Sunday, November 30, 2008

I only miss the Wrapping


It's here, the official "Holiday Season." Every year, same time, same place. This year, however, has been a weird one. It has not been business as usual for so many of us. It has been tough and the year ahead is unknown. I think we all are wondering. I think we all are a bit fearful. I think we all should just stop watching the news! Talk about needing depression meds!
I work fulltime in construction. New home construction that is. Of course, unless you have been living in a hole, you know what is going on with that market right now. The weird thing is that even though I am facing "layoff," even though I need a job to pay my bills, even though I'm not sure what the next six months will bring, I am happy. For some odd reason and for some weirdo belief I have, I feel there is a reason for everything and that my path of the past nine years is being adjusted. I feel a new direction coming. One that I've been waiting for. One that took me until I was almost 41 to find. I was worried, but now I'm not. I'm grateful for the "new beginnings" that will come my way. More on this later.

With all that being said, I have discussed the whole "Christmas" gift giving thing with everyone I exchange gifts with. Isn't it amazing that when one person has the guts to say, "why don't we just stop exchanging," everyone breaths a sigh of relief? I mean when you think about it, if I spend $20 on you and you spend $20 on me and the whole time we're really wanting to purchase something for ourselves for the said $20, but we can't because we have to by someone else something that they probably will "regift" or give to Goodwill, what's the point???? Stuuuupppid I tell ya! I started a new trend this year. I only buy for the little kiddo's. I told the adults to save their money and go buy themselves something they wanted and show me what they got with the money they didn't have to spend on me. Makes me so happy!!! It's impossible to buy for someone else when you're older. But.... we all want thing for ourselves! We all have something that we really want, but don't want to be rude and tell said relative "buy me this." Really, what's the point??

Everyone shouted with joy. Everyone thought it was a great idea. Everyone felt the weight lifted off their shoulders and Everyone thought about the gift they wanted to purchase for themselves.

I had the joy of purchasing from one of my favorite artists Diane Duda. I purchased a piece of her art entitled "She believed in spontaneous dancing." It depicts a blonde haired girl dancing with a bunny. Hellooooooooo!!! Can we say totally me!!!!! Love it!!!! Merry Christmas to me!!! A gift I will treasure forever! A gift I will keep! A gift that is all about me!! What will you buy yourself? Don't lie, I know you have something you want. The joy is in the giving. Giving what counts, not wasting money on what doesn't.

The only draw back, the only thing I find sad, the only thing I will miss, is the gift wrapping. I really enjoy wrapping presents and making them little pieces of art that people don't want to open because they are so pretty. I will miss packages under the tree. I will miss opening something on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. However, not having to spend hard earned, hard to come by, might not be there soon, money on something that someone might not like and instead get to purchase myself a gift that is truly meaningful, is well... perfect! Yep... the only thing I will miss is the Wrapping.

I hope your Christmas is filled with purchases that mean something to you. Truly, all that matters is time with friends and loved one's. Enjoying a meal together over wonderful conversation. Laughter and lots of it! Everything else is just icing on the already perfect cake.

Hugs,
Shell

This week IGF family and friends that know they are the perfect "Wrapping" on the perfect gift.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

When all else Fails, Be Thankful


Mom (Ellen) and new hubby (Oliver)



Me doing my dorky witch immitation to my uncle Rick

My aunt Deb and my niece Noelle

Rick dressed up as the Shiek he is.
Me and my favorite withchee glasses and hat. Wish I could wear them everyday!

Noelle, Jonathan and Laura. My nieces and newphew that I adore with all my heart.
Me and my sister in law, Robin. She's smart and gorgeous!

My brother Michael, me and my sister Beth-Anne. I'm the oldest and was born as a mutant midget under a cabbage patch with the bunnies as I look nothing like them. No, they are not twins. Yes, we all come from the same parents. Again, the cabbage patch thing.

Mom and Oliver at the rehearsal. Happiness and love to them.

