Quote of the Week: Attuning to Nature

"When we attune to nature with sensitivity, we can see just how connected we are. We are always in relationship; we just rarely notice it. From this perspective, everything on this earth, from the spring rains that provide fresh drinking water to the warmth of the sun, is an open-hearted, generous offering."

~Mark Coleman, from Awake in the Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery

Newest Crafty Haul

Stopped by Creative Reuse Pittsburgh and Wild Stuff Pop-Up Vintage Sale this weekend, and walked away with a haul of new fabrics and fun stuff! Hoping it all will kick my inspiration in the arse and get me in creating mode for the coming indie craft market season! :)



Feathers, leaves, florals, and some great fabrics for dyeing fun colors. :) Also random sewing bits to jazz up bags and pouches.



Vintage wooden thread spools to complete a sweet little project on my list from Minature Rhino.

Spring

After a long winter turned inward, I open to the vibrance of spring with a bit of trepidation. My favorite season, one of awakening and rebirth, seems a little too bright and motion-filled this year. I welcome it still, through my fear.

Today I heard and saw a robin, my first of the year, singing strongly and happily, tail bobbing with each chirp. And although we've had our cardinal pair with us all winter long, one morning this week I heard the male sing for the first time since autumn. His call pierced the last of winter's cool air like the sun's rays, breaking through clouds and reaching to my struggling spirit.

Sharing some photos:


I cut some of our just-born daffodils today to bring inside.



A tree of cascading flowers (a Sorrel/Sourwood/Lily of the Valley Tree) in our yard has already brought crowds of big, fat bumblebees to buzz through the blossoms.



We hung our new birdhouse from Etsy's Bacon Square Farm in the hopes of attracting a happy bird family this year. A gift from my sister. Thanks, Lis.



An afternoon at the park. My niece Gigi is a dirt girl like me. :)

Big Shopping Weekend! Veg Artisans Gear Up!

Friday kicks off a huge weekend of shopping, getting holiday shoppers all aflutter! Black Friday precedes a Saturday of supporting small businesses (Small Business Saturday) and Cyber Monday, online shopping's biggest day of the year. Some of my fellow teammates in EtsyVeg are celebrating by offering great sales and perks, giving you a chance to not only support small businesses by shopping with our independent artisans, but the chance to support handmade and more compassionate living!





Take the Pledge to Buy Handmade for the Holidays and the pledge to Shop Small, while supporting vegan and vegetarian artisans- kick the holiday shopping season off ethically while buying gifts that are unique, made with a personal touch, and filled with love! :)

Check out these shops for awesome savings:

AndLive~
30% OFF everything in shop Thanksgiving morning through midnight on Cyber Monday.
Code: ETSYONSALE

Arthurs Plaid Pants~
10% OFF everything in shop on Black Friday, 11/25/11 only!
Code: BLK10
15 % OFF everything in shop on Cyber Monday, 11/28/11 ONLY!
Code: CYB15

ClaynFiber~
20% OFF from Thursday, November 24th through Monday, November 28th.
Code: HOLIDAY20

Ideology~
Save 30% on everything in shop from Black Friday through Cyber Monday (the weekend included)! Cyber Monday buyers will also receive a free gift!
Code: 30PERCENT

KarinaManarin~
FREE SHIPPING on all domestic orders through Monday the 28th!

Krug's Eco-Logic~
$20 & up ... 20% off code: 20PERCENT
$40 & up ... 30% off code: 30PERCENT
$60 & up ... 40% off code: 40PERCENT
$110 & up ... 50% off code: 50PERCENT

LuniqueUK~
20% OFF Friday through Monday.
Code: LOVEXMAS

M's Knits and Things~
25% OFF orders from Friday morning through Monday night at midnight.
Code: BLACKFRIDAY25

Mom, Baby & Me~
FREE SHIPPING NOW thru Black Friday/Cyber Monday Weekend!
Code: FREESHIPPING

Twig & Leaf Botanicals~
30% OFF on black friday, small business saturday, and cyber monday!
Code: ETSYONSALE

Veganville~
30 percent off everything in shop (except gift certificates) from midnight Thanksgiving through midnight cyber Monday. Yay!
Code: BIG30

Vivace Crafts~
15% OFF everything from Black Friday to Cyber Monday! :)
Code: BLACKFRIDAY1

Have fun! Support Small Businesses! Buy Handmade! Go Veg!

Take the Pledge!