Stash

The other day I realized how much fabric I have (again). I opened up a tote that I hadn't opened since before I moved and started digging around in it.
I don't think I've touched any of this fabric since over a year ago...and that was just when I bought and washed it. It's always hard for me to cut into certain fabrics and this whole tote included those certain fabrics. I made a pile (maybe
1/4th of the tote) and decided to cut into them this week. I will most likely be making skirts, maybe some dresses if I feel adventurous. These are all decent cut of fabric too so I'm not sure what I'm so worried about, if anything it will finally be able to be loved by someone instead of just sitting in a tote where no one can see it.
All of it is thrifted, some sheets, some vintage fabric and some cuts of fabric never used.

Today I will be slacking....a lot. I'm sick and hopefully will be better by tomorrow.

Self Portrait Friday with a Little Side Project

I've been doing self portrait Friday since the begining of the year (52 Fridays). Recently I've decided to do a little project of my own. I'm going to try to post a picture everyday or every other day of things I love about myself, mainly about my body. I use to hate how I looked because I was made fun of or chased by my friends with a tweezers when I was younger because my eyebrows are crazy big (when I don't pluck them). I'm begining to love myself more and more and I'm thinking maybe in the end it will help me figure myself out. I'm hoping I can do this the whole month of Feb.
Here's number 1

Friday Favorites

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade arksendeavors.etsy.com

Here are some of my etsy favorites. I cheated this week and just made an etsy mini of my favorite items. Next week it will be more thought out and have a theme.

It has been a strange week to say the least. Thankfully it went by fast.

First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life

Today is mine. I really need to start cracking down and make this a full time job, like I planned to in the beginning. I get distracted to easily, and start new projects leaving the old ones in a pile to be discovered 6 months later.

I'm getting better at organizing my things and keeping track but something is still missing. I need to write down my goals and have them stare me in the face everyday, constantly. I need to know what I have and what I need to do.

Today is the day that I start to figure it out.
Then again maybe it's just the coffee talking.

Dust Yourself Off and Get Back Up

Ever time we fall we get back up.
This is something engraved in our minds at a very young age.
When we're learning how to walk we fall, get back up.
Riding a bike and crash, get back up.

Then there are the slightly more serious occasions.
Broken bones will always mend.
Broken hearts will too as long as we let them.

Nothing can stop us, we are built to move forward.

When things get hard just remember to dust yourself off and get back up.

I'm not sure if this makes sense to anyone, but it's something I needed to get out...

I think I need to watch some good old horror movies.

Change.

I'm full of stories/experiences/life lessons. One friend in particular is always a good listener and we are always telling stories and he often suggests that I've lived the life of ten different people. I on the other hand don't think this way, maybe it's because I lived it and everything I've done does not seem to be abnormal/interesting/cool to me. I do not think I am interesting or talented at all, I'm just full of information and skills that I've acquired throughout the years (most by teaching myself, I love love love to learn new things and don't think that will ever change) but he raves about me to people such as his hair stylest and friends, who in turn think I'm awesome even though they have never met me. It's weird and I feel like if I were to ever meet some of these people I wouldn't live up to their expectations.

He joined me in my trip to MN and on the ride home we started talking about when I was 18 and I was known as "crazy Amanda". He said he would have liked to have known me then. The truth is he wouldn't have liked me, I didn't even like myself and thinking about it makes it all come back. I wasn't a horrible person, but I wasn't a great person either. I didn't make things easy on people and only cared about myself. I lost touch with my true friends and family (who thankfully took me back with open arms).

With age comes change....sometimes. The only reason I was able to get out of my funk is because of my son and the responsibility that came with him. Without him I know for a fact I would not be in a good place or situation right now. I am thankful for him everyday and he pushes me to be a better person. All of the friends I hung out with back then are still in the same situation and I don't see them coming out anytime soon. I'm just glad I escaped. I don't think he will ever know how much he means to me.

Looking Up

Sorry it's been awhile. I skipped out on Friday Favorites (probably not a good thing that I didn't even get one in yet! yikes!! Promise it will be there this Friday).
The weekend was, well unproductive to say the least but I had a blast visiting my bff and wouldn't trade it for anything. We went thrifting in MN and I got some pretty snazzy things! Including some depressing pictures, handmade coffee cups and a handmade owl that opens up.

