i feel the earth move under my feet...

So...there I was, sitting in a meeting room with my manager, discussing my work objectives for 2010 (which my performance review will be based on at the end of the year) and all of a sudden the room started to vibrate.

For the first 5 seconds, we didn't really pay attention (sometimes when large trucks go by or they're moving large furniture in the office, the floor vibrates), but when it lasted for more than 10 seconds, we kind of started thinking, "um...what's going on?"

When other people started peeking out of meeting rooms and cubicles, asking if anyone else was feeling it, we knew something was happening.

EARTHQUAKE!

Yep, Toronto (where I am) felt tremors. Apparently, there was a 5.0 magnitude earthquake close to Canada's capital, Ottawa and the quake was felt in Ontario, Quebec and parts of northern US.

Eeek! Pretty scary stuff.

What's even scarier is that almost within minutes, people were online hawking t-shirts, buttons and other "memorabilia" centred around "Canada's 2010 earthquake". I think it's really silly (and kind of stupid and tempting fate) to buy anything that says you survived a 2010 earthquake when there's still over 6 months left in 2010, don't you?

star sign rings - update 3

What's your sign again?

I still haven't been able to find any more of these stunning vintage intaglios, so I can definitely say that these rings are VERY rare and unique. As I've mentioned on this blog before, I only made 2 of each symbol and unless I can uncover more intaglios (and it doesn't look good), this will be it. Many of the zodiac signs are already sold out, so get yours before it's too late!

Here's an update on what's available:
Aries - 1 available
Taurus - SOLD OUT
Gemini - 1 available
Cancer - SOLD OUT
Leo - SOLD OUT
Virgo - SOLD OUT
Libra - SOLD OUT
Scorpio - 1 available
Sagittarius - SOLD OUT
Capricorn - 1 available
Aquarius - 2 available
Pisces - 2 available

milestones

I love hitting milestones. It's the same with goals - hitting milestones makes me feel proud, like I've really accomplished something.

So I'm pretty excited to share some awesome milestones my little Etsy shop has hit and will be hitting (hopefully) soon!

- last week pandacub passed 500 feedbacks (all positive)
- the shop is 6 shop hearts away from 1,000
- the shop is only 2 sales away from 450

I'm pretty excited about these numbers, as they are far more than I had every thought I could hit when I first started my little shop. Once I hit 1,000 hearts and 450 sales - I'm holding a contest!

UPDATE (June 16, 2010): I hit 450 sales! Whoo-hoo! I'm also at 999 hearts, so one more shop heart and there will be a contest! :)

pandacub shops local in...paris, france

Wow, I haven't don't a "pandacub shops local in..." feature in months! I had so much fun "shopping local" in Ireland last time that this time I stayed in Europe and headed to Paris.

In a city known for it's romance and it's good taste (in fashion and in food), I knew I'd find some great Etsy sellers here!

So now that pandacub has checked out Etsy sellers in Paris - where should I "shop local" next? (Check out all the posts under "pandacub shops local" to see where else I've been!)

Left to right:
Top row:
1. Original abstract painting,acrylic on canvas 27,6 high x 59,1 wide in inches - One of a kind, $300.00 by nataera
2. Lola swings...knitting canvas, $45.00 by okapiknits
3. Floral strapless Dress with Bow - black red and blue vintage cotton - OOAK, $235.00 by malam

Middle row:
4. Parisian Beatnik Girl, $15.00 by sunnybuick
5. Deep water... Something blue, $159.00 by MaryzAigredou
6. Croissants and Pains au Chocolat - 1/12 miniature, $30.00 by PetitPlat

Bottom row:
7. France (Bordelais), $40.00 by GoldenCathy
8. Valentina Gown, $300.00 by HMSlatex
9. CLAUDE Shoulder bag Charcoal Grey in Gray Leaves with double straps, $54.00 by ikabags

go sock monkey!

A few years ago, I met a really warm and friendly gal named Lindsey at a craft show that we were both vendors at. It was my first time selling pandacub accessories at a show and Lindsey, who was my "neighbour" in the display area was super friendly and chatty and made me feel right at home.

Lindsey runs Operation Sock Monkey, an initiative that supports Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA). CWBSA is an amazing organization that provides laughter, hope and healing to communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) raises funds by creating sock monkeys. You can either purchase sock monkeys for yourself, or sponsor them to be sent to children who are in need of a smile. OSM also regularly hosts sock monkey workshops and teaches others to create these whimsical little bundles of joy (below is my little Sock Elephant from Lindsey).


Anyhow, I've always wanted to support OSM in some way, but lack the sewing ability and time to create my own army of sock creatures, so I've come up with a small way in which pandacub (and you!) can help OSM. I've always had these adorable sock monkey brooches in my shop, but now, every sock monkey brooch purchased will be helping OSM.

Every time someone buys a sock monkey brooch from pandacub, I will donate $1.50 to OSM (which is 50% of the selling price of the brooch). I'm hoping that with your help, we can help OSM and CWBSA continue to bring smiles and laughter to children who are in much need of it.

