Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Roses are always a popular subject in creative painting. It’s easy to see why though as they are elegant, beautiful and inspiring. I’m not into gardening and haven’t a clue how to look after one, but I do admire beautiful gardens. I am currently preapring for another session of painting and roses are the main subject. I have collected a few references to share with you all to enjoy. 

 My paintings don’t do these beautiful flowers justice but I am a beginner as far as painting roses is concerned, and I do enjoy it. However, as the saying goes “practice makes perfect”, so that is what I must do.

I don’t know the names of each type of rose which is a pity.

I do hope you enjoy looking at these beautiful roses.

Ciao for now,

Elena

Something rather fun, fluffy & pink caught my eye while browsing through the Pink Heels blog. I had to stop & have a giggle but found the item to be … well, quite attractive in a way. I never would have thought to dress up my computer in this way but it would certainly brighten up the room & put a smile on your face. And of course it has a matching mouse. I think I’d have to name it Fluffy Fifi

The post directly under the fluffy laptop, titled Business Etiquette led me to another web site with videos on modern manners. Some of these are quite funny and worth a look, so take some time out and have a peek here.

How often do you visit blogs & web sites listed in your blog roll? Whether we have business related blogs or not do we take time periodically to visit those we exchange links with? Even if you have a long list of sites listed do you alternate & check in to see what your blogging friends are up to? I’m just curious. I’ve visited sites where the blog roll is so long that I wonder if the blogger remembers who’s who or what each site is about.

Since my forced time-out one of the things I’ve been doing, and which I’m discovering I’m actually quite enjoying, is checking out other blogs and web sites related to them (if there are any). I don’t know if this is the start of blog addiction – I hope not because I don’t really want to spend a whole lot of time blogging although I do enjoy it.

I’ve come across some gorgoeous blogs by visiting sites listed on other sites, which I’ve added to my ‘frequent visit’ list in favourites.

I discovered a lovely blog called The Art of Life over at Marakye plus I was surprised to find a photo of a group of Business Mums Network members from Perth having a get together.

My Cozy Cottage World has a long blog roll but I love visiting & checking out some of the links there. I’ve found some absolutely gorgoeus sites there – you’ll have to visit and take a look.

At Beauty Banquet we share almost the same blog roll but I’ve also found some interesting sites from the Plug Me board. Plus a link where you can find out what your power colour is. It’s another one of those tests - My power colour turned out to be red/orange. I don’t know exactly what to do with this information but it was fun to do. Give it a go

Another ‘time-out’ session is over so it’s Ciao for now from me. Happy blogging …. and don’t forget to visit your blogging friends

This may not sound like business talk but one of those things most home based small business owners tend to forget to do is to take time out. This fact in particular has surfaced lately & is close to my heart because of my own experience. Health problems could have been avoided by simply taking time out. It’s easy to get caught up in the flow of work & business management where you just keep going, & before you know it, it creeps up on you and ‘bang’ the time-out factor is forced upon you because your health breaks down or you break down. Then you start thinking about how you could have avoided it all if only you had taken care of yourself. I don’t think we allow this to happen on purpose and there is usually more than one contributing factor which can lead to this. But it does creep up on you like the frog in the pot of water – the water begins nice & cool for the frog & the frog is nice & secure in it’s familiar surroundings that it doesn’t realise the heat under the pot is also heating up the water, ever so slowly, that it may be too late when the frog realises it’s in hot water. 

I’ve been like that little frog and I thank my God that the water didn’t reach boiling point for me. I’ve had to stop, pause my business (only keeping it going slowly) & try regain my health. Slowly but surely I’m now getting back on track with my health, taking things a day at a time, and doing jobs one small step at a time. Hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m back to my usual self….. well, minus the crazy overwork. Although for me it was a culmination of personal circumstances as well as business that brought me to a halt, temporarily, I realise the importance of taking time out. We all know about it but usually continue to ‘soldier on’ believing ‘we can manage ok’ because we have to. Something as simple as going out for a short walk, meeting someone for coffee, browsing through non-business related web sites, or remembering what your hobbies are & get stuck into them again are amongst some of the things you can do to help keep yourself healthy.

It’s those Little things that will help fend off those mind & body break downs which will ultimately force you to stop whether you like it or not, whether you want to or not. We feed our children, take care family, we help out friends, we work, we pay our bills …… but the do we knock off at a reasonable appointed time to end the working day? Do we rest when we’re tired? Eat when we’re hungry? Drink when thirsty? No? This is not good and only adds to the recipe for disaster. It’s best not to wait before something happens but do it now. If you find that things are starting to get out of hand, then slow down, look after yourself, take time out without feeling guilty, before it’s too late, because you are important.

It’s probably something we all go through in life at some point. We have big hopes and dreams about something you’re passionate about but there are those who ‘steal’ those dreams from you. Meaning well and offering ‘helpful’ information and ‘advice’, they don’t realise how destructive their words can be. They usually offer no encouragement & can cause you to lose all hope on fulfilling your dream. Donna-Marie from Jacaranda Business Support Services calls these people Dreamtakers.  She has written a wonderful post on this topic and includes an inspirational video titled Follow Your Dreams.

