Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Plans for a New Year

I do not make resolutions I make goals.  Goals are something I can work with - toward - resolutions are like rules and I have never been good with that. ;)

This year, I am going to bring this family over the line into financial security.  We are not 'insecure' now, but sometimes we walk the line.  I want to look over my should and see the line - well, perhaps not looking back because you should never do that,  but knowing it is back there - way back there.

One of the things I am going to do to achieve that financial  goal is to de-clutter my home!  Something I have been taking baby steps toward since summer.  I want to start really making a go of my Etsy shops - both the stuff and the things I make. I have so much stuff that I saved from my bricks and mortar shop to sell, in 2014 I am making the time to do it!

Another goal I have in to buy a new camera.  (The stupid line is a factor here too!) I have to save to do it. We do not have and extra $450 (that is how much the one I want will be, roughly) sitting in a corner collecting dust, I am not willing to take the money from our family budget, and we stay away from credit cards.  So I will save up.

And when I do, Krista at Miija Threads and I will be collaborating on a series of amazing photography tutorials to help me learn.  It is going to be fabulous!

I am feeling a little better today.

On Monday I am having brunch with two of my friends from the old days. One of whom I have not seen in almost 13 years - she was my best friend.  I am terrified.
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My sweet old dog.  Being patient as the
puppies jump all over her. :)

Monday, December 16, 2013

The Roaring Quiet

I have been very quiet here since the middle of October.  I have been very busy, but I have also been feeling very quiet.  I have had a lot on my plate and I have been feeling a bit blue.  This week seems worse.

I cannot seem to shake that feeling of anxiety. As if someone  - something - is, literally, squeezing my lungs.

I want this blog to transform into something great. Something  dedicated to the creative and fun side of me. Not the side that feels sad and overwhelmed and like taking my children and running way.

I do not always feel like that but I feel like that now and I need to find a way to turn things around.

I am not someone who can fake it.  I cannot force happy words out of the keys when all I really feel is sad. Frustrated. Angry. Anxious.

A new year is about to begin.  I am hoping for the best.

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Monday, December 2, 2013

Seems Like I am Always in Action

I have been so busy selling what I make that I have not had time to talk about it!

Nag and I went to an amazing craft market in beautiful Nelson BC, the Kootenay Artisan Market,  and made a suitcase full of money.  Been attending lots of smaller, less lucrative ones as well.  Lots.  I have attended at least 2 a month since May and I am pooped! Ready to sew something new rather than what I know I will sell.  I have lots of ideas brewing!

I was at the local mall this last weekend.  It is probably the quietest of all the markets I attend but at is organized by father and brother in law it is not optional.  Two more to go and I can rest. :)
My table at the Kootenay Artisan Market looked so good!  It had to be against the wall, which is new for me, and I was worried but it was actually better than when I am behind the table and I was unable to get away with hiding which I think worked in my favour.

I went out on Saturday night for the first time in ages.  I was so hung over it was disgraceful - but funny - and my spirits were still up so it was all good.  It was a good thing I had Nag with me to take care of me. I am so often thankful for her and I am not just saying that because I know she read this. ;)

Anyway, I better get back to work.
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Friday, November 22, 2013

Excited

Isn't it funny how things can change so quickly and easily?

Perhaps it is more accurate to say that they have not changed. That I have allowed myself to see that they could be another way.

Interesting how something you chose to believe can so easily be proven wrong.

I am happy.


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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

31 Days of Pintrest, Day 25, 26, 28, and 29!



Well, it has been 5 days since I blogged and I have nothing to report.

I attended a lovely, last outdoor market of the season.  It was in celebration of down town and was a little chilly but I bundled up and it was all good.

Other than that, I have just been doing a lot of sewing.  I need to create the supply to keep up with the demand.
owls waiting to be stuffed. :)
I have create 68 owls in the last week or so and plan to make another 50 or so, so that I can be in two places at once twice in November. ;)

K. Going to sew. You need a pin? Check this one out.


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Thursday, October 24, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 24


I may have mentioned before, that since we went on our summer vacation, I have been really focused on (bahahaha - I am never REALLY focused on anything!) de-cluttering and organizing so today I did a bit of that.
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One of the things I did was fill (another) box to take to the thrift shop.  This one with (gasp) china and glass wear.  I am a terrible hoarder when it comes to these (and many other) things.  I have already taken one thing out of the box... To be fair, there is a lot in the box and I plan to put even more into it.  :)

The other thing I did was clean out my pots and pans cup board and hang my lids, I got the idea from Pinterest of course.

