one day...two posts? my, oh my!

I just wanted to post to boast! I wanted...I mean, REALLY wanted, to take a trip 'into town' (=the town halfway between me and my sisters, where we usually meet up for coffee and whatnot) and get an Eggnog Latte. But, lucky for my, Steph didn't get her stuff done yesterday and was unable to meet me. That meant I needed to take the opportunity to do some work of my own. I have decided to use up the paper I have made by just making more journals, tags, cards, or whatever stikes my fancy in the next couple of days. Then there's all the random shaped paper 'cups' (or whatever you might call them) that need to be sealed and (maybe) painted or decorated somehow. And then that's it. I'm not going to stress myself out by over-extending this time.

So, that's what I did! I have been working very hard today, taking a break for a quick lunch of cold pizza (Hubby makes the best homemade pizza!!). Now it's just about 15 minutes until I need to start thinking about what to make for dinner tonight and thought I might post a few pics of what's been happening here...

My last batch of paper was blue and I made a bunch of different shapes to use as pencil holders or little 'catch-alls' or whatever. I sealed them all today and now just have to finish them off. Not sure how, but I better figure that out! Any suggestions?
I thought the little square one with the boat would be cute in a little boys room.
I also cranked out a few journals. There are still a few to bind, but I am waiting for glue to dry on the covers.

I also found a few minutes to make a quick hang tag using a silly little design I whipped up in PhotoShop the other day. I'm pretty happy with the results considering I'm not the computer person in the family!

Oh, and lastly, I wanted to show my last bit of tomatoes from the garden. We had so many little greenies on the tomato plant when it started getting cold and I was sad they were all going to have grown in vain. Then a friend of mine said, 'bring them in and hang them in the window. They will ripen.' And I did; and, they did!

Variety...spicy or just a bad idea?

I am soooooo tired from my kennel job this week. I am happy to have a one job for just 2 days, a day off, then a different job for 3 days, then a day off. BUT, sometimes I wonder if it actually makes life MORE difficult? I mean, I love working with animals, so Mondays and Tuesdays I at least get to spend time with those funny little quadrupeds. But some days are so busy, and only being there two days, it almost seems as soon as I am back in the groove, it's time to move on to the next half of the week. I'm not complaining...I'm just exhausted from the craziness that ensued in the last minutes of work last night and caused me to race through my tasks and wonder all night 'have I forgotten something?'
Now it is Wednesday and I am enjoying the view out my back door...well, I am enjoying the color of the sky (November grey) and the half-leaved trees (autumnal oranges), and watching everything blow around in the crisp air. What I am wondering, though, is how is it that the neighbors leaves are blowing across and into our yard, but our leaves are not blowing in the same direction and going into the next neighbors yard? Is it possible that we are in some sort of 'eye' where all the leaves of the neighborhood are swirling around and ending up in our yard? Like some sort of leaf tornado?? We spent all day Sunday raking and bagging leaves (well, it seemed like all day, but I do remember finding time to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine in the back yard during this week of Indian Summer weather). I really like the looks of the leaves on the ground, and I think it is a futile chore considering all of our hard work has basically been undone with the falling of the rest of the trees leaves...however, we just spent a good chunk of dough to have a real lawn put in (thank goodness my coffee shop job has me in contact with lots of nice laborers and business owners who like me!) and we really don't want to kill it. So a-rakin' we must go. AGAIN!
I'm not really sure the point of this post...I think I may be putting off the work I need to do. I have all day today, then a few hours the next couple days, and then I need to be finished up with my craft fair wares Saturday. I started painting the bowls I had sealed....I think they are cute, but putting yourself out there at a craft fair really is hard when you're just new at it. I hope this year goes better than last year because I feel like the stuff I am bringing shows a little more focus. Ugh! Art!

All sorts of crazy!

Let's start by saying that, despite all my good intentions for Sunday morning chores... sitting with the computer, cup of fresh brewed coffee, and listening to my friend hosting a local radio show always seems to be more fun for me. Call me 'crazy'!

