HOPE

Through the wonderful world of blogland, I have "met"  people who are sharing their talents, love, and hope with others----  all through hand~made goodness!  Here are 4 of them:


ONE
Early on in my blogging life (late January this year), I met Sinclair through her blog Nature With Me, a wonderful blog about nature, homesteading, family life, crafts, and green living.  Now Sinclair has begun a new blog, Sharing Our Gifts:

"I am so excited to finally launch the real purpose of this blog... I want to help at least one charity in each of the 50 states. I want to offer quality handmade goods to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase or have handmade. I want to help charitable organizations and people at the same time."

Project #2 is about to begin!  Go to Sinclair's blog to find out more!
LINK


Project # 1 was hats and slippers for Veterans at the Southern Oregon White City Rehabilitation Center. 

(Sinclair's hat on left/hat made by my friend Virginia below.)

                                     

TWO

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." --Gandhi

So reads a quote on the next website:

Craft Hope is currently working on project #5 (deadline November 15)--quilts for homeless children.  HERE is the organization being benefited.   
"This project is easy.  We are calling this quilt pattern HOPE SQUARED.  Make a quilt out of squares.  Any size, any number, any color.  If you are new to quilting and don’t know how to finish and bind a quilt or if you have limited time, you can construct the top of the quilt (the squares) and send that to them and they will gladly finish the rest for you."   
more information and 2 quilt patterns are  provided on the website. 
Here are some photos from past projects:

 sock monkeys for Little Heroes Burn Camp







blankets, booties, and beanies for NEWBORNS in India




Oh, there is more!  To find out and see some wonderful photos, go to the website!

THREE

Scrap, Stamp, and Be Merry is "raising cards for my 13 year old neighbor who recently had her arm amputated after a boating accident."

LINKS:
♥ news article   
Here it says they've run out of room for flowers and stuffed animals, but cards are welcome.  Erin says, "Well my family and I really want to do  something and I thought amazing cards from all you wonderful ladies would be just what would cheer Paige up.  She is one of those girls who ALWAYS wears a smile." 

♥ read about the card drive HERE and HERE. 
♥ There is also a link to a digital stamp that was created by Denise just for Paige.  Proceeds  will go right to Paige's medical fund!!

♥ UPDATE from Paige's mom
♥ email Erin @ stampingrocks@yahoo.com for the address to which to send the cards.

 Here is the card Erin made using Denise's stamp.








FOUR

Stamp Something...for Jaimie is a new blog begun by Erin and Denise, dedicated to sending support to Jamie and her family.

"Four local teenagers armed with knives, broke into their  (Jaimie's) home and brutally murdered Kim Cates and seriously injured 11 year old Jaimie. They chose the home for no other reason than its location and for no other purpose than to bring harm to the occupants. It was a senseless, random crime that shook the small town and much of the state (of New Hampshire)."

"After receiving a grief filled email from my friend asking for help for the family, I knew I needed to help however I could. I asked my fellow stamper, New Hampshire gal, and long time friend Denise Lynn for ideas. Together, and with the artistic talents of Ann Vento, we came up with the idea of an international blog hop and this blog to raise awareness of the crime. We are hoping to shower Jaimie with wishes of love and hope from around the world to help her recover some of what was lost."

"The hop starts at 10am ET on Monday, November 2nd and will include over 60 talented stampers, donations from fabulous stamp companies and lots of love. We are asking everyone to make and send a card to Jaimie as quickly as possible. If you are unable to make a card or wish to do more, please visit our sidebar and click on the donations link." ~Erin

"There will be prizes but most of all...appreciation for anyone who can help to brighten a little girl's day...even for just a second :o)" ~Kim from Paper in the Works
"I hope the many, many cards she receives puts a smile back on her face, and that she can at least peek at the future ahead of her as she its going to take a long time to recover and will forever morn her Mum!" ~Kimmi from Poppy Petal designs
♥ For more information, and an address to which to send the cards, go HERE.
♥ Start the blog HOP HERE.
♥ news article  
♥ Denise helped organize the Spread the Love blog Hop along with Erin.  See her website Stamping With Denise  HERE.

photos © 2009 by the above entities  all rights reserved.

