Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's Forty!!!!

And look at who's home from work sick for the second day. This is my poor, poor honey. Yesterday, the 13th was his big 4-0. He felt lousey. Poor honey. Not even a good home cooked meal made him feel much better. And he didn't even eat a piece of his birthday cake. He was a good sport though. We had Tony and Steph over and Shawn and his girlfriend were here and we had a little birthday dinner for him. I just wish he had felt better.

I talked to him about an hour ago and he said he feels pretty good today so far. It's snowing to beat the band here again and he works in Mansfield which is about a 25 minute drive normally but in this weather, it takes forever for him to get home. Plus after work tonight he has to stay over for his big review/evaluation. That in itself could take hours. lol. So, I don't know when I'll see him but I sure can't hardly wait for him to walk through the door at night, especially tonight. Sometimes I feel like I am wayyyy, wayyy too dependant on him. He truly is my other half and I just don't feel whole without him. I misses him when he's not here. lol.

I tried sewing the other day and I kept having one interuption right after the other and at one point I just decided to give up on it for the day and I haven't made it back over there yet. lol. I had some little triangle squares left over from that horrid tablerunner I made sometime back so I pieced some of those together and made twelve little 3 3/4" squares. I was in the progress of putting denim sashing in between them when I decided to give up that day. I have three more pieces of the denim to put in length wise and then I have to go across it yet and then I guess I'll have me another little baby doll quilt top. I just don't have it in me right now to tackle a project like a baby quilt so I'm playing around with this and that and I like making the little quilts so I can work on my technique. Plus, when I get done I just might have me a whole little stash of baby doll quilts to give out to my little girl buddies. lol.

Shawn's girlfriend asked me last night if I could make a t-shirt memory quilt out of her cheering t's. She explained to me the one her friend had and I'm sure it will be pretty easy to make one. I just have my sewing room such a wreck again that I couldn't dare tackle such a project until I do something in there. And there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day to do all the things I have to do, let alone the things I want to do. lol. I don't know if I mentioned it but a friend of mine has asked me to make a quilt out of a top her grandma made. It is lovely. I want to say it is a trip around the world pattern but now that I think of it, I can't say that just yet without checking again. lol. It's so pretty though. I'll have to photo the top and show you guys. I'm scared to death to tackle that job too but I'm going to. How will I ever get over my fear of making a full size quilt if I don't just try it?

What's everyone else doing? I just love seeing what all ideas everyone has. Sometimes I think I spend too much time sitting here on the computer admiring other folk's goodies than actually working on some of my own. lol. I used to look at baby quilts on etsy til my eyes crossed. lol. After I'd found myself sitting looking for ever, I'd kind of get ticked at myself cause I'd spent that time just sitting here basically instead of doing something productive. lol. oh well. When you need ideas, you have to do your research. lol.

Speaking of research, I got an article due on Associated Content today or tomorrow so I better get busy on that. It's one of those I wish I hadn't sign on for after the fact. If I hadn't responded to the call, it wouldn't be a big deal but I did and they have deadlines and I'm afraid if I don't submit an article I claimed that they may not let me claim them in the future and/or not let me write for them period. So, I'm off. It's a silly little article about French Baby Names. I'll post the link once it's published.

Meantime, Happy Quilting to All.

Renee

All Is Not Lost

I actually was creative this weekend after the Christmas holiday. Saturday I started work on that crayon bag I got an order for and on Sunday I finished it up and started a little doll quilt just for fun. I'm working on my technique and this was a great way to play around and I got a little something cute out of it. lol. I want to make some pillows to go with it and it might go on etsy. I have nothing on there currently. My items I had listed expired and I just don't think I want to re-list some of them and others I want to re-do so I just thought I'd get through the holidays and take another look at my etsy store. I, of course, want to add items and maybe one day actually sell something. lol. With this economy though, who knows what will sell and what won't. And I figure places like etsy will be one of the first and hardest hit. Handmade crafts aren't essentials and not many people I know are going to be spending for the fun of it in the near future. I remain hopeful that we'll pull out of this economic crisis. I'll certainly be cautious but ever hopeful. lol.

I better take this time to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year. I'm not as faithful at posting as I'd like to be and I just don't want to miss the opportunity to wish everyone out there a safe and prosperous new year.

I'll be working at 5 a.m. New Year's Day. Yippee skippy. Hubby and the boy have the day off but I'll be working 8 full hours. Grrrrrr. I hate to complain about my job, primarily because it is a job right now and they are so hard to find in this town, but it is about to drive me crazy. It's not at all where I want to be or what I want to do but it's the best I can do right now. My hope and dream would be to work from home doing anything, anything at all just so I don't have to leave home. I don't like the outside world much. lol. That's why I sure would love to make a go of etsy. There's just so much competition there. And craft shows and fairs are a problem for me since I don't much like being "out there". lol. If my hubby would go do them with me, I'd do everyone I ran across but he can't and won't so it's not much of an option for me right now.