Now back to reality, as soon as I got home I started filling out applications and working on some things that I put off last week. I already have some pictures of some new items that will be going in the shop but I'm planning to list on Saturday mornings only now, that way I can get a ton done and put it on all at once instead of one here and there. So look for new things starting this Saturday!!
This lovely lady has also helped me a little with my plugs and I am getting crazy amounts of contacts on flickr and messages (pst she's having a giveaway right now for her cute little coin purses! Go check it out!!). Things are finally starting to fall into place and I love it.
There's not much else to say right now. I am stretching my ears up to 1 1/16" and getting new tunnels for myself so expect to see some new designs available soon!

Helping one another out.

Far to often we think about ourselves over others. I would love to see this change in all people but I don't think that will ever happen. I have met far to many people that think the world revolves around them (some bad some good). It boggles my mind how someone comes to think this way, I'm not saying I don't think this way at times, I do (I think everyone does once in awhile) but the people that live like this every single day....how does that happen??
We get what we work for, yes it may be easier for some people in certain situations, but in some way they still struggle with things just like you and I. No one is guaranteed anything in life, except that it's going to be hard.
That brings me to the point of this blog. I'm not sure how I stumbled on her blog but as of now she is one of my favorites RubyPearl. Her latest blog is about a girl she has never met and is trying to help in the most unselfish way possible. Please read her story and if you can help at all it would be appreciated.
I wish people help others like this all the time. She makes me want to make the world a better place, she reassures me that there's more people that don't think the world revolves around just them.

Featured In A Blog! And Some Promotional Talkage

Sooo I received a convo today from a lovely lady letting me know my owl trivet was featured in her blog! Check it out!! It's pretty darn cute!! My shop is also featured on the sidebar on the EtsyVeg blog right now :)
I've been featured in treasury's before and that's pretty exciting but never in a blog!!! Well except for my sil's but I'm not sure if that counts :/
I think I'm on the right track with things now and this is defiantly reassuring my thoughts. It also has me thinking of more ways I can promote my shop (doing better but I know there's sooooo much more I could do). From now on I will be doing Friday Favorites, some with themes so without...All of things I love.
There has been a slight, actually major change in my plans this week. I am still going to work on my goals but I now have less time to do it. I was approached with an offer I couldn't pass up and will be heading to MN (where my bff lives) for the weekend. While there I plan to get a lot accomplished though. I will defiantly be stopping in Madison to show my plugs to the rethreads store up there and see if they are interested. I will also be researching places to stop by in MN and show my goods to. Hopefully I can get out there quite a bit. Wish me luck!!!

Life...And Goals For The Week

When I think of life the things that come to mind right now at this very moment are-hard, annoying, unfair, etc. Everything seems to be hitting me very hard these past few days. Milo is being very very difficult to say the least, I'm sure my neighbors don't appreciate it but hopefully they understand (they have a little girl the same age that I often hear and it seems like we're going through some of the same issues). My etsy shop is doing..well okay I suppose, I've had a few sales for the new year and my pictures are improving a lot sometimes I just wish it were easier but then again you get out what you put in right? I have my own place, don't get me wrong I love it, I'm just starting to realize how much I'm going to have to make to actually be able to keep it and live a stable life. That gets me to this point, I've decided I need a job...at least part time, for both my living situation and my sanity. I think I need a little break from Milo every now and then (we're together basically 24/7). Don't get me wrong I love it but when there's no one there to help you who do you go to when it gets to hard and you need a helping hand? But I guess that's just life though isn't it?
Sorry for the little rant. I suppose it's just easier to write things down then actually talk to people about them (for me anyway).

Now on to my goals for the week!
1. Figure out sizing for a shirt I will be putting in the shop (hopefully this week!)
2. Organize things for taxes
3. Look for a job (already started on that one)
4. Work on more soap! And getting some in the shop (packaging also!!)
5. Finish reupholstering the living room chair

I finished up the pdf last night! I'm soooo happy with how it turned out and can't wait to do more in the near future! Putting it up in the shop today, hopefully it goes well!

Stretching

Right now my ears are at 1". In this picture I'm holding a 2" tunnel, of course I wouldn't go that big but I really really would like to go up a bit. The thought of this is both exciting and terrifying. I haven't stretched my ears in quite some time, and I have gone to fast in the past and torn my ears (OUCH! Never again). The next size up that I have is 1 1/16" and it's quite a stretch from 1", still trying to decide what to do and how to do it, it will take some time but I think I'm up for another stretch.

