Saturday, December 8, 2007

The Holidays are Upon Us….

And nothing like a "Haunted" Gingerbread House!!! Isn't this the cutest thing you ever saw!


And the little boy's face reminded me so much of the "Oh No, Mr. Bill" skits from SNL long ago.


I always liked Halloween better than Christmas, anyway. There's not all the hustle and bustle. Plus, you can be bad and still get candy!

Well, our house guests have returned home and we really miss them. I like having guests {most of them}. We are having some more over the Christmas Holidays and then again right after New Year's. And in the midst of it all, I'm still trying to make new things for the shop ~ like this awesome little "Fur Ball" Necklace:


We are going to a little party tonight, so I'm excited about that! Meeting new people is always fun.

Thanks for reading my ramblings ~ Hope you all have a wonderful weekeend!!!

Xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

"May your life be like a Wildflower, growing freely in the beauty & joy of each day" ~ Indian Proverb

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Happy Turkey Day ~ 15% Off Until Friday!!

I just want to thank each and every one of you that took advantage of my "Turkey Day" 15% off sale! It was awesome! And, just so you know, you still have until Friday {November 23rd} to get the discount. So those of you who are not on my mailing list, you still have time. Just make your purchase in my shop, type "Turkey Day" in the comments to seller section and then wait for me to send you an updated invoice for your total. This is a great opportunity to jump start your holiday shopping. And, those of you who are anxiously awaiting your package, it's on its way! Most things were mailed out yesterday and the remainder today. And, if you want to join my mailing list, just send me an e-mail to Kathy@dornickdesigns.com ~ I only send out a couple of e-mails a year and they always include some type of discount or coupon, so you won't be bombarded ~ I promise.

With all of the busyness of the Turkey Day Sale, I didn't leave my studio until yesterday afternoon. I just had to take a break. So, we took a drive up to the Parkway to watch the sunset ~ it was breath-taking:


But before we got there, we stopped off at the Fish Hatchery and walked the quiet, but exciting Nature Trail. These awesome berries were in full bloom and there were tons of little birds eagerly munching on them:


And then, the most exciting thing of all were these huge birds perched atop of this tree. They were circling all around the place. I think they are hawks, but I'm not quite sure. I'll investigate more about them today:


So I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving Week so far, and looking forward to a great Turkey Day! With that being said, don't eat too much, have lots of fun, fellowship and happiness. And remember to take the "Handmade Pledge" this Holiday Season!!! Just click on the little button below and take the pledge:


Off to fill some last minute orders and get more coffee ~ Hope you are all having a wonderful Day!!!

Xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

"People go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compasses of the ocean….. and they pass by themselves without even imagining." - Augustine of Hippo

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Light At The End Of The Tunnel….


Just popping in to say hello and share a couple of new pairs of earrings. I really love the red ones with the awesome brass leaves. I named them "Simply Red". The others I made with some gorgeous carmelish "Lentil Shells" and some awesomely faceted Chalcedony Briolettes. I just love them both!


Of course, they are in the shop if you want to see them better.

It's finally feeling like "Home" around here. We got our bedroom all painted and the furniture moved in and dresser drawers all tidied up, so we are officially not living out of boxes any longer. Tomorrow I'm tackling the bathroom and organizing things there and then we should be just about finished, except for the garage and basement, but at least the "living quarters" will look nice and neat.

I hope you are all having a terrific week! We are going for Mexican food & mariachi tonight! And, we feel so deserving of it, too. I'll be back soon.

Xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

"I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours." ~ Jerome K. Jerome ~ "Three Men In a Boat"

Friday, November 9, 2007

Lazy Day {of sorts}…..


Is this not the cutest picture you ever saw! And Lita didn't even mind the fact that Ozzy was lying on her. This is actually what our mornings look like around here. Me sitting at the desk and Wayne, Ozzy & Lita on the couch next to me as we enjoy our morning coffee and discuss what we are doing for the day. We got some paint for our bedroom and bathroom yesterday, so I can't wait to get started on that project. Wayne spent the day getting the walls ready and hooking up his weather station. Ozzy & Lita got him that for Christmas last year. It's pretty cool ~ you have to set it all up outside on the roof and then you have a little box thing inside that gives all of the readings ~ wind, temperature, moisture, etc. Wayne loves stuff like that, so I know he will enjoy it.


These are some earrings I made today and listed in the shop ~ I named them "Snow Birds", which is most fitting, I think.

