Listing a New Scarf Today

I did manage to get some pictures taken of a new scarf. As usual I thought I might spend about an hour taking pictures but it turned into about 4. I am very pleased with the scarf and this picture so it was worth the time. As soon as I get it listed (sometime this afternoon) this scarf will be available in my shop cozy.etsy.com.

I think folks should remember that this photography and listing process is all part of the time it takes to have a product for sale as well as the time it takes to create the product itself. Very few crafters are making anywhere near a living wage making handcrafted items. I think this is especially true for needleworkers like knitters, crocheters and hand quilters.

Week 3 and Other Stuff

I am in my third week of not smoking. It gets easier every day. I feel most of the time like a nonsmoker and not a smoker that is trying to quit. I am still using the Commit Lozenges and for me they are working very well.

Awhile ago I started a web site because you could get one from Microsoft Live for free. I never did much with it. Last night I googled cozy life and it showed up on the first page! I spent some time fixing it up a bit so all their default text is gone. It is still not real pretty but at least it is something.

I still have only two things in my etsy shop. The blue scarf you see was my first listing. I did moss stitch with Bernat's Cool Crochet yarn. It is soft and has a slight shine to it because the yarn is a cotton and nylon blend. You can find it at cozy.etsy.com. I have tons of stuff to list but just never get the camera out and set up photo sessions for my stuff. I am going to have to work on that because you can't sell it if you don't list it.

Not Smoking

Well I did quit smoking. It has been one week now and I am feeling pretty good about it. I am using the Commit Lozenges. They do a good job of taking the edge off of cravings. One of the drawbacks of them is you can't eat or drink when you have a lozenge in your mouth. They take about half an hour to dissolve. First thing in the morning is the roughest. Then it is decision time on whether to have the lozenge first or the cup of coffee. The rest of the day gets easier after that.

Almost New Year's Eve

We returned fromChristmas in Utah with the kids. I had a great time seeing everyone- the kids and grandkids. I guess calling them kids when your children are adults is kind of dumb. Any way I really enjoyed the visit.

I've started thinking about the new year - what I want to do and so on. I guess its a little corny but I do have some general resolutions.

1. List new items on Etsy 3 to 5 times a week.
2. Start painting rooms in this all white house. I am so tired of living with white walls everywhere.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week.
4. And maybe just maybe stop smoking. I am really not sure I can do this one but I am trying to get to a point where I will try.

Jim's birthday (husband) is next week. I want to fix him a nice meal and make a cake. He may want to go out to eat however so I will want and see what the birthday boy wants.

It's Tuesday

Yesterday my oldest daughter turned 30. If you ask her she will say she's 29. I don't know why because at each birthday I was always happy to have made it that far. I does seem like a very short time ago she was the age of her daughter(9).

As for my crafting-yesterday I finished the knitting on a shawl I designed. I think it turned out very well. I still have to get the ends woven in. The next step would be to photograph it and then get it listed on Etsy.

Because I always have something to do with my hands when watching TV I started my next project. It is a very thick and warm scarf made from Homespun. I am using a broken rib pattern and will fringe it when the knitting is done.

Can't Sleep

It has been hard to get to sleep this past week. I find my brain filled with plans and details for unfinished projects and things I want to do. I have a million ideas for new projects to list on Etsy. I also have a few personal projects that I need to do. If my daughter Cindy ever reads this - yes that means the runner for your desk and the gold shawl.

At times like this I have a terrible tendency to go in too many directions at once. The result of this is usually even more half finished projects. I have at different times kept little notebooks around. I used them to jot down designs and ideas for thing to knit, quilt, crochet or sew. It kind of helped me to let go of the idea until I was actually ready to try it knowing it was written down and was available for me later.

With the new year fast approaching I guess it is a good time for this kind of thinking and probably what caused it anyway. Time for some realistic goal setting.

First Time

I don't know where this writing will all lead but I'll see how it goes. I envision this blog as a way to chronicle my work, in progress and completed, and ideas. I would like to grow as a crafter and designer and maybe this blog will force me to get things done to have something to write about.

I have begun to list things in a shop called cozy on etsy.com. I am finding the photography part of it hard. I think it will take much more practice with the camera and some better editing software. My plan is to come up with my own designs in knitting, crocheting, and quilting.