Back to the Drawing Board

The second skein of yarn was not the same as the first - and so here we have a great beginning with no end in sight. Hmmm - now to see what I can make of this without unraveling it all.

I must admit that Halloween is not my favorite holiday - in fact it may be my least favorite of all. I love fall and all that it brings, I just don't care for halloween. It may be my years as a teacher when Halloween was the most disruptive holiday of the entire school year. So there are no cool, really neat and cute halloween decorations and/or quilts around the house or my blog. (I'm beginning to feel like Scrooge here - don't hate me.)

I'm off to see how to salvage my short shawl that I was knitting when I found my skeins didn't match - way off. I may be back later today.

Hugs - Marie

Talent and Creativity

The Dude took first place with his oil painting at both the Chatham County fair and the North Carolina State fair. This was his very first painting EVER - let alone the intricacies of paining in oils. This painting is what he created during his first lesson (not after, but during).

We are very proud of him! His talent and creativity just keep flowing. Just think he is only 14 yrs old.

Hugs - Marie

Home and Unpacked

We got home at 1:45 AM this morning (it is 12:00 noon now) and I am already unpacked and ready to go. We had an absolutely great visit and got lots and lots of grandparenting done (including a trip with a 2-yr old to Disneyland). I think the combination of heavy antibiotics and the family visit worked wonders.

AND I WAS PRODUCTIVE TO BOOT!

• Lots of hexies accomplished on the long plane rides
• Two knitted cowls finished and ready for photos to go on Hummingbird Treasures
• Two pairs of fingerless gloves crocheted (small/medium and medium/large)
• A short knit collar shawl finished

Going from east coast to west coast really messes with my biological clock. I am really ready (past ready) to go to bed no later than 8:30 and then lie awake for hours during the night. I am happy to report that those hours were used for staring at the ceiling and quilt planning for multiple quilts - I can hardly wait to dive in and get started again. For some strange reason, I don't have trouble adjusting the other direction but that east to west gets me every time.

I have to take the time today to write down and sketch my 'dream quilting ideas' so I don't lose them. I saw an absolutely gorgeous little clutch bag made from a jean pocket with a scalloped crocheted edging all around it - does anyone know how to make the hole in the denim to stick the crochet needle through. I'm stuck on trying to figure this out.

Hugs - Marie

Sometimes You Have To Give In!

I finally gave in and went to the doctor's on Thursday. Just haven't felt good for over 6 weeks but other than terrific sinus headaches, couldn't put my finger on it. Headache leads to nausea leads to fatigue leads to sleeping round the clock leads to don't care about anything. Hence - the ultimatum from Big T - GO TO THE DR.

So a massive dose of antibiotics for 10 days (maybe more) was ordered to treat a nasty sinus infection. Hence the headaches, nausea, etc., etc. He did say that one round of antibiotics may not clear it all up and, of course, wondered why I hadn't been in sooner. (I think Big T called to prompt him on this one.) I hope it clears up before we fly to CA - Little Miss's 2nd birthday is coming up soon.

Meanwhile, I am still taking 2 to 3 naps a day and sleeping 10 to 12 hours at night. I should be well rested for CA. I hear we are going to the BIG "D" for the birthday. Needless to say, my sewing has been somewhat neglected for the last 6 weeks. Although I am surprised to see that I have about 6 - 8 projects in various stages of completion all over the studio. I usually have at least 2 going but this appears to be a little extreme even for me. Maybe this afternoon (after my nap), I can sort through and see what can be brought under control.

Check out the neat fabric give away at "The Last Piece". The fabric is an advance of 'Little Things' and is absolutely adorable. Maybe we can both win!

Hugs - Marie

Book Club Update

1. I made it to book club (didn't miss it like last month when I slept through it with a sinus headache)

2. I actually read the book (completely - some sections twice) - "The Optimist's Daughter" by Eudora Welty(?) Pulitzer Prize winner in the 1960's

3. I really liked the book (appealed to the literary snob in me - lots of symbolism and metaphor-type stuff)

4. No one else in book club liked the book (actually used words like: boring, hated it, couldn't finish it, no story line, flat unlikable characters)

5. I'm batting 1000 this season when it comes to book club (I'm afraid my membership in book club may be in serious jeopardy here)

6. I'm off to order next month's book (I love the 'used book' prices from B&N and Amazon)

7. The book for next month is "The Devil Amongst the Lawyers" by Sarah McCrumb(?)

Make Over Coming - Stay Tuned

OK - enough introspection (procrastinating) . A major make-over is on the way. I should stress this is a blogsite make-over since 'yours truly' is already perfect.

I asked for (and listened to) advice and opinions from my wonderful followers and now after letting it absorb for longer than it should have (procrastinating), I am ready to jump in the water and ready to swim. (Isn't that a cool analogy for this hot end of a very hot summer?)

I received several very good suggestions regarding how to better use and promote my etsy store as well as wonderful offers to promote my blog and store on my reader's blogs. These actually brought tears to my eyes. And one of my wonderful friends even designed a new button for me to use and share to promote my sites. (Thank you, Alyssa.)

I will be working on implementing my changes over the next few days - so stay tuned to see the next chapter.

For those of you who continue to follow this - I have the timer set to remind me that today is bookclub day. I do not dare miss it twice. By the way, I read the book "The Optimist's Daughter" by Eudora Welty and absolutely loved it. Now I know why she earned the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with this book. I'm interested to see how my fellow book club members like the book.

Serious Thinking

Ok so here's the problem. I have a faithful few followers who read and comment on every blog. (And I love each and everyone of you.) But I am not gaining in either 'larger following' or in redirecting potential purchases to my etsy store. Hmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!

So my question of the week is - what do you think of sponsorship of blogs? I've been looking to see who and how popular the sponsored blogs are and I am torn. I need to expand and market my products but I also don't want to lose my friends in doing so.

Please give me your honest opinion (both directions) and let me know what you think. ALSO, if you have any other thoughts, I am very open to them.

Hugs - Marie