Wednesday 12 January 2011

WOYWW 12th January 2011

Another week has flown by at the speed of light... my Mum is in her last few days of her 6 week visit.  As its an absolutely freezing -26 outside at the moment, I am guessing she won't be overly sad to return to France!!
On my work desk this week is my latest playing with the Tim Holtz Bird Cage die... yep, again... I am not quite tired of trying it out yet!!
This is the first attempt and it is made from glitter cardstock so my next one will be chipboard, I think the thicker medium will be more substantial as a finished item.
I did mention it is a prototype? LOL  I even made a little wooden perch for the birdie to swing on!
Along with the Bird Cage die I received for my birthday last week, Chris bought me the most beautiful Inukshuk in jade from British Columbia.  I love these things, they are so unusual.

It came in its own wooden box which I am itching to alter...
and my Inukshuk now sits on my mantelpiece.
What is an Inukshuk? 
The mysterious stone figures known as inuksuit can be found throughout the circumpolar world. Inukshuk, the singular of inuksuit, means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of unworked stones that are used by the Inuit for communication and survival. The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path."

A few people have asked to see the Pandora bracelet I got for Christmas and my Mum and Chris managed to almost fill up for my birthday!
It is lovely, isn't it? Chris even found me a Canadian maple leaf bead!
Another first this week was to go to an ice hockey match... it was snowing and blowing and freezing so we went and sat in a huge ice rink.... yes, full of ice!!  It was fun to watch though, and we all went for a fish and chip supper afterwards!
They were under 12's and on the team was my friend Brigette's son, Clayton.  'Our' team won 6 -1 and I put it down to my new Yetti hat and gloves which were cheering them on!
Yetti Nette and Brigette!  Did I mention it was cold???

69 comments:

  1. I love inukshuks too, what they stand for. I'm from california but discovered them on a trip to alaska and canada. Now i leave them on hiking trails :) Thanks for the peek, have a good WOYWW!

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  2. Gorgeous birdcage. That's something I will have to try. Love the Inukshuk too.

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  3. First, I want to thank you for stopping by while I was in the dark. I am now empowered (grin).

    I think your weather is even colder than mine. Of course you have HEAT and a new home that isn't all drafty and uninsulated (if that's a word).

    I finally got my RR project out of the way, and have rethought your "Christmas" gift. It isn't made yet, but it's in my head, which is more than the thing I worked on for nearly a week and HATED.

    I can see it now. In addition to collecting all those masks, you will now be collecting Inuit statues. I love this little guy. In a way, he looks a bit like the pieces from Central America. It's amazing how much each culture is similar, yet so different at the same time. I know you know what I mean.

    I was going to explain about the gun comment you left the other day (before the power went out). I used to own a business where I was told I should have a gun for protection. It was legal to carry it (because I had a permit) as long as it was in plain sight. I could walk into any store (of course I wouldn't, but I could under the law) with my gun strapped to my belt as long as I had my permit on my person. Fast forward a few years and now, Kansas has a conceal-carry law. Anyone who has been through a FOUR HOUR class and has passed, is certified to carry their gun in their handbag or coat pocket. I grew up around guns, and have a very healthy respect for them. They aren't something to play with. Arizona (where the guy shot all those people this week) has the same conceal-carry law Kansas has. I foresee that being the downfall of guns in the US (except for HUNTERS, who will always be permitted to carry them). And before you ask, no, I would not kill Bambi or Bullwinkle!

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  4. I left you a comment and Google told me it was too long to process. How dare they? It took me forever to write it. I've never seen that error before.

    I don't think I can remember what I wrote, but will try. I know I thanked you for visiting when I was in the dark. I am now empowered.

    I know I wrote something about your weather being colder than mine. I know I said how much I liked your new bracelet and thanks for showing it.

    I know I said something about your Inukshuk and how you would be collecting them to go along with your mask collection. Other than that, I said a bunch of dribble about how they looked a bit like the statues found in Central America, only not. And I'm going to quit now, before I get the same error again. When I think what else I wrote, I'll be back.

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  5. Wow, great pics! Thanks for the peek and sharing, Marjo #23 Happy WOYWW

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  6. Morning, Awww how cute is your bird cage, simply beautiful! Hope you are keeping warm! Jo (34) xxx

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  7. Love the bird cage.

    You certainly have collected some 'unusual' pieces of clothing in your travels LOL

    Toni :o)

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  8. Love the dimensional birdcage, been meaning to try this for ages but keep forgetting, And what a cool figure, loving the Inukshuk :D
    Happy Wednesday
    Minxy #2

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  9. I can't believe it is nearly time for your mum to go home, either! Love the pics today - especially the inukshuk, which is really interesting and I love it!

