LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
A flask for your sweetheart.
The theme is love. Valentines Day is an opportunity to express your love. a love for humanity, an individual or family. At Kyle Design we have so many designs and items to put them on, there is no end to your opportunity to express your love in a very personal way.
If your love is your #1, your cupcake or
Cupcake arrings in gold or silver.
your monkey. We can help you show that. If hearts and flowers are her thing – got it. Candy? that, too.
If he is your rhino, your big dog and he lights your fire – you can get a gift
Colorful Poker Magnet Clips.
for him here.
Is she a fan of romantic vampire novels? Is he a math geek? Does she love ladybugs? Is he your rock star? Do you wine and dine together? Does he promise you the stars? Did you meet in the rain? Like to walk on the beach?
Do you enjoy candles and champagne? Or beer and baseball? Does she spend her days in the garden? Is his nose always in a book? Will you love her until
You are my #1.
the end of time?
Does she make lemonade from lemons? Does he shiver your timbers? Can he fix anything? Has she knit you some socks? Maybe he is the cowboy of your dreams. She holds the key to your heart.
Do you love to dance the night away or
For your teddy bear.
snuggle in front of the TV? Does he have the heart of a lion? Is she busy as a bee? Is she your princess? Will he slay a dragon for you. Does he live in a castle? Is she from another world?
Is your honey your funny bunny? The cherry on top? Your angel from heaven or your stinky little skunk?
Red glass photography night light.
Express it on a flask,a pill box, a badge reel or a bookmark. Large and
Ornament for your goddess
small tokens of your feelings. A lovely jewelry box, a shining night light. A business like card case, a sparkly earring. A keepsake ornament or a magnet for the refrigerator. So many ways to express yourself .
A letter opener and a love note or a key chain for her purse. A money clip for his cash. Case for her lipstick. So many gifts, so many choices!
Let Kyle Design help you celebrate Valentine’s Day and find the perfect gift.
THE RIGHT GIFT
Dollar sign tree ornament for accountants and financial planners.
I know a lot of people are still unsure how the economic downturn is going to affect how they celebrate their holidays. We typically say we will spend less during the holidays than we actually do. The last few years it seems that retailers have started discounting in November and having blow out sales in December – which always seems to motivate people to spend more than they planned.
This year for me it is going to be about getting the right gift – not the best deal. Deals can be exciting – but more and more I see that the deals are not really such a deal. The size of the package has shrunk. the number of items in the box has been reduced. The “free” shipping is made up for in the “handling” charge. The quality of the item is not what it once was. It all just reminds me of that old adage about no such thing as a free lunch.
So – the right gift. Not one that has been marked down, not one that might fit. Not something they might
Customized Dragonfly pill box.
not already have. The right gift for everyone on my list. And how will I do that? By choosing things that are really personal and useful. Things that tell the person that I put a lot of thought into their gift. By selecting , say, a pill box (useful) and putting a dragonfly design on it (personal) with aqua iridescent color (shows you know their taste) and their initials engraved on the back (keepsake). And I can do that for each person on my list.
I have lots of nieces and nephews. For each one no matter what age I can find a gift and make it really thoughtful and personal. Bookmarks are one example, I
Happy Graduation 2008!
can choose one with a peace symbol in pink, another with dogs in purple and another with a graduation cap in cobalt blue – have them engraved and I have 3 gifts that match the interests and personalities of those kids.
Looking through the list, I see pill boxes, money clips, business card cases, contact lens cases, magnets for the fridge, a flask or two, a metal wallet and and, of course, tree ornaments that would all be just the right gift for my family and friends.
So get out your list, sit down and spend some time on our site and I am sure you will find the right gift for everyone!
X bookmark X busioness card case X contact lens case X custom gifts X desonger X dragonfly gifts X Engraved gifts X flask X functional gifts X gifts bad economy X graduation gifts X keepsake X magnets X Meaningful Gifts X money clips X ornaments X persoanl gifts X pill box X purse X right gift X thoughtful gifts X useful gifts X wallet
THINKING ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVES
Pillbox for voters.
California voters have a lot to think about this November when it comes time to vote. The presidential election is on the minds of everyone, but we have 12 more propositions to vote on.
Proposition 2 has to do with our farm raised food and requires calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn
Cow lovers night light.
around freely. Aside from the animal rights perspective, the concerns are for food safety, environmental impact and also helping smaller, family farmers be competitive as larger “factory” farms are more likely to practice these confined methods.
Proposition 3 is basically a bond measure which authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals. Proposition 6 is a criminal justice initiative for tougher punishment for gang crimes, drive-by shootings, meth distribution and victim intimidation.
