Looking back at London

I can't believe it's been over a year since my 5 day trip to London in November of 2010. Everything was arranged so quickly and decided at the last minute. This was the first time I financed my own trip from A to Z and flew completely solo. Although I kept wishing I could share the experience with someone else (seeing Big Ben for the first time by myself I had to act normal when all I wanted to do was yell out OMG I'M IN F*CKING LONDON!! while standing on the bridge that has been in so many Monty Python sketches, and double decker buses driving passed me like it's any other day), knowing that the experience is mine alone makes it that much more precious. I can't even begin to describe how good London was to me, even the bad was good. My eyes well up a bit when I have a flashback of a particular moment I experienced and I get butterflies in my chest thinking about all of those memories.

My British Airways food and dessert, surprisingly delicious!

Even tough I could see the trajectory and destination on my little personal tv, I still couldn't believe it.  Riding the "tube" for the first time was really exciting. 

There were so many moments where I realized I was not home anymore. Cars driving down the wrong side of the road had me confused when crossing the street and seeing completely different skylines had me thinking I was in some far away land.

Old and new. Traditional and contemporary. My two favourites. And this mish-mash describes London well.

For example, not far from this road (Bethnal Green Road), was the Brick Lane market and you would see Victorian doors and chairs for sale and a few steps further hear reggae music blasting and then a bit further down, a man dressed in an aluminium space suit with a sign above him that read "The Sonic Manipulator".

Known and unknown street art. (Seeing a space invader in real life was so surreal!)

Abbey Road was so near and surprisingly easy to find. I think I'm still in shock/denial that I was actually there. I did grab a yellow submarine pin at the Beatles coffee shop (smallest coffee shop I've ever been to!) and another small souvenir for the biggest Beatles fan I know.

Me in situ on my way back from the Metropolitan University where our plates were being exhibited (my reason for being in London in the first place). And finally, taking a photo of the plane that was to take me home after a 24h wait at the airport...(long story). 

Nevertheless, it was an unforgettable trip that I will cherish forever ❤

Travel journal

Just finished this latest custom travel journal and now peeling the glue off of my palms :) I was told it will be flying to Africa, which is so SO very exciting. I travel vicariously through these journals since I haven't had the incredible privilege in so long. Travelling is an indescribably rich experience and changes you forever. Flying however scares the crap out of me, but being in another country, another set of everything makes it all worthwhile.

First monthly and weekly planner!

How proud am I for realizing my first monthly and weekly planner? Very proud! It was a bit of a painstaking process since I was printing at home, but it still turned out alright so I am glad. I printed out another copy which is "dirtier" (the toner double printed all over the place) I don't mind it at all, I look forward to making that one later on.

Happy weekend!

Groove is in the heart

My Sunday was full of surprises. First I skinned and chopped up a whole (organic) chicken when I visited my mother intending to simply drop something off and then found out she had hurt her hand and needed my help. Then I just caught the bus my friend was on to join her on her way downtown since our lunch date had been delayed by the chicken chopping. However that is when I found out where she was going and I on the spur of the moment said: alright! We went to the Salon de l'amour et de la seduction and it was like nothing I had ever seen before, my favourite moment was when Roxi DLite performed on the main stage. She is an amazing female burlesque performer. Her show was so incredibly glamourous and her outfit was insatiable. I was in complete awe.

Afterwards, we went to 3 Amigos to eat some yummy mexican inspired grub and then had dessert at Yeh! frozen yogourt. Had I been told that morning what I was going to do and see that day, I wouldn't have believed it, since it was so completely packed with adventure and I didn't plan a single thing. 

Morning dew

Such is the title of the painting I cut up to make this book. It was my very first painting for Cegep, which feels like a decade ago, because it was in fact a decade ago. Time does fly in retrospect. 

This isn't the first time I've made this type of book, but it has been such a long time ago, that I completely forgot how to or the possibility of it. I'm really glad I remembered though and am looking forward to making more as it is a great way to be truly creative with bookmaking without the process being too time-consuming and tedious.

I used this tutorial to refresh my memory and if you have any interest in making your own journal/sketchbook without too much hassle, you should definitely give this a go.

Betsey Johnson!!

Just had to take a moment to share my first ever Betsey Johnson earrings! They are my preciousss..I kid, but I really do think they are lovely.

mili

Bookmaking BOOM!

I don't know what else to call it! It really was a bookmaking boom! Since my last post, I was contacted by a very talented friend of mine to make some sketchbooks for her before she goes back abroad to complete her master's degree. Of course it was a total pleasure and I couldn't ask for a more fun selection of papers and fabrics to work with. It was also really nice to catch up with her however briefly as she and I and 13 other people were in Italy a few years ago (already approaching 3 years! ah!) for a month-long drawing course and it still comes up in conversation as having been an incredibly rich experience that has affected our lives and our work in a completely positive way. Speaking of wich, I invite you to check out her work as she is an amazing artist/painter. I'm truly honoured that henceforth her drawings will grace the handmade books I custom made for her :)

mili