Get Hoppy With Some Bunny Love

As the Year of the Rabbit continues, I was recently delighted to learn about the House Rabbit Society via Tina of their San Diego Chapter.

The House Rabbit Society is an all-volunteer, national, nonprofit animal rescue organization with local chapters in more than 30 states and more than 7,000 members. Their volunteers rescue abandoned rabbits and find permanent adoptive homes for them through their foster program. The organization also seeks to reduce the number of unwanted rabbits -- and to improve bunnies' lives -- by helping people better understand these often misunderstood companion
animals.

Since the HRS was founded in 1988, more than 20,000 rabbits have been rescued through HRS foster homes throughout North America. The San Diego chapter rescues and adopts out about 85 -100 rabbits each year.

I'm thrilled that an assortment of my bunny jewelry and handcrafts will soon be sold in their Bunny Supply Store for fundraising purposes. Be sure to visit their website for lots of great information about rabbit care, adoptions, and events!

Thanks for visiting!

Bunny Haiku Galore! Three Days Left to Enter the Giveaway...

Thank you to everyone so far who has helped to celebrate the beginning of Spring by writing bunny haiku! So far there have been 25 entries both here and on an identical post at The Hive, which means I will be donating at least $25 to the Red Cross for disaster relief ($1 for each haiku submitted; each person may submit up to 3 haiku).

For quite a few participants, this has been their first try at writing haiku and the results have been wonderful!

Deb~Paxton Valley Folk Art was inspired by the bunny twins to write her first haiku:

Sweet twin rabbits share

carroty goodness between
their paws and their hearts.

Cat Lady Jeanie also wrote about the twins:

Twin bunnies have lunch
Eating carrots together
In a cute tin box



Here is Cat Lady Laura's first-ever haiku:

Soft pink tulip patch
Beautiful spring is such joy
To Rhonda's sweet heart

And here is David's first (very romantic) haiku:

Our hearts beat as one
we are so spectacular
must get hopping now

There are three days left to join in the fun and try your hand at writing your own haiku --one name will be drawn at random to win one of my new "Desktop Dioramas". To read all of the other entries and to add your own, visit the original blog post : Bunny Haiku...A Spring Giveaway!

Thanks for participating!

I'm A Wizard of Whimsy! You Can Be Too!

whimsy, whimsey [ˈwɪmzɪ]:

1. a capricious idea or notion

2. light or fanciful humor

3. something quaint or unusual

Pen and ink artist and college professor dt. haase describes himself as "a wanderer for wonder, whimsy, & wisdom". He is also the host of "Whimsical Wednesday" where artists may share their creations of whimsy, wonder, and delight each week.

As Haase notes, one of the common human experiences we all share is suffering in one form or another. He says, "My invitation is to bring a bit of delight into the despair. I spend a lot of time with children and in turn they have taught me how to play. So, come and join the fun."

Speaking of delight, I was delighted to return from my vacation yesterday and discover that the title of "Wizard of Whimsy" had been bestowed upon me in last week's round of submissions! It is an honor that I do not take lightly, as I believe whimsy should be spread liberally whenever and wherever possible. In fact, I've been searching for a job title that describes what I do, and "Whimsy Wizard" is about the best thing I can think of to aspire to!

You can share your own whimsical creations here any day of the week (not just Wednesdays), or enjoy the creations of others:

* Whimsical Wednesday

HAVE FUN!

My Inner Child Is Alive and Well

My latest creative endeavor is a melding of two totally unrelated things that absolutely delighted me in childhood:

shoebox dioramas
+
panoramic sugar eggs

Shoebox dioramas were my specialty in the fourth grade. Using paper, sometimes clay, scissors, glue, crayons and a shoebox (the ones that my dad's or Uncle Ernie's shoes came in were best, because they were so LARGE), I enjoyed re-creating scenes of Native American and pioneer life--particularly Gold Rush scenes of Forty-Niners.

