tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68133938815256904962024-03-13T21:14:51.956-07:00Made by SwirlyGirl's Side LinesA picture is worth a thousand words...
and I have something to say.Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-4463017838453434562011-07-12T11:33:00.000-07:002011-07-12T12:02:26.863-07:00More Etsy FavoritesI'm still loving the activity feed on Etsy! The thumbnails of new items and of the favorites in my circle grab my eyes and lead me to discover new artists that give me a burst of inspiration whenever time allows. I would love to share a few of my newest discoveries with you:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6813393881525690496"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zR3ItlxLOJ6gbhNCS_nPDtVZhNymTPBKX4ax7NYDnZLwgfYNjTmXJwfkAu2CDdLRd4hCXZ765im7R_O2iTsky0dnPoQm1Z3G7gHDmCPkc3e4p_UViFXhQqmNomeMDFXrX8OiSXWkOte8/s400/il_570xN.253108093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628537545820571234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74028690/dreaming-comes-easily-30-x-50-5-gallery"></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrancescaWhetnall?ref=seller_info">FrancescaWhetnall</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74028690/dreaming-comes-easily-30-x-50-5-gallery"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xO5_Y-5X1fKfpFdwYDDD-MJITb5ekjPplj2UzyBW-otklbPSnwPmbG794GsqLt3uUptZcuh370c4y6xD6bFmRMlnNokEyScUmHqqmnlGwG_yarwP5aJMjmbbhlk0KyxcwVlYmGWizohp/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628539805008360130" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74028690/dreaming-comes-easily-30-x-50-5-gallery">AmyGiacomelli</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77413095/lovers-first-kiss-modernist-surreal"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqG3rScbiprenyaEQoKuYOPkehv7SIBMAsu8efTgCUuH1skDOqq5WHyxPKVhmzQic_lgirfZ1BOaMT3X9wAq7O6ZJKqmODixdGh3eaTk8DGBD1l0t17JvUJpb01SHVbrLBQrFvIlNyGkB/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628538263081914018" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheModernistArtist?ref=seller_info">TheModernistArtist</a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68910308/orange-slice-chihuly-16x48-contemporary"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0pqRMBE_02H0XV2aBhOmDuceHZ1to-VB7ZmLMUMyL1HMTxcekGhwfkQ7NhDS2Lq2OTeBnbIimO7hS8DaZJUsXSMUAfN8svbdpYqE3jYWcqqlUfYfxqYCdFyCVwUd7M8AjP2xOiukyRQH/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628540929001258370" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WallArtPhotos?ref=seller_info">WallArtPhotos</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you check out these artists and their wonderful shops!<br /><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl, too!</a><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-75218088637708609562011-07-09T19:55:00.000-07:002011-07-09T19:58:16.320-07:00Back to the BeginningWhen I began creating cards for myself and for family, I did so with handmade papers I had purchased at a local art supply store. I fell in love with their paper section and loved how I could use small pieces of large sheets and make a big impression, making the beautiful paper last seemingly forever. My sister's mother-in-law lives in Nepal and makes yearly visits home to California and for several years would bring back these beautiful papers to give to me, for which I was extremely grateful. Not only was she able to bring me colors that I couldn't find here, but even the bags they came in were made from handmade paper which I found uses for.<br /><br />After several years, I moved on to photo art and stopped pulling out my papers except for personal card use. Well, for the last few months I have been looking at those papers and hearing them call me and finally sat down yesterday for a little play time with them. I loved working with them---beautiful colors, textures, prints...it's been too long. So, for as long as this is satisfying my creative urge, I will continue to make my cards using these beautiful treasures from near and far and have reopened the section in my shop called "Threads and Shreds". I have a feeling my piles of fine fabric remnants will be calling to me soon, too, and the results (Threads) will be joining these paper creations (Shreds). I hope people enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77452465/around-the-world-handstamped-paper-card?ref=v1_other_2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqyB4VCCWKWnU776pXE4V9pOn39aXHbpLWnats2-1wp-KiK8iZfZzcPPPXF3syoN_PLMVqpgXVgmXgpDIZqdfknSlhCmHktufA1xMvsS9Jr72jV1_lPl3ZQGYjC1aohd5nDXbgfzEbbgg/s400/IMG_1169.JPG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627549178753952658" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77453260/groovy-nepalese-small-gift-enclosures"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOYgiOnax8PL3rSSz9YvvZx2qvlK9CkwBlYwuXbjJuNBOFhbXGWgNKh7OdNOsTJpLuqX3084E_A5hJvNdTP-gojFpkVviMEfXbuzCI4R_rUAAdi2KP9X6KvAXZMLzDysF6TV6PeXJj28v/s400/IMG_1186.JPG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627549182218298882" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77452931/feels-so-good-blank-card-set?ref=v1_other_2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDty2PkUKtaYhM56B1ALJctfrKThKesLQhm5S-ahhW3TiyYGuH_i4V8vx7kF4Vk68cf3iLF3BhY0mjuqU34ZsMyxxg8iImnnB5a18FM8XLSpO6hq4OjzkuJI2hxCf0aqVwEM_rcW9jfBC/s400/IMG_1172.JPG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627549174858195282" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebyswirlygirl?ref=seller_info"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebyswirlygirl?ref=seller_info">Made by SwirlyGirl has lots of other fun stuff, too! </a></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-14775580090484402152011-06-28T12:06:00.000-07:002011-06-28T12:15:36.048-07:00Happy Birthday to My Daughter!In honor of my daughter's 15th birthday, I've created a treasury of lovely items that I know that she'd love---and even a couple that she <span style="font-shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftyle: italic; font-weight: bold;">may</span> be getting for her birthday! <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Happy Birthday, my beautiful daughter!! </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc3OTI5M3wzODg5MTE1Mzk/happy-birthday-daughter"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjf5J9JNareIenHEhyfzv_ukkQzbrFIT5CgNZouVUgDKgMqI0y5V73a4Fb_ypCigRJKKlwUK_B4BU3kVoPfldJLyDw4heYimrtLkdqNGT7UBv-9aTlNy625WEaSpZDN8Z49-4cD2H9oxX/s400/Project1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623350983457853522" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com"><span style="font-size:85%;">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl, too!<br /></span></a></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-51373823144440021642011-06-03T22:24:00.000-07:002011-06-03T22:53:41.584-07:00Of Poets, Prophets, and Madmen...I've been experimenting with digital collage lately, but didn't know what I was going to do with this new medium. My husband, <a href="http://brettrickaby.com">Brett Rickaby</a>, has been writing (poetry, stories, plays, screenplays...) for as long as I have known him and didn't know what he was going to do with his growing collection. A few days ago he decided that he was going to start a blog and share some of his poetry and writing. I had used several of his poems as inspiration for my collages. Voilá! A new collaboration between us was born in <a href="http://poetsprophetsandmadmen.blogspot.com/">Of Poets, Prophets, and Madmen</a>.<br /><br />In truth, this is Brett's blog, and if and when I have a collage to add, we will do so. He is prolific, however, and I cannot keep up with him! That said, we LOVE collaborating. This is not the first time we have joined together artistically. In fact, we work well together whenever we get the opportunity.<br /><br />Here are a couple of my collages, linked to the blog posts that they accompany. I hope that you enjoy them, as well as my husband's poetry. Maybe one day we will share some of the amazing love poetry that he has written for me over the years. As you may be able to tell, I'm his biggest fan!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://poetsprophetsandmadmen.blogspot.com/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXERw6JxIuNzqrxUjfFyF8JBvw3vXG_pIRC4py0S5XMD1nzQ43DhXU0_bIMTa8xyaEEPrKpopotn-fTaGCW-mTwkHEdUryEL4j6DrFt5mYOBBu39zGua2SG-hwhAS6MrZ7SL6CqCrQKvIh/s400/IMG_4657.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614236603821986018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://poetsprophetsandmadmen.blogspot.com/2011/05/silence-calls.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3hHR5D7s35Z0bSb6x-KChog7Yav58ObKqC0WqWpXnXixk3IGKy5A2rDFwclzMposRghFlaMazVOivDaSYjUrOlOErXOydnU-vwSZiW_Me1BFT3bVq7EmtYXSSVVhrjcKjMJsT05jsCnl/s400/Silence+Calls+5+framed+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614236611181306130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://poetsprophetsandmadmen.blogspot.com/2011/06/gratitude.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopcjQteYGfZCpSLcZp1sE8V2KKXsBN2kroHw4S5xjg_tw_sCXucfCcR1SZf5ja3b4rDB4NLQI-tB-IKFQPcGC-ZzPCWOhAUbj_gAI3Bee_f9Cm41E8aDYFB8HTPFf0LJO16wqM4jMMwUr/s400/IMG_7349+more+hummingbird%252C+less+gold+framed+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614236620371004130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl on <a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com">Etsy</a> and <a href="http://mbsg.redbubble.com">RedBubble</a>, too!<br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-979902185931085252011-05-27T09:49:00.000-07:002011-05-27T10:29:11.238-07:00Food for the Spirit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpG6gYwMTfzVP1R29yIt32PVkk5ccRRnPHCspUrqgNSOzm2Na-9FMX_oMSe4nMd3edSCuvGHfRzCdnUxwxDGaQumh8mVtDFi1ZscZ9r44Tw5EyjutXh9nEK-4SwANCmmCOR31rsqcdvJh/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpG6gYwMTfzVP1R29yIt32PVkk5ccRRnPHCspUrqgNSOzm2Na-9FMX_oMSe4nMd3edSCuvGHfRzCdnUxwxDGaQumh8mVtDFi1ZscZ9r44Tw5EyjutXh9nEK-4SwANCmmCOR31rsqcdvJh/s400/IMG_0410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611443943979436882" border="0" /></a><br />My husband and I love to take our daughters on road trips. They don't have to be far in distance, but it is nice when we feel like we've really gotten away----even if it is just for an afternoon. Sometimes we splurge and spend a night, maybe two, at a motel so that we can fully enjoy our surroundings and explore a little bit. Last weekend was one of those such road trips. Having fallen in love with Sequoia National Park during an overnighter last May, we couldn't wait to return, and we got to explore King's Canyon National Park, which connects to Sequoia National Park from the north end, as well.<br /><br />These drives are so rejuvenating for us (even while our bodies rebel at being in the car for hours on end). Such beauty surrounding us at all elevations and the opportunity to get out and take photos, feeling a greater connection to the amazing offerings before us...it is what the spirit needs every once in a while!<br /><br />There is so much to see in this wonderful world we live in. Not everyone lives near Sequoia/King's Canyon National Park, but the beauty is everywhere in different forms. I encourage anyone who is feeling uninspired to venture out into their surroundings and see them in a way you never have before. Take a camera and look very close and from a distance. It can be life changing and healing, and almost always inspiring.