New Items for Fall

As previously promised, things are getting back to normal around here. Well, as much as my life can every be normal. So how about, normal for me?

I've recently added 6 new items to the store, with more in process. My yarn stash has become dangerously low, which I will have to remedy soon.

However, I did have the yarn to complete the new items. A new size of dish/wash cloths has been added, by request. The new ones are roughly 9" square, and are currently available in 2 colors.

For Fall, I added 4 new scarves in different styles.

For short scarves we have blue with random stripes:

And a soft and fuzzy one done in Sensations Rainbow Boucle:

Then we have the long scarves. For the women, we have a pocket scarf done in green with lavender, measuring at approximately 7 feet in length:

And for the REALLY tall, or those that just like long scarves that can be wrapped several times, we have this one done in black, red and white that measures over 8 1/2 feet long:

If you have any requests about what you would like to see in my store, please feel free to leave a comment.

Bright Blessings!

Almost there

The move is complete. Most of the new place is put together and organized.

Yesterday I got all the material that I have here sorted and the sewing area mostly set up. My yarn is organized and ready to go.

Only area left is the shelving unit holding the misc. supplies and paperwork. That will be done today, and that will allow me to clear of the craft table.

Meaning, by tomorrow, I can be back to work making new items for the store!

But that does not mean I have been doing no crafting.

Last night I had some down time, but close to bedtime, so I needed something relaxing. I had been thinking about some things that the bathroom could use to pretty it up a bit and watching Torchwood.

And this is what I accomplished before I went to bed:

Yes, it is a Dalek toilet paper cozy.

It's free-form, using no pattern, done in black and silver. If I make another one, I will make a few changes - for one, the eye-stalk looks too much like a beak to me, and the dome needs to be a bit bigger and stuffed so it does not cave in.

But I am happy with it, for a three hour, off-the-cuff project.

I should have new items in the store come Tuesday. Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, everyone!

I'm Back!

I know that it's been a while since my last post. But it couldn't be helped.

On the 3rd of July, I started to have some breathing issues after being exposed to a lot of dirt, dust, dead bugs, etc. while cleaning out a garage. It got better, but then was exposed to more bad particles on July 7th. I did not get better, and ended up in the emergency room on July 9th.

I was kept in the Pulmonary Care Unit for 5 days. It took several hours in the ER for my oxygen stats to rise to non-life threatening levels. It was a very scary time.

When I got out, the medications that I needed to finish my treatments came to over $750.00. I had $150.00. A group of wonderful people, most of whom had never met me in person, convinced me to set up a donation page through WePay. In less than a week they donated the needed funds. I honestly do not know what I would have done without their generosity, support and encouragement. Heck, they were my main source of company and entertainment while in the hospital! I cannot thank them enough. To each and every one of them, I owe you so much! I will continue to pay to forward to the best of my ability!

I have been recovering nicely since then. In some ways, faster than expected. But other matters of large importance have also occurred.

What happened and who was involved is not important. The result is that I am moving from just West of Portland, Oregon, an hour south to West Salem, Oregon. I sign my new lease there on the 14th.

It's a cute little apartment, about a block from the Willamette River, near bike paths and lots of outside recreational activities. It's a very calm place, and already feels like home. The manager there is a wonderful lady, and I am so looking forward to a fresh start.

Until the end of the month, it may take me a couple of days extra to ship any purchases from my store. I am leaving these items unpacked until the very last minute. But I will be going back and forth for about a week after that, so they may not be accessible that day.

If there will be a delay in shipping, I will be sure to let the Buyer know right away.

Everything should be back on schedule by September 1st. I have a lot of new items planned. I will first be restocking my pocket scarves so they will be ready before the cold weather hits. I am planning on adding a bunch of hats at that time, too.

Bright Blessings to all!

Be Kind; Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Hard Battle* Part 2

*Quote source - could be Plato; could be Ian MacLaren.

Earlier this week I posted a bunch of small businesses whose hard working owners are using their skills to improve their financial situations. Medical bills, job loss, and other economic reasons.

Here are a few more.

I'm not telling their stories, as I do not feel it is my place to talk about their private lives. Some of them have their story posted on their web page.

However, for this first store, I can tell her story.

Rena is an absolutely fantastic artist. I am jealous of her skills, to be honest. Here's her story in her own words:

Loads of people, friends & family have told me that I should tattoo... How? There's no real schools around here, only lengthy & very expensive internships ($15,000+)... Being a mother of three, I can't do that... But I can be gone for only two weeks!

The course I'm aiming for is this September 2012, very close to my birthday...

What's stopping me?

I need to pay over $6000 for tuition, travel (from Oregon to Luisiana)... I may have to put it on my credit card but that still needs to be paid...

