Friday, April 25, 2008

Yay! My 100th post GIVE-AWAY and Friday Cat Blogging

I never thought I'd make it, but here I am, writing my 100th post on my blog! Woo hoo! For a nostalgic look back, here's my second post, which includes a photo of one of my earliest works.

What I thought would be a once or so weekly little smidge of blabla about my life and my work and me, has turned into a habit. It has its down side since the first thing I would do in the morning, pre-blog era, is do my e-mailing and update my Etsy shop. Now I also have to get my blog post in there too. Sometimes it's after lunch before I start working in my studio, which is why I often take my work in front of the tv well into the evening too. But it's all good, I love what I do, my husband supports me and I've got a pretty happy life. Je ne peux vraiment pas me plaindre (I really can't complain)...

On the up side blogging has been great since it's something I seem to be sticking with, largely due to you all, the lovely people who are actually reading my blog :) Whether you choose to leave comments or not, no matter - I truly appreciate you all stopping by!

☺ Thank-you from my bottom - that's what one of my Japanese friends once said, when he meant to say "Thank-you from the bottom of my heart." ☺

My first blog give-away:
To celebrate my 100th post, I'd like to offer one my readers this necklace, one of my favourites, a Sakura so Bright pendant on your choice of the coral pink leather seen here, black leather or silver tone ball chain.

All you have to do is have a peek in my Etsy shop, and leave a comment here on anything you particularly like, or think needs improving; a favourite piece, the photos, are there too many things/sections in my shop; etc. Please leave your email address so that I can contact you if you're the WINNER! One give-away entry per person please, but feel free to leave as many comments as you like ☺

The draw will take place on Tuesday April 29th, at 7pm, so get your comments in before then!

Friday Cat Blogging: Lucky Barney
Our friends, Mary and Rod, share a cat named Barney.

One cold winter a few years back, Mary and Rod's neighbour saw a big black cat in a park forest; the cat was very friendly and was probably lost, so as many of us would do, the man left him there thinking he would be found or picked up by his owners. When he returned to that same park the following winter, there was that same cat, friendly as ever, but a little worn and a little thinner.

Barney the cat went home with this man, an airline pilot, and quickly adapted to a warm, well-fed life with him. When the pilot would go to work for days at a time, Barney then discovered Mary and Rod across the road. He now lives a good life in both houses. While Mary and Rod are down south for the winter he lives with the airline pilot, and when Mary and Rod are home, Barney is usually with them. He is the sweetest cat you could meet. I think he's just happy to have two loving homes to hang out in.

Here he is, posing for us last summer, sprawled out in a favourite spot.

24 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

MAYBE I'll be lucky enough to have you pick the FIRST comment (mine!) but I'll be first anyway. My favorite thing in your shop is Your Most Comfy Bracelet. I like the design, AND I have been wanting to try using more memory wire in my designs lately!
Hope I win!! My email is: ljeurto@gmail.com
Thanks for having such as awesome and generous giveaway. I love the color of this necklace!!

Lavinia said...

Hello Tatsuko! I glided over here via Bachelor's blog and am I glad I did! Your blog is so cute! So whimsical, so interesting, quite someting to peruse....full of what-have-yous....

And .......I would love to win that blog giveaway, its quite a pretty piece of jewellery and I'd be thrilled to wear it.

Now then, I clicked on the link to "Etsy" (I have no idea what that is) and I got that box that says "you made a mistake". So I'm not sure if its my computer, or the link, or what...

I am going to have a look at your blog now........

Regards,
Lavinia

tatsuko said...

Lavinia, thanks for letting me know about my faulty link! Just fixed it :)

hi Lorelei!

Karin said...

HAWAII - chiyogami pendant--is my favorite.

I enjoyed hearing about Barney the cat--I'm glad he found people who love him and take care of him.

Toystory said...

First of all, I love your designs -- and items - they are most excellent. I really like COMBO - SUSHI PLATTER -- oh my kids always want sushi...and this is adorable! I love it. Now if they were girls I'd be buying this now, but alas they are boys and I don't think they'd appreciate a sushi combo platter necklace...darn.

Anonymous said...

Great picture of your folks! I have 2 adopted Asian children, one daughter (33) and a son (31). They are the joy of my life. Thanks for sharing and visiting my blog. I'll be back!
:)

Bunny B said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I love your chiyogami pendants! The PENSIVE BUNNY really caught my eye!! (No surprise there - bunnies are adorable! :P) Love the bunny blue card too :) Thanks!

Jacquie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jacquie said...

Not sure if that link copied properly - it's the teal kanji pendant. Stunning piece!

High Desert Diva said...

*waves to Barney*

I couldn't pull up the last page of your shop for some reason...Etsy problem? Anyway...saw a couple pics that didn't have the magical white balance work done yet. (still haven't found my blasted camera manual) I like all the variety you have in your shop...keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

I really like your shop. I always have a hard time picking a favourite anything.

I think your items would look even lovlier if you brightened up your pics a bit. I use Photoshop elements and it amazes me how much better pictures can look with just a little tweeking.
Gina

Jennifer April Abraham said...

Sandra,

The beginning of your blog is kind of inspiring. I love how something small yet so lovable that do simply of out pure enjoyment turned into something so great that others can enjoy it too !

One of my [other; besides the peices I purchased today] favorite peices of yours was the TEAL KANJI - chiyogami pendant necklace. The colors and design were simply stunning and so creative. (: I think the colors would stand out more if you had a colored chain. [Like the SHIZU - chiyogami pendant necklace. I ooh and ahh over it so much. It's such a unique peice.(:]Your sushi jewelry is so adorable !!! XD I just can't wait to put it on. It's not only cute but it looks really life like and well done. The sterling silver earrings would look a whole lot nicer if the pictures were a tad brighter. You're so lucky that you're talented and successful in doing something that you seem to love.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your time and consideration today. (: By the way, cute cat! (: I love cats. I have 6. (:

Email address: JENNENYFUR@gmail.com

Jennifer April Abraham said...

Hiii, It's Jenn again.

I just wanted to let you know that after looking through your SOLD items, I am in love with the pudgy waiting cat pendant and the japanese happi coat pendants. They are the cutest things ever ! (:

Hisako said...

You don't have to include me in your draw (unless you really WANT to!). I just really enjoy your etsy shop and think it's perfect, and your work is so beautiful and always changing / growing. I feel so privileged just knowing you! Oh, but maybe you could let my HUSBAND know that I'm pining for your Sakura Swing earrings or Pensive Bunny pendant - maybe for Mother's Day (nudge him, will ya?)...

Joanna Taylor said...

Congratulations on the 100th posting! It gives me hope...(I'm not here to enter the contest, btw, just to say hi.). Barney looks like a cat who is fully enjoying his new good fortune!

tatsuko said...

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments! Your names will all be in the draw on Tuesday evening :) Be sure to check back!

XUE said...

Hallo Tatsuko! Another nice post! I have this pix in my head, of Barney crossing the street from one home to another! How great that he is bringing joy to 2 homes at the same time. Congratulations on the 100th post!

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

Congrats. I love the MIKI - chiyogami pendant necklace in your etsy shop.

Congrats on your 100th post.

daldak01@yahoo.ca

n said...

Hello Sandorah!
(using nomi's ID cause i don't know how!!! don't put me in the draw)
Things I like about your etsy shop:
- simple and subtle colours of your pics' backgrounds
- variety of items
- fave -love the chiyogami pins for my jacket lapels (already have a couple and seeking more!)
.... and I absolutely love reading your blog!

picciolo said...

Hi, I think your shop looks great, I don't think I can think of any improvements! This is my favourite: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7558239 one of your comfy bracelets, I love the colours and combinations you have used in this one. Congratulations on 100 posts!
: )

LazyTcrochet said...

congrats on 100 posts!

I love the colors in the KEI bracelet and earring set! Very pretty.

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Jeez, I almost missed this!
I've ALWAYS been a fan of your little bundled baby cards. They are so sweet!

stephanie said...

Hello!!! I love the Fluttering chiyogami necklace. ooooooooooh i hope i win :) my e-mail is stephanie.tama@yahoo.com.....which reminds me, i need to write you an e-mail! have a great day!
~ stephanie

Robotosaurus! said...

I love the Pensive Bunny pendant, I think that's my favorite. It's so hard to choose! All the earrings are so spectacular, and everything in your shop flows so nicely with one another.

Congrats on your 100th post! I added you as one of my favorite sellers on Etsy. :)

My email address is courtneyfnc@hotmail.com. That pendant is beautiful!

<333