family night

We just returned from having a lovely dinner and seeing the show "Cirque Dreams." What a great family night! Some of the acts were unbelievable! There was a balancing act that made me EXTREMELY nervous! What a blast we all had! It was so enjoyable to spend that time together.

I was able to list the latest Cherry Blossom Card today. This one is elegant in charcoal grey and shades of pink. Unfortunately I didn't have time to work on anything else... Friday's are my deep cleaning days. "Fun" stuff like scrub the bathrooms, floors, etc. (sigh... someone has to do it!) :) I hope to have some time this weekend to work on something... if not, there's always Monday! :)

I have decided to discontinue my "daily dollar delight" section. I have so many projects on my list I want to concentrate on, so I don't want to worry each day about what I'll list here. It was a fun February promotion! :) ... who knows, maybe it will return as a "special" sometimes! :)

errands

My sewing labels layout was finalized today! Bonnie of SugarPlumBaby has been an absolute delight to work with... I hope to get the labels sometime next week! Yeah!!!

Today my newest cherry blossom sold! :) I should have another one ready to list tomorrow... I was hoping to have it ready today, but I had a hair appointment, Cami orthodontist, and lots of just running around. The day disappeared on me.

Leila comes home tomorrow. We are going to see "Cirque Dreams" tomorrow night as a family. We're all looking very forward to the outing. Cami is counting down the days/hours until Outdoor Education. It begins Monday. She'll be at a camp for the week with her school. She is beside herself with excitement! :)

new cherry blossom card

Today I was able to complete a new pop up flower card. I am thrilled with the paper combination I used on this one. It is gorgeous (if I do say so myself!)... Everytime I finish making one of these cards I feel like the time it takes to make one is well worth it. It's one of those things that is special and unique, something to be treasured.

I have volleyball league tonight... I'm looking forward to a good, competitive game! :) As one of my volleyball friends, Julie, would say, "GET SOME!"

grateful

I made another trip to buy supplies today... It was sure fun to wander the aisles and choose out a few neat fabrics. I am excited about sewing up some different things. I also ordered some sewing labels. I wasn't very happy with the one I tried making. The quality of printing on the fabric sheets just wasn't what I wanted it to be. Plus, I don't want to worry that it would fade or wash out. I spent some time putting together the logo so that I can email it out tomorrow.

Cami had ballet class this afternoon... it's so much fun to have her show me what she learned everyday after class. She's so energized and absolutely loves putting on a little performance for me. It's one of my favorite moments. She's growing so quickly. She's becoming a young woman right before my eyes. Ballet is teaching her poise, discipline, grace.... I'm very proud of her and her determination to be a great dancer (and great at whatever else she puts into her mind she wants to do!).

Leila called this evening. She was very excited to tell me that she "officially" has a boyfriend. She's looking forward to him coming to meet "the family" sometime soon. I am happy that she has found someone she enjoys spending time with, I can't wait to meet him. She deserves the best and I trust that she would choose someone who would treat her in the way she deserves.

I think about my girls and my husband and I guess that what you really want is for everyone to be happy, healthy, and satisfied with their life and their choices. I am fortunate and blessed to have grown up in a terrific family and I pray that I give the same to ours. I can't imagine life without the feelings and experiences you have within your family. I am truly grateful.

chocolate and a banner

The custom order chocolate bookmark is done and listed! It really turned out so cute and yummy looking! I think I'll have to make a similar one to list again... Chocolate just looks so good and happy, I don't think you can have too many! :)

Today I also designed a custom etsy shop banner and avatar for PaperRock ScissorsInk. I really had fun putting it together. I'm thinking about getting a couple of designs ready and listing them as well... We'll see... I'll add it to the list of projects! :)

s a t i s f i e d

I'm tired.... in that very good way, where you worked hard, played well, got a good workout type of tired. Nice competitive volleyball this morning. I LOVE it when it's like that. :) Four hours of playing flew by... a very satisfying morning.

I put together the ingredients for chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker when I got home. It sure did make the house smell all super yummy and comfy all afternoon! It ended up being a very delicious and satisfying dinner. ;)

While the soup was busy cooking I finished working on the chocolate candy bookmark that is a custom order. I'm ready to take photos tomorrow morning and list it. I also made a tag set using the leftover scraps from the Cherry Blossom Card. The papers are just sooo beautiful, I didn't want any to go to waste! They turned out so beautiful and elegant looking. I can imagine them being used in all kinds of wonderful places: scrapbooks, art journals, frames, cards, AND as exquisite gift tags! I was able to list the Cherry Blossom Tags. I am very satisfied with how they turned out.

