A fellow Etsy Maine Teamer, Peggy, is having a Mother's Day Promotion at her store. Stop by and check out her gift items! You won't be disappointed. I have ordered a few little things from this talented and professional crafter and have always been delighted with my purchases, especially the lavender filled goodies!
The Etsy Maine Team has a very clever Spring Promotional Page with lots of "pretties" on display! Another must-see, just in time for Mother's Day!!
The team has also collaborated on developing a Favorites page, as well, to make your shopping experience on Etsy fun and easy. Easy because once you see all the talent Etsy Maine Team has to offer, you won't need to shop anywhere else.
Check out the Maine Team's ARTIST of the MONTH at www.jamieribisi.etsy.com. Stop by her blog to congratulate her!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A New Home?
I love spring and the anticipated arrival of all the species of returning birds. Tuesday morning the Tree Swallows returned to Central Maine and I was entertained by a spectacular aerial display starring 10 or more swallows while I enjoyed my coffee sitting in the warm morning sunshine.
They were checking out some nesting boxes that line the property and I think they found a suitable prospective new home, as this morning they have been going in and out. A Downy Woodpecker was looking for a tasty treat on the post of this house and the swallows were quite upset that he was there. It took several minutes of being dive bombed for the woodpecker to get the message and move on to the next post to continue his foraging!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Stop the car! STOP THE CAR!!!!!!
When you are driving with a birder in the passenger seat, these are the three words you must be prepared at all times to hear, even on the highway!
On a weekend trip to Caribou, Maine, a four hour drive, a very large bird flew in the air space in front of the car. I, of course, was sitting in the backseat, engrossed in an audio book and working on a flying geese quilt. All of a sudden, we pulled over and stopped. My first clue was the da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da noise from the rumble strips at the edge of the road, then the abrupt application of the brakes. My brother-in-law already had binoculars in hand and jumped out practically before we had stopped.
Fortunately there isn't much traffic on the way to Caribou, Maine.
I fumbled in my bag for my binocs, tangled in my camera strap, and jumped out just in time to get a very good look at a very rare treat.....a GOLDEN EAGLE, riding the thermals and making his way across the horizon.
The Golden Eagle is a bird from the West, most commonly associated with the mountains. In the sky, can first be mistaken for a Turkey Vulture as unlike the Bald Eagle, it has a V-shape to it's wing spread, and that's exactly what the front seat occupants initially thought they had in their sight. But as it soared closer, Don let out "the call".
Although not a lifer for me, it was still very exciting and the best view I've ever had. I DID add a lifer that very same evening, however. There was a large flock of seagulls in the old potato fields near Don's parent's home. He scanned the crowd and found not one, but two Lesser Black-backed gulls! They are a European bird whose winter numbers are increasing along our eastern coast.
I must mention we stopped once upon our approach to Caribou to scan a pond known for breeding Ruddy Ducks, and sure enough, there they were, along with one pair of Redhead Ducks and a flock of Ring-necks. I believe the Redhead is a life bird for me, as well, but I, of course, left my life list in Cape Breton.
The following morning I spotted 2 Snipe along the forested edge of a pool behind the old homestead.
Birds, birds, everywhere!!!! I'm so glad it's spring.
On a weekend trip to Caribou, Maine, a four hour drive, a very large bird flew in the air space in front of the car. I, of course, was sitting in the backseat, engrossed in an audio book and working on a flying geese quilt. All of a sudden, we pulled over and stopped. My first clue was the da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da noise from the rumble strips at the edge of the road, then the abrupt application of the brakes. My brother-in-law already had binoculars in hand and jumped out practically before we had stopped.
Fortunately there isn't much traffic on the way to Caribou, Maine.
I fumbled in my bag for my binocs, tangled in my camera strap, and jumped out just in time to get a very good look at a very rare treat.....a GOLDEN EAGLE, riding the thermals and making his way across the horizon.
The Golden Eagle is a bird from the West, most commonly associated with the mountains. In the sky, can first be mistaken for a Turkey Vulture as unlike the Bald Eagle, it has a V-shape to it's wing spread, and that's exactly what the front seat occupants initially thought they had in their sight. But as it soared closer, Don let out "the call".