Help me follow my dream & I'll pay-it-forward somehow, it's only right, Thank you!

Here's Rena's store: Purple Daizie Fine Art

Next is a UK group with fantastic items that could use some love and assistance. Their story can be found HERE.  Their store:  ReCreations Project

Lots of jewelry sellers on Etsy, but few as spectacular as Phoenix Fire Designs. If you like or buy jewelry, you must check out this woman's store! Phoenix Fire Designs

For beautiful and unique art and jewelry, you have to see this lady's shop, too! Be sure to ask her about custom work. Aphotica 

Some very unique knit items in this store: Dress Me Up In Stitches

That's all I have for today. If you want to shop, shop these (and Part 1's) store first!

Got a busy weekend, so look for a new post early next week. I have some fundraisers I want to share.

Be Kind; Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Hard Battle* Part 1

*Quote source - could be Plato; could be Ian MacLaren.

These days, all of us have our struggles, and too often, it's financial.

When faced with financial difficulties, most people try to solve them, generally doing one of two things - cut expenses/go without or increase income.

In desperate times, some people take the moral low ground.

This post is NOT about those types of people. No scammers, grifters,  or beggers allowed.

This post is about people struggling financially and are looking for help by way of selling their items. 

Please take a look at these shops. There are many, many great items, made by wonderful, caring people.

To start, we have stuffed Hellephants!
https://www.wepay.com/stores/hellephant-4-sale

Awesome vintage toys!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/IusedtoLOVEthat

Some cool knitting!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopPoopsPlease

More knitting!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Knithulhu

Whimsey!
https://www.wepay.com/stores/princess-buzzkill-crying-glitter-eagle-s-emporium-of-whimsy

Lip gloss, and such!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/eatmeintimates 

Etched glass!
https://www.wepay.com/stores/little-shop

Vintage!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EstateSaleShop

Crochet!
https://www.wepay.com/stores/penguinfly-designs

More small shops ran by wonderful people coming soon.

Busy Times

I've been a little lax about keeping this blog up to date for the past 10 days or so. Mainly because the other aspects of my life - the non-crafting parts - have needed my attention. I have a couple of big meetings coming up fast - a political convention with party elections and a big DSAC (Disabled Services Advisory Council) meeting with elections.

Craft-wise, I have been working on a custom order of a baby sweater and hat set. It is just about done. I just have to finish the sleeves and sew the buttons on. Here's the finished hat:

I have more swatches for custom icons in the works, also. Set 2 is about half done. Five are complete, and I want to add another five before I photograph and add those as options.

Sunday is Father's Day. Nothing too strange for dad this time, but is something he needs/wants. Since he and some of his friends know about this blog, I won't say more until after Sunday.

Also coming up fast is my Mom's birthday on July 1st. I have a couple of ideas, but have not made a decision yet. She does not like the weird stuff that Dad does. lol

So more picture and new products coming as fast as I can make them. The Valknut tote has sold, but will be replaced by another shortly. Just stay tuned.

The Rest of the Story

As I wrote yesterday, some FJL's assisted me in coming up with a birthday gift for my dad. I won't say what other ideas were brought up, as Father's Day is fast approaching. It was Poops that reminded me about the Penis Pack.

Like a Fanny Pack, a Penis Pack is a small pouch that it worn around the waist (or over the shoulder) to keep your small crap in that you cannot/don't want to put in your pockets. And it looks like a penis and ball sack.

For my dad, I made the sack part out of the leftover blue yarn from the lace sweater I made for mom. The flap and strap were done in tan. Dad chose to wear his around his neck.

(It was at this point that I realized that blue may not have been the best color to use. Or it was the perfect color to use. Guess it depends on your outlook.)

After snacks and cake, off we went, heading to our American Legion Post for the Saturday Night Draw. Dad put his cigarettes and lighter into his new bag and grabbed a jacket as it was starting to get chilly.

At the Post, we stepped out to smoke. Yes, dad knew exactly how this looked. He kept waving the "penis" at people, teasing them about how they were jealous of him - if they did that, they would be arrested - and basically just being silly with friends.

After the draw, dad wanted to show his friend Norm the shirt. It's Johnny Cash giving the finger. So we went to see Norm where he runs karaoke.

Overall, it was a pretty good night. I think dad mostly had fun. Dad and I talked about taking a trip to the coast this month, just the two of us.

Speaking of just the two of us, as I wrote the blog post yesterday, I realized I have no images in my computer of just dad and I. Our friend Gaylenn use my cell to take this pic. My cellphone camera is very difficult to use without blurring the picture, so it's not the clearest pic in the world, but I do not mind.

A final note - A big thank you to all the FJL's that helped me make my dad smile!