Pre-Spring Spring to Palm Springs

To see more photos, click here.

One word to sum up Vancouver in January: RAIN. 

So when my good friends Sue and Gar (who have been like a 2^nd set of parents ever since I met them/dated their son 18 years ago), invited me to Palm Springs, I leapt at the chance! Flights out of Bellingham are extremely economical (even if one has to go on the milk run both ways), so I could COMPLETELY rationalize going.

And it was totally worth it! The house they rented had its own backyard pool...a definite highlight! I swam EVERY morning whilst a hummingbird watched me from the tree overlooking the pool:) And you all know how significant hummingbirds have been for me. It even flew over to me when I came out onto the patio to show Sue a fancy dress I brought. Mom still trying to approve my wardrobe!?

The first day I was there, we went downtown to check out the 'Forever Marilyn' statue. Apparently, Palm Springs is where she was discovered and they seemed very proud to have her back there. It is quite something to see: 26 ft tall and looks so strikingly identical to her. But to see it with the backdrop of the mountains, palm trees and desert is rather surreal.

We had heard that if the fruit overhangs the fence, it is free for the pickings! The tree branches in front were super prickly and trying to balance on Sue's hands whilst picking the fruit and not dropping it was no easy task! She hoisted me up not one, not two but THREE times before I noticed a full gaggle of senior citizens enjoying the debauchery from the other side in the comfort of their patio recliners...poolside. Always obliged to be the source of someone else's entertainment...it just happens:) 

Our next adventure was Joshua TreeNational Park. I have to say that it was so exciting to be traveling and taking pictures again. Sue and Gar were just as amped about all the potential photo opps and so we had many a stop throughout the park. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the sun set over the cactus garden like the guide had told us we would if we arrived by 5:15. So we vowed to come back the next day...

And was I glad we did. The colour of the sky and the golden light in itself was stunning..add in the funky cacti, made me a very content little photog! 

I had a chance to join the Mile High Club after a twisty trip up the San Jacinta Mountains to Cafe Aroma Bistro. They have modeled their restroom to resemble an airplane lavatory. Their is a flying cow outside one of the windows, a t-shirt that says 'Join the Mile High Club' and a life size photo of a flight attendant on the door. My favourite part is the hate mail they had framed from an ex-patron extremely up in arms over the 'encouraging' of customers to have sex in their bathroom. Some people really just need to relax. Alas, I am still not a member. 

About sunset that night, we went to one of the nearby wind farms to photograph the turbines up close. Again. Another exhilarating experience. The warm winds blowing me every which way and the sound of the turbines and the light at dusk...I had a hard time tearing myself away. I felt an amazing energy there and left invigorated and so grateful to get to be there. 

The following day I found a dealership specializing in antique cars..definitely not a subject I would gravitate to, but a client had made a special request...and I knew my Dad would dig 'em. 

The eve of my last night there, we planned to head to a local nightclub, but instead we just stopped at The Riviera to take a gander at where the brat pack lolly gagged (you know you are getting older when). The chandeliers are sure to be future pieces of jewelry.

I was so sad to leave Sue and Gar but SO happy that I went. Every bit of it was food for the soul and the best part was all the belly laughs we had. I don't know two people that are happier or more in love than them and it's completely contagious. It was so nice to awake to the sound of laughter and splashing in the pool...and so lovely just to wake up to other people around period, as I am  normally waking up to hungry kitties at my bedside (good, but human contact is pretty sweet!).  

Where does the road lead to next? HINT: Volcanologists, surfers and photogs flock there:)

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment. It's easy enough to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments."  

- Elizabeth Gilbert, author  

A Coupon, a Gift Idea and a Merry HO HO!

Satisfied by what is, eager for what is coming.

Wishing everyone out there happy holidays, merry christmas, fa la la la la and all that!

My Pops is here in Van (flew in from Saskatchewan last week)! We went to see 'Life of Pi' last night and ate copious amounts of buttery popcorn. Tonight will be chillax and after I take him to the airport tomorrow, will be going to see 'The Hobbit' with some friends (more fistfuls of popcorn!) and then to their place for dinz afterwards. Gonna be a nice little Chrissy:)

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all of your support (and also for buying stuff), especially in the past year. I have received so many emails of encouragement and words really can't describe how much it means to me to know that people actually read and/or care about what I'm up to. It encourages me to keep doing what I'm doing and I never feel like I am alone in this wondrous journey.

COUPON CODE: SPESH15

I am including a coupon code for 15% off and it is good until January 1, 2013. You can use it for any item in my shop or on a gift certificate for someone! Which leads me to.....

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

For anyone who is looking for a last minute gift for someone, you can order a digital gift certificate from my Etsy shop in any denomination. I'll email you a pdf of the file and you can either forward to the recipient or print it off for them. Eazy peazy finit!

I wonder what good things are in store for us all in the new year. I'd love to hear what you've got planned! ESPECIALLY if it involves traveling, photography, following your dreams, being inspired, kicking ass and/or just being awesome.

MUCHO LOVE, HUGS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TT

"Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it."

-Winston Churchill

I Survived the Coke & Roger's Pass...Where's My T-shirt?!

Leaving Vancouver...

Fortune favours the brave...

I am back from the prairies and oh what a trip that was! I did manage to get every last thing I needed into my car which I have to say was quite satisfying. Kind of like when you pile/organize every last supper dish you washed to perfectly balance onto the dish rack..or solving the Rubik's Cube? 

I got away way later than I had hoped and just accepted the fact that I would be driving in the dark for a good portion of the trip. Everything was pretty smooth sailing til I hit the Coquihalla of course...but still nothing compared to what was to come. The last opportunity to take a hotel for the night for a long stretch was in Valemount..but at that point I hadn't even considered it. Five minutes past the town, it turned into a complete whiteout. 

It had been years, if not decades since I experienced this kind of storm and I had forgotten how terrifying...and LONELY it could be. I seemed to be the only car on the highway with a smattering of big trucks. This did not comfort me. Eventually I got behind a grater, a blessing and a curse. Its lights helped to act as a guide to stay on the road but the blinding gusts of snow were not so helpful. I had moments of complete delusion...not knowing where I was on the road or where I was headed. I promised myself that if I made it to Jasper, I would go no further! 

The grater finally pulled over and stopped on the side of the road so I could pass him and the conditions did get a little better after that and so of course questioned if I should keep going. I thought...what would my Mom or Dad tell me to do? Yeah. Left turn into Jasper. 

I Hotwired a room for $69 at The Lobstick Lodge. Just me and two King Size Beds! I lazily went through my emails and ALMOST deleted one that said, 2012 WORLD OPEN FINALISTS. I had entered the contest several months ago and had gotten daily emails from them showcasing other photographer's entries...did I really want to know who made the final cut? Sure. Why not. But I was too tired so just shut down my laptop and went to bed,

The next morn I headed back out onto the highway. I met with a mountain goat, saw an overturned truck and a dead deer in the ditch. Staying over in Jasper...excellent choice!  

I pulled up to Sue and Gar's house in Millet (just outside of Edmonton) and could already feel the warmth from the lights of the Christmas Tree. I made it! Sue and Gar are very dear friends, if not like family. I lived with them in university when I was working at their resto and then again when I did my practicum and also for a spell while I was working in Edmonton. They also housed Pusskin, Sigurd and I for the first few months of Mom's illness. It is my happy place. A home constantly full of love, hugs and laughter (and soul food). 

The next day it was off to the races! All I had to do was pull into the loading docks and some very nice gentleman helped me unload the contents of my car onto this wondrous dolly! Lickety split. Finit! Done.

I wheeled it into the showroom and POOF! This happened...

OK that's a huge lie/wish! Another 4-5 hour set-up...how do I not get FASTER at this?!

I had bought another shelf at IKEA on my way into Edmonton to display the wood blocks but didn't have to use it thanks to April from Yapes Paints who had the booth beside me. She let me use the outside of her wicked mesh wall which I also utilized for my wall prints! TOO awesome. If you like fanciful fish, offbeat owls, big birds and twirling tree trunks, you will LOVE her work! 

The show was definitely busy and in a beauty venue! So many of my AB peeps stopped by! I couldn't get pics of everybody so would like to extend my deepest thanks to each and everyone of you who took the time to pop by! Also a shout out to Jesse and Shad for the wonderful hospitality and letting me stay at their place in Edmonton for the duration of the show. We had a bad ass good time watching movies in our jams:) 

And 4 days later...it was all over. As per usual, I met a tonne of great people...10,000  came through! Not too shabby. Definitely worth the trip:) It took me just 2.5 hours to dismantle and get it all back into my car. A record! Also was 2nd last out the door just by a hair! Again..thanks to Jenna and Chandler Herbut for putting on another wicked successful show:) 

After that, it was all about merry making and fellowship with friends! You have all heard me talk about Tash and her book, 'Story of Q' (like a million times now). Well, she just so happened to be back in Edmonton to do a book signing. Her and Jono were making a little pit stop before they move back to South Africa (they had been living in NZ/AUS prior to this). Not only was she signing her book, but she was also selling prints from Mzet's Hope, an organization that her and Jono started to help grandmothers who are left to care for their grandchildren in AIDS ravaged families. Please check it out - the artists are pretty spectacular!

