Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sail Away (#1)

Cupecoy Beach in Sint Maarten, Netherland Antilles 
I MUST down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.
 
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. 

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
 
~John Masefield
other Cupecoy posts:
photo by me © 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Spring Fever

This etsybloggers' team carnival asks the all-important question, "What do you do to escape the "Cabin Fever" doldrums?"
revel in Spring flowers








make something crafty with friends
(I'm on the far right--above photo, just in case you thought it might be the one below!)
enjoy kitties
make new discoveries with my camera
ride my bike
cook something to share



(herbs in planter)






(beard tongue and fairy roses)





plan a garden 
dream of vacation
and appreciate each day as the gift that it is.

LINKS:
Spring flowers--  snowdrops    crocus
Artichoke Tapenade recipe

This carnival will be published on Monday, March 29 on our team blog!
photos by me © 2008-2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Coffee Pot People

Meet Anitra, the artistic talent behind Coffee Pot People.  No, that's not she on the left, that's Harold Angel ("you know," she says, "the one who sings!")  Anitra grew up in a most creative family--photographers and writers.  She has always "believed in personal creativity as a condition of being human, rather like the ability to think."
"Coffee Pot People came to life as the result of an estate sale find.  An upside-down coffee pot revealed an obvious nose.  Nothing would do after that but to take it home and find the rest of its face.  Several dozen individuals later, Anitra still delights in finding the upside-down personalities within coffee pots, and letting them tell her who and what they are..."

Kooshi (right)

Not only does Ani create these wonderful people, she photographs them  as they go about their adventures.  (CARDS)  What fun! 
And then there's her delightful BLOG where you can feast your eyes on the coffee pot and tea kettle people who reside on the sidelines.  
FUN BLOG POSTS:
1.  Go have a visit with Rachel, Gardening Fiend.  
2.  There is a 3 part series of wonderful artworks from a recent art show where she exhibited.  It is SO worth taking a peek!
ONE  TWO   THREE  
3.  Magnetic Personalities 
4.  I will leave you to make more bloggy discoveries on your own.


Ani is a member of the etsy bloggers' street team as am I.  Some of us are working on journals during March to swap at the end of the month.  My journal will be making its way to Oregon and into Ani's hands.

Find Anitra:
Coffee Pot People SHOP
She has one more SHOP--a destash shop, Ani's Watersprite.

PS:  I love her  newest product line! 

Oh, and she writes tutorials for Think Crafts.  See some HERE.

photos © 2007-1010 by Anitra Cameron


Sunday, March 21, 2010

Dizzy Dragonflies

rich, earthy golden
soothing tropical blue/green
soft Spring green
hot, hot reds
These are the luscious colors of Dizzy Dragonflies lovely hand dyed wool yarns! 
Vicki has always loved creating, and especially loves yarn, knitting, and crocheting.  She even sells some of her creations.

Dizzy Dragonflies etsy shop
Knitting Dragonflies Artfire shop

Just look at these two yummy yarns!  It makes me want to get my needles out and start creating.  
Tropical Waters





Spring Tulips






How does Vicki do it?  She shows us on her blog Knitting Dragonflies.  She has links for help, patterns, dyeing, spinning, and inspiration...and more.   Check out this cool chunky cable scarf pattern.   Go to this post to see how she dyes her yarn and to see her husband helping her!  (lucky woman!)

Dizzy Dragonflies is the etsy blogger of this month.



photos by Dizzy Dragonflies
© 2009 and 2010













Friday, March 19, 2010

Sunset over Pagosa Springs: SkyWatch Friday

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, USA
Pagosa Springs is a small town, situated on a high desert plateau at 7079 feet on the Western slope of the Continental Divide.   It is surrounded by the 3 million acre San Juan National Forest.  The Rocky Mountains frame the town to the North and East.
The springs, rich with sulphur, are one of the largest and hottest in the world.  The Ute Indians called the springs Pah gossah meaning "healing waters."
 The Springs Resort and Spa
Here we spend a wonderful several hours (at night when it was truly magical) soaking away in the 18 pools of  temperatures ranging from 83 to 114 degrees F (27-46C).  Here's a LINK to the pools with descriptions and photos.  The spa overlooks the beautiful San Juan River.  Every pool offers a different experience and beautiful views.  There is one pool with a waterfall and 3 pools that mix in cooler river water.  As cold white stars glitter overhead, we plunge our bodies into the soft waters, while trails of incandescent vapors swirl through the night sky.  aaahh....  
LINKS:
The Springs Resort and Spa descriptions of the pools
description of the water (contains the following minerals:  sulfate, sodium, chloride, potassium, silica, magnesium, fluoride, lithium, boron, manganese, arsenic, iron, zinc.  Read about the health benefits of each.)
great article by Amy Maestas for InsideOutside Magazine (She states that geologists say hot springs occur where there is recent volcanism, of which there are many such places in the San Juans.)

This post is for SkyWatch Friday hosted by Wren, fishing guy, Sylvia, Klaus, and Sandy.   

Come join us in this awesome meme, link up, and meet folks from all over the globe.

photos by me © 2007

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

simply cute (Oliver)

Aren't I just the cutest?!!
Here I am lying in your basket of files keeping them safe.
I'm SO cute, aren't I?
OK.  OK.  Yes, you are cute!  and endearing and all that, even if my files are now a bit squished.
Cats on Tuesdays is hosted by Gattina on her blog My cats and funny stories.  Post about your cat(s) and link up!


 






photos by me © 2010

Sunday, March 14, 2010

snippets (number 5)

of happyment
petals soft purple
awaken the sleeping earth
glass raindrops shimmer

"snippets of happyment" is inspired by a post on Rasa's blog happyment. I just love that word because it is a combination of the words happy and content. Sometimes something small can just fill your soul with a thrill. So, from time to time, I will capture one snippet of happyment and post it here. 

Some past snippets of happyment:
fire with an explanation of, and link to Rasa's visual diary, Pieces of Happyment
crocus open blossom macro
daffodil macro and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" poem
snowdrops photo and haiku 

This post is linked to Today's Flowers.  Post a flower yourself and come link up with us!   Today's Flower's was created by Luiz Santilli, Jr.  His teammates are Denise of An English Girl Rambles,  Laerte Pupo, and Valkyrien.   
photo and poem by me © 2010

Friday, March 12, 2010

sunset: SkyWatch Friday

on a Caribbean island
It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream. ~Bern Williams



 
Come join this awesome meme SkyWatch Friday and link up!  SkyWatch Friday is hosted by Wren, fishing guy, Sylvia, Klaus, and Sandy.


PS:  I found the above quote on Sylvia's blog.
I urge you to go visit for a real treat! 

photo by me © 2010

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hello, Spring!

goodbye, Winter! 
goodbye snow and slush and icicles!
goodbye cold, gray skies!

Welcome warm, sunny days! and fragrant damp earth thick with green leaves poking up their sleepy heads!
Welcome birds singing and flowers flowering!   
Welcome dragonflies buzzing!

Here are some fun items for Spring available in my two etsy shops:


Empire waist dress (dress only)  --in process of listing (size 2)
Morning Glory ruffle dress











 

Pink Pinwheel Flowers pocket dress

Dragonflies and Roses ruffle dress






crochet flowers for wrist or hair from Sparkly Park

Spring Green earrings
will make your ears sing





and a colorful tie dyed T shirt!  HERE and HERE

Summer Carnival silk scarf--very light silk chiffon perfect for Spring
Flower socks







This is for the etsy bloggers' street team carnival.  Made By Melissa asks the question, " Spring time is almost here, do you have any special items in your shop to celebrate the season?"  This carnival will be published on Monday, March 15th HERE.




photos by me © 2009 and 2010