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.

Mixed Emotions

OK so the object of making and posting to Etsy is to sell my handmade projects, right? So - it sold and I am sad to see it go. Does that make any sense? Not only that, Big T said "Oh, I really liked that one." (He said he was waiting for it to go on sale so he could buy it at a discount.) - What's wrong with this picture?

The Dude is with us for Spring Break this week. Yesterday it was "Clash of the Titans" - I don't think they have figured out what they are doing today yet. I told Big T to take him and let him look at the car lot all he wants - he is really into cars right now (14). These Papa / Dude bonding days are really great for both of them. It's in the high 80's - low 90's this week - too bad the pool isn't open yet. He's a real water creature - loves it.

I am working on a new applique wall hanging today for the Spring Design Fling Challenge, so last night was "paper doll night" - tracing and cutting. I'm beginning to think this is good therapy. I used to play paper dolls as a kid and loved it. I would get so frustrated when they made the dolls in different poses and the outfits didn't fit. I think I had several shoe boxes full of paper dolls. (I missed the Barbie era though - I could never quite go for the "cutsy perfection" of the Barbies. Besides paper dolls were much easier to dress.)

I finished machine quilting "Morning Mist" yesterday. It is ready for squaring and binding today or tomorrow. It's fairly large (44" x 54") so it will take a little time to do the binding - good quality "on the porch work" (except for the pollen). I found a coordinating green w/ blue dragonflies for the backing and binding. Absolutely perfect. Sometimes it's worth waiting to find that 'just right' piece rather than 'making do'.

Check out Christine's neat journal giveaway. She has a really cool blog that's worth visiting.


Hugs to all of you. I'm off to see what trouble I can get into today - with the two males in the house it won't take much.



Marie

Water - at last!

Water, beautiful, glorious water. A shower never felt so good. The water was restored around 9:00 pm last night and fully functional this morning when we woke up. I haven't enjoyed a shower like that in a long time. Curious what we have come to take for granted. When you turn the faucet, something is supposed to come out of it (and hopefully, that stuff is clear and sparkly).


The quilt wall is finished - here is a rough photo without any props.






I started and finished a sewing machine dust cover yesterday. It felt good to go from beginning to a finished project in one day. I used pieces of lavendars and purples (my favorite color) to add a little brightness and color to my new home studio. Now the big decision is - do I use it or post it on Etsy (or both??)?

And here is the 'out of white thread' project. It is so close to being finished.

Hugs to all of you who care to read my ramblings as I discover a completely different side of me.

Marie

My Alygatr Day

Yesterday was the day of OMG surprises all the way around and they almost all had Alygatr’s name on them. First, I opened my valentine swap and found out my blogging buddy was my valentine partner (more about my beautiful gift a little later on); then I found out I had received the Kreativ Blogging Award (again compliments of Alygatr) and as I was reading her blog – OMG there was my Peter Rabbit quilt featured on her Etsy favorites. Last, but not least, Big T bought the quilt wall ‘board’ and screws today. Today should be THE DAY!

From now on days full of surprises around my house will be called “alygatr days”. What fun for an entire day.

Last Thursday I lost all my ‘followers’ on my blog. I was sad as if I had lost my best friends. I kept checking back every once in awhile to see if they had magically reappeared or if they had fallen into the black hole of blogging. Today, you are all back and seemingly in good health. Don’t scare me like that.

Big T and the Dude crashed their big model airplane on its first flight (which went nowhere but down). The smaller but much cheaper plane flew higher and further than they thought it would. The Dude had to chase it across the soccer field with the remote to control(?) it. They spent the last 45 minutes throwing rocks and sticks into a pine tree that had eaten the plane. Persistence paid off and the small plane returned home with them. The large plane has assumed a place of honor in a corner of the garage – future to be determined.



I have the fabric cut for the diaper bag and have memorized the directions. Now I need to let my subconscious put it together in my sleep before I put needle to fabric. Don’t laugh - I save myself a lot of headaches that way. My subconscious makes the mistakes so I don’t have to. Of course, this does tend to cause a few sleepless nights just lying there letting my mind wonder where it may. I need to finish this by the end of this coming week (self-imposed deadline) so I start to work on machine embroidering her reversible bedspread.

Tomorrow will be dedicated to the sharing the Kreativ Blogging Award. I have to think of seven things you would want to know about me. The Dude thinks I should let him write that list. That might be kind of fun but I reserve the right to edit his list.

And now (drum roll please) my gift from Alygatr in the infamous valentine swap. Isn’t it beautiful!! I love it. It is hanging in a place of honor for all to see as soon as they come in. I do not have anything else like it. She is a very talented and creative lady. Please visit her shop on Etsy to see that talent for yourself.

From me to you, lots of hugs and thanks for joining me in my new adventures of learning to be creative and artistic.

Marie