All in all a very satisfying day... :)

good things

Today has been faaabuuulooouuus!!!

"Good Thing #1" - My day started with a quick check of email... I found that I had the famous "etsy transaction" email! The California Roll and Chocolate Truffle No. 1 sold... Yeah! Two of my favorite items, it makes me happy to think someone else liked them too! :)

"Good Thing #2" - Shortly after checking my email my husband called... We're going to South Beach, Miami for a few days in April, compliments of his company!!! :) He's receiving recognition for last year's performance... Yeah! It's hard to imagine he and I going somewhere for a few days by OURSELVES (in other words - kidless!)...

"Good Thing #3" - Called Leila to line her up for little sister babysitting job (while we're in Miami, oh yeah...) and to see what's going on. After the "that's not fair... kids should be able to go too..." comments, she agreed to spend the days required with her sis. What's the good thing? She has the same spring break as Cami... that means she'll be able to join us this year when we visit family in Utah! Yeah!

"Good Thing #4" - Posted the new dimensional flower card that I made yesterday. It is so elegant and unique. I am so pleased with how it turned out! (...and now it's SOLD already! I think this could qualify as #5...!) :)

It's been a VERY good day...

another day

I think I could stay in my little art studio/office all day! Today I listed a collage tag along with a couple of wood pieces that I had woodburned some images on. They are really unique and I think they would make great embellishments for something special.

I have volleyball tonight! Yeah! I really need some exercise, as I have been glued to my desk the last couple of days... :)

good morning sunshine

I could hardly wait to get out of bed this morning! I wanted to get Cami off to school so I could hurry home and sit in my newly organized office. It sure felt wonderful! I was able to list a set of three embossed tags that I made a l-o-n-g time ago. I found them in one of my folders when I was cleaning. :) I listed them today as my daily dollar delight. They are very elegant and I'm very glad that an etsy shopper took advantage of that special!

I created a new card today... I am VERY happy with how it turned out. It will be a new addition to my "2 in 1 cards". This particular set will be the "floral collection." It has an added element to the recycle and reuse idea. I created a 3D flower that is folded up and tied with a ribbon on the front of the card. The flower "blooms" when you untie the ribbon keeping it shut. The reuse part of this flower is that I have attached it to the card with velcro... this way the recipient has the choice to reuse the flower as a beautiful gift tag or embellishment (just glue it on!) OR choose to send the entire card to someone new by removing their "note" and writing their own sentiments on the elegant paper underneath! (Then the new recipient can use the flower if they choose!) I just LOVE how this has turned out! I hope that this new line of cards will catch on for me... it's a card that keeps on giving! :)

Tonight I will work on a custom order for a chocolate bookmark, then dream about tomorrow's projects...

aaahhhh organization

I'm finally finished! I have put everything in it's place... that means tomorrow I get to create again! Yeah! It was definitely a bigger job than I thought it would be, but boy, am I glad I took the time to do it. Now I remember all the supplies I have AND I know where they are!

I can hardly wait to go to "work" tomorrow...

clean and organize

I have spent a good part of the weekend organizing my office... It's amazing how it can get out of control! Norm & Cami have been threatening to do a "Clean Sweep", and I just couldn't let that happen! I have too much (probably the problem!) "good stuff". I really do have a satellite store of Michael's or JoAnn's here (slightly embarassing, as it always seems like I still "need" something from there - that's gotta stop!)... I think I'll see if I can get an official licensing as a "neighborhood store!" :)

I should be finished tomorrow morning, I'll take some pictures of my new, neat, AND organized little studio office. THEN... I can create again! ...aaaaahhhh :)

looking and buying

I went shopping today! Not any kind of shopping, CRAFT shopping... that's the best kind! I noticed that JoAnn's was having a sale on items I "needed," plus every so often I love just wandering the aisle's looking for new products and inspiration. I found lots of good things to add to my collection (or warehouse as my husband calls it...:) ), so now I need to clean and organize a bit (a lot!). I have to be ready to make lots of new and different things next week.

I've got a "to do" list of projects... I'm looking forward to working on them. Now I'll keep cleaning and organizing AND enjoy the nice 3 day weekend with my family. :)

l o v e

Isn't it nice to have a day where you are reminded to tell those around you how special they are to you? I want to make sure that I remember to share those feelings every day, not just on a special occasion... I feel so blessed to be part of such a loving, thoughtful family. Cami made a lovely card for us today and Leila called to say she received roses and chocolates from someone at school. It's nice to feel special to someone and to know you are in their thoughts.

