Etsyblogger Carnival: Vacation Time

This carnival's host is Handmade By Sandi. The choices were:
#1 What's the best vacation your ever had?
#2 Of all the places in the world, where would you like to go and why?


I decided to go with #1 since, well, there is no one place I really long to go. I know, boring, but true. I am not a hug fan of beaches. I adore the water, but not the sand. There just is not enough to do. Okay, you can sit around and read, but I'd rather do that somewhere other than under the sun. Hubby, now he'd take a lazy beach vacation any day. I'd want to do something, something active, something I normally would not. Which is kind of funny considering my fave vaca.

It's cliche, but my favorite vacation was my honeymoon. We went to Toronto. I was there way back when during a fifth grade field trip, but remembered nothing from that. This one, I remember :)
We traveled by train - which I loved....first class sure did not hurt. When we arrived we walked across the street to our hotel, the Royal York...VIP floor. Very nice.

In the morning we woke up and walked down the hall to the suite thingy where they had coffee & breakfast. Yum! The rest of the day...guess...no! Not that! We walked. All. Day. Long. And it was great! We wound our way up and down nearly every street. Went in to too many shops to remember. Ate tons of great food. It is the best way to really get to know a city.
We even got what we now refer to as our family seal there...at a tattoo shop - one of the best I might add. Just don't ask me to remember the name of it...I do have their card somewhere around here though.We hit the touristy spots too, like the CN Tower and even took in a baseball game. We thought it was fitting since that is what we did after the wedding reception...and before the bar hopping. All in my gown by the way :)

Here's the entrance to the tower...loved the moose!!!

And us at, well, near, the top. And no, no pics of me on the glass floor...uh uh - no way!

I had to throw in this pic to since, while it may not be from my fave vaca, it is my fave vaca pic....

Wordless Wednesday

Hair Goodies

My hair has been getting quite long. I have always been one to play around with color & style, but lately have just been too lazy to do much. And the result - my hair seems longer than it ever had been before. And yet, I still hate it in my face, especially when sewing. So it winds up pulled back most of the time.
I found some cute handmade hair thingies online...but most of them I just can't bring myself to buy since they are sewn...something I can just do myself. Well, I have no idea if I really can, but I sure will try first :) So I recently bought some hair sticks & barrettes to craft some hair pieces. I have lots of ideas, but just need to start them.But one thing I know I can't do - metal work. Solution...buy some :) I ran across this shop, Additions Style, during a giveaway look around. I just love her style. And the packaging it came in was so cute too. See....

I Won!

It was back at the end of January, but I just recently took pics. Over at Ametista's blog I won this awesome purple Love pendant from Belandaria Designs. And I just had to show it off :) I falls perfectly when I wear it...but no pics of that. I tried an in-the-mirror pic, but it just looked wonky.

Blogfire - In the Kitchen

It's that time again...another BlogFire carnival. This time, I will take you into the kitchen...not mine, I haven't cleaned :P

Breast Cancer Awareness Kitchen Set by Sew Happy Designs




Cups of Tea - Recycled Wall Clock by Decomundo




Tea for Two Cozy Set in Brown and Blue by By Camille




Green Bottle Spoon Rest, Nut Bowl and Cheese Tray by Silver Garden




Party Set, Lime Green Lampwork Cheese & Canape Cutters, Wine Stopper
by Chrysalis Art Glass

Wordless Wednesday

And the Winner is.....

....Darcey Rojas...

Congrats to Darcey! I will be contacting you via e-mail :)

Darcey is an artist and a writer. You can go visit her at her design website, 365 Days of Discovery and Barefoot & Breathless blogs.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I had a great time this year riding along & seeing so many new blogs! It looks like the final total for participating blogs was 1088!!!!! Whimsical Bohemian had them listed out not only by number on her sidebar, but posted them alphabetically as well. I think I personally visited about 70 or so....not even 10%! Next year, I may shoot for 20% :)

Woo Hoo!

I just realized this morning that I have not told you about the big surprise I got this week. I think I was still too stunned. As you may know, I am part of the Etsyblogger team...and this month...I am their "Blogger of the Month"! *insert cartwheels here*
I am so geeked! I love opening my mail now to find Google Alerts with links to things other than my own postings :) So I want to throw out a big 'ol thank you to all my blogging buds...


And another nice surprise I saw today...I have 400 hearts for my Etsy shop!!!! Wow!


Okay, now I need to go sew so people aren't seeing the same old things in my shop...later!

Wordless Wednesday

Time Boxing

Nope - not a sport. A biz tip from Crissy Herron of Indie Biz Chicks. I have been receiving her weekly biz tips for quite some time now and this one could not have had better timing...no pun intended, well, not too much. *I highly recommend checking the site out*

I have been struggling with time management for a while now. When I first started creating, time was not an issue because it was for fun. Then I started selling and time still was not too much of an issue. I gave myself lots of slack for being a newbie. But now....I need to crack down. I tried a schedule of sorts about one month ago which was okay, but not great.

I have managed to work in my gym time during my youngest's school hours. I am not going to let this one go. I have come to terms with the fact that I may need to give up some crafting in order to keep this up, but it is too important not to. I realize that my crafting is already very part-time and this makes it even more so...health needs to come first. The downside - that time used to be when I sewed. So when do I sew now? Um, good question. Haven't done much of it yet. Today I will sew during his naptime and hope it does not keep him awake.

The computer time...I think that is my biggest downfall. I get so caught up with this new laptop of mine...I mean ours. Really hubby, I know it's the family's :) *think he believed me?* Oh well. I need to limit time spent here. There's e-mail, shops, blogs (which includes lots of browsing for my treasury blog and lots of giveaway checking for the giveaway/finds blog) ...oh, and blog decoration, and home stuff like Quicken, paperwork for the biz, photo editing...etc etc etc. And all the digi scraping/imaging I have been playing with...did ya see the nifty new buttons on my sidebar for my other blogs? That took up a couple hours right there... Yup, lots 'o time.

So this is where time boxing comes in. It's more than merely scheduling. I interpret it as scheduling with a timer.

Crissy describes it like this: "... assigning necessary tasks a certain measure of time in your day. Within those time constraints you accomplish what you can and then move on to something else... Usually a long list brings on the pangs of procrastination.... Time boxing takes care of anxiety that leads to procrastination and perfectionism."

I think it may be the moving on part that will take the most effort on my part.

Here's what I will try to go for...it's a mix of boxing & scheduling:

M, Tu, W, Th: kiddo in school.... 2hr Gym, 1d/wk 2hr shop (after school pick up), 3hr sew (during nap & just before or after), 2hr computer (after school or evening)...possible extra hours sewing depending on the day

Fri: 3hr computer (while kiddo plays & evening), 4hr sewing (naptime & after oldest comes home to keep an eye on little guy for a short bit if needed)

Sat/Sun: willy nilly...try for 4hr sewing blocks and 1hr computer A, 2-3hr computer B
note: computer A will be the "important" things like e-mail, shop upkeep, paperwork (home & biz)....computer B will be the treasury blog posts, giveaway posts & digi stuff (until I do enough to try & do this for others...I hope to make it part of my "wares", starting with freebies - but not for a while yet)

Now let's see if I can stick with it. Wish I had a graphic of fingers crossed :P

Blogfire: Pink Valentines of ArtFire

Pink Valentine Heart Cookies Potholder Polka Dots by White Dandelion

Pink Sugar Limited Edition Handmade Soap by Lotions and Potions






Heart Shaped Beaded Art Quilt Pin Pendant by Andrus Gardens






Handmade Love Potion 9 Vintage Shabby Chic Valentines Day Love Card
by Gen's Scrapbook Kitchen






Hot Pink Valentines Day Burlesque Corset Costume (with mini top hat) by Olga Italy

Wordless Wednesday

Etsyblogger of the Month: NICO Designs

This month's blogger of the month is NICO Designs. When I first started on the Etsybloggers she was around lots...and still is. Her creativity keeps bringing us new things. She still makes her fabulous diaper bags, but is also adding some more home decor and dolls. Before I show off some of her pretties - a quick excerpt from her bio:

"After years of being a Behavior Specialist and Special Education Teacher, I sew for sanity. My two babies (ages 3 and 2) make everything in the past seem so ordinary
and what lies in front of us as amazing. And chaotic."

Now for the pretties...

Special Delivery - Mouse Pincushion and Mailbox

May the Merry Widow Doll

Austin Ave in Fresco Diaper Bag Set

...includes Blankie & Burp Cloth

Don't forget to check out her blog and Facebook Fan Page. And like myself, she is part of the One World One Heart carpet ride...be sure to stop over for a visit...you may even win a prize :)

Etsybloggers Carnival: Snowflakes and Winter Activity

Our host this month is Alicia Mae.

We were to chose one of these two topics:
1) Snowflakes - your favorite way to make them or your favorite item on Etsy featuring them
2) Favorite winter time activity/how to keep kids occupied during snow days (indoors or outdoors)

I did a mini combo. My favorite snowflake...a melted one. But I think I found some great pretties on Etsy. As for a winter activity...anything that keeps me inside. I get LOTS of reading done this time of year. I think I am on my 6th book this month. (You can double check me on my left sidebar...the 2010 list, not the 2009:P...I am keeping track). Now if only we had a fireplace...it's 6*F outside right now. What is it in Celsius? Who cares..it's below freezing - 'nuf said. Now onto the pretties...

Dancing Snowflake Leggings by Dye Diana Dye

Pink Snowflake Earrings by Sabi Krabi

Nuno Felted Snowflake Scarf by Purple Platypus

Pink Ice Brain Squid by Sock Society

Wordless Wednesday

One World One Heart

****Giveaway is closed...thanks to all who entered****

I tagged along to last year's One World One Heart event and had a blast - met some great people, found some great blogs and won some cool goodies. And now it's time for another round. So I got my ticket and am ready to ride...

Quick info for those that have no idea what I am talking about. Lisa from A Whimsical Bohemian blog hosts this event. It started in 2207 with roughly 85-90 participants - 2008 tripled that and last year had 911 participants from 28 countries!!!

I like how she puts it, "The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way." So while yes, there are prizes to be won, that is not the point. Opening your blog "house" and meeting others is. So come on in. The journey ends Feb 15th...but you are welcome back anytime. Like she says, "it's not meant for ... self promotion. Meaning that the mission of this event is to meet new people and them meet you, rather than be a commercial for each persons specific endeavors."

Have a look around - say hi & don't forget to leave a note saying you stopped in. (that is your "ticket"...no hoops, no red tape, just leave a comment to win...remember, you're here to mingle, not 'shop'). If you are having this event at your blog house, leave us a link so we can visit too. Oh, and since there is a prize...don't forget to leave some contact info if there is none in your profile....e-mail or shop is fine.

Anything else? Oh yeah - the winning ticket from this blog will get a $25 gift certificate from either one of my shops - Etsy or Artfire. I couldn't decide on just one bag since everyone has such different tastes. Heck, if you make the same stuff I do & would rather grab some goodies from my destash shop - that works too.

Thanks for stopping in!

Blogfire: Fave Knits & Crochets

I love this kind of carnival...showing off goodies :) So, here goes...

Light Blue Peony Flower Scarf by Fashionworld

Merino Wool Multicolored Taupe Pink Flapper Beanie Cloche Hat by Annie Fannys Attic

Crochet Sackboy from Little Big Planet by Yarn Yum Yums

Set of 4 Farm Animal Mix, Knitting or Crochet Stitch Markers by Yarn Demon

4 Bamboo Washcloths, Eco-Friendly and Hand Knit by Holistically Heather

Glitter Sea Blue Mohair and Ribbon Charmed Sweater by Mystic Bazaar

Wordless Wednesday

Etsybloggers: 2010 is here - what's the plan?

This Etsybloggers blog carnival is hosted by Beadedtail. These were our choices:

1) Now that 2009 has come to a close, what will you remember most about last year? 2) Now that 2010 is here, what do you have planned/look forward to/hope
to accomplish this year?

I know I have done a post on what is to come in 2010, but I have some things to add/alter. Yes, it's only a couple weeks in & I am already rethinking a few things...not too much though.

I still plan to get to sewing projects other than bags & purses. And I still want to play with clay & paint again. Don't forget the embroidery. I think I will learn to frame them in hoops. It can be a very long process if I make each piece into a bag. Maybe some will transform into pillows since I want to add those to the list too. I have a few that still need something done with them...

Digital scrapbooking/digital illustration/blog backgrounds...etc. If it is doable on a photoshop, GIMP, Paint Net, Digital Scrapbook Artist Inkscape type program...I want to learn it - at least somewhat. I found sites for html and css tutorials and some sites for vector illustration - next up - schedule my own "lesson plans". I want to be able to make my own digital kits/embellishments/whatnot...takes away any wonder on how I can use the images. plus, it'd be fun.

Shop decisions. While I will be adding other items...eventually...they may only be to Etsy. I am thinking about downgrading my Artfire. Nothing against them. But I just don't sell much over there. I want to try some more push that way first though since I have the $7 account & not the $12. If it doesn't show much life in the next month, I will downgrade. the shop would still be there, just with fewer items.

The Etsy shops...the Tilt Too is destash now, and may stay that way. I originally thought it could be where I list non-bag items. But I think anything sewn will remain in the Tilt Creations. Perhaps if the clay & painting move along, they can go into the Too.

So - are you making any shop/job/creative changes this year?