So hopefully I will continue to make some progress.  I need to de-clutter so I can move on to the next step - taking out a wall or two...
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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 23



Thank God - thank who? - it's Wednesday! I am somewhat off the hook.

I have about 900 tabs open - all of them Pinterest - and here is why.

I am taking a class through Skill Share to learn how to use Illustrator and was looking for a vintage ad to recreate for the class and somehow (wink wink) I kind of got off on a tangent.

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You know how Pinterest is... never ending.  One thing leads to another and suddenly the kids are walking in the door after school - which means it is almost 3 - and you have done nothing but sit on your fat Mumma butt pinning away.

Maybe you laughed a little over the cute puppies or the silly kids or the tongue in cheek Atheist humour (I started a new board today).

Maybe you cried a little because you wished your house was decorated nicely with all of those amazing DIYs you pinned. (Evil Pinterest!)

Maybe you made big plans to be more productive tomorrow.

My advice? DO NOT LOG INTO YOUR PINTEREST ACCOUNT.

No matter what.  DO NOT DO IT!

Tomorrow when the kids head out the door to school resist the temptation.

You can refinish you dining room table from memory while something delicious (made with a recipe from pinterest) simmers in your crock pot.

I have been sitting on my fat Mumma but for TWO hours and I am pulling the plug... in a minute...

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Days 21 and 22


CH is away and I have been feeling like a proper house wife. Cooking and cleaning and content to stay at home taking care of my family and getting things done.

This morning I came to the realization that I really seem to have a mental block when it comes to CH being home and my ability to get things done.  I suppose subconsciously, I feel like if he isn't doing anything but what he wants (sleeping) then why would I be cleaning out the fridge or washing the floors?  It is not really okay and I need to work on that. I have an appointment on Wednesday. ;)

So what has been happening around here?

Well, Baby J was born.

J for Josephine since The Mouth's actual name is Josh and The Boss' actual name Jamie I suppose they thought it would be cute to keep the J theme going - and it is.  I have to wonder if they will name subsequent children with J's as well.  Subsequent children?  perhaps I am getting a little ahead of myself!

Strangely, I think she looks like her mother.  First Ihas in history to not look like an Ihas, but still cute as a button. LOVE LOVE LOVE her hair.

I am very much looking forward to meeting her but at the same time I am a little terrified.  I will save that drama for another day.
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So what else?  Nothing Pinterest worthy I am afraid.  I have been trying to do some de-cluttering.  With CH gone, it is easier to throw stuff in the trash or take it to the Sally Ann - when he is here we tend to feed off of each other's hoarding tendencies. ;)

Yesterday I loaded up a black garbage bag full of miscellaneous junk I still had in bins and what not from the shop.  That's right.  The shop. The one I closed a year ago and I am just now finding the time to sort through stuff.  Maybe a little part of it is that I didn't have the heart for it and now I just want a clean, clutter free home!

So, I might make some cookies today.  (The little man asked me to, we shall see if I can find the time.)  If I do, I will be using this best every chocolate chip cookie recipe from Martha Stewart.

They are so good it hurts but they are so very very bad.  Pretty much sugar, butter and, as The Little Man said, fry it and you are done. In my house we call them Auntie Surely's Chocolate Chip Cookies.

They are so, so good.  I dare you to eat just one.

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, days 13 through 20



That's right, you guessed it I got nothing!

Let me just fill you in a little on my week and maybe you will have some pity for me. Or maybe you will just tell me to suck it up...

I worked WAY more than I normally would.  Long story short - the (crooked) guy that my employer purchased the building and contents from 2 years ago caused us some major issues this week and last.  This week was worse.

Last week we were waiting for the ball to drop - this week it did.

If you are reading this and you are local, if you went and liked this page to spread the word about our new phone number I would be really grateful.

