Winner for Summer Giveaway!

I would like to announce the winner of this summer's sweepstakes giveaway! The winner is (drumroll please)........ LINDA W. of Winfield, IL! The photo she selected is of a Chameleon lizard! Another giveaway will be coming soon. Congratulations Linda!

Fine Art Giveaway Sweepstakes for Summer 2010!

Ok guys, I realize that it's been about a YEAR since my last sweepstakes, but I'm starting another one up RIGHT NOW! I will be having a giveaway of one high quality color photograph or print of a drawing to be selected from my online store at http://krystalswallaccents.etsy.com !

Deadline: All entries must be received by 11:59 ET on July 31, 2010

Official Rules: A winner will be selected on August 1, 2010 from the entries received. One entry allowed per person. Entries must be emailed to kgarini87@yahoo.com, where you will need to provide your name, mailing address, email address, and specific choice of prize. To select your prize, please visit my store website, at http://www.krystalswallaccents.etsy.com, and look through my 40+ items available. Just copy and paste the title of item you wish to receive with your entry. All entries received without a specific prize selection will be disqualified. Comments left below with only a link to the item from my store, will also be disqualified. I was sad to have to disqualify over 10 applicants last time for this reason. A blog entry will be posted on August 1st, with the winner's name and prize selection. The winner will also be notified by email.

Special Twist! This time around, if I receive more than 5 purchases originating from customers entering into my sweepstakes, I will give away 2 prizes instead of 1! That's right, for every 5 purchases, I will give away one more to you guys! So if you find something you love, you're chances of a freebie would be upped if you buy it!

I wish you all the best of luck!

NEW Additions to my MACRO Flower Collection!

I've added four new beautiful macro flower pictures to my collection! These close ups are of some exotic flowers, and some traditional ones like roses and hibiscus. The red spiky one is called a Powderpuff flower, I love it! I got most of these pictures a the Magic Wings Butterfly conservatory and Gardens mentioned a post or two below this. If you don't enjoy going for the butterflies, you can go for the flowers for sure! I particularly love the Rainbow Hibiscus, the colors are so incredibly vivid! Now, why can't I grow some of these in my back yard....I might just have to go suit up with some gardening gloves and a trowel :P

Audubon Society's Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield, MA

So I've found a new favorite place to walk around and take pictures, Canoe Meadows wildlife sanctuary in Pittsfield, MA! I recently discovered this Audubon refuge, and have been going for walks at dusk to run into all sorts of animals, from usual ones like bunnies, geese, and ducks to muskrats, beavers, and even wild turkeys! (is it bad that my tummy is growling after that last one?). I never knew Pittsfield was hiding this gem, even after driving by it a couple of times! Here are some photos from my past few trips.

Another Trip To Magic Wings to see some EXOTIC butterflies!

Bored on a Friday I decided to take another trip to Magic Wings in South Deerfield, MA to check out their exotic butterflies and get some more, and better pictures. If you live in the area and haven't stopped in yet, I would highly recommend it! I was pleasantly surprised to see not only tons of butterflies and beautiful koi fish, but a HUGE Atlas Moth (with the biggest wing area of any butterfly or moth in the world!). I also got to check out some cool frogs they had there. Here are some of my best pics from the excursion, for the rest you can click on one to lead you to my etsy shop :)

Challenged myself again...and it paid off!

Yesterday I finished my latest work, a pencil drawing from the Vanity Fair Photo Shoot of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson from the HUGE hit Twilight Saga as Bella Swan and Edward Cullen!!! The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has become a huge craze, as have the starring actors. This is the first drawing I've tried that had a portrait of a MAN in it, and I was very, very nervous to try this newest challenge! From the short hair to the stubble, I was very afraid I would kill the drawing, but am very pleased with the result! Leave me some comments, let me know what you guys think of it!