Various friends popped by and it was a cozy warm eve filled with hugs and goodness and hot bevvies! 

I spent a large chunk of my time soaking up Christmas and togetherness with Sue and Gar after that. It had been exactly a year since Mom passed away, December 2nd. So I didn't feel like it was the greatest time to be exactly where I was last year going through the worst time of my life. But I think it was also good to face it head on. We had a lovely seafood supper that evening and I quietly remembered her, as I do each and every day. She would not want us to dwell on the ending...but all the oo-ey goo-ey good stuff in between. 

I left Edmonton/Millet feeling bittersweet. It was so much fun to see so many good friends but it made it even harder to leave...especially with Christmas coming! Alas, I was grateful for the time spent and headed to Calgary for more! 

I got to see my cousin Liane on the way in Red Deer and then stayed with my friend of many, many years (16!!), Erika and her dog Sid. We hadn't seen each other in far too long but it felt like we picked up right where we left off. And I felt exactly the same when I saw Donna, Tanya and Kristi. You know you have a good friendship when it feels like no time has passed between you at all. All these reunions came at such a good time after being rather hermit-like working away in my apt for much of the last several months and being rather immobile prior to that. My heart needed a fill-up, and I certainly felt like it was brimming with warm n' fuzzies when I left!

Amongst all the visiting came a very big Christmas present for me! A lady had emailed me on Etsy the week prior to leaving and said she loved all of my wares and wanted to buy EVERYTHING. Yeah.....OK. As an artist, you learn that it's best not to get too excited about these things...as to not be disappointed. But she DID end up buying EVERYTHING I had left over from the show for a retail store she is opening in Calgary....making my trip even MORE fortunate than I had ever imagined! 

I headed out on Hiway 1 a couple days later, not very excited about driving through Roger's Pass. I was on my way to stay in Kelowna for the night with one of my best friend's parents (from growing up in SK). Before I was about to cross Roger's Pass, an officer stopped me to see if I had winter tires and warm clothes. Um. Not comforting. He said the roads were really bad and to 'be careful'. The roads WERE really bad but I just tried to relax into it and go as slow as possible. Once I got past Golden, it was well, GOLDEN! 

I had a wonderful eve with Ron and Peggy...we hadn't seen each other in...decades?? Anyway, a long time! One really must make time to see the people you love. I have been acutely aware of this especially as of late. Relationships need nurturing...and nothing should trump that. 

When I was getting ready to leave the next day, their neighbour yelled across the street, 'She's not driving on the Coke today is she?!'...oh no. 

As soon as I left the city limits of Kelowna it turned to...shit. I was white knuckling it WAY before I even hit the Coquihalla. I heard on the radio that a meter of snow had fallen the past few days and the graters were not able to keep up. Awesome. 

My speed went down to about 30 and no one even tried to pass me. I really feel like there should be some kind of air ferry that picks vehicles up over this area and brings them safely to the other side. Once I got past it, I had never been so happy to drive in rain in all my life!  What a breeze! I get the 'Highway Thru Hell' nickname now. Also, am I the only one that thinks you should get a t-shirt anytime you drive either Roger's Pass or the Coquihalla in the winter saying that you SURVIVED!?! 

It was a joyful homecoming being back in Vancouver. It had been 2 in a half weeks since I saw the little ones (my cats) and I was good and ready for the milder weather...I have definitely become a pansy when it comes to cold temps! 

I got 4 Etsy orders the following week which was awesomely good, along with some re-orders from locals. YAY! 

I gave the sea a big hug and breathed a huge sigh of gratitude for the past several weeks. Life is grand. 

The addict hides from the pain of life; the artist uses the pain of life to make something beautiful. 

- Steven Pressfield

Oh I almost forgot! I finally opened that email:

The images that made it were 'Stubby the Pigeon' and the elderly couple in NY, 'Short Walk, Long Journey'. I did not win but I was super amped to have been a finalist considering who I was up against! Fist pumps. Check out all the 2012 World Open of Photography finalists here!

Alberta Bound!

I am grateful to be able to show up and do the work today.

Make It! Vancouver was...a blur. 

Hence, I only have one stinkin' picture from the whole event! I left my booth only to get caffeine and go to the lavatory. I was hoping to check out some of the other 140 artisans peddling their wares, alas there was work to be done! 

