Thursday, September 30, 2010

Drum Roll Please.......PISTACHIO!!

    I wish I could do sound effects on this blog, because I would have done a drum roll or something for the newest edition to the Wuglyees Family!! It's the custom ordered Pistachio and Moss scarf!! It's very pretty, and very thick and warm. I had fun working with it...Well, the one I've worked with so far!
      Me being me though, I'm not completely satisfied yet.
      Since we're having lots and lots of pretty rain here in Holyoke for the next few days, and I can't really take full pictures of the scarf on "Tina" (my headless model) anyway, I'm going to continue to make other scarves, using combinations of colors that include this beautiful pistachio yarn. I'll eventually get tired of it...or run out of yarn!! LOL
    Whatever the customer doesn't choose will end up in my Wuglyees shop for sale...This is the one I made yesterday...
    Isn't it pretty?! And I'm sure you recognize that yarn too! :-) I added a strand of the pistachio to the Razzle Dazzle yarn. Gave it a bit more razzle dazzle, if you know what I mean. :-) Now it's one stripe razzle dazzle with the strand of pistachio, one stripe with pistachio alone, and one stripe of white.
  I also bought some gray when I bought the pistachio.
     I haven't quite decided what to do with it yet, but don't worry...I don't see any gray and pistachio in my future! ^_^ That is, unless one of YOU want that!!...At any rate, as soon as the pictures are taken...hopefully today or tomorrow...I'll show them to you.
    Before I go, I wanted to tell you what's coming up over the next few days...
* A giveaway!! Offered to you by someone who likes this blog!
* My attempt at a sketch challenge. I'll show you what I did.
* Basketball photos...mine!
     So stay tuned! There's much embarrassment of ME on the agenda!! LOL
* I'm also going to tell you the story of my biological father.
    Okay, I'm off for today,...right after I introduce you to another member of my Artisans of Western Mass Team, and a poem. The business card will introduce you to betsyarcher  (who also has an Etsy shop). This is one side of it...
    ...and this is the other...
    This is an example of her work. It's the Organic Toddler Cherry Blossom T-Shirt.
    Cute, huh?!.....Okay, poem time! (This was one I made on another day when I needed something to entertain me. So, I entertained myself writing this poem instead!)

Entertain Me?

This is a time of 'Reality ' shows,
of T.V. and music, and internet 'chat',
of slogans, commercials and F.Y.I.,
of news and politics and stuff like that.

There are 'Self-Help' shows, like 'Dr. Phil',
and 'Trading Spaces' (Where you don't  have to pay);
There are 'Wake-Up' shows, like 'Good Morning America',
'The View' and 'Today'.

There are game shows, like 'Pyramid',
'Millionaire', and 'The Price is Right',
'The Family Feud', 'Win, Lose or Draw';
You could play from morning til night!

There are shows that are made, half for fun,
and half to look at your life,
like 'Oprah', 'Regis and Kelly',
and 'Judge Hatchett' (the judge who's a wife).

There are shows that make you laugh;
and others that make you say "Yay!"
Those like 'Frasier', and 'Ed', and ;Friends',
and 'Who's Line is it Anyway?'

Then there's  'E.R.' and 'Survivor',
'Jeopardy' and 'The Weakest Link';
Why are we so fascinated?
('cause when watching, we don't  have to think).

There are some from which you learn
how the world is starting to flow,
like 'Boston Public' and 'Seinfeld',
and, of course, 'The Antiques Roadshow'.

So, with so many things to watch,
(not to mention-to listen to)
We need to 'Buy Out' our time well,
'cause there's  so, so much else to do!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

He helped Me Find My Love Of Rain Again!!!

