And so it is..........

Do you ever have those times when things are going along smashingly, and then you hit a speed bump, and it knocks you for a loop?  Well, I'm in one of those times.  I'm trying not to let it get to me - this too shall pass.  I just need to buck up and move on.

Evan had a wonderful time at the clinic this weekend, and so did I.  Only trouble now is, he wants to go do this every day --- maybe this dog needs a real job.  We all know I do!  Haha. 

I don't have any photos today.  Just too danged tired.  Tomorrow when I go to the dog trainer's and I walk with Evan and Gabbi, I'll take the camera and I'll go ahead and try to get some good shots.  Spring has sprung.  Do you remember a week and a half ago, when I posted about the snow?  For a reminder, see here . Yeah, well, today and yesterday it hit 82 degrees.  I'm dyin.  I can't take this heat - I don't like it, I don't want it ever - but especially in March.  Makes me wonder what summer will really be like, and if I'll have to hibernate!  It's gonna be hot again tomorrow. Ugh.

I'm tired, not from the time changing - that didn't take me any getting used to at all.  I was exhausted from the clinic and I had NO trouble going to sleep early on Saturday night, and had a full day again on Sunday.  I didn't sleep so well last night - rode around all day with the windows open and my allergies were killer last night.  Oh, and did I mention....we had to turn the AC on???  It's CRAZY!

Sorry, I started ranting again...........

Do you ever look back on things you did in your life, and know that all the "friends" you made during that particular period, no longer want anything to do with you?  It's kinda frustrating in a way, but I guess people come and go.  There is no telling why they come and go, but I guess when they are meant to be there, they are, and when they aren't they are then gone.  It happens...........

And then, I get home and hubby did my laundry.  I've been begging him for 36 years, please, do NOT do my laundry.  We had this discussion a week ago.  It's not like my clothes stink - I don't do anything!  But for some reason, even tho I've asked, begged, pleaded, threatened, etc, he still does my laundry.  He washes in warm water (but tells me he uses cold), he doesn't hang my shirts up when they come out of the dryer, so they are always wrinkled, and no matter what happens, come a month from now, I'll go to put a shirt on and it will feel too tight and too short even tho it fit me when I bought it.  Sigh.  What the heck is a woman to do?  I'm thinking of getting a laundry basket with a lock on it - think that'll work?  Ha!  bet not...............

Yeah, I guess I'm in one of those moods today.  I was fine this morning...........

Anyway, not much else to report here.  I got my magazine that I left behind at daughter's house last week, so I can sit and read that and dream (It's Cloth, Paper, Scissors edition of Studios and it's really cool). 

Off to relax.........and decide what to make for dinner.  I'm really not hungry (the heat and tired).

Take care.
Martha

The end of another busy week!

Here we are, Friday again, but, it's not the end of a busy week for me really - because there are 2 more busy days ahead of me.  I have the "Nose Fun" clinic from 9-4 both Sat & Sun (unless I'm totally bored on Sat and I decide not to go back on Sun).  Yes, I'm fickle.

I spent today babysitting.  I love my baby grand-girl.  :-)

Yesterday I took my "one day at home in a couple of weeks day," and I ended up going to visit a friend who'd gotten hurt last weekend.  It was a wonderful visit.  I took lots of photos of the geese that live on the little island in the middle of a pond behind her house.  My new camera did a good job - but I still need to learn to bring my tri-pod and also learn some more things about my camera..........
This one cracks me up!  The one goose is YELLING at the other!  LOL

This one is a nice one - I did crop it and it turned out nicely.  I don't do a lot to most of my photos - I like to leave them the way I took them.

The geese are also nesting.  They are fighting off other geese and telling them this is MY spot!

She also has these great bird houses.

So it was a good visit.

I'm looking forward to the clinic this weekend, but trying not to have too many expectations so I don't get disappointed if it's not what I wanted it to me.  I know, sounds weird, but I get myself into situations like that.

OH, I did get upstairs last night and got half of the 5" squares for one quilt up on the flannel design board!  Hubby made dinner (he made dinner again tonight too) and he called me down before I could get finished.  When I am finished, I'll take a pic and show you - the fabrics are SOOOO pretty!  I need to get back onto Missouri Quilt Co to order the coordinating fabric for the backings!  Just another thing I haven't done and will regret not doing, if I wait too long and they don't have any left!