I was so excited yesterday about listing my California Roll... I was looking at some of the photos and realized they would make great greeting cards. So today I put a set of two together and listed them as my daily dollar delight for the day! I am really pleased with how they turned out.

Today I had planned on starting on another project as well, but I ran out of energy. We have had really strong winds today (plays havoc with my allergies) and I think that combined with not sleeping well last night made me not productive this afternoon. It's OK... I'll have a little time tomorrow to start something new.... :)

I have this 5 x 5 canvas that's been staring at me the past few days.... it's begging for some color...

it's here

Drum roll, please...... Here it is! The first of my sushi collection! I started off with a California Roll. (It only seemed right...) I am sooooo happy with how it turned out! I can hardly wait to start the next one. :) I finished listing it a little while ago, and I'm mixed... I want it to sell quickly, yet I don't want to part with it! I guess this just means that I really need to start on the next one... like NOW! I plan on making spicy tuna rolls, avocado rolls, cucumber rolls, etc., as well as "sushi". Like my chocolate collection, I'll make tags, cards, magnets, bookmarks, and whatever else I can dream up!

Do you know what? I am VERY happy when I create something! :)

almost done

I am almost finished with my new pincushion creation!

Today I had tons of fun working on it... I have spent lots of time trying to get it just right and now I have just a little bit more to do so that it will be ready... I can't wait to unveil it tomorrow! :)

new arrangement

I had a very nice surprise when I got home from my volleyball tournament yesterday.... Norm and Cami had rearranged our living room furniture! It was so nice! I really like how they moved things around. Here's a view of how they angled the couch and chairs. I just love it! What a thoughtful thing to come home to!

I haven't had a chance to create anything today... it's been a busy, fun day celebrating my friend's birthday. We spent a leisurely lunch together and then it was time to pick up Cami, take her to ballet, finish homework, etc., etc.!

I can't believe Valentine's Day is just a few days away! I have "stuff" to do! :)

finally

OK... so my little tirade yesterday didn't really make me feel better. However, today my "daily dollar delight" was purchased... YEAH! That did make me feel better! I know it's silly... I guess I just really wanted to see my idea in work. :) So... thanks for making my day!

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. It's a volleyball weekend for me. I get to play in a 2 day coed tournament! I always have so much fun playing PLUS I love the mental and physical exhaustion you get when you play hard for 2 days straight... It's cleansing (not just the stinky, sweaty part) in some way. It seems like most of the time I play in a 2 day tournament it's "away", meaning I'm away from my family for a few days as well. Since this is a "local" tourney I get to be home with my family at night, yeah! My family is so supportive of all the time I take to play volleyball... I'm really lucky! :)

take a chill pill

Wassss uppppp????? OK now, don't get depressed.... I just don't understand, no one bought the cute daily dollar delight yesterday and so far no one has purchased the one listed for the day... Someone tell me... is my work that unappealing? My goodness.... The items I listed had LOTS of work in them, way worth more than a measly dollar! All right, all right.... I'll just take it a day at a time... I just thought it was such a good idea... ok, Holly, RELAX!

(don't get scared... I don't always talk to myself like this)

daily dollar delight

I love it when I receive an order in the mail (it's almost as fun as sending one out!)... Today I received this darling magnet board I ordered from one of my favorite etsy sellers. She even sent me cute "extra" magnets of my initials. I took a photo of my chocolate magnets on the board. So super cute!

Today I started a new daily promotion on my etsy shop. I will list one item Monday through Friday in my "daily dollar delight" section. You never know what you'll find... a sample of a new item? a card? magnets? felt yummies? adorable tags? I'm very excited about this, I feel like it will push me to keep being creative as well as help me get some traffic to my little shop.

The item I listed in the new section today is the first in my new series of cards, called 2 in 1 cards. These cards are "beautiful enough to reuse!" Today's sample offering is a pink felt flower that I sewed some details on and then attached to a textured, blue & green striped card. I love it! Someone better snap it up in the daily dollar delight section today! :) I'm looking forward to adding more 2 in 1 cards to my shop. I even created a section for them today in anticipation.

I feel rejuvenated... it's funny what a dollar can do! :)

a pity party

I don't know what my deal is today... I'm feeling a little down, it's a good thing my sister came to my pity party and turned things around. It's the best to be able to just complain away and have someone just listen. No major problem just can't seem to motivate myself (although I did manage to post my new "heart-felt" tag). Probably has something to do with the pounding headache I have. I should take some advil...

