the blue muse

That’s a yawn, not a snarl and it made me smile. I just happened to be sitting there taking pictures of George and his sleepy face, which turned out to be indeed, a sleepy face.

It has been a frenzied week, and I am exhausted, but, finally, I am ready for our first show of the year, I still can’t believe it is June and here we go again. Of course, I am hoping for good weather, and a good crowd. My sister and I always have so much fun at the shows, once we get past the preparation, it is nice to enjoy the festivities and great to see many of our regular customers and friends.

I will probably look much like this cat tomorrow, as we have to be at the show by 6:00 a.m. to get everything set up, which means I will have to be up by 4:30 or so. Lots and lots of tea will be needed. Gallons. Generally we set up the day before, but this particular show doesn’t allow for that and so, there will be sleepy faces.

If you are in the area, stop by and say hello!

Canal Days in Fairport, New York

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Booth SME330

And if you haven’t already entered, go to this post to enter our drawing for a free pair of fine silver earrings.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’ve done plenty of both in my time,
it can be hard to know which choice is the right one.

Sometimes, it depends on the day.

Or my mood.

Or external forces.

Sometimes you take it all in,
sometimes, you let it all go.

Wings are made for flight, but birds have feet for a reason.

Balance.

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This image is part of Texture Tuesday over at Kim Klassen’s Cafe.
Click here to check it out or join in the fun!

Our first show of the year is this coming weekend,

for those of you from the area, we will be at

Canal Days in Fairport, New York

(if you go, stop by and say hello!)

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So that means it is time for a giveaway! Yay!

The lucky winner will receive these fun and funky leaf earrings.

These earrings are handmade from precious metal clay and are part of
our new matte finish series. Ear wires and jump rings are sterling silver.

They measure approximately 1 1/2 inches long by 3/8 inches wide,
and are a $33 value.

HOW TO ENTER:

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post.

To make it a little more fun, tell me what’s blooming in your yard!
(but any comment will get you entered)

ADDED BONUS:

For an extra chance at winning, follow me on twitter or facebook and
tweet or post about the giveaway for an additional entry. Just come back here and leave an additional comment to let me know that you have done so, and you will be entered twice.

This giveaway will be up until midnight on Monday, June 6th.
I will announce the winner Tuesday, June 7th, 2011.

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Good luck!

That is what my sister and I always say as the week before a jewelry show draws near. No matter how much we plan ahead, produce and prepare,
that last week is always a flurry of activity.

This is especially true for the first show of the year, there are
so many little things we seem to forget about. Things that by November,
at our last show, will be second nature.

So I am off to do a little frenzying, today and tomorrow we have predictions of thunder showers, perfect weather for me as I sit inside with
my beads and baubles, shiny bits of silver and sparkling crystals.

These tulips grow just outside my studio window,
a different sort of jewel, don’t you think?

Wishing you a Saturday filled with fun and sunshine.

xo

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p.s. check back on Monday for the giveaway announcement!

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This image is part of Texture Tuesday over at Kim Klassen’s Cafe.
Click here to check it out!

Life gets to be blur sometimes, and this seems especially true lately.

WIth so much rain, there have been days at a time when I don’t
get outside to my garden, and then when I do, I am surprised to see
what has popped up and started blooming.

Surprised in a good way, of course.

This weekend there will be more planting, the tomato beds are all prepared and ready, and there are still so many beds that need mulching.

But mostly, it will be a jewelry weekend, our first show of the year is
next weekend and I still have a lot to finish up!

Hard to believe it’s that time already.

Whenever we have a show, I like to host a giveaway here on the blog,
so be on the lookout in the next few posts for the announcement.

And here’s hoping that we all get to take a little time
to stop and smell the flowers.

What are your plans for the weekend?

xo,
kelly

I had to hide in the trees/bushes to get this shot. But it was worth it.

I think I’m in love.

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Today I am over at Inspiration Studio,
breathing in the calm before the storm.

(In my case, the getting ready for our first jewelry show of the year storm)

Would love to have you stop by!

For the past week, I’ve been trying to get a picture of the bluebird that is contemplating nesting in the birdhouse I have in my garden. It hasn’t been easy. All birds are shy, of course, but the bluebird seems especially so. I am not anywhere near as close to him as it looks in this photo, a long telephoto lens and some serious cropping are responsible for that.

But isn’t he gorgeous?

If he and his wife keep coming back, I will keep trying. The birdhouse is actually quite close to our picnic table, but I haven’t been able to get that close yet without them flying off. I am also very undecided about whether or not I actually want them to nest. Of course, I want them to, but we have two outdoor kitties and I am not quite sure what to do about that. In fact, earlier in the Spring, I spotted one of my cats sitting on top of this same birdhouse.

In the past, this house has been used mostly by tree swallows, which I adore (they are the funniest of birds), but for some reason this year they showed no interest… perhaps because of the cats.

Yesterday was a perfect weather day, sunny and high 70s, everything green and lush from a week’s worth of rain. I spent the day outside in my garden, pulling a million dandelions, mulching, and trying to get pictures of various birds. Seriously, if it was like that everyday, I would live outside.

Sunshine has been such a rarity this Spring, I just couldn’t help but stay out there until the sun when down.

Today we are back to grey skies and probable rain. I am so glad I was able to be out there yesterday, soaking up the sun, working hard amongst the flowers, playing hide and seek with that oh-so-shy bluebird of happiness.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday.

I was planning a much longer catching-up-on-things sort of post today

but then a rush job for my graphics business came in,

so instead

I picked this dandelion for you

because it has an extra clump of wishes,

do you see them, there, on the right?

And now I hope all your wishes

come true.

Happy Friday.

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with your heart on your sleeve

and your trill shrill call

that echoes

off glass reflecting

water walls

your piercing stare

that holds no secrets

your chitter chatter

that says nothing at all

you

carry the seasons

on your shiny

black back

as one heavy load

that you never

acknowledge

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this poem is part of one shot wednesday

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I can’t believe it’s Monday already, can you?

After a week of sunshine and warmer temperatures, we are back to
cold and rainy. But in that week, the world turned green and
blooms popped out all over the place, what a relief.

I am still very behind on so many things, working hard to get caught up.
I feel like that is the soundtrack of my life lately.

But I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you,
and that I’m thinking of you.

Wishing you a week filled with hugs and kisses.
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