Another Week in Crafts

I finished my last wholesale order that was looming over my head last week. Then wouldn't you know it another one came in. Which is not a bad thing, but it does not leave much time for other crafts. I have really been wanting to do some personal sewing. This last order will bring everyone locally current so I think it will buy me some time. I still want to update the Etsy shop before Valentine's Day, but we will just have to see.

I did manage to complete a taggie blanket that has been on my to do list for months. Now I just need to ship it out.

I also made myself ear warmers from the turtleneck of one of my thrifted sweaters. I have been wanting to make myself a hat, but haven't been able to decide on a design. I had this turtleneck piece laying around so I threw it together really fast. I know you can't tell much from the photo, but you get the idea.

I also made another owl last week. I used the same sweater for both the owl and the ear warmers.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone!!

Much Needed Fresh Air

On Saturday morning we decided to head out to the park to get some much needed fresh air. I grabbed my macro lens and decided it would be nice to try to get some nature shots. It has been awhile since I have used it and I was needing some macrotherapy. Of course, about 6 shots in my battery died. I did have a spare one in my purse in the car, but I didn't fell like going all the way back to the car. I did get a couple of shots that I liked though.

You know I can't resist those raindrops.

I love the fairy in one hand and the horse in the other.

I am chosing this as my best shot this week. There's just something interesting about it. I love the richness of the colors too.

Visit Tracey for more Best Shot Monday.

Super Simple Gadget Pouch Tutorial

Here is the tutorial I promised earlier in the week. For those of you who have been sewing for awhile, this tutorial might be pretty self explanatory. But for those of you who are wanting to learn how to sew or are just beginning, this is a perfect little project. I wanted to share it because it is a great gift idea and can be completed in a short amount of time. This is the same pattern that I use for the ones that I sell at a store here locally. It is the perfect size for an iphone, itouch or small point and shoot camera. So easy and so versatile....can't beat that. You can even handsew the pouch using a blanket stitch and not even use a sewing machine.

This is the first time I have created a pdf for a tutorial so let me know what you think.

Super Simple Gadget Pouch Tutorial

One More Down

This week I finished one more wholesale order and I am halfway through with my last order. These orders are ones that I was not able to finish before Christmas and they have been looming over my head for a month now. So I am beyond happy to have them finished. Now hopefully I will have time to update the Etsy shop before Valentine's day. I am also working on a tutorial for a REALLY easy gadget pouch like the ones that are pictured above. I plan to have that posted by the end of the week.

Here's some craftiness from Harper that I thought I would show you.

Two of her friends have birthdays this week so she decided to make them cards using some of my die cut recycled cardboard pieces. I thought they turned out well. We still need to stamp the names on the front and write a message inside. I have been trying to figure out what to do with these pieces. Now I am thinking make your own card sets might be a good idea. What do you think?

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone.

Monster Jam 2010

We took the kids to the Monster Jam on Friday night. The things we do for our kids I tell ya!! It was very entertaining and I think the kids enjoyed the event.

There was a party in the pit before the show and the kids got to see the trucks up close.

Somehow we convinced Grammie & G-Pa to go with us.

We put on our ear protection because those trucks are VERY loud.

Grabbed some cotton candy because a Monster Truck show is not complete without it.

Then watched the show.

I am not sure what Miller is doing here, but don't you love the hat? It came with the extremely overpriced cotton candy.

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Back in Action

I am officially back into the swing of things, well mostly. I am still having some motivation issues, but I was able to get one wholesale order done this week plus a couple of custom owls and a penguin. Not too bad. I am also brainstorming about Valentine's Day, but I am not sure if I will have time to get much together. We will just have to see.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone.

Let it Snow

We don't get much snow here in Tennessee so when we get even just a little bit everyone goes a tad crazy. School was out on Thursday and Friday. There was not enough snow to make a snowman, but there was enough to have some fun. And there was plenty to eat. Why do kids love eating snow so much?

The Dream Dog

We have been in need of a new home computer for some time now. So after Christmas we splurged and bought an iMac. My husband has been having fun playing around with his Flip video camera and iMovie. Mitch stayed home last week with Harper since she was out of school. They spent a good portion of the day working on this video. Enjoy.

Still No Sewing Around Here

I am having a hard time getting started back up after the holidays. I did manage to finish one custom cozy last week and I cut up a bunch of sweaters. So I guess that is a start. I do the majority of my sewing after the kids go to bed so if I want to use my sewing machine I have to go out in the garage to sew. Our house is small and my sewing machine is loud so my options are very limited. Anyway, to make a long story short. It is cold here right now. It is hard to get motivated to go out in the unheated garage when it is 14 degrees outside. I guess I am going to have to suck it up because I have a lot of work that needs to be done and apparently those owls and cozies aren't going to sew themselves.

Here's the custom horse cozy I did last week.

Since I don't have a whole lot to show this week, I thought I would follow-up from this post a couple of months ago. Remember those picture frames. I finally finished them and my husband finished the chalkboard for our craft area. I made a felt board and two bulletin boards for the kids artwork. Now I just need to get them up on the wall. It will happen one day. I just know it will. Maybe my husband will read this post and feel sorry for me. Plus he is so much better at hanging pictures. Hint. Hint.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone.

Happy New Year

I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos from 2009. When I look back at some of these photos it is hard to imagine that I took all of these in 2009. It was a great year and I can only hope 2010 is as good.

Last year I made a few simple resolutions. I feel the same way about resolutions this year as I did last year. I don't really believe in them. I don't really like them. I get them and I am all for a fresh start with the new year, but I think resolutions and goals should be made all year round. Why wait until January 1st? However, I have had a lot of time to think over the holidays and reevaluate certain aspects of my life and I do want to make some changes this year. Since about October I have been completely consumed with my little side business. I spent pretty much every spare minute sewing. When I was finally able to take a break, I realized that I don't want to be bogged down by this any more. I am not ready to give it up, but I am trying to figure out a way to make it work better for me. I know I will not be nearly as busy now, but I still have several large orders to fill and it has me a bit stressed out. Bottom line is I need to start saying NO more often.

I am also changing around my work schedule so that I can be home for Harper when she gets off the school bus. I was only working half the day on Friday. The other half of the day I used to sew, run errands, or do whatever needed to be done. Since I have rearranged my schedule I am not going to have as much uninterrupted time to sew. I just feel deep down that this is the best thing to do for us right now so we are going to try it out. I am not sure where these changes will lead us, but I am sure it is going to be another great year.