Forsythia - Sign of Spring!

A couple of times a week, I volunteer at the library teaching seniors social media and computer use.
The other day my student gave me a lovely bunch of forsythia branches and they are now flowering so beautifully in my front window.
A lovely reminder that spring weather is on the way!

Jacaranda Designs Spring Fling Coupon

Happy Spring 2013!

To celebrate spring, here's a special coupon to use at Jacaranda Designs until March 31st 2013.

Enjoy!

Lovely Clusters Spring Catalog is Here!

Lovely Clusters spring catalog is now available. It is full of beautifully curated pages of handmade Etsy products.

I'm thrilled to see four of my pieces in the catalog.

Take a look at it here. You'll love browsing through and seeing all the delightful items.

I've included one page so you can see how gorgeous the layout is.

Rocky The Chipmunk

The last few years we've had a few chipmunks in the garden. In fact, last year one daring chipmunk came in our open front door and ran under the sofa in the living room.

This spring we have a chipmunk that I've nickname "Rocky" as he doesn't seem to be scared of anything. As we were eating dinner this evening on the patio, Rocky decided to eat some of the berries on the service berry tree right next to us. He wasn't fazed at all.

A couple of days ago, I was working at the mac when I glanced out the window and saw him there on the branch, perfectly still. Grabbed my camera very quietly and took some pictures of him (or her)!

On a Beautiful Spring Day I Happened Upon..

     

'On a Beautiful Spring Day I Happened Upon...' by jacarandadesigns

crazy love - decorative... SassyStitches... $36.00	Wood house necklace wit... CvetCvet $19.00
Original flower paintin... LightheartedD... $30.00	upcycled frames  //  vi... nashpop $24.00
HUGH the grumpy pet blobhouse $27.00	Turquoise red gold stud... exquisitearti... $66.00
Cat toy mouse pairs siz... OnlyCats $14.00	silk screened tote bag ... SlideSideways $64.00
crochet pincushion... V... emmalamb $17.00	Shabby Chic Home - Line... MyDreamHome $16.00
Egg Cup - Retro Blue - ... CraftUnikat $16.00	Le Petit Pretties Prese... LePetitPretti... $85.00
Flower Photography - sh... CarolynCochra... $33.00	Walnut Coffee Table - B... realwoodworks... $650.00
Rose iPhone 4 Case, iPh... LisaRussoFine... $32.00	White Torsten - Felt  D... TwoSadDonkeys $72.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

   

Etsy Treasury - Soft Pink For Spring by Mariarosaria Russo

'soft pink for spring' by mariarosariarusso

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Spring Has Sprung

Spring is about three weeks early this year and I for one am not complaining.  Slipped outside early this morning and snipped a bud off the magnolia tree...as soon as the magnolia starts blooming, we know the warm weather is starting. In fact, today in Toronto we may reach the warmest March 22nd temperature ever - 26 degrees centigrade. I'll be going for a bike ride.
What's it like where you are?

Magnolias In Bloom

After a few weeks of dull, wet weather, the sun has finally decided to make an entrance. Every Spring I look forward to the glorious magnolia in our front yard flowering. I must say I was worried that this year we'd be watching in from inside the house while the rain came down.

But it's in bloom this week and as beautiful as ever!

It's my favorite plant in the garden, followed by my peony.

What's your cherished plant in your garden?

Spring is in the Air

Although it's been an incredibly wet April and so far, May also, I know that spring is in the air because each morning around 3:30 am the birds start chirping outside our bedroom window. It's incredible how loud it gets and usually Ian or myself ends up getting out of bed and closing the windows. We have a cherry tree outside and the birds just love congregating in it.

Now I probably bring it on myself as I put seed out for the birds. The bonus is during the day I look out of my kitchen window and see so many beautiful birds at the feeder.

On the topic of birds, I have been adding to my collection of bird nest necklaces at Jacaranda Designs. They have been selling well lately with Mother's Day around the corner. After receiving many requests for custom colors, I decided to expand the line to include more color combinations.

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to feed the birds!

New Spring Jewelry at Jacaranda Designs Jewelry

A sneak peek at a few of the new additions to Jacaranda Designs Jewelry. I'm having so much fun making these designs. They're colorful and fun and a perfect match for your spring and summer wardrobe.

Sunny Sunday

After a month of battling the flu and bronchitis, I think I am finally on the mend. Yesterday I headed up to the ski hill with the family and although I no longer downhill ski, I threw on my hiking boots and my snow shoes and went on a 2 hour walk (which felt like a marathon). There was a lot of uphill and so today I've got the aching muscles. However, it felt so good to get out and exercise and smell the fresh air. Plus, once I made it to the top of the hill, the view was just spectacular.

Today is a beautiful, bright, sunny day, although very crisp. In that train of thought, I wanted to showcase on my blog, an Etsy treasury called "Spring Stripes" that was created by a fellow Etsian, Octopurse, a couple of weeks ago. I just LOVE this one. I really like the idea of stripes of color and was thrilled to have my necklace featured in it.

Peony in Full Bloom

My peony is in full bloom this week. Rain predicted for this evening though so the flowers won't last too much longer!

Springtime Garden