Although not a lifer for me, it was still very exciting and the best view I've ever had. I DID add a lifer that very same evening, however. There was a large flock of seagulls in the old potato fields near Don's parent's home. He scanned the crowd and found not one, but two Lesser Black-backed gulls! They are a European bird whose winter numbers are increasing along our eastern coast.
I must mention we stopped once upon our approach to Caribou to scan a pond known for breeding Ruddy Ducks, and sure enough, there they were, along with one pair of Redhead Ducks and a flock of Ring-necks. I believe the Redhead is a life bird for me, as well, but I, of course, left my life list in Cape Breton.
The following morning I spotted 2 Snipe along the forested edge of a pool behind the old homestead.
Birds, birds, everywhere!!!! I'm so glad it's spring.
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Worthy Award
I was so surprised and delighted to receive this award fromAudrey's Country Crafts.
Thank you, Audrey!
"The Renee Award. This Award was created by Bella and Ces in honour of their friend Renee, an incredible lady who in the face of a frightening life battle is tackling each day with great spirit and courage. Please check out the blogs of these three creative ladies."
"Here is what Bella says of this award:
"this is a brand new award and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow. I hope it finds it's way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak, giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns...""
And now the daunting task of passing this award on to 7 bloggers who, in my opinion, are so deserving. I follow so many blogs that inspire and motivate me both in the Crafting World and in the World of Nature that it is going to be a difficult to only choose 7.
My choices are: (drum roll, please)
Jamie Ribisi-Brayley, who, along with her twin sister and her husband, are creating a venue for artists to find inspiration, creative energy, and a home away from home. Jamie is very involved with the Etsy Maine Team and is so giving of herself. How she finds the time is beyond me.
Laura Trevey, another Etsian who has brightened my life with her beautiful watercolors, her positive attitude, and her friendship.
Amanda Beth , a young spirit who keeps me abreast of fashion in her most creative way and warms my heart.
Heather, one of my many nature bloggers that has inspired my photographic attempts with her beautiful dialogue and glorious photos. Heather patiently waited me out while I experienced a hic-cup in my blogging, along with Poetikat, an insipiring poet/wordsmith who encourages with her variety of original posts.
Stephanie, at Loft Creations, is one of the true motivators that I follow. I have trouble keeping up with her incredible creative energies! It is through her blog that I have found so many other inspiring quilters to follow.
And Kajsa who is like the little energizer bunny and is probably the most original crafter I've ever met!
Please take the time to visit these ladies and introduce yourselves. And my thanks to them for bringing sunshine into my life during this past long, cold winter!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Etsy Treasury
My friend, MaggieHallam, has selected a most beautiful treasury! It's definitely a MUST SEE! It will expire Saturday morning, so don't miss it!
I BRAKE FOR FROGS
I Brake for Frogs: Spring-time Frog Migration
Spring is in the air, and amphibians are on the move. After a long, cold winter, frogs, toads, newts and salamanders prepare themselves for the annual migration to mate and lay their eggs.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/226743/i_brake_for_frogs_springtime_frog_migration.html
Last night, my sister, her husband, and I went on a rescue mission. We creeped along the roads for over two hours, stopping and assisting the frogs, toads, and salamanders across the road. Sadly, there were many who had already been squished by traffic. I can't help but think that more publicity to increase public awareness would help their plight. I know that if I was a frog, I'd have waited until it was a little warmer! We came across 4 different species of frogs, toads, and 2 different species of salamander, including one blue-spotted, an uncommon find!
What really freaked us out and peaked our curiosity were the hundreds and hundreds of worms stretched vertically across the roads. Where did they think they were going? Do they migrate, too?
Check out the frog migration in your area, often referred to as "Big Night", get involved, or at least become aware and spread the word.
Spring is in the air, and amphibians are on the move. After a long, cold winter, frogs, toads, newts and salamanders prepare themselves for the annual migration to mate and lay their eggs.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/226743/i_brake_for_frogs_springtime_frog_migration.html
Last night, my sister, her husband, and I went on a rescue mission. We creeped along the roads for over two hours, stopping and assisting the frogs, toads, and salamanders across the road. Sadly, there were many who had already been squished by traffic. I can't help but think that more publicity to increase public awareness would help their plight. I know that if I was a frog, I'd have waited until it was a little warmer! We came across 4 different species of frogs, toads, and 2 different species of salamander, including one blue-spotted, an uncommon find!