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNHFlv4zW836GBhjxLzADLSua8Tn_pKrXzlI7LYiWjPI2blHeKPNsQDt0CXJNeZOS8AoKrrd-PfitL9VfpsUAu9bkkSEPBm_bFh_KGc1RWpi2Pg6_Uz94eOpqU2zOi7eMzcXTn7OUAPoC/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNHFlv4zW836GBhjxLzADLSua8Tn_pKrXzlI7LYiWjPI2blHeKPNsQDt0CXJNeZOS8AoKrrd-PfitL9VfpsUAu9bkkSEPBm_bFh_KGc1RWpi2Pg6_Uz94eOpqU2zOi7eMzcXTn7OUAPoC/s400/IMG_0137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611447160521352050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCQAtrV1JCSkFiCxI5DqOQXJjsN319VSk9VlvJdiLPFu-U7UPoMQ3Tuhpn0QY2YNnKXHYX1Ntx0oQPLKeTlZuHrk96owqKy8Ax1khHRY3yDBD7iNSr1Wb9SrIVepoD2OvBedNEN1KCkP9/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCQAtrV1JCSkFiCxI5DqOQXJjsN319VSk9VlvJdiLPFu-U7UPoMQ3Tuhpn0QY2YNnKXHYX1Ntx0oQPLKeTlZuHrk96owqKy8Ax1khHRY3yDBD7iNSr1Wb9SrIVepoD2OvBedNEN1KCkP9/s400/IMG_0727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611446082711062274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol-IGEFryGq39K8c2tgxzsY6Gvi-yEPZ0hruNi_6dMRVbr_aDXdtipnlhAPBh4UkZSHP2Jzw9voKVzuHv_XusOskO11HpaGKzowqanzX-k75X1NDd56CJy_4r88CVmbutvpj2n1YOcPIP/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol-IGEFryGq39K8c2tgxzsY6Gvi-yEPZ0hruNi_6dMRVbr_aDXdtipnlhAPBh4UkZSHP2Jzw9voKVzuHv_XusOskO11HpaGKzowqanzX-k75X1NDd56CJy_4r88CVmbutvpj2n1YOcPIP/s400/IMG_0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611447167455132466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OAhaDE5Iv6AEqzp4YzVZtQpe-MwUACGtnTn9wDNMtzGufmqyEqxng8KkWPf5WHaBkntiIgpi0OtVA1HEZkOFvwDIe9A6aUixGBnIHe20ZjH4N4p5iV9wfuug5qo9KKNnSTGbr5HtxX2j/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OAhaDE5Iv6AEqzp4YzVZtQpe-MwUACGtnTn9wDNMtzGufmqyEqxng8KkWPf5WHaBkntiIgpi0OtVA1HEZkOFvwDIe9A6aUixGBnIHe20ZjH4N4p5iV9wfuug5qo9KKNnSTGbr5HtxX2j/s400/IMG_0708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611446080803383746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tj6FbzFaIULi3ewnMrdYkStKMRzNnoBsNXXcmEooEC4BuNJ_u9EeiL7eKMRaIkXhZfDEzXvSbjqHTg4JchWJgqYfDmvz3gH7jcfidPY5EZDzsx7GIMkA8XmxwgkdSBoyuLprNi4oHRtG/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tj6FbzFaIULi3ewnMrdYkStKMRzNnoBsNXXcmEooEC4BuNJ_u9EeiL7eKMRaIkXhZfDEzXvSbjqHTg4JchWJgqYfDmvz3gH7jcfidPY5EZDzsx7GIMkA8XmxwgkdSBoyuLprNi4oHRtG/s400/IMG_0411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611446071868860722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7QYWUBNsG9VQygbf9OcByTzj_HjwzNI2BKJajsVgHC37GDi5r-l91XG7fDEoDPQWg1FU_-nNmNXn1f6bAx-EVOu1GhTx-QuLiWtLgWM4-Mr3fD57SQBw9sUkwPPw-O-FHlObq2uO6cRM/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7QYWUBNsG9VQygbf9OcByTzj_HjwzNI2BKJajsVgHC37GDi5r-l91XG7fDEoDPQWg1FU_-nNmNXn1f6bAx-EVOu1GhTx-QuLiWtLgWM4-Mr3fD57SQBw9sUkwPPw-O-FHlObq2uO6cRM/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611446063997496658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YQKEcfP710EigJ2peou1f1YKqBdX6eVwjCgL2CwArby7YW8kchBJ9V8bj0wkbWeUhxHoJjOmD_dwWRnIsn3AKp8qs9MNDA1BAcnHN3JNcr2mQYoWNMsyu01tWjLwS5mVxv1V9NXxkcS6/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YQKEcfP710EigJ2peou1f1YKqBdX6eVwjCgL2CwArby7YW8kchBJ9V8bj0wkbWeUhxHoJjOmD_dwWRnIsn3AKp8qs9MNDA1BAcnHN3JNcr2mQYoWNMsyu01tWjLwS5mVxv1V9NXxkcS6/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611446088079777890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_sstVuRdY6QpPlAkvd_4D2febaoi-ClxqjEqVmZZHVzQvHDVZ3SgDJGBdRC4yUZJ8O4-jaP-j4FQNdEdoK9AcoUgtWWepLzLtzIWlEU-bs1fb6221aM9nSb9TRmeDgNa_cfMTDEKilzj/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_sstVuRdY6QpPlAkvd_4D2febaoi-ClxqjEqVmZZHVzQvHDVZ3SgDJGBdRC4yUZJ8O4-jaP-j4FQNdEdoK9AcoUgtWWepLzLtzIWlEU-bs1fb6221aM9nSb9TRmeDgNa_cfMTDEKilzj/s400/IMG_0401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611443939665613378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzE0VWcm4l0HMr5VxhacOItE5b-zNT8feqxbnuERmwZRzdbTx6AjxWV9GZ2kFB_gQ13h3-PsommIKOqeozEDeMuHD6G4ANAmaJ98uItSrE3hoXgNRpKTtcfS7R4IqdzwBGdKzWoEtttND/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzE0VWcm4l0HMr5VxhacOItE5b-zNT8feqxbnuERmwZRzdbTx6AjxWV9GZ2kFB_gQ13h3-PsommIKOqeozEDeMuHD6G4ANAmaJ98uItSrE3hoXgNRpKTtcfS7R4IqdzwBGdKzWoEtttND/s400/IMG_0140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611443933585102962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iVygBdTQ8YtGoZrts2Qx-NFPzzAEUO1z53Wa6QxnjJKKHST1CVvkLok_7VHAsiqqoSpor0DmfZJgK5m_hwgtikMMl6ONM4MhIjD3LqoskmpsABcjhZpvc2bfztFwDm2RTLBjIQ7zKaO4/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iVygBdTQ8YtGoZrts2Qx-NFPzzAEUO1z53Wa6QxnjJKKHST1CVvkLok_7VHAsiqqoSpor0DmfZJgK5m_hwgtikMMl6ONM4MhIjD3LqoskmpsABcjhZpvc2bfztFwDm2RTLBjIQ7zKaO4/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611443927834480930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosQJxvMnhY5OuwpQzpEmG3dtnFOGEk3b9gzy72GTrCDvVVuWP0IrY8dzaCL0u315apOspB7-5dcOO0M9zLy6E4iPilNyKgFvk_ugI2DYVy32b0z2lpLcQlBl4xDYn9ATzq8iiJkIYtHRq/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosQJxvMnhY5OuwpQzpEmG3dtnFOGEk3b9gzy72GTrCDvVVuWP0IrY8dzaCL0u315apOspB7-5dcOO0M9zLy6E4iPilNyKgFvk_ugI2DYVy32b0z2lpLcQlBl4xDYn9ATzq8iiJkIYtHRq/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611443917737983314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpG6gYwMTfzVP1R29yIt32PVkk5ccRRnPHCspUrqgNSOzm2Na-9FMX_oMSe4nMd3edSCuvGHfRzCdnUxwxDGaQumh8mVtDFi1ZscZ9r44Tw5EyjutXh9nEK-4SwANCmmCOR31rsqcdvJh/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Visit <a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com">Made by SwirlyGirl on Etsy</a> and on <a href="http://mbsg.redbubble.com">RedBubble!</a><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-84332979370929517432011-05-07T23:23:00.000-07:002011-05-07T23:45:58.296-07:00My Mom's Favorite ThingsMy mother is one of the most deserving people I know. After raising four children with my father, working for most of her adult life as a nurse anesthetist, moving with Dad across the country in order to be closer to their children and grandchildren, and making it to as many recitals, performances, graduations, birthdays, and other important events as humanly possible---not to mention the last four months of taking care of most of the necessities of running a household as Dad has been recuperating from a string of unfortunate accidents which have been making this less than a banner year for them thus far, my mother deserves flowers, candy, a dinner out, a trip, some nice jewelry, and a day being pampered at a spa! Unfortunately, the economy has affected all of us and our love for her is being expressed in other ways! In honor of Mother's Day this year, I put together a little mini-treasury full of items inspired by some of my mother's favorite things. I wish I could fill your day with all of these today, Mom! :<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRmIFEM7V-7OeNWwsRpXIbmNBAtM3KODTRNuHe_zZYnMIIWP9daKweFMSLiK0PZVlPuPxxBv0lmWCh7LVLLKs2NrPzNcda4nrcZfE6pcPXS7X5B604j83P4-nwEnJdwuXOtERiPuiWPNw/s1600/Project1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 456px; height: 488px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRmIFEM7V-7OeNWwsRpXIbmNBAtM3KODTRNuHe_zZYnMIIWP9daKweFMSLiK0PZVlPuPxxBv0lmWCh7LVLLKs2NrPzNcda4nrcZfE6pcPXS7X5B604j83P4-nwEnJdwuXOtERiPuiWPNw/s400/Project1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604227955058362450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From left to right:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/13601338/purple-field">LilloArts</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57312916/homemade-chocolate-fudge-8-oz">CierraSweets</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/12250419/grandparents-grandchildren-original-art">Botanicart</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71834025/chalk-stick-figure-couple-love-through">ScarletBeautiful2</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61797019/black-and-white-ghostly-abstract">Cyrilplace</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61119126/maltese-dog-art-signed-print-by-ron">DogArtStudio</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71840196/45-north-wine-bottle-stipple-on-wrapped">WeeBitArtsy</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66196017/airplane-in-the-sky-limited-edition">HalMarie</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70208908/pages-8-x-12-fine-art-photograph">PJRodio</a><br /><br /><br />Happy Mother's Day to you, Mom!<br /><br />And Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there who are lucky enough to be mothers!<br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-2325680277636738192011-04-27T10:12:00.000-07:002011-04-27T10:23:55.558-07:00Chasing the Pot of Gold<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ebwkD3rIrtPe8OOXa8uqdZDYctumvl66VUaSlCMyFYR9skx3Rur70RYgjRBrq6OOO6T6YRWqhj1iNVn9B8ps7HUNmdNcbnpqAUjNyuFVSQFLFL0ktpuK5_DyXA5jQV9KZ0yZrH_iPUwc/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ebwkD3rIrtPe8OOXa8uqdZDYctumvl66VUaSlCMyFYR9skx3Rur70RYgjRBrq6OOO6T6YRWqhj1iNVn9B8ps7HUNmdNcbnpqAUjNyuFVSQFLFL0ktpuK5_DyXA5jQV9KZ0yZrH_iPUwc/s400/IMG_0064.JPG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600314496206081922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0oP5IqGrqmp_c4z2Wo6If2BdRBVoyyjcHUKZRZUPJV8A_tiUNzdHzSnkisjl9BhdFWSeuOebrj9YBZv92P633r3eqXEGTeyV1LvS8v3LVaiXfLemLavTQsdWxIJ6K5Meg4BACzA3nyC3/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0oP5IqGrqmp_c4z2Wo6If2BdRBVoyyjcHUKZRZUPJV8A_tiUNzdHzSnkisjl9BhdFWSeuOebrj9YBZv92P633r3eqXEGTeyV1LvS8v3LVaiXfLemLavTQsdWxIJ6K5Meg4BACzA3nyC3/s400/IMG_0063.JPG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600314501935693682" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Visitor's Center at Mono Lake in Lee Vining, CA.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />Just wanted to share...:-)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://mbsg.redbubble.com/"><br />Visit Made by SwirlyGirl on Redbubble, too!</a><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-65032759348765079492011-04-26T08:56:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:18:37.695-07:00Favoriting FrenzyI haven't paid much attention to Etsy's attempt at creating it's own social network. I've been added to a few circles and I've added some to my own, but up till now, really haven't seen either the need or the benefit of this addition. This morning, however, having gone through my emails and Facebook earlier than usual, I found myself with a little more time on my hands and coffee in my cup and decided to check it out a little further. Well, all I can say is that I am newly inspired this morning with all of the incredible art and artists that are selling on Etsy! (This isn't news to me---I frequently browse through shops for inspiration.) But, how much easier it is to discover new favorite shops, items, and artists by seeing what other artists and customers whose tastes you admire are favoriting! I had a hard time tearing myself away this morning, but want to share a few of my new favorites from my Etsy surfing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72310088/reflection-on-a-flight-8x10"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMeIoNjV9lAe3X871gijYtUXg-DuTlq9gvwVq_Nq6olPI-4qUlsd6GyiGgkw-xAHrGVOhRmgmEfTfek9qqPIbKqvEgqdvk3kVTHZ2dR7wyhuqh9SetzzQdna6kLkIiDcx8cPpXHLEhSSw/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599924727086817538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55958050/blazing-autumn-trees-quilted-wall"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fQHJZCMPiShZwh7dAkK_1X2d4agl-HbYbRy6ZeW_0fWNd0TRC92qg12Qg32fAD4ukYqVzGPJwg6PbEaVQAPjBe-fnsWoAVqa-n7yFOvanXiNn1s8eKaNF3UTj9CN1O0ExnQcYzqkDmaF/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599925220374470066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72757423/rare-antique-bantam-manual-typewriter"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh36Sa74THJEUg2IwPorHvXDGKddfHxgD3ESOXVCka-vEbXFGyw_7KffQ4XfrZZLO1u9wpblv8ChmZjcvemKqp1riAZnEtwGQtiHtxWZQ10TC55nQfRDEvNfSQy6OTr9kmqlHDhQvyj-uz/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599926698183504834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72274940/spin-8x10-fine-art-carnival-photograph"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2TIjNuD7zm5q0j6E4ITL-AdGSkQG7sOWDgkGfHHTvZ5nCEipELK_i3f5g_wZ3IuNV8q2HU9g9O-PSN9unp0I8hRs5zoW-WJNyqOU9QFeDzqaND9G1_VMAgziKT6aGcZP8DrngXcvBzKV/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599925521524511122" border="0" /></a>Aren't they fun?! I can't wait to share more of my favorites soon!