Halloween

This is for the etsy bloggers' team carnival--

Halloween -- What are you doing to celebrate this year?  Share about your etsy shop, traditions/plans with your family and friends, or even home decor.  
(This carnival will be published on Monday (10/26) on A Keeper's Jackpot's BLOG.)

This year, we will be handing out candy (yes, I did try non-sugar items in the past) to little beggars of the goblin and witch variety.  I love to see the neighbor kids dressed up in creative costumes.

Here are a couple items from my shop that  would be great for this time of year:

Here are 2 customers in their costumes:

Aren't they cute?!



























Find these items in my Splendid Little Stars SHOP.
JACK (pumpkin shirt above)
SWIRL SHIRT  (both children's and adult's, and long and short sleeve are available) 


Here are 2 little witches I love.  An artist friend who owned the gift shop with me, made these a few years ago.  One of them sits on a yellow wooden moon that then hangs on the wall.

photos by me © 2009

Reflections on a Mountain Stream--a birthday tribute

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear hubby!

The highest good is like water.  ~  Lao Tzu 

excerpts from an essay by Tim Freije:

"The truth inside all human beings is like water...Consider...

It is clear, pure, and clean in substance and in spirit.

It is naturally refreshing and full of energy.

It shines and sparkles when exposed to light.

It flows around obstacles...with great flexibility, creativity, innovation, and artistic beauty."

photo # 1 Glacier National Park

photo # 2 Smoky Mountains

photo # 3 Huff Lake, somewhere in Idaho

photo # 4 near Pagosa Springs, Colorado

photo # 5 somewhere in Idaho
  
photos by me © 1998, 2007, 2008

text © 1998 by Tim Freije

cat nap (Earnest)

photo by me © 2009

Missouri Primrose: Today's Flowers

Oenothera speciosa 

perennial 
hardy to -20º 
spreads 
blooms Spring, then off and on throughout the Summer and Fall

common names:  Missouri primrose, evening primrose, sundrop

See more of Today's Flowers HERE.

LINKS:
wikipedia                                                                                                                                                        

3 links regarding evening primrose oil:

EPO #1

EPO #2

EPO  #3


photo by me © 2009

highways and byways

 off-roading from Silverton to Telluride, Colorado, USA

 Ophir Pass 11,789 ft elevation (mid September; 2 days later it was snow-covered and closed)

The Ophir Pass Road winds through a narrow valley up through tundra to a rocky summit.  It was once a wagon toll road used for transporting ore from the town of Ophir to Silverton for processing.  

The views of the mountains and valley are spectacular.  The road winds down through lush Aspen groves into the valley.  Below are a few views of the road and scenery.

The richness of the Autumn colors-greens, golds, earthy reds and browns, gray; and the sky fading from turquoise to a darker blue, makes this one of the most spectacular places on earth.

printable map here

This post is for The Brenda Photo Challenge.  Read about it HERE and HERE.
This challenge was hosted by Judy:  The Road to Here  and Through Squirrel Eyes

photos by me © 2007

dragonfly

Libellula lydia

common names:  Common Whitetail, Long-Tailed Skimmer 

common across much of North America

LINK

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order Odonata.  Studying them is called "oding."

Check out this blog--July 9. 2009 for more dragonfly photos.

Animalia, Arthropoda, Hexapoda, Insecta, Odonata, Anisoptera, Libellulidae, Libellula, L. lydia

photo by me © 2009

Fish Creek Canyon, Arizona

Saguaro cacti:
may grow as tallas 45 feet (13.8m)
may live for more than 150 years
may have a girth of 10 feet (3.1m)
takes 75 years before they grow a side arm

LINK

photo by me © 2009

Fish Creek Canyon Arizona

I am in Arizona this week, not exactly a vacation, but hoping to have a couple days to explore the Grand Canyon. 

photo by me © 2009

Pagosa Springs-SkyWatch Friday

near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, USA

For more skies, visit this blog  and do join in!

photo by me © 2007

honestly...seriously

seriously....honestly

Thanks go to AlpHa at Simplify for this fun award!  Do check out her most wonderful blog!

To begin, tell 10 things about yourself that are true:

1.  My daughter was born at home (with 2 midwives).

2.  I love looking through a camera to catch the play of light on an object or to frame a scene just so.  I started taking photos when I was a young child.  I am most proud of a photo I took of my cousins when I was 10.

