Crafty Friday – Father’s Day pt 1 May 28, 2010

Tie for Dad in Blue and Brown Stripes - Father's Day Card by LeftandRightCreate

Pssst… you there, you reading this. Did you realize that there is just over 3 weeks left to get in your father’s day shopping? I know, its freaking me out, also because my little girl will be turning 4 that day also! EEEEK.

Here are a few handmade items that will rock Dad’s world:

Tulipwood bottle stopper by MadMoravian

Naturalchess Ebony by naturalchess

FATHER and SON...................Short Sleeves fine jersey WHITE T shirt with BLACK and GREEN Stripes NECK Tie applique.............ADORABLE FATHER'S DAY GIFT by SuperSweetCreations

Funky Green Martini Olive Shaped Throw Pillow by SofaGarden

Coaster Set of 4, Ka Pow Word Bubble by pixiepaper

Dad Fridge Flair Magnets Set of 3 by StrangeCandy

Robot Resin Soap Dish by stuffbyxtine

Morning Wood for Men - Goat's Milk Soap by WickedSoaps

Crafty Friday – Retail Therapy for Under $5 May 14, 2010

Pretty Pink Posies - Pink Acrylic and Czech Red White Swirl Beads by JewelryBySherry

Pocket Mirror - Olive, Black, and White by SpotlightOnYou

Notebook Recycled Cover and Paper Unlined Set of 5 by comfortableshoes

Sweet Chocolate Paisley....Dog Collar Fabric Flower....SMALL by BowWowCouture

Fun Popcorn Soap by LoveLeeSoaps

Crafty Friday – Mother’s Day ideas for the new Mommy April 30, 2010

Bubble Gum Pink Rose Quartz Sterling Silver Necklace - Prom Queen by GlitzGlitter

Mother, Mom, Mum, Maman, Mutter, Muter, Nana, Moeder, Moer, Màna, Mère, Mommy, Màna, Makuahine, Anya, Fu, Máthair, Madre, Mamma, Okaasan, Haha, Uma, Matka, Mama, Mãe, Mat’, Tina..

it doesn’t matter how you say it, only how you show it:

Sterling and Copper Personalized Four Tag Necklace- Great Option for Mom of Three or Four by MamaBethBling

Wrist Key Chain - Key Fob Wristlet Keychain - Funky Dots by PuppyDogsNPolkaDots

Sales Ends May 9th...FREE SHIPPING on TaTa Tent (Nursing Cover) in Heather Bailey Pop Garden Roses by LucyJaneStudioThe NEW Mini Shopper - Notepad Clutch - Morning Glory by GetSassed

Nipstick by thespoiledmama

The NEW Mini Shopper - Notepad Clutch - Morning Glory by GetSassed

Crafty Friday – Closing of Earth Week April 23, 2010

Well everyone, as you know Earth day was yesterday and now that it is tucked neatly behind us I ask you: ‘what do you plan on doing?’. Does it roll past you and you forget about all that we’ve discussed, seen and thought about our planet earth? Or, do we try to hold onto it and celebrate our Earth and take care of it better in the coming year?

My personal opinion if you care to hear it: I believe in most of what we see on tv, we’ve destroyed this Earth and I believe we can never turn back to clock on the disaster we as humanity have created, we can only slow it down and gently try to heal it a little. There are so many painless tweaks we can do to our own personal habits, consumption, etc that will help in a big way. Mother Earth this year has been kicking our butt into submission, if we haven’t heard her loud and clear we should: huge earthquakes, tornadoes and now a volcano eruption stranding tons of people in other continents. Now those are natural disasters that have nothing to do with pollution, but maybe, just maybe someone is trying to tell us something? (insert evil earthy laugh here)

I can’t say I’m the biggest greenie out there, I have a lot of improvement to make and will still hold onto some bad habits out of the sheer inconvenience of others ( bicycling to every location with children & groceries in tow isn’t reasonable for me). I tend to believe many of these reusable grocery bags that people are toting at grocery stores are worse for the environment and are profitable for the stores them selves, leaving a huge carbon footprint through its journey from China over to our local chain. I think if we had just put more pressure on our local plastics manufacturers we could have made plastic bags which were biodegradable (plantable if you will) at a lower cost to our environment. Please people remember to wash your reusable bags if you put meats in them – they can become very unsanitary.

