Saturday, December 31, 2005

flavor


flavor
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for illustrationfriday.com
"flavor"
May your New Year be Happy and full of Flavor!

Friday, December 30, 2005

flowery chapeau


flowery chapeau
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
Hats off to you and more beautiful words that mean flower. Thank you so much.
-kwait-flower in Polish,
kwaity-flowers in Polish, says microcurry
-KKOT is flower in Korean, thanks jungmoon
_Fa -flower in Cantonese, tells through 4 eyes
-Flora is Spanish for flower, thank you Krista
(also the name of my Kitty)
and in Arabic it is zahara...

beautiful and thank you,
please let me know if you have a word for flower in your language...

Thursday, December 29, 2005

flowers against the plaid sky

I am collecting words for flower in different languages. So far my helpful flickr-friends have helped me with:
Blooma (that's Swedish says Annika)
Bloem (says Mirre, for the Dutch)
Flor (tells De Cor e Salteado for the Portugese)(with an accent over the "o' which I havn't got)
Blomst ( tells Torirot for the word in Norwegian)

wow, thank you
please add your language for flower in the comments.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

dim sum holiday


dim sum holiday
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for illustrationfriday.com
holiday+dim sum+ family = joy and happiness!
please click on picture to view it bigger, so you can smell the smell of tea and hargow

Friday, December 23, 2005

Karin's Pretties



the swap is in, are they not beautiful?
Yes they are lovely indeed!
thank you karin.

(and now i can hang the delicious ornament on my tree)

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

imagine


imagine
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for illustrationfriday.com

"while at her school desk doris imagined foreign lands, world peace and the beauty of nature"

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Thank you Mimi!



These are the wonderful atcs I was sent by Mimi Kirchner. She is a very talented doll maker and needlewoman. I am so inspired.
Thank you so much Mimi!

Friday, December 16, 2005

friday

the sky is closed today
as seagulls circle
and the kids lay in the snow

the other day
the subway sang
as a small man
blind played
the truest music

the roof of heaven opened
before the cluttering of the world began
and the voice and tiny instrument
mingled with the beat of my heart

today is friday
sleepy friday
working amongst books and paper
cash and customers
sasha to keep company with

and the sky is blue
as the clouds peel away
the kettle clicks to say it is ready

and thoughts of cups of tea brew
and possibility
and the breakfast of champions
and the breakfast of film makers
and movie stars

and the stew of grey that lives on the walk
where once in the nights sky it was fresh and snow

and i am achy with december
and happy with it too.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

rattled unrattled and the smell of tree

everytime i walk into the living room
and smell our tree
i become unrattled
the pine smell
fills me with all things good and green

thank you tree
i know your life will end here

a sacrificial tree
adorned and truly loved

i will always remember you

sweety,
fondly,
full of pine.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Surprise!


Surprise!
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for this weeks theme at illustrationfriday.com

Friday, December 09, 2005

Thursday, December 08, 2005

colour in all the o's


colour in all the o's
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.



This image is a coloured in version from the calendar my friend James Spyker and I collaborate on each year. The calendar is entitled "365 Reasons Not to Be Bored". James writes the words and I do the illustrations (which are in black and white). I coloured this in photoshop and I was happy with the lovely pallette it provided. A drawing coloured in this way used to take me much longer using gouche which I love and still mostly use.

Monday, December 05, 2005

blue tea


blue tea
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for www.illustrationfriday.com


-when it rains blue blue tea what can be done but to recall fields of yellow and light.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

flowers in our hair


flower hair clips
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
happy, happy little felt blooms,
now on sale at www.kimssuitcase.etsy.com

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

small


small
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
my post for this weeks theme at www.illustrationfriday.com

...a self portrait

five foot one is small.



please click on image to see a less small picture at flikr

Friday, November 25, 2005

uncertain adventure..


uncertain adventure..
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
isn't it?
wouldn't you say?

this morning it was hard to get up.
jay said i looked like a burrito, my head the sour creme,
which didn't help, because i thought it was something i ate
bea incouraged me by picking out my clothes
so from head to toe
i am shades of orange.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

snow

comes



down




down



down

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

free


free
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for www.illustrationfriday.com.
the theme this week is free.
free to play and create, this little illustration promoted a lot of play. i played in photoshop. i played with the image, printing it then further embellishing it with fabric collage and paper collage. i made a book out of it...as i am preparing for a book arts show. i enjoy changing things i have made, free to play and explore. free to be you and me...remember that, marlo thomas, it's alright to cry. free is a good word. be free!

