The Sparrow's Nest

Recycle those bike's!!

2007-11-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

I was fasinated when I read about this in one of my I.D. magazines. Of course my bike is far from needing to be recycled, but I wouldn't mind having some of this furniture one day when my husband finishes the basement, it would be perfect for him and the fella's.

Bike Furniture

HAPPY DAY OF THE DEAD!

2007-11-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

I love world folk art, one being the day of the dead. The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a traditional holiday in Mexico and many South American countries. Based on ancient Aztec mingled with Christian beliefs, this celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors is celebrated beginning at dusk on October 31st through November 1 (All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day). While the dates overlap, it is not connected with Halloween, although it shares some historical origins. This holiday is quickly gaining popularity in America and could be considered "the new American Holiday".

This was my wedding cake topper!

VivaTerra - Eco Living with Style

2007-10-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite companies is VivaTerra . They have some of the most amazing furniture created by skilled artisians made out of entwined roots, railroad consoles, tree trunk roots, and kiri wood. Not only amazing furniture, organic clothes & decor, Viva Terra contributed funds to plant nearly 10,000 trees through American Forest and offset almost 1,000 tons of CO2 by contributing to the construction of wind turbines through clean Air-Cool planet and also a lot of their decor is made from recyled metals etc.

Funky Fabrix

2007-10-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

I love funky colorful textiles that stand out. Funky Fabrix is full of fun mod/retro/vintage choices. My personal favorite is the variety of sock monkeys. I believe you can even purchase their fabrics on Ebay.

Street dogs - by Traer Scott

2007-10-17T18:53:00.001-07:00

I received a nice email from Traer Scott today with a press release on her new book Street Dogs that comes out this month that I have yet to get, but cant wait!!

STREET DOGS
Traer Scott

The stunning follow-up to Merrell’s bestseller Shelter Dogs, featuring over 90 portraits and outdoor photographs of dogs living on city streets

“Scott’s haunting portrait album bares the souls of these unclaimed but unassailably dignified animals.” – People

“Beautiful portraits that just might save the lives of hundreds of other dogs.” – Life

Merrell Publishers is pleased to present Street Dogs by Traer Scott, the author of Merrell’s bestselling book Shelter Dogs, to be released in October 2007

Street Dogs combines over 90 of Scott’s irresistible signature close-up portraits of dogs with stunning, dynamic, and unforgettable outdoor photographs of dogs living on the streets, caring for one another, seeking food or being fed, wandering, and even playing.

Scott traveled to Puerto Rico and Mexico to capture remarkable and soulful photographs of dogs living alone or in packs on city streets. Since many street dogs were formerly pets, they are often friendly, approachable, and eager to be adopted into new homes. As Scott documents in her eloquent introduction, she witnessed and assisted in the rescue of many of the dogs she photographed for this book. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Puerto Rican, Latin American, and US organizations, many of these dogs have now been adopted into new homes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Some are being given the medical care they need before they can be permanently placed for adoption into private homes; others will be given life-long shelter in the compounds of rescue centers, where volunteers lovingly care for them.

By documenting not only the plight but also the unique characters of just some of the many dogs she has encountered in her travels, Scott raises awareness of animal welfare causes, particularly the need for rescue efforts and adoptive homes for street dogs.

Also included is a mini biography of many dogs featured, with details about their rescue and journey to a new home, and contact information on charities devoted to street dogs.

Scott has the inimitable knack of drawing you into an animal's plight—not by devastating you—rather, by arousing and inspiring concern and compassion by revealing the soulful personality of dogs, despite their circumstances.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

Purchase Streets Dogs and Shelter Dogs HERE This would make the best Christmas gift for a real dog lover. You can also click on the Street Dog title of this blog to take you to the direct link to purchase Street dogs. Sorry I am still learning these blog codes.

Also check her website Traer Scott

Shelter Dogs - the best coffee table book ever

2007-10-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Shelter Dogs by Traer Scott is my hands down my favorite photography and coffee table book. She is a long time animal welfare volunteer and photographer. She had taken so many photos at the shelter and found herself not being able to delete them, so she decided to put this wonderful book together. I actually have a stack of books on my table, but this one is always on top. And believe me almost everyone who sits on my couch reaches to look at it. There are 50 amazing shelter dog portraits, all with short stories, some who made it out alive and those who had to cross the rainbow bridge.

Give one for Christmas to someone who loves dogs, you also help support the ASPCA with your purchase. Also check out her follow up book Street Dogs, which I have yet to get. You can get them here ASPCA.

You dont need those plastic bags!

2007-10-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's said that each year one person uses at least 130 plastic bags a year. Majority of them go straight to the landfill and rarely recycled. You have got to swap those plastic bags for re-useable bags. We actually bought several IKEA bags for .59 cents each. I keep 3 in my trunk and my husband does as well. I have been amazed how sturdy they are at the grocrey store, plus I can fit alot more in them then the average cotton Wholefoods or Publix bag. I use them everywhere Target, Costco, any place I know I will be coming out with a bunch of goods. Wholefoods give's you .5 cents back for each bag you bring. IKEA is currently charging .5 cents a plastic bag to encourage enviromentally responsible behavior, wouldnt it be sweet if places like Walmart, grocrey and retail stores did the same?? Every little bit helps!
Visit IKEA

A favorite of mine- Jim Houser

2007-10-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

Jim Houser is a self taught, mixed media, urban artist from Philadelphia. He paints canvas's, walls, skateboards etc. I had purchased his book Babel a few years back and I can look at it for hours. His art is super creative and colorful, he is a true genuis. I want to plan my annual NYC trip with Patti in 08 when he has his next gallery showing. Read the latest article on this dynomite man with a brush. Fecal Face

IAMS Dog Food Coupons $5 & $8

2007-10-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

So I buy a lot of dog food for my 3 mutts. IAMS currently has coupons for cat and dog food. $5 for cats and $8 for dogs, which is a steal! http://us.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DHP

Recycle your dishes!

2007-10-15T18:32:00.001-07:00

Learn how to recycle old dishes and vases. I personally was only interested in the plates, on Etsy you see a lot of similar plates made. I think using a solid color plate like green and then adding the art in the middle by painting it white or another color will look neater then painting an entire plate. I am going to scout my local thrift store which our local HSUS runs, so I get new art work and 100% of what I spend goes to my local animal shelter, for me, what could be better then that?? call2recycle

Pete the cat

2007-10-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite pieces of art is my Pete the cat painting that I purchased in Savannah years ago. James Dean a local artist in GA, creates and re-creates paintings with his rescued shelter cat Pete added somewhere in the piece. Its fun and I have loved his art for a long time. Check him out! Pete the cat

ok-ok

2007-10-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

**A little place about interior decorating, cheap finds, ART, a little photography and a whole lot of randomness**