Productivity

Not ususally a word in my vocabulary... but today I can use it. I participated in my final show of the season yesterday...went out to dinner with honey even squeezed in some time to watch some Jack Sparrow last night. I spent the snowy morning taking pictures of all my leftover items and spent the afternoon updating the Etsy store (even got a new banner!) and my items for sale page on the ol blog. I even got the rest of the tree done! Bad photo, I know. It was a last minute decision to put it on :o) Yesterdays show was not cool. I think this upcoming year I am going to try to get into some of the shows that are of the "next level" if you know what I mean... Usually there are a few non-crafters at these craft shows but yesterday was ridiculous. I am there with all my stuff competing with Pampered chef, wickless candles, Lia Sophia, and ( I am not kidding) Tupperware!! There was every type of corparate sales there is going on there. It was very disappointing. I think they should be upfront about calling it a "craft fair" or "arts and crafts show" if the majority are these types of booths. With that said, I have some other things to comment on:

What's wrong with this guy?

I have made some ugly things in my day. ( Mop head dolls and a certain plastic canvas sleigh filled with santas elves made of clothes pins come to mind) But the one thing I have learned is sooner or later they find a home. THIS guy can't. I don't think he's ugly. He may not be the best thing I've ever produced but for some reason he can't find a home. I have had him for a year now. He's been listed in Etsy, Ebay and I drag him to shows. For some reason no one loves him. Maybe I should keep him.

What would you do if you saw these guys in my booth?

I have this piece - It's a christmas stocking and I have a box with a candle and star with these guys in it too.
If I charged each person who *pinched* them yesterday, I wouldn't be complaining about the Scentsy Wickless candle chick.

What is it about these faces that makes everyone poke and pinch them? It was hysterical. At first I just shrugged it off, because I'm used to people handing things, but after it was pointed out to me I had to choke back giggles everytime I saw someone do it.

Doesn't take much to entertain me sometimes.

I'm off to update Etsy now... if I pull this off too, I may dance a jig.

Saturday....Soule Road Craft Show

I'm going to be doing the Soule Road Craft show in Liverpool Saturday 10-4. So far, I'm not impressed....it was the most expensive, they ran out of tables so I have to bring my own and now the flyer they sent doesn't allow for sharing, cutting or pasting so I can't put it on Blogger, facebook or anything technical.. I guess I was supposed to print it out and stick it on windshields or something.
Oh well, hopefully the crowd will show up and make it worth while!

Thank you Joni !!

I was winner in Joni's facebook friday give away last week and this is what I got in the mail today! A christmas candle just when I was unloading the christmas decs today. It's beautiful and I love it! Thank you so much :o)

I KNOW! I'm lucky. Feel free to be jealous for a moment......

Ok. That's enough. Jealousy makes you ugly. Just bask in my luckiness....:o)

For Bridget....

This turned out to be an ordeal... the pictures stink because honey updated my computer and I can't find my photo editor. I asked him to help, but he's too busy playing farmville right now. In case you never knew...farmville is a very serious business and he has to get the vegetable master award ribbon. Then his life will be complete..

Then I couldn't figure out how to upload a photo right on the hive site so I came to my blog to do this. Jeesh! I just wanted to share some love... they not only look pretty, but they smell like lavendar. Awesome

For those not familiar with my hive friends.. these are by Susan Faye. You can find them at SusanFaye.etsy.com. If there are any left, that is :o)

Quite possibly

the ugliest thing I've ever made

No...really...

But for some reason she is growing on me.

Under the Asian Influence

Tonights dinner was nummie. As I was shoveling it in my face I thought, gee I should share this. But with who? Then I remembered, I have a blog. But I don't usually talk food on it. So what? It's mine and I can do what I want.... So if you want something nummie to make for supper this week give this a try....I made it in the crock pot and that was the best because it was Monday and the last thing I want to do after work on Monday is cook, but the first thing I want to do on a Monday after work is pig out. I know, my life is full of conundrums like that.

Put two boneless chicken breasts in the crock.
Add: 1 Medium onion chopped up in small pieces
2 Medium stalks of celery chopped up
1/2 Cup of Hoisen sauce
3T Soy sauce
2 Cloves of garlic, minced
2T ginger (do not breathe this in because you like the smell. Especially not a deep breath. It hurts)
1T Brown sugar
1T sesame oil

Put the lid on and leave it alone all day.
When you get home, take a fork to it and shred it all up. Takes all the stress of the day away..

I served it on some sticky rice. It was enought for the three of us with some leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. Mine. I thought some snow peas would have been nice with it but I didn't have any. I did have some edamame that I steamed up quick that went well with it but you could also make a green salad with some asian dressing to go along. Or nothing. Maybe you don't want accompaniants. I don't know why I'm telling you what to eat...

Hope you all had a great Monday. I'm going to go try and sneak in some dollie time now....

Saturday's ESM Show

All in all it was a good day. We didn't have a ton of traffic because it was a beautiful day. Most folks use what's left of the nice weather to get their yard work done this time of year. But we had a nice steady stream of shoppers throughout the day. I was good this year and didn't spend everything I made in food or more crafty stuff :o) The only thing I bought was a pet matt for Doxie. She's been cold a lot lately and she won't get out of her bed in the sewing room so I got her a handmade pet mat to put in the living room so she can hang out in there as well. So I only spent 10 bucks...pretty good for me!
Andy's stepmom had the table next to mine and she cleaned up. She makes gift bags with warm and fuzzy things in them. People love them for teacher gifts, so I think she went back home with maybe 3 of them.
Andy came in the morning and sat with me. I asked him if he would stay the day with me instead of going off with his dad......

Guess not. Xbox and Dad's promise of hot dogs on the way back to his place won the competition. I know, he needs a haircut. He's 14... you tell him and see how far you get. I'm just lucky to win the battle to keep it clean :o)
So this week I have to make up a few things to fill in the blank spaces made by sales yesterday so I'm read for the one next Saturday. I have some bodies under my table that just need to be dressed so I SHOULD be able to pull it off after work...but we all know how that can work out.
Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. The weather here has been beautiful. I've got my shopping done and the housework almost done, then I'm back at the machine! Have a wonderful evening!

A Public Service Announcement

From me. No celebrities here :o) For years I've been listening to people talk about osteoporosis. I always think yeah, I know. One more thing for the Dr to get on me about. She loves to find things to nag at me for. Blah Blah Blah... Get my mamo. Get my pap. Don't eat red meat. Take your calcium supplements. I hear Sally Field carry on about her Boniva and think... I got enough to worry about right now Sally....Today I did a show that had a large range of older women pass thru. Some not so much older than me. I love to people watch. I was AMAZED at how many of these women had hunched over shoulders and noticed many different stages of this disease. It made me think again. Such a huge population of women are seriously affected by this and I wasn't even paying attention. Maybe it was my age.. I've been thru the having baby stage, then the hysterectomy stage, then starting the pre-menopause. I'll worry about it later. These things you just go thru, moving along thru your life taking it all one stage at a time. Some things you can change, or try to avoid and sometimes stuff just happens. Maybe I focus too much on the bigger fights out there. Contribuiting to cancer fund raisers and Aids research. Maybe I'm just ignorant. I don't know.
But maybe if checking in with the Dr, taking our calcuim supplements, sitting up straight and exercising will help ward off at least SOME of the symptoms of this disease, then maybe I need to slow down and actually listen to the information I've been ignoring so that I can do other stuff. I encourage all my sisters out there to do the same. Get up. Move away from the sewing machine (your easel, your knitting needles, your stove, whatever is floating your boat right now). Take a walk. Check in with your Drs, Stretch your back and for goodness sake take a Caltrate! It may not keep it away forever but maybe we can fool it into leaving us alone long enough to get some better advice..

Just a little PSA before I crash for the evening.....Take care of YOU girls!

My fellow Bees....

Ok.. I'm going to take a break and make a post! I've been sewin all day and I have the Hive connected to my blackberry so it keeps going off with everyone else's tales in the crafting world and I'm getting jealous because I haven't been able to post in a while. You all are having so much fun, I don't want to be left out!! It's a beautiful day here in central NY. The sun's out and the sky is bright blue. I baked an acorn squash and put the innards out in the back and it took about 3 minutes for someone to find them....

She is so fuzzy...and getting FAT. She binged for quite a while and took a chunk with her when she left. What you CAN'T see is what's going on in the house, so here is a shot of that......

Sally. She's merping real quiet and had herself flat as a pancake by the time our friend left.

But I REALLY have been working too. I have that first show next weekend and was feeling pretty good about it, then I rememberd that I stopped tagging and pricing things along the way so I'm going to have to back track a bit, but hopefully that is stuff I can get done in the evenings after my real job.

I know. That raggedy doesn't "go" with the grungy crowd. That poor thing has been sitting around naked for almost a year, then all of a sudden today, I found that fabric in my stash and suddenly... she's dressed! Just works that way sometimes.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Sounds like everyone has been very productive, which is one of the reasons why I'm here... MOTIVATION :o)

Happy Halloween!!!

What kind of witch would I be without a black cat...... Or two......

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

What a Mess!!

I think this post is more for myself than anyone else. Get yourself together! I've been trying to work after work in the evenings and it hasn't gone so well this week. I have my weekend cut out for me... I've got three shows coming up ( 'tis the season!) and I have to get a bunch of the smaller items done. I procrastinate because I love making the specialty items and spending time on those. But my mentor -oh so long ago taught me to always have smaller things at your table because they are actually the things that pay for at least the expense of renting the space. She was right. I can go all day sometimes and not sell any larger items, but if I sell enuf smaller ones, I at least feel like I broke even..
It's been a rough week, but hopefully I can put on the super mom cape this weekend and get crackin! I probably have enough items as it is, but I always have this idea that my booth should be stuffed and I should have more in the car in case I need it. It's not usually about the cash, but I hate when people come back towards the end of a show and say "aawww I was coming back for...." It's that disgusting need to please everyone :o)
Don't point out how ugly that room is. It's last on the list for renovating. That wall paper is hideous and I've already ripped it off one and a half walls. (Kinda made it worse) I cover up one wall with done dollies so I don't have to look at it.
I've got a whole tub full of misc ornaments, legs and pieces that need to be stuffed. When the boy was younger he used to like doing some of that. Nowadays he wants to be paid for it!

If only I could get HER to get up and do something while I'm away making the bacon.....

That's OK Doo, you just rest.

Well now I am on my own official record of holding myself accountable. Let's see how this all looks on Sunday. I'm off to the real job... then groceries... then I have to stop for a few craft supplies.... then it's pumpkin carving night...oh my, it's looking bleak for today! Doxie- get up and DO something!

Happy Friday!

Low-Key Sunday Afternoon

Dreary day today. Cold and raining. Gave me a good reason to hide inside and do nothing but sew and stuff things :o) Gonna have to bundle up in a few to go get the boy's lunch items and the multiple grocery bags of snack items he needs to sustain himself between meals. He's been a bottomless pit lately! I got this fellow done today, I got the pattern from Kentucky Primitives. She was having a $5 sale.. well worth it to check to see if it's still going on.... The picture is rather lousy, I know. I haven't got a decent spot in the new digs to take pictures yet, and I was feeling way to lazy to bundle up to go into the weather. I do like the way he turned out and it was a fun one to do. I love the real prim projects, because no one can tell if you screwed up or if you really meant for it to be crooked :o) I have a few more snow folk and winter-y type items in process. I have at least one show coming up I have to get ready for and I wanted to do at least two in Nov so I'm hoping I can find another one soon. Back to the toasty warm sewing corner...Enjoy what's left of your weekend!

For Auntie Carol's little monsters

My 14 year old son has crushed me. He has informed me that not only will he not be participating in the trick or treating tradition this year- he will also not be requiring a super awesome mommy made costume this year! I know... he's 14. Super cool. Cool friends to impress. Too mature for the games of his childhood oh so long ago.... But couldn't he just don the ol pokemon costume one more time? For me??? I also know that in a couple years he will be more than happy to dress up in some stupid embarassing costume because some pretty set of pigtails asks him to. No matter how cool or how many cool friends see him. Won't matter. He will be a piece of toast or a bumble bee if that's what she wants :o)



For now, I at least have a niece and nephew that will enjoy the holiday. They will be getting these goodies in the mail in a few days. Now, before you start typing the hate mail about how I should have packed them carrots, apples, or a handful of oatmeal, keep in mind 1) It's Halloween! You are supposed to go to bed that night with a bellyache when you are 6! There is a very small forgiving window when you are that age- your teeth are falling out soon anyways :0) and all the running full speed on the ceilings keeps the pounds off. 2)They aren't my kids. Simple as that. As much as I love them and care about their dental care and their sugar induced halucinations, it's going to be my sister's responsiblity to make sure they brush and don't get sick... have fun with that Nett...bwaaaaahahahah (evil laugh)

and lastly #3) check this out:

It's a gummy kabob. How freakin awesome is that? How can you NOT send that to a little one you love for Halloween?

And, no, said sister is not going to be mad at me for giving her kids a bunch of candy. She is MY sister. I fully expect when I check with her after Halloween and ask if that gummy kabob was any good, she will not hesitate to answer. She will make sure she gets a taste. Momma didn't raise no fools (or any girls with candy restraint for that matter)

Baby Bag...kinda

More like one for Mom. One of the young ladies at work is due in November and we had a little shower for her yesterday. This was my offering. She is a little more classy then the average bag and this is smaller, so I figured it would be nice for her to have something to take out with her for dinner or a short trip with the babe that was still fashionable. I put some tavel size powders, wipes, baby oil etc.. in it. I also whipped up some large size burp cloths for her that I forgot to take some pics of, but you get the idea :o) It is made from one Kay Whitt's patterns (Serendipity Studios). I love her bags and I have several of her patterns. They look hard, but she makes them so easy to follow and I've never had one turn out not as nice as her photos. They are always a hit. The top piece was tricky to get thru the machine and I actually had my honey help hold up the bag while I sewed. He's a good sport...

Craft it forward.....

I am doing my FIRST Craft it Forward on the Hive.


I will make 5 small cloth dolls and send them out to the first five people who join in. The dolls will be made from fabric, muslin, polyfil...

You need to commit to doing the same with your craft. By posting to this post. You also need to do a blog post of your own and Craft It forward. Hope that explains it all as it is my first time doing this.

Here are the guildelines from the Craft It Forward group on The Hive:

1. Make a post to this group saying that you will hand-craft 5 items and send them to the first 5 who comment to your post.

2. Those who comment to your post must each commit right away to also Craft it Forward to 5 more.

3. You must commit to make your 5 hand-mades and send them out before the end of 2010 so there is no pressure.

4. Remember....if you one of the first five to post a comment to a Craft It Forward blog post, you are committing to also make a blog post and craft 5 hand-mades. Craft it Forward is all about sharing your love for crafting and giving (remember you are paying for the cost of postage to send out your 5 hand-mades) by crafting it forward.

Who would like to join my art dolls craft it forward ?

Etsy and Ebay have been updated!!

As well as this little area.
Feels good to finally be back at it. I have some Halloween things listed and a couple more to finish. I am so behind getting the Halloween things up for sale...hopefully they can still find homes :o)
The little witch I posted quickly yesterday is my favorite. She was made from a pattern by Veena's Mercantile (Kim Kohler) She was fun to make.
I have a Witch by Threadbare Primitives I need to finish and another Annie- then I want to do a couple Thanksgiving dollies before the Christmas items need to be done. I am so behind. The gall bladder thing put me behind then the recovery from the removal took longer than I anticipated. Oh well... it's gone now and I'm up and running. Being Halloween time helps... always my favorite



This was made by a pattern from Tennessee Ridge Primitives

Season of the witch.....

Back from Hiatus

It's been one heck of a busy summer. I think I've mentioned before that I am in the mortgage industry by day -June was insane with having to close all the first time homebuyer applications by month end, and of course, they extended it in the final hour. On top of that we have guidelines changing ever constantly so it keeps you on your toes and stressed out to the max. Lots of long hours. I also work for a relatively new player in town, so we have the added stress of trying to out-do everyone else :o) On the homefront,we moved. LOTS of work to do here. I have a new sewing corner that I have just begun to use.



I haven't sewn anything in months and I am so happy to have it unpacked and ready to go,finaly. I have started on a few fall things and have a couple angels that I will be putting up soon. Not sure if I'm going to go with Ebay or Etsy again. I have good luck selling on ebay, but the fees get me. Etsy's better but no one seems to find me there. I have received a couple emails asking if I will have any more of the scarecrows available and the answer is yes. I actually have a couple done and packed so when find them, I will list them. Everyone is already into fall and halloween so I have some catching up to do this year! I found out I have to have my gall bladder removed in a couple weeks, so I'm hoping the down time will work to my advantage. As long as I can belly up to the sewing machine, I should be able to get some things done. I bought some new Sweetmeadows patterns and I have the Soft-in-the-head frog witch I would like to try out. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Lazy Weekend

No finished dolls to post :o( But there is a pile of parts in my sewing area. So here is a photo of some spoiled kitties. They have a stroller and yes, I walk them and the weiner dog through my neighborhood. Steve isn't that fond of it, but she does humor me once in a while and allows me to take her out. Usually it's just Sally and the Ween.
I plan on having finished dolls up on etsy/ebay next weekend. Wasn't a very productive weekend. Went to a craft show and slept alot. A whole lot. I think it was a combination of stress at the real job and coming down with a little bit of a bug. But...back at it today! I sold out of just about everything I had done. Even some older pieces that I hadn't wanted to list because I felt they were "out of season". What did I know?! So that's a good thing. I've had good luck on ebay so I will be back there next week. Here's to a busy week of sewing and it's month end in the mortgage business! Headed off with a handful of vitamins and a weekend of rest under my belt....

Armful of Annies

and an Andy. I'm putting some Annies up on Ebay tonight. I was lucky enough to sell a few things this week and now I need to restock. I didn't get as much done this week as I would have liked to on the crafty side of my life, but I have big plans for this week. I decided it is going to be finish up the danglers week. I have so many things that I've set aside or got creators block and couldn't finish that I'm going to make it their turn for some attention. I also bought a couple of new patterns from Kim Kohler that I want to try out so I told myself nothing new til I finish the orphans. (Kim is Veena's Mercantile- I have her link on the sidebar- awesome designer go check her out)
These Annies and Andy started out as a Sweetmeadows Farm Pattern and took on their own personalities and costumes.
I see I have a follower added- Welcome! I'm pretending you aren't my sister and there are actually people reading this :o)

All the difference in just a photo

I've had this girl around for a while. I decided to take her out and give her a facelift by taking some new photos. Photos aren't my "thing" so sometimes I struggle for a while to get the right ones that actually look like what I made. I think this is much better.

She's made from a pattern by Sweet Meadows Farm. It's called "Too many cats" if you go looking for it.

Don't really know why...

It's not Halloween and I don't like clowns. But he had to get out of my head....

Easter Eggs

Custom Bag order. Lila Tueller fabrics, and it's one of Kay Whitt's bag patterns.
Love them.

Let's try this again

I have finally figured out how to make this look lived in. Still not perfect but taking one thing at a time :o) Will find time to post photos in the gallery and post the items I have for sale this weekend. Not so sure losing my title from the header counts as "figured out" but no worries, I'll find it tomorrow...