Sunday, February 28, 2010

Thank You For Being A Friend...


On the left, starting in the front is Karen @ Some Days Are Diamonds (she came over from California), Ceekay @ Thinkin' of Home, Me (Sherry) @ Country Wings in Phoenix. On the right in front is Jamie @ Mimi's Corner, Cindy @ Applestone Cottage (she came in from Wisconsin) and Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life.


Friday us (4) gals that live here locally in Phoenix, got together with our dear friends Cindy and Karen. We had lunch at the Olive Garden and then had an afternoon of shopping, laughing and sharing.

Now we each always bring a little something to share with each other. I have to show you what I made for each of my sweet friends. I have seen some cute little spoons popping up around blogland, but I haven't seen a tutorial on one, so I figured how hard could they be?


Well I bought several tablespoons and went to work. This is what I came up with, a few little pictures, some scrapbook background, vintage rose buttons, a little trim, and a vintage trim on top. I also put a little bit of glitter around the edges to make it pop.

Now on that glitter, I would've liked it to move down a little more around the picture, but it slides on the curve so that is as good as it gets. All in all, I loved how they turned out, and so did the ladies. You know how it goes, each time you make something, it gets a little better.

A little mouse for my special friends

Penny and Anita.



As always, thank you for stopping by my little piece of heaven, here in the desert that I so love to call home. Country hugs...


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History of Kashmir and Why India and Pakistan are Fighting over Kashmir?


Kashmir (Kashmiri: کٔشِیر, कॅशीर; Dogri: कश्मीर; Ladakhi: ཀཤམིར; Balti: کشمیر; Gojri: کشمیر; Poonchi/Chibhali: کشمیر; Shina: کشمیر; Uyghur: كەشمىر) is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range. Contemporarily, Kashmir denotes a larger area that includes the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh), the Pakistani administered Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, and the Chinese-administered regions of Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract. The United Nations, and other local entities, use the designation Jammu and Kashmir to geographically denote said area.

According to the Mahabharata, the Kambojas ruled Kashmir during the epic period with a Republican system of government. In the first half of the first millennium, the Kashmir region became an important center of Hinduism and later of Buddhism; later still, in the ninth century, Kashmir Shaivism arose. In 1349, Shah Mir became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir and inaugurated the Salatin-i-Kashmir or Swati dynasty. For the next five centuries, Muslim monarchs ruled Kashmir, including the Mughals, who ruled from 1526 until 1751, then the Afghan Durrani Empire that ruled from 1747 until 1820. That year, the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh, annexed Kashmir. In 1846, upon the purchase of the region from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar, the Dogras—under Gulab Singh—became the new rulers. Dogra Rule, under the paramountcy (or tutelage) of the British Crown, lasted until 1947, when the former princely state became a disputed territory, now administered by three countries: India, Pakistan, and the People's Republic of China.

Current status and political divisions
The region is divided among three countries in a territorial dispute: Pakistan controls the northwest portion (Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir), India controls the central and southern portion (Jammu and Kashmir) and Ladakh, and China controls the northeastern portion (Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract). India controls the majority of the Siachen Glacier area including the Saltoro Ridge passes, whereas Pakistan controls the lower territory just southwest of the Saltoro Ridge. India controls 101,338 km2 (39,127 sq mi) of the disputed territory, Pakistan 85,846 km2 (33,145 sq mi) and China, the remaining 37,555 km2 (14,500 sq mi).

Jammu and Azad Kashmir lie outside Pir Panjal range, and are under Indian and Pakistani control respectively. These are populous regions. The main cities are Mirpur, Dadayal, Kotli, Bhimber Jammu, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot.

The Gilgit-Baltistan, formerly called Northern Areas, are a group of territories in the extreme north, bordered by the Karakoram, the western Himalayas, the Pamir, and the Hindu Kush ranges. With its administrative center at the town of Gilgit, the Northern Areas cover an area of 72,971 km² (28,174 mi²) and have an estimated population approaching 1,000,000. The other main city is Skardu.

Ladakh is a region in the east, between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south. Main cities are Leh and Kargil. It is under Indian administration and is part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the area and is mainly inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent.

Aksai Chin is a vast high-altitude desert of salt that reaches altitudes up to 5,000 metres (16,000 ft). Geographically part of the Tibetan Plateau, Aksai Chin is referred to as the Soda Plain. The region is almost uninhabited, and has no permanent settlements.

Though these regions are in practice administered by their respective claimants, neither India nor Pakistan has formally recognised the accession of the areas claimed by the other. India claims those areas, including the area "ceded" to China by Pakistan in the Trans-Karakoram Tract in 1963, are a part of its territory, while Pakistan claims the entire region excluding Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract. The two countries have fought several declared wars over the territory. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 established the rough boundaries of today, with Pakistan holding roughly one-third of Kashmir, and India one-half, with a dividing line of control established by the United Nations. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 resulted in a stalemate and a UN-negotiated ceasefire.

Economy
Kashmir's economy is centred around agriculture. Traditionally the staple crop of the valley was rice, which formed the chief food of the people. In addition, Indian corn, wheat, barley and oats were also grown. Given its temperate climate, it is suited for crops like asparagus, artichoke, seakale, broad beans, scarletrunners, beetroot, cauliflower and cabbage. Fruit trees are common in the valley, and the cultivated orchards yield pears, apples, peaches, and cherries. The chief trees are deodar, firs and pines, chenar or plane, maple, birch and walnut, apple, cherry.

Historically, Kashmir became known worldwide when Cashmere wool was exported to other regions and nations (exports have ceased due to decreased abundance of the cashmere goat and increased competition from China). Kashmiris are well adept at knitting and making Pashmina shawls, silk carpets, rugs, kurtas, and pottery. Saffron, too, is grown in Kashmir. Efforts are on to export the naturally grown fruits and vegetables as organic foods mainly to the Middle East. Srinagar is known for its silver-work, papier mache, wood-carving, and the weaving of silk.

The economy was badly damaged by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake which, as of October 8, 2005, resulted in over 70,000 deaths in the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir and around 1,500 deaths in Indian controlled Kashmir.

The Indian-administered portion of Kashmir is believed to have potentially rich rocks containing hydrocarbon reserves.

Everybody is equal, don't think him/her a Hindu or Muslim. Everyone deserves the right and freedom to be alive. Not govern over the colour of one's skin or religion (which I think is non existence) in this case killing is wrong but we still kill and call each other Muslim or Hindu. I think it is nonsense, a made up illusion


Jammu & Kashmir Flag Azad Kashmir Flag

Documentary video by Pervez Hoodbhoy and Zia Mian;
Copyright Eqbal Ahmad Foundation, 2004



Kashmir is split between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan. They have fought two wars over its control and they claim the territory in entirety.

Divide and Conquer a Nation




Separatist groups have been fighting Indian rule in Kashmir for two decades. New Delhi blames Pakistan for supporting them. Pakistan denies the claim. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict. Ahead of talks between the two countriesin Islamabad this week, Al Jazeera is taking a closer look at the Kashmir conflict. Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri reports from Srinagar about a Hindu minority left homeless by years of fighting. [14 July 2010]

Hindu minority homeless in Kashmir



The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan will meet later this week for talks aimed at restarting frozen peace negotiations. The wide ranging talks are an attempt to rebuild trust between the neighbours, with the longstanding dispute over Kashmir high on the agenda. Ahead of those talks, Aljazeera is taking a closer look at the Kashmir conflict, which has split families for decades. Kamal Hyder reports from Chakoti district in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on a weekly bus service that is helping to bring loved ones separated by the conflict back together. [July 13, 2010]

Kashmir bus service reunites families



Anti-India sentiments run deep in the disputed majority Muslim region, where more than a dozen violent opposition groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Muslim fighters. However, Islamabad denies the charge, saying it only gives moral and diplomatic support to the fighter groups.

