Birthday Gifts for Aries (March 21 - April 20)

The spring equinox, March 21, is the beginning of the new zodiacal year and Aries is the first sign. Aries is an assertive sign, stubborn, direct, impulsive and adventuresome.

They are sharp and to the point. Aries sometimes look at things a bit too simplistically and are quick to jump to conclusions.

They tend to be generous and big-hearted, and have a strongly compassionate side to them. Although often considered strong, Aries people are actually quite sensitive at their core. They tends to dislike whiny people.

They are leaders instead of followers. They make great athletes, climbers, doctors, explorers, and of course leaders.

Aries love surprises, so a surprise party would be wonderful.

Their color of choice is Red.  Aries are impulsive and active, their hobbies may include any athletic pursuits from dance to sports to yoga. Sports gear or tickets to a game make excellent gifts.

"Yoga Mat Bag - Recycled Sailcloth - Red and Black" from RAGGEDedge

My Blog is Carbon Neutral!

I received an email today that said my blog was creating carbon dioxide and asked that I click a link to learn more.  I care about the environment and you can imagine my surprise.  My first thought was this is a scam, and if I click the link I am going to download a virus or something.  But, I was curious, so I kept on reading.  It turns out that this a German company that is planting trees in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation in Plumas National Forest in Northern California for their project to neutralize the carbon footprint of blogs. For every participating blog, they plant a tree. One blog - one tree.  Sounds like a good idea, so I clicked their link http://www.kaufda.de/umwelt/co2-neutral/my-blog-is-carbon-neutral/

The first thing that caught my eye was the statistic below:

an average website causes about 0.02g (0,0008oz.) of carbon dioxide for each visit. Assuming an average blog gets 15,000 visits a month, it has yearly carbon dioxide emissions of 3,6kg (8lb.). This can mainly be tracked back to the immense energy usage from (mainframe) computers, servers, and their cooling systems.

I have heard how cars and manufacturing companies were creating pullutions, but I never thought of computers.  I found the information very interesting and from there I ended up at the Arbor Day Foundation site. 

Do you know that :

• Arbor day for Michigan is the Last Day of April?





• Michigan's State tree is Eastern White Pine?

Learn more about Michigan's trees at http://www.arborday.org/states/?state=MI

Learn how you can celebrate Arbor Day by going to the http://www.arborday.org/arborday/celebrate.cfm site.

This site has a lot of good ideas.  I think I try to do some of it right here on my blog.

I hope this post has inspired you to take a look at these sites and learn more about how you can save the earth, the forest and our environment.  I hope you comment back here with your findings and a link to your articles.

   

Birthday Gifts For Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

I am excited to write this post, because I am a Pisces myself and writing this post is like writting about me.  I hope my family reads this, because there are a lot of good ideas for my birthday gift.

Pisces is represented by two fish swimming in different directions. Do I need to say more?

Imaginative, mystified, baffled, empathic, unearthly, secretive, impractical, spacey, tendentious, intuitive are just a few words that describe Pisces.

While they can be extremely empathic and compassionate, they can also act in a heartless fashion. They have a magical personality, gentle nature, with a certain childish element in them. They are charitable and honest and usually active in charities.

They are artistic by nature and very perceptive with an uncanny ability to recall stored knowledge. They enjoy many short trips as a way of relaxation and getting away from day-to-day activities.

Their unpredictable nature makes it difficult to find a perfect gift.

Their colors:         lilac, lavender, purple and yellow
Their birthstones:  amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, jade, rock crystal, and sapphire
Their flowers:        iris, violet and daffodil;

They love to eat and try cuisines from all over the world.  They love romantic, spiritual, mystical and artistic things. They have their own unique sense of luxury, glamour and quality.

Fragrances are good gifts; however before buying perfume make sure the recipient does not have any allergies (click on the images for details).

