Thursday, September 30, 2010

Eco - Bats

Meet Thirteen (blue eyes) and Friday (green eyes).
New Eco - Bats in my esty shop now!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Missing teeth

The tooth fairy has been very busy in our neck of the woods!
Amelia and her friend Ally are both missing the same teeth.

When the tooth fairy visits she always leaves a trail of confetti from the hall window into the girls room to Amelia's bed. The girls get so excited to see the colorful trail but it sure does make a big mess! Who started this anyway... oh yeah... me! And now I have to keep it going. Two kids, four teeth down only 36 more to go. I guess I need to get more confetti!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Deja vu - Step Stool

We picked up this vintage step stool/chair at an estate sale for $3.50. The seat flips up so you can use the step stool. It is sturdy but was also very dirty and the fabric on the seat was torn up. I gave it a good scrub and I figured out how to take the seat apart to recover the old fabric and presto! A great new kitchen chair/stool we all love to use! I just love bring life back to old things!


Monday, September 27, 2010

I gave it a shot!


You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.
--Beverly Sills, 1929

This past weekend was my first craft fair and sadly I did not do as well as hoped. Everyone loved my items but no one was buying. None of the other tables did that well either, except the cheese couple, they had cheese samples and sold quite a bit. I talked to a few of the other vendors and they told me my items would be a much better fit for some other local fairs and that I should really sign up for them.

It's not so much the lack of sales, which did suck (at least I made back the table and tax registration fee times two). But I did not enjoy the process in as a whole. Spending my whole Saturday 8:30 till 6:00 sitting at a table as people walking by telling me how cute my items were, touching it all and then not buying. Ugh... I can't do it again, it is very stressful to me. I will stick with selling on etsy, I average one item a week on etsy and that is just fine for this hobby of mine.

The best part of the day was my husband, who cheerfully agreed to help me with this adventure. We sat together making funny faces to each other about the kooky guys sitting right behind us, the tables were way too close together! We enjoyed the people watching and he was good with the customer banter that I dread. He was my rock that day and it really made me realize again just how much he loves and supports me in every way!


Also... I send a big thank you to my parents who watched the girls all day! And my friends who stopped by to show their support. I am so lucky to have people who encourage me in all my adventures.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Amelia's Art - Kook book

Here is the first page to Amelia's Kook book. I just love her phonetic spelling and illustrations on how to make a milkshake. I'm sure her book will be available on Amazon soon.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Memory Monday - Camp Cedarledge

We took our daisy troop to Camp Cedarledge this weekend for a saddles & spurs class where they learned about horses. Then we had a snack and took a short hike. I think the girls had a nice time.

The pavilion where we had our snack was right next to the counselor's lounge and it brought back a memory of when I was 16 and spent my summer at Camp Cedarledge as a lifeguard and counselor . We were always playing jokes on the other counselors . One night myself and one other counselor had the great idea to take all the furniture out of the counselors lounge and set it up outside just as it was inside. We carried it all out, set it up, giggling all the while! It was so funny! Until.... late that night after we went back to bed a heavy rain storm rolled in and soaked the camp. We heard the rain and talked about going back to put all the stuff back inside but we knew it was already too late.

The next day there was some talk about the prank but they did not seem too upset. The rain actually gave the old, dirty wooden furniture and cushions a long needed wash. It was a good thing the lounge T.V. was too heavy for the two of us to carry outside. Otherwise I think there would be a hunt down for us.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Refashion: tshirt + polo = blue nightgown


When you ask little kids to smile, why do you get this: zombie eyes and stretched mouth?

This is a bit better. Anna modeling her new upcycled nightgown. Made the same way as the dress shown in yesterday's post except I added a trim of the flower pattern around the neckline. So comfy it is her new favorite nightgown.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Refashion: tshirt + polo = monkey dress

Another upcycled dress for Anna. I forgot to take the before photos of the two shirts that made up this dress. But picture a men's XL polo shirt and an orange money t-shirt that was too small for Anna. The orange monkey shirt matched the orange stripe in the polo perfectly.

This is a dress version of this top pattern, just making it a bit longer and wider at the bottom. Then I used the neck hole with the monkey image to make a cute pocket. Now if I could just find some orange tights or leggings to match!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

'Stache

Over a year ago Terry contacted me about using a photo of my mustached bunnies for a book he was writing about mustaches (I think he found me on etsy). I gladly said yes! I received a copy last week and was excited to see the my photo of my plushies in print, how fun! Page 25 if you want to take a peak.

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Sunday, September 12, 2010

Happy Birthday to me - a Virgo

It is a bit scary how right on spot this is for me... the good and the bad!

The Sun is in Virgo from approximately August 21 to September 20, depending on the year).

It is rare to find the stereotypical nitpicky, exacting, "clean freak" in modern-day Virgos. Although the sign of Virgo has evolved with the times, there are some unmistakable traits that remain. Virgo people are generally respectable, hard-working individuals who have a love of knowledge and know-how.

Virgo's symbol, the Virgin, shows itself in the lives of Virgos through a love of all that is "natural" and a certain purity of spirit that keeps Virgos self-sufficient and self-contained, at least on the surface. Virgos are sensitive to their surroundings, and they tend to embarrass easily. They are generally reticent when faced with anything or anyone new. However, once they feel comfortable, they can talk up a storm. Many Virgo Suns are not too comfortable in the limelight. These types are just fine living in the background, as long as they feel useful and appreciated. Solar Virgos have a strong sense of responsibility. Even when they've convinced themselves to be irresponsible about something or the other, they worry about it.

Not all Virgos are workaholics. However, when Solar Virgos are not involved in some kind of project, there is generally a vague feeling of discontent. Even when their lives are filled up with work, they are restless and somewhat nervous creatures. The fear of under-performing is often strong. Virgos want to do things well. Some are exacting and thorough, and those Virgos who have convinced themselves to do a less-than-perfect job will generally feel incomplete.

Virgo, as an Earth sign, has a notable connection to the body. Solar Virgos are generally very body-aware. In some cases, this shows up as some form of hypochondria, but, for the most part, Virgo is simply quite concerned with health matters and nutrition. Virgo is attracted to all that is natural and pure, but is generally unafraid to explore all that is not. In fact, Virgo is an intensely curious sign. Still, there is a strong desire to remain pure on some level, despite all of Virgo's curiosity and drive to know things. Those Virgos that find a true interest or "calling" easily become connoisseurs--their attention to details and enormous observation powers give them the ability to learn all of the ins and outs of any subject. These people love to do research, in addition to analytic or detail work. They'll happily pick apart practically anything, although they are less adept at putting things back together, and often have trouble grasping the big picture.

Virgo Suns who are stuck in the practical, material world may learn a lot about themselves if they are brave enough to try placing their lives on automatic pilot once in a while. Letting some things go will do wonders for their spirit. Virgos tend to be too hard on themselves. They worry about their health, their performance at work, all the things they haven't done, and the emails that might be waiting for them while they are away from their computer. When they're not feeling well, they can be overly critical and nervous. They fuss around, have a whole slew of assorted little complaints, and throw small tantrums.

Solar Virgos are perfectionists--there's simply no escaping it. They dream of mastery; they long to do something really well. Some Virgos are so scared of their own perfectionist qualities that they tell themselves they don't care. Others will forever dabble into one thing or another, leaving a string of incomplete projects behind them. However, the happiest Virgos accept their need to get things right, without overdoing it. Probably the best advice for Sun in Virgo people is to find something that interests them--however small or large--and master it.

Most Virgos can be rather private and fussy about their work, or their personal workspace. They get nervous when others look at their unfinished work, and they are quite protective of their methods of doing things. Despite an overall lack of confidence, Virgos can be mighty proud--even arrogant--when it comes to their work, routines, or hobbies. Secretly, they think their methods of doing things are the best. Often, they are! They do take pride in the little things they do, even though, in a broader sense, Virgos can be rather self-effacing and self-critical.

Solar Virgos often confuse people when their curiosity is mistaken for passion. The surprising part is that Virgo, although knowledgeable, doesn't always get its hands dirty. Their willingness to explore is often kept at the intellectual level. However, Virgos are often well-respected and valued in their circles for their loyalty, research skills, willingness to lend a hand, and their excellent powers of observation. They are generally kind and helpful souls who, when appreciated, do everything to make things work.

There's an odd combination of the intellectual and the practical in Virgo that is sometimes mistaken for coolness. In fact, Virgos are often self-effacing and shy. They'll brush off your compliments quickly and, sometimes, critically; but don't let that fool you. They need your respect and appreciation. In fact, the happiest Virgos are the ones who feel appreciated and useful. Add plenty of worthwhile projects to keep them busy, and Virgos can be some of the sweetest, kindest people around.

Virgo info found here.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Busy crafting - Table for the show

I have a table in my basement that I am using to mock up my table for the show. It's getting pretty full and I think it looks pretty cute. I'm sure I will tweak it a bit more before the show. The toys crack me up, all together they look a bit worried, looking at each other, wondering what's going to happen next.

Wish us luck!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

busy crafting - beaver & bunnies

More upcycled goodies for the craft show, I think the beaver turned out oddly cute in his own way.


I made a few of these bunnies. Normally I make all of my own patterns but I found this cute & easy bunny pattern and had to make one.... or three.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Busy crafting - booties

I know, I know, I have not been posting much lately but there is a good reason. I have been busy crafting up some fun stuff for my first craft show. It is a "green" show so all of my items will be upcycyled from old clothes, scrap fabrics, etc.

I made these cute baby booties out of upcycled leather so they are eco friendly.