My Sweet TnT...

I will always love you,
My sweet Trinbago
Although I born elsewhere
I dream of you wherever I go
Doh care where I wonder
Doh care where I roam
I'll always consider sweet Trinbago my home.   - Dr. Leroy Calliste (Black Stalin)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stalin

Dr. Leroy Calliste ( Black Stalin) as he performed live in concert in Point Fortin Trinidad

Dr. Leroy Calliste couldn't have put it better - I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and even though I now live in Canada, I'm home away from home. I went home to Trinidad and Tobago recently and spent the best three weeks ever. I tried to do as much as possible to show off our twin island republic to my son who had been there twice before.

One of my best adventures was the trip to the Pitch Lake in La Brea Trinidad thanks to my brother David. Imagine we used to drive by the Pitch Lake many times throughout my life because my grandparents lived in La Brea and I've only been there twice. If you ever go to Trinidad and Tobago visit the lake but be sure to get a tour guide. http://www.geulogy.com/pitch_lake_asphaltlake_la_brea_trinidad_tobago_natural_tar_bitumen.html

On our way to the Pitch Lake

Curried goat and roti ent!

Cashew Tree

The Pitch Lake

The Pitch Lake

Heliconia psittacorum

A different view of the lake

Nymph Lillies

Mother Of The Lake

Last Evening @ Beadfx

Last evening I had the pleasure of teaching Findings Please at Beadfx thanks to Deborah and Paula. Thank you ladies for sharing in the Beady Arts experience that's "From the heart, by the hands and just for you."

You too can share in the Beady Arts experience by enrolling in one of my future classes at Beadfx in Toronto. If you are willing to learn my friends, the pleasure is mine to teach beginners to all levels fun wire techniques.

My next class is on June 27 from 6 - 9 PM http://www.beadfx.com/classes/class-rae-nuffwrappedloops.jsp. if you lack the confidence to make wrapped loops (one of the fundamentals of wire work) come on over to Beadfx cause that evening we'll be making nuff, nuff (many). Click on the link and enroll - yes don't delay.

Trinsunshine @ it enjoy!

Sunday Lunch @ My Mother's Table

Fried Rice

Macaroni Pie

Potato Salad

Stewed Chicken

Callaloo

 
How I missed my mother's cooking. On my first Sunday in Trinidad my mother and sister cooked - I ate. There were more dishes on the table of course but I was too hungry to take more pictures.

Fun with Wire Batimamselle

In Trinidad and Tobago we call the dragonfly Batimamselle. Either way dragon flies are loved by many. My fun with wire series is constantly growing and in this class you'll learn how to make a dragonfly using basic wire bending, wrapping and weaving. The finished piece can be used as a brooch or pendant.

This class is happening on Wednesday 30 May at Beadfx in Toronto http://www.beadfx.com/classes/class-rae-funwithwirebatimamselle.jsp from 6 - 9 PM. There's still room left so click on the link and make that call to Beadfx today.

Feast You Eyes

Haven't  blogged for over two months. You knew - I know you knew so what's new! Not gonna list the many things I've been doing to keep me away but nonetheless I've been having fun.

So I'm just gonna post some pictures so feast your eyes and enjoy pictures from my trip home to Trinidad & Tobago in April.

Outside Piarco International Airport Trinidad - Waiting for my parents

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Super Blue ( Austin Lyons) as he performs @ The  Point Fortin College Reunion

The rest of my Geera Pork @ the reunion

Bake n Shark @ the reunion

Curried Chick Peas, Pumpkin, Curried Goat n Chicken, Vegetables and MangoAnchar

More Bag of Beads

I just love this bracelet! At first I did not feel the colours but went into my stash for more inspiration. I used one of my own lampwork beads ( I played in the fire a little shhhhhhh) as the focal and was just wrapped up in loops.

Bag of Bead 2: Wrapped Up in Loops Bracelet.

 I wanted to play with Crystal Clay, Resin and Gilder's Paste. I did a bit of hammering on the case to give it some texture for the paste and this piece was a fun way to use those tiny tiny tiny tiny tiny seedbeads! I just put them into the rest of the Crystal Clay that Stephanie Dixon had given us at the January's meeting. Some fun odds and ends from my stash and more beads from the bag of course and my business cards has a new Beady Arts home.

I long for the beach - Business Card Case

 Back To The Reef - this was the most fun to work on. I had to use some wire because for some time now it has become my favourite medium to work with. The tulle was stiffened with resin and stuffed into the mouth and eight legs were made with nylon mesh tube ( that was in my stash for a little over two years). I had to give her shoes - so I used Crystal Clay and this gave it some weight too. A tulle hat with a feather and a pair of earrings of course and now she's on her way to Trinisunshine Reef (the mixed media piece featured at the bottom of my blog).


Ready For Trinisunshine  Reef



I've got Tulle in my mouth but don"t put your fingers in!!!

Nylon Mesh Tube Legs & Crystal Clay Shoes

 Finally I made a fun pair of earrings with a combination of beads from the bag and my stash.