I am also more than half way thru towel #2 on the loom.  I need to get towel #2 done, so I can get #3 done and get some yarn on the loom to make some scarves to sell!

So have yourself a great weekend.
Martha

Hey there!

I know, you don't even know who I am anymore. People have probably stopped reading my blog - well, that's because I haven't been blogging!  lol
All is good here.  We have had some wild and crazy weather.  Monday, we had snow - and it snowed!  We lucked out here tho, about 20 miles south of us, they actually had 10 inches!

March - in like a lion

 Yesterday was Wednesday and it was 67 here and today is supposed to be 70.  Crazy weather!

I finally got the website done, but have spent a lot of time tweaking it.  Had to change a few things around, and I've now added another person who does beautiful drawings and sketches.  Her name is Peggy and here is her blog link.  Go visit - she doesn't have many followers so peek in on her and follow her progress. :-)

We have also added some doggie jewelry to our website, done by the same amazing talented person who makes the horsehair jewelry! 

Poochie Pendant - this one is mine!

 This pendant is going to be Evan's - when we're visiting people and doing exciting stuff like that.  When we are doing nose fun and running the fields, I don't think we'll be wearing it as I don't want him to lose it.  It's being gifted to me by Mitzi, for building the website and inviting her to join me.  I'm also getting one for Gabbi, and that one is red.  It'll look very nice on her!  I will have to get a new harness and leash for her tho....hers are pink and not my favorite color and red looks SO pretty on a white doggie.

I've also taken on a part time job, working for the dog trainer in an admin position.  I'm really happy about it.  I almost wish I had more work like this so I could earn some extra money.  Although, I don't want to be tied to the computer all the time.  When I sit at the computer too long, I have a lot of sciatica pain.  It's a real pain in the behind!  ha ha.

I'm getting out to the trainers to walk a lot too.  There are hills and at first, I had to stop a LOT just to breathe.  Now I'm able to pretty much keep going at a slow pace and do the hills and flat land.  We walk a large ex-horse pasture and into the woods (which isn't fenced) and the dogs love walking off leash.  It's a little pack walk!  It works, is great for the dogs, and great for me.

I have a new camera too - not sure if I mentioned that before.  It's quite fun to play with, has 21x zoom, and I'm learning a lot.  It's not the Kodak I'd hoped to get, it's a Nikon, but I'm ok with that.  It takes regular batteries and not a specific battery pack.  And to be honest, it's not a small camera so anything larger than 21x zoom might have been too big and bulky for me anyway.  The one thing I can't get used to is the lens cap. LOL.  I keep forgetting to take it off!  It'll become habit tho, so I'll get it eventually.

I've ordered some beautiful fabric for making lap quilts.  I can hardly wait to get started!  I need to find the coordinating fabrics for the backings and order that soon too.

I need to find something to do when we're sitting in front of t.v. at night.....I feel like I'm wasting time but watching shows we've recorded from the night before, or watching shows we like to watch, is our "together" time......but I still would like to keep my hands busy!

Well, today is going to be beautiful, and I need to get it started.  I have some computer work to do, a friend to visit, and grocery shopping (ick).  I told hubby to save the grocery shopping for the weekend, but he's going to be babysitting Gabbi and he doesn't like to leave her alone.  I told him, he can't sit in the house all weekend while I'm at the clinic!  But he loves his Gabbi, and she adores him!

Have a wonderful day, a wonderful weekend, and live it like ya mean it!  :-)

