medical and contest updates

Ok, I've gotten quite a few good name possibilities for my dress form, but I'm going to give it a few more days and see if anyone else wants to enter the naming contest. Remember I'll send a lovely package of handmade ♥ goodies ♥ to the namer that I pick. So keep 'em coming everybody! (See last post)
Well, I worked all weekend on the etsy contest SEWUSEFUL, and it was alot of work! wow. I am TIRED. Taking pictures at each step, explaining and measuring everything perfectly, etc. But three winners will receive a computerized Singer sewing machine. So keep your fingers crossed that one of my entries will win! One is a fabric ottoman, and the other is a really unusual toothbrush caddy idea.



On the medical front, I went through an entire round of antiobiotics and still felt bad, so they put me on detrol la, which sounds like something an elderly person that can't control their bladder function would need. At this point, I just hope it works. I'm tired of running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. My sister just graduated from nursing school, so I keep calling her asking her questions and describing all of my symptoms. She likes being able to answer the questions now, but after awhile, I bet doctors and nurses get really tired of it all.
We are finally planning our summer vacation, and we're thinking maybe we waited too long. I was hoping to rent a cabin somewhere in Minnesota maybe, because it's only 5 hours away, but there may not be any available. I'm going to try to find some fun fesivals too, like where the people show old-fashioned colonial crafts and stuff. I'm sure Sasha will be sooooo excited about that. She'd rather just go spend lots of money at Mall of America, and ride all the stuff they have in their amusement park. But, I'm hoping for a little get back to nature and quality family time. I just have to finish tiling my kitchen floor this week, and put new baseboards in our living room before I go anywhere. I'll choose the winner in the naming contest before I go though! I know you're all waiting with baited breath~ caio, girls!

Name my dress form, please!

How is everyone tonite? I'm tired, more tired than I should be for being on summer vacation. The only thing I've felt like doing lately is rummaging around antique stores and thrifting. Lovely bits of lace and vintage slips....aaahhh, pure bliss.
That reminds me, although I didn't get my metal dress form at an antique store, she sure looks like a lovely vintage prop.
I've been trying to think of a fitting name her.
I know it's silly, but every time I refer to 'her', I feel like I need to call her something besides 'the mannequin'. I thought about having a contest to find her a name, although I don't exactly have a huge readership *yet* plus a ton of people are out of town on vacations and such, and away from their computers. But, it sounds like fun, so I will give it a go~ I will send a little package of handmade ♥ GOODIES ♥ to anyone who comes up with a name I love.
Here's another picture of her:

Sound good? ok, so I can't wait to hear what you all come up with. I'll leave it open until I get a name I like.
Also, a lovely vintage slip got some pink and cream attention in the form of tulle, lace, and chiffon. More of these to come, including long versions of full slips for vintage inspired weddings! They are available HERE ~ Brides will be so happy:

$260.00 (including domestic shipping)

$ 88.00 (including domestic shipping)

hope you all come up with some interesting names!
ciao chickadees!

done!

ok, the blog is good to go for now, I know it could be more exciting, but at least it's got a profile pic and a banner. I don't know why but the profile never did work the way it was supposed to. I was just determined that I was not going to quit, so I'm happy now that it's done. I'm not great with photoshop either, and I've been scared to mess around with it, but that part was pretty painless. So I had that achy eye/ head -staring at the computer screen for too long thing when I got done.
I have to go back to the doctor today for a really annoying infection that they didn't take care of the first time. They said, Oh, we think it's this, and I knew it wasn't, and had to go through the once a year yucky exam, and they treated me for the thing that it wasn't anyway. So it's been a week, and I still feel lower abdominal pain and have to go to the bathroom every 5 seconds, and I'm going back in there today. Someone will pay! JK, but I pray that it gets fixed, because it's kind of ruining my vacation.
I haven't seen much of my daughter lately, which kind of depresses me. We go through these little waves of having fun hanging out together, and then not so much. It seems that when you're 14, you'd rather be anywhere, even it it's Mars, as long as you're not at home. It's funny because I've been so enjoying being at home. Sleeping in, sitting and having tea, watching Mad About You and the Nanny reruns that are on during the day. (We don't have cable, not because of the expense, but I think between the 3 of us, the tv would never shut off). I'd be addicted to HGTV for sure, and I'd be nervous to think what my daughter would watch- not healthy stuff I'm sure. There is bad enough stuff on regular tv sometimes.
Well, I did manage to make one thing yesterday in between relaxing, grilling, and driving Sasha to and fro. I really like how it turned out, and I'm crazy in love with this Martha Stewart Smoky quartz glitter!

~I really like the unusual wire bail I made, and one of my tiny fabric flowers~
Darn, I keep forgetting I have to be in Firefox to make links and stuff, it just doesn't work in Safari. That was the main problem with making changes to my header- you have to have Internet Explorer or Firefox, or some of the icons that are supposed to be there are just not there. Anyway, I have this glitter in 3 colors now, and I love, love, love it, but the only bad thing is, no matter how careful I am, it finds it's way onto everything. My face, my hair, my clothes, other people. I'll look over at my husband, and he'll have a tiny touch of glitter on his face. Oops!
I saw this little tray at Michael's yesterday where there is a hole tube thingy on one end, and when you get done glittering whatever you're doing, you just pour it through the tube back into the container. It was $7.99, and I was thinking, How is that very different from what I do now? The stuff will still stick to EVERYTHING on the planet anyway!
I know the new martha stewart stuff is kind of pricey, but the glitter is about the same as your every day run-of-the-mill glitter, so I just treat myself sometimes. Simple pleasures, eh? ~caio for now, girls~

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

ok, ye old blog is going to look kinda wonky for the next day or so, because I'm trying to revamp. I've already wiped out my links, and will have to go back in and manually replace them, so if you are left out for now, don't take it personally! I can't do much from my mac, so I have to email my pics to my husband's windows machine, and I have no idea what to do with them on there. I shall figure it out, no matter what it takes! My dear readers, prepare to be stunned by the beauty of my new version- ok, maybe not stunned, but at least you'll have a pretty banner to look at, finally! Keep your fingers crossed that this will work~ caio for now!

A Long Day

Yesterday started so nicely, and ended nicely too, there were just some bumps in the road along the way. The kid and I did alot of running around at the mall (she needed MORE t-shirts from Pac Sun-aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!). Then we had to go to Petco and buy a dwarf hamster, she's been asking for another one for awhile, so I saw no reason to say no. I was like, they're only like a dollar... But when we got there, they are actually 15.99! Oh well, much cheaper upkeep than Weezer (our pug).

So then, we go back out to the car, and it wouldn't start (it's been doing that lately), and we sat there for an hour and a half, hoping that "Ollie" the hamster wouldn't die in the heat. (Named after the skateboard trick). So her dad came and rescued us, and had the car started in like 2 seconds, but said I need a new starter. Cars!
So last night I figured out what was wrong with my summer hat pattern that I've been tweaking for the last 2 weeks. I'm not sure how it happened, but I finally had to take mine apart and use that as my cutting pattern, because I couldn't get any of them the same after that one. It worked, and voila! Here's the black and white linen one in the shop today:








It was kind of funny because I had tried to explain to my hubby that I needed a picture of me wearing my hat, to use as the 5th picture in the etsy listing, and he couldn't understand what I was saying. He thought I needed him to take pics of me wearing ALL of them. I'm like, no, honey, I need ONE picture of me wearing MY hat, to use as an example. After explaining it like 3 times, I gave up. So we did a 'photo shoot', and some of them were pretty funny. I'm smelling a fake flower in some, and some I have my eyes closed, because I tell him to count 1...2...3...click, and he goes 1-2-3-and clicks on the "3"! So I finally sent him inside, took 2 of myself, and guess which one I ended up using as my new avatar photo? Mine, of course!
Here's one of the mess-ups:

and the chosen one:

that reminds me, I've never added a profile photo for my blog, so I think I'll use it for that...and maybe a new Flickr profile, too. It's just so rare when I get a picture of myself that doesn't make me want to hurl. Sorry for such a narcissistic post~ Caio for now~

CHARMED~

Ok, so here are the pics from one of the charm bracelets, start to finish. These little buggers are a little time-consuming, but you can't beat a project that uses 1/2 inch pieces of fabric!
So here are the tiny cut out pieces:














and after they are sewn together and stuffed (and I'm getting ready to install the eyelets):


















and the final outcome:











So this one is in the shop, and I think I will make more soon. I figured out that I saw a similar idea in 'Cloth, Paper, Scissors", and Ruth Rae designed them. So fun! Ciao~

Now the fun begins...

Yikes, it's been awhile since I checked in with y'all. sorry 'bout that. I finally finished the last kiddie class yesterday - UGH - and my little one's last softball tournament game was this morning. So after closing ceremonies in about an hour, I'm OFFICIALLY ON SUMMER VACATION! Finally, jeez. I know I shouldn't complain, but I've been ready for this break since about February (see older posts- ha ha). I've been having lots of fun playing with a bunch of new fabrics, and some old ones, and a ton of other jewelry stuff. Now I'm going to go full throttle ( or however they say that), and be prepared to be dazzled, ladies, because there is no stopping me now! Today I'm going to finish a skirt, probably start a new one because I've got some more applique ideas, and work on a fabric charm bracelet. I actually am remembering to take some pics DURING the process, instead of waiting until I'm done and wishing I had documented parts of it for you all. So here's the lovely fabric:















...and the cut out scraps:

I saw some adorable fabric charms made with eyelets somewhere in a craft book, and I thought it was another great way to use up tiny scraps that I just cannot bear to part with. I have a hoarding problem, btw. I buy really cute stuff for crafting, and then I just save it and can't bear to use it because it's just soooooo pretty. What if I run out? I know, it's dumb, but I'm working on actually using the stuff I love, and instead of rushing through a project to get it done, I'm trying to enjoy the process of laying out the design, and thinking and planning, etc. Here's another of my totes (my daughter and I use these for absolutely EVERYTHING on the go), and I had such a relaxing, enjoyable time laying out the pieces and coordinating the fabrics.

Of course it's not too hard to coordinate, because pretty much my entire fabric collection consists of black, white and red. I do try really hard to expand my horizons and throw some aqua in there, but I guess I just love neutrals. Sometimes I'll spend an hour meandering around Joann's, and I'll get to the cutting counter and place my stack up there to be cut, and the ENTIRE stack is black, brown, and cream. Oh well. See how much I blab on and on when I haven't posted for awhile? You guys will be so sick of me cuz now I'm gonna actually post a few times a week now that I'm on VACAAAAAATION! (sorry I can't help it) luv ya~ Caio!

whirlwind

wow, it's been very busy lately. I'm done with my first week of half day art classes that I'm teaching, so I'm officially on vacation for one week before doing it again. I haven't had time to get on flickr or various other things, like planting flowers, or laundry. This spring has been the first time I can ever remember not getting excited about planting anything. I'm not much of a gardener, but at least I could count on 3 weeks of sunny creativity. This year there's just too much crafting to be done inside, but, since I moved my 'studio' to the living room window, I think I'll put some potted plants on the front porch area so I'll have a beautiful view. In the 6 years I've lived here, I've never really put anything out there, because we never use the front door, and are hardly ever out there. But, the back yard is so shady all I've ever been able to grow are pansies, petunias, and various other "p" plants. Anything requiring sun has never worked. The front porch is facing southwest, so I can now revel in learning about actual sun-loving plants.
I reached 75 sales today on etsy, (AMAZING!), and I'm well on my way to reaching my goal of 150 by the end of the summer. I've been really enjoying working on the summer wrap skirts, (see? I'm using my dress form already!)

















and asymmetrical necklaces, and have lots and lots of projects in my to-do pile.

















Also, I finally sold the menswear tweed vest to a lovely girl in Finland, who gave me the most wonderful comments. I don't think I'll relist it now, though, because alot of people need different sizes than the one listed, and I've got so many things I want to make that custom sizing is too time consuming at the moment. I really enjoy doing my own thing and listing it when I'm ready- no deadlines, no pressure. My Finland customer was so patient, though, knowing that I was finishing up grades and everything.
Been making lots of these adorable little houses lately:


































bye for now- Ciao!

Ready for summer~

Ahhhhh, the last day of May. I’m sitting here in my office (kiln closet) at school, and everything is done, cleaned and put away for next year. I am so glad this year is over, it seemed very long. I kind of wish I hadn’t signed up to teach these extra 2 weeks of classes, but they will be fun, and only 8 to noon. Then the rest of the summer is mine! I’m also very relieved because today I found out that my request to have less hours next year has been granted (4 days a week instead of 5), and I get to stay at the same school. Yes, I’ll make less money, but hopefully my etsy sales will more than make up for it.
Now I am going to fulfill the rest of my duties this week, basically attending meetings for my summer classes and turning in receipts, and being a taxi for my daughter’s softball games and pool visits.
Sales have seemed a little slower than usual this past week or two, but I’m hoping they will pick up again, especially when I actually have time to work on things. I’ve been trying to find the time to take pic’s of some skirts I’ve been working on, and I got this fabulous wire dress form that I am super in love with, but I also need a sunny day.


I’ve had a lot of fun planning the design of the applique’s on the skirts, and of course I will be adding some teeny tiny buttons by hand. I love them so much, and I think people will be comfortable buying them because they are wrap skirts, so it’s easier to fit a variety of body styles. I wish I had an old clothesline that I could hang them all on, way out in a green field – what a great picture that would make!

the last day

wow, I feel like I just finished a marathon, and I'm on my hands and knees, crawling and scraping my way across the finish line, completely spent. My mind is so full of ideas on things I want to work on, but my body is just so tired and achy. When I turned off my alarm this morning, and slowly made my way to the bathroom, the bottom of my feet hurt. The only time my feet feel like that is when I've been standing waaaay too much, and for waaaay too long. They used to feel like that after waitressing, and it always hurt more the next morning. Anyway, today was the last. day. for. students. ...
My boss still hasn't told me if my request has been granted for next year for a little lighter schedule. I'd love it if I could just quit, and make etsy my full time job. Maybe someday...
So after dinner Sasha had movie plans, and since we live 20 minutes away from the neighborhood where all of her friends are, I usually end up driving pretty far to take her places. Just the thought of being a taxi tonight made me tear up, so Kev offered to drive her. I am unbelievably grateful for him~ he's always there to pick up the pieces when I feel like I'm going to fall apart. I guess I appreciate it so much because for the first 12 years I didn't have any help. It's so great when I can just sit and be, and someone else can do what needs to be done. So now I'm sitting by my 'studio window', which is our living room window, trying to think and write, and this tiny little dog that lives across the street is incessantly barking at all of the cars parking on our street- due to a band playing a couple of blocks away tonight. I don't let my dog bark and bark like that - it is sooooo annoying! Speaking of my new studio, it's pretty awesome. I'll post some pics when I have some daylight to shoot. Basically, I just keep rearranging until I'm happy, and my husband is getting pretty used to it now. I told him, Honey, you just have to understand that I rearrange every 3 months, no matter what. So his desk and my studio are in our living room, and I kicked him (nicely) out of the corner by the window, and took over. He's fine with it, and now I can take photos of jewelry and things without moving all of my junk. I put a big bookcase behind my desk - off to the side, and I'm organizing all of my supplies that are not housed in drawers there. I love this space so far, and it will get even better when I have time to 'pretty it up'.
My goals this weekend are: 1) finish a custom vest for a lovely customer in Finland, and get it shipped out
2) work on a skirt that's been swimming around in my head for about 2 months,
3) buy some sterling silver chains to create some asymmetrical necklaces with these gorgeous black agate discs I bought on etsy
4) complete my new revised sun hat pattern with some new fabric
...and anything else I can squeeze in.
Caio~