Post-Earth-Day Tree Hugging Opportunity!

Earth day may have come and gone, but don't despair-- you have another chance to hug a tree and raise your awareness about Mother Nature tomorrow! April 29 is National Arbor Day in the USA.

Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it's celebrated on the last Friday in April. (Learn more here)

Here's a great way to celebrate Arbor Day, or perhaps honor your Mom or a Grad on their special day: send a free Arbor Day Foundation E-Card, or for just $5.95 send a Give-A-Tree E-card, and a tree will be planted in honor of the recipient. Click here for details: Arbor Day E-Cards

So once the royal wedding hooplah is over tomorrow, go out and walk through a forest, hug a tree, sit in a tree, or better yet, plant a tree or two or three!! Thanks for visiting!


In honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, I've added sparkling new pendants and earrings to my Etsy shop that celebrate the beauty of Mother Nature. Choose from 9 different pendant designs-- most have coordinating earrings. Click on this link to see entire selection:
Susan Faye Jewelry on Etsy

Mothers Day Mom Cat Giveaway...Enter Today!

Just in time for Mothers Day!

Ten brand new mini dioramas which double as refrigerator magnets have just been added to my Etsy shop. Each features a proud mom cat and her kitten, enjoying the beauty of nature.


To qualify for the giveaway, just leave a one-word description about your mom, grandma, or other favorite mom figure in the Comments section below.

Giveaway ends at 7 p.m. PST on Sunday, May 1, when I will select ONE name at random; winner will receive TWO magnets of their choice (an $18.00 value)-- one for you and one for mom (or daughter)! I will ship to anywhere in the world. Comments will also be accepted at an identical post on The Hive.

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if you are a winner, such as a link to your blog or e-mail address (you may send info directly to my email if you don't want to make your contact info public).
If you visit http://www.susanfaye.net , you will find an email link.

Also, if you encounter trouble with the Comments feature, you may send your entry directly to my email ...

[Note: As cute as kittens are, I would be remiss not to remind everyone that pet overpopulation is a serious problem. Don't delay, neuter or spay the cats in your care. There are plenty of kittens and mom cats waiting in shelters across the country, hoping to find a forever home. Petfinder.com is a great place to start if you are looking for a pet in your area.]

Thanks for participating!

Post Easter Dinner Tips From Buttonwillow

So you say you ate one too many twice-baked potatoes and sneaked an extra helping of carrot cake, and you thought you could squeeze in just one more Peeps chick and suddenly the entire box was empty? Buttonwillow has found the solution to your dilemma and is ready to help out with a few tips:

Finding the right easy chair is of paramount importance. Tip: try to look so incredibly peaceful and comfy that no human would dare have the heart to oust you.

Stretch out as far as you can so that all of the jelly beans can redistribute and fill in any unused spaces in there. Tip: an extra wiggle or two will speed up the process.

You may have to resort to the head-over-the-edge maneuver to really redistribute everything. With luck, it may stimulate a productive belch or two. Tip: Do not engage in the maneuver for more than 60 seconds or you may lose consciousness.

There, did you hear it? The perfect post-Easter dinner belch? No? Well it rattled the windows here.

Tip: Relax and enjoy the rest of your day. Love, Buttonwillow

Seeds of Hope...Don't Give Up On Us Mother Nature!

You may know that Mario Batali is an Italian chef, restaurateur, author and television personality, but did you know that he is a tree-hugger too? (He did grow up in the Pacific Northwest, after all..!)

He is actively advocating for the planet's health by taking actions such as no longer serving bottled water at his many restaurants, promoting the preservation of heirloom seeds, and encouraging kids and their parents to grow gardens, eat local and live sustainably. You can read more about his thoughts on these topics courtesy of The Nature Conservancy: Eat Smart

In honor of Earth Day, Batali will be giving away seed packets of Arugula at his restaurants with this message:

Dear Earth,
We are sorry.
We are working on it.
Please be patient a little while longer.
We think the world of you. Love, The Human Race.

Pretty much sums up how I feel. How about you? Ready to take action?

Here are 5 things that you can do on Earth Day and the rest of the year too, as suggested by the Nature Conservancy:

EAT SMART-Learn what’s in your food, where it came from and who it impacts.
EAT LOCAL- Where possible, buy food that is in season from local food producers.
EAT SUSTAINABLY- Eat sustainable seafood — one of the only things that we eat that we still get from the wild.
EAT GREEN- Eat more fruits and vegetables — it's good for your health and the planet's.

PICNIC FOR THE PLANET- Join in on the fun at a "Picnic for the Planet" in your neighborhood on Earth Day. Find a location here or create your own: PICNICS

Thanks for visiting!

