Hello Stranger!

It's been a while huh? I have not fallen off the planet, just been a busy Mama. Times are changing, and life is continuing. Crazy how even the best laid plans don't work out sometimes.

Anyway, I'm back and hoping to keep this updated now.
I've opened a brand new Etsy shop also! It's empty right now, but it's soon to be super!

Introducing -- ShinyHappyFitOfRage.etsy.com!


Still a work in progress, as most things I'm making. Not sure if I'm crazy about the banner even though it is one of my favorite Amy Butler prints. I got the last scrap available at my supplier the other day. I'm thinking about framing it. I've been slightly obsessed with framing things lately. I just put up 25 frames on one wall in my living room. Why not frame fabric? Especially if I don't want to cut it up.

It's crochet season for me, so I've got lots of goodies in the works and up for sale. My slouchy hats have been very popular this year!

Thumbtacks are new to my long list of things I make also! They are so bright and pretty, I love them.

I made these guitar appliques a while back and wasn't sure what to do with them. I almost made them into a quilt, but instead I stitched them onto a bunch of t-shirts and onesies. They turned out great!!
I Heart Ipanema has been pretty good to me as well. The store is becoming pretty popular, I'm very proud, and thankful, for their success! It's nice to have somewhere local I can send people to instead of just Etsy. I've tried out a couple other opportunities, but I Heart Ipanema has been the best! If you are ever in Kalamazoo I encourage you to check it out!

Lots more to share soon! Thanks to those of you that have stuck around/returned after my long absence! <3




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It was one of those March days...

... when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

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We've been busy this Spring! Here's a quick rundown for my following friends & fam.

We've added to our family:

Sahara is officially ours! This dog is fantastic. She listens good, stays out of stuff, and she's sweet. A bit of a clinger, but that might just be a new-house phase. We love her already. :)

We've climbed our new tree. I love this tree. It's so neat looking.


Unfortunately it's a diseased tree and the top might have to go before it falls on the house. I flat-out refuse to make it a stump. Still works for climbing!


We visited a friend's house that's being built. Climbed a giant pile of dirt.


And a pile of rocks. The house is gorgeous so far! I love half-built houses, they smell so good. And I like to see what hides behind walls.


We went bowling for preschool. I was still dying from the P90X workout. Thankfully only the kids bowled, and I didn't have to embarrass myself sharing a ball with a 5 year old.

He beat Mom's average and looked good doin' it!


I used a bunch of scraps to make myself a new Spring messenger bag. I used all my favorite green and blue fabrics, with a touch of red-orange thrown in. Turned out perfect and the pattern is perfected!! I may have to make another of these to list on my quickly-emptying Etsy!

