Working weekend

I pretty much worked all weekend - getting that huge quilt done.  Luckily, although it was heavy and hot, it came together very nicely and the actual sewing was smooth.

 Although the picture make it look small - this is slightly larger than a Queen, not quite a King size though.


Then, a friend of mine had an old jacket from his L.A. days.  It has moth holes and discoloration, but he loved it.  So, I made it into a pillow for him.  It is this really slick, fraying mess of a fabric, but I made it work.  I took the bottom elastic and put it in as well, so it still looked like his jacket.

Now, I have to get ready for a show on the 2nd.  It is a Church in a small town that asked me to be there for free!  I cannot turn down free, but I also need to get ready.

It is a family focuses event so I need to make more stuffies and totes - they are my biggest "family" sellers.  I am focusing on the Quick Kids stuffies - no limbs to attach - just a little applique and embroidery.  They take about 45 minutes each to make.  Then the totes - it is a simply gusseted tote with slip pocket, but they are selling like crazy!  First show, I, 2 hours long and also free - I sold 5.

We have dental appointments and eye appointments this week, but even so I was thinking - WOW!  I have a week to work with no major events for the first time a long time.

Not in the cards.  My mother-in-law said she will be here on Wednesday.  Sigh.  Love her, her timing is impeccable for coming at the worst moment however.  Well, not the worst, but I am just starting to get on top of things and she is coming which means I will not be able to work like I need to.

We will see how it goes.    We don't know when she will leave.  She is retired and her husband passed away last August, so she is going around staying with people for several weeks.  I cannot entertain her and my work is at my home!  Let's hope she heads back next Tuesday.  It is a holiday weekend, so DH can keep her entertained.

OK, I am going to get to work now - I need to quickly grade math, then whip out 2 more pillows and get started on some wallets.

Getting it Done Saturday

Well, I am trying to at least.

Since we are all amongst women here for the most part, I am going to talk women.  This has been the period from HELL!  It started almost 2 weeks ago with the worst breast and back pain and emotions that were awful!  I knew it was hormones and could nothing about it - anxiety, sadness, fatigue like nobody else and crying.  I am glad that is over.  Then when it actually started, the cramps brought me to my knees, down my thighs and in my back still.  I am on day 5 and it is still going strong.  This peri-menopause is the worst! Oh, and on top of that, it was a 22 day cycle.

It is getting more and more erratic.  I was always 24-25 days, then for a while, I was 32-34 days (which was heaven) AND they were much lighter!  I even went 60 days once.  I hope since this one was so bad, the next one is lighter and longer.  I hear it gets worse before better.

Anyway, moving on...

Today, I am finishing up the top of that monster quilt, sandwiching it, then beginning to quilt it - I will not finish today, there is just too much.

DH takes our daughter to theater every Saturday, but since it is almost an hour away, he runs errands while waiting for her to get out.

Today, he our oldest shopping for his birthday.  We had Kohl's cash, so he got 4 pairs of cargo shorts, a couple of shirts, 2 packages of socks and a nice pair of flip flops.

Then ran to the bank for business and personal deposits, washed the car inside and out, ran to Lowe's for some weed killer and a mirror for the 1/2 bath in the room above the garage - it is a swing arm kind since the angles of the walls are so steep - eventually I will get a picture of it.  He also went to Sprouts and got us some fresh veggies.  I think there is enough food around here to make it through the week without having to do other shopping.   I am going to make some Healthy Gazpacho - I look forward to it every summer - lots of veggies.  I warm it up slightly and put a dollop of sour cream in it!  Fresh basil and it is delicious!

When he gets home, he promised to clean the fridge.  The man is a saint!  I hate that job with a passion - I would rather clean toilets than clean the fridge.

Last night, DH and our youngest went to the symphony and our 2nd and 3rd children went to see Hamilton.  I managed to score 2 tickets - mainly for my daughter, but her and our 20 year old son get along really well, so they went together.  I stayed home for a night to myself - it was fabulous!  I watched BBC America all evening!  LOL

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Fabrics and Business

Well, LOTS going on for the business.  I know I have been lack on the finance front - there will be an update at the end of the month.

I buy a ton of fabric - I mean a whole lot.  I use fabrics in my quilts, fabrics in my bags, fabrics in pretty much everything I do.

Well, up to now, I have been paying retail for all my purchases.  Yesterday, I got to thinking as I was about to make another purchase for fabric, that I should get a wholesale account for my favorite fabrics. 

As I got more into it, for the ones I really like, there are beginning purchase amounts - $250 to $1,000, then no minimums after that.  So, I would have a TON of fabric up front, but then could just buy what I needed after that.

Then, I figure I have to buy the bolts - there are 8 to 15 yards on a bolt.  That is a lot of one kind of fabric.  People are always asking me where I get my fabric though.  What if I buy what I want for my customers, then sell what I don't use?

Hmmm, interesting.

