Fun Fleece Pillows

Finally put these fleece pillows on Etsy.

Please visit my shop to see more:

www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaCapozziDesigns

Stick it out!

When I was 5 years old, sticking your 

tongue out was like giving the middle finger.

Picture taken at the Bread and Puppet Theater in Glover, Vermont.

A politically radical puppet theater, active since the 1960's. Its founder and director is Peter Schumann.

Sam...........you should have gone to school

Sam the snake slowly slithered to school one day with his sister Sue.

“I don’t want to go to school today.” said Sam.

“You have to.” said Sue.

“Who is going to tell if I don’t go.” asked Sam.

“Everyone will know because I’m going to tell.” said Sue.

“I’ll give you a dollar if you don’t” said Sam.

“Well.....OK.” said Sue.

“See you after school sucker.” said Sam.

Sam slid off the sidewalk and onto the street.

BEEP!

Sam looked up.

SPLAT!

A little story I wrote while sitting with my Niece and Nephew years ago. 

I remember them saying "Read it again. Read it again."

I also remember thinking to myself 

'What's the matter with you. That's an awful ending.'

They didn't care, they laughed and laughed 

after the first time I read it 

to the 200th time I read it.

Donna C.

Frozen Like a Statue

My life is like a statue, it sits there and doesn't move. Another unfinished project of mine.

I was going to do a small book of statue's. Not a new idea but it would be a fun

reminder of the places I have gone through out the years.

Here are just a few of the photos. I do like a tight crop of the heads.

Cheer up and create!

Cheer Up! So it's rainy and cold this April Fools Day.

Sit down and create something. Get those creative juices flowing instead

of staring out the window sputtering "Spring will never come."

Creativity doesn't care about rain, snow or if you're feeling sorry for yourself.

I designed a fun floral print with cute ladybugs. 

Created 4 different color ways.

I think they came out nice.

How do you CHEER UP your rainy days!

Donna C.

Just thinking

I created this congratulations card for a family member for someone at their work or should I say I created it for a client. Makes one sound more important saying client rather than a family member.

I was thinking........the Owl might make a really cute fabric design minus that blue flower.
What possessed me to plop that flower right there. Ugh!

Just thinking.....hhhhhhhmmmmmmm.

Donna C.

Never Piss Off A Crazy Cat Lady

Checkout Roadside America and go explore the oddities that surround us.

Here is the cursed gravestone of Mary C. Dolencie.
Her final resting place is in the Ancient Cemetery in Yarmouth Port, Cape Cod

Mary C. Dolencie liked to feed stray cats and other small wild animals which apparently alienated her neighbors. To get back at the towns people whom she describes as vilifying her; she included a modern day curse on the back of her gravestone.

"May eternal damnation be upon those in Whaling Port who, without knowing me, have maliciously vilified me. May the curse of God be upon them and theirs."




Donna C.

The unfinished

We all have them, the unfinished story, the unfinished painting, the unfinished sewing project. 
Whatever it may be. We all have them tucked in a draw, closet, on the computer or under the bed.

I have a couple of unfinished stories I wrote years back when my Niece and Nephew were small. 
I am not a writer by any stretch of the imagination but little kids don't care. They love to hear a story.

Two of the unfinished stories I started. 
The Black Door
Larry Smarry and Shirley

They have been sitting for years in story limbo.
Now that I re-read them, some of it doesn't even make sense! That's what an Editor is for.

The Black Door

Charlie Beans ran screaming from the house.  The mysterious black door was open for the first time in five years.

The neighbors watched as Charlie ran down the street to his home.  He burst into the front door yelling, “Mom!!!  Dad!!!!  Anyone!!!!  The black door is open” screamed Charlie.

Charlie’s parents raced down from the upstairs where they were playing a game of Dinosauropoly with Charlie’s little brother, Ernie.

“Charlie calm down” said Charlie’s dad, Bud, “What black door?”  “The black door in old man Wilson’s house” yelled Charlie by now out of breath. 

“And just what were you doing in the Wilson’s house young man”? Charlie’s mother, Rose asked.  

“Well you see, Mom, I was coming home from Stu’s house when I noticed one of the curtains in the Wilson’s house move”.  Ernie’s eyes grew bigger.  “There hasn’t been anyone living in that house since…well since old man Wilson vanished.  So how did the curtain move”! Charlie asked.    

