Awwwwww, isn’t she a cutie? I enjoy taking pics, especially of my little girl…She’s got a heart of gold, and a will of iron! She can do anything she puts her mind to. I always have a fun time with her no matter what we’re doing! She is my heart walking around outside my body! I love you Chelsey, thanx for always being there for me!!
Chelsey and I have pledged to give back with our earnings on Etsy, so I have been poking around the internet to see what’s out there and who needs our money. What I’ve found is that not only are monetary donations accepted, but also items can be made and donated! So, I’m going to buy some red yarn to knit a scarf for the Red Scarf Project, for Foster Care to Success. They provide support for young people who have outgrown the foster care system and are enrolled in college or trade school. Who doesn’t need a little guidance and support when we’re on our own? http://fc2success.org/what-we-do/programs/red-scarf-project/
Warm Up America is sponsored by Michaels, they are collecting 7X9 inch crocheted or knitted squares at their stores that they have made into blankets and donate to deserving charities. If you’re really good you can volunteer to help join the squares to make the blankets!
http://www.michaels.com/Warm-Up-America%21/20146,default,pd.html?cgid=projects&start=1
Can’t beat that, doing what ya love, using up scraps and helping someone…perfect!
So the Etsy selling has begun, and I feel so intimidated and unworthy in the realm of business person/artist. I love a woman in charge of her own destiny, so why do I shy away from being assertive, confident and independent? I don’t know, maybe that little voice isn’t so little…maybe I need listen to others and not my own voice. My Mother said selling her watercolors was the hardest thing she’s ever done, and now I understand what she meant, it is like putting a piece of myself out there, and expecting rejection, why can’t I anticipate a positive outcome, why is it the negative I expect? I don’t know, maybe because I know all that went wrong or right when making something, I see the flaws and not the beautiful outcome…so I’m working on seeing the beautiful…It’s gonna be hard, but I am going to do it…and just because someone doesn’t like something I made, doesn’t mean they don’t like me right? right? huh? hmmmmm…I’m working on it! 
Twitter, google reader, etsy, oh my! This social media thing is craaaaazy…there are sooooo many people vying for the world’s attention, don’t know how we ever sell a thing! It may take drastic measures….like maybe a crazy name for your Etsy shop…like Sh!t Handmade! Yes I know, it’s not the most G-rated name, but I bet you’ll remember it! Our slogan, we make all kinds of crap…yup, I crack me up!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/shithandmade?ref=si_shop Wish us luck!
Chelsey is guiding me through this adventure…she’s such a smart girl! Lucky me! I couldn’t have a better partner, I hope I’m as helpful to her as she is to me!
Me wearing my newest creation, vining leaf scarf
I learned to knit! I love it, am having a ball and loving all the possibilities ahead with my new found craft! Fun, fun!
I have been needle felting and I must say I love it…until the needle hits your finger! I’m learning to keep my fingers out of the way but every once in a while, YIKES!! Luckily the pain doesn’t linger, the next day your fingertips aren’t sore, when I cut myself while making stained glass the pain is worse the next day, but for some reason needle felting doesn’t…and there’s much less mess with needle felting…so for now I’m making felt things!
A brooch for my coat or purse? hmmmm...
I am so proud of myself, this past week I finally figured out how to make a bowl out of fabric and clothesline. I had attempted this project previously and had a lot of difficulty with it…I couldn’t keep the clothesline under the needle of the machine and there were stretches of clothesline that were bare and other spots with raw edges of fabric and threads sticking out all over…It was a real challenge and I was about to give up, but I was sewing with my favorite quilt ladies, and I just sat and watched and listened to them as they chatted about their projects and other quilts, they’ve made previously and they expressed angst, trials, errors and the final joy of a job well done and completed. So I started thinking about my current challenge that I was about to toss in the trash cuz I couldn’t get it right…and I thought, I want to feel that joy and satisfaction they’re expressing about their successful and triumphant projects…so after they packed up and left, I got out the clothesline, read the pattern again real good…and I prepped those 2 1/2 inch strips a little different than what was in the pattern, but worked well for me…and I pleasantly surprised myself! I’ve made 2 bowls, and I even made a little saucer out of the first trial clothesline that was so shabby and tattered and it really doesn’t look too bad…soooo don’t give up…I came across this quote the same day I finally found my groove on the bowls and it says it all……”Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” I agree!!!
