Wednesday, December 19, 2007

From Here to the Beginning

Another camera/software experiment. Grin and Bear it!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

I just HAVE to tell ya'll! Aren't these THE Cutest!!?

OK, I have been a little slow (translate, A LOTTA SLOW) getting to my blog to post lately, but ya see, I've got this little babe now that I have to really fight my way through the familial queue to get to! No, really, if it weren't for the fact that I am now the official family cow (and I say this with udder respect) I would get no face time with the guy. The other four kiddos (and I quote the five year old here) HOG him all to themselves!

Now back to business, not mine this time mind you, but that of the new Etsy shop "piddies" who has the mostest cute slippers!! I haven't done enough to encourage with shout outs the talented owners of Etsian shops I've seen but when I saw these little goldies and all the amazing birdies-

- man, I knew where I was going to start!
Have you ever seen such cute packaging too??? The goldfish are on blue shredded cellophane looking like they are swimming in a fish bowl while the birds are on shredded green paper "grass." HOW SMART!
The shop owner has just jumped on board with us at Etsy and I wish her the best success, but I know she won't need my wishing, these little creatures sell themselves! !
Please visit the shop and see for yourself all the great new listings she has- no really, GO NOW!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Slow going in Babyland




Well, I am falling behind on the cleaning, whisking up three full meals a day and the lessons, don't get me started on the lessons. But I am getting quite adept at rocking while nursing and reading aloud, while crocheting, while watching movies we never had time for and while the kids work on their working with Daddy skills!

I've got a few new creations: some stockings for the baby and for L. She absolutely loved Z's so she requested her own and I had to make sure to put a cursive "L" on them like I put an "S" on mine.

Tonight's post is short, I've got several orders to create and then off to bed! Just had to get a few pics and words in. Hope you're all warm and snuggly!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Today's Show and Tell Trinket

Look what I got for early Christmas!
A tiny peanut (for me!) of 7lbs even and 19 inches long, Z is just amazing!
I went in for the C-Sect last Monday and can't tell you enough what a better experience it was this time over last.
We are SO happy to be home and starting our new life together! We truly feel grateful to so many for their prayers, best wishes, and support. The kids had an amazing time at the house of our dear friends. They even got to go to the zoo on A's birthday. How many people take on four energetic children, unrelated to them, for a week!??? Our dr was great once again, this being the third of our children he has delivered, as he handled a few difficult situations like it was just routine. The nurses were so compassionate, helpful and competent. Before we left I was whining and dreading the upcoming ordeal until a friend of mine gave me some attitude changing advice making me think of the babies these women were leaving with other people so they could attend to me and my needs. I thanked them every chance I got, even the one who was grumpy and tried to make me feel a bother because I was getting ready to upchuck on the floor! DH was the amazing caretaker he usually is. If I ever needed ANYTHING he was there despite having so little sleep and very little attention to his own needs. He managed to get a head cold thanks to having to sleep under a vent in the room blowing on him, but he still got up in the middle of the night to help me. I just can't stop counting my blessings.

Z is such a small little package!! Any doubts and worries I had before he was born of what I was going to do with another baby were answered the second I got to hold him- just hug him to pieces! I can't tell you how amazing it is for me. He makes such oddball faces and goes crossed eyed trying to look at me, like all babies would, but it just tickles me. The other kids are completely in love with him, that should last till he turns 2! We call him "Z" sometimes, "Z---" other times, but he's still occasionally "the baby."

We got home Friday afternoon. We were greeted at the door with boxes of fun and delicious birthday gifts for everyone (November is a big birthday month for us! Z, A, DH and A2!) and a dinner ready to heat up from the fridge! What a great surprise! The electricity, however, was wonky all over the house, blitzing on and off causing general havoc. We couldn't figure out what was wrong. DH checked the meter. It wasn't turning so he just tapped on it. It began turning again but became fire hot with the unmistakable stink of fried wires. The 110 began working in the house but the 220 was still out. We called the electric company who immediately sent out two men. They don't know what caused it to fry the wires but it had apparently been arcing for sometime. They replaced the meter and it seems all is well again. I am not sure if we were at risk of a fire but I just added it to my "Grateful For" list!

Ch and DH picked up Ranger, our big Shepherd, who escaped again while we were gone and hassled the neighbors. Two of our friends picked him up and took him to a local vet who kindly boarded him for 4 days. They cared for our other critters while we were gone also. I am so glad they love dogs enough to deal with our Ranger! The vet apparently hit it off with Ranger who liked the vet just as well. Let's hope he doesn't feel any more urges to seek escape before the electric radio fence arrives to wire the pasture and keep him in more securely!

I am getting around so well! I started back today with lessons and business stuff. Housekeeping is coming along and delegated to kids a bit for now. Well, alot for now. They have chores they are always responsible for so some of it is nothing new. A (DD1) is taking on the role of Mommy #2 so naturally that its scary. DD2 and DS2 are still young enough that its just a treat to hold the baby but they don't really feel responsible for helping with him on their own accord. DS1 is doing well enough for a 13 yob, he entertains him and carries him, but the diaper thing is usually passed on to DD1 or myself!

OK, lunch needs making..., just had to check in!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Saturday, November 3, 2007

My Child's Five Year Old Logic...


Here's a story that I should write down in my journal:

Thursday we had a friend and her daughter over for an early birthday lunch for my 10yodd. The mom and I were sitting on the
couch chatting while the kids were outside in the forts in the woods playing.
My 7yodd and 5yods came inside at one point, but DS hung back in the kitchen apparently crying. DD, heading in the direction of the bathroom, urged him to come follow her but he growled and said he wouldn't. I interrupted my friend and asked DD and DS if they were having a problem getting along.

DD said, "No, DS just cut his finger with the machete and I want to put a band-aid on it but he doesn't want to come through the house, because you'll see."

DS, having been ratted out, began crying more so.
I asked DS if the finger was bleeding, he said, "Yes, a little."

"Well then, you had better show me if we have blood."

"I didn't cut the whole thing off tho
ugh!" he grumbled.

At that, my friend and I almost fell off the couch laughing, but we held it together.
It was a small cut on the middle finger and yes, there was some blood.

Beckoning my best "mother knows best tone" I asked, "Did you learn anything?? What on earth were you doing with the machete?"

"I was trying to open my candy. I first tried the axe but then DD said that machete would be sharper."

Our axe is about as dull as a butter knife so DD was indeed correct, but we had a difficult time not laughing this time. DS was very put off by our tears and shivers as we tried to control the laughing.
I couldn't think of anything more to say, besides to leave the axe and machete alone and go get the band aid.

Now, to add to this series of child logic, Hubby and I were discussing things today on the same couch mentioned above. (I have two days left to before delivering #5, so I spend a bit mo
re time on the couch.)
DS flew into the house and asked me for some tape.

I asked, "What kind of tape?"

"I don't know. ANY tape, just some tape, NOW!"

"Well, what are you going to be taping?"

"I found my first iguana!! The kind that has this red throat that goes out and in and then the iguana changes colors!"

"What does that have to do with the tape?"

"Well, his tail fell off and I don't want him to die like the one at Aunt D's, so I want to tape his tail back on. He needs it."

I just can't get a break from wetting my pants laughing these days.
I gently told him he'd have to let the lizard go, and it wasn't an iguana. He needs to be out in the woods where God could heal him if he hasn't lost too much of his tail. Tape wouldn't b
e of any help. DS seemed to understand this much, but was just so upset at having to let it go and not know if it were going to die or not. He went back outside where we heard him crying the whole time he was trying to let it go.
My 10 yodd, with her big sister heart, came in and asked to borrow my camera so we could take photos of DS's lizard for him to remember him by. Of course I said, "Yes."

This'll hold me through my Monday ordeal...

Friday, October 26, 2007

Time for baby

I have some new hats but no model. We're waiting for him to arrive...
Nov. 5th we are scheduled to be at the hospital at the unearthly hour of 5:30a.m.!

I am ready to meet this little guy but of course I have my list of things to worry about while we are gone. Will the dog behave himself with the sitter, will he leave the cat alone? Will the fish tanks go back online if we have electrical outtages? Will the cat use the shelter we made for her (she's an outdoor kitty unfortunately)? Will I make it through one more C-Section?

I have two orders to get out by Monday and I have been given a possible serial set of orders if I can figure out how to get the customer's image onto her shirts. I love a challenge but its just not working how I'd like, her design has small details. She doesn't want embroidery which would be such a cinch for me digitize and stitch out, but I understand these are yoga shirts and you don't want ANYTHING rubbing, you want soft, pliable. Her design is fairly large too. Hmmm....

I have my last dr. appt on Halloween day which just is downright inconvenient. I'll have to bust my tail to get back here (2 hr drive) to help with costumes. I have no idea what the plan is for that day. I used to love the holiday, but for years I've dreaded it. So much work for so little time in costume.

On a happy note, I got my labels in this week from Custom Couture Label Co. at Etsy.com! She did such a great job! Thanks, Dianna! I am going to have some new ones done after the baby is born when I get my other label going, but that's a secret ;o) I have another business in the brainworks but we'll see how much time I have to devote to it. Can't think warm hats will sell that well in summer!

Well, it's light out now and I need to get the house going. There is lots on the agenda today- orders to mail, get a child ready to travel for an out of town tournament, prepare a dish for a company "picnic", go to University's Halloween physics demo...

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Behind the times...



