Thursday, December 4, 2014

My biggest sale ever! 50% OFF!

For those of you that don't follow me on facebook, I'm having a 50% off sale!  The coupon code will be good until midnight Friday, December 5th.  Enjoy!!
Why does it always seems like I'm most creative when I'm busy filling orders!  Why is that?  In the midst of filling orders today, some music was playing on Pandora and these gorgeous earrings flew into my head.  So I stopped what I was doing and made them...before they flew out again.  I named these "Soar" and they will be listed for sale on Etsy this weekend...along with a few other new things...stay tuned

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I'm always thankful and grateful for "YOU" ~ Thank you!
love and peace always ~ Kathy

"there is always something to be thankful for" ~ unknown

Thursday, November 20, 2014

New Jewelry, New Drawings, New Beginnings...

Sometimes I feel like I'm all over the map with my creative energies and then other times I feel like I can't focus on anything.  As of lately though, I've been on a roll making all sorts of things!  I love it when that happens, but then again, I have so many projects going at once it can be a daunting feat!  Wayne had to cut down several trees this year that were encroaching on some other trees we didn't want to lose.  With some of the smaller branches, my neighbor cut some circles for me and I'm busy turning them into Christmas gifts! 
 I ordered a wood burning kit from Amazon and it was way easier than I even anticipated!  So, if you are on my list of gift receivers, you know what you'll be getting this year!!  And my love of wood has also carried over into some of my new jewelry pieces...like this gorgeous Moth necklace!  I love it so much!
And these cuter than cute little bone Skull and Feather earrings were just made and listed today:
Those little skulls make me smile :) ~ they are so cute!  And, speaking of cute, this precious little Elephant came out of my brain the other night when I was drawing.  I just love him!  The innocence of animals is something I wish humans could embrace more of.
So now I've been trying to do a daily meditation session, using the challenges on this website!  I just can't relax my mind...I'm trying different times of day and different positions, to see if that makes a difference...I hope so, I need to relax more!  But then, I think..."oh my gosh, it's already November 20th and I'm cooking and hosting Thanksgiving at my house next week...and all the things I still need to do!"  And then, there goes my brain...certainly not relaxing!

Hope your day is awesome!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"What keeps life fascinating is the constant creativity of the soul." ~ Deepak Chopra

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Drawing, swimming and wasting time [sorta]!

This was my calendar page for today!  So appropriate!  Although, it always seems like I take one step forward and two steps back!  My poor jewelry desk is just sitting there, unhappy and feeling unloved.  It seems as though my creative vibe has taken a hike and I don't know how long it will be gone [this time].  I did start drawing in my journal again, so that's a good thing!  I also started swimming at the local health club.  They have a wonderful indoor heated salt-water therapeutic pool and it is so nice!  My goal is to be able to swim for a 1/2 mile, continuous laps by the end of December ~ wish me luck!  I had forgotten how much I love to swim!  
I channeled this swimmer last night, while I was drawing.  I don't know who she is, but she insisted on that floral swim cap!  My sister thinks she looks like Angelina Jolie, but I don't think Angelina has ever swam....much less, worn a swim cap!
And then there was this awesome idea on facebook yesterday [yet another distraction from my jewelry] ~ you just cut your pumpkin[s] in half, remove most of the seeds [unless you are using your jack-o-lantern, like I did], poke some sticks through the sides, tie on some twine, fill it up with birdseed and wait for the action to begin!  Such a great idea and the birds LOVE it!
I've also started back on my digital paintings...especially since I'm doing a tutorial presentation on it in January!  Gotta keep my skills fresh in my mind [which is hard for me these days].  So, with that being said, I'm off to paint a picture!  

Happy Thursday!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

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

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Autumn Skies, Old Cartoons and Squirtle!

I LOVE Autumn in the mountains!  The skies are bright and brilliant, the colors of the leaves are gorgeous and the air is crisp and clean!  I just want to stay outside all day!  A ride up the Parkway yesterday was so refreshing...you just can't stay in a bad mood if you go out into nature!  It's just impossible!
So while I was "down South" visiting my family, Wayne found Squirtle in the habitat we built for her last year!  I had searched and searched this Spring and never found her...I was convinced she had gotten away, or something had gotten to her during the Winter.  She sure is a good hider!  Anyway, now I'm on a mission to fatten her up for yet another Winter!  She has grown so much and is absolutely gorgeous!
I started off the day with coffee and some hilarious old cartoons...this is one of my favorites ~ hope you enjoy it!
Now it's time to get outside again!  

