Tuesday, December 23, 2008

happy to you



the swirl of the snow has stopped

but he dark brown limbs of my tree has ledges of thick white

inside i listen to the carols play

upstairs two girls play
spys?
intrigue?
mystery?

long hair and limbs and rosy cheeks
almost lunch

tip tap type

new year coming
hanukah candles glowing

sitting meditation today
mixed with little yoga wake up body stuff

doodling on the computer
words and pictures
dipping in

luxury of nothing pressing
time stretched out like flora, the cat, on the bed
in the hottest of weather

so much possiblility
breathe in
breathe out

energy intensity
quiet
time

merry making
shedding needles of our tree

sincere wishes
good thoughts

and mostly
love

happy holidays to you

happy
to
you


as i drift onto the next...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Violetta


Violetta, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Violetta went to the home of a little girl that does the ballet and loves dolls. I am sure they will be the best of friends.

Violetta is made of recycled fabrics. She started off as a human but her bunny nature came out very strong, she has a tulle skirt of turquoise and a cashmere sweater vest, her arms are apron fabric and her legs are reclaimed vintage, which i guess is from the 1950's.
Her ears are wooly and her head is made using a recycled blanket.

I love her and she was hard to part with, but I am certain she found the right family.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Ahh

Hello. I have returned from the odyssey called The One of a Kind Show, featuring over 800 vendors.

Yep it was big,
and long.

I am very happy to report that my work was received very well, smiling faces and kind words abounded.
I sold some stuff too, which was very nice. Thank you to all those that visited my booth and all those that bought stuff.

Much thanks goes out to my wonderful sister, who was my roady, my delightful husband who temporarily became a single parent,my awesome daughter who took my absense in stride ,my dog who held his bladder a little longer, my cat who knew everything would be alright, my fish who possibly didn't notice, but didn't complain, my mother who had very noble intentions and lox and cream cheese bagels, my friends Sandy and Rhonda who helped me and allowed me to clear my head by stepping away. Kate who cheered me. Krissy who listened, encouraged and drove my tired bones home each night and thank you to,
All the supportive and encouraging and good intentions of the many people too numerous to list, and even to that nice man who was so nice, and i was so tirered that I cried.

I did stretch, honest I think I must be at least a half inch taller, if not on the outside, on the inside.

Thank You All!

Love,
Kim

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Stella


Stella 1, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


Greetings from myself and Stella.

I would like to say that I have been very busy preparing for the One of a Kind Show, and yes I have but more so I have been busy in my minds eye and less with my hands...

November brings lots of details to wrap up regarding the show. The large-ness is a bit off putting. For those that know me I tend to do things slowly and small-ly. That said anything of the scope of the mega sized craft show is a stretch.

Stretching however is always good, even if it is painful. I am understanding alot about myself and how I work. I know that all those details that make things happen in the real world do not favour well with the fairying magic that often goes into opening and letting creative work come with ease.

Let me leave this post here until after the show. Weeks away only.
Please come and visit me. I am doing the second half of the show which starts for me on December 2nd and goes to December 7th, I can be found at booth O-31.
Your can check out the show site, to see lots of crafty goodness and details of how and where and how much at www.oneofakindshow.com

Until after the show, happy Autumn. Enjoy the good leafy-ness and the crisp clear air.

Much love and wellness to you.


Kim

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween




Have a happy halloween, so scarey it makes your teeth sweat!
Do the potato monster mash! ( the scarey part of this is it could be quite abrasive and self effacing, if indeed you are a potato)

Boo!

I scared you didn't I?

Enjoy.

