Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Gotta Get In My Last Post of 2008


I don't have much to say today. Mostly because my caffeine hasn't kicked in yet. I just want to wish everybody a Happy New Year and hope your New Year's Eve is super fun and super safe. Mine will be spent looking after the big sick guy and the little sick guy with sniffles. Should be a blast. All of you crazy Arcatans, have a great time hanging out on the plaza, climbing the McKinley statue, maybe next year I will join you:)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Tortoises with Hangovers

They have a huge lettuce leaf hangover. After our cold weather spell where they both dug down and slept for a few days, Abner and Imogene came out to eat for the first time in almost a week. I piled a plate full of some spring mix and set it down for them. Afterwards, they looked like this-->

I think I need a lettuce feast too. All the rich food that the holidays bring has given me super huge food burn-out. I am actually craving salad! I wanted salad this morning when I woke up and I am now anxiously awaiting lunchtime so I can make one for myself. I think it will have cucumber, tomato, carrot, a little onion, and some cheese on top. Yummy! can't wait. Then off to the post office to mail off a few orders and over to the fabric shop for a few supplies. Then home for more salad!

Monday, December 29, 2008

A Long, Long Day

Yes, very long indeed. After a week of whirlwind shopping, visits, and adventures to have such a quiet uneventful day seemed awfully boring. Just rainy and quiet and not much of anything happening. Not that I am complaining, but it is so strange to me, how easily it is to become so used to busy, busy, busy, and when the busy is gone, I kind of don't know what to do with myself. So I used my time to work a bit and start a new shop. I decided to try an Artfire shop after all. I see that it is a big topic of discussion on Etsy right now, so out of curiosity I checked it out. It seemed to be a nice set-up, easy to use, and a nice lay-out, so I jumped in and decided to give it a go. We will see what happens. I still have my icraft shop which I love, but I need to give myself more opportunities to get out there. So here is to organizing, experimenting, and just seeing what happens, what harm can that do. Off to do a little bit of work, drink some dark and devilish brew, then get my butt to bed.

Friday, December 26, 2008

A Christmas Cold and Hangover to Match


What a wonderful Christmas except for the nasty cold and a little bit of a hangover from my shot of whiskey and a glass of wine to follow. Lots of wonderful gifts for the little boy and lovely times for everyone. Today I am actually sore, like a ran a marathon or something. I think it is from keeping the kiddo propped up on the couch all night so he could breath. He has a pretty nasty cold but seems to be in really good spirits despite the really runny nose and not quite knowing what to do with all of that snot.

Today is the last day with my sister and cousins before they head back to L.A. It has been so nice to have them all here, I wish they could stay much longer. But no, back to real life, she and the kids get to go and enjoy the rest of the holiday season with more family, and back to work for me. I am lucky enough to be working on a couple orders for the next week. Yay! happy times!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy Holidays!

I am wishing you all some very Happy Holidays! Hope you all get to have some fun! I am off with the family battling stormy weather and sniffles. Right now we have some awesome thunderstorms going on and lots and lots of rain. Sniffles just come with the territory I think. Enjoy your day all!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Procrastination Station

That's me! I should be working on my last minute gifts but I can't get my butt out the chair to do so. I am having too much fun watching our latest storm roll in and the kiddo playing on the floor in his Christmas footy pajamas. It is just so nice and peaceful in here....why muck it up with work? My little projects are staring at me though, making me feel nice and guilty. That would be the way the treat me darn it! Oh well, might as well dig in and get things done, that way I can play later in the week instead sitting at the machine sewing away. Off to work I go!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

It's Disgusting and I LOVE IT!

I am wearing the grubbiest, dustiest, old sweater there ever was and I LOVE IT! It is warm, it is comfortable, it just came out of the dryer so it smells nice, and it goes with my grubby old wool socks that I love too. I think I may wear this outfit straight through the holidays. Nothing like hanging around the house on a rainy day making cool stuff in a worn out old sweater. With all these super cold storms coming our way, I see no sense in changing into real clothes, it is pointless when I will not be leaving the house at all today......well.........maybe to go up the street to get chips and salsa, but I am not changing, not showering, and not even brushing my teeth. Because it is Saturday, and I am feeling really lazy.

Friday, December 19, 2008

O.K. Back to Work


I've got my wonder cuff on!..............and there I go. After two days of shopping for the holidays, I am geared up and rrready to get to work. I have just come up with a genius idea for an organizer bag for my mom, my sister's bag is just about done and I only have two little bags for my little sister to finish up. Should be a snap. After I got up, ate breakfast, chased the kid around and gave him a haircut, drank some cold coffee, did some yoga and jogged around the couch a few times , I have the energy to GO!GO!GO! I can't wait to post some pics for you all! Have the greatest of great weekends!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

OOh! This is Fun!


I am spending this slow time working on a few new items for my shops which require a little extra design work. Surprisingly, after all the work for my holiday shows this past few months, I am having a really good time making stuff. I am going a little bit bigger on some of my already established designs mainly to make more room for card pockets, and zipper pockets, and some are just getting a little make over. Some are just staying the same for now since they seem to work well as is. The most fun so far has been working on my new cuffs, some with fringe, some with ruffles, some just plain, it's all so much fun, because everything is so different. I like that. I don't want to over do it with new designs, but I definitely want to expand the variety of what I do, and keep improving my already existing designs. One thing doing craft fairs is really good for is getting some insight into what a buyer is looking for and what they are not looking for. I did get a lot of suggestions, some of which are wonderful and I can incorporate, some of which just won't work for what I do. I am thankful for all the input I got, good or bad, useful or not.

Monday, December 15, 2008

On With The Show

So, no check yet, no Christmas shopping done. I hate the wait but I feel resigned to it now. All I can do is keep myself going, making stuff for all my peoples. Luckily I had a few ideas in mind for everyone. It's just crunch time now and I just want to get everything done! So off I go to glue, and sew, and bead, and hope a little bit more that my little check will be smiling at me from the mail box tomorrow afternoon. Think good thoughts for me, I need them!

Cuffs and Other New Stuff


I have been battling some sort of yuckiness the past few days and my Christmas projects have been put off. So with a lovely icy storm coming in from Alaska, the kiddo and I have been stuck inside for the last day or two. I decided to use that time to play around with my projects and think about some new items for my shops. I am playing around with some new cuff designs, very similar applique work to my wallets and upcoming handbags, and they look pretty good! I have one now that I am playing with, I will be adding some beads to it and figuring out a new closure for it. I love how the button and loop looks, it is extra comfortable during wear, but, some people just aren't in to that whole button thing. The cuff I have posted here is a little on the small side so the closure doesn't look fantastic like the others. So I will try a snap, and an elastic closure for my next few.

The handbag I am putting together is coming out great. A mixture of purples, mauves, and brown. Lots of texture, and a nice shape. I am messing around a bit with one of my older designs to make it a little more appealing. I am hopeful that I can put a few together to list in my shops when the new year comes. I am just so excited about new designs that it is hard to concentrate on just one. I hope everyone likes the new stuff. I am definitely having a great time coming up with new items.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

I am Frozen With A Cold


Yes, both at the same time. It is coldish here and I have a cold too. I made the mistake of deciding to walk downtown yesterday instead of taking the bus. The storm that was supposed to have come in last night made it an afternoon appearance instead, leaving me pretty much soaked all over. I have been fighting off a sore throat/cold thing since last Sunday and MAN OH MAN did it hit last night. Chills, aches, stuffiness, you name it. I am still cold but in a better mood and looking forward to another adventure in handbag making. This time in some super funky embossed, metallic leathers that my sister picked out for her new handbag. Since it is a super simple bag design, it should be a snap, other than putting in a hidden zipper pocket. I will let you all know how that goes. All that and a trip to the mall to help Mark do a little shopping for the kiddo and the parents. All I know is that I am getting myself a mocha! YES!!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Tabby Wars

I was just finishing up my listing for this little pouch when the big whirlwind of excitement occurred. I was peacefully pressing buttons and typing away when BLAM! THERE HE WAS! Smacking the window with all of his might! The big grey tabby with white socks that lives under our deck. He usually comes up to taunt our cat Mac, who growls and hisses and sputters while he rolls back and forth on the deck with his fuzzy belly in the air. He seems to enjoy mocking her, and I get a pretty good kick out of it too. Today, he happened across our huge Tabby boy Yui. Yui usually minds his own business and seems to be scared of his own shadow. Today, he must have had it with the other cat's antics though because he stalked the other tabby through the window and ended up standing upright on his back two legs, frantically scratching and clawing the window to get at Big Tabby. It was a battle in silence, neither party said a word, they just smacked at each other through the window, over and over again. Then they both stopped, and sat and stared at one another for about five minutes. Big Tabby was distracted by a bird flying overhead, and Yui was distracted by the sound of a can of cat food being kicked across the floor. The battle was over. No one was harmed. Life is peaceful again.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting...................

I am waiting for my check from my craft show I did after Thanksgiving. I kind of feel dumb not being on it with this one. I know they have my current address, I know this will eventually get sorted out but I need to get a crackin' on some shopping and some more supplies. Even though it is not a huge amount of money, it is enough to get through this next couple of weeks without scrimping too much. It is so funny that I always assume the worst. I am thinking everything from it getting sent to my parent's house and them not recognizing my name, to my postman putting it into someone else's mailbox(which is definitely a possibility), to it getting sent to my old apartment(another possibility) and being cashed and spent by some starving student. Then I think of all the situations that would happen when I call to check on my check from losing my patience and screaming at innocent people to frantic crying. I am truly blessed to have a wild imagination but sometimes it gets in the way a little bit. So, I wait another day. Wish me luck everyone.

Organization Station


I don't have one but I need one. A place to pile stuff that I need to organize instead of piling it on top of my work spaces. Even though the organization station would be a huge pile of clutter, I would still have room to work without having to precariously balance things on top of one another. I am really tired of going to get my scissors and a huge pile of pens fall out on me, or the box of snaps gets knocked over and spread everywhere. Or I go to pick up a pile of leather to put back and find one of the cats or a tortoise snoozing underneath(just kidding, but I could see that one happening) If I could just have a place to put all of the extraneous paperwork and other things that I need to hold on to but don't need at the moment without having to hide them away where I will never be able to find them again. Maybe if I just get over piling everything up as I work and putting other crap away once in awhile, I could make it work. That is so not me though. Oh well, I'll figure something out, it can't be that hard to be organized and busily working at the same time. Back to coffee drinking and trying to wake up. Up at 6 am with a cold is not pleasant. Sniffle, sniffle, cough, cough.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

I am Allergic to My Christmas Tree!

My newest little wristlet. I am so surprised this one didn't sell this weekend. Almost everyone that came by our table picked it up and commented on it. Oh well, I thought I would show it off here so you all could see some of the newer things I have been working on.


So, I decided to use a few dollars of my craft show makings to buy my family a live Christmas tree this year. I ended up with the perfectly fat little spruce that smells wonderful and just livens up our little apartment. The only trouble is that I can't touch it! I put a small strand of lights on it yesterday and my hands broke out in hives. It didn't last long but long enough to make me miserable for the morning. I still love our little tree. Next time I have to touch it I will make sure to wear some gloves.

Other than Christmas tree allergies, Ciaran and I are lounging about. I am making up a couple of patterns for some new items I will be featuring in my shop soon. That is about it. Finishing up a couple of wallets, cleaning and organizing, and making a few little gifts for the family. I like the quiet and calm, it is much appreciated after a few weeks of craziness. I also get to get a new haircut today! I love getting my hair cut. Maybe with all this slowness, I will be able to take better care of my hair and everything else:) Here's to hoping!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Craft Show Hangover


I have a craft show hangover. Not really from the show so much as the clean-up afterwards. My house is a mess(it always is though), my work tables need organizing, I need to retake pictures of some of my items that didn't sell, I need to do laundry, I need to sit down and redesign one of my wallets, I need to finish decorating for Christmas, I need to do lots of stuff!

I am taking today off just to reconnect with my everyday life. I am going for a nice long walk with the kiddo and then I am going to find myself a dazzling outfit(and hopefully some things I can use in my wallets) at our local thrift store, then this evening, I am going to make burritos. All will be well! Then tomorrow I get to do the cleaning, decorating, organizing, and redesigning. I am actually looking forward to it, should be fun!

Friday, December 5, 2008

I Made it!

Twitchy eye and all! I made it through my first day at the big fair. Only two sales, but at least I sold something. Ciaran is such a trooper, he woke up around the same time I did which I can only described as way, WAY too early, and stuck it out the whole day with very little whining or fit throwing. He even took a nap! I swear that the evil baby went home with someone else at the hospital. I got the good baby:)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

My Eye, My Eye, My Eye!


My newest wallet, I have this one and many more like it ready for my show this weekend. I am loving this color combination of tan with an iridescent pink wash over the top of it with the brown and sparkly green. Too bad all the brown suede is now gone. I will miss it.

Other than new wallets, my eye is driving me nuts! It's twitching like crazy! It actually hurts! I think it may be from overwork. I hope after Sunday it will calm down and let me enjoy the rest of my Holiday season. I have been functioning on very little rest over the last couple of weeks plus a little family stress added in and there you go! Uncooperative eye muscles. Oh well, rest and relaxation come on Sunday evening, and I am so looking forward to it:)

I'll Take One of These Please

I so wish there was some wonderful fairy that would just drop a christmas tree at my door so I wouldn't have to cart my son downtown and struggle with pushing his stroller and dragging a tree home at the same time.

Having no car makes it tricky to get things like Christmas trees. My first Christmas back in Humboldt, I carried my tree home from the store. It was a tiny little thing but quite sticky with sap and prickly. I made it home despite hoots and hollers and pointy fingers and this is how it looked.

This year I am thinking I will buy a live tree. We have a bit of space to plant it outside when the holiday is over and the live trees are so lovely and the perfect size for our little apartment. I can't wait to decorate my little tree and sit at night watching the little colorful lights. Yay for pretty little trees, they smell great too!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Something is Happening!

The little egg is not as far along as the one in this picture but that is what it is starting to look like. It is so exciting! I just hope all goes o.k. for the little guy/gal. I am so surprised that it has made it this long with my shotty incubator thingy. I meant to buy a real incubator years ago just to have on hand I am kicking myself for not getting one sooner. Oh well, what I have set up seems to be working. Having a baby tortoise around would be awesome!

So as I dream about baby tortoises, I am cutting out a couple more wallets to sew up right quick for the show this weekend. I am only doing the extra sewing because I have really messed up my wrist and I can't get my ornaments done. I am super bummed about that but there is really nothing I can do until my wrist heals.

I started getting nervous about our upcoming show yesterday while I was out trying to find decor for our booth. My partner doesn't want to invest in any decor or lights until we see how the other booths are being set up which makes me really nervous. I don't like waiting until the last minute to get things done. I wish I could just go out and buy all the stuff we need today so we would be ready but I really don't have the money to get it all today. I think next year I will make sure to set enough cash aside so I can feel like I have prepared adequately for these shows. I really can't afford to do anything half-assed these days, especially when I am trying to build a business. I guess it all comes back to how much I hate relying on other people to do their part. I think that is why I prefer working alone. I know if I screw up it is all mine to take responsibility for, so out of fear of screwing up, not being prepare, etc. I get shit done! and well before on time. OOOH! I am getting antsy and angry just writing about it. I best get back to work and stop complaining. Here's to hoping for last minute miracles.

Monday, December 1, 2008

One Down, One to Go


I finished up my first of two holiday artisan fairs this past weekend. It was better than I expected and the public seemed a bit more receptive to the thought of recycled leather accessories. Last year there seemed to be a little bit of reluctance from customers on buying recycled leather. This year more people seemed open to the idea and I made a few more sales than expected which was great because I had a HUGE oopsie with my ornament making last week. I not only injured my wrist but I couldn't get my bezels to solder properly. I was really bummed! I have some new designs I wanted feedback on and now I can't because I don't have any of my finished ornaments to display. I am hoping that I will heal properly in the next month and get some of them in my shops so I can see if they get views or not. I did sell a lot of my older ornaments which was great! It is nice to know that all that hard work is appreciated by others.


The only thing I was really not happy about this weekend was not being able to do any Christmas shopping at the show. One of the kids that I used to work with, had some really fun fused glass bowls for sale and I so wanted to buy one. His mom is a wonderful glass artist and I think it is great that she is teaching him how to work with glass. He is really good too! I am off to sew a few more items for my show this weekend. Wish me luck:)

Friday, November 28, 2008

Is It Too Late To Be Thankful?

I found my thankfulness yesterday but today I feel even more thankful to have what I have. I am especially thankful for the very loud toddler sitting on the couch next to me screaming "HI!' at the tractor operator that keeps passing by our window. I am also very thankful for everything I have been able to do in the last year and the people that have encouraged me to keep going on my path. It feels good to be where I am, even though a little sore, tired, and stressed, I am happy! That is all that matters to me. Thanks all!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I Don't Have Time For This!

Not today anyways. I woke up feeling like I was underwater. My head is all stuffy, my legs are achy, and my belly feels like a slept with a pile of bricks on top of it. Weird! I am trying so desperately to be ready for this weekend's fun and games and now I feel like a big steamy turd! Maybe a little nap will help. The very vivid dreams I've been having lately don't help much. I awoke from one involving submarines, alien sea monsters, toothpicks, foil wrapped chicken, marshmallows, and a sling shot................... I would love to have that one interpreted.

In happier news,my little sister is celebrating her birthday today! Happy Birthday Kiara! Have a lovely day!
AND

The little tortoise egg is doing well. It developed a very distinct dark spot and a is now growing an opaque band around it's center, just like it's supposed to. Oh happy day! I sure hope the little guy/gal is comfy and warm. It would be so cool to have another shelled baby wandering around. We will see. I am thinking good and happy healthy baby thoughts.

Other than that it is work, work, work, (which I am loving, it feels good to be busy) and baking some pumpkin bread and pies. I promised my family I would not experiment this year, I do not want to repeat last year's disaster where I set our oven on fire and made a very hideous tasting pumpkin cheesecake.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Vroom.....clank,clank.clank!

That is what my house sounds like now. Lots of sewing, lots of hammering. Lots of busy going on. I am so glad for a grey day. I don't have to worry about getting out or anything but work for that matter. My son is snoozing happily in his crib, cats are cuddled up on the couch together and Imogene is out for a walk and a break from Abner. So I whittle away at my pile of stuff. I move from sewing to ornaments and back again. I am sewing up my little heart wristlets now. I have two more to do then it is on to my key chain wallets. As for ornaments, I am making the bezel settings today. Tomorrow is setting the glass baubles, attaching those to their wire frame and polishing. Oh boy! I get to have scaly, dry, cracked and very sore hands! Can't wait!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Puke and Other Destruction

I woke up this morning to the sound of my sickly cat Humbug vomiting in the hallway. When I got up to check on her there were three piles of puke throughout our apartment. Then I looked out our window to find that all of the berry brambles that were secluding our apartment from outside viewing are gone. We are left with a bare patch of mud with lots of twigs and leaves scattered about and a huge green tractor-thingy parked out in front of our deck. I am wondering what the plan is. Hopefully nothing too loud and bothersome. I already have a headache from scrubbing up puke piles first thing in the morning.



Oh well, at least I am getting some work done. Today it's off to the fabric store to get a few things to finally hunker down and finish up this big pile of stuff for my show next week. I finished this one yesterday. I think it might be a wallet that one of Dr. Suess' characters might use:)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tortoise Eggs Are Cool!


I never really thought that Imogene would lay an egg. I was so surprised when I found she had laid one yesterday in their enclosure. I had done some reading in the past about breeding tortoises but I kind of gave up since both of my little shelled wonders didn't seem very interested in even becoming friends for a long time. So yesterday when I found the egg I started up my reading again to make sure I am doing things right for the little thing. I can't wait to post a picture or two of the egg so everyone can see. Right now it is translucent white and when held up to the light I see a little dark patch on the bottom inside the egg. That patch will darken over the next couple weeks if the egg is in fact fertilized. So we are holding our breath and crossing our fingers for the little guy/gal until then.

The picture above is actually of a gopher tortoise hatching, I love that picture!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

After All These Years!





I thought it would never happen! My lovely little Imogene laid an egg for the first time today. I was taken by surprise. I went to dig out their old food from the previous day and found a little(or not so little) egg buried in their bedding. So far everything looks good. It should be a while before we find out if it is fertile or not. I am just so excited for my little tortoises. Such a happy little event! For celebration, Abner and Imogene dined on some spring mix salad and had a nice long soak in the sink. Wish them luck everyone:)

Look At What I Got!

I recently entered PamperingBeki's ornament exchange for 2008 and just received my ornament kindly given to me by Gina, a wonderful person from unpinklife.blogspot.com, made by MIVIDACREATIONS and isn't it the coolest?



I love it! I can't wait to put up my tiny little Christmas tree so I can show it off. I have been hanging it over my sewing table for happy sewing vibes and it seems to be working. I am finishing up an ornament to send off. I hope my ornament exchange buddy likes it.

Thanks to PamperingBeki for setting up this ornament exchange. Such a lovely event to bring in the holiday season.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Zippers and Thread are Exciting To Me

My newest pouch wallet in one of my new favorite color combinations, now listed and ready to go!



So, I scored once again at a couple of our local thrift stores. I found a whole stash of super colorful thread for twenty-five cents a spool at one of the stores(plus a little stuffed basset hound for Ciaran, and a cool wool sweater that I am going to turn into a vest for me) and a whole pile of zippers at another store for a dollar sixty-five! Yippee! I just had to replace another very expensive uv heat lamp for the torts, and Ciaran needs shoes, so I was wondering where my supply money was going to come from. So I scored with my thrift shop deals! I find it very exciting. I was telling someone about my great find and they looked at me like I was crazy. I suppose it is not as exciting if you don't make wallets or clothing and are always on the lookout for good deals on thread and zippers. Today I am looking for lining fabrics at our other thrift store. I can't wait!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

How to Cheer-up Those That Are Un-Cheerable

How do you cheer-up those that are un-cheerable? I really want to know because I feel that if I continue to try my soul will be sucked right out of my big toe never to be seen again! I can't always surround myself with happiness and cheer, but I refuse to drown in someone else's sorrows either. I guess I just need to keep plugging along and try to be an ear and a shoulder, but my ear hurts now and my shoulder is soggy and nothing ever seems to get resolved. I know everyone has to dig through their own piles to find their own little pot of shiny happiness but sometimes I wanna shake all the darkness and cobwebs out of them and say "snap out of it! PLEASE!" That is my rant for today. I am off to sew and drink more coffee!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Short But Sweet


I am busily chopping, and gluing leather for lots of these little billfolds among other things. I am also soldering many little ornaments to get ready for the holiday shows I have coming up. Not to mention the few jewelry pieces I would love to get done as well. So my posts will probably not be terribly exciting or lengthy for the next meanwhile. I have settled back in to my boring existence after setting myself on fire the other day. That will probably be the highlight of my week. I plan to spend the rest working hard at meeting my goals and being yelled at by my son for not having my lap available whenever he needs it. That is o.k. with me. Just as long as I get through these next couple of weeks to get stuff done without injury or illness. Should be a fun adventure!

Monday, November 10, 2008

I'm On Fire!


Yes! quite literally! I didn't realize cake batter was so flammable. I decided to make the guys a coffee cake for breakfast yesterday and didn't realize that I got the batter all over the front of my nightgown. So after the cake is done, and our bellies are full, I go off to solder up some of my ornaments. I am just soldering away in my happy little space, and then...............WHOOSH! a huge ball of fire fills the table hits my belly. I quickly turn off the torch and look around to see what could have caught fire like that. Well what do you know, it was ME! I had cooked cake batter all over the front of my nightie. I guess I need to rethink baking and soldering at the same time.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Cheeto Lovin' Kitties!


My dying kitty loves junk food. She has always loved donuts, dorritos, and cheetos. I don't know why. I don't eat these things very often. When I do, she is right in my face batting each little tidbit out of my hand. Today, I was enjoying some bleu cheese and jalapeno cheese puffs with my lunch and Humbug jumped up on my lap and stole one! Then she swallowed it whole! I couldn't believe my eyes! That wasn't the only one either. She stole about three more pieces and swallowed them all whole! I don't know how, but she did. Little monster. Now she is curled up on my lap again looking up at me with an evil look in her golden eyes. I am going to pay for this blog entry..........dearly!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008


We are stuck inside again. I have made my peace with it but my son has not. He has been wandering around for the last twenty minutes saying " Oh No!" in a teary, whiny sort of way. I feel bad for the little guy. He needs to get out to play. I guess it will have to be this evening on account of we are waiting for Grandma to come by for a few minutes, but we are not sure what time she is coming. We did get to go downtown for an adventure at the post office and the art store, and then to the school down the street to vote. Ciaran liked voting. While I voted, Ciaran flirted with anyone and everyone he could make eye contact. He even went so far as to throw his sippy and a stuffed alligator at a couple of voters that were not paying attention to his flirting. I am sure they appreciated that. So today the party is over. Ciaran can only flirt with me and the cats for so long before he loses interest. We are not all that exciting, especially after being locked inside a cramped apartment for days on end. All I can do is reassure the poor little guy that we will eventually get out again and he can resume his flirting with all of Arcata.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Dude! Don't Call Me At 7:30 AM About Voting!

"Argghhhh! All I am going to do is pick up the phone and scream at you anyways, I don't care if you're a robot! "

That is how I started my morning. With phone call after phone call from robot upon robot about voting.

I will vote in my own damn time, damn it! It would be nice to get prepared for the day first robotman! If you don't mind.

Then I had a fake chocolaty donut and a big frothy latte and I calmed down. Then the sun came out and I realized I had all of my packages ready to ship out and my voting decisions all ready to go. Then everything is o.k. I don't get why the robot voting squad would ever think it would be o.k. to phone someone before 10 am. I hope all robots are not as rude as the one that jarred me awake this morning.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Oh a beautiful rainy day! I just finished up and listed my latest wallet, made on my new machine! Now I am staring at a huge pile of leather pieces which will soon be headed for the same fate. I am spending my rainy morning gluing new applique's on to get them ready for sewing. I don't know what it is about the rain today but I have my motivation to work back, and it feels good.

Ciaran and I will be taking the bus downtown later to mail off a package or two and pick one up! A belated birthday surprise from my sister. I am so looking forward to my package! My sisters always give my such wonderful things. I think I just really like opening packages. Even just getting the tortoise's UVB lamp last week was fun. I am easily entertained like that, especially if they contain bubble wrap. That is my idea of a perfect day right now. A rainy day, a big cup of coffee, a spooky movie on the t.v., and some bubble wrap to play with! Sounds like my new plan for the day:)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Confusion Is My Middle Name?

At least I think it is! I am working hard at figuring out my new sewing machine. So far, so good but I get thrown for a loop once in awhile. The whole tension thing has confuzzled my brain! I think I have it.........then I don't. I am hoping I will be able to sew soon without the owner's manual sitting in my lap. I would be a lot more comfortable. I did manage to finish the little devil's finery on it though and it worked beautifully. There he is above in all his devilish wonderment. He had such a great time downtown. He was delighted the whole time and very proud of his costume.(So was his mommy!) We had a blast and it even waited to storm until we were safe at home.

I love Halloween! It is so different now with a little one than back a few years. It is so exciting to see Ciaran get excited about it. It truly made my day to see him so happy in his costume and even happier that he didn't want his candy and handed it off to me. I do miss heading downtown late on Halloween night to costume watch at bar row on the plaza, but spending a stormy evening at home with my two favorite guys and some spooky movies was the best!

So the sewing and soldering rush is on. I just hope I get enough done to get through the holidays! While I await the arrival of some new leather needles, I will be cutting, gluing and soldering. I plan to tear butt over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more details

Friday, October 31, 2008

Pumpkin Carving!



The little devil has his tail and pitchfork. The soul cakes are made, and the jack o' lantern is carved. Now on to our other festivities after the little devil is done napping. Looks like we are in for a very rainy Halloween, luckily we will just be hanging out on the plaza trick or treating then back to Mark's shop to watch all the goblins and ghouls come out to get their treats.

We had a busy morning, the devil's tail still needed to be attached and I wanted to get the jack o' lantern carved and the pumpkin seeds roasted so I wouldn't have to do very much when we get home from trick or treating. I made soul cakes this year because Ciaran can't eat candy yet and I wanted to make sure he got a treat of some kind. I have wanted to make soul cakes since I was a kid and first read about them in an article about the history of Halloween. So I looked up a recipe and got started. I did add some apple to them as a request from Mark(along with peanut butter icing for them). I couldn't get into the peanut butter icing though, it just kind of took over the flavor of the cookie. So we went with plain old powdered sugar and they are just swell!

I look forward to a nice afternoon out and about then home for split pea soup, scary movies, and a beer(or two!) Then it's on to November, man oh man does time go by fast! Happy Halloween everyone!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Diggin' For The Debil!

My newest little snappy wallet. I had to go with the green and black again. I just couldn't resist. My new machine really does a kick butt job with all this leather and suede. I am a very happy camper!

I just finished the Ciaran's little devil costume. He is way too cute in it. Although he swims in it. I decided to make it a little larger so he could wear the pants and hoodie through the winter. Yes! I cheated and I am not afraid to say it!

Anyways, the little devil thing made me think of my little sister and her obsession with the devil when she was little. My little sister is on the quiet side. She keeps to herself for the most part and has done so since she was tiny. I remember in kindergarten watching her in the kindergarten play yard with the group of kids she had convinced to help her dig for the devil in the sandbox. She and the other kindergartners were going to dig the dude up and kick his spiny butt all over town. I just remember when she and the others were asked what they were up to they would reply "We're diggin' for the debil, and when we get him, we are going to beat him up!" While I was busy building my clay creatures, or drawing pictures of "Sky-Dog"( that is a whole other story in itself) in the second grade yard, I would occasionally hear whoops and hollers of joy....er...um...hatred "Let's get him guys! Don't let him go! We are going to beat him up!" It still makes me giggle to this day. So every time I see a picture of a devil, I think of my bad-ass little sister and her four and five year old gang of hooligan's tormenting the devil. I don't think that game would fly in these times, but it is one of my most hilarious and treasured school memories.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tagged Again:)

Thanks to Elizabeth of Evy Designs you will now know seven more things about me that you may or may not want to know. Hopefully, it will be somewhat entertaining to you.

1. I can pick up items and pinch with my toes. In fact, I prefer to pick things up with my toes, life is just easier that way. It really hurts to get pinched by toes, I have tried it on myself.

2. One of the reasons I left my teaching career was the deep fear of having to wear teddy bear jumpers and holiday themed sweaters.

3. I like my body more after my pregnancy than before. I don't know why, I just do. More boobs and bottom I guess:)

4. I can't stand dipping cookies or other sweets into milk or coffee, but I love dipping bread into soup. I have no idea why, I guess it is because soup is supposed to be chunky but milk and coffee shouldn't be. Oh, my stomach is turning just trying to rationalize it.

5. I love buying shoes but hate wearing them. I spend most of my time barefoot and I like it that way. I guess it is a good thing that I can't afford to buy shoes right now.

6. I have a very big fear of deep water. I have never learned how to swim because I can't get the courage to go into any body of water past my knees, and my first swim instructor threw me into the deep end of the pool at the YMCA and said "you're on your own kid!" What an awesome way to show someone how to swim:P

7. I have been obsessed with turtles and skeletons my entire life. My first turtle was a plastic model named Gamara and my first skeleton was a little glow in the dark skeleton model named Skully. I broke Gamara while playing outside one summer's day and he forever had a rubber band around the middle of him holding his parts together. Skully's demise came shortly after, when I woke up in the middle of the night to find him glowing at me from the closet. I screamed, my parents came in my room and rescued me, and Skully has been missing ever since.

So, there you go, more about me and all that I am. I hope you enjoyed reading! I am not sure when I will tag someone else, but I will, because as much as I like to share these little tidbits about myself, I like to read about other people more:)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The New Kid on The Block


Here is the newest member of our family. My new machine. My old machine is now reclining on the couch ready for her much deserved vacation. I got to play around a bit last night and ended up making two wallets and starting on a third. It is nice to have a machine with a bit of a punch to it. Not that my viking wasn't powerful. I love that machine but she needs a little love to get back to her old self. So now there are two and I love them both! I tried not to get too much of my messy sewing table in the picture. I have a huge pile of patterns and other little pieces of info that need to be filed away somewhere. I hate organizing!

Here is my first wallet from my new machine. I love deep green suede. It is so purty! I wish I had more of it to play with. I got a great idea for an applique with some of it. It will be very inspired by the redwood forest. I hope it turns out as good as it looks in my mind.

So now it is back to finishing the little devil's accessories for Halloween and finishing up a couple of wallets to list in my Etsy and icraft shops. But first!............more coffee! Have a great day all!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Catching up

I feel like I have been out of the loop for a while. Not having a sewing machine and not having full access to the computer over the weekend was really weird. I managed to get a little time in here and there but not like my week days, where I can get everything done that I need to. Now I am playing catch-up. Just like after a vacation I guess. Mmmmmmm, vacation sounds good! I want one now! But, only if it's at a place that has lots of coffee and chocolate, because that is what I need right now.
I did manage to get this little wallet all sewn up. I decided to just go ahead and finish up the seams so I could at least list one thing in my shops this week. I love the color combination. Believe it or not I got it from a fancy bra I saw on one of those fashion shows. Super dark and beautiful brown suede with iridescent lilac and metallic lime green. Fancy, Fancy stuff!!!! Can't wait to try more in this combination. Come soon little sewing machine! I need you!

Sunday, October 26, 2008



My newest custom creation with the cutest little currency signs ever. I sure had fun making this one! I hope it's new owner enjoys it just as much:)




The little devil is coming along nicely. The little devil costume that is. Ciaran wants to wear his new little horned hoodie around the house and throws huge fits whenever I tell him no. My sewing machine is once again putting up with me despite it's injury so the sewing is going just fine. I am just praying that it holds out through the rest of the costume sewing. Now Mark wants a devil costume too. I don't think I can take having two devils in the house at the same time. Too darn evil for me:)

The week ahead holds lots of baking( I am trying my hand at soul cakes and yummy pumpkin cookies, hopefully the arrival of a new sewing machine, then lots of sewing, trick or treating and hot apple cider. Maybe even a ghoulish dance with a jack o'lantern. Sounds like spooky good fun to me. I am off to enjoy a scary movie and a cup of coffee while my little devil is napping. Have a great day all!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Gluing the Day Away

So in order to save time for the next few days while I await my other sewing machine I get to glue! I don't mind the gluing part, it is actually really easy to do when Ciaran is up and around. It is just that I want to sew!!!! I want to get all my pieces done for these upcoming shows and to stock up my shop for the holidays. I ate glue by accident the other day, it was horrible. I must have had some on my hands while I was having my snack of peanut butter and apples. Blahh! I don't recommend it.

So today I spend the day gluing various pieces of colorful leather together, cutting out my little devil's devil costume, and watching my tortoise rampage! Their light and heat source for their enclosure burnt out yesterday and in order for them to get a few hours of sunshine, they are free in my living room. Chasing one another and scaring the cats. I came out the shower yesterday morning to find Abner perched on top of a backpack by the door and Imogene trying to dig herself a burrow through one of the kitchen cabinets. Oh well, as long as they are having fun, I am happy.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I think I killed it!


Luckily I finished this and a few other pieces before it happened! I think I killed my sewing machine! Something snapped somewhere and it sounded BAD! My machine still works, but I choose not to injure it more. That along with a sick kiddo, has made for a couple of hellish days. Not only was I bit panicked for my little guy who was pretty darn sick there for a couple of days, but then I began to panic about getting all my work done for the holidays this year. Someone must have been smiling on me because I had just ordered my new heavy duty machine a bit earlier, so now the panic is just a little whisper instead of a big loud growl. Of course, now I am flat broke again but my little boy is feeling better enough to dance around and head-butt me, and I will have a new machine to terrorize while my other machine gets a much deserved vacation and a check-up. All is well in Arcataland:)

Monday, October 20, 2008

So I Can't Move My Head AGAIN!

I don't know how it happened but I woke up with a super stiff neck again. I can't move my head around too much, it hurts all the way down my back. I actually got sleep, we had the bed to ourselves, except for Yui cat, and I went to bed earlier than normal. Maybe I didn't move enough or something. Again, I don't know, all I can say is that I am having to figure out how to drink coffee without moving my head from it's slightly tilted position. Just so you know, it is not working, and I really need a bib.

I finally figured out what to do with all the pieces of super pliable leather that I have found on my adventures. I love this little purse design and I am definitely going to make some more and hopefully soon!

So we have a new pet. Or, a new pet has us. We have a bouncing baby spider that lives by the computer, and only comes out when the computer is on. I have tried to get a picture but I think the little guy/gal is shy. I think he or she is addicted to the Internet. His or her home is in the table lamp next to the computer. It is really nice to have a little extra company while I am checking on my shops or blogging. We haven't come up with a name yet. We are hoping the little critter will tell us what it wants to be called.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Ouch!

So one of my newer pieces with lots of brilliant color. I love my bright orange leather! It is really really bright and kind takes over though so it needs extra bright and cheery colors to go with it. Fun times! I am getting to like the whole zipper experience too. I like the feeling of little secret compartments.

So I hurt my knee doing a yoga stretch the other day. It is really sore and bothering me. So now my lovely walks downtown have been interrupted, which sucks! I think I am going to attempt a walk with my little knee wrap so I can see if it is still do-able. The trouble is, Ciaran needs exercise, and so do I. There is only so much you can do to entertain yourself in a tiny little apartment, so I at least need to be able to make it down to the school grounds so Ciaran can run around in the afternoons. Ick! I feel like I have been sitting on my butt for years now. I want to be outside in the fresh air, watching my son run around like crazy. Get better soon knee!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Coffee On An Empty Stomach

Never the greatest of ideas, but I sure wish my belly could tolerate it today. I woke up with not much of an appetite but a huge lustful urge for coffee! I love coffee but some days I just crave it like food. Weird! I need the caffeine to keep up with the kid today and make our trip downtown. I am truly out of it. Going to bed late, not sleeping well, and getting up to rescue a screaming toddler may be some of the reason for my zombie like state. Ciaran seems to fair better than me. He is watching a cartoon and screaming "ALL-RIGHT!" at the screen. I wish I could just steal a little bit of that energy. It would help so much! Well, "ALL-RIGHT!" I am off to eat, drink, and glue things. Have a great day:)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I Got Tagged!








Yes, it is my turn to share some random facts about myself, seven to be precise. Thanks to Jewelry Rockstar, you will now all know some random bits about myself that many may or may not know already.

1. When I was five I wanted to be a pig and I cried when my parents laughed about it. Like the time my sister and my parents told me I was adopted and that my real parents were cows from outer space. I was mortified....not about being a cow's offspring, but about being from outer space.

2. I have always loved ghost stories. It started when I was tiny. When I was little, I had and invisible friend named Horace who was a ghost and lived in abandoned amusement park on the hill above my house. Horace used to follow me everywhere......until he got another girlfriend.

3. I have an insane fear of hangovers, probably from my wilder days, I hate the head achy, yuck-tummy, barfilicious feeling and will never have more than two drinks because of it.

4. I love exploring old ghost towns. One of my goals is to get out and see the ones in the far reaches of Northern California and photograph them. I have been to a few but I have never gotten to photograph them.

5. I love old homes, I hope to one day buy one, restore it and live in it until I am very, very old.

6. I had to give up crocheting because I became obsessive about it and couldn't stop causing great pain to my hands and back.

7. I have never seen Bigfoot, although I try each time we are out in the forest. It is another one of my goals, just to see a big ol' footprint or something. Some say that you will smell him before you see him though.

I am sure there is a lot more about me but that should be enough to entertain for a while. Well, I am off to explore ghost towns and hunt for Bigfoot tracks!

Monday, October 13, 2008

I Won, I Won, I Won!

Thanks to Treasures By Tina, I won some lovely note cards from her shop on Friday! I was so excited , I never win anything, so this was a real treat. I picked a set of note cards with dandelions on them. I love them! Thanks Tina! You made my day:) Check out TreasuresbyTina when you get a chance, another wonderful Etsy shop:)
The weekend brought on a new interest in polka dots and more interesting color combinations. I finished this little guy up this weekend and decided against a snap, the button closure was more fitting for this one. I spent the rest of my time planning out a couple new color combinations, the first is a grey-ish blue and deep plum, the second is chocolate brown, iridescent lilac, and lime green. So far so good. The distraction from sick kitty care was good and I feel like I got a lot done. I wish I could post my color combinations to get an opinion but unfortunately the pictures I took did not turn out very well so I will just go with what I have and show off some pictures when the pieces are complete. Hopefully they won't suck.

Humbug is hanging in there! She has regained her appetite and seems to have a little more energy these days. She is beginning to demand lap time again and begs for food constantly, so a sure sign she is feeling better. So we just wait and watch and love her all up, we want her to enjoy her time here.

Friday, October 10, 2008

My Newest Custom Order


The end of the week has brought a successful finish to my latest custom order. It was really fun to put together. I love a challenge and it was quite a challenge sewing a teeny ohm sign onto this little wallet. It turned out beautifully though and I am glad. I hope it's new owner will be happy with it:)

It has been a long and crazy week full of terminally ill kitties, tantruming toddlers, and other shenanigans. Now that it is winding down, I am looking forward to a weekend of pumpkin patch exploring, and festival going. I need to get out of the house, get my mind on other things, and wrap my head around what is really going on here. I need to sort out a new schedule for Ciaran and I, and get cracking on more stuff! I just want to be as efficient as possible, especially with Humbug needing a lot of extra care for the rest of her time here. I am sure it will all work out but I at least want to have a plan, a plan will just make me feel better. It's that safety thing, just having some grasp on what is happening next...........even though what I plan and what actually happens could be two totally different things. Ah the unexpected! Surprises me every time:)

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Too Much Hot Sauce!

My mouth is on fire! I just made scrambled eggs and goofed by dumping a ton of hot sauce onto them on accident. I scraped off what I could but MAN! THOSE WERE SOME HOT EGGS! My eyes are even tearing up! OUCH! That was not the most comfortable way in the world to wake-up for the day. I would rather have my double latte but now at least I feel awake:)

So my dear Humbug is back home with us today, she is back to her old cranky self but we know she won't be with us much longer. She is definitely suffering from chronic kidney failure and is at the worst stage of the disease. So all we can do is make her happy and comfortable until it's her time to go.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Those Were The Days

"Here is my heart, don't break it!" I said that to some dumbass in high school that I swore I was madly in love with and gave him this super cute antique crystal heart as a little keepsake. I thought it was all sentimental and cute at the time, now I kick myself because he turned out to be a booger gone bad, and I lost one of my favorite little pieces of jewelry. Bummer. That experience has made me learn to keep my good jewelry to myself, and to not share it with people that don't appreciate it. Big obscene gestures to that mean dude that eventually broke my real heart (I am not sure about what happened to the crystal heart, I imagine he gave it to some other girl , who knows.) ..........................Not that I am bitter or anything:)

I just talked to my mom this morning. She was a little teary and sad. My uncle Dave sent my mom a big box of family photos and my mom had just gone through them. She commented on how cute my sisters and I all were when we were kids and I joked "Yeah? and look what has happened to us!" She laughed but said that it wasn't that we aren't all still cute but that it was something kids had about them naturally. Excitement, amazement, joy, all the things that we don't always show when we are adults. We came to the conclusion that it is a goal to keep some of those feelings about the world within our hearts throughout our lives, to make our time here worth it. Now, I have to say that this is a new goal for me, a few years back my goal was just to survive the day, go home, or go out and buy some shoes to soak up some of my exhaustion and depression. With Ciaran here, I see things a little differently. Not that the world is perfect and beautiful all the time, because it is definitely not, but if you can look past all the crap going on out there, it is a wonderful, mysterious place, full of adventures of your choosing. Yes, it is a choose your own adventure kind of place. That is how my son is seeing the world now, and I don't want me or anyone else to mess that up for him in any way.

We learned yesterday that Humbug is suffering from kidney failure and an infection of some sort. She seems to be feeling a little better, her appetite has improved and she has perked up a bit, but her kidneys don't seem to want to cooperate. We will be keeping her happy and comfortable at home for the meanwhile.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

New and Improved

This is my first new and improved travel wallet. I made it a little roomier, and added a couple extra card pockets. I went with this beautiful caramel colored leather because it is so darn smooth and soft! I am having way too much fun with the leaf and vine designs right now. I am trying to expand my horizons, but it is tricky when one thing just appeals so much to my eyeballs. We will see what I come up with next time. I still have a thing for polka dots so that may show up in a few more of these little wallets. Polka dots just make me happy. When I was a kid my sisters and I fought over a little orange dress with magenta polka dots on it. Of course, when it was my turn to wear it, I ended up falling asleep with a piece of gum in my mouth and waking up to all of my hair stuck to the dress and ended up having to be cut out of the dress. It was the end of my long hair and the end of the polka dot dress. It was a sad day. I never napped with gum in my mouth after that. In fact, I don't know why I had gum in the first place. I have always hated chewing gum. I don't know why but it grosses me out. I would rather chew on a stinky sock than chew gum. Blahhh!!!!

In other news, no news on Humbug yet. I am hoping we will learn a little more today, but I am not holding my breath. She seems a little more on the perky side today. She was begging for food this morning which has not been the case for a while now. I take that as a good sign for the day. Right now she is spying on me as I write this from between Mark's shoes. I think she is saying "Hurry up and finish writing, I need a lap to curl up in, NOW!" I must obey the queen.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Happy Monday?


Here is the newest of the pouches, I am really enjoying putting them together. I like the snap idea. I think it brings the design together. I am sure I will find something else I would like to change about the design down the road, but for now, I am enjoying my creation. So now I am on to the next one:)

So, I am sitting here with a bit of a knot in my stomach waiting for the vet to call about miss Humbug Beazus. I am pretty sure she is dying but I just need to hear it from her vet before I can just come to terms with it. She is a trooper kitty! She is still up and about, as slow as a snail and quite stiff but up and about, keeping an eye on her Queendom. It is so frustrating to only be able to provide a lap to sit on and some kind words to her. I want to make her comfortable and I can't. So I just work with her next to me, and try not to disturb her, and just try to enjoy our time together.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Something Cool for Etsy Peoples

This blog: ourminietsy is full of wonderful Etsy shops! I am so excited to be a part of it. I even found some shops I hadn't seen before and started making my holiday lists. Thanks to StrawberryAnarchy for putting this together. Another wonderful seller who has set up a wonderful way to get the word about Etsy out there. Yipee! Go check it out if you have a chance you might find something you fall in love with, I know I did:)

Friday, October 3, 2008

Rainy Friday!


I am so glad the kid and I got out for errands yesterday. It has been soaky-sopping wet since we got up this morning and I am just not feeling like being out in it. I have claimed today as "get all the little things done" day. I am cutting out wallets, finishing jewelry, and washing out living room walls. All this as well as playing with the kid and keeping an eye on our sickly old Humbug kitty. She has been suffering from an unknown ailment and we are trying to keep her comfortable and happy until we can get her in to the vet. I sure hope everything is o.k. she has been my little partner in crime for over fourteen years now! I don't know what I would do without her. I love her and I want her to get better, I just have a sinking feeling that she is wandering down that path to kitty heaven. Not immediately but soon. Sad stuff but inevitable. Man, sorry to be such a bring down! I am going to go back to cutting out my stuff now. Have a great weekend all!