A warning... don't accept any invitations to my party...

a quiet afternoon

Today is the superbowl! Norm and Cami went to watch at a friend's house.... that means I have the house to myself.... a quiet afternoon. (ahhhh)

So I took pictures of the tag I created yesterday and wrote up a description... I'll post it tomorrow! I am really pleased with this little tag... or bookmark... or scrapbook embellisment... It's unusual and makes me think of a mosaic made with felt. I can't wait to make more. My brain is spinning with possibilities! :)

I have also been preparing an order to ship out tomorrow. That's about all set to go... I love having to go to the post office to send out an order. Each order feels like I'm sending one of my "babies" out to a new home.

Between volleyball games this morning I embroidered a few more chocolate items... I really want to get a "set" up tomorrow, as Valentine shopping should definitely be underway. After that is done I want to get back to completing the project I've been working on for the past few days, (before I got sidetracked by all those shiny, felt pieces!).

It's been so nice to spend a superbowl Sunday messing around in my office...

dusting off the machine

I haven't used my sewing machine in a couple months (and then it was to fix something, so that doesn't really count!) so today I dusted it off to start playing with some of the felt pieces I cut out a few days ago... They are really coming along! I can't wait to make these little colorful bits into "something"... I love sitting down with supplies at hand and just letting go... creating. I start thinking that I will be making one thing and then I discover a whole new way to make it even better. It's just the best! :) I'm looking forward to finishing a couple of these projects up in the next day or two and listing them.

It's amazing to me how my mood can totally change if I just spend a little time working on an art project... I was a little grumpy this morning (although I was trying not to be), until I got in my office and started messing around with my stuff for a little while... I started feeling sooo much better. I think it's because I put aside any worries for a little while. It's a little vacation.

Well... now that my machine is all warmed up and excited to be running (it had been feeling left out), I have a few future projects lined up to make. I am looking forward to the adventure...

reading and bookmarks

I love to read... I must admit to a problem though... I have a very difficult time getting anything else done if I'm in the middle of a good book (it just wouldn't be nice to leave the characters in some sort of trouble!), I'll read instead of doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

I am lucky to be able to read with Cami. I volunteer as a leader in her classes Literature Circles (like a book club). Every Friday my group of assigned kids discuss what we read the previous week and then begin the current week's assignment by reading a few pages aloud. I LOVE hearing the kids read and I feel so proud as I listen to Cami read with such expression. It's definitely one of the highlights of my week!

Well... as I was thinking of this week's assigned reading I realized I needed a bookmark. The poor lonely chocolate on my desk was just calling to be made into one. Poor little thing was just whimpering how it would love to spend it's days living vicariously through prose and fantasy. What could I do? I had to fulfill it's dream. :) The chocolate bookmark has now been added to my shop.

I hope to add a "pocket full of posies" tomorrow... That is if I'm able to finish this book..... (sigh)

magnets and volleyball

I was able to post the new set of chocolate magnets I completed yesterday! I used the magnetic board I bought from PaperRockScissorsInk to "stage" the magnets and it turned out great... The little magnets are super cute and would also be great doubling as a little needle pincushion in an embroidery floss case. They are just the cutest things to hold stuff up on the fridge or anywhere else you like to stick stuff (well....maybe not anywhere...).

I have a little book clip I hope to finish and post tomorrow... and I need to work on an order for 3 chocolate truffle pincushions. I'm going to spend a little time with scissors right now so I'll have the pieces ready to start embroidering.

Tonight is volleyball league... Yeah! I'm looking forward to a good competitive game. This will be our second week playing together this season. (This league changes teams 3 times a year.) It's a great mix of players, I think we'll have a great time. (Last season the team I was on won!) :)

I also have a two day tournament coming up, it's going to be so fun to play in a tournament again... the last one seemed so long ago (those holidays seem to play havoc with my volleyball schedule!).

It's a good day... anytime I get to create AND end the day with volleyball.... :)

buy and sell

I bought a couple of cute things from dizzybroad today... I absolutely LOVED her Easter tag and had been meaning to buy it for the past week, plus I added a couple of cute gift cards. She does such beautiful work and it will be nice to have those ready to use.

One of my chocolate truffles sold today! Yeah! It makes me so happy to be able to send another one off to a good home... :) Tomorrow I'll be adding the chocolate magnets that I finished making today. I also updated the photos on my truffle greeting cards and I'm much happier with how it looks now.