“Charlie, it was the probably the wind” his father said.  “But there was no wind, Dad, it’s a hot breezeless summer day” exclaimed Charlie.  "Charlie, you need some nice hot cocoa” his mother said.  “It’s a hot summer day, Mom, I don’t need cocoa.  Is anyone listening to me” Charlie yelled.  “The curtain moved as if someone was trying to look out the window!”

Ernie was hiding under the kitchen table holding his hands over his ears.  “I don’t want to hear anymore.”  “Charlie, you’re scaring your brother” scolded his father. 

“He’ll be a lot more scared when whatever is in the Wilson’s house decides to come out” Charlie said.  After a few minutes of silence, Charlie’s mother asked, “What about the Black Door, Charlie?”  

“Well  Mom, when I saw the curtain move I thought about running home to get one of you, but I figured by the time we got back the ‘thing’ would be gone. So I went into the house."  “Ok, ok” said Charlie’s father, “let’s go see what made the curtain move.” Bud winked at Rose and whispered “it probably was just the wind, but we’ll check it out anyway” and off the two of them went to Mr. Wilson’s dark, dreary, rat infested house. 

Larry Smarry and Shirley

Larry Smarry the shrew cared for no one. Had no use for frolic or fun.

Till one day he met a big purple Ape.

“You’re a big purple Ape.” said Larry

“Why yes I am” said the big purple Ape

“What is your name.” asked Larry

“I did not give it.” said the Ape

“My name is Larry Smarry” said the shrew. “What a funny name you have.” said the Ape

“But you still didn’t tell me your name.” said Larry

“No I didn’t.” answered the Ape and he started to walk away

“But what’s your name.” yelled Larry

The Ape turned around and whipered his name. “I didn’t hear you” said Larry

The Ape walked closer and whispered. “Shirley.”

“Shirley! But aren’t you a boy?” Larry asked with a puzzled look

“Quiet, ssshhhhhh.”  said the Ape looking around “I don’t want anyone to know my name.”

Larry started laughing and the Ape with the name of Shirley walked away.

“Hey wait. I didn’t mean to laugh. Shirley is a nice name.”

“I’m a big purple Ape. My name is Shirley. I’m a boy. It’s not a nice name for a boy.” sighed the Ape

“Why don’t you just change your name” asked Larry

“I’ve tried” said Shirley” I’ve been to Funny Name Town, Change Your Name Town, Your Name is What? Town and Say That Again Town. When I tell them my name. They all start laughing too hard to help me.

Who’s going to help a big purple Ape named Shirley.”

Larry stood looking at Shirley. He felt sorry for him.

“I’ll help you” said Larry “I’ll help you change your name.”

He couldn’t believe what he was saying ‘Me? Help someone?’ he thought to himself

“You will!” shouted Shirley “Really....you’ll help me change my name!”

“Yes...yes I will” said Larry

So Larry Smarry and Shirley the big purple Ape set off to an adventure they’ll never forget.

Why don't we finish projects? 
Donna C.

New Baby? New Bib!

It's cold and snowy today so I thought I would sew up

 some of my originally designed baby bibs.

What have you got planned today.

Donna C.

Some quotes.

Stop complaining. Everyone who died yesterday thinks you are one lucky son of a bitch.

Do not complain about things you are not willing to change.

A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You cannot go anywhere until you change it.

The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day, you are off it. Jackie Gleason.

I want every little girl who is told she is bossy to be told instead that she has leadership skills. Sheryl Sandberg

Afternoon Tea at the Taj in Boston MA

The Journey of Seven ladies enjoyed
an afternoon tea at the Taj Hotel in Boston MA.
What a fun time with amazing women.
A lovely way to end 2015.
Now on to 2016 for more crafting, baking, reiki,
photography and whatever else we choice to try.
HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL.

Accessorize in style

Getting ready for upcoming Craft Shows in the Fall. 

The fabric designs are photographs I took and had them printed on linen-canvas 

fabric from spoonflower.com/profiles/donnamarie

I then made beautiful accessory bags from the fabric. Like?

Working on more designs. Fall is approaching soon!

Blunt and to the point

Are these words true? Let me know what you think.

Donna C.

Catching Up

Susan here. Just wanted to post something quick before running out to the old brick and mortar building. 

I am still working on Shutterbox 2013. I've actually made quite a bit of progress; the book has 52 pages now. I've added a couple of pages and consolidated others. Blurb has changed the way they calculate cost on their books so I need to tighten up the pages just a bit. I have one more topic I'd like to add also. It should be a fairly nice book when it is complete...just in time for me to begin Shutterbox 2014!!