Please note no potato or other animal or vegtable were harmed during the posting of this entry.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

three leaves


three leaves, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

drop and hill


drop and hill, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

two drops


two drops, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Friday, October 24, 2008

new town

is the name of the diner
at the corner of coxwell and lower gerrard

at the counter sat ida
in a white crochet hat
and large 1970's glasses

sue the flying waitress
asked ida why she was going so soon

and ida said, i didn't bring enough money
as she finished her beer, walks out in slipper shoes a little too big
with her cane and legs she says ache

you know how i am
she tells sue

i ran into someone who needed some money


i am looking out at the sky
through three windows
over the door
looking at nothing
like the water that gathers in eyes too full
the way the sky sometimes is colourless and grey blue
and water vapour dances in a hypnotic way

and my daughter says
what's wrong, your eyes are all watery

and i say oh nothing at all
i am a million miles away

which is a lie, and isn't

(*please read comment by me, to assure you my readers that i am well)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

leaves and pollen


leaves and pollen, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

three bears


three bears, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

bear production is in full swing.

Monday, October 13, 2008

check for self aware clouds

from james spyker's and my calendar
365 reasons not to be bored

currently on sale at my etsy store site

Saturday, October 11, 2008

news of today and such

hi a little black cat wants to live with us,
today she invited herself in

owen the dog
and bea the girl
looked on

when i came down, kitty was outside
and owen the dog scared her away

is she a she?

news:
i got a wonderful new part time job,
decieded toys are for kids..
left the toy shop on good terms
with achy legs, too much standing for this ol' girl

new job,
down the road from the toyshop
a delicious job
full of natural fibers and colours to delight
come visit
knit nights on wednesday at 6:30 till late
at the naked sheep. www.nakedsheep.ca

busy ga fella
that's yiddish
a future persuit,
now meditation in the mornings
and tea in the afternoon as per usual

a tad sick, sore throat that comes and goes
learning curves,
cast off emergencies

the studio downstairs a jumble
making halts
but waits
a little impatiently
'kim, says the fabric please do turn us into something else, we beg of you'
'yes dear fabric i answer of course my darling patterns and solids woolies and not you shall be made a new, patient my darlings, sweet life of the day sometimes obstructs the view"

this is the challenge
preparing for the one of a kind
doing the administrative stuff
rounding up kind friend volunteers,
working around my carless, non- driver state

really wouldn't making nothing but stringing words together be easier to carry i ask at this juncture

enjoying the weather
the cool and the colours
the new of the knitting shop
the stretch into each and every day
the rhythym and the breath

todays news and such
i hear the economy is going to hell in a handbasket
i have a nice handbasket for sale if you would like
made of recycled fabrics, going for something not unreasonable for the work envolved

cooking
soup making
lasagagna production
circling the kensington market for goodies
running into old friends
sadly not sipping enough tea with ol' pals and whilling away the hours

the temperature of the day says
'get to work my dear'

and i do
or don't

talk soon
see you later

thanks for tuning in

love, love love to you all.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

escapade


escapade, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Monday, September 29, 2008

thank you


Thank you so much to the many people that turned out on Sunday at Word on the Street. It was so nice to see such a lively crowd, in the beautiful weather. Thanks too, to all of you that encouraged, admired and purchased my work. It was great interacting with you all. After such a good market day, I feel so good about continuing my crafty art making practice. I give my deepest gratitude and thanks to all that made my day so special. Thank You!!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Word on the Street



Word on the Street

Sunday September 28th 2008

11- 6pm

Queen's Park


I will be selling my wares. Buttons, literary bears, bookmarks, cards

as well as featuring our (James Spyker) calendar, 365 Reasons Not to be Bored the 2009 version!

You can find James and myself listed under Jame's small press name which is,
"2 X 4 to the forehead" in the Fringe Beat section.

The secret code phrase for this festival is " onion and egg sandwich". Pass it to me for a free 1 inch pinback button of your choice!