There is a real sense of fear that such infiltration attempts might increase in order to derail the two side from talking to each other.

The Indian government has offered an amnesty package in order to woo back fighters who would like to come back from across the border without fear of persecution in India.

Sopore in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri reports

I LOVE A Rainy Night



When it rains on my parade;

I just dance in it.


Yes it is cold and rainy here in the Phoenix desert today. At least I am home to enjoy it. I pray each of you are having a beautiful Sunday, that you are safe and warm, and that you have a "happy heart" for this wonderful Sunday. We are truly blessed.



As always, thank you for stopping by my little piece of heaven, here in the desert that I so love to call home. Country hugs and much love...


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New global battlefield - Food Farms! (Bah. 2/2)


Ini Bahagian 2. Bahagian 1 di sini.


SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN FOOD PRODUCTION

Di penghujung era Dr Mahathir Mohamad menjadi PM, dan semasa Abdullah Badawi, masa tu Datuk Seri, baru jadi PM, mereka ada idea yang sama (ahem, masa tu belum bergaduh lagi).
Mereka berdua cuba untuk menjadikan Malaysia menjadi negara yang tak perlu lagi mengimport banyak barangan makanan.
Menjadi negara self-sufficient dalam makanan. Masa tu, Malaysia mengimport barang makanan RM25 billion setahun - dari gandum ke beras, daging dan ikan.

Rancangan masa itu ialah nak membesarkan ternakan lembu, ayam dan ikan, menggalak penanaman padi dan sayur lagi, dan ladang buah-buahan.
Saya pernah menuju ke Johor apabila Abdullah lancarkan projek nak pelihara lembu, dan ke hujung Selangor (dekat Rawang-Ijok) untuk projek menanam ladang buah-buahan.
Masa tu Effendi Norwawi menjadi Menteri Pertanian. Macam-macam idea dikeluarkan. Saya pun begitu sibuk ikut beliau ke sana dan sini, lancar itu dan ini.
Syiok membuat penulisan tentang agriculture-pertanian ni. Dan interview pekebun tanam water melon dan sayuran. Mereka lebih down-to-earth (quite literally, too!) daripada orang politik yang hari ni cakap gini, esok tukar haluan.
Koridor utara dan timor yang dilancarkannya pun ada idea nak kembangkan sektor pertanian.

Tetapi akhirnya, tak tahulah apa dah jadi kepada projek-projek makanan itu, kerana Tun Abdullah mengalami terlalu banyak masalah politik sehingga tak dapat nak memajukan idea lain.

Sayang.
Ideanya, pada saya, sangat bagus.
Kurangkan belanja, dan jika ada lebih, boleh eksport.
Kini, negara kaya sedang berebut nak tanam itu dan ini agar ada food security.
Welcome to the world of Contract Farming.
Some people say this is Neo-Colonisation = new colonisation = penjajahan era baru, macam dulu orang British, Portugis dan Belanda datang ke sini suruh kita tanam gambir dan getah, mereka bawa pulang ke negara mereka.

Ini laporan yang saya tulis (di akhbar The Straits Times Singapore Sabtu/27Feb).


GAMBAR HIASAN: Penjajahan era baru atau projek membantu negara miskin?


--------------------------------------------------------
Farming is farmed out

By Reme Ahmad
Assistant Foreign Editor

MANUFACTURING is not the only sector being outsourced in these changing economic times. Farming itself is being farmed out.

China, South Korea, India, and some Gulf states including Saudi Arabia have been busy signing deals to ensure that there is food on the table for generations to come.

They are leasing or planning to lease huge tracts of farm land in Africa, Asia and Latin America to plant rice, wheat and other crops which will be shipped home after they are harvested.

According to estimates by the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute last year, the total value of farmland deals signed in recent years, along with those in the pipeline, ranges from US$20 billion (S$28 billion) to US$30 billion.

These outsourced farms cover a total area of about 20 million ha. That adds up to 20 per cent of the entire amount of arable land in the European Union.

Cash-rich countries say that while they keep their own populations fed, such deals provide billions of dollars of funds for poor governments and create jobs in rural economies.

They also gain from infrastructure projects such as roads and ports.

Mr Abdul Rahim Khan, a farmer and general secretary of the Sarhad Chamber of Agriculture in Pakistan, said Gulf companies have signalled interest in the country's farmland.

'There is no risk in it as we will only lease out our lands we are unable to use,' he was quoted as saying by Pakistan's The News daily recently. 'We are not selling out our precious lands to the foreigners.'

Some governments actually canvass for foreign investments in their farmlands. Indonesia, for example, is targeting one of its most remote regions, Papua, for such deals.

But not everyone, including local farmers, are happy with the idea of foreigners coming in to cultivate their land and then shipping the harvest away.

News that Madagascar had agreed to lease about half of its arable land to grow corn for South Koreans caused a backlash. It led to a coup that overthrew the island nation's president last March. The new Madagascar leader promptly scrapped the deal with Daewoo.

In some parts of Africa and Asia, critics are calling this wave of investments 'neo-colonialism', 'new feudalism' or just plain robbery.

The phenomenon was driven partly by the spiralling prices of food in 2008 that made many nations realise their vulnerability to food shortages.

According to a study by a United Nations body, the world's population is expected to jump to 9.1 billion by 2050 from 6.8 billion today - an increase of 34 per cent.

Food supplies will be strained unless more crops are grown. Then there are the issues of water scarcity and climate change to grapple with.

The looming shortages are expected to be aggravated by the practice in some countries to plant crops for biofuel instead of food. Sugar and corn are two examples.

'The inventories of food are the lowest, not in years but in decades. Supply is going to remain down since we have serious production problems,' Mr Jim Rogers, a global investor, was quoted as saying recently by India's Business Standard newspaper.

'At the same time, people are eating more and we are burning some of our foods as fuels.'


TAMBAHAN

Negara dan projek:

  • Egypt runs farms growing corn in Zambia, rice in Niger, and vegetables in Tanzania. Now it plans to grow wheat in Uganda.
  • Pakistan's Board of Investment plans to put about 9.1 million ha of farmland up for lease to foreign countries and companies.
  • An Australian investment group, BKK Partners, says its client is targeting 100,000ha of Cambodian land to grow rice, bananas, sugar cane, palm oil and teak. Investments worth US$600 million (S$847 million) planned.
  • Jordan is planning a joint grain venture with Kazakhstan, involving US$50 million in investments.
  • Investment group Saudi Star is eyeing 350,000ha in Ethiopia to plant rice, maize, sugar cane and oilseeds.
  • Indonesia is targeting 1.6 million ha on Papua island for agriculture projects.
  • Libya is planning farmland projects worth US$500 million in Brazil.
  • United Arab Emirates' Minerals Energy Commodities Holdings is in talks to lease 100,000ha of farmland in Kalimantan, where the company has a railway and coal project worth about US$1 billion.




