{to do} - I'm ready for vacation

April can't get here fast enough. I'm super ready to be in California enjoying the sun, hanging out at Disneyland and spending time with new friends and old. I'm also frustrated with my router. I keep getting a bad IP address when it's plugged in and can't connect to the internet. I only use the WiFi for my phone right now, but it makes doing some things easier. (catching up on all my blogs, playing games)

• finish Quilts for Kids top
• crochet more hats to send to consignors
• start piecing together my granny square quilt
• practice more knitting
• continue purging crafting supplies

I wish I could find one single buyer for all my unwanted craft supplies or that it were easier to photograph and listing everything. It's times consuming, but it's nice to get it all out of my apartment and nice that someone else will get use out of these things. I may have been on my way to hoarding all sorts of things, but not so much anymore.

sometimes you have to just lay on the floor and color

{to do} - spring cleaning

The weather is so confusing here. One day it's beautiful and warm and the next I'm cursing the ice covered sidewalks while trying not to slip and fall on the way to work. I think I'm officially ready for spring.

• start plus tessellation pillow (maybe finish too)
• post on WIP Wednesday
• send off product to my consignors
• practice more knitting
• continue purging crafting supplies

I'm headed to California in April for vacation and while I've got my budget set I now want an iPad mini for the trip. I'm working on purging all my unused craft supplies so that I've got some extra money so swing one. I'd be able to use it for business purposes too of course. If you're a stamper or scrapbooker, check out my eBay for some of my auctions.

Also, if anyone knows of any fabric or craft shops in Cali that I should check out, please let me know. I'll be in the LA/OC area. I'm making a California passport of things to do and places to eat at. I want to max out on fun and food. The beach and Disneyland are on the top of my list.

pillow planning

{to do} - trying to get back into the swing of things

I don't know why it's so hard to get back into blogging over here. The only thing I've been able to do is keep up with my WTCraft posts and really that's only so easy because I post the list on both of my blogs and I just copy and paste and change it up a little bit. Cheater, cheater.

• create sewing goals list for 2013 and post
• finish log cabin plus pillow cover
• make valentine cards
• create vision board
• purge crafting supplies

I will leave you all with a picture of my pillow cover. I have a lot of the chevron left and not a lot of the grey polka dot and one more pillow that needs a cover. I want them to match, but I'm not sure of what kind of design to do. Thoughts? I suppose I can just do opposite of this, but I kinda want to do something different in the center.

No idea how I got the chevrons in the lower right to match up perfecting. Not my intention at all. I almost wanted to redo that block, but decided to leave it. Also almost all the seams lined up perfectly. BAM! I'm getting much better getting those to line up. Yay!

{to do} Winter Pop Up Shop

I thought I'd be able to get more than one blog post written last week, but it didn't happen. It's still super busy around here with trying to get enough items for the Winter Pop Up Shop made. Luckily I received back a box of items from a consignment shop that closed down so I've got about 10 extra items that I just need to retag for Saturday. I'm thankful for that.

I'm a little stuck with where to go with these Valentine cards. 100 is a lot of cards to make. I'm not making them all different, but working with a couple of designs and trying to keep them simple. I'm having a major brain fart though and can't decide on design. I just want to crawl in bed and sleep.

• finish Indie Gift Box Valentine cards (due Dec. 15)
• finish up items for the Winter Pop Up Shop
• make coasters for Winter Gift Exchange
• make item for Shop Swap
• start on a new quilt for Quilts for Kids

I'm excited for the Winter Pop Up Shop and I'm also ready for this week to end so I can start working on a few personal things. I miss doing stuff for myself.

Okay, I'm off to do some more work.

{to do} - look who's blogging

Hey, look who's got time to write an actual blog post from the regularly scheduled program. I got caught up on all my blog reading a left a few comments and I even had some time to create a brand new to do list banner. I like it. But if you don't, that's cool.

Can you believe it's December already? Yeah, me either. And in a few short days I guess the world is ending too. *shrugs* Oh well. It is what it is. I lived a good life.

Anywho, I'm still super busy filling orders, preparing for a small holiday bazaar, participating in gift exchanges, creating new items and making sure my consignment shops are all stocked up for the holidays and the winter season. I'm glad job 2 isn't a full time job. I'm not sure how I'd get it all done. I'd find a way I'm sure. There are plenty of people out there that do. I'm sure I could too.

