Hurting but Happy

Back update...it's still pretty bad. It wasn't as bad as yesterday morning, but I still can't sit for more than a few minutes at a time. Then I have to walk or lay down. I'm just doing what I can and trying not to dwell on it. It is what it is and it will get better. It just makes it very difficult to do all of the listing I need to do in FourDogDay. I did get some things listed this morning since I woke up at 4:15 a.m.

Here is one of my new one of a kind pins that I just love!

Here is a set of the holiday coasters.

Here is one of the wine bags.

Here is one of my soft sider tote bags.

So, I am getting there. I still have more of everything to list and I'm hoping tomorrow I will be able to sit longer and get it done!

Anyway, Irv and I went to three resale shops today. We were looking for a pair of small chairs and a small TV stand. We struck out completely! Don't you hate it when that happens....when you want to buy something and you can't find anything? UGH!

When we got home I went on line and looked at a variety of places for unfinished TV stands, and they were ridiculously expensive. All I want is an old beat up wood one that I can paint, but everything is fancy and glass and big and that isn't what I'm looking for.

Then I looked for chairs and found some pretty inexpensive little ones at IKEA. I don't usually like their furniture, but these are just plain and simple and might actually work. I think we are going to go there tomorrow and sit in them and see if they will do.

They also have a TV stand that is okay, but it isn't as long as we would like. We have this great big one now that I bought at IKEA years ago. It's wonderful, but it's way too big for our living room.

It looked perfect in their showroom and then when we got it home and set it up, it's was like oops....what did we do? We kept it and it's nice, but it's time for a change. A smaller, lower unit will open things up a bit rather than blocking off so much like the big cabinet does. (We did finish the painting in the living room by the way, now we just have to put it back together!! What a mess!)

So.......handy dandy Irv got this idea. If we tried to sell the big one, we might get about $75 for it. The new one we are looking at is $70 without the tax and it isn't really as long as we want. So....how about cutting ours down and turning the cabinet into just the shelf unit we want?

See the shelf the TV sits on....well, that could soon be the top of our TV stand.....

HAHA!!!! Right now Irvie is starting to disassemble the cabinet to see if he can cut the sides down and make it exactly like we want. Is that not just too darn funny? We might even paint it too. We'll see once we get it cut down to size!

Happy Veterans Day

First, I want to thank all of our service men and women for all they do and our Veterans for the sacrifices they have made. My dad was in the Army and both of my brothers retired from the Navy. The commitment these men and women make to their country never ceases to amaze me. My dad carried the burden of war with him his entire life. His nightmares were the most terrifying thing I can recall as a child. You can read about it here. Yes, their sacrifices are great.

Because of those awesome men and women....I have the day off today, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I can't even begin to tell you how many things I have made since spring that I have NOT listed in my shop. No....you have no idea. I have cake stands, and brooches, and wine bags, and pin cushions, and pillows, and coasters, and tote bags, and picture frames and I'm not even sure what else....and I'm not talking one or two of each, I am talking MANY of each.

The sun is supposed to shine all day today, which means I might be able to capture some well lit photos in the morning in my workshop window and then in the early afternoon in my kitchen window. I figure if I can get most of it photographed...then over the next couple of weeks I can touch up the photos and get things listed in time for the holidays. That is the plan. We will see how it goes.

I also have given a tremendous amount of thought to my etsy shop situation and have decided to keep FourDogDay and eventually close MyOtherShop. Your comments were very helpful and gave me much to think about.

I really don't have time to promote two shops, and now that I know that fabric is really my thing..I plan to concentrate on that. I will list all of my new items in FourDogDay and slowly move other fabric things over. I feel SO great having made my decision!

So, without further hesitation....I am out of here today! Glad I charged all of the batteries for the camera. I will need them!

Have an awesome day everyone!

Craft Show Calamity

Irv and I were on our way to the craft show and my main focus was on how I was going to set up my booth. We weren't taking my big set up. The show was only five hours long. We were going to use the bookshelf, a clothes rack, a coat rack and the two tables they were providing. I was trying to figure out how to arrange everything in my 10 by 10 space. Irv was in the truck in front of me as we made our way to Hoffman Estates.

We arrived, loaded up the cart and made our way in. A nice lady greeted us at the door, checked us in and lead us into the gym. As we entered the gym, I quickly looked around and thought, "Uh oh!" Really, the words I thought were more like WTF???

The booths, were not booths at all....they were spaces with 2 tables and 2 chairs. I looked at the lady and said, "These aren't 10 by 10 booths." "Oh, I know, we ended up with SO many people....we were here late last night trying to figure it out and this is the best we could do."

