Aloha - From Kauai, Hawaii

Arrived home yesterday from a beautiful week in Kauai, Hawaii. It was my first time to visit this island and what an amazing place for a holiday. If you're seeking a vacation with the most beautiful nature, oceans, beaches and tropical vegetation this is definitely a place to see. You can guess I took a vast amount of pictures at every opportunity I could get. I'll share a few with you here. I'll also be using many of these great shots on products that I sell in my store Shell's Designs, so you'll want to pop by for a visit and see what unique gift items are featuring designs from Kauai. My husband and I did an amazing hike, saw the Grand Canyon of Kauai, went kayaking on the Wailua River, snorkeling, swimming and many other fun adventures. It was a fabulous time together. I think I'll be very busy in the coming weeks writing lens' for squidoo about our trip. Stay tuned...

Quote: "We all need new adventures in our lives, don't be afraid to step out and try new things, life is too short.!" - SK

Spring

I saw a duck inspecting the sandbox in our back yard the other day. She stood on the wooden ledge looking in the box. I wonder, was she pondering whether or not it was a good place for a nest? Or maybe she felt disappointed because it was a good nesting site before my husband removed the leaves and grass that had been there probably the last time she'd looked. As always, the animals are busy right now. We get in their way.

That makes me think about the poor bunny I nearly scared to death last spring.. I was happily gasping for air while mowing the lawn, when an itty bitty bunny startled me by hopping eight to ten feet in the air straight up and out of some tall ornamental grass nearby and then plopped, with a little splash, into our pond.  I couldn't believe it! Shutting off the mower, I walked to the water's edge and looked for the little guy who was no bigger than my hand. When I didn't spot him right away, I sadlly concluded he'd sunk to the bottom of the pond like a rock.  You know what they say don't jump to conclusions ... because, next, I found him swimming with great speed, toward the middle of the pond! Now I know there is at least one bunny out there that not only can swim, but can blow through the water like a high speed motor came with its little cotton tail. I wondered--how long could he keep it up? I was responsible for this. I had to do something. 'Ding' A bright idea sprung into my head! I could use the canoe. I found my daughter and she was more than willing to help. We hurried. But, by the time we were in the pond with the canoe, the surface of the water was completely still. There wasn't a ripple anywhere.
With heavy hearts we put the canoe and rescue bucket away. And then, we stood by the water's edge to talk about the bunny. The rock my shoe was close to stepping on, moved. Hey- that rock had wet fur! He wasn't a gonner after all. Mr. Bunny had the sense to turn his frantic swimming around and head back to shore! My daughter picked him up and put him in the grass where he could feel safe. I like to think he's still around. If he is, I'm sure he absolutely hates hearing the mower on the lawn. This spring I'll be extra careful when I mow. It's not just my back yard, I share it with others.

New Easter Designs

Well Easter is not far off and I've been creating some cute Easter designs for mugs, magnets, t-shirts, cards and more. Easter is a beautiful day, most important for Christians as they celebrate the Risen Saviour. A few Easter baskets, bunnies and eggs are mixed in there too! However you celebrate it I hope you'll check out some great gift ideas at my store. Shell's Designs

Quote: "I think of the garden after the rain
And hope to my heart comes singing
At morn the cherry-blooms will be white
And the Easter bells be ringing."
By Edna Dean Proctor. 'Easter Bells'

Cupcakes For Everyone

Cupcakes always seem to evoke warm feelings! They make you think of parties and gatherings with friends and family. If you love cupcakes whether they are the sweet edible type or you simply love cupcake designs on birthday cards, gift ware and apparel I will show you some really cute items. Cupcake Designs on Cards, Magnets, Mugs and More

Squidoo is experimenting with the idea of clubs and the first one is the Cupcake Club, which I just became a member of. Here you will find endless delicious recipes for all kinds of cupcakes as well as cupcake gift ware, and other fun related items. Come visit here... Cupcake Club

So the last couple of days in my store I have been creating (you guessed it) many adorable cupcake designs... here are a few examples above. Shell's Designs

Quote: "Life is short, eat dessert first"

Springtime Weddings

There are so many beautiful inspiring things about spring... I love to see the new buds opening up on plants and trees, the colourful blooms that start to show their heads. It's such a refreshing time of year! Now that we are heading into spring... lots of Spring Weddings will be happening! I've recently been designing some pretty wedding cards, save the date magnets, cards and postage. Designs from elegant to simple yet attractive. Beautiful shades of mauve, pink, chocolate and buttercream... sounds good enough to eat doesn't it! Come by for a visit and check out some of my latest creations. Shell's Designs

Quote: "No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow"
Proverb

Go Canada Go - 15 Medals So Far

Canada is doing great in fourth place for medal standings. Canadian athletes have won 15 medals so far... 7 of which are gold, woohoo! It was so amazing and sureal to be at the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics... so much energy and buzz. I wrote a lens about my experience at the Opening Ceremonies. I also received a purple star award on this lens. This is an award given only to Giant Squids. (A title you earn if you have more than 50 quality lenses) That was so cool to get that notice and I've been getting lots of traffic to this lens as well! You can view it here... Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies 2010
Above you'll see some great items using photos I took in Vancouver, B.C. home of the Winter Olympic Games... great souvenirs to remember the Winter Olympics 2010. You can view more in my store under the 'Canada' tab... Shell's Designs

Quote:"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well."
Pierre de Coubertin

Quote from my manuscript that made me laugh

"That’s when the door of the school opened. We turned automatically to see who it was. Sure enough, it was wicked Mrs. Smith heading to the parking lot. She wore a bright red coat with a hat to match. Her usual stride was reduced to baby steps because snow, ice, and high heels apparently don’t mix well. However, being the fierce dragon lady she was, I was sure she could look my way, shoot fire from her mouth and burn the very hair off my head."


This is a quote from my manuscript Murder on Sprinkle Lake Mrs. Smith is a very mean teacher. She'd just chewed out my main character. After, he joined his friend outside the school and was in the middle of telling him all about it when the door of the school opened...