DISCOVER MY WORLD
' Portraying the gentler side of life
in rural Canada through
the mind's eye and heart of a gentle soul '
PAINTINGS
COOKIN'
BOOKS
BOOK
'Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to come back to'
Oh, and they are a
natural stress reliever
When the winds are howling & the snow is drifting ~ this night would be a great time to curl up in a comfy chair before the crackling fireplace and unwind as you create your own piece of threaded canvases.
Nearly Christmas!
By Vera Ernst Mc Nichol
It must be nearly Christmas,
there’s enchantment in the air
A certain cheery feeling,
that takes away our care.
Faces radiate with gladness
in spite of frost & snow,
Greetings seem more friendly
everywhere we go.
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It must be nearly Christmas,
the children are so good.
They seem so over-anxious
to do the things they should.
Older folks see visions
of Christmas days gone by,
other family circles,
where childish hopes ran high.
It must be nearly Christmas,
the people are more jolly.
Everything is bright and gay,
with mistletoe and holly.
Excitement seems contagious,
vibrating through the crowd,
until love fills with one accord,
the humble & the proud.
It must be nearly Christmas,
Good-will and peace abound.
At no other season
is such magic found.
There is a glow of happiness,
that no one can explain...
It must be that the Christ-child
has come to earth again!
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
Christmas Edition
Welcome Dear Friends !
May we be among the first to wish you & yours,
A wonderful, wonder-filled Season!
It’s in the air, in the mood, in the eyes of every child - the wonder of the season that little spark that sets these holidays apart from the rest of the year.
It is that something special we wish for when selecting our gifts– that little flash of marvelous with a sprinkling of merry!
I can think not much would surpass the pure pleasure of sending a note of dearest thoughts to a friend, except maybe hearing “you’ve got mail!”
Let us all leave behind letters of
love & friendship, family & devotion
hope & consolation, so that future
generations will know what we
valued & believed!
Twas Twilight On Main Street!
As twilight drifts about the town
the shadows cast most softly down.
Folks quietly put their shops to rest,
contented feelings of being blessed
graced those merchants of this day
as they reflected and went on their way.
Gathering coats ~ locking up tight
heading for home ~ the beckoning light.
As twilight drifts about the town
velvet snow comes cascading down.
Despite all the frost & snow,
everyone is so friendly as they go.
Kindled fires await their return.
Hot apple cider, their only concern.
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As twilight drifts about the town
goodwill, peace & magic abound.
This cherished moment is within view;
this can happen for me & you.
Hold fast to your dreams,
wishes & desires,
positive thinking is all that it required.
Hang on so tight to impossible seems
of your faith, of your hopes,
of your dreams!
Our Christmas Prayer.....
.. that we may touch the earth with kind & gentle
hands, that freedom be found in this and other lands,
and joyous peace shall reign throughout man.....
.... Wishing you Peace, Joy & Good Will.....
We wish to thank, new, past and loyal visitors to my art and website for your continued support & interest. It is sincerely gratifying & appreciated!
'Merry Christmas,
Shelley & Drew'
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
Fall Edition
Welcome to this special corner of my website, where I cherish the connections I've made through my art over the past 36 years. Drew and I have built wonderful friendships with people from all over the countryside and beyond and we always love receiving notes and updates from them about their lives. It's a joy to share in their stories and to keep everyone updated on our journey as well.
Your messages truly mean the world me! Thank you!
Here's to October's
frost kissed apples;
teh wild-as-the-wind
smell of hickory nuts &
the nostalgic whiff of
teh first wood smoke!
Ken Webber
AUTUMN SIPPER
from Apple Ways for Apple Days Cookbook
1 Tbsp Whole Allspice 1 pc Orange peel
3 - 3" Cinnamon sticks 1 pc Lemon peel
2 Whole Cloves
1pc crystalized ginger (about size of loonie)
3 cups Apricot Nectar
5 cups Apple Juice​
1. Place spices, citrus peels and ginger in cheesecloth. Tie securely and
place in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Pour in apple juice and nectar; cover.
3. Cook on high for 1 hour, then on low for 3 hours.
4. Garnish filled glasses with cinnamon stick.
Makes 8 - 1 cup servings.
FREE ON THIS SITE: ALL 4 COOKBOOKS
Please watch as I update the Herbal cookbooks to make them more readable!
Coming soon.
