IT FEELS LIKE SEPTEMBER; Upcycled on Etsy

Fall is suddenly approaching, the days are growing shorter and the lazy summer nights are becoming cooler.  Even in the desert you can notice a change; crows have found their voice and are chatting away about their upcoming winter adventure as the hum of crickets and Cicadas are dying down.  Kids are back in school and settling into their routines, summer vacation has already become a memory for most and parents rushing from work to school to practices and games has become the family's beaten path. 

I have always enjoyed September, while in the Midwest I was an avid gardener and loved this time of year.  The garden would be winding down but the bright Sunflowers, Mums, and Marigolds would fill out into their splendor and as I drove up my driveway they would always great me with their cheery burst of color.  I lived by an apple orchard for much of my life and so September has always been associated with the beginning of the apple harvesting season. 

How beautiful and simple is a ripe red apple hanging from the tree.  Bushel baskets lining the little shop wall with every flavor and color of apple possible with cute patterned signs announcing their names; Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and so many more.  Although we visited the orchard regularly we would always have to sample the different apples as if this was are first time stopping in. 

These are some lovely items that are handmade and upcycled that I found on ETSY that really remind me of those lovely Septembers of years gone by.  And here's to many more lovely Septembers of the future!

APPLE COLLAGE recycled book page art print - an upcycled antique dictionary page with a retooled antique flower illustration - wall art from
AnamnesisPrints
https://www.etsy.com/listing/100914090/apple-collage-recycled-book-page-art

Kitsch vintage glass marble RED APPLE fruit earrings - opaque marbles upcycled into striking dangle drop rockabilly style earrings from
DollyDecades
https://www.etsy.com/listing/155994011/kitsch-vintage-glass-marble-red-apple

Vintage Ceramic Apple Pendant Necklace / Jewelry Necklaces Statement / Upcycled Jewelry Jewellery / Handmade Ceramic Pendant / Clay Apple
 from GarageCoutureClothes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/159511413/vintage-ceramic-apple-pendant-necklace

Wine glass charms Peach Apple Apricot Raspberries Fruit cooking handmade upcycled postage stamps OOAK From
WiseLines
https://www.etsy.com/listing/130378713/wine-glass-charms-peach-apple-apricot

Upcycled Book Apple 7", MADE TO ORDER, great Teacher's Gift for Back to School from
whimsysworkshop
https://www.etsy.com/listing/86868595/upcycled-book-apple

Original Art. Title: Eye Crow. Totem. Painted Collage. Mixed Media. Denim. Upcycled Clothing. By Laima
from artweeds
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153776793/original-art-title-eye-crow-totem

 

Crow Silhouette - upcycled inner tube papercut black bird crow / raven art from
Gloomstopper
https://www.etsy.com/listing/120846908/crow-silhouette-upcycled-inner-tube

Upcycled Vintage Sheet Music Page - Crow Print - 8-1/2 x 11-3/4 from
UnseenCurios
https://www.etsy.com/listing/81911439/upcycled-vintage-sheet-music-page-crow

 

Salvaged Chandelier Crystal Crow Raven Blackbird Necklace from
capablefather
https://www.etsy.com/listing/155341740/salvaged-chandelier-crystal-crow-raven

 

Crow and SunFlower Pillow from
FolkArtTextiles
https://www.etsy.com/listing/109546532/crow-and-sunflower-pillow-2012-1

 

Van Gogh Sunflowers Scrabble tile pendant charm handmade by IMCreations (OL150) from
IMCreations
https://www.etsy.com/listing/78501709/van-gogh-sunflowers-scrabble-tile

 

Upcycled Yellow and Black Vintage License Plate Sunflower  from
LicenseToCraft
https://www.etsy.com/listing/129545202/upcycled-yellow-and-black-vintage

Inspirational Sunday Party; Monsoon in the Desert

trees through a window, 8x10 fine art black & white photograph
KSinclairPhotography
https://www.etsy.com/listing/66613511/trees

There was always something magical about a rainstorm.  As a child the only way my mother would let me out of the house in the rain is if I geared up; rain slick, rubber boots, umbrella and a rain hat was the minimum requirement.  I would run quickly out of the house, so as not to miss it, protected head to toe from the wet.  I would jump, with both feet, as hard as I could into the largest puddle found.  The feeling of the cold water as it splashes up under my raincoat soaking my pants and part of my shirt before it cascades down into my boots made it official, I was playing in the rain.

