Appreciating Teachers...

photo by Lucas Allen for Real Simple
This is the season to stop and thank the teachers who have dedicated themselves to our children all year long. Many of our bookmarks are being used to express appreciation to teachers, aides, and support staff  for their dedication to educating our children.  It seems as if we cannot thank them enough. 

Panda Designs' exquisite bookmarks are the perfect little gift to express gratitude, and a steal of a deal at $5.99 each.  Visit the shop to see a wide variety of bookmarks to share. 

Spring Blossom II, $5.99

Teachers 

Paint their minds 
and guide their thoughts
Share their achievements 
and advise their faults

Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth

For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach 

For the dawn of each poet
each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring

- Kevin William Huff 

Hebrew Proverb

"A child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit".

 

- Panda Designs

What's New for Warm Weather Reading...

If you haven't been by the shop lately, we invite you to check out the latest for women! We're pretty excited about the newest collection, a lovely dose of punchy color and vivid patterns for plenty of warm weather reading...

© Panda Designs
Just click on "Women" in the shop's section column to see our new designs.

© Panda Designs
© Panda Designs
Paisley Paradise, Rooibos Tea, and Hampton Red are shown here at $5.99 each. Cheers to warm summer reading. ;)

Jessica

A Smashing Success

What an outrageous day we had with the talented artisans at the "Make a Difference" craft show in Morgan Hill, Ca.  We were impressed by the unique ideas and quality craftsmanship of the local artist. 

Panda Designs enjoyed many friendly customers.
Some of our bookmarks on display.

We'd say that the event was a smashing success!!! It captured the essence of community and creativity while surpassing the financial goal. The funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.   Many thanks to the chairwoman of the event, Alexis Babb.  Your commitment to excellence is inspirational, indeed.  It was our pleasure to participate in making one of your dreams come true.  May you continue to dream and execute them... 

Until Next Time, 

Panda Designs

Fighting Cancer Together

A few months ago, Alexis Babb of the “Make A Difference" craft show invited Panda Designs to participate in a fundraiser to fight against cancer.  We graciously accepted her offer.  We are honored to design and create our bookmarks for such an occasion.  With May fast approaching we'd love for you to join us. 

Jessica and I will team up with more than 30 artists to help raise funds to fight cancer.   Mother’s Day is almost here so don’t miss this opportunity to find something unique for the special women in your lives.   With live entertainment, face painting, and a scavenger hunt, the kids are sure to have fun, too!  

The event will take place Saturday, May 9th from 11:00 - 4:00 pm at the Oakwood Gymnasium in Morgan Hill, Ca.  For more details on the event, please visit the link below:

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hope to see you there!

Darlene

 

real simple cleaning

One of my favorite go-to reference books for cleaning and organizing is Real Simple Solutions from the creative folks behind the wonderful magazine.  Always inspiring, here they continue to offer inventive new (and sometimes old) ways of refreshing your surroundings.

With the warmth of the season upon us, we are quickly compelled to "tidy up" and put in the elbow grease needed to fully enjoy the friendly company we've been planning to invite over all winter, but didn't because of, well...a bit of interior chaos, maybe?  I stand accused.  Yet, I can no longer ignore the dust and clutter, so I'm on a real simple mission to get rid of the chaos.  Here are some nifty tips right off of the pages...  

The soap scum on my shower doors isn't pretty.

1.  Try sprinkling a few drops of water unto a fabric-softener sheet and then scrub.

How can I get my white sinks to sparkle?

1. Fill the rim with hot water and add one cup of bleach or hydrogen peroxide to sit for 1 hour.  

2.  Drain and rinse.

3.  Scrub with baking soda.

4.  Rinse sink and shine with glass cleaner.

I have a large collection of magazines, but I'm not ready to toss them just yet.

1. Find a medium-sized wicker basket to place on a bookshelf and only fit in those favorites.  The rest can go (yes, you can do it).

