Swan Mountain Soaps

What a delight to feature Swan Mountain soaps!

These gorgeous artisan soaps are created by

Christina the formulator and soap maker,

with the help of her beloved husband Mike and 5 children.

Busy as bees they are!

They reside in the the beautiful, rugged state of Alaska.

Six years ago they were inspired to make

hand made soap and became addicted.

Their completely natural soaps and products are made from the

plants and herbs that grow abundantly during the summer months in Alaska.

These are three of their products on my Mother's day list...

Lovely Dandelion Soap

Butterscotch Lip Balm, yummmm

Lemon Bath Bomb, I'm relaxing already

Take a deep breath and smell all the enticing aroma's.

Her Etsy shop is sure to be a favorite

and her blog is full of life and interesting tidbits...

Etsy shop : www.swanmountainsoaps.etsy.com

Blog: http://www.swanmountainsoaps.blogspot.com

Feature from BESTeam on Etsy.

Coleman John

At the age of 58 a dream of mine,

since I was four years old

 came to fruition.

Anyone who is a grandma knows...

My heart grew to capacity

on October 29th 2012 !

The little man. 

Art Of the Day!

Trees Cloud

Mitch Dobrowner is from Long Island, his

work is reminiscent of Ansel Adams.

Please take a look at the rest of his awesome work at:

http://mitchdobrowner.com/

AIM ARTISTRY

A young artist on the go...

AIM ARTISTRY

Amy Skackleton is a Canadian born Artist,

her unique use of water and buildings 

is so intriguing. Amy's web site explains

how she takes photos on her many travels,

 she than layers them on Photoshop

and ultimately reproduces them with acrylic on canvas.

Voila!

Love Her...

Please check out the rest of her fine work at:

http://amyshackleton.com/

The old train station... 

by als

Hearing the train whistle early this morning brought me right back

to my early years visiting my grandparents in Ohio.

Lying in bed all snuggy and warm, the night trains would

go by on the tracks not far from their home...

A wonderful Sound memory!

May you have a brilliant New Year!

New Year's Eve 2011

Looking up in the night sky I saw my first falling star...

It filled me with awe and hope.

This year holds wondrous
things for us all...

Auld Lang Syne
is a Scots poem written in 1788 by Robert Burns.
It's widely used not only for the New Year but
for any endings and new beginnings.

One of my favorite renditions is by Kenny G.

2011
Was a very bittersweet year in many respects.
My lovely daughter Jessica married Stephan Flaherty in May.

Our 89 year old Mother Margie passed away in June.

My husband and I are caring for my 92 year old father

with pleasure.

We miss her so.

Camo Bark

Art is everywhere!

This photo is the bark of a Camo Tree

also known as the American Sycamore...

I love the movement, it looks like lily pads on water. 

Imagination is the beginning of creation. 

You imagine what you desire, 
you will what you imagine 

and at last you create what you will.

George Bernard Shaw

Everyone thinks of changing the world,
 but no one thinks of changing himself.

  - Leo Tolstoy

Isaac salazar

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: 

It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."

                        -Voltaire

Gilliauna

Welcome to Gilliauna's Bit's and Bead's!

Stunning, beaded, high quality Creations. 

Inspired by a rainbow of colors

her Artisan handmade Jewelry really stands out.

The language of Color enhances our lives. 

Located in Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC

beautiful locals for living and creating... 

Love her Etsy shop,

I've chosen  just a few

of her pieces to highlight.

 Gorgeous tactile red earrings wrapped in silver .

Stand out Vintage beaded necklace

.

Beautifier Tigers eye gemstone cuff

Elegant pearl eyeglass chain.

Lovely ID badge, Lanyard.

What a talent !

Gilliauna will make custom pieces

and is now offering Lay a way.

Please take the time to enjoy her Etsy 

shop and read her spectacular blog...

http://gilliauna.etsy.com

 http://www.handmadeshoppingguide.com

Write Owl

Journals, Pottery and More

Functional, Beautiful, Creations.

Write Owl started creating journals

at the tender age of 8.

Her vibrant use of colors and materials are very appealing.

She encourages all of us to keep journals,

with her lovely products.

They would make wonderful gifts for yourself 

or your friends. 

Love this Hand Tied Journal  (coptic stitched)

Beautiful lace design, Teal and Brown ceramic coasters.

Green is my favorite color, Marble Hard cover Journal.