Ok – enough of the political – let’s get to some pretty earth friendly items from Artisans from all over:

organic eco friendly tea bags, set of three by thepeacefulpeacock

Eco friendly wash wipes by jessicalynnbabies

Cozy Patch Crayon Roll Up by BoutiqueKarma

Eco Friendly Save The Date Bookmarks- Branches by ajazwinski

20 Recycled Biodegradable Seedling Starter Newspaper Pots by RushofWings

Set of 3 Dish Scrubbies in Cool Waters by DeesKandB

Crafty Friday – Reflections April 15, 2010

My Blogfire team theme is Reflections this week and I wanted to incorporate it into a little Montage of cool items that I’ve found:

Sterling necklace - Reflected branches by electrofork

A Dog's Reflection of Life PRINT 8x10 by ArtgasmDesign

Reflections in the Pond Ring in Sterling Silver and Green Sapphire, Size 6 by Ggestalt

Business on the go by Viktor Kis

Cinderella. Love story, fairytale, whimsical, magical mirror necklace with swavorski crystal and rosebud by Japonicas

Rustic MIRROR, mirror on the wall - who's the fairest . . . by lichenwoods

"She Walks In Beauty" Classic Poetry Inscribed Ring . order in whole, half and quarter sizes . Add whatever poetry or phrase you like by Christen Largent

In a Pond Darkly - Fine Art Photo - Still Life - Macro - Square Format Photos by theeye

Crafty Friday – April Showers April 9, 2010

Bumbershoot. Earrings. by clevergirl

april showers may bring flowers by calobee

PLAYING IN THE PUDDLES - Red White Umbrella - Nickel Free Stud Earrings by TheFlibbertigibbet

Reusable Coffee Cuff - Spring Showers by boutiquekarma

Rain Cloud Artisan Sterling Silver Necklace Labradorite Iolite by popnicute

April Showers Letterpress Notes, Set of 5 by paperlovelypress

Puddle Jumping - Guinea Pig with Umbrella and Raincoat Art Print - 8 x 10 by WhenGuineaPigsFly

Crafty Friday – Cheers April 2, 2010

This weekend we have a lot to celebrate – Easter, Passover, and maybe even best of all SPRING! LOL   Today is Montreal we are having record temperatures and looking outside my window there are kids biking, adults lounging and even a couple in shorts & t-shirts practicing their golf swing on the front lawn. So lets gather around and pour ourselves a glass of vino (after noon of course!) and celebrate.

Cheers, salute, Na zdraví, Sláinte, Zum Wohl, L’chaim.. (now please let me know if any of these are wrong or if you’d like to add to this list!!)

Liquid Therapy Hand Painted Wine Glass by daisycandles50

Arctic Blue Acrylic Bottle Stopper by madmoravian

Bumpy Wine Charms Set of Four by steinbem

6 Bottle Reclaimed Barnwood Wine Rack by sawdusters

Wine Goddess Sign by CountryWorkshop

Crafty Friday – Kokopelli March 26, 2010

Many of you may know that pre-children I used to LOVE to read. Before work, during breaks, and after work you would always find a book in my hands. I would use almost every opportunity to wind myself and escape into the stories – many by popular authors and many unknowns. While in college a unique and fabulous book series was recommended to me by a great friend, she had read it for her anthropology course, Clan of the Cave Bear opened my eyes to a whole new genre of books. I read it with passion and have the complete set on my book shelf and intend to read it over some day when I can dedicate the time to it.

