Last Week

Last week was a busy, busy week. It was technically Spring Break, but I did not get one! The art school where I teach (Clementine Studio) hosted one of our most successful workshops to date: Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. The kids made ducklings, nests, Mr and Mrs Mallard, and scenes from the classic story. The projects were adorable and I can't help but share. It was a great way to celebrate Spring!

Earth Hour 2011

This year on March 26 at 8:30 pm millions of people, businesses, city landmarks, and buildings will turn out their lights in support of Earth Hour. I've been doing this for a few years now and every year it's really fun. In addition to turning off all lights I also unplug things like power strips, clocks, dvd players- anything that still has a light on when it is turned off.

Even though it is great that more and more people are participating in Earth Hour, the question has been asked, how much of a difference does it really make? The conclusion was that Earth Hour could be doing more. So now in addition to turning off the lights for an hour people can pledge to do other environmental actions.

For more information on Earth Hour, visit their website HERE

For more information on Beyond The Hour, visit their website HERE

Spring! (And a giveaway)

It feels like spring is officially here. Little flowers are poking up and blooming, caterpillars are crossing sidewalks, there is an underbelly of green grass, it is staying light until after 7pm... Ah, I love this time of year! I'm not the only one with spring fever- the gals at Hot Mama are having a fabulous spring giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment on their blog telling how you are celebrating spring. The prize is one of their sweet personalized necklaces!

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I am especially fond of Hot Mama Designs because they are a local business, based in Boulder.

Landscape

I thought that this was very beautiful... It is actually moldy bread in a clear plastic bag but when I looked at it in a different way it became green rolling hills. I love how the bag picked up the light too. This is evidence that I can find art in everything!

I like to ride my bicycle, bicycle!

'I LOVE TO RIDE- (It's A Passion)' by paradacreations, found HERE

Since making the pledge to ride my bike to work in March I've been finding all sorts of fabulous bicycle things....

Bicycle jewelry,

black plated vintage bicycle pendant necklace, morikaty, found HERE

bicycle photography,

'bicycles bicycles I love bicycles', by maddenphotography. Found HERE

I especially love the description: " I took this photo while I was visiting Osaka Japan, It is such a HUGE city, with TONS of people. But what is great, is that EVERYONE rides their bike to work! You will see hundreds of bikes lined up everywhere! What a great way to be Green!"

bicycle clothing,

Octopus on a bike, darkcycleclothing, found HERE

bicycle artwork

'4 Fun deers on a bicycle', by Coco De Paris, found HERE

My pledge is going strong! I commuted by bicycle on Friday. It was really chilly outside and if I hadn't made the promise then I probably would have driven to work. Instead I bundled up and after a few minutes of pedaling I was nice and warm. I also rode in today. Again, had I not made the pledge I would have come up with enough excuses to convince myself that I should drive. It was really windy, and I'd be getting out of work right when the sun was going down. I don't have a bike light, so I'm weary about biking at night, but I made it home while it was still light enough. So my excuses weren't very valid! Every time I ride my bicycle it makes me so happy!

Ad-Free Blog

Since starting this blog I've wrestled with the idea of advertising. I've had offers and inquiries, but they were never from a product or company that I actually would endorse (or that was relevant to my blog). Then I read this FAQ and made the decision to make this an ad-free place.

I don't want any of my endorsements questioned- everything I promote is simply because I believe in the product, NOT because I am being paid.

If you would like to join this bandwagon, you can get your own ad-free button here. This is the pledge:

by using this icon on my website I am stating...

1. That I am opposed to the use of corporate advertising on blogs.

2. That I feel the use of corporate advertising on blogs devalues the medium.

3. That I do not accept money in return for advertising space on my blog.

signed,

the author

ps- I am not saying anything against bloggers that choose to advertise or host sponsers. There are many lovely blogs that I adore with ads and links!

Tiny homes

I happened upon the website This Tiny House recently and was so impressed! It's all about living a big life in a small space. The creators of the blog are currently living in a small trailer and traveling, but before that they shared a 500 square foot home.

I have dreams of someday living in an old VW van... The problem is that I have so much stuff! Being an artist I do eventually use much of what I have so it's difficult for me to wrap my brain around such a drastically different lifestyle than the one I'm currently living. I love the idea of paring down though, and This Tiny House has inspired me to do that. Maybe someday I'll be able to fit into my VW!

Both images are from Texas Tiny Houses. The first one measures 12' by 21', the bottom one is 12' by 28'. These are lived-in homes!

Handmade Pledge

I don't know why it took me so long to happen upon Buy Handmade... But now I'm onboard! From here on out I will make a conscious effort to buy handmade items whenever possible, and especially during the holiday season. Almost 53,000 people have taken this pledge. Pretty awesome, right?

(photo via Buy Handmade website)

Green Team

I just pledged to use an 'alternate clean commute option' once every week in March over at the radio station KBCO! I've been wanting to ride my bicycle more and this will give me a little push. Last weekend I rode my bike to work and it felt so good. I easily forget the benefits of riding my bike- free exercise, less traffic (going to work I travel almost entirely on a bike path. I cross two roads!), saving gas and emissions.... Just to name a few. Plus, I just enjoy it! An extra perk is that by signing up I'm entered to win a schnazzy scooter.

If you live in the Boulder area and would like to pledge also, here is the link.