Something New From World Headquarters

We're just busy as bees here at World Headquarters now that Spring has sprung! I'm in the process of introducing a new style of pendant into my Etsy shop with the help of my studio assistant Buttonwillow (seen at right, saying goodbye to the old style pendants).

It seems my supplier discontinued the old rectangular shape of glass that I have been using and try as I might, I could not find any other suppliers that carried the same size, in spite of some serious teeth-gnashing.

So I gave a new glass tile a try and I love it! What do you think? It is still 1.25" wide, but a bit narrower at 3/4" and is more rounded, with more of a magnifying effect--not to mention a bit more elegant, I think.

I will be slowly re-formatting my art to fit the new size and will add the new pieces as I finish them. The first batch includes the calico kitty above, plus 10 floral pendants fresh from the posy patch, made with Spring and Mothers Day in mind:

The floral artwork is taken from my original watercolor paintings of tulips, narcissus, and cactus blossoms. Each is signed on the back. Most of these have matching earrings and can be found in my Etsy shop. You can also purchase them by the dozen at a discounted price here--great for fundraising projects, or to give as bridesmaid gifts or as gifts at the office or garden club.

Thanks for visiting, and hope your weekend is abloom with lots of new and fun adventures!

Can You Say "Scherenschnitte"?

It's a German word that means "scissor cuts". It describes the beautiful folk art tradition of cutting paper into elaborate designs and silhouettes; one that began in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century and is still practiced today.


One of my favorite treasures in my house is an exquisite example of this art form. I spied it at the bottom of a boxed lot of miscellaneous frames and art at an auction twenty years ago. Keeping my fingers crossed that no one else would recognize that it was an original papercut, and not just a print of a silhouette, I placed my bids. I was delighted to get the entire box for only $25!

The silhouette is a single piece of black paper that has been cut into a charming and intricate storybook image. I love everything about it and I'm fascinated by the amazing details. I could look at it for hours! In the lower right corner is the very faded signature of the paper cutter: Lotte G___ (can't make out the last name), Berlin.

What do you think that whiskered kitty has on its mind?!?

(By the way, "Scherenschnitte" is pronounced Sharon-sh-net, if German or Sharon-sh-net-ah if Swiss).

I have an even greater appreciation for paper-cutting now that I've begun to make my little dioramas. My paper-cutting skills are crude at best when compared to Lotte's, but I'm having great fun nonetheless. Here is my latest endeavor-- it features garden cats Mario and Bella, enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature, now available in my Etsy Shop:

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Compassion

Last week I heard a televangelist declare that "humans are the only ones of God's creatures that worry."

I beg to differ.

Anyone who has ever seen a dog or cat waiting at the window for their master or mistress to return has witnessed one of God's other creatures in a state of anxiety, concern, uneasiness, disquiet, discomfort, apprehension, nervousness--dare I say worried?

I can say with great confidence that I have also witnessed joy, anger, envy, a sense of humor, loyalty, and compassion in my pets over the years. And I can also say with great confidence that it is not my imagination or a matter of anthropomorphism: Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.

When a cat exhibits compassion or concern, it is clearly a feline characteristic. Take tabby cat Mia for example. Cat Lady Taffy writes about her 93-year-old-mother and her furry "guardian":

"My mom had a stroke when Mia was 3 years old and now we are in charge of taking care of Mama. Being a caregiver is quite frustrating, especially when the person cannot communicate and is hard of hearing. Well, sometimes I have to say things more than once and with each repeat of directions or information, I tend to get louder and louder and when I get too loud for Mia--she comes very close to me and will begin to nip at my ankle or shoulder, depending on where she is at. She protects my mom from loud outbursts. A friend of mine told me that Mia is telling me to calm down and that I can do this job.

"Mia doesn't like when I sing either, especially something that smacks of opera. She slowly comes into my space to give her opinion. Mia likes little fuzzy mice as her favorite toy. She will whip them up in the air and sometimes they will land very close
to me so I can throw them for her. Mia IS very much loved by Mama and me."

And dare I say, Cat Lady Taffy and Mama are very much LOVED by Mia!

Cat Lady Taffy enjoys participating in these "click-a-day" websites. Your click will generate donations from the pet-related sponsors who advertise on these sites. Check them out:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces

http://www.care2.com/click-to-donate/pets

http://www.freekibblekat.com/

Spring Fling Weekend Sale In My Etsy Shop

Hop on over to my Etsy Shop this weekend and take 20 percent off your ENTIRE purchase (wholesale lots excluded) today and tomorrow, April 9 and 10. Just use the coupon code SPRING20 during checkout.


Gentle Reminder: Etsy Orders must be received by April 14 for items to arrive in time for Easter.

Click here to enter my Etsy shop and see all of the goodies:

Susan Faye Originals

Thanks for visiting!