Props 7 and 10 are two ballot initiatives focusing on alternative energy, Prop 10 on fuel and prop 10 on wind and solar which would require California utilities to procure half of their power from renewable resources by 2025. There are major concerns that the proposition as written will cause established, small renewable energy companies our of business, and that it is poorly written and so complicated that it could hurt the cause of renewable energy in the state.
Same sex couple gifts may be found by clicking here.
Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. The California Supreme Court unequivocally held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the California Constitution.
Proposition 11 is called the Voters First Act, it creates a citizen’s commission to make independent decisions leading to legislative boundaries based on fairness and the public good and not political aspirations.
Proposition 12, a Veterans Bond, authorizes issuance of $900 million in bonds to create a fund that assist veterans who are purchasing farms, homes and mobile home properties.
Voting is patriotic!
A lot to think about and read about and become an informed voter. Remember to vote, November 4th!
Technorati: vote, voting, elections, patriotic gifts, stamp box, night light, veterans, gay, same sex, ballot, propisitions, California propositions, animal rights, farmers gifts, farm animals, animal gifts, pill box, home, power, energy
BEARS AND FARMERS AND GOVERNMENT
Charming Pig - or pork belly - Stamp box.
In many of his campaign speeches, John McCain has been ridiculing a research project in Montana which
Celebrate the bears night light.
study’s the DNA of grizzly bears. He makes some sort of comment about their “crimes”. In fact, the Montana study has proven that the once endangered Grizzly is recovering it’s numbers. If this news helps remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species List, restrictions on logging, oil and gas drilling, and development will be allowed to ease.
Remember to eat your green veggies badge reel.
Another news story which caught my eye is a local Bay Area one about an organization called the Farmer-Veteran Coalition. The mission of this group is:
The mission of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition is to mobilize our food and farming community to create healthy and viable futures for America’s veterans by enlisting their help in building our green economy, rebuilding our rural communities, and securing a safe and healthy food supply for all.
With a little assistance, returning combat vets can find healing and productive work on farms. One
Celebrate Farming ornament
returning soldier who is now farming said it was good for Iraq vets who had “lost their social skills” during their tours, “they don’t feel comfortable interacting” with the public. Farming allows these combat vets a purpose and the opportunity to benefit from and help to stimulate the growing green economy.
It’s nice to know that the government AND the community activists are doing their part to make things right in our country.
Technorati: grizzly bears, endangered species, McCain, campaign, porkbelly spending, bear DNA, farmers, vets, veterans, government spending, returning vets, veggies, vegatables, food, jobs, green business, green economy, tractor ornament, pig stamp box, veggie badge reel, bear night light, pig gifts, bear gifts, veggie gifts, farmer gifts
LATE SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS
Cheery cherry round pill box.
It seems that everyday is a holiday for someone or something. I see that today , September 24, is Cherries Jubilee Day. Apparently this is not a holiday sanctified by congress, but one instituted by the food industry, but, hey! Let’s make Cherries Jubilee for dessert.
September 26 is both Native American Day and the celebration of Johnny Appleseed. Native American Day is celebrated in California and recognizes the
Native American Feathers themed gifts.
over 100 named tribes which resided in that state. The day is celebrated by all ages to learn more about the culture, heritage and traditions of the California Indian.
Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman, he walked West from Massachusetts creating apple nurseries along the way. The legend suggests
Apple themed gift items for apple lovers, teachers and cooks.
that he planted apple seeds randomly as he traveled, but it was actually more of a business and his traveling also allowed him the opportunity to do missionary work. He lived very simply, bartered or gave his belongings to charity. He wore no shoes, even through the snowy winters. He was also known to care very deeply for animals and insects.
So to celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s efforts, I think I’ll make my first pie of the fall season this weekend.
Technorati: holiday, cherries, cherries jubilee, cherry, cherry pie, dessert, apple, apples, apple pie, Johnny Appleseed, apple trees, Native Americans, Native american Day, California, feather, pill box, indian, missionary, bare feet, animals, insects, apple gifts, cherry gifts
LIPSTICK, POLITICS AND OTHER COMBINATIONS
Our lipstick and pig business card case.
Okay – so we are jumping on the political band wagon a bit here – but it is our new special brand of crazy now that we have these design combination opportunities. We run around the studio saying things like – how about “key to my heart!” and Kyle makes this. How about the feet and the caduceus? A Podiatrist Card Case!
Then someone else says “OH! the earth and the flames – Global Warming!!”
We had not remembered when McCain made the remark about putting
Business Card Case for Environmentalist - Global Warming
lipstick on a pig during the primaries, but of course the same remark got lot’s of attention this week when Obama repeated it – and what did we get from the etchers? Our new lipstick design! We are sooo current.
Technorati: McCain, Obama, lipstick, pig, combination designs, business card case, business card holder, card case, global warming, earth, flames, feet, doctor, podiatrist, caduceus, politics, key to my heart, design, environmentalist card case
PIRATES IN PLEASANTON?
