Here is two of six ATC's I've made for a "vintage ledger background" 6/6 swap that I've done for my Vintage Photo ATC group. They are quite the chick magnets, aren't they?

Here are two of six "Bingo Beauties" that will go out in a 6/6 swap for the Vintage Photo ATC group that I'm in. They were to have a bingo card background. Can't show you anymore, don't want to ruin the surprise!

Look at these two cute "bottle bugs" we purchased at an arts & craft fair we went to a couple of weekends ago. They'll both hang out in a small tree in my flower garden along with a red one purchased last fall from the same people.

You can go to her website at http://www.straycatart.com/ and check out her work. This summer we plan on an overnite trip to visit Galesburg and see all the sites.

Bought a new purse at the show.....isn't it cute? It'll be a great accessory to my favorite pair of jeans!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

RAK.....random act of kindness. I got one of those this week at a time when Julia didn't even realize I needed it the most. Julia Ziemann sent me a RAK out of the blue for Valentine's Day and it arrived at a very wonderful time. The day before I had had my knee surgery and was feeling no pain but the next morning it all hit and I was a little "under the weather", crying (yes, I was a baby!) and having a difficult time....when what showed up in the mail, but a wonderful ATC for me sent by Julia. Did that ever uplift my spirits. And what a beautiful one it is. Thanks, Julia; just what I needed!

Another fun ATC....give your imagination wings!

Been on an ATC-making "binge" this weekend. I have a little time off, having knee surgery on Wednesday, so thought I would take advantage of some time and create at my desk. Here are a few of my newest.....

Saving the World One Bird at a Time

Our backyard bird feeders can make a difference! Especially this time of the year. During periods of cold and severe winter weather, our birds will utilize them as the cricitial source of food that enables them to survive from day to day. I read about a 3-year study in Wisconsin that concluded that when temperatures fall below 10 degrees, Black-capped Chickadees (which happen to be my very favorite bird) have only a 37% survival rate as opposed to the much higher 69% survival rate for those able to utilize feeders. That's a substantial difference. And if chickadees are represenative of our other feeder birds, then our feeders can make a big difference in the number of birds that survive the winter.

Also, birds may burn up to 10% of their body weight in stored fat each night to stay warm...and this fat must be replaced every day. Be sure to keep your feeeds filled with the high-energy, high-fat foods that provide your birds with the crucial nutrition they need to survive. What would this world be without them. So get out there and feed those little birds!