THE BEST THEY COULD DO?? How do you advertise a 10 by 10 spot and have people pay...thinking they are getting a 10 by 10 spot, and bring things that can only be accommodated by a 10 by 10 spot and then give them a 6 by 8 spot???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

Okay, calm down Kathy. There has to be a way to make this work. They did their best. It's a tough job. This is the school where Irv works. Be nice. Breathe, breathe, breathe.....all Irv could say was, "I told you there was no way they could fit over 40 crafters with 10 by 10 spaces in this gym."

He had said that, but I told him they couldn't sell you a 10 by 10 spot and then not give you a 10 by 10 spot....silly Irv! HAHA!

The best they could do was to move me to a corner near one of the back doors and the bleachers.

It allowed me to set up the rack with my aprons and the bookshelf with my cake stands in a little indentation by the door. We were all packed in like sardines and most people were not happy.

There was no where to go with the coat rack with my tote bags on it. It ended up in back of the tables with me and no one even noticed them....in fact, you couldn't even tell who they belonged to! Can you see how much space there is between my tables and the tables behind me? Our chairs almost touched. It was NOT very comfy.

The lady kept apologizing and I kept telling her that we would make it work, and make it work we did. Everyone was practically bumping into the person in the booth behind them, and for someone like me that isn't into small talk...it was a long day. The girl behind me was nice, but I know more about her life and her family than I ever wanted to. :)

The day was long and the customers were not in abundance. It was 72 degrees and gorgeous outside and that is where most people understandably wanted to be. After all this is November in Illinois and those kind of days are a rarity for sure.

I had a sale here and there and over the course of the five hours had sold enough coasters, aprons and light switch covers to pay my fee and make as much as I have at any of the big expensive two-day shows that I've done so far. I didn't make a ton, but it was a descent show.

As a craft show novice, I always try to learn something from each show I do. This weekend I learned to "expect the unexpected" for sure, and that the small shows may not have the crowds that the big shows have, but the fees are a fraction of the big shows. When you tally it all up at the end of the day....those 5 hours could end up being more profitable than the 15 hours you spent at the big show. Something to think about for next season.

I am done with shows for this year. With this being my first craft show season, I did two in the spring and three this fall. Next year I will choose carefully and do shows closer to the holidays. The ones I did this fall were way too early in the season. Maybe I'll do one early and a couple later. We'll see.

I have so much to do now. I have a ton of things to photograph and list in MyOtherShop on etsy. I didn't sell a single brooch or wine bag at the show! Go figure! I am off on Wednesday this week and have a HUGE photo shoot planned. Be watching for the brooches, wine bags and holiday coasters soon after! Have a great week everyone.

Off And Running

Today is the little craft show. We have to leave at 6:15 a.m. so we can be setting up at 7:00. The doors open at 9:00. I really don't know what to expect. This is the type of event where people stroll over to the "market" in the gym after church. Not sure how many will stroll over...it's suppose to be 70 again today. That isn't usually a good thing for craft shows, but we will see.

My 10 by 10 space will have two provided tables and then I am bringing my book shelf, a clothes rack and a coat rack. I am bringing a bunch of stuff from MyOtherShop like small cake stands, all of my coasters, light switch covers, pin cushions, ornaments, aprons, tote bags, my brooches and my new wine bags. Something for everyone and hopefully there will be lots of everyones!! :)

I will post tonight when we get home if I can and let you know how it went. Enjoy your Sunday and I will chat with you soon.

Super Busy Saturday

Tomorrow is the little craft show and I have a lot of things to get price tags on and get packed up. I was experimenting with felt and came up with these funky little pins. I'm going to take them to the show and see if they sell. Just an inexpensive little thing that might catch someone's eye. We shall see! Making these did give me an idea for another pin....when I have time.

I also need to grocery shop today since I won't be able to do that tomorrow, do laundry, pick up this house and have clothes ready for work for the week.

So, with that I am going to scoot. I have my list and I am ready to rock and roll. Have an awesome Saturday!

I Am Having So Darn Much Fun

I am almost ready for the little show I am doing Sunday. I am having so much fun making things. The lady called me today to confirm times and things like that. I was up early Wednesday morning and made some holiday cake stands and last night I made some awesome red wine bags.

I still have a few more that I would like to do, but I really need to finish them up tonight.

I wanted to make more of my pins too, but I'm not sure if I will have time before the show. Here are a few of them. Sorry for the bad pics, but I took them at night with a flash. :(

I have plenty of stuff for the show...it's just never knowing what the people might want that makes me nuts.