When I was even younger, it was a special treat at Easter to receive a beautiful sugar egg from my Grandma, a magical confection that had a tiny peephole and a detailed scene inside. We had to keep them on her dresser for a week or two and enjoy looking at them before we were allowed to eat them.

So some time last year, right before Christmas, my inner child came up with this project for Spring and we've been working on it off and on for weeks: It's a desktop diorama!


Peek into this little shadow box and you'll be transported into Rhonda Rabbit's peaceful garden where she'll invite you to relax a bit and commune with nature.

I hand-crafted this mini diorama/shrine/tableau using a "tin" (actually steel) spice box, plus hand-cut paper Rhonda figure and details using a mini-print of my watercolor illustrations made on heavyweight paper.

The box measures 3" square and is 2" deep. It has a clear plastic window in the front.

I hope your inner child enjoys it as much as mine does!

I've just listed two of these Rhonda desktop dioramas in my Etsy shop at this link:
Rhonda Desktop Diorama

March is National Craft Month

How are YOU celebrating National Craft Month? This special observation was created by the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) in 1994, and according to CHA, "has grown into an international celebration of creativity and innovation" with millions of participants starting special craft projects during the month.

So it is no surprise that Rhonda Rabbit has chosen March to pursue a new hobby. It all started on March 1st, when she visited Lilly Cat and fell in love with her sweater-- hand-knitted in Rhonda's favorite shade of PINK!

ONE WEEK LATER...

What is YOUR favorite craft or hobby supply? Glitter, glass, clay, glue, YARN, cat fur? Let us know in the comments section of this post.

RHONDA RABBIT KNITS! I've just added these brand new lavender-scented items to my Etsy shop including a bookmark, magnet, sachet, and dream pillow. Great gift ideas for your favorite knitter (or to tuck into an Easter basket). Click image to see my entire selection for Spring:

Sweater Weather

Illustration Friday

(theme:"sweater")

Rhonda Rabbit has caught the knitting bug from Lilly Cat. Cook her a nice carrot stew and she'll knit a dandy sweater for you...

Thanks for visiting!

Year of the Rabbit or Year of the Cat?

Rhonda Rabbit and Lorenzo Lapin are quite excited to note that today marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar Year of the Rabbit.

According to the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco:" People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented,and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. "

"The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. They represent a cyclical concept of time,rather than the Western linear concept of time. The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon...and the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February. "

Lilly Cat thinks that is all well and good, but wants you to know that in the Vietnamese culture, their lunar New Year known as Tết Nguyên Đán also starts today. And you might be surprised to learn that they will be observing the Year of the Cat this year! Cat People born in this cycle are are "smooth talkers, talented and ambitious and will succeed in studies. They are in conflict with the rat. A cat person has a supple mind and patient personality and knows how to wait for favorable conditions before taking action. Cat hours are between 5am and 7am, when cats begin their prowling."

Whichever you choose to celebrate, may you have a blessed Lunar New Year!!

RABBIT RESCUE: Each year, particularly after Easter, shelters and rescues are inundated with bunnies that were given as gifts to people who didn't really want them and don't know how to take care of them. Please don't give a live animal as a gift - give a stuffed plush toy instead, or consider making a donation to a rescue or shelter in someone's name as a gift. If you are willing to make a commitment and would like to adopt an abandoned bunny as a pet, check out this link: Guide to Rabbit Rescue Organizations

Year of the Rabbit and A Perfect Hare Day

The Year of the Rabbit begins next week with the Chinese New Year on Feb. 3 and you certainly don't want to be without a special somebody with which to celebrate . That's why Rhonda Rabbit has put together this easy tutorial on how to create the Perfect Honey Bunny.

First, take one basic bunny.

Add some dashing dashes and convoluted curves...

...then fill in with some true blue hues on a handsome hare who happens to speak French.

He also loves to cook gourmet treats and grow organic herbs in his solar greenhouse.

Voila! Meet Lorenzo Lapin.

Thanks for visiting!

Winter Blues Begone!

