11 Things You Didn't Know About Me!

I joined this swap in one of my Facebook groups and we had to send our partner 10 different items showing something about our self that the other person may not know.  I thought it was going to be really difficult to come up with 10 things, but it wasn't, and I actually came up with 11. To put all of these goodies together to send to my partner I created a bag and loaded it with everything.

I Have This Desire to Explore

I really like how these two different cards turned out.  I'm learning to use the Mirror Image Stamping Tool by Unity Stamp Co. and, needless to say, still have a lot more to learn.  Oh, I received my Tim Holtz Stamp platform and, for the life of me, cant' figure out how I ever lived without it.  I thought it was way cheaper than another stamp platform and am so in love with it.  I'm not sure if I'll ever use another stamp block again.

Dragonflies and Butterflies Swap

Collage/Mixed media only!

KID Friendly Swap: Summer

I get so excited when ATCs for All! has KID friendly swaps and so does my 9 year old.  This particular swap is going to be awesome as the participation includes an elementary class.  My daughter thought really hard as to what she wanted to do on each card and I printed her out some "Summer" type images to help encourage her imagination.  The end result was the following and I am so proud of her.

1) Catching Butterflies, 2) Summer Picnic, 3) Summer Time, and 4) Moonlight Camping

Day 59 - Black Swallowtail Butterfly

This is a pencil/pen drawing of a black Swallowtail butterfly that I photographed last summer on a trip to the park.  There were some beautiful butterflies and this was just one of the one I was able to capture.  

Black Swallowtails pupate for approximately 9 to 11 days; this could take longer depending on if it is cooler out.  The adult butterfly will emerge from its chrysalis and depending on its sex will be either a colorful male or a more subdued colorful female.

The male has more yellow and less blue than the female.  They also have what appears to be eyes, which from what I have learned about butterflies is a way of protecting themselves from predators!  

I am NOT a big fan of insects, but I do love butterflies and dragonflies.  I hope to be able to capture more varieties this year as we head into spring.

This is Day 59's ATCs that I submitted in the 2010 Project ATC 365.

Hummingbird Sillouette, Butterflies, and Spider

I took this photo of a hummingbird tonight at my in-laws house. I am currently addicted to trying to capture their photo on my 35mm digital camera. I have also tried with my up to 200mm camera. If you have ever tried to capture a hummingbird on camera you know that they are quick, never sit still, and extremely hard to photograph.


Out of 100 shots I can honestly say that maybe 5 of them are focused and clear. I was excited when I caught this shot because:

1) The hummingbird was sitting still and...
2) What a cool sillouette shot.

I have also caught on camera this week the amazing black swallowtail butterfly:

Red Admiral Butterfly:

and a very intimidating looking St. Andrews Cross spider:

I love nature and have been away too long. I am loving this new found freedom to really getting back into it.

Butterflies - Spring is Almost Here

I love this piece! It is called Mechanical Butterfly by wickedpen. Butterflies are so beautiful no matter how they are displayed. Although, I do prefer them live than put on a board.



This piece is called "Dark Brown and Orange Fairy-A Paper and Glass Pendant Necklace with Cord" and you can find it at geelizzie.



I would absolutely love to look up from my computer and see this wonderfully colorful butterfly graphic by WilsonGraphics on my wall.



Is it just me or does this butterfly have a passenger? This cute hair accessory is from LilaJo. It comes in red, green, peach, yellow, orange, and blue. It's called "evil butterfly".



This final piece is titled "Queen of the Butterfly Faeries" by paulasmits and happens to be one of my favorites.