Now onto my goals for the week.
1. Finish up the chairs for my dinning room table
Done. Well sort of, two are totally finished and the other two are half finished I still need to replace the wood :/ But thankfully there's only two of us so the chairs don't need to be done this second (procrastinating??). They will however be done by next week for sure.

I might just have to find some other chairs to reupholster to go with my formica table! These are just so darn cute with my little round white table!
2. Figure out how to write up a pdf patter the cowl
Pattern-done
Pictures-done
Pdf-not done. Still working on it and hope to have it all put together by the end of the night if I can figure it all out (I'm a technological idiot).
3. Getting a new item up in the shop.
This goal was talking about these little cuties

I also was able to get some other things up in the shop that I've been putting off including the owl trivets and baby hat (I posted about this week) and a reversible custom skirt listing I've been putting off for far to long.

And soap!!! I finally tried making goats milk soap (with success!)

All in all this week was pretty good (I even ended up making a shirt for myself today). But it could have been better. This upcoming week I'm going to challenge myself more.

Soap

Sooooo it's been awhile since I whipped out the supplies and made soap (far to long). Recently I got the urge to start making it again even though I still have tons left over from my last adventure.
One of the reasons I put it on hold was because it never really took off in my shop, even though I sold some locally to some wonderful ladies I was very discouraged. That and I was being overwhelmed by soap everywhere. So I gave most of it away to friends and family.
The urge came back to me not to long ago, although I can't remember why. I decided to test out goats milk soap and order some essential oils to make more scents (unlike before where I only had a few). The oils are on their way (hopefully they get here soon!) and I tried out a couple batches with goats milk last night. The first batch went very well, then I got a little overconfident and decided to try out a second using goats milk aloe vera and honey! It was a lot of fun making it but when I cut it up this morning it was still a little watery, kind of gooey on the outside but super dry and hard on the inside. I have NEVER had this happen so I have no idea what is going on!!! It's a very beautiful soap and smells really good also (it actually looks kind of like pumpkin pie). I just hope it turns out well and I don't have any problems with it.
But then again you live and learn right??
Batch 1-Goats Milk Soap

Batch 2-Goats Milk, Aloe Vera and Honey Soap

I can't wait to try this soap out! And eventually have it up in my shop :)

Agg only a couple more days to finish up my pdf!! It's going well so far so I have high hopes. The pictures are all set and so is the pattern...I just hope I can figure out how to put it all together!
Off to get ready and brave the snow! Not to bad right now but I'm sure it'll get worse.

Better...

Things are finally starting to come together, maybe I should watch what I say so I don't jinx myself!
I was able to visit 3 (yes 3!!) of the people I love today and get some grocery shopping done all before 1!! Usually I don't see anyone, especially in the winter. I'm usually a hermit and do things by myself but when it's cold I try not to plan things with people to much so I don't have to go out if I don't need to (even though I usually end up bored and going to the thrift store by myself :/).
Milo is getting back onto his regular sleep schedule (FINALLY!!!) and went down last night around 8...and woke up at 6 (like his regular sleep schedule). Even though I had my alarm set at 6 I was def not prepared for this! It's been nice "sleeping in" until 7:30 the past few weeks and it's soooo dark at 6!!!! But it's for the best.
We were out the door and headed to Woodmans by 8:30, I'm not sure how but when we got there (probably half an hour away from where we live now) time flew by and it was already quarter to ten. So off to my cousins house to take some pictures of her little man in some hats I made up awhile ago.

It was nice seeing her, even for the short amount of time we were there.
Then off to my grandparents for a quick hello. Its always nice seeing them and I'm never in the area. The grandma food is always a plus :)
After that I went thrifting with one of my good friends and picked up a wool army blanket for a very decent price.
Even though I was only able to see each person for about an hour it was really nice, I miss everyone and sometimes take for granted how many wonderful people I have in my life. I just wanted to take the time to say I love you all!

And now to finish off with some awesome news, I got some goats milk today and plan on making some soap tonight! Super excited and can't wait! I also have my oils coming (no later than next Tuesday) and can't wait to get soap back in my shop! Pics tomorrow!