   TOGETHER IN THE STORM...by Leonid Afremov.
     It rained here in Holyoke all day yesterday!...I used to LOVE the rain!! As those who read my blog regularly know, I come from a small town in the Southern United States. In Georgia, when it rained, it would hit the tin roofs and make the sweetest music. But since I moved up North I've lost my love of rain.
    Now, when I see the weather report and it has the forecast of rain, my feeling is "UGH!" I want to throw my hands in the air, fling myself across the bed, and scream "Whyyyyyyyyy???!!!" But last night I decided to find my love for rain again....because we're certainly gonna get it over the next few days here in Massachusetts!!! I figured I needed to change my mind about it...since I can't change the weather! LOL
   So I want you to treat today's blog like a gallery showing, featuring one artist. The artist that helped me find my love of rain again!!! :-) ...But first, really quickly, let me tell you that my Pistachio yarn finally came!!!
     And I've been hard at work on my custom order and some other things too!! I'll share those with you tomorrow, if the rain clears up enough for me to take the pictures!...Okay, now be on your best behavior in the Wuglyees Gallery today. We've got an international artist in our midst!!
    Our featured artist today is the professional Internationally known artist, Leonid Afremov. His Etsy shop is afremovart. Amazingly enough Leonid was born in the same town as Marc Chagall, the famous artist who also founded the Vitebsk Art School along with Malevich & Kandinsky.
    He tried different techniques during his career, but he especially fell in love with painting with oil and pallette-knife. Look at some of his work! I especially love ...his rain!! AT THE STEPS...
    INVITATION...
    LAST DATE...
     LATE RETURN...
    NIGHT TROLLEY...
     RAIN PRINCESS...
    Every piece of his artwork is the result of a long painting process;....He says that each of his paintings brings different moods, colors and emotions....You certainly can see that in the beautiful colors and mood of his....rain!
    SCENT OF RAIN...
    STROLL IN AUTUMN...
    UMBRELLAS...
    UNDER ONE UMBRELLA...
      Leonid says he loves to express the beauty, harmony and spirit of this world in his paintings. His heart is completely open to art. Thus, he enjoys creating inspired and beautiful paintings from the bottom of his soul. Each piece of his artwork reflects his feelings, sensitivity, and passion. He says he believes that art helps us to be free from aggression and depression. He may be right....because I certainly am not feeling any agression or depression about the rain today!! :-)
    UNDER THE RAIN...
      Currently his art is being collected all over the world. There are many pleased collectors in the USA, Israel, Italy, France, England, Spain, Norway, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
    WARM WINTER...
     WAY TO HOME.

     If you visit Leonid's Etsy shop you will see that rain is not his only inspiration. He has some absolutely beautiful paintings of many other things. 
     You can purchase oil paintings directly from him at the best price, without any resellers, retailers and galleries, directly from his etsy shop or his website.
    So, are you absolutely sick of rain now, or are you in love with it...like I am again?!! :-) Thank you Leonid for reminding me of wonderful childhood memories of musical pitter patter symphonies of rain on Georgia tin roofs! I love rain!!!

Rain Of Love

I just love the rain,
because it makes me think, again,
of our private time together-
(time I spent with my best friend).

There's something quieting to the soul
about the rainfall's pitter patter,
that makes your problems disappear,
and never really seem to matter.

Just lying cuddled on the bed,
talking softly, from the heart;
or sleeping through the thunder's rumble,
while the birds all flit and dart.

Is it normal to be smiling,
when the clouds are dark with rain?
(Maybe its just the perspective
of the twisted, wet, insane!)

At any rate-when he's at work,
and I am here, at home, alone,
and I see the drizzle starting-
I get him, quickly, on the phone.

I say: "Hi Honey, what you doing?"
He says: "What else, but think of you!"
You see-He saw the raindrops falling,
and he didn't know what to do!

He couldn't drop his work and run!
He said he had to use restraint.
(And if he had, I would be shocked!)
But I admit-the thought was quaint.

Okay! So what? We're kind of strange-
We never want the rain to end!
But, before you judge us crazy,
watch some raindrops with your friend,
and then, just read this poem again!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Women's roles..They Are A-Changing!!

     This print is entiled Sari and is done by nidhi on Etsy. It's of a little one hanging on for dear life while she follows mom around doing the shopping. It shows one of the many roles that women have. That of mom and mother.
     Over the last few days I've had much time to think about the subject of women's roles. Mine in particular. With a family crisis underway, the quiet moments have given me much time to re-evaluate, and assess my next move. (I can certainly see my husband's mental wheels turning to do the same thing too!)
       I've never been a mother...That's a long story for another time. But I am, and have been for the last 28 years, a wife. Before the situation with my father-in-law, my hubby and I were going merrily along in our designated, decided upon, roles in our marriage. We only had each other and we spent every day just loving each other and working together as a unit. I think the look in the faces of this couple, as depicted by this Custom portrait illustration of a couple by madebyjenschell shows it very well! Each of us would handle certain things in the household, for work, with our families, and so forth. But I can see my role is changing.
    My husband doesn't need as much of my time as bookkeeper and co-money maker now, as he used to. I suppose, as with most mothers, wives, and women, roles change. And you have to be prepared to change with them. So, with his nerves a little more on end, because of stress about his father's mental state and physical disposition, he needs me to lower my anxious voice a little, give him hugs of reassurance, (as depicted in this print entitled Spring Hug by Meant4amoment) and...without argument...make all of the family phone calls, appointments, and updates. Instead of showing my "CAN DO" side, he needs to see my "I Understand" side, my "don't worry about me" side.
    I must admit....it's going to take some mental readjustment, because with my physical issues the last few years, I've been his baby, and the center of his attention, so to speak. I'm used to him spending every waking minute worrying about ME! (Brought to mind that song by Toby Keith entitled I wanna talk about me!) I know it's kind of selfish, but I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and you spend every minute with just the two of you!
    I haven't had to divide my attention with anyone, relationship-wise, since I was living at home! There were lots of sisters and brothers around then. (Just like it's shown in this my little brother print by tushtush.) Except that I divide my attention with hubby and his relationship with Jehovah God. But I gladly share his attention on that subject! :-) I mean, what kind of wife....or woman....would I be that wanted to take the attention of God away from her husband?!!! I'm not that bad!!! LOL
    So, emotionally speaking, me having my way and fussing about nothing in particular, and making him pick up behind himself, and running errands, and...you get the picture...will have to go on hold for a while until things change back to the designated roles...I can be petty and irritating any old time, if I really put my mind to it. LOL So......I will! I'll put my mind to it after this crisis time is over. For now this will be me...
    This Original Lioness and Cub pencil drawing is entitled A MOTHER'S PRIDE. It's by BeccasPlace. I'm not my hubby's mother, even though he does call me Mama sometimes. But I am very proud of the way he's trying to step in and do whatever is necessary to make his mom and dad feel cared for. In fact, it appears that his other brothers are changing their roles a little bit too in this regard. I guess all of us have to grow up and realize that times and seasons change...and we have to change and grow with them.
   What roles are you, as a women, fulfilling?! Have they changed over the years?! I'd love to hear about it! (The poem I'm sharing with you today was one I wrote based on the book of Proverbs, chapter 31, in the Bible.)

Wife-Mother-Woman

A capable wife is hard to find,
says proverbs, chapter thirty-one;
And if you find her, hold on tight.
Because her value's  under-run.

You can put your trust in her
as a mother, woman, wife;
and if you do, she'll  reward you
with only good for all her life.

She works well with her hands
at making clothes and other things.
She'll  search hard for a bargain.
What you need is what she brings.

When anyone is sick
she'll  check on them throughout the night-
bring chicken soup and juices,
from sundown til morning light.

She's  good at making deals.
She'll  buy a home and get a bargain;
And when the home is bought
you'll  find her working on a garden.

She's  the 'weaker vessel',
but she can be as strong as men.
If you try to hurt her babies
that's a fight you will not win.

As wife, mother, woman,
it is priceless that she's in
subjection to her husband-
and her goals are always his.

She is also there for others,
whether needy, or the poor.
The encouragement she gives
just makes her family love her more.

Her husband's  name is known,
because of how she makes him shine-
By her deep love for Jehovah,
and the love she's  shown, in kind.

Her mouth she has opened,
with the wisdom of God's  word;
She's  applied that loving-kindness
from all the principles she's  heard.

