Atlanta Botanical Garden

I had a beautiful trip to Atlanta earlier this month - including a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. All the plants were fantastic. The orchid collection was especially amazing. Here are a few of the specimens I was able to capture before my camera battery died :-) K

Sunny Sweden

I just had a beautiful visit to Sweden! The weather was wonderful - and it was hardly ever dark. Beautiful design inspirations could be found all over! I hope you're having a good summer! More on part 2 of my trip next time...

San Diego Spring Break

EncinitasCoast
Originally uploaded by kateydesigns

Well, I was fortunate to get a few days in sunny California last week! It was so nice to feel the warm sun again! My meeting ended early one day, so I drove up the coast a little to Encinitas and snapped this shot around sunset. But not before heading into town, to visit a 20,000 square foot bead store! I had never seen anything quite like it! And as if that wasn't enough, they were having a special sale, with more beads on tables outside! So needless to say, I had a great trip!
Have a great day, and think spring!
Katey

Brave Crocus!

BraveCrocus08
Originally uploaded by kateydesigns

Thank God for these brave little flowers that make their way through the straw brown grass to remind us not to give up! Spring weather is on its way! Please no reminders from those of you in the South who've been enjoying 70 degree days! Here even in the Southern part of New England we have to be a bit more (OK, a lot more! ) patient.
Happy Spring! Lots more flowers to come!
Katey

Etsy Treasury! Yea!

FirstDance3
Originally uploaded by kateydesigns

Yea! Thanks so much to Mary from Elegant by Design for including me in her bridal treausry! I think it will be posted until Saturday, March 15th, so check it out!

More Fun with Flickr

Spring Mosaic
Originally uploaded by kateydesigns

Ok, I hadn't played with Flickr Toys in a while, so it was time for a little fun today. I've been working hard on my website, kateydesigns.com . Actually, everything has been behind the scenes, as I've gotten lots of html/css books! It's pretty fun, but a lot to absorb. One of the most inspiring sites for cool websites I've found lately is http://www.beautifully-webdesign.net , where you'll find lots of amazing pages! Check it out and let me know your favorites!

Watch Out! I've got a torch, and I'm not afraid to use it!!

FirstTorch1
Originally uploaded by kateydesigns

So I finally took the plunge! And I'm hooked! I'm taking my first metalworking class from Naomi Kantrow here in Connecticut. She has some amazing pieces! Eventually I'll get the full set up (Smith B probably), but just as an intro I bought this little guy. It's so fun! So far I've just fused fine silver, but plan to solder at home with it as soon as I get all the extras (flux, pickle, tools, etc.) This is a great way to make a smaller commitment before you know if melting metal is for you. A friend in the class actually got a slightly different one from a gourmet cooking shop (for creme brulee!) But they seem to get things hot enough to get the job done. I like the portability of it also. So hopefully this will open up tons of new design options for me!