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!