Monday, September 22, 2008

Wedgewood Blue Monday


Welcome to Blue Monday at my place! Smiling Sal athttp://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ is hosting this event. Today I thought I would share something that reminds me of my mother-Her favorite color was Wedgewood Blue and when ever I see it I always think of her. My mother died at the end of March in 1995 when I was 31. It was a very hard year for me (and a few after that as well). When I saw this little vase it made me think of her so I took it home with me right away. I have used it for various things over the years but right now I have it on my drawing table to hold my paint brushes in. My drawing table doesn't get used as much as I would like it too. I keep telling myself it will be used for drawing more soon. I guess it is kind of a reminder of what I want to be, not necessarily what I am.
This is me and my mom about 6 months before she died in the fall of 1994. It is the last picture I have of her. She hated having her picture taken( so do I!) but for some reason she consented to this one. As you can see I look alot like her. I remember one day when I was walking home from high school and I passed a woman I had never seen on the street. After she passed me by she stopped, turned around and yelled back at me" I bet you are Mary Lee McCaffrey's daughter aren't you?" I replied yes I was to which she said" I went to high school with her. Say so and so says hi" so I did when I got home. I am very blessed to have a wonderful and I mean wonderful step-mom named Freda but I miss my mom every day. I look forward to seeing her again when it is time.
This next picture is of my dog Maddy Joy, who is my editor in chief and sometimes model. As you all know she has a real hunger for knowledge and loves to devour a good book(esp. one from the library). She is also a love sponge-Her theme song is the Betty Boop Song- I want to be loved by you, just you and nobody else but you. She is utterly convinced that God made her to be a lap dog, not a lab dog. She weighs 77 pounds(she put on the last 10 in 6 months since I got her!) but she thinks she is just the right size to crawl on to my lap and curl up. I have to confess I love it. I took a picture of her for the shades of inspiration group on Flickr.com when the colors that week were brown and light blue. It was difficult to convince her to sit still and let me drape the fabric around her but she did let me do it finally.
Well on Saturday I mentioned that today I would be announcing a giveaway so here goes! I have been doing some fun Halloween stuff lately so I thought I would give some of it away and my sister is going to help me by making some black and white birds for the giveaway- If you want to see the bird she made me just scroll down a little to an earlier Pink Saturday posting called A crafty pink Saturday. Anyone who comments on my blog between now and a week from tomorrow will be put in the drawing. I will draw the winner a week from tomorrow and announce it on the following day. Up till now I have mostly been posting on Monday and Saturday only but now I am going to add Wednesday to the mix. So for every time you comment (1 per posting) your name will be entered in the drawing-so you can have your name entered today, this wednesday, this saturday and next monday( that should increase your chances pretty good!) Below is a sneak peak at some of the stuff I will giving away. You will see more of it on Wednesday!
This is a little Halloween banner I made-below is a closeup of one of the kitties.
This is just a lovely sunset I took in my backyard a week ago. I thought it looked rather Halloweenish! Happy Blue Monday to you all!


22 comments:

Unknown said...

I love that vase, the color, the shape, the fact that it is on a pedestal. It's a great item, made better by the memories of your mom!

Grandma Faith said...

Your pretty blue vase seems perfect for the task of holding your artist tools. You wrote a sweet tribute to your mother. That's a darling picture of your lab. Take care.

SmilingSally said...

I've always loved blue wedgewood, so I understand why your mom did. She's a lovely looking woman; funny that she didn't like getting her picture taken, but then most of us don't either.
That last photograph is awesome!
Happy Blue Monday!

Anonymous said...

I love Wedgwood blue, too, and that's a lovely vase. I enjoyed hearing about your mom. I miss mine as well.

bj said...

What a pretty blue vase !
And, yes, you look JUST like your mom!! Such sweet memories....

Sweetie said...

The vase is beautiful. It is unique because it has a special sentiment attached. You and your mother certainly do resemble each other. The loss of our mothers creates an emptiness that lasts forever.
Sweetie

Anonymous said...

The blue vase is a lovely shade of blue. It's nice that it holds memories of your mom for you. Your dog has such a sweet face. Happy Monday to you and Happy Fall!

Anonymous said...

The blue 'paint brush' holder is a lovely shade of blue. Start using them and paint an inspiration. Let your talent be known. smile.

The give-a-ways look so festive. I would love to be in the drawing. Thank you so much.

I miss my mother as well. She was a mom worth remembering. I know yours was too.

Hugs, Jeanne

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Susan, love the blue vase. So sweet that you bought it because it reminded you of your Mom. Your mother sounds like she was a great mother. So sorry she was called home so soon, but you will see her again one day.
I just love that last picture of the orange sky, so spectular! No wonder you went and grabbed a camera!
Happy Blue Monday!
Love, Ann

Unknown said...

Happy Blue Monday!

Dawn said...

What a lovely story you shared of your mother! I can tell how much she means to you. And yes, you do look like her. People are always telling me that my son is a clone of me!

That is a great picture of your dog!

I like your give away. It looks wonderful! That is so nice of you.

Happy Blue Monday.

Take care,
Dawn

Stephanie said...

Thank you for the great comment you left on my blog...you are so funny!!

Love the halloween decorations, would you add me to the drawing?

Such a pretty vase and very touching story to go with it.

Take Care,

Stephanie

Jennifer said...

Oh that sky pic is beauitful!I love the kitty banner please add me in.Your pic of u and your mom is very pretty and the blue vase is so nice.Hugs,Jen

Anonymous said...

Hi!
Thank you for sharing your stories and pics on Blue Monday. You do look like your mom and I'm sure you have wonderful memories....I know I do of my dad who passed away just over a year ago.

Your puppy is adorable and nice that you were able to adorn him with the blue fabric.

Please enter my name in your giveaway...Your decorations are wonderful.
Good luck to me.
Hope you've had a lovely day.
Thank you for stopping by my blog too.

Judi

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you have lovely memories to hold on to of your mom. I hope you will go back to your art work soon and share with us. Your dog is just precious. I love the sunset picture you posted.

Baba said...

Good evening Susan, You do look like your mom; as I look so much like my mom..my mom and I have gray hair and people think that we are sisters..my mom is 86 and I am 66..I colored my hair at one time, but it was to much of a hassle to keep it up..

The blue vase is lovely and will always make you feel close to your mom..I can't image losing my mom and best friend one of these days..

Thanks for your visit to my place today.. hugs, Baba

MsSippi, aka Peggy said...

The vase is beautiful...such a lovely color. Your mom looks like such a sweet lady; and, yes, you do look like her. I love the picture of Maddy Joy. I'm sure she brings you great pleasure, and the sunset is fantastic! Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Susan, thanks for stopping by today. I haven't heard that story before but I'm not surprised it has been around. The book I am using for reference is full of great thoughts for all purposes. I am enjoying it very much. Hav a great day.

Hugs...Jeanne

Neabear said...

I love that blue vase. Good use for it too. That is a beautiful picture of the sunset.

ROXY said...

Your pooch is so cute!! Thanks for stopping by and visiting. I hope to see you again soon:)

Life on the Edge said...

Beautiful blue vase! I lost my mom when I was only 22, so I know what it feels like to feel the absence of your mother. I didn't look like her though, but everyone says my daughter looks just like me!

Kady

KatCollects said...

Had to page down to read about your giveaway. I know it is very hard to lose a parrent, I lost my Dad in 1999, he was only 57. I still miss him terribly. I am glad you have good memories of your Mom : )
Kathy