Blog entry
Mimosas, Bumblebees and Hummingbirds
Posted August 6, 2020
When we first moved into the house we now own, a scraggly “weed” started growing in a shrub bed on the southeast side of the house. Being of a mind set where a “weed is just a misplaced plant,” I often let something grow until I can identify it, I left the scraggly plant. And I’m sure glad I did! It turned out to be a mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin), a tree I’ve seen quite often and admired greatly in more tropical areas, like Florida where it can be very invasive, but never thought it would grow here in an arid desert climate. I don't remember seeing one anywhere near the house so am not sure how the seed that ended up in the shrub bed. Since it sprouted fairly close to an irrigation mister head, it grew fairly quickly and is now, almost 9 years later, a beautifully arching tree that attracts a wide variety of pollinators. An added bonus is that the mimosa smells heavenly, especially in the cool of the morning. I know sometime in the not too distant future, we'll have to cut it down because we don't want the roots to mess with the house's foundation and sidewalk. But for now, I'll definitely enjoy it.
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Awesome Animals - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted July 30, 2020
Anyone who knows me knows I love animals, always have and always will. No-footed, two-footed, four-footed, six footed or more (except, to tell the truth, female mosquitoes and ticks - uck!). I love animals of all sizes, from huge ones to wee, tiny ones - from blue whales, the largest mammal on earth, to Kitti's hog-nosed bat (or bumblebee bat) the world's smallest mammal at just over 1” long. And I’m always amazed at how animals have evolved to survive. Just think of the Griffon’s vulture which is recorded as the highest flying bird at 37,000 feet to deep sea creatures which live in harsh conditions thousands of feet in the ocean where light doesn’t reach. Amazing!
When I was mulling around what the theme of this week's Three for Thursday blog, I decided on animals. Three animal related items from three handmade artists are featured. The artists are: Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy this collection of animal themed items. Be sure to visit the shops to find even more beauties.
New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 19, 2020
You would seem due sheltering in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d have more time to create new jewelry and blog. Before, my days were very structured. Now they’re not, even though I try to structure them. It seems I find myself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow” . . . and then when tomorrow rolls around, it becomes “tomorrow” again. So, this morning, I sat myself down to create a new blog showcasing the newest pieces of jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. Fourteen handmade beauties: nine pairs of earrings, four necklaces and one bracelet. They are all one of a kind creations from a variety of materials including, gemstones, polymer clay, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and a host of other things. I hope you take the time to browse and to check out all the other jewelry in my shop. After all, Christmas will be here before we know it - get a head start with your holiday shopping! Enjoy.
Flora and Fauna - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 25, 2020
The Earth is such a beautiful place to live on, if we just take the time to look and observe. No matter where we go, unique plants and animals can be found, two very important parts of any ecosystem. I’ve been lucky to have lived in many places and many different ecosystems, from Central Texas to North Carolina, from near Georgian Bay in Canada to a forest in Northern Virginia, from North Texas to an island in South Carolina. Now I live in the gorgeous Desert Southwest. The flora and fauna of each place was awe-inspiring - some the same but, most often, very different. Since I love what Mother Nature has to offer, I find it all VERY, VERY interesting and want to keep on learning about how our wonderful Earth functions . . . and what we need to do to heal it.
Summer Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted June 4, 2020
Summer will soon be here. Despite the (expected) triple digit heat that has set in here in the Desert Southwest, the water wise flowers I planted last year and in the cool of this spring are blooming up a storm. Everyone who knows me really well knows I love to work in my flower beds . . . and am ecstatic at the resulting blooms. So my beautiful flowers are the inspiration for this week’s Three for Thursday where I feature three items from three artists. This week the artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. Enjoy the wide range of floral art. Hopefully one or more of the items will soon be on the way to you!
Julia's Roses (And A Few Irises)
Posted May 10, 2020
My good friend, Julia, `spent many years creating a most amazing rose garden in her backyard. They are her “babies” and she spends many enjoyable hours working in the garden, talking to the roses and inhaling their heady scentswhen blooming. She also communes with the wondrous nature that is all around. However, in years past, she’s wasn't at home when the roses were in full bloom. She would fly to Bolivia for three months in the spring (autumn in Bolivia) to visit her brother and other relatives in the town where she grew up. I always felt sad for Julia when she was away, knowing how she was missing her amazing rose show. I’d go to her house, take photos of the roses, blog about them and then email her the link. But that definitely wasn’t anything like being in her garden to enjoy the beauty each bush provided
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 9
Posted May 5, 2020
Watch out! Mother’s Day will be here very soon, this Sunday, May 10! It’s still not too late to order a handmade gift from the beauties shared this week on the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020, hosted again this year by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog. This is Week 9 of the Countdown, the last week, 13 handmade artisans shared a total of 39 wonderfully unique items. Browse the wide range of eye catching shares for this week - many of them one of a kind designs - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was HANDMADE from the heart!
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 8
Posted April 28, 2020
If you haven't started shopping for Mother's Day gifts, you are quickly running out of time! Just a little less than two weeks and the big day for Mom will be here. To help you out, check out the Mother's Day Countdown 2020 Week 8, a cllection filled with unique artisan items, most of them handmade from the heart. Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog, each of the unique 39 items from 13 artists will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. This is the perfect time to start buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items on the Countdown go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 8, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was HANDMADE.
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 6
Posted April 14, 2020
Where did Week 6 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 go? It was here . . . and then was gone. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog. This week, 36 handmade items from 12 artists were shared. Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 6, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 5
Posted April 7, 2020
Another week of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 has come and gone - Week 5 already!!! Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog, Thirty-three unique handmade items were shared from 11 artists. Each one will make a memorable gift for Mom on Mother’s Day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom (and, perhaps, for yourself). Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 5, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.
