Spring’s Coming: Passover the Team EtsyChai Way

Ah spring, when a young man’s fancy turns to romance, or something like that. What about us crafters? Our fancy turns to what we are planning to create to make our homes look wonderful after our winter cave-like existence. As soon as the temperature approaches 60 my windows and doors open and the fresh air and sunlight come pouring in. In my Jewish home Passover it means I thinking and planning the Seder, the new tablecloth, what napkins to put out, what pillows to set out. I would think the home getting ready for Easter isn’t much different, except maybe for the pillows. What outfit will look good for church, what to bring to Easter dinner, and so on.

When I hold a Seder I invite friends who always ask what they can bring to the Seder. Since many are not Jewish they often are not familiar with Jewish traditions. Because the foods of the Seder are traditional, I make sure to prepare them. A loaf of bread, artisan or other, is out, and I got the wine. Cheese? Not after meat at the Seder.  What to bring? I bet quite a few people go through the same thing. You don’t want to go empty handed but want a gift that is appropriate, useful, and beautiful.

Well, that line of thought got me to sewing patterns (yeah, I know, it usually does. I am surrounded by them). I found this pattern from 1996, Simplicity 9877, for book carriers, covers, pillows, and wine bottle covers. What a wonderful gift for Passover a bible cover or Haggadah cover would be! A basket cover with maybe some fresh fruit or Passover candy? A cute pillow for the Seder?  GoofingOff even has the Judaic fabrics to make the wine bottle cover or pillow look totally appropriate.

 

Simplicity 9877

Don’t have the time to sew for Passover  but still want to bring a gift? No problem. Team EtsyChai has talented artists creating the most beautiful artwork and gifts at price points meets everyone’s needs.  Jewelry, glassware, ceramics, cards, everything!

Mezuzah by TraceyLipman

 

Passover Round Israeli Platter by YafitGlass

Pewter Judaic Wine Charms by anjalicreations

Creation Greeting card by AnotherCreation

You can following Team EtsyChai and GoofingOff on Facebook and get the latest on all the happenings. Click here to get to our Facebook pages:            GoofingOff                                      Team EtsyChai

Don’t worry, I got your back. Or, rather, EtsyChai’s got your back. Your host or hostess will be amazed by your insight and knowledge of Jewish tradition.  All it takes is a little help from Team EtsyChai, and a little time for Goofing Off.

Post by GoofingOff of GoofingOff.etsy and GoofingOff.artfire.

Recognizing the Signs of Stroke

Not too long ago I went to one of my favorite thrift shops, you know, the one with all the stuff crammed into every nook and cranny? So much stuff it spills out to the sidewalk?  Yeah, that one. Good shop. Well, anyway, there is a nice older couple who run the shop. Well, when I stopped in the last time there was a younger man at the register. I thought “Maybe they took a trip and he’s filling in” so in my small talk way I asked what happened to the woman who runs the store. “Oh, that’s my mom” he said. “My dad had a stroke about a month ago and she’s been taking care of him.”

OMG, the poor man and his wife. The proceeded to tell me how he stopped at the store one morning and found his dad trying to make coffee but couldn’t figure out how to do it. Being a good son he helped him make the coffee then went on his way. He checked back with his month later in the afternoon and she said his dad wasn’t much better. She thought it was a cold. Anyway, to make a long story short, the man didn’t see a doctor or go to the hospital for a week. It took the hospital a few more days, a CT scan, and an MRI to figure out he had a stroke. He spent another week in the hospital. When I found out about it he was just starting to talk again.

I feel terrible about the whole thing. I don’t place blame on the son for not taking him to the hospital or the man’s wife for the not calling an ambulance. I feel bad because they didn’t recognize the signs of stroke, so being the good nurse that I am, I decided to blog about it. Maybe someone will remember what I wrote and help someone who has a stroke. So, here goes, a nursing teaching moment.

A stroke is called a brain attack just like a myocardial infarction is called a heart attack. There is a lack of oxygen to a portion of the brain.  How bad the effects are depends on a few things but it is important to do something about it. What can you do? CALL 911!

I borrowed this from the American Heart Association. It’s good, sound advice so please read this:

WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Be prepared for an emergency.

• Keep a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet or purse.
• Find out which area hospitals are primary stroke centers that have 24-hour emergency stroke care.
• Know (in advance) which hospital or medical facility is nearest your home or office.

Take action in an emergency.

• Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don't ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away!
• Check the time. When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this important question later.
• If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical service (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can quickly be sent for you.
• If you're with someone who may be having stroke symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or the EMS. Expect the person to protest — denial is common. Don't take "no" for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action.

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE or visit their Web site.

Now, I love to see my friends but I sure would rather see y’all in a thrift shop or yard sale than in the ICU. I wish I could have taught the man and his mom to recognize the signs of stroke. Might have changed the recovery time and changed his outcome. I can’t do much about what happened but I can affect what will be by teaching and telling others. OK, I did my part, now you do yours.