  • HOLI- A FESTIVAL SHOWERING COLOURS!


    THE SEASON OF SPRING!

    28th,February

    Sunday!

    6p.m

    Dear Friends,

    Good Evening!I had written a post on Holi,last year in March,2009 named Rang Barse.The new readers of sincerely yours may read the same for detailed information.

    Holi is a spring festival celebrated on the full moon day in March with lot of enthusiasm by Hindus,Sikha,Jains and Buddhists.The festival signifies the arrival of spring,end of cold winter days and the beginning of the summer.It's a major festival specially in North India.It's the time of the year when everything around is filled with vibrant colours.The sounds of playfulness and laughter surround the air.

    It's festival time once again!The splash of colour and the chill of water gushing over us is the thrill of one of the most enjoyable times.In India,celebrations never cease.India is a beautiful country with its multiple traditions,cultures,races and religions.We are celebrating one of the most eventful occasions,tomorrow-Holi.

    On the eve of Holi,the traditional bonfire is lit.The effigy of Holi begins at midnight when we burn the effigy of Holika,the demoness who had tried to kill a devotee of Lord Vishnu.We let go of our negative emotions like jealousy,anger and revengence in the fire.Early morning some people apply the ash and take a bath.After that we greet each other with colour.It's fun to play around in colours and get everyone wet.Everyone forgets the fights and differences and get together in one spirit.
    Water balloons and the 'pichkaris' are a common sight as weapons of mass celebration.Those who love colour play and enjoy a time of mischief and merriment and those who don't engage in the revelry of Holi have their own kind of adventure,hiding and dodging from the multicoloured attack.

    Holi is a time to celebrate,a time to celebrate, atime to colour people with the same colours reflected in nature during the time of spring when everything comes into bloom!:)

    Once Krishna complained to Yeshodha that Radha is fair and Krishna is black in colour.To make little Kannan happy,Yeshoda splashed different bright colours on him.this is the story behind putting colours on each other.

    Let's make the forthcoming days fileld with fun and colours!

    The markets are abuzz with activity in the form of vendorsof selling colours,spray guns known as pichkari in Hindi[water balloons].

    Friends,play Holi safe.please don't waste water.Remember to use full length clothes to cover maximum parts of the body.Do not wear contact lenses while playing Holi.Rinse all colours from the skin after playing Holi using warm water and moisturising soap.

    It's Anu signing off.........

    Water and colour everywhere,not a friend is spared!

    Holi doesn't know the age bar.Let's rock,friends!Tell me which colour have you chosen for me?:)

    Wishing all of you a bright and beautiful Holi,

    Reminding Anu loves you dil se,

    Praying for laughter and cheer in your lives,

    Enjoy the full moon!It's simply amazing and the night turns into romantic!:)


    I'm sure you will enjoy the video!

    Sasneham,

    Anu

    Saturday, February 27, 2010

    Saturday TastyLinks!

     
     

    This morning I woke up and there was a bunny rabbit and a squirrel under our bird feeder together.  How cute is that?!  I guess with all of the snow, there aren't many snacks to be had.  I snapped a few pics and then caught them in mid-flight when Mrs. Fellerbee went outside.  Not that Mrs. Fellerbee could be bothered with chasing bunnies or squirrels, she didn't even bother with the mice that invaded our house...twice.  In fact I think I caught her waving a paw good morning to them as they scampered across the kitchen floor.  She's perhaps the world's laziest terrier.

    A bit thank you to the folks from CraftCrave for all of the Linky Love.  

    Here are this week's links from the Crafty Blogger's Gang:

    The Crochet Dude
    Drew reveals his favorite cookbooks and answers 8 important questions. 

    The Artful Crafter
    Eileen shares directions for making flowers from fabric scraps or from paper coffee filters.

    Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
    Mixed Media Greeting Card Album using embellishment ideas from the book The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook by Sherry Steveson 

    Mixed Media Artist
    Cyndi tried having some custom-printed fabrics made, and she learned a lot in the process.

    Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
    Make a fab mixed media journal cover with Madge in this week's post for iLoveToCreate! 

    Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
    Organization in her creative space isn't Linda's forte, so check out a "before" shot. Any ideas on getting her craft room organized are welcome--post a comment with your ideas.

    Crafty Princess Diaries
    Looking for a little crafting encouragement? Tammy found it through an Etsian jewelry designer. 

    Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
    At Craftside there is tutorial on turning a box into a book, how to paint a bunny rabbit and carrot Chinese brush style, putting words on a spoon and a sneak peek into the new book 1000 ideas from 100 Fashion Designers with my own fashion star sighting.

    Cathie Filian
    Turn a hardware store washer into a papered necklace with Cathie's tutorial. 

    Aileen's Musings
    Come journey with Aileen along her creative process as she transforms a paper napkin into 3 whimsical pieces of art!

    About Family Crafts
    Sherri challenges you to create your own leprechaun trap. Use her tips and the photos that have been submitted so far for inspiration. 

    Chile kena gempa scala 8.8! Ada tsunami!

    Perbandingan:
    - Haiti baru-baru ini skala 7; 220,000 maut sebab ia berlaku dekat dengan darat.
    - Di Padang, Sumatra tahun lalu, 7.6. Beberapa ratus orang mati.
    - Gempa-tsunami Aceh, Sumatra pada 2004 ialah 9.3; 230,000 orang mati di 14 negara.


    Di Chile (mereka waktu malam sekarang).
    Dah kena gempa skala 8.8, kena aftershock 5.6 pula. Adoi.
    Sejauh ini hanya enam mati. Tapi ini maklumat awal.
    Mengejutkan: bangunan bergegar kira-kira 1 setengah minit. Tentu banyak yang roboh.

    Tetapi yang mengagumkan saya ialah: Hanya beberapa jam selepas kejadian, ramai orang Chile dah hantar Twitter, email dan telefon beritahu apa yang mereka nampak - di BBC di sini.

    Seperti kecoh demonstrasi dan pembunuhan oleh pemerintah di Iran tahun lalu dan juga di Myanmar, pemerintah mana pun kini dah tak boleh sembunyi lagi! Semuanya akan keluar melambak-lambak!

    Ini satu warning juga untuk negara seperti Singapore yang suka nak kekang maklumat. Pilihanraya Umum di Singapore mesti diadakan pada awal tahun 2012, tapi ramai menjangkakan ianya akan dipanggil antara Jun-Disember tahun ini.

    Friday, February 26, 2010

    Talk About A Glamorous Pink Saturday...

    Good morning "Pinkies" and welcome to my Pink Saturday post.

    As always, please thank the beautiful Ms Beverly at
    How Sweet The Sound for organizing and hosting this fabulous event, each and every Saturday.

    Please remember to go and check out her blog, and see the complete list of Pink Saturday "Pinkie" participants, and take the time to go and visit some of them. You will find the pinkest of "Pinkies" right here at Pink Saturday.






    Ooh-La-La!! I love Paris. I see Paris in my mind everyday. If I could have one trip in my lifetime, Paris would be that trip. This is me below, yep Paris. Siggghhhhh!



    See, I told you I love Paris. Here I am, in my mind seeing the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and guess what Ms Beverly it is pink. Yes pink (in my mind ofcourse, a girl can dream right?) I even put on my pink dress gloves for Pink Saturday.