Magical Mind Perfume - Magical Mind™ begins with a melody of sweet, fresh, and spicy top notes and moves right into narcotic jasmine notes enveloped in a lush forest scent.  From Trust Your style - handmade natural perfume

Vintage Pillbox filled with 1/4 oz InCarnation Solid Perfume - Classy vintage pillbox illustrated with carnations, appropriately filled with InCarnation solid perfume - our new carnation soliflore to be released in winter 2008!  From Ayala Moriel Parfums

Birthday Gifts for Aquarius (January 21 to February 19)

Aquarius 'The water bearer' is original and intelligent with a wild and unruly side; they are willing to experiment with anything. They are intellectual in nature and most are lively and social. They tend to be opinionated, highly experimental with an independent streak. They can be unpredictable and stubborn. One minute they can be very expressive, interesting and active and suddenly they become moody and uncaring. On the good side, they are very friendly, good listeners and care deeply for their friends with strong humanitarian ideals and supportive of big causes.

The most important thing to remeber is that they do not like ordinary things. They have a very unconventional taste and tend to stand out from the crowd.

They love good food and friends, so a big birthday party with lots of friends and delicious food is a good idea. Or if you want to skip the birthday party, and put together a very nice food basket. 

Customized Gift Box..you get to choose the items from Worth A Fortune - Your one stop candy shop!

DaSweetzpot JANUARY Birthday Garnet Pomegranate Jam Jelly from DaSweetZpot









Antiques and handmade eclectic items are perfect.  They are future-oriented and interested in science and technology. Science-base games, brain teasers, Books, new techy gadgets, computers and computer accessories are suitable gifts.

1927 - Houdinis Big Little Book of Magic - Fascinating Puzzles, tricks, and Mysterious Stunts from Stories Divinations

Pleasantly Surprised at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts)

We visited DIA few weeks ago, and I was pretty impressed with all the renovations and the new look.  In fact I was so excited about our visit that I thought I share some of the highlights with you. 

The first thing that caught my eye was this Chinese Money Tree.  When the kids were small, I used to tell them that 'Money didn't grow on trees', I guess I was wrong and there is a money tree after all.

Here is the famous Rivera Court (the murals painted by Diego Rivera), even though I have seen it several times, every time is like the first time.   Check out this slide show courtesy of Flickr

Finally, Snow in Michigan

I know the rest of the country has seen a lot more snow, but this is the first real snow in Michigan.  

This is the view from my home office window.

Birthday Gifts for Capricorn (December 21 to January 20)

Those born under this sign are responsible, reliable, practical, ambitious and disciplined.  They are extremely patient with a great personality and sense of humor.  They are seen as being diplomatic, cautious, thoughtful and reserved.   Their birthstone is Garnet and their color is deep red.

Their past time activities consists of antique shopping

Victorian Bohemian Garnet Bangle Bracelet from Antiquing On Line   (I wish I was a Capricorn, so I can get this bracelet as a birthday gift).

GOLD Silver Infinity Pyrope Victorian GARNET Ring C. 1875 from boylerpf jewelry

Winter Trees by EBSQ Artists

I wanted to start the new year with a wonderful collection of Winter Trees treasury from EBSQ artists.  The treasury was put together by Torrie Smiley . 

A wonderful start for the new year. 

from top left

1) Twilight Signed Art Print

2) FREE SHIPPING - Original Dana Marie Wearable Art - SYNERGY TREE - Handpainted Acrylic Miniature Painting in Glass Frame Locket PENDANT with Leather NECKLACE - MAKE ME AN OFFER

3) Into your arms - Print

4) Big Moon Rising

5) Winter Trees, by Carolyn, EBSQ

6) ORIGINAL ABSTRACT ACRYLIC TREE LANDSCAPE CANVAS EBSQ TEAM MEMBER

7) Forest original pen and ink 15 x 21 inch - EBSQ TEAM MEMBER

8) Frozen Time

9) VIENNA ON CRANE......greeting card....monochrome image

10) TWILIGHT --- Print

11) THE WALK aceo

12) Miniature ACEO Dark Forest Winter Solstice ebsq team

The treasury is available until Tuesday, January 5th, click here to go to it.

