Hot Yoga

Today Sarah and I went for our very first class of 'Hot Yoga'. For those of you who don't know what this is - it is yoga in a heated room - and I mean heated! I read somewhere that it is 40c in there. Basically you do 90 minutes of yoga in extreme heat - quite the challenge! I had no idea what to expect going in... I was really nervous - scared that I might pass out, or throw up, or god knows what.

In the end I found it to be a very challenging and wonderful experience. It was hard - I had to sit out of the last couple poses because I felt light headed. Also, I don't think I have ever sweat that much in my life! The instructor was great - he is actually the owner of the studio.

And what a beautiful studio! It is very well maintained, clean and comfortable. 

Sarah and I got 3 for 1 passes. We have already paid, so now we can go 2 more times for free! I am really excited to go, and will report back on how those classes go.

To report on the first one, here's how I was/am feeling:

- SUPER nervous beforehand...

- a little jolted by the heat and humidity when I entered the studio

- found it to be not as bad as I had expected to start

- found it hard to hold onto my own body when required (holding my ankle, etc) because I was SO sweaty

- near the end started to feel lightheaded...

- sat out a couple poses and drank a lot of water

- could not wait for the coolness of the lobby when it was over

- I now feel super limber and relaxed

- feeling a bit drained and tired, but I still need to eat more food

- super excited to give it a second try! (and proud of myself for not passing out)

:)

I won't be so nervous next time!

Check out their website at: www.bikramyogakw.com

Canada Arts Connect

A piece of mine was featured on Canada Arts Connect!!!!

Check it out!!!

http://canada-arts-connect.blogspot.com/2009/05/job-listings-for-monday-may-18-2009.html

Cocoon Apothecary

I love Cocoon Apothecary. Here are the reasons why:

1) They are local! So local in fact, that these lovely products are made in the very city I live in.

2) They are pro recycling. So much so, that they are now packaging some of their items in glass. Mmmm. Glass is SO much nicer than plastic!

3) They are animal friendly.

4) They are purely plant based, natural and VEGAN! Not that I am vegan, but I appreciate the effort they put into making these products chemical and animal free.

5) The stuff works - I am either using or have used at some point pretty much all of their products. They are not all listed on their website right now, but there is quite a few items.

I just received a shipment from them today (hence my blog post). I ordered: 

Petal Purity - a facial cleanser that I simply cannot get enough of. It is so smooth and nice and leaves your skin feeling just lovely and clean.

Rose Dew - a facial toner that you spritz onto your face after cleansing. You have no idea how wonderful this feels until you try it.

Spotbuster - a roll on pimple treatment that really works. Let's face it - I've got pimples - we all know it. I am trying to do something about it :P

Magic Bean - a body creme. I have never had Magic Bean before, so this one is a first for me but I am super excited about it because it smells like a chocolate milkshake.

I was just so thrilled to receive my package today, because this is the first time I have ever had their facial cleanser and body creme packaged in glass! You have no idea how excited this makes me. The roll on's have always been in glass, but the cleanser and cremes were always in plastic. I am stoked. I hate plastic.

Anyways, please check them out. If you live in the KW area they are usually at the Stitch n' Kitsch shows which happen at First United Church a few times a year. They also sell at some stores in Toronto and Kitchener... not sure of the details but you can check them out on their website. 

http://www.cocoonapothecary.com/

Support local, natural, animal friendly, vegan, etc body products!!!!! Face it, they are better for you in the end!

:)

Upcoming Show!

Hello everyone!  

Just a little note to let you know about a show I will be participating in in one week. Here are the details, hope to see you there!  

'Afternoon Out With The Girls' Saturday May 2nd 1pm - 4pm Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church (lower level) 245 Lexington Road, Waterloo. No admission - Free parking!  

This event is designed to help raise funds for the missions work of Carrie Elsden, with SIM Canada, as she departs for Zimbabwe this year. Please support her by coming out! 

And keep in mind you can always find my work at Rare Funk (8 Duke Street East Kitchener) and online at www.mekraatz.etsy.com.

My new boyfriend

As my friend Chao said to me this morning "Happy Jesus Day" everyone!

Good news! My computer is BACK! I must say, I think we both missed each other a lot. Now that it is back and set up and virus free (knock on wood) I am going to start posting those blogs with photos I have been talking about. Starting with...

Growing a boyfriend.

Because my sister is so cute and clever, she put a delightful little gift in my stocking at Christmas - A 'grow your own prince'. I totally forgot about it for a while, but during my computers down time I decided to give him a go. The kicker is, my little prince started out as a frog! The package claims 'Just add water! A growing prince hiding in a frog! Full grown after 72 hours!' A lot of exclamation points there... It also stated 'Not for consumption'. That one has no exclamation point... it's dead serious. Anyway - here is our progress:

Here he is, in all his ugly frogginess. I filled his container with water and waited with anticipation to see what would happen!

His green started melting off... ew creepy!

This is the box he came in, in case you are interested in picking one up for yourself, or a loved one. Oh, and he is now fading to white...

What is this!?! A little man??

Yes I believe it indeed IS a little man... Welcome to my humble home my little Prince! But it's not over yet...

Here he is full grown... and he grew so big that he ripped his pants!

My new boyfriend only lasted with me a few days... I grew tired of the fact that he lived in water so I drained him and pitched him in the trash. Well - it was fun while it lasted ;)

Just some thoughts

Well kids, I'm at the library.
Last week my computer went 'kaput' and now it is having a vacation at my brothers house - I hope it comes back happy and fresh and new and virus free :)

I have had so many ideas for blogs lately... it figures it happens when my computer is dead, right? Haha... oh well. I'll have to post them later - I won't right now because they require photos, and I didn't bring the cable for my phone...

About that art project I mentioned a while ago... it is slow going getting it organized. It requires permission from some people from my past, and it has been quite the adventure getting that permission! I actually decided to give up on it after a few uncomfortable instances ... but then after talking to a good friend about it I have decided to go about it anyway. Even if I can't get everyone involved, I think the project will be healthy for me to do in the end. I bet you're all just boiling with curiosity aren't you?!?!
Keep those seat belts buckled - you'll find out eventually :)

Some good news - I have been sewing! Nothing too creative, but sewing nonetheless. I finished some throw pillows for my brother and sister in law (they were in my possession for way too long waiting to be finished) and boy does it feel good to have those out of the house! I bet they look nice in their place too :) I haven't been over to visit them yet (the pillows, that is)
I also finished a quilt top for my friend Joe - it's almost done Joe! Top, finished - back, almost finished... now I just need batting. Poor Joe has been waiting for this quilt for months... is my face red? :P
One thing at a time... getting caught up, and with every item I finish I get more and more excited about doing artsy things for myself! Next on the list, repairing some items for a friend. After that is done, I am off to the races with my own work :D I am SO excited!!

It is also coming to show applying time... I am about to do my application for Art on the Street - I have done this show 3 times now... I think 3 times... yes 3...
I can't wait for 4! It's a great show.
I actually applied for a spring show recently... one that I have been wanting/trying to get into for a loooooong time - it's actually the only show I have never been accepted into. So, I sent my application off in the mail for this show, super excited because I thought this time, for SURE I'll get in! To my surprise, the next week, I get a package in the mail. The unfortunate part is that the package I received was my application! The stamp had fallen off, and it was returned to me. Can you BELIEVE it??? So, even though I knew it would be late, I sent it off in the mail again with a stamp taped on like crazy. I received an e-mail from a girl from the show the next week saying she got my application, but it was too late. Gah! I couldn't believe it. Oh well. I will try again for the winter show. :)

Some fun in my life lately - I went to see Sweet Thing for the third time in Toronto. My sister and her boyfriend and I went together. It was actually a 'Lights' concert, but Sweet Thing was opening - and I went purely for them :) They are SO good! I chatted with Owen (the lead singer) for a bit after their set. I talked to him the last time I saw them too. What a gem! I am going to see them yet again on the 21st at the Mod club in Toronto, and I am super excited :D They guarantee a great show - always super fun, super cute, and super good music!! Oh, and I may have a 'mild' crush on the entire band.... but especially on Owen ;)

Anywho - that's all for now folks! I will post another couple blogs soon once I get this photo thing figured out....

I'm back baby!

Ok, so it's been a while.

I have had some complaints about how I haven't updated my blog since the beginning of December. I was struggling with what to write on here, as I have not been feeling particularly inspired as of late. BUT - this week a lovely evening with a good friend and good wine sparked my creative lust (yes I'm calling it lust) and I now have some great ideas that I am excited to pursue.

The one I am most excited about I can't talk about yet...it involves getting permission from others before I can go about starting it. I have drawn out some ideas...and I think it has some great potential. It's about my past - involving some specific people...and that's all I'll say just now :) Hopefully it all works out, and I will be able to start!

I also tried to kick start my sewing last night by hemming a pair of pants that have been waiting to be hemmed for months...I know it's not creative, but it got me going on my machine again. Oh my poor machine... it missed me, and I, it!

I hadn't been sewing because my sewing space is no longer conducive to easy creativity. I had to get a room mate in November due to some lack of funds, and therefore had to hand over my lovely studio to someone else to live in :( My studio was moved into the dining room at the beginning of November, and yesterday was the first time I did any sewing in it since the move. I am so glad that I now have some good ideas to get the sewing going again!!

Anywho, wish me luck. If all goes well I'll be reporting back soon with progress!