And least, but definitely not least... actually the best part of our week... we finally met baby Leni! Leni is world's sweetest, most beautiful baby girl, the daughter of my very best friend. David was so great with her. He even held her 3 times, covered her in kisses, and was a bit of a baby hog at times! He did not let me forget he wants a baby sister.

~~~More Soon!~~~

Nearly Silent Saturday....

...or Friday, or whenever I feel like posting it...

The first quilt I want to post on Etsy. Looooove the colors/fabrics used! When I washed it the edges got crazy wrinkly though. I don't like that. Thinking of not selling it because I'm a perfectionist. Opinions?

Continued from last Saturday... This is the table runner I made for my boss for Christmas! It looks great on her table, but proved impossible to get a decent picture of.

Some mirror-image mittens I crocheted for my boy. I couldn't find any mittens that were actually long enough to cover his wrists. Problem solved. 2 pairs are in the works right now for my Etsy shop! I'm hoping to sell the pattern if/when I ever finish writing it so it makes sense to more than just me.

I made this handbag and the one below a while ago. Notice the grass? *sigh* I miss you sunshine! I want to list these on Etsy as well. I'll get to it. I love the mix of beautiful fabrics & quilting, crochet, and wood!

Flex frame pouches 0, Delainie 1. Took me a while, but I figured out how to do these right finally. Not sure why I made that so difficult before! By request I made the latest ones with blues, greens, and black, trying to be as ungirly as possible. Guitars and wheels man up the flowers right? Available here.

The rest of my time has been spent with this little dude lately. He is loving the snow. Whose kid is this? I could've swore he is mine... Proving snow-hating is not hereditary.

Wipe out! Snow is a lot more fun with him around. :)

Near Silent Saturday...

Not much to say, so I'll make this near silent Saturday. This is a quilt I'm working on. I've got 6 quilts in the works! At least 2 will be listed on Etsy soon!

Big news hopefully coming soon too! (Not gonna jinx myself on this house business again!)

Michigan Made!

I'm in a really nice Michigan treasury! I've met so many talented artists from MI, I love seeing them all grouped together in treasuries. Thank you to ForrestConcepts for including my Ninja Pants inher treasury! Go check out her shop, she makes the most fab upcycled books!

That picture is so small :( The one downfall so far for my new netbook, you have to do a normal screenshot in 2-4 pieces! There's got to be another way!

A New Commercial....

Where's My Stuff?

I've been trying to keep track of where my items have been going since I started selling on Etsy, and since I recently made my 300th sale I thought I'd share! Each gray dot represents a sale in that state! Some states were too small to fit all the dots!!

Add to this 9 UK sales, 1 sale to Germany, 1 to Japan, 1 to Greece, 5 to Australia, 1 to Switzerland, and 8 to Sweden!! I'm worldwide! And that makes me very happy!

Now Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, where you at?! You're 3 of my all-time favorite states, don't you love me back? I once woke up screaming in North Dakota thinking I was in Hell, so maybe we just feel the same about each other. (Hey, you'd do it too if it was 75 degrees when you fell asleep and -15 when you woke up, and yes, my Hell is cold!)

Thank you all for your support! And thank you Etsy for the opportunity to share all my goodies with the world!

Oh Boy Sheboygan!

Sheboygan you are so lucky. You're just across the pond (Lake MI) and I've never seen ya. But you have the coolest things. #1 is Jen from jennadesigns. And her cute kiddos. Someday I will go out there and meet them! I know I've said it before on here, but I'm saying it again. Jen is the bees knees. That was super nerdy, but I'm running out of ways to express this since I've probably blogged about her 4 times already. I can't help it, she's my favorite Twitter pal. And that's not just because she sends me awesome things like these:

It's like Christmas in my mailbox!! How great is that quilted List Taker?! I'm in love with the fabrics! Especially the yellow and brown one on the bottom right corner of the List Taker. She sent me a cool chunk of Robert Kaufman fabric with fun turtles on it too! I may make one of my Itty Bitty Snap Pouches with it today. I saved my very last frame for it! The card with the flower on it is a photo she took herself as well. I know it's basically a business card, but I'll probably frame the photo to add it to my collection. In the past year I have really expanded my collection of art from people I know. Every single piece in my living room was made by a local artist or good friend of mine.

And the best part of this awesome gift! 60 minutes of crafty music! When I opened this package I showed my son the CD. He insisted that I turn it on right then. Within the first minute it had his approval. "Oh Mom! This is a brand new song, thanks for giving it to me!" and then on to "Who sings this song?" whenever a new one started. So thank you Jen for the other gift that came with this, the great big smile on my beautiful boy's face :)

Check out this fantastic playlist! Get out your magnifying glass... I'm no computer whiz here.