Picnic For The Planet on Earth Day!

As Earth Day approaches, and snow and ice turn to daffodils and songbirds (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere), what better way to celebrate than with a picnic! Mario Tabby and Bella Cat like nothing better to nibble on tuna al fresco in their favorite sunny spot in the patio garden. Food tastes so much better when mixed with clean air and sunbeams.

The Nature Conservancy is hosting a special event called Picnic For The Planet on Earth Day 2011, and in preparation, they have a new suggestion each week for becoming more aware about the food that you eat. This week's suggestion is Eat Sustainably, with an emphasis on knowing more about your seafood.

"For centuries, the oceans' bounty seemed inexhaustible. But humans have altered our oceans' ability to provide for us, so we must make more conscious food choices and ensure that the seafood we are eating comes from a sustainable source." You can help by learning more about sustainable seafood; this article is a good place to start: Finding Nemo On Your Plate.

Also helpful: The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch provides regional guides that contain the latest information on sustainable seafood choices available in different regions of the U.S.A. Their "Best Choices" are abundant, well-managed seafood that is fished or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Seafood to "Avoid" are overfished and/or fished or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. You can view the guides online or download a pocket-size version.

Thanks for visiting!

New in my Etsy shop: Art for your Fridge!

These new mini dioramas have SUPER strong magnets on the back to secure your most important memos to the refrigerator, file cabinet, or locker. Click on the image for more details.

Poetry Corner-- "Daffodils"

Thank you to Etsy seller bpsbagsntotes for creating a lovely treasury of Etsy art and craft creations today, based on the William Wordsworth poem "Daffodils":

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.


The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

To see all of the creations in the Etsy Treasury (including my narcissus earrings!), just click on the image below:

Cat Ladies in the News

Thank you to Cat Lady Jennifer F. for helping me reach a wonderful milestone this past Friday: she was the Etsy customer who purchased my 1000th item sold! As a thank you, she will be receiving a complimentary set of my cat sachets with her order.

She wrote: "I adore your work! I am the Executive Director of a small animal shelter in Northern Michigan. I have been dubbed the 'Crazy Cat Lady' (with action figure to prove it) due to my six kitties at home and my 70 at work, of which approximately twelve are in my office at any one time. Real helpers as you can imagine... I look forward to shopping at your store many times in the future. With kind regards, Jennifer F."

At the Alcona Humane Society that Jennifer directs, the dogs and cats sleep on Kuranda beds, but don't there aren't enough for everyone yet. If you would like to donate a bed at a special wholesale price for a another dog or cat to sleep in comfort, please donate a Kuranda bed.

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The folks at Purina Cat Chow recently sent out a call for entries for a new Cat Chow Correspondent (entries are now closed). Two of my very favorite Crazy Cat Ladies applied for the job. Here is a video submitted by Skeezix the Cat on behalf of the Food Lady, aka CCL Karen Nichols. It's a hoot:



But wait--the vivacious Crazy Cat Lady Carm ALSO applied for the position. She brightens the day of hundreds of cat ladies around the world with her daily blog, which includes beautiful and fun photos of her gorgeous "pride" of cats. Once in awhile she throws in a gorgeous shot of one of the Big Cats at the Buffalo Zoo, where she and her husband are docents.


Both are highly qualified Crazy Cat Ladies and both would make sensational Purina Cat Chow Correspondents. The only solution? Purina must hire TWO correspondents!!!!

Thanks for visiting!

...And The Winner Is...

Cat Lady Karen T! Congratulations!

There were 28 entries in the Bunny Haiku Giveaway! That means $28 has been donated to Red Cross Disaster Relief (I rounded it up to $30) on your behalf. Paypal has an easy donation site in conjunction with MissionFish, which I used to make the donation.

Karen's name was selected in a random draw to win a Desktop Diorama of her choice and she chose Harey's Carrot Patch (pictured above).

Karen is mom to two darling cats: Zoe (all white) and Bob (stripey):


Karen tells us: "We joke about Bob being like a dog -I used to walk Bob on a leash, he would play fetch, he's super friendly and would follow me around the house." She adds, "Certainly if this were a real picture, those flowers would be little green stumps because Bob would have eaten them all before the flash went off."

"Zoe is very shy but has managed to terrify and fascinate our new dog, after a single bap on his nose. She's handling the attention quite well. We also call Zoe the 'belly kitteh' because when I lie down she immediately crawls up on my stomach and makes herself comfortable. Both of them are rescue kitties."

Thank you to Karen and all of the other participants--it was so much fun to see how creative everyone was!! Click here to see most of the entries : Bunny Haiku

(Note: a few haiku were submitted on an identical post at The Hive)