Monarch Post

Fair Trade Friday winner- Lisa!

I'm back (but you knew that since I'm here, huh? ). I think this was my very favorite family vacation ever. Perfect in a million ways.... I just downloaded all the photos and got a little "homesick" for N. Carolina and Nags Head.

But anyway,  I am late getting back here to announce the latest "Fair Trade Friday giveaway" winner. And since I'm late getting back to the blog world, I thought I'd apologize with an extra gift.

This is one of my all time favorite books, my copy of Gifts from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It's her story of her love affair with the sea and the beach, she compares her stages of life as an American wife and mother with the shells she has combed from the beach. It's a wonderful book, and just as timely for today as it was when it was written in 1955.

I dressed it up with a sea colored ribbon, a shell I found at Nags Head beach, an old vintage pearl earring, and a few filmy flowers-- they remind me of the jellyfish we were all so fascinated by on this trip.

Lisa @ the bunnylog blog is the winner for this month. Lisa, I'll get your earrings ordered and I'll slip my book in the mail for you!

I'm still getting my land legs back here, you know how it is when you get home from a vacation... Frankly, I would trade my land legs for a mermaid's tail for another week at the beach, but no such luck ;)

I'll post again soon this time-- I've missed you guys! xoKelly

Fair Trade Friday giveaway-- sterling silver hand crocheted earrrings (gorgeous!)

 
Nothing like completely changing pace here- from summer camp to elegant earrings. But aren't they gorgeous too! I think they look like summer and water. They are hand-crocheted out of sterling silver wire  by Peruvian jewelry craftsman, Milagros Estrada. Handmade in and fairly traded from Peru.

Please leave a comment, and pick which one you would like if you are the giveaway winner. The smallest pair are no longer available, so please choose from the two larger earring designs. Each measures approx 1.5" in length. The hooks are also made of sterling silver.

I'll draw a comment for the giveaway winner on August 2nd, 2:00 pm. MST.

Tell your blog friends about our Fair Trade Friday giveaways! 

Take care everyone, xoKelly

 

bird feeder giveaway winner!

 

Our June Fair Trade Friday winner is Dianne Wares. Large round of applause here for Diannne.... thank you, thank you!

That's one of our bird feeders hanging from the tree by my kitchen window. We have several hanging from this tree. Mike is always filling the bird feeders on the weekends. It's so lovely to see what kinds of birds are hanging out at our feeders every morning. Lots of sparrows always, but we get our fair share of chickadees, blue jays, and mourning doves too.

Last week, I spent a day "summerizing" the house. It feels good to put away extra stuff, add a few more white things here and there, and of course, to bring out the bird houses the kids made Mike for last Father's Day. They look sweet in the kitchen on our old sideboard.

Jesse made the yellow bird house.  And Sophey made the green one.

The weather is gorgeous here now. I am thrilled beyond belief that it's summer--- Hurrah and Hallelujah! Finally finally finally... And now it's almost the Fourth already, can you believe it?  xoKelly 

Fair Trade Friday giveaway-- bird feeders to start off the summer!

 
I was thinking about what would be a good giveaway for June and the start of summer-- and then I ran across these very charming gourd bird feeders! Perfect for today's June Fair Trade Friday giveaway I decided.

Here is a little bit about the artisans who carve the birdfeeders:

"Sanyork Fair Trade operates an artisan studio in Lima-Peru that hosts sixty-one artisans who are experts in the fields of weaving, knitting, ceramics, painting, metal welding, silver smithing, stone carving and sewing. In the name of Fair Trade and social consciousness we have built our crafts center to house and board twenty two of those artisans who come from remote country areas giving their talent an opportunity against poverty and in doing so we generate a fair paying trade."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Please leave a little comment, tell me what great summer plans you have, what you're planting in the garden, if you're taking a vacation.... etc, etc. :D And I will draw a winner for a charming Peruvian handmade bird feeder by Tuesday 9:00 pm MST. I will post the winner Wed. June 30th at 9:00 am MST.

The above photo is of two of several carved designs-- they will choose a design to sendto you. And BTW, if you really like the bird feeders and don't happen to win, they are available at Amazon with lots in stock right now.

Thanks you guys, I love ya! xoKelly

and the winner is...

I just drew a comment for this month's "Fair Trade Friday" giveaway. Jeni Carlson is the winner of a new "Jot a Thought Journal". Congrats, Jeni! Jeni's pretty blog is www.myeverydaysparkles.blogspot.com

It's a busy, busy week. It's the last week of school here--that means talent shows, teacher conferences, and field day this week AND I have two birthdays in the next four days... But I've made an easy summery craft project/tutorial for you-- I'll post it on Friday.   xoxo, Kelly

Fair Trade Friday giveaway! *Jot a Thought Journals*

 

{Fair Trade: "A system of trading promoting more equitable global trade, especially to sellers and producers in poorer areas, but also to the environment."}

Hi there! Today is the last Friday of the month and that means it's time for a giveaway.

I had a tought time deciding on what lovely handcrafted item to feature today-- the more I look, the more wonderful fair trade handmade items I find on the internet!

But I finally decided on these pretty journals-- don't they look like just the thing to take on a summer vacation or write gardening notes in? I thought so too :)

Here's the product description:

Trendy, small sized journals to carry your thoughts. A hard bound, compact book to write notes, reminders, etc. Handmade and hand blocked by artisans in India. Colors and patterns vary.

They're totally tree friendly too-- the "paper pages" are made from recycled cotton rags. How cool is that? They measure 4"X6" and have 48 pages.

Here's the story on how the journals are made:

"Artisans in Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India, make these journals using traditional skills. Fair Trade has opened international markets where these artisans can sell their work and be compensated fairly for it. It encourages the knowledge of making paper by hand to be passed on to the new generations, and provides sustainable jobs to many families."

 I'll leave the giveaway open till Wednesday, June 2nd @ 2:00 pm MST.

Please leave a comment to enter to win-- tell your friends too -K-? 

Happy Memorial day weekend to you, my friends! xoKelly

"Fair Trade Friday" winner

Time to announce our "Fair Trade Friday" giveaway for April. This month's winner is HeidiBears! Unfortunately, Heidi doesn't have a blog for me to send you to. But Heidi mentioned she lives in another country in her comment, so as soon as I hear back from her, I'll edit this post, and tell you more!

Stay tuned, the next "Fair Trade Friday" will be May 29th. Please feel free to spread the word. This is a small way to help spread the news that simply by the way we shop, we can help create fairer markets, economic justice,  and employment for those who are the poorest and most marginalized in our world.  And heck if you enter, you might even win something unique, handmade, and way cool. Can't beat that!

Talk soon. xoKelly

"Fair Trade Friday" giveaway!

 

Well, here we are again! Our second Fair Trade Friday Giveaway starts today. For our April giveaway, I chose this wonderful, reversible Adinkra batik apron from Global Mamas in Ghana. The reverse side is made from recycled flour sacks. Love it!

Here's the product description:

"Adinkra symbols represent aspects of life in Ghana, West Africa, and are used for storytelling and decoration.

• Sunflower Red of Adinkra Blue
• 100% cotton
• Front pocket
• handmade in and fairly traded from Ghana

Global Mamas if a non-profit organization assisting small women-owned businesses in Ghana, where the vast majority of women earn less than $2 per day. Proceeds from the purchase of this hand-sewn apron go directly to the women artisans and seamstresses, as well as the non-profit programs that assist them with business development. That adds up to an investment both darling and dedicated!"

This fabulously-fun apron is from The Hunger Site. Stop over, and look at all the amazing handcrafted goods they carry. For each item sold from their website, a number of cups of food are donated to help feed hungry people around the planet.

Also, check out the artisan page. You will meet craftspeople from around the world, see their handwork and learn their fascinating stories.

There's also a button to click everyday that will make a food donation for you at no cost to you.

How's all that for super-fabulous-amazing-goodness? I know. I think so too!

I'll keep this giveaway open till next Wednesday, May 5th
9:00 am MST. I'll draw a winner, and announce it then.

*** Almost forgot, pick the color of apron you would like to receive if you win, when you leave a comment! ****

Happy weekending to you, xoKelly

P.S. My friend Julie, @ A Cup of Coffee My Dog and Me, won the first "Fair Trade Friday'' giveaway. She just wrote a post about it, and took a great photo of the purse she won.