New Year, New Direction

Greetings and Happy New Year!!!! Thanks to the miracle of modern pharmecuticals I am much more focused and organized that I have been in the last several months. I have been working hard getting all the crafts I had half finished, done and up on my ETSY store. I have had a few sales, which is encouraging, and it seems my tie dyes are getting the most attention. I did a few personalized ones for my niece and nephews for Christmas, and they loved them so that really got me motivated. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head, it is hard to finish one project at a time, but I am forcing myself to catch up before moving on.

I am still working on all the handcrafted Christmas gifts I was so sure I would get done on time! Oh well hopefully the recipients think the gifts were worth the wait.

I also had to organize my basement studio so that I didn't have to take over the living room to work on the computer, and it makes it easier to be in the craft room while working on the craft business. They only problem was I have no room, so I made myself a little "cubbard under the stairs". It would actually be quite comfortable if it wasn't so cold down here! I did find the little space heaters we bought for our last house which was old and drafty. I have it facing twords the sewing machines presently in an effort to stop myself from playing too much solitare on the computer, and actually go finish sewing my line of tie dyed bellydance wear.

I really want to keep this site more updated, as there have been a lot of crafting going on over here.

I am also working on a project with my brother, that I am sure will be hillarious, we just need to get it started. I am hoping to do this on Friday. More on this as things develop!

This year is all about hope and change, and I am doing my very best to make the most of my situation. Here is to a happy new year to us all!!

Happy Crafting!

Long time no see.

I have been trying to take my crafting in a new direction so I haven't been posting lately. I am hoping that starting in the new year, I will have myself more organized (one can only hope) and I will get back to regular posting. For right now though we are decorating for Christmas and you can see that my Frodo does not approve!

Hey....Kool Aide!!!!

I finally made the jump to dying yarn. I had some left over handspun merino and I decided to just go for it and dye using the kool aide packs I have been hoarding for about a year. It was as easy as I had been told it would be, and the yarn smells so nice! I can't wait to knit with the yarn. I now am on the hunt for blue and green kool aid!

In other news I had my first ETSY sale!! I sold a set of my dancing bear stitch markers! I am so excited. I just went on and put up all the lovely crochet tops my mom made for the site, and I want to get up some of the pictures of the bags.

My goal for the week is to really work on getting the business side of the business going. You know finding craft shows, getting a tax id number.

The next project I am working on is tie dye skirts and bandanas. Next week I want to spin up the ton of angora I have and try crocheting some beaded necklaces. I want to do this with my mom who is coming for a visit next week. I so can't wait to see her and my aunt. I feel like it has been so long, but really it was just over a month ago!

Need to go put my black garbage bag full of tie dye fabric in ziplocks in the driveway to heat. Oh what the neighbors must think!!

We be Jammin'

Well I have gotten precious litte crafting done in the past 2 weeks. We cancelled our camping trip but the son is still home from camp for 2 weeks and it has been a little hectic. I have also been babysitting for a very good friend while she gets ready for a big doll show. I have a few pics for you of a shirt I made a few weeks back.

I thought you might like to see pics of my craft studio, and I put a picture here of my new favorite pastime, canning. So far I have made strawberry jam and peach butter.

I am looking forward to getting some more bags finished so I can finally get some up on the website.

It has been a long 2 weeks!

full of inspiration

I had a fabulous trip to Key West. Not only was I able to relax (and get a lot of knitting, crochet, and sewing done) I got to visit with my family, who I miss very much, and get lots of new bag inspirations! I also picked up some really great tropical fabrics at the local craft store. Here is some pictures of the dress I made while there. My Mom and I were watching a marathon of Project Runway the whole time, so I felt unusually stressed while sewing it :) I am sooooo happy with the results!! I am going to do another version with the skirt longer and patchworked batik fabric. I am going to make a few more petite messenger bags and a new style of smaller bags and some backpacks to bring to new hope. I also want to start getting a stock for my etsy store and craft shows. So much to do, so little time.

Tie Dying is still in the working stages. I haven't found a thread that really works for making sewn on designs. I am also thinking I bought to many dark colors (who me?). I need to bite the bullet and get the 3 set DVD on how to do all the different styles of tie dye, since it seems I want to do some more advanced methods.

Well that is all for now. I am happy to be back, but my trip is just what I needed! I feel so recharged and I only have to wait a month to see my Mom and Aunt again!

I have done it!!!

As of yesterday I have 4 of my bags in a shop in New Hope. I worked like a fiend all week (still didn't finish one of them) but finally managed to get them over there. They loved them and set up a display in the front of the store with them. I took the pictures quickly so they are a little fuzzy, but I still can't believe they are out there! I really wanted to get the cherry bag done, but after talking with the owners of the store, I need to add a zipper closure to the bag. They also really want more mini messenger bags. I need to also design a smaller bag.

I need to use today to get ready for the trip to the keys. I need to bring projects to work on and I want to get some ideas for tropical inspired bags. I really want to incorperate cocktail umbrellas into a bag, but I am still working on just how to do it. I mod podged a few, but they are still pretty fragile. Maybe I need that stuff you dip flowers into. I will need to experiment (my favorite part !)

Edit: I just got a call, my petite messenger bag sold this morning as soon as the store opened!!! It was going to sell for around $85. Yipee!!!

Happy 4th!!!

The new me

Ok Life has changed yet again in a big way. I am still trying to get used to being home in the daytime. It is also weird having the son home a couple days a week (but fun). I have a new laptop ( got a good price on a refurbished one, and a little help from my fairy godmother). I am going to key west next week (again thank jessie!).

You may notice in my picture to the left some changes in my appearance. Yes those are real glasses. It occured to me when I couldn't read my son his bedtime story and I couldn't read the hymn numbers posted on the wall in church that I may need some help. I now have to wear glasses full time and the Dr. said I could put off bifocals for a year or two. Wow that just makes me feel so old all at once!!! I always expected to need reading glasses, but distance glasses? Wow. Did I mention I also got my nose pierced?

The most exciting news is there is a cute little boutique in New Hope that is going to take my bags on consignment. I am so excited and so tired from all the work I have been doing to get them done and over there this week. They all just need finishing touches and putting together. Pictures to come when all are completed.

Here are some pics from our first tie dye experience in New Hope.