inhabit

inhabit, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Bear Red

Bear Red, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

...there are teddy bears at the bottom of my garden, come and see...

One dozen books of love

One dozen books of love, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

dream

dream, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

friend

knit notes

knit notes, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

in the tub

i was thinking what i could purchase that would make my life better


after soaking
and thinking

i thought

perhaps

some

dental
floss

smashing colour, gentle shoppers

today
in the grocery
store

is a blind
woman

lead gently
round the isles
by a young grocery store clerk

smashing coloured clothing
pale pink and vermillion together
shocking colours which are lively
and deliciously vibrant

behind milky eyes
holding firm to the shopping cart handle
fred and ginger
couldn't of made it around the store any better

a smile of encouragment
and in the next isle
the dairy case
words between the young man
the old blind woman

the basket filling with
the finest looking produce
and the best priced yogurt

another milky-er world
soft around the edges
requiring no pretense or pretend
as far as trust is concerned
and the need for another pair of eyes

at the check out
still enamoured with the divine coloured clothing
and the sweet young man
that finds
in helping
he too is helped

insects and two men on the bus

outside
particulary in my back yard
but else where as well

insects hum

each one i invite
and visit
investigate

two men on the bus
speaking in slightly too loud conversation

about going for a ride to drink a cup of coffee
catch a flick
ask each are you married
no
no
girl friend
broke up eh?

a little insect rides my knapsack
crawls the long grass that is arm hair
up the thin pale hair and down the otherside
we ride together
and also converse
but silently

i note the colour
and lightness
the delicate nature
the moving creature
as i become landscape
and amusment

the travellers
with the voices
are reading lines to a play
they once saw
or parts made up just for them
slow loud plodding
with silences that are like cement blocks

outside in the garden this morning
i see a snail dismount a flowering plant
up and over fluid and slow and quiet

black bird flys over head like shadow

underside of a leaf reveals a spikey guy
orange and black

and then one of the flyers comes by
translucent winged

small and large
fever dreams like alice

why dig for dinosaurs
when the exotics are all around
yet to be named tinies

where did the men part company?
how is it they came to meet on my streetcar?
what happened to my travelling companion that liked my arm hair?

summer happens
hot and thick and breezy
shade trees become refuge from hot sun

alive-ness in insects keep me in wonder
a ballet
a factory
a work camp
a ferris wheel

it is easy to travel
so easy with a patch of green

mind grazing + thank you

mind grazing, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

a picture of a mind that is grazing in a pasture with pastel sheep...

as a way to say thank you to all those that visited me on saturday for the small press book fair and as well to those that organized the day.

thank you

The Toronto Small Press Book Fair

Saturday June 13th, 2009
9am- 5pm

The Toronto Reference Library
(near Bloor and Yonge)

This is sure to be a fun day. My 10 year old daughter has been busy making lots of interesting things to sell at the show. Happily we shall share a table.

Please come by and say 'hi'.

Secret password 'pass the pumpkins' will get you a free button!

at home

at home, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

i have been having 'back issues'

had to miss work...
which was sad,
and working

but also became better friends with the tree outside my bedroom window.

and rekindled the activity of watching dust motes in the sun.

reading frida kahlo's biography lot's of back issues there
very appropriate reading while being confined to a bed

back and forth

core issues
must strenghten

having something physical hamper one
teaches a lot

being in physical pain
a very different perspective

i am feeling better now
but am humbled
and reminded
of living in a human body

drawing too
little things when i got as far as the backyard
dandylion flowers and wind blown twigs

frustration of course
limitation testing

accepting
and letting go

such big lessons
in small ways

back
and
forth

back
and forth

trusting
and
letting

things be
as they
are.

Pinky

Pinky , originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

with a work in progress in the background.

Tabitha

Tabitha, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Bear in the garden.

Bear in the garden., originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

A fine family of Bears has arrived at Red Pegasus. Please check below for store information.

Bear in Meditation

Bear in Meditation, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

lace and lillacs

lace and lillacs, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

possiblility

possiblility, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

happily lost in the woods

happily lost in the woods, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

recess

recess, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Wayzgoose

This upcoming Saturday I will be participating in Wayzgoose, a really great bookarts show in the town of Grimsby. Great place to see very fine hand made books, bookbinding, print making and other artisan's who are bookish. Please come by and say hello, if you have the opportunity.

please excuse the white spots...

crochet hat , originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

i think the mirror needs a polish!

here i am with my new spring hat
more yarnyness and lots of embellishment,
very happy with threads...

happy spring.
good passover.
sweet easter

greetings to you.

namaste

take care

take care, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Sheep

Sheep, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, with very wooly pregnant sheep. Quite a noisy bunch complaining about being cast out of the barn while it was being mucked out.

If you care to see some of the product of this wooly bunch look into my flickr pages and see the gorgeous hand spun wool I purchased.

yarn rosettes

yarn rosettes, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

inspiring yarns
all colour
all sorts

this one is noro
made in japan

waiting for the bus

waiting for the bus, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

flux-o-matic

how's about

that sunlight
that awesome sunlight
filterering into my living room

and the paper snow flakes
reflected on the wall

how's about the poopy smell
in the field as the dog shit thaws

and the little lakes of water
at the corner of the sidewalk

how's about a full body smile
from the top of the head to the tip of the toes

and striped socks
with little beads
meant for dancing

sunlight comes and makes
smilely faced indentations everywhere

and the body remembers the light that was
is coming is seeping into moreness
with each day

poopy fields
and pent up energy
that has resembled bracing
against
against cold and grey

and too much
that the body say's no
but today
the smells and sunlight
tell

yep it is true
my spring is again just around the corner

cloudy love

cloudy love, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

...hey sky clouds friends loves hearts...

happy
happy
valentine's
day
to
you!

xo

olive green is such a nice colour

Card Making Workshops

I will be conducting two card making workshops at Nathalie-Roze and Company in time for Valentine's Day (and beyond!)

The three workshop dates scheduled are:
Saturday January 31st from 1:30pm - 4:00 pm
and
Saturday February 14th from 10am- 12:30pm
and
Saturday February 28th from 1:30 - 4:30 pm


A hand made card will make your sweetie swoon!
Make cards suitable for Birthdays and Bar Mitzvah's too or just come and play and let your creativity flow. Perhaps you will make the first "Happy Monday Morning in February" card...

In small groups we will focus on playing with everyday materials, sewing on paper, and collage.
This workshop has always been a fun way to explore materials and come out with some lovely cards you will be happy to send.

For more details please call or visit Nathalie-Roze and Company at 1015 Queen Street East, in the heart of Leslieville in Toronto. Telephone: (416)792-1699

Owen's Sweater

Owen's Sweater 2, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

I think he likes it....
see he is smiling!

purples and blues

purples and blues, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

What Comes Next...

In Little India
the snow falls
a man with
a gorgeous pink turban
and a western style suit in chocolate brown
crosses the road

pink turban
brown suit
snow falls

this moment
I take a photo
not with any camera
the speed in which
the snow falls
gentle
on film a blur

pink turban
brown suit
in a storm of snow

this is my
non-photographic
photo

this is the
instant
of colour
and weather
the bright
the cold
the mingling
of snow
and
seeing

colour punctuation marks
causing pause
the self asking the mind
to remember

pink turban
brown suit
falling snow

we stand outside
the small library

out from the warm words
into the cold

as my daughter asks
"What's next?"

pink
brown
snow
stillness
we stand
what's next

a man in the road
with his back to us
navigating the traffic in a beautiful pink turban

the chill from the warm
to cold

the punch of colour
that delights

a painting
a poem
just a moment
just what comes next.

Bea's cardigan with buttons!

Bea's cardigan with buttons!, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

my clothing

my clothing, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

rock pile

rock pile, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

"Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something that needs our love."

-Rainer Maria Rilke

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...

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.

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

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

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.

three leaves

three leaves, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

drop and hill

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

two drops

two drops, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

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)

leaves and pollen

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

three bears

three bears, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

bear production is in full swing.

check for self aware clouds

check for self aware clouds, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

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

currently on sale at my etsy store site

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.

woodland bird

escapade

escapade, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

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!!

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.

simplicity

simplicity, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

able

able, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

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

SALE on Fellow Travellers

fellow travellers sunshine 2, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.

currently on at my etsy store.

www.kimssuitcase.etsy.com

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.

gaze

gaze, originally uploaded by Kim's Suitcase.