Meet My Talented Followers -3

This has been fun - I just love sharing my talented followers with you!

To be honest, its been awhile since I have browsed through their shops! With the summer now behind us, I am glad I've had the time to see what they all have been up to!! Enjoy!!

Horus the Cat Burglar Pincushion is created by Fat Cat Crafts!

This Fat Cat pincushion is only one of many fun, quirky & one-of-a- kind pincushions offered by this creative artist! They are so cute, I couldn't decide which one to feature! Looking for a smile?-- take a peek at her Etsy Shop!  http://www.fatcatcrafts.etsy.com/

Blog:  http://Fat-Cat-Crafts.blogspot.com/

Big Blue Bird on a Branch - Scrabble Tile Art Pendant Created by Pretty Whimsical!

I just love all the whimsical pendants that this creative artist offers in her shop! Of course birds always catch my eye, but I also love another pendant that says "No Coffee, No Work!"  that one is soooo me! Look for other sayings and quotes at

Etsy Shop: http://www.prettywhimsical.etsy.com/

Blog: http://www.prettywhimsical.blogspot.com/

RainCloud Original Oil Painting created by DeanDymentStudios

Lori Dean Dyment is a wonderful artist/printmaker. Her artwork can also be found on beautiful glass art pendants! 

Take a peek at her Etsy Shop:  http://www.deandymentsudios.etsy.com/

Blog:  http://www.ldeandyment-soIwasthinking.blogspot.com/

 **Check back soon for more great artists, their shops and blogs!   

 

Meet My Talented Followers -2

Here are a few more of my Talented Followers that I would love you to meet! I hope you enjoy seeing their work and take a moment to visit their shops and blogs!

Lovely Neutrals Flower Earrings Created by Will Oaks Studio

Karen creates gorgeous jewelry that reflects her love of nature. She always has something new and beautiful to see!

Visit her Etsy shop: http://www.willoaksstudio.etsy.com/

Blog: http://www.WillOaksStudio.blogspot.com/

Wire Pendant with Turquoise Beads Necklace created by Studio 618

Stop by her etsy shop for unique handmade modern jewelry and Judaica, using traditional metalsmithing techniques.

http://www.studio618.etsy.com/

Blog: http://studio618.blogspot.com/

Cable Knit Wrist Warmers created by Bijoux Boutique

A wide variety of wonderful knit wrist warmers are perfect for this cool fall weather!

Reversable drawstring sock bags and patterns can also be found in her shop.

Visit: http://www.bijouxboutique.etsy.com/

Blog: http://Bijouxboutique.blogspot.com/

**Check back soon to meet more of my Followers!

Meet my Talented Followers -1

This week, because of a computer glitch, I lost all of my Followers! I didn't realize how much I love opening up my blog and seeing their wonderful faces peering back at me!!

I am so happy they are back, I decided to feature their work here in the next several weeks! They are quite a talented bunch with wonderful blogs of their own. I hope you will enjoy this series!

I decided to start with several of my oldest Followers who have been with me since I began my blog! Thanks for your support guys!

Family Pendant by Mad Maggie Designs

Leslie is a wonderful jewelry artist.

This unique Family pendant is one of my favorite items she offers in her shop at Etsy!

Visit her Shop: http://www.madmaggiedesigns.etsy.com/

Blog: http://madmaggiedesigns.blogspot.com/

Urban Crow Photograghed by Julie Magers Soulen Photograghy 

Julie takes incredible photographs of the nature that surrounds her. I love this new photo she took from her recent trip to Seattle, Washington.

Visit her Etsy Shop: http://www.juliemagerssoulen.etsy.com/

Blog: http://juliemagerssoulen.blogspot.com/

October Ornament Sachet Hand embroidered by Rokstudy

Judy creates her 'Ju's Creations' by hand embroidering them without the aid of a machine! This sachet is perfect for the season!

Visit her Etsy Shop: http://www.rokstudy.etsy.com/

 Blog: http://www.juscreations.blogspot.com/

**Look for more of my Talented Followers in the days to come!!

Follower Glitch - Where did my Followers go?

This morning I realized that I lost my Followers! Where did they go? There's just an empty black space that once had the faces of my Followers!

After exploring the problem further, I discovered through several blogger threads that I am not alone! This mysterious problem has been happening to people since July! Many people are experiencing the same thing, or worse! Another curious thing some of us have in common is that as we click to find help, we find  a blogger that calls him/herself uGotCrossedSon or similar name. You can not click on him, and all links are deadends.