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com"><br />Visit Made by SwirlyGirl on Etsy, too!<br /></a></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-12310555951874979942011-03-13T16:04:00.001-07:002011-03-13T21:24:39.936-07:00Creative Reuse--a Great Idea for the PlanetIt's been a long time since my last blog post. I allowed life to get in the way and then couldn't find the inspiration to resume---until now!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogi3DNla6GzjKDGVedyMoZRiRKHte3eFXq6hjW2CwLPVVI_BrpmoKWOMLuhybQIOB68b_tHzrvrZAXfbjh7cb9TE_vQHaiIIaNXnwRYDjF_0md42uRA2d-YAf2ZCaxmizjPglvcYNlf7z/s320/IMG_9508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765095890077522" border="0" /></a></div><br />The New Year brought it's usual resolutions and one of the items on my list was to clean out all my crafts closets, cupboards, containers, etc., purging myself of 20 plus years of accumulation. I'm taking little 20 minute and 1/2 hour bites at it so that it doesn't become too overwhelming, but each time I have a go at it I create a pile of "stuff" that I'm not sure what to do with. So much of it is too old to be of interest to those involved in anything trendy, and yet it is still "good". I hate to think of any of it going to a landfill, particularly when there might be someone out there who might find some of the stuff useful. And yet, it is occupying too much space in my home and has become a burden that I need lifted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDEKCX4VDRKaqwJFsHCrgzj9fyoEW-X4WQrTDDnmuFJlHCXr2B5wQ3dPH-Xzd6vJJTionIf0GSMMzGR9FSZLFqEZDJ18vPR5BbBVGUhocKNfZWe7z4vF5Ry83MOaGliNUwKLa1hwJHkd_/s320/IMG_9510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583771234424554722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />As is frequently the case in life, I was led to my solution indirectly. I clicked on a link a friend had posted on Facebook which took me to a website I found interesting enough to explore further, which led me to another link, another website, another link, and <span style="font-style: italic;">voila</span>! My solution was the <a href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/">Long Beach D</a><a href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/">epot of Creative Reuse</a> in Long Beach, CA. It is about an hour's drive from where I live, but with my van loaded with donations, my two children, my friend, and her two children, I trekked down there one Sunday afternoon to check it out and---hopefully---rid myself of a trunk full of potential treasures for someone else.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILBFLhNeXVoy5FGFwfTkni4raKjKei764elSgPNIycxqhMdmyRoxYvPF4SHafQJRUGGXK7Qo06G8x1YiWSVJJrJnhrptcm5XZyj1SlmClNaPod4AIHRWhktpB0GW10eXO0g3mCnq4yUcg/s320/IMG_9516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583771244844737858" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div>After an easy drive and a brief few minutes of being lost (the exit we were supposed to take was closed for construction!), we found our way to an up and coming art-ful community where I found a parking spot directly in front of the depot! I felt like this must be my lucky day, as I hadn't been sure how we would deliver all of the stuff if we had to carry it very far! A table was set up in front of the building and two young ladies were standing next to it with yarn and crochet hooks in hand, trying to teach themselves how to crochet with some yarn that must have been donated by someone. Upon entering this little storefront, I looked around in surprise at how little room there was in this place---how much can this little place hold?, I was thinking. I found a woman behind a cashier's counter wearing an apron and she immediately began telling me about the place and showing me around. It was astonishing to see how much she was able to actually find room for and keep organized and tidy and visually interesting!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhow8j1u-GZ9qgSroYd5Y-okkx28d-pUts7R8HM6SonCmuoSGD8qAur5CSf7EcRTQxcxyO_UJypIQAOwZlFITJmgVWuSOMYabvzMw59gwC9wJvNqEMtOXa7UQcof_Cd1HoIzhJjGBiQbJ/s320/IMG_9534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583766725063044642" border="0" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.gazettes.com/to_do/article_9981500a-3f87-11e0-b488-001cc4c03286.html">Lisa Hernandez</a>, the owner and operator, along with her daughter (one of the young ladies out front), opened <a href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/">Long Island Depot for Creative Reuse</a> 3 years ago after leaving the corporate world and looking for something more community oriented and meaningful to do with her life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1RidQDiJMrlJVoOFrxFy56c1vODtljKzWj0458m1UAJcovIBpxQBYeu3UiG1sOHyFbIxRMuYKZZbMHfpSZdcgy33r1wMcBWujQ-g3d5Uj2qiF_UdYIuOSn24YO48DbJzIG4FX44KdF-O/s320/IMG_9538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583771252364216242" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />She has obviously found her passion and radiates peace, love, enthusiasm, and friendliness from way down deep. She shared her story with me as the girls rummaged through the treasures, inspired by the creative examples hanging everywhere of what could be made with such simple items as shopping bags (crocheted market bags and rugs!), paper clips and paper scraps (cute little necklaces and straps!), corks and ink pen nibs (push pins and jewelry!), rubber inner tubes (really cool purses!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i5LJE1or-UMwWxbyuqFu3esNUfzMK30cUFwoocxkkVRqKIp2L-UQ3YBX5-ttlHufRZ9TgsMszm2naE28igCZJqIukSqMeLWu159wIYAEE7bzaFycS94X4vGC9-8c3eyZSjWxi2Z3lKrU/s320/IMG_9541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583771256845862530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;">What impressed me the most about Lisa and her mission was not that so many people came on a regular basis to donate and trade (some items are available for free if you leave something else) and purchase supplies for art projects and other things; nor was it that there were so many items that I would never have even thought of saving or collecting for a place like this, had I known it existed previously (plastic "thingies", prescription bottles, film canisters, unused punched out Valentine's cards, feathers, puzzle pieces, game pieces...);<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1ApEbbw1RrQ9rq5yY9uiI0ckFMg2vS_zwcrtLrRaWUv4FToIdEPIAO58iB1sd4goxOLzzuwOLHDCVKCB58fIycLN0mbTvTcsY-0RnjR9rl9FzbEf_H_pAAFCnMnsxlbK8857sffzkGqQ/s320/IMG_9521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765111864047202" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad0nZW4_mOQvqT-ErROC7rWSZ50i1wcFvXrFpweItJHamAXpdQ9-nZA30biWKPNJKLCXw_bPPde902hXNIX4ZcWHd5E6_lXTnEPr0jms-Rd_lH9VFdu2kAxeNNGZJBirbJUPVaHLU4azS/s320/IMG_9520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765108642862514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">nor was it the admission that this non-profit company was able to support herself and her daughter, even with some proceeds going to artists in the community. What impressed me the most was that Lisa's mission was more about community than saving the environment. "Green" is so hip and trendy right now, and that is a <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> thing! But, Lisa's efforts to make her business as green as a business can be --(her business cards are donated office labels with her name and address printed on them which are carefully centered on, say, a cut up cereal box)-- are a means of supporting and connecting businesses, artists, neighbors in her immediate neighborhood. A recent recipient of a <a href="http://www.refresheverything.com/blog/2011/02/28/pepsi-refresh-creative-reuse-day/">Pepsi Refresh grant</a>, Lisa created a <a href="http://www.gocatalyst.org/home/2011/2/22/first-ever-pepsi-refresh-creative-reuse-day.html">Creative Reuse Day</a> event during which local businesses and artists were showcased and visitors were given the opportunity to let their creativity flow. Judging by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Long-Beach-Depot-For-Creative-ReUse/115960447510?sk=wall">articles and photos</a>, it was a fun and inspirational day that brought people together for the purpose of learning good environmental stewardship and the importance of knowing your neighbors and supporting the businesses in your community.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJrju_C2r6BHTshJwVauldKBAe5mhRE7GYN-KBq6d6M7BSLKzawhTCLpTGsTevYoX4aI-_iL0G0c7wFkS_E64IFTuaCU7EgJzOEJ6CGYP2CNjJIFbZbY2fUJnKAK1vxcDUs0evGTJZq4N/s320/IMG_9533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583766719731471634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />As she and her daughter helped my friend and me unload the back of my van, I would comment, "I'm not sure if anyone would really want these old large scraps of wrapping paper" and such and each time Lisa or her daughter Yoshino would say, "Yes! You'd be surprised! People will use these!" I was so relieved to see so many of my formerly cherished, but abandoned projects and materials find a temporary home! And at the prices the items in the Depot are selling, I have no doubt they will move quickly. Lisa explained that her 1 and 2 and 3 cent prices (of course, some items are more, but still VERY inexpensive!) encourage people to make them move--she doesn't want anything to sit for long in the store.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLt987ytnzIQtMiz4nMwr1GV6HjjRSmjaCx4mKnRWWrVH79TtT9tG_dawSbeCFCLoIs9pU_lLCOIWJW0gm44rpL1aIW4uUojRgLHJRasOmrjn_CTes3GRLHuWl5MrqC7Oae5CEAeiUwoo/s320/IMG_9537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583771249282030770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">An hour or so after pulling up in front of <a href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/">Long Beach Depot for Creative Reuse</a>, we piled into the car for the long ride home---each of us with treasures that had once been someone else's trash! and my camera card filled with photos. I left with more than that, though. I left with inspiration for another blog post and best of all, the knowledge that my clutter was on it's way to new homes and NOT the landfill! I'll be going back soon, for sure! I still have a lot of bins to go through!