Up & Running

I did it.  I have my new website up and running.  Now, I just need people to go to it and click on it a LOT so we'll move up in the search world.  I can't afford (right now) to pay to advertise.....hopefully down the road.  I have been concentrating on this website for quite awhile and it has used a LOT of my brain power.  But for now, it's done - with some tweaks to come.  Both myself and the friend who is selling her stuff on it, are going to be adding items so it'll be a constant upgrade kind of thing.  I sure hope we can make sales on this thing...
The website is www.cottage-artists.com and we sell my photo greeting cards, along with Mitzi's horse hair jewelry - yep, she makes bracelets, earrings, and zipper pulls from hair from your horse.  They are beautiful - I own one - I was one of the lucky ones that got one when she was first starting up and needed to try them out.  She is also going to sell memorial plaques.  She doesn't have a sample one up yet, but I am hoping she'll have one done soon.
I am so happy that this is done.  I need to get weaving so I can sell some of my scarves and shawls here.  Yes, it's an eclectic array of stuff being sold on the website but, the hope is that we'll drive more people to it this way!  I'm also going to start whipping out my small quilts that I love to make from 5" squares of fabric that I buy and put together into either baby quilts (one pack of squares) or lap quilts.  They are my favorite thing to make - they aren't too time consuming, and they are colorful and they are great to have just sitting on a chair or the back of a couch for those evenings when you just want something to cover you up enough to take the chill off.  My daughter uses her baby quilts all the time - the small one goes in the car and gets used for covering a seat or covering the baby.  The larger ones get used in bed, on the floor, and in the family room.

I am also learning more about my camera and photography so I can improve the shots I take.  I have a lot more to learn and there never seems to be enough time in a day anymore!

I also made a new light box.  My other one, here , was big, and bulky.  I had a hard time handling it, and it really wasn't all that great....and it took up a lot of room.  I decided to try to simplify (which by the way, I'm trying to do in all aspects of my life this year) and I went to Wal Mart to buy a foam core display board, 2 new bendable neck lamps, and the Reveal daylight type bulbs.  This is SO much easier to deal with!

Here is the setup - the light board with the 2 lamps, with the curtains closed for better photo purposes - I usually have them open for more natural light.  I'm also thinking of turning the whole setup around so it's facing the windows for more natural light. 

Light Box Setup

You may notice I have paper draped.  I went to Ikea and bought the paper on the rolls for the kids crafts.  It's SO much less expensive there than anywhere else.

Below, I used fabric to drape over the box to see the effect it would have. The wider the paper or fabric you have, the better as you don't have to squeeze the photo to get no edges showing.

Light box setup with muslin fabric

This worked really well and I'm going to be using darker fabric to try too.

Here is a photo that I took with the new setup.

I think it came out ok without any tweaking.  Tweaking is something I'm playing with more tho.  I noticed that Photoshop Elements is on sale at Staples for $59.  I think that's a good deal, and I may just go and get it - not that I need to spend any more time on the computer but, I do need a good photo editing program if I'm going to keep doing this for a living (well, that's all relative - I sure can't live off nothing and that's all I'm making at this point).  I do think that maybe the new lamps I bought might not be strong enough.  But we'll see.  I'm also learning to play with different photo elements of my camera - the settings make a HUGE difference, as well as giving my camera time to focus - I took 2 of the same shot and one came out really dark, the other came out well, with the same lighting and settings. 

Anyway, enough blabbering about all this.  I need to get up and get busy and get moving!  I hope you go visit my website and buy some cards.  If you go to the store, you would easily spend $3.00 per card (usually more) and with my cards, you can write whatever you want inside!

I'm open to comments and suggestions!
Take care
Martha

Out of action

I've been out of action here.  I can't really explain why - I just have not had anything blog worthy to write about.  I love LOVE reading other peoples blogs.  I really enjoy seeing their inspiration, or just hearing about their days.  I just feel that I have nothing noteworthy to write...so I go missing for awhile.

What have I been up to?  I have been working on building a website.  I'm planning on selling my photo greeting cards.  I love taking photos and seeing how well they come out. I just use a Kodak digital point and shoot camera - nothing fancy - 10x zoom.  At some point, I'd really love to get a camera with a better zoom.  Why Kodak you ask?  I'm loyal - I grew up in Rochester NY, and I sometimes wish I still lived there.  I was the only one in my family that was born and raised there.  My two older brothers were born in Maine.  They are 8 & 10 years older than me.  My father was hired to work at Kodak and the family moved from Maine, where they were all born, to Rochester.  Then I came along.  So I'm really the only one with any roots there....although, my parents are buried there.  Anyway, Kodak is what I grew up on. Sadly, it's going broke, and has moved a lot of it's work to China, and all those huge buildings in Rochester are no longer housing Kodak employees.  Very sad indeed.

