An Idea for the "App"less

So- is it true that not everyone has one of those cool phones or tablets with all the apps on them? I am one of those people. But I do like having access to technology- especially when there are so many neat things you can find on the internet as inspirational ideas! So I have my handy laptop to use. BUT... my laptop is not always accessible to me: sometimes I let my husband use it, sometimes I'm letting my children watch cartoons or play learning games on it, and sometimes I just can't use it to access a good idea because I'm in the kitchen and I don't want it getting all "floured and greased" on the counter!

So- this is my idea for keeping some seasonal inspirational ideas together. Some of those ideas I have printed off from those amazing sites with boards of ideas, and some I have just ripped out of good old fashioned print magazines (which I still find very relaxing to look through without a piece of hardware on my lap!) This way, when I'm working in the kitchen, or on the living room floor with my children, I can just open up this folder and be inspired for creative gifts, foods, or fun!

1. Get a 3-ring binder with insertable cover area. Quickly put together a cute cover that says the season!

2. Make sure you have some tabbed folders or dividers to use so you can organize your ideas into different types (mine are "Food" and "Fun").

 

3. Place your "ripped out" or "printed off" ideas in folder inserts and place in your folder.

Viola! A "mobile" app- safe in the kitchen and save in some kids' hands so they can browse too!

Cats and Dogs are Like Kids...

I am not much of an "animal lover"  per the definition of some people. But it seems to me that our pooches and felines in the household develop a personality that is just too much to ignore or brush off as not lovable. They are in as much need of adoration, attention, and discipline as our children are! Whenever my husband and I get the rare opportunity to have the house "to ourselves" and have a family member watch our children- we joke that we wish we had a babysitter for the dogs and cats too.

That being said- the cats and dogs under our roof are just other members of our family. Hence- they are just as much of an inspiration to our lives and creative beings as any other living and breathing human we care about. I do enjoy trying to capture the essence of what our puppies and kitties do with some of my crafty work. The image above is of a fun project I took on to test my drawing skills. I'm definitely an amateur- but I was happy with the results.

I also enjoy creating items that the dogs and cats will benefit from themselves- toys, beds, etc. I have listed a couple of items in my shop for others to consider purchasing (dog toy and cat toy). I have also done some searching around for other fun feling and pooch items and created a great collection of family oriented cat/dog items that would make great gifts.

Do you create cat/dog inspired items? What would you find to be a better gift for a pet lover- something for the pet or something for the lover that reminds them of the pet? What do you think of my drawing/painting? I'd love your input, feedback, and comments. Share your perceptions!

Visit my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PerceptiveDesigns

Visit the cat/dog gift treasury here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIzMTM1MTUy/dogs-and-cats-are-like-kids?index=0

I Love Garden Gifts!

I absolutely love receiving live plants as gifts from family and friends during my gardening season. I have many people think of me when going through their garden starts and it just makes me feel so good inside to know I am thought of. This year I have been blessed with some gorgeous dahlias (as you can see above), some tomato plants, some sunflower seeds, some sweet pepper starts, and a dill stalk. These sorts of gifts are amazing items that can be enjoyed throughout the growing season and, if taken care to "harvest" correctly, for many years to come.

I also love when I receive other, not so live, garden associated gifts. This year I have been given some hanging flower pots, some tomato cages, a few pots for planting, canning jars for my preservation and harvest, and for my birthday I received a lovely set of garden gloves and a kneeler. These items have come in so handy for everything I've been trying to accomplish in the dirt.

Receiving all of these items is so inspiring on wanting to give back with the fruits of what I accomplish in the garden. As my produce begins to bloom and provide it's nutrient rich foods, I have to remember how blessed I am and share the bounty that comes from the tilled soil. I am looking forward to "gifting back" to each person who has shown me kindness towards my gardening aspirations by bundling up my fresh lettuces, canning my fruitful tomatoes, and drying my delightful herbs. This will be my "thank you" for remembering me in their thoughts as well as for keeping my inpsiration on wanting to go on with the great task of gardening.

If you're thinking of gifting some garden inspired items to someone you care about- here's a great list of handmade items I have found on Etsy that are so adorable and perfect to spruce up any garden area with love!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIwNTU1MDc1/gorgeous-garden-goodies