a virtual flower garden
I should be watering my real flowers right now, but instead I’m mesmerized by all the pretty shapes and colors I can create by playing with this fanciful flower website. I named this flower JUNE and you too can create and name your very own virtual posy with a few clicks and drags of a mouse.
Pretty snazzy… thanks Lynn for sharing this sweet site with me.
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operation: surprise birthday party
A few months ago, I shared my mom’s 70th surprise birthday invite I designed with you and last weekend was finally the BIG DAY. She had blast and was totally surprised!
My brother was in charge of the food & drinks and I took care of all the pretty details… starting with creating a photo album filled with pictures of her growing up. (the little book is filled with all the memory cards the guests sent in)
I had so much fun designing the page layouts digitally. You too can do this very simply by using Adobe Elements (under $100) and throwing in a few cute downloadable frames.
I love these scrolled ledger frames too. (Doesn’t flying look so glamorous in that photo? … and yes, that is my mom on a camel – crazy!)
In addition to the album, I filled up 40 black and white frames with photos of my mom’s friends and family. (These frames were only $2.50 each for all sizes at Kmart!)
I used the frames as center peices on the tables and had each guest take home a framed photo they liked or were in. They also served as a great ice breaker while the guests awaited my mom’s arrival. ( I think this could be a great idea for a wedding too.)
Sticking with the photo theme, we had our photographer friend, Matt throw up a back drop and shoot pictures of the guests throughout the party. This really added to the atmosphere and captured many new memories. Here’s some of Matt’s work if you’re looking to add a little zest to your next event. (feel free to email me for his contact info)
My mom loved the album and will be talking about this happy day for many months to come.
Happy Birthday Mom!
robina rhapsody rocks berkley
Steve, Samson and I enjoyed a wonderful summer evening filled with music and festivities at the Robina Rhapsody last Thursday. This great downtown event is just a block from our Berkley store and is put on by the talented Berkley Beautification Committee. 
catching fireflies is delighted to be a sponsor for this concert series that takes place the third Thursday of every month during the summer.
In addition to live music, kids can enjoy bubbles, sidewalk chalk, balloon sculptures and ice cream (a most important summer treat!)
Company of Strangers kept the kids dancing and the adults toe tappin’ with some great finger pickin’ blues. Here’s their rendition of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison.
Samson was a super star as always with the ladies and this adorable little boy couldn’t stop grinning as he was petting him.
Make sure to mark your calendar for the next fabulous outdoor concert on July 19th. That one will take place on Dorthea off Coolidge near Catalpa (by Famous Flavors Ice Cream Parlor). Good times are sure to be had by all!
one of every color please
I purchased these sweet salmon colored shoes over 4 years ago in NYC and I still get compliments every time I wear them.
Here’s why I love them… the colors are delicious, the thin ‘slide-in’ buckle strap makes my ankles look slim, you can dress them up or down AND they are super comfortable. (I can easily wear them around the store all day)
This summer when I head back to NYC I think I might indulge in these olive ones.
…but these yellow ones are also quite fun
… on the other hand, red always makes a statement
… and ooh la la orange!
Can you see why I haven’t bought a second pair yet? There are just too many yummy colors to choose from (and there’s even more I didn’t list)
Happy shoe shopping sole divas!
C-U-T-E spells kitten
It’s kitty season and you know what that means… super cute pictures of frisky little felines.
I’ve found the perfect way to waste your 15 minute work break. How you ask? By playing Kittenwar! 
This very addicting site simply posts two random kitten photos and you click on which one’s cuter. You can also submit your own kitten pictures! So what are you waiting for… let the kitty wars begin!
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dogs, frogs and cats – oh my!
Meet Rich Kolb of Yardbirds. He has the very cool job of creating humorous animal sculptures from various scrap metal pieces.
Rich and his dad created the first Yardbird in August of 1991 in Jamestown, Kentucky. His dad had spent most of his career making things from metal and the first bird came about from talking about and tinkering with scrap materials. People instantly loved them! 
Today, Rich creates numerous critters of all shapes and sizes. When people ask him about his creations, He smiles and says, "The things in life that bring us the most joy are those which are fun and unexpected, not the mere necessities." He believes we can all benefit from a little more whimsy in our lives!
We recently received a big batch of Rich’s creations at both our stores. We have fruity frogs, funny felines, down right goofy dogs and even a silly squirrel with a nut.
We also have select styles available online in our dog and cat sections.
This piece is affectionately called "fried chicken".
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dads & daughters
Happy Father’s Day! Here’s a photo from a past Father’s Day outing with my dad at Michigan International Speedway.
I’d thought I share this heartwarming song from Paul Simon to celebrate Dad’s Day.
If you leap awake
In the mirror of a bad dream
And for a fraction of a second
You can’t remember where you are
Just open your window
And follow your memory upstream
To the meadow in the mountain
Where we counted every falling star
I believe the light that shines on you
Will shine on you forever
And though I can’t guarantee
Theres nothing scary hiding under your bed
I’m gonna stand guard
Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever
And never leave till I leave you
With a sweet dream in your head
I’m gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you’ll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you
Trust your intuition
It’s just like going fishing
You cast your line
And hope you get a bite
But you don’t need to waste your time
Worrying about the market place
Try to help the human race
Struggling to survive its harshest night
‘best of detroit’ party pics
The catching fireflies crew got all decked out for Hour Magazine’s Best of Detroit Party at the Max M. Fisher Music Center this past Thursday.
This is the all-star team that makes the catching fireflies magic happen… starting from the left with Danielle – the charming Berkley manager, me, Steve (my hubby) – the business man behind the curtain, Dena – the comedic Rochester manager and our latest addition, Sara – the webmaster and graphic girl extraordinaire.
We decorated the trees in the Suburban Bliss area with our enchanting firefly jars.
And passed out over five hundred $5 gift cards to the party goers!
As the night continued on, we enjoyed delectable food & drink samples from over 40 restaurants on three different dining levels.
The party was buzzin’ all night long… fashion models, fancy drinks, swingin’ music … fun times.
We even bumped into Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick! Love him or hate him, that man knows how to work a room like a rock star.
Later in the evening we moved onto the dance floor and that’s when things started getting a little crazy.
There’s Danielle in the blue doing her John Travolta.
… more silliness.
Needless to say good times were had by all.
It feels great to be voted Best Gift Shop in Detroit! Thanks again for all of you who voted for us and cheers to another year of fabulous gift giving!
calling all brownie edge lovers
I admit it… I belong to edge-lovers anonymous. If you have similar fixations, I have found a pan that you will fall in love with. The only problem is, now I will be tempted to eat the entire pan instead of merely hacking up the perimeter (leaving the middle for my sweet husband)… I guess there are worse problems to have.
So without further ado, here is the recipe for my slice of heaven…
A little dark chocolate magic from Miss Betty Crocker with the help of Mr. Hershey.
… baked up in this oh-so-clever ALL EDGES pan
Add some icy cold milk and I’m out for the count!
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making days brighter contest
We’re getting close to the deadline… so don’t delay and share today!
We’d like to know… What gift have you received or given from catching fireflies that made your day or the gift recipient’s day brighter and why?
Winning entries will be published on our blog and will receive this magical battery operated firefly jar ($19.50 value)
Please email your entries to: comments@catchingfireflies.com with the subject line: making days brighter.
All entries must be submitted by 6/15/07.