I was going to try to meet friends in town for a 'crafty shopping' trip, but Hubby has had such a crazy schedule since getting a new (yes...another new) job this week AND keeping his other recent new job. I have not seen him more than a couple minutes in passing since Thursday evening. He worked 9-5 all week at his new design job. Then Friday, he still had to work his grocery job 6-midnight, so I saw him all of 15 minutes Friday. Saturday, I worked 7-2, while he worked noon-6pm...needless to say, he brought home a bottle of wine that I am surprised he hadn't started drinking on the way home!! So, today, is 'OUR' day. He is, of course, still sleeping, but this gives me a chance to catch up on stuff (i.e.: blog reading/writing!).

I have been working like crazy, though, to get stuff together for the craft fair next Sunday. This is the same one we did last year. I hope we get the great weather we are having today, but I am cursed when it comes to the weather and my involvement in events. Last year, I concentrated on cards and sheets of handmade paper and some painted bags. I sold some cards, some paper, and a bookmark. This year, specifically in the last couple months, I have been experimenting with paper 'forms'...bowls, trays and that sort of thing made with my handmade paper. I like it because no two are alike, and the possibilities are endless. The problem is that I have been trying to do it fairly quickly so that I have some stuff to sell...I'm afraid I am going to have quite a measly supply of product. Luckily, I was only really doing this because my sister wanted me to share a table with her...and then our aunt decided that maybe she would try to have some things to put on our table. We should have no trouble, at all, filling one table.

The other upside to all of this is that I have not been feeling creative at all...to the point where I was considering ignoring my etsy shop for a bit to try to relax and let things flow as they will...but, now I have been doing nothing but creating in my spare time! In the end, if I don't sell anything at the craft fair, I'll have a ton of new stuff for my etsy shop!

Anyone else involved in any Holiday craft fairs? It is certainly the season for them...lots of holiday shoppers getting in the mood. Christmas music is already playing in stores...decorations are going up. In this crazy premature (in my opinion) Christmas frenzy, I keep forgetting Thanksgiving (and my wedding anniversary) are right around the corner! Don't get me wrong...I am listening to my 'Martinis and Mistletoe' CD at least once each visit to my studio, but I am blaming it on my 'highly susceptible to suggestions' personality! It all started when I heard Harry Connick, Jr. at the craft store. Which lead to an Eggnog Latte at the cafe. And it was all downhill from there! I just have to keep reminding myself of our anniversary, because Hubby will not forget, and I will look silly!

Personal life update:

I think I have forgotten to mention that our little girl, Moxie, has been drug free for OVER 3 WEEKS!! That's right, folks...I think that pug has healed right up. No more limping, and no more prescription meds. Of course, she decided not to heal until AFTER I ran back to the vet for a refill, which I have not touched! At least, possibly because she is small and her fracture was tiny...basically it looked like a hair in the x-ray...the drugs were not expensive. And now we have them in case...well, I guess in case she develops some sort of arthritis and has 'bad days'??

We have her on supplements, however, but I'm very okay with that. They are natural and keep her joints healthy and that makes me happy. She's the best pug EVER!

Tea party pictures

Sunday I got dressed up and went out to celebrate a dear friend's birthday. It's a big birthday for her, she is in her first year of homemaking as a career, and wanted to throw herself a shindig to rival all shindigs. Of course, upon my arrival, it didn't take long for her to say, 'Oh, Jen, I'm sorry, I didn't think to get anything to drink!' Of course, she had tea, but I have apparently turned into the girl who 'drinks'. After several refrains of 'I don't need booze to have a good time,' she sent her hubby out for whiskey sour fixin's. He and I have turned into drinking buddies, so I'm not sure he cared about making the trip.

AN-Y-WAYS...

Here are a few pictures of the event.
Here's the BEGINNING of the lovely spread she put out. Petit fours, cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon and cream cheese on pumpernickel, cookies, cupcakes, and bread pudding (made with leftover cake!), ham salad, chicken salad...oh may!
I had Steph take a picture of just me, since I never get proof of my existence at any gathering. My dress is not terribly puffy, but considering the petticoat I am wearing is from my $30 Goodwill wedding dress and actually reaches the floor. (Behind the scenes secret: it's pulled up to my chest and hooked with pins.)

before Steph showed up...after Steph showed up.

