artsy-crafty babe

thinking about...

These are the types of things that go through my head at night before I go to sleep.  I should have been sleeping when I wrote this, but for some reason I couldn't (I'm blaming the sinus medicine).

• color washing an armoire
• what color should I go with - white?  taupe?  something else?
• slip covers
• monogramming pillows
• white twill or natural linen?
• should I buy that secondhand wingback?
• how can I make an ottoman for my living room?
• painting my rocking chair
• Ava's birthday in a little over a week
• how is she 2 years old already?
• should I do a taco bar for her party?
• how about margaritas?
• summer dresses for Ava
• a tote bag for Alex
• will Lily still wear clothes I make her?
• the exposed selvages on my dining room curtains are bothering me
• how should I hang those plates on the wall?
• do I have enough to hang?
• I really should get those River Road prints framed
• I want a table skirt made out of burlap
• do I have time to paint the kids bathroom this weekend?
• rugs for the kitchen
• will we ever get around to tiling the counter tops?
• will I ever make my table quilt?
• I like having real flowers on the table
• daisies sure last a long time
• what kind of pillows should I make for my dining table bench?
• will I have a bench in time for the party?
• where did April go?
• should I work on publishing my purse patterns?
• will anyone buy them?
• do I have the technical skills to make them?
• where in the heck is my ID badge for work?
• is there a load of laundry in the washer?
• why am I not sleeping?
• why am I watching the Real World?

*sigh*

P.S. I bought the wingback today, next on the agenda - a slipcover!

impulse buy

When I saw these shoes I couldn't resist them.  Green patent (comfortable) flip flops - perfect!

Too bad I didn't make this in my size :)

new shoes

Is it wrong for one to want to plan a whole spring wardrobe around one pair of sassy red shoes?  Man, I wish I had more red in my wardrobe because I want to wear these every single day!!

uninspired, sort of

I haven't been uninspired to create, but I have been uninspired to take photos, blog, and answer email. What's up with that? Just last week I deleted over 300 messages, and now I'm already back over 100. I feel bad deleting, really I do. I'd love to respond to every one of them (most are your lovely comments), thanking you for your kind words, but there isn't enough time in the day.  Having said that, if you asked me something, please email me again, I promise I'll answer!! 

I don't know why I'm not in the mood to take photos.  I was really getting into it, participating in a 365 self portrait challenge, but that has fallen by the wayside.  I just don't feel like it anymore.  Maybe I'll pick it back up with a 52 weeks challenge.  Right now that sounds much more manageable, or maybe I'll just turn it into a 365 anything goes challenge.  Yeah, I've got it together...

Since Monday I've been trying to come up with something to blog about.  I think this may be one of the first time I've had blogger's block (is that what it's called?).  I've not come up with anything interesting, so I just decided to pick up the camera and take a few photos of the things that have been keeping me busy and blather on about nothing.

Even though I haven't been feeling "right", I have accomplished the major feat of having all my laundry washed, folded, and put away, I am all caught up on the dishes, the house is fairly neat, AND I've been sewing for at least an hour every night.  What???  Where is the Beki I used to know?  Oh wait, take a look at that sewing room...

One more random tidbit - I think people use the word amazing too much.  If you've made it this far, I think you're amazing.

**more buttons

**the easter egg themed short & sassy pleated bags

**my messy sewing room

the funk

I'd love to report about the fantastic weekend I had, but then I'd be lying.  Yes, I'm in a funk.  It probably started with my sick bug last week, but I fought it.  I kept up with my daily challenges and continued to try new things.  I promise, I really was geared up to have a nice weekend, but the letter I received from the Dept. of Revenue for $1500 kind of put a kink in those plans.  No, I didn't really owe them $1500 (more like $18), but it upset me the same.  Why do those types of letters have to come on Friday evenings?  I think they do that on purpose to make you fret about them all weekend long.  Anyway, that started my weekend funk.  I didn't do my self portraits. I didn't do my daily drawings.  I didn't even knit.  In fact, I had the urge to rip out the scarf I have been working on (an eyelet pattern, not the one I photoed last week).  Gah!  Gray, wet, cold January days suck!! 

Despite all that, I did manage to do a little sewing.  I had some deadlines to meet and some projects that needed attention.  I'm still working on my baby kimono pattern.  How's this one?  It's pretty good, but the sleeve needs a little work.  I think my latest version (not yet sewed up) has it worked out, we'll see...

I did start to feel a little better once I got a handle on my laundry and the dirty dishes (and did a little fun sewing), but that didn't happen until Sunday evening.  But guess what?  It's a new week and I'm determined to make it a good one.  It's all about attitude!!  Happy Monday ;-)

greetings from the sick bed

Hiya.  I'm still alive.  I'm about to go out of my mind, but I'm definitely still alive.  Thank you all for your well wishes!  I don't know if I have is a touch of the flu or just a really bad cold, but whatever it is, it ain't no fun.  I'm ready for it to leave my body - for good!