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Making Books


Hello. Today I am putting together a little book of a poem that I wrote. Why you ask? Well because on Sunday November the 27th between 10 am and 5 pm, I am going to be participating in a wonderful show. It is the 20th annual Book Arts Fair that will be held in the Great Hall at The Ontario College of Art (100 McCaul Street in Toronto). If you are in Toronto I do urge you to come out. It is an exhibition of work (with stuff to buy too) featuring the work of artists, printmakers, bookbinders and others involved in the creating of hand made books! Sounds good, does it not? Yes I am glad you agree. It is a wonderful show, each year I am so delighted by it, so smitten with the hand made + books, really could you ask for more. Please do come if you can.

The picture at the top is one of the pages of my new little offering entitled,
"Today....I am Doris"

Monday, November 21, 2005

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Coming down...Debriefing and reporting...This entry also called "just the facts mam"



Well it pleases me to report that the crafternoon tea of earlier this afternoon was really fun and totally inspiring and gives me hope. ahhh the smell and site of a room full of hand made gear. ahhhh, the textiles, the soaps, the drawings, the serging(serging is very cool, I had a full report on this remarkable process, never mind time travel, thank you Jennifer)

after being a shut in, for the week it was wonderful to see all the talent packed into a church basement, with monetary exchange to support our own endeavors(like eating), but also in aid of a couple of very good causes, and a "do it yourself, pop in workshop thing" happening.

it was nice to see Tania of blogland, and know those nice pics and words are from a very real individual...

there is a whole renaissance happening in the hands of crafty individuals everywhere, and as much as technology ties us together there is something so powerful about handmade, it makes me want to sing and dance and giggle
(perhaps this is partly due to the baked goods and tea) but seriously making stuff is good for our souls, it just is. I heard once the opposite of creativity is anger...hmmmh, more good reason for knitting in prison and the like.

it was lovely to interact with people, to see wonderful stuff by creative people., or rather people creating 'cause really we are all creative are we not?

plus I got to see aweinspiring babies in the likes of rainbow knitted bonnets and knitted cat eared hats

my hat goes off to the organizer Nathalie-roze, who amist this feat of organization was lovely and charming and personable as ever. (I on the other hand was kinda scattered and had concern over what the heck happened to my water bottle, i think perhaps i am not a type a or b personality but a c personality which i am not sure what the c stands for)

i would like to provide you links and the like, and i can say look in the archives for crafternoon tea, and you will find it and connect up to other links of the many artists involved...There that works

and lastly, in this late night caffeine trail of words I would like to say thank you to Mrs. Hadida , my grade 9 typing teacher who lets my fingers fly almost as fast as my silly wound up excited mind, even thought I had her convinced I was going to join the hare krishnas on my 18th birthday but that my dears is another tale for the riverbank...

good nite!

Friday, November 18, 2005

Bea's Rainbow Girl


Bea's Rainbow Girl
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
Well the household is ill...Sore throatish from the smallest Bea to the capital Jay, and mumma in between...We have all been in the house together doing stuff to not go crackers, eating crackers, drawing pictures, playing on the computer, board games, barbies, making stew, watching television, movies and doing drawings. Wonder Bea did this one with the stickers I bought when I popped out for the ingredients for my first "stew". My meat eaters enjoyed it, and I felt like a hero. I have been getting ready for tomorrows show in the Beaches. The Crafternoon Tea(see www.nathalie-roze.com).
Making up sets of Xmas cards featuring the relatives of Santa (known and not) including one of my favorite less know relations, the Rabbi Goldstein who is Santa's cousin, hadn't heard about him hunh...Well he's a nice guy. Painting more rocks, designing hang tags for my pillows, setting up my test display, which involves suitcases, contemplating how I will get there (we have never owned a car, which could have something to do with the size of work I produce). Oh and I have also been reading, I happened to find a really intriguing book, such characters and wonderful writing it is called "The Vinegar Jar" by Berlie Doherty, I know she is a British author but nothing else, I will google. I love when I take a stab in the dark with a book I have no knowledge of and unturn a gem. Oh yes I have seen a few good films on video, "Waterland" with Jeremy Irons...Wow and one I had seen a million years ago "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" which I have also seen in various locations for sale for a few bucks around town on video, well worth it, plus it has a happy ending, hell they both do, I am such a sap. Anyway thanks for helping me with my shut-in-ness. Nice chatting. You are such a good listener....Ahcoo

p.s. just googled Berlie Doherty she has had a very extensive writing career including childrens books as well as novels, short stoies and plays and she has a site which is easy to use, with lots of good information it is at www.berliedoherty.com