So, I talk to a friend that is a quilter - like competition winner quilter.  She thinks this is a great idea, but that I need a large on-line presence and to make sure I have different things than one local quilt store.  They are more traditional, but do have some modern fabrics.

I am not at the level of going to a full on fabric store.  This would be selling what I have left over from my work - at least at first.

This friend suggested I do Etsy, but I dislike Etsy A LOT.  I have a website with a store and could easily put these fabrics on there, but how do I get people to go to the website?

Interesting things to think about - the other thing is if these companies sell less than a bolt, I may be able to use all the fabric without getting into the selling of fabric thing.  It could just be there just in case.

Business is such an amazing, organic thing - constantly changing and growing and shrinking.  I have heard that if you have a nervous feeling in your stomach, then you are doing the right thing.  Well, I am having a controlled nervous pit in my stomach - not too much, but lots of excitement! 

I have been in pain for the past couple of days, so I have mainly done research and plan out the fall.  I need to get to work tomorrow and finish a quilt, then make 3 pillows and start building up inventory for the next show.  Busy, busy!

Weekend fun

Spur of the moment camping trip!

It was our first time out in the RV since we lived in it last year.  I wasn't sure how the kids were going to take it, but DH and I needed a break.  We did not cook at all - just ate easy food - sandwiches and I picked up some sushi and potstickers.  Veggies and dip and we were good to go.

I don't really do Mother's Day.  Holidays in general are not great for me - VERY, VERY bad childhood with lots of abuse, so I tend to be low key and just get through them.  Crazy because I no longer speak with my mother, but for 38 years every holiday was a nightmare, so we just lay low and keep all pressure off of the day. 

Even Christmas (which I LOVE the season), on the day, we make sausage balls, open presents and I have chili in the crock pot cooking from the night before.  No cooking, no other family, no stress.

Anyway, we walked a bit, played Big Boggle, watched a couple of movies, talked, made smores, and just enjoyed each other.  We did not have cell service so the kids were forced to find other means of entertainment.  They wrote and drew pictures - it was lovely.

I slept a ton, but still feel pretty tired.  This exhaustion is pretty deep.  Last year really did me in.  We are working on it though - getting some things off my plate.  Nothing I can talk about yet, but I can say we are working on it.

As for taking the RV out.  The kids enjoyed it - they don't want to live on it, but for a quick trip, they said they did not mind.  Whereas, it put the wanderlust back in DH and I.  Not to travel to other countries (though that is always there), but slowly tour the US and Canada.  When the kids are gone of course - they have no interest in traveling like that with us anymore.

Anyway, I have to get going.  I have a quilt to make, house to clean and laundry to do!

Slowly down a bit

There is truly not a lot going on. 

Business mostly.  Some kids' stuff - just normal life.

On Monday, I had a booth at a local private school - they have a Farmer's Market.  I don't usually do farmer's markets, it is not really my customer base, but I did as good in the 2 hours there as I did for a whole weekend at the last show.   Not killing it, but still.  The stuffed animals were a BIG hit - I almost sold out. 

This was my booth.

The new tote bags I am offering.

I often do very bright and then more conservative.

However, I did this show by myself.  We planned our set up for inside shows, so the outside gigs are a little rough, but it worked.  BUT, since I was by myself, I had to set up and break down alone - that tent is HEAVY!!!  It is not an EZ Up Tent.  Looks nice and shady there, but at the end, I was in full sun on concrete.  I almost passed out.  It was ugly.  I did not drink enough the day before, the morning of or during.  I had not eaten much either.  Bad combination.  I learned my lesson.  The temps were at 95 on that concrete reflecting the sun back up on me.  It was awful.  A guy came and helped me, but it took a while for me to feel ok to drive.

Then yesterday, I felt like I had a hangover - it was from the heat I know.  So, I did not get too much done.  Today, I need to rock it out!

1.Finish making the backing for a quilt. I cut it wrong, so there is some work involved. 

2.  Sandwich said quilt and pin baste, ready for quilting

3. Make a Robot Peek-a-boo stuffie.  It is for a photo shoot, so the deadline is today!

4. Send jpg of a monogram for approval. 

5.  Cut tote bag fabrics and interface them - ready to sew together tomorrow.

If I can get that done - I will be golden!  It is very doable, if I get myself in gear.  Slow going this morning - enjoying the coffee.

Stepping Back and Reevaluating

Things came to a head yesterday.

Homeschool - With everything, DH and I decided to stop, guilt free, and evaluate exactly where we are going with it.  A break for us since we have been homeschooling for almost 3 years straight with funky breaks and stressful times.  We all need a stress free break.  In looking at what we have accomplished, we are not behind at all.  So, I ordered some summer fun things - like math games, nature journals, drawing pencils, Boogle, etc.   Dad set out a plan for them and HE will follow through with them, not me.  I get a time to enjoy them as my children, not my pupils for a while.