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelongbeachdepot.org/about-2/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqD2iv0OWakGapUwBbDK4UpNlCNNyJzkuR6PI-8zgOACgndPk58m67HlUXN0M_eV9-gGSBuam94mr1cpAWbQAQgbSUY3tRg5d_pRgPcDbyIprc9PDBF4lS4eUQiwucq2oRMJcmbezQ6-8r/s320/IMG_9558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583774651026028994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There are several creative reuse centers around the country, so do a little research in your area! You might find some inspiration, some little treasures, or at the very least, a place that you can pass on your own no-longer-wanted items in which someone else someone might find potential!<br /></div></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-86047337539695607672010-09-08T10:55:00.000-07:002010-09-08T11:06:04.600-07:00For the Love of WhimsyI love <a href="http://ted.com/">Ted.com</a>, a site where you can watch videos of talks about technology, art, views of world events and much more. Frequently I find inspiration or thought provoking ideas from the speakers and it can set my day up in an open frame of mind. If you enjoy art and whimsy and fun, take a few minutes and watch artist Vik Muniz speak and show some of his work!<br /><br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/VikMuniz_2003-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/VikMuniz-2003.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=32&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=vik_muniz_makes_art_with_wire_sugar;year=2003;theme=art_unusual;theme=whipsmart_comedy;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TED2003;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/VikMuniz_2003-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/VikMuniz-2003.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=32&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=vik_muniz_makes_art_with_wire_sugar;year=2003;theme=art_unusual;theme=whipsmart_comedy;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TED2003;" width="446" height="326"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl on Etsy</a></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-54595464078783096432010-07-12T10:17:00.000-07:002010-07-12T10:33:37.006-07:00Favorite ThingsOne of my favorite places in the world to be is by a moving body of water surrounded by trees and wildlife, listening to nature's music. This photo was taken in Angeles National Forest in southern California, on a hike to Spritzer Falls. Not far from Los Angeles in distance, it is light years away in peace and quiet. The trees there are not really purple, and the rocks are not really blue, but it is a magical place, all the same, and my digital enhancement to the photograph demonstrates the other-worldliness that I experience when I am lucky enough to visit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU70iB7q0w0l1cdZ5UI5X8gpL-7t3v6434wpKfeGVpfU33i0pQAd_e5JvDnofrlgRZdvlcCYiSw8tWoSPsQA_3eaYXNlBiK1cCVdytL1lNVScHxSa4r2STwNx8f02Dp_4xvNHrFhsheaK/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_8285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU70iB7q0w0l1cdZ5UI5X8gpL-7t3v6434wpKfeGVpfU33i0pQAd_e5JvDnofrlgRZdvlcCYiSw8tWoSPsQA_3eaYXNlBiK1cCVdytL1lNVScHxSa4r2STwNx8f02Dp_4xvNHrFhsheaK/s400/Copy+of+IMG_8285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493072998161238050" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42080859/forest-of-dreams-photo-art-print"><span style="font-style: italic;">Forest of Dreams</span> is available in my Etsy shop</a>.<br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-49058639290162901012010-07-07T09:44:00.000-07:002010-11-05T21:23:14.506-07:00Memories of PortlandOne of my favorite places!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI2U32xlnQSJe7ZtU95wM5Flm10w8d_WFX7CnrxcXdYFHlb7h8_JTs9-iNha3m3EvNoFMM_t_0qPDgEqcb36F5u2gkoGYea8X__iVIHiNSi2u0QXkkBO7-oKiDdYHrjumCTyhsok_qs7K/s1600/Portland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI2U32xlnQSJe7ZtU95wM5Flm10w8d_WFX7CnrxcXdYFHlb7h8_JTs9-iNha3m3EvNoFMM_t_0qPDgEqcb36F5u2gkoGYea8X__iVIHiNSi2u0QXkkBO7-oKiDdYHrjumCTyhsok_qs7K/s400/Portland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536287372144908274" border="0" /></a>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-10694578134836258682010-07-04T08:34:00.000-07:002010-07-06T13:56:02.266-07:00Reasons to CelebrateThere are so many things to celebrate in life, and I've just come off several weeks of celebratory occasions. The end of the school year---as many of you no doubt experience yourselves---is as event-filled as the winter holidays. Sometimes I think that it would be nice to have an annual soundtrack for the season, (just as we do in the winter), playing in the background as we shop for and celebrate with our graduates, brides, concert and recital performers, etc, to make it more festive!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This spring-into-summer was especially full of reasons to celebrate. My eldest daughter's 8th grade class, the first of the school's K-8 graduates, enjoyed an amazing class trip to Catalina Island for 5 days, where they learned about marine life, astronomy, each other and themselves!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHknI6xn3GVYbEl_xEzWzHXbwn8hZxl82uOynpwf3X5MErxKzAvKGPRB9eOXAzm12pHpr_SwRyhsYF2S3Xb0ZQ8F9dFjB6xdhomLndFwx2N9c7hxtmCEQx0VtAfNmMXhzEb0HTnDRzSYay/s1600/00710020.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHknI6xn3GVYbEl_xEzWzHXbwn8hZxl82uOynpwf3X5MErxKzAvKGPRB9eOXAzm12pHpr_SwRyhsYF2S3Xb0ZQ8F9dFjB6xdhomLndFwx2N9c7hxtmCEQx0VtAfNmMXhzEb0HTnDRzSYay/s400/00710020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490520161327064338" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div>After spending 9 years in classes together, the students left the island feeling like family.<br />Soon after, we watched our children perform in their dance recitals and both brought smiles to our faces as our hearts swelled with pride.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZEJZSPKmzmLz9f8aMJa4hibSDS-Wm3fdm5zLOclP8tYh2ev_Fs2GDCkzSChx23FIKn9gIvMtQFAOQ8vMpHNAbvI9uWPZQuWsYtKIrzac1XghnUIX3mctOt1PL0U6M__vupLz-2v28eWd/s1600/IMG_4863.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZEJZSPKmzmLz9f8aMJa4hibSDS-Wm3fdm5zLOclP8tYh2ev_Fs2GDCkzSChx23FIKn9gIvMtQFAOQ8vMpHNAbvI9uWPZQuWsYtKIrzac1XghnUIX3mctOt1PL0U6M__vupLz-2v28eWd/s400/IMG_4863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490501109908449810" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh3PhVr5K7ARhShvTc8GCGHCmLP29VfHfAD7p3TnHZxMVAYhgqDS1xbHXwhY6DGHGz9cK5v50ZcJE5IAB4L5muUYQX1C7TXO15NcUZTyf__H_oevOTDlxa5vrZgYLhJnHvE-Do5VdKjKP/s1600/IMG_4856.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh3PhVr5K7ARhShvTc8GCGHCmLP29VfHfAD7p3TnHZxMVAYhgqDS1xbHXwhY6DGHGz9cK5v50ZcJE5IAB4L5muUYQX1C7TXO15NcUZTyf__H_oevOTDlxa5vrZgYLhJnHvE-Do5VdKjKP/s400/IMG_4856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490154834255970162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>While most of the schools in the area were finishing their year weeks earlier than ours, we continued waking up at 6am and making sure homework was completed by bed time, but the desire for the school year to end increased. However, the last week of school was going to be chock full of activity, so there was a smidgeon of anxiety to accompany us.<br /><br />Finally it arrived and we somehow survived a chorus recital,<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC7Z6W_I4-_DRHi4LjIkH3taegzHrDNYxTzqiDBEOr552b7wes77Jkc8A8PAljs8mqNgZ8XEeQStezW68NttXBWDOPIdRv4boUfKssJ6rLjeB7QvUe3cB8obf5h3PM8UNHhDzq-xzKiH_/s400/IMG_4950.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490150738547318514" border="0" /> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl4YaPDarB6dYbqR3GIIlGlCbFJzI6VH-4WMLEyTRLj-EOQSCnQCxuiS5A984uVpoIQlyKFq9fNGacXuNUvMu39ZAaBcGuAz5OFHpmJ8bmp5Rc4DK4zXSb3RzZ2t6MzR3dYketDhfvlhV/s400/IMG_4941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490152987036209426" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></div> an 8th grade graduation ceremony,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qq5O4tOJCVaVRDubh-Q2K55X1QmtHh0TOo7dD8i81oiq3sugJU74cpxcJKccMuIbILP-si38aU_A2hWxxII4PoQq6EVw3xGp_xrjnkRpF-5FC7U-xTheDFIglNjbGZQzVWPcyUF0N_2G/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qq5O4tOJCVaVRDubh-Q2K55X1QmtHh0TOo7dD8i81oiq3sugJU74cpxcJKccMuIbILP-si38aU_A2hWxxII4PoQq6EVw3xGp_xrjnkRpF-5FC7U-xTheDFIglNjbGZQzVWPcyUF0N_2G/s400/IMG_5126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490152990226994626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>a graduation dinner/dance,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4OSH_DrcF-z8h8NWPnPVt-0rRDC8IiSk4E3O0sGm5B-vm0vVhn8Km8FieTI-IlbCahBNv2zhgZkz9Kn2l-rTvkby3UTb0NBBddFWVky3mH5K1_i7bHA0EzToZcko9cjBDD0Hk2sn54a-/s1600/IMG_5341.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4OSH_DrcF-z8h8NWPnPVt-0rRDC8IiSk4E3O0sGm5B-vm0vVhn8Km8FieTI-IlbCahBNv2zhgZkz9Kn2l-rTvkby3UTb0NBBddFWVky3mH5K1_i7bHA0EzToZcko9cjBDD0Hk2sn54a-/s400/IMG_5341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490152998875842098" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoM37pB_ptNwKsUgM3aTTkgQrWB_vyg2uxT9pgohyphenhyphenpowSlSnmpfv6DYjhZIUUvvHn4CcuavFQjiCkarMWzcGyJPh3YCkLJ-zwSHHfb6QpNDyfWsOileRBlUz9NV4-kVsMgvpF2Ss5Csu1/s1600/grad+party.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoM37pB_ptNwKsUgM3aTTkgQrWB_vyg2uxT9pgohyphenhyphenpowSlSnmpfv6DYjhZIUUvvHn4CcuavFQjiCkarMWzcGyJPh3YCkLJ-zwSHHfb6QpNDyfWsOileRBlUz9NV4-kVsMgvpF2Ss5Csu1/s400/grad+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490154822439157922" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">a drive to San Francisco to join my family in celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1daZxVWzI-jybADnbAOFzDw3xRxYs65Tp95_7ww_g1EurrY3B5nN7LIxIPKx1Zrq6S-yiqBQG9WUyGcpU9tV8wieY_Unq2K23yEGlU0xkpd2Jq1KULsGsqaDiAuqplEWBYW6gokLrn-j/s1600/IMG_5432.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1daZxVWzI-jybADnbAOFzDw3xRxYs65Tp95_7ww_g1EurrY3B5nN7LIxIPKx1Zrq6S-yiqBQG9WUyGcpU9tV8wieY_Unq2K23yEGlU0xkpd2Jq1KULsGsqaDiAuqplEWBYW6gokLrn-j/s400/IMG_5432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490153012334714050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(for which I'd spent countless hours creating a DVD of our old 8mm home movies),<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxOJp882sHjecjgSyJYSguRVbmh_4-wgA1QgKXVfiBccVN5OnFVj1U-NtLLZEM616oHFRXT9VOdsUqXA6bqrw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /></div>the drive home the following day, and my daughter's 14th birthday the next day, on which she also began her drama intensive. The weekend brought her birthday party, which we did at the beach.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mOB71toV8Uyu2osdmf2eZbEunIfRHLODeonOLAygwM5ytmAN9FLH9cTjnvhfm37CEC9i5-iDuZGUNxCnPUUqpIH1bY1t-5IOV3u3MUJ8IFPS3ppHha78D4ZWJYkwi6B-MPQGV_uUUL7l/s1600/IMG_5629.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mOB71toV8Uyu2osdmf2eZbEunIfRHLODeonOLAygwM5ytmAN9FLH9cTjnvhfm37CEC9i5-iDuZGUNxCnPUUqpIH1bY1t-5IOV3u3MUJ8IFPS3ppHha78D4ZWJYkwi6B-MPQGV_uUUL7l/s400/IMG_5629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490566653798675202" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuo3lGPt02TWJLdxzpy5LvRUtHFnAdqWBu8xsrOnq_32Uve9-bgFskmsiOqNd8PVH2UwAy5qzyg2IpY3JNiITdO4FTIyw5Awgo5l59S2WUE17BGSrS2Kk2Ho21GLsBWPg0ULull84dgBQ/s1600/IMG_5576.