A thankful heart.

In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, a few weeks earlier than our American friends. It's celebrated on a Monday rather than on a Thursday. Today was that day this year.

I am truly thankful for so many things. Family is a big thing I am thankful for. I am surrounded by people I love and who love me in return. I also have many good friends. I get to do what I love every day and enjoy a wonderful crew to help me with my tasks. I work in my back yard for the most part, and have a great shop full of cool tools to play with. We live in a nice house in a wonderful small town, surrounded by nice neighbors. I'm blessed with good health as well.

All in all it really doesn't get better than that.

I also get to travel a fair amount, mostly connected to my work. I love to travel, and haven't yet been to any place I didn't enjoy. The more I travel however, the more I realise we live in a pretty awesome spot in the world. Travelling to other places makes me realise how good we have it right here.

Life is good and I am truly grateful for every minute.

-grampa dan

How to move a stubborn mule

As the workshop wrapped up we started cleanup and began getting ready to go back into production once more for the few days before the next Sculpture Magic Workshop. It is set to begin late Thursday afternoon. The first job was to move the horse away from the door and place him out on the driveway by the finished wagon.

The forklift made quick work of the task and then the lighthouse frame was moved into the shop. Tomorrow we'll begin work on that giant piece. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Another successful workshop.

Jim's face summed up the workshop nicely. He, as did all the others created a wonderfullyimaginative and colorful bug (creature) as a dimensionl sign excercise.

Like everyone else Jim was a little surprised at what he was able to do with just a little nudge from my team and I. We all have a whole bunch of creativity bottled up inside us, often put away as we grow up. Even those of us who use our minds and hands to create signs, sometimes leave creativity far behind as we busy ourselves with doing things as fast and as easily as possible.

While we show many techniques and tricks in our workshop I also take it on myself to poke my students and get them to think about doing things in a more creative way. In the process I know they will find work to be a whole lot more fun and challenging. It sure beats actually working for a living.

Thanks so much to our whole team for their hard work in hosting another wonderful workshop. Your efforts were greatly appreciated by all who attended.

-grampa dan