    Here are a few more pictures of Paris in pink ofcourse. We are celebrating Pink Saturday.



    Now recently while out blog hopping I found a blog, just the cutest darn place, and this special blogger, oh my she quilts beautifully, and she also designs and sews bags. Yes she sews them and quilts them. Bags of all kinds. All one of a kind, orginals, that is right no two are alike. Each an original Mag's Bags. Well, while browsing I spotted one with the Eiffel Tower (you know Paris, my dream place ofcourse), and I e-mailed this blogger right away. This special gal, her name is Maggey Witt and her blog is The Quilting Couple. (The other half of the couple would be Jim). This is Maggey:



    If you click on Maggey's picture above, it will take you to a post she recently posted showcasing just a few of her bags. She is so reasonably priced and she does exquisite work. Below I am going to share my exquisite purchase. Now let me tell you, the bag I fell in love with was not quite large enough, soooo, yep you guessed it, Maggey to the rescue. Not only did she give me the Eiffel Tower "pinkies", not only did I get pink, but I also got quilted polka dots, look at the beaded fringe along the top of the Eiffel tower. Notice the little metal heart she added, as I do love Paris. Is this not the most exquisite detailed bag ever? Now this is just the front side.




    If you've picked yourself up after gazing at this side, I have got to show you the back. Now let me explain, Maggey does not usually do the back of the bags, but this was a special order I requested, so you too, would need to make arrangements with Maggey if you wanted this done. Maggey spent some time looking at my blog, and saw my shoe button. We decided this would be the crowning glory for the back of my bag. Again look at the detail that she does. Ta-Da:




    Inside (I could not get good photos, but I have a cell phone pocket, a pencil/pen pocket on one side, and two more pockets on the opposite side.) I so love this bag. Maggey it is exquisite, just like you. I so love it. I would highly recommend anyone interested in a quality bag to take a look at Maggey's blog and check out what she has to offer. If you see something you like, she can give you the prices, but I promise it is the fairest and most reasonable for the quality that I have seen in a very long time. You won't be sorry. Who wouldn't like carrying a one of a kind original "MAG'S BAGS"? I know I sure do.




    I hope you have enjoyed my pink post with my newest addition to my wardrobe. As always, thank you for stopping by my little piece of heaven here in the desert, that I so love to call home. Country hugs...

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    ARE YOU A GIFT?

    27th,February,2010
    Saturday
    9a.m
    Dear Friends,
    Good Morning!
    The sun is bright.The morning is fresh.My sparrows are chirping.The pigeons are pecking the grains.The crows too joined them.
    I am so happy that you supported for an emotional stability and your prayers and positive energy helped Praveena,my friend to enjoy life once again as her prince charming came back to her.Thank you soooooo much. When love is in the air,the world is happy.

    There was a competition of exhibits on Science Day and I was the team leader.There was proper planning and the suitable materials were collected.the articles and the pictures and the decorations won us the first prize.:)hard work leads to success.we were awarded the prize-infront of a large audience.There are reasons to smile.

    I had plans to write on an other topic for today's post.But then one morning mail received, letting me know that I am a gift as a friend made me change the topic.;)

    My day is made and there is a broad smile on my face now.I had just fed the birds and here's a beautiful picture attached with the maiL.It is the one given on the top!my sparrows!wow!

    Friends,

    Take time to think today,

    When you have enough free time,

    When we are celebrating the festival,

    The festival of colours-Holi.

    When we burn all the negative feelings,
    Please ask yourself,''Am I a gift?''

    We are different and special for a reason,

    We are a gift to the world.

    We survive better as we are different.

    Often we do look for reasons to live,

    Then trust me,you are a gift.

    You have a lot to give to the world,

    To your family and friends.

    The kind and good words,

    The smile that we can cause,

    The kind gesture yet to do,

    The love yet to shower,

    The walks still to go for,

    The care not yet given
    The time still to give,

    To share the simple happenings of life.

    Why do you wait and what for?

    Please give as effectively as possible.

    I believe,I can heal the hurting mind;

    I learn to value who I am

    Reach out to a person who needs me,

    Unless we learn to love ourselves,

    We can't love others

    We can't force someone into loving

    Give space and love will grow.

    Don't wait for the world to reach you,

    The strength is within us,

    We will be optimistic spreading cheer,

    Someone somewhere waits for us.

    Recognize it and move forward.

    It's time now to make sure,

    The right things are done.

    It does make a difference if we take alittle care.

    We are blessed and we will be a blessing!

    Be a gift and not just the beautiful wrapper.

    Frends,believe and make others believe,

    We are a gift!

    Whisper it soft,shout it loud

    Our future is in our hands!

    As a team we must work together to make this world a better place to live in!

    If we all joined hands,there's possiblities unbound,

    To leave the world a place that's better than we found.

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

    And Happy Holi,

    It's Anu signing off...........

    It is never late.Bright be the road you are walking,

    Light be the load you are carrying,

    Sweet be the home you are staying.

    Anu loves one and all,

    Happy and relaxing weekend,

    Sasneham,

    Anu

    and you are that GIFT

    How to Write and Publish a Craft Book Part 1


    People often ask me how to go about writing a how-to craft book and getting it published. I do have some information about this on my website in the Fun (Mostly) Facts section. I'm working on a new proposal so I figured I'd give you a window in the process. We'll see if this book sells and if it does I'll share the journey. If it doesn't, we'll talk about why. I won't share my actual designs or ideas though. Lesson one: keep your cards close to your chest.

    A book proposal starts with a series of big ideas. I like to have about three or four general concepts/topics to present to my publisher and we narrow it down to something they think has legs. If you don't already have a publisher, you need to fully develop an idea into a presentation or a pitch and do a 'blind query.' That's how I sold my first book. Start by doing some research. See what kinds of books are on the market and what books are selling well. Go to the big box craft chains and book stores to see what's on the shelves and what has prominent placement. That should tell you what's selling. Try to glean a sense of overall trend based on the publications in your forum and what's hot in the related blogs and places like Etsy. Now think about what you can add to the conversation. What kind of a book isn't there on the topics that are selling well? What audience isn't being reached that might be receptive to the message? That's your proposal. Pick a publisher that reflects your style and go to their website to see what they want for a query, do exactly what they ask of you. Nothing annoys editors more than people who can't follow basic directions.

    My most sage advice is: Don't annoy the editor. As a former editor I can attest to the fact that I stopped working with people who annoyed me no matter how talented they were. Be savvy, not flaky. You're not a biscuit.

    Making a how-to book is all about picking a target reader and giving them information they can really use in a format that is clear, concise and hopefully entertaining. If it's too pedantic, it won't stand out on the shelves. No one likes to read stereo instructions...or boring how-to books. You need to find an angle that is unique, but not so far from center that the publishers are going to be afraid to take a risk on it. I have personally noticed that the best selling craft books seem to be focused on one thing, like wire or knots or PMC or collage or journaling or metalsmithing. So make sure whatever you do, your title has a focus and a voice. I tend to the pu pu platter approach because I'm restless and impatient and I hate doing the same thing for too long, but I'm cracking the whip and doing a focused concept this round.