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuo3lGPt02TWJLdxzpy5LvRUtHFnAdqWBu8xsrOnq_32Uve9-bgFskmsiOqNd8PVH2UwAy5qzyg2IpY3JNiITdO4FTIyw5Awgo5l59S2WUE17BGSrS2Kk2Ho21GLsBWPg0ULull84dgBQ/s400/IMG_5576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490566675724202306" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OX-LaqJJK8cspHYwtmzfhIQ9b1U8EdXUn2nHKkSroFibYgAArzod0Uk0KU4tmcRIA2u843P15OJRFerQuoDA5gLNnvEv6mSGGpOo6vWEgch9yrLcn9Pcriv394t0xAN03mbIc4WBkeHu/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OX-LaqJJK8cspHYwtmzfhIQ9b1U8EdXUn2nHKkSroFibYgAArzod0Uk0KU4tmcRIA2u843P15OJRFerQuoDA5gLNnvEv6mSGGpOo6vWEgch9yrLcn9Pcriv394t0xAN03mbIc4WBkeHu/s400/IMG_5595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490566668934484850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />One more day of celebrating remained: the 4th of July!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHQfWqiqTd_RWK3ElbmvMYcfMXmk0GvLmola_mMhZJ4u0m4isdw2nd7ex3HSHiCi9DU1WERbcvSPqOciLcdGHOjGhXmT9uk7Y4wo_QRCfnNRbmXYCvQPdXgXYX7PSSd7bh9rJPr867vuZ/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 91px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHQfWqiqTd_RWK3ElbmvMYcfMXmk0GvLmola_mMhZJ4u0m4isdw2nd7ex3HSHiCi9DU1WERbcvSPqOciLcdGHOjGhXmT9uk7Y4wo_QRCfnNRbmXYCvQPdXgXYX7PSSd7bh9rJPr867vuZ/s400/IMG_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490524697296597938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">followed by a well-deserved long night of sleep for all of us!<br /></div><br /></div><br />I can honestly say that this has been the most celebration-filled month in my life and I'm ready to slow down and enjoy a little bit of peace and tranquility. (But am not REALLY sure that will be imminent!) I am, however, truly grateful for all I have to celebrate in my life and feel so fortunate that I can share my good fortune with so many!<br /><br />Wishing you all wonderful reasons to celebrate!Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-22198905579506259372010-05-20T12:34:00.000-07:002010-07-07T09:43:56.582-07:00The Eyes Have It!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rDqThpSWQME6U1Esl4mnyzXg1yQpKgBKWpYW6mRJXZgXvLHpCBYDETPjyjj-OesYJCT0_h4zgaJKcheCQKLG0usMBVSeqh8yxdVTcSnMl_ubEh4DsNW-KXthVdMnDr8yWWeJdON-OSSp/s1600/eyes+have+it.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 523px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rDqThpSWQME6U1Esl4mnyzXg1yQpKgBKWpYW6mRJXZgXvLHpCBYDETPjyjj-OesYJCT0_h4zgaJKcheCQKLG0usMBVSeqh8yxdVTcSnMl_ubEh4DsNW-KXthVdMnDr8yWWeJdON-OSSp/s400/eyes+have+it.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491204391862888066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38415965/vintage-baby-cat-eye-turquoise?ref=em">OliveRoseVintage</a>,<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/613535/sixties-flower-child-eyesapril-art?ref=em"> lynnetteaprilarts</a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/13276276/new-eyes-for-sir-thomas?ref=em">Figments</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38351169/alligator-eye?ref=em">RustySpoonAlchemy</a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38340535/the-eyes-have-it-fun-photo-note-cards?ref=em">kathydkeith</a>,<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38278702/funny-face-parts-mosaic-tiles?ref=em">TinkerTiles</a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46632304/custom-creature-eye-plugs-sizes-2g?ref=em">Slang</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46637120/softest-cutest-most-comfy-night-owl?ref=em">lenekonoir</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><table style="text-align: center;"><tbody><tr align="center"><td><br /></td></tr><tr align="center"><td><a style="color: rgb(211, 87, 1); font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade</a><br /><a style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/people/madebyswirlygirl/favorites">madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-67546775234415192902010-05-17T10:28:00.000-07:002010-05-17T10:34:26.958-07:00Experimenting Again...I have not been very busy creating new work lately, but I recently was fooling around with a combination of software programs and thought I'd share to see what kind of feedback I get. I had fun doing it and am pleased with the results, but not sure it creates enough visual interest to sustain more than a few images, as the color palette is relatively limited using the process I have used. Below each of my "experiments" you can see the original photograph.<br />
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</div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-18877685058984749662010-05-09T13:21:00.000-07:002010-05-09T13:25:46.257-07:00Mothers are Angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQOQbVLe_FZBkauQlBgzWGS75Z-x9W9L8pbItkFYFiCKHOTklKvYP_zSTOm78TgkoINrhQCjfbjgLJbNRfacIbm0EpQjsmEiE4uH0mS5OC2FSkQT_2zouRR5kXvwm85_aJU9i2S595MHT/s1600/scan0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZquuKDo76guHxUpyY4a4iT9XWBX2azZ0OVR8G2tFGC9chWLJqGxZLJzkc0HltBzVolO5RZ0BxpEbMEWpSMai1KtgKBdpKzlwVfXsq-Ta3klCNl9VH80PGs_FkrzFgCuSra5-F4do2Y9t/s1600/SCAN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZquuKDo76guHxUpyY4a4iT9XWBX2azZ0OVR8G2tFGC9chWLJqGxZLJzkc0HltBzVolO5RZ0BxpEbMEWpSMai1KtgKBdpKzlwVfXsq-Ta3klCNl9VH80PGs_FkrzFgCuSra5-F4do2Y9t/s400/SCAN0002.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>Everyone has a mother. Mothers are not rare. Yet we all believe that our own mother is somehow supernatural or elevated beyond the realm of mere humans. And we are right. The umbrella provided by a mother's love protects us from much of life's unpleasant surprises when we are young and provides us with the knowledge that we are not alone when we are adults trying to provide the same umbrella for our own children. Mothers tend to our hurts, offer guidance, and are never happier than when they see their children are happy. Mothers put the needs and wants of their children before their own desires and expect nothing in return except for the smiles brought to their faces by the fulfillment of their children's dreams. They do their utmost to see that birthday and holiday wishes come true and provide enriching experiences while teaching their children to be grateful and not to feel entitled to anything they haven't earned. Mothers encourage their children to pursue their passions but to keep one foot on the ground while their heads are in the clouds. They multitask, are in several places at one time, and always seem to be there to catch us when we fall, all the while juggling a myriad of jobs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQOQbVLe_FZBkauQlBgzWGS75Z-x9W9L8pbItkFYFiCKHOTklKvYP_zSTOm78TgkoINrhQCjfbjgLJbNRfacIbm0EpQjsmEiE4uH0mS5OC2FSkQT_2zouRR5kXvwm85_aJU9i2S595MHT/s1600/scan0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQOQbVLe_FZBkauQlBgzWGS75Z-x9W9L8pbItkFYFiCKHOTklKvYP_zSTOm78TgkoINrhQCjfbjgLJbNRfacIbm0EpQjsmEiE4uH0mS5OC2FSkQT_2zouRR5kXvwm85_aJU9i2S595MHT/s320/scan0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My own mother has been my teacher, my mentor, and my biggest fan, my voice of reason, my medical advisor, my loan officer, my conscience, my source of inspiration, and the most perfect example of maternal love that I could have asked for. Even now, with a family of my own, I am comforted by her unconditional love, rely on her realistic (yet supportive) advice and assistance, and bask in the warmth of pride reflected in her voice and face when something I've said or done has pleased her.<br />
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I have a tendency to think of most holidays as retailer's opportunities and not be very enthusiastic about planning special days just because the calendar says we should. I am a bit Scrooge-ish in this way. However, what I frequently end up realizing is that when a day is set aside to celebrate those we love and to allow ourselves to be celebrated, our thoughtfulness is heightened, our affection is demonstrated more freely, and we appreciate more deeply the things that sometimes are taken for granted.<br />
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Mom, I am so grateful for the sacrifices you have made, and continue to make, for your family and for the love you have so unselfishly bestowed upon us. Thank you for putting us first in your life and for making us feel like there is nothing you enjoy more than being surrounded by your family.<br />
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And a special thank you, too, to my mother-in-law for raising a man I love and respect more than I ever thought I could love and respect any partner. He is a living legacy of your love and your mothering. In addition, your acceptance of me as your daughter has meant so much to me, and I only regret that our infrequent visits and the distance between our homes makes it difficult for me to show you just how much.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5FeOZZANR6HCxuRDNxg-NSQIujbDgtIZ2KA52woNkDrOA64VrVl-68NvnERUf2-SInFGPNcAVYH7m0XPqugHDnf60lVxRVtOyYy7pKCbLIdujJccWUnfVHMjriia7c8RAfJl2KLAKHRw/s1600/SCAN0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5FeOZZANR6HCxuRDNxg-NSQIujbDgtIZ2KA52woNkDrOA64VrVl-68NvnERUf2-SInFGPNcAVYH7m0XPqugHDnf60lVxRVtOyYy7pKCbLIdujJccWUnfVHMjriia7c8RAfJl2KLAKHRw/s200/SCAN0003.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
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Thank you to all of you hard working, caring, deeply loving mothers out there. You are all angels on earth.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Mothers Day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-27864258695528938852010-05-04T11:45:00.000-07:002010-05-04T13:09:53.459-07:00Rejuvenation<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggrjR9WYWoJ-ax6fs3pUukex0apzU5QEy7JvqP8uRoF9bD371zv5sDBOGjuTafcrdOWTQkOSIWCXL40xA8QldEssTjCNQbHYJ_evM5_VHOY9DOknUoUPY2MdXflyG2ZIhTFaU9i0MUNcd/s1600/IMG_4531.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467500709803530482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggrjR9WYWoJ-ax6fs3pUukex0apzU5QEy7JvqP8uRoF9bD371zv5sDBOGjuTafcrdOWTQkOSIWCXL40xA8QldEssTjCNQbHYJ_evM5_VHOY9DOknUoUPY2MdXflyG2ZIhTFaU9i0MUNcd/s320/IMG_4531.JPG" style="height: 166px; width: 220px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmZP8k3_l2ZdeqzVo6GVLxouyXwSdWBECdLcQBiNzeLIuc6TidsCG1I2SHKKTgblEA4kT_fufKgR6Hf92ugm1VgLzSkKSW-YgJh-KB5U4OsQ3sJ9L7CetzkeH6v2XMbWR0g-m1C8P3SBH/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467496429397281426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmZP8k3_l2ZdeqzVo6GVLxouyXwSdWBECdLcQBiNzeLIuc6TidsCG1I2SHKKTgblEA4kT_fufKgR6Hf92ugm1VgLzSkKSW-YgJh-KB5U4OsQ3sJ9L7CetzkeH6v2XMbWR0g-m1C8P3SBH/s320/IMG_4385.JPG" style="height: 92px; width: 68px;" /></a>After an amazing weekend spent with my family in Sequoia National Park,which is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, I've returned inspired once again by our world's vast display of flora and fauna.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4zAWeXcmUF82cccdL4Op_Lna6Osb4-Oj8VqT-y0DS-LElp6HpbOOhs1p3vhtPqqBfOIjp_YPypxVLnRPgC2XX9-odQOPBPmBTWeIPPI88wmG-8q_xvVs09SR377MhoDY5uqffoZBVIMa/s1600/IMG_4178.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467494709981223810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4zAWeXcmUF82cccdL4Op_Lna6Osb4-Oj8VqT-y0DS-LElp6HpbOOhs1p3vhtPqqBfOIjp_YPypxVLnRPgC2XX9-odQOPBPmBTWeIPPI88wmG-8q_xvVs09SR377MhoDY5uqffoZBVIMa/s320/IMG_4178.JPG" style="height: 169px; width: 127px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPBjJg0jlhGDarbQ1yLSrBeafB458a9UFwAO55O7sXArilzWlAIZP531cqYEcJjWFxoD-6dCvPqYw37jYW32Bf7j7I1gvOntrBMoVDGuuN5jwF9tk6nxoSBtoiT9S_BuGwg8H1XaT0Ry9/s1600/IMG_4389.