Etsy Shout Out!

In the past 2 weeks I have ordered several things, several times from ohcrop16 and cardblanc and in fact, their packages arrived on the same days! What great service from both! Kathy at CardBlanc packages beautifully and she has had buttons that just tickle me...like I really need more! She knows I have a problem....I haven't had time to use them but I will soon.

Leica from ohcrop...well,her craftsmanship is outstanding. Original designs that are executed perfectly. I think I'm addicted. Both Kathy and Leica are also super fast shippers.

I have decided to give cards as Christmas gifts to several friends. I will package up assortments for each. I love having a stash of cards on hand and not being caught running to the store. Etsy has some fabulous cardmakers and Kathy and Leica are among the tops. Forget Hallmark...ETSY is the source for buttons & cards.

Etsy

There's apparently a great deal of furor going on over at etsy and I'm not really sure what it's all about. Apparently some people are upset about their perception that the rules have changed in the middle of the game. I agree, that's a point to ponder BUT you are on etsy as a source/avenue for you to sell your creations. As long as you follow the rules and behave in a professional adult manner, what's your beef? For one-of-a-kind artists, as most of us are, it is the best resource on the internet to date. Others may be more outspoken, more profane, more daring...so what? Do what you went there to do...sell. Stay out of the forums unless you have a valid question and stop causing trouble. Trouble births trouble. Your creative outlet may have to be released elsewhere if you can't play by the rules. And my vent is over...back to creating!

Books and Etsy

I'm a reader. I always resented working since it limited my reading time. I am a reader and a book lover so I never turn down pages or rarely write in a book. I have always loved bookmarks and have been making ribbon ones for awhile.

Last night I used some leftover cotton yarn and made this and some others. I posted them today. Time will tell. At worst, I'll have a lot of bookmarks to give away. DON'T turn down the corners!!!! Better

to use a tissue than mar a book! Better yet, check mine out on etsy... some shameless self-promotion!

It's broken....

...the heat,that is! This was a VERY hot summer setting records all over the place. Finally it seems to have cooled a bit. We even opened the windows and shut down the a/c. Might not last but it is glorious for now. Actually, last night, dare I say that it was chilly. I will have to watch the porch plants if this keeps up. Wouldn't want to lose this one. I started it from a 2" cutting in June! Etsy has to wait when the weather is like this. I have to be outside. So why am I sitting at the computer????

I hate being tired..........

I really dislike feeling tired. I want to do so many things and I just can't. We had company for 4 days-great fun, terrific food,lots of laughs and just wonderful to see these friends. But all the cleaning and cooking and cleaning and cooking...well, you get the picture. After they left and one load of laundry was going & the dishes were done I seemed to have enough energy to garden a bit (no humidity,no bugs-isn't that shoe the cutest?!). Had a Coke hoping the caffeine would help...didn't.

I just hope a good night's sleep tonite will put me back on track. I love what I do and want to do more but when I'm tired I can't and that's why I dislike fatigue.

I've been tagged!

I think I'm flattered...not quite sure. And I certainly hope no one I tag will be annoyed.
I am to share 7 facts about me that of, course are basically unknown to the reading public!

1-I was an elementary school teacher for 33 years. For most of that time it was a wonderful career but I am so THRILLED not to be teaching any longer. I have great memories, wonderful friends but education has changed and not (IMO) for the better. Glad to be out.
2-I can cook but really don't want to any longer. I have proven I can get around the kitchen and now I'd like to get out of the kitchen! When I was single, my fridge was always empty. My brother suggested storing sweaters in it! I despise rhubarb, radishes and cream sauces. I have been known to have ice cream for dinner & I never met a cookie I didn't like.
3-I have one son,33 years old who is married to a wonderful woman. Together (obviously!)they gave me 2 adorable,handsome and brilliant grandsons, ages 5 and 2.
4-I have been married twice. First time for 18 years and now for almost 8. Second marriage is peaceful,calm,intelligent,funny and will last.
5-I can, but refuse to pump gas. HATE the smell!
6-I am a bleached blonde! My natural color was deep brown but I started graying in my late 30s. Everyone in my family went gray early. I saw a picture of me from a friend's wedding and I almost choked. No, I did choke! Called the hairdresser ASAP. Many people think it's natural because I'm fair with freckles and blue eyes but no, every 8-9 weeks I'm in for a touch up!
7-I basically taught myself how to use a computer with a little phone help from my older brother. I never took a course or read a book about using a computer. I don't know alot compared to some but I'm damn proud of what I can do because I figured it out myself. And that's true of alot of areas-taught myself to knit, crochet, sew, cook, garden, and how to create a shop on etsy and a blog and I'm done!!!!

Now I have to tag.
Here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about YOU: some random, some weird...all devastatingly interesting.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

I tag:
funkybytara
mommyandmeboutique
sygnetcreations
allisonstrine
mosaicodecor
justanotherdaydesigns

Leap of faith

Well, the box for the consignment arrangement is out. It was a great deal of work but nothing ventured,nothing gained. It certainly is a leap of faith on my part.
So much of what we all sell is so much better in person than a photo can provide. The needle jackets I bought from FunkybyTara are so terrific in real life, I just custom ordered another one for crochet hooks from her. Her photos are great and I'm thinking, maybe mine aren't. How do you convey the softness of an item? Or the quality of your work? Not all photos can show that, so buying online is a bit of a leap of faith. Fortunately, my leaps have been positive. I think, from my feedback, others' leaps from me are also positive. But then again, how many times have I bought something in person and was ultimately disappointed? Many....

Finally, I did it!!!

Did what? Well, I just finished cleaning up and reorganizing the studio. I never had trouble finding anything but it was getting hard to walk around. This is mostly a studio for me but it also is a storage area and a place to dry those clothes that you don't want to go in the dryer. There is also exercise equipment up there that serves as a catch all for other stuff!!! It's a great space, good light and I can walk away without cleaning up because it is the only room upstairs.

#1-ribbons & paper & thread, oh my!

#2-3-4-the wall and table where I 'work'! Buttons,buttons and more buttons!

The neatest, nicest section is where I have all the finished projects waiting to be sold (the last picture)...may that space become empty!!!