Workin Hard Today!

Looooook! I love this wallet! In fact, I love my Slapdash Wallets even better with zippers than without now. Why didn't I start off making them this way? I was inspired by a custom order to add zippers to a few these. They take a lot longer to make and use a lot more fabric, but the end result is worth it! Don't ya love that new fabric?!

I'm going to make some Snap Clutches today! It's been a while since I went on my snap frame buying spree. I think I can now admit that I got WAY carried away with buying those. I've got a huge box of them and haven't touched them for months. I had a custom order for one, so I figured while I'm at it, I should make a few!

I also FINALLY figured out how to add this blog to Google Analytics so I can see how many hits it gets. I'm guessing not a lot, but if there's a surprising amount I might just do my first giveaway soon! We shall see...

Neosporin is the shizzzz. I've been slathering it onto my finger that I ran over with the sewing machine. It's looking amazingly better already! Way back when I waitressed I sliced this same finger while cutting broccoli and had some nerve damage, so it really doesn't hurt as bad as it should. Thank God for previous nerve damage!

Crap Morning.

So I wake up this morning, way too tired to be in the land of the living. I find a convo on Etsy directing me to a site. I thought it was spam, but I'm half awake so I clicked it anyway. There's news to spammers, get me early in the AM and I'm easy to fool! Anyway, NOT spam. It was a link to a site/blog in Spanish that is stealing my images and using them for the TUTORIALS that they are writing on how to make MY items. Now, my wallets aren't the hardest thing I've ever made for sure, but they did take some planning and time. I'm very passionate about my work and that I have finally learned to take a decent picture. Is this what comes with the territory when you take good pictures? Through a translator program I sort of figured out what the article was about, and attempted (I believe unsuccessfully) to contact the site admin to have my pictures removed. On one hand, I'm mad. Those images are mine! On the other hand, I know the tutorial is incorrect and doing it their way would really cause someone a headache and a lot more work than necessary. Where to go from here? AGGGGGHHHHH people make my head hurt.

On the upside, it's St. Patty's Day! I need to head to the dollar store soon and get supplies for tonight. One of my best friends and I don't mess around with St. Pat's day. We try to get as crazy-costumey as Halloween. It seems to be a big hit most years. My fall-down-drunk year, not such a big hit. But the rest have been a riot!! I'm thinking I need giant shamrock glasses this year. Maybe a googly shamrock headband. Unless I can find a green glitter top hat. White tights with sticky felt shamrocks are also on my to-do list, but considering it will be nearly 70 degrees today, chances are I won't get to that.

May your day be merry and your drinks be green!
Sláinte!

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!

Art Fair Finds!

Oh what to blog, what to blog...
I have been a busy mama! I've had LOTS of custom orders both online and locally, so I've been workin hard! I've got a couple new versions of wallets coming soon, with some tweeks done by request. I'm talkin checkbook wallets, zippered pockets, all the works! Here's a peek at the outside of one I made for a friend (see the inside) --


I hit up the Garage Sale Art Fair last weekend! It was great, but busier than crap, I usually go near the end of it when the prices are super low... I'm cheap... I know this. But I had to go to it before that wedding I blogged about earlier.

I got some great pottery from some guy named Tanja. I picked up a big cup and a planter. His work looked so familiar! I found out later that I have a bunch of his pieces that I've gotten from friends or around town over the years! Hopefully I can get something to grow in the planter. I don't have a green thumb, mine is surely black. Or dead and brown. I also got another genie bottle style vase for my collection. I should get a picture, it's fantastic! I wish I had a realllly long shelf that I could put them all on! You readin this Dad? My bday is coming up fast :) Shelf, shelf, shelf...

I also got some perfect handmade paper. I think it's truly insane to take all that time to make paper, then sell it for as little as they were, but who am I to judge? I love it and my friend and I bought up 4 rolls. Now I wish I had more. I used my boss's typewriter and spent Weds. afternoon typing tons and tons and tons of hangtags and thank you notes. I have always loved the way a typewriters typing looks. It's so much more fun to use than a computer as well. I think I had about 150 tags when I was done and I still have a whole roll of paper left!