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467496439616219858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPBjJg0jlhGDarbQ1yLSrBeafB458a9UFwAO55O7sXArilzWlAIZP531cqYEcJjWFxoD-6dCvPqYw37jYW32Bf7j7I1gvOntrBMoVDGuuN5jwF9tk6nxoSBtoiT9S_BuGwg8H1XaT0Ry9/s320/IMG_4389.JPG" style="height: 73px; width: 98px;" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkqRLqJv9XZ9D-WPEZ5Lnvi57ckH_baZl9wA9pq0Hr9qoEqL7lc3YYrdHJSV8TmVtX2iVgFZR9WVAssAPh2QLRXX38Vet-jMP6x197WWLPpl4PXg5Xa1mh9LjSp3Fn55-SVIOdDyxpS5C/s1600/IMG_4400.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467496447349603762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkqRLqJv9XZ9D-WPEZ5Lnvi57ckH_baZl9wA9pq0Hr9qoEqL7lc3YYrdHJSV8TmVtX2iVgFZR9WVAssAPh2QLRXX38Vet-jMP6x197WWLPpl4PXg5Xa1mh9LjSp3Fn55-SVIOdDyxpS5C/s320/IMG_4400.JPG" style="height: 75px; width: 100px;" /></a>Within hours of leaving our home, we saw cacti, an amazing variety of wildflowers, plains, lakes, rivers, mountains, citrus trees, oak trees, redwoods, Giant Sequoias, a bear, numerous deer, snow, and sunshine.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmYABRpnam1CkgKYrBf-Xqvfky0q3Cwj7k8-J7qJp4oNH_DSKRMZDAu_BIkwjjtKD6QWqW7qEAw5XzhO1jgNsF3qk-prhL2Et-Hv1VBMwLoXUVnaExoQvT75-pNYsxXYC6pJwHj11Zr4P/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467494688133257490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmYABRpnam1CkgKYrBf-Xqvfky0q3Cwj7k8-J7qJp4oNH_DSKRMZDAu_BIkwjjtKD6QWqW7qEAw5XzhO1jgNsF3qk-prhL2Et-Hv1VBMwLoXUVnaExoQvT75-pNYsxXYC6pJwHj11Zr4P/s320/IMG_4109.JPG" style="height: 134px; width: 100px;" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJMsKISg55pM-OhrhL1RtEH0lNap2G0j9YHbw4X028ux6-Xu25zkadugwgOxv5Vi9oL6e91aw5_5Vm37jHVs_BuqlpVz90F1dNldnivaONDCgFGU8245n3byH4oj-YupiClKyyw3J-Ma3/s1600/IMG_4123.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467494702884961250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJMsKISg55pM-OhrhL1RtEH0lNap2G0j9YHbw4X028ux6-Xu25zkadugwgOxv5Vi9oL6e91aw5_5Vm37jHVs_BuqlpVz90F1dNldnivaONDCgFGU8245n3byH4oj-YupiClKyyw3J-Ma3/s320/IMG_4123.JPG" style="height: 111px; width: 149px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNkCAL7pKaT33wH496-REx1-hwOrsyBCefXwAJdve2EdkvaVVYM_AvLa0ULMTyBnHVyNa80LrD772hIIYK3FFDFugGOmk9B5bw6eRU1oqBfRQVs2fvKgiG27-zX-tSaM0H1rIUdX1VsZZ/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467494727583977858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNkCAL7pKaT33wH496-REx1-hwOrsyBCefXwAJdve2EdkvaVVYM_AvLa0ULMTyBnHVyNa80LrD772hIIYK3FFDFugGOmk9B5bw6eRU1oqBfRQVs2fvKgiG27-zX-tSaM0H1rIUdX1VsZZ/s320/IMG_4353.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 126px; width: 168px;" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">One breathtaking view after another, wonderful smells, and the sounds of nature (accompanied much of the time by a range of music sampling the last 50 years and crossing several genres)...</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLB3bgfB1zVRw002ZdFKbCnMxlOoQtOGADuUbe4tFcNYLbH5EPIjVojgeNVBbSUgp8wc10WmkQaGxhg1Wnx5TwB2vPoOXmxcl8vbDQBQn7Jot2sSJftxkHiE2dZbdVDJ4vYYE6BwiJFWl/s1600/IMG_4586.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467500690956822290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLB3bgfB1zVRw002ZdFKbCnMxlOoQtOGADuUbe4tFcNYLbH5EPIjVojgeNVBbSUgp8wc10WmkQaGxhg1Wnx5TwB2vPoOXmxcl8vbDQBQn7Jot2sSJftxkHiE2dZbdVDJ4vYYE6BwiJFWl/s320/IMG_4586.JPG" style="height: 92px; width: 123px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCVm8Rs5beqIzU2o8nG1FfxYL4uBOsET-9I14lGUc3w18HJoBrAwlwQ1dhUrmz0kpz7izfuG6123lWtQueiCiezJznA_BB8YITY5j_GnpK_0bYhMJXFBQ6MhqaH20mzTKcG5tNI9hWbN0/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467496470408424386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCVm8Rs5beqIzU2o8nG1FfxYL4uBOsET-9I14lGUc3w18HJoBrAwlwQ1dhUrmz0kpz7izfuG6123lWtQueiCiezJznA_BB8YITY5j_GnpK_0bYhMJXFBQ6MhqaH20mzTKcG5tNI9hWbN0/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" style="height: 86px; width: 115px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhYwEfiEaBAlgQjiNxApZYAOXQVx_zIuQ6F-d2ipTt3qbkR5nhA60uEKzDXmshc0FDQKjXLE7D5cERJrtehAk2y9iPq7yVZ_AffCx-x-CKPhzC-lkftoIpOfVOKXZJwn5HR01j_8X4_Yj/s1600/IMG_4614.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467500721415459426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhYwEfiEaBAlgQjiNxApZYAOXQVx_zIuQ6F-d2ipTt3qbkR5nhA60uEKzDXmshc0FDQKjXLE7D5cERJrtehAk2y9iPq7yVZ_AffCx-x-CKPhzC-lkftoIpOfVOKXZJwn5HR01j_8X4_Yj/s320/IMG_4614.JPG" style="height: 84px; width: 114px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hmjRIKqD0OK2jrJq0juuMnBkxt-42XKqmnC4937tYpS2SRxsgwr5Uza_XLYhHo9LDMIaxVOdGe7-q_j3B0iwhhqItolCmxn15W6cXsn__YIVTRcXwOV6f3-Afr0nbdp7zhYIoFSdMSMh/s1600/IMG_4452.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467496463555946434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hmjRIKqD0OK2jrJq0juuMnBkxt-42XKqmnC4937tYpS2SRxsgwr5Uza_XLYhHo9LDMIaxVOdGe7-q_j3B0iwhhqItolCmxn15W6cXsn__YIVTRcXwOV6f3-Afr0nbdp7zhYIoFSdMSMh/s320/IMG_4452.JPG" style="height: 132px; width: 99px;" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">It was such a feast for the senses that we barely thought about eating, but when we got hungry, we enjoyed our meals all the more for their addition to the completion of the total experience. </div></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftVANuu34bWYBezgklQ79XumRDe8lLbf6IF_0wcU2fUyPzZt-c22a4QVd12vYIA6JUUehOE307iSLOCCkDrBD0wq4FVLZcUeJQ05_AYN4c3qCEuWfxSQd54MV0Z02aOX0KLsDuQLJ4ciM/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467500731417936978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftVANuu34bWYBezgklQ79XumRDe8lLbf6IF_0wcU2fUyPzZt-c22a4QVd12vYIA6JUUehOE307iSLOCCkDrBD0wq4FVLZcUeJQ05_AYN4c3qCEuWfxSQd54MV0Z02aOX0KLsDuQLJ4ciM/s320/IMG_4279.JPG" style="height: 117px; width: 87px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I could live for a long time on the road, I think, traveling and exploring our country's national parks. What a gift they are and how thankful I am to all of those responsible for ensuring that our parks are protected, cared for, and available for all to experience. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbEoml0se9OCY4heI9mFDpFUlFxbWL34l6yOxN27oxAsuXdlM6I6nAoPsGd5ZoshktjGTSC2p4Zg-kYa1z1hyphenhyphenO-HgsrsdVhzOHdrrlSzPGzLmWDQ8P0Q8RjvwyXHjZBMQuyHeSl9AaKEQ/s1600/IMG_4511.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467500699363171378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbEoml0se9OCY4heI9mFDpFUlFxbWL34l6yOxN27oxAsuXdlM6I6nAoPsGd5ZoshktjGTSC2p4Zg-kYa1z1hyphenhyphenO-HgsrsdVhzOHdrrlSzPGzLmWDQ8P0Q8RjvwyXHjZBMQuyHeSl9AaKEQ/s320/IMG_4511.JPG" style="height: 152px; width: 204px;" /></a></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-49325319148495485432010-04-28T10:25:00.000-07:002010-04-28T10:29:33.470-07:00Keeping an Open Mind<div style="text-align: left;">A friend of mine shared this video on Facebook and I thought it was the perfect thing to share with you today! I love when you see one thing at first look and then realize there is so much more to see. Enjoy!<br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UHsEFO0xqfY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UHsEFO0xqfY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl!<br /><br /><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-44194603908658870742010-04-25T13:56:00.000-07:002010-05-20T12:32:07.448-07:00Rays of Light<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6isJGZxXeu-A6EXj_ux2hvOWX-xHJpmHRNJlMLkQ9CjQir-XKYlQeI3F6369wRc8haIQyVKqGNb7lo1R8q7a3IDJWGqyjqToTSSDBNYIjb2m26O6nRfxDdH18yferdKGPldm-6IWQAho/s1600/il_430xN.11276356.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6isJGZxXeu-A6EXj_ux2hvOWX-xHJpmHRNJlMLkQ9CjQir-XKYlQeI3F6369wRc8haIQyVKqGNb7lo1R8q7a3IDJWGqyjqToTSSDBNYIjb2m26O6nRfxDdH18yferdKGPldm-6IWQAho/s400/il_430xN.11276356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473437258832875250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table style="text-align: center;"><tbody><tr align="center"><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="color: rgb(211, 87, 1); font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade</a><br /></div><a style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/people/madebyswirlygirl/favorites">madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-65015415455044891962010-04-15T10:27:00.000-07:002010-04-15T14:39:46.401-07:00Sometimes We Need to Stop and Breathe<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjQxF5SfEVddwgLJO4rJo1XD8b3MeOAIshG5iFxtKHhQpQnjyXRakapjhzwmXlcoQLf5FkNObpZ2Ky7LIl6y3ob8M4Ia-QThNaCr4_Kz_995xG2phxpNA8tNn8H3iBVa_EIsBL3Qz777L/s1600/IMG_3463.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjQxF5SfEVddwgLJO4rJo1XD8b3MeOAIshG5iFxtKHhQpQnjyXRakapjhzwmXlcoQLf5FkNObpZ2Ky7LIl6y3ob8M4Ia-QThNaCr4_Kz_995xG2phxpNA8tNn8H3iBVa_EIsBL3Qz777L/s200/IMG_3463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460472278561210738" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I don't know about you, but there are days I wake up and start thinking about all of the things I should do, need to do, want to do, and have to do and get so anxious and overwhelmed that NOTHING gets done.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_itQjdlNeyPgN6O8fLJb6Q40GmySYedxPdqM9siQuN7mi4Q1Q32W2Q6OEhs71Nq8QnAiJjPuXyRbsyjz4ECWNQHRRC3GcJadgNkmqjJbRWRqKz-X0KNrmm5OazHrYA58wnQW5nlm2mNr/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_itQjdlNeyPgN6O8fLJb6Q40GmySYedxPdqM9siQuN7mi4Q1Q32W2Q6OEhs71Nq8QnAiJjPuXyRbsyjz4ECWNQHRRC3GcJadgNkmqjJbRWRqKz-X0KNrmm5OazHrYA58wnQW5nlm2mNr/s200/IMG_3851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460475353271640994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div> Trying to balance being a mother, wife, friend, business owner, ballet teacher, pet owner, housekeeper, school volunteer, chauffeur...well---it's impossible. Something is always being neglected.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTe6dDJ4NNenqkAMahL1bRe70VKOhtGC9NIwUv9bF05Dk-XBRCc59DL-oJk2dZz283Jk4Or6TjwNnDkaVD1PiMqge3r9VdctH8QtKxWTC1d8kJVV4oxhukFLGZlXFCpNFORVV2xAyFx7C/s1600/IMG_3941.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTe6dDJ4NNenqkAMahL1bRe70VKOhtGC9NIwUv9bF05Dk-XBRCc59DL-oJk2dZz283Jk4Or6TjwNnDkaVD1PiMqge3r9VdctH8QtKxWTC1d8kJVV4oxhukFLGZlXFCpNFORVV2xAyFx7C/s200/IMG_3941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460475374245803154" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Anxiety about schedules and money and deadlines and important dates and having enough food in the house and clean clothes in the drawers often prevents me from experiencing the moment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u_5Ga6gGmx4qEuBhN2wNxD8rr-4tWD03sIbfIUZsuoeudxkMC4pqtbMk9CjqlFSR7B1-upvf1-JPRifpJUvxllNpaoeeyr7kVMW_rmZwMWmmV0upx-pANWWyQPVLZ5bfloi085r59_8l/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u_5Ga6gGmx4qEuBhN2wNxD8rr-4tWD03sIbfIUZsuoeudxkMC4pqtbMk9CjqlFSR7B1-upvf1-JPRifpJUvxllNpaoeeyr7kVMW_rmZwMWmmV0upx-pANWWyQPVLZ5bfloi085r59_8l/s200/IMG_3526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460472296664628098" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I try to meditate, exercise (although that is one of the first things that gets neglected when things get busy), find things to do that I enjoy to keep myself from getting down, and daily I count my blessings for all I am so fortunate to have in my life!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzgajEwgLBL3o5-hQWlhkNlqISYy5LJTx3dkesB4uug355YGVZf1Bey8cxu2v-Y_fta4ZMUTlTLPIqi61H4ODt8Q6-pokBndq5OnWBMxT68Nn1oG7ksDrcwzRFIcMvuelLe9fBunJjZTa/s1600/IMG_3470.