Blog entry
Autumn Beauties - Artisan Handmade
Posted September 3, 2020
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." — Albert Camus
I don’t know about you, but autumn is my favorite time of the year, although it’s somewhat bittersweet since winter follows. It’s a time where the temperatures (at least here in the Desert Southwest) are moderating and thankfully, the gates of the blast furnace of Hell for this extreme heat summer have closed. It’s a time for rethinking and replacing plants that didn’t make it through this summer. Many people start fall gardens and farmers bring in their harvest. Fall is part of that ongoing cycle of loss, rest, regeneration and, ultimately, regrowth. The Autumn Equinox is a balance between light and dark, a balance between the season that happens again in the spring. And who doesn’t love the trees and some shrubs with their gorgeous leaf displays as they prepare for their winter sleep.
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An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 7
Posted November 5, 2019
Wow! We are already more than half-way through the Countdown to Christmas 2019 - only 5 more weeks to go! It’s hard to imagine that Christmas will soon be here! According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 49 days (when this bog was posted) until Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves gifts or lumps of coal for deserving (or not-so-deserving) boys and girls. Since Christmas is looming, now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, PURCHASE HANDMADE!
Crocheted Amigurumi Unicorn Stuffed Animal Toy Handmade by Nancy of Wyvern Designs
An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 6
Posted October 29, 2019
It’s hard to imagine that we’re half-way finished with the twelve week Countdown to Christmas 2019! Yikes, that means Christmas is bearing down on us and will soon be here! According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 56 days until Jolly Ol’ Santa and his merry band of reindeer arrive once again. Now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
Saturday Showcase - Artisan Handmade!
Posted September 27, 2019
Please share your links on the host blog: CHRISTIE COTTAGE
Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted September 5, 2019
Despite the days still being in the mid- to high-90’s here in the Borderlands (unusual here for this time of the year), the last few mornings have had a tinge of autumn in the air. I’m definitely ready for the cooler breezes and being able to leave the windows open. Purple asters will bloom and the cottonwoods will turn a glorious golden yellow. Fall will soon be here (I hope!).
With autumn in mind, I decided to choose handmade beauties in fall colors for this Three for Thursday titles, appropriately enough, Colors for Autumn. The artists today are: Kathy of KatsAllThat; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy my autumn inspired picks and will visit the shops of the artists for more wondrous handmade fall elegance.
Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 8, 2018
According to the calendar, we're about ½ way through autumn, the favorite time of year for many people. I live in the Desert Southwest and most people don’t associate the desert with fall color. But we have it! Granted not as eye catching as the forests in along the East Coast or the aspens in many places in the Rockies. Color is here, nonetheless: glowing yellows and reds and purples of the deciduous trees. And my amazing cosmos are looming up a storm with carmine reds, pale pinks and glowing white. The hummingbirds left about a month ago (always sad to see them go) but new migrant birds are showing up, especially the cheerful little juncos. Am waiting for the beautiful blue scrub jays with their raucous calls and jaunty attitudes to show up under the bird feeders.
Autumn Beauties - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday
Posted September 13, 2018
“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower” . . . Albert Camus
Even though it still is getting into the low 90’s here in the Desert Southwest, the mornings have begun to fill with the glorious tentacles of autumn. Everyone I know wants to linger as long as they can outside, sipping their coffee or tea, reading the newspaper, or, like me, just sitting and taking it all in. Not as many hummingbirds are practicing gluttony at the hummingbird feeders. Am assuming many are winging their way further south for the coming winter. I’ll miss them - a bittersweet goodbye. Fall is just around the corner.
Autumn Browns - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted September 27, 2017
With autumn definitely in the air (at least here in the Borderlands - finally), Mother Nature's natural cycle of life is beginning to slow. There is a feeling of drawing inward, of self-reflection and, perhaps, as bit of melancholy, as we begin to prepare for the coming colder months of winter. The colors of fall are everywhere, which reminds me of this a quote from Helen Hunt Jackson, as American author: "The goldenrod is yellow, The corn is turning brown, The trees in apple orchards With fruit are bending down." So evocative of my favorite season of the year.
First Page, Last Handmade Item - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted September 20, 2017
I always love to do random type blog posts, posts that don’t have a specific theme, like “flowers, “autumn” or based on a quote. For this post, I chose “First Page, Last Handmade Item” (as of when this blog was written),” a random pick of artisan handmade creations, the last item on the first page. Despite not having a specific theme, the handmade items from Indiemade artist friends always showcase a wide range of extraordinary talent. If an item catches your eye, either click on the photo or the live link beneath the photo to be taken to the item in the shop. There you will find more information and photos. I hope you enjoy these last handmade items found on the first page:
Autumn Inspired Handmade Beauties
Posted September 7, 2017
The cooler temperatures of autumn have arrived here in our area of the Desert Southwest. It still gets into the high 80’s or low 90’s during the day but drops down into the high 60’s at night. The monsoon season has pretty much ended, the horrid humidity mostly gone, and our drier air has been welcomed back by everyone. It is so nice to turn off the air conditioner (at least until early afternoon) and open windows and doors to allow fresh desert air to blow through. While I don’t see any trees changing colors yet, the desert is extremely green after the above average rainfall we received the last two months. Maximillian sunflowers can be found all over, as well as masses of small yellow, purple and terracotta colored wildflowers that I don't know the name of but enjoy immensely nonetheless. My favorite time of the year!
