Monday, December 9, 2013

Holidays and Goals

It's early December and, as has been done in the past, I've made a conscious decision to table some of my projects for the month. Trying to squeeze in a poem a day, work on a personal essay, complete Shutterbox 2013, file photographs and format some picture books will have to be set aside for a few weeks. I can't do all of that and enjoy the holidays. There are two things I know I will complete, though. One is to finish organizing the pictures and clippings I inherited from my mother.  These will be sent to their respective sibling, wrapped in a beautiful Christmas box...and out of my cluttered closet for good!!  The second is to finish the third wise man in the manger scene I have been working on for some time. It is counted cross stitch and, at times, can be very tedious...and a killer on the eyes. But the end result is so worth the effort. I've had one wise man complete and stuffed for a few years...but one other has been completely sewn and not cut out and stuffed and the other incompletely sewn. I am almost done with the third wise man, though. By end of this week I should have both complete, cut out and stuffed. A small victory, yes, as I have other figures and animals to sew...but a victory nonetheless.

When the manger scene is complete, it will look like what you see below. After the three wise men are complete (this Christmas) I have the angel, two sheep, sitting camel and a shepherd. Hmmmm, sounds like a 2014 goal in the making!

Susan


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

You've Always Had The Power



Isn't this the truth? There is so much power, so much strength inside us that we have not even begun to tap our true potential.I ask myself the same question over and over; why don't you just forge ahead and see what happens? Maybe all we need is to ignite the fuse and the fireworks will begin. Not every venture will be a dud. And if you hit a dozen duds in a row, so what? The cost of igniting the fuse is minimal, especially compared to the cost of sitting on our hands and watching the world, and the years, march past. 
We have the power to make our dreams come true...but we are afraid to use it. Why? I think this is the question that we must ask ourselves. Why don't we want to see how far we can push the envelope, how far outside the lines we can color, what life is like outside the box?  Are we afraid someone will laugh at us? Maybe. We all remember being laughed at and teased when we failed at something. Childhood memories are hard to hold down. So maybe the answer is, you don't. Let them go. Maybe they are clogging the release valve. Maybe our power is stuck behind them, waiting to fuel our dreams and those damn memories are blocking the outlet. Bring your insecurities into the light of day and set them free. You don't need them anymore. They are holding you back.
It's okay to stumble. Hell, it's okay to fall flat on your face in front of your worst enemies!! Either of these things means you took off your safety harness, removed the training wheels and depended on the power inside you to keep you upright. It will be rough at first, but each time you pull the power from within, it will grow in strength and become more dependable. If you don't use it, your power will stay stuck behind those damn insecurities until eternity.
Be Dorothy. Believe in your power. 
Susan

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Fun time at the Craft Show



Debbie, Peggie and I had a fun time at the Middleboro Craft Show yesterday. Nice crowd, good sales and great laughs. Come see us at our next Craft Show at the Weymouth High School, Dec. 7th.
We will be selling hand made lighted wreaths, gift bags, baby bibs, greeting cards and more!
See you there!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Stuffing time!

No, not Thanksgiving stuffing. 
Elephant stuffing!

Drop by our table and see these cute hand made stuffed elephants at the 
28th Annual L.A.M.C. 
Cranberry Craft Fair
Saturday, November 23rd 9:30-3:00 at Middleboro High School Gymnasium.

Lots of Christmas gifts:
Christmas baby bibs, accessory bags, pocketbooks, lighted wreaths, beaded scarves, wine and gift bags and much more.

Hope to see you there!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Time to do the sewing


Had a successful Craft Show a couple of weeks ago and now it's time to get more sewing done. The next Craft Show is Nov. 23th at the Middleboro, MA High School, 9:30-3:00. Come to my table, Donna Capozzi Designs, mention you read this post on the JOS blog and you'll get to pick out one of my greeting cards for FREE! My two cousins, Peggie and Debbie will also be there selling beautiful hand made gift bags, wine bag, pocketbooks,  lighted wreaths, beaded scarves, bracelets, charms, zipper pulls and much more. Hope to see you there! 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Photography Artsfests Awards


A happy camper! (Image by Susan O.)

We "fab" Seven haven't been very active the last view months with posting!  Shame on us I guess. Anyway, thought I'd post two recent accomplishments with my photography.  I've been a very "dormant" photographer lately too!

Our journeys in life have their ups and downs as well as those dormant periods that drive us insane.  But we take joy when something wonderful happens!

"Mystical" in B&W
The black and white image at left was awarded an Honorable Mention at the Plymouth ArtsFest.  It was quite an honor.  The show is currently open to the public and runs through mid-October at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.  It is a wonderful show with all types of media: oil, watercolor, mixed media, photography.
"Mystical" in Color

The photograph at right is a different shot of the black and white.  The color photograph won a 2nd Place-Color at the 16th Annual Quincy Arts Fest (ends today, September 22nd - Watch for it in 2014).

"From the Ashes"
This black & white at left won the Honorable Mention in black & white at the Quincy Arts Fest.  It was taken on a one-day trip to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.

Receiving the award in Quincy
(Image by Susan O)

And finally, the "happy camper" receiving her 2nd Place in Color at the Quincy Arts Fest!

----Till next time, Peggie




 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Is there anything cuter?

Is there anything cuter than a pair of newborn baby slippers. I made these for a baby basket I'm working on. I had to share their adorableness! Donna C.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

New Black & White Quilted Tote



Here's the latest addition to the growing "stock" for my future Etsy Store.  I chose to try a two-sided quilted fabric and I like this design a lot.  The inside is a different design, almost similar to black ink-outlined flowers on a white background.  I finished off the seams with a serger since there wasn't going to be any lining.  I plan to have the Etsy Shop up and running by March 31st!  A nice goal!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Got spare change?

If so, then these cute coin purses will hold all your spare change. No change? What about your favorite jewelry or maybe a fancy way to store your ear buds. Check them out at www.etsy.com/shop/
DonnaCapozziDesigns

Monday, March 11, 2013

Good Samaritans Times 3

This post is about Good Samaritans and the fact that, thankfully, they still exist. I met mine for a fleeting moment on my commute to work this morning. As I was driving down Church Street approaching Washington Street on my way to entering the on-ramp to the highway I happened to glance in my rear view mirror. I saw the car behind me flash his lights. Well, I thought he flashed his lights but then I thought maybe he hit a bump in the road and it appeared his lights flashed. But I saw him come around to the right side of my car and stop alongside it. I glanced over and he was motioning for me to roll down my window. I did so and he told me I just lost a hubcap and it was on the side of the road in the snow. He was pointing to my right front tire...but told me the hubcap was on the other side of the road...which confused me. I thanked him and he pulled forward...and then another car slowed and it was a young woman who said it is on the sidewalk in the snow. I thanked her and as I was re-routing in my head I was wondering what could have caused the hubcap to fly off the car on a simple right hand turn, jump over (or slide under) my vehicle and land safely on the opposite sidewalk, out of harm's way! 

I did a U-turn near the Common Street intersection and turned back down Church Street...but, alas, I did not see the hubcap. So I did some maneuvering, drove down a couple of side streets until I could park the car in a safe area and went for a walk. It was a short walk, I found the hubcap without too much trouble. After waiting what seemed like a long time to cross the street (people don't stop for people if there is not a crosswalk, cruiser or school crossing guard in sight. I tried to push the hubcap back in place to no avail...so I gave it a couple of good kicks and it locked on. Then I went on  my merry way.

Now I was especially happy that this man and woman stopped me and told me of this little mishap. I was about to enter the the highway, not knowing the hubcap was gone...and I'm still driving the rental!! (Yes ladies and gentlemen, 71 or so days later!!) So I would have gone to return it...and lo and behold, been held liable for a new hubcap!! Then I thought, why did it pop off? Well I think I lost the hubcap because the day before I hit a pothole, the kind that make you say Ouch! and cause you to start cursing. It must have loosened the hubcap and I did not notice. Then I thought, well, if it was on the right side of the car, how did it end up on the left side sidewalk? Did it flip off and roll over there? Did someone stop, pick it up and put it on the sidewalk (a possible third good Samaritan...wow!!) Not sure, and I'll never know...a mystery of the ages.