I am going to be selling my little sled ornaments. I had no idea how I was going to display them and then Irv came home with this.

He actually made it for me. He's painting it red. I think it will be perfect! :)

Well, I still have more to get done here so this is going to be short. Have an awesome day today!!

Sneak Peek

Good Morning Everyone!

I actually write most of my blog posts the evening before and then schedule them to post in the morning....so it's really 7:00 p.m. as I am writing this. It's been a long and productive day and I am running out of steam.

I started my day giving blood. If you recall, two weeks ago when Irv and I went, my iron was too low to donate. Today it was fine. I use to feel perfectly fine after donating blood, but the last couple of times I feel kind of light headed and a bit on the yukky side for part of the day. Not sure why that is, but it's worth it to be able to donate. It's probably because I've been eating like crapola lately.

When I got home, Irv was already painting trim. He got so much done today, that he could very well finish it up tomorrow if he is able to move. Funny how things that wouldn't have bothered you at all just a few short years ago, can cause you tremendous pain now!

I headed into my workshop when I got home. I had to clean up the coasters and get them banded together and ready for the show next weekend. The holiday ones are just too cute. I hope they sell well. I'm hoping people will see them as a great gift for teachers, friends and neighbors and maybe purchase more than one set. We shall see.

After the coasters is was time to get going on those wine bags. I don't drink wine, nor do I buy wine, or wine bags, so I had to ask my daughter and my sister some questions about the bags and then wing it. I am really pleased with the ones I got done today. I have to go to the store tomorrow and get some things I need for their finishing touches, but I'll give you a sneak peak.

These two are cotton. The red one says Jingle Bells, so I'm going to get bells to hang on those pieces of cord you see hanging from the bow. The black one with the little gifts on it will have big red or green buttons on the sides where the handles are attached.

I plan to get more fabric tomorrow when I'm out. I would like to do some quilted ones and I'm trying to think of some other cute ones I could make. I'll put them out at the little craft show next Sunday and see how they do. If they do well, I'll make more and list them in MyOtherShop on etsy. A couple of people have already expressed an interest, so maybe I will get a few orders as well.

I like these a lot. The winter white one has little gold stars all over it. I'm hoping I can find some gold stars to hang from thin gold cord. The burgundy one is actually a layer of cotton covered with a thin fabric that has an awesome design embroidered on it. Not sure what else I am going to do with that one. I'll see what I find tomorrow.

Here is a close up of the fabric and the bows.

I've made some new fabric brooches for the show too, and I'll try to show those to you during the week. Have a wonderful Sunday! Chat with you soon!

Monday, Monday...So Good To Me.....

Happy Monday! Thanks to Christopher Columbus...I am off today! Bless his little exploring heart!

Sunday turned out to be a pretty good day. We went grocery shopping and on the way I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks and then stopped and picked up a Pumpkin Bagel from Einsteins. Mmmmmmm....good!!

After not shopping last weekend because of the craft show, I really expected to fork out about $230 at the checkout, especially since our cart was overflowing....but we got off easy at $176!! I never thought I would say $176 was good, but we didn't shop last week so that is really good!

We had to listen to a young female...I won't even call her a woman...because it would be insulting to the word...it's hard enough to call her a female....yell and scream across the store from our checkout to her husband or boyfriend that he got the wrong macaroni and that she told him to send back $2.00 with one of the little kids and not $1.00...when everyone in the friggin' store heard her yell $1.00.

She snapped at the kids for nothing. She was the rudest most obnoxious young "thing" I think I have ever seen, and the fact that she had three darling little kids made me physically ill.

I get very uncomfortable when people are rude to other people and degrade them, and she did one heck of a job. I came so close to telling her to zip it up. I wanted to ask the guy if he was married to her and if he said yes, I was going to tell him how sorry I was. It took me a while on the ride home to get the whole scene out of my head....but I finally did.

The rest of my day was awesome. I took another 180 photos of things for MyOtherShop. This time it was aprons and tote bags. What a job it is when you are so behind....

The pins and the coasters in the photos are already listed, the aprons and totes will get listed today....I hope! I will be SO happy when I am caught up!

Did I tell you Irv wants another dog? We'll talk about that another day......

Super, Super Saturday

What a great day I had yesterday. I went to Walmart to pick up poster board and foam board for the Halloween costumes for work. Next stop was Hobby Lobby for some pin clasps for my new pins and some holiday paper for coasters. From there it was over to Hancock Fabrics to take advantage of their big pattern sale. I got 12 patterns for a buck each! I love those sales!