As of now, there seems to be no solution from Blogger.

If anyone has this problem report it to this thread.  After searching all morning, it seems to be the only place I can find that offers a way to give information to help Blogger figure out this problem -  http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=3c3340dbeaf28344&hl=en

There is a link on this thread to a spread sheet you can fill out to help Blogger investigate the problem!

Although I find comfort that I am not the only one with this problem, I am now concerned that this is not just a little glitch! This seems to obviously be some sort of hacker.

I have to apologize to all my followers if you are inconvenienced in any way! I hope to see your smiling faces back on my blog soon!

Fall Love Birds!

Inspired by my love for birds, it's only natural that I would create a "Love Bird" Bracelet and Earrings, just in time for the fall!! These treasures have been created with copper and Swarovski crystals!

Nature, with a touch of sparkle ~ Perfect!

Scrumptious Autumn Acorns!

These gorgeous acorns are made of marzipan!

I was so surprised these wonderful acorns were edible! I stumbled upon them while browsing through Martha Stewarts Weddings. Who can resist anything that Martha and her Staff creates!! They were suggested to be served at a fall wedding, but I think they would be a hit at any fall event! They look so festive sitting on colorful pressed autumn leaves just waiting to be served to guests on trays or at a dessert table. I just love them!!

The marzipan acorns were tinted with a light green food color, and the cap was created by dipping the top in dark chocolate then dipped in chocolate sprinkles!

They are just a delightful treat!

For more details visit: MarthaStewartWeddings.com

I just may try to make them for Thanksgiving!

Carmel Latte Earrings!

The beautiful rich colors of these earrings reminded me of the fall and a luscious Carmel Latte!

Oh Feathers! These are Gorgeous!

Majestic Peacock Feather Earrings
Created by Bionicunicorn

http://www.bionicunicorn.etsy.com/

Feather and Copper Wire Earrings

By FunkyMatilda

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24695890

Feather and Hammered Bronze Wire Earrings

By FunkyMatilda

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25375011

Exotic Feather Earrings

Created by Wildspirits

Exotic Feather Earrings

Created by Wildspirits
http://www.wildspirits.etsy.com/

Pond Comes to A Temporary Halt!

We ran into a few problems with the waterfall!

It's been leaking somewhere!

This has not been an easy project compared to the installation of our pond in the front yard! However, when it's finally completed, it will be well worth it!

This weekend my husband and I decided to dismantle the waterfall and try to fix the problem. We think the liner was not laid high enough in several areas, allowing water to escape!

Meanwhile, the wildlife in our yard have been busy investigating this new addition to our yard! Birds are stopping by to bathe and drink and a little toad has been hopping around, a bit curious too! I haven't seen the chipmunks or squirrels visit yet, but I'm sure they've been there!

We now have three frogs living in the pond! They all seem to love floating around on the water lettuce or sitting on the water hyacinth roots! (Too cute!) They have become accustomed to having us around, and just happily sit there as we work around them, patiently waiting for us to finish their little paradise! :-))

The kids purchased 3 goldfish that quickly acclimated themselves to the pond. Once this project is completed, we will buy Koi fish to join our family! Unfortunately, the Koi from our front pond grew to 2' and then were eaten by a passing hungry blue heron! I was so upset! Since then, I created a safe area under water by using an old plastic crate. I cut out some of the cross bars on each side of the crate so the fish can swim in and out easily. It is topped with a flat stone and a wire frog. I don't think a heron or raccoon can reach them----- so far they have been safe! We did the same thing in our new pond. The crate sits on the bottom of the pond 3' below the surface of the water.

Our pretty goldfish seem quite happy swimming around in their new surroundings. They have been a bit shy, staying towards the bottom of the pond and close to the crate! However, they will soon learn that I am the source of their food and greet me with open mouths!! :-0

I'm really hoping we can finish up this project shortly. My husband is anxiously waiting to start putting up our annual ice rink!!

J'Adore Tien Blog Award

What a nice way to start the week after a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! I feel very honored to be chosen for the J'Adore Tien Blog Award by Laurie LeBlanc-Rickaby of Made by Swirlygirl. (I believe J'Adore Tien Blog = I Love Your Blog!) Laurie creates beautiful notecards that incorporate her gorgeous photography. She also has a beautiful blog herself, called Made by Swirlygirls's Side Lines!