Hope to see you there.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

simplicity


simplicity, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

able


able, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Monday, September 15, 2008

calling the dog without a voice

early this morning
before the day has settled into itself

outside
with wet grass
and sky fractured and new

out comes the owner
that has lost his voice

and it is another day
another new day
breaking from routines
earlier than usual

and the same greetings
and stick toss
frolic happens

only new
and different
too

and one owner
today without a voice

as i call
knowing it isn't in the right register
passing the duty on to another man
with the right tone

and on his way goes
the lovely dog with pointy ears
and proud gate

to the owner that today
needs our voices
because he has lost his

for today

Friday, September 12, 2008

SALE on Fellow Travellers

currently on at my etsy store.

www.kimssuitcase.etsy.com

Monday, September 08, 2008

red sweater dime buffalo

on my way to the post office

with a large bundle of corn
cheaper that way

slow moving old woman
bundled

red sweater
jacket

i am sleeveless
breezy quiet

hold door

inside a line
up

of customers

slowly dig into
bag of grocery

pulling out a bar
of nut and seed

and wait

unbundling my corn
on a pedestal

i am served
change given

as the dime
pops out of my hand
and lands next to
the woman
with the shock of white
hair
and the hands
that have made there way through many days

her dialogue
about postal codes
for buffalo

and the postal clerk not having them here

'i will have to go downtown!?'

the effort of this journey
evident

as i gaze to see her hand and my dime
no postal code for buffalo
my package sent as requested
xpress post
her red sweater

as her hand curls around my dime

i pick up my parcels of corn and grocery

and this day begins.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

gaze


gaze, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Wristlets and Coffee Table


cuffs and table, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

I made these fabric wristlets a while back. I plan to make a bunch more.

My sister Michele Lucas, a wonderful painter, painted the table in which they rest.

We both love colour!!!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

after the bath

this is one of the pivitol paintings
i saw as a child

a painting by the canadian painter Paul Peel

you see
there in the painting is a warm fire
and two children warming themselves after the bath

'how did they do it dad ?'
'how did they do it!'

'how did they get the fire in the painting?'

it glows
the light is magic

my father giggles, and admits
' i don't know '

i look around

perhaps one of the guards knows

i haven't the moxie

and stare in wonderment

* * * *

a gizzalion years later
my little nine year old bea

has had a bath

and parades inside her bedroom
wearing only a towel, on her head made into a turban
with a seashell tucked into the towelling fold

this is after the bath too
and i reminded of that other time

and this time

and i wonder too
about the magic in this moment

the joy
and the glow

Sunday, August 31, 2008

true-blue


true-blue, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

bird and leaves


bird and leaves, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

very very short stories from the toy store: two boys and bundles of joy

here is the first story

two boys

one three
the other 2
adding in total years to five

with crisp fives
one a piece
in each of their hands
five fingers holding


because they have been very good boys
a chance to spend and purchase
a special little something

i direct them to the playmobile

'do you have any romans'
'sure here is a roman'
'that isn't a roman'

he's right
what the heck was i thinking

i try again

'ah here is a good roman'

this time i get it right almost

'do you have any bad romans?'


next story,

a report on babies
i see lots in the store
every one a winner
a ringer, a blue ribbon baby
beautiful perfect
open or shy

true

and then i ponder
about the bigger customers
the older ones,
the workers,
myself included

all of us started as these perfect true bundles
but now so much more complex
and floundering

and i think how did we all go from that to this?

Saturday, August 16, 2008

ear-less

yesterday at work
while standing at the door greeting customers

a small girl with a sad face walked in

her head was wrapped in a turban of gauze
with her pony tail genie fashion sprouting out the top

of course i was curious
but knew better than to ask

all sorts ran through my head
cancer, some tragic accident

until i heard the story
told to another
while circulating
in the store

the small girl with the sad face
oddly made up with cosmetics, a pagent queen
having stumbled

the little girl had had an operation on her ears
it seemed it was the doctors opinion that ears
such as hers should be transformed into more
desirable ears

better ears i suppose?
not grandfather's ears

i think good ears are ones that function
but i like gap teeth
and delicious imperfection

i felt sad for this girl
no fault of her own

fixed
where
she

wasn't broken

Thursday, August 07, 2008

tea pot pins


tea pot pins, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Four pots are better than one.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

tea pin


tea pin, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.