There will be lots of new sock monkey brooches appearing in the pandacub shop soon (so far, they are available on a red background, but coming soon will be blue and yellow backgrounds), so please, for a few dollars - help me support OSM and the awesome work that they do!

patriotic hair accessories

So both Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (Jluy 4) are a month away, but I figured it's a good time to start promoting these adorable bobby pins that are relatively new in my shop. This way, you have lots of time to buy your own pair and get them shipped to you in time for the celebration!

Not based in Canada or the USA? Check my shop anyway as there are several other countries that I have flags for (like Germany, France, UK and more!)

50 books in 2010 - update 3

After a strong start to the year, I've really slowed down in the past month. Part of it is because I now no longer take the bus/subway as much to commute to work (which usually gives me two hours of reading time a day). I still may be able to squeeze in 50 books this year, but it will be tight.

1. The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper, finished January 13

2. The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, finished February 7

3. Lamb by Christopher Moore, finished February 12

4. The Man Who Ate the World by Jay Rayner, finished February 20

5. There Will be Dragons by John Ringo, finished February 26

6. The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory, finished March 2

7. Emerald Sea by John Ringo, finished March 3

8. In a Time of Darkness by John Ringo, finished March 3

9. Against the Tide by John Ringo, finished March 9

10. East of the Sun, West of the Moon, by John Ringo, finished March 15

11. Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith, finished March 15

12. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, finished March 16

13. Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, finished March 18

14. Captain Alatriste by Arturo Perez-Reverte, finished March 18

15. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, finished March 24

16. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, finished April 1

17. The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn, finished April 11

18. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, finished April 27

19. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist, finished May 10

Currently reading:

- The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy

- Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

- Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

- The Queen's Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn

- Buon Appetito, Your Holiness by Mariangela Rinaldi & Mariangela Vicini

- Last Chance to Eat by Gina Mallett

cute, but kind of useless things i buy

Seriously, I'm out of control. In the past couple of months my husband and I have been trying very hard to save money because we're hoping to buy a house this year.

And we've been doing pretty well. We have really cut back on eating out and have been finding lots of other ways to save a few pennies here and there. But every so often we like to treat ourselves so that we don't feel too deprived and start resenting each other.

Anyhow, even with these "indulgent" purchases, I've been pretty good and haven't spent too much, but seriously, the things I've been buying as my "reward" are completely useless...but totally cool (well, cool to me).

Here are 4 purchases I've made recently that I really, seriously did not need at all. But they made me smile.

This panda bear doesn't do anything, but his head bobs from side to side. It's powered by a solar panel in the front and he sits on my desk and watches me work. It's so funny when it gets enough power and his head starts moving without warning. (I can't remember how much this cost, I think it was $10)

Another panda purchase - this one is slightly more practical. It's a USB key! The panda is the carrying case, but I haven't used it yet because I like seeing the bamboo and paw prints on the key. ($20)

This is completely useless, but sooo cute. It's a wind-up music box. The store I got it at only had a few songs available, but I found out on the company's website that there's over 30 songs (I NEED to get "Moon River", and "My Funny Valentine" and all the Beatles songs...and "Stairway to Heaven" for my husband, and..oh boy). Anyhow, the one I have right now plays "La Vie en Rose" ($10)

I just bought this one today and it was totally an impulse buy. They're nesting dolls, but each part of each doll is a measuring cup and all of them are different measurements! Cute and practical! ($15)


Ok, so what do you think of my little shopping problem? A total waste of money or extreme cuteness?

art star craft bazaar

I've heard that this weekend is going to be nice and sunny in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

Yes, I know I live in Toronto, so why am I happy that it's sunny in PA? Because the lovely Alex of Hello Bluebird will be setting up a booth at the Art Star Craft Bazaar and she'll be selling (among many other lovely crafty finds) pandacub accessories!

So, if you're in the neighbourhood, you should definitely check this event out!

With over 100 local and national artists, the Art Star Craft Bazaar is an outdoor art and craft show (that's why I'm happy that it's sunny). There are lots of lovely things to be found, including housewares, dolls, prints, clothing, accessories, sculpture and other one-of-a-kind creations.

When: Saturday, May 15 from 11am-6pm and Sunday, May 16 from 11am-6pm

Where: Philadephia, Pennsylvania at Penn's Landing Great Plaza (on Columbus Blvd between Walnut St and Chestnut St.

Website: www.artstarcraftbazaar.com

moms

Although I missed posting a Happy Mothers' Day message yesterday, I definitely spent time with my mom and my mom-in-law.

My mom definitely inspired the practical and the creative in my when I was young and I have lots of fond memories of many different types of crafts (and crafty messes), many of which I hope someday to pass onto my own future children.

And yes, at dinner with my parents on Saturday night, I did get the "when am I getting grandchildren" question, which I unsuccessfully tried to deflect onto my sister. Haha.