What a Beautiful Day!

We are blessed with a very sunny and warmish day today. Not only that but my honey has a car for the week and will be taking us on a little adventure later. What fun! So far I have spent my day deterring a wasp from starting a nest under the eaves of our apartment, hand washing my few pieces of clothing that fit right now, and deciding on what type of swivel clips to buy for my next round of wallet making. Now I look forward to finishing up a couple of projects and getting ready for a little adventure. Today will probably be a little drive to the coffee place for a cookie and a warm and slightly jittery beverage for me and the boy and then a drive through the bottoms to say hi to the cows. Always fun:)

Oh Boy!

Some of my newer heart shaped items in honor of Valentine's Day. I am excited about our Valentine's fun this year. Our little family will be heading downtown to our favorite coffee house for a coffee for mom and dad, and a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream for the kiddo. Then home to have a nice dinner together and to watch a couple of movies. Simple and sweet. That is all I want.

So, my dizzy head is giving me a bit of a break today. I can move my head in both directions and look down now without getting dizzy. It is so lovely! I feel sooooooo much better now. I was starting to think I would be dizzy forever! I actually finished one project and got another one cut out yesterday, even with my new plan for work. I just hope I can keep it up. I tend to work best in the "all or none" approach. Meaning, when I work, I can work for hours on end and not take breaks. This was wonderful when I wasn't a mom and only worked in my off hours from my day job. I needed that super concentrated brain power to work through all that my stressful work week had handed me. Now, it's a bit different. I need breaks. I need breaks to be a mommy, to eat, to drink, and just to rest. No more working until I am cross-eyed and sore all over.........at least not for a while.

How Many Sips Does it Take......

To wake up enough to start the day? My coffee isn't cutting it this morning. I am trying to get motivated but I keep finding myself staring off into space with one eye only partially opened. Not that I have tons to do, but enough that I should be working right now. Ciaran has no problem waking up, I wish I could just suck up a little of his energy and go with it!

I am excited about my day though. The expectation of some bright green leather in the mail, and a few little projects to sew. Oddly enough, I am actually really excited about doing a little closet organization. I am in the process of getting rid of some of my work clothes that I haven't worn in what seem a bazillion years. It will be nice to say goodbye to my old peanut butter and booger encrusted, bleach stained wardrobe. I can't see where my lovely outfits of this nature would work for me. I am NOT going to be looking out that way for more employment. Even if I do end up having to go back into working out of the home, I doubt anyone really notices that stuff (especially around here), but I do. Since I have given up my interest of working in the childcare field, I think full closure would be to give up the wardrobe. It will be nice to be free! (Although partially naked and free, because my old outfits are the only things that fit right now:)

I Did it Again!

I let all my work pile up towards the end of the week, so now I have to haul butt to get stuff done! Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!! I hate when I do that. I know everything will get done, and the deadlines that I set are a little more strict that reasonable, I just wanted to start some other stuff and build up my inventory. So for now the list goes as follows: deep breaths, make another cup of coffee, eat a snack, take a vitamin, get out the glue and the scissors, thread the sewing machine, and get crackin'! Have a great weekend all!

Mmmmm Coffeeeeeeeee!

A good start to the year is a good cup o' joe. Mine ROCKS! Homemade chocolate syrup in the bottom, and foamy, happy milk on the top. You just can't go wrong. Happy New Year! Enjoy your day all!

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!

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.

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:)

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!

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!

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.

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:)

Back to Work

So the Design Collective is over, I took the day yesterday to clean-up a little bit and improve some designs and now I am back to work. I have started listing some new wallets and I am making more day by day. I love the color combination in this one the bright raspberry pink with black and pumpkin orange. It stands out! I have decided to make my travel wallets just a smidgen bigger to fit a check book and more cash! I think it will go over well. I just want to design and make things that are pretty and practical. I think I am on the right track.

I am trying a new pouch design in sage green, lavender, and black that I think will look wonderful when done. I am going to be adding two zipper pockets, and a lot more slip pockets to the design to make it super usable. I am excited! I love the process of creating, you never do know what you'll end up with but the learning experience from the process is the key. That to me is worth it. Even if the project doesn't work out and you have to scrap the whole thing, at least you have learned what will or won't work.

Today we head downtown for a few errands. The weather seems to have changed into its more Autumn like appearance. Overcast and colder, with a tease of sun at the very end of the afternoon. I love it, but it definitely bugs a lot of the people around here, they so wanted more of a Summer. I can't say I blame them, but I still like the idea of bundling up in a nice warm sweater, hot cocoa, coffee, and a nice long walk. No more sandals, I guess I have to wear real shoes and socks. Not my favorite thing to do, but, I will give in for the sake of my poor chilly feet.

So back to work I go, hopefully I will have some good sewing karma and some amazing stuff will come out of that. No holding breath or crossing fingers though, it will be what it will be, no flipsy-changos!

Sometimes Colors are just too Yummy!

I just finished this little wallet. I decided to put an iridescent red sheen over the caramel colored leather for the base and wow! did it turn out cool. It only slightly tinted the caramel color adding a distressed quality to it. In the light it glows this wonderful warm pink. I decided that the metallic olive green and brown suede would look awesome together and they do! The olive green has a little iridescence to it to so it just adds a little more pizazz to it. I love little successes! It makes all the problem solving and puzzling worth it.

Today is one of those super foggy days and I am hanging out inside drinking way too much coffee and working on my latest custom order. My first computer sleeve/case thingy. It will be a really cool project. Lots of colorful applique work. It is just getting the motivation to jump in and just do it. Ciaran helped me pick out some bright orange cotton to line the case with. For 18 months old, that little boy sure has an eye for color. So now I have to figure out exactly how the whole thing will work together and then get to business with the applique design. It should be a fun project for such a blah day.

Later we eat burgers, fries, and Mark is going to make us a lemon meringue pie. I can't wait! Hopefully it will all agree with all the coffee I've been drinking.

Where's The Glue?

So, among the wonderous birthday gifts I got this year, I received a lovely portable tray that I use as a work station. I wanted something of the sort so I could still work on my projects while hanging out with the kid. It is fantabulous!!!! I can pile all sorts of stuff on it and plop down on the floor or the couch and work away without having to get up to grab something every two seconds. I wish Ciaran saw it that way. He keeps coming over and taking little pieces of leather, pencils, paintbrushes, and finally my glue! I happened to find the rest of the items but not the glue. He has been hiding things behind the stereo lately but it's not there. It is also not on the couch, under the couch, behind the couch, behind the curtains, or in the baby wipes container. ARRRGGHHH! HE IS SUCH A STINKER! My glue is missing and I need it! Maybe it's his subtle way of telling me I need a break, perhaps a walk to the coffee shop for cookie and coffee, then a peaceful chat in the park. So I guess I am finished for the meanwhile, until the glue reappears. I guess it's a good thing I was heading downtown anyways to get another pot of glue.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Here is a picture of my new baby! I had a hard time getting a clear photo because of my caffeine buzz this morning. What a lovely birthday so far! I have had no sleep due to Ciaran's teething and when I changed him this morning he threw a huge fit and yanked out a handful of my hair. I was sad......... then I realized my new friend was waiting to make me some coffee, so then I was happy! Then I got on the computer to check all my usual, email, my shops, etc. then I saw that little Etsy "Happy Birthday nicaeli!" right next to all my shop info. Awww, someone remembered! Thanks Etsy! Now it's on to more coffee, finishing up a couple custom orders, more coffee, pizza, beer, and lemon meringue pie, oooh, that sounds like a stomach ache waiting to happen! I am not sure if my dinner and celebration will be in that order and then hopefully I will be able to catch Ghost Hunters International and then some much needed sleep.





I received this lovely piece in the mail yesterday from my Namaste Art Swap buddy. The photo doesn't do it justice, but I just wanted to share. It was made by Dina Miller who also has an Etsy shop called fairyfelts. I love this set of felted bowls and the little pin is so lovely. They are gorgeous! Thank you Dina:) What a great experience this art swap has been. I have to give a big Thank you to Tameka for getting this all started!

Mmmmmmmmmmm Coffee!

I just got the bestest ever birthday present from Mark! I got an espresso maker! Now I can make all sorts of crazy coffee drinks! AND THEY WILL ALL BE MINE! Really, it was a lovely surprise and I am so happy. Coffee is a life saver for me, especially this week! Hello little espresso maker, you are my new best friend!

Dirty Clothes and A Visit to the Vet

Here is my newest made amongst the chaos of fighting cats and screaming toddler. I love the color combination. The blue leather by itself is kind of odd. It is a blue-grey leather and not very exciting by itself. The purple and the green seem to make it happy because it brightens up next to them. Oh happy little wallet!

Today is vet day! I get to go in dirty clothes because the washing machine for our apartment complex is broken and no one has come out to fix it. So I am stinky. I doubt the pets will mind. It will give them more to do while they are waiting for their turn to be poked and prodded by their doctor. It just feels so gross to not have anything clean to wear. Why bother taking a shower if I have to wear the same pair of jeans that I have been wearing for the last week. Blah! Luckily, I have clean underwear. If I didn 't I would have probably cancelled Yui's appointment.

Right now I am sipping on my second cup of coffee and listening to Ciaran make velociraptor noises from his crib. The kid cracks me up! He has quite a collection of sound effects and it keeps growing day by day. Yay for a sunny day and COFFEE!!!

Coffee, Cats, and Painting

I am getting a rare moment to myself with my steaming hot cup of coffee and a warm purring cat snuggled next to me. I am painting some plum and lime green leather for some "splat" appliques for my next wallet. I love it! I can get a little bit done, enjoy my coffee, and reconnect with one of our fuzzy roommates. This particular fuzzy one has a date with the veterinarian on Tuesday. He must be so excited. It will be nice to have all of his medical needs out of the way for the rest of the year.

Yui suffers from seizures, so he has to have medication on a daily basis. So once a year, poor Yui goes to visit his friends at the animal clinic, where he is poked with needles, and checked out head to toe. Looking at him you would never guess that he has a medical condition at all. He is HUGE! He weighs a bit over seventeen pounds and is taller and longer than any other cat in our neighborhood. He is also the sweetest and most timid cat in the neighborhood. I don't think I have ever heard him growl or hiss at any other cat. The only time he has hissed at me was when I was stepping on his tail and didn't realize it. Sorry Yui.

Applewine and a Walk Downtown

I got to try the applewine last night. It is really good! I can't wait to have more than just a sip. Yummy, slightly sweet, kind of dry, like hard cider. Mark is getting pretty good at this brewing stuff. I hope he keeps his interest. Now everyone in the family wants to try his concoctions, mostly out of curiosity. I think everyone should be pleasantly surprised. The applewine should be ready by my birthday next month so I can celebrate my 39th with a nice cold glass! EEK! 39? Already? How did that happen?

Today, Ciaran and I are heading downtown to mail out a few parcels and pick up some interfacing and paint. I will probably cruise the thrift stores to see if there is any treasure to be had. It is a foggy day, not too cold, not too hot, just perfect for a walk. A perfect day for coffee, a cookie, the post office, the fabric store, and the thrift stores. I just found a pumpkin orange suede jacket yesterday, I can't wait to make things with it. I have been so inspired by the colors of the lupines and poppies growing along the highway, I really want to make a few items in those particular colors. The colors we have in this world are really amazing!

Later, I am hoping to get a few minutes to solder a pendant and a ring that I have been working on for ages. The ring is a mixture of copper and sterling silver, which will have an opal set in it, and the pendant is one of my fused sterling silver pieces. My real concern is the ring. I haven't soldered copper and silver together in a long time and this piece is a custom order for someone else. This is my second attempt at this project. I only solder when Ciaran is safely asleep so it might have to wait until late tonight. I will be the secret midnight solderer. I have my fingers crossed that all will go well. Soldering is tricky even when you know what you are doing. It gets really tricky when you pick it up after not doing it for a while. I hope I have good soldering energy tonight. Wish me luck!