Friday, December 28, 2012

Free Moustache!!

My "two turtle doves" drawing for the "2nd day of Christmas" ~ tomorrow is the 5th day, and 5 gold rings will be easy enough to draw, but I'm kinda worried about the dancing ladies, the milking maids, the leaping lords and the drummers drumming, not to mention the pipers piping.  We'll see.  I should probably just stick to jewelry making.  And, with that being said, I made this cute little "Moustache" necklace today and it's only $8 in the shop.  
 But, if you leave a comment on this post [or the network blog link on my facebook page], along with your "New Year's resolution", you'll be entered in a drawing to win one!  The winner will be chosen by Ozzy or Lita [whomever is in the best mood on New Year's Day].  Good Luck!  I also made this adorable Cicada Necklace, which I absolutely love:
And this precious Hummingbird necklace,which I think would be beautiful on a Bride or Bridesmaid, especially for a "Woodland Wedding" ~ so cute!
Sitting here looking out over the Blue Ridge Mountains and drinking some yummy herbal tea, sweetened with local honey.  We haven't had any snow yet, but I'm sure it will be coming.  I can see it on the top of the ridge...a beautiful sight.  And I hope you got to see the moon last night, but just in case you missed it:
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!  Thanks for all of the support over the years...you just don't know how much you are appreciated ~ xoxo

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"I see the moon and the moon sees me
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love."

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

 
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
This is the front of our Christmas Card this year...
and this is the back ~ xoxo

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." ~ Jimi Hendrix

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Happy December!!

It's that time again!  Time for all the hustle and bustle.  Also time to reflect, time to be thankful and time to love one another.
Right now I'm fighting a nasty cold, but I'm pretty sure I'm on the upside of it!  I don't know about you, but any medicine that states "may cause drowsiness" keeps me up all night.  I'll lay in the bed, tossing and turning or waking up every hour or so.  Drives me crazy!  So last night, under the effect of Mucinex, I drew in my journal and started on my Christmas list.  I also got all of my little felt Owls ready for the Art Party next week!  They are so cute!  I literally have a "boat load" of them:
but I'm pretty sure the pink one is my favorite...I think:
Not to worry, I'm still making jewelry too!  In fact, I'm giving one of these away:
I love, love, love it!  Perfect for the Holidays...it goes with everything!  Just leave a comment on this blog post, or my facebook page, for a chance to win.  Ozzy will be picking a winner Wednesday morning [December 5th].  Good luck!

Happy Holidays!  Love & peace always ~ Kathy


"If nature has made you a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart. And though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that." ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Holiday Coupon Code!!

I'm so excited and so very thankful for all of you!!!  Almost 5,000 sales in my Etsy shop!!  So, my goal for 2012 is to reach 5,000 sales by December 31st.  And you can help me do that!  From right now until midnight, December 31st, please enjoy coupon code "GOAL2012" and get 25% off of your entire purchase.  Plus, I will be randomly enclosing a cute little "thank you gift" into some of the packages.  If you haven't started your Christmas shopping yet, please do check out my shop for some great items and I will also be listing new items daily, starting today.  And don't forget, I have free gift-wrapping, free gift cards and gift certificates available! 

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward

Thursday, November 8, 2012

I saved a life today...

 
Lita and I went out for one of our daily walks down to the Koi pond and back.  We brought some oatmeal to feed the fish and I brought my camera [as usual].  When we got to the pond, I noticed that there was a dragonfly in the water [that's him in the photo, circled in red] and there was slight movement underneath it, so at first I thought it had died and the fish were eating it [which tugged slightly on my heartstrings, but that's what Nature is all about].  I tossed some oats into the water and the fish immediately swam over to eat.  Then, I noticed that the dragonfly was not dead, but drowning...fluttering hard and going around in a circle, while his backside was slowly sinking farther down in the water.  I ran to find a stick and then stood as close to the edge of the water as possible and kept pulling the water towards me with the stick, which was also pulling the dragonfly closer.  Finally, I could just reach him with the tip of the stick and I held it down close enough that he latched on...clinging on for dear life, as I pulled him from the frigid water.  
 
 He clung to the end of the stick and I walked over to where I could hold him up in a sunny spot and I began blowing on him, ever so softly.  
 At first he didn't respond much and then he started moving his legs and cleaning his face.  I then started rubbing the undersides of his wings with my fingers to remove the water.  I put my sleeve under his tail and he started moving it back and forth and was drying it off.  All the while, I continued to gently blow on him.  
 He slowly started moving his wings and then started to flutter them and then...after about 20 minutes, he flew away.  He flew high into the sky and, as he went, turned several circles, as if to say "Thank you", you saved my life!
I was joyous and full of happiness!!  I started to cry, just remembering how precious life is and how little I had to do to save one.  I would've whistled all the way home, but that's a feat I've never quite mastered and I didn't want to freak Lita out by trying.  

Always remember, Life is Good and Life is worth living, no matter what! 

Love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead

Monday, November 5, 2012

woot woot...

Hello, hello!!  You're probably wondering what in the world I've been up to lately!  Well, for one thing, making these cute little Owl sachets.  They are 100% handmade by me and have bellies full of organic lavender.  I won't be selling them on Etsy, but they are available for sale on my website.  They are $12 each and all will be slightly different, since they are handmade from scratch.  So, what else have I been up to....lets see:
  I spend my sister's 50th birthday with her and a bunch of our girlfriends in New York City a couple of weeks ago.  I have been friends with these girls since 8th grade!  That's my sister, with the sunglasses on.  We had a blast!  This was taken at the 911 memorial...very emotional.  We had such a great time...I don't think any of us could talk after the 4th day.
This is a view from our suite at the hotel..epic!  And then...there was the carriage ride through Central Park:
My sister [in the orange coat] and one my bestest and dearest friends in the whole world!  I could go on...but I need to get busy sewing Owls.

Happy Monday!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"the most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy" ~ Hunter "Patch" Adams

Friday, October 26, 2012

Halloween Coupon Code!!!

Happy Halloween!!  Please enjoy coupon code "BOO2012" until midnight October 31, 2012 and get 25% off of your entire purchase from my Etsy shop!  Have a great Halloween!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be." ~ Fanny Brice


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Surprise!!

woot woot!!  Are you ready to win some gorgeous earrings...just in time for Autumn!
These are called "Pumpkin Spice" and they are brand new in the shop!  However, I'll be giving a pair of them away Friday morning!  And all you have to do is one of three things for a chance to win:

1.  Leave a comment on this blot post
OR 2. "Like" the link to this post on my facebook page
OR 3.  Leave a comment on the link to this post on my facebook page

Ozzy will be picking a winner Friday...and he has a tendency to grab up more than one name and take off running with them...just so you know.

Good Luck!!  And don't forget, you can get 20% off of your entire purchase from my Etsy Shop, by using coupon code FALL2012 at checkout.  Just my way of saying "thanks" and Happy Autumn!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else." ~ Judy Garland

Monday, September 24, 2012

Autumn, Leaves & A Coupon Code!!!

Happy Autumn Everybody!!  Wow, the days have been just gorgeous around here.  The birds are so happy, the leaves are dancing and the chipmunks are chipping.  I've been busy, busy, busy...making lots of beautiful new earrings, just in time for your Fall wardrobe.  Like these, for instance:
 Named "Falling Leaves" and they are for sale in my Etsy Shop. And, just for you, I have a special Autumn coupon code for 20% off ~ just type in coupon code FALL2012 at checkout to receive the discount. 
Not only has Autumn arrived in full swing, the butterflies are migrating through this area and are everywhere!  These little "Buckeyes" are some of my most favorites.  And, they are the easiest to photograph, since they keep their wings open a lot...just gorgeous!  Although these are not butterflies, the butterflies inspired them:
I'm in love with the Faceted Green Amethyst [Prasiolite] stones.  I named these "Fluttering" ~ they are for sale in the shop, too!  And don't forget your coupon code [FALL2012] for 20% off!

Back to work!  Hope you are having a beautiful day!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Life engenders life.  Energy creates energy.  It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich." ~ Sarah Bernhardt

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

And the winner is....

[insert drum-roll here] ~ Dave & Cindy Jo!!  Whoo hoo...you both won a pair of those awesome Autumn Leaf Earrings from my last post!!  There were so many entries, I decided to give away two pair.  Congratulations!!  And I can't wait to see what they look like on you, Dave Allen! ~ Epic!
And even though Lita hates everybody right now, she got an excellent check-up yesterday from Dr. Crouch!  Yay...she's on the mend!  10 more weeks to go!

I'll be busy making new stuff today...be sure to stop by the shop later and check it out!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

 "The power of a man’s virtue should be measured not by his special efforts, but by his ordinary doing." ~ Blaise Pascal

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Life, Love, Leaves, Lasagna & Lita...

whew...September has been a whirlwind of activities for me!  Lita had surgery, I shot my very first wedding, I had 2 back to back art shows...and, it's only the 16th!  So, first of all, I had to share this gorgeous butterfly with you...his wings are worn and tattered, but I'm honored he chose his last few days on earth to spend with me in my flower garden...so beautiful!
 I'm so excited!!  I was hired to shoot my very first wedding!  This is my favorite shot from the event.  A wonderful experience and a beautiful young couple :)
And then, my poor little Lita had to have surgery!  She went running down the hill [chasing Ozzy, as usual] and literally tore the tendon in her leg right in half.  The surgeon cut her leg bone, stacked it back up and then screwed it together with metal plates.  But, that's not the worst part...the worst part is, we have to keep her from using it for 6 whole weeks!  Ugh...she's so sad.  We have to take her out with a leash and a sling to go potty...she wants to play so bad :(
So, just to give her a little bit of excitement, I'm going to give away a pair of these beautiful copper leaf earrings and I'm going to let her pick the winner Wednesday morning [the 19th].  Of course, all you have to do to get your name in the hat is comment on this blog post, or leave a comment on the link on my facebook page ~ good luck!
 And these are so gorgeous!  I named them "Ghost Leaves" ~ the copper filigree leaves are so light-weight, you forget you have them on.  I wore mine yesterday and got so many compliments!  And, if you don't win them, they are for sale in my Etsy shop and they are only $10 ~ perfect for Autumn!
I'll leave you with this gorgeous butterfly and my Lasagna recipe ~ it's sooooo good!!!  Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Falling short of perfection is a process that just never stops." ~ William Shawn

Friday, August 31, 2012

butterflies are free....

What remains of a beautiful Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly I found in the garden. Right when I was taking the photo, its wings starting moving ever so gently. I like to think, at that very moment, its spirit was set free.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music -- the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.  Forget yourself." ~ Henry Miller

Monday, August 20, 2012

Rainy days & Mondays...

What better way to spend a rainy Sunday, than to watch Disney's Silly Symphonies.  This one, entitled "Hell's Bells" is one of my favorites!  I hope you enjoy it, too!  There are lots of these silly little shorts on Youtube.  Here's a link to the list of films.  After you decide which one you would like to watch, just "google" it and you can find it on Youtube!  Save it for a rainy day though, since it will literally consume most of your day :)
Well, since I "wasted" the whole day yesterday, I have to get busy making new stuff!  Back to back shows are coming up in September and my inventory is pretty low.  These are some new earrings I made, perfect for Autumn, which is right around the corner.  They are for sale in my shop, if you are interested.

Happy Monday!!

Love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." ~ John Lennon

Friday, August 17, 2012

Happy Friday, Ya'll!

This is Henry [or maybe Henrietta] that lives in the woodpile.  Wayne just finished building a new wood shed, so he moved all of the wood into the shed and we came across all sorts of critters, as you can well imagine.  His eye looks hazy, since he was getting ready to shed his skin:
Wouldn't it be nice if we could shed our skin every year and get a brand new layer!  Now that would be awesome!  All in all, we relocated 7 snakes, 3 lizards, a gazillion wolf spiders and this big fat toad:
Hope everybody is happy in their new dwellings.

Off to more adventures!  Happy Friday!!

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"In the deeper reality beyond space and time, we may all be members of one body." ~ Sir James Jeans

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Woo hoo!!!!

Yay!!!  Congratulations, Jen!!  You won those awesome pearl earrings from my last blog post!  Keep an eye on your mailbox!  Thanks so much for your comments!!  Ya'll are awesome!  I had to share this tiny little butterfly that was hanging out in the butterfly bushes...he was so dainty and beautiful.  Love, love, love those little guys.  I also love this guy:
His name is Henry and he lives in the woodpile.  I hope he stays around to keep the mice and rats away.  But the best part of the day was this:
What a way to end the day...Lita was in pig heaven :)

love & peace always ~ Kathy

"Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness." ~ Allen Ginsberg

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Vacations, Mermaids and a "Freebie"

Hey Everybody!! Hope your Summer has been awesome so far! I can't believe it's already August. My vacation is over and it's time to start making some stuff and getting ready for several upcoming shows. Please be sure to keep an eye on my calendar for upcoming events and, hopefully, you can come out and see me at one of them. 
 We had a great vacation!  My favorite stop...Chicago and a visit with my best friend from High School.  I loved the "Bean" ~ it's amazing!  We took in all of the sights:
 I was amazed at how blue the water was in Lake Michigan...looked like the Gulf of Mexico.  The Lincoln Park Zoo was another exciting thing to see...well, maybe the Zebra wasn't that excited, but he gave me a big "yawn", which made for an awesome snapshot:
And then we were off to the Columbus Zoo, before heading back home.  As luck would have it, one of the Bonobo Apes had a week old baby that was just adorable.  She was hiding out in the very back corner of the enclosure, so it was hard to get a good photo.  However, this image captured the pure "love" she was showing her baby and the baby was "smiling" back at her.  So adorable!
I have lots of other animal photos on my smugmug website, if you want to see more.  I think this one is my second favorite, though:
And I was told that the color of the Flamingo is determined by what they eat!  I wish the color of people was determined that simply...there would be a lot less hatred in the world.
Description
So how much do you love these swimming mermaids? Aren't they awesome! A big thanks goes out to the amazing Ms. Emily Martin for creating this lovely animation. I love it!  Before I sign off and get busy making stuff, I'm going to give these awesome earrings away...just because I appreciate your patience waiting for my long awaited blog update...it's been way to long:
These large shell pearl earrings are beautiful!  All you have to do to win them is post a comment on this blog entry, or my facebook page.  Ozzy will be picking a winner next Wednesday morning.  Tell me about your favorite vacation spot...I'm making a list of places to check out that I haven't ever been.  Thanks so much!  Good luck in the drawing.

Have a great weekend!!  Love & peace always ~ Kathy

"But if you have nothing at all to create, then perhaps you create yourself." ~ Carl Jung