Flashpoint auction to benefit The Tema Conter Memorial trust

Back in 2008, I posted about an up and coming TV show created by two talented Torontonians.

As their 5th and final season wraps up, they're having an auction of items donated by Flashpoint cast an crew.  If you loved the show and want to get your hands on a piece of the show's history, go on over to TV-eh?, where Diane has generously set up the auction for free.

Auction proceeds will benefit The Tema Conter Memorial trust.

Auction ends December 14th at 11:59:59 EST.

Talented artist: Seth Wilks

I recently had the good fortune of crossing paths with Canadian artist Seth Wilks as he did caricatures using new technology on a cell phone.

The freedom of his lines appeal to me as does the simplicity of his work.

Have a look and see for yourself!

Mommy March Madness

March Madness not your thing? You may want to check out Moxie Madness 2012: Misery Poker Tournament!

From Ask Moxie:

64 mothering calamities go mano-a-mano in a single elimination tournament like you've never seen before.

Only one mothering problem can be the champion...

Vote for which problem is worse in a series of shoot-from-the-hip head-to-head matchups that will leave you breathless.

First matchups start Thursday. Final Championship Match April 2. Are you ready to rumble?

Read more.

Are you going to join in the fun?

Where the birdies is

Check out "Where the birdies is," a publication by Michael Renouf. Michael has a gift for illustrative puns and his style is clean as well as pleasing to the eye. Check out his blog, Non-Stick Plans.

Then buy his book at Lulu.com!

From Michael's post:

My first, experimental, effort in this direction could loosely be described as a book - it's more of a glorified pamphlet - and it's up on Lulu now. It's called 'Where the Birdies is' and is a sort of ornithillogical anthology of 60 birdie-themed drawings (plus the one above on the cover and a little one on the half-title page) from this very blog.

Being Lulu and print-on-demand it's neither perfectly printed (partly due to my habit of using gradients for backgrounds) nor cheap. Am I doing a good job of selling it to you? It's paperback, 7.5" (19cm) square, 64 pages, in full colour (apart from the black and white bits). It even has a contents page, like a proper book. It's only available on Lulu for now.

Free Name Your Tune song by MP3

Canada's own, Name Your Tune, is giving away personalized songs by MP3! From their site:

Starting on February 11th and ending on February 12th at Midnight e.s.t., please fill out the form below to receive your 1 FREE Name Your Tune song by MP3. One Entry Per Person/Email.

Full details can be found at their website.

10% discount at Alli's Originals

About this time last year, I was gifted with an extraordinarily beautiful necklace from Alli's Originals.

Alli's Originals specializes in made-to-order hand stamped, personalized sterling silver jewellery. Alli is an at home Mompreneur who began making jewelry as a hobby over 10 years ago. You can read more about Alli at her blog.

Is there something there that catches your eye? Go for it!

To save 10%, use code ao10%07 at checkout.

Thank you Alli!

This one speaks for itself

Shout out to Debbie Ridpath Ohi for liccensing her works under Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Evelien Lohbeck’s "Notebook"

Evelien Lohbeck’s" Notebook" is an extremely creative blend of geek and artist.



[h/t: Neatorama]

How Inspiring

I was excited to discover that Brigindo, nominated my Doodle Blog for an Inspiration Award! With recognition comes responsibility. Specifically, rules.

Mel's rules:

1. Please put the logo of the award (see right) on your blog if you can make it work with your format.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 7 or more blogs.
4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.
   

My award recipients:

1. Falling down is also a gift - Moreena tells her story of mothering a youngster who has required multiple liver transplants. Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, her posts are thought provoking and straight from the heart.
   
   
2. Postcards from the Mothership - Dani writes about the trials and tribulations of being the only double X chromosome lifeform in her five person household. Whether it's the quest for the perfect nanny or the latest highlight of raising three boys, Dani's sure to put a smile on my face!
   
   
3. Martinis for Milk - Nadine keeps us informed of the ins and outs of the balancing act required to be a mom of two, a wife and a career woman. Her posts are often humourous and never dull!
   
   
4. zoopolis - Andrea has been a professional environmentallist for over 15 years. I'm bound to get an education as I read the knowledge that Andrea imparts!
   
   
5. Non-Stick Plans - Michael is an awesomely talented illustrator with a wicked sense of humour!
   
   
6. Daily MVillos - Another Michael. This one shares the thought process around his ideas, the process and often the internal struggle inherent in his artwork.
   
   
7. Dead Things on Sticks - Denis, a Toronto based television screenwriter, toils day and night to make the Canadian television industry a better place. He has thought provoking insights into an industry about which I know very little.

December surprise from Alli's Originals

Shortly after the holiday chaos subsided in December, I went out to check the mail and found this:

I always get excited to get oversized envelopes in the mail. Bills rarely come in oversized envelopes!

Case in point, lookie what was inside:

What a pretty package!

See who it's from?

What's inside, you ask?

Ooohhhhhhh.....

A beautiful reminder for me!

Alli's Originals specializes in made-to-order hand stamped, personalized sterling silver jewellery. Alli is an at home Mompreneur who began making jewelry as a hobby over 9 years ago. You can read more about Alli at her blog.

I won this beautifully hand-crafted piece through an internal draw for Mabel's Labels agents.

Thank you Mabel! Thank you Alli!

I love it!

Share this!

The Savvy moms at Savvymom.ca recently launched ShareSavvy.ca a lovely site for SavvyMoms to share. From their site:

"You can post or search for local favourites shared by moms in neighbourhoods all over Toronto (and soon in every ‘hood across Canada). It’s the local guide built just for moms, a virtual Rolodex of all the best stuff, places and services in and around town."

Bliss Notes: your guide to abundant living

Jen Lawrence, founder of (the now defunct) T.O. Mama and Dwell on These Things has just launched Bliss Notes ~ an online guide to abundant living.

Today marked the inaugural issue of Bliss Notes, discussing how to bring a little spring zen to your nest. (For those of you who missed it, apparently archives will be available on the Bliss Notes site on May 15th.)

What are you waiting for? Sign-up today!