CROSS STITCHING PATTERNS:
Did you know that cross-stitching is one of the few crafts one can enjoy and feel confident about the finsihed results.
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Stitch the stress away! Cross-stitching soothes the troubled spirit and it doesn't hure the untroubled one either.
Further inspect our cross-stitching line on this website. Just click
images to take you there.
click images above to take you to
cross-stitch patterns
Click this picture to visit the Fine Art Book
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
Spring Edition
Did you know....
there are over 150 games of Solitaire, or otherwise known as Patience?
THE PAST ASKS ONLY TO BE REMEMBERED
'the memories we mourn should be no less loved
then those that make us smile.'
SARAH BAN BREATHNACH
A charming vintage book featuring 20 games that I've always enjoyed playing, especially when embracing the peaceful, quiet moments with a game of Patience. Click the hand to take you to it.
Like some people, they sometimes get overwhelmed with an abundance of tasty tomatoes, and one has to take action.
Just as the saying goes, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade; when it gives you tomatoes, make tomato sauce!
ABOUT THE COOKBOOKS
A multitude of cookery books had been published over the last era, all designed to guide & instruct us in our daily lives.
Even today they provide us with a wonderful mirror of our almost forgotten society; with its delicious recipes, to Grandma's secrets and 'did you know' fun facts.
It is easy to smile at their old-fashioned quaintness, but you will be surprised by the number of delicious, elegant recipes and nuggets of knowledge you will unearth in this and the pages of these charming little cookery books.
Then I just may have the book for you.
This is a book all about tomatoes.
That basket full of those red, ripe, juicy Tomatoes.
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Just click on the book cover and it will take you to it​​​
If you enjoy the Tomato CookBook, check in often as I download the rest of the little cookbook series.
Herbs Vol 1 and Vol 2
Apple Ways for Apple Days.
Let's bring back
Tea Leaf Readings
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Just click on the book cover and it will take you to
this little booklet to get you started reading teas or
coffee grounds.​​​
The GENTLE ART OF TASSEORGRAPHY
aka TEA LEAF READING
Tea leaf reading, or as hardcore cup readers call it, 'TASSEOGRAPHY'.
It is like a magical crystal ball but with tea leaves! Delightful practice involving swirling your brew and then deciphering the patterns left behind to uncover hints about your future or what's happening in your life right now.
It’s all about the vibes—those tea leaves are said to mirror your energy and the world around you, serving up some tasty tidbits of insight and guidance.
So grab a cup and let the leaves do the talking!
This is what 'they' wrote:
Shelley has been a professional painter since 1992, with her work accepted in galleries starting in 1996. By 1998, her art made debut in the United States, and by 2000, it gained international recognition. Her puzzle and cross stitch charts are available worldwide, found in numerous shops across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada.
This is what 'they' asked:
What drew you to paint in this type of style you've adapted?
"I’ve always been captivated by the charm of simpler times, where vibrant colors danced through art and life. From a young age, I discovered that the strokes of a brush and the vibrant hues of paint allowed me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings far better than words ever could."
What message are you trying to convey through your art?
"Every painting should communicate directly and solely with the viewer. The significance of hearing the artist rationalize so deeply personal is questionable".
What is your process of creating these images?
"The process of being creative is often unpredictable. Imagination sparks new ideas every day, drawing from a mix of thoughts. However, turning those ideas into something tangible, like a piece of art, can come in waves—some days are brimming with productivity, while other days may feel completely unproductive".
How do you measure the success of a painting?
This is what 'they' said:
Outside the box never really struck Shelley McVittie as an interesting turn of phrase.
And then she took her art there.
An artist since…always, Shelley began showcasing her unique imagination to all in 1991, bringing Acrylic interpretations of her Victorian-era visions to life.
When her historic buildings, rolling scenescapes, and quaint musings of everyday life couldn’t be contained by framework, Shelley broke the mold and began stretching her creations onto the mat borders.
This technique, fittingly called ‘extensions’, quickly became her trademark, as collectors clamored to have a unique and personalized mat plus painting hanging from their walls.
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What would you like to add to close this interview?
"Art, to me, is a reflection of personal perspective, free from the influence of others' opinions or experiences. I firmly believe that each artist's talent, no matter their style, stems solely from their unique inspirations and life experiences".
"To me, success is defined by the emotional reaction my canvas can inspire. If my artwork doesn't resonate emotionally like music does, I feel I have not fully communicated the feelings I aimed to express".