Summer Skies

I love messing around with filters and photos. Such beautiful colors. I just recently starting photographing amazing cloud formations in the early evening right from my back porch. My Sony Experia Ion does a great job (lovely 12 megapixel camera,combined with the 'Aviary' app).

'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight on FDart Studio!

It's been a hot one here this week on the east coast,we saw temps in the mid 90's all week with heat indexes in the 100's. It was a great week to be on vacation,though. The kiddo and I hit the beach, festivals,took in a few movies ('Despicable Me 2': very cute. Loved the minions.' Pacific Rim': everything a giant monster movie should be.Loved it!)
All good things must end, though and it's back to the daily grind tomorrow--hopefully with lower temperatures. What makes it bearable is the next vacation is only 28 days away :)

On to our 'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight of the day. Today we shine the light on an awesome father/daughter team,Floro Dery and Flor Dery who have combined into one awesome,artistic Etsy shop!

Here is their shop bio:

Floro Dery is an artist who has worked in animation for over 20 years. His work includes original concept designer for The Transformers: The Movie, illustrator for the syndicated Sunday Spider-Man with Stan Lee, and storyboard artist for the Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Flor Dery is the daughter of Floro Dery. She is a major fan of anime and prefers to draw in anime style. Her art and crafts are a side hobby from her full time profession. Her work includes fan art, pins, magnets, handwoven bracelets, nail art, and keychains.

It is apparent that artistic talent runs deep in this family. Here are just a few of the awesome items in their shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151772930/female-kingslayer-signed-print-of

This hand-painted pendant is double-sided. Here is the reverse side:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125971934/reversible-unicornmermaid-red-pendant

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157321444/unicron-decepticon-hall-of-heroes-signed

So many great beaded bracelets, but this is my favorite :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154774416/wonder-woman-beaded-bracelet

There are so many great items in this shop--be sure to go check them out!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FDartstudio

Scenes from the week...

It's been a brutal heat wave here in New England this week. I have found myself checking the weather app on my phone repeatedly for any signs of rain. Nope. Nada.
Anyways,it was a good week to be on vacation. Here are some pics of the highlights of our week.
Stay cool everyone!

Vacation,and a 'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight on SquirrelPhoto!

Ah,vacation.
We work all year to get to this point that we love. This is my 'stay at home' vacation. Kiddo is in a summer program he loves for a month,so day trips instead. My days this week are filled with relaxation,iced coffee (of course!),jewelry making,supply shopping,organizing and cleaning (which I actually do enjoy when I don't HAVE to do them). I will be hitting the annual festival at the park up the street later today. My bead vendor pal from Florida is there with her usual AWESOME selection and I am itching to do a little shopping!
We tried to go yesterday,but were drenched by downpours that came out of nowhere. According to doppler radar,it wasn't even raining in our area.Yet this was the view from where we took shelter...welcome to summer in New England...

I hope to get lots of better pictures of the festival today,if the kiddo ever gets up!

On to our 'Etsy Geek Girls Spotlight'! Today it falls on the awesome photography of SquirrelPhoto!
Here is a bit about the shop:

Kitschy urban retro geek-chic fine art photography. Prints and Greeting Cards. Please message me for any special requests -- I'm happy to accommodate!

And a little about El  herself from her Etsy bio:

I've been doing fine art photography for over 20 years with a range of film and digital cameras and darkroom development. I"m a critical care registered nurse (and part-time tutor for Microbiology and Anatomy) and have a passion for science, books, old top hats, squirrels, the atomic 50's, and capturing the creatively quirky pulse of life in New York City.

El's visions are freaky,gorgeous and amazing. See for yourself (all photos copyright of the artist)


https://www.etsy.com/listing/111464332/sheep-mask-5x7-fine-art-photograph


https://www.etsy.com/listing/104856773/suspended-dolls-5x7-fine-art



https://www.etsy.com/listing/105036974/classic-coney-island-burger-boy-5x7


https://www.etsy.com/listing/104919380/coffee-cups-nyc-winter-christmas-window

El states she takes custom orders as well. Be sure to check out El's amazing works here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelPhoto

Have a great weekend!

And the winner of the 'Sea Shades' necklace is...

SHERRI RADDAY!
Sherri, you will be getting an e-mail shortly
Thank you to all who entered, and for your wonderful compliments.
If you didn't win this time,check back frequently~this was such fun,I am thinking about making this a monthly feature!

Celebrating the 4th of July with a GIVEAWAY :)

Happy 4th of July to all of you out there celebrating today! Today is a busy day at our house: cookouts,visiting,yummy food,ice cream,fireworks. Then back to work tomorrow :/
 I am sitting here enjoying the morning coffee before all the festivities --today it's Green Mountain Dark Magic blend, iced with  light cream and a shot of blueberry. I was so excited to find BB&B had a huge selection if 'Skinny Syrups' in a huge assortment of flavors,including blueberry. Skinny syrup will make me skinny,right? You mean that is not how it works? Oh well, at least it tastes yummy.
(if anyone knows where I can find their pumpkin spice syrup,let me know. It was the only flavor they didn't have in stock and I adore all flavors and scents pumpkin)

So as I am sitting here taking in the day, I realize I haven't done a giveaway in forever. Giveaways are a blast, and it's chance to introduce new readers to the blog and I get to chat and get feedback from some really great folks. So let's do a giveaway!

Since summer has arrived here full blast, (it's already 82 degrees here at 9:00 a.m. expected to hot the 90's and HUMID) so I decided to go with a beach/summer themed piece.
I will be giving away one 'Sea Shades Recycled Glass Necklace' to one lucky winner!





The beads are made from recycled glass, in lovely sea shades of blue and green. They are strung on brown leather with a silver toned clasp. The original listing can be seen here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/78551086/sea-shades-recycled-glass-necklace
The color of the necklace the winner receives may vary a little(the original necklace sold long ago) as the beads are handmade (not by me) and have subtle variations.

All you have to do to enter to win? Comment on this blog entry in the comments section below~that simple!
You don't have to be a blog follower to enter, but if you'd like to follow the blog it will make me happy:)
Please be sure to leave some method for me to reach you if you are a winner and not normally a Blogger user!

The contest ends on 7/12/2013,and the winner will be picked on 7/13/2013 using a random number generator.
 So what are you waiting for? Get entering!!!