This CD hasn't left my CD player since I opened the package! I'm looking forward to listening to it while I create today. Thank you so much Jen!! I love it all so much!!

What are you creating today? I've got the Ugly Quilt to bind and a dress to alter for a wedding on Saturday on my list . It's a former bridesmaid dress, so I'm crossing my fingers that the wedding party will not be in chocolate brown. A big pot of chili is on my list of to-do's today also. It's a perfect rainy and cold chili day here in MI!

Hiiiiyahhh!

Just here for a hot second to brag about some Ninja goodness. Now I don't even know if this is allowed, but my Ninja Pants are in an Etsy Treasury twice! Both my Custom Ninja Pants and my Itty Bitty Ninja Pants!

Thank you SilverSisterStudio for including me in your treasury! Seriously, go see the cuteness in her shop! This Pass The Peas pendant is such a fun mix of beads and felting. Love it!

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They are also featured in this Etsy Hippie Treasury! Ninja Pants are gettin all the love this weekend! :)

Thank you CassiesAttic for this treasury feature! WOW at this shop too! Her photos are fantastic! How gorgeous is this vintage Turquoise Hippy Dress?! Makes me wish I was a dress girl. This dress could MAKE me be a dress girl. Want it want it want it! And a fellow Michigander as well- Love it!

Lovin the Ninja love.
Thanks!

Technically Challenged.

I'm a technical nightmare today! Earlier I couldn't add an image to my blog post. Then I couldn't add a Byhand Spotlight. Then I couldn't add an Etsy Mini. THEN I couldn't use Twitter to contact Byhand to find out what I'm doing wrong!

Is it so wrong that I just want a clickable showcase to show off all the things I want to buy for my pregnant best friend? That's right- my very best friend - my BFF if you will - is knockered up! I love her to bits and I can't wait to spoil her little kidlet rotten! It's close to my only chance to be Aunt Lainie. Took me ages to pick only 9 items, but here's my top favorites! I bought the 1st one already in green, I just couldn't wait! I got it in a 3T for Ali though, not for my BFF. I think I should wait on some of my shopping till she's more than 7 weeks along!

And since I couldn't get any sort of clickable showcase to work, here are links to each shop I featured here!

#1 Aliyah'sHopeChest

#2 AmyRoseDesigns

#3 2CraftyChix

#4 PieceUnique

#5 happyfamily

#6 TidaBellaMonkey

#7 jennadesigns

#8 MomNMiasQuilts

#9 THEMONKEYSHOP

Let's hope tomorrow I can work a computer better! I'm going to eat a caramel chocolate marshmallow from firstfruitsllc and pretend that it didn't actually take me 10x longer than it should have to get things done today.

On With the Show!

I have been a blog slacker. The weather is so beautiful, I've been outside enjoying every second of it that I can. Even got a touch of sunburn the other day! Never been so excited about that! It's been such a dull, dreary winter, it's just so nice to see the sun again!

I've been dragging the kids outside for early morning workouts as well. I feel goooooood. I've discovered Michael Franti this week too, and his music just makes me move! The kids seem to like it too so that's a plus! Usually they are asking me for Rhianna's Disturbia over and over (they call it Bumbaneeya (goofy kids!)). And other equally horrible songs that make me want to rip my ears off. It's nice when we find one we all like! So, Michael Franti, I love you. My ears thank you.

On the Etsy front- I made my 200th sale last week! It's such a great feeling knowing that beautiful things I've made with my own 2 hands are all over the world being appreciated by others. I haven't recounted in a while, but I think I've now sold to 41 states and 9 countries!! I wanted to add some treasury screenshots on here, but Blogger really truly hates me right now and keeps freezing when I try to add an image. Booo at you Blogger. Jerk. I refuse to try to do it again and retype this entire thing for a third time.

As Seen on TV update- I once lived in a teeny tiny apartment. Quite possibly world's smallest. It had no oven! I didn't know this when I moved in and managed to 'make it work' using a toaster oven. The only thing I couldn't make was a decent pizza. I had to cut them in half and cook half at a time. My stepdad got me a Pizza Pizazz for Christmas and at first, I thought it was a joke since I'm always wanting something I've seen on a late night infomercial. It was the real deal! I could cook pizza again! I've had the thing for 6 yrs and it took an unfortunate turn a couple months ago. I am stubborn. I refused to throw it out. The other day, due to my lack of cupboard space, I thought I should give it one final chance and see if it .... I don't know... fixed itself? I'm a dreamer, I know. Would believe that it really did? It's back and working perfectly! Over the past few years, this is by far my most used kistchen appliance other than my toaster oven. I'd suggest it to anyone! MMMmmm crispy pizza crust *drool*.

To my loyal blog follower Erika... My hubby is a Marine. And a dang good one at that. :) I'm very proud of him and all his accomplishments, doing things I know I could never do! Also, I think you should really get to work on that locker hooking, I know it takes an eternity, but you'll have such a great, long lasting rug when you're all done! I love getting that "you MADE that?!?!" look from people when they see mine, it's part of what drives me. That being said, there's no way in hell I'm making another one! LOL!

