Grace in Small Things #58

1. Getting to know other craft people on the Internet, and making connections.

2. Having a place to talk about all my handmade business.

3. An extra large hot chocolate from 7-11 with lots of mini-marshmallows in it.

4. The "Across the Universe" soundtrack.

5. I have not had a cigarette in 5 days. I also stopped crying all the time.

6. Puppies who eat carrots.

7. Curling up to watch "House" every night with my man.

Grace in Small Things #11

It is days like today, when I find it really hard to think of the little things that are making today okay. Today is a day of exhaustion, depression, paranoia, laziness, cramps and extreme loneliness, and my only hope is that the wine kicks in soon, and I forget all about everything and everyone.

1. Patches. This dog is the cat's pajamas, and he is way more lovable than the evil fish, although I do really enjoy their insanity. It is quite entertaining.

2. An out of the blue email from a friend I see only on occasion and by accident it seems these days, that said only "I love you Abigail. I really do."

3. Smyrish taking the dog for a walk this afternoon, because even though I wanted to get out of the house, I had just woken up after my last night shift, and felt like a zombie.

4. My brother is leaving The Pub, and his friends, to come and play Super Scrabble with Smyrish and I.

5. He is the only person that asked to hang out with me this weekend and I predict some good conversation tonight...as well as many drinks.

6. After looking at pictures from karaoke on Monday, I just couldn't help but giggle. It was a really good time.

7. I have half a box of red wine, and a bottle of white wine leftover from Christmas parties. Since I have no money, and the urge to drink, this made my day!

8. My old friend Jen. She sat and talked with me for an hour last night when I got to work. I love her stories and living vicariously through her crazy single life!

9. I have taken time each day this week to do something crafty and creative and my brain is ever so thankful.

Artsy Fartsy

I have really been upset lately, over the fact that I never seem to have time to sit and do my crafty projects. Real "have to pay the bills" work has taken over my life. Even when I do have time to sit around and sew, or make jewellery, journals, and all the other project ideas that have been popping into my head, I am just too damn tired. I can't find the brain power to concentrate on anything more than online Scrabble or trash TV.

But, I realize now, that I need to take the time. Somehow, I just need to fit it into my day.

Festival season is coming, and I want to be prepared well in advance, and would love to have some of my new creations ready to sell. I have also been neglecting my Etsy shop, and should have taken new photos, and added what new items I do have long ago.

So that's that. Time to get my arse in gear.

But until then, check me out at the virtual craft sale over at http://cafehandmade.blogspot.com

Cramming for the Arts Fest

With my three week vacation starting on Monday, I realized today that time is a tickin', and I don't have much time to get ready for the Arts Festival on May 24th. Currently, the only stock I have is what is listed in my Etsy Shop and a few things that I have had forever and have never sold at any festival, which is why they aren't listed on Etsy. I have decided not to take my Etsy items to the festival, because that would make life a tad more difficult than I would like it to be, what with all the de-listing of items the next day, when I will most likely be hungover.

Every year, I worry about not having enough stock, and this year is no different. However, I have decided that quality will rule over quantity, and I would just like to have a bunch of cool bags/purses and a handful of jazzy jewellery to lug around and sell, rather than a crapload of well, crap. It is only a one day affair, so I figure, the easier I make it, the better.

Over the past few months I have started quite a few bags, but haven't finished them, and they are now in a pile I call, "almost finished."


My bed is now housing the pile of material I bought at Value Village today,


And I put my clothes in my dresser drawers, so I could place all the patterns I cut out on top of it.
And yes, Swiss Cheese crackers help me in my quest for creativity. As well as a couple cans of Labatt Lite beer.

So, in the end, I didn't get any sewing done tonight, but I now have 8 "patterns" cut out, 6 bags that are almost done, and my what-I-assume-are-shitty-because-no one-will-buy-them older wares are sorted and ready to be ironed.

And that counts as work too. From here on, the fun begins, as I get to sit at my sewing machine, and put these piles of scraps together into funky accessories that I will stuff into a Rubbermaid container until I get to show them off and hopefully make some money, honey.

She's Crafty, or So Say the Beastie Boys.

Entering Neil's Blogger Arts and Crafts Fair last week got me into the crafting mood. I've been busy the last week or so, making bags, figuring out how to use my friggin' buttonholer, and busting needles on the sewing machine.

This brown and white number, is a Xmas present for a friend, all it is missing is a Sex Pistols patch, that will be sewn on the pocket under the flap. (not shown) The material is so thick, I broke about 5 needles getting it together, so when I finally finished it last night, I actually hugged it. Smyrish, watching my odd behavior, asked if he could hug it too.

The blue plaid bag is mine, all mine. I thought I had used up all of this material this summer, when I sold all the bags I had made with it at the folk festival. I was really happy when I found some more in a garbage bag in my bedroom. I decided I was making one for me, because I'm a good girl, and I deserved it.


These two bags, were made from some old sheets that were donated to me for material. They are basically the same, with the exception of the handle, and the front pocket. They are a little too girly looking for me, but they have been hanging in my living room for a few days now, and have been complimented, so I'm going to keep them around for the festivals next year, unless I can sell them before then.


And on that note, I have to get back to cutting out squares for a corduroy patchwork bag I've been working on, and figure out how I am going to get my contracted work embroidered before Xmas.