So, if you hit a pothole that makes you say Ouch!, pull over and check the hubcap. And if you don't notice it is loose, I hope you have a good Samaritan (or 2 or 3) watching your back as I did this morning. Wherever you are, thank you!!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Spring Ahead

I love the fact that we have an additional hour of daylight...I'm not fond of the fact that some 'Big Ben' up in the sky stole an hour out of my day! It will take at least a month to find it again.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

So I'm still doing eBay.....

Hi
Well I thought I'd write an update on my eBay progress.  I'm having alot of fun posting my items on their website since Fall of 2012.  There are busy times and slow times.  It was slow after the holiday season but now that Spring is around the corner, people are looking for their special items.  It is a great 'extra income' business and although I've learned alot I have alot still to learn.  Everyone I've sold to are very nice to do business with.  I've also purchased off eBay and had a good experience.

In the meantime, I have been asked by Donna, www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaCapozziDesigns ,to create zipper pulls for her accessory bags. Her bags are adorable and you'll see some of the zipper pulls I made for her. She designs her own fabric to make these bags.  While you're visiting her site, check out her baby bibs, cards/invitations and her iron-on transfers. All her own designs and very affordable! You'll love them!

So, I use to do beading years ago.  I stopped working with them and gave what remained away.  Well after Donna asked me to help her, I started visiting Michael's, ACMoore and Joann's to come up with some ideas.  Oh jeez.  All the beads I use to have don't compare to ALL the beads I have now purchased to make the zipper pulls!  I have been playing and have made the zipper pulls, wine charms, memory wire bracelets and a couple of keychains! I'm out of control and so is my wallet!  I go into these stores with a fist full of coupons and come out with 'clearance items' and 'sale items' and I use my coupons! They all probably wonder what I'm now looking for because the first thing I do is always head towards the 'beading' section!  I might roam around but then I would see other things I want to do and my mind can't be confused with too many things!

Of course, looking at the picture below, you probably say 'her room looks pretty confused'!!
Well, this is my room. It's a sweatshop (I'm the only worker), a bedroom, an eBay room, computer room, tv room.  I have no other room available for me to scatter everything around.  My goal is to make enough money to take an 'organizing your space' class!!

Now Peggie has asked me to help her out by coming up with a subtle beading embellishment for her beautiful handbags that she is creating.  You'll be able to see her shop on www.etsy.com soon.  Please look for her listed as Bags by Peggie.
(I have coupons for this next project too)!

So what have you created today?
Deb

An Iota of Motivation Goes A Long Way

I think I've spoken about motivation before. Without motivation, nothing will get done; goals won't be met, tasks will lie incomplete and appointments will be cancelled. It's the driver that keeps us in forward motion. My biggest frustration is not being motivated. I have all these dreams, I can see them on the horizon but they are just out of reach. All I really need is the fuel to get me there, the motivation to get me there. 

A funny thing about this fuel which we all have inside us but which lies dormant every once in a while (sometimes more often than not) is that it grows exponentially as it is used; it feeds upon itself.  For example I began working on my BHI book again and was picking up where I left off. I've written so much already I didn't want to start anything over. So, yes, I was motivated to complete my book...but my motivation was almost an obligatory action I was taking to satisfy myself that I was doing something. I'm not sure my heart was in it. But, as I began assembling pages, I saw that there was room for improvement in the layout, in the essays, in the whole tone of the book. Gradually I felt motivated to take the book to another level; re-write some of the essays, find a consistent voice, not accept the photos I have but plan on going back and taking the photos that will support the essays and the poetry. I couldn't put the work down, I kept going back to it, tweeking it here and there...and as I was working in the here and now...my mind was racing ahead to what I would need to complete it. My motivation was not only growing, it was fueling the passion I have for writing, poetry, photography and allowing me to use my natural inclination for order and process flow to pull it all together.