I knew something was up when I was pedaling to our Farmer’s Market and there were pirates strolling down the street. A man and woman in full, colorful pirate costume are not the usual visitors to our little suburban town of Pleasanton.
I continued on to purchase my berries and basil and pedaled back to see the pirates going into a sushi restaurant. Ok – now I have got to know what is going on. So I did what any suburban woman would do – after I washed my produce and put everything away, I googled local events.
Mermaid's treasure box.
Ahoy! I had my answer. Ye Olde Velosity Circus Pirate Academy is appearing In San Francisco June 23-27, 2008. The ” team of slightly unprincipled, playfully deceitful scoundrels and rascallettes will teach children how to walk, talk and present oneself in only the most proper pirate ways.” The Academy will teach nautical knot tying, sword skills, storytelling, a mermaid cove and pirate lingo. Arrrgh.
Sail away with this Sailboat night light.
This is one of the many events and activities scheduled during the Festival of Sail San Francisco. There will be a parade of tall ships and activities on land and sea, including hands- on activities for children and families, ship boarding, an International Village and Green Village featuring environmental organizations and exhibits related to marine life.
So set sail, drive your carrrgh, shiver your timbers and get down to the Festival of Sail!
Technorati: pirate, pirates, pirate gifts, pirate money clip, ships, sailing, sailboat, nautical, mermaid, mermaid gifts, treasure box, night lights, nite lite, San Francisco, Festival of Sail, google, computer, produce, farmer’s market, bike, bicycle, marine life, ocean, marine animals, environment, green, custom gifts
Wetsuit aids balding, shivering penguin
I am reprinting this as written because it was so charmingly reported!
Michelle Locke / Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — What’s black and white and warm all over? A penguin in a wetsuit, naturally.
Sounds like a joke, but it’s quite serious for biologists at the California Academy of Sciences, who had a wetsuit created for an African penguin to help him get back in the swim of things.
Pierre, a venerable 25 years old, was going bald, which left him with an embarrassingly exposed, pale pink behind.
“He was cold; he would shake,” said Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the academy. Pierre’s species of penguin is accustomed to temperate climates, unlike many of their cousins.
Schaller first tried a heat lamp to keep Pierre warm. Then she got another idea: If wetsuits help humans frolic in the chilly Pacific, why not whip up one in a slightly smaller size?
Staff at Oceanic Worldwide, a supplier of dive gear based in San Leandro, were enthusiastic about making a real penguin suit.
“We were really excited to do it,” said Teo Tertel, company marketing specialist. “Anything we could do to help them, we were all for it.”
We have great gifts for penguin lovers – check it out!
Technorati: penguin, penguins, penguin gifts, penguin theme, penguin flask, penguin wetsuit, cold penguin
IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB
I was curious about the old saying about the month of March: in like a lion, out like
a lamb. I remembered it while packing an order full of our new lamb design.
Apparently their are two possible origins of the adage, one is meteorological, the other astrological. The weather explanation is 
simple – the beginning of March tends to be colder than the end of March – blustery lion to mild lamb.
The other, older explaination originates with the constellations: Leo, the Lion, and Aries, the ram or lamb. It has to do with the relative positions of these constellations in the sky at the beginning and end of the month. An illustration of the astronomy explains it. At the beginning of March the constallation Leo is rising into the night sky. At the end of the month, Aries, the lamb is descending from the night sky. So in like the lion and out like the lamb.
We have gifts for all occasions and for pretty much any theme you can think of. Click on our links to see some of these great functional art pieces.
MISSED BLOGGING OPPORTUNITIES
I have been having one of those weeks when I can’t think of a topic to write, so I have been poking around the internet for inspiration. I found out that I missed World Pillow Fight day on March 22nd. What a perfect subject – people around the work smacking each other with feather pillows. and we have a feather design! But I missed it.
I also waited too long to blog about Easter gifts. I knew Easter was coming up fast. I even had a draft about things to put in
Easter Baskets besides candy and eggs…Like a Bunny night light. I love that design, the little rabbit is jumping over a bunch of carrots. A little ladybug pill box would be a great Easter gift – so cute and spring like. A bookmark with a butterfly or a cross would also be a great thing to put in an Easter basket – but I didn’t suggest it in time. Sigh. Well, click on any of the links here to see what you could add to your Easter Basket next year.
I also missed the Ides of March on March 15th. I didn’t have much to say on that – the day Julius Caesar was murdered doesn’t have much potential for gift giving or home decor recommendations. But I missed it, too.
Technorati: feathers, insects, lady bug, ladybug gift, night light, pill box, pillow fight, rabbit, spring, spring gifts, World Pillow Fight day
My Art Filled Life 
