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.

Nightmares About Shipping

So this week has been pretty busy. I am juggling mommy-ness with custom orders, getting my shop stuffed with stuff, and getting ready for a trunk show week after next. In between all of this I am packaging up orders and shipping them off which is usually o.k. but this week I had to do all of my shipping on one day so I got confused. I know everything is going to the proper place but I woke up from a little nap with my heart pounding because I dreamed I shipped everything to different addresses and nothing got to where it supposed to go. Eek! I remember a while back when I worked at a local jewelry manufacturer and part of my job was to help with shipping. The job was ridiculously overwhelming to begin with, I spent most days not taking any breaks and usually left feeling like I had gotten nothing done, and they had the most confusing shipping system I had ever seen. As a result I almost lost my job for mixing up shipping costs for different packages. Now I am extra sensitive about my shipping so I don't have the same sort of problems with confusion. Who knows, maybe I did screw up but at least I can fire myself, not some other ding-bat that gets comfort from pushing too much work on other people. Hmmmm, I sound a little bitter there, I need to get over that.

An Early Start

I was up before dawn finishing a couple of these for a custom order. Battling a sinus headache and a scary, stressful dream hangover. It was so peaceful and the sunrise was so lovely! I love getting up early, it is the only time I truly get to myself. Late nights belong to Mark, that is when he unwinds by hanging out in the bike forums and drinking his fancy beers, I usually fall asleep well before midnight and snore up a storm on the couch next to him.

I usually try to sleep in if I can so I have the energy to work after Ciaran has gone to bed. I usually get three to four hours of work time when the little guy is snoozing. I tried working yesterday but my unruly sinus condition wasn't having it. I spent most of the day lying on the floor watching Ciaran do laps around my body. He seems to enjoy this game. He runs a few laps, jumps on my stomach, pokes me in the eye or the nose, and then runs off again, squealing with delight the whole time.

So my big custom order is just about done and ready to go. Yay! I look forward to my next custom order and making many goodies for my shops. I just hope my sinus stuff lets me work.

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.

Just A Quick Hello

I am a blogger slacker! I haven't written in a couple of days and now I feel out of sorts. It's just been a bit busy around these parts. I apologize for not writing and I hope that the picture of Yui eating bigfoot will make you all smile. (Bigfoot is actually a orangutan named "Dexter" but he looks more like Bigfoot to me) I get to run off and do some shipping and shopping today, and then back home to work on a big custom order. Once that is all done, I can concentrate on my shops and getting them all stocked up with marvelous creations. I promise I will write again soon. Have a good day all:)

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!