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  10. Hi ya
    enjoy the last few days of your mums visit, wow your birdcage looks fabulous, luv the jade figure & braclet, beautiful,great piccie,happy WOYWW, sue,x (25)

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  11. Great piccies and I love your birdcage. Kim

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  12. Love the bird cage idea.
    Helen (64)

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  13. Brr its making me cold just thinking about it! hugs Pam x

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  14. Cold it looks freezing ... I can't imagine anyone would go out let alone to an ice hockey game! I really like your pandora bracelet, my kids and DH got me one for chrissy two years ago and I just love it. Inukshuk is very interesting have to look that up. Love what you are doing with the bird cage die.
    Sandra

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  15. your desk looks so nice and neat! I love the TH bird cage die...so many things you can do with it. Thanks for sharing the info about the Inukshuk and your bracelet. Nice!

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  16. What fab crafty goodies you have to show us today.You look to be having a wonderful time with your Mum. :-) Happy WOYWW.
    A x

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  17. Hiya,
    loving what you've done with the birdcage die
    Debz
    xx

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  18. Fab everything, Annette! Love the birdcage prototype you're working on, love the inukshuk, love the yeti hat......

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  19. As always your desk is such an inspiration! So tidy and you manage such wonderful work. Maybe thats the secret... I should start cleaning, nah, scrap that thought! LOL
    Your bracelet is beautiful!

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  20. Loved your post - I am really inrigued by this inukshuk! I would love one too! Very unusual thing!
    Your bird cage looks nice - I never got that TH die!
    Your Pandora bracelet is a very nice piece of jewelry! I sometimes go to hockey matches - very energizing!!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

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  21. Ahhhhhhhhhhh I love the bird cage, what a fabbie idea. Love other bits and bobs too.

    Hugs

    Kay (Toodles and Binks)

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  22. Love your Inukshuk and the story behind it.

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  23. Great hat...... I hadn't heard about Inukshuk's before, will have to look this up.

    Cathx 115

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  24. Love the Inukshuk stones. Thanks for the info, I had not come across it before. Nice bracelet too!
    Sue xx 67

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  25. now I love cultural connections, here's two:

    we walkers have cairn/carn/carnedd that mark the way - they are man made piles of rocks that do not resemble people but do ensure that you are on the right path, and the cairns never look like any other 'just a pile of rocks' - you know a cairn when you see one and in bad weather they save lives.

    I have always believed guns are only dangerous in the hands of killers, so we just need to make sure we never give a killer a gun. I eat meat from time to time but never daily and only because i like the taste and it means I can be lazy about sourcing protein in my diet, if I had to kill my own food I'd only eat fish and chickens (and veg and pulses and seeds).

    Do not ask me why I could wring a chickens neck or 'drown' a fish, but not shoot a deer I just live with the contradictions in my life...

    fab blog today..

    Dx

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  26. Oh shades of B&E this comments box is being very annoying. I really cannot retype my whole comment

    I do love your blog today

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  27. That die looks like a lot of fun! I have it, but have never even tried it out! Looks like I'm a little behind. Love your bracelet!

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  28. Wow love what you have done with the birdcage if thats only a protype its brilliant - your blog made me and DH love cause as I was reading I said what a inukshuk then the very next bit explained it as though you had heard thanks for sharing ~ Nicky 45

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  29. Oh Annette, so much stuff in one post! I like what you did with the bird cage, and just in case I'm repeating myself, sorry, but I DO think you are an incredibly creative person. Love the Inukshuk as well, saw some of them when we spent two weeks in BC last summer. And hey, you simply HAVE to go and see at least one ice hockey game if you live in Canada! I went to see a baseball game (Giants in San Francisco, several years before they won!) becaus I thought I had to... well, it was interesting and fun, but I think once is enough. I'll never make it to a football game, though, that's for sure!

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  30. love your birdcage & I need a Yeti hat! its fab!
    C
    xx

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  31. love your birdcage & I need a Yeti hat! its fab!
    C
    xx

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  32. love your birdcage & I need a Yeti hat! its fab!
    C
    xx

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  33. A very educational post today - I had never seen or heard of Inukshuk before but fascinating learning about them. Love your cage, it's very pretty. Makes sense to me to go to an ice rink when it's freezing - we used to do it in Edinburgh when I was young (and Edinburgh can be the coldest place on earth in winter believe me!). Your Pandora bracelet is simply beautiful. Elizabeth #87

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  34. Love your photographs and I could never tire of that birdcage die either - fab isn't it!
    I am in sunny California at the moment and it is not exactly warm but it is sunny.
    Take care and thanks for the updates.

    134

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  35. See! Did I tell you? All of the above is why I love visiting your blog. There is ALWAYS something amazing and stimulating.
    xoxo
    #16

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  36. that's such a cute birdcage you made! wonderful way to use the die. i learned something new in WOYWW again. i've never heard of the Inukshuk. very interesting!
    happy WOYWW!

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  37. That 3d birdcage is so clever, and not easy to put together, I am sure. The sort of thing that needs two pairs of hands, with long flexible fingers (not me then).

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  38. That is it, I am officially gaga today. I started typing a comment, then the delivery driver came. by the time I got back, my comment had vanished and I have no idea if I actually posted it or whether someone stole it off my screen. Anyway, what I did try to say was that I loved the birdcage, which must be so intricate to put together.

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  39. Great pics, there's lots of fun still to be had in the cold weather, just of a different variety than normal! Can't believe your mum has been with you for almost six weeks! Hope the bird cage fascination isn't a metaphor for something!! Cabin fever perhaps?

    Hugs
    Brenda 99

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  40. Oooh I love what you have done with the birdcage die - I have that so might have to have a play now! Thanks for sharing. No. 29.

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  41. what an interesting post you have been a busy bee, love the hat and the bracelet and the statue and.. lets just leave it at love what you've written!

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  42. Ooooh, I love that you made a whole birdcage with the birdcage die! Brilliant!
    And I too love your Inukshuk! I live in BC and am well acquainted with them!
    And finally, your Pandora Bracelet is beautiful! Do you wear it at he same time you wear the Yeti hat :)
    xoxo Karen

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  43. So glad you had a description on what an Inukshuk is because I was thinking exactly that before I scrolled down. Its definitely an interesting character!

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  44. Am loving your creations so far this year Annette. Love the dress forms especially. TFS. ~Glen~

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  45. Oooh I love your birdcage prototype! What a fabulous idea!

    The inukshuk is lovely - thanks for explaining the history behind them.

    Thanks for sharing your photos.

    Ali #77

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  46. Interesting post. Love your cage.

    Marilyn

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  47. Right now you are probably enjoying your mother before she has to leave. I read your comment on my blog (sorry, just now got online). I haven't checked my e-mail for days. Over a week, in fact. When the bottom fell out from under my world, I just gave up sitting at my computer. I will check my e-mail soon, and apologize for not staying in touch. Honestly, I've missed you!

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  48. I'm loving the inukshuk AND the birdcage Annette! :) I was in BC a lot in the run up to the Olympics there, so have seen quite a few inuksuit in my time :)

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  49. I love your Inukshuk and adore the meaning of them. I see a new fad coming on. This one may last. x

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  50. love your basket, fab pictures, Great desk, Happy WOYWW 85, thank you for sharing.

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  51. love the birdcage.. what a fab idea :))
    thanks for showing
    xx

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  52. What a super idea with the birdcage die, looks brilliant. I love all your Pandora beads too and how cold?? Brhhhh!

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  53. I tried to create something like that with bird cage die cuts altho I think I only used three n tried to make it round but i just couldn't get them to stay together so I gave up! I'm so glad the basic idea wasnt complete rubbish, lol. That bracelet is lovely, I've heard of them but don't think I've actually seen one before!

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  54. loving the cage, if i owned it i wouldnt stop playing either, its cold there then hey ??? looks it as well.

    hugs
    Judie xx

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  55. Wow I didn't expect my first visit of the morning to be so educational. Happy WOYWW!

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  56. I LOVE your Inukshuk ...I want one now ...stunningly mystical.

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  57. I just love that Inukshuk, I think I brought one back from Canada... but I can't find it so maybe I only dreamed I bought one!
    I loved to see them as we drove along the highways!
    Chrissie #75

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  58. Sweet birdcage and love the Inukshuk!

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  59. Oh that Inukshuk is just fab, I love it - as much as I love the idea of people building them as communication..great power. As for the birdcage die - brillo idea..my die has been used three times, so am watching with a lot of interest!

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  60. Thank you for sharing something new to me today - that's really interesting. The idea of telling someone they are on the right path is really warming. Good to see that delicate birdcage too.

    Bernie

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  61. I randomly clicked on your name from the WOYWO links, (or WOYWW) and am so glad I did. Love the inukshuk and explanation.
    We are sitting around zero here. As cold as you are at I would not be leaving my (old and drfaty) house!

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  62. Love the birdcage but would the roof work on a more rigid medium?? Oh well it's a lovely thing anyway.... Don't like your weather though!!!
    Frankie
    xx

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  63. Inukshuk - wow I love to learn something new every day & this was IT! Thank you for sharing
    Barbara #124

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  64. So much fun in your post :D. Love the Inuksuk, your new chapeau and I'm Cricut green over your Birdcage die. Lovely cages. TFS!

    #143

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  65. Never heard of those stones before but it is really beautiful! And your birdcage die does look like loads of fun!!

    Thanks for the peek! :D

    ♥Tracey♥...ƸӜƷ

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  66. Your bird cage is fab. How did you manage to get it to stick together. I made one last week, ended up making a frame to fasten the four sides too, which I have now made a template for. It works well in grunge board. Thanks for sharing.

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  67. Fabulous idea with the bird cage and some really great pictures too bit late!! But you could say I'm early for next week!
    Happy Woyww
    (Lyn)57

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  68. Great hat and little stone man (whose name I can't remember how to spell now I've scrolled down the bottom of the page!)

    Alison x

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  69. Wow I love the inukshuk and the meaning sounds lovely. I love what your doing with the bird cage die I haven't played with mine yet! I love how different and creative you have been with it.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave your comment, it is truly appreciated - sort of confirms that it is more than my Mum and husband that read this thing! :)