Lack of motivation is accepting things as they are. Being truly motivated, though, will allow you to see all the possibilities in life and give you the energy to reach them. All you need to begin the journey is a little touch of motivation...just once, just one time, make yourself do something you love to do and don't say you don't have the time...this is your life. That little iota of motivation will double...then quadruple...then snowball into full-blown, wanna-do-it motivation. That's all it takes, one iota.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Finding My Center

So here I am sitting in front of a blank screen trying to think of a somewhat interesting topic to post on today's blog. And I keep coming up empty. So I walked through my apartment figuring if I stepped away for a minute or two, something would come to mind. What I found was...I really love my little apartment. Yes, I was (and maybe still am) in the market for my own place. Some little cottage or small ranch that I can call my own...but this apartment would be extremely difficult to leave. It is five small rooms just the right size for me...it has character too; slanted ceilings, built in shelving, my own deck and side yard, driveway, plenty of storage and my own washer/dryer in the basement. Why would I want to leave? And, yes, the rent is very attractive. So why do I feel compelled to move?? 

Sometimes I think it is because I am acclimated to change...I've lived in nine different places since my first son was born, many more before that. That is a tough cycle to break; gypsy blood or 'carney' fever...whatever. Other times I think it would be nice to finally, after all these years, own my own place to do what I want when I want...without asking permission. The main driver, initially, was getting closer to my grandsons...and soon to be one more. But...is that really necessary? Maybe if I make some changes to other parts of my life...like putting more effort into my Boston Harbor Book...or entering exhibits...or learning more about travel writing, running workshops, feeding my creative passion, I can just stay put...have a nice solid home-base to work from. Maybe if I let go of this dream that has no solid foundation...and concentrate on the many dreams that do...I will find the satisfaction I yearn for. 

Maybe it is time for me to settle down right where I am, find my center and, instead of running to what I think I want just stretch my limits, extend my reach...and pull all those wonderful things I'm yearning for right back to me...in my cute little apartment.

Just what a bag needs

Deb's zipper pull is just what my accessory bags needed. Added bling and a finished look.
If you're looking for beautifully crafted zipper pulls just email Deb at journeyofseven@aol.com.


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Don't Make Assumptions

The camera club which Peggie and I belong to is holding a Tri-Club Competition. This competition allows each member in each of the three clubs to submit an image in each of twelve categories. One winner of each category is selected from each club and that image is sent to the finals; so twelve chances to be in the finals. Then the three finalists in each category (one from each club) is in head to head competition...and one winner is drawn. In other words, both Peggie and I have the chance to win twelve out of twelve times. Sounds pretty awesome, right? 

Well, we have known about this since last September...yet neither Peggie nor I did anything toward submitting images into the competition...until now. Just yesterday I finally sent in five, I have two more almost ready to go and will work on the others. Peggie, before last night, had not submitted any...but after we spoke at the E-Board meeting, she will be submitting images. The deadline was 3/12 but was extended to 3/19...so there is still time. But the point of this post (which was supposed to be written last night and not this morning...in support of my 30 Day Challenge to post on JOS every day for 30 days....is not that we are submitting images into the competition...it is 'Why didn't we do it earlier' and 'Why didn't we think we had images that could compete'?

I almost didn't bother because the images needed to be taken between Oct 15 and Mar 15 (well now the 19th) and I, as was stated in an earlier post, have been lying low for 3 months. Lying low means I didn't pursue any of my passions to any meaningful degree...so 'assumed' I did not have any images worthy of submitting. When I finally got out of my stupor and looked at my files, I realized that I took a trip to Martha's Vineyard late in October, I took a walk down Duxbury Beach in December, I went into Boston the day after Christmas, went on a lame ghost tour in Newport and I always take my camera to my grandsons' hockey games, etc. In other words, without realizing it, I was pursuing my passion...just not deliberately. I'm sure when Peggie does some research, she will see that she does have images she can submit that fit the criteria and that will be perfect for the competition. 

Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough credit. If we are really passionate about something (as Donna C is about her design, as Donna H is about her baking, Debbie with eBay, Margie with Reiki and Dianne about financial and physical fitness, it is woven into the fabric of our lives, we are living it each and every day. It is a part of our being. We know it is real when we pursue it without consciously thinking about it because now it is not another aspect of our lives (like work and paying bills and cooking and cleaning) it IS our life.


Monday, March 4, 2013

Retirement

While I was working on my Boston Harbor book tonite a recurring thought invaded my progress; retirement. If I were retired I could spend all the time I wanted on my book and not have to worry about going to bed at a decent hour...so I can get up in time for work. I love writing and my poetry and that is what I should be spending the majority of my life on. And when I'm retired I will. For now I guess I'll have to squeeze in the hours I can when I can.


Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Passion Is Still There

So today I took a quick ride to Webb Memorial Park...just to get out with my camera and get back into the swing of things. My photos aren't so great; it was late afternoon under cloudy skies. But the fact was, I took my camera and made the effort to get out where it was possible I could have caught a sunset. I didn't...but I did see a little red bird in the thickets... I wasn't able to get a decent photo but I had fun scouting his hiding place... and had the pleasure of talking with two other women who were doing their daily walk (both asked what I was chasing LOL ). It felt good to be out with my camera. Although the day was fruitless in the sense I got not one decent photo, it proved to me the passion is still there and all I need to do is feed it.

Handcrafted appliques by Donna Capozzi Designs

Here are a few of my appliqué designs. Didn't  realize I liked polka dots so much until I put these photos side by side. Each appliqué is hand cut from 100% cotton, backed with permanent iron-on adhesive. It's easy! Check out my Esty site for more of my handcrafted items.


Saturday, March 2, 2013

Back On Track

I think I am finally 'back on track'. I had some downtime for a while...well almost 3 months...25% of a full year!! That is a long time to not be pursuing any of my growing list of goals. Hopefully that is all in the past...now onward and upward.

Top priority is my book on the Boston Harbor Islands. I'm not sure if this will be the cover of my book, but I needed to start putting something together so that I could see how it would lay out. I'll be making many adjustments along the way as I've never pursued a project of this magnitude. By pasting up some possible layouts, I can zero in on what the final product will look like. I have to re-visit a few islands and I have more writing to do, but I'm feeling really good about finally seeing this come to fruition.

This is one goal I am committed to completing...and in the not to distant future.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Finally Figured It Out


This morning I was checking my mail when an online 'teaser' article grabbed my attention. The article was titled, "How To Tell If A Woman Is Going To Be Successful In Business". In a nutshell, "...new science has revealed that the size of a woman's ring finger can predict her entrepreneurship, career interests, and a host of other traits essential to success in a high stakes, high tech career." 

The article gives some stats on hi-tech businesses owned by women; a dozen companies in the Fortune 500, 4.3% of venture funded companies are owned by women, that the thousands of businesses owned by women are supported by credit cards and personal loans, etc., not investment money.

What did this scientific study find? "... that analysis of the photos found that the more successful the entrepreneur, the longer the ring finger compared to the index finger. The most successful entrepreneurs had ring fingers 10% to 20% longer than their index finger." 

So, what did I immediately do? I looked at both my ring fingers! And guess what I found? Both are SHORTER than the index finger; 2.75" compared to 3.00"! All this time I thought it was me...and, well, it is but the answer to why began in my mother's womb over 56 years ago!

I will put the link to the article so you can read it yourself as there is scientific proof, all based on  the testosterone and estrogen hormones in the womb. But basically it is as follows:
1. The limbic part of the brain (emotion / memory) develops at the same time that the fingers lengthen
2. Testosterone lengthens fingers, Estrogen stops their growth
3. The index finger has less receptors for these two hormones than the ring finger
4. Testosterone and Estrogen play a huge part in how the brain develops/functions
5. The more testosterone in the brain, the stronger your body is to react to the everyday fluctuations in testosterone in your bloodstream
6. The better you can handle the testosterone in your body, the more you can stand up to the non-females in the corporate world because you are working on a more level playing field (testosterone usage)
7. In short (no pun intended) shorter ring finger, less able to handle corporate mumbo-jumbo.

Okay ladies, get out the rulers!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/po-bronson/women-men-judging-risk_b_2741781.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl6|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D276843



Thursday, January 24, 2013

Brrrrrrrrrr. Good day to create!

It's too cold to be outside. Make a cup of tea or hot chocolate and start your creative juices flowing. What creative project has been sitting around your house unfinished. Go finish it and laugh at the cold temps!

Donna C.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Words of Wisdom for 2013

"Security is mostly a superstition.  It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirts
in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."

                                             ---Helen Keller

Here's to a fabulous, free spirited and adventure-laden 2013!

Peggie