And we were tired and stressed and by the time I got home each night it was all I could do to stay awake. Sometimes being a grown up and having a job sucks. Sometimes I much prefer my stay at home job of mothering, sewing and blogging - although the pay is crap there is virtually no stress.  Anyway...

That is the main reason, throw is a the new pups and the day to day and my time is all sucked up.

I did a lot of pinning... but nothing I am going to use any time soon.

Well, maybe this for the Little Man for Christmas.  He will not find it funny - buy CH and I will.  Oh, yes we will.

Last Sunday we went and looked at a house.  Perhaps a bit of a mistake but also a big eye opener.  Most of this weeks pins were kitchens.  We are going to be doing some work to this house and stay.  So much more house for our money even though it is not in my dream neighbourhood.

K.  So am I am going to force myself to list a few more things on my Etsy supplies site and then go sew.  I am feeling a little tense today because as of today I am a single parent for the week, these dogs are driving me crazy and and and..

Sewing always helps. :)

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Saturday, October 12, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Days 10, 11 and 12


I got nothin'.

It has been a stupid week at work - I practically worked full time, eeck!

And we got the puppies - and they are fabulous.

And I am participating in cooking Thanksgiving dinner tonight at PITA's.

And I have been trying to stay awake to sew at night cause I have custom orders to do while still getting out of the house (showered and coiffed) by 8am.

My life is rough! ;)

Ooh, and I did finish the stocking I posted about! See!


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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 9


My oh my it has been a LOOOONNNNGGGG week and it is only Wednesday.  Today we are are going wordless... (don't think I do not know it's cheap! - But it is funny!!) See the rest of the board here.



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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 8


OMG - I just logged onto Pinterest and got a very disturbing message that said that something went wrong and they lost their engineers.  (Okay it said they notified them but that is not what I read!!) I had a little bit of a heart attack.  Not even kidding.

To loose all of the information I have hoarded and gathered and loved and nurtured would be devastating. Can you create a back up of your Pinterest Boards???  Then I would need a back up of the back up.  So paranoid!

(Aside:  I am a horrible speller - like super bad (although I do know one other grown, otherwise intelligent person who is worse). I just proof read and realized that I had typed (and spell checked to) neutered instead of nurtured!)

So today's pin is another exciting one (for me anyway!).  I am going to be assisting in teaching a class at the beginning of November and am going to make my sample tonight.  Its been a while since I wore that hat but I am looking forward to it!

This is the lovely and talented Krista, from Miija Threads, sample.  Mine will be the same fabrics in a different colour way. I will probably never get around to taking a photo so I will steal to Krista's when I am done. :)
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Monday, October 7, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 7


Today you are not getting a pin. You are getting an announcement. I have been asked to participate in the Kootenay Artisan Market - which is a juried market and I'm in without an application! Ha

I guess I can give you one little pin... a picture of the girls we will be fosting this upcoming weekend. :D


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Sunday, October 6, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Days 5 and 6

Give me a break, I am busy woman! My Dad would ask - arm or a leg? ;)


So... I don't really have much for you.  Friday night we went to the Smokies game and them yesterday I was at a craft fair and then last night Smokies again... I haven't come up with much today either, I have been busy making chilli (I should post my recipe sometime cause I make the.best.chili) and another batch of Cheesy Veggy Chowder.

Let's call this day 6: I added a fancy (well,okay nicer, maybe fancy is a little exaggeration) signature to the bottom of my posts!  Thanks to the tutorial from Her & Nicole, that I have pinned on Blogs for Bloggers board. I am excited to use more of the pins I have on that Board while I grow my blog - there is so much information to be collected.

On that note, Pinterest really is the ideal spot for information hoarders such as myself to hoard their information.  Pinterest is such an enabler.

On day 5 I killed some fruit flies. This works, honest.  This summer was really bad for fruit flies in my house (which I later discovered the reason for) and someone mentioned this on Facebook so, I pinned it, I tried it and it worked like a charm.

I guess I better go and work on some future pins.  maybe something a little less mundane. :)

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Friday, October 4, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 4


OMG! Seriously.  Sometimes I even frustrate me!

Today I decided for my 31 Days of Pinterest I would make some blog improvements from my Board, Blogs for Bloggers.  I have so much crap pinned on there I knew (thought) there had to be something I could use today, quickly, and still make something yummy for dinner. But nope.

