Drat!  I was really hoping to show off my new pin tonight.  I know I’ve already given a preview, but as the numbers of them are so limited I would like to attach them to numbered cards, so that every single one of them is numbered and accounted for.  However, I am apparently picky, and have not managed to create a card this evening that makes me happy and it’s starting to get quite late!  As I need some sleep, I’ve decided to give up the hunt for tonight and hope that inspiration strikes tomorrow!  Maybe you have some ideas??

So I’m afraid tonight is going to be a very short post as I’ve spent the last few hours wrangling images and messing around trying to make something that I like to be the background for my pin.  It also means that I’m not going to start my next contest quite yet as I’d like to have a complete prize to show… But I will try to put a few things out there…

First, we’re nearly to a major milestone in the countdown to the Paralympics!  When I post tomorrow night it will be 100 days until the Opening Ceremonies of the Paralympics!!  Wow!  We’re really getting close!

Second, my heart goes out to John Kucera, a favourite on our men’s alpine ski team.  He crashed during the super-G slalom race at Lake Louise on Sunday and broke his leg.  It has removed him from Olympic competition  which is really quite sad as he was skiing so well this year and I’m sure more than heartbreaking for him.  The good news on Sunday though  was that his teammate, Manuel Osborne-Paradis did win the race while Erik Guay and Robbie Dixon, more teammates, came 4th and 5th respectively.  Congrats to our men’s alpine ski team and a big “Get well quick!” to John.

And lastly… are you a 2010vanfan fan?  Are you on facebook too?  Please join my group (just search facebook for 2010vanfan)!!  Here you’ll get updates about my daily posts.  Plus, once I have my pins ready I’m going to have a separate contest going just for 2010vanfan facebook group members so join today!!

Thank you merci!!

Yay new pin winners!!  So, for the grand prize of one Visa Mascot pin the winner is: Rosemary R!!  (Something tells me you may come by the store to pick it up Rosemary Oh, and we have some new pins in the Olympic Superstore now as added incentive!).  And two more pin winners for fun… each will receive a gold(-coloured) RBC pin!  Congrats to: Denise S.P. and to Katie W!  Send me an email (2010vanfan@gmail.com) letting me know if you’d like to stop in and pick up your pin or have it mailed to you.

Thanks to everyone that entered!!  I love hearing from you all and having readers share stories!  Like Patricia Duffy that ran with the Torch yesterday (hint, hint, we’d all love to hear from you Patricia!!).  I will post up my next pin contest tomorrow night… maybe for a 2010vanfan pin…  hmm…

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And now… for some more photos from the Mascots’ Second Birthday Party at the Olympic Superstore in downtown Vancouver!!  As you can see from the photos we all had a pretty good time!  Thanks so much to Krystal for sharing her photos!!

The Mascots with their cake!!

Quatchi and I cutting the cake! This was way too much fun!

Miga, Kurt, Sumi, Gordon, Quatchi and Gaetan! It was a very special day!

Kurt playing with Miga!

Henry and Carol (Krystal's mom!!) with their signed posters and the original work of art by Gordon of Kurt!

Alex and Mukmuk!!

Josh and Miga!! Kids just love the Mascots!

Miga with herself!

Quatchi, Quatchi and me!

Miga and Quatchi playing!

Thanks again Krystal for letting me share your photos here!  They’re great and really show what a wonderful day we all had!

The DV team and friends can not wait untill this big fashion event at the end of 2009.

Make sure you witness something big for the future of indepenant fashion.

I was at work the other night and noticed our Brontosaurus necklace just came in – I was inspired!

Brontosaurus Applique on a men's sweater

I crocheted the Brontosaurus to be sewn onto a sweater or tee – I think I’m going to put mine onto a dress! For men or women this little guy is going to have a ROARing good time anywhere he goes.

The Brontosaurus applique

Tonight is going to be quick, short and cheerful!  I’m nearly snoozing now and it isn’t that late yet!  Plus, I’ll need lots of energy for tomorrow!  Why??  It’s the Vancouver 2010 Mascots’ 2nd Birthday Party!!  Find out the details here and more importantly get yourself to the Olympic Superstore tomorrow to join in the festivities!!

Yes! There will be cake!!

