Join me for a walk in the woods

I love trekking through the woods in the Fall.  The leaves are starting to change color, the mosquitoes have stopped eating me alive, and the mushrooms are starting to sprout all over.  I've gotten into the habit of always taking my camera with me when I go wandering.  I love taking pictures of all the different mushrooms, interesting plants, flowers, and trees, and any animals I come across.  So I thought I'd share some of the cool things I found while wandering through the woods the other day.
These are a few of the more interesting mushrooms I came across.  This is a great time of year to spot mushrooms growing under trees and in damp shady spots throughout the woods.  I found more mushrooms this year than ever before, and even discovered a few varieties I've never seen before!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And while I was moving some branches aside to get a picture of this funky mushroom I discovered this handsome fellow curled up in a small tree about 3 feet off the ground.

 

 

How awesome is this?!  I'm fairly certain it's a garter snake, and I'd say it was at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet long- a pretty good size for snakes in this area.  It's actually kind of rare to see any snakes around here any more, unfortunately.  Too much destruction of habitat along with pollution, added to the sad fact that many people feel they have to kill every snake they come across.  I think these creatures are beautiful, and serve the very important role of keeping the rodent population in check.  It was pretty cool outside when I discovered the snake, and he was pretty sluggish, so I was able to get some good pictures.  Although I wanted to, and I probably could have, I didn't touch the snake or disturb him in any way.  As the saying goes: "Take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing behind but footprints".  Don't disturb the natural balance.  I did take the time to thank him for posing so nicely for me though ;-)

I hope you enjoyed sharing my walk in the woods!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters 

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My Entries for the Polymer Clay Smooshers Nature Challenge

The theme for the latest Polymer Clay Smooshers Challenge was Nature, which is a perfect theme for me! A lot of my polymer clay pieces have some element of nature in them.  You'll find plenty of polymer clay plants, flowers, and animals in CreativeCritters!   I wanted to create something a bit different for this challenge, and that's where Christi Friesen's new book Woodland Creatures comes into play.  I had just gotten the book and couldn't wait to start in on the projects.  In the book Christi has a project for creating Oak leaves and acorns, and another for sculpting a really cute squirrel.  I ended up combining my version of the squirrel with a few Oak leaves, acorns, and some beads and came up with this unique and adorable necklace.

I've had so much fun playing with Pearl Ex powders lately!  That's how I achieved the coloring and shine on the Oak Leaves.  So my first entry in the Nature Challenge was my Squirrel Necklace, which was really fun to create.  My next entry is a sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi, sometimes known as the patron saint of animals.  Many years ago I sculpted a version of St. Francis (which unfortunately got broken), but this one turned out much better.  Naturally St. Francis is surrounded by some of  his animal friends, including two birds, a squirrel, and a wolf.
 
I can't think of a more perfect piece for me to enter in a Nature Challenge than this one! 
There were many wonderful entries in this challenge, and all the amazing pieces can be viewed on the Smooshers blog.  And while you're there be sure to vote for the theme for our next challenge (the poll is in the upper left corner of the page).  Personally, I'm hoping Sci Fi will win (I've already got some cool ideas for Sci Fi entries!).  Thanks for stopping by and voting for Sci Fi for our next challenge. ;-)
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

A walk in the Park

Today I thought I'd share some pictures from one of my recent walks in the Metroparks.  I've been enjoying the park since I was little, and still feel that sense of peace every time I hear the sound of that river (Rocky River).  I have a great affinity for water and natural settings.  I don't mind slogging through muddy spots, or blazing my own trail through the woods.  I never outgrew that childlike joy of observing nature.  Every time I walk along that river I think of my brothers, Jeff especially.  He was the oldest, so he was in charge on our little adventures.  I spent many happy hours with both my brothers playing in those woods and on that river.  And now that I have a digital camera (something I could have put to good use as a kid!), I can take as many pictures as I want, and share them with all my friends.

This is a swampy area where I often see ducks, and the occasional heron.  Right now there are lots of dragonflies cruising over the still water looking for prey.


 
This is a view of the river, which was up pretty high from the recent rain storm.
 
A shot of a plane passing over just above the treetops.  Part of the park is under the flight path of the nearby airport, and the planes fly so low you can practically touch them- LOL!  
  
Three different types of mushrooms I spotted while wandering through the woods.  I've always found mushrooms very interesting, and just a bit magical.
 
This spider made a web on one of the small bridges and was kind enough to pose for a picture (that zoom feature comes in real handy- LOL).  Although I still have a bit of a fear of spiders, I find them very interesting.
 
The river is pretty shallow here, and the horse path crosses it and disappears into the woods on the other side.  Two riders passed me while I was checking the area out.  I really like following the bridle path, since it tends to be the path less traveled.  So that's my latest trip to the park.  Although it's surrounded by city and suburbs, there's still some magic left here, if you know where to look. ;-)
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Located in beautiful Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Inlet Images offers a variety of unique color, black & white and toned digital photographs available in standard sized prints. All of these original, fine art prints were created by photographer Bill Barber.
The gallery hosts many genres of photography, from landscapes to wildlife photography of birds and woodland creatures. These durable prints will be the perfect addition to any room in your house. Find Inlet Images online at http://www.inletimages.com/, http://inletimages.blogspot.com/, Facebook, and Twitter.

Be sure to stop in and see all the wonderful photos available at Inlet Images on ArtFire.com!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Walk in the Woods- be inspired by nature

First off, I love the name and slogan of this shop, being the nature lover that I am.  Then of course there are the wonderful works of art that can be found in Walk in the Woods on ArtFire.com.  The studio categories include "Impressions of Nature", "Figures of Love", "Spun Spirit", "Botanical Blessings", and "Other Creations of Love".  This is one of those shops that just draws you in and makes you want to browse through their beautiful creations.  On her blog profile she says "I am what I am. The one constant is that I am forever changing ... changing ... changing. This is the nature of my world ~ and yours. And change is creation! I am called herbalist, artist, healer, priestess of the wild ... But you can just call me rose."  You can check out her website here, and also find her on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, YouTube, IndiePublic, and MySpace.  Some of her customers have said "The cord is beautiful, pure and simple! Thanks so much for such an effortless transaction and a fabulous way to help a very worthy cause.", "I was so excited to receive my order from you! Shipping was so quick and my items were wrapped so beautifully - I loved the extras you put in with my order!  Thanks! I will definitely be a repeat customer!", and "Thank you so much for such a pleasant shopping experience and such a gorgeous work of art. "Spirits Speak" is even more beautiful in person - I love it!!"  Below is a sample of the wonderful work you'll find in this shop.  Be sure to stop in and see all she has to offer!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Feathered Friends Mementos offers unique feathered jewelry

Jinx opened Feathered Friends Mementos on ArtFire.com 11-10-08.  I just love all her jewelry!  Her Biography reads: "I've been creating art of all types since childhood but decided to start my business in 2008.
Jinx is an old high school nickname because I'm a klutz with cat like reflexes, lol - which I used for my online user name for years. When I opened my Etsy shop I didn't realize that the user name was the shop name, duh! and by then it was too late to change. Since I already had a long term presence under this username I just kept it as all my shop names but my DBA is Feathered Friends Mementos.
I'm a full time paramedic in the Houston area, which I love, but my creative side needs more positive reinforcement. So I decided to start a business creating jewelry and other items from feathers. My avatar is my caique parrot, Royal and is my main inspiration."

Jinx creates jewelry, personal items, paintings and drawings inspired by birds and their feathers. She loves creating custom orders using the feathers of someone's parrot companion or recreating one of her designs or your design with different metals or colors.  Her skills and techniques include wire wrapping, watercolor painting, pencil drawings, pet parrot portraits, personalized jewelry and items from your own feathers.  You can find Jinx at http://www.featheredfriendsmementos.com and http://jinx1764.blogspot.com.  Customers have said "Superfast shipping! Thanks! Now...send me some wire wrapping skills to play with the cab! Thanks again!", and "Great interactions for custom order! Thank you!!"  Below is a sample of some of the wonderful items available in her shop.  Be sure to stop in and see all she ahs to offer!

 

All I can say is WOW!  So many beautiful items in this shop- be sure to take your time and look around.  You don't want to miss one thing!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

12 Midnight Oils- AMAZING oil paintings and more!

Cindi, of 12 Midnight Oils on ArtFire.com paints some of the most gorgeous landscape scenes!  You feel like you walking through the peaceful woods as you gaze at these incredible oil paintings.  I'm a real nature lover, so these paintings resonate deep in my soul.

Artisan Biography for 12MidnightOils

"I became intrigued with landsape oil painting when a friend of mine was channel surfing and happened upon Bob Ross' painting show.

His demeanor was so quiet and calm that it drove my friend nuts! I kinda liked his calmness since it was such a crazy time in my life.
After I moved away from her, I continued to watch and decided it was time for me to see if it WAS really as easy as he made it look...
And I've been painting ever since; I like to release my paintings to the public in a series of 12 with a similar theme.
For instance "In the woods" can mean a lot of things, to a lot of different people. Hopefully when you are looking through a chosen series you will find one that appeals to you.
Selling online has opened a whole new world to me with photography. So I am now offering note cards of my favorite images."

I'm also a fan of Bob Ross, and no matter what he says, I doubt it's "that easy".  It takes talent and vision to create paintings as lovely as these.  Cindi obviously has that talent, and the all important "artist's soul".  Here is a sample of what you can find in her shop.  Stop by and see all she has to offer!

I just love these paintings!  "Overlooking the Lake" reminds me of where I lived when I was a teenager.  These paintings feel like "home" to me.  Can't you just imagine them in your home?

-Michelle of CreativeCritters