All Yours!

I've decided to offer some personalized Itty Bitty Snap Pouches! I was inspired by a potential customer that wanted to use them to package her wedding parties gifts. I hadn't even thought of stitching names on! Too easy to not run with the idea!

Erin was in luck yet again. She seems to get her name tested on most things I personalize since she's got such a short name, and well, I like her! Lucky gal! I stitched both names freehand, they turned out pretty well!!

I'm much more inspired to alter the wedding dress I've been holding out on. The girl (my twin sissy's best friend) told me I could keep all the scraps. In fact, she looked at me like I was nuts when I asked all excitedly if I got to keep what I cut off. "Uh Delainie, what the heck am I going to do with a pile of fabric scraps?" Guess we're even since I looked at her with that same "Are you fekking insane?" when she brought me this gorgeous (5 layer!!) dress and told me to chop it up. Oh the trust... the pressure... the nervousness! I just wanna use the scraps to make little pouches though!!

Good Morning!

So I've already blogged with the title Crap Morning this week, I figured it's time for a good one! I have the day off! It's not snowing! I got to snuggle with David for a couple uninterupted hours this morning, it's nearly a miracle when he just holds still and snuggles these days! Also, Lona from ShadySideFarm included me in this pretty blue and orange treasury!

I'm forcing myself to make Bonnie's Bag today. I know I've been saying this for weeks, but today it WILL happen! I have no excuse left, the pieces are cut, the interfacing is fused on, the zipper is in my possession. I just haven't been motivated to sew it. Once I finish that I'm treating myself to a new bag. It's been half finished for a week since I sewed the lining in backwards and haven't wanted to fix it. I also promised my wee one a tiny David size messenger bag.

In fact, with all this image stealing BS, I haven't gotten much sewn at all this week. I feel much more educated on copyright laws though. I finished up my DMCA letter yesterday and sent it off to Lee to have translated. Then I will send it on and hopefully that's all the action I have to take. I really don't want to open a can of legal whoop-ass on anyone, I'm just not in the mood. If I never have to learn about copyright infringement again, it may be too soon.

St. Patty's Day was a good time! I didn't get a pic of my friend Qball's homemade shamrock tights, but they were awesome!! We didn't get as costumey as we have in the past. We shouldn't have waited till the day of to buy supplies. I usually don't share pictures of myself here, but we had too much fun and I love these ladies, check out our awesome glasses! Not a great idea after too many beers! (FYI That's me in the middle... and 2 of my all-time favorite people).

Dental Nightmare, Armhair, and Wallets

I can't believe I forgot to blog my amazing dentist freak out on Tuesay! If that dentist never sees me again, I bet it'd be too soon.

I went in and got my last 2 cavities filled. What an amazing feat to not have any cavities till I'm 27! Avoiding the dentist at all costs for many years will do that for ya- haha. Anyway, a few weeks ago I had the other 2 filled and lived through that just fine. She even bonded my 2 front teeth so they didn't have any discoloration anymore from the braces I had long ago. I am so very happy with my new front teeth! So, going in this time I really wasn't that scared. It was my 4th time there in less than 2 months, so it's ebcoming second nature. In fact I was able to walk into her office and not gag at that dentist office-y smell. I sat in the chair without that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach making me think that as soon as I open my mouth I will yak on her. Didn't happen. Yay! Am I finally a big girl?! No. She gave me the big fat shot in my mouth to numb me up. I close my eyes. Needles don't bother me that much as long as I never see it and don't get a warning. Just stab me and be done with it. I open my eyes. OMG OMG OMG OMG I SEE DOUBLE! 2 OF EVERYTHING! OMG OMG OMG WHAT DID YOU DO?!! OMFG OMG OMG OMG! Yes I really said everything you see here in caps. Freaking out. Wow. I do not freak out about things. Maybe internally, but I rarely let it out. This scared the snot out of me. I didn't think about that drill for one second. I just tried to keep my eyes closed and not freak out any more than I already was. Within 45 minutes my vision went back to normal. Apparently this happens if you hit a facial nerve when giving this numbing shot. I don't care how normal it is, I am officially scared shitless of the dentist all over again. I don't ever want to go back.

I wallowed in self pity most of the night eating hummus with a baby spoon since I couldn't open my mouth. What a sad state of affairs.

Also, an arm hair update. It's been 4 or 5 days and my arms are kinda pokey. I almost broke down and Smooth Away-ed my legs today. I hope my arm hair grows back soon though. My hubby says I'm probably more aerodynamic and IF I could swim it would really help me out. Isn't he a love? He wouldn't let me Smooth Away his eyebrows off either, what fun is he?!