She's  watching all the goings on
outside, and in her house;
But she's  not a meddling gossip.
She's  as quiet as a mouse.

While charm may be false
and prettiness may be vain,
if she really fears Jehovah,
her husband's  praise is what she'll  gain.

All her works of love
will praise her-one upon the other;
and her husband and her sons
will love this woman, wife and mother.

Everyone who knows her
will pronounce her happy too,
as a capable wife and mother
and spiritual woman through and through.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Some Days You Just Need A Good...

   This  Laugh And the World Laughs With You 11x14 print by secretalice says it all, doesn't it?! I hope so, because after the weekend I''ve had I need a laugh!! Or at least a smile! And I'm thinking that I may not be alone in this. So, here are a few of the things around Etsy that make me laugh...or smile.
     Got Patience Funny Baby Onesie...by funkymonkeythreads...This weekend the answer to this question for me would have been NO!!!
    Now, this Crochet Toilet Paper Scarf by YarnGraphics just made me smile!...Are you smiling now too?! Yep! That's what it did to me too!! I think it was the "Crochet Anything" girl in me that got a kick out of this.
    This Funny T-Shirt...by SpeakingApparel speaks for itself!!!....Frankly, so does this one...
     ...This one can speak for me and make me smile just about on any given day!!! An I LIKE NAPS...Ladies T-Shirt...by theboldbanana. Who would have 'thunk it'?! I guess YOU did!!
     This Matted Art Print, Attitude Quote, by StudioChamberlain made me want to start laughing just looking at it! I love the description they gave underneath it. It said: "Have you ever laughed at the tickle of rain? Or felt its cool drips upon your tongue? Children instinctively know there’s a positive aspect to most everything. It’s all in our Attitude! And isn’t this painting a delightful way to remember that?..." Cool, huh?!
     There is no explanation needed about this one inch Pinback Button by gigglebot. I should have one of these pinned inside my pocketbook, on my computer screen, on the top of my crochet hook, and on the phone receiver!!! Not to remind me to CARRY CHOCOLATE...cuz I NEVER forget that part!...but to remind me to KEEP CALM!!!
     Like I don't need a reminder about this either! Well, after this weekend hanging a Scrabble Tile Pendant-IT IS WHAT IT IS Original by TheTextKitten around my neck might not be a bad thing!! It could remind me to smile and go with the flow.
    And this Hair Clip by DiamondRhino is the perfect way to end this post, because all things that make you smile or laugh should include BACON!!!
    Sincere thanks to all of these Etsy shops for letting me share their items. I needed a little humor today and you gave it to me. Now I hope some of my readers give it to you...some business, not THE business, that is. Ha! Ha! Ha!
(The poem today is one I found that I hadn't shared with you. It's not very good, but the sentiment is apropos.  So, if nothing else, in line with today's post, it should give you a laugh or make you smile.)

The Eyes Of Our Younger Years

As a couple, deep in love,
we dismissed all of our fears.
There was nothing we'd  not solve,
through some talking and some tears.

We would talk it through all night,
while fighting sleep-with perked up ears.
We could see just what was needed,
with the eyes of our younger years.

Now, we're  older in our love.
There's  been a change in all our fear.
'Will we make it through this system,
with the one that we hold dear?'

We've  gained weight, and lost some hair;
Turned our spears into pruning shears.
We love the person that we see
with the eyes of our younger years.

How could you share such special time,
not aware when all dust clears,
that arguments of who was right,
and disrespectful jabbing smears,

saying:You don't   look like you did",
and "When I talk-nobody hears!",
could even matter anymore-
as the system's  end now nears?

You see the one who has your back,
who, when you're  good, the other cheers;
The one who sees you, every day,
with the eyes of their younger years.

They remember all your faults,
but they don't  see you like your peers.
You're  much closer to their heart,
and losing you causes them fears.

They don't  see age, or sagging skin.
They see the journey through the years,
with the closest love of all,
whose eyes will search deep down and peer
with the eyes of their younger years.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Frustration!!!

