Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ivy and Roses

Our life is surrounded by growing things. We have one area we are trying to slowly transform into a flower garden, but the weeds there are in over abundance.

Last year we bought a new rose, it will be a climbing rose in a lovely pink. I dream of having a lattice arch with roses growing over it in my future garden. . . with a bench for quiet times.

The ivy, though lovely in some places is a mighty weed. It grows over and about anything in its path. Today I rescued my rose from the clutches of this ivy. The ivy had so encircled itself around my rose, time and again that I had to literally unwind the  ivy from the rose. This rose is very small, and yet the ivy was taking advantage of it and using it and overwhelming it.

This reminded me of sin. We are like my puny little rose, we hold great potential for loveliness. But the sins and temptations of life are like the ivy. They ivy is lovely in its own domain and sin appears so as well. But sin also seeks to encircle us and take the life from us, covering us and devouring us.
James 1:12-15
12How blessed is the man who endures temptation! When he has passed the test, he will receive the victor's crown of life that God has promised to those who keep on loving him. 13When someone is tempted, he should not say, “I am being tempted by God,” because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14Instead, each person is tempted by his own desire, being lured and trapped by it. 15When that desire becomes pregnant, it gives birth to sin; and when that sin grows up, it gives birth to death.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Made In Latvia Treasury

My tie was featured in this lovely collection of items made in Latvia.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Inspiriation

I am in between scarves and searching for ideas. I have been looking at a lot of blogs this evening. I love the blog of  Playing Grown Up. She always has such fun pictures, stories and even music. Check her blog out and her shop. I don't know her, but somehow I feel like I do through reading her blog.

Here is a picture of my lastest scarf, if I were to give it a real heartfelt , yummy title it would be "Strawberry Vanilla Swirl." But I didn't think that was very descriptive for a scarf so I stuck with another name :)

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Train Cake

My son turned 3 yesterday and I made him this cake. He loved it and loved helping decorate it. It isn't one of the most professional cakes I have made, but since they don't eat or use buttercream frosting over here in LV then one makes do with other- more popular frostings. 

So glad it was a success, and especially that he loved it! This was the first year he has really been into his cake and his birthday. 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Trade Complete

Well it was a sort of hard day in my life today. But I was excited that I got a slip from the post office that a package was awaiting me. I figured that would be the hat I had traded for. . .

It was a busy and slightly stressful day trying to get a cake going for my son's 3rd birthday tomorrow, and knowing that in the evening we had a birthday party to attend and our party to prepare for on the morrow.

On the way to the birthday party we stopped by the post office so I could pick up my package. I was shocked when she told me I was going to have to pay 24 dollars for a custom fee. This is a new law in Latvia that anything with a value of more than $10.00 has a customs fee. I tried to understand what percentage of the value is the actual charge- but she told me she couldn't tell me. What was I to do? Not pay the fee? Have the hat sent back? I can't stand the thought of being one of those loud mouthed complainers (which does not suit my personality at all since I am a quiet girl). I didn't know what to do, our finances are so tight right now. . . .

But I paid the $24.00 with my debit card. . . hoping and praying that God will help us through the next month. I was feel very emotional by this time. Why does this country have to have so many fees and make things so difficult for people. I felt like one of the precious pleasures in life, getting a package has now been ripped from me. I cannot afford to pay this kind of customs fees! Does this now mean that I have to tell people not to send me packages anymore?! The clerk said to have people not write the value of the item on the slip, or to check it as a gift, of both, or not insure it for so much. I am not quite sure what the solution is or ought to be. But I must say I was thoroughly shocked, disappointed and devastated.

I didn't even want to open my package. I was so blue, and my husband asked me what the matter was. I shamefully told him about the customs fee I had paid. He said, "Why did you pay it?!" What else could I do? I don't know. I cried on the drive to the party. Despising and complaining of this country that makes things so difficult and expensive for its inhabitants. . .

I finally opened the hat. It is well made, nice, different. I am surprised how moldable it is.

Here is a link to the hat I got. Thanks for a good trading experience and for being so understanding!!


http://www.etsy.com/transaction/50977725

For all of those sending to Latvia, try not to write the value of the item on the customs sheet-otherwise we have horrible fees to pay. Thanks. . and sorry for the complaining spirit- I just had to spill my heart

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Give Me Oil in My Lamp

Remember all those Sunday School songs you used to sing in Sunday School. I have so many old favorites from my childhood- but I don't always remember all the words. I recently got some Wee Sing song books. And was singing through the Wee Sing Bible Songs yesterday. How much fun to be reminded of all those old Sunday School songs, and what joy I had as I sang and worked in the kitchen.

Today I loved singing:

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning.
Give me oil in my lamp I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning, burning, burning,
Keep me burning till the break of day. . . .

I sure need some spiritual umph now and then to keep me going through the hard days.

Thank God for songs that keep our eyes focused on Him!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

One of those days

Today was one of those days when I wonder why I even attempt painting. My kids wouldn't nap at naptime, and my precious free time was cut short when my baby finally took a VERY short nap.

Then I made a silly painting mistake, but I hate making mistakes. I guess we live learn that way.

I have another new scarf finished and listed, I love it. It is so bright, so incredible. It makes me  happy just looking at it.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Giveaway Items

Friday will be the drawing for my first giveaway to celebrate my having painted over 100 items. One lucky person will get to choose one of these items. Please send me your contact e-mail and mailing address and be sure to become a follower of this blog.

Good luck!






Monday, June 13, 2011

The Value of a Penny

I live in a former third world country. This is not my home country. Yes, my ancestors came from this land. But I was not born here. Life is hard here is many ways. But made beautiful by art, nature, joy, love and faith.

Right now our family is going through some times of having very little money. It makes one realize the value of a few cents in a whole new way. When we have plenty 70 cents for a bottle of water seems nothing. Now those 70 cents are counted as precious so that I can buy milk for the kids. Wow, living frugally and with less readjusts ones view on life.

On a brighter note my son is going to be 3 on Saturday and Friday is my giveaway. Send me your contact info and become a follower of my blog and you could be THE lucky winner.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Me

Welcome! I am so glad you are taking the time to get to know me a little bit. I would love to get to know you as well and by signing up for my mailing list we can do just that!

I am a silk artist and mother of two little ones. I am an American, but I live in Latvia, a small country in Eastern Europe, nestled between Lithuania and Estonia. 

I am here because I met and fell in love with a kind hearted Latvian giant and became his little wife. He can fix just about anything and has what is called by the locals, "golden hands."

I paint a variety of silk accessories including scarves, wraps, neckties and hats. I am glad to do custom orders and trades. I delight in satisfied customers, and offering you the most unique, fun and gorgeous silk accessories around! My items are great for:

  • weddings
  • showers
  • Christmas gifts
  • anniversary gifts
  • birthday gifts
  • customized gifts for a special person, with the colors and theme they would want.
Contact me at silkscarvesbyeli@gmail.com for any questions or requests