Am I wrong?

Is it totally pathetic of me to be upset that a new bag I just (and I mean juuuuust) made and just fell in love with just sold? This thing was hot off the machine and on display for less than a half hour and it's gone. I never took a picture of it and I'm seriously feeling kinda bummed that it's no longer here. I really liked it. I'm lame, right?

Do you ever feel remorse for selling or giving away the things you make?

The teeeeeniest emergency

I apologize in advance for the boring post, but I need a bit of help here.

Anyone know where I can quickly purchase (the word *quickly* being key here) some purse feet? I usually buy from Tall Poppy Craft but for some reason their items take forever and a day to ship. I need these by Thursday at the latest. Any suggestions? I'm starting to panic. This was a huge screw up on my behalf. I'm willing to drive just about anywhere to find them. Do any of the big chain stores sell them??? I've never seen them in a store, but then again, I've never had to look either.

If you have no clue as to what I'm talking about, they look like this:

Thanks, kids!

a little bit o' dis, a little bit o' dat

My mother has tagged me. For real. If you aren't familiar with her blog, check it out over here. It's lovely, really. Anyway, I'm cursed, yet again, with another tag, so while I try to think up random things about myself, I'll fill you in on what's going on in these parts.

We've finally scheduled my Grand Opening. At this point I think it's more than slightly ridiculous to have a Grand Opening a month after opening for real, but the Chamber of Commerce insists, so who am I to argue? I think my gut is already in knots over being filmed by the press and talking with the mayor, so I'm making a mental note to have a big bottle of Pepto handy specifically for this event. When I was younger and before my dad's accident, he used to run marathons. Before every run, when his stomach would start acting up from the nerves, I used to watch in amazement as he'd down a bottle of Pepto. I think this is why I go straight for the pink stuff when I get nervous. The image is permanently ingrained in my memory.

Anyway, yeah, the Grand Opening. They've suggested that I go all out with food and make it as nice as I can afford. I don't want to get crazy and serve food that requires a knife and fork, but I do want a nice spread of finger foods. I'm thinking of going the catering route seeing as how I'll be working the day of the opening and won't be able to cook anything that day. I would, however, love to make some things a few days ahead of time that doesn't really need to be served immediately. Do you have any favorite recipes that I could try out? I'll take anything...cookies, dips, munchies. What are your favorites?

Oh, also, the kids table poll was overwhelmingly slanted in one direction. I can't wait to get that darn thing out of here. I don't think I'll get rid of it entirely, though. In fact, I think I might bring it out for events like Troy Night Out and my Grand Opening just to keep the kids in one spot while this place gets slammed. I'm looking around for a desk or small table to put in its place for my new sewing area. I think it'll be nice to sew in an area surrounded on three sides by glass. Neat.

I suppose I should address this tag now, eh? I never know what to say with these and I always feel guilty about tagging others. My mom actually called this morning to apologize for tagging me, so I guess I can't bitch too much. This tag calls for "Six Unimportant Things about Me". Okay, so here goes:

1. If you touch me in-between my toes, I will kill you. I'm not joking. Just ask Ben.

2. Whenever an annoying song gets stuck in my head and I can't get rid of it, I sing "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison silently to myself and miraculously the old, bad song is gone.

3. I keep a mental "To Do" list in my head at all times and try to check off at least one a year. This year's item is shooting guns. I'm going up to my in-law's house to fire off some guns and I'm so excited about it I could scream. It's something I've always wanted to try and now I have an outlet. I'm sure you'll see a post later this year with a picture of me with a black eye or wearing ridiculous protective headgear or something.

4. I love to swear. A lot. I tell people who don't know me that I have a mouth like a truck driver and I don't think they understand just how bad it is until they really spend time with me. I've made men blush at times with the words that have come out of my mouth. I can't remember a time when I didn't swear. Even when I was very, very young.

5. I fantasize about being insanely rich quite often. My favorite part about it, though, isn't thinking about what I'd buy for myself, but how much I could give away to others. If I had my way, I'd give half of my billions away to friends and family.

6. I'm beginning to hate cats. I can't explain it. I have a cat and I love her dearly. But I'm really starting to hate every other cat.

In other news, I just scored this amazing necklace I've been fantasizing about for about a week now. Thank you so much, Jo, for making this lovely piece. And thank you so much, my fantastic husband, for spoiling me yet again.

Stupid post, I know

I currently have the "keep the kids busy while Mom shops" table in the small window ledge at the front of the shop. It's seldomly used, but it holds all sorts of art supplies like crayons, markers, stickers and small toys. The fact that it's rarely used makes me think that the space is being wasted. I'm contemplating putting my sewing area in that window so that people can watch the sewing process as they pass by on the street. What do you think about this? Do you think it's a corny idea, or a decent advertising ploy?

I put up a poll on the right side of the old blog here, and if you're interested in voting, please do. You know I can never make up my own mind.

like a thief in the night...

I'm stealing this from Elis. Maybe I'm just feeling extra silly this morning or something. Must be all the sleep I got last night. Anyway, I can't stop laughing.

Check it:

blah, blah, blah

Nothing exciting to report, really, but I do feel the need to check in with you lovely folks. I've been working in some new inventory here at the shop and getting ready to update the window display. I really suck at designing this window. I'm thinking of awarding a gift certificate to anyone who can come up with something spiffy that will make this place look amazing. I'm not opposed to anything, really, and I'll take any concept from simple to totally outrageous. I really need help.