    You do not need to write the entire book before you propose it, the publisher will want to work with you to develop a concept they know will sell. I start with the title, the introduction and a chapter breakdown. This helps me to organize and fine tune the book concept in my mind before diving in. I like to come up with a clever title that also clearly states what the book is about. The Impatient Beader...it evokes an immediate visceral response right? Don't get too attached to your title though, because the publisher may change it. I decide what 's going in the front matter, the focus of each chapter, the number of projects based on their complexity and the standard how-to book length and the number of variations. I create samples that show a cross section of what the book is going to be about. I also visualize the book and the layout and try to give them a sense of what I'm seeing up front. That being said, they get to design the book. If you're just starting out, you'll also need to create a chapter header and a sample set of instructions, they need to get a sense of your personality and the vibe of your book. Most publishers have detailed information about what they want in a proposal on their website. My publisher has a form they like folks to fill out.

    Generally what the publishers want to know from you is:
    1. What makes your book unique? Why should we buy it?
    2. Who is your target audience and why do you think they'd want this book?
    3. What sort of audience have you cultivated? Do you have an online presence? What are your blog stats, Facebook fans/followers, website stats?

    (If you don't have a website, blog and a Facebook page, I think that you really need them before you propose a book...although a successful Etsy shop could get your foot in the door, not having an interractive online presence means you won't have a platform for promotion and it's mostly up to you to promote your book. You can't rely on the publisher.)

    4.What makes you an expert in this particular medium or field? Have you been published and if so, where and how often? Why should we work with you?

    Let me just state for the record as someone who has published 5 craft books and is ready to publish her 6th that you aren't going to make a fortune on craft books unless you can self publish and you have a very large niche audience willing to buy your book. You will hopefully negotiate a decent contract and make a nice little royalty egg twice a year along with your advances, but it's about how you parlay that prestige into other paying opportunities that will help pay the bills. Don't go into this thinking that selling one how-to book will be enough to quit your day job, because it won't. Believe me.

    I'm going to propose my next book soon and if it (hopefully) sells, we'll take the next steps together. If not, I'll pitch another idea until I get one that sticks! I have contacted my editor and we've selected a topic she thinks will appeal to the publisher. I have six out of ten samples created, an introduction and chapter breakdowns. Today I'm working on more samples and fine tuning my concept...wish me luck!

    Cheers,
    Madge

    Thursday, February 25, 2010

    History and Future of Mankind - Jordan Maxwell Interview


    Jordan Maxwell interviewed by Project Camelot which covers areas of Secret Society, Occult Philosophies and ufology since 1959. His work is not only fascinating to explore, but too important to ignore.

    Visit his web site: Jordan Maxwell

    Jordan Maxwell interviewed by Project Camelot

    New global battlefield - Food Farms! (Bah. 1/2)

    (*Tajuk melayu - Medan perjuangan baru - Ladang Makanan.
    (Tajuk saja bahasa mat salleh, heehee. Tapi nanti Bah 2/2 ada citer dalam bahasa Inggeris yang saya tulis).

    LADANG SAWIT MALAYSIA

    Apabila penanaman kelapa sawit di Malaysia menjadi semakin popular kira-kira 15 tahun lalu, para eksekutif syarikat besar, termasuk Golden Hope dan Kumpulan Guthrie (kini telah dikawin paksa; kerja bodoh) berhadapan masalah besar: macam mana nak teruskan business yang sedang membangun pesat ni.

    Tanah di Malaysia, walaupun besau jika dipandang dari pulau kecik Temasek, tak cukup jika nak ditanam ladang sawit yang besar-besar (gede, kata orang Jawa).

    Sawit ni laku seluruh dunia sebab ia minyak makanan lebih sihat dari jagung, soybean dan minyak-minyak lain. Harganya pun berpatutan di pasaran dunia. India dan Pakistan (dan kini Cina) adalah antara negara yang banyak makan sawit Malaysia. Juga digunakan untuk membuat aiskrim, kosmetik, coklat.

    Maka akhirnya, banyak syarikat Malaysia mengembangkan ladang sawit ke Indonesia - di Kalimantan dan Sumatra, kerana sawit mesti ditanam tak jauh dari Equator/Khatulistiwa kerana cuaca dan hujan.
    Jika tidak tak hidup. Sawit mesti ditanam 10 degrees di atas atau di bawah Equator. Baca di sini di bawah tajuk Palm Oil Production.

    Hanya 10 tahun lalu, Malaysia ialah pengeluar minyak sawit terbesar di dunia. Tetapi kerana pelaburan besar ladang-ladang di Indonesia, kini Indonesia dah take over sebagai penjual sawit No.1 di dunia. Malaysia tukar tempat dan kini di tempat kedua. (Sebab itu jangan selalu nak gaduh dengan jiran - sebab hidup kita saling perlu-memerlukan).

    Di bawah ini - cerita yang saya tulis pada 2006 tentang pengembangan industri sawit Malaysia ke Indonesia. Tapi itu cerita lama, tentunya data dah bertukar.
    Cuma yang saya nak jelaskan ialah Malaysia ni ada power kalau nak tembusi pasaran luar negara! Malaysia terus boleh! Nak kembangkan sayap luar (external economic wing) untuk terus makmurkan negara.


    KRISIS MAKANAN 2007-2008

    Tapi sawit ni cerita lain. Kesian Pak Mat dan Datin Piah baru nak minum kopi baca cerita sawit tulisan saya, tersedak. Cerita sebenar saya hari ini ialah perlunya negara-negara kaya dan yang tak banyak tanah pertanian (Singapore, Malaysia samalah tu) perlu mengembangkan Ladang Makanan (Food Farms) ke luar negeri!

    Kita semua (satu dunia) hampir padah pada 2007-2008 apabila krisis harga makanan terjadi dulu. Sampai jadi huru-hara di banyak negara miskin sebab harga barang makanan melonjak. Antara sebabnya ialah harga minyak terlalu tinggi, global warming-cuaca El Nino yang mengurangkan pengeluaran makanan (harvest of crops). Baca di sini.

    Juga, kerana ladang banyak ditukar untuk mengeluarkan bio-fuel - jagung/corn, sawit dan gula/cane sugar ditanam bukan untuk dijadikan makanan, tetapi untuk dimasukkan dalam enjin kereta sebanyak minyak.

    Malaysia dan Singapore pun ada memajukan idea bio-fuel ini. Tetapi kini ramai dah taubat - bahawa jika kita tanam pokok makanan kerana syiok nak naik kereta, mungkin dunia boleh mati kelaparan. Kerana ladang bio-fuel crops ni mesti luas - satu Borneo tu tak cukup. Maklumlah anda nak hidupkan kereta BMW atau Porsche anda, kan banyak pakai minyak tu.

    Kerana krisis makanan itu, banyak negara dah sedar: Food Security is just as important as physical security. Orang tak payah datang bom kamu atau rosakkan ekonomi kamu dengan sabotaj dalaman. Jika harga makanan di dunia tinggi, rakyat kamu akan mengamuk dan tumbangkan kamu. Dan negara boleh kocar-kacir.

    Maka timbullah istilah agak baru sekarang ini - "farmland grab". Perebutan negara-negara kaya di dunia nak membeli atau menyewa/lease tanah di negara miskin nak tanam padi, wheat/gandum (nak buat roti canai), jagung, sayur, buah-buahan.

    Kalau negara kita (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei - apa khabar Pak Karim) tak lakukan benda yang sama, atau sekurang-kurangnya sedar tentang Food Security ini, mungkin kita akan tewas dan boleh ditumbangkan oleh orang asing atau petualang dalaman apabila harga makanan naik mendadak lagi.