Make your own Coptic Stitch Journal, great for a gift.

All of these products and many more can be purchased at:

www.writeowl.etsy.com/

Check out the rest of her sites as well.

Twitter: @writeowldesigns
Facebook: http://facebook.com/writeowldesigns
Blog: http://writeowldesigns.blogspot.com
Livejournal: http://writeowldesigns.livejournal.com

Illustration News

John Walsom

What a talent?

Love his intriguing use of color...

Illustrator, photographer and architect.

View his entire collection at:

http://www.illustrationweb.com/illustrators/home_large.asp?artist_id=3407

Ardent Reverie!

Welcome to Ardent Reverie!

Two crazy, creative sisters have teamed up to

create a myriad of art pieces in one small room.

Melanie and Meghan Mina

are talented artisans.

These are items from their Etsy Store:

A gorgeous flower, feather hair clip.

Aqua is my favorite  color.

This unique scarf, cowl is so versatile...

It could be worn with anything, grey is the new black...  

The dandelion pendent necklace

is just lovely.

 

Yes they paint too!

This humming bird would look great in

my grandchild's room.

(When I get one) 

Please check out their esty store,

follow them on facebook, twitt them on twitter 

and watch them on you tube.

www.ardentreverie.com

www.ardentreverie.etsy.com/

facebook.com/ardentreverie

twitter.com/ardentreverie1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpZlb7Pg5BQ

They are so cute...

dreams

"All our dreams can come true, 

if we have the courage to pursue them." 

                                         -Walt Disney

photographik

What a pleasure to feature Kim Johnson from Florida.

Kim is a  talented freelance designer, photographer, and illustrator.

 Her hand-made items are made from 100% recycled plastic bottle felt,

 recycled materials and organic linens. 

Finding inspiration from everyday life,

Kim creates graphic home decor that is eco friendly.

What great gifts these would make...

Love the colors in this Honeycomb bee pillow.

This bird in the tree table runner is spectacular.

Oh yes, the Globe Thistle pillow would look great on 

a chair in my bedroom!

Please view her entire collection at:

www.photographik.etsy.com/

Kim's blog is interesting and eco-friendly.

http://photographiketsy.blogspot.com/

DiCarlos - as you like it

Stephanie, a teacher in the Boston area

has many talents. Her artwork

and jewelry are unique and timeless.

Boston is one of my favorite cites,

I'm actually visiting there at the end of December.

Stephanie's products would make Excellent Holiday gifts.

Love these gorgeous silver earnings

 with red poppy jasper beads.

This interesting finger print painting
on black canvas caught my eye.

Unique birds of a feather note book,

I'm thinking about this for my daughter,

she loves notebooks.

Please have a look all of her

entire as you like it collection:

www.dicarlos.etsy.com/

Off The Wall Expression

"Helping you to Express Your Personality"

Off The Wall Expressions is  vinyl lettering and wall art design company. 

Tina & Mick, a husband and wife team from Indiana,

 want to inspire you to make a statement with their beautiful graphic art!  

It can be applied to any smooth surface..

Lovely

Cherry Blossoms

This would be great as a headboard too

Romantic 

Wedding Heart Dance.

My daughter is getting married in May!!!

She would love to dance on this.

Adorable

 tree chalk board.

Perfect for a playroom or 

bedroom wall.

How cute is this wee one?

Please check out the rest of their
intriguing  designs,
 FREE SHIPPING TODAY!
Express Yourself...
www.offthewallexpression.etsy.com/

The Art of Food

My son, (a chef)  met

the Barefoot Contessa at a book signing in NYC

for "Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That.?"
Ina Garten is a fabulous cook.

People who love food are my kind of people!

Sharing a favorite recipe:
I've  made this for the holidays for
over 30 years, in seven different states
and Costa Rica. It was always a hit!

photo by als

Steamed Cranberry Pudding

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 cups whole cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
•  
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water. Stir in the molasses, then mix in the cranberries and flour. Pour into a greased 6 cup steamer mold.
2. Cover the mold, and place into a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover the steaming pot. Cook over medium heat for one hour before checking, but it will take about 1 1/2 hours total. A toothpick inserted into the pudding should come out clean. Loosen the edges, and cool on a wire rack in the mold.
3. Make the hard sauce just before serving: Heat the unsalted butter, cream, 1 cup sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook stirring constantly until heated through and smooth.
4. Cut small piece and pour the sauce over, serve warm...