Your Assignment...

...should you accept it...

1) Go vote for my French Lace Journal in the Etsy Back To School Poll! You must either sign into Etsy or register to vote if you don't have an Etsy account.

French Lace Journal

2) Vote for your favorite Red, White, and Blue themed summer project on the ACE team blog. Of course, it would be nice if you voted for my journal, but at least vote for your favorite item! And you don't have to sign in to do this one!
Steamer Trunk Travel Journal

Thanks!

**this message will self destruct in 5 days**

The Beauty of Dragonflies

My preschooler loves to walk in the garden with me to discover the latest blooms and insects. We recently planted a redbud tree and checking on it has become part of our repetoire. This evening there was a green dragonfly sitting on the topmost branch munching on his dinner. We watched him for a while and my son waved at him. To our surprise, the dragonfly lifted his front leg and appeared to wave back! My son was thrilled!

Enjoy these handmade dragonfly items I found on Etsy, as well as the dragonfly poems!

Water lily and dragonfly original oil painting by LeslieMacon

Dragonfly Treasure - Wide Band Dragonfly Ring with Lapis by LavenderCottage

La Libellule limited edition 8x10 print by Peggitha

A Dragonfly
Your delicate wings rapidly beat the air
The sleekness of your weightless body hovers
Curiously observing as though you care
Steadily searching for lifelong endeavors

Do you bring a message of a tranquil destiny?
Does your evolving maturity convey wisdom?
If I follow, will I find harmony or perplexity?
As you disappear… I am serenely lonesome
by Theresa Moore, 2007

Deco Dragonfly Mug in Seafoam by OneClayBead

DRAGONFLY FLY Blue Green Glass bead mix with Antique brass by kelleylovedesigns

The Dragon Fly
A dragon fly upon my knee
Is sitting looking up at me.

He has a scarlet tail and six
Little legs like jointed sticks.

With two of them he rubs his head.
His eyes are brown, his mouth is red,

His wings are colored like the rain:
He lifts them, and flies off again.

by Dorothy Keeley Aldis
1896-1966, written in 1925

Two Left Feet

My husband recently came home from a business trip with a funny story. He was getting dressed in his hotel room for a meeting. It was time to leave, so he sat on the bed to put on his shoes and discovered...


















...two black left shoes! No rights!
I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants! It gives new meaning to the saying, "Two left feet"!

Peacock Perfection

The Peacock Bustle Moleskin Cahier by mulberrymuse

Holly Peacock Feather Hair Clip by TheSleepyAlbatross

Peacock 8 Original Oil Painting by RozArt

Peacock Necklace (vintage lucite) by MataHariJewelry

I love peacocks, they're such regal looking birds! Here are some lovely peacock themed items I found on Etsy. Whenever I see a peacock now, I think of the time we took my (then) two year old to the zoo. We were in one of the gift shops and a peacock came up to the window and looked in at him. They examined each other for a long time, it was so cute!

Etsy Blogger of the Month

July's featured Etsy Blogger is Miesmama. Becky says, "I am a mother of two who loves to be creative. I knit, quilt and daydream. Anything to do with textiles inspires me and makes me happy. My goal is to spread a little handmade goodness, and perhaps be a little more self-sustaining along the way." Go visit her blog also!