I haven't done any weaving or sewing, because I've been really busy with doggy stuff - four visits to the hospital this month which is a couple of more than normal.  I also started class with Evan doing Nose Fun - searching for a treat in boxes is how we begin, then we'll move on to other stuff.  It's just for fun - we won't become bomb sniffing teams or anything.  Just something different to do with him.  He gets SO excited about it tho. 

I've also been busy with building this website.  It felt so right when I started and still does, I'm just afraid after all the work I've put into it, that it will not show up on a search engine when I'm done.  We can always pay to have it show up in Google of course.....we'll see if we need to do that to jump-start our business.

Why do I say "we" and "our?"  Because, I have a friend going in on it with me. I was hoping to get more friends - one isn't able to make the bags she wants to make, and sell them at a profit.  I was also hoping that another would join us, but she doesn't have the resources to make her product in bulk right now.

But it's ok - we'll be fine, and I'm going to continue to build this website (praying at some point I'll be finished and be able to actually Publish the darn thing).

I do need to get back to my weaving and sewing - I do miss doing it.  I've just been so darned tired every day after everything else I've done.  Spending 7 or 8 hours on the computer is exhausting when you're not used to it, and it's also brain drain when you're learning something without anyone telling you all the little secrets of getting something done.  Not to mention, I had to copy all of the photos I'm going to use on the cards, resize them, and also put a copyright sign on them.  I also wanted to make sure all the photos printed out well on the card stock, so I had to do a test print of them all, copying the photos into my Kodak print program.  It's the only program on my computer that would allow me to print the cards in the size I need them, and I have to flip them to get them to print out on the cards the right way.  It's all time consuming.  But, I've learned a bunch and I know when I learn it that way, I tend not to forget it. 

So there it is, I've been MIA for no real good reason, and no one really missed me.  I have no photos to post, and I love looking at photos others post, so I always feel like a bad blogger when I don't have anything interesting to post about - hence, the MIA.  But I'm here.  Been fighting off a sinus thing this week, but I'm better today (so far - it's early yet).  I babysat once this week and will go up again tomorrow.  Baby girl is sick too - and her mommy is very worried about her.  It's exhausting for me to babysit but I also love it.  I wish it weren't exhausting but that's my own fault for being in such crappy physical condition.  At some point, I hope to do something about that too!  I need inspiration........and energy to get more active. 

Off I go to start a day that I didn't know I was going to spend alone....now, to figure out if I want to stay home, or leave for a bit.  It's yucky weather out so not sure what I really want to do.  I do need to do some weaving, some sewing, and some more web building so maybe staying home isn't a bad thing, especially since I'll be out tomorrow.............

Have yourself a super duper wonderful day.
Always,
Martha

Baby, it's cold outside!

        

This is what it looks like outside.  The photos were taken yesterday.  It doesn't look much different today.  That pine tree on the left.....the branches are usually facing up, not down.

I worried all yesterday and last night, and this morning about the loom going to it's new home/owner.  My front steps are very icy.  Hubster did his best, but didn't want to put down salt (it gets dragged into the house and it's not pet friendly). 

The people came, we disassembled the loom, they wrapped it up the way they wanted it, and off they went.  I prayed every time someone walked up or down those steps.  I've fallen more times on those darned steps!  It's no fun and it hurts!

But, Lulu went to her new home.  I hope Jan has many happy weaving hours with her.  She will be well taken care of, I'm sure.

I now can move my sewing machine back into the room, and have all my "stuff" together again.  I felt very detached with the sewing stuff in one room, and the weaving stuff in another - especially for those things that have multiple uses.  I was constantly walking down the hallway to the other room to get something or other.  Now, I can put the sewing in with the weaving and everything will be happy again. :-)  I think I may leave the big table in the spare bedroom to lay stuff out on as I have the smaller table in the craft room to use now. 

I will also keep the older BW in the spare room for now.  If I find that I don't want both looms to have projects on them at the same time, then I will go ahead and re-list her. I would really like the money to get the new Janome sewing machine I've got my eye on.