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzgajEwgLBL3o5-hQWlhkNlqISYy5LJTx3dkesB4uug355YGVZf1Bey8cxu2v-Y_fta4ZMUTlTLPIqi61H4ODt8Q6-pokBndq5OnWBMxT68Nn1oG7ksDrcwzRFIcMvuelLe9fBunJjZTa/s200/IMG_3470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460472289440631602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When I am successful in slowing down for a few moments, I find that I'm able to find wonder and beauty in the most common occurrences: the chirping of the birds, the chattering of the squirrels, the grasshopper that crosses my path and camouflages itself amongst the tree branches, the flower buds ready to burst open,<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rpz_1J0b32zPmvS6xE-IvtC-V1DFWwytRUj5MDn_MyAp_yfEHVyGJKZRcgVF3kUjABrNrKeec7PKWMyhcxeaU4yZVypcG-mFzk3GrUh-LhQeKsTEFMNyGTcPv-Me4V5it07JVfDc-7H5/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rpz_1J0b32zPmvS6xE-IvtC-V1DFWwytRUj5MDn_MyAp_yfEHVyGJKZRcgVF3kUjABrNrKeec7PKWMyhcxeaU4yZVypcG-mFzk3GrUh-LhQeKsTEFMNyGTcPv-Me4V5it07JVfDc-7H5/s200/IMG_3607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460473933830852162" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the little butterfly that is in no hurry to get anywhere, the man walking his cat on a leash in the park (okay, that is not as common!), the mother pulling her toddler around in a wagon, the man taking a lunchtime nap in the cool grass and warm sun, the dog in the adjoining yard that keeps jumping up to say hello a fellow canine over the wall...<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDwgen8YonAthRc8VWMqfa5Ri7BxZeVUCZUtTAl0kbanJV6oborWlpI_DQM8ChslxE5Y-fo829N7vXgZWedBtZpx9_wq1I9AJlBombm9hhY-OegbQSCz6nb1xr7mo8zSZ2ETc_4PztOqW/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDwgen8YonAthRc8VWMqfa5Ri7BxZeVUCZUtTAl0kbanJV6oborWlpI_DQM8ChslxE5Y-fo829N7vXgZWedBtZpx9_wq1I9AJlBombm9hhY-OegbQSCz6nb1xr7mo8zSZ2ETc_4PztOqW/s200/IMG_3770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460473942552389634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />There are books galore written for people who want to simplify their lives---I've got a few of them myself. And many have valuable insights and suggestions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCjPYdnIYcSSuS1mSu41NvLdPPLJr4YnNE2V8juiTrSYmVNkdSPNCqBNaxtLyfKBd99vSQ8gQ3juqBTi2Dly1EP01ncz3Z3hZ_Fwkr5fCmOfGPU1oDpBSwjbSP5oUDkaeHNSH1QIluCHV/s1600/IMG_3866.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCjPYdnIYcSSuS1mSu41NvLdPPLJr4YnNE2V8juiTrSYmVNkdSPNCqBNaxtLyfKBd99vSQ8gQ3juqBTi2Dly1EP01ncz3Z3hZ_Fwkr5fCmOfGPU1oDpBSwjbSP5oUDkaeHNSH1QIluCHV/s200/IMG_3866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460473973719082834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> But in this era of information and technology, I spend so much time on the computer doing everything from connecting with friends and networking with business acquaintances, to learning how to improve my business,<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_T0a25mAjkEQYs7h6eCm_YQ92Q8lWhyphenhyphen1enCid5A9fnr4S57khUkfHSZ8tQVngTJXtOhGBTP50OkZDwIBDeTZj6_gtVygIIsD0cxXmsaVVMp88kRnFkGYPwG_CMK-GK0lzPHRcOidTnLD/s1600/IMG_3544.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_T0a25mAjkEQYs7h6eCm_YQ92Q8lWhyphenhyphen1enCid5A9fnr4S57khUkfHSZ8tQVngTJXtOhGBTP50OkZDwIBDeTZj6_gtVygIIsD0cxXmsaVVMp88kRnFkGYPwG_CMK-GK0lzPHRcOidTnLD/s200/IMG_3544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460472304718761602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />to researching where our next family outing might be, to blogging and updating my shops, to checking out the blogs of others, reading this, reading that...ENOUGH already with the DOING!!! I need to BE sometimes!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVtnCHaZTrFyEaYwNbVpRyKp_BRlmQzb-Ntnjn6ZAkn4F0lErlKfdkT60Do7PsdlM2GMUL3zmRF2EktBEuadME_U1SNxA4yGZxIdnFyL7DCH9VdSeHQDWv7EGjChfz1GHe7NFJ2st0-YN/s1600/IMG_3776.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVtnCHaZTrFyEaYwNbVpRyKp_BRlmQzb-Ntnjn6ZAkn4F0lErlKfdkT60Do7PsdlM2GMUL3zmRF2EktBEuadME_U1SNxA4yGZxIdnFyL7DCH9VdSeHQDWv7EGjChfz1GHe7NFJ2st0-YN/s200/IMG_3776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460473961568419026" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Just BE. We only have NOW. That's the only thing we have for sure at any given moment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDX7uYUNsGOxtj68kg9QJUm4qGnOpv6CcTYCblJx-4frfoNpKuv2bvL4AlH7TseAAEwdzCCUHWu0CXXhAts_QQvr9My90byx8beBXtda227D5jx6vF_JQsdHEoF5s5TSqA4PsxHYapObZ/s1600/IMG_3926.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDX7uYUNsGOxtj68kg9QJUm4qGnOpv6CcTYCblJx-4frfoNpKuv2bvL4AlH7TseAAEwdzCCUHWu0CXXhAts_QQvr9My90byx8beBXtda227D5jx6vF_JQsdHEoF5s5TSqA4PsxHYapObZ/s200/IMG_3926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460473951407487250" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The photos accompanying this post were taken this past weekend when my family took a day to BE in <a href="http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/carrizo.html">Carrizo Plains National Monument</a>. It was exactly what I/we needed to remember that we already have the most important things in life: each other, our health, and an abundance of beauty in our own backyard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL30TJ09PHxZHlLY1h937XNhmJxPO4wKUWzNLO6N2-8BKxX8skyokkfOqHf-i7rWoSVPz-IHhr3-MmkZ7_I8AENUB9T3ebSwwgfwdbouh9yBkLWxecZXDrOiI-owFbV8aqkQs7-varBE4/s1600/IMG_4016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL30TJ09PHxZHlLY1h937XNhmJxPO4wKUWzNLO6N2-8BKxX8skyokkfOqHf-i7rWoSVPz-IHhr3-MmkZ7_I8AENUB9T3ebSwwgfwdbouh9yBkLWxecZXDrOiI-owFbV8aqkQs7-varBE4/s200/IMG_4016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460475368149280690" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />So, my hope for all of us is that we make the time when things get crazy to look around at the world around us and enjoy the simplicity of the moment, soak it up, breathe deeply, smile, and realize that much of what is making us feel like a hamster on a wheel is not really that important in the big picture.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8fS3mKVX1ha_cOT7N_4838-SJJWP9G3QHoQ7BW4B52fdCem9pe30fnDvlS4wxirnFPwHvPEThVhhwpP22Te9_xOP4uKyWmrkBKr70H6nvDUzvGc2hFpcDbhD1BA3h57feROL2X33xUX7/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8fS3mKVX1ha_cOT7N_4838-SJJWP9G3QHoQ7BW4B52fdCem9pe30fnDvlS4wxirnFPwHvPEThVhhwpP22Te9_xOP4uKyWmrkBKr70H6nvDUzvGc2hFpcDbhD1BA3h57feROL2X33xUX7/s200/IMG_3797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460475345137558114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Our relationships, our health, our well-being...well, they ARE.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuIQqzANsxPsgLfD3X0qEcbjWWz2yFzqe7ySErC7eOpED0DeUHWoq25rF6NnQbL-ml_pug1oCcJLWKF83x70hHN6YSkiM-YJBrkPfMh2olCi0zxInm_XzyqeT4cDFVXaB7LSz9p3hqAZa/s1600/IMG_3937.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuIQqzANsxPsgLfD3X0qEcbjWWz2yFzqe7ySErC7eOpED0DeUHWoq25rF6NnQbL-ml_pug1oCcJLWKF83x70hHN6YSkiM-YJBrkPfMh2olCi0zxInm_XzyqeT4cDFVXaB7LSz9p3hqAZa/s200/IMG_3937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460475360803678018" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-74767808886709552862010-04-08T13:47:00.000-07:002010-04-08T14:09:21.826-07:00What the World Needs Now...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41156535"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-m8TPkIiIYKJ_9xFBRdyDAhOkGwM_XaqqvXQxkIaBD4qXVbrmFFlTxWaOv78VSWxiEnPeIJj3Hlas3qjeUFx8iEfzWeXB96yPANuZ642ULHPX_OCJ0RBzzdBJz_RUMLsqtrRURCFS0eJ/s400/il_430xN.124968511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872321642711538" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41156535">YuliyaArt</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6019117"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUVHiMX6_x7QSofIxm0w6a_VqzAsDzFeH9_6oHOIUMy-oH7V-Ay7Nb6nI7fwAJO-4jpv8quVoQn0r14UPY8aQweW38bYW0hGixObsQnp75kwM2X5MuMPsrpZXke1XNMmGcSEiJoMwclPS/s400/il_430xN.8098568.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872723382891106" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6019117">allmyary</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14498117"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S-APfYUTvL9dCkS-4q7zcZ6cNDtEDeGXkcI9o-nWeClhrwnjqcwOPfIGuAVpy0tWq0jFMR4QTXAAjkaplH-HZD0xb6gt_XdAMo2ADs2Pg1u886FB2f4odqjYV-HksIaCwRMRqYOnUMtN/s400/il_430xN.35619224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872711178430802" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14498117">maiaart</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20135053"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAR0w9OIO4yFJkP8PxVONe0wmRDEDi37A72cgFEL_rPDe-SRvPGcwD9j9_-olqkODxGJdvuZ5YbqjuBBnUsIMGo4Yf7x_9ZBsEu31JiuEenk8deg8Xz8MuJ-V_D_4TFY3-oEOAeNsvpLh/s400/il_430xN.63308097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872702878022690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20135053">oneheartjewelry</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36250104"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUX9aLsfPEKHXe4tiJNJg_3ITbtwRRndoDm-15M_uq-jAC81uMzobF_nSJI_R6LXK_LoT3U4rgF0xzthBDClDLtnhOvTy69rqdN-r9ufxSDEGAsYHlJHYL_0nDTTHchV4peJGlzRkJ3X2/s400/il_430xN.108367173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872326133436962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36250104">meanttobecalligraphy</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43817212"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcQurkmzlFJMFaSEoixDmUDefn0NsMvqUm5Z1SlU9UkDVkTjEIzkAXGQqOiUSPKBc9IRF6NZ2UXne1fseAYj9WlDaUuKOyf-OmEvuz-q9z3WiPYKT_KUHkTddI4WS3Du_lBE5WeUwTG_7/s400/il_430xN.134064860.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872308635323714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43817212">mysticorb</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44385553"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuA2WFTBUb3MfH24JM8cB258uVf_M5YrieJb0ktHDwlaw_GP1S8jGb3-XXNrRc9RgCfvXa8DfSPj-hjXvQ4w3G18wTnLcQpE4iFX_s9ovjPbZFH4yNzsh4P81h55hQI6N3MD_8jByqrUK/s400/il_430xN.135989533.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872300339349346" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44385553">RosieGirlArt</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42542479"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfILE_YJiJ1Q9KvJnfSFa_vVX_fv2LSUaU_YYdJy0jRbynGAEF7trcR75OGGQBUedtDCiCXsAFRSlcdKvXKSJDmGDzPfockO9UFUHupy0Q2ixQo1h3hUlzdyEBpWlpTBve2oHgJJr1d4C/s400/il_430xN.129854048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457872314012908354" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42542479">SilvinePhotography</a><br /></div><br /><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl on Etsy!</a><br /><br /><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-20811521617434435502010-04-06T11:03:00.000-07:002010-04-06T11:56:58.816-07:00Spring Break is Over (sniff)After a lovely week and a half spent with family and friends, getting some spring cleaning done (although not nearly enough!), doing a little shopping, and taking some photographs, I'm sad to see Spring Break come to an end. From here till summer our days will be longer and filled with things that will all culminate around the same time at the end of the school year: recitals, school events, graduation, as well as personal celebrations that occur at the same time in the form of birthdays and anniversaries.<br /><br />But, until TOMORROW, we're still on break! So today I am going to share some of my vacation with you all just like the slide shows of yesteryear that friends and neighbors were forced to sit through for hours at a time! (Only MUCH shorter! LOL!) Enjoy!