• start on Indie Gift Box Valentine cards (due Dec. 15)
• finish up Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday orders
• decide what items to have for the holiday bazaar
• crochet hats for Wholly Craft
• create new cowl for shop

I really should've started on the Valentine cards a few weeks ago since I have to make 100+. I'm crazy, I know. But I plan to make them fairly simple, a couple of different designs and will use the assembly line method. They will probably go quick. 

I'm happy to be crafting again. It makes me happy. The craft rut is no more. Yay!!! I'll be super happy when all I'm doing is crafting all day and I don't have to go into job 2 anymore. The end is near for that job. I can feel it.

Okay, it's time to get to work. Maybe I'll have something to share for WIP Wednesday.

{to do} - meh

Last week I linked up with Kelsey of Kelsey Sews for her 100 Day Hustle. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm still in a bit of a creating funk, but did get a few things done this weekend. I planned to get more done, but late afternoon I was taking a nap and woke up to plaster falling in my living room. There's a nice big hole in my ceiling. Nothing major, but still weird and it screwed up my momentum because I ended up having to clean up the mess and got distracted. Hopefully it's a quick and easy fix. I don't particularly care to have people in my apartment when I'm not here.

• piece together Simpatico top
• finish greeting card order for aunt
• work on blog design for new blog
• start purging craft area
• crochet a few hats

Question, when you're piecing together blocks and things, what color thread do you use? Does it coordinate  with the fabric or is it a neutral color? I've been using grey lately or sometimes I use whatever is in my machine because I'm too lazy to change it. I figured no one would see it, so it doesn't really matter.

I don't really have anything to show for Fresh Sewing Day. I'm sure I've completed some projects, but it's late and they're eluding me. I do know I did a lot of fabric cutting though. Does that count?

Linking up with Lily's Quilts for Small Blog Meet. 

And if you're not busy this week check out these blogs:


Oct 2
         Martha from Weekend Doings
         Melissa from Sew Bittersweet Designs

Oct 4
         Catherine from My Life in Binding
         Patricia from Quilting Lines

{to do} - 100 Day Hustle

I'm switching up my to do list a little bit this week (and posting it a day early). Kelsey of Kelsey Sews is doing a 100 Day Hustle challenge. Saturday, the first day of fall, marked the beginning of the last 100 days of the year. This challenge is to get all your projects done by the end of the year in order to start 2013 with a clean slate. I thought I'd join up and see what I could get finished. Here's my list:

• buy batting for Lucy, Sally (Simpatico fabric), Q4K x 2, Bernadette (granny square quilt)
• quilt and bind Lucy
• piece, quilt and bind Sally
• piece, quilt and bind Bernadette
• piece, quilt and bind sewing machine cover
• get shop stocked for the holidays
• make at least 10 bow ties
• make at least 10 hair bows
• complete aunt's card/card holder order by the first week of October

Most of my list will depending on being able to buy batting to finish them up. I may end up adding more things to it later because I like to stay busy. Wish me luck and then come join us!

{to do} - getting ready for the future

Last week I said I didn't think my hours could get any less and then they did. And then this week happened. I had this past weekend off and I don't go back to work until this coming Saturday. Seven days off. Eek! I will have PLENTY of time to sew and crochet. It almost feels like the Universe is getting me ready to move on from that job so that I can stay home and work from home blogging and creating. I can dig it. I tackled last week's list like a champ, with one exception. I mentioned how things were working with Lucy in last week's WIP it post.

• piece together Simpatico top and think of a name
• cut and piece together granny squares and think of a name
• start greeting card order for aunt
• work on blog design for new blog
• start purging craft area

Thankfully I won a couple of giveaways last week so I'll have a nice addition to my fabric stash. I've already got some plans for the fabric. I'm also using some of my winnings to make another quilt for Quilts for Kids. I'll just need to buy the backing fabric, batting and binding...eventually. Also, I was on the Joann Fabrics website and they sell BOLTS of batting. I'd love to be able to afford a whole bolt of batting. It'd probably last me forever, but more economical in the end.

By the way I'm participating in the Pay It Forward chain that's making it's rounds right now. So if you'd like to possible get a lovely handmade item from me check out my post here.