What really freaked us out and peaked our curiosity were the hundreds and hundreds of worms stretched vertically across the roads. Where did they think they were going? Do they migrate, too?
Check out the frog migration in your area, often referred to as "Big Night", get involved, or at least become aware and spread the word.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Quilt Festival - 2009
Quilt Festival, 2009
Amy, at Park City Girl, is hosting a fun Quilt Festival!
I found Amy's site during my daily visit to A Passion for Applique. I think I'd like to participate, so here is my quilt! I didn't have to think twice about which one to enter.
For several years, I worked with a woman who became very dear to me. We team taught a self-contained classroom for children with severe behavior disorders at the elementary level in a small North Texas town. She had a passion for Angels. I had a passion for quilting.
During all those years, I made quilt after quilt after quilt. But I never made her a darned thing. Eleven years ago, I moved away and she remained a true friend despite the miles between us. I worried over the fact that I'd never made her a quilt. Both of her girls graduated from high school, and they each received a quilt. For her birthday one year, I bought her a puzzle of a quilt, and attached a note that said, "Guess you'll just have to make your own."
One day I saw this pattern in an issue of an Australian quilt magazine, and knew it was for her! I ordered the pattern without thinking twice. I'd decided to construct it all from scraps. I'd work on it for a little while, then put it away and finish other things. I drag it out and work on it some more, then away it would go, and other projects were started and completed. I should mention that each block is hand appliqued using the blanket stitch. The blocks and borders are machine stitched, the layers hand quilted.
Finally, after I had been gone for 9 years, 7 years after I purchased the pattern, I completed her quilt and was able to send it for Christmas~2006. She was so delighted, she re-designed her guest room around it!
This is my only photo, I'm sorry to say. It would fit a double bed.
Audrey's Awesome Give-Away
Audrey's having a birthday!
Help her celebrate her special day
by visiting her blog
and
entering her awesome give-away.
She has made a special tote bag and filled it
with quite an assortment of items
that I'm sure you'll enjoy!
http://audreyscountrycraftsgiveaway.blogspot.com/
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUDREY!
Help her celebrate her special day
by visiting her blog
and
entering her awesome give-away.
She has made a special tote bag and filled it
with quite an assortment of items
that I'm sure you'll enjoy!
http://audreyscountrycraftsgiveaway.blogspot.com/
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUDREY!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Muddy Moose Bath Boutique Give-Away
The MUDDY MOOSE BATH BOUTIQUE
is having another of her fabulous give-aways!
It's always a delight to check out her site at: http://www.themuddymoose.blogspot.com/.
Or, find a link to her page by scrolling down at the right-hand side of my blog.
The prize is a scented body candle. "Never heard of a Body Candle? Well, you don't know what you are missing! These "candles" are chocked full with loads of skin loving oils. They contain shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil and soy wax. They are so simple to use. Light your Body Candle and allow all those wonderful oils melt. Once you have enough oil, extinguish the flame and pour the melted oils into your hand. Rub into your parched, dry skin. Enjoy alone or with someone special. Pure bliss (even if I do say so myself). The oils will be a bit greasy at first to allow for you to massage those dry areas, but will quickly absorb into your skin."
Good Luck!!
is having another of her fabulous give-aways!
It's always a delight to check out her site at: http://www.themuddymoose.blogspot.com/.
Or, find a link to her page by scrolling down at the right-hand side of my blog.
The prize is a scented body candle. "Never heard of a Body Candle? Well, you don't know what you are missing! These "candles" are chocked full with loads of skin loving oils. They contain shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil and soy wax. They are so simple to use. Light your Body Candle and allow all those wonderful oils melt. Once you have enough oil, extinguish the flame and pour the melted oils into your hand. Rub into your parched, dry skin. Enjoy alone or with someone special. Pure bliss (even if I do say so myself). The oils will be a bit greasy at first to allow for you to massage those dry areas, but will quickly absorb into your skin."
Good Luck!!
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