OMG Snakes!

Let me just start by saying that I HATE snakes! I'm convinced that my yard is infested, I saw four a couple of days ago, all in different spots of my yard but all within minutes of each other. Ive been freaking out cause I don't want to run into any.  I even went as far as calling a wildlife exterminator to come take them away (I don't want to kill or even hurt them, just don't want them in my yard). But TJ put a quick stop to that. I was told I must live with the snakes, if I get bit by one, it wouldn't hurt that bad.

So today I was living with the snakes. I finally went into my back yard again and was working on my garden when TJ decided to turn the brush pile next to me. This scared the crap out of a snake that came flipping (yes, flipping and flopping not slithering) out of the pile. Where did the snake land you ask, well I'll tell you, right in my hands that were putting a little plant into the ground. So what did the snake do? It freaked out and started flipping around some more, making it difficult for me to get away from it (cause it was on me!!!!!). I totally bugged out and tumbled away screaming (some pretty nasty words too) and TJ stood there laughing.

No sympathy, not even an apology from TJ. I was shaking and jumpy for the rest of the day and he stuck with his earlier opinion that I am just ridiculous. I guess it doesn't help that we met on a camping trip in the Amazon Rain forest. He knows I can tolerate snakes, he has seen me do it. And he could care less that even though I can tolerate them it doesn't mean I want to.

Meh.

On my way to Paradise City Art Show!

Happy Memorial Day!

What do you think?

Okay, I can't decide, do you like the new background? I do, I'm just not sure how much. So I totally want your opinion!!!! Seriously, if you don't like it, tell me, I can take constructive criticism. Should it stay or should it go????

One things for sure, that hot bliggity blog tag in the corner is going to drive me bonkers! It's so ugly!

Giveaway Winner!

Favorite Finds - Weekly

1. ballerina flats by the generation

2.sprouting seedling by metalsmitten

3.the world of ferns by naturemandalas

4.chartreuse green and white blown glass vase by corporanglass

5.green branch needlebook by jewelweeds

6.unnamed by emeliajane

Giveaway!!!!

I'm so excited to share this weeks featured guest with you! Kassondra Amada is a wonderful artist that will be giving one super lucky reader the choice of any print from her shop, which is just awesome! Her shop features unique prints that provide a funky blend of people and animals printed onto some super cool paper making this some fabulous artwork. Personally, I love her work cause it is very original, which is just one of the many reasons this giveaway is soooo cool!


Here are some of my favorites from her shop!

Here is a little bit about Kassondra.

I've always had a passion for the eerie and different. I love all things animal, and try to incorporate that affection into my drawings. From nerdy folk with bird buddies, to humanoids with antlers, I like expressing the weird in me through my artwork. The interesting patterns and designs printed on the upcycled scrapbook paper perfectly accompany my not so conventional subjects. I try to keep my prices low so you can enjoy my art on the cheap! I'm so excited to show my stuff to the world, and to have an outlet that makes my art available for everyone to see, love, share and enjoy. 

Here's the links:
Website: http://kassondraamada.com/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kassondraamada
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kassondra-Amada/110793105619363

Here is how to win:

To enter you can do any of the following things:

1. Become a follower of my blog (mandatory to enter),

2. Take a peak at Kassondraamada and tell me what your favorite item is,
3. Follow Kassy on Facebook,
4. Follow me on Facebook,
5. Blog, tweet or Facebook about this giveaway,
5. Purchase anything from Kassy's shop and get 6 extra entries!

If you do everything above you can enter up to 13 times!!!! Fantastic right!?!

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.  
Ex. Blogged about giveaway entry #1
Blogged about giveaway entry #2, etc.


ALL ENTRIES MUST INCLUDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS. If you are selected and you did not post an email address, the prize will go to the next entry selected. 


Contest is open to everyone, overseas too!

Contest ends Thursday, June 3rd at 8pm.
Winner will be selected by a random number generator and announced on Saturday, June 5 so check back to see if it's you!

I'd like to introduce to you...

my newest project (yes, I am crazy). My new shop, The Dainty Ampersand, where you will find custom, hand stamped jewelry. Being a new shop, inventory is still pretty low. This type of jewelry is tough since it is mostly custom work, I can't just make a bunch of things to post, I need a purpose. So, I do promise to add more as I go. I have several more that I will add tonight and tomorrow, so be sure to check back.