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Would you like to be involved in the Paralympic Torch Relay??  Apply here! You must be at least 13 years of age and “Potential torchbearers will be asked to tell their story in 250 characters or less, explaining why they want to be a torchbearer in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay. They’ll also be asked to tell how they demonstrate the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality in their lives. What would being a torchbearer mean to you?”  This is so cool!  I love that there are still Torchbearer positions available!  Thanks so much to Sean for mentioning it to me this evening!  I missed the news today and may have missed it completely without the suggestion!

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Another quick reminder to enter my contest to win a Visa Mascot Pin!  It’s really cute!!  All you have to do is get a friend to comment on a post this week with the answer to the following question:

What are the names of the Mascots from the Montreal 1976 and the Calgary 1988 Olympics?

And get your friend to include your name!  Then enter your friend’s name along with the answer ’cause you’re a nice person and think it would be lovely if your friend won a pin too!

This contest closes on the evening of Sunday, November 29th!

This very cute pin could be yours!

*     *      *     *     *

And last… but certainly not least… for those of you that read all the way through my posts….

Yes, I’m stalling a little, it’s ’cause I’m excited!!

My 2010vanfan pins arrived today!!  I need a bit of time to get them ready to give away, but I will be giving them away!  So you’ll need to stay tuned to find out how you may get one (these are really, really limited so there will be contests and trials and tribulations involved )!!

So here is your sneak peek!!

More details to follow soon!  But not until after the Mascots’ Birthday Party as I will be absolutely swamped with that!  Are you excited about this new pin???

]]> http://2010vanfan.ca/2009/11/27/77-days-to-go-venue-training/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:09:16 +0000 2010vanfan http://2010vanfan.ca/2009/11/27/77-days-to-go-venue-training/

I got to go to my Venue Training today for Vancouver 2010!!  I have been assigned to the Vancouver Athlete’s Village so training was in the Village tonight!  And I’m so pleased that I got to go!  I’ve been watching the Village be built for several years now and I have to say it’s pretty amazing to get to be inside the community centre and to walk down the streets of the Village at night!

Downtown Vancouver from the Athlete's Village (I think I may need a better camera ).

The Athlete’s Village is in such a beautiful location!  You can see the city, the mountains, the ocean!  It truly is an urban oasis!

The training tonight included information on the vision and goals that we as a team hope to accomplish for the Athlete’s Village.  Our number one task?  To make all of our visitors feel at home!  And I have to say, with such beautiful homes as they will be staying in then those of us working there only need to add some personality to really make it more than just a memorable experience!  We also talked about the organization of the Village, and the layout, as well as a tiny bit about the various jobs that the Vancouver 2010 Workforce volunteers will be doing.

I have been assigned to Plaza and Events and this sounds like it will be right up my alley!!  This is the main area where invited guests to the Village will be able to interact with the Village residents.  So this will include media, sponsors, dignitaries and the like, as well as friends and families of the athletes.  All parts of the Village will only be accessible by accredited people.  The Plaza will feature retail space, as well as the Welcoming Ceremony Venue, where each Nation will come to have their flag raised as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!

A lot of my training will come later when I do my job specific course, but that’s okay, I got a wonderful chance to be one of the first of the ‘general public’ to walk along the streets of the Village and that was so very special to me!  It was also wonderful to hear from the people who have been involved in planning the Village for the last several years and to hear their passion and excitement!  This is a very powerful thing we’re all involved in and the anticipation grows every day!

Alright, I’m going to add a few more photos from our tour through the Athlete’s Village and then head to sleep!  Way too late again tonight! (PS – It was so late that when my computer decided it was going to stop working I didn’t want to fix it then, so morning time it is!).

The newly restored Salt building is beautiful! The walkway leading to it from False Creek represents water as this building was once on the waterfront of False Creek!

I'm not sure why the lights weren't on at Science World tonight, but it looked neat!

*     *     *     *     *

Don’t forget, the Mascot’s Birthday party is this Saturday at the Olympic Superstore in Vancouver with festivities starting at 2pm, including cake, kid’s goody bags (we should have enough to last a while… hopefully until at least 3pm), face-painting, a dj, Kurt Browning and Gaétan Boucher and of course the Mascots! Look for more details here!

*     *     *     *     *

And one last reminder… don’t forget to enter to win a Visa Mascot pin.  Find out how here!  Contest ends on the evening of Sunday, November 29th!

Thanks for reading!