I am falling behind... as the due date comes in close (first week in Nov) I am slowing down...
Muses brought me two more kerchiefs,



a brown boho, a partially finished (ran out of yarn) cabin in the woodstock hat and today a Martian fairy needle felted fleece hat.
Overall, I am ready for cooler weather, ready for some "get up and go!"
Right now I've got to post and go, but will return.

Friday, September 21, 2007

I've Been Crafty Baby. I've Been a Craftin' Mama!























Joy to the World, All the Boys and Girls! Joy to the Fishes in
the Deep Blue SEAAAAAA.
Joy to YOU and ME!!!

Each night I stare at the yarns in all their glory staring back at me. Bouclés, Wools, Loopies, I don't know their names, I just know like to pet them and feel their textures, absorb their colors and dream the dreams they put into my head.
Yes, I am that bad about fabric too.
I've got some roving that I just can't decide what project is worthy of its use too!

I've stopped thinking in my box and have let myself figure it all out as I go. Lots of FROGGING, but I've been more pleased than ever with the end result. (Is that redundant? END RESULT??)
First we began with our local yarn shop going out of business. I am very disappointed but I did completely make a fool out of myself when she threw the 50% off closing party. If I had been able to drink, someone might have needed to drive me home!
One night, the TV wasn't keeping my attention over the screams from the skeins couped up in a bag under the bed. I had chosen a blue, orange and pink set of skeins that I thought were lovely together in the store, then I realized the orange was a different type, same brand. I had never seen its kind before; it was cotton, BUT STRETCHY!! NO lycra or nylon! Yipes, I had to do something! The puffy blue convinced me from its ball that it needed a tango with this stretchy fox. I began with a new method I got from my cheeky book, Happy Hooker, where you do a loop and then make your stitches on that loop rather than a chain. It allows one to suck up that annoying little hole that comes from chaining! SO COOL! Page 52, BTW. Eventually I came around to some ancient Asian looking hat with ear flaps. I actually chuckled out loud, saying, "I've found it! Eureka- Attila's lost baby hat! But secretly I loved it! Was going for a newborn size but I think it rather fits 3-6mths. I really like it and maybe if it doesn't sell, I'll keep it for my own newborn in a couple of months. That's right ya'll heard me, don't buy it! HAH!

After that glee flinging episode I decided to do something a bit more stable minded and ended up with what my son kindly refers to as the Sheep Herder hat. Creamy velour yarn mixed with a darn brown brushed mohair mix yarn. Its more subdued but still different. I love the popcorns with the brown waves! I love the contrast of the velour with the hairyness. (By the way, that hairy model in my Attila hat is indeed the mohair skein, just in case you were wondering.)





I then had a custom request for a hat to match a customer's ready made jacket. It was such a great jacket too! SO, I had to come up with something I felt matched it. For her style and the jacket's I decided a bohemian, pageboy style hair was in order. The jacket was brown knit with fuschia embroidery on back so I tried to mimic the style of embroidery and the result was really cute. I can't wait to see her in it!




The final "hat" turned out to not really be a hat at all! I had a rich, red yarn that I absolutely am smitten with. I hat made a GINORMOUS pompom with it a few weeks ago for another project but it just didn't jive. Anyway, this red skein fell off my bed and into the arms of a loopy autumn-like yarn that was being flirted with by a natural organic wool. I played with some afghan hooking on the red and it curled nicely but I had to put the others in and my brain was fire-ing off faster than that long hook could bust a move. Before the end of the evening I had the beginnings of what looked like a triangular "kerchief" my mother used to wear in cotton. What was I thinking??? BUT I didn't stop. The next day I trimmed it all out and thought will it be floppy in the back?? What will hold it down??? ELEPHANT POM to the rescue! Excellent! It really was the candle on the cake. I took a ton of strands of all three yarns and then made two braided ties on each corner. The whole thing is my absolute favorite, as well as my eldest DD's. She wants this one if it doesn't sell, so she says, "So, really DON'T buy it!" too. What are we to do with ourselves???


Saturday, September 15, 2007

Looking for new group members! Calling all Indie Home Schooling Moms!!


OK, so I am feeling a bit isolated in my craftworld endeavors but being the Internet savvy person that I am, I KNOW I am indeed not alone out here! Sooooo, here goes my attempt at organizational skill practice- I started a group at Indiepublic last night for any indiecraft driven, home educating mom out here to join for inspiration, motivation and all around comaraderie!
Our link is currently: http://www.indiepublic.com/group/indiehomeschoolmoms

This is not exclusively for ETSY members but it would be nice to be able to share our ETSY, or other store, experiences with each other and how to juggle that with the home school life's journey! Holler at me for group info and suggestions of how to get this going! When you join the group, introduce yourself and let us know what makes you tick!

Monday, September 3, 2007

Where'd the Funky Monkeys go?

