Where has the Time Gone?

Hi, I know it's been a while since I last posted and it seems when I get in the flow of things...mishap begins. Well to make a long story short, I lost a job, found a new one, went back to school and then was on crutches for nearly a month. Whew, thats enough to drive anyone nuts! All in all I made it through and now back on track with my crafting.

I woke up to a rainy Saturday and spent a few hours just lying in bed watching The Avengers Movie for the 4th time! Not sure why but something about Captain America in tights gets me. :-) Once it was over I sat and pondered over the things I need to do to get my business where it should before 2013. This year seems to be moving to quickly and there is never enough time.

So today I'm making a list of all the things I should have done for this year but didn't get to. This new list will be my Resolution and I must make a dent in this list before the year is out. I'm not saying that I will complete it all but if I put a dent into getting some of it done, than I've accomplished something. With this being said....What have you not completed this year? Is there something you wish to get done but never had the time....Its not too late...You still have time.

My list will begin with the following:

create at least 4 patterns

look for more home boutique shows

look into doing wholesale/trade shows.

If I can complete these and a few more task then I will have made some kind of dent. On top of this I still need to prepare for two craft shows this year. Wish me luck! :-)

Break Time is Over!!

Hi all,
Boy did I take a long break! lol I guess I was enjoying myself over the holidays that I forgot I have a business to run and people to talk to. I sure did miss everyone and I have loads of catching up to do.
Each day I would walk pass my sewing room and say "I really need to get in there and clean it up". Then I head towards the TV and I'm hooked to whatever is on.
But today I finally walked into the room and started to look at what I need to clean. First I have to clear out my closet....Here is what it looks like now!

Not sure what's in these bags but I will find out. I see a few bags of cotton but that's not nearly enough to create anything. lol
I did pull out one bag and here is what I found inside...yep they are mini sleds. I'm sure they will come in handy. :-)

Once I finish the closet...my next project will be to clear out and organize my supply cabinet. Here is what it looks like now...I have 3 shelves filled with fabic and I know alot of it I really don't need so this means. Loads of giveaways. :-)

One thing I can say about being a crafter and business owner. Our work is never done! Well I better get started. I will keep you posted because I always believe that one person's crafts is another crafters dream! :-)

Take Time FOR YOU!

Hi there,

Hope you all are having a great holiday season! I know you are getting ready for Christmas and waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. Boy! Do I wish that was so true! Santa had it made riding around in a sled, eating milk & cookies and sliding down the chimney.
Now we have his job and instead of a sled we have our car (using alot of gas), no snacks and forget about going down a chimney. We get to stand in long lines and most of the time not find the gifts we are looking for. Oh the joy! lol
Yet when its all said and done....the looks on our childrens faces....Priceless! :-)

As for myself, I made gifts for the family and will ship them out after the holidays...everyone lives in NY, Florida, or Texas. This saves me gas, I get to eat turkey and wrap gifts and no long lines. lol
Yes, I'm cheating the holiday hustle and bustle; after all we as crafters stress enough for craft shows and the extra stress of shopping drives me nuts. lol

With this being said...take some time out for you. You worked you butts off all year with craft shows, fabric & thrift shopping and more. So tomorrow...yes, tomorrow...Take a ME TIME!
No kids or hubby....just you!
Find that quiet place that no one knows about and go there. Because once the new year starts. Its back to being a craftaholic! :-)

Hugs & blessings to You and Yours!

Organized and Ready

Hi all,
I finally got some organization in my sewing room and ready to start on some projects. So far I have three totes of what I call everyday crafts.
Here is the two totes (one with crafts for my website) the other (is everyday crafts) which is for spring next year.

Yep, I'm already thinking of spring and christmas isn't even here. But I think that's how it goes with everyone who is into crafting. We are like Santa...we never sleep. As for the crafts on top of the tote...not sure what I'm gonna do with them. Some are fall baskets and a santa in a sled idea which I can't remember the idea any longer. Darn old age.

I also found some bunnies and a basket of goodies I want to make for my sister. See those pieces of material between the bunny and basket; I think that's suppose to be cut outs for a bag holder. lol
This tote is full of unfinished dolls which I plan to get to after Thanksgiving.

Of course I still have 2 more totes in storage filled with crafts but I'm not gonna worry about that now. My main thing is to finish what I have here and then take a mini vacation until January....hopefully. :-)
At least I can say I got organized today! Right now I'm gonna run to market and get supper for hubby. I have a craving for stuffed pork chops, mash potatoes and gravy....yummy.

Yes, I know I've been Missing!!

Hi,

Yes, I've been missing in action for a few months. It's not my fault...really its not. :-)
Hubby and I did some moving and down sized from a huge house to almost a cottage like home.
I took a break from craft shows and then I wrote a book. Whew!! that's enough to make anyone go nuts! Well I'm back!!!
Today I'm going to take the time to do some blogging. I have alot of catching up to do and I want to get back into some pattern making. I came across this cute doll I want to make for myself. What do you think? Prim isn't she!!

Hopefully my doll will look ok. I'm not the good with fingers. :-)
Well gotta run and do some errands. Talk soon

Advertising and Promoting Your Business

I always thought that advertising and promoting your business was easy but I will be the first to say....NOOOO it is a never ending struggle and sometimes it sucks! lol First I advertise on Yellow Pages.com which they claim is FREE. A few weeks later I get a call from an AT&T rep who states your ad isn't seen on the first page unless you advertise with them. So I say...What!! this is suppose to be FREE. The rep goes on to say how for $242 a month he can put me on the first page. Oh like I really have money to give away. Then I say....well no one will see me unless they click on Yellow pages.com so how is that helping me? Of course he goes on about how they are on google if someone types in certain words it will show them high up on the listing. Again that is all good but yet he failed to see that IF NO ONE clicks on Yellowpages.com....I won't be seen and $242 is high. Well he got it down to $142 a month and was insisting that without advertising with them...I won't be seen.....Yeah right!!! He doesn't know about the power of communities, friends, family, facebook and newsletter. And I didn't get orders from Texas, Australia and other states by just sitting on my butt! The nerve of him. So if you ever get a call from a AT&T rep....RUN!!!!

Too Many Jobs...Not enough of me

Yes, I'm a victim of having too many jobs. I have a full time job which pays the bills for my job that I love owning a craft shop. So I work one to help support the other. I pull myself in so many directions that I forget to take time relax....relax never because I have a goal to run my shop full time instead of just 3 times a week and on weekends.

To make a long story short...I found a building, cleaned it up and opened a handmade craft & gift shop. Yep and the grand opening was yesterday which was a great turn-out but by 5pm my body ached and I just wanted to go to sleep. If I had it my way I would have been in bed by 6:30pm. Yet I couldn't do this because I have a husband and a business both which require alot of time. So I get off at 5pm and come home to find that hubby is ready to go to a birthday party...my nephew. Darn! I totally forgot about it and lucky hubby picked up a card. So I stick some money in the card, take a pain pill, sit down for 5 minutes and then I'm up and ready to head out the door again.

Sister's house is about 25 minutes away so it's not too bad. We were suppose to just show our faces, hugs and best wishes then head back home. 3 hours later we are now driving home and I'm so tired that I start talking like I'm on some strange drug.
I say things like....today was a beauuutiful day. Hubby looks at me and said "How many drinks did you have?? But I only had a glass of wine and some chips.
Needless to say....there is just not enough of me to go around. :-)