And, since I like you all soooo much, I will be offering a 10% discount to anyone that mentions my blog with their order!

Here is a little taste of what I have in stock at the moment:

I invite you to come have a look! I am taking custom orders, so if you do not see what you want, just convo me and I will make it for you!

Have a great Wednesday!

Check back tomorrow for a new giveaway!!!

My Life In An Instant - Weekly

Daydreaming of...a cozy place for Rory and mommy to relax

vintage children's room - country living

swing bed - coastal living

looks sooo comfy - source unknown

via house to home

via country living

fairytale - source unknown

Enter this weeks giveaway here!

Impromptu Favorite Finds

Since I did not post a Favorite Finds on Friday, I thought I would give you a little sampler today since I did come across some pretty cool things last week.

I love croquet and who wouldn't want to play with a pretty, sparkly croquet set!

custom glittered croquet set by mintagehome

I want to go on a picnic, or to Tanglewood, with this little number

bent walnut picnic wine tote by tealandgold

I want this to hang on my porch and I want to spend every afternoon in it!

SwingBed by timlaursen

I want to look out my window and see beautiful bunches of wisteria swaying from a summer breeze

purple wisteria by heatherkingdesigns

I want to sip afternoon tea from this darling teacup

shelley maytime teacup and saucer from feathermar

Don't forget to enter this weeks giveaway!!!!

I would feel this way too!

Okay, okay, okay you might be feeling pretty neglected right now, I would if I were one of my readers. I'd totally be like what! No Favorite Finds post this week...but there is always a Favorite Finds post on Friday. What is going on? Where did she go? And you would be right in feeling this way and I am sorry. But hear me out.

Normally I would have this post  prepared days in advance, but this week I have been so busy that I just kept pushing it off and figured I'd get up on Friday and throw it together (kindly, with care and purpose of course). But I got up Friday and this is what I found...

the cutest baby ever! And since mommy was super busy all week she asked that instead of me sitting on the computer, we spend some good 'ole quality time together. And that is just what we did! We spent the morning snuggling and playing, with a few naps thrown in between for good measure, and then we took our beautiful selves out into the beautiful day for a while. We hit up the Lenox farmers market and our local cheese shop (one of my favorite places, cause it carries one of my most favorite things...cheese) and we visited the coffee house next door which provided mommy with the much needed iced latte to cool me off since I had my own personal furnace strapped to the front of me on this lovely 89 degree day. And we walked around our lovely little historic town, just us girls. Once we returned home we decided to do some more snuggling, read some stories and played together. And since someone, I won't name names, did their best to avoid their nap time all afternoon, the evening took a bit of a turn. I won't share details to protect the innocent and oh so cranky but it turned nightmarish.

So, I figured that since this was a cute little baby story with a picture of a cute little baby, you just couldn't get mad at my neglecting you, right? Next week I will post a super great Favorite Finds and I sincerely apologize to all of you. But this momma needed a day to just chill!

Now I am off to get back in the swing of things, list some new jewelry in my shop, work on my personalized jewelry shop (surprise!) and write an email to an old friend that I should have written several days ago (if your reading this I am so sorry!).

I hope you have a great weekend! I will be spending it getting my garden ready for planting and continuing to do some serious baby snuggling!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Giveaway!!!!

This week we have a featured guest here to add a little fun and unique style to your jewelry collection. Melissa from Mel's Art Buffet is offering one lucky reader a lovely necklace which she made exclusively for this giveaway. Her shop features unique threaded necklaces and bracelets that are set in handcrafted polymer shells at a great price. Each piece has a fun name like Carrot Coleslaw or Blue Sky Martini which both sound really good right now.

These are my favorites in her shop!

Blue Corn Tortilla Soup

Licorice Fluff

Walnut Stuffed Celery

Here is a little bit about Melissa.

My name is Melissa & I am the proud & hopeful owner of Mel's Art Buffet. Opening my Etsy shop was a huge step for me. I have enjoyed the site for so many years but was intimidated to take the leap. Mel's Art Buffet opened at the end of January 2010 & I couldn't be more pleased. The community has been so welcoming & friendly. It's a lovely home. 

