Thursday, April 30, 2009

What's Blooming Today? Forsythia!

Forsythia is pure joy. There is not an ounce, not a glimmer of sadness or even knowledge in forsythia. Pure, undiluted, untouched joy.
Anne Lindbergh (1906 - )

When this little forsythia blooms I know that spring had finally settled! We've had several days of sunshine and warmth which has literally popped tiny leaves, green grass and baby lilac blooms peeking out from their protective leaf buds...purple ones so far! The birds are singing for all their worth ~ I can hear them with the windows CLOSED! A plump red robin drew me to the window this morning with her happy song. She was perched at the top of our maple tree surveying the neighborhood...looking for a man, I think! Two little finches have set up housekeeping in a birdhouse I have sitting on the porch railing. It was never intended to be a permanent home (very wobbly in the wind) and now I'm afraid to move it in the event they are quite settled in...I'll have to keep an eye on them and secure it when they go out to eat!

Also blooming are my little, frilly anemones, starflowers, bluebells and the first daffodil!
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I spent a fair bit of time in my cottage garden this weekend and made lots of progress! We cleared and planted two new large beds last fall and there are bits of green poking out of the ground, telling me they survived the winter...We are planning some big projects there this summer, including building a new cottage. I'll keep you posted! :)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ IOMISS


Are these the most adorable little earrings ?
Little Copper Wheels are handmade by Cris of IOMISS Jewelry. Their colors and slightly distressed caps appeal to my love of all things rustic! A stroll through her esty shop reveals a wonderful selection of feminine earrings and necklaces with a geometric and sculptual flair. Cris's choice of color and materials captures a bold sense of style along with a little romance as well! Drop by IOMISS and enjoy!

Cris's Double and Triple earrings in beautiful, bright colors are some of my favorites! (You can see that photography is also one of her amazing talents!)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Front Page ~ silver sage

It's been a busy week and I've sadly neglected my blog (among other things!) but I did make time to satisfy my addiction and create a couple of treasuries. This one made Etsy's front page this morning! Thanks to all for their amazing items ~ the talent...oh, the talent!
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We are spending the weekend at our cottage. It is an absolutely fabulous spring day ~ 21C (that's around 70F), sun shining...off to the garden! Later all! xo

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Sigmosaics



Mosaics, magnets, magical color... all found at Sigmosaics on etsy! I especially love her little houses and fabulous dishes ~perfect decorative pieces for your home or gift-giving. Kerrin's ability to mix her new and recycled bits of ceramic and pottery into these intricate designs simply amazes me ~ like a 1000 piece original puzzle !

This pretty pale green dish is one of my favorites!

Intricate dishes (the Japanese Hanamoyou is a work of art!), mosaic balls, a cool mannequin and this sweet watering can are just a sample of Kerrin's talent and beautiful pieces!


Funky magnet sets come in colorful themes that are just plain FUN!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Bead Trends Magazine Feature!

It's been a real thrill to have three of my pieces as a feature in the April issue of Bead Trends magazine! L'il bloomers ~ Georgia (earrings), Believe (bracelet) and Bloom (bracelet) were very honored and pleased to be part of this beautiful magazine. You can drop by my etsy shop for more details about each of these happy pieces!

Believe

Bloom

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Get Groovy!

With spring at hand, I've been happily creating several more one-of-a-kind pair of Flower Child earrings. They are a fun and groovy mix of lightweight plexiglass, swarovski crystals and sterling silver. Here's a sampling of new ones to be found in my etsy shop~ drop by!
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Banner at the Beginning of the Parade


"The Earth laughs in flowers."
~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Yesterday was a glorious spring day in our part of the world ~ soft sunshine, greening grass, plumping lilac buds and the first float in the miraculous, awakening parade ~ Crocus! My garden invited me out all morning until I finally heeded the call, turned off the computer, put down my beads and wire and went out to muck around! Raking, digging, pruning...it was a flurry of sticks and leaves and old boughs from a Christmas wreath...all into the compost to reveal a fresh stage for my bold purple crocus!