We are very proud of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes (and all the hopefuls as well) here in Canada and lately we’ve been doing a better job of making sure they know it!  Sport can be expensive, and sponsorships can be hard to come by, particularly if you’re an “up and comer”.  There is a lot of travel, equipment, coaching and other things to pay for and time to have a good-paying job can be scarce with all the practice that is necessary to reach the level of skill needed to compete on the highest global level.  For Vancouver 2010, there are a lot of ways to help support our athletes financially, to help them focus on their sport (and not their finances) and to help them reach their dream (and ours!) of reaching the podium in 2010!  Here are some of the ways that you can help!

Donate directly to Own the Podium through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

The Canadian Olympic Foundation raises money for Winter and Summer athletes and is a great way to be involved.  A neat way to go though, if you like pins is to donate here but by ‘purchasing’ pins donated by Molson’s!  You get pins, the athletes get support!  Cool!  Good on ya Molson!  There are also reusable Molson Olympic bags available!  I have already donated here to get my pins, have you?

*     *     *     *     *

Everyone loves these! And they will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas! They're super warm too!

Next up… Red Mittens!  These things are hotter than hot cakes!!  They fly off of the shelves (sometimes out of our hands as we’re trying to fill shelves!).  Red Mittens cost $10 + tax per pair with about $4 of that going to help fund athletes!  It’s pretty sweet!  There are three sizes available, adult’s S/M, adult’s L/XL, and children’s (one size only).  We just got some Mittens in today at the Olympic Superstore so come in quick before we sell out again, or check your local Bay or Zellers stores!

*     *     *     *     *

Also at Bay (and I think Zellers) stores you can find little paper toque cut-outs (I don’t seem to be able to find a picture of one, I’ll try to get one tomorrow to post…).  For a minimum $1 donation you can write a message to our Canadian athletes on the toque.  The toques will be delivered to our athletes to read in the Athlete’s Village while they are here to compete!  How cool is that??  We have heard back from athletes about this sort of program and they say it means a lot to them to have messages from across Canada.  The Athlete’s Villages are going to be great, but family and friends aren’t really able to get there to visit, so the athletes can feel a little isolated.  These messages remind them that we’re all standing behind them cheering them on!  Go Canada!!  (OK… I must really believe in this one… I just made myself cry thinking about how special it would feel to get these sorts of messages… please do come in and donate to this wonderful program, thank you!).

*     *     *     *     *

Buy beer, support Canadian athletes! Sounds so darned Canadian...

Alright, you stopped and got your Red Mittens, and left a message on a toque cut-out, on your way home you may want to swing by a shop and grab a case of Molson Canadian!  Just be sure to grab a specially marked case that features the “Give’r” campaign!  Molson will donate $5 from every “Give’r” case sold to Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes!  Plus, there is a PIN number that you can enter onto their “Give’r” contest website where you could win “The Ultimate 2010 Winter Games experience in Vancouver”!!  Sounds good, no??  Heck yes it does!

Oh, and while you’re poking around the Molson Canadian website, be sure to upload a photo of yourself to be added to their 2010 Mural Project which is being built on the side of the Molson building on Burrard Street in Vancouver!  It’s pretty darned fun (I submitted tonight, so hopefully I’ll be included!).

*     *     *     *     *

OK, that was a few of the ways that you can help out, but I know there are a lot more.  Do you know of one that you’d like everyone to know about?  Please share the information by posting up a comment!  The more the merrier!

*     *     *     *     *

One last thing, just a quick reminder about my current pin contest, you could win a Visa Mascot pin!!  Find the details here! Good luck!  Bonne chance!

]]> http://penguininsider2.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/club-penguin-pin-hot-chocolate-pin/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:55:41 +0000 pizzabarr http://penguininsider2.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/club-penguin-pin-hot-chocolate-pin/

Hey Guys, Theres A New Pin In Club Penguin! Heres How To Find It!

1. Login To Club Penguin
2. Go To The Coffee Shop
3. Click And Recive Your Pin!
4. You Now Have The New Pin!

I Love This New Pin! I Really Fancy A Hot Chocolate Now! XP Do You Like This New Pin?

~Pizza Bar~Penguin Insider 2 Owner

I am behind the times… I probably should have written about Stephen Colbert’s callout of Canada a while ago, but hey, it’s been fun listening to the slagging and counter-attacks since it all started on November 5th.  If you are not sure what I’m talking about, American comedian Stephen Colbert has recently challenged his followers to support the American Speed Skating team after the team lost its sponsorship funding.  And he’s succeeding!  However, he’s also claiming that Canada is not allowing fair access for American speed skaters to the Richmond Olympic Oval!  You can watch his callout here (scroll forward to the 4 minute mark), and our “Chief Syrup Sucker’s” return challenge here.