Off to make dinner & enjoy the rest of the daylight ~ Hope you are all having a wonderful Friday!!!

Xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

"I think that I shall never see A billboard lovely as a tree. Indeed, unless the billboards fall I'll never see a tree at all." ~ Ogden Nash ~ "Song of the Open Road"

Monday, November 5, 2007

I’m officially A “Country Girl”

What a gorgeous day it was again today! We took a long drive and then a walk through the woods. We stopped along the way and got close up to a group of cows that were being fed apples! They were so cute & soft. I got several "kisses" from one very sweet one named "Daisy" ~ that's her in the middle #44


After that, we drove along the road and came upon a couple of gentlemen digging up potatoes. They had a huge basket full, so I just had to stop and ask them if I could buy a couple. Wayne's always told me that there is nothing better than a baked potato fresh from the ground. Of course, the men would not hear of us actually paying, so they gave us as many as I could carry in my hands and then we were off again. I have those potatoes in the oven right now and I can smell them. I can't wait to taste them. I got some shredded cheese to go on top and then we'll have some split-pea and ham soup to balance out our dinner. Country cooking 101 ~ Katie would be proud {and you know who you are Katie}. Hee hee ~ who says you can't turn a suburban girl into a country girl over night ~ I beg to differ.

But before I go, I just have to share this awesome meadow at the top of the mountain ~ right up from where the cows live:


Is it gorgeous, or what! I'm never going back to Louisiana, Never!

I hope you are having a super week so far ~ I'll be posting some new work this week, so please check out the shop when you get a chance. Thanks for reading my ramblings......

Xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards" ~ Soren Kierkegaard, Life

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Swimming Dogs & Winter

Yesterday we went for a walk around gorgeous "Fawn Lake". Ozzy just couldn't wait to get his feet {or whole body} wet. That dog just loves the water ~ I think he should have been a "mud puppy". Before we knew it, he had jumped in and was having a ball:
We, on the other hand, were having a ball, too. Of course, Lita just wanted to stay right next to Wayne and prove that she was the "well behaved" one. Of course, Ozzy don't care what the consequences are of anything he does, he just has a blast while doing it.
So, after another gorgeous afternoon, I decided that Winter here would be tolerable. After all, I get so many inspirations, I can't imagine looking forward to Spring. With that being said, I made these awesome little earrings today to celebrate Winter's coming. You know where to find them if you decide you need some "wintering" now, too:
I named them "Snow Flurries" ~ most appropriate, I think.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to "fall back" tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon......
xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Blueridge Parkway & Thanksgiving....

I can't wait for Thanksgiving!!!! Our friends Dave & Sharon will be driving up from the beach to join us. I'm going to get out my holiday decorations next week, which I always look forward to. With that being said, I hope you like Ozzy & Lita's Thanksgiving picture. It's my current Etsy avatar and then I have another one ready for Christmas. I think Lita makes a precious little squaw ~ don't you!
Yesterday was such a gorgeous day! We took an afternoon drive up the Blueridge parkway to see all of the leaf colors and such. The sky was so blue ~ it was amazing. I have lots more pictures on "Flickr" if you want to check them out.
This is a new necklace I made yesterday, inspired by the forest ~ it's just so fallish. I named it "Forest Floor" ~ very appropriate, I think.
Hope you are having a wonderful week! I'm off to do some more unpacking & throwing away. I feel like that's all I've done for the last 2 years. I'll be sooooo happy when it's all finished!

xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Fall ~ ish......

A leaf that I found in my flowerbed....
Color contrast....

More later ~ xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Yay ~ We Are Finally Here!!!!!

Ozzy & Lita are sooooo excited! We are, too of course. After a marathon packing session that lasted three days and an overnight stay @ a rather dingy hotel with a not so comfortable bed that still costs a friggin $100, we spent our first night in our new house that we never have to leave ever again!!! I'm up drinking coffee and anticipating the unpacking of my studio. So, those of you that purchased things while I've been in transit can be looking for your things real soon.

We will have to take a break this afternoon and go for a drive up the parkway. The leaves are all starting to turn and everything looks so gorgeous and fallish. I may even buy a pumpkin!

Before I go to start unpacking, I just have to share this picture of Ozzy with you ~ he was determined not to miss a thing during the ride, but he kept falling asleep.......
I hope you have a weekend full of fun & cuteness ~ I'll be back soon with pictures of leaves! Have a wonderful day!!! xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

Monday, October 22, 2007

It's All Over But The Crying.....