So much craziness in the world. So much sadness, worry, depression. Yet, when we take a moment to really think of things. There is much to be Thankful for. The things in life we take for granted. The things in life that are most precious. The things in life that "when all else fails, we are still thankful for."

My Mom got married on November 1st. Of course this meant that her rehearsal dinner was on Halloween, so we dressed up a little. What fun we had. There was much laughter, there was good food, there was good wine and best of all there was us being silly. So much to be thankful for even though the world is going to hell, even though we could crawl in bed and stay forever under the covers, even though the future is uncertain. "When all else fails, be Thankful."

I'm thankful that my family had such a good time together. I'm thankful that my Mom finally found the happiness she deserves. I'm thankful for the laughter, the dancing, the silliness and the memory I can keep forever.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Even though the world is falling apart, sadness surrounds and despair is in the air, when all else fails, be Thankful for what you have and the things that matter most.

Hugs,
Shell
PS, I'm thankful for all of you that follow my chatter each week. Blessings to you.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Make Mine Pink Holiday Bazaar


Hey there! Just wanted to invite you to visit my pink sisters at Make Mine Pink for some Holiday Shopping. You'll find gifts for your friends, your home and even yourself! Just by shopping from the comfort of your own home you can find the perfect gift, get it gift wrapped and have it shipped. Click, click, click instead of driving, lines, chaos and finding that wrapping paper!


Happy shopping and thank you for supporting women entrepreneurs!

Hugs,

Shell

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Do what you know, let it go and SEW!


Well, last week I let on to the fact that I had a clear vision. That finally, finally, after so much soul searching, exploring, time, yadda,yadda, that it finally occurred to me what direction I should head into.

I just hung up the phone with my best friend, Beth. She and I were talking about some stuff and she said "do what you know." I told her hmmm, I think that will be the title of my blog post. It's funny, but that's usually how things come to me. My inspiration comes from others always.

Beth and I were talking about all the money I have wasted on "supplies". How overwhelmed I've been with paints, glues, papers, etc. Continually trying things that were just not me. Searching and searching and searching. What I have realized these past couple of weeks is that I am a quilter at heart. My medium is fabric, textiles and stitch. I suck at painting, I suck collage with paper and glue (messy), I suck with glitter, and I really hate mass producing stuff. I'm miserable when I have to create 15 of something. I'm an anal neat freak and I can't create in messy space. It makes me tense and uptight. I must have calm, clean and serene!

I sat back and realized that I need to do what I know and let it go and sew. I'm a quilter. I'm a bunny lover, rose lover, cottage lover. I love people and enjoy sharing with people. I'm a teacher. I taught quilting for 10 years and loved it. I hate mass produced items. I hate creating under stress to make a buck. So, with that said, my direction for my art, blog, website and life will focus on what I love best: Rabbits, Roses, Cottages and Sharing with others. I will have original artwork with Rabbits, Roses and Cottages and I will have a section that offers patterns to those quilt makers, stitchers and other crafty souls that share my passion. I will do what I know and let it go and sew!

The Christmas Cone above is original and features a pink Santa snuggling three bunnies. It's 31" long, original and one of a kind. Check out my website if you wish to purchase. http://www.theraspberryrabbits.com/

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." -Rumi

Hugs,
Shell

This week IGF finally getting it together and taking the first step to following my "Bliss"

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Good Bye and Hello



I'm done. I'm so glad to be done. It's gone. Almost all of it. All the things I wanted to sell so I could move on with my art, life, future. This weekend was the show in Greenville, NC. This is the first time I participated in this Holiday Show. Fabulous! I know times are hard for people, but they came and they bought.

My main goal for this show was to unload all the things I had from my past business adventures, shows, "hare brained" ideas, etc. I did just that. A weight has been lifted. I'm free. I also prayed for a clear direction for my future and for my art. It came. Like a blazing star in the night, it came. Ok, it practically smacked me upside the head and said, "dorkwad I've been trying to tell ya!" "Geeze why don't you listen?!"