I'm suppose to name 5 things I love and then forward the award to 10 of my favorite blogs.

5 Things I Love

* I love my three children more than anything! Each child is so special, adding a unique dimension to my life. They are growing up fast, but when they smile at me it still warms my heart!

* I love the beach! Everything about the beach is wonderful, the sun, the smell of the ocean, the sound of the seagulls, waves crashing, and the hunt for a great shell or piece of sea glass.

*I love to laugh with my friends!

*I love to be outside and catch a glympse of a new bird or butterfly I haven't seen before, and listen to the birds as I work in my garden

*I love God and thank him everyday for the world he has created, my family, friends and all the other things He has blessed me with!

Ten of My Favorite Blogs

Elsa Mora

Life, Craftiness, and Everything Else

Will Oaks Studio

Sweet Bead Studio

7 Art Studio

Eugena's Creations

Fat Cat Crafts

jbEbert

For the Love of Cute

Jessie Jane's

Pond Construction -Part Three

Over the past week we have been busy collecting rocks, digging the trench for the electric wire, and working on creating the waterfall. This part is quite time consuming! I'm soooo glad the kids are doing this!!

We can't thank enough, the parents of my son's girlfriend for so generously allowing us to collect the rocks we needed for the waterfall from their old farm stone wall. The stone is natural rock from our area and aged to perfection! This turned out to be a real treasure since many of the rocks were covered with moss, which I just love!! The boys worked hard to carefully sort through the stones on the wall to make sure they picked out an assortment of sizes without disturbing the integrity of the wall. We decided to name the waterfall after this wonderful family!

We had to make several trips to get the stone because of their weight. During one trip the boys worked in a heavy down pour, determined to finish the job! Looking like two drowned rats, I just had to bake them some warm chocolate chip cookies when we got home!

Once we had all the stone laid out' we decided it would be easier to work on the waterfall with some of the water emptied from the pond. The next morning, we found a little frog sitting on a flat rock in the pond looking like he was ready to move in- but wondering what happened to the water! For now, we had to move him away from the pond so the boys didn't accidentally step on him while working! Hopefully he'll stick around until the pond is completed ---- I think he'll be very happy!

After digging a trench for the waterfalls and stream, approximately 18" wide and 8-12" deep, it was lined with newspaper and a rubber liner like the pond. The boys began placing large stones for each of the four steps that drop into the pond. It's important to get the rocks in the proper position so they look as natural as possible.

Once the large stones were in, they built up the sides of the stream and waterfall using a variety of stones, always trying to face the moss side out so we can enjoy it! Large rounded river rock was used to line the bottom of the waterfall pools.

Now it was time to seal the sides of the stream and waterfalls with a foam sealant especially made for ponds. (non-toxic to fish and wildlife) This is to seal any water from going under the stones, forcing the water to run over the rock steps. (In the picture to the right, you can see how they sealed the cracks between rocks.) Use the foam sparingly, it seems to grow to twice its size! Luckily it can be shaved down once it's dry! Needless to say, the boys were a bit heavy handed and we went through several cans of this foam!

We bought Japanese Garden Stone to line the perimeter of the pond. They are a very similar color to our local rock and quite flat, which makes it easy to lay.

A level was used to help keep us on track as we moved along the pond. Soil and small stones helped us to adjust the stones where needed. My son transplanted some of the moss from the shady areas of our lawn, and put it in between the stones, this will be a work in progress as we search for moss!

We bought a pump that was powerful enough to pump the amount of the water we have in the pond up the slope to the waterfall filter and spillway. To figure this out you need to know how many gallons your pond has (length x width x depth) and the vertical height of the waterfall ( pond surface to top of waterfall)

Most of the pumps will say how many gallons and vertical height it will pump on the box.

We still have alot of fine tuning and little details to do on the pond. Plants need to be replanted around the pond once we know we've conquered leaks here and there! It's beginning to shape up!

We couldn't resist adding some water plants. Our frog came back and quickly became king of the pond as he floats around on the water lettuce!

The kids named him Kermit!

Today we had 10 crows trying to figure out how to drink from the pond! Six of them were bathing in the shallow end all together --wish I had my camera handy!! I can't wait to watch the wildlife beginning to discover this new found jewel in our backyard!

Check back soon for the completion of our pond!