I am an office manager for a residential appraisal company in Memphis, TN. I feel so lucky to work with friends & a staff that has become family over the many years. While I might be sitting at a desk all day, my mind is uncontrollably creating. I look forward to seeing my dog Cash at the end of each day & can't wait to start making something. My boyfriend and I are about to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. He is a wonderful man that has truly changed my life for the better. All is well in my little corner of the world, except needing more hours in the day, but who doesn't?

I have always had the need to make something, anything. Over the years I have concentrated my creative juices to focus primarily on jewelry. I started going to bead shows & making pieces for myself. And, one day it occurred to me, as my personal stash began to grow out of control, maybe someone else would like to wear this? I am self taught & anticipate learning the next technique which will undoubtedly lead to a world of possibilities.

Inspiration comes easy to me & I feel so lucky for this. My main inspiration is derived from food. I

know this sounds crazy but stick with me...Quite a few years ago, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease,

which means no gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, & oats. So, being on a restricted diet I

eat visually what I'm not allowed physically. I love to read recipes but more so I love to look at food

pics! Alluring food pictures & blogs are where I find major inspiration. I think food is beautiful & the

colors are simply pure & inspiring. I can look at a picture of pizza & draw three jewelry sketches.

So this is how Mel's Art Buffet blossomed, by combining my greatest loves in life food & art.

Links:

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/melsartbuffet

Ecrater Shop (my beaded jewelry): http://melsartbuffet.ecrater.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/melsartbuffet

Blog: http://melsartbuffet.blogspot.com

And this is what you can win!

"Black Pepper Shrimp"

My signature thread inlay is cocooned inside a polymer clay frame & strung on a black cord necklace strand. The pendant offers multiple possibilities as each side displays a different technique: Side A: Textured, covered with embossing powder, & protected with glaze / Side B: Bronze undercoat topped with black acrylic paint for a feathered effect & protected with glaze. The inlay has been treated & is water resistant, which means the occasional rendezvous with water will not harm the pendant (complete submersion is not deadly but should be avoided). The necklace cord can be easily removed & replaced with your own favorite chain if desired. 

Pendant: Length: ~3 in. / Width: ~2 ½ in.

Necklace Length: ~14 in.

Here is how to win:

To enter you can do any of the following things:

1. Become a follower of my blog,

2. Take a peak at Mel's Art Buffet and tell me what your favorite item is,
3. Follow Melissa's blog,
4. Blog, tweet or Facebook about this giveaway,
5. Purchase anything from Melissa's shop and get 6 extra entries!


If you do everything above you can enter up to 12 times!!!! Fantastic right!?!

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. 
Ex. Blogged about giveaway entry #1
Blogged about giveaway entry #2, etc.


ALL ENTRIES MUST INCLUDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS. If you are selected and you did not post an email address, the prize will go to the next entry selected. Contest is open to everyone, overseas too!

Contest ends Thursday, May 27 at 8pm.
Winner will be selected by a random number generator and announced on Saturday, May 29 so check back to see if it's you!

My Life In An Instant - Weekly

Daydreaming of...blowing in the wind

sun kissed by urban design

dandelion sails by mile marker

sunlit dandelion by addie designs

make a wish by raceytay

dandelion by aufilde

dandelion dreams by the bunny cage

Untitled by Christine Gill

As Promised!

Here are the pictures from our trip to Brimfield! I used my instax camera because I think the images are just the coolest!

Okay, so I have some news. I have been working from home for our local tennis association for a little extra money for a few months now. We have hit the busy season and I am just a little overwhelmed with all that is on my plate and only getting so much work done in a day around Rory's naps. Soooo, I have lined up a giveaway every week for the next month or two so that I can get through the tennis rush. I don't want you to feel neglected by my absence so I thought this might help you to still feel loved. Now I am still going to post as much as I can, this is just a way for me to organize and plan ahead for a little while. My weekly posts will still be up as scheduled, you will find something just about everyday so I ask you to bear with me and enjoy the free stuff!

Be sure to check back on Thursday for our first featured giveaway!!!!!