Well, everything is over and done with! Paulette & Keith's wedding was wonderful & beautiful and went off without a hitch {except I forgot the bubbles @ the Florist}. Luckily, "The Gatehouse" had some leftover ones from a previous wedding and we were able to use those. I'm posting a picture of Paulette and her best friend Katie. They have been best friends since kindergarten ~ they are even starting to look alike:
And here is one of Paulette & Broc ~ so grown up!
So today we closed on the sale of our house here in Baton Rouge. The very excited new owners will be living here this time next week! Our trailer is parked in the driveway and I packed up all of my beads yesterday. I'm packing up the pantry and cleaning out the fridge later this evening and then we'll start loading things up tomorrow. We hope to be on the road no later than Thursday! Yay!! We will be up there in just the perfect time for the leaves to be changing and fall to start kicking in. I'll have plenty of time to do some fall decorating before our friends Dave & Sharon arrive for Thanksgiving from Perdido Keys Florida. I'm already starting to crave chicken soup and homemade chili. I would make some tonight, but it's still 90 degrees in Louisiana! So to all of my faithful readers, thanks for checking my blog and reading my ramblings. I hope to be posting more regular & more interesting things soon. My whole life is getting ready to enter a much slower pace and I welcome it gladly!

Have a wonderful week!!! xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

Sunday, October 14, 2007

"Old" Plant Sale = "New" Shoes!!!

I was so sad this weekend. I had to sell all of my tropical plants, since they would not make it in North Carolina. The "Sale" was Friday and Today. I have a few left, but I think my Mom and Sister will probably take them, if my neighbor don't. At least I feel like most all of them went to good homes and will be taken care of and nurtured. I could never sell puppies, Never! I got all teary eyed every time one of my "babies" drove away ~ especially my cactus that I've had for about 20 years and my "Mother in law tongue" that I've had about 25. It was agonizing, to say the least. But, on the bright side, I made about $300 and what better thing to buy with that {not all of it, certainly}, but a new pair of shoes! That was the ONLY way I could justify what I had done. Beside, I can't wear slingbacks and flip flops during the winter in NC, like I do here in LA. I must have something to keep the little lizard warm and these cover his ass perfect ~ don't ya think!

Hope you are all doing wonderfully and I'll be back in a few days. We are going to dinner tonight @ my most favorite seafood restaurant {one of the things I'll miss most about Louisiana}, since we won't be eating there for awhile. And Chris {you know who you are}, if you are reading this, yes, it's "Mike Anderson's". I'll think of you with every single bite of "Shrimp Norman". I actually thought of you last night and was laughing so hard! Did you see "SNL"??? Jon Bon was the host and he came "alive" out of his "life size poster", just like the one I hung up in your room eons ago. He still looks just as "hot", too ~ hee hee. Have a wonderful evening, all of my little peeps ~
xx00 & peace always ~ Kathy


Wednesday, October 10, 2007

My little forest friend....


Is this the cutest little fellow, or what! I found him in my yard in Pisgah Forest. He looks rather mean, but he was really sweet. I can't wait to discover all of the little critters that live in the forest. I'll be there for good in 2 short weeks!!! I'm so excited.

If you purchased something while I was away, it was mailed out yesterday, so you will be receiving it soon. I just dropped in to say hello and now I'm off to do some moving related activities. Hope you are having a wonderful week!
xxoo & peace always ~ Kathy

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Must Love Dogs.....

Well, after 14 hours we are finally at our house in North Carolina! Ozzy rode with me and Lita rode with Wayne. Here he is being a good boy in the backseat of the car. He made sure he kept his feet up on the middle arm rest the whole time, so I wouldn't forget he was back there. Of course, Lita rode with her head in Wayne's lap the whole way. It wasn't a bad trip at all. We broke it up this time and stayed the night in Birmingham and then drove in the next morning. We will be back in LA on Sunday and then back up here for good the last week of October sometime.

The dogs did pretty good in the hotel. We had some young guys staying next to us and stayed up all night and kept going in and out to smoke. Of course, the big protector Lita would bark every time. She finally got used to it after a while and we turned on the TV and cranked up the AC to make background noise. All in all, what little rest we actually got was worth it.

As you can see, I have my internet & phone all hooked up @ the new house. It sure is nice being able to sit here and drink my coffee and type in my blog.