Stephen Colbert - pushing Canada's buttons!

I hope that he does come up during the Olympics and take up the post of Olympic Ombudsman to prevent discrimination against American athletes (complete with uniform – a pink toque) as offered by our “Chief Syrup Sucker” Ted Townsend, the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications for the City of Richmond.

So far, it has been fun watching everyone get riled up!  Heck, I’m even riled up!  I’m no Saskatche-whiner!  Well, the mittens are down, we’ll just have to wait and see where it goes from here!

*     *     *     *     *

Have you entered someone for my latest pin contest yet??  I’m giving away a great Visa Mascot pin and all you have to do is get a friend to comment on a post this week with your name and the answer to the following question:

What are the names of the Mascots from the Montreal 1976 and the Calgary 1988 Olympics?

If you would like more than one entry to win this pin then make sure to tell more than one friend about 2010vanfan.ca!!  And don’t forget to enter your friend’s name too!  But get your entries in before the evening of Sunday, November 29th!

Win this pin for a friend!

*     *     *     *     *

It’s hard to believe that we’re less than 80 days away from the beginning of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics (and only 30 days from Christmas!)!  Where does the time go?  Anyhow, I’m always keen on finding out what people would like to see on this site, and on Saturday my very good friend Elspeth asked for videos!  I would love to host them here, and may in the future, but for now I’m playing with adding them to my 2010vanfan group page on Facebook and including links to there.  So here is my first experiment.  Let me know if it works, or if you have other ideas how I can accomplish this task!  And while you’re there, join the group for 2010vanfan updates!

The GE Plaza opened at Robson Square yesterday!  Here is a little video clip of the Vancouver 2010 Mascots skating during the opening.  I particularly like Quatchi playing tag with Miga!

Thank you merci!

The hands & feet are polymer clay beads I’ve been making. The darker ones I painted.  The face is going to be a pin.  The round beads are an experiment.  I started making them in paper mache.  Didn’t like the look,  so I covered those in paper clay.  Then I used foil w/paper clay.  Painted multicolored.  Then mixed a satin varnish with gold pigment.  Then the rest  with bronze.  Fun to do.  Now I have to redrill the holes in some of them…. and see how I like them.  This isn’t a fast process.  Takes lots of time and space.  I love trying new things during the holidays.  Have a fun safe Thanksgiving!  I hope you’re with people you love!  xoxo PJ

Wow!  The opening of the GE Plaza at Robson Square was pretty special!  I’m very glad that I got to be there for it.  Catriona Le May Doan was the emcee.  Premier Gordon Campbell, VANOC CEO John Furlong, GE Canada President and CEO Elyse Allan, and GE President of Olympic Sponsorship and Corporate Sales Peter Foss were all there to present the new rink to Vancouver.  For me it was already wonderful at that point, but then Jeffrey Buttle came out to skate!  It was beautiful!

Jeffrey Buttle skating at the opening of the GE Plaza.

The opening was fairly brief, but there were some great opportunities for photos, so I’ll mostly share those:

Jeffrey getting Red Mittens from Premier Gordon Campbell

Opening the rink to kids from the Vancouver Skating Club.

The Vancouver 2010 Mascots skating at the GE Plaza - I even got a hug from Miga!!

Hey! I found the Vancouver 2010 Ticket Box Office!

Apparently the Main Ticket Box Office just opened last Wednesday in the UBC Robson Square Bookstore.  I will be adding it to my Vancouver 2010 Venue map.  I will also add the Whistler Box Office which I’ve been told is due to open on Thursday this week.

Kids and the Mascots at GE Plaza

The GE Plaza orca zamboni! So cute!

It was a great morning!  And I have to admit is was made even better when I had a chance to grab the Monday Metro and found that I had been quoted on the front page!  Eeek!  I hadn’t been expecting anything like that, it was awfully neat .

I had meant to go skating on the Opening Day at the new rink, but the place was jam-packed!!  So I’ll try for it another day.  Did you go skating on the Opening Day??  Post a comment and let everyone know how it went!  It looks like a heckuva lotta fun!

*     *     *     *     *

One last bit, if you’re interested in winning a Visa Mascot pin, click here for details on how to enter!

Thank you merci for reading!