And if you're not busy this week check out these blogs:



Sep 18
       Lina from Smultronbo's Pieceful
       Chase from 1/4" mark

Sep 20
        Jen from Closet Quilter
        Anna from Pink Padme

{to do} - do they make those

I didn't think my hours could get any less than what they were at work and then they did. Which means more time for crafting and actually getting things on my to do list done. It's funny when I look back at the previous week's to do list and my "pile" of what I did, things don't always match up. I choose to do other things instead. It's like I have in my head a this is what I'd rather do list. I did pretty well with last week's list though.

• finish quilting and bind Lucy
• cut charm squares for Low Volume Swap
• cut charm squares from Simpatico for new quilt
• crochet two cowls (at least)
• start piecing granny squares (I laid them out, but I need to cut more, I'm waiting on more fabric)

I need more supplies, but in order to get more supplies, I need more money and to get more money I need either to sell some things or more hours at work. There's a weird evil cycle here. Life would be easier if I had a craft sugar daddy or something. Do they even make those? *shrugs*

Too many ideas and so little time and funds. And if you're not busy this week check out these blogs:


Sep 11
        Anne from SpringLeaf Studios
         Kristy from Cotton Addiction
 Sep 13
         Julie from That's Sew Julie
         Chelsea from Pins and Bobbins

{to do} - laboring away

In the 24 hours I've quilted a quilt, cut fabric for, stitched and turned outside in 22 card holders and did some crocheting. I feel like I could've done a lot more though, I'm crazy, ignore that. That's totally a lot to have gotten done. Add in other things like eating, showering and reading and you've got a pretty full day. But do you think I got much done from last week's to do list? No. I don't know what my problem is...actually I do. I get distracted to easily by other things and new ideas.

• quilt Lucy
• crochet cowls
• create book for 30 Days of Lists and catch up on lists
• work on greeting cards for Aunt S
• rework space invaders pillow

I heard back from homespun this past week and they are picking up my cowls. Woo! I've had a few sales on etsy and an order from my aunt as well. Right on time. I'm glad to see that business is picking up a bit and just when I need it. Closer to my dream. And to get closer to a new sewing machine I've decided to put 10% of every item I sell towards my sewing machine fund. I believe I've also got another $5 survey reward coming too that will also go towards a new machine.

In other news I'll be running my first 5k on Saturday. I've been blogging about it bit on my other blog. I'm ready. I think I might treat myself to some sushi or something afterwards.

{to do} - i don't wanna go back to work

After four days off in a row last week I did NOT want to go back to work on Saturday. I just want to stay home and craft and blog and take pictures and take care of home type tasks. I like my coworkers, they're fun, but I'm not that happy at work anymore. Too much pressure to force products down customers throats. Meh, not really my thing. I'm a casual sales person. You need help, I help you. You just wanna look, that's cool. Most of last week's list is done. Woot!

• quilt sharky (Q4K)
• start making pages for 30 days of lists
• work on a few hair bows
• work on some crochet goodies
• explore cross stitch with cardstock and book pages.

I need to start thinking about the holidays and my etsy shop. I've already contacted homespun to see what my inventory looks like there and what I should start prepping for the holidays. I also submitted the cowl to see if they'd like to add it to their inventory. Wish me luck. If there's another holiday pop up shop I'm not sure if I want to submit an application this year. I made SOME money last year, but not what I was expecting. We shall see. I definitely want to submit to the December Indie Gift Box. I don't receive any compensation for it, but I think it's a good way to get my stuff out there. Right around Christmas is a good time for that I think.

I noticed that I've got some money squirreled away from online surveys and that I can cash them out into an Amazon credit or a check. I decided that I'd start saving the credits up for my sewing machine, so I'm adding them to my sewing machine fund. It's nice to see the little meter move a little bit. I'm thinking a portion of each etsy sale is going to go towards a new sewing machine as well. I'm not sure if it'll be a percentage or a dollar amount though. It'd be awesome sauce if my goal was reached by the end of October. I gotta make that happen.

Leaving you with a card I made, just for fun. Break ups can be messy, why not have some fun with it?

{to do} - i don't know where the time goes

I had four days off last week and I have no idea what I did with all that time. I did get some things done, but I don't FEEL like I got a lot done. I suppose I did. According to last week's list I got the majority of it done. I got a little frustrated with my sewing machine on Saturday and punched it. Violence is not the answer. lol It didn't help either. I want a new sewing machine. I'm starting to save.