During all my down time I didn't get anything accomplished.  No laundry, no crafting, very little knitting, but LOTS of bad TV watching.  I wish I had spent some of that time blog surfing, but my darling husband has had the laptop, so no internet for me!  I suppose I could have used the desktop, but I didn't feel like it.  Shoot, that in itself is a sure sign that I was sick.

Aren't those cute cards up there sweet?  Lily and her school mate made me some get well cards.  I think they worked.

Well guys, sorry I'm so boring.  Hopefully I'll come up with something better tomorrow after I spend some time in the outside world!  Yeah, I'm busting out of this joint (as long as there's no more fever)!!!

cool!

I am very happy to report that thanks to Michelle's suggestion of using rubbing alcohol on the sharpie markings, I can now procrastinate over re-painting my master bedroom a bit longer!  Yep, plain old rubbing alcohol took the marks off, for the most part.  It's good to know these things!

That wasn't the only good thing that happened yesterday.  Look what was left on my doorstep.  When I peeked into the bag I told Alex "oh boy, the fabric fairy stopped by!".  Yeah, he thought I was a bit nutty.   Inside the bag was an adorable cupcake softie and some fabric purges from Cathy.  Yay Cathy!  She said she was spring cleaning early and decided to pass those goodies along.  Thanks Cathy, I really appreciate it.  I think other people's scraps are so much more interesting than my own.  I've dedided that my studio needs some serious purging, so be on the lookout in the next few months - I plan on giving lots away.  I haven't decided how I'll do it yet, but I'll probably group things in bundles, then offer it up for shipping.  Is anybody interested in that?  This is going to be a hodge podge of stuff - home dec fabrics, apparel fabrics, and some quilting cottons.

One last thing before I go, you all should hop on over to Mary Ann's new Indie-pendence blog.  Indie-pendence is a new blog she started up this year to feature independent designers.  It's a really cool place to discover some great etsy talent, and I'm not just saying that because I'm in the designer spotlight, hee hee!  Thanks Mary Ann, I'm truly honored!!

holy giraffe!

To quote Alex, "Holy Giraffe!!!".  Wow, 168 comments!  I never imagined I'd get that many comments on  anything I posted. Thank you all for coming out of the woodwork ;-)  Reading each and every comment brought a smile to my face.

Since so many of you commented, I decided that there should be more than one winner, so how about 3? According to random.org, here are the lucky winners:

comment #40 - Christy S. won a bag

comment #70 - Janey - won a zippered pouch

comment #159 - Missy won a wristlet

Thanks so much for playing, I'll be in touch!!

Happy Monday everyone - I have the day to myself in a quiet empty house, wahoo!!  Yes, my sewing machine will be humming.

2008 Goals

Before I let more of 2008 slip away and this draft gets bumped down further in my post list, I need to get this out there.

In this lovely even year of 2008 (I love even numbers) I'd like to accomplish the following goals:

• get to my wedding day weight (as of today, 24 lbs to go)
• incorporate more whole foods into my diet
• severely cut back on processed foods
• incorporate more activity in my daily life (I'd rather schedule sewing time than exercise time)
• express more gratitude - yes, gratitude friday will be returning on a regular basis
• do some charity sewing
• learn to use my serger
• make something with my vintage sheets
• work on simplifying my life
• spend more quality time with my kids
• have friends or family over for dinner at least every other month (who cares if my house is a mess and we eat delivery pizza?  it's all about the experience)
• participate in a craft fair
• stay on top of my business accounting
• hand out my business card when someone comments on my purse (i never do this)
• have more confidence in my little business
• have my bags in a local shop or two
• set up a devoted time to work on my business
• knit myself some type of sweater
• express myself through painting
• learn more about photography
• be more positive in general and refrain from negative thoughts
• finish our kitchen remodel (cabinets & walls done - floors, counter tops, and back splash to go!)
• paint the kids bathroom & make a shade
• finish my master bedroom - paint the walls, make a table skirt, new dust ruffle, slipcover the chair, make some curtains and throw pillows for the bed
• make our back patio suitable for entertaining
• organize my laundry room
• paint my studio floor

Okay, I think that's enough.  I honestly think that all these goals are do-able.  None are all that easy, but definitely attainable.  Now I need to print this out and look at it on a regular basis.  Happy 2008!!

it's been a good one

Well friends, another year has passed.  2007 was a good one, very good indeed.  I honestly have no complaints.  It was a year filled with new friends, new experiences, and lots of love.

This last day of 2007 was spent just how I like it, very low key.  Matt and I were lucky enough to get the chance to go out to dinner alone.  We needed it.  We've been going stir crazy with sick kiddos in the house.  Did I mention that Alex has pneumonia?  Yeah, my little asthmatic has pneumonia and Ava has an ear/sinus infection.  That means that we've been giving more snuggles than normal.  I don't think there's been any moment when I haven't had a child on me during the past 4 days!  Oh well, I'm not complaining.  The extra snuggles are kind of nice.

As good as 2007 was, I have a feeling that 2008 is going to be even better (hopefully with less child illnesses!).  Happy New Year!