Last week i created a series of product on zazzle based on my photo, Early Morning Sun Rays #19. The early morning sun beams its rays from the azure winter sky through the leafless maples to the cedars and forest below. The sky is a pristine light blue with a hint of thin white clouds in the background. Darkened outlines of bare branches in the foreground and cedar trees in the background provide stark contrast with the early morning sun. As the rays travel from the sun through the forest, several large sunspots a of lighter and darker red radiate from the sun. One small green sunspot floats like a small orb in the midst of the trees.

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Postage

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Photo Cards

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Make personalized stationery on zazzle.com

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Magnets

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Mugs

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Many more Keychain designs at zazzle.com

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Buttons

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
See more Forest Stickers

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Design custom tee shirts at Zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Create custom t shirts at zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Shop for another greeting card on zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Make post cards on zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Forest Mousepads

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View other Forest Aprons

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
More Forest Bags

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

Hi clickers! There’s an awesome new pin! It’s tasty too If you didn’t look at the pin tracker (which I think is not working) the Hot Chocolate Pin is at the:

Step #1: Click on the map at the bottom left corner of your screen.

Step #2: Teleport to the Town and enter the Coffee Shop and waddle up to the Hot Coco Pin.

The Hot Chocolate Pin

Step#3: A message will appear asking you if you want to keep the pin. CLICK YES!!!!! (how should I make it any clearer?)

THE HOT COCO PIN MESSAGE!

Last week I created a series of products using my photo,  Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5. As the sun rises over the Columbia river, a masonic lodge and church steeple rise above the forest of the surrounding hills in Rainier, Oregon. Silvery gray and luminescent white in the early morning light, the clouds blanket the pacific northwest sky.

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View more Church steeple Magnets

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Church steeple Keychains

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View other Church steeple Mugs

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View other Church steeple Buttons

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Design a custom sticker at zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Browse Church steeple T-Shirts

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View more Church steeple T-Shirts

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
More Church steeple Cards

,
Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Design photo mugs with zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View other Church steeple Postcards

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

One of the projects completed last week was a series of products on zazzle which feature my photgraph,  Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4. The Columbia River shines radiantly in the sunrise as it flows tranquilly towards the pacific ocean bordered by dark silhouettes of evergreen trees standing like sentinels on the Oregon shore and mist shrouded mountains beyond in Washington.

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
View more Columbia river Stationery

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Get your own magnets on zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design a custom travel mug at zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Create a custom made key chain on Zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
buy buttons at zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
View more stickers on zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Browse other bumper stickers on zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
See more Columbia river T-Shirts

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design customized tee shirts on zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Create a coffee mug with zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
See more Columbia river Postcards

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design a personalized mousemat at zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Make aprons on zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design canvas tote bags from Zazzle

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

Yes, you’ve all been waiting for this and the day is here!!  The winner of the oversized Torch pin is…

Bill V!

And ’cause you already know I can’t give out only one pin… I have a few other winners as well…

Mihnea C – a Petro-Canada pin
Pam M – an Air Canada pin
Sarah P – a RBC pin

If you’re one of my winners email me at 2010vanfan@gmail.com to let me know if you’d like to come into the Olympic Superstore to pick up your pin in person or if you will need it mailed to you!  Thanks to everyone who participated!!

And of course… that means I need a new pin contest!  And it just so happens that I think I have a pin that people will want to get their hands on…   Since it’s the Mascots’ Birthday this Friday I have a Visa Mascot Pin to give away!!

A very adorable pin!

How do you win it?  Get a friend to post a comment on my blog sometime between now and the evening of Sunday, November 29th (that gives you a week!).  In their comment they will need include your name and answer the following question:

What are the names of the Mascots from the Montreal 1976 and the Calgary 1988 Olympics?

If you would like more than one entry to win this pin then make sure to tell more than one friend about 2010vanfan.ca!!    And don’t forget to enter your friend’s name too!

*     *     *     *     *

It’s late again so this is a short one, mostly focussing on the pin contests, however, if you find yourself in downtown Vancouver tomorrow be sure to stop by Robson Square and check out the GE Ice Plaza!  The Ice Plaza will officially open at 9:30am, Monday, November 23rd!  There will be free skating, skate and helmet rentals ($3 each and free for children under 12 years of age), and apparently entertainment!  I plan on hanging around for a lot of the day and will certainly be there at 9:30am, so if you see me say hello!  It’s lovely to meet others as excited about Vancouver 2010 as I am!!