With three feet of snow on top of the burrow, Rhonda Rabbit has found the perfect solution to melt away any mid-winter blues: Redecorate! It's as easy as hopping over to her computer, placing some orders, then waiting for the intrepid mail carrier to arrive (a Snowshoe Hare-Lepus Americanus-of course!)

First, she'll sip some chamomile tea out of her new mug that she ordered last week...

Bunny Love Coffee, Tea, or Cocoa Mug...The perfect size for your favorite morning beverage or late night brew. Large, easy-grip handle. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special. Measures 3.75" tall, 3" diameter; Dishwasher and microwave safe $13.99 at Cafepress

Then she will start with the kitchen and pick out this framed tile for the wall above the sink...

Bunny Love Framed Ceramic Art Tile...Frame measures 6" X 6" x 0.5" with 4.25" X 4.25" tile; Constructed of stained Cherrywood; Two holes for wall mounting $11.99 at Cafepress

And now for the living room...How about a cheerful coaster for the coffee table?

Bunny Love Ceramic Tile Coaster...measures 4.25" x 4.25"; Four felt pads protect your furniture from scratches. Dishwasher safe. Not for use with abrasive cups and mugs. $6.50 at Cafepress

And a colorful print for the wall above the sofa...

Honey Bunny 8" x 10" Art print... heart-felt message for your special honey bunny; A great way to brighten up a child's room or nursery...This cheerful 8 x 10" inkjet print is printed on high quality matte photo paper with Epson Durabrite Ultra inks. Print will be signed at the bottom. . $12.50 on Etsy

This little fabric ornament might look cute next to the bathtub, and it smells pretty too!

Lavender Scented Valentine Ornament... This hand-crafted fabric ornament has a ribbon for hanging and is filled with fragrant lavender... a great gift for your favorite honey bunny or sweetheart! It measures 4" x 2.5", not counting the ribbon hanger. $6.00 on Etsy

And now for the boudoir...Rhonda thinks this whimsical pillow would look great on the bed to brighten up the room...

Bunny Love Throw Pillow...Add stylish fun to a kid's room or den. It measures 18" X 18" with an 11" X 11" image area and is made of ultra-soft brushed twill with a sturdy canvas image area. Ships with pillow insert. Removable zippered cover for easy laundering. $19.99 at Cafepress


And the finishing touch will be this lavender-filled Dream Pillow, which will sit right next to the bed. She wishes she had one already, as she feels a nap coming on. Sweet dreams, Rhonda!
Lavender Dream Pillow... This petite pillow is filled with a generous helping of high quality lavender buds. Place it by your bedside-- according to folk wisdom, lavender's aroma aids sleep and relaxation. The pillow is 9" tall x 5.5" wide.. $12.00 on Etsy

Hope YOU are safe and snug in your burrow.
Thanks for visiting!

Counting Blessings

Last week I posed the question: "what if you had to choose 5 blessings to fit on a tiny pendant?" in the blog post Gifts and Blessings

What would they be?
Here are some of the responses:

family,
friends,
cats,
dogs,
furbabies,
health,
wide open spaces,
exciting destinations
a warm house,
great art supplies,
mother nature's beauty,
sunshine,
contentment
Courage,
Patience,
Love,
Strength
Faith
chocolate
quilting,
books,
a cold beer on a hot day.

It was no surprise that "loved ones" of all kinds - friends, family and furbabies - topped each list. Thank you to everyone who shared their lists here, on Facebook, and on The Hive!

Speaking of counting blessings, meet Rhonda Rabbit. She is the 14th child of 23 siblings, so she has a LOT of blessings to count. The 5 blessings she would choose are:

Her family
Her friends
Her posy patch
pink hearts
Her sweetheart Lorenzo

She has been working on some very special Valentines with a very special message for all of her loved ones. Here is what they look like:

She hopes you like them!



Rhonda's valentine art is available as a print in my Etsy shop, and as a card (blank inside) in my Cafepress shop. Enjoy!