    Baca cerita-cerita di sini - farmlandgrab.org - click laporan akhbar dunia mengenai isu ini. Dan juga baca cerita beras/jagung/gandum di grain.org.

    Saya kena buat research benda ini dua hari lepas. Ooi, takut info yang saya terbaca. Negara Saudi, Korea, Jepun, negara Arab lain (negara padang pasir) dah banyak menyewa/lease tanah di negara miskin nak tanam food crops. Di Ethiopia, Niger, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, dan kini Indonesia pun nak buka tanah di Papua untuk dijadikan food farms.

    OK dulu, baca citer sawit dan pengembangan syarikat Malaysia ke Indonesia.

    Saya tulis ni dulu semasa musim panas bulan puasa dan jerebu sekali lagi menghala ke Singapore dan Malaysia, dan orang ramai mula marah. "Kenapa Indonesia ni selalu gitu?". Maka saya pun korek siapa yang empunya ladang sawit di Sumatra dan Kalimantan.
    Ouch rupa-rupanya banyak syarikat Malaysia.
    Kalau tak ngantuk, nanti di Bah 2/2 citer saya tentang Food Farms ni pula.

    Ingat ya: Ini tahun 2006, masa tu Malaysia masih No.1 pengeluar sawit. Kini Indonesia No.1 sebab walaupun ladang milik Malaysia, pengeluaran di negara lain dikira hasil negara itu.

    Yang syiok lepas tulis citer di bawah ni ada dua - satu, bos saya gembira sebab banyak data baru dikeluarkan. Dua, ada mat salleh palm oil player telefon saya bertanya - banyak betul maklumat syarikat Malaysia yang ada ladang di Indonesia. Dia kata dia pun tak pernah dapat data seperti itu. Di mana saya dapat? Saya kata mudah 'bang - Saya baca semua Annual Report mereka dan saya telefon syarikat yang tak ada data itu. Juga ada rakan di sebuah brokerage saham yang membuat research tentang sawit.

    ------------------------------------------------------

    Don’t blame us, say Malaysian firms
    Palm oil companies operating in Indonesia claim zero-burning policy
    Publication: The Straits Times, 21 October 2006

    Picture Caption: WHOSE FAULT?: A worker carries palm tree seedlings near burning wood on the Seberida plantation in Indragiri Hulu on Sumatra. Malaysian firms blame local Indonesian farmers for setting off the fires.

    By REME AHMAD, Malaysia Bureau Chief

    Kuala Lumpur: OIL palm plantations are now fighting the perception that they are in a large part responsible for the haze which blights the region every year.

    Malaysian officials and companies that operate in Indonesia have denied all responsibility, saying that the haze is caused by poor farmers using fire to clear land near their plantations. They say Malaysian firms in Indonesia have a “zero burning” policy, the same as in Malaysia since 2000.

    “When smallholders burn their land, the fires often intrude into our area,” said a senior official of a Malaysian company which has operations in Kalimantan. “No one can stop them as there is little enforcement in remote areas.”

    Ample land and cheap labour have attracted big Malaysian plantation companies to Indonesia since 2000.

    Today, there are 34 Malaysian plantation companies in Indonesia which together lease about 700,000ha of land – slightly larger than the area of Singapore. This, of course, is reasonably small compared to the 4.1 million hectares in Malaysia which have oil palm plantations on them.

    “Our companies went abroad for land which is cheaper and lower labour costs. Indonesia is also very near compared to, say, investing in Africa,” said an official at the Palm Oil Board, a government agency that promotes the industry.Indonesia has 6 million hectares of oil palm plantations.

    So the bulk of the palm plantations there are in the hands of Indonesians. Malaysians are in second place with 12 per cent of the land, about half of which is yet to be planted. There is a smattering of other foreign players, including some from Britain.

    Malaysia is the world’s largest palm oil producer, with 15 million tonnes of crude palm oil produced last year. It is also the only place in the world for trading in palm oil futures.

    Last year, Malaysia’s export revenue from palm oil products was RM28.6 billion (S$12.2 billion), the biggest foreign exchange earner after manufacturing, tourism and petroleum and gas.

    Indonesia is the second biggest producer, with 13.3 million tonnes of crude palm oil produced in 2005. Industry players say Indonesia is set to become the world’s biggest producer in the next few years as more of its trees mature and bear more fruit.

    But Malaysian planters have not exhausted their expansion plans. Golden Hope Plantations, for instance, has about 30,000ha on long-term lease in Kalimantan. Its group chief executive, Datuk Sabri Ahmad, said in the company’s latest annual report that it plans to increase its holdings to 100,000ha over the next few years.

    Malaysia and Indonesia together supply about 75 per cent of the palm oil products consumed globally. The near monopoly is easily maintained as the plants require a wet tropical climate and temperatures of between 24 deg C and 32 deg C. This means they can be grown only at latitudes of up to 10 degrees above or below the equator. Other parts of the world with oil palms are in Africa and South America, near the equator.

    Kumpulan Guthrie was the first big Malaysian planter to move into Indonesia in 2000. It was quickly followed by others. “The initial investments are heavy as you have to build roads and mills, and plant the land. But after a few years you get good returns,” said an industry official.

    Palm oil is used in cooking oil and a variety of products from ice creams to cosmetics. It is also finding new use as an alternative fuel to run engines – a trend that will result in more land being cleared to house ever-bigger plantations.

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    Major players

    THERE are 34 Malaysian palm oil companies with operations in Indonesia.

    They lease a total of about 700,000ha of land. About 60 per cent of this has been planted.

    The following are the big Malaysian players in Indonesia:

    - PPB Group (283,200ha)

    - PNB’s Kumpulan Guthrie (216,900ha)

    - Asiatic Development (98,300ha)

    - KL Kepong (40,470ha)

    - PNB’s Golden Hope (30,000ha)

    - TSH Resources (12,000ha)

    (By REME AHMAD)



    Don't speculate, panic or 'politicise'!

    I wrote this on straitstimes.com Blog.
    See here.


    THREE terms should be banned from the dictionaries of politicians and officials, especially in this part of the world. They are:
    1. Don't speculate.
    2. Don't panic.
    3. Don't politicise.

    1. Don't speculate!

    I was reminded of this infamous trio of terrible terms after reading about a fire at a 200-year old temple in Terengganu in Malaysia.
    The Terengganu police said he was told by the fire brigade that the fire was started when a lit joss stick fell to the floor. There was nothing to suggest otherwise.
    But coming so soon after a series of attacks on churches, mosques and a Sikh temple, there must have been rumours about the "actual" cause of fire.

    So in no time at all, Terengganu police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan said: "Police investigation showed that there was no criminal element or sabotage or mischief involved, so I hope that the people of Terengganu will accept this as something that happened on its own.
    "I don't want any speculation on elements of sabotage, race or religion," he said.

    The media headline of course simply said: "Don't speculate over temple fire - police".

    But saying "don't speculate" will actually have the opposite effect. It tells the public that whatever the official explanation given for an event, there are many other people who disbelieve this.
    And so the kayporter (kaypo reporter) in all of us will start calling around to find out the alternative explanations!


    2. Don't panic!

    Another infamous term is of course 'don't panic'. I have seen Singaporean and other officials around the world saying this when H1N1 flu and SARS broke out, and at the height of the financial crisis last year.
    Of course, saying "don't panic" is a strong signal to the public that something big is happening. And so, PLEASE do panic.