I made some new wallets the other night! I found a great Alexander Henry print at the fabric store and I just had to have it. I've made 2 wallets so far with it, one for me, and one that sold within an hour of listing it on Etsy! Here's a peek at the latest!

He's got the fever... Dance Fever!

I was told it's time to blog! I had no idea that I wasn't just talking to myself here. I've actually been avoiding blogging this week. My Mom taught me that if I don't have anything nice to say then I shouldn't say anything at all. She thinks I don't listen to her, but I do. I've been too consumed by my crappy weekend to be able to blog (or talk about) this weekend without too much cussing.

I'll give the short version anyway...
I was soooo looking forward to a weekend with my boys. A couple friends of Dave's friends got married and it was a lovely wedding. We had a room for the night and I knew I was gonna be spending more time in said room than partying, since we had our wee one with us. Dave was amazing at Megan's wedding and I got to do my bridesmaid-ly duties without worrying about where my kiddo was, so I knew I was in for that job this time around. Davidino had the greatest time dancing at this reception! I just wish someone, ANYONE, would've told me that it wasn't a kid friendly wedding. He was the only kid there. That was fine since he behaved. However, after dancing a few hours, some crazy mean girl came and told me that she didn't want him on the dancefloor anymore. She apparently thought he was going to get stepped on and hurt. I'm all for people looking out for children's best interest. After all, it takes a village to raise a child they say. BUT, he was just having a good time. If he gets stepped on, he gets stepped on. I'm sure he'll be fine. I told her this and she yells at me "NO! I WANT HIM OFF THE DANCEFLOOR NOW!" Whoaaa lady, ok. Who are you again? You aren't in the wedding party and you and your 2 cronies are the only people on the floor. Can someone please explain why one 4 yr old is gettin your panties in a twist? Soon after, I convinced D that we should bring our party back to the hotel for some apple juice and fruit snacks.

This is becoming a long short version...
Apparently a bunch of wedding guests ended up at the bride and grooms room for a bit after the reception. I've always thought this was odd, but the last 2 weddings I've been to ended up that way. The difference being, when my best friend wanted everyone out she said "Delainie, as my best friend, get these drunks outta here" and I said "HEY They just got married and now they want ya out - so EVERYBODY OUT!" and ya know what? They got out! Amazing. My hub's friends on the other hand say "Why don't you guys order some pizza?" Then when they went to get the pizza from the front desk, they locked all their guests out of the room. The drunks scatter and my hub is stuck with $30 in unwanted pizza. Real cool.

It only gets better...
This guy I've heard many stories about was at this wedding. I've heard some real doozies about this one. Insanely stupid things he's done when drinking, to things that make me say "why are you friends with this guy?" He didn't disappoint. I woke up shirtless and partially uncovered, look over, and see this guy sleeping in our extra bed. WTH?! An hour later he covers the hotel room with vomit. Moves to the bathroom and gets that room too... we wouldn't want to miss a spot. I tell you, between my Ohio trip to see AJ and this trip, I'm probably blacklisted. If I never get a hotel room in my name again I really will not be that surprised. What happened to people either handling their liqour, or respecting the things that aren't theirs? I wouldn't go to your house and puke everywhere. Then again, I'm not a jackass. (Sorry AJ, love you... jackass!)

All I wanted was a morning with my Daves with no Xbox, computer, or anything else. Some hotel coffee and some cuddlin with my boys. It's just something that doesn't happen at home and I was really looking forward to it. Ok I'm done with my wedding rant. If you're getting married don't invite me. I'm done till Will gets married -- I'll go to that, I like him.

Ok enough on that...

I've recently joined Craftster again! I used to post on there before I had an Etsy shop, and I kinda missed it. There's so many things I make but don't sell or that never make it to Etsy and dangit, I wanna show them off! So I started posting there again. I've met a cool member, named Erika, or Craftsomnia, who I'm attempting to teach to Locker Hook through email. We'll see how that goes! I hope she finishes her rug because I'm dyin to see some others!! I think I have craftsomnia. That's why I always choose to sew rather than sleep. I blogged for ya today Erika! Sorry all I did was rant mostly :)

I've got some wallets to photograph... I should get to it. I let David pick the thread color for yesterday's Slapdash Wallets and he chose neon green! They are fun! They almost glow in the sunlight, the color is so bright! I like his style :) I plan on getting them listed at naptime!

I got some handmade paper at the Garage Sale Art Fair that I'm going to attempt to make thank you notes with as well today -- typewriter here I come! Hopefully I don't ruin all my pretty new paper!

