As you know, the ladybug is part of my logo. This beautiful little bug is also well recognized as a symbol of good luck.

When I looked out my patio door yesterday, I noticed there were hundreds of ladybugs perched upon it. I realize they're probably everywhere at this time of year, but I'm going to take this as a sign ... they were sent to tell me that my business will now flourish and grow. I certainly will have more time to devote to my own marketing efforts now that my term as President of the CRDA is up, and my future involvement will be much less than the past four years.

I may even have time for blogging again !

Please help me raise funds for Ovarian Cancer. 

Join thousands of people across Canada supporting the Winners Walk of Hope, a remarkable event designed to create a sense of community for women living with ovarian cancer and their family and friends. All funds raised through this event support Ovarian Cancer Canada's mission to support women and their families touched by ovarian cancer, educate well women and healthcare professionals and to fund ovarian cancer research. For more information on Ovarian Cancer Canada's many programs, please visit www.ovariancanada.org 

You can donate now - it's fast and easy!  Secure online donations can be made with your credit card and an official charitable tax receipt will be sent to you by email within five minutes. Please click on the link below to make a difference:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2307811

For more information about the Winners Walk of Hope, or to join us on Sunday September 13, 2009, please visit www.winnerswalkofhope.ca.

Thank you for your generous support!

About 7 years ago, while still living in Toronto, I came face to face with a 'possum perched on my garbage can one night.  We did live fairly close to a ravine area, where skunks and raccoons were common too.  Now it seems there is a surge of the creatures in the GTA - perhaps they moved in during the recent garbage collectors' strike !

This article appeared in The Toronto Star today - http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/677592

The Canadian ReDesigners Association (CRDA) developed a NEW LOGO over the past few months, as well as launching a new website.  I much prefer these colours to the old one (washed out mauve).  We chose red to represent a Canadian entity and also to reflect that much needed pop of colour for real estate staging; and the grey was chosen to reflect a good "neutral" colour.

Our friends south of the border may find this hard to believe and hard to swallow if their real estate situation has not yet seen an upswing in sales.  But apparently the Toronto market is HOT, as some of my Realtor colleagues will agree.  This story appeared on the front page of The Toronto Star today. 

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/677111

I still find it incredible that this type of home (small old semi-detached) can sell for so much.  I would rather pay the same amount or less for a waterfront property out of the city.

I thought this might be of interest to homeowners already committed to renovation projects and hoping for a tax credit next year.  Apparently this program has not yet been passed into law, although the experts say it will likely happen.  Let's hope all goes as planned.

This article appeared on the CTV news website:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090806/tax_credit_090806/20090806?hub=TopStories

Well summer has officially arrived and in the GTA it's been very HOT.  I'm not complaining ... this warm weather was long overdue and much anticipated.  But no matter what the conditions, you can always hear someone commenting on the weather.

When selling your home at this time of year, you want to ensure that the inside temperature is comfortable.  Not too frosty please !  Most people will be dressed for the heat and will simply shiver indoors, causing them not to linger. 

Many people keep the blinds down and draperies drawn in an attempt to keep out the heat.  However, when showing your home to potential buyers, this tactic will make the home feel dark, drab and dingy.  Let the sun shine in to brighten each room.

If you have a woodburning fireplace, disguise the unused opening with a decorative screen or large plant so buyers aren't staring into a gaping, soot-filled hole.

We hope that all seasonal decor has been put away by this time - don't forget those holiday cushions and the fuzzy red throw.  Summerize your decor with crisp linen and fresh flowers.  Swap the dusty pinecones for shells or rocks. 

Want to create that beach house feel in your home?  READ more tips HERE

A home owner painting his garage doors.  Big deal, you say?  Ahhh, but you should see the crazy colors on this particular street.  Thankfully, he had chosen a beautiful blue / gray shade that complemented the brick tone perfectly.  Could he have had professional help?  I'm not sure but was glad to see a normal color among the lime green and sunshine yellow and yes ... even hot pink ... of the neighboring homes.

