Furry Companions

In memory of my Loki who passed recently, I dedicate this posting to him.  

He came home with me when he was just a tiny thing, 

the runt of the litter but was very feisty and playful.  

My daughters named him Loki after the Norse god of Mischief 

which fit him to a "T".

Loki lived a long life (13 years), my loving companion, was such a chatty guy, 

always talking to me, and begging for food!

Here are a few items from CraftCafe, 

for those who love their "Furry Companions".

OOAK Fine Jewelry - Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs

Affordable Jewelry for Everyday Wear - Linda Searcy Designs, Too

Fabric Stash - LindaS Fabric Stash

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Laura of Peachie's Pasttime

Kittie

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Tammy of B'eadUnique

Cat Earrings

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Michele of Aphrodites Attic

Yummmy for Doggie

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Rhonda of Variety Gifts and Services

Fluffy Charm

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Tropics

"Tropics" what does that word conjure in your mind?

I have always loved anything tropical, 

whether it be vibrant colors (tangerines, golds, reds), 

citrus smells of tropical fruit (pineapples, passion fruit, and coconuts) or 

the landscapes of Hawaii or the Caribbean (palm trees, sunrises/sunsets, beaches).  

I don't know if it is because of my heritage 

(I was born in the Philippines, land of palm trees, coconuts, heat and monsoons) 

or having been raised in a family that traveled 

to many tropical or exotic locales, such as St. Lucia or Panama?  

I have inherited the love of traveling and 

it seems my daughters have continued that passion!  

When the girls were still in high school, we took our first family trip to Hawaii 

- we loved it and I have been back 3 more times.  

I think it is time for another visit.  

My younger daughter, Maureen, convinced me to travel back 

to my birth place for the first time after I had left when a child.  

She and I had a wonderful time including an all-day local culinary excursion, 

traveling to the remote rice terraces, and spending several days 

at an island resort spa where we were the only visitors.  

The whole experience made us have a greater appreciation of 

our home in the good USA!

Another adventure that both my daughters, Maureen and Anna, and I had 

was to Japan where that nation 

has had more than it's share of tropical heat and tsunami.  

We all three enjoyed the typical tourist sites, culture, and cuisine (real sushi and saki!).  

We included various off-the-beaten excursions, 

traveling by bullet train to places where not many spoke English 

(and we did not know a word of Japanese!).

And now here are a few featured shops and items from CraftCafe.co 

that conjure the "Tropics" for these selected CraftCafe members!

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MicheleWolfe of Aphrodite’s Attique

soothing tropical seas

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Tammy of B’eadUnique

 

Tropics

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Gingerof GoatieGirls

lovely vintage tropical dress

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Terryof POP Embroidery

can almost smell these!

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Laura of Peachie’s Pasttime

cute starfish reminds me of the ocean ..  

the crisp clean tropical ocean ... 

love starfish and it looks very cuddly

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OOAK Fine Jewelry - Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs

Affordable Jewelry for Everyday Wear - Linda Searcy Designs, Too

Fabric Stash - LindaS Fabric Stash

End of Summer...

It's mid-August and summer is almost gone!  What does end of summer mean to you?  

For me, it used to mean the end of staying inside where the A/C kept me comfy instead of being hot, humid and sticky, eating ice cream, or being at one of the fabulous beaches in NC!

Now, it means looking forward to cooler weather, enjoying the smells of fall weather (including the aroma of delicious NC State Fair food!) and the energetic atmosphere of art and craft festivals!

To get into the spirit of promoting for upcoming festivals, I'm starting a weekly blitz for promotions of fellow artists and crafters on CraftCafe.co where I now have 3 active shops (OOAK Jewelry, Affordable Everyday Jewelry, and Fabric Stash).

This first installment is around the theme "End of Summer".  I've asked several artists / crafters to recommend an item of another artist or crafter that reflects this theme.

Please be sure to stop by each shop, browse, and spread some CraftCafe Love!

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Tammy of B'eadUnique

Summer flies

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Terry of POPEmbroidery   

Totally love these canning jar hang tags!

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Ginger of GoatieGirls

And of course with the beginning of fall
you get autumn leaves.......... I really love these

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Laura of Peachie's Pasttime

What better way to end the summer and welcome

the fall than with this beautiful bag

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Rhonda of Variety Gifts and Services

The Beginning of holiday shopping. 

Here’s a cute gift for Teachers or Co-workers.

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Updates!!!

WOW!  It has been a long time since my last post.  Trust me, I have not been lazy or slacking in keeping busy...

Short updates with pics:

-- one of my beautiful daughters, Anna, is now married to a wonderful guy, Nick!  Anna has gained a big welcoming family - my head was swimming when I was introduced to Nick's whole family.  A lovely wedding with few tears... wedding bands FIT, whew!   Weather cooperated, it was hot but no rain.   Wedding pics to come later.

Beautiful Anna!

Handsome Nick (with my other beautiful daughter, Maureen)

Groom's happy parents, Mike and Hepsie!

Bride and groom wedding bands

Bride's wedding ring set

-- another metalsmith skill under my belt, lost wax casting @ William Holland - love it but right now don't have all the equipment to do the actual casting... will need to work out that detail.

Cast pieces in fine silver, sterling and gold!

-- working on lining up more fall and holiday art shows... so far, I'm in for the FestiFall (Chapel Hill) Pagan Pride Festival (Raleigh Fairgrounds) and Cooke Street Festival (Raleigh).

-- opened a fabric stash shop on CraftCafe.co - will be closing the fabric shop on Etsy at the end of this month.  I love my new shop banner (created by Graphic Designs by Tara) - what do you think of it?

And, I am going to try something I've not done before... have a weekly blog post to help promote others on CraftCafe (and myself, too, of course!).