Swamped

I must apologize for not visiting all my favorite bloggers like I used to – faithfully.  I really do hope to get back into the blogosphere soon but that may not be until fall, I’m afraid. You see, I am swamped. Swamped with dog biscuit making, scone making, crafting, painting, yard sale-ing and, of course, work. The first Farmer’s Market of the season is in three days. Count ’em…3! And I’m busting my butt bagging up some yummy Bow WOW Biscuits and assorted scones for opening day…all the while attempting to figure out how to set up my market tent so I don’t have to arrive at 6 am that morning and struggle with it.

The dog biscuits are a big hit with the boys. I already knew that – as I’ve made them in the past and the boys would gobble them up. But…I used to make them at my restaurant where I was uninterrupted. Now, I must make them in my kitchen with two dogs constantly under foot waiting for hand outs.

The dog biscuit making process tuckers Gus out and he eventually ends up sleeping at my feet.

The crafting is in full swing now. Every corner of my house is full of crafty goodness…pillows, bookmarks, hairbands, clothing, purses, collages, you name it.

Kitchen counter now full of crafts...

It's all about the 'love'

The paints have found a new home

I’ve started painting furniture, to boot. Where the hell I’ll be storing all of it is beyond me.

Cutesy little rocker that will soon be all dolled up for the craft fair

Now that I’m in full furniture-scoping mode I’ve been scouring the yard sales and flea markets.

I found this little gem for myself…

It will look perfect in my newly painted dining room. Yep, I’ve painted the dining room for the third time this year. Oy. I just can’t seem to decide on a color. I think this last color – buttery yellow – is a keeper. I love yellow with red accents so I painted myself a little sign for the new dining room…

Don't ask. My favorite number is 5 and I needed something to write on the sign...it was either this or "For Sale"!

And, of course, along with the new paint color had to come new drapes and shades. Like I need to spend my time fiddling around with this stuff? Oh, but I do. So, I made new curtains and bought new bamboo shades.

We DID have time to enjoy the first strawberry shortcake of the season – complete with homemade whipped cream. YUM!

Here are a few more pics…just some crafty shots

And dog teeth! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

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I’m Baaaaaack!

Did you miss me? Huh, huh, huh, didja? I missed you all and I’ll be around to each and every one of your blogs shortly. I’m sure I have a lot of catching up to do.

I was actually gone longer than I had planned to be. So sorry, but I was involved in a project that included scaffolding, a ton of repair work, long days, and lots and lots of painting. No pictures, no interesting stories because, after all, I wasn’t vacationing on some remote island. Dammit. I was working my little fingers to the bone. And, when I had a free moment I was either knitting scarves, making felted bags or doing what housework I could muster the strength to complete. And now I’m going to be uber-busy attempting to get enough crafty-stuff together for a little holiday art/craft show in a few weeks. I’m crazy, I know. I think I may go mad by the time I’m finished with all this handiwork. Here are some pics of my latest craftiness:

BAG PRE-FELTED

BAG – FELTED

Isn’t that cool? I think so. And so do the folks who are paying $45 and up for these bags. Gah! In the bag’s defense…the wool is quite pricey and it takes time to work one of these babies so they are well worth the money.

ANOTHER BAG PRE-FELTED

AND…AFTER FELTING

I used a very cool multi-colored wool and it came out pebble-like after I felted the bag

FELTED CUPCAKE PINCUSHIONS

I fell in love with these little guys. I’ve never had a pincushion…and now I do! If only I could decide which one I like best.

Sheesh. Maybe I should just turn this blog into “Crafty Corner”. I’ll do my best not to barrage you with crafty posts from now until Christmas. I wouldn’t want you to get bored.

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Knitting Fool

Oooo, me little fingers have been busy. I managed to knit three scarves a few weekends ago. I’ve slowed down since and I’m taking my time working on just one. But, I wanted to whip out several scarves quickly to put in the local art gallery as the owner asked me specifically if I had any hand knit items. YAY! Hopefully, this = more income.

While I was out shopping I happened to stop by a craft store…and…bought more yarn. Eek. What was I thinking? I’ve already got a TON of yarn. If I’m in a craft shop there is no stopping me from checking out the the yarn isle. Plus, I found some great deals on some really funky, pretty yarns. Of course, I ended up loading up my cart and spending about $60. Oh well, hopefully I’ll make all that $$ back with the sale of two scarves.

Pretty, pretty yarn:

I made two pink (one with hints of brown, the other with multi-colored mohair yarn). Have a look-see:

2LD modeling pink/multi scarf

Oh, look, you can see my armpit. How nice.

Again, pink/multi scarf

It really is a loverly scarf..and soooo soft. Damn. I want to keep this one. That’s the hard part of knitting – I don’t want to part with some of the creations.

2LD modeling pink/brown scarf

And this combo = scarf below...

This green/purple/multi scarf is stunning, if I do say so myself. But, I’m still fond of the blue scarf and haven’t yet come to terms with selling it.

It's mine, its' mine. I want to keep this one!

Ha! I guess it's mine now - seeing as I've shoved my nose in it.

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Crafty Time

Emerald’s post reminded me that it’s time to get back into my knitting/crocheting projects (thanks, Em!). You see, I have a serious addiction. An addiction to buying yarn. Yeah. It’s bad. Real bad. I cannot pass up a funky/colorful/fun skein of yarn. Ever. This addiction results in baskets and boxes full of yarn:

And this is just a small sampling of the collection...

Loooook....how pretty!

And I just can’t knit/crochet fast enough to use it all. After all, how many scarves can you give one person as gifts? And I tried the crocheted throw/afghan route…I managed to make one for my sister, one for my gram and one for my mother and then I was burned out. The throws/afghans are just too time consuming and I get bored crocheting the same pattern over and over for umpteen rows.

I got on a roll last year and hammered out several scarves that I was able to sell at my cafe. Now that I don’t have the cafe any longer I don’t have an outlet for sales other than Etsy.com and I’m thinking EVERYONE and their mother is selling scarves on that site. I’ll give it a whirl and see how it goes, it can’t hurt to try.

I love this blue scarf and will probably end up keeping it for myself

Pink scarf made for E who has decided she no longer likes pink

And, honestly, I pretty much have an addiction to crafting as a whole. Once I get an idea in my head there is NO stopping me. There is always the issue of me wanting to have just ONE day where I don’t have my hands into some crafty venture. But, oh no. It just doesn’t happen. This week I’m furiously grinding out coasters and magnets to sell on my website and at a local gallery. Every inch of flat space in and outside my house is covered with coasters and they must remain so to dry…for at least 5 days:

Magnets, magnets everywhere!

See 2LD craft. See 2LD lose her mind. Run 2LD, run!

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Show Me Some Lovin’

Seeing as this is a holiday weekend and I’m not going to be around to delight you with my usual wit and charm, I thought I’d take advantage of the opportunity to shamelessly plug my website and online shop. If you’re so inclined, feel free to check these out. No pressure…the links are always on my sidebar.

niftythriftygirl.com

niftythriftygirl.etsy.com

Wishing everyone in my blog-o-family a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

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