take time to drink tea!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

tuesday doodle horoscope fortune telling upside right cake delight


tuesday doodle 2, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

fortune telling
advice for myself, as dictated from my doodle
for this tuesday composed with the help of
the leafy tree muses and my dear friend the sun...

be prepared for the unexpected

trust that tea pots can fly

your cup becomes full without trying

your umbrella can be a helpful sunshade

let sleeping cats lie

xoxox

Saturday, July 26, 2008

tomato red dress


tomato red dress, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


it fits real well.

sometimes i am scared of red
gravitating to greens

but i like the risk taking of red
and the vibrancy

i always like red in small ways
cherries on top of cupcakes
shoes at the end of an outfit
jaunty red kerchiefs around the necks of pirate dogs
red rubber balls with jax
and red food,
strawberries are my favorite

sometimes i wear this dress
and want to dance and sing
and contrast the green of the grass
and the shrubs
and feel
energetic
and full
of posibility

Sunday, July 20, 2008

all that is

words have been slow

coralled into a spot at the back door
in a wire box, some escaped

landed in the lasagna i didn't make

time passes
back and forth

flow and not

rain always sets me right

to get new footing
i always embark on the task of buying new shoes

i got a pair yesterday
walking with achy legs
up yonge street

sort of sporty and casual
with so much comfort
you wouldn't believe it

i got a new part time job
at a toy store

a very nice toy store
in which i get to converse with great 8 year olds
and see lovely babies in strollers

and test out some of the toys

i read books
sometimes seeing authors i know

and then think of my words
and pictures

and serve the next customer

now is a fork in the road
mismatched from the spoon and knife
tucked away

but that shadow box logic
doesn't disturb

i am enjoying talking with others
up from the basement lair in which i do my other work

my feet are tirered
but the newness excites me

the charactors
and textures

the polite hellos
goodbyes

new and familiar
returning and expanding

rain always sets me right

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

summer with head in the sky


head, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Friday, July 11, 2008

knit love purl two


pillow two boys detail, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


2 boys holding hands pillow detail

in which i used the following ingredients:
-old moth eatten wool blanket, heavily patched by me
-up-cycled wool sweater
-up cycled red angora sweater patch
-recovered second hand new gingham fabric
-recycled white sheeting, with original older illustration by me
in which i used markers, and chalk pastels on heat transfer (iron on)
-computer magic patch work, with vintage fabric collaged into heat transfer
-new stuffing

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

altered book becomes pillow

layers and layers of history and the touch of hand
start with a correspondance a reply to an altered book letter

collect up vintage fabrics unleashed unearthed from corners in attics and basement corners

let the fabric speak...

what's that, whispers me
fabric answers this there
that here

mix up the batter
combine lace
and drawings
some pixie dust

stuff
and
enjoy

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

goodEGG



goodEGG industries
A beautifully designed new on line shop featuring Canadian Craft Design.

I am happy to announce some of my greeting cards are available for purchase there.

Monday, June 23, 2008

today's work


greeting cards,

a little fellow holding a heart
and a fabric pin to wear!

I love seeing the repeat pattern in this.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

george and owen


on a pillow.

xo

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Large thanks for Small Press

A grand thank you to all those that made the Spring Toronto Small Press show a lovely show to be a part of.

Thank you as well to all the people that made it out for a visit.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

book ish


book ish, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Please come by,

The Toronto Small Press Fair
Saturday June 7th, 2008
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre,
750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto

12pm-5pm
http://www.torontosmallpressbookfair.org/

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Sassy unpacked

hey michele thanks for coming by and saying hello.
i really enjoyed sharing sweet potato fries with vicki,
thanks vicki


slo had beautiful shirts and purses

a jeweller i had never seen by the company name old western had
beautiful stuff too, raindrop necklaces, mushroom like vintage button pendants
and a very inspiring woodland suitcase display

kate, seemed to enjoy being in close proximity to the bar.

sales truth be told were a tad slow...

but hey the evening was lots of fun.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Sassy Little Craft Show


book of love still life, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


Tonight!