Thanks for reading.

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.artfire.com

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

I love old movies. I remember sitting on the couch with my mother watching Crosby and Hope, the Kettles, and the Bowery Boys, just to name a few. Anything made in the ‘60’s was too new for me and I barely tolerated the ‘50’s. I loved the movies of the 1930’s and 40’s; the elegance of the 30’s fashions and the war-time patriotism of the 40’s. The stars were glamorous. The men strong and dashing, the women gorgeous and elegant.

Although I loved the old movies, the musicals were my favorites. I used to watch Fred Astaire over and over and envy every step taken by Ginger Rogers. They made it look so easy that I never dreamed it took practice, lessons, and more practice, not to mention a little talent.

And the music! The songs still stick in my head playing over and over, not like the one you can’t stand and can’t get rid of but more like a good friend whose company you enjoy and love to visit with. Baby, It’s Cold Outside is one of those songs.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside was from the movie “Neptune’s Daughter” starring Esther Williams, Ricardo Montalban, Red Skelton, Betty Garrett, and Keenan Wynn.  The song was composed by Frank Loesser for the movie and performed by Red Skelton and Betty Garrett. It won the Academy Award for Best Song in 1949.

Well, when the temperature dipped into the 20’s (and in Florida, that’s pretty darned cold), the tune crept into my head. A little later, I found the cover of Modern Screen in my collection with Esther Williams.

I guess that cover just confirmed it. That song will be playing in my head for a while cause Baby, it’s cold outside! Brrr! lol

post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.Etsy and GoofingOff.Artfire where everyday is a day meant for goofing off.

Climbing out from Under the Rock and Discovering Music Matisyahu: One Day

Back in August I finished my BSN. This is not a brag, it is just fact. I tend to have an obsessive nature so while I was in school I did little else except study.  I read  few books other than nursing, watched even fewer movies, and listened to hardly any music.  It wasn't that I wasn't interested, school was very intense, especially while working full time and trying to run 3 Etsy shops. The classes came fast and furious, good for me since I get bored easily, but still hard and time consuming.
School took it's toll on me. My husband learned to stay away from me while I was studying and cooked more (maybe a benefit?). One Etsy shop, MissEileen, my very first, is about dead. I had to hire a house keeper (oh, that's a benefit, too). Now that  school is over I feel like I am coming out from under a rock. I read a few books, watched a movie or two when I could grab the remote, and downloaded a few tunes. My friends at work laugh when I tell them the movies I watch since many have been out for years. That's how out of touch I am.
As for the tunes, I found this guy, Matisyahu, on YouTube. He is a Hasid from New York who sings Reggae. He's pretty good so I thought I would share. Makes me think of my youth when I lived in Borough Park, Brooklyn, among the Hasidic communuity. I loved it but that was a long time ago, fodder for another blog post.
Enjoy the music. Is he good or what? I think I have patterns to count.


  


Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.Etsy.com and GoofingOff.Artfire.com.

Artfire Supplies Group Guild

Selling supplies to the art community is an important part of the artistic process. I take selling sewing patterns and supplies seriously. I double check each pattern for parts making sure it is complete before a sale, take pictures so the buyer can see what they are buying is what they receive, and provide an accurate description of the product. It can be time consuming but I do love sewing patterns and fabric and like sharing the product with the rest of the world.

I am a member of the Artfire Supplies Group Guild. All of the members are primarily suppliers. We do a little crafting but our stores are supply stores. Here is a sampling of the group:

 Antique Bronze Snowflake / Christmas Spacer Beads or Charms from Curious Cleo

Curious Cleo is a seller from the UK. This offer has 100 pieces of these bronze spacer beads.

Paisley Appliqués' in Fuchsia from Zazuta

Zazuta is a member-seller from India. These appliqués are beautiful!

Sunset Quartz 15mm Puffed Squares from Blue Butterfly beads

Beautiful colors, rich with earth tones.

White Gloss Jewelry and Craft Gift Boxes 4 x 4 x 2  from CDVDMart

10 boxes, reasonably priced. Other supplies available, too!

Handmade Neon Green Silk Satin YoYo Appliqués from IloveYoYo

Yo yos, great for embellishing.

16mm Peridot Faceted Crystal Rondelles from Piratcha

Red Ceramic Russian Matryoshka Doll Beads from Kitsch n Kaboodle

For the person who makes pincushions, Emery Sand from Nakpunar is a must.

Here’s some wonderful yarn from my buddy Susan of Susanknits. She’s a member of Team Etsy Chai, too.

Novelty Yarn Pack, eyelash and thick and thin, pink, purple, yellow

Last but not least, here is an offering from my humble sewing supply shop.

Fruit Trees Vintage Cotton Fabric from GoofingOff

So, if you’re looking for supplies, we got you covered!

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff Etsy and GoofingOff Artfire, where every day is a day to Goof Off!