I hope you are all doing well & having a good week! I'll be back soon to post some more pics from our trip. Love & peace always ~ Kathy

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Book Publishing & "Kinder Surprise Eggs"

Hello everybody!!! I hope this post finds you well. I know it's been awhile since I've written, but I promise I'm going to start posting more often really soon. I've been busy making new things for the shop and writing a book. I'm writing a Limerick book with corresponding pictures that I've taken of this and that. I should be finished with it in a few days and I'll certainly let you know when it's published. If you are interested, you will be able to purchase it from "Blurb.com". While you are there, you just have to check out my friend Van's publications about Jacko the Sock Monkey. It's hilarious! Van is quite the writer and I tell him often that he missed his calling. I really think his books will be very popular. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about it. I'll be sure and pass the info on to Van.

I was cleaning out the pantry yesterday and ran across a few
of these "Kinder Surprise Eggs" that my friend Tamara up in Canada sent me. They are the neatest things. Of course you cannot buy them in the USA ~ I'm sure it's because of the wrapping & the small parts that come in the "Surprise". But if you know somebody outside of the USA, get them to send you some. They are sold all over the world except for here. What it is, is a White & Milk Chocolate Egg that is hollow in the middle and comes with a little yellow and orange plastic capsule inside which houses a tiny toy, with instructions on how to put it together. A lot of the little toys are interactive and cute, cute, cute. This one shown in the pictures had a precious little "Fox" Motorcycler in it and the chocolate is very, very good ~ yummy ~

I'll leave you with these awesome earrings that I made for the shop and one of my limericks ~ {hope you enjoy it} ~
Sometimes my brain's in a fog
My creative mind needs a jog
When I'm not at all tired
and feeling quite wired
I'll sit down and write in my blog

Have a happy Tuesday!!!!

xxoo ~ Peace ~ Kathy

Saturday, September 8, 2007

My Interview, House Selling & New Stuff In The Shop

I've been missing you all so much! But, we have been awful busy here lately. First of all, we are 99.9% sure that we have the house sold {Yay}. The cute little couple that are buying it are really really sweet and nice and we know they will take good care of our house and love it as much as we do. Selling houses is a pain ~ you have to constantly keep everything picked up and clean, so you can show it in the drop of a hat. So now I can relax {a little bit}.

I was so excited last week! I was contacted by "I Love Bling" and asked for an interview. So, if you want to read it, it's here. It was a really nice interview, I thought. Let me know what you think.

Today I've been pretty much making new stuff all day long. My favorite thing is this pair of earrings:I named them "Rock Me Tonight" ~ my fav "Billy Squier" song ever! You know where to find them if you want a closer look. Besides these, there are several other new things listed as well. Plus, I have some really cool things I made today that will be listed either tonight or tomorrow. Check out the shop when you get a chance.

Well my little peeps, I just wanted to drop in and say hello and hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

"May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty & joy of each day"
~ Indian Proverb

Thursday, August 30, 2007

The Accidental Customer & Returned Mail!!??!!

Eeepp ~ one of my little "Shrunken Ex-Boyfriends" got a round trip ticket! Unfortunately, I can't read the friggin label to determine why he was returned??? It's in Norwegian! The one thing I did determine is that the "o's" in the words Jorgen & Lovlands should have a line through them like this "ø". So, it's actually "Jørgen Løvlands". But I'm thinking surely this is not the reason the package came back, but maybe so. Anyway, I have contacted my little customer to ask her what the label says and to verify her address. I just thought it was interesting and thought I would share with you. So if you ever send anything to Norway, make sure your "o's" have lines through them, if they are supposed to.

And now I've discovered a new marketing strategy, totally by accident! So last week I ordered some of those cute little "MOO" cards from "Flickr", just because they are just so darned cute and lately I can't resist cute stuff. So I'm waiting for them to come in the mail any day now and I get an e-mail from a really sweet Gal who informs me that she had gotten my "MOO" cards in error and was wanting to know if I had gotten hers. Well, I haven't gotten any yet, mine or hers. She offered to send them on to me, which I thought was really, really sweet of her. And, she also took it upon herself to check out my website since she had card in hand. She really loves my stuff and thoroughly enjoyed my "Get Together Song" that I have playing on there by "The Youngbloods". So "Yay" ~ the "MOO" card snafu earned me a new customer and probably a refund. Plus, I'll still get the little cuties after all ~ Thanks "MOO" ~ Maybe your cow jumped over the moon and somebody in your shipping department ran away with the "spoon" {hmmm}