I got a few more items into my shop today also, keeping up with my goals and it's making me feel better about things everyday :)

Does it ever end???

So Milo is about to turn 3 and he's getting sassier by the minute! Every day is a constant struggle with him. I understand that it's not going to be easy but man would it be nice for a little break or to have him help out cleaning up his toys...something...anything!?!
It may be the fact that we just moved...and then there was Christmas, and my bff visiting...everything was thrown out of whack and I never thought it would be this hard to try and get it back on track.
As I type he's in his room for nap time...not napping but still in his room. I suppose we're on our way back to the way things used to be. I just wish it was easier.

Sorry for the little vent, I just have been having a rough couple of weeks. Good news today though! More items are up in the shop including these fancy fellas

And this little project I've had in my head for quite some time now


P.s. Still keeping up on all my goals!!

Goals For The Week

1. Finish up the chairs for my dinning room table
Here's a before picture

After picture (done in red vinyl)

I have two finished already and need to get a couple pieces of wood so I can fix up the other two and finish them off. I also have a chair I have to finish up for the living room that I hope to get finished this week.

2. Figure out how to write up a pdf patter for this bad boy cowl

Hopefully that won't be to hard of a task (see I'm keeping up on my new years goals yay!).

3. Getting a new item up in the shop. It's a secret but you'll see it soon enough :)

I am doing very well with keeping up on things and becoming more organized, granted it's only the 4th day of the new year. I don't think it will be as hard as I thought it would be.

Tomorrow I will be taking pictures for my sister and future brother in laws engagement announcements! Super excited about that. I am also very pleased with how my pictures are coming along. Look at this fabulous find I finally was able to take a picture of today

As much as I would love to keep it I think it will be in my shop soon.

Milo has been a handful since the move then christmas and new years. He's not taking his usual afternoon nap and is very very emotional and cranky because of it. I've been very frustrated and lost lately but I'm hoping it will get better (I mean it can't get much worse). We just need to get back into the groove of things. Sometimes I really really wish there was an easy button that would make everything fit into place.

I Never Liked Resolutions

Resolution-a solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.

I don't feel like I have problems I need to fix. I have things I would like to do (not necessarily change or fix). So instead I have goals for this year, I had goals last year and I don't even remember them so I am writing a list this year to keep track of what I need to accomplish.

I am happy with my life but I still feel like I need to grow up in a way, be more organized and figure things out and make it stick. Here are some of my goals for the year, I'm already off track due to some over enjoyment on new years eve but starting tonight (I'll probably be up all night working on things) I will work on my goals.

1. Keep track of EVERYTHING, organize and run my business like...well a business, not just something I'm going to forget about and leave behind someday. This is what I want to do and this is what I am going to do for my career, I need to realize that.
2. Work on my relationships with people. I will admit I have a hard shell in certain situations. Maybe I will finally go on a date, not just hang out with guys and view them as my friends, I need someone there for me and as much as I hate to admit it I can't do everything on my own.
3. Finish up the apartment and get it looking decent. It's not horrible right now but it does need the finishing touches (like putting the clothes in the closet/dresser and not having them lay on the dryer forever). It's slowly coming together and I love it.
4. Work on promoting my etsy shop, keeping up on adding/making items and keep up on my blog (a "resolution" I had last year).
5. Writing down my ideas instead of blowing them off and thinking I will write/sketch them down later, it never happens and I should know that by now. I plan to carry a sketch book with me everywhere I go.

That is all I can think of right now. I need to print out a list and put it up somewhere that I will be able to see it everyday and keep it in my mind that I need to do these things even if I don't feel like it.

My etsy shop has improved a lot since I opened it, better pictures, more items and more of a variety. I would like to stick mostly to the eco friendly and natural view I have and recycle as much as possible. I plan to get back into soap making and ordered some oils yesterday that I am very very excited about. I still plan to make plugs, but mainly made to order so I don't waste any supplies or time (not that I have, but it just seems to make more sense this way). I really want to get into doing more clothes and have some friends who are willing to help me with it (boys clothes and modeling). I will also be putting some knitting/crochet patterns up in the shop in the near future that I am excited about.

I am very excited but also nervous about the new year, no more putting things off and everything is going to be organized. I hope you all have luck with your goals and even though sometimes it feels like there's no hope, just remember in the back of your mind that there is always hope for everyone in every situation and you can pull through.