What's With All the Green?

Oh, that's right it's St Patrick's Day! I woke up this morning and told my husband we were having corned beef and cabbage for dinner. "Why?" he said. "Because it's St. Patty's Day!" I said. "I'm German" he said. OK....so that's how my day is going to go????? I told him my maiden name is GILROY and he's getting corned beef and cabbage..now go drive your 2 hour commute to work and think about your foolishness. He shakes his head (he does that alot with me) and walks out the door. I think I saw a smile on his face ;-)

Not sure the significance of the pig on this kids back, but it looked cute. We Irish are a strange lot ;-)

So aside from it being St. Patty's Day, I wanted to talk about something. As an artist (if I used that term any loosely it would fall off) I sit up in my little home studio and play with fabric, paint and wool. I send my creations out into this big world via my Etsy shop and hope someone is intrigued enough to come in and check me out. In case you haven't noticed you'll find MILLIONS of fabulous and some not so fabulous shops here on the web. It is a constant challenge to get noticed....even in life, all anyone really wants is to be noticed...validated and appreciated. Whether you are an artist, an employee, a friend, a spouse or a parent...we just need someone to say "I see what you do and who you are and I appreciate you". I am always amazed at the good that comes from acknowledging people for the life's work they do, no matter what it is. I have found that people will go above and beyond if given just a simple Please and Thank You.

I am lucky enough this week to be a part of a wonderful blog Giveaway over at the Nester's blog. If you have not checked out The Nesting Place, you should. She has so many great post every week.  Because of her huge following, she has the clout to put on an incredible once a year Giveaway Bash. As you know from my last post, one of my couture aprons (especially made for her) is being given away. I sat last night and read through some of the over 400 comments about my work and my Etsy shop. I have to admit I got a little weepy eyed. I'm not telling you this to boast, but to use my experience as an example of how positive reinforcement works wonders. I was called an 'artist' and 'talented' so many times I lost count....ok not really, it was 322 times. But really?......really???????? Dare I even think in those terms...if only 1 of those comments are the truth I'd be over the moon happy. Maybe I'm really getting to that place....you know the place. It's that place in your life that when you stand before your maker and he asks you what you did with your time on earth, you can honestly say "I was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend and an ARTIST". Wow...wouldn't that be something! I'll leave you with a little Brigadoon music for your Irish listening pleasure!
Until next time... be kind and stay creative (and appreciative)