Print of original illustration "Rainbow Rain"
PeekArthttps://www.etsy.com/listing/150895311/print-of-original-illustration-rain

Squish squishing through the yard I would explore the new terrain.  Everything looked different under the veil of a rain shower.  There was an eerie fog that would rise up where the warm soil would meet the cool damp air and the filtered sunlight would make the landscape glow a aqua green.  Wonderful secretive creatures would pop out of there hiding place; Snails in swirly brown and beige shells would slowly haul their load across the gravel, fat night crawlers escaping their flooded burrows could seen by the dozens and hippity hoppities of all sizes and types would croak and chirp there way onto my wet landscape.

Original Drawing frog in the rain
MichaelHProsper
https://www.etsy.com/listing/156347962/original-drawing-frog-in-the-rain

Rain wasn't that unusual for the Midwest, in fact I would be willing to bet that some years it rained more then it shined.  So over time I forgot about the magic hidden in the raindrops and I forgot about shy creatures that would surface.  And soon a rainy day became more of nuisance rather then something that stirred the imagination.  But this week I have experienced my first desert monsoon (seems strange, huh?)  As I gazed out at the down pour falling onto the patio I remembered the excitement I felt as a child.  It has been at least a year since I seen rain of any significance let alone 3 inches in an hour.

Purple Rain by Phil Farris
alapart
https://www.etsy.com/listing/159285877/purple-rain-by-phil-farris

So my inspiration this week is as simple as the rain...  It was a joy to feel that excitement rise up again.  A little girl's imagination running wild from puddle to puddle was awaken, just for a brief moment but it was still a moment all the same.

So now it is your turn. What has inspired you this week?

There is a few rules before you link up (but not many.)  Please help promote since that will make this so much more fun!
Rules:
1. Follow my blog via GFC, Bloglovin, or Network. If you are new please leave a comment so I can follow you back.
2.  Grab the button and post it on your blog.  Either on your blog or a specific post (if you do not have a blog you are excused from this step.)

<div align="center"> <a <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>=" http://<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">butterflyintheattic</span>.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com/2013/08/inspirational-<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">sunday</span>-<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">linky</span>-party-blog_18.html " target="_blank"><<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> alt="Inspirational Sunday" <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>=" http://3.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">bp</span>.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com/-B3f7Yf_JnZ0/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">UhDLdEYakXI</span>/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">AAAAAAAAILc</span>/Y0rOcb7S_0I/s1600/Link+party+<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">ButterflyInTheAttic</span>+button4.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span> "/></a>

3. Check out at least 2 other posts, follow if they are new to you, comment, etc.
4. Post something that you found inspirational this week, it can be from your blog or it can even be a project or even a piece of art you created for your shop. But do not link your main page or shop home page.
6. Limit 2 Blog posts and 1 Shop post
7. Have fun and get inspired








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Inspirational Sunday Linky Party; Autumn Inspiration

 

Autumn in the Midwest is very different than the Autumn in the West Coast. Growing up in the Midwest where Autumn comes in like a lion and leaves like a lion helped develop in me a certain manic-like rush that begins around the first day of September and is gone almost as quickly as it comes. 

On one sunny golden day, sometime towards the end of September,  you will notice a few leaves in Goldenrod or Amaranth dotting the trees.  By the next week over half the woods are on fire with the reddest of reds and the orangest of orange.  The next week the entire landscape resembles the artist's painters pallet and it is a clear sign that Autumn has come again; it's time to fill the wood pile, bring in the squash and harvest the corn. Then just as sudden as it arrived; the leaves are gone, the air is filled with a cold mist and all that is left are shades of greys, browns and a little green and my manic mood is over.

I have always loved fall in the Midwest and it still carries through to my new Cali home; it continues to stir the creative juice that have been slumbering through the lazy days of summer.  I find myself gravitated to all things orange, red and yellow.  I'm inspired to gather the colorful leaves and arrange harvest scenes.  And I certainly can not forget the burn I feel as I enter Michael's craft store.

Even in Cali to simply walk into a Michael's store this time of year congers a flood of melancholy memories; cool crisp days spent crafting with my kids, planning Halloween costumes, and decorations for Thanksgivings past.  The spicy scent of cinnamon nips at my nose as the glass door slides open and my mind is swirling with inspiration.

It is amazing how inspiring a season can be; Autumn is where my creativity peaks to a new level each year and now that the faux pumpkins are lining the shelves of my favorite stores I know it won't be long.  I can't think of a better way to start out this week but with a little Autumn DIY inspiration.  I found this  DIY project on a website called UsefulDIY.com enjoy:


http://www.usefuldiy.com/diy-leaf-bowl/

So now it is your turn. What has inspired you this week? There is a few rules before you link up (but not many.)  Please help promote since that will make this so much more fun!
Rules:
1. Follow my blog via GFC, Bloglovin, or Network. If you are new please leave a comment so I can follow you back.
2.  Grab the button and post it on your blog.  Either on your blog or a specific post (if you do not have a blog you are excused from this step.)

<div align="center"> <a href=" http://butterflyintheattic.blogspot.com/2013/08/inspirational-sunday-linky-party-blog_18.html " target="_blank"><img alt="Inspirational Sunday" src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9J6QvZtGIXJsTswk56xQB8kV290hFbYy7o841O2EPP2v5Aq-D-J-LoMAWnb17f2MlJlAEKq6wQRUK18kfZUfRkt0WBSGazcXXoFwgmPViNHtSZVuSeQuZgD8go4CNhP1-7Bmrz69o10z/s1600/Link+party+ButterflyInTheAttic+button4.jpg "/></a>

3. Check out at least 2 other posts, follow if they are new to you, comment, etc.
4. Post something that you found inspirational this week, it can be from your blog or it can even be a project or even a piece of art you created for your shop. But do not link your main page or shop home page.
6. Limit 2 Blog posts and 1 Shop post
7. Have fun and get inspired




You may also like:

Inspirational Sunday Linky Party; Blog Hop

Let's get ready for the upcoming week with some profound reflection.  My Inspiration for this week has been going back through some of my photographs from previous travels.  Sometimes I have very little free time but I always have time for fond memories of grand adventures.

So now it is your turn. What has inspired you this week?

There is a few rules before you link up (but not many.)  Please help promote since that will make this so much more fun!
Rules:
1. Follow my blog via GFC, Bloglovin, or Network. If you are new please leave a comment so I can follow you back.
2.  Grab the button and post it on your blog.  Either on your blog or a specific post (if you do not have a blog you are excused from this step.)

<div align="center"> <a href=" http://butterflyintheattic.blogspot.com/2013/08/inspirational-sunday-linky-party-blog_18.html " target="_blank"><img alt="Inspirational Sunday" src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9J6QvZtGIXJsTswk56xQB8kV290hFbYy7o841O2EPP2v5Aq-D-J-LoMAWnb17f2MlJlAEKq6wQRUK18kfZUfRkt0WBSGazcXXoFwgmPViNHtSZVuSeQuZgD8go4CNhP1-7Bmrz69o10z/s1600/Link+party+ButterflyInTheAttic+button4.jpg "/></a>

3. Check out at least 2 other posts, follow if they are new to you, comment, etc.
4. Post something that you found inspirational this week, it can be from your blog or it can even be a project or even a piece of art you created for your shop. But do not link your main page or shop home page.
6. Limit 2 Blog posts and 1 Shop post
7. Have fun and get inspired




You may also like:

Inspirational Sunday Linky Party; Blog Hop

Sundays have always been focused on what has inspired me through the week or something that has moved me spiritually.  As we begin our busy week it is good to start it out on a positive note.  So I hope you join me and link up your post, item, project whatever has inspired you this week.  This is a blog hop so you may even make a new friend or two!

What has inspired me this week:
Unfortunately there were a few misadventures this week that made it even more stressful.  The inspirational moment that stood out happened on my Birthday.  It would have been a terrible Birthday (one of the worse) if it hadn't been for my husband and my staff.  

#1  My morning started out with a special silly little card (my new favorite!) and two movie tickets to see the Pacific Rim from my hubby:

It Meows Happy Birthday!  does my hubby know me or what?!

#2  I am interim director in one of the departments at a hospital and so I am just first getting to know the wonderful group of people that work there.  I was so surprised when everyone in my department knew it was my Birthday.  Both shifts sang me Happy Birthday, one of them had baked me a homemade cake (that was incredible) and made me treats, a few others brought me sweet little presents (candy is always good!)   But what stood out the most was that I could tell they really meant it.  They are an awesome team and just when I really needed it (because there were some not so nice people that day)  God showed me a group of very sincere and kind people.  I feel really lucky to have met them and I feel inspired by their acts of kindness.