I'm going to take a much needed break from "having to sew" and focus on "wanting" to sew. My path is clear. My vision is clear. The future is bright. All you bunny lover's look out. They are hopping your way. Hmmm, interesting how long it takes us to quiet ourselves long enough to see who we really are. Interesting how long it takes us to listen to who we really are. So much time wasted. Glad there is a tomorrow. I will not waste another one.

Thank you all you wonderful messengers that brought me focus and answers. Lyd, thank you for caring and really listening.

Hugs,
Shell

This week IGF a higher power that answers prayers and for friends that truly hear.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

She's 8 and Oh so GREAT!



November 7, 2000. That's the day this little version of myself came into this world. Such a blessing she is. My oldest niece, Laura Michelle, (named after me). She, like I, am the oldest. She, like I, is very head strong, a leader, a crafter, a dancer, a friend maker. Every time I'm with her I see a little piece of myself. So much love for this little girl that is now 8. Time is going by so fast. I can't believe she's 8. She's so smart, so pretty and I love her so very much.
Happy Birthday Laura. Always be yourself. Your perfect and your so special to me and you always will be.

I Love You, Auntie.

We're Hopping into Christmas!


Well it's really starting to look like Christmas here at the Raspberry Rabbits. The bunnies and I have been hopping around trying to get ready.

First, just a reminder of Make Mine Pink's 12 Days of Christmas Shop Hop (gotta love that). Prizes! Prizes! Prizes! Click on the image to the right of this post and you will be taken to the page where you can register and start hopping through all the beautiful boutiques that are participating.
Second, for all you local friends, I'll be at the Greenville convention center this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Down East Holiday Show. Show times are Fri and Sat from 10am until 7pm and Sun from 10am until 5pm. Stop by and visit!

In honor of both these fun events, I'm giving away two prizes. You can register in person at the Holiday Show or you can leave a comment here on my blog.

This Christmas please show your support for small business.
Hugs to you all,

Shell and the bunnies

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Let's skip today




Funny how I decided to write this post on election day. So many "adult" decisions up in the air. So many things that have happened this past year. So much sadness, hurting, sorrow. Hope for tomorrow???...

I can't help but think of this past weekend. My mom got married. I went to my home town of VA Beach for the wedding. What a total blast it was. Dancing, good food and lots and lots of laughter. My "Cutie" grammy was in the hospital and unable to attend the wedding. We all crashed her hospital room and had a small party complete with medical glove balloon fights (David is such an instigator and a 48 year old kid).

As we made our way from the parking lot into the hospital, I was holding the hand of my youngest niece, Noelle. She is four. I really think she is a Magical Sprite in disguise. This child has such a way about her. Being the adult, I had my focus upon getting into the hospital, seeing my sick grammy, being sad over sick grammy, being sad that sick grammy couldn't attend the wedding etc. Noelle, being the child of four, "Skipped" the entire way from the parking lot to the entrance. She saw the beautiful dolphin sculpture in the garden. She said, "oooh auntie, look at the water fall (fountain)," she said, as she skipped, it's such a beautiful day. I stopped to think about it for a minute. Here I was so focused on my mission that I missed all the beautiful little things I passed on my journey. I missed the fact that it was indeed a beautiful day. I was not enjoying the journey. I was simply passing through.

Later that evening at the wedding reception Noelle asked me to take her potty. I said sure. I grabbed her little hand and we Skipped through the reception hall, all the way through the hotel lobby to the bathroom. I think I will Skip each day. I will especially Skip today...

Hugs to you all,
Shell
This week IGF magical sprites disguised as little girls.

Lady Hannah Goldenhare - Nothing Gold Can Stay

Hello dear friends, It's been a minute hasn't it? My last post was over a year ago. I decided I wanted to stay in my bubble where it...