I've been busy making wedding invitations for my step-daughter the last few days, so I've only listed a couple of pairs of earrings that are new. But I'll be on a roll this weekend, so be looking out for some great new things in the shop soon. Now I'm going to watch "or not" the LSU Football Game {1st one of the season} ~ Go Tigers!!! {I hate Football, just don't tell anybody in Louisiana until I move ~ I'll be tarred & feathered}. But before I drag myself to the TV, I have to share this awesome orchid that is blooming right now. Of course, this photo was taken with my new macro lens {which I love, love, love}:

Hope you are having a wonderful week and are doing something fun this Labor Day Weekend! So until we meet again, Adios, Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen 'til then.

xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

"The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds, and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy"
~ Anonymous

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Not Enough Cuteness & An Outer Body Experience

So right when I'm starting to think that there is just not enough cuteness in the world, I find this little fellow. He arrived today all they way from Hong Kong, carefully wrapped and already smiling when I took him out of the box. Ok, so you are wondering "just what the hell is it", so I'll tell you. He's a solar-powered bobble-head. See the little solar panel down by his feet ~ you just sit him in a window, or where the sun can shine on his panel and his little head just wobbles back & forth all day {of course, until the sun goes down}. I first saw him {actually, one like him but bigger} on Emily Martin's {The Black Apple} Blog. I just had to have one. He makes me smile, and I'm sure he would make you smile, too. I haven't decided what to name him, so please help me. Just post a comment and tell me what a great name would be for him. I'll let you know at the end of the weekend what I decide on ~ thank you.

Also arriving today was all of my awesome smelly good stuff from "Lollibomb Beauty". Talk about an Outer Body Experience ~ everything smells wonderful and, I lucked out and was her 2,000th customer, so she sent me a whole box of "freebies", including some "Mint Chocolate Chip Body Frosting" that smells good enough to slather on top of a cupcake and eat! I also got some samples of her "Get Nakey Mineral Foundation". I've read lots of things about mineral foundation and how much better it is for your skin than liquid foundation or power. Anyway, I'll keep you posted on what I think about it.

Well I hope you are having a simply wonderful weekend. We are getting ready to go to dinner with friends {old people eat early, you know}. But before I go, I just have to share this awesome necklace I made today ~ If you want it, you know where to find it.

Happy Saturday!
xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

"Don't just live the life you've been given...
Make the life you want" ~ unknown

Thursday, August 23, 2007

My 1700th Customer & A New Journey

I can't hardly believe that I'm almost up to 1700 sales on Etsy. So to celebrate, if you are reading this blog and want some free goodies, just be my 17ooth customer. You'll be glad you were, I promise!

Well, it's official! Wayne is retiring at the end of October and hopefully we will begin our new journey & our new life in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina {Land of Waterfalls} in early November. So to celebrate that, just be the first person to comment on this blog post and you will receive this awesome little "Bird Girl Journey" necklace for "free, free, free" ~ no strings attached.

Well my Sister & My Mother are starting to freak out on me about moving. My Sister sent me an e-mail last night and attached this video:

I really love the song {and I hate Country Music}. It was the first time I had heard it. So, I hope you enjoy it and are having a great week! I'm off to go update a website that I designed for an office and train somebody over there how to update their pages, because "I'm moving outta here". Happy Thursday!

Love & peace ~ Kathy

"When the songs of your heart start singing, you should gratefully listen...
for the harmony is that which will bring you happiness
and the melody is the voice of your true spirit." ~ Deanna Beisser

Sunday, August 19, 2007

These Eyes & Journey

I have to share this awesome little pendant that I just got from "DebbieLakies" on Etsy. It's just great! I love all the eyes and the way they are all looking right at you. It gets lots of "looks" {hee hee}. Please do check out her shop for more great items.