I guess overall it's been a good market day...

a break from the rain

The rain has finally ended after a FULL week! Yesterday on my way to volleyball I took a few pictures of the clouds. It was beautiful... there was a break in the rain for a couple of hours and by the time I left the gym it was raining HARD again. It was nice though, a good reason to stay in the house for the rest of the day.

Today has been lots of fun... I put together a set of greeting cards based on my photos of the chocolate truffle pin cushions. They really turned out great! I'm very happy with how they look. It feels so good to make something that you are proud of... I think these cards made me especially happy since the chocolate truffles are near and dear to my heart already! :) I think I may need to take a couple more photos though to show that the set of 3 cards are 3 different cards, not all the same image. I'll get that done tomorrow.

I got a new "toy" today as well... my SUPER, thoughtful, handsome, loving, husband (think this is enough kiss up?) bought me something that I've been REALLY wanting.... bamboo fun (pen tablet)! I just finished hooking it up and I can't wait to start creating fun things with it. Just using it for the day to day function of getting around the computer will be a blast. :) You know what? I am a complete gadget freak AND nerd!

Well... I'm really looking forward to finishing a couple more projects tomorrow AND organizing my office a little (I need to create a good workspace for my "bamboo fun"). It will also be nice to have the sun shining into my office, another day's break from the rain. :)

it's nice to relax

I have a hard time sleeping in... but today, I wasn't in a rush to get dressed and "get going". I wandered around in my robe, worked on a new set of chocolate tags, took pictures of them, posted them... what a nice way to start a Saturday morning! After having breakfast with Cami it was time to get dressed, but weekend dressed, you know, comfy pants and shirt, the kind you don't really plan on leaving the house in.

This afternoon has been just as relaxing... I cut out some more felt pieces to create another part of the "chocolate collection". I'm going to work on them while I catch up on some dvr recordings. I also pulled out my knitting bag... I am almost done with a BIG project for an upcoming holiday (pix & details after "the" holiday so I don't ruin the surprise for anyone) so I think I'll work on that a little as well.

It's getting cloudy again outside (ANOTHER big storm is supposed to hit tonight), it was sure nice to see the sun for a little while this morning. I must admit though that the cloudiness and oncoming storm feeling is definitely contributing to that "let's just stay in" attitude.

It's just soooo nice to relax....

raindrops keep falling on my head

My... it sure has been raining alot this week! The pool has become an "infinity" type pool... We're getting a little break right now but a new storm is expected tomorrow! I do love the rain... and last year we had a drought... I guess we're trying to make up for that all in one week! I just hope that no major mudslides are a result of all this rain.

I am sooo excited I had four items sell yesterday!!!! I really love that! One of the items that sold was the chocolate truffle tags. I'm going to make a new batch of them up to post PLUS I'm working on another chocolate related item that I hope to have ready soon. I'm really having fun with the chocolate theme. :)

I feel so lucky to be doing what I love.... to be able to "work" at home (chief operating officer, if anyone asks...), be creative and "run" my etsy business, AND play volleyball a few times a week! I definitely have nothing to complain about! (even when raindrops are falling on my head) :)

my showcase day

Today I have a spot in the Valentine's Showcase. I was happy to see how many views my chocolates were getting. I was also able to list the newest white chocolate with milk and dark chocolate heart accents. It is really cute, I am very happy with how it turned out. I am almost finished with a dark chocolate, I may be able to finish it tonight.

I am also working on a custom order! Yeah! I should have that finished and ready to post tomorrow as well. I am feeling very productive and excited to be making progress on my "list" of projects I want to get to...

I look forward to having more showcase days.

the party's over

Cami's birthday party was great! All the kids had a great time... They played "Rock Band", made snowglobes with photos of themselves and decorated the opposite side, made bracelets, and just had fun! We had a dvd playing as the kids arrived that had clips from Cami's 10th birthday party... it was amazing to see how the girls have grown in just one year. My baby's growing up. (sniff, sniff.)

Today I've been busy getting a few "sold" (YEAH!) items ready for shipping... I'll be off to the post office tomorrow to send them away to their new homes. :) I also was able to work on something I've been wanting to work on for a few days: chocolate truffle tags! I played around a little with how best to make the chocolate three dimensional, and now I believe I have it! I just listed a set of three tags. I also have two chocolate tops appliqued and now I need to put the pieces together so I can get those listed as well... I have a Valentine showcase tomorrow and I am hoping I'll get lots of interest in my little chocolates!

Back to school tomorrow for Cami... the party is DEFINITELY over!