Alli's tryin to chew my arm off... I think my time is done here! I promised them a thrilling game of Wii Bowling. I shall be back.... in less than a month haha! I think I should do a product testing post soon. I've got all kinds of cool new stuff that I've been tryin out. My hubby went on an As Seen on TV shopping spree the other day and I must share! I'll try to get to that soon!!

2 Posts 1 Day Whoa!

I just found out I was on Etsy's Front Page yesterday!! Unfortunately it was when I was at The Strutt and had over half my shop inactive. What kind of timing is that?? I thought that if an item was inactive that it would be replaced with the alternate for that treasury? I don't know. Maybe I didn't have that Spare Pocket inactive? I had so many items with me yesterday that I don't even know. I should be happy I made the front page, but I just feel bummed that my 50+ most favorite items weren't even available. If I had sold a bunch of stuff at the show, I'd be less peeved. I should get over it and look at the bright side huh? I was featured in 2 treasuries and made 10 sales! I also learned a valuable lesson - bring my laptop to the show! It never occured to me that they'd have WiFi. I could've just made the couple things I sold inactive right there instead of deactivating everything. Doh!

Catching Up

I keep going through these blog phases... so here I am... once the snow is gone again I'll most likely disappear for a bit again!

I did a show yesterday with Erin at The Strutt. It was nice to be out selling my wares rather than sitting at home waiting for Etsy buyers. It snowed ALL DAY. I borrowed my hubby's car, thanked God that I made it alive since it was like the downtown-deathride. We both managed to sell a few things, so it was cool. I so needed a kid-free day as well. I love that little kidlet but I think it's Official Whine Week, and I was ready to rip my ears off. We used one of my sister's gem trees to display some earrings and it was a huge hit! I eventually just made her little makeshift cards out of some cardboard I had since I was writing her site address on the back of my own cards all day and handing them out. If she weren't one of my favorite people I'd have been irked about her stealing our thunder. Instead I hope she gets a ton of sales! Let's face it, her trees are fanastic! Seriously, every single person that came to this show commented on the tree! How to get more lookers at your shows? Get yourself a gem tree! Then sit there for a few hours talking to strangers about how awesome my sister is and making it obvious that you don't have a clue how she does it! Rock on!

I managed to get nearly 50 wallets made for this show!! I knew I had been working a lot, but I didn't realize I had made that many till I started unpacking them at the show. I love colorful things. And having many of the same things. I just wanted to spread them out on my floor and stare at them. They're just so bright and pretty! And there's so many! I am so weird. I think this is where my son gets it. He loves his cars, but if he ends up with more than 1 of the same car then he is so extra excited. He likes to get them all out and line them up, open all the doors or tailgates that open. Stare at his great collection. I do that with the wallets. Open em, close em, stare at em. I haven't even kept one for myself yet because I can't decide which one I want!!

Today, my mission is to start Bonnie's diaper/tote bag. She was pretty specific in what she wanted, and aside from the giant grommets I found everything I need for it finally. I found giant grommets, but the tool to attach them was $25!! So my new mission is to find new cool hardware to add that isn't a giant grommet. I have some ideas, but the perfect idea hasn't come to me quite yet...

I made a vest this week! I made the pattern and lined it and even did buttonholes! Buttonholes scare me. This vest is so cute, and I was scared to put buttonholes in, mess them up, and not have a vest at all. I avoid them as much as possible. Zippers are where it's at. Anyway, I made 3 PERFECT buttonholes. Originally my pattern called for 5, but I know myself better than that. 5 perfect buttonholes? Not likely. That's like winning the sewing lotto.

It's a little tighter than I wanted it to be. I tried wearing it yesterday but it was just too contricting. If I finish my custom orders, most of Bonnie's bag, and a couple other bags I had in mind, I'm going to try again. What I'm going to do with this tiny vest. Maybe I'll change the buttons (I MUST have those ones on the vest I keep - I want em!) and sell it on Super Sale.

I have to show this off too. I picked up a couple giant wooden chargers at the Salvation Army a couple weeks back thinking they'd make a great display. Then I realized OH YEAH! I know a real cool lady that woodburns! She's the one that made my hubby's Mancave sign for Christmas. So I called her up and she woodburned my etsy site address onto both chargers! They turned out great! I couldn't be more pleased! I ended up displaying most of the wallets open since they are so fun and colorful inside and the chargers still worked out great!

Since Mary Lou was handling my displays, I helped Erin with hers. Aside from the gem tree, I made a hanging the same size as a wine box she had with 39 spots to hang earrings! It had velcro straps that hooked it onto the wine box. See it here. It worked out so much better than I had expected! Especially since I waited till 11pm on Friday to start it.

Well I need bacon and I've rambled long enough :) Happy Sunday!

Yeah I called you a Twit...

Ok, so a while back I joined Twitter. It was all the rage among the Etsy forums and I thought, hey, what the hell? I only have 768976098707 things to do each day, what's one more? I don't regret it! Some days I'll send a Tweet asking a question to my 200+ followers and get zero answers. Some days I'll get a bunch of responses. It's an odd little social community. Today I lost more than a handful of followers and was left wondering if I need an e-shower or something. Do I stink? What's the deal? Then as I was clicking away on links my fellow Twits posted (yes I call em Twits, everyone else seems to avoid that word, though I don't know why since you're limited to 140 characters) and found this gem of a blog post from JennaDesigns! I've met a few sweet, talented crafters on Twitter, and Jenna is definetely one of them! She's uber-talented in many ways -- photography, sewing, sometimes even sewing photos she's taken onto other things! Not to mention, she's friendly, beautiful (not that that matters, but check out her avatar, I'm not lyin!), and sure knows how to pick em - like me! haha! I've had a long, loooong day and finding this blog sure was an excellent way to end the night! I sure hope Jenna digs that serger out and gives it a shot. I remember when my stepmom-in-law got a new sewing/embroidery machine even though she hadn't used one before. She kept telling me that it was sitting in her dining room still in the box and I couldn't help but have a physical reaction to hearing that. TAKE IT OUT! USE IT! If ya don't want to, I will! Well, my stepmom-in-law finally took my advice and she made me a lovely 12 Days of Christmas hanging that she quilted all by herself - AND she had a great time once she got over her fear of the machine. I did have a little problem with taking the first item she had made, but maybe that's just because I want to keep everything I make, especially if it's the first of its kind! :) So Jenna, I say to you, keep your fingers away from the blade and stitch away my dear! Because I'm itchin to see what you create!

I whipped up a huge pile of wallets this weekend... sleep is entirely overrated. So far I've only numbered them instead of named them. I really want to name them Fred, Joe, Bob, Sue, etc. I can't explain why. Sometimes even I think I'm too weird!

New Traditions, Legwarmers, and a Letter to Santa

Out with the old, in with the new! So after the unfulfilled feelings I had about my Thanksgiving celebration this year (not getting to see everyone, driving too much like every year, etc.), I marched my tiny-heinie over to my twin sissy's house and told her to clean that mess because we are having Christmas dinner there this year! I would have it at my house, but hers is bigger and closer for most that will be attending. I am truly grateful that she didn't tell me no. All I really want is family that can all get along and have a good time, to all be together for the holidays. Not so much to ask I think. So if people won't give me the holidays of the past, I will create my own traditions! I am anticipating the best Christmas ever this year and that is a much better feeling than the pulled-in-every-direction feeling I usually get this time of year. Enough about Christmas... it's still so far away I've barely begun shopping, haha!


These beauties kept me busy for about 3 days of snowy madness this week! I made them for a friend of a friend as a Christmas present to herself. Apparently she has left all artistic decisions up to me, so I hope I haven't let her down. They turned out so fantastic! I sure hope the girl loves them as much as I do!

I love love LOVE the color combination and the fit!

I altered the way I had been making the ties on the legwarmers this time around. I had been doing drawstrings before, now I figured a way to just build them into the legwarmer! Maybe this stems from my son's love of pulling every drawstring out of every hoodie I own, but I'm loving the new way. It looks so much cleaner to me. I've already had a few inquiries about custom legwarmers since I posted her pair as Reserved. I love doing custom orders! I'm about 1/3 done with another pair already!

I also think I finally figured out how to make crochet look ribbed like kntting can. This spawned a fabulous brand new legwarmer style/idea into my already project-filled brain. Hopefully it will stop snowing soon and I can dig my car out of the mountain of snow it's under and get to the store for some new fabulous yarn to bring my latest idea to life! Snow really makes me want to crochet for some reason. If only I had a fireplace to snuggle up next to while I work.

Dear Santa,
I haven't been THAT good this year... but I've been trying :) Please bring me yarn. Preferrably gorgeous, beautiful, handspun yarn like this one from Spazzy on Etsy. She has the prettiest yarn-y goodness in her shop. Ohhh the fiber gluttony! I want it ALL! That one's already sold but come on Santa, you're magic or something right? Hook. it. up. I would also settle for a gift certificate to that amazing yarn store on Oakland Dr., next to that restaurant I worked at... the one with the little white dog and the name I can't remember.
Thanks Santa!
Sincerely
~Delainie