Memory Ink

Cher  started my sleeve a few months ago. The first piece, a wrist cuff of sorts was actually a piece of my Nammies lace. Cher made a stencil from a scan of the lace and tattooed it right onto my arm. New spot up my forearm is my Mom's sewing machine. It's the machine she made my clothes and doll clothes on. It's also the machine she taught me to sew with. It was sketched out from a photograph and a stencil was printed. She added the wildflowers and berries that I used to pick for my Grandma when we stayed with them at their cottage every summer. She used a sharpie to freehand blackeyed Susans, devil's paintbrushes, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. 

The detail Cher achieved was amazing! The teeny tiny numbers on the tension toggle were unexpected. Can't even begin to tell you how happy this makes me.

She even mixed custom colour to make sure the machine was exactly right.

This is mom's machine.

and this is Mom with the machine. Cool memories in ink by an amazing artist. Love that we see these images everyday and talk about them. Next addition? Grandpa George's hula popper? Nampies pipe? Grandma Maggie's darts? Great Grandma Mowat's thistle or crocheted Teddy bear? A tea cup for Mercy? A whisk for Maggie? 

So many memories to archive and document.... 

Only so much arm.....

Melting into 2019

Well..... I've been busy with soooooo many lovely new nail clients that I've not had much time for anything else. Don't read that as a complaint. It's probably the most lovely thing that could have happened to me. I'm maxed out and have had to start turning away new clients. I'm beginning to find a sense of balance between "work" and chores and fun me time. I'm looking forward to the new year ahead. Full of changes and consistencies alike. 

Here is a sample of some of the amazing design requests I was lucky enough to be asked to try. I think they turned out pretty well for my first real year of tech-ing.

 Today Maggs made us all a lemon pudding sponge cake for breakfast. What? Breakfast cake is a thing!!!

I'm still making lists. This is my first list in my new journal from my Mom. Beastie likes to help with the pictures. She added, make soup.

One of the only things we got to make for Christmas this year was Marmalade and candied peel. We all have that terrible cough. I think we're on week four now. Should be gone soon though.... Right?

P.S.: A heaped teaspoon of marmalade in a mug with hot water and a splash of dark rum is helping with the cough.

I'll finish with this pic of my brother and his band mates from high school. He's second from the left. The tall one with no guitar. He was the drummer. I must have been a horrible sister back then. I'm terribly proud of him. Just want to see if he's watching.

Happy new year all!