Flutter by, Butterfly

Sadly, it isn't true that the word "butterfly" came from a metathesis (the changing around of the order of syllables) of flutterby, but it is still a nice idea.

The old English word was "buttorfleoge" - combining butter and fly, but there seems to be no agreement on why there is a butter reference.  Some say that butterflies will go to butter if it is left out and uncovered....but I've never heard of that!  Any ideas? 

Maybe because they are attracted to butter colored flowers?.....but then they seem to like all different colored flowers... One of life's mysteries I guess.

But it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of seeing butterflies flutter by.

Crawling through the grass

We've had rain ALL day today!  That may not sound like much to many of you, but since we've lived in northern CA, we've never had any rain after the first week of June, at the latest.  So to have a full day of rain is most peculiar.

So today isn't a day for crawling through the grass - not for me anyhow - but this little ladybird doesn't seem to mind the rain.

A new customer commissioned this bracelet from me. I hope she likes it. What do you think Lucie?

How is your weather? Is it unseasonable and odd?  Our vines are in flower which is just the time we don't want rain.  If it rains when they are in flower, all the pollen can just be washed off and then there will be no grapes.  Fingers crossed most have pollinated already.

Take it easy

Here's another bangle - "Take it easy". It is a reminder for the wearer to take it easy and slow down.  It shows a little snail, slithering through the grass.

I took artistic license and decided not to include a slime trail following the snail however!!!! I thought that wasn't the most attractive part of a snail - but instead, the bangle focuses on the slow tempo that a snail takes....so can remind us to slow down in our life and take it easy.

Do you need a reminder to slow down? Are you always rushing around instead of taking a little time to relax and see what is going on around you?  We can learn a lot from snails....

Little Bunny Foo Foo

I remember my sister Mary teaching me the song "little bunny foo foo" quite  few years ago - complete with hand actions.  As I recall, we weren't all that little...and she learnt it when we were on choir camp!!! Obviously the singing of it was superior then!!

Anyhow, when I made another bunny for a bangle today, he looked so small and cute as he hopped through the grass, that little bunny foo foo came to mind!

He looks much too sweet to bop field mice on the head however. What do you think?  And if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the Youtube video below for a child safe version of the little song.  Yes, some Youtube videos for Little bunny foo foo contain warnings of blood and violence!




Rest assured, my sister and I sang it much better!!! and the actions just make it!!

See what a huge influence my sister has had on my life???

 

Maybe this could be the start of a new series of story/song illustrations as bangles! Any suggestions for a song from your childhood that you'd like to see on a bangle?