Happy Tuesday!!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"We shape our dwellings, and afterwards, our dwellings shape us." ~ Winston Churchill

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Butterflies, Blue Skies & Beer Brats!

Took a ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway to see if we could find some migrating Monarch Butterflies!  Not only did we find some, we found quite a few!  
The plight of these gorgeous butterflies is amazing!  I felt so lucky to be a witness of their journey.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous!  I love the Autumn winds and clear blue skies...I could day dream on them forever!
But, at some point, one must eat!  I cooked these amazing Brats in "Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale", along with some onions!  They were sooooo good!!!  The only bad thing about them is the possibility of being squirted in the eye when you bite down on one!
And it's another gorgeous day!  Get out there!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Dream it, wish it, do it"

Sunday, September 28, 2014

As of late...

Pieces of your spirit...lying in the sand
rest in peace my feathered friend,
soar high above the land.
written by me ~ 09.24.14
And then there was this little guy...
And then this!

Happy Autumn!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"with freedom, books, flowers and the moon...who could not be happy?" ~ Oscar Wilde

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Sugar...ah, honey, honey...

Found this awesome "professor eggplant" on my early morning trip to our local farmer's market "Transylvania Farmer's Market".  Not only did this little guy come home in my basket, he was joined by some tiny little tomatoes, yukon gold potatoes, red peppers, a variety of lettuces, a variety of kale, a variety of squashes, fresh trout fillets and some green eggs that were still warm from the chicken butt!  All fresh, local and organically produced!  Now I just have to plan my dinners for the week!  Why?
This documentary changed my life!  I encourage you to download it and watch it...it will change your life, too!  We must put an end to this epidemic, or our children and grandchildren may not even live as long as us.  Here's a link to the website ~ something every American should know about!  And this is another video I think everyone should watch ~
Love one another!

Happy Saturday!

love and peace always ~ Kathy 

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Little bits of good...

First of all "Thank You" to everybody that took advantage of the 30% off Animal coupon for my Etsy shop last week!  The love was overwhelming!  Ya'll are the best!!  So, in an effort to "give back", "pay it forward", "random acts of kindness", or whatever the case may be, I'm giving back to YOU, with a random "freebie", my way of saying thanks and paying it forward!  It will be a surprise!!!  All you have to do is comment on this post and I'll pick a winner next Wednesday [September 10th] ~ also the day I'll be going to the Mountain State Fair!  I can't wait for that!
I can't believe it's already September!  Have to start planning for the holidays and the New Year!  I'm already starting to fill in some events for 2015!  I'm always looking for a unique planner/calendar, besides my normal boring desk calendar and I found the perfect one for next year!  Not only is it gorgeous, the cover itself is a constant reminder that I have everything in life that I need!!!  
I ordered it from Katie Daisy [The Wheatfield] on Etsy [of course] and it's awesome!  I can't wait to start writing and doodling in it, as well as using it for my planning!  Check it out...you'll probably want one for yourself!

Happy Saturday!!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Monday, September 1, 2014

Worms and bears and stuff like that...plus a discount coupon!

These adorable little caterpillars are all over the place right now!  They are so cute...and curious, but I'm pretty sure they will sting the crap out of you!  And then there's the bear...
...he started showing up at our bird feeders about a month ago.  We haven't seen him in a couple of weeks...maybe he/she is out looking for a mate to hunker down with this winter!  Here he is with a mouth full of suet!  And then there's the deer...
...we have several families of deer that live in our forest...this is one of the babies.  They are so precious!  I love seeing them in the mornings and late afternoons. And why do I love animals so much?

Because they bring us joy.
Because they are at our mercy.
Because they teach us kindness. And compassion. And understanding.
Because they are voiceless.
Because they wish us no harm.
Because they are our companions. And because we are all animals. I will never stop being a voice, for them.

Happy Labor Day!  Enjoy 30% off from my Etsy shop!!  Use coupon code ANIMAL ~ coupon code valid until midnight Friday, September 5th!  Enjoy!
Love and peace always ~ Kathy

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more." ~ Lord Byron

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Living, giving, yearning, learning...

