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!
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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!