It took years for the magic of a historical book to capture me again. My mother in law recommended the book ‘She who Remembers’  and I fell in love with the characters, the story, the history and Kokopelli.  It was magical and special. Today’s theme is Kokopelli.

Many may not know of Kokopelli, but I’m willing to bet you’ve seen his image a million times without realizing the connection. Kokopelli is a fertility diety who is depicted as a humpback flute player. He was associated with many marriage rituals, spring, children and agriculture.

Southwest Plate Kokopelli by TheHeadsCreationSW

Green Tree Agate Handmade Seed Bead Choker Set by DancingWindDesigns

Vinyl wall art - Kokopelli by lostcabin

Crafty Friday – a touch of the Irish part 2 March 19, 2010

I had intended for this posting to go LIVE on Monday’s Montage feature. Sadly after the events of the Montreal’s Saint Patrick’s day parade I couldn’t bring myself to do a posting. I hope that the city will beef up security and that we as a community will use more caution and common sense next year and I hope that it is a grand party.

Now that days have passed I share with you these fabulous items from Etsy, Artfire and Icraft,  beautiful Saint Patrick’s day items and glorious greens.

Enjoy,

Tara

Kelly - Green, Carved Cinnabar Earrings - Perfect for Saint Patrick's Day by polishedtwo

St. Patricks Day Clover Headband by hootiebee

Lucky saint Patty's Day Letters by JCBloomingBoutique

Green Tetra Orb Keychain by RedPanda

Sterling Silver Almost Four Leaf Clover Mini Necklace - Just My Luck by BeadsInTheBelfry

Posh Legs by PoshPipsqueak

Baby Basics Sage Green Ring Sling by BabyEtte

Green Dragonfly Ceramic Pendant by Liquidambar

TREE OF LIFE - Peridot / GOLD VERSION by sammi84

Sweet Pea Pod - Fine Silver and 5 Pea Necklace by Artistic Creations

Green Man, Celtic Nature Spirit, handmade soap - Patchouli and Basil by sacredsuds

Crafty Friday – a touch of the Irish part 1 March 12, 2010

I’m a huge fan of St. Patrick’s day and used to make sure to be at the parade every year. Even in bad weather, or cold conditions I’d be there. Since having wee ones I haven’t been back as often. I think the last time I was there, my husband and I were part of the parade and I had a wee one in my belly. Walking down the street, handing out candy was a difficult waddle let me tell you.

This year on parade day I’ll be throwing my little guy his 2nd birthday party – sadly I’ll be missing it again. I’ll be showing my colors over the next week and flaunting my Irish heritage with green clothing, accessories and constantly sporting my Mug Huggers and coffee sleeve in my St. Patrick themed fabric.

While surfing through hundreds of items for this edition I found so many items that I wanted to showcase. So I decided to split up this ‘Touch of the Irish’ edition into two parts. I’ll post some more on Montage Monday. Enjoy – I know I did!

Jean Organizer Magnet- St Patrick Shamrock by sesideco

LUCK Clover - Scrabble Tile Pendant - Fun Affordable Gift - Inspirtational by jessejanes

Green Heart Felted Soap - Lavender Green by therainbowroom

Lucky Green Clover Shamrock Tea Cup Greeting Card by shesbattydesigns

ST. PATRICKS DAY SALE --- Silver Clover Necklace by DistinQue

Olive Floral City Quilted Tote by vabeachquilter

Happy - Go - Lucky Hairband. PERFECT FOR PADDY'S DAY by TanyaMac

NEW Nagy in apple green -medium- by bayanhippo

Coffee Cuff - Lucky Clover by BoutiqueKarma

0-3 Months Boutique Baby Pixie Newborn Infant Emerald Green POLKA DOT Hand Knit Hat by deusprovidebit

Lastly – you must check out this last body butter if only for its fabulous & unique description. I had a lot of fun when I read it!

Irish Promise - amazing body butter for St. Patrick's day by swanmountainsoaps