• photograph and list crochet goodies on etsy
• work on hair bow design
• cut and piece together space invader pillow
• quilt Lucy
• baste and start quilting QFK

I have four days off this week as well. I REALLY need to work on getting some things list on etsy and maybe tophatter. I need to make up some extra income from all the time I have off. This is the part of life that stresses me out a bit. In then end I always have what I need though. The Universe always comes through for me. I'll be playing the lottery this week. I've made a deal with the Universe. I play the lottery and the Universe makes sure that I win a little something.

Here's the sewing machine I was looking at getting. It seems to have everything I want/need for where I'm at with sewing and quilting and a bunch of stuff I don't really need, but I'm sure will find a use for. I like that it has all the extra feet and the extended table and it's affordable. The reviews seem to be pretty good for it too. Anyone have any suggestions on sewing machines? What kind of machine do you have?

{to do} - good intentions

Oh what a week it has been. I had three days off that I intended to spend sewing. Ha! My intentions were good though. And even though I didn't spend all those days sewing, I STILL got everything from last week's list done and then some. BAM!!! I had so much fun sewing all the random projects that popped up that I wanted to work on. I will more than likely have a couple of extra posts go up this week to share them.

• cut squares for Scrap Vomit Appreciation Society swap
• work on card holders for Indie Gift Box
• baste and start quilting Lucy
• photograph crocheted goodies for etsy
• catch up on BQA

I've got a three day work week this week so I should have plenty of time to get everything on this list done and probably more. My only plan this week is to go to the State Fair and enjoy some food, people watching and the exhibits (I love seeing the gigantic pumpkins and other produce). 

I also received the Simpatico fabric I won from Luvin The Mommy Hood's giveaway this past week. I want to cut into it, but I have no idea what to make just yet. A pillow or two maybe? I'm sure with all this time to sew I'll figure something out. I've already got some other ideas I want to work on. I swear it's never ending.

{to do} - changing gears

I vended at Sew Loco (a fashion show of local designers and stylists) on Saturday evening. It was a great turn out. I'd do it again.  I plan to elaborate in another post.

Since I was preparing to vend and I'm a major procrastinator I didn't get anything done on last week's list that was NOT related to Sew Loco. So no other sewing and no other crafting. But that's fine. I've got plenty of time now to work on whatever I want. I have a couple of new projects in mind.

• get some more work on Lucy done
• add borders to the Quilts for Kids quilt
• look for (and hopefully purchase) a walking foot
• work on a wide mouth pouch for Telissa
• update etsy shop

I'm looking forward to being able to work on some crafty goodness that doesn't involve making goods for Sew Loco. I do have a couple of items I need to work on for a couple of customers, but then it's all whatever I want to do. Woo!

And I leave you with a photo of the small little corner of the table that I shared with another vendor.

{to do} - so much more to go

Having the weekends and afternoons off makes me a very productive crafter. I like it. I just wish it were a more regular occurrence. One of these days. Actually one of these days I'd like to just quilt working all together and just craft all day...as my job. How about that.

In addition to the items on last week's list I also made a dress (maybe I'll post it later) and several business/credit/debit card holders. The dress was more time consuming than I had planned on, but I enjoyed making it. Now the challenge will be wearing it out of the house.

• crochet hats and cowls for Sew Loco
• sew a few card holders for Sew Loco
• pricing list for Sew Loco
• cut 2.5 in squares for Scrap Vomit Swap
• update etsy shop

With Sew Loco on Saturday this list is very Sew Loco oriented. There is still a lot I need to get done. I'm such a procrastinator. This will be my first time where I'm actually somewhere as a vendor as opposed to having my stuff included in a pop up shop or consignment shop. I'm pretty excited.

{to do} - you Sew Loco

Awwwww yeaaaaah!!!! I completed ALL of last week's to do list. *does the butterfly* I was determined to make sure I completed every item on that list and I certainly had a lot of time to do just that. I ended up with a three day weekend due to our numbers being so low this week and we had plenty of staff to cover the store during my shift.

While I might need the money from the hours that I didn't work, I'm okay not having to go to work. I had a lot to do and it got done. I'd prefer to be productive at home sometimes even if it means I may lose out on income from that job. It just means I need to earn some extra money this week from etsy and what not.