Finally! A few minutes to take a breathe! I have been soooo busy that time is just flying by! Now I’ll have a few minutes to get a routine established and get some things done around the house! I have so many closets and cabinets that need to be cleaned and organized it’ll take me a year or two to really have a grip on it, but for now I’m going to tackle the most ominous chores first! I have managed to get down on my hands and knees and scrub my bathroom and kitchen floors…I am ashamed to say, BOY OH BOY did they need it!!! I organized the linen closet, washed my car(scrubbed EVERY dead bug off the grill), planted some ferns and did a little gardening, gave the yard a good trimming and a mow, and organized the screen porch. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished so far, because I have been on the run…globe trotting for the last two months and now I have a two week span before I’m off for a short trip to see the Phils play the Mets in NYC, lunch with my in laws and celebrating my daughter’s MIL’s retirement with a big celebration that’s been nicknamed KingmanStock! Life is good, I am very thankful for it!
Building castles in the sand! Cape Charles, VA
On the way to Cape May! Ferry ride!
Drew the Graduate! I'm so proud!
It’s here…and I still don’t believe it…I’m retired. I keep sighing, breathing deep and pinching myself and yup, I’m still retired! This really is a dream come true…all the time in the world to spend with my family, craft til my fingers are sore and sleep in…with a paycheck each month and health benefits!! I’m so thankful to all who set me on this journey 25 years ago…and that I listened…I can be VERY stubborn, I guess I knew they wanted what was best for me deep in my heart. So, thanx to my Aunt Ducky who encouraged me to apply at Cape May Police Dept back in 1985, my Mom, Nan and sister who babysat, chauffered, fed and laundered Chelsey and I in the early years…your love still brings me to tears…you believed in me when I didn’t even know who”me” was. I hope to do the same for others in my retirement as you did for me when I needed it. In the meantime…I have to go exercise, and finish making pasta salad for my photography club luncheon this afternoon, and get home in time to make dinner before I’m off to sew with the quilt ladies…whew, how did I have time work?!?!
Finally, time to take a breath! I have been going non stop since Easter…I’ve had lots of fun, memories made and excitement…want to see what I’ve been up to?
Art and Soul Retreat was April 27th-May 2nd in Hampton, VA. Rob and I went by ourselves, we left Drew home alone. He did great, which is good cuz we have lots of little trips planned for this summer, it’s good to know he was comfortable here by himself. I learned lots of good stuff at A&S, I didn’t finish three of my class projects and the 4th was Zentangle, which is just little doodles on paper…considered finished…even tho they were small little pics! I learned some stuff, but am thinking maybe I don’t need to go again next year…I would rather do other classes.
I was home from VA for 4 days and off again to Costa Rica…on my surfing adventure with Chelsey…we had a great time…I learned to surf and kept up with the youngins…Yes, I’m amazing I know! We also did a canopy tour and ate lots of good food…the group of ladies we surfed with were all amazing…the surf instructors were great and the hotel grounds were really beautiful…we enjoyed ourselves even though it really wasn’t a relaxing vacation, I learned to surf and will be able to continue practicing here all summer! It really is an awesome feeling when you catch a wave…I’m so glad I went for it! Everything would have been perfect if not for the earthquake on our way back to the airport…it was a 5.9 with no damage, but when everything is in spanish and you don’t understand whats being said…it’s a bit more scary…luckily we made it to our hotel safely that night and then on to the aeropuerto the next morning with no delays…and are home safe and sound…but it did cross my mind I may not make it back home as planned…and that was a very scarey thought!
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