Busy busy busy...

Yet again, it's been a bit crazy in Crafty Mom household. I know I shouldn't be surprised by this, yet I am. We've already completed one school fundraiser. Caylin has her first major project due on Friday that I'm getting way too involved in.

Jake has been busy with his freshman soccer team and we've hardly seen him at all the last month. Tommy is absolutely loving every minute of school. And Miss Maya is teething, but at least she's finally learned what yes mean, and that she can say it. But she's also mastered the phrases "I want" and "I don't want"- and how to scream when it's not her way. I think Mike is just trying to reduce the number of middle-of-the-night calls he gets from work.

As far as me... I've been fighting a cold for the last few weeks, but that hasn't made me any less busy.

I completed and sent off another letter tile for the PCAGOE Alphabet Charity project. We've finally got one complete set, and there's only one tile left for the other set!

Isn't it cool? It's going to be donated to a children's hospital or advocate. The Y in the lower left corner is mine- I'm so proud!

I also completed this little guy for the PCAGOE monthly challenge. The theme was Day of the Dead. While he didn't win, I was still very happy with him. He was something new that I tried, and it's always important to try new things. And of course, he's for sale on my Etsy!

Speaking of my Etsy, I've listed one of my Mayan pendants- take a look!

Lastly- we had our first frost over the weekend! I harvested my basil and oregano. The basil has already been quick-dried in the oven, and the basil is hang-drying. It's kinda neat seeing it there in the kitchen... I think I'm going to have to do more herbs next year!

Makeover

WARNING: This is a LONG post, with few pictures.


I've decided it's time for a makeover. Not like the one the other night. Time for an Etsy shop makeover!

It all started when I was looking for ideas for a craft show I'll be doing in November. My VERY first craft show. One thing lead to another, and I landed on this article on Etsy. I've heard of people quitting their day job, for Etsy, but it just struck home. And, while I hope no one from work is reading this, the idea of being home with my kids, and working in my studio is heaven. Even if it means I work 12 hours a day, at least I'll be home with them and won't have to depend on another person to raise them. And I mean no disrespect to my workplace or my boss(es). My direct boss is absolutely wonderful, and her boss is awesome too. It's all about me and the kids.

I've known for about 6 months, I haven't been spending the kind of time taking care of my shop that I should be. The banner was made by myself, and you can tell. Some of the pictures are ok, but some have a distracting background, some are blurry still, and some have poor lighting levels. The last time I listed and item was in March for heavens sakes! I've got listings that are expired too.

Here's my list of getting things back on track to quitting my day job:
1. Retaking pictures, relisting expired listings, and I'll have a 30% off sale once those 2 things are done!
2. I'm getting a business redesign from Share the Love Designs. She's got a good custom package for $30!
3. I'm having some printing done! I'm going to get some things printed from Promo's in a Snap, including new business cards, stickers for packaging, and bag toppers to make my packaging look more professional.
4. Speaking of packaging, I'm redesinging it. While I always put the items in a bag and box, it'll now be tied in someway- with either ribbon or raffia, and have one of my new stickers on it. Also, while for now I'll still be using up old jewelry boxes from my mom's old business, I'll be getting some just for mine from Nile Corp.
5. I'm going to make a batch of sample work to send to The Sampler.
6. I'm making the committment to attend our monthly guild meeting regularly, starting tomorrow.
7. I'm also making a commitment to post on my blog 5 days a week. Today is the exception, but you'll see new posts M-F, bright and early!
8. I'm going to post 1 new picture on my Flickr at least 5 days a week (same time I update my blog).
9. I'm going to send out 1 new bullitin per week to 2 people in my myspace and/or facebook accounts.
10. I'm going to post a comment on another person's blog at least 5 days a week. Even if it's just to say "great post".
11. By August, I want to be posting 1 new item in my shop every day.

As you can see, I've got a lot to do! I didn't even post a new picture for you! Here's one that'll make your mouth water:
Breakfast was delicious!

Gonna need a bigger... bowl.

After eating my oh-so-healthy breakfast of pancakes made by yours truly, and eggs made by Caylin; I began cooking. Today's title popped into my head numerous times today.

First from the potatoes that I was boiling for potato salad- 2 pots full.

But then, for the quadruple batch of chocolate chip cookies I was baking. It took 9 cups of flour, 8 eggs, 8 sticks of butter, and 3 cups each of sugar and brown sugar. I never thought I'd need a bowl bigger than this one! Luckily it barely fit, and I think the only thing it splattered on was Mike's lunch! He didn't mind too much though.

We took a break in the afternoon for my cousins' graduation party. I'm starting to feel old now- I remember when they were born, and I used to babysit them!

Even little Maya enjoyed swimming today. If she wasn't in the pool, or being held she was running for the pool. She really enjoyed herself!

With the 2 1/2 hour break, cookies were finally finished tonight at about 8:30pm. I think we've only lost 3 or 4 to the kids and Mike so far- I've got to divee them up, so they can dig in. Don't they look delicious? They're yummy and melt in your mouth soft. Visit us tomorrow, and you can have your very own! ;-)

Day 2 of a sick kid, lanterns

Well, after Tommy seemed to be improving all day yesterday, he threw up at the babysitter's just as Mike was dropping him off. So, I'm at home again. It's funny though, because he's acting normal. But, you know, the daycare doesn't care for that throwing-up thing.

On a different note, I finished the laterns today:

Here's how I did it (thanks to thatstheSPIRIT)

Gather a few cans. I've used a tin can from some fruit, and a paint-type can.Get them naked and clean. A wire brush works really well for getting off any adhesive junk. (thanks honey!) Fill them with water.
Put them in the freezer.Now, once the cans are frozen (I left them in overnight), you can mark out your pattern, although, I ended up not using the pattern I marked out. I marked it directly on the frost, not on the can. Then, get out your nice big nail and hammer, and start hammering the nail on each dot. If your can doesn't already have a handle, make sure you poke 2 holes at the top of the can, one across from the other!Now, empty out the ice, and put your handle on. I used 2 pieces of twisted wire, and twisted the ends into a spiral.

Put your candle in (carefully!) and you're done!

I've put additional photos in flickr, if you care to take a look!