This morning I spent an hour or a bit more, printing out more of my photo greeting cards I'm selling.  I will get them into the photo light box, and photograph them (does it make sense to photograph photographs?) and then I'll start listing them for sale.  I've not decided on a web host yet.  It's so confusing. I've read bad reviews on every web hosting site available.  Even the one that my friend uses in her business of building web sites.

Hubster suggested I wait, and I just try doing craft shows this year.  Well, it's a bit hard to know when and where the shows are, and by the time I find out, it's too late to get a space.  Besides, in reality, the website will cost me less than going to most craft shows!  I've decided to make a go at setting up the website, and starting out there.  Hopefully I'll do a good enough job to get us up and running.....

So I've had this idea for a very long time - someday, I'd love to have a little white cottage, somewhere that is busy enough to get the traffic, and sell hand-made goods from there.  I'd take things on consignment, then when they sell, I'd go ahead and pay the crafter.  Cottage crafts.  Crafts for sale.  I know it's already done online - but I was wondering if I could pick and choose whose products I'd like to sell online, if I could make any money off that?  Etsy is one place that it's done.  I don't necessarily want my site to be that big - after all I am NOT any sort of techie that would be able to handle something like that.  But a few select people that I know, that I respect their hand made items and think they'd sell....now that I'd love to do.  My dream is to do it with a real cottage, but hey, that's not in my near future (which reminds me, I haven't checked my lottery numbers from Weds.....)............

But I digress. I plan on getting serious about this website, which means I really need to move forward and quit dilly dallying around about it.  And get my stuff made (I need to get an inventory of weaving and quilts done) and get my photo cards photographed, labeled, and get them going!

Stay safe, stay warm, and have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week.
Always,
Martha

Icky weather

We had some icky weather last night and today.  So we're hunkering down and staying in - well, I'm staying in - hubster has to go out and take care of horses and has taken care of doggies too. :-)  I'm spoiled, and I deserve it!  ha ha

A couple of weeks ago, I was told that I won a hand woven tea towel from Susan Harvey!  I tell ya, I was shocked (I don't usually win stuff).  Here is the link to her blog where she tells the winners!  Susan, thank you SO much.  This towel is really beautiful. 

Then a week or so ago, my cousin (thanks Judee!) sent me a special from Keepsake Quilting.  It was for the pre-cut hearts and I ended up ordering TWO (2) sets!  I tell ya, I'm a fool for hearts...........I can't wait to applique' these onto some charm squares and make a heart quilt!

I spent some of my day yesterday making a photo light box to try to make my photos come out better.  Above you can see where I kinda messed up while taking the photo - you're not supposed to see the front of the poster board!  But I was in a hurry and didn't pay attention.  Now I realize I did the same with the towel. I guess I need some practice!  Here is the photography setup.  This photo (funny enough) came out a bit blurry because I didn't change the settings and I didn't use the tripod.  My hands aren't as steady as they used to be.....

Below,  I have a couple of photos of the photo greeting cards I'm going to start selling.  I took the photos in the photo light box.  I know I need some work yet to get really good, but I think it's working out well. 





I've tried the lighting in front, over the top, and in the sides.  It comes out differently every time.  So practice will make perfect!  Eventually I'll get it all figured out and I'll get good photos.  One of the things I'm going to do is go to Ikea because they have rolls of white paper.  My box is pretty large, and the poster board doesn't really come forward enough, as is evident in the pics of the towel and the hearts! 

I'm working on putting the charm squares together for my next quilt.  I'm excited.  It's Christmas themed (yeah, I know, a little behind but actually, I'm ahead - of next Christmas!).  It's going to be pretty I think.

I finally finished weaving off the fabric I was working on, on the big loom.  The lady buying it is supposed to come pick it up tomorrow, and hopefully the ground will be o.k. for them to come and not as slippery as it is today.  Lulu (Leclerc Nilus) needs to go - weaving this fabric off just proved it to me all over again - my back has been killing me.  I did some of the weaving yesterday, and some of it today.  The smaller loom is much easier on my body.


She is all ready to go to her new home!  This is going to leave so much room in my craft room now.  Maybe I can move the sewing machine back in so everything is together!  We'll see.....

So that's it for today.