It looks a little bare because I already ate some!

So sweet

Also Sweet ;)

So now it is your turn.   What has inspired you this week?

There is a few rules before you link up (but not many.) I don't have a button yet so if you could mention me in your posts today or you other social medias to promote this party that would be great but it is not mandatory. But please help promote since that will make this so much more fun!
Rules:
1. Follow my blog via GFC, Bloglovin, or Network. If you are new please leave a comment so I can follow you back.
2. Check out at least 2 other posts, follow if they are new to you, comment, etc.
3. Post something that you found inspirational this week, it can be from your blog or it can even be a project or even a piece of art you created for your shop. But do not link your main page or shop home page.
4. Limit 2 Blog posts and 1 Shop post
5. Have fun and get inspired





You may also like:

Inspirational Sunday Linky Party; Blog Hop

Good morning friends.  Most Sundays I blog about something that inspires me, a picture, family, trip, etc.  I feel that this is a great way to start my week and hopefully it helps get your week off to a great start.

Today I thought I would try something new and have a Linky Party (Blog Hop.)  There is a few rules before you link up (but not many.)  I don't have a button yet so if you could mention me in your posts today or you other social medias to promote this party that would be great but it is not mandatory.  But please help promote since that will make this so much more fun!
Rules:
1.  Follow my blog via GFC, Bloglovin, or Network.  If you are new please leave a comment so I can follow you back.
2.  Check out at least 2 other posts, follow if they are new to you, comment, etc.
3.  Post something that you found inspirational this week, it can be from your blog or it can even be a project or even a piece of art you created for your shop.  But do not link your main page or shop home page.
4.  Limit 2 Blog posts and 1 Shop post
5.  Have fun and get inspired
Tweet
Since this is new to me I am sure I will be learning as I go.

What has inspired me this week:
Fist my husband; it has been a pretty rough lately with our jobs, finances, family etc.  Often I get so stressed that I zone into what I have to accomplish and how things may not be really going how I planned that I don't see anything else.  Terry has been such an amazing strength for me and has really shown me how he has my back (and I his.)  He inspires me to push through all of the stress and hardship.

My other inspiration this week was just simply the beauty that is all around me, I am amazed at what a beautiful world our Lord has created.   How could we doubt his promises?

So now for your turn:









Other post you may like:

The Love Of Baseball: New York Yankees Fan

There is nothing like going to a first baseball game of the season, there's an electricity in the air that is palpable.  When April rolls around and spring training begins, our home brightens with a festivity that can only be compared to the major holidays.  Baseball caps, seat cushions, beer and hot dogs! Who could ask for more?

While the hubby and I are Yankee's fans (Terry being one since childhood) we have attend several Fresno Grizzlies games.  The Grizzlies are the farm team for the Giants and because of that I was able to watch Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey as they rose from the minor league to the majors.  Terry and I spent many hot steamy Fresno nights with the Grizzlies cheering our home team on and watching Parker's (the mascot) crazy antics.  So while the Giants will never be "our team" the Grizzlies will always have a special place in my heart.

Here's to the love of baseball:

Vintage Baseball Glove Leather Wallet from ReMitt at https://www.etsy.com/listing/118392979

Baseball Bleachers Cushion Stadium Seating Recycled Denim Upcycle Blue Jean from Tethers Things at https://www.etsy.com/listing/99651247

Phillies Baseball T Shirt Pants For Him or Her / Unisex / L - XL / Recycled / Upcycled / Red Navy Light Blue Gray / Cotton / Soft / by ohzie from ohzie https://www.etsy.com/listing/112024163

Baseball Bracelet / Repurposed / Recycled / Baseball Cuff / Upcycled / Leather Cuff / Repurposed Baseball from junkinthetrunkstudio https://www.etsy.com/listing/127626695

upcycled HANGING HEART. Made from baseball skins from EcO ChiC furniture  https://www.etsy.com/listing/91910534/

YANKEES, OOAK license plate art, New York Baseball sign, MLB decor, office decor, unique little league gift from UniquePl8z  https://www.etsy.com/listing/109265382

Upcycled Recycyled T Shirt Tote Bag New York Yankees from GinisGifts
https://www.etsy.com/listing/150163806