FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAY :: Featured POE Artist SHAPES and MEMORIES

This week's featured POE (Photographers of Etsy) is Maryia Ramanava, the captive eye behind SHAPES and MEMORIES.  Maryia and I met in the Etsy Forums and upon entering her shop, I was hooked...such a variety of soft hues amidst crisp graphic lines.  There's simply something for everyone!

Why not venture over and take a peek at Maryia's work?

Here's some of what you'll find...

Horse Pink Love

The Path of Philosophers

Ear

The Stone Lion

Shade of Pink

MANDATORY STEP :: Earn 1 entry by leaving a comment on this giveaway post saying what your favorite item is in Maryia's Etsy Shop. REMEMBER: THIS STEP IS MANDATORY!

Earn ADDITIONAL ENTRIES by mentioning the giveaway on Twitter, your blog, facebook status, etc.

(Be sure to come back here & leave me an additional comment with a link back to your tweet/blog link/facebook address telling me that you did so).

ONE BONUS ENTRY :: Visit Modern Classics: Paper and let me know which of my photos is your favorite :)

ALSO, Remember to make a NEW comment for each additional entry.

(you can do this once per day!)

***When posting comments, please make sure I know how to get in contact with you if you win!***

The giveaway begins as soon as it is posted, and ends Friday (5/21/10), at 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time. The winner will be announced on Saturday (5/22) ~ chosen randomly using the Random Number Generator ( http://www.random.org/ ) Please respond to my email/contact within 2 days of winning, or I'll be forced to pick a NEW Lucky Winner.

Good Luck!

(Be a pal & be sure to spread the word!)

Classic

The word classic means something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality. The word can be an adjective (a classic car) or a noun (a classic of English literature). It denotes a particular quality in art, architecture, literature and other cultural artifacts. In commerce, products are named 'classic' to denote a long standing popular version or model, to distinguish it from a newer variety. Classic is used to describe many major, long-standing sporting events. Colloquially, an everyday occurrence may be described as 'an absolute classic'.

"Classic" should not be confused with classical, which refers specifically to certain cultural styles, especially in music and architecture: styles generally taking inspiration from the Classical tradition, hence classicism.

The Greatest Hits

All titles written by Paul Weller except where noted
"Out of the Sinking"
"Peacock Suit"
"Sunflower"
"The Weaver"
"Wild Wood"
"Above the Clouds"
"Uh Huh Oh Yeh"
"Brushed" (Paul Weller, Steve White, Mark Nelson, Brendan Lynch)
"The Changingman" (Weller, Lynch)
"Friday Street"
"You Do Something to Me"
"Brand New Start"
"Hung Up"
"Mermaids"
"Broken Stones"
"Into Tomorrow"

No, REALLY!

No, REALLY!

Yes, I joined a gym! Now, you're supposed to laugh and say "You're kidding, right?" No, REALLY! I did. A girl who prefers not to sweat unless you place her in the desert. Doctor's orders! Believe me, I would not have come up with this idea on my own.

Having hyperextended both knees in high school...mind you it wasn't a sports related injury (although I did, proudly, run track for a season). It was a graduation party that led to my demise. While relaxing with my legs up on a coffee table as I chatted with my girlfriends, a "pickled" friend proceeded to come out of nowhere and do a belly-flop on both of my legs.

Much pain, one surgery, and lots of rehab later I'm still feeling the brunt of it all. Being a mom of a three year old boy, I thought I was getting plenty of exercise (which I defined as "continued rehab"...my doctor didn't find it to be quite an adequate comparison). After my recent visit to the Orthopedic Surgeon, he again suggested some "Serious Rehab". However, the fact that my insurance would have me paying almost $400 in copays for one month of rehab, the doctor suggested I use my money wisely and join a gym...hence, my present situation.

So, under a friend's suggestion, I joined L.A. Fitness. I still chuckle at the thought! But I have to admit, I actually enjoy it. Yesterday was my scheduled meeting with the "TRAINER", ugh! After an hour of evaluation, Clinton (the "unforgiving trainer", who reminds me of the huge guy in "The Green Mile") let me know that I'm classified as a "Skinny Fat Person" due to the fact that I'm so out of shape. To tell you the truth, after what he had me do yesterday, I'm surprised I can walk today! It's only been a week and I'm still alive...we'll see how I do tomorrow.

New View of a New Year

I've been aggravated with the previous owners of our house since the day we moved in. What possessed the woman to attempt painting the window panes inside and out - while apparently blindfolded or heavily sedated? Putting off the task of fixing it myself with the thoughts of installing new windows soon, I close the blinds and try to forget the mess. At least until the next morning. Then, today whilst taking photos for Etsy, I came across this shot. In all that ugliness came what I took to be a personal message to

"lighten up and see the big picture!"