    The signal that these words send is that many people are already NEAR panic, so what are you doing at the kitchen table sharing chicken pie with your pet dog?

    As an example, just two months ago on the eve of 2010, the Bali governor said there was an indication of a terrrorist attack on the holiday island.
    The US Embassy in Indonesia promptly relayed the information on its website. The embassy said the Bali Tourism Board had widely distributed the governor's message, which added: "Please don't panic, but put your security system to full alert".
    You can bet that many people stayed away from Bali's hot pubs on the eve of Jan 1 and the following nights.


    3. Don't politicise an issue!

    This term, often used by politicians everywhere - "don't politicise" an issue - is more difficult to talk about.
    Do they mean the issue is outside the realm of politics, so should not be talked about? Or do they mean that bringing it into politics will trivialise an important issue?
    Or is it the other way round? A trivial issue becomes important because one "politicises" it?

    My take is this: A politician is saying his foe should not bring a particular issue into politics. Only HE could do that, not others!
    Because, really, which issue is not "politicised" these days? Which issue is so far out that it cannot be linked to politics at all?

    - Religion? (In these days of political Islam, the Christian right and Hindu activists?)

    - Education? (Foreigners will have to pay more to put their children in Singapore schools)

    - The Internet? (Look at issues concerning Google in China)

    - High-tech equipment? (Look at the GT200 bomb devices in Thailand and submarines in Malaysia)

    What I do find intriguing is when a politician, with all seriousness, tells another NOT to politicise an issue; is he kidding anyone?

    SO the next time you see a headline saying Don't Speculate, twitter friends to ask what is REALLY happening out there.
    If someone says, Don't Panic, put on your jogging shoes and run for the exits.
    And when someone says Don't Politicise something, look very closely at him; he might have just landed from Mars.

    Free Mixed Media Jewelry Project: Crocheted Wire and Crystal Necklace for Beadalon

    Crocheted Wire and Crystal Necklace Copyright 2009 Margot Potter for Beadalon

    I taught a class at CHA on basic bead embellished wire crochet, with a twist. I figured out how to add beads without having to have them loaded on the wire and slide them up for every stitch, because that is far too tedious for this impatient crafter.  I've taken this idea in a lot of directions since I proposed this class and I'm really excited to finally share this simple technique with you. This project is posted in the Beadalon Blog today with full instructions, so I'm sharing the pics of the project here.  Just follow this link to get the instructions!


    Until next time...craft on with your bad selves.

    Cheers,
    Madge

    Wednesday, February 24, 2010

    Ekonomi Malaysia-Temasek pulih. Bagus, tapi....

    Kita bersyukur ekonomi dah pulih. Dah keluar dari recession, kemelesetan.
    Tetapi jangan melonjak dulu, saudara dan permaisuri. Ada beberapa perkara yang membimbangkan saya.
    Walau kita rasa lega - baik saudara di Malaysia walaupun saya di Temasek, yang mana ekonominya juga dah pulih - apa beberapa tanda menunjukkan api lilin ini belum mantap. Bila-bila masa angin meleset boleh tiup kembali, terus padamkan api.
    Jadi saya kurang selesa dengan announcement kerajaan Malaysia bahawa semuanya dah AOK.
    Pada saya lebih baik buat pengumuman lebih berhati-hati.
    Saya tak kata kerajaan salah, cuma khuatir jika ekonomi go-stan balik nanti, orang kata kerajaan tak cekap membuat bacaan ekonomi, hanya semata-mata nak dapat point politik.

    Di syarikat saya sendiri, gaji kami dipotong dari 2 hingga 8 peratus pada April tahun lalu apabila ekonomi dunia mula masuk longkang. Jika gaji kamu rendah, tahap office girl atau security guard, kena potong 2 peratus.
    Pangkat marketing manager atau editor kena 8 peratus.
    CEO kena potong gaji 10 peratus.

    Dan bulan lalu, apabila surat gaji tahunan 2010 dikeluarkan, kami diberitahu bahawa SPH hanya memulangkan/restore SETENGAH saja gaji yang dipotong dulu, bukan sepenuhnya.
    Maksudnya gaji kami masih kena potong dari 1 hingga 4 peratus.
    Nak sejukkan hati, kami diberi duit sagu hati agar jika dicampur bonus - sangat tipis tahun ini - taklah seteruk sangat. Ada bonus lagi tu dah bagus!
    Dan pemerintah Singapore pun menyatakan bahawa walaupun ekonomi kian pulih, jaga-jaga! Mungkin masuk longkang kembali kerana ekonomi Singapore - seperti Malaysia, China, Thailand, Philippines dan banyak lagi - bergantung kepada perdagangan luar (import-export). Bukan ekonomi tertutup seperti Myanmar, Indonesia dan India, yang mana jika ada global economic crisis pun, mereka AOK.

    Dalam akhbar The Star ada ditulis kenapa ekonomi mungkin lemah kembali di seluruh dunia yang akan menjejas Malaysia, Singapore ni - baca di sini. Jika anda miss, baca ni -

    - The data showed that Government spending had been integral to the expansion of the economy in Q4 and several economists were cautious of growth prospects this year, especially in the second-half when the impact of the stimulus measures recedes and a jobless recovery loomed over the Group of 7 economies.
    - "Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Azrul Azwar said the rate of growth would most likely continue into the first half of 2010 but could slow down after that as global recovery was affected by the unwinding of stimulus measures.
    - “When the unwinding begins, there may be questions over how sustainable growth can be while the stubbornly high unemployment in the US and the euro-zone will translate to weak consumer demand that will affect Asia’s manufacturers,” he said.
    - RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd economist Peck Boon Soon said any recovery in jobs in the developed economies, crucial to export-reliant economies in Asia, would be gradual.
    “Job growth in the US is slowly expanding. Businesses will hire temporary workers first as they see the economic prospects improving before they hire on a permanent basis,” he said.

    --------------------------------------------------------
    CAKAP MUDAH

    PARA 1 YANG SAYA TUKIL - Ekonomi Malaysia (seperti ekonomi Singapore) diselamatkan kerana kerajaan mengeluarkan belanja besar/pump-priming/stimulus measures agar ekonomi tidak terus kuncup. Negara banyak mengeluarkan barangan elektronik seperti microchips untuk dipasang dalam handphone, komputer, kereta, peti ais dan sebagainya. Tetapi apabila ekonomi Amerika dan Eropah kuncup kerana krisis kewangan tahun lalu, maka pengeluaran barangan jelas kurang. Orang luar tak beli peti ais, TV, kereta, ekonomi kita terjejas.

    Jadi agar ekonomi tak tenggelam, kerajaan Malaysia dan pemerintah Singapore lancarkan projek-projek pembinaan.
    Di Singapore, depa tambah lif-lif baru kepada blok-blok, buat jalanraya atau renovate bangunan pemerintah dan buat lagi banyak blok perumahan. Dan syarikat diberi lebih geran training pekerja yang banyak, agar pekerja yang dah tak banyak kerja boleh terus belajar, tidak kena retrench.
    Sama juga di banyak negara lain, semua ada stimulus measures. Di Amerika pun!