I feel as though the universe is playing with me in an odd sort of way by making children's clothing and toys quickly become my number one seller. Anyone who knows me, or has been reading this blog long enough knows how I feel about kids and now they're my main source of income. How odd. I'm learning more and more about the children's market and the fact that I can look at an article of clothing and immediately tell you what age a kid would have to be to fit in it is quite possibly the most frightening thing that's occurred to me in a very long time. Truly insane.

Anyway, I just want to welcome some of the new sellers in the shop and thank them for joining the ranks. Oh, and if any of you know the owners of Sister's Simple Soap, please, please, please let them know that I've been trying to reach them, for I am desperate for more of their amazing soap. And if you don't know them and aren't familiar with their product, buy yourself a bar. You won't regret it, trust me!

Aside from that, my dear little lambs, there's nothing else to report. That's right, I suck.

P.S. Murray, keep an eye on the mail. I have a surprise coming your way soon! It'll be mailed tomorrow or so, so it'll more than likely arrive sometime next week. Hope you like it!

Sucked in

You might want to do yourself a favor...

1) Go to your nearest video store, Netflix page, favorite movie download site, Showtime channel (they've got in on the On Demand channels this month), etc.

2) Find the movie, The Dead Girl.

3) Try to resist getting sucked into the plotline.

Wow. What an amazing movie. Definitely one of my newest favorites. I watched it yesterday simply because I was browsing around and it looked more interesting than anything else that was on at the time. I watched about 95% of it and turned it off when our guest showed up. After he left, I waited patiently until I could regain control of the television and watched the entire thing all over again. Star-studded cast, well developed plot, amazing talent. I strongly recommend it.

Oh, and don't let the fact that Brittney Murphy has a small part in this movie change your mind. She sucks, yes. But I didn't mind her here. Hopefully you won't either.

lust for life

I really can't believe I haven't written about them yet because these are one of my most favorite things about the spring and summer seasons.

My good friend Nabua's daughter Danielle makes the most amazing Hypertufa forms I've ever seen and this morning she brought this year's batch over to her sister's pottery shop. It's dangerous to even think about it, but the shop just so happens to be two doors down from my own shop. I haven't seen Danielle in quite some time and was so excited to see her today, and I'm afraid it may have come off that I was even more excited to see the Tufa. Is that wrong? It is, I know. I'm sorry. I love them so much and if I could afford it I would own a billion more of them. Maybe we can work out a trade agreement. How many handbags does it take to cover the cost of a large, round slab o' succulents?

My Tufa pot has lived in our yard for the past three years, chock full of succulents, and incredibly happy. They're amazingly durable and can stay outdoors all year round...that's definitely saying something because I live in the Northeast and our winters are brutal. After chatting with Danielle, I've learned that she's really interested in mosses now and I feel the need to do a bit of Googling...moss is really cool stuff. Beware, all non-science geeks do not click here, and definitely not here. But if you're a nature dork like myself, you're about to learn something really neat.

Anyway, if you're interested in learning more about Hypertufa, click here:

http://www.plantideas.com/alpine/tufa.html

And if you decide to make some of these luscious little (or huge) pots, please send me some pictures. I adore these things, and even though I almost throw my back out whenever I try to show it how much I love it, they still hold a special place in my heart. I know what you're thinking: This girl hates kids but loves plants and mosses. What can I say? I have a weak spot in my heart for cacti, and apparently now lichen, too.

P.S. I've decided to enter Martha Stewart's "Dreamers Into Doers" contest. Martha recently announced that she's hosting an essay contest for anyone who turned a hobby into a lucrative business and I want to win, damn it! First prize is $10,000 and an all expense paid trip to NYC to be on her show. I personally couldn't care less about being on the show, but I really could use the cash and I'd love to meet her. If you folks don't mind I'd like to use my blog to get some feedback on my essay. It won't be a regular thing, mind you, but I'm not the greatest writer in the world and could use some help. What do you think?

Oh, the places you'll go

There are a few people out there who are growing impatient with me, and rightfully so, because I never posted pictures from two very important events I attended. I'm so sorry for the delay, but I'm about to make it up to you.

The first event was my uncle Bob's Tae Kwon Do tournament. Bob has been taking all sorts of martial arts classes for as long as I can remember, but his new passion is Tae Kwon Do. Bob is such an amazing guy. Definitely one of the smartest individuals I know. And despite his disability, he never ceases to amaze me. Bob actually had to compete against his instructor because of his belt level in the school and he placed amazingly well (the last photo in the group is of Bob and his instructor).

***

The second event was the Walk A Mile charity walk. This was one of the best times I've had in a long time, and even though Sandy thanked everyone several times for participating, I actually owe her the thanks because it was great! Sandy, I know you read this blog, so thanks!

Anyway, the Walk A Mile campaign was founded by men to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence against women. Any man who participates simply walks one mile in a pair of women's shoes (preferably heels, but flats were available for those who are prone to head injury, like my husband), to support the cause. Our team was called The Shoe Radishes (long story...I'll tell you if you really want to know) and it consisted of myself, Ben, Gary, Dave, Kate, Mike, my uncles Bob and Ralph, and my aunt Kathy.

I really have to say that the men who walked this mile in heels were seriously hurting by the end of the walk, but none of them complained, and if anything, the mood was extremely light and pleasant. Three of the walkers actually ran the entire course in heels. Damn! I'm so proud of everyone who participated, and now I'm going to feel really guilty about giving anyone grief for making me wear heels to special events.