Where you can get ‘em:

• Equilateral Triangle Quilt by CarsonToo
• Burnt Matchstick Brooch by HairySock (Best shop name ever.)
• Stoneware Pine Pot by 42pots
• Trophy Unicorn Head by PlanetFur

P.S. I’m taking advantage of Picnik’s premium collage layout – Unfortunately, Picnik is closing down at the end of April, but in the meantime they have given visitors complete access to ALL available features … for free!!

via Dan Meth

This weekend, I put nearly my ENTIRE shop on sale in order to make room for the fresh, new goodies I’ve been working on!!

WNM is about due for an update – This means I’ll be streamlining my products and improving the quality of my materials.  I’ve also re-vamped the look of some old items, and plan on introducing a couple new designs to the quirky and cute WNM family.

This means I need to find loving homes for all the pet rocks, microbes and tufted birds that are currently listed.  Take a look and see if you can find a new felty friend to call your own!  My goodies also make fun and unique birthday, anniversary and Valentine’s day gifts.

Come on in and start shopping!

* Sale ends Friday, January 27th *

Today I am loving this photo taken by Jacinta over at bawkbawkbawk – Fresh and light, and the color of the sky is lovely.

This weekend I have nothing major planned, except to prepare for my first cumulative exam – “Cumes” (as we call them) are unannounced, monthly exams that graduate students have to take as part of the chemistry PhD program … we have to pass 4 in 10, so wish me luck!!

O, and I usually don’t care about football, but I will be watching the Ravens/Patriots game on Sunday – I’m a mild Ravens fan because QB Joe Flacco took our alma mater’s football team to the championships back when Jim and I were still at the University of Delaware.  Go Baltimore!!

Here are some links from this past week:

• Running an indie business?  Make no assumptions.

• Manatee cam.

• Having another urge to add to my necklace collection – Wavering between this, this and this.

• The Oatmeal had the best SOPA/PIPA blackout on Wednesday.

Have an awesome weekend!

Here are a few cute and affordable Valentine goodies I found while perusing the Etsy-verse.

Where you can get ‘em:

• Periodic Table Card by SouthernPestPrints
• Cat Squeeze Cards by jamieshelman
• I Love Fur Button by madebymidge

Click image for source:

1. Houses by Night via Fellow Fellow
2. Wood Bead Necklace via Sally J Shim
3. Mint Terrarium via Elisa McLaughlin Designs

This is my favorite quote from last week’s episode of The Office – Probably because it’s so true.

Yes, the tropical heat and humidity can be just completely unbearable at times – But it is this climate that allows Florida to house some of the coolest wildlife in America.  I feel like every day I come across a new and interesting creature whose identity I need to discover.  I’ve come face-to-face with 4-foot iguanas, even bigger alligators, prehistoric-looking knight anoles and tiny, curious geckos.  The aquatic and avian life here is also pretty amazing – I spotted a juvenile brown pelican floating in the pond outside my lab window just this past week!

A few months ago, the local mangroves inspired me to stitch this tropical embroidery piece.  I have since decided to expand on this idea and start the Florida Wildlife Collection.

I aim to create an embroidery art line highlighting Florida flora and fauna – I already have my second piece completed and a third in progress – Check it out!

The Mosquito: (listed in the shop)

The Little Blue Heron: (in progress)

How does nature inspire you?

Photos via My Paradissi, Tidy Tipsy, ~<0>~ and Luke Lamp Co.

1. Alligator Christmas ornament with hand-sewn Santa hat by Jim.
2. Melted crayon art made by my sister, Natalie.
3. A bunch of soaps by Little Batch Apothecary by my dad and stepmom.
4. Cute needle-felted snowy owl by Natalie.

I also received this lovely, quilted cozy …

… for my new Kindle Fire!!

Kinda looks like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyessy …

Jim completely surprised me with this Kindle on Christmas day!!  We rarely give gifts to each other, so this was totally unexpected.

I have to travel between the FIU campuses twice per week for class (an hour bus ride each way), and I always wished I could bring my laptop to check e-mails or catch up on work during this time, but my poor IBM is over 4 years old, it’s heavy and the battery doesn’t last more than 10 minutes.  Now I have a convenient and portable Kindle on which I can read books and research articles, check my mail, play games, keep up with my shop throughout the day … I could go on and on!

The Kindle cover shown here was handmade by Briana of B Taylor Quilts (one of my favorite Etsy shops) – Jim told me he searched through hundreds of items in my favorites (literally) to find it … now THAT is true love.

Where you can find ‘em:

• Crochet Garland by namolio
• The Walrus by RoyalMint
• Waxed Canvas Bag by CalviRee
• Botanical Vial Necklace by StudioBotanica
• Ruffle Rug by RedMush
• Letterpress Pelican by blackbirdletterpress