Dreary Wednesday

Oy-what a start to the day-raining, foggy and back to work. Had trouble getting everyone launched this morning-too many problems for 1st thing in the morning. In case you don't know I am a splicing/construction supervisor at a public utility company. Been here a long time and have always loved what I do but lately......
I like sewing better-the machine does not talk back or call in sick. Once in a while it will break a needle in protest but otherwise works well with me. Someday soon I hope to be able to devote way more of my time to sewing, crafting and creating. Speaking of which, since I signed on to the CT Etsy team I am being invited to all kinds of cool markets and fairs. I just know I don't have enough inventory to do them all along with all the ones I had signed up for the fall already. Geez what to do. Guess I will make as much as I can and see what happens. I am real excited about the farmers market, sounds like it could be good. Keep my fingers crossed. OK got to go back to work
Amy

Off to the roller coasters today

Taking a half day today to go to the amusement park. We try to go at least once a year somewhere, Tom and Meta love rides. Meta will probably want to go on that bungee jump again-I don't think I would like that one. It will be fun though nice weather and not at work. I had listed a desk on Freecycle and I have my web site on my signature of all my emails. I got a reply about the desk and she looked at my site and I may have a custom order out of the deal. So promoting does work just have to be patient. I do like custom jobs, they are fun to work with people and be able to give them what they want. I finished one of my custom Doberman bags finally last night. The belt buckle she sent me is so heavy I had a heck of a time making it look right. It kept hanging down and pulling the front of the purse down. Think I got it figured out now. So off soon to have fun.
Amy

Back to the work grind

Drat, it's Monday, back to work. No fun here anymore, wish I could just sew all week instead. Ah maybe someday soon, but better be careful I don't wish my life away. The weekend was good though even if I did get bit by a wasp and my wrist is very sore and swollen. Minor problem. I did get my cement planters made and a bunch of gourds cleaned. I figure they would be good for the farmers market. Maybe. We'll see. Still struggling with the damn belt on my Doberman bag, can't seem to make it look right. The buckle is so heavy it drags the belt down, doesn't look so good. I'll figure it out eventually. The purse looks cute though with the patch and the inside fabric. Will post a picture when they are all done, I still have one more to do. Well back to the grind
See ya
Amy

A Beautiful Sunday

Today is absolutely gorgeous outside. I love summer days like this. So far I have already walked the dog, weeded some and made 3 hypertufa planters (must be the Italian in me-I like mixing cement). Tom and I just had lunch outside with the flies though, why is it this time of year they are so awful? Chased me back in the house to do this. Not sure what to do next, I think I may clean some gourds and get them ready for crafting. I have so many shows scheduled I really need to bulk up my inventory and be ready. I especially think the gourds might do well at the farmers market I am scheduled for next week. Or hate to do this though on such a nice day, I could go and sew my custom orders I need to do. Maybe I'll wait till tonight to go in the basement. Yeah-nee to go back outside
See Ya
Amy

Yeah ! - Made a sale!

My Etsy site has been incredibly slow, was beginning to think I was being blocked somehow. But no, just a bad time for shopping I guess. I posted 3 new grocery bags on Sunday night and I sold one last night. So happy. I also received my supplies for my custom order I got on Etsy so that is actually another sale for this month. I have to make 2 denim bags for an auction to raise money for a dog organization. This should be good exposure I hope. The purses are interesting, all about Dobermans. The woman sent me Doberman fabric and belt buckles to use on the bags plus a patch of a dobie profile to sew on the back pocket. Leads me to a idea.......
I am scheduled for a show in September all around animals. It is to raise money for the Oxford Dog pound and maybe I'll make a bunch of dog/cat themed purses. Denim bags with animals or paw print linings. Could lead to something here. Just what I need, another idea. Those I have plenty of-it's time I lack. Oh well.
All for now-back to work
Amy

Last couple of months

OK-I'm really going to try and keep this up on a daily basis-so much happens during my day its hard to find the time to sit and type. Especially when you have 14 year old on your home computer-she is such a monitor hog! I have to schedule time on the computer with her. So cute she is. So anyway I have been busy, the garden keeps me hopping, mine and Tom's. He is bringing in basketful's of produce every day. I am in heaven right now, we ate corn and tomatoes all weekend. Just love that combo especially fresh from the yard. Tonight Sean and Laura, our son and his girlfriend, are coming over for a corn feast. Can't wait.
On the craft side of things I have been plugging along. Been making some more grocery bags and a coupe of purses. I have to get my winter stock up for all the fairs I have scheduled in the fall. Plus for some strange reason I said yes to photographing a friends wedding in October-what was I thinking? I joined the Etsy street team in Connecticut. I think that will work out well for me. They are going to be at a couple of farmers markets , one in Newtown and one in Monroe. Should be good exposure for me and its cheap and only a couple of hours in the afternoon. Just have to see if I can swing it with my work schedule, August is going to be crazy around here with vacations and this new call out schedule. work lately has become very stressful. Been here 29 years and never been this concerned about our future, seems like those in charge don't really know how to run this business. But no one ever asks those of us that do the day to day dirty work. So I just say OK all day long, no matter what they ask us to do. Doesn't mean I'll do it but they are happy. So tomorrow I'll put some pictures up of some of my new stuff. And maybe of the baby birds I knocked out of the nest while gardening Saturday. I did rescue them and they seem fine now.

Amy

PS-I do have some photos with me as it turns out. Below is a tea "wallet" I came up. No pattern just started folding material until I got what I wanted. This folds into a small sqaure with a button and loop closure to carry tea/condiments in your purse. The other is a small bag I made from a pant leg and some adorable bee material I picked up-just had to have those bees!

Tuesday

Wow, it's been a long time since I had a chance to do any typing I guess. Holidays are too crazy, too many crafts, too many things to do around the house. I have a million and one decorations to put out for Christmas and then of course I have to figure out how to put them all away again! Well that is all over and done with so I can get back to the task at hand, getting this crafting business back on track. I just loaded a bunch more stuff onto etsy. Along with opening a whole new site for my non-purse items. One of the suggestions I got from the Etsy class, to keep my 2 very different crafting interests on separate sites. So we will see how it goes doing it that way. I have to try and get my timing right also, I seem to be a little late for the holidays it seems. Have to think farther ahead. I guess thats why I ordered 5 witch doll heads (they were on sale) now what am I going to do with them? Have no clue yet but I'm thinking on it. Put a picture up there of my valentine box that i made, have a few more on the new site, Amy's Recreations. Link is over on the right side of the page. Easter is coming up next, so check back and see what's up. Below is one of the wallets I made this week, my Dad gave me a bunch of jeans. OK, enough for tonight, I'm tired of the computer.