Well the wait is finally almost over and we will know for sure this Tuesday when Wayne's official retirement date is and when we can begin our next journey in this life. I feel like we've been waiting forever, but it's finally almost here and it looks like our waiting will be more than worth it. So, as a toast to our Journey, I made this awesome necklace today and named it, most appropriately "When The Lights Go Down In The City", one of my most favorite "Journey" songs ever. You know where to find it, if you want it ~
So I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. I just popped in to say hello and I'll be back in a couple of days.

xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

"Remember that what you have now was once among the things you only hoped for"

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Dogs, Houses, Plants & Lynyrd Skynyrd

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a terrific weekend. We were busy with the final touches getting the house ready to sell. So, if you know anybody looking to buy a house in blazing hot Louisiana, tell them to call me. Here's a link to the house flyer and some pictures:

Of course, Ozzy & Lita are so worried about what's going on. They know something is up. Lita follows Wayne around everywhere he goes. Here she is waiting by the door until she can see him. She was whimpering, so he must have been out of site for a few moments:
So while I was out on the porch taking her picture, I took some pictures of my gorgeous "Lipstick Plant" that is bursting with blooms. It is such a brilliant orange ~ It almost looks like it's on fire ~ It's awesome:







I did manage to squeeze in the earrings that I made with these awesome little brass birds that I got from MoonDancer on Etsy. So, while I was making them I start thinking about what I would name them and, of course, "Free Bird" was the first song that came to mind. I remember going to all sorts of concerts "back in the day" {I sound like my Grandfather!}, when tickets were only $7 or $8 each and it was general admission, so you could sit or stand anywhere you wanted. Ah, I could reminisce all day long ~ So, get out your "Bic Lighters" and enjoy my ramblings and these awesome little earrings ~ of course, you know where you can find them.

Well, I'm off to fill a few orders, and then head over to my Mom's to help her with her computer. She changed internet providers and now her stuff is all wonky. Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

"Love is the spirit that motivates the artist's journey" ~ Eric Maisel

Friday, August 10, 2007

Napping, Camera Reviews & Cards

Did you even know that Squirrels napped? I certainly never did. This little girl made her bed in the crook of the tree right outside my kitchen door yesterday and just snoozed away the whole afternoon. I thought at first she was just taking a "cat nap", but then she kept turning around from side to side, rolling over on her back and snoozing along. So I guess it's true what they say "you learn something new every day". And look at those feet! No wonder the poor gal needed a nap. I'm anxious to see if she returns today and if she actually builds her nest there. It would be wonderful to watch baby squirrels growing up.

So I was so "hot" for a new camera when I bought my Kodak P712, just because I had the Kodak DX6490 which I absolutely loved, loved, loved! The P712 is a 7.1 megapixel, compared to the 4.0 that the DX6490 is. So of course I thought I would be able to take much better pictures [right]. Wrong! Actually, the DX6490 took much better close ups than my new camera was capable of. For some reason, the P712 only allows you to be about 6 inches from the object before it starts losing focus. The DX6490 would allow you to practically put the lens on the object and never lose focus. So now I have to use PhotoShop and literally "adjust" every single picture I take of my jewelry before I can list it on Etsy {pain in the butt}. But, the P712 does take awesome pictures of everything else and does allow "RAW" format, panoramic and lots of other things that the DX6490 did not have, so it was a justifiable investment. However, the closeup shots were really starting to bother me and I longed for my little DX6490 back that I had hastily given to my Sister for her Birthday! I miss that little camera terribly. So while I was mourning for it, I just started looking around for information about the P712 and close up shots and ran across the "Macro Lens" that a company called "Opteka" makes. It only cost $29 {on sale}, so I figured what the heck, I don't have anything to lose. Wow! What a difference! This lens is amazing. I took this picture of my little African Violet yesterday afternoon with it and I can't wait to start taking pictures of my jewelry with it, too. If it saves me 1 hour of time, it will more than pay for itself. I just wish I would have gotten it sooner. The picture of the violet is totally untouched ~ no critiquing in PhotoShop at all {which is my goal}. So, if you are not getting those closeup shots you are yearning for with your camera, try surfing the net and see if there are macro lens available for it. Chances are there is and, you won't be disappointed!

As promised, I have to share this awesome little card that I bought for my Mom from "Crankbunny". It's just the most precious thing I've ever seen. If you are ever in need of a unique greeting card, please do check her Etsy shop out ~ I promise it will get you a higher ranking on your "friends & family" list, guaranteed!

Well, I need to go get some orders filled, but I'll leave you with this awesome little necklace I made yesterday. It's another one of those that I dreamed about and then got up and made it while it was still fresh in my mind:
And, I named it "Windsong" ~ I know, it's kinda hokey, but that's me. I still love the necklace, though.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend & don't forget to take my "Poll" at the top of my blog page. I'm trying to see how many people buy Christmas gifts on the internet. You just have to click one of the little buttons, you don't have to sign in, or anything like that, so it's easy sneazy.

xxoo & peace ~ Kathy

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne