What's New?

I had a great day yesterday. A couple headbands are going to new homes and I got more things listed on Artfire and Zibbet.

In case anyone is wondering I only list the quantity I have. So for example if I make 4 of something I split them between shops and list 2 on one site and 2 on the other. If it is one of a kind it goes in one place.

My plan is to have the number of items stay about equal on each site. I have designed a spreadsheet to help me keep track of what is listed where and how many items are in each shop.

The other good thing yesterday was taking pictures in my new space. I think it is really going to work out well. The natural light in this room is awesome and works to my advantage. Take a look and see if you agree.

Zibbet Came Back

Quite a bit of worrying and tension online the last few days. Zibbet went offline last week to upgrade server capacity to handle more traffic and growth. These things happen and I guess not too much ruffles this old lady's feathers any more.

Think long term folks. It will be okay.


I have had a few sales on Zibbet as well as Artfire but I know that I need to put much more in my shops and I have the things made. I just have to get all the pictures taken. Now that moving chaos is under control that is my plan.

For now I thought I would show you my favorite listing in my Zibbet shop because you know every blog post or at least as often as possible should have a picture.


Do you like purple?
Well here ya go.

Friday 3.26.2010

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

- Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) 

Just something to ponder over the weekend. Maybe it will inspire some as well as myself to keep trying. 

Soft shapes

I love soft shapes made with curves such as ovals and circles. The sense of motion in the elliptical shapes found in this print really impressed me. It is so exciting and yet the repetition and echoing of the lines can create a sense of calm and order. This is a very limited edition of a print titled Fast Dance. Very fitting, don't you think so?

If you want it for your own click right here. The artist explains the technique behind the creation of the image. I would love to watch it happening.

Remembering 12

As I was sewing curtains and listening to Oldies on itunes I started remembering when I was 12. Why? Well because the music took me back there and I have a granddaughter that age right now.

Do you remember that time in your life? I will tell you that for me it was in 1967. Nearly ancient huh? I remember feeling grownup thinking about junior high school the next year. I have a hunch she feels the same. Boys became a big deal and looking good became more important though styles have changed. We went to the local drug store or five and dime. Who remembers five and dime stores?

There are some parallels. We were then and are now a nation at war though I think the bombardment of so many media and information sources diffuses the national awareness of it. I know when what I mainly had in the living room on the black and white television was Walter Cronkite he let you know what was happening. News stations that stick to facts rather than straying to constant editorials are more and more rare. Other less serious comparisons are wearing blue jeans and straight hair. We weren't even allowed to wear pants to school let alone jeans however until I was in high school.

Okay clearing my mind is over. Back to sewing.
If you wish to leave your memories of 12 and the year you were that age here I would love to see them and others probably would too.

Going to work?

I have had an ambitious plan that when I get my new house projects done I will get my self into more regular routines with my crafts and shops. I got a couple more rooms of curtains done yesterday and slipcovers for some throw pillows that were looking kind of worn out. The goal is to have all these things taken care of by the end of this week. Living in this house so far feels really good.

My goal is by next week to get into a regular and reasonable sleep schedule. I was doing that during our move and liked it. I went to bed about 9 and got up between 5 and 6 with no alarm clock. I kept moving through the days while Jim was at work and amazed myself on how much I got done on my own. I kind of messed up on that last night but am determined not to get off track because of one day.

The routine felt really good. My energy levels stayed consistent throughout the day. I did not wake up protesting and groggy with dark circle under eyes. After getting dressed and getting something to eat I just kept moving.

This new house is two story. My sewing room in upstairs. Our master bedroom is downstairs on the main floor. My plan is to go upstairs to work each day as if I was going to a job. Is it silly that I seem to need to play these little mind games with myself? I have found that having the radio on helps my mood and energy as well. Also my weakness when it comes to distractions is turning on the television. I sit down to catch some news and knit or crochet for and hour or so midday and the afternoon is gone before I know it. I have such a backlog of finished items that need to be photographed and listed it isn't funny.

That will be fixed soon. I saved a special section of my new craft room right by some sunny windows so that no matter what the weather is I should be able to take pictures up here nearly every day. My computer is back in my craft room now too so I don't have to go all over the place to take pictures, see how they are, do editing and prepare listings. I should be a one room, one woman, efficient sweatshop from now on.

Oh yeah except my planned start, which was next Monday,for this new going to work idea is pushed back a day because I found out that I have to be at our rental for carpet installation next Monday.

Back to the curtain sewing now.

Lousy Pictures and Making Progress

Two sets of curtains got done today covering four windows. You can't really see much in the picture because I just took some quick shots with poor lighting. The dining area is an off white eyelet lace and the breakfast nook got some sunny yellow. The little things hanging in the nook are some kitchen themed stuff I made back in the days when I did painted wood. I don't know if you really call it tole painting or not. I think I even cut the wood myself. I haven't played with a scroll saw in a very long time.

Now my feet hurt from standing at the ironing board and my arms ache from sorting through way too many boxes and bags of fabric to find what I wanted. I have the curtains planned for four more rooms.

They will not get done today however. I have had enough for one day. Right now I want out of the house for a bit. I am wishing for some nice patio furniture like a lounge chair so I can put up my feet and soak up some sun. I could add someone bringing me a tall glass of iced tea to my day dream too couldn't I? Reality is a hard chair in the sun and a backyard that is bare dirt right now and I have to get my own tea. I am glad it is not too hot yet though.

Not a big deal

My little crafting world is not a big deal. At least not to my family who don't always get how my crafts save my sanity and are not a sign of insanity. As a mere hobbyist I always try to provide great service to any customers who come my way. I am always extremely grateful for each and every purchase of something I made that another person appreciates and will use to make their life cozy. I try to send a small extra with every order I get and it so far has always been some little thing I have made.

I know that some artisans, more professional than I, have promo items made up to send with their orders. I have received a magnetic calendar and stickers of art work myself. You can get just about anything these days with a logo on it from coffee cups, pens, pencils, flashlights, tape measures, promo keychains, note pads, and so much more.

My question is does getting a gift of any kind make you want to come back and shop again with someone or is getting your item quickly and as described enough? I would love to get some opinions on this.



PS We are back online here at home and I will be caught up on everything very soon. My new craft room is coming together nicely as well as getting the house organized over all.

Getting There

I am starting to feel like this new place is home. The tv guy just left. The picture above is of our new tv room. We are getting to be such silly old folks that we have his and hers recliners now. There isn't anything on the walls yet and I need to get the sewing machine out and start on some curtains.

We can watch American Idol tonight. Wouldn't want to miss that would we?

My online time is still limited. I can use a broadband card that Jim has but I need to limit my time on it. We should have internet access in the house by Friday so I can get caught up with all the email which I have been reading on my phone and waiting to answer, Facebook, the BlogFire guild so I can take part in our blog carnivals again, my shops, my google reader feeds and so on.

One of the blessings in this whole process it that unlike many short sale homes this one was in very good condition. The people who lived here before obviously cared about the place they left behind. It really just needed minor everyday type cleaning. So who ever you are, thank you.

Gotta run for now.

Am I Crazy?

After moving lots of little stuff in my car all week today I started on the kitchen. I am now doubting my love of Fiesta Ware as being sane. That stuff is so heavy! Beautiful but heavy. Time for ibuprofen and some sleep. I will be clearing my closet tomorrow.

Today's Thought

This is not a deep thought just something that occurred to me as I go back and forth between houses. There is absolutely no need for fancy fitness equipment when you are moving. Aerobics? Got it covered. Intervals to increase the calorie burn? Got it covered. Strength training? Got it covered. I know this is true because I am starting to feel the effects in every part of me. I started packing the kitchen today. I will only leave a minimum to keep us fed through the rest of the week. I guess I am really paying the price for being a sentimental pack rat. I suppose I should get back to work.

Still Here

It has been a busy week that has just flown by. I sold 2 more headbands, this time on Artfire. I have been packing and cleaning and doing small jobs between the two houses. We had a potential renter look at our current home. Whether they will take it or not is still up in the air.

I got really lost in memories and ideas for a couple hours sorting through my fabrics getting them ready to move. I have so many ideas! I want to start quilting again. Getting my antique quilting frame out of the attic here and moving to a place where I have room to set it up has got me dreaming and distracted.

Don't expect many posts as I go through the moving process.