Season Greetings

I found this flash season greeting and had to share it with you. May Your Holidays be filled with warmth and wonder!

Last Minute Gift Ideas - eBooks

You are still shopping for gifts and time is running out.   How about eBooks for the crafter, hard to find,  the one that has everything, a co-worker, or the hard to reach person on your list?  Delivery is immediate, and they make a great gift either emailed, or gift wrap printed version.  Here is an article on how to print an eBook  How to Print an eBook in a Booklet Form

NEW PolyPedia E-Book Vol 1,2,3,4,5 - CHOOSE 4 TUTORIALS OF YOUR CHOICE How to Create Polymer Clay Millefiori Canes 100 plus pages Step-by-Step Instructions TUTORIAL by Iris Mishly

Offered by Iris Mishly Polymer Clay Art

VYM7777'S CROCHET HATS E-BOOK COLLECTION (10 WONDERFUL ORIGINAL CROCHET HAT PATTERNS)

Offered by  vym7777- scrochet-fashions

Beaded Trees E- Book offered by Around Beads

Handmade Bags and Purses for Under $50

Like any woman, I can never have enough purses and bags.   Here is a sample of what I found on Etsy. 

Botanical Batik......Holiday SALE from L B ARTWORKS for $34.80

Design for you ... Black and White denim Bag from CrazyBoy For You bags and purses,diaper bag, tote,pouch

Messenger,School Bag, Black and Orange canvas with bird ,adjustable strap from Sinem Inugur for $38

ACEO Cards Gifts for the Art Lover

Today, I was exploring the Art Category on Etsy (as promised before) and looking for gifts for under $50 for those art lovers. The first thing under the ART category is ACEO. I am embarrassed to say, I did not know what an ACEO was until I wrote this post. Like sports trading cards, these are the art lover’s trading cards. Learn something new every day. It stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards have one main rule - they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card so they can be traded!

These cards are also sold either as originals or editions. Make sure you know which you are buying! If it is a print it should say so, and it should be numbered (for limited editions) and signed, usually on the back. They are available in different mediums and of different subjects. Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic, Colored Pencil, Pastels, Photography, Pen and Ink, Sketching, Collage - Abstract, Surrealism, Outsider Art, Impressionism, Expressionism.

They make great stocking stuffers or buy a bunch to get an art lover hooked on them. Here are some that I really liked on Etsy.

I am going to start with the original painting watercolor category first, since that is my favorite.

Bright Poppies - ACEO - Original

This card reminds me of my own poppy patch in my garden. 

Created by DreamON Original Paintings and Prints by Mary Hamilton for $10.

Stargazer - ACEO digital photograph

Created by Firedance Photography for $3.

Hand Made Apron Gifts for the Chefs in your Family

I was wondering what can you buy for $50?  There were so many categories, that I decided to do one category a day.

Here is what I found in the Accessories, Apron category.   So, before you run out to Target or Walmart, try these handmade gifts.

 New Adult size bib style embroidered hot stuff apron

Handmade in Salamanca , US by Ginksburg's handmade dresses, quilts & fashion jewelry for $3.

Queen and Princess of the Kitchen Personalized Mommy and Me Apron Set - with Polka Dots, Ribbons, and Pockets - Embroidered Applique Monogrammed

Handmade in Atlanta by Memento ~ Personalized Monogrammed Gifts & Embroidery  for $40.

Shabby Chic Half Apron . . . red roses with green rose dots

Handmade in Florida by Fancy Boutique - Accessories ♥ Fancy Aprons ♥ Tea Towels ♥ Headbands for $26

Personalized Apron Example Grandma's Kitchen Kids Eat Free

Handmade in Arlington, Texas by Custom Threads - Personalized Embroidered Aprons & More for $18