Home - I went to wash clothes and the tub was full of water.  Sigh.  Hopefully DH got it fixed last night - I have not been in there to check this morning. 

Son#2 - Is moving in with his girlfriend - Double Sigh.  AND I just found out that they lost their apartment for next year due to a clerical error (apartment person told me that), so at this point, they do not have a place to live.  They may be dorming it.  Which would be great for them NOT living together.  As much as I want to stress about this, I just don't have it in me.

Business:  I am gearing up for fall.  At this point, I will be 3 large shows - possibly 4, so business may be booming by this time next year - or not. We are giving it 3 full years.  We will see.

I am still a little frozen - meaning, I am having a difficult time getting much done.  Yeah, I know I need to pull up my boot straps and I will.  I need to give myself a little time to decompress from the past 2 years. 

Plus, it is cloudy and dark and perfect for curling up with a book on the easy chair and be drowsy.  I will get my energy back - I just a few nights of really good sleep...

So, the next 3 months are for deciding

1.  Will I homeschool?  If not, where will they go?
2.  Business - what direction to take it?  How will it look with homeschool?
3.  If I decide to continue to homeschool - what curriculum, what extra curriculars?  balance with business?





These are difficult questions as the 2 don't mix really, but need to.  I am as curious as you are about what will happen, but I am going to let it go for this next month.  No more talk about homeschool for at least 30 days!  Focus is home and business.  Period!

Clothes Shopping

We still have growing kids! My youngest did another overnight 3" growth.  He is 13 years old and 6 ft tall and skinny - OMG - so skinny.  He eats more than the rest of us and eats constantly - right now, he is putting away an entire bag of popcorn - after 3 corndogs, some pasta salad and an apple.

Needless to say, when he put on his jeans to go out last week, they looked like Capri pants, but in a bad way. Even his shirts were hitting him right at the jean top seam. They looked like they wanted to be half shirts.  

Before now, we would just raid older brother's closet for things he did not wear anymore because he grew out of or just didn't wear, but DS#2 is no longer growing and doesn't live with us anymore.

Off to the store we go!  Let's hope Kohl's has some deals - this kid needs a new wardrobe!  We will more than likely do it in sets since they give you Kohls cash.  He needs shorts for summer and shirts.  We will get one pair of jeans for nicer occasions, but are holding off til fall to get more - he might grow again!

DD also needs a dress or nice slacks because she is going to see the musical Hamilton in a couple of weeks on a Friday night, so she needs to dress up just a bit.  She has grown as well - though not as much as her brother - and her dresses are hitting her a little high in the waist.  She has a straight waist, so it does not look good. 

While we are out, since we have to combine trips into the city, I am hitting Joanns for some interfacing and batting as well as matching thread for my 2 quilts.  While there, a customer is meeting me for a pick up.  Then, we are off to Kohl's where we will meet up with Dad, then go for the Sushi Birthday Dinner we have been promising our daughter. 

I don't love Sushi, but this child does - she could live on it.

Well, I am off to grab a quick bite to eat to tide me over, then answering emails and getting ready!  Hope you are having a great day!

Disclaimer

Hey everyone!  I am trying to be more positive about things lately, so I have decided to embark on something new in hopes that we can build a business.  I talked about it a little yesterday.  This is one aspect of the plan.

I have become an affiliate with Craftsy. 

How this came about...

I am very active on Facebook group of machine embroiderers.  Some of the designers have asked me to be testers for their designs and I don't mind at all - I get free designs and many times gift certificate codes for MORE of their items.  They like my pictures and my work, so it is a win-win for now.

This is done on the embroidery machine.  It was one I tested for a designer.

On top of this, I get so many messages from people who want to know how to make the designs.  The machine embroidery world is getting more complicated - you don't just hoop and let it go anymore, nor it is just about applique.  I can make stuffed animals, purses, wallets, multi-layered with zippers and everything.

I get asked mostly about layered key fobs

So, I started making tutorials for some of these.  They received a tremendous response.

Well, this all got me thinking.  I don't really want to charge for the tutorials - they are not my designs, so I feel uncomfortable charging what is not mine.

In steps Craftsy.  I got an email from them about becoming an affiliate.  There is not a lot of money involved, but it is a start.

What ALL this leads me to is...I will be starting a blog about embroidery/sewing/quilting tutorials for the beginner ONLY as well as Class Reviews from Craftsy and product reviews.  (I don't have it just yet, but I will let you know). 

This is going to be slow at first until I get a feel for how it will develop. 

My disclaimer to you all is I put a small Craftsy link on here - it is my affiliate link and if you purchase anything after clicking there, I will receive a very small commission from it and it will not cost you anything.  I am not expecting much at all here, just why not put a small one here?

Being an affiliate though, I will have special promotions that you can only get from someone who is an affiliate - and I am not the only one.  I will probably mention it once a week in a post, but I will NOT hound you all!

Off to do more work now - I have 2 quilts going, plus 2 pouches and getting ready for a very mini-show next Monday.