I'll be there!!

*     *     *     *     *

Oh! And I have more information on the Mascots’ Birthday Party on Saturday, November 28th!!

• The Mascots will tour the Olympic Superstore for ½ hour at 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm each time.
• Get your photos taken with the Mascots!! (printed photo by a minimum $2 donation I believe)
• Cake cutting at 2pm!  (Yum!! Cake!!)
• Facepainting in the Mascots merchandise area
• Kurt Browning (Olympic figure skater) and Gaétan Boucher (Olympic Gold Medal speed skater) will be signing autographs at 2pm and will also be joined by artist Gordon Milne who has done portraits of both Kurt and Gaétan!!  And the portraits will be there! (Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!! Kurt Browning!! I’m excited!)
• Goody bags for kids!!

Right, bed time!! Thank you merci for reading and participating!  It’s great to share this with everyone!

I found out more information on the House of Switzerland today (actually two Houses, one in Vancouver and one in Whistler).  What’s cool about the House(s) of Switzerland is that they will be open to the public!!  Most National Houses won’t be so if you have time you’ll want to make sure you make it to one of them!  I’m mostly going to use their words for today’s post, but just click here if you want more info!

The House of Switzerland in Vancouver will be hosted at Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island.

“The House of Switzerland Canada 2010 will open its doors at both venues a full week before the Winter Olympic Games get underway – on 5 February 2010 – and will remain open to the wider public until 28 February 2010. At both venues, the House will be integrated into a successful and attractively-sited existing venue with restaurant facilities.”

“In Vancouver, the House of Switzerland will be situated in the highly popular “Bridges” restaurant on Granville Island.  In Whistler, the House of Switzerland will be set up in the trendy “Mountain Club”, centrally located in Whistler Town Plaza.

The House of Switzerland Whistler will be held at the Mountain Club on Whistler Town Plaza - it looks like a beautiful place!!

OFF THE RAILS AW09 is a winter exhibition, showcasing a collective of emerging independent fashion brands. This event is designed to support their new designs, pieces and collections.

Under the collective umbrella of ‘OFF THE RAILS’ is a unique collection of emerging brands collaborating to bring you a unique opportunity to witness fusion of contemporay Fashion and Art as part of an ongoing effort to showcase the UK’s emerging fashion design talent supporting each other looking to progress with visually arresting distinct and dynamic concepts.

‘OFF THE RAILS’ exhibition bright, intensely colourful products created locally demonstrating that alongside the urban landscape of a magical dream-like reality can be found in the middle of winter.

Participating Brands

D-VISIONS CLOTHING

D-Visions Clothing, inspired by perennially shifting movements around Britain, continental Europe and even further a field. D-Visions is designed to create a fresh and relaxed style in today’s fashion environment. Aesthetically and visually heavily influenced a by abstract psychedelic art and the punk movement.

This collection is primarily concerned with individual freedom, which creates belief in concepts such as anarchism, anti-authoritarianism, individualism and free thought, is an expression of nonconformity.

The watchwords “Believe in my creativity” are about you as an individual, believing in what you want to become of yourself in life.

‘Everyone has a vision’

The New Black

The New Black Project is an organisation dedicated to constructing links with and supporting the independent design community. Launhing a e-commerce platform 01/02/2010 offering an online version of spitfields with an extensive range of independent fashion and contemporary art.

Linked with the photography studio based in Hackney, collectively marketing creative talent The New Black will be the one stop shop for forward-thinking design and the customers that want stylish contemporary products from the hottest emerging brands.

Because, The New Black is The New Black

ODDKINGDOM

Passionate about Art, Design & Photography, is a distinctive creative force offering services to both public and private clients throughout the UK and worldwide. Dedicated to conceptual exploration and artistic innovation, each job is approached with motivated enthusiasm – the work is consistently fresh and memorable.

Founded by Artist/Graphic designer Will Kay, the brand now offers Limited Edition visually arresting illustrated garments that stand out from the rest of the pack.

PINSPIRED

PINS the artist and brand, is based on exclusive clothing and art fused together by initial concepts inspired by the trials and tribulations of everyday life success, food, fashion, money and randomness are the core topics to fuel creative directions behind it.

Focused on representing quality over quantity, a vital ingredient in all PINS merchandise is the exclusivity factor, and the production of designs is limited to protect artistic credibility.

Everybody wants what nobody else has, and so maintains quality control as and when a product is released.