• crochet more hats and cowls for Sew Loco
• purge rubber stamps and ink pads
• sew together a few rows of Oh Lucy!
• start on Quilts for Kids quilt
• make a to buy supply list

Working on stuff for Sew Loco is the priority this week since it's about two weeks away. I've organized a lot of my yarn, so I should be good to go. I do wish I had more colors to choose from. I think some neon colors would be good right now since that seams to be the trend right now. More yarn is not in my budget at the time though. :( That's one of those things I need to work on, keeping a stash of yarn of all the colors I may need at any point in time. One of these days I'll get there. Come on lottery!!!

Here's a quick look at my work space, before and after cleaning and organizing. There's still a lot more work to do. It's a small space in my living room. I need to purge a lot of my supplies that I don't use. I sew and make cards and other crafts at the same table. I have to switch a lot of stuff out when I switch out crafts. Crocheting takes place on my couch or sometimes on the bus or out at the bar (thank goodness for the smoking ban).

So what does your craft space look like?

{to do} - we're back

Okay, we're back and in a much better mood this week. I don't really know what my problem was last week. Probably all the heat making me cranky. The weather has cooled down a bit and I've got to get busy on some things. The Sew Loco fashion show is coming up the beginning of August and I hate to say it, but I don't really have anything done yet. I'm a major procrastinator. I've been busying doing things, just not the things I need to do. At least I've been busy though right?

• start to crochet hats and cowls for Sew Loco (make a list)
• create a header for WIP it posts
• start piecing together Oh Lucy!
• start organizing the craft space
• work on chevron cross stitch

Seems funny to be making winter hats and cowls for a fashion show in August, but we are moving into fall. The apartment is hot, so I might have to load up my iPod and bring my work to the library or mall or something and soak up all the air conditioning. That sounds like such a good idea right now.

My craft space is starting to look ridiculous. I've been trying to work on it little by little. I've got yarn, cardstock, fabric and other things everywhere. I really do need a bigger apartment OR a studio space to keep everything at. My vote is bigger apartment or a house (I found a cute bungalow I'd love to live in).

Anywho, what're you guys up to this week?

{to do} - meh

No post this week. I'm just...meh. Tired maybe. The to do list shall return next week. Thanks for stopping by.

{to do} - Oh Lucy!

I didn't get EVERYTHING done on last week's to do list, but I got a bit done. It's STILL hot here so yeah, crocheting...ugh. I powered through it and got it done. I also completed the pillow case for Mommy for Reals. If I have time, I think I may try to make another. And I finally decided on a name for my Lucy's Crab Shack quilt - Oh Lucy! Simple. What do you think?

• start on crochet pieces for Sew Loco
• work on organization for quilting projects (everything is everywhere)
• work out adjustable bow ties
• start piecing together Oh Lucy!
• update etsy

Summer season has began at work and a lot of coworkers are going on vacation so I will be working a lot more. I 'll probably be keeping my to do lists easy for now. It's hard though. I have so many ideas in my head. I've been making idea and to do lists. They just keep getting longer and longer. All I want to do is craft all day. I would totally love to be a housewife the crafts and blogs all day (some of it for pay of course). 

{to do} - *fans self*

The fact that it's hot as balls in my apartment right now really is no excuse for not getting much work done from last week's to do list. But guess what, I'm gonna use it as an excuse anyway. All I really want to do right now is sit inside a plastic kiddie pool under an umbrella and drink ice tea until I pee. Gah! And there appears to be no relief in sight with the temperature. I have no desire to touch yarn. It just makes me feel even more hot.

• finish crocheting hooded cowl for Joci
• piece together pillow case for Mommy for Reals/TRAC
• organize fabric/clean out sewing box
• list an item on tophatter
• work on piecing together LCS quilt top and decide on a name for it

I'm in the middle of another 9 day stretch at work and my apartment is kind of a mess. I really need to move into a bigger apartment so I have a work space for all the crafting I do. I don't know how that ties into my to do list, but it does. No excuses though. I need to make this another week of accomplishing every task on this list. I only need to finish one item on it. That's not hard at all. I'm making everything on this a list a priority this week. No excuses next Monday if something doesn't get done (though everything is going to get done).