Again, mucho love to my friend Kevin (if we weren't such kick ass friends, I'd run off to Vegas and marry him!) who came to my apt Thursday morning to help me load everything into my car and his SUV. When we got to the Croatian Cultural Centre low and behold, the biggest baddest dolly was just sitting at the front door all alone...I swear I saw a GLOW around it (thanks universe!). I almost started vibrating I was SO excited...this meant the usual 10 or so trips in and out could be shortened down to 2 or 3 which meant more time to unpack and get set up! YAY! 

It still took me 4 hours...and I was still tweaking (putting final price tags on jewelry, bookmarks into gift boxes etc)..but I LOOKED set up when the clock struck 4...that's the important thing.

Nine thousand people (no joke) came through the doors and there were people lined up all 4 mornings to get in! Thursday and Friday were mildly busy but Saturday and Sunday were the cray cray days! At times there were so many people in my booth that none of us could move! 

As always, I had amazing booth neighbours, Ross and Suzanne from Two Monkeys Design on Salt Spring Island, who make toques, scarves and shawls with natural fibres. They saved my bladder a couple of times by watching my booth as did the lovely Joanne from Cocoa West Chocolatiers on Bowen Island and Carla from Carla's Victorian Heirlooms when they stopped by to say hello..they got put to work instead! Bless them.

Power siblings, Jenna and Chandler Herbut of Make It Productions, pulled off a wicked show yet again! My deepest gratitude to them for making it all happen. I would like to thank my awesome friends who came out to support and all the new peeps I had the pleasure of meeting in my booth. Always my favourite part of the show.

As per usual, I was the last one to leave the party. The show ended at 5 and I got everything packed up by 730. Kevin again helped me load it all up in the pouring rain (don't worry, I repaid him handsomely with wild salmon burgers, roasted potatoes followed by ginger candy, buttery popcorn and re-runs of Locked Up Abroad at my place)! 

I left most of my display stuff in the Subaru as it will be travelling with me on Tuesday to attend the Make It Show at The Enjoy Centre in St. Albert! Oy vey. 

So the next morning I was back at it...transferring images onto wood blocks, making more jewelry, matting prints etc etc etc. The tough thing about these shows is not knowing what is going to sell well and how much...so ya just gotta make a whack load of it and hope for the best! Again, I have barely seen another soul nor done anything leisurely as I've been deep in heavy prep mode yet again. Thank goodness I have amazing friends who understand how much time and effort goes into this kind of thing...and that it's my life's work. There are times I am nostalgic for the days of only 8-5 and weekends off and a steady pay check...oh and benefits! But I am doing what I love. Following my heart. My dreams. And that's da bomb:) Maybe I just need a vacay (or a lottery win?) to de-stress a little. Hawaii anyone?

I still have not figured how I will fit myself and everything I need to take in my car PLUS a suitcase?! Especially since I usually use 2 vehicles to haul everything. It will be an ADVENTURE!

Thanks to el iPhone-o, I will have 8tracks, Hayhouse Radio and audio books to entertain me on the drive. More than anything, the prospect of seeing my AB peeps is what is keeping me going and has made this all so exciting:)

Here's the deets for the show:

Make It! Edmonton
Enjoy Centre

101 Riel Drive  St. Albert

Admission: $5 (good for all 4 days)

Thursday 4-9
Friday 11-9
Saturday 11-7
Sunday 11-5

Click here to get $1 off admission. Print out or show on your phone at the door.

"Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire."  

- Samuel Johnson, British writer.

 "Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain." 

 
- Joseph Campbell, American mythologist, writer. 

"Life in itself is an empty canvas; it becomes whatsoever you paint on it. You can paint misery, you can paint bliss. This freedom is your glory."  

- Osho, Indian philosopher.  

In case you are wondering, I get most of my quotes from The Daily Love. It is the ONE newsletter I never delete and read every day. Check it yo!

Here I Go..Again!

First and foremost, I want to take a moment to acknowledge all of those affected by Hurricane Sandy from the Caribbean to Canada. Special shout-out to Rockaway Beach (hit very hard by the storm), where I have spent a lot of time photographing and getting to know the lovely people who live there. My heart is wrapped right around them. If you are able to, help the Red Cross provide shelter, food and assistance to those in need. 

Interior Design Show West has drawn to a close. If there has anything I have learned from being a market maniac these past several months it is this: stop being such a STRESS CASE and just enjoy it! 

My main concern was that I had not made enough jewelry but in the end, it worked out perfectly as people were much more interested in the wood blocks being in a 'home decor' frame of mind (pun intended). So that was kinda awesome considering this was their debut and I felt like the time dedicated to making over 50 of them in a very short time span was well worth the effort. 

Found room divider on craigslist that fits my hangy hooks just right. SCORE!

