What's next?

Well friends - I seem to have exhausted all fabric outlets within a 50 mile radius of my house.  I did the unthinkable and ordered fabric online.  This is a huge gamble!  After all, crafters like me need to fondle the goods, not ogle from afar.  Nevertheless, I was thrilled with this new fabric.  Originally purchased for layering sets, I changed course, and the result is this new bonnet.  I love it!

Look for it soon in my Etsy shop (www.clickknits.etsy.com).

Hello again!

Wow - it's amazing the things you'll find when you google yourself. Apparently I made a feeble attempt at blogging, oh say three years ago? My next step should be updating the look of this page, and scouring my brain for something intelligent AND interesting to blog. Things have changed alot since those crazy days in 2010. At that time, my piece of the prop vendoring pie was fairly large, and I was constantly buried under a pile of needles, yarn, and yes, orders. These days it seems everyone and their dear Aunty May has opened a prop shop. As a result, I find myself with time to: read, pay attention to my children (gasp!), and possibly, but not probably, housework. It's a whole different ballgame. And not so bad at times.

Bowl Cocoon in Teal

Rebekah Stanfill sent me her picture using my bowl cocoon in teal, and I just love how she made the color pop on that blankie of hers. Thanks Rebekah!

This cocoon comes in so many different colors and is knitted in a very soft yet durable acrylic yarn that stands up to a good washing.

Loose Knit Cream Mohair Cocoon

Tracy Perry just sent me these two pictures of my standard loose knit mohair cocoon, only she ordered one in almost every color. In that respect she reminds me of my dad! Whenever he found a shirt or shoes that he liked, he bought one in every color. Tracy does that too. A knitter's favorite kind of customer! And look how lovely these babies look in the brown cocoon, and the blue one. Thank you for sharing Tracy!

Well hey!

Two posts in one day! I guess the sky did fall, and you all can just go ahead and start calling me Chicken Little now.

I've been on Etsy, oh say about a year now? And only TODAY did I find that little tab where people post their appreciation pics of all my knits. Hello! So let me see if I can figure out how to get some of them over here, for you all to see. I've been out of an office environment for about three years, and I've lost that part of my brain that controls technology info.



How about that - I think I did it. Look at this lovely image provided by Kelly Sillaste, using my mohair and silk wrap. What a beautiful baby! Thank you Kelly!

Dear God

I don't understand. You are up there, looking down on me, and I think you must be having a good giggle at my expense. I mean, I KNOW you fully understand that I could use at least 15 more hours in my day, and you have it in your power to make that happen, and yet, it must be amusing to see me running around every single day, looking like a chicken that just had its head cut off.

Take this blog for instance. Who starts a blog, and then only posts about once every six months?? Me, that's who! Thanks a lot, o holy one - I am not laughing with you!

Okay enough whining. I'd like to share these lovely pics from my dear customer Meg Poort in Las Vegas. This first is of a cocoon currently in the shop - I love this image. Thanks Meg! The last two are of a custom set I did for her - a beautiful thick/thin merino wool blankie and hat infused with a few pearls. Sweet baby!

My attempt at a vacation

Well, I thought I would share with you all what it's like for an Etsy knitter to attempt two measly days away from the office. On Friday morning we had all the best intentions to leave the house by 11am for a leisurely drive to Key West, me using the term leisurely in the loosest way possible, considering we have to strap down an unwilling 20 month old and somewhat willing four year old for a three hour drive. Instead of packing the night before (NO - knitting all night again!), I was trying to pack an hour before we left, this with two kids hanging on both legs, AND finish up about five orders AND get them packaged AND attempt to sneak out to the post office when they're not looking. Never combine half filled suitcases with sneaking out on young children even for five minutes - it brings up all sorts of abandonment issues and then there's lots of crying.

At about noon we were still nowhere ready and then I suddenly remembered our poor pup Pepper. Who would take care of him? Luckily, and please take me up on this fantastic recommendation - Miami has a service called Cageless Boarding - where your dog gets to spend the weekend with a fanatical animal lover who showers him with treats and walks and love and a soft bed to sleep in - and no kennel. Love it!

I packed a whole suitcase of supplies just for knitting (how many items can one person possibly knit in two days???) and attempted to knit the whole way down to the Keys. But my youngest in the back was having no part of that, and has proven to us that she is an actual descendent of Houdini - managing to wriggle out of the tightest carseat known to man. So I spent the last hour coming up with the most ridiculous ideas ever to keep her distracted and partially restrained.

On our first night I was so thrilled to be out of my house and in a public place where people actually HAVE FUN I had one too many rummy fruity things and that blew a whole night of knitting. Oh no! So the next morning I sent the kids to the pool with their dad and then worked as fast as humanly possible, knowing full well that he can only handle those two adrenaline junkies for about 20 minutes before he makes up some excuse to bring them back to me. As in, "she told me she needs to go poo poo". Hon, the kid poops in diapers - she's wearing one - what's the problem??? But who can resist the look of sheer desperation in a man's eyes - especially when the welfare of your children is at stake? So that's the end of knitting for the morning.

In the afternoon I threw all caution to the wind and allowed the girls to (gasp) watch Spongebob Square Pants while I snuck in some stitches. Happy to report, that square yellow dude is not half as offensive and horrible as I've imagined him all these years.

In the evening we ate all kinds of things we shouldn't have, like too much shrimp, frozen key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate, and retired home with belly aches and only a marginal desire to knit. But little people refused to sleep and a wedding party going on outside our hotel room kept everyone awake until late late late, so another night of knitting was blown.

In short, tomorrow I believe I'll be packing up my suitcase of supplies, as I'm pretty sure no knitting will get done in the car as I wrestle same 20 month old for the ride, and I'll be happy to see my comfy couch, pleasantly organized supplies, and hopefully an early kiddy bedtime so I can get back to the grind. Better luck next time!