3.  I love riding my road bike.

4.  I haven't met a craft I didn't like.  2 days ago, I screen printed with my son.

(a little note:  My son and a friend, Nancy, bought screens and equipment, studied the procedures, and made our screens some weeks ago.  Nancy's etsy shop.

5.  I have a degree in zoology.

6.  I am a lover of cats.  My first cat was named Chocolate.

7.  I love to travel to places of beauty.

HERE is one of my travel posts.

8.  I love to read.  When I was young I would read late at night with a flashlight under the bed covers.

9.  I love the beach.

6 years old

10. With a friend, I once created and ran a camp (for 3 years) where we taught children nature, art, science, music, and movement.  It was a blast.

 making seed collages

a guard ant

                                                         a butterfly                              

 each child had their "own" tree which they painted with water colors on paper

RULES:

1.  Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.

2.  Share “10 Honest Things” about myself. 

3.  Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.

4.  Tell those 7 people they’ve been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving. 

And now....(in no particular order)

Squirrel Queen at The Road to Here 
Beaded Tail

Spark Lines
Adrienne in Ohio
Mishcat
Wayside Treasures
Makin Art   

photos by me © 2009

lost in "crochet goodness"

This month's featured etsy blogger is Made By Melissa.

In perusing her shop, I got lost in so much "crochet goodness."   blankets, scarves, wash cloths, dish cloths, bowls, and the cutest little toys!

 Phoebe is a pretty little pink piggy who needs a home with lots of love.



 
 Gary the Green Garden Snake loves to play outside and hide in the green leaves.

Look at this cool light gray hand~crocheted bowl made from a T shirt.  It is an upcycled, repurposed item!

 



a beautiful scarf!




 


 and a baby blanket--choose your colors!

  Babette the Bunny and Little Blue Elephant (who is looking for a home filled with peanuts)

Made by Melissa has been an etsy blogger from the beginning in August 2007!  She is a big part of our team, supporting teammates and team events.

Check out her shop for it is more than crochet.  She offers jewelry and vintage items as well.

Melissa  wouldn't be an etsy blogger without a blog, would she?   If you want to see her face, HERE she is!

a little more about Melissa and her craft:

"I am a 28 year old engineer by day - I started crafting as a way to express my creativity. 

All of my items are one of a kind! Although things I make may look similar - no two items are identical. Therefore - you will become the proud owner of a 100% unique item!"

LINKS:

http://madebymelissa.etsy.com
http://madebymelissa.blogspot.com
http://etsybloggers.com  more about the etsy bloggers team

photos by Melissa © 2009

Oliver and Earnest (Cats on Tuesday)

                                                                                                                                    

Oliver

"the cat who thinks he's a dog"

Earnest

"the world's best cat-napper"

LINKS to Oliver and Earnest:

in love with puff balls

Hey, I'm Lazy, too!

The Art of Laziness

What I felt like doing most of today

       

Cy, Asheville Kitty  not Oliver or Earnest, but my daughter's cat who disappeared over a month ago.  sad.

GO HERE to see more cats for the Cats on Tuesday meme!

Find a 5 question cat quiz HERE.


photos by me © 2008-2009

Simon's Cat

 Cat Man Do

Fly Guy

more aboutSimon's Cat

more about Simon

Simon's Cat is written and drawn line by line, by Simon Tofield, an English animator who has a great interest in British wildlife, painting, the great outdoors, and of course cats. In making his films, Simon may have to create as many as 25 drawings per second of animation.  Go to Simon's website to see 4 more films, including one involving a dog.  Go to Simon's website in any case because it is so entertaining!

Please note:  The post for The Brenda Photo Challenge was yesterday's post.

Simon's Cat Ltd. © 2009

in love with puff balls

 Oliver

 Earnest

puff balls:  a favorite toy.  fun to carry in your mouth.  fun to bat around.  fun to hide under the fridge or other furniture.  fun to make your humans fish them out.  fun to take a nap with.


This is for the Brenda Photo Challenge Blog.  Come on over and post.  The theme this time is PETS.  "That would be ANY animal you've loved for years, seen in a field or on a farm and just loved it! Or even Aunt Gerdie's pet turtle!"
photos by me © 2009