I made some great contacts with some Interior Designers which is certainly not something that happens at every show - another super positive! One of my most favourite things is the people you meet and the random conversations that happen with utter strangers...warms the heart and makes it all worthwhile. Humans are pretty cool sometimes;) 

Ghost + Light 

My booth neighbour, Heidi, is the owner and designer of H Art + Fashion. She has her paintings printed onto fabric to utilize in her clothing designs. Why didn't I think of that?! The fabric is beautiful and organic and super comfy and snug fitting but doesn't feel tight. Hello! She also sells fingerless gloves made with organic cotton and has the coolest colours..good luck just choosing one set! 

We laughed. We cried. Literally. Female bonding at its finest! 

Jean Cueta, talented travel + lifestyle photog, came to visit me at the show. So much heart and depth poured into her every click and composition (stemming from her kind and compassionate character). See for yourself on her blog here: Jean Cueta Photography.

Then came my absolute favourite part of the show: takedown. Because it was such a large scale show, one could not even think about getting into the loading docks for several hours with the never ending line-up of big trucks waiting to get in. I pride myself on doing what I do independently and find it hard to ask for help. The thought of making 2 car trips from there and then up and down my ridiculously vertical stairs late into the night had me changing that tune a little and calling for back up! I lugged all my gear to the front doors of the convention centre and my dear friend Kevin (who is now my HERO - God bless him) pulled his SUV up and helped me pack in all of the below. It BARELY all fit but we MADE it work by piling boxes on top of my lap and underneath my feet. I can be quite compact when I want to be. 

All Set Up!

All Taken Down!

FUN FUN FUN!

So now that that is all over, I have been taking pics of the wood blocks I've been making and uploading them to sell on Etsy! And I just added Gift Certificates! For when you can't quite decide what to buy for your loved one. They can be electronically sent as a PDF or sent old school snail mail style in any denomination. 

I have also been making woodblocks like a mofo and all kinds of new photo jewelry has been in the works: cuff links for men, bookmarks and sterling silver (925) rings and earrings! 

All of the above will be introduced at: Make It Vancouver (hope to see you Vangroovians there!) at the Croatian Cultural Centre starting this Thursday at 4 PM (runs til Sunday) and Make It Edmonton at the Enjoy Centre, November 22th-26th. Yes...it's due time that the little Subaru and I head back to the homeland. Looking forward to seeing all you prairie peeps! 

"He who binds to himself a joy does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sunrise." 

- William Blake, was an English poet, painter, and printmaker.  

Life is the dancer, and you are the dance." 

- Eckhart Tolle 

If you're in Vancouver this weekend...

I'm bringin' safety back..yeah.
Vancouver Convention Centre

Interior Design Show West is here! 

Am I excited? 

Yes! 

Am I gonna kick its ass?

Yes! 

Am I ready?

Nope!

But one never feels totally ready for these shows. That's what makes it so fun and a work in progress! So many new pieces to be made and photies to be taken...but there's always Make It Vancouver and Edmonton in November!

I stayed til 1 AM last night getting everything set up so I would have time to make some more jewels today and not be rushed with the finishing touches. It took me just under 8 hours from the time I hauled everything into my space and nailed in the last picture. Which is nada compared to some of the exhibitors who have been setting up since Tuesday! 

The opening event is tonight from 6PM-10PM. There will be a Fashion Show (London, Paris and Vancouver Designers) in conjunction with Vancouver Fashion Week, cocktails at the Bocci Bar and of course some elbow rubbing and hobnobbing. Exhibitors will also be open for business. 

You will find yours truly in the One of a Kind District - Booth D7! I am introducing my photo wood blocks at this show. I have transferred several of my images onto wood cradles which can either be hung on the wall or free stand on their own..no two ever turn out the same. 

A few new sterling silver photo gems will be in the mix as well! 

I shall be Instagramming the weekend...you can follow me at 'traceytomtene'.

The show itself will be amazing! 

Speaker Schedule

Saturday, September 29

NOON Blanco Design Panel
Featuring Aly Velji, Andrew Pike & Cheryl Torrenueva

2PM Tommy SmytheDesigner, Sarah 101 on HGTV

4PM Suzanne Dimma & Mark ChallenCanadian House & Home

Sunday, September 30 

NOON Tommy SmytheDesigner, Sarah 101 on HGTV

1:30PM Kelly DeckKelly Deck Designs

3PM Amanda ForrestWest Coast Design Expert for the Marilyn Denis Show
Amanda Forrest Interior Design Group

Buy your tickets online here. 

The new Vancouver Convention Centre West
1055 Canada Place Vancouver, BC
Located at the foot of Burrard Street, North of Cordova

Hope to see ya there:) 

TT