I decide to update my social networks icons - they needed it bad and I was ready for the challenge (because I did not think it would be one!!).

Did I mention I assumed it would take me like 5 minutes. (Well you know what they say about assuming...)

I chose something basic - I am trying to have a cleaner look - and thought I would be at my sewing machine (oops I mean the stove) in no time. But nope.

Downloaded it and unzipped it no problem thank you to Carrie Loves. BUT with all the phone calls and sick kids bugging me and the cat meowing and the wind blowing it took me forever to get the layout the way I liked it.  Mostly - because I was doing some lazy coding and I am easily distract!

Done now though and a huge improvement!  Click on some of the links and follow me!!

:) Tina

Thursday, October 3, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 3


I actually read this book in the summer while camping at Champion Lakes but we all know that my blogging skills got kind of swept under the rug for a few months. I pinned it to my board, called The Written Word - which is where I put really good books I have read, things about books, or books I want to read.

This book was amazing. I have such great luck with the books I bring camping that it is almost why I want to go each year!  This one though, I have had a hard time reading anything since... I have a book hangover!  It was so moving and the story told just right.  It was one of the rare books that would actually be a (gasp) good movie!

This is what Goodreads has to say about it, reader gave it 5 stars and it is well worth every one!
For fifty years, Anna Schlemmer has refused to talk about her life in Germany during World War II. Her daughter, Trudy, was only three when she and her mother were liberated by an American soldier and went to live with him in Minnesota. Trudy's sole evidence of the past is an old photograph: a family portrait showing Anna, Trudy, and a Nazi officer, the Obersturmfuhrer of Buchenwald.
Driven by the guilt of her heritage, Trudy, now a professor of German history, begins investigating the past and finally unearths the dramatic and heartbreaking truth of her mother's life.
Combining a passionate, doomed love story, a vivid evocation of life during the war, and a poignant mother/daughter drama, Those Who Save Us is a profound exploration of what we endure to survive and the legacy of shame.
See you tomorrow!  Tina


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 2

Today's 31 Days of Pinterest post, brought to you by Tampax.  Well not really, but...



I saw this on Facebook this morning and new without a doubt it would be my post for today!  I have pinned it onto my OMG board, but I am thinking it should have made it onto my I Can Make That board instead... hmm tough decision! ;)

So the best art of this is that when looking for the original photo to pin, I came across a whole website dedicated entirely to TAMPON CRAFTS. What an excellent way to start my day - laughing!

Haha  :D Tina

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 1

I'm doing it again! The Autumn always feels like a new beginning for me which is kinda strange considering everything around me is dying or going dormant but, heh, whatevs. ;)

So new beginning, this is so it, I'm back in. I am going to go all the way. I'm going to get back to my faithful blogging starting with a 31 Days kick off. So many pins - 2537 pins and 1612 likes; which are basically pins waiting to be pinned. I like to check out the link before it goes on my boards. Anyway, point being - that's a lot and I should use them - or at the very least entertain you with them! :)

31 days of Pinterest



Highly recommend it. It was easy to make and was delicious. As usually my shorties were luke warm on it but CH and I both loved it.

See you tomorrow! :) Tina

I WANT A PUPPY!

Okay.  Need to vent.

I really want a puppy. (We really want a puppy - but I am the only one doing the work to get a puppy - and that is a whole other post right there!)

In August our sweet (yet annoying) Pierre passed away peacefully in his sleep.

We had been thinking about adding a puppy to our family already, but his passing made it feel more urgent.  I really miss his talking to me (although I did not always appreciate it when he was here), and keeping my feet warm on the ottaman while I sew, and sitting at my feet waiting for things to 'fall' while I cook.  He was so smart and snuggly and funny... :(


Anyway, CH and I agree that all of our pets have just kind of come to us because they needed homes.  We thought getting a rescue would be good for us. Holy molly its like pulling teeth! They want to know ever detail of your life, references, photos, a home visit.... and then the one that I have been talking to - which is a small dog rescue - says oh, you are kind of far away.  Sorry but no.

Backyard breeders, here I come. :(

Tina