Starting Fresh

It's the start of a new week without stomach illnesses and super elbow soreness. I am celebrating by taking my two little ones out on the town for some more thrift store shopping(mostly for me this time) and out for our usual cookie and coffee. There is some talk of visits to the drug store to look at toys and perhaps visiting Dad at work. We'll see how it goes. I have been existing on very little sleep and very small amounts of food for the last few days so the energy is just not there. Blah!

My plans are once expanding with the change of the seasons! I kind of cringe when I get this way, I tend to get a little carried away when I start moving things around so this year I am being cautious. The fact is, I just want to keep my leathery business going and going and need to really buckle down and get my butt out there. So, again I will be cleaning out my shops, especially my artfire shop to make room for some new items. I think it will be great motivation to get some new things made and quick! So if you do visit my shop in the next few weeks and there is not much of a selection, NEVER FEAR! just means I am making room for some new and beautiful leathery things to show. Since summer tends to be pretty slow for sales, I think it would be a great time to change things up and add new inventory. I am also considering a couple give-aways over the next couple of months, not really to get more customers, but I kind of think that I need a few people to use a couple of my wallets and let me know if they work and what I can improve on. I figured if I did a couple of contest-y type dealies that the critique process would be more fun. I guess I 'll have to see about that too.

The Sun is Out!

..............And it's time for a walk! Last night I was finally able to sleep on my left side without dizziness and I can now look down without puking all over my feet! I love it! So today, I celebrate with my little partner in crime at our local thrift store, looking for leather and pants that might fit. Then off to see Mark at work, so Ciaran can flirt a bit, and then off for a cookie and coffee, so Ciaran can flirt some more. He really likes to flirt. Yipee for feeling better! Have a rainbow-like, metallic-y, purple-y, peaceful weekend everyone.................but only if you want to:)

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!

Whistle While You Work

So, I am working my butt off on various projects and so far......so good. I have a couple of these little wristlets cut out and ready to put together. I had so much fun doing the two custom pieces that I decided to make a few for my shop and my upcoming shows. I also want to try an oval shape, perhaps in a ladybug pattern, just for fun.

I have decided to look for clothing that would work well for lining my pieces. I keep finding shirts and skirts that would make great lining for my wallets, the trouble is finding something that isn't stretchy or slippery. I also ran across a piece of cotton that I dyed a while back that I will be using for my pieces. I was super excited about hitting the thrift stores today but once again my head is pounding with the change in weather. Sinus problems are so frustrating! I am researching some natural remedies for sinus problems other than snorting salt water which really just messed me up big time. It hurt like hell and I couldn't breath right for a couple of days afterward. So herbs, teas, etc. are the next road for me.

Sleepy Sleepy Day

So here I am waiting patiently for my bright orange leather pants in the mail so I can make some more lovely things from them. I didn't get much sleep last night, Ciaran was once again with us and spent the night tossing and turning, talking, and climbing on top of my head to get comfortable. This morning he has a ton of energy and is also a little on the cranky side which doesn't match up well with my tiredness. Luckily, the neighbors' tabby cat has come to visit and Ciaran is getting a kick out of watching the kitty frolic about on the deck. If I was more awake I would be enjoying the antics more. It is good for a little giggle though for sure. Our cats hate it when the tabby comes to visit and I think the tabby knows that by the way he does his theatrical rolling and pouncing while looking in our window the whole time.

After kitty antics are done, we head downtown to mail off some more goods and search for zippers and ingredients for our big pot of chili. I may also sneak in a trip to the thrift store and the art store for a few little special treats for myself. More wool sweaters, cotton shirts, leather, who knows! The last visit to the thrift store ended up in the purchase of a new toy boat for Ciaran for twenty cents. It was the little boat or a huge rubber lobster. Ciaran picked the boat and I thank him for that. It was way easier to carry home.

Friday Blahhhh!!!!!!!

Feeling kind of blah today. Luckily it is one of those hang out and watch the clouds move kind of days. I will utilize the time by working on some of my various projects. I am working on a lime green and purple travel wallet and another men's billfold wallet, so those also get some love today. Then we head downtown to the post office and another thrift store for more treasure, and then on to the fabric/yarn store for some emerald green yarn. I have decided what I want to do with my latest sweater and I need some green yarn to finish it up. I think it will make a great layering piece. I am hoping so anyways. I will post a picture when it is all done. I don't know what I am going to do with all of my sweater creations. I must not get too carried away!

This weekend we bottle the applewine. I can't wait! It is already so tasty. Then our closet will be full of beer and applewine. Pretty soon we are going to have to look for a place with another bedroom just for our growing collection of beer and everything else Mark has his himself set on making. It is amazing how much room all these wonderful things we do take up. I really love that we each have such wonderful interests. It makes for a very happy and interesting life. Well off I go to do my yoga workout then it is back to work.

Off to Hunt for Treasure!

That is the plan for today. I am off to our biggest thrift store to search for more leather and some wool sweaters for various projects. I also need to find Ciaran a high chair so we can transition from his baby seat to a more distinctive toddler seat. Actually, he is just to darn big for that little seat anymore so he needs something that is a bit more roomy. I am sure he will appreciate having a bit more elbow room when he is refusing every single little bit of food we offer him. Last night he refused his dinner of chicken, carrots, and cheerios so the cats got most of it.

I was really inspired to make some fall/winter clothing the other day. I was looking through a clothing catalog that had it's selection of new and inspired fall and winter wear. All of which was super over priced but some really great ideas for easy, comfortable, and warm clothing. Lots of big bulky vests and things. I have been searching for a way to utilize old sweaters to make some nice outerwear for myself for my chilly day walks. (I can't believe I am already thinking about the fall and winter) I keep finding great wool sweaters when I am searching for treasure at the local thrift stores but they are usually too small, or worn in certain areas, so I plan to play around with some deconstruction and reconstruction to see what happens. I think I have found my inner fourteen year old, thrift store searching, used clothes wearing, punk rock self. I now prefer a do it yourself outfit to anything brand new. I kind of like it that way.