Well, I wrote a book last time I posted and I don't want to do that this time. lol. So, I'm signing off for the night and am gonna catch up on all you all's blogs. Have a great night. Here's some pics of the weekend progress.

crayon bag


doll quilt front


and the back


Happy Stitching,

Renee

Another AC Article

For those of you unfamiliar with Associated Content, I'll try to briefly explain it. If you enjoy writing, you can sign up on Associated Content to become a Content Producer. That means you can write articles on any topic your little heart desires and get paid a little somethin', somethin' for it in the meantime. I started doing it a year or so ago and I've earned seventy some dollars. I didn't say it would make you rich but round here every little bit counts. I keep hoping one day I can do some more writing and earn even more but it's just like everything else I enjoy, there is never enough time to do it all. lol. In addition to pay per article, we get paid performance payments which are generated by the number of total page views on your content. A dollar fifty is the minimum payout for the month and don't you know I missed it by .37 cents this month. lol. we've been using my paypal debit, which is the way I am paid by them, to rent movies from a red box location new here in town. I also use what I make from AC to pay my etsy fee's. They aren't much so I usually always have the money there to pay when I'm due at etsy. There are countless people writing for AC and there are countless articles on countless topics available for your viewing pleasure over there. Some of the writer's are professional writers and others, like me, are just amateurs, wanna be's and such. lol. Anyway, I had another article published there this week and wanted to share it here. It's regarding ways to save money on utility bills. If you get a chance and are interested, you can check it out here: Ten Common Sense Suggestions to Lowering Utility Bills.

I was so, so stinking lazy yesterday I'm almost afraid to tell it on myself. lol. I did absolutely nothing but play on the computer all day. I did unload and reload the dishwasher and run it but that is it. lol. I wanted to sew because my friend picked me up some fabric to make some little Christmas presents and I've had it since Friday but it didn't even motivate me to move from either the desk or the couch. I have this grandiose notion that I'll get on it today but who am I kidding? lol. I have all of my work from yesterday to do today now so spare time to sew won't happen unless I just absolutely take it and let the fella's do some of the work around here today. lol. Yeh right!! lol.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend and that today will bring great inspiration to your quilty side. Have a Great Day!!!!

Renee

High Hopes

Well, so I haven't gotten any sewing done. I don't like it. But alas, tomorrow is my day off and I plan to sew like a fool. lol. Yeh right. lol. Not sure what I am going to sew yet but I will sew tomorrow.

I went to a coffee shop the other day, thru the drive-thru and ordered a tall coffee. Well I was just getting it to investigate the cup sizes and see if my cozies would fit them or not. Don't you know, they use styrofoam cups too. Not really a need for cozies with styro cups. Well, like a dummy, I have my son ask for a sleeve. Of course they don't have sleeves either. Well, why would they? lol. Oh well. I just wanted one of these elusive sleeves for measurements anyway so I guess I'm off to Starbucks next. Then there are two other small independent owned coffee houses in town as well. I just have to find one that uses paper cups and might not mind having a little basket full of cozies on the counter for sale. lol.

I am itching to try making a quilt block. A real quilt block. Nothing I have made so far has been real extravagant or according to any pattern per say. But looking through all the great quilting blogs here lately I am seeing some lovely quilts made out of the most beautiful blocks and I'm just kinda getting the hankering to try something. Any ideas on a great starter block? Sure would appreciate any tips.

I have two quilts that I am not real happy with and I am thinking of donating them to project Linus. Has anyone ever done this? They are cute and all but just not perfect and maybe I'm too hard on myself but I just don't feel right selling them. Money is so hard to come by these days and it's going to get worse. So I thought I may as well let some little kid get some use out of them.

I wish I had some more stash. I never think I have enough of anything worthy of putting together and making a quilt top of but I wonder if I had all the fabric in the world if I wouldn't still feel that way. lol. I seriously need a little lesson on choosing what colors to put together and which go best with each other for sure.

What makes you all get off your duffs and get busy with your projects? I sure could use some motivation. I need some way to make extra money and sewing is about my only talent to do so with. Aside from motivation I also need help with getting out there and showing my wares. I guess I'm afraid folks will make fun of me mainly. Not everybody appreciates sewing and quilting. And I'm also "awkward". lol. I don't like crowds, I don't like to stand out, and always wish I was at home whenever I'm someplace else. That rules out alot of craft shows and fairs and such. So, that's way I like the online gig at etsy. But it's not proving such a good thing for me right now. I just noticed that I've been a member since July 07 and I still haven't had a sale yet. But there is alot of competition on etsy. And alot of beautiful, skilled work too. Oh, what's a girl to do? lol.

I've been thinking about going to one of our local quilt guild meetings. Maybe I could find a group to be comfortable with that can help me get better at what I love to do and help me build some confidence in my stuff. And ways to get rid of it. lol. We'll see. I make no promises. If hubby can't or won't do something with me, I usually just don't do it. He is my rock and when I'm with him I can go anywhere and do anything but take him away and I'm lost, running for my house til he gets back to me. Told ya all I was "awkward". lol.

I think I'll close for now and go see what I can get into. I might poke around tonight at some stuff and get it ready for sewing tomorrow. There are a few little things I think I can get cut out tonight and have ready to just throw on the machine in the morning. Sounds good, eh? Will it happen? lol. Who knows? lol.

Keep creative friends!!!

Renee

A Productive Day Off?

Do those even exist anymore? lol. I haven't found much lately to make me be productive on my days off but today I do have some things I need to get done. I just finished up number one on the to do list. I dragged out what I call an oldie but a goodie and added it to my etsy site today. It's something I've been doing now for about 13 years. This will be the second attempt on etsy. Wish me luck please!!! Here is the link to the new item: Hand Painted Personalized Photo Christmas Ornaments.

I also intend to work on that Flower Garden quilt today if it kills me. I am glad to be done with the stuff on the computer this morning so I can get to the sewing room. Bad thing is as soon as I'm able to get over there one of the boys will show up on their daily trips in and out of the house. I hate working on something when they are home. It makes me feel like I'm ignoring them. But if they nap or go upstairs and play videos, I'm sewin'. lol.

Here's hoping we all have productive, creative days today!!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!

Renee