Not sure if I shared my Mantis hatchlings with you, or not!  Long story, short...I bought an egg pod in April at the Transylvania Farmers Market and the babies hatched in early June.
Once they all hatched [about 200 in all], they went on their merry way and I haven't seen hide nor hair of them since!  Well, until today!  I noticed a butterfly in distress on one of the butterfly bushes and at first thought it was caught in a spider web...on closer examination, I discovered one of the Mantis enjoying it for lunch!  I was so excited!  I love these awesome little creatures so much!
All of my little tadpoles have grown up, too!  This particular little guy LOVES having his picture taken!  He is so funny!  Every day when I walk up to the pond, I hear "splish, splash, plop, gurgle, etc." from all of the little frogs jumping in to hide!  But this one little frog just sits there and watches me...he never tries to hide, or swim away...I can get within inches of him and he just watches me.  He's so cute!  I just love all of my little finds in the forest...every day I yearn to find more and more beautiful critters...makes my heart happy and nourishes my soul.
Another thing that makes me happy is making other people happy!  So, I'm giving a pair of these adorable "Ginkgo Bird" earrings away!  All you have to do to win a pair is comment on THIS blog post!  I'm only counting comments on the blog post this time...comments on facebook WILL NOT be counted.  So good luck!  Lita will be picking a winner Wednesday [August 27th].  But, if you don't feel like commenting, or "winning", you can always buy yourself a pair here.  And be sure to use coupon code THANKYOU to receive "free shipping"
So a friend of mine was telling me about how much she "loves" her bamboo steamer and how healthy it is to cook in.  After a little research, I ended up purchasing one on Amazon and have been using it just about every single night!  The food tastes sooooo much better and the veggies actually get cooked through and through.  Tonight I cooked "Scallop and Crabmeat stuffed Sole" in the bottom basket and then steamed some broccoli and carrots in the top basket.  It was soooo yummy!  I LOVE it!  Here's to healthy living!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Life is a game of luck, be happy because we're lucky to live it." ~ Matthew Deselms

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Zen, Karma and a 25% Off Coupon Code!

When I'm out walking in the woods, I'm always amazed at what I can find by just standing still and looking around.  I feel like it's natures "gifts" to me...things most people will never see.  My little "gift" yesterday was this gorgeous "Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth" that was resting on a stick.  
 And then I found this little guy today...his wings are so tattered and torn, I could hardly believe he was still flying...but that's what life is all about.  No matter how tattered and torn you become, you just have to keep on flying.  
 
I took this as a sign from my daddy...I always think of him when I see a black butterfly.  Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of his flight to the dark side of the moon, or so he believed...and one day, I'll join him.  
And who thinks Friday the 13th is unlucky?  Just look what I found yesterday!  It's all about Karma!  Doesn't have anything to do with "luck"...or so I believe.
I have a bunch of new "Zen" bracelets in the shop!  Check em out!  These are really awesome and fun to wear.  And since they are made with elastic, you can easily pop them on and off, or pair them up with other bracelets.  You'll love them, I promise!  But, if you are undecided about which one is your favorite [like I am], use coupon code KARMA25 and get 25% off of your entire purchase!  That's right, 25% OFF!!  Just some little Karma, from me to you.  Hurry though, this coupon will expire next Friday [June 20th]...at midnight...just like Cinderella's pumpkin!
 I just couldn't end this post without sharing some cuteness ~ :)

Happy Saturday!  Love and peace always ~ Kathy

"When a BIRD is alive, it eats ants...when the bird is dead, ants eat the bird! Time and circumstances can change at any time...Lets not devalue or hurt anyone or anything in Life...We may be powerful today...But remember, TIME is more powerful, one tree makes a million match sticks.. But when time comes....only one match stick is needed to burn a million trees...lets be good and do good earthlings." ~ Karmic Saying

Monday, June 9, 2014

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!!! I often wonder if I'm channeling spirits when I draw my journal people...it's just so strange what comes out of my head sometimes and how each one takes on it's own personality. I was a little surprised that this cute girl ended up with a star and heart tattoo on her chest and a mole! 
 
 Who knows what's hiding inside your mind...you just have to free it!
 Now I'm heading out to find some spotted newts ~ Life is good ~ Get out there!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer.  But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen."  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Lazy day...

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time." ~ John Lubbock

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Middle of May Giveaway!!!

Fresh cut flowers from my yard!  And they smell soooo good!!!  Looks like today will be a rainy one, but I'm not complaining...we can certainly use the rain.  And the rain makes everything look so "green"!  It's beautiful!!!  I love living in the forest...now I know why the animals live here.
This is a sweet little girl I found in our yard...she's probably about 4 or 5 years old...so sweet!
 Although I've been spending lots of time outdoors, I've managed to make a few new things!  Like these gorgeous earrings "Earthy"!  In fact, I'll be giving a pair of them away on Monday [May 19th].  All you have to do to win a pair is leave a comment on this blog post, or the facebook page link to this blog post.  That's it!  Good Luck!!!  Lita will be picking a winner on Monday!
One more...sorry, I just can't help myself!  Flowers are so lovely!  Happy Thursday!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"The earth laughs in flowers" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson