to a long lost dear friend and sent it to me by mistake! when i see his emails ,they will be deleted immediately.no more of those for me!anyway, must go--our ride is here!

week 2

ok,finished our first week of art camp! it went great! we had a lot of fun but i realized we need to fuel up better to exert those extra energies one needs for 14 kids in the pool,or in the tree fort or using the paint!! it's a lot of hand -eye work! had one of our favorite family's on the weekend in our b&b .enjoyed them very much.one little member is just 3 years old.it was fun to watch her with mollie, goldie(the cat) and lucky the bunny! and if your reading this ...mollie is really, really missing your hugs and cuddles and throwing the ball for her!!!!! today is art camp inside i think.it looks like rain but the weather guy says it's going to be a little cooler for sleeping.yeh! i haven't worked on my book and tonite is not an option either.me and em are off to kereoke at the old mill pub.yes, it's true! em will sing for sure but i don't know if i will.they have lots of great songs,and everyone is excited for the beginning.i just like going somewhere where i can be myself and have fun.since it changed ownership,i love going there.the new owners are real people.they don't try to act better ,smarter ,richer or whatever-er.they just want to run a good business in a town they have loved. they are the kind of people creemore needs !gotta go ...must prepare for the kiddies! happy day!

artcamp

hi ya! well under way in the first week of artcamp.lots of kids and doggies! challenging but a lot of fun! me and em pretty much drop after 5.bedtime is early! for the next two weeks numbers are small until thursday and then it's full so it's new for us and different.the kids coming really want to be here so on the light days those kids get loads of extra attention .i decided this year not to bring in less fortunate kiddies because i made no money but had to spend it.that just didn't work.how nice to get paid for your hard work without the stress of feeling used!anyway....because i've been sooooo busy ,my book also isn't getting done.sheeesh!it's a great summer so far.we are both content and are planning a trip, money dependant of course!oh gotta go! kiddies arriving! happy day!

i've been in syberspace

hey!!! did anybody miss me? my computer is now virginal- once again! it was infected by porn! yes, porn! it said at the bottom that this problem occurred because of our frequent use of porno sights! i looked at my daughter --she looked at me--it sure wasn't us!!! my blog sight dissappeared and it took me awhile to find it. lots has happened.i'm still working on my book-or rather not too much.we had b&b people for 7 days.they were wonderful! they have an 18 year old doggy who looks like a puppy except when she moves!it makes me sad to watch because the enevitable is close for her but she's sooooo loved , who knows.they will be brokenhearted! we went to the doctor.he didn't believe that i have allergies.i had no symptoms by the time we got to toronto but he did the required tests anyway-probably giggling under his breathe.guess what? no allergies!!!! so what i do have is environmental.yeah. everything else for me is great ,amazing actually.my art camp begins next monday and we're both excited.we're not taking any free kiddies this year.only those who can pay the 20.00 per day.i've always invited many free kiddies so they could have a good summer but it seems to bite me in the ass! in fact ,a couple of weeks ago ,i was walking down the street with 4 dogs around my waist and there were 2 women laughing and making it very obvious it was directed at me.i felt very brave that day so i walked right up to them.you should have seen their faces.too funny! anyway, i said" have you two told each other about all the nice things i have done for you and your children? at my expense?" they just gaulked at me and for once ,since i've known these women,had nothing to say! ha! i felt good and trotted on my way,as much as one could trot with 4 dogs in tow.anyway,we've been doing clown gigs every weekend and having fun and finally making some money. well, that's it for now.glad to be back!

hello......

hello! it's been a while but i've been real busy! i've also had a bad bout of allergies.not fun!.we've done a few clown gigs and i'm still working on my port hope book.i'm about halfway on the black in stage. we've had a lot of doggies- one of whom triggered my allergy attack! lovely dog but she shed more than any dog i've ever known!no extra exposure on my new book yet.it's proving to be more difficult than with the last ones.i still have lots of tricks up my sleeve.i'm not giving up! we finally got some bookings for our b&b ,so that will help finances a bit.my life in town has perked up a bit.i spend time with my friends and avoid all others.the balloon situation taught me not to give in.it turns out that that business is hard up for money and they figured being on the main street-they could easily take my business that i've developed over the last 14 years.it seems it's not how they thought it would play out.bummer...i -on the other hand ,have been very busy in the balloon business....interesting.anyway...life is funny!

my plan

well, i talked to one of the publishers i was interested in.he told me that even if he loved my book ,it would be 10 years before it gets published.guess he comes off my list.he asked me why i published myself to begin with.da. anyway, i will get in touch with the rest next week and who knows the plan could change again! this week rogers was in our town inteviewing entrepreneurs in creemore for an upcoming show! guess what?i wasn't asked! hmmm. oh well....this business of becoming famous is truly exhausting.

OMG!!BT!!!!

OMG!!!!!! i just heard from bt television in toronto! they will not allow fiction work on their show! that includes children's books! can you believe it? i was shocked! i engaged in conversation with the bearer of bad news and was told this was just their policy.i asked what would be wrong with children's books and the retort was that they just can't fill up a proper segment with this product.hmmmm, when i went on rogers daytime, we had NO problem filling up a 10 minute segment ,so i find this a bit weird.it looks like my goal is going to be harder to achieve than i thought!sheesh! why does everything have to be so difficult? I NEED A PUBLISHER!!!!!! are you out there????

allergies

hey! it's me!!! i know i've been gone but i've been busy!the musical is done and now em is into exam preparation! i've had crazy allergies.i think i've figured the causes but i'm stuck.first off- i used chemicals to clean my couches after em's huge party,then i cleaned out a box that's been in my closet for 14 years-not good- i sneezed and sneezed and wheezed.it was awful! next- i took delivery of 2 beautiful doggies! they are here till tommorrow night since friday.that's when the worst of theses allergies flared.i had major wheezeness and nothing could help me.i was going to go to emerg when a good friend of mine who is in the wellness industry arrived when i was still feeling wretched! she checked my lungs (nothing, thank goodness)and explained that stuff was caught in my airways and gave me a puffer to see if that would help.in seconds,my problem was gone!i still have said sheddy doggy till tommorrow so now i've taken precautions and sleep in another room.tonite however,i'm going up to the bed and breakfast on our top floor.i realized this morning ,i should be sleeping up there because no animals have been up there in 5 years.so here's to a good sleep.this past weekend ,we donned our clown suits and did international trails day.had a lot of fun.we came home in time to get ready for another event in collingwood.we didn't have to costume up.it was a decoration event.it was lots of fun but i must say, allergies or not- it was good to get home! today, i'm working on some framing,my next book(mapping it out) and contacting more publishers.i'm also going to prepare for my new b&b sign.
happy day!

whirlwind

hello!!just now had time to sit down to write a few words.it's been a busy week.i've had to clean everyday to get my house back to order! emily's cast party was a huge success.she has moved up in the popular circle because of her awsome party.i had fun too! learned a little more about teenage life than i needed to! parents TALK to your teens!!!!!i'm not kidding.this is when they need YOU the most!!!em won an award tuesday night for extraordinary work for her book.that was nice and i got to hear her sing with her group.the fellow sitting beside me nudged me and said "boy,the girl in the purple can really sing!"guess who? yep, my daughter.she even got marked for that performance.95. hmmmm........anyway, i finished in pencil my port hope book.it's probably already there.now they approve it and i finish.i'll be glad when it's done.i still have'nt found a publisher but i'm not giving up!the book store came to me and begged to have my books back.i don't want to but my friend ken told me ,he'd be very dissappointed if i didn't.so...i love him so i will. gotta go!!!!

clothing dilema!

hey! not sure if i've mentioned this but 3 months ago ,i took salt out of my diet.that is to say the kind i used to sprinkle on my food! then recently i took bread out as well.now...anyone who knows me knows that i workout everyday ,we eat no processed food(sometimes we cheat but rare these days)i drink 8+ glasses of water every day,1 glass of red wine(more if i'm stressed) i take cayenne pepper ,garlic and onion in my food and i walk my doggies twice daily as well.i have not gained weight in years but not lost a lot either.i'm healthy and have good muscle and flexibility.in the last 3 weeks ,i've noticed a change in my body.yesterday,i was trying on clothes to wear to all of the musical nights to see my daughter perform.everything was loose and all my skirts are to the floor.every top i like, has paint on it somewhere,which is why i wear painters pants!now, i'm going to have to go shopping!not in time for these nights out ,which start tonite.oh well...it's a good thing i'm creative! emily told me this morning that all her friends thought i was cute! i was surprised but it kinda felt good! gotta go to find a way to create some tops!!!!!! here's a picture of em in one of her costumes!

talky tuesday

hello.... i have had quite the day! mostly i have been blabbing on the phone. i called my street boyfriend ken and i bet we talked for an hour and a half.we have coffee every week together and fill each other in on our careers.he is 91 years young and is the most energetic loving person.he's funny and loves a good giggle as do i! after we covered everything, i no sooner hung up and the phone rang again.it was a newspaper wanting to do an article about my books.good.....then the phone rang again! it was a school wanting to book us for a clown gig.good.....then it rang AGAIN!one of our favorite dogs is coming to stay for 3 days.good again.....

now onto a previous discussion i had with you(whoever you are) about this balloon situation.a store on the main street has started a balloon business even though there are already 3 of us doing this business.i have ballooned here for 14 years,the ida has ballooned for about 6 years,i think and melissa has probably clocked in 20 years.the ida lady talked to me about it last week.she said to me that when others look busy at what they do. eg.us balloon people...then those with a smaller imagination will want to copy.she said it's human nature.i say thank god it's not all humans!!!could you imagine! we'd all share the same brain! anyway, she told me to stand my ground and that the loyal people will not abandon us and that i /we should feel somewhat empowered that others want to follow us.she's right by golly!!!!in the last week or so..i've learned a lot about myself and realized that if i want to- i can do anything and that i have the power within me to get what i want.it's very liberating! i'm tired of the fight but in order to survive around the mindless,you have to put up a little ruckus!i guess the point of all this crap hurled at us is to teach us something.well , you know what ...in the long run who cares!oh! gotta go, my musical child just came home and i have to get details

holiday monday

well...saturday at the market in collingwood went very well! i sold some books and got asked to have an article about me on the internet and in a magazine.many pics were taken of me and my books and i was shameless.i plugged me for 4 solid hours.i think i made a stride.at least ....i'm hopefull.it looks like my goal may just work!!! i'm now getting very excited to see "beauty and the beast".em has worked so hard and long and is starting to get nervous and really excited about it.lots of our friends are going just to see her but they 'll be amazed by the whole production.gotta go ....

sorry,i couldn't figure out how to get my article to go sideways.i LOVE this picture and am going to put it in my new book,"mollie's birthday party"

working away

hi! i got through yesterday!! thanx Cat for your comment.i feel really good about my decisions.the book store hounded me all morning,desperately trying to explain why my books were in a dark cubby hole on the floor.how on earth can you explain it?it's called-her books don't matter!!!! anyway, i'm done with that.i've got 2 more pages on my port hope book and then the cover.i have to black it in and then send it off for everyone's approval.can't wait.this is the hardest part as an artist and once everyone is happy with their page ,i then start the colour process. i layer marker on marker.by the time i'm done each page has about 20 layers so that the tonal value is intense.someone asked me yesterday why i only use the right side of my book for pictures and the other side is blank.i learned long ago that my illustration are very detailed and strong.when doing book readings ,i noticed that all the kids couldn't stay focused on the page i was reading . they kept looking at the page ahead so i had a mock up made with only one side with my art.i found my readings much easier and the kids were able to focus on the story.also ,some kids who like to draw can do so on the other side.i love that!

i'm also going to paint the bottoms of my picnic tables.getting ready for my b&b business if it comes!i'm also going to do the trim on my house but maybe not till the weekend. gotta go....my doggy friend has arrived! happy day

a new day!

well, here we are on a beautiful sunny wednesday.my anger is done and today is the day i move forward.i live in creemore,i love my house but i will not do business with anyone here anymore.i'm going to concentrate on the places who appreciate my work and i'm not going to try to get the stores here try to understand and respect my work.obviously,what i do is not on the level they are usedto and that's ok.i got the message loud and clear!onwards and upwards.i haven't told anyone what happened except my daughter and she hugged me and told me how proud of me she was.i grew a lot yesterday and that's what life is about isn't it? i've lots to do.em and i talked last night and we have decided to move.2 years is what we have to get the house ready for sale.i'm going to make the bed& breakfast work despite the rumours in MY town that i closed.every dollar possible will go towards renovations so i have lots of planning and execution.anyway,off to work on my port hope book.

more pissed than before!!!!

WOW if you can beleive it -i'm even MORE pissed off than yesterday! yes, the toy store is cutting into my business----THAT I NEED TO SURVIVE!!!!! but TODAY i went to the book store to give them my article to go with my NEW book and when i got in there the woman working in there and i ......couldn't find them! at first ,i was heart broken and then i thought maybe they hadn't put them out yet.which begged the question .....why not? i tokk my article back and all my posters and was leaving the store when the woman said ...are these it? on the side of a wall there were little cubby holes...and guess where my books were? in the very bottom cubbyhole with just their spines showing.i was shocked! clearly a huge lack of respect regarding my work!! i then became furious,all the NEW books from authors we don't know, were clearly displayed on the counter proudly.but mine....lost in a cubby! i walked the dogs home and worked out what she had paid for all my books that were in this cubby and i wrote a cheque for the amount(not that i can afford this!!!!!) and i went back to the store and took my books and gave her the cheque.she apologized for her bosses and i apologized for my upsetedness and left with my books.i know in my heart, i did the right thing and even though i'm hurt, there comes a time when a person(ME)has to take a stand and show how i feel instead of running away .ENOUGH. obviously i don't demand respect and therefore i'm not getting it.time for a change both inside of me and who i choose to deal with.yesterday was the toy store taking part of my livelyhood and today it's a store clearly thinking i'm not worth much! well.....i'm done.creemore is not for me.that's a for sure and instead of feeling safe inside my walls ,i'm going to begin the ball rolling to leave this place.I DON'T BELONG HERE.now, i must work on finding the place i do.

hoppin'mad!

OK.......i'm so pissed off !!! i just came from the main street and saw a big bouquet of balloons coming out of the toy store.not only are they now taking business from the ida but they're taking business from me! about 35% of my business is balloons.i can't compete with a store on the main street.to top it off,they don't like me and the feelings are incredibly mutual.why can't these kind of people find their own niche in life instead of taking it from others.it's not like there's enough sales for everyone to do great.i've known for some time that they were going to do this.i guess i just hoped they'd have a bit of class and not do such a classless act! oh well! i should be used to this .these sorts of things have been happening to me since i moved here.i thought i had learned how to roll with the punches but apparently not.i feel wounded which is exactly how i'm supposed to feel. i'm soooooo tired of this kind of behavior.i would never cut in on someone else's business.it's just not right! anyway,i feel better now.i'm going to take a big breath and go on with my day.

my weekend

hi-dee-hoe!! it's monday! i had the busiest weekend.i worked outside in the garden.i confess--i paid a young boy to pull out the weeds and last years growth.i worked on my book .almost ready to black in.yeah!! i took mollie for a big walk and then we received our two overnight guests.they are 4 and 5 years old.we had pizza,coloured-they made their daddy a birthday card!we watched movies and then went to bed.once in the room ,the kids came alive again.on the wall is a poster of em's book that she wrote.soooo i had to read them the book.i got up to get my reading glasses when the little guy yells.don't-you are much prettier without them! i was shocked.he usually insults me but clearly the tides have changed.in the am.i of course made breakfast.he wanted bacon and eggs and toast.she wanted pancakes.as we sat down to eat ,he explained he didn't like my toast so now he can't eat the egg either because he can't dunk his toast.she happily ate her pancakes.when we went for our walk ,he insisted that we go to foodland so he could show me what he likes to eat for next time! so we did.by 9:30, i had collected another 2 children! i don't know how that happens to me but....anyway, i made popcorn and off to the park we all went.it was really great.as i woke this morning ,i looked on the counter and there were my bouquets of dandelions picked with love just for ME! and the pictures were ready to be hung on my fridge.it really is a nice life! oh yeah! em came home too! i missed her an awful lot.order is restored once again.......

our brewery

hi there! today is saturday.i had to get up and do em's job of delivering saturday balloons to our customers.i ran into all sorts of people and yakked a bit.i ran into brian at the hardware store and he was going out to get a paper.i forgot that an article about me was in the friday enterprise bulletin so i walked with him to get it.he told me creemore was in the toronto star regarding the brewery expansion.there is a group of business people who are against it! so now toronto gets to hear about our silliness too! if the brewery were to pick up and move elsewhere, where do these business people think their going to get their business.the brewery brings the majority of our tourists to this town.of late it has been quiet and business for the average has not been great and i wonder what these disgruntled will do if there was no brewery.with the expansion will be 100 or more new jobs,therefore more people to shop and eat!!!! i am the first to say we are more than just the brewery but even i know they are VERY important to our town.anyway.......i got my paper and there we are! not only was it a great article but the picture was fabulous! i love it!!! i'm going to use it in my new book .when my scanner is up i'll post it.i'm very proud of myself today.i think i'll get it copied and get the hardware store to put it up so the town's folk can see it.so...off i go! i've got picnic tables to paint and get ready for my overnite guests.2 kiddies under 7! ta-ta!

humpday again!

it's so fast how the days go by.it seems like yesterday it was last wednesday!!! i had a full day today.i walked the dogs twice,groomed them all and we played ball together.that was fun!mollie looks beautiful.i cleaned the basemant landing ,tidied the main floor and then worked on my book for awhile.before i knew it ,it was wine time!em is rehearsing tonite and everynight until opening day, so i will be dining alone for 3 weeks.well, not completely alone ,mollie is with me and bear is here until friday. i will finish the drawings by friday for the port hope book and then i have to black it in by next friday.at least, that's my plan.i have had no word from any publishers.i don't know why. don't they know i'd be a great addition? sheesh! it's driving me nuts. just call me already!! i'm waiting for my big break.i made out another list of publishers so i'll send off more samples friday. nighty-night!

a work day!

hey! where did my writing go from yesterday? sheesh! i talked about my day at m&m meats event on saturday.it was my first clown act without my daughter.not as much fun but i got through it.it was an awful day weather wise.very cold and the wind was freezing!!!!!!!!i met lots of new people who had heard of me and brought their kids to meet an author/artist/clown.it always freaks me out when people say these things.i don't think of myself this way.i'm just trying to make a living doing what i love! no word from the publishers yet! i don't know if that's a good thing or not.why aren't they jumping at the chance to own me? why does everything have to be so hard.i'm talented ....i'm not bragging. it's a fact. i have heard this my whole life and yet getting to the top has proved to be difficult.how do others do it? if i had pots of money, i could promote myself but sadly this is not the case. i have a teenage daughter , a big house and lots of bills! i'm going to wpork on my port hope book today.it's almost done draw wise so that's my day.also i'm going to check out new publishers to send my work to. happy day!!!

brrrrrrrr

hey! it's way cold outside! yuck! i even started a fire today so i could be warm wilst working.it's very nice but it's so nice i could curl up and snooze.i'm on page 15 of my port hope book.4 more to go and then the cover.i haven't heard from a publisher yet and i say "WHY NOT!!!!!!" i'm good at what i do .where are the smart publishers out there? i'm not any closer to my goal.yesterday this lady called me.she had bid on some of my books at a silent auction somewhere and called to order more.she told me my illustrations were beautiful and that she was captivated by them.boy, does that make a person feel good!anyway it's 3:45 and time to go orchestrate dinnertime.happy friday!

lazy daze

today was not a productive day for me.i was up waaaay tooooo early this morning.i have allergies.yes, i know one of the millions.i haven't had any symptoms for months-no colds for over a year so when i started to act up i would take an allergy pill at my worst.i know i need to take it for a few days running so it can work! i don't like taking stuff but i should've! oh well....i got a few more pages done, activated my new visa card-not that i'm gonna use it! and i cuddled findlay cause he's feeling very insecure.he's the doggy i take care of during the week.he's got issues.he's afraid of loud noises especially lawn mowers! now that it's spring, we are in trouble.he seems so terrified.i only took him out once today, for our second walk ,i couldn't get him out the door so he climbed on the couch with me instead.it was nice for me! i wish i was a true doggy whisperer and i could take his troubles away.....well...gotta go, i have to get dinner ready for my dolly.

humpday

hi dee hoe! it's humpday and i've just gotten my work out and am ready to dive in!yesterday everything came to a halt when my girlfriend arrived with her precious baby.i got to take care of him for 3 hours.he came really fussy and left fast asleep! oh! i still have the touch.it felt good to hold that little bundle and forget about my dilema's.i didn't get to my garden so...i'm going to have to hire that out.i have a clown gig this weekend and it's the first time i will do it without my daughter!yikkes! she's at a dress rehearsal and i'm going to be silly all by myself! i have to design a craft today too!that will be my first job.going through what i do have and seeing what i can use to do what? hmmmm.

a little worried!

well, today looks like a very nice day.i'm going to work on my book.for awhile i will do some gardening.yuck!we have new neighbours again...and have discovered that they own not 1 but 2 pit bulls! imagine my happiness.he says one is just stupid but the other one is not good around other dogs! i have 2or 3 dogs not mine at any given time! i am NOT amused.pit bulls!!!!!!!!!!!!
all my other neighbours are worried as well.in fairness to the newbies- he is building them a fence to keep them inside but dogs are smart and getting loose is a challenge.so..our neighbours have been drug dealers,one nice family in between.last week we had drug induced robbers and now we have pit bulls.will it ever be easy? i'm growing very tired of this strife.you can't pick the people around you and since my home is my business it makes me unhappy but i will not dwell....i've work to do.i'm on page 9 of my port hope book so i will have it all in pencil by the weekend.i'll get them to approve the pics and then it's gunghoe from there!!oh, i may go for coffee with ken.he's one of my very favorite people.he's 91 and an inspiration.i love spending time with him.he's full of good energy and always has lots to say.we laugh a lot! so what ever you are doing enjoy!

bedraggled!

hi! it's been a few days! i've been running around like a crazy woman! last week ,i was getting ready for a gig on saturday.HOLY TOLEDO!!!! what a day! at 12 noon 60 kiddies plus their parents landed on us for the whole day! till 6 oclock.we got home at 9.30 and we were event shocked! we threw our selves on the couch and were aware we were watching a movie only barely and then we slid off to bed.i made some connections though.lots of the moms were interested in my art camp and my books so i handed out lots of cards.we'll see.....i sent my book off last week to a few publishers so we'll see if any one thinks i'm worth taking on.as i've said that's my goal for this year.i started in canada but if i have to go outside - i will. i'm a train with NO stops! today,i'm working on my port hope book and maybe- i said maybe tackle the garden.i hate doing the garden but it has to look nice.beautiful flowers are growing around last years leftovers!so...........happy day

busy daze

well....today was quite jam packed! i had a lot to do.a doggy who is in my care daily didn't come today.that left me and mollie on our own!now...doodle has not been alone for a long time during the week.when we walked downtown,she got the only cookie .she was the only one that got the pats and cooing.i think she enjoyed it.i'm on my 8th page of my port hope book.they are going to love it.i sold a few more books today so that was good!i sent my new release to a very large,well respected publisher today too!.i'm not going to get excited but it will be interesting to get their comments if any.i'll keep you posted!my daughter got her mid term reportcard and it was amazing!i am soooo proud of her!at my book signing on saturday,she was interviewed by sharron,reporter to the stars!she was very eloquent and acted like this was old hat!we had a wonderful day.there's nothing better than making something and then watching others reacte to it in such a positive way.it's delightful!i'm glad God gave me my talent!

a sad day...

hi....today for me was a heartwrenching day.i sarted out feeling excited about my new book and my new jobs.i went down the street only to find out,someone ,who i adored died apparently by her own hand.i find this so hard to beleive.this woman was one of the most beautiful people inside and out that i have ever known.some say she was bi-polar and was struggling with it.i feel terrible about this .i had no idea and it breaks my heart.the man in her life got her back about a month ago and must be just devastated! no matter what happened in their relationship,i know they continued to love each other.i can't imagine how he is feeling!i am very sad...........

illustaring darci-que

hi there! well, things have changed dramatically in the last week for me.i will be working on 2 books at the same time!i've booked my daughter and i for a few clown gigs and i'm getting ready to launch my new book on saturday! yesterday we all were on tv ,me,emily and mollie too! it was a lot of fun.we got 2-5 minute segments so we got to say a lot.i always feel good after a tv spot.it feels like i'm actually making ground! today i buckled down and began my book for port hope.it's a mollie doodle adventure about all of us going on holiday in port hope.it features quite a few store owners ,the councillor and people of note.also a few of their attractions from a tourist stand point.i shall be busy but at least i don't have to worry about money coming in.nice!

darci-que

hi! today is a snowy,rainy day in my town.i recocked my bathtub,looked over my story for my port hope book,spent time with my friend who's going through a rough time and then i tidied up the whole house!.as i've said my goal this year is to get my books out there in a big way,so......wednesday we're going on local tv to push my new book being released on saturday next week here in creemore!my daughter also wrote a book for a class assignment so i published it and it will be sellin g as well along with all my other books.on tv ,we're being billed as a mother /daughter author team.mollie is going too! it should be loads of fun.we will be in all the local papers and after the weekend i'm going to send out press releases to see if i can get exposure in the bigger cities.here goes.......

doggy days!

well, today was something!!!! the one doggy i'm caring for, had back end stinkys which turned into the worst diarreah(sp) i've ever delt with.the poor muffin is still exploding! i've cleaned and disinfected my whole house three times.i'm exausted to say the least! i didn't get any artwork done at all.one of the other dogs i take in every day ran away! i chased him for about 45 minutes.he'd come within a foot of me and then dart away again.i decided to walk away and he followed me at a safe distance.he encountered another dog who made it known he was not liked and ran into my arms for safety! he has slept all afternoon!

hi! what a pretty day out there! today i'm working on my book for port hope.they loved my story so i just have to tweek it a bit and then start the illustrations.that will keep me busy for a few weeks! it seems that i'll have lots of work and book signings in the next 3 months.my goal is to get my books and art out there in a bigger market.i also want to sell off all of my limited edition prints and posters to make way for shelf space for my books.i have to decide too-if i want to do artcamp this summer.i've done it for 5 years and while it's very rewarding and loads of fun,it also takes up our whole summer .we seem to take on children whose parents can't afford to pay.now, i don't mind that because children need to have fun and i certainly enjoy them.they probably get more out of it than most! anyway, i decided that i can't do anymore freebies.i have a child of my own who needs to go to university!i have trouble saying no,so it's better to remove temptation! anyway.......happy day!

darci-que

hey!well...today has been a DAY! i walked 5 dogs together in the rain! the rain smells nice outside but not so fresh on doggies indoors.so...besides being an illustrator/author/b&b owner,i take in dogs while their parents go on holidays.it's a blast!they all have their own ways and knock on wood they all like each other.

had another talk today with a fan of my art.she had lots of good ideas but it's hard to add more to my day unless it's a sure thing.i need more of those.....if i could make my wish come true......i would love to just draw all day-let someone else take care of production and spend my off time with my daughter and our doggy friends.that to me would be great! it's nice to dream.seriously though if there is anyone out there in publishing or knows how to get a product out there,i'm interested!i like to think my books could be big sellers!here's to dreaming.....

darci-que

hi! this morning i was on the internet and just for fun i keyed ME in.hilarious !there was an entry that said-famous artist darci-que art for sale!i clicked on to a picture i did years ago.it was beautifully framed and was a print not an original.it was selling for 20.00!the frame was probably 80.00 at the time! that made me feel kinda funny as did the description of "famous"who knew? sometimes i actually wish i was "famous"that was my goal.in toronto ,i did really well and i believe if i had stayed i would've continued to climb higher.i got pregnant and problems with my husbands parents sent us running to a place unknown.i don't regret the move .i have the most wonderful daughter and did not want her to grow up in the city.that's not to say we didn't have troubles here.i am not well liked by many-not that they actually know me-

and then my husband ran away when my daughter was 9.he chose to leave but decided his mission was to see me lose the house and that i along with my/his daughter would have to live in an aptartment.i dug my heels in and thousands of dollars later and 4 years ,the house was mine!it was the most difficult and most endearing time of my life.on one hand i was terrified constantly about money but on the other hand i had this little sweetie that i needed to take extra special care of.i believe everything happens for a reason and had i stayed married,my little girl would not have turned out as well as she has. she's the reason i'm so strong i think!anyway ,must go -have to draw a hip hop guy with a ballerina.

darci-que

hi,it's me -darci-que! had an eventfull day.we got up early to make the house ready for b&b guests.they never showed.then we got ready for our sunday dinner guests and guess what ?they didn't show or call either.we didn't let this get to us though.we had a wonderfull turkey dinner and took some to our little ailing neighbour.it's all good! while we were out for a walk today we ran into the guy from 97.7 wasaga beach radio station.he's going to come to my book signing in 3 weeks and give things out to my peoples.that will be fun and a real add to our day!my goal this year to find a publisher or someone who can get my books across canada.are there any other illustators or children's authors out there who self publish?

darci-que

hello! this is the first day of my first blog.how exciting! i decided. to do this form of communication to see if there are artists like me who are successfull but not in the financial dept.this is not to say i'm broke but i feel i could be making more money for all the hard work i do.know what i mean?i do a lot of work for organizations for free in the hopes that i will catch on in the big market.this worked in toronto but now i live in the beautiful village of creemore,on.and my work is not in their mainstream.i'm somewhat of a outcast in the art department.not that i mind!i love what i do and how i do it.in past years(back to toronto again) i won 18 awarde for my style so this has given me the courage to stay true to my craft.i would love dialogue from any other artists out there who are different.

anyway ,this is my first blog and i'd better stop here.happy day! darci-que