When choosing a color for garage doors, people should look to the "Heritage" pallett or "Traditional" tones rather than buying what was on sale or left over from the baby's room.

Anyway, this has long been a pet peeve of mine.  So now I got it off my chest ... and it made me smile to see that someone had some common sense.

I was invited to speak at the YWCA Niagara Region on May 20th (along with several other dynamic women).  The event was a Skilled Trades Career Exploration Information / Inspiration Session.  Tricia Graves, Job Developer at the YWCA pulled together a fabulous event for women in transition - searching for a new career avenue.

My fellow speakers included friend and colleague, Sandra MacLennan; Laura Page of Painted Black; Marissa McTasney of Moxie Trades; Nicole LeClair a Welder / Fitter; Mary Catherine Zwambag - a "Do It Herself" home renovator; Karen Hatcher of Kennedy Electric and Cabling; and Linda Just who specializes in General Carpentry.

While we don't generally think of redesign and staging as a "skilled trade" I do carry a hefty toolbox and know how to swing a hammer :)

Here is "my story" which was well received and hopefully helped to inspire someone.

___________________

A FRESH NEW START - FOR YOU AND EVERY ROOM YOU SEE

Do you have the passion for a career in redesign?

I was tired of the same old routine ... tired of the commute ... and the long hours, and the unrewarding job.  I was longing for something different.  Something for me.  And then it happened (in retrospect the best thing that ever happened !!) ... I was "downsized" from my job.  The timing was perfect to start fresh.  Does this sound familiar?  Has this happened to YOU? 

I'd always been good at making do with what I had and was frequently re-arranging the rooms in my home.  Friends and family marvelled at the results.  And then I learned ... there is a name for this affliction ... REDESIGN.  And the best part was ... I didn't need to go back to school for 2 or 3 years to get a diploma.

It was then I learned of Val Sharp and the Canadian ReDesigners Association.  Val is the Founder and past president of CRDA.  She taught a 5 day course and would be doing so in Toronto that June (this was back in the spring of 2004).  I was so excited I called her up immediately to register.  It just felt right.

When I think back to my childhood passions - I wasn't one to play with dolls and tea sets.  I got my kicks from playing with lego - building little houses and roadways in the sandbox.  I'd spend hours and hours drawing floor plans complete with furniture and tiny details - colouring it all in neatly with my pencil crayons until my fingers were sore.  I'd be "staging" my bookshelves, arranging accessories ... and could tell in an instant if something had been moved from its "proper place".  I'd re-arrange my bedroom often.  In fact, I think it is an inherited trait.  My mom used to move the furniture around on a regular basis - and at the age of 82 she still does !!  My dad had a different idea though - he started crafting built-in dressers, bed frames, bookshelves and window seats ... essentially nailing everything down !  Guess he got tired of walking into furniture that ended up in new and different locations.

But using what you have in a different way can greatly improve, enhance and transform a room.  This type of service is becoming increasingly popular because people don't want to spend a lot of money on new purchases - they generally like what they have.  But their challenge lies in not being objective about their space or their possessions.  If you can create a functional AND beautiful room while incorporating a homeowner's quirky collections and eclectic possessions, this is the right path for you. 

My background in marketing helped me promote my business effectively.  I still have long hours most days but truly enjoy what I do.  Seems like I traded 9 to 5 for 24 / 7 but it suits me fine and I'm very proud of all my small successes along the way.

Well, the Victoria Day long weekend is finally upon us.  But as usual here in Canada, the weather refuses to cooperate.  Like snow in April ... this is something we really should be used to by now.  I've noticed a bit of a trend the past few weeks ... sunny and warm mid-week, and back down to cooler temperatures, gusting wind and rain on the weekends.  We even had HAIL on May 9th !!

But I, the eternal optomist, will pack my sunscreen, shorts and flip flops for the weekend up north.

Whatever you choose to do, have a safe & enjoyable time !