I will have books of love, pouches, dolls, cards, and pins. Please do come by and say hello!

http://www.myspace.com/sassylittlecraftshow

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Lexia Fortsien


lexia fortsien, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


This drawing is done by my lovely and wonderful daughter Beatrix, who is nine years old and loves comic books and graphic novels.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

pillow with new chair


pillow with new chair, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


isn't this a neat chair, i am enjoying it so much. it has wings on the top. a fantabulous good will score. my husband and i carted it home with my little red metal wagon, which we keep on our porch for such finds.

Monday, May 26, 2008

pillow three for tea fiesta detail

Saturday, May 24, 2008

I Pick Fights with Old Ladies in Coffee Shops

yes, it is true,

just ask krissy
'cause she was there

suddenly feeling like i wet my pants
shame faced i tried to explain my view

for being too loud

as the woman at the next table
gestured to me and told me to
'turn it down'

'am i being too loud'
her and her friend nod annoyed

i feel awful
in the moment of joy
this closing down

i initially apologize
but it sits on my chest
like the undigested
spanakopita that i have
just forked in

i make idle
chat
trying to let the women
be thankful for good hearing
i mention my mother
being deaf

ah yes, says one of course
that is why
subtext
you really arn't a brute, as you appeared
but do have a ligitimate reason

we will let you live

wait a friggin minute i say to myself
feeling trampled and shut down
feeling such shame
not intending to harm anyone
but also wanting to be able to raise
my voice our voices in joy and understanding
enjoying the moments and tea and the sun
coming in, in our own private space
wait a cotton pickin minute

this is not sitting down well with me
and at that point it might of been better
to take thich nat hanh's advice of
do nothing when you are angry

but i did it
i piped up for all it was worth
and said
i want you to know i feel awful
it feels as if you slapped me in the face

which at that time was not an exageration
i felt eight and too old to have wet my pants
shame
scolding

the old woman
who we suspect is never wrong
answers

i never wanted to slap anyone in the face
well that is what it felt like

the women turn inward
afraid perhaps,
wanting us to go away

and the woman who threw the gesture and words
says shame faced now
loud enough for our ears
no longer in her whisper tea room voice
now i am sitting here guilty for something that someone else did wrong

because of course she is always right'
i guess

really it was one of those situations
pema chodron calls them hooks
some people call them buttons
i have heard it reffered to as rattling someones cage

and the advice of the buddhist teacher chodron
is to notice it and choose peace
to not let yourself be hooked
based on non-violence and that we are all the same
self goo

i did get hooked,
cage rattled

and i did something so unusual for me
stood up and didn't accept it
let someone else know the consequence of their action

i am not sure i handled this situation well
too emotional too hooked but i did say what i wanted
conveyed to this other woman my feelings
from where i sat

by the window with the lovely orange gerbera daisy
single and fun in a jar on the table

next time
perhaps
i will try it again
only with more kindness

walking over
with civility
and saying
in quiet words

i am sorry you feel i am too loud
would you please come over to me
and tell me of your concern
instead of broadcasting it to the
entire room, as it makes me feel
terribly small, unimportant,
in the wrong and very embarrased

thank you.

so much for fights with old ladies
in coffee shops

i so much prefer love

Friday, May 23, 2008

pillow love and three flowers detail

Thursday, May 22, 2008

full bloom


full bloom, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Monday, May 19, 2008

new dress


new dress 2, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

self portrait in old new dress

Sunday, May 18, 2008

a different pursuit

yesterday evening
while waiting for the delicious dinner to be done

we all played a board game

even grandma

a children's version of trivial pursuit

playing in the regular manor
taking turns from youngest to oldest
bea first pam last

the game proceeded
i won

but the lovely thing that happened
was another rule or way of doing came about
all on it's own

instead of being the sole answerer
you could 'defer' to someone who knows the answer
and if that person was willing to offer the help
you could take their better more confident answer

sort of like the life line idea of
'who wants to be a millionaire'

this game could be called
'who wants to be a community'

lately i have been thinking
about how people create their own hell

i see it often,
surely am a part of my own hell's creation

and keep going back to a story that i have heard
in various traditions
christian
jewish
buddhist

about the starving people
at the table

with long necks and short arms
that will starve
amist the gorgeous feast
unless they learn to feed each other

in our game,
in which we changed the rules
organically

the phrase
' i defer'
came to be one of the options


and it was a really good game

Friday, May 09, 2008


thanks boys, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

thanks boys!

Thank you to the boys who participated in my Mixed Media workshop: D.G, Christian, Jordan, Jonathon, Daniel, Anil and John, and to the staff especially Randi who organized the day and invited me to be a part of it. Thanks too to my sister for being such a good driver!

The day was a great success and the boys where brave enough to give one of my current passions a go; sewing on paper!
We cut and pasted, used fortune cookies for inspiration and lost ourselves in creating from such disposable treasures as the tops of potato bag sacks (they have nice sewn bits!), as well as ancient letraset ( "I have never seen anything like it in my life")
zippers, old maps and unusual books of Greek and Short Hand.

Monday, May 05, 2008

altered book project


altered book project, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

My friend Rhonda Nolan lives in the West end of the city, I live in the East end. Toronto is very big. Rhonda came up with the idea of doing an altered book by mail correspondance. This is my first page. I mailed it on the 28th of April. I am certain it has reached Rhonda by now so it is safe to post here and not spoil her surprize. Getting Rhonda's book with the altered pages was a lovely surprize because I didn't remember it was something we had agreed to do!

I am so looking forward to her response to my pages.

I really like this kind of communication.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

needle, thread, glue ,rain, loose threads and some babble


biggie and little-y, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


Yesterday I had the unique opportunity of conducting a workshop day for a Home Schooling Conferance.

It was my pleasure to share the rainy day with such wonderful creative children. A special thank you to Theresa and Marina.

It was especially fun to help Sam sew for the first time, a natural with a needle and thread. I loved walking to the park with Dave and seeing the Magnolia trees in bloom. Great to see John and share in his humour. The day was really moist and the salad dressing was simply gorgeous. The bus ride home was hilarious, it was the philosophy bus with lots of opinions flying about, some disconcerning abuse directed at the driver after the ttc strike by an elderly woman who really was a very creative curser, so much so that even the driver found the humour in being dis-ed. I giggled to myself all the way home.

Monday, April 28, 2008

thank you


book of love standing, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


Wayzgoose was a wonderful day. Thank you to the organizers, participants and visitors.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Open Book


book of love heart pierced, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


Wayzgoose is this weekend. Me and my books of love are ready to go! I am so looking forward to this event, now in it's 30th year. Last year was my first time seeing the show, this year I am dee-lighted to be a participant. My friend James of 2X4 to the forehead, will be there with his wonderful stuff as well as the very talented Shannon Gerrard.

Wayzgoose is an annual book arts fair in Grimsby Ontario.
The show is on Saturday April 26th 2008
from 9-5pm

More information can be found at

www.town.grimsby.on.ca

Please come by and say 'hello'.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

a small disjointed story about buying shoes

monday i meet my mother for a coffee

i had tea

then we went to look for shoes
for me

something summery
and servicable for the dog park

i try on two pairs, that i might of worn
at the age of 14, somehow i am still this age
sometimes with my mother

14 same height
different weight
similar responsibility
slightly more mature
but differing to mother's opinion
pleasing

the first pair, a bargain for converse high tops
a peculiar pair, grey and pink but somehow
desirable

the second pair, very practical sandles
hot pink with extremely comfortable insides

i think that i am always trying to capture that
first extraordinary shoe purchasing experience

it must of been the year of 1973
the shoes were very plain
brown lace ups with a crepe sole

i remember putting them on and
upon my mother and the sales person asking

'how do they feel?'

i responded by saying
in a lilting floating speech
"i feel as if i am walking on a cloud"

was it true that such spectacular shoe
design could afford this comfort, this
utter delight, this cradling, supporting
floaty feeling

yes!

and so i buy the pink shoes,
wearing them to find that they rub
here and there, and make my feet a little sweaty...

first shoe love
extraordinary as this 1973 crepe souled variety


happens
perhaps only once

Thursday, April 17, 2008

owen my dog, and me his person


this afternoon,
around two

owen lays low
columbus is coming down the street
a fluffy little bicion pup
who's hair is stand upy on his head

us attached to leash on the other end
introduce
gail
kim

we talk puppies and dog training

the important thing to remember is hierarchy
oh yes

i suppose the owner should be the dominant one

yes

never let them on the sofa
and never the beds until the hierarchy is well established

owen sleeps on top of me on the sofa
his breathe lulls me to sleep on nights where i can not find my own relaxed rhythm
snoozing on my head my breathe and his breathe deep
i fall asleep
thank full

which brings me back to hierarchy
he listens to me
and returns to me usually
because he likes me
and i like him

i broke the cardinal rule
of never feeding your dog tidbits
when you eat,

from my bowl of portidge this morning
owen got to eat little bits of peach
oatbran too

usually when owen cries for me i listen
telling him it is okay i will be there in a minute

usually when i tell owen to drop it, to come, to sit
he listens

i know the dog training people wouldn't approve
of our relationship

but owen and i
are very happy with it
and each other

Saturday, April 12, 2008

spring flowers


Stella 3, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


just beginning to peek up
hello little fellas

it has been donkey's years
since seeing sweet green

welcome home
welcome home

dear lovelies!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Wednesday

this is the day that used to be my father's day off
sometimes i would accompany my mother and him on a little day trip adventure
to a small town, up and down and an ice cream cone

my sister michele , the painter
one day helped me with my young bee
and had painting with- draw- al
we went to the goodwill
in the west
little italy
and bought for $10 a small coffee table
which she got her fix from
and painted
with a remnant of an ancient dishtowel
she collaged the word wednesday

today is this day
wednesday
and the sky is letting loose
and my words have seem to have evaporated
like the snow
but now rain down onto this electronic tablet

i navigate the day
winding in and out of memory
and actuallity

stumbling into potholes of newly uncovered earth
and misspelled words that surface
bubble to the top

wednesday will meet me in the basement
and in this underground lair
i will work,
putting together a small card order
and sewing many lavender scented books of love


today is wednesday
and it is raining down
raining
raining

down

Thursday, April 03, 2008

new paint box


new paint box, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

up my sleeve


up my sleeve, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

have a fungi birthday


card fungi birthday, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.


and if it isn't your birthday have a fungi day any way!

new card design now available in my etsy shop and also soon to be available at the fantastic paper goods shop 'the paper place' in toronto's west end on queen right near trinity bellwoods park, also to note, while i was there last, i did notice that the print gocco is once again being carried by the paper place (a.k.a. the japanese paper place in it's last incarnation) very happy to have them carry this new design and some of my others too!

please excuse bad spelling, bad grammer and ramble, very tired
where is the sun? is it spring yet? are those snow flakes? what northern latitude did you say toronto was on?

talk soon,
kim



please note too, that my dear blogger will not help with my spelling it just spews lots of odd letters when i ask it to...poor bloggy misses the warm sun and weather too!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

lunchee date doodle


lunchee date doodle, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

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