This Little Blog Of Mine

I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine...let it shine.

I have been struggling with the discovery of how to become a successful entrepreneur. This is not a road less traveled...let me tell you. Talented people are entering the virtual world in droves and the saturation is immeasurable. I, however, do not see this as a negative but a challenge. BUT what am I being challenged to do...to be...to become...to see...to notice...to steer away from? What is it? There are crazy little niches everywhere...and more coming outta the closet as we speak. What are we going to do. How are we going to shed light on our personal talents, skills and our desires to become home based industries. Where do we start? I am leaving this open for the moments ahead...to contemplate, ponder, search and think. So redundant. Add your thoughts...please. Encouragement, critique and redirection is of importance...always. Do share your thoughts. 

Flikr

The 101 class was easy...I already had an account set up from some time ago. So laughing at myself.

"the trifecta"

Shauna and Stephen created somethingshidinghere and opened their etsy shop in June 2007. In their featured seller interview, they speak of the "trifecta theory": etsy+blog+flickr. That trifecta has driven customers to them for the past several years. Aside from their amazingly awesome carved mustaches, the trifecta theory has proven to be one ingredient that has resulted in their success.

So...I post this to share their link and to help myself get motivated about flickr. I know very little about flickr...but today I will be learning, and I will let you know how that adventure goes. Here we go: Flickr 101!

Number 2 turns 23

How does this happen? Every year this happens...four times. That makes this number EIGHTY FIVE to be exact. So we celebrate this day with my second daughter...to remind her of our gratefulness that she is here, living life, experiencing relationships, having fun and continuing to grow into a lovely woman. It has been a treasure to know you all these years. Happy 23rd Birthday! Love you...to the nth!

The Littlest Sister

Graduating my fourth daughter...

She came into this world "sunny-side-up"...looking everywhere...eyes wide open. She grew a sweet voice, adopted two dear bear friends who went everywhere with her and somehow managed to learn how to get by without her thumb. She grew, and she made friends, and she went to school. And she grew more. She loved her sisters bigger than the moon and she still does, and they all return the favor. She learned that life is fun and sometimes it's gut wrenching hard. So hard she learned to cry with us, which is something not all of us can share with each other. She has become honest, ruthlessly honest, but kind as well. She talks and listens and is interested. Her heart is strong but she knows to guard it because we do live in a world that doesn't always care for each others souls. She trusts and believes in good things. She is simply utterly creative in all sorts of ways...and her music choices are awesome...all the way from Cash to Blue October. She has friends who are some of the greatest people I have ever met and I hope they figure out how to stay in touch. She has learned to forgive and to respect others...to laugh when things are funny and sometimes not so funny. She knows she can't control everything but that she has choices and some real individual power to decide other things. She drives like a "grandma" and that gives me comfort. I have been blessed by her and hope her life deepens within the relationships she develops, with the experiences she makes and the many things she decides to do. I love that girl.

...functioning with CoLoR...

Part of creating function involves giving pieces something more than just function. We hear a lot about simplify, moderate and minimal...and I think these concepts are all good, and healthy. But when we need function...don't go easy on the *bling*. Paint doesn't take up space...it adds to what you already have...and paint doesn't take over a room...it brings joy. It soothes us, excites us and inspires us. There are many safe paints marketed these days that bring an added comfort to bling-ing a piece of function. Spruce up an old function or dress a new unfinished function.

success

success

Getting Busy!

I have this collection of very cool, funky wooden chairs...that are waiting to be dressed in color, paper, fabric or whatever seems inspiring. Always up for a new concept, a different way to use an old idea or a totally wild experiment. Each piece...every goal has to meet that one standard of excellence...or we get at it again until the character comes out. It's important to work with something at every angle and long enough...to give it a chance to develop...and to give yourself a chance to create...to the fullest potential. Enjoy the day...explore creativity.

Let the Colors Flow

Milk paint...distinct, timeless, safe. Beautiful colors. Exciting experience...go ahead, dip that brush. That old time chalky finish...very warm. Enjoy.

Rain

Liquid precipitation. It's everywhere. It's up...coming down, sometimes sideways. It's down...filling every low spot with itself. Cold and wet. It makes a bad hair day, makes clothes sag and turns shoes into sponges. It quenches our bucolic surroundings. And when there is too much...things float. We stay in. Thinking. Creating. Sometimes worrying...about things left unattended, about things we want to control...about our loves. We breath clean air...newly washed. We eat warm foods...take hot baths...curl up in big pieces of cotton. We draw and plan...search for ideas...answers. We shiver...we sew...we sleep. We wait when the sky is falling. We wait.