I'd like to keep my bars of soap slime-free.

1. Cover a small dish with smooth stones and set soap on top to avoid water puddles.

Time to get to work!

-Jessica

An Orchid for Dr. John Hope Franklin

"John Hope Franklin lived for nearly a century and helped define that century. A towering historian, he led the recognition that African-American history and American history are one."

- Richard H. Brodhead, President, Duke University

Picture credit: Duke University
In my twenties, I remember walking around Northern California's DeAnza College taking one general education course after another. I eventually landed in an African-American history course and was introduced to a great American historian. John Hope Franklin. I read his best seller, From Slavery to Freedom, and along with that class, this amazing historian and his outstandingly researched material changed the way I saw myself from that day forward.


Dr. John Hope Franklin recently passed on March 25, 2009 at 94 years of age. He loved orchids as much as he loved history...

You can learn more about John Hope Franklin and his work by visiting here.

Intimate autobiography of Dr. Franklin.
“John Hope Franklin was one of the most important American historians of the 20th century and one of the people I most admired. I was honored he agreed to be the head of the President's Initiative on Race. He led his committee all over America to listen to people of all races, faiths, cultures and classes. And he produced a remarkable report on the ways in which we remain divided along color lines and what we can do about it. During the process, we became friends and I learned a lot from him about history, politics and life. He graced our country with his life, his scholarship and his citizenship. Hillary and I will miss him very much. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

- Bill Clinton, Former U.S. President

May we be inspired by such an extraordinary life.

Darlene

Visiting Filoli

Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.

- William Bowers Bourn II


This past Friday, my daughter, my aunt Evie and I made a Spring-filled visit to the historical Filoli Gardens.  The enchanting Filoli features a 36,000 square-foot modified Georgian residence and a 16-acre English Renaissance style garden.

Built between 1915 and 1917 for Empire Mine owner William Bowers Bourn II and his wife Agnes Moody Bourn, this grand California estate is located in Woodside, California, just 30 miles south of San Francisco.

gorgeous white blooms.
My aunt had already held a membership, but this was a first for my daughter and I, so she encouraged us to bring our cameras...okay, I think I may have been a bit overstimulated by the beauty of the garden and the Georgian style architecture, which I absolutely love. My heart melts for proportion and balance. The tulips, camellias, and daffodils were in full bloom for Spring, for which we began shooting away.

happy tulips...peek-a-boo.
I dream of formal gardens with green boxwood and perfectly manicured lawns. This was it. The grounds are so impressive that many a movie has been filmed here...remember The Wedding Planner? Volunteers get to experience hands-on gardening, but there are a number of workshops being offered throughout the year. They operate from February through October and have the loveliest garden shop that carries sweet-smelling soaps, aromatic candles, dried floral arrangements, and so much more. There is an enjoyable selection of food at the Quail's Nest Cafe onsite. I had a turkey salad croissant sandwich that was wonderful.

Thyme and Illume candles, homegrown lavender and handmade wreaths are on display.
refreshing drinks and tasty bites.
What did I enjoy most? Perhaps the Woodland Garden with all of its white camellias. The contrast between these soft, white blossoms and green foliage was breathtaking...there's something especially sweet about white flowers. Inside the home, the diningroom was exquisite and the ballroom purely grand, but I'd say that the smaller and quaint oak-paneled study lingered with me long after we left. With its carved Carrara marble fireplace, I imagined the early occupants being cocooned on a cool Winter's day. Please do pay a visit when in the area. Visit filoli.org for further information, ie: info on memberships.

more shade-loving camellias.
a distinguished gentleman in the study.
Hours & Admission:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-3:30pm
Sunday 11am-3:30pm

Adults $12
Students (bring I.D.) $5
Members & Children under 5 are free.

Over 500 roses will bloom this summer and the wisteria that decorates the mansion's exterior and grounds year after year was just budding, so there is much more to photograph! ;)

-Jessica