Until next time, stay sharp like…

TRUE STERLING

True Sterling is a new and exclusive, vision driven, independent and creative lifestyle brand driven by it’s strengths of being true and staying true to a visions.

Exclusively handcrafted and tailored on the pride of innovation, dedication and discipline with the belief system of being limitless and free. It is also modeled on the concept of overcoming all forms of obstacles that may infringe on reaching a desired goal and accommodates as a doorway for infinite possibilities of which Orlando ‘True’ Sterling is a true believer.

True Sterling is marketed to an audience of vibrant avant-grade individuals who share an undying affection for bespoke art, design, contemporary fashion in an urban lifestyle context.

ALICE’S BOUTIQUE

As an alumnus of The London College of Fashion, Alice always loved fashion but was more interested in styling her outfits to my body shape and colorings rather than following the standard patterns. Finding a common problem when shopping on the high street never finding clothing that fitted properly or complimented my body shape Alice took it upon herself to find a solution to the problem.

The kaleidoscopic choice of colors can’t be found in any shop along with the price tag and individuality that comes with it. Every piece is bespoke and unique to that individual, so no chance of running into someone with the same dress.

Every girl just wants to look to their best potential and this shouldn’t have to cost a fortune!

SHOW LOVE

Show Love is a unique lifestyle brand, with a strong and innovative focus of London’s fashion conscious culture.

We achieve this through our eco-conscious clothing label, which utilises the timeless feature of the heart to promote its simple philosophy, as well as educational forums and lifestyle social events.

We have been active for the past four years in and around London, marketing our events and strengthening our target market through the development of the clothing brand and lifestyle seminars which aim to detail exactly what London is thinking, feeling as well as how it wishes to be represented.

We have recently established a presence in Miami, Los Angeles and New York in terms of our fashion and plan to take the lifestyle element to these areas.

NATHAN PALMER

Rimae Clothing proudly designs and produces knitwear garments which consist of a unique cashmere and bamboo blend.

The fabulous blend is soft, smooth and luxuriously comfortable.
Bamboo as a fibre is healthier to wear than other common fibres such as cotton. Bamboo is not petrol based, and is hypo – hygienic so it protects the skin, making it great for people who suffer from skin allergies.

We are letting people know of the work that we are doing, and clothes that we are designing.
At Rimae Clothing we like to be individual.
Making knitwear apparel more appealing to a younger crowd.

SPONSORS

www.vitaminwater.co.uk

SUPPORTED BY

London Youth Support Trust (LYST)

Creative is Power

Funky LDN Magazine

The Cut Magazine

Xtreme East FM

DJ’S

DUB LDN

DJ KRONIC K

LYNNIKE & SEFA

DJ CHICKEN

LADY T

LIVE PERFORMERS

Renell Shaw

Sarina Leigh

Slickmouth

Gracious k

Oziah

Young Nate

REFRESHMENTS

Caribbean Fusion

Nikki’s Bread & Cakes

Mediterranean Olives

LOCATION

The Gallery

203 -213 Mare Street

London E8 3QE

Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green Station (Central Line)

Overground: Hackney Central Station

National Rail: London Fields Station, Cambridge Heath Station

Buses: 30, 38, 48, 56, 236, 106, 242, 253, 276, 277, S2, D6

LINKS

http://www.offtherailsuk.com

http://www.Twitter.com/offtherailsuk

http://www.oddkingdom.co.uk

http://www.d-visions.co.uk

http://www.thenewblack.eu

http://www.twitter.com/TheNewBlackEU

http://www.alices-boutique.com

http://www.pinspired.com

http://www.show-love.com

ALL THIS FOR FREEEEE? IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER???

WE MUST BE GOING ‘OFF THE RAILS’…….

THE TEAM CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

First, go check out the new pin, at the Coffee Shop. Wedged between the two couches, its the Hot Chocolate Pin. It’s actually pretty cute… Although it looks like Root Beer, not Hot Chocolate. Makes me think we just might have a Chocolate Festival in out midst….

Next, check out the Dojo. It’s been redecorated, with Fire as the the theme. It’s pretty cool, if i DO say so myself…. (:

seee ya laters!

M110♥

Here is a stop-motion video of Derek and Wawa’s pin-skull project. It’s a great demonstration of what happens when we all pitch in. Thanks to Pat for putting together a great edit. Oh, and apologies for AJ’s ‘moment’ at about the 6th second.

[http://vimeo.com/channels/71487]

It’s gotten late again somehow… I’m not quite sure how it happens some days though I suspect that not finishing work until 9:30pm this evening may have had something to do with it.  And while it was a very lovely day in the Olympic Superstore it was an item in my email inbox that really got my attention.  Today I received my Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village Venue training booklet.  It talks about what most of the roles are within the village, including my role in “Plaza & Events”!  Sounds like there will be some welcoming ceremonies, maybe some concerts and fun, the gym and funnily enough, the retail shop (something tells me I’m likely to get shifts in the shop as I am already so familiar with the Vancouver 2010 retail merchandise!!).

A photo of the Athlete's Village taken during the summer.

I go for my Venue training on Thursday night this next week and I really can’t wait!  It’s going to be fantastic!

*     *     *     *     *

Too many things to mention tonight so I’ll keep them all brief!!

Pin contest – Comment on this post (or one from the last few days) and answer the following question before the evening of Sunday, November 22nd (my brother’s birthday!) and you could win an oversize Torch pin from me!!  They’re very cool!!  Curious?  Find more info here (there’s also a hint!).  And of course, the questions:

Where was the first Winter Olympics Torch lit, by whom, and in what year?

Drawing of the oversized Torch pin - it's nearly 10cm long!

*     *     *     *     *

Some bits and pieces:

I love Pique Newsmagazine from Whistler!!  They always have great, up-to-date information on Vancouver 2010 and what it means to the communities that are hosting!!  Please check them out!  (I think I’m too late for #followfriday but I don’t have a Twitter link for them anyway… Is there one??).  My most recent example of why I love them is that they covered some of the discussions of putting a zip-line across Robson Square (still nothing confirmed but it’s still in the works!  Wicked!).

*     *     *     *     *

Whistler has broken snowfall records for November!!  I’ve heard the ‘pow’ is fabulous (nearly 5m of cumulative snowfall this month!).  Me?  Well, I wouldn’t know… a slight skiff of snow and I get nervous.  Ok… well yes… I get nervous anytime I strap boards to my feet and head downhill, but there are a lot of excited people and it’s nice to have an early start to the season!

*     *     *     *     *

We’re going to have new neighbours!!  Seems like a floating fishing lodge is going to be moored under the north side of the Granville Street Bridge for the Olympics providing an additional 12 rooms for accommodation in town.  I think that means I’ll see it anytime I look out the windows!  Should be neat.  I’d like to say “Welcome to the neighbourhood!”.

Soon to be my neighbour!

*     *     *     *     *

Hmm… what else??  (There’s a lot so I’m trying to find the stuff I’m most excited about…).

Oh yeah!! Mitts for Kids!  There is a fundraising project going on right now to get the Red Mittens to every elementary school child in Vancouver!!  It’s a big job!  Sounds like so far they have the kindergarteners covered but they want to get all of the kids up to grade 7!!  If you’d like to help out with a donation click here!

*     *     *     *     *

Mascot’s Birthday!!!  I think I’ll finish off with this as some of it isn’t set in stone yet but I have some more specific ideas about what’s up so I wanted to pass them on!  The Mascot’s birthday is on Friday, November 27th, but we’ll be celebrating in the Olympic Superstore on Saturday, November 28th!  The Mascot’s will of course be there (they couldn’t resist the cake!) and will be appearing at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm for a half hour each time.  There will likely be balloons, goody-bags for kids, and face-painting, and of course birthday cake at 2pm!  The Mascot’s will probably also be set up for a photo shoot where you can buy your photo with the Mascot’s for a $2 donation to Canadian athletes.  Also at 2pm??  Kurt Browning will be signing autographs I think (hope!!) as well as a speed skater (sorry speed skater, I don’t have your name yet… I’m working on it!).  So really it’s going to be a fantastic and wonderful day!  I hope you’ll come down to check it out!

OK – Bed!!  I need sleep!  Thank you merci for reading and for sharing this journey with me!  Andrea – 2010vanfan blogger!

Here is the new pin!

It’s a Hot Chocolate!

here is how to get it:

Go to the TOWN

Go to the COFFEE SHOP

The pin is between the tree and couch!

The new pin is at the Coffee Shop!  Check it out!

What up with hot chocolate!? lol Bye!!!

Gente lançou um novo quadrinho! Vejam:

E também lançou o novo pin que esta no café. Dêem uma olhadinha: