Bubbling and Boiling

yes, things are bubbling, brewing, and boiling over here in my secret laboratory. Mostly in my head at the moment. The ideas are fighting with a nasty cold I picked up somewhere this week. Ciaran's got it too, so no sleep for me the last few nights, which is making me a very grouchy lady. I am using my "grouchy time" to draw up new designs and reconfigure old ones. Since my eyes are pretty much a wreck when my sinuses are all messy and wrong, I don't do much as far as sewing. I do however, do lots of drawing, cutting and gluing. I managed to plow my way through a pile of coin pouches and wallets yesterday and once my head is a bit clearer, I plan to sew, sew, sew and get these babies listed!

I am also collecting more and more for my collar project. I was going through my stash this morning and thought I would snap a pic, just so I could show you all what I have going on. I forgot how much I love antique and vintage items, so full of mystery. I am crossing my fingers that I can finish up the initial collection of antique beads and baubles by the end of the month so I can get this show on the road. I am still looking for the perfect black buttons for closures, a bunch of little teeny tiny black beads, and a handful of beaded trim and applique, then it's full steam ahead!(here's to hoping anyways!)

Still sniffling and sneezing.

It won't go away! Luckily, my sinuses are stuffy most of the time, I kind of like it that way, I have no sense of smell, so I can't smell any of the weirdness that seems to permeate this town.(Arcata is full of weird smells, they used to claim it was Eureka, but I beg to differ.) I don't think I have actually been able to smell much of anything since I was about thirteen. I've gotten used to it. It's just weird. I just feel bad for Mark and Ciaran, who are both super stuffy and not too happy about it. There is no getting used to gallons of snot continually running from your nose. It's just gross. So, I get to miss out on seeing my pal Katie's brand new baby girl(I am extremely bummed about that), and getting my long overdue coffee and a cookie(that's a big bummer too!), and a nice walk in the sun. Bummer, Bummer, Bummer. The good thing is that I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks, and my time spent inside is being used wisely.............for the most part.

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!

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!!!!

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.