Tuesday, June 30, 2009

OMIGOSH! A Flying Pixie!!!





She flies! Watch out! I should say, she's learning to fly! She doesn't have anybody here who is a particularly good fly-er, so she has to learn on her own. So she keeps climbing up on tables and chairs and kitchen counters - and jumping! Her little wings go flappity-flappity-flap, and she actually stays up for a little while, then - crash!



I have to say, she is very brave.


Her name is Fiona. She's a hand knitted pixie-fairy. She's knitted from a mix of organic cottons, and wool/cotton blends. She's stuffed with clean carded wool. She has a flower in her hair, with neat and tidy (most of the time) little curls. She has a sweetly embroidered face, so she is safe for all ages - no buttons!


And - best of all - you can purchase her right here at my blog - look over to the right!

Please let me know if you have any questions! I do hope Fiona finds a good home, with lots of supervision while she learns to fly.



:0)








Sunday, June 28, 2009

Studio Petite - an Etsy Shop Feature




Studio Petite captures my imagation.







The low down on Studio Petite:


(In her own words...)

I'm a published commercial freelance artist living and working out of a small studio apt. in NYC. Hence the name "Studio Petite". Random facts: I love cats and dogs equally, I have more coffee than blood running through my veins, I'm left handed, and I eat cake with a spoon;) I also adore meeting other creative hearts, or just all around beautiful souls!






This shop is just waiting to be discovered.



This reminds me of a wonderful and quirky quilt, that I would wrap myself in and be joyful.


At Studio Petite, you can find prints, greeting cards, brooches, and original works of art.





Please visit Studio Petite, I know you will fall in love!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Life in Tucson Arizona

rYesterday morning, (a wonderfully cloudy - very unusual- day) I went outside to take some pictures of new items for my Etsy shop. I looked over at my horses, and all three were watching something. They were on super-alert - horses are prey animals (hunted in the wild), so are very aware that something might be out to get them.


This time, it was a coyote. Coyote's rarely bother the horses, and they are very used to them. I wish I could have grabbed a picture of the 3 of them, with their heads high and ears pricked for danger.



I grabbed my camera, thinking, well, at least I can get a pic of the coyote, who at that point was trotting right through the back of the arena. I dashed down the driveway, and snuck around the side of the garage.



RATS! Coyote was gone, and I terrified my horses! They all scattered and ran!






Once they saw it was only me, they calmed right away.



Silly horses.





Dozer pooped. Dozer always poops. I know the arena looks poopy. We have a giant pooper spreader rake thingy, and my husband does it every week or so. It's due to be done.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Natural Kids Giveaway Winner!


Random.org chose #15 - Paula H is the winner of the Natural Kids Giveaway #5!


Please check back in a few weeks for the Natural Kids Giveaway #6!


Thanks to all who entered!


Friday, June 19, 2009

Rotten Tomatoes




What is happening to my tomatoes? Is it bugs eating them? Lizards? The plants are growing, it hasn't been burning hot yet (next thursday it's supposed to be up to 106, gag puke vomit), but look what happens to very single tomato.


Am I doing something wrong? Don't they have enough water? Sun? WHAT?? Are birds eating them?

This damn desert.

In Philadelphia, we used to have so many tomatoes we could feed the entire neighborhood. Not that I'd WANT to feed my neighbors here (not fond of my neighbor next door, one day I'll write about that), but at least I'd like to eat a tomato that I grew myself. Like in the old days.














These are squash plants. And there are some baby squashes growing. Are they going to rot too? Or get eaten?


In case you didn't see my previous post about veggie gardening - I decided to plant in pots in my courtyard - away from marauding bunnies, javelinas, etc.


Not having much luck.



:0(




My friend Cathy gave me some of these plants - and they bloom everyday, in a corner of my courtyard. My office looks out onto the courtyard. And they're propogating...yay. I have no idea what they're called.








This is my pretending to be living in Philadelphia, with 'normal' flowers blooming. Note the cactus behind them.



We do have big trees on this property - mesquite trees.

So if anybody can tell me what is happening to my tomatoes, I'll be very grateful....

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Name This Horse!!



We rescued a horse. She's been here for almost two weeks now, and we keep calling her 'the new horse'. We have to decide on a name - so I decided to ask for some help!


Here's the background -


She's a 24 year old mare (girl). She was a broodmare for much of her life (she had lots of babies). She was born in Missouri. She was starved at one time, and was found eating her own manure (poop) with her newborn baby at her side. She is an Appaloosa. Her coloring is a brown roan - it looks like brown over white, with faint spots. She loves to be sprayed with water. (Really, it's hysterical). She's headstrong, which probably means she has never had a ton of training. But she'll do whatever you ask her to do. I had 2 students on her last night, bareback. I do not think she would ever kick or buck.


Her name was Fancy. But she's not Fancy. Because she's an Appaloosa, my son suggested calling her Apples. (horses love apples, too). I also have thought about Lily (our ranch is named Valley Green, so she would be Lily of the Valley), or Dusty (thinking about keeping the 2 syllables with a Y at the end), or Brownie (warm and sweet and brown).

What do you think? We are open to any and all suggestions!
Your choice of either free knitted acorn from Woolies, or a free Admit One Cat, or scrabble tile pendant from Buster and boo, if we choose the name you suggest~!

Natural Kids Giveaway - #5 !!!




Another in the series!

The Natural Kids is a team of Etsy shops that create items for Kids using natural materials.

These truly are heirloom pieces that your children will reach for again and again.



This is a bendy doll from Princess Nimble Thimble.


She's 2.5" tall and is a $10 value

Materials: wool felt, cotton threads, wooden bead, stainless steel and cotton chenille stem, nontoxic glue, nontoxic paints, nontoxic sealer, real acorn cap, chiffon fabric.







These are needle felted wool fairies from OritDotanDolls. You can read more about this item here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15323472

In Orit's words:

These needle felted wool fairies, these art dolls are friends to anyone who owns them.They are sitting in a part of dry tree fruit that measures 3in height and 4in width.You can place the tree fruit on a desk or hang it.The two little blessing fairies measured 6in high, made of super fine merino wool that colored with ecological colors [without heavy metals].You can enjoy their gentle and beauty.They decorate and bring good atmosphere.


These are valued at $30.



The Rules:

Visit each shop.


Princess Nimble Thimble


and


Oritdotandolls


Come back here, and leave a post with your favorite item from each shop.


This Giveaway will run for 2 weeks, and end on June 21st.


You MUST leave an email address for me to reach you.



Have fun! Enjoy all the beautiful items that these shops offer!



To search for other amazing Natural Kids items on Etsy - click here:


http://tinyurl.com/oxo4nh



Have a great day!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

winner!!!


We have a winner of the latest Natural Kids Giveaway - Jinxyandme!


Congrats to Jinxyandme - and thanks to all who entered! New giveaway will start tomorrow - check back!