     Let me just say that my frustration today has nothing to do with my scarf pictures! In fact, I'm VERY happy with them...for a change. Most of them are not new. I just hadn't taken the time to photograph them on "Tina" (my dummy model) in the backyard. That's why I haven't put them in the shop all this time...That will change this week!
    Somebody needs to buy these "babies" before me and hubby start wearing them ourselves!! He's got his eye on a couple of them. {He's a fan of my 'Wuglyee' scarves, the ones that aren't perfectly symmetrical.} This one....
     ...and this one.
    Of course, he's not going to look as good as "Tina"looks wearing them, but I can see either one of these 'Wuglyees' being worn by guys as well. It's a scarf! Why not?!
     My frustration has to do with 2 things. One has to do with the whole 'Father-in-Law' situation, which by the way is being taken care of at a snails pace! It's as if he's now housed at the Hospital and everybody is 'Good With It'!!! UGH!...Don't ask!
    The other frustration is that for some reason I'm not getting any of my packages that I'm suppose to be getting through the mail! Well...I shouldn't say that I'm not getting ANY. I did get the vitamins that I ordered. But my necklace that I won FREE, this one, hasn't come. It's been almost a month now!! And the "Pistachio" yarn for my custom order scarf STILL hasn't come!!! It was SUPPOSE to be here on Wednesday! (I think I already complained about this on Friday....WELL IT STILL ISN'T HERE!!!!)..*taking deep breaths to calm me down*.
    Tell me, does this happen to you?!...Your packages that were suppose to be at your house don't get there at the prescribed time. You tell yourself, in the spirit of being positive, "No problem. Just be patient. They're coming." A week more goes by...Two weeks.....a month!! You tell yourself that there must be some Fed-X, Post Office, conspiracy to take all of your packages and have a huge "Raise Money for the Delivery People" Tag Sale going on somewhere!! And you need to get on the phone...tomorrow...and call every one of these outlets and tell them that your precious necklace, yarn, boxes, and whatever else you ordered,...that is ALSO not here yet!,...needs to be delivered N-O-W or else somebody besides YOU are not going to be very, very, unhappy!!!!!!!!!....What?! That's never happened to you?!!
   *Another Deep Breath!*...
     I DO still have this Raspberry Suede yarn scarf to look at! At least until it gets listed in the shop this week too...And I also have this  All The Morning Glows Anew Treasury!
    Tracey of, Raceytay on Etsy, added my Romantic Pink Angel Hair Pillow in with all of these other really talented and creative artists and artisans. I feel very honored and very thankful!
   Because it's Sunday I know I won't be getting any mail today, so I'm going to go and get some reading done, relax myself, and get ready for my meeting today. I'm sure a little spiritual goodness stuck up in my head will be exactly what I need....Maybe it'll make everything easier to deal with tomorrow! :-]
    Before I leave you today's poem, let me introduce you to another AWM Team member. It's  the T-Shirt designer, FakeDiscoThreads. This is the front and back of their business card...
      I must admit that I don't like the eyes looking at me. That's just me....But It does catch your attention, doesn't it?! I guess with marketing, that's the point!!!
    Okay, a poem I wrote a while ago...Not my best, but Oh well!...and I'm off..........!

 What Goes Around, Comes Around

I was a baby, and a clown;
I made them smile with every sound;
Then, all my joy turned to a frown-
What goes around, comes around.

I was sixteen, and kind of round;
(I gained an inch with every pound.
And what I lost was always found.)
What goes around, comes around.

At my Prom I wore a gown;
I was so nervous, tightly wound.
Then my date said: "Are your eyes brown?"
What goes around, comes around.

I got married in a small town.
In my eyes, he said he'd drown.
(I thought, last year, he was a hound!)
What goes around, comes around.

Now I'm a poet; I write things down.
My mind's a whiz with a noun.
My thoughts of life-no longer bound.
What goes around, comes around.

Just like a pitcher on the mound,
I now can stand on solid ground,
and be the queen of sight and sound;
When poems "hit"-I duck my crown,
because what goes around, comes around.