COTM Treasury: April Showers Bring... by SusanNeedleHands

'April Showers Bring... Team EFA COTM' by susanneedlehands

You can tell spring is here in full force when the rain comes--yes, even here in southern California! The flowers are popping out all over making everything colorful and bright. Please enjoy these items from Team Etsy for Animals.

Crow in Cloudy Skies Fine Ar... KneeDeepOrigin... $118.00	Pink Cat Art - In the Rain o... catcalls $13.00
Rabbit Art, Mr. Weathington,... thebluewindmil... $12.00	Personalized Cat ACEO - Han... LolaLynn $5.00
Aqua Dream Crystal Glass Ear... JewelryByScott... $10.00	Blue Mason Jars in Vintage B... EllaQuaint $25.00
Turquoise blue Magnesite and... diggerbren $20.00	April Showers Shoulder Wrap ... susanneedlehan... $70.00
Photo Print Burst 16 x 20 JenniferLynnPr... $35.00	Vintage Suitcase Pet Bed - N... ShortcakeDesig... $90.00
Fiber Arts Jewelry Box silk ... brizel4TheAnim... $34.00	Destino Orange 8x8 WoodsEdge $25.00
Carnival Bloom iPhone Case, ... pippichick $23.99	Original poppy flower art, w... ThimbleSparrow $30.00
Deer and Flowers Fabric and ... kittyempire3 $45.00	Pink Vintage French Journal ... BarkingDogBlan... $19.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio

ANiMAL PETiTiONS by WoodsEdge

presented by Alicia of WoodsEdge

logo by Eva of CocoNme

1. Dangerous Hunting Legislation Needs More Opposition ASAP

A scary piece of legislation, the Sportsman's Heritage Act, includes dangerous measures that would negatively impact wildlife, the environment and nature enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the bill somehow passed the House and is now in the Senate for consideration. 

If you haven't already signed this, please sign the Endangered Species Coalition's petition against this bill here: 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/673/018/383/oppose-radical-hunting-proposals-in-hr-4089/

The National Parks Conservation Association also has a  petition to the Senate opposing opening up our parks to hunting here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/335/756/055/

To write directly to your Senators check here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

2. Tell the Military to Stop Torturing Animals

The U.S. Military uses thousands of animals in burned, maimed and tortured in trauma training every year in procedures that would be better practiced on human simulators. 

Sign the petition asking the U.S. Military to stop using live animals and make the switch to simulators which provide better medical training for the battlefield. 

http://www.change.org/petitions/us-military-stop-shooting-cutting-open-and-breaking-the-limbs-of-living-animals

3. Ask the USDA Not to Renew Jambbas Ranch's Permit

Jambbas has been violating the Animal Welfare Act for years, that has caused suffering to numerous animals. Now the Animal Legal Defense Fund, PETA and two private citizens have filed a lawsuit with support from animal experts against the USDA arguing that Jambbas' license should not be renewed. 

Sign the ALDF's petition urging the USDA to stop licensing this facility. 

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10389

4. Stop Drilling in the Arctic

Shell Oil may begin drilling in our fragile arctic ecosystem, despite the fact that it has no contingency plan in the event of a spill. Now, only the Obama administration can stop this from happening. 

Send a letter to president Obama to prevent offshore drilling in the Arctic Ocean. 

https://secure.wilderness.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2449&autologin=true&AddInterest=1202&JServSessionIdr004=3sq19x6br2.app338a

Help The Animals

Take 1-2-3 Actions Today !

THANKS

UP ON TRENDS: Natural History by AlteredGirl

written by Rebecca of AlteredGirl

Logo designed by Eva of CocoNme

Trend: Natural History

I have decided this week to focus on one trend because it is such a large trend that encompasses and overlaps with so many others.

Though you may be unfamiliar with the term, I can almost guarantee that you have observed the 'natural history' style trend as it has grown in popularity over the last few years. As a theme in art and decorating it has become very popular and mixes well with other popular themes as of late including nature, animals, vintage and environmental themes.

Natural history is the scientific research of plants and animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study of any category of natural objects or organisms.

Think birdwatchers, long hikes in the forest, and careful categorizing of natural specimens. Some common elements in natural history: woodland forest themes and animals, birds, owls, squirrels, hedgehogs, chipmunks, bunnies, butterflies, feathers, nests, eggs, acorns, leaves, trees, branches, woodgrain, and natural colors.

Some items from Team EFA members that represent this theme well are below:

Spotted Owl Painting by BirdsinHand

BirdsinHand has many lovely items that fit this trend, 

including this great painting of an owl!

Spring Bird Needle Felted Nest and Baby by QueenBe

This mixed media piece includes many elements of the

trend including feathers, eggs & a realistic looking bird's nest!

Eucalyptus Leaves painting by OcelotEyes

This beautiful painting brings to mind 

a leaf collection neatly cataloged!

Silver Cicada Wing Earrings by KathartesJewelry

The cicada wing charms and the 'antiqued' feel of 

these earrings make them perfect to represent this trend!

Red Squirrel Ring by ADelicateWorld

The cute little squirrel on this ring 

looks like he just scurried out of the forest!

Spotted Fawn Painting by AshleyDietrich

Another gorgeous painting of a beautiful woodland animal!

Tagging ideas for these items: 

the most overlooked tag for these items is simply 'natural history',

also nature, natural, woodland and woods.

Team Treasury: 'Chocolate Craving' by Azrylle

'Chocolate Craving' by Azrylle

The inspiration for this treasury is pretty clear: I crave chocolate, and it has me thinking about the cocoa-brown goodness all the time! So, now I see chocolate everywhere, especially in these Team EFA items I've brought together for your enjoyment.

Bronze Freshwater Pearls wit... thebeadedhound $48.00	FAB Nuno Felt Scarf - Sparkl... FabFiberDesign $55.00
Cropped Vest in Chocolate Br... ekneverfeltbet... $125.00	Chocolate Truffle - Purple P... BeadedTail $12.00
Ring Chocolate Pinstripe aga... ApacheMoon $48.00	Chocolate Bunny ACEO Print SavageArtworks $5.00
Bird necklace in Olive and C... sdunderkoffler $12.00	Dog ID Tag Chocolate Chip Co... whatthepup $18.00
Chocolate w/ Blue Dots Colla... caninedesign $8.00	Bag of 4 Chocolate Bear Soap... layla $2.50
Chocolate Rabbit Gift Tags EllaQuaint $5.00	Only Chocolate Bunnies Belon... JMcGuinness $4.00
brown and turquoise earrings... LonesomeRoadSt... $21.00	Chocolate Malt Bunny - Hand ... yarnmiracle $56.00
Aqua and Chocolate Kindle Ca... pippichick $33.99	Laineys Milk Chocolate n Coc... laineyspawtiqu... $5.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio