More gorgeous cacti

My love affair with the cactus continues.  Here are some cacti from recent journeys.  I don't know what type of cacti these are but they are pretty!

These cacti were at least 6 feet tall

Is this a giant alo vera?  Love the yellow and green stripes

Cute littel planter box cacti garden

Lovely and calming!

Candle and Lotion Making Classes in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Vacation in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, and take some classes with me at Soapies Supplies while you are there!  I will be teaching a natural candle making class as well as two creams and lotions classes during the last weekend in June (June 25/26).  I'm looking forward to meeting new people and sharing my love of candle and cream making.  If you have family or friends in or near Scottsdale, please help spread the word.  I'll be updating my Upcoming Classes sidebar soon with this information.

Pretty as a Peacock

I'm a budding amateur photographer.  Hubby gave me a camera for Valentine's Day this year and I have been a shutterbug since!  Every once in a while, I take a few REALLY nice shots!  Having a showy subject like this peacock certainly helps.  I am amazed by the richness of the hues and the irridescense of their feathers.  I even took a picture of the back, and while not as pretty as the front, it's still striking!

Got up real close and personal for this shot:-)

here's the full display of feathers

While the backside is not as colorful, it still has a nice pattern going

To Infinity and Beyond!

Space Stamps from Mongolia

I love the color, the whimsy and the fun nature of these stamps from Mongolia circa 1973.  They highlight US and Soviet spacecrafts, and were found in a stamp shop in Istanbul!  Click on the link to get a high res version that you can print and frame - perfect for a kids room, game room, classroom or cubicle. 

Bees in Your Garden

Amanda strikes again with these cute little bees made from rock.  One could also make ladybugs, frogs, or other garden creatures.  Click here for the step by step tutorial on rock bees.

You will need:

• yellow, black and white paint
• smooth rocks
• paint brush
• a little bit of wire
• Glue gun

A toothpick may come in handy when you are dotting the black of the eye.
you wrap the wire around the finger to get the nice loop and use the glue gun to adhere the wing.  You can prop it up with a pony bead while it is drying.

Cactus Craft

These cacti make great table decorations or party favors at a southwest themed party.

Cactus Table Favors

You need:
Styrofoam Egg or ball
Craft Wire
Tissue Paper
Raffia
Tacky Glue
Green and Terracotta Paint and Brush
Scissors
Sand
Small Paper Cup
Instructions:
Paint a Styrofoam egg green. Let dry. Paint a small paper cup terracotta. Let dry. Fill the painted paper cup 2/3 way with sand. Mix in some tacky glue. Press the small end of the painted egg into the sand. Cut pieces of craft wire and push into the Styrofoam.
Cut tissue paper into 2" x 4" pieces. Stack four pieces in different colors. Accordion fold back and forth in 3/8" folds so you have a 3/8" x 2" bunch. Cut the ends rounded. Cut a piece of craft wire and fold it  in half. Pinch together the middle of the tissue bunch and twist the wire tightly around it. Fan out the folds of tissue. Gently pull sheets apart starting at the top and shaping the flower as you go. Push the craft wire into the top of the cactus to hold bloom in place.
Tie a piece of raffia around the pot. Glue in place. Learn more at: http://www.makingfriends.com/party/cactus.htm

Cactus Garden 2.0

During our recent travels, hubby got me something very similar to the pot that I have been blabbing on about at home, at the coffee shop, on the phone, online, and who knows where else!  Dad and I transplated a few plants from his cactus garden into my pot.  They still seem to be doing great!  The pot makes that corner of the room very festive and colorful.  I now have a pot, a dish garden, and and another small container of succulents!