We've been going a bit crazy around here: new fridge, no AC (STILL), and several hat orders.


Really, did you think these guys were fun or what? Well, truthfully, I was in love with mine. He spent many a sleepless night wrapped up next to my little neck. We shared a few bike rides with his tail knotted around my handlebars too.


A customer of mine decided, having been a sock monkey owner once herself, she should spread the love and asked for a blanket and bib set.


OK, so I should have used the same white fabric for the bib as I did the blanket but I just thought the fluffy fleece was SO comfy for a blanket and the chenille, so... washable for the drools.

I had fun with this set.
The weather is still amazingly hot, I am still pregnant and I am still wearing water balloons around the ankles to entertain my other children.
I am very disappointed I haven't received any snow balls in the over night delivery from any of you! LOL !

Friday, August 24, 2007

Work in Progress- More than what's on the craft table

I know I've been bad about posting, not a good start for a newby, but really I have REASONS...
Last week I received a request for a hat to match a ready made jacket.


"SURE! What fun!" said I. Immediately images of hat designs sketched onto my brain's whiteboard. I was pretty much given generous free reign too, "Feel free to go wild. Make it whimsical." I usually get a bit leary when I read these words from customers. There have been times in the past when I've had more ideas than my customers could handle and they back out after I've already spent much time and effort planning their request. But this customer has been an absolute dream! I can't believe how nice she is! I went ahead , started templates and this is the week I've had.

I made a template out some thinner, lower quality fleece I've been saving for just this purpose. It turned out so cute, I decided to make it into its own project (ya know ya never have enough of those hangin' around.) I then plunged into some white, velourish fleece that was OH! SO SOFT. I mean this stuff was just indescribably plush. I knew she'd have to love this stuff!
Weeeeelllll, I should have realized right then I was going to need to alter the thin fleece's pattern for this "poke-me-in-belly-HeeHee" thick marshmallow fabric.
That dern hat came out like a helmet. I couldn't decide where to go from there. My creative muses left along with our AC. It shook me out of bed in the morning. I just knew one of those black hawk military helicopters we see had landed on the roof. Nope, just an AC fan off its mount. How timely, what with us being in the middle of a heat wave with temps over a 100 each day. My eggs were fried. (Remember, I am just soooo pregnant at the moment??? Not good to have fried egg temps.) My son who is my four year old model for all outfits male or female (the therapy I'll have to pay for later...) was not pleased with me smacking this muffy helmet on his burred head and telling him, "Now don't move or you'll sweat in it!"

He dealt with the hot humiliation by making faces for the camera as I played with various layouts for the "hat." He had to make it clear for all time how much he did not volunteer, in all his boyhood, to go along with this.
I emailed my sister back and forth furiously getting her opinion on various layouts.

I gathered up what female cajones I could muster and cut through the fleecy layers to make the darn thing less appealing to NASA. Two serger needles later, we began to see the light as the cap evolved (no pics,
too hot.) But it was happening.

Tassles from the ear flaps and crown, flowers to match those of the jacket and some hand stitched embellishing... we are homeward bound.
I will post a finished picture later, but right now I've got to go find the window unit somewhere in the barn. It's 8:30am and the fridge has decided it needed to joined the AC and complete its dying process; its been working on it for a few months. Its voiding all over the floor again. Guess we'll just have to keep cool with the frozen turnips.
If anyone has any snowballs left in their freezers, could you overnite them this way????
Update: finished photos, think I'll leave the forehead of it blank? I love it as it is!


Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Too pooped to pop

Well, I spent most of my day, in between lessons, cooking, cleaning, and breaking up squabbles, waddling up and downstairs to/from the computer where I set up more networking stuff. Its all fun and tedious at the same time. I measured out a new order but didn't get a stitch in... tomorrow.
I'm working on revamping the poncho I made on Sunday, ripping out is hard to do (as music plays in my head from "Breaking Up is Hard to Do).
The baby was soooo heavy on my left side today that I am waddling off kilter! Hope it doesn't affect my stitches! LOL!
Nothing terribly interesting to put up today. Hubby had camera so no photos to load either.
NITE, NITE.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Getting Started


Here I am. Diving in. Not sure where to begin but with my lazy day VanGoghWannabe pastel piece I did, I thought I'd begin my blogventure.
I should be sewing today now that lessons are wrapping up (we home school) but I had to learn how to post and tweak out my new blog.
I found my way here through Etsybloggers, which I found through the great community at www.etsy.com .
PlayVentura is a bee I've had in my mental bonnet for the past couple of years. Ultimately I hope it to be a place where I am inspired to turn my sketches into fabric renditions. I have planned an entire line of children's play clothes, nearly costumes but wearable enough for everyday play and travels.
This blog is to document my progress in this endeavor, good, bad and ugly trials alike. Stick around, I hope it'll be fun!