There are some lovely quotes in the video & I quite like this one -

“Don’t let today’s disappointments

cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams.

Twenty years form now you will be more disappointed

by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe Harbour.

Catch the tradewinds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

Anzac Day, the day we remember our fallen soldiers…… The day we remember their sacrifice, the great price they paid to ensure our freedom today. Sadly, it also reminds us of the tragedies of war, scenes orhestrated by the powers at hand & commanders & played out in a brutal furnace ……a sad waste. Yet, we reflect and pray that lives would not be wasted like this again. Do we learn from history?

To glorify war is wrong …. but to remember the fallen is respectful, and an honourable thing to do; and hopefully a reminder that we must work towards peace.

The Ode

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in The Winnowing Fan: Poems of the Great War in 1914. This verse, which became the Ode for the Returned and Services League, has been used in association with commemoration services in Australia since 1921.

Lest We Forget.

I started thinking about keepsakes after reading a post at The Tall Poppy titled ‘The Lost Art of Tatting’.  Not a common craft these days but I don’t think it’s a dying art as there are always a few talented people around demonstrating their craft at events like The Stitches and Craft Show. I’m always amazed at the talents of other crafters and some of the beautiful items they create. It also makes me think about the many hours spent by ladies of days gone by, creating beautiful items, most of which were made because there was a need.  These beautiful items were eventually handed down to daughters or other family members or friends.

I treasure anything handmade that’s been handed down to me from my grandmother & great grandmother. Things like a handwoven linen teatowel, hand embroidered linens, lace ….. some of these would be classed as antique linens but I wouldn’t part with them.

Being creative, taking care of family, running a business …. life is so full of things that ‘need’ to be done. Often we forget to slow down a little or take time out. When I’m online it’s uaually for business related reasons. I  don’t get much time these days for the leisurely shopping spree, so it’s lovely to be able to sit back & do my shopping online. Discovering new web sites or new products is a bright change from the daily run of business.

Giving family & friends a gift from my own collection of recreated items is great but not everyone has the same tastes and my work is not suited to all, so I do like to find something that’s a little different. Tonic Gifts has a delightful mix of inexpensive products to choose from…. and of course, there’s always something to find for yourself too!

“The name Tonic Gifts was inspired by the fact that a tonic is a refreshing or restorative influence and we know how much we need those on a weekly if not daily basis, especially with our hectic lifestyles”. (Quoted taken from their ‘About Us’ page)

I love their range of gift wrapping packages too. Gorgeous gift wrapping makes a gift extra special and I believe makes the receiver feel like THEY are extra special; and If you can’t decide what to buy as a gift, Tonic Gifts has vouchers available for purchase.

So take some time out – prepare a lovely cuppa, sit back, and browse through Tonic Gifts.

As part of the experience, don’t forget to visit their Blog too, for reviews, product information, a regular beauty column and other bits and pieces of interest.

Enjoy!

Ciao for now, Elena

In the lead-up to relaunching my EP DESIGNS web site, I was able to find a few more new suppliers of more gorgeous decorative items to add to my product range. These items will include new ‘cafe’ & ‘Paris’ canvas prints; very chic decorative box cases; easel stands; nostalgic style coasters; impressive ornate mirrors; reproduction vintage style mantle, table & wall clocks…. and more. Of course, these products are in addition to my Recreated Treasures.

Some of these new orders have already arrived…. and the process begins – checking & photographing each item & writing product descriptions. Many of these new products will be available only via my EP Designs web site, while other items will only be available via my EBAY auctions.

My first newsletter will be sent to all subscribers to announce the launch. The Newsletter can be subscribed to HERE. Just check the EP Designs newsletter box, enter your email address and click ‘subscribe – Don’t forget to confirm your subscription by clicking the link in the email sent to your inbox. Once the new EP Designs site is launched the newsletter will be sent to you each month announcing news, design & gift ideas, specials, competitions & product recommendations.

Ciao for now from Elena Perrotta of EP Designs & Precious Treasures

Hello to all! As this is my first post here I’ll begin with wishing you all a very Happy New Year! Hoping that 2008 will be joyful, full of blessings & prosperous for you.

As time goes on I’ll be sharing with you my thoughts & ideas about my creative work, life as a business mum,  any helpful information I come across for home based businesses, and recommended web sites.

I have two web sites for you to browse through – EP DESIGNS  This site is currently undergoing an upgrade & will be relaunched soon. My recreated treasures will be available for purchase here, along with an inspiring range of gorgeous gift ideas & decorative homewares.

I will also have a christian themed web site – PRECIOUS TREASURES  which will be launched later on this year. You can take a look at the home page for a brief description of what to expect here.

Life is busy, but with the Lord’s help I’ll be able to achieve more than I could possible imagine.

Ciao for now!

God Bless

Elena Perrotta