Next I headed over to the two resale shops. I didn't find much there today...just a couple of plates for cake stands and some neat candlesticks.

Then I stopped at a garage sale in our neighborhood. I didn't find anything for my shops, but I found some awesome stuff for ME!!! I love old wood picture frames. I like to sand them and paint them and use them. I found a couple of those, a very old little standing mirror frame...missing the mirror, a very rusty old metal candle holder for outside on the deck, and couple of cute little candle holders that I will probably make soap dishes with AND I got 2 wicker chairs and a little table to go with them. The grand total....$17.75!!!


Irv is going to paint the wicker pieces next spring for the deck and I'm going to make some cute cushions for them. The picture frames and mirror stand I'll work on during the winter.

When I got home I took over 250 photographs of items I made during the summer and had not had time to list in MyOtherShop yet. I will be on a listing frenzy for a while. I still have to photograph the totes and aprons and I hope to do that today.

It was a super Saturday! Hope you all have an awesome Sunday!

I LOVE the Weekends!!!!!

I was SO looking forward to this three day weekend!! Today I will be locked away in my workshop, music blasting, window open....as I finish up a custom order for two vendor aprons, make a ton more ornaments and experiment with some different pins. I want to make some out of cotton for people that live in warmer climates that don't need or want a brooch made out of wool, and Angela from Pickles on Pizza sent me an awesome "how to" for a really neat one!

Included are some pictures of some of the new things from MyOtherShop.

Hobby Horse Ornament

I might throw in some laundry and do a little house cleaning if I feel like it.

On Sunday we are having dinner at Michael and Bernadette's house with Tresa and Chris. I haven't seen the house in a few weeks and since then they have done some landscaping, got their new appliances, painted the kitchen, refinished the cabinets and I'm not sure what else. They have been really busy working on their first house and I'm sure it looks awesome!

New Ivory Brooch

Monday is a holiday in my school district. It is Yom Kippur and even though I am not Jewish....many of our students, teachers and office staff are, so it is a holiday for us and I happily accept any and all holidays they want to give me!

Monday I will finish what I don't finish today....music blasting, window open etc. etc. etc.

New Brown Brooch

I am looking forward to this weekend of family and fun!! I hope your weekend plans include some fun too.

When Life is A Big Bowl of Cherries

Let me tell you....things are just rolling right along....so very smoothly right now.....everything is cool and calm.....there is a quiet sense of peace in the air. So, what the heck is going on? This is not what my life is normally like. It's usually....When life hands you lemons....

Not sure what's up, but man is it sweet. When I really think about it...I'm not sure that anything has changed though.......I think it's just the way that I am looking at life that has changed. Whatever it is...it feels oh so good! I even woke up to another etsy order. I sold my only vendor apron. Man do I have a lot to do!

I got so much stuff done yesterday that I am on top of the world. I got my little sleds listed in MyOtherShop, and I am anxious to see how they go over the next few months. I decided to offer them "naked" and personalized.



I also made a couple of brooches! I was given a ton of old jewelry and it was driving me nuts to see it just sitting here. Most of it was parts of necklaces or single earrings and some old buttons. Then my darling daughter-in-law sent over this brooch she had bought and said that I should make them. It was really cute, but I haven't seen it for a while and couldn't remember exactly how it was made. I bought some wool and just started playing around. Mine aren't nearly as awesome as I recall hers being, but it's a start. I listed them on etsy yesterday too, and the ivory one already sold to a really awesome etsy buyer. :)

I also got this little hobby horse ornament done last night. My kids use to love these on our tree. We had them in all different colors.

Now it's time to get to work. Make it a fantastic day for yourselves!! Chat with you soon.

A Chee Hoo Kind of Day!

Saturday Tresa and I went to an antique show in Chicago. It was awesome! I didn't realize that they held this once a month during the summer. I will definitely go back next year. I took the train in and we went to breakfast first. It was Tresa's birthday. I am not sure how she keeps getting older and I don't!!

I ended up buying some plates to make some cake stands. Most of what I bought were really little ones that I use for soap dishes, jewelry holders and candy dishes. I got a great deal...partly because the shop owner was Tresa's neighbor!!

Then I also bought two pairs of very old beaded earrings and some vintage buttons. What am I going to do with those you ask?? My daughter-in-law, Bernadette showed me a pin that she bought and the creative wheels started turning. Once the craft shows are done, I'll make some and show them to you. Very, very cute!!!

Make it a wonderful day!!