    PARA 2 - Kawan saya, Azrul, berkata apabila "unwinding of stimulus measures" berlaku, jaga-jaga. Para ekonomi ni bila dia cakap, action. Gunakan big words.
    Kata mudah - apabila pemerintah di seluruh dunia, termasuk Malaysia dan Singapore, BERHENTIKAN mengepam wang, barulah kita tahu sama ada ekonomi ni kukuh ke tidak. Pastinya akan perlahan dulu.
    Apabila pemerintah dah tak kasi duit buat projek dan lebuhraya, adakah private sektor akan teruskan pembinaan?
    Adakah orang Amerika dan Eropah akan terus membeli microchips dan minyak dan kelapa sawit pengeluaran Malaysia dengan harga lama? Ini juga belum tahu lagi.

    PARA 3 - Adakah yang akan berlaku ialah "weak consumer demand"? Maksudnya, pada pertengahan tahun karang, adakah orang di Amerika dan Eropah - ratusan ribu dah kena retrench dan terpaksa gadai rumah dan kereta - akan mempunyai kekuatan ekonomi (dah dapat kerja balik? gaji setinggi dulu?) untuk membeli TV set, washing machines, kereta dan sebagainya yang menggunakan microchips buatan Malaysia-Singapore ni? Belum tahu lagi.

    PARA 4 - Ini terpulang kepada "jobs growth" di negara itu. Kalau masih lemah ekonomi dan tak banyak orang dapat pekerjaan, maka weak consumer demand, ekonomi dunia akan lemah kembali.

    Jadi, memang kita harus terus khuatir.
    Janganlah nak beli kereta baru atau isteri baru dulu. Tunggu hingga June.
    Juga, data foreign direct investment (FDI) belum dikeluarkan. Untuk tahun 2009, masih ada banyak ke syarikat yang nak membina kilang dan melabur di Malaysia? Kita kena tunggu dulu.

    A Chick Bucket For Easter...


    This past Fall I bought 4 paintbuckets at Lowe's to decorate and play with. Well when I opened my craft closet last night I saw the paintbuckets and decided to do something with at least one of them. I covered the paintbucket in burlap. I cut a 6 x 6 piece of muslin with my pinking shears, then took some embroidery thread sewing around the edge, so it would appear sewed on. I took a chicken wire stamp and stamped the muslin. Then I embroidered two chick feet for the chick, just placed the feet about where I wanted the chick to be on the bucket.


    I then cut a chick from yellow felt (stitching around the edges of the chick to give it a sewed look), cut a fabric wing (I also stitched around the edge of it) and a beak and glued them onto the muslin. I glued a button at each corner to give it a little country look. Then I took the letters EASTER and inked them, and glued them down the side of the bucket. I also took a piece of ribbon and glued it around the top and the bottom of the bucket.


    For now I filled it with some filler and added some eggs and one of my chocolate bunnies, also sitting one to each side of the bucket. My intention was to fill it with flowers, so I will be looking. It may be gracing my front porch chair to welcome guests, and then again, I have 3 more buckets so who knows?


    This was a fun project. Didn't take a really long time. I love it, and wanted to share it with each of you. As always, thank you for stopping by my little piece of heaven, here in the desert that I so love to call home. Country hugs,

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    The Problem with Niche Market Social Networking Sites

     (Image from Art Nouveau Posters by Dover Books)

    I have noticed an interesting trend in my life, my email volume seems to be shrinking and being replaced by communication via social networking. I get comments and messages on my Facebook wall or tweets or private messages sent via my various online sites or text messages or Ask Madge forms from my website...my once eternally overstuffed email in-box seems to be relegated to playing messenger for 'friend requests' and 'fan site suggestions.'

    I have so many 'friends' on Facebook, I'm about to reach full capacity. At that point I will have to direct everyone to my fan page and I apologize in advance for the pomposity of assuming that you should become my fan. I'm not under any illusions that I am even marginally important in the grand scheme of reality, but I have created a quasi-celebrity in the craft industry and it's resulted in a need to create a place for my 'fans' once I run out of places for 'friends.' The downside to the fan page is that I won't get any messages in my email and I have to go and check my wall to see if people have left comments. It's really not as dynamic or interactive as my regular page. Maybe that's a good thing! I'm growing weary of approving friends and followers, it's becoming a major time suck and I have other things that need my attention. I don't have to approve fans, anyone can fan me and they can only communicate with me on my wall, which will mean less messaging by email proxy for which I am going to be glad.

    Google has a new format called Buzz, but I'm not loving it at all. It's a bunch of people blathering endlessly and other people leaving endless comments and you get 'buzzed' every time anyone leaves a comment on any thread posted by anyone whom you follow. I only have 50 connections and I'm getting bombarded with new 'buzzes' constantly, if I gain a huge number of connections I simply have no idea how one could keep up unless you didn't have anything else to do. So it's kind of like being assaulted with threads from an online community of people who apparently don't have anything else to do but posture on the internet or spew their opinions, something I really do not like. So I'm not sold on your intrusive online communication platform, Google. Sorry.

    I think the interesting thing is how many companies are trying to harness this nebulous social networking power for their PR and Marketing efforts. I keep watching people launch niche related social networking sites and then watch them fail. Let's face it, we're all overconnected. Between email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, IM, Text Messaging, cell phone applications and games, Skype...it's sensory overload. Even MySpace has suffered from the aftershocks of social networking fatigue, so it's not just the smaller niche sites. People simply don't have any more time to devote to another site and yet another set of comments and friend approvals and other time sucking activities. I believe that the key is to use the existing platforms creatively or to think so far outside of the box that you beat the big boys at their game. There are a lot of things wrong with Facebook and they seem bent on creating more problems and offering fewer solutions.  A really savvy person would key into that and build a better mousetrap. A really savvy person with deep pockets! But I digress...

    My advice to the companies in my industry, for what it is worth, is not to waste your money building yet another niche related social networking site because someone in the office suddenly has this brilliant idea. I can guarantee you it's not going to fly. Crafters would rather communicate with each other on Facebook or Twitter then join yet another social networking forum and build yet another profile and upload their pictures and videos yet again.

    The true power of the internet is instant information. So if you want consumers to get excited about your products and your brand, give them compelling information about your niche. Make clear, concise, sound bite style videos. Have a dynamic personality host those videos and a real production company film them, not someone from the front office who will do it for free. You get what you pay for my friends. Have well known designers create innovative, detailed and easy to follow tutorials for your site and pay them well because yet again, it's worth it. Offer online classes with an interactive model, which you can have hosted by pros who create buzz and excitement around your brand. Keep regularly updating and refreshing your content so people want to return to see what's new. Cross market and promote with other companies who create complimentary products.  If you start a blog, don't just market to people endlessly, engage them.  Blog on a regular basis and create quality content.  Drive your readers to your website and then subversively market your information loaded, constantly expanding website platform. Share links to said aforementioned website on your blog and your Facebook Fan Page where you have contests and prizes.  Start a Twitter feed where you don't just market endlessly, but you create a dialog and again you create threads that lead to your fabulous website. 

    The average consumer is far savvier than they used to be.  They don't like feeling like you're marketing to them endlessly, they want to feel engaged, empowered and valued.  If you can do that, you will create trust and from that trust you will create a customer.  It's easy to sell someone something once, but the key is to get them excited enough to come back. 

    That's my two cents, for what it's worth. Until next time...craft on with your bad selves.

    xoxo
    Madge