<br /><br /><object id="vp1r8TjJ" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="432" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1270580017&f=r8TjJhVhQ26rOWn5k7iVdw&d=31&m=b&r=w&i=m&options="><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed id="vp1r8TjJ" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1270580017&f=r8TjJhVhQ26rOWn5k7iVdw&d=31&m=b&r=w&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com/">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.com/"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.com/">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl!</a><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-4133784941607608372010-03-29T10:21:00.001-07:002010-04-25T20:53:39.734-07:00Spring Break!!If you are on Spring Break this week, like many of us, I hope that your week is filled with these types of things!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eA4agXzZqyYpsi0QFg-mAuL9u4JIje6XdraRiz9QkSSodEqnJnqfK2Gj4DgW2W3njx10LRw-K_4eh6sUpR78-HynD0ur8HG0SjQ7dEA8gb08w9XjKfWb9ERckuWLyb1j-XAziAL6Z95L/s1600/Spring+Break+mini.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eA4agXzZqyYpsi0QFg-mAuL9u4JIje6XdraRiz9QkSSodEqnJnqfK2Gj4DgW2W3njx10LRw-K_4eh6sUpR78-HynD0ur8HG0SjQ7dEA8gb08w9XjKfWb9ERckuWLyb1j-XAziAL6Z95L/s400/Spring+Break+mini.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454114949996258546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28497343&ref=em"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28497343&ref=em">TaraMPhotography</a>,<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38725709&ref=em"> AmeliaKayPhotography</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32569391&ref=em">BunkFossStudio</a>,<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43625949&ref=em">FromMyBookShelf</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43268002&ref=em">AbbeyJames</a>,<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43736276&ref=em">karencaseysmith</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com/">Visit Made by SwirlyGirl on Etsy!</a></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-7332724324286197982010-03-27T10:14:00.000-07:002010-03-27T10:52:23.185-07:00Fun with FontsHave you ever seen something that you don't have a lot of use for but wish you did? I discovered a <a href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/">site</a>, <a href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/">Web Design Booth</a>, through another blog which I was directed to from a fan page on Facebook, (I think!--with so many things to check out every day, it is hard to keep track sometimes!), and I've bookmarked it to use when and IF I ever have need of it.<br /><br />I've gone back a couple of times and these fonts look so good that I'm trying to think of a card line that I can create just so I can use them! :-)<br /><br /><br />Perhaps you use fonts more frequently than and are tired of the selection you have? This post has links to <span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-beautiful-handwritten-fonts/">handwritten fonts</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">:<br /><br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-beautiful-handwritten-fonts/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOG383YU5TjV4WS6rRMR30pltRdGcXr_Fmu275b7VnpaGGeN8eyMaXL67vKteopAOFnxBrQ9oXv9LTHjcKMvJDGLkiq3ex3I6wYv4SaB4QX8hZ-zCpUC4C73UOy4NRAmls-PNoA9TDdbi8/s400/handwriting1800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453365162453013410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-beautiful-handwritten-fonts/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01xMubJXFiAN0NWpDx8Rqc_cwK2KST-cuW6E4Mk2Yx44Vgp0Ewq9pftUYXugB8D1qvVcz3rXTOf3z89bty8ugmIi8OTIwqRKkbQGeT2tJCS76HFO3lS96Rkz8eJtRSBJFvirS71K1GqZT/s400/close-to-me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453365165680118898" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/40-awesome-cartoon-and-comic-fonts-for-designers/"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">cartoon fonts</span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">:<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/40-awesome-cartoon-and-comic-fonts-for-designers/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3eAZ8OFUqG5ZAJdeeWpl_fJn7nSZSTyxnNhFWEyf6zB7VNWtKZerl5P8xTfw05mp56sar3u_KymXQiEiadLvONoL5u9xPkJftD1AkFfGePpqmb_vqzfdE60q7ZSHeKOFO51HpSuH6OXj/s400/oogie-boogie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453366386009493906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/40-awesome-cartoon-and-comic-fonts-for-designers/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OAhyphenhyphenLa6e__MWA8egfU0XevLExwxiYSwhE2g0X_1P_o5M6XWP-3t9IkAtyuC676fI3ypja7gmy2VnwYZAhc4HpKtRMXWGoFYtHdXAZDoy-tDkPBAaVAHZiBbgdeKPJa0f7KQnGbryR9HL/s400/cactus-sandwich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453366374824199554" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/60-awesome-grunge-font-that-every-designer-should-collect/"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >grunge fonts</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >:<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/60-awesome-grunge-font-that-every-designer-should-collect/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 64px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuwDNS4Ejdp68yI0wmRyI7pjmH22Ok7wfuDYKYaidDz0xrjPf6vS4arkxcL3XHwoEnoPvybKmWHfnGGKtXjvvkl6dJY7ZT6oAEocbqxosjHo8poxK0-GWXETMQN4ZqIClLWfEp0XcQpFT/s400/chicago-house-trial.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453366028323081042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/60-awesome-grunge-font-that-every-designer-should-collect/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 63px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCuCXw1Y1Qx3nSmQZAgFaARwwbUhtyYD_7o5aBq3Jo-jUM9KMseKsGkZ2IsP5U0wmtulqqm5Sb4gQMg9UiQPzlEqHB81UjD_4yvU2Di1OZgwox4yiUqHg6W_SWcmAtFrHfJs0WFQbY4GK/s400/broken-ghost.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453366023961436706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-fancy-calligraphy-fonts/">calligraphy fonts</a>:<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-fancy-calligraphy-fonts/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLrr93ZVMnJx250NXBKuQC1_kOLR-2wcb3qnCwwRZnjyCKdzLDYHYKRLBKH6XDv4Ar2RZUBR0Km_sPZRtMDH6OFqetovzipnOg6-n32eYAPV2uIbnMYVxclMGVtvtwLeEKt0GWWHRQlTJ/s400/scriptina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453367048558998706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-fancy-calligraphy-fonts/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYimZpKNPLPeqQ8mdrX7JhBTCDGc9NDWYZh88E69dkskCcMxd8-L8O_6dvDbMxck-O0Hdx57IxoS2_WgigFKzlnCkkA1l5OWVLBYTdVeML_xjCo5mLXqCFbUcr2yPr3XxbOcPHfF0BhXS/s400/freebooter-script.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453367052922749474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">and </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-beautiful-dingbats-and-symbol-fonts-suitable-for-your-christmas-use/">dingbats</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-beautiful-dingbats-and-symbol-fonts-suitable-for-your-christmas-use/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih398u7yXNZ6cmKYtbGvdWLO_G5QRmsbWlE5utEUTzw27ESvyQgGFWFv3NwNIEuXFqUSH4ubfgYwhd8Jr4BD5PEeXPZ4afwLdYIyqLUT5Aruf7kpspokixAmKbzTcmRL7A5iZXDgcM1eu-/s400/kr-christmas-time.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453366738355277954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/30-beautiful-dingbats-and-symbol-fonts-suitable-for-your-christmas-use/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjyb8hwKJRMEOHVXvDmK79bv_e8fbswzTSeBVD_Sy7SPcHXXtNUMXgdPO9riGHt4mFq8ng66Cekti_doAo-59QwMx48S682An_MgvZfC15UUzliFxIFOkoKB1JiSZ25eQUQ6btUV0zc6c/s400/faux-snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453369251045062610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />---all <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">free downloads</span></span>! See what I mean???? I don't know about you, but my wheels are turning now!....<br /><br />If you happen to know of other download sites for great fonts, please share them in the comments! I'd love to check them out!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Visit <a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.com/">Made by SwirlyGirl</a>!<br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813393881525690496.post-1866072439918980612010-03-26T14:02:00.001-07:002010-03-26T14:20:30.069-07:00Inspirations of SpringJust like the world opening up around me, I'm itching to create, create, create! Spring is here in southern California and my desire to get cozy in my cave has turned into the desire to be outside with my camera and look at all that is coming alive! I have a zillion photographs of every kind of flower and sign of spring in my folders on my computer, but I can't stop myself! I need to take more! So...I've been experimenting with new ways to share these photos that look a little different than my other shots. These are a few examples of new filters and effects I've been playing with. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more with these than sharing them here on my blog and on <a href="http://artist.to/madebyswirlygirl">Facebook</a>, but any feedback is welcome and I appreciate your taking a look!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRlL_4QanTHKnBkvStLNDNvm-mlrst4D6iwPlOsIYx-5gVP6Ok3M7W7JdFNtLyF68sR-r1MO5MfnZFZ5KptwqNli0uThPNXYng9fI6TWH4HUSoKmYaCWQDrxM2MCTxAW-SlFAKK3ivErA/s1600/bygone+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRlL_4QanTHKnBkvStLNDNvm-mlrst4D6iwPlOsIYx-5gVP6Ok3M7W7JdFNtLyF68sR-r1MO5MfnZFZ5KptwqNli0uThPNXYng9fI6TWH4HUSoKmYaCWQDrxM2MCTxAW-SlFAKK3ivErA/s400/bygone+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453051911911291010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvxsOxMlVH7c5UckkNBCKgfg8r0RVzb80mAbd3hr-ZvfKm5DlqR5cfcb7KGoxPPSuTQipGW7f6C27LbODIBgf0yHyoVj6MwfAEUlMIysfv4ZdndOwCP8vmCBBkE9y8AcOepL0jIG_I00s/s1600/bygone+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvxsOxMlVH7c5UckkNBCKgfg8r0RVzb80mAbd3hr-ZvfKm5DlqR5cfcb7KGoxPPSuTQipGW7f6C27LbODIBgf0yHyoVj6MwfAEUlMIysfv4ZdndOwCP8vmCBBkE9y8AcOepL0jIG_I00s/s400/bygone+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453051903658798466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1MEnaaSxDZ4p9Dl9OWx_J3w6hZk_8qsI9-aSJAu0I9EqCsQ8WIhh_8tTYijsq3-txQrDbpdnE35S2OV-scvSghqkObezGeMJXfIy2Ltsp2YZEIN6Lutugy3lGXAhTNqYvJSQexwlyVT5/s1600/bygone+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1MEnaaSxDZ4p9Dl9OWx_J3w6hZk_8qsI9-aSJAu0I9EqCsQ8WIhh_8tTYijsq3-txQrDbpdnE35S2OV-scvSghqkObezGeMJXfIy2Ltsp2YZEIN6Lutugy3lGXAhTNqYvJSQexwlyVT5/s400/bygone+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453051896813870706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_kcJ3BwmiIguXSLLt3l3rzfNmllkUea487-hU1whduTgTvQASwR020oix3AQNrAO5NwgBQbeOq-3-DKmi9sv-P5r9HmAJNPPAyCQOr5IkcNiIup5vFO88SD6Jqio5C-qmU8_aA2x8idg/s1600/bygone+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_kcJ3BwmiIguXSLLt3l3rzfNmllkUea487-hU1whduTgTvQASwR020oix3AQNrAO5NwgBQbeOq-3-DKmi9sv-P5r9HmAJNPPAyCQOr5IkcNiIup5vFO88SD6Jqio5C-qmU8_aA2x8idg/s400/bygone+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453051882736977138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Visit <a href="http://madebyswirlygirl.com/">Made by SwirlyGirl</a> for cards and photo art!<br /><br /><br /></div>Made by SwirlyGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356616551006384157noreply@blogger.com2