I took a break from the computer last night and pulled together all the thread colors I need to begin working on one of the shepherds for the counted cross stitch nativity scene. Once I set up the cloth on the hoop, I'll be good to go. Sewing and cross stitch are nice breaks from the computer and cross stitch is something I can do while watching television (I do watch television every once in a while...but mostly I like the background noise it provides...).

I've also started organizing my photos for the annual Tri-Club competition. My submissions this year aren't very impressive...I've been kind of out of it in the realm of photography this year, so need to get back on track. I still have some time so maybe I can improve upon what I do have as they aren't due until mid-March. The one pictured here made it into the finals last year in the Weightless category; it is called "Ascension".

Lastly, Volume 2, Number 2 of Scrappy Scribers is out the door. There were only five submissions this time around. Prompt Number 3 is a photo prompt, I'm hoping that will spark the interest again. I love completing the writing assignment because it pushes me sit down and write; need to make the deadline! I've found, for some reason, that I work best with a deadline!

Anyway, that's about it for now. Enjoy the day!

Susan

Some Progress...

I thought I would write a quick post before running out the door to work. I'm happy to say Shutterbox 2013 is well on its way to completion. My editor has reviewed the essays and made some suggested edits, the photos, essays and haikus have been input into the book template and, I must say, it looks very nice. I've also pulled all the Tri-Club entries as well as the three submissions to the Quincy Arts Fest and added them to the book template. I have more writing to do...as well as massaging the layout...but I feel good about the progress made so far. Also, those two wise men who were imprisoned on my embroidery hoop for a few years...well they can finally stand with wise man number one next Christmas. They are complete! I mentioned my impatience at not completing this project in a previous post. The Shephard is next...what is a nativity scene without a shephard!

'Scrappy Scribers' Volume 2 began last week after taking a hiatus over the holidays. So far it has been extremely slow...but I am hoping it will pick up. This is a good concept for writers who need an outlet...but I may need to shake things up a bit to get more involvement. 

Until next time!

Susan

Uncluttering

My post today is about procrastination and how it leads to clutter which, we all know, is as an impediment to creativity. I get junk mail, I put junk mail on table, one envelope becomes a dozen, dozen envelopes are moved to office and placed on scanner. Pen does not write, put pen back in drawer, need a pen that does write, pull out some boxes, find pen, leave boxes on floor. See where I'm going here? If I shredded the junk mail when I got it, it would not have had twelve babies and took up a homestead on my scanner only to fall off, get scattered on the floor and be shoved into an 'I will look at this later' bag! If I put the broken pen in the trash, pulled out a couple of new ones and put them in the drawer and put the boxes back where they belong, I would not have tripped over them and cursed my cluttered room while looking for a pen. I can't work in this clutter...so today, I will quit procrastinating, un-clutter my office and get on with doing the things I love to do. 

Well, maybe I'll have lunch first.
Susan

Celebration!!

Well, I spent some time the past few nights and finished up the last of my short essays for Shutterbox 2013, the camera club portfolio I've done each year since I joined the SSCC. There are sixteen essays in all; one essay for each of the two images per month submitted into competition. I had written the sixteen haikus a while back and only made minor revisions to them. I just sent the package off to my 'editor' for review (photos, haikus and essays) and am looking forward to his suggestions for polishing them up. I have to pull some more information together for the book; the images I entered into Tri-Club and the two juried shows I entered images into. (I think it was two!) I want to complete this by the middle of February.

Anyway, I'm happy I've made some progress on one of my goals anyway. It's contagious; the more I write, the more I want to write. I'm looking for the inspiration I need so that I can get moving on my poetry book...hmmm, maybe it's under that stack of junk mail on my desk.

Swift Kick To Procrastination!

It is typical January weather tonight; cold and windy. I just took Neely for her walk and am tucked in for the night. 

I had a somewhat successful evening. I pulled together all the Scrappy Scribers essays done in Volume 1 and sent it to the Scrappy Scribers group as "Scrappy Scribers Compilation" Volume 1! Beginning on 1/26/14, Volume 2 will begin with a new prompt. I'm hoping to add a few more writers to the group, enticed by some thought-provoking prompts. I also wrote three more short essays for Shutterbox 2013. This is a small portfolio of my camera club experience which I have done every year since I joined in 2009...except this year I am about 6 months late!! I better finish it before I need to work on Shutterbox 2014! 

I feel like I'm on my way again, on my way to achieving a few goals and kicking my procrastination out the front door.

Just a thought

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