Thursday, November 17, 2005

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Store



Store was one of my favorite games as a child. My Mother saved the packages of oatmeal, maccaroni, dish soap, anything I wouldn't hurt myself on. I keept my stock in large brown paper grocery bags, do you remember them. They smelled good and you could doodle on them. I often lined up my stock ready for the next customer, which was me, I took turns running the store and buying stuff from it. Like the old joke about the box of the toy being more fun then the contents. I loved the boxes, and containers and the package design...(i still do), although as a grown up I am aware of waste and the cost to all, anyway. It tingles the skin to say my "store" is up. I am at a real crossroads with the type of thing I want to produce...ah growth never easy walking in the dark afraid of stumbles, but anyway.. I launched my store with etsy (a site that features handmade stuff for sale) because I can do it, restocking of my shelves is quick and fun, as I mentioned before I am not a naturally technical lassy. It is great to play store in this way, I encourage you to visit and check out some of the other wonderful crafty handmade mechandise made by others as well as myself...ou la la, it is fun. With that said I cut the ribbon and say "Welcome to my Store"...

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Rutabaga

The country of Rutabaga is very small it is no bigger than a vegetable.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Strength


Strength
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
my entry for www.illustrationfriday.com,

Thursday, November 10, 2005

night


night
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for illustration friday, see link on the right...

I'm August!


who knew, i would ever be a poster girl, actually it is an illustration i contributed not a picture of me exactly. the launch was very nice, i meet ali who did the beautiful design of the calendar, (a volunteer extravaganza fundraiser) and learnt about winter cycling with the " wenches with wrenches", those women are awesome and really know their bikes! three cheers for wheels, on bikes and things that are perpetual like calendars and maybe life...yes life, my seamonkies have been reborn, three cheers for reincarnation, three cheers for the breathe, three cheers for my favorite number which is 3!

click on the link to find out more about the calendar or the community bicycle network...yeah!

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

pillow please thank you, with pocket

another pillow, okay lets talk about these pillows.
it is like so many things are going on that need to.
historically i had a couple of aunties, very creative weavers who sadly i never meet. i had a grandfather that was a vaudvilian tailor, among many things.

when i was 14 i bought the sewing machine i am using. i feared it for many years, didn't have the patience for it, was too flightly and unable to redo, undo, do...my first big purchase when i was 14, a beautiful singer from the 50's (probably); in a lovely beech wood table.

making is often evoking, letting go, letting happen, i think the best work comes from stepping aside and letting the wind blow through...

i am very excited by this coming together of stictches and images, decorations (my father was a cake decorator he made lovely roses)

when i sit down to work i know a little all the relatives i never knew....it feels wonderful

Monday, November 07, 2005

Hong Kong atc pillow


Hong Kong atc pillow
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
my little singer sewing machine and i have become very good friends. to see more of my new pillows please click on image and go to the "pillows" set at flikr.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

broken in happy colours


broken 3
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
i am having fun. it reminds me of lite brite, which i never had. also i never got the easy bake oven or the barbie camper, but not to worry i am so over it, really....really i am.

have a lovely weekend.

i will take a break.

i am going on a nonelectronic holiday.

to smell the smells,
and feel the feels...

until next...
love, peace and joy!

broken also plus a little about the coloured pencils..


broken 2
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
with olive painted walls,
let me tell something
today i wandered in the goodwill
and found a box
of old pencil crayons
bound with rubber bands
like with like colours together
and chewed ends
and a delicious smell of oldness
and maybe mold
and nostalgia and magic
yep, full of magic
i won the magic lottery
and i didn't even buy a ticket
thank you box of chewed up coloured pencils
i made this with them
bye.

broken


broken
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for illustration friday's theme of 'broken'. see links to find illustration friday and more broken illustration....so very sad indeed...

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Crafternoon Tea!


Hey hey hey. This craft show sounds good. I will be there, and so will Tania (please see links) and many other interesting crafters/artists and also lively craftish fun, like a how to, and a tea fundraiser. Hmmh, intrigued yes you are! I couldn't figure out how to add the little button to my site, perhaps because I am old and I missed that lesson. Oh well Please do come. It is in the Beaches on November the 19th. In case the darn link doesn't work either please go to www.nathalie-roze.com and check it out.

thank you!!

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

sound asleep


sound asleep
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
time breaks,
into an hour ahead
and i am left in a haze
of scarfs and cats and dregs of tea
what happened to that extra hour
it eludes me.

Monday, October 31, 2005

Owly


Owly
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 28, 2005

Happy Aspic!


Happy Aspic!
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
Happy birthday dear Bloggy, happy birthday to you!
My dear blog turns one year old tomorrow. Happy birthday, you little electronic pal!

Thursday, October 27, 2005

365 Reasons Not to Be Bored

This is a calendar that James Spyker and I make. It will be on sale this Saturday at The Toronto Small Press Book Fair. The fair is 11-5pm at Trinity St. Pauls Centre, 427 Bloor St. West. (near the Spadina station). The fair will have for sale,many a literary novelty and wonder. I will also be selling the calendar in my store and James has it for sale at his, at www.2X4totheforehead.com. Hope to see you at the fair!

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Bea-Lee


Bea-Lee
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
super drummer Bea-Lee rocks out!
this is one of a little magnet set of four. to see the others check out my flickr site manh!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

tag off the top of my head

(see joleen in the links, she tagged me)

1. i am easily tagged because i move slowly.

2. i do not like to be rushed.

3. i never learned my multiplication tables

4. i am a terrible speller.

5. today, i was called a 'rule breaker'., can you believe that!

6. i have loads of laundry

7. my favorite weather is rainy.

8. i have been trying to learn to skate since grade two.

9. is one of my favorite ages

10. it is true i like to watch coronation street, isn't that builder guy going out with shelly just awful!

11. i have an interest in things small and really small.

12. today i laughted out loud at a dog wearing what looked like polo pajamas think 1970's star trek outfits combined with baby sleepers

13. at thirty i developed wicked pms....wicked!

14. sometimes i am self concious

15. i love colours...i almost can taste them

16. the sense of smell is my best one.

17. i have a cosmic twin

18. i live with a beautiful man

19. and a gorgeous daughter

20. i love my cat flora


i tag tania, i tag christian, i tag dave h. i tag rhonda, and i tag rhya.....na nanny boo boo....ha ha ha...love to you all...kim

Monday, October 24, 2005

enjoy your life


enjoy your life cards
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
please click on image, make it large at flickr and enjoy your life.

i tell this story often. i was at a pride day parade many years ago in toronto. watching the outlandish to the wild to the well sublime.

my favorite float of all time anywhere at any parade ever was this one:

the gay buddhists of greater toronto,
a bunch of even keeled looking people nothing spectacular or outrageous with a nice banner that said simply "Enjoy Your Life". it made a huge impact on me, and has inspired me to this day to make art with the theme of "enjoy your life", to send out greetings of "enjoy your life" and to simply try to enjoy my life.

So today i say to you, pick a card any card, one of mine, one of your own and "Enjoy Your Life".

Saturday, October 22, 2005

remote


remote
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
here is my remote contribution to this weeks theme at www.illustrationfriday.com
please click on image to see it bigger and better
thank you.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

witches


witches
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
a bewitching contest, actually a contest to draw a witch over at www.penelopeillustration.com/projects/halloween2005/home
go there to see other spooky and not spooky witches and details of how to enter this contest!


this one is mine!

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

capless tuesday

excuse me sir in the tweed cap,
off with it.

for today this day this sweet tuesday is capless

capless tuesday,

never mind the head wear, air out your nogin
afraid of dried up markers, pah!

capless, capless, all capless

especially those letters, hey you mr. capital, enough
try a whisper, little tiny lower case

capless tuesday

that means cities too, just for today they are deemed wonderfully ordinary cities,

don't get your caps in a twist
for tomorrow we will wear, punctuate, designate..

but today through caps to the wind

this capless tuesday

(yes i am quite mad, it is true!)

Monday, October 17, 2005

cold


cold
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
for this weeks theme at illustrationfriday.com. please click on image for larger view.

Friday, October 14, 2005

Evening at the Improv


Evening at the Improv
Originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.
Dog looked lovingly at Cat and repeated the words he had heard Jay,( a man of fibre and wisdom) say " it is more fun to kiss than to poke eyes".

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

today i am doris...

because you are johnny and i think you wanna be my pal
you work nights and like magazines
and i think you are dreaming awake

doris disappeared into the fruit market
and her life was saved by two ruby red grapefruits

i wore my deep crimson velvet jacket
to the laundromat

i am experimenting with the idea of "tired" and "not tired" clothing...

i need all my clothes to be awake because sometimes i am not

confronted with images of awh and sadness in the paper i put it down silent

drank tea and eat food prepared by theresa at the cafe with the newfound music

walked to the laundromat leaving doris behind
and green eyed johnny on his bicycle

thew all the colours in together
leaving one load for the sensitive wash

folded a mountain

had a ice cream cone for lunch

wheeled my cart, red
velvet jacketed body
blowing pale peach scarf home

climbed the stairs
with laundry in tow

climbed the stairs
with laundry in tow

climbed the stairs
with laundry in tow

then cart
which i hung out back

one day my jay said
" in a past life we lived in a tenement"
i was named doris,
he was so happy about this

1922 a good year
our apartment erected
my Mother born

they made things well that year

suddenly the craving for super optomistic jazz
and sudden glenn gould, chipped beef and cabage
and really amber coloured beer...

you know,
my dead seamonkies have resurrected

i am sewing by hand another friend

and
and
and

sometimes i like everyone.

Monday, October 10, 2005

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