Our silly outdoor fun was made possible by the crazy warm weather we had. Which is strange, considering the fact that pretty much any time I go visit these friends, it rains.

Now, that's the best tastin' pickle I ever heard!

It's November

Halloween is over and I am sad to have not taken part in it whatsoever. I got to carve a pumpkin early in October, and I went to a pre-Halloween costume party. And that is it. I actually have a friend who's Halloween party is always the Saturday AFTER Halloween, so I may go to that next weekend, but probably not. Hubby had to work until midnight last night and I am not really a 'go out alone' kind of girl, so I stayed home. Which was actually a productive blessing in disguise. I wanted to get a batch of paper pulp ready so that I could do some work this morning while Hubby slept in. Instead, I made the pulp and then kept right on going and formed some into shapes with the random things I use as molds. I also started another mini notebook.
So this morning, I was able to move on to the next phase of other projects.
But now, with the craft show coming up, I am beginning to have that feeling of being overwhelmed. Tags need to be made and attached to things. Projects need to be finished so that I have stuff to sell. Pricing needs to be figured out. And, same as last year, I am forever fearful of my product holding up...since I work in paper and this particular fair is held at a farm and, for the most part, is outdoors. Last year it rained and it was frigid, but we were in the 'barn' which was the most sturdy and 'warm' section. However, I felt we didn't get as much traffic because it was down a hill and people had to be outside longer in order to get there. The pavilion people were right smack dab in the middle of all the action, but had no real shelter from the wind...only a roof overhead. And then there's the greenhouse...kept warm by the sun, sheltered from the wind, but tiny. It's first come first serve, and we are not able to make our decision until Monday, since I am going in with my sister and she will not know her schedule at work until then...so our choice of 'seating' may be made for us, anyway.

And now that it is November, I have to really get my Christmas party arrangements in motion. That means researching Japanese foods, dress, decor, etc. That means, finding sources for Japanese foods, too. Sister Steph has lots of stuff I can use for decorations, though, and she has offered to help out if I need it. Since I am serving 'make your own sushi'...there won't be that stress of getting dinner on the table, at least.

Today I am off to a tea party for a friend's birthday. I will post a picture of my dress, as it is '50's themed. I'm going to look awful, but I don't have much to work with in the way of clothing. I do have this super cute little fuzzy 'jacket' that was something my grandmother had...I can wear that, anyway.

At some point I have to figure out my stupid health insurance stuff, too. This issue has become such a hassle and an annoyance that I wish would just go away. It was so much nicer when I was not forced to spend money I didn't have for something I didn't want!

Well, Hubby is up and getting ready to go do the usual morning rituals...coffee and a chat with the proprietors, walk, beach. Maybe a nail trim for the dog. I'll need about an hour to get ready for the tea party, and then I'll be relaxing with a cup of tea with the girls for the rest of the day.

Then back to work.......................

paper and buttons and glue...oh my!

How does one prepare for a craft show in two weeks, when she has just decided to be in said show? She re-works last years stock, and finishes all the cast-aways lying around the studio!

I have to say, while I feel bad that hubby has to work so late, it is SO nice getting home by 2 and having the house empty. Usually it is the perfect recipe for a long afternoon of watching Amazing Wedding Cakes or Sell This House. But, with the craft show too close for comfort, I made myself work. I put it off long enough to get a 3 mile walk/jog in, but then it was work, work, work.

Okay, 'work' is a strong word for what actually went down, but I DID accomplish some things!

I have some ornaments I made last year that I REALLY liked...but, couldn't get anyone to buy. I decided to give them another try by taking my favorites (the ones with the origami penguins hanging inside the half globe) and putting a hard coat sealant on the outside. It makes them stronger, but it also darkens the color of the paper...I have mixed feelings about the results (also my camera battery gave out while taking pictures) so I don't have proof of these, yet.

I also decorated a paper 'vessel' that I made about 2 weeks ago! I think it ended up pretty cute.

And I made another little bowl that I think kind of has the look of a Greek Urn or something.

So this is what I have done so far. Will anyone ever want to take home one of my paper 'vessels'? Will anyone have a need for a little piece of art that they can put their spare change or buttons in? I guess these questions, and more, shall soon be answered by the masses of craft show-goers!