My has-to-be-next project is Bonnie's diaper bag! I've thought about it everyday but I just haven't had the time with all the other orders I've had. She picked some fabulous Micheal Miller fabric and a fun, HUGE style! I want to get started on it sooooo bad! I was making Slapdash Wallets the other night, so I whipped up a wallet in the colors she chose, as motivation to once again make something pink. This is what I came up with --


The inside has the black and white damask and pink pockets. My opinion? Needs less pink. Needs more of every other color like my other wallets! :) BUT, it's for one of my very favorite people and it's exactly what she wants. I'm super happy to be making her dream bag! Now, I just need to make the time to make it! I have a feeling I'm going to have a real late night on Friday and very busy day on Saturday. Must. Get. Bon's. Bag. DONE.

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!!

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!

It Was a Soggy Saturday...

It's 2pm. Pantlegs soaked up to my knees. It felt like there was a cold, wet sponge in each of my boots. Oh the things I do for a dose of sunshine and a craft show! Gotta love the Michigan melty season. It sounded like it was raining all day. I love when the snow melts! I saw grass today! Grass!! Beautiful, green, soggy grass!

Eventually we made it downtown to the art show we wanted to see. We got there a little early, hopefully before everyone set up, since there wasn't much going on. We decided on a table 2 weeks from now and I can't wait! I haven't done a show in so long! The last shows I did I was selling clothes and Ninja Pants, and this time around I'm doing things a little different. My Slapdash Wallets and Clutches have been pretty popular locally, along with my coasters and Button Wallets. There's so many ideas in my head of all the things I want to make. I'm thinking Slapdash Messenger Bags, Spare Pockets, maybe even pillow covers. Or lampshades. So many ideas, so little time!


Soooo, after the craft show, we took our happy soggy selves to the Salvation Army. We pulled in and thought "wow, this place is hoppin for a Saturday afternoon." 15 satisfying shopping minutes later the trip took a turn. The loudspeaker lady announces that Saturday Night Madness has now begun. Let the thrift store craziness ensue! As the mad dash to the registers began I got into line with my 4 items. Right behind a lady with 3 carts. 3 CARTS! THREE!! Normally I'd have taken a second look at the items I was buying, deciding if I needed them. I had to wait, I had to have it. I found 2 giant wooden plates, I think they are called chargers? To go under plates or something. I never understood the concept really. But anyway... 2 big chargers to display my wallets on at shows = less than $8. Not the best deal, but they are in absolutely flawless condition and I just don't have the time to go hunting for something that would work better, because they were already perfect. I also found a shallow but pretty big, light-colored wooden basket to maybe display more wallets in, who knows? It was in good shape so I bought it. I also found a big yellow coffee mug that all but screamed "BUY ME!" for a mere 69 cents. Now, there's a tie for the best item found all day. I came across a double-snap purse frame for ONLY 99 cents! Knowing how obsessed I've been with my purse frames lately, that really made my day. BUT, then Erin my shoppin buddy found... of all things... a bluegrass record, the name I forgot now and I hate myself a little for it, and for not getting a pic... with all 4 guys in pretty pink ruffled tuxedos and cumberbunds and all. LMAO! It was too funny. We just had to buy it and hear it and then maybe send the pic off to the Greensky Bluegrass boys, since they'd probably get a kick out of it. Maybe they'd find some ruffly tux's for next NYE! I wish I had the pic!! I tried Googling it, but I'm guessing the Bluegrass Union High or whatever cheeseball name it had never made it to the World Wide Web. I love crazy record covers.

All in all, it was a really good day of shopping and finally walking somewhere instead of driving. Aside from the fact that my feet were sopping wet this entire time. Pruney little raisin toes for hours. Oh yeah, I also got 2 slices of Martini's pizza this afternoon too! MMM MMM MMMM! And my waitress recognized my purse from Etsy where she's shopped my site before, and come to find out we had more than a few mutual friends! It was a real cool small-world moment.

Last but certainly not least...

Happy Birthday Mommers!! I love you!