Most years, I keep a garden journal...notes, plans, drawings, musings, quotes, records, dreams...this is a page from a couple of years ago. Clearly, the love affair is at least a few years old!

A beautiful patch of over 100 crocuses!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Kathi Roussel


Vintage with a modern vibe, sculptural, a visual feast to behold....these only begin to describe the creativity and artistic talents of Kathi Roussel. Her Etsy shops, kathi roussel jewelry and 5gardenias are filled to the brim with her breathtaking pieces and collections ~ I am totally addicted!

Kathi's talents also clearly lie in her exceptional photography ~ her use of color, light, focus ~ and the charming stories told through the props which perfectly cradle her pieces. I am inspired and lifted by her amazing gifts! Enjoy your own delightful journey through her shops...may you be inspired too!

Leaf Pod Ring

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

A Milestone ~ 2500 Hearts!!!

How EXCITING!!!!! Thank you so much...I appreciate every single one!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Spring Sale at the Market


Just in time for Mother's Day, visit the first ever Spring Craft Show at Boyce Farmer's Market in downtown Fredericton. Enjoy the work of dozens of local crafters and artists all ready for SPRING!
Fresh for spring colors with a retro twist....Wild Woman Jewelry!

Easter Egg Hunt WINNER!!!!!


Congratulations to jimjims.etsy.com, the winner of the Transcanada Esty Team Easter Egg hunt! Happy shopping!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Two Left Hands









Whimsical...magical...playful...Mossies! I simply adore these little fairies and gnomes created by Liz of Two Left Hands! Flowers, fairytales, monsters, animals and other characters spring from her amazing imagination and sewing needle and inspire me to remember how important it is to just have fun.


Easter basket perfect are these sweet Chocolate Bunnies and Mrs. Carrot Top Mossie... who could resist?

Among her other amazing creations are dolls, pincushions, pillows and brooches! Please drop by her delightful, colorful and fun shop and have a peek around!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Ordinary Miracle


Friends like Charlotte are one of life's great treasures and I am so lucky to have a whole group of them! I'm thinking of them today after a fabulous dinner and show last night. The touring performance of Hairspray rocked our local theatre and brought the crowd to its feet...it was fantastic!
Ordinary Miracle sung by Sarah McLachlan, and the theme song from Charlotte's Web, is one of my favorites and is enjoyed by each of these wonderful women...to friendship, birdies!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

TransCanada Etsy Team Easter Egg Hunt ~ Sunday, April 5 to Sunday, April 12


Spring has Sprung and the Easter Bunny hopped over to the TransCanada Etsy Team and left some eggs behind! So we decided to host the first ever TransCanada Etsy Team Easter Egg Hunt.
29 shops are hiding 20 eggs and one person will win a $15.00 coupon to redeem at any of the participating Etsy shops!!!
Join the fun, check out all the details at our team blog! http://transcanadaetsyteam.blogspot.com/
SHOP LIST
Good Luck!

Seeds...



It's amazing to me, the impact a few wonderfully chosen words can have on a person...inspiration, hope, fun, humor, insight. For me, they tickle a truth I already know and shine a little light on the path ahead, pointing me to my next step. I LOVE these cards created by and featuring the artwork of Leigh Standley from Curly Girl Design. Her reverently sassy and fun messages and fabulous mixed media collages are delightful reminders to enjoy and celebrate the moments all along life's creative journey.



Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Happy April Fool's Day!!!

I think this soap is a totally hilarious, perfect April Fool gift!

Wednesday Wonders ~ Botanical Bird


















A garden party...a summer wedding...just because it's spring...discover the most delicately beautiful, handcrafted, nature inspired jewelry at Botanical Bird. Cyd's love of flowers and the tiny wildlife that call a garden home is captured and shared in her charming and delightful pieces. They sing spring! Her lockets and necklaces have an especially pretty vintage flair and Cyd herself is as sweet as can be! Please, wander the the winding paths of her shop!

Verdigris Leaves Bracelet

Three Peas Necklace


Silver Swallow Earrings