Should be sleeping, BUT!!!

Since yesterday (Sunday) morning, I've had one hour of sleep, thanks to skeedaddling out of work early in order for a quick nap before school tonight. And what happens during that hour? Thanks to Moxiedoll at Etsy for a great Treasury, my Scarf of Many Colors made the front page of Etsy! Well, it was longer than an hour. In fact, it was more than 1,200 views overall to my site and 25 new hearts for that scarf alone! That's a lot of traffic.

So Treasuries are worth it. Street Teams are worth it. Networking with other sellers is tooootally worth it! It's all worth it. Maybe even the loss of sleep for one night ...

So exam turned in (at this point, who cares what the grade is, it's DONE). Learned a few new things in organizational theory, which is always cool. Photoshop license came in (yay). Kitties are speaking to me (yay). Kind of (mmmm).

Sweet dreams!

Still writing my exam/paper

But since treasuries are time sensitive, if you have the time and interest, check out the following, which include one of my scarves!

Treasury (http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php)
rust roots
for your inspiration
yellow + blue = green
CCCoE Greenery

Treasury West (http://www.etsy.com/treasury_west.php)
Green Onions!!!
I got one!!!
LOOK AT ME!
Who Else Could You Be?

And one I put together for Treasury West:
California's Seamy Underground

Once I'm back in action (Tuesday night, MAYBE, after no sleep tonight, late night tomorrow, I see an early night Tuesday), I think I'll post a tutorial for posting a Treasury, which was once a huge mystery to me, and now it's not that big of a deal.

Thank you to everyone who put my creations in their great lists, particularly the California Crafter's Club of Etsy!!! It's a nice feeling to be in eight at once!

Oscars and Kitties and Lox

Have I ever shared how skilled I am at avoiding doing things I'm just not that into?

Like my take home exam?

That should have been completed hours ago?

And here I am still struggling with outlines?

...Sigh...

Watching the Oscars might not help, but golldingit, it's the Oscars! There's a whole weird world down in So Cal that the rest of us don't get to experience (thank gawd), but we still looooove to watch.

Well, I love to watch. Let's be clear.... my girlsies are totally and completely zonked out, and have been for 9o% of today. (Note that Molly is sleeping standing up under her "heat lamp" on top of her "heat box" [aka cable box].)

So, in addition to sleeping kitties, my new scarf, "Curly Lox," is listed in my shop. I think this scarf is beautious! I love the brilliant little locks of Cotswold wool twisted into the ivory merino wool. Chunky and funky! This yarn is from Nicole of Whirligig Yarns, and I'll be back for more of her creations!

rain, fire and smoke

It has rained with barely a stop since yesterday morning. Plus the occasional high wind, to make life more interesting!

It was really cold yesterday, too, so I curled up on my sofa with movies, knitting, kitties, enjoying a log in the fireplace. When the storm really kicked up, I noticed a funny sort of smoke smell, but figured it was the firelog I used (it's a brand that usually smells not so great in the end, but it was my very last log). So, off to my bedroom to study.

Then the storm kicked in full gear! Howling winds! Lashing rain! Worried kitties! I wanted to see if everything was still intact in my back yard. Imagine my shock when I walked into a smoke filled living room! My heart still stops when I think about it!

In the midst of this huge storm, I'm flinging open my back sliding glass door to get smoke out. Running into the back room to wrest fans from storage to blow smoke out. Scooping the smoking chunk of firelog into an old baking pan and running with it outside, where I was immediately drenched from head to toe, and squishing it into an ash pulp in a puddle of rain. Burying the other smoking chards in the ashes in my fireplace. Also coughing through out this (cuz it's smoky!), praying my smoke alarm doesn't go off (which it didn't -- what gives? need to check the batteries!), then the horrorified realization that all of my scarves are in the living room!

Oh boy.

So, now I'm scooping up scarves and yarn from my futon and rushing them to my back bedroom/storeroom, which was blessedly smoke free. In squishing wet socks, dripping pajamas, drenched hair. I need to add my inventory to my house insurance.

So, next day, still a little smoky smelling, but smoke's gone (I'm sure I'll be cleaning walls next weekend). Scarves are A-OK (whew!). Girls are OK. I'm OK. Yay.

Today is going to be my "do my take home exam in one day" day. Ugh. But that's the gig, when you're employed in a fulltime professional career, a fulltime grad school program, and your own fulltime business. With fulltime kitties. I think I need to take a few vacation days each month!

Birth

Each new creation is a bit like giving birth -- you put bits and pieces of yourself into it, including your experiences, feelings, biases. You might worry and fret over making it just right, and then as it nears completion, all you can do is let it go and become what it is meant to be!

Waxing philosophic while deluged with cold and rain Good day for a fire, hot cocoa and a laptop!

I've been thinking about this act of creation, though, as I've allowed that part of my brain (and soul) to thrive again. I'm sure more philosophy will follow.

In the meantime, I give you this:

another quickie

Yet another crazy busy week! I fall into bed each night in a near swoon because I'm so tired and it's so comfortable (until a cat jumps on my head ....):

• Two sales this week! My red fluffy scarf and prairie chic scarf have found new homes and will fly the coop tomorrow.
  
• I broke 100 "hearts" this week! Meaning that more than 100 people have marked my shop as a favorite since I listed my first scarf on January 26th. I don't think that's too shabby for less than a month in business!
• Very busy at work -- we're moving into budget season, which means >50 hour weeks (maybe >60 hr weeks ...) for the next six + months. I've got to figure out how to balance work, school, shop, kitties, family, friends. Cloning's not been perfected yet, eh? Also recruiting for new staff, which is very time consuming for me (still have to do work on top of screening and interviewing).
• Major school work this weekend, but I'll try to post the scarves that I get finished.
• Think good thoughts for my parents -- Dad's down for two weeks with some damage to nerves in his leg, and Mom's down with something going on with her back. :-( I wish I could be there with them! Why do these things only happen when you can't miss anymore school and you're down a couple of staff at work!?!
• Some new yarn arrived this week from my old and new favorite spinners, including kittygrrlz, franksandbeans, and whirligigyarns. I'll take and post pix tomorrow. Promise! In the meantime, you might check out their shops -- they do incredible work. I can't wait to knit with their yarn.
• DOP. I just remembered I have to go buy Photoshop tomorrow (should have done it tonight!). My trial version's expiring tomorrow, and I can get a discount from the academic version at work.

Hope everyone has a great weekend -- even though mine will be crazy, I'm still happy it's Friday!

Previews!!!

Is this not fun??? This is one of the new yarns I picked up yesterday -- I am in love.... It's a bit of a challenge to knit with, but it's turning out so incredible, any challenge is worth it.

FINALLY ... reshooting all of my scarves, using this new equipment (I'll be a professional photographer at this rate ... NOT). Let me know what you think! The scarves I listed last night (Mardi Gras and Spring Carnival) didn't look that great, so I updated them first, and I think the difference shows (in a very positive way).

SO, now I can eat dinner (!!!), relax through the end of American Idol, and do some knitting!!!

Thankful mood

This weekend and today has been about a "little pyelonephritis" (don't read the link unless you have a strong stomach!) -- part of the fun of being a lupie girl. Moving on....

Thanks to Lauren for including me in her beautiful Treasury (my bright red scarf)! You should check out her Etsy shop, LaurenBacchus -- really beautiful jewelry!

Thanks to Ginger (I think...) for "tagging" me! I have to think about my answers, then you can read the dirt (and likely share in the fun). You should also check out her Etsy shop, MsBelle -- I love her jewelry so much, I've placed four orders!!!

Thanks to my new favorite yarn shop: The Bobbin's Nest in Santa Clara (you can also read about them here)! I had such a fantastic experience there today, after a heck-ish morning at the doctor's, lab and pharmacy. I spent a nice bundle and will be back again and again! Just wait to see what shows up in my shop! They have a great selection, reasonable prices, it's very airy and well laid out, and the owner was great to boot!

Thanks to my iPhone for helping me find The Bobbin's Nest!

Hmmm, who else can I thank today?

Well, three new scarves listed this weekend, two new in the hopper (listed tonight or tomorrow, depending on how I feel), and many more still in my head. I have a truckload of yarn, including some gorgeous handspun/dyed on the way from my very talented colleagues at Etsy, and not quite enough time to focus as I'd like, but I'm up to the challenge!

Now, to bed ... need some quality sleep.

Thanks to all of YOU!!!!

A quickie!

Quick update before I go hit the streets:

• Check out my watercolors scarf in the main Showcase today!!! Best advertising ever!!! It expires at 9pm Pacific, midnight Eastern!
  
• My Forest Violets treasury made the front page of Etsy last night!!! Woo hoo!!! That meant great exposure for the sellers with items on the list (even if it was after midnight...). It also meant that someone in Etsy's administration liked the list enough to put it there (which is GREAT exposure for ME).
• I finished the fruit stripe (ha) scarf -- will be blocking it today. SERIOUSLY soft. I like the way it turned out, and it's a bit funky, too. Might be great for teenagers and tweens!
• I'll be posting my lemon/peach scarf today (almost dry!), I think it's inspiring a dessert-based name, yum.
• Headache's still with us, just not as bad (it got pretty bad yesterday....).

Off to do two days worth of errands!!!

Happy President's Day!!!

working it through

Gaahhh, the headache is back. OK, migraine. Whatever. Hurts.

I'm taking it easy (had a laundry list of chores and errands today, oh well), and trying to be quietly productive anyway. Mac and cheese is on the stove right now.

Here are some samples of my efforts this weekend. If you're intrigued, you can check out more on Flikr!

First up is a finished scarf, now being blocked, super thick to very thin: yellows, kiwi greens, teal blues. This might be the most frogged scarf in my entire history, I think because I kept trying to do a garter stitch, rather than just a stockinette. I also did a twisted knit every other row, which I know sounds weird, because it was so stretchy. It's really pretty and very soft!

Next is a work in progress (wip) using a new merino wool/alpaca blend (Lorna's Lace, love it) I picked up yesterday. Reminds me of Fruit Stripe gum! But I'll come up with a better name than that ... Seriously soft.

I'm listing a new scarf tonight! It's all blocked and dried, and I am really happy with how it turned out. I'm going with some kind of Celtic name, given its brilliant emerald interspersed with mossy and peaty browns/greens and the occasional bits of violet/red. It's really soft with a wonderful sheen (thanks to wool/mohair blend) -- this is the work of Franks and Beans -- check out her Etsy shop!

That's it from me tonight. The girls are demanding their fair share of attention (is it really possible to give 300%, instead of just 100%?????)

The Eagle has landed!

Wasn't it George Peppard on the A Team who would say, "I love it when a good plan works out?" Or something to that effect?

(I'm dating myself, I know, but it was a big show way back in the dark ages of the early 80's -- NINETEEN 80's, thank you).

You can read about the details on Heather's great blog -- who is married to my old friend Phil, balancing life, family, work, and crafting for us all to read about -- but there was some behind the scenes activity involved in her "surprise" Valentine's gift. Mainly my sheer and profound panic when the same exact color alpaca that I used for the Hooray for Spring! scarf was sold out (but they had one last skein of nearly the same exact), and my learning curves with how to make a sale off line from my shop, and how to do online express postage (now I know -- easy!).

So the Eagle "lifted" on Wednesday and "landed" on Thursday, and the rest, as they say, is history.

"I love it when a plan comes together!" (confirmed via imdb)

Treasuries, scarves, kitties, and long weekends

First and foremost ... YAY for the three-day weekend! I have a take home exam to work on, but am also focusing on cleaning, chopping up the branches in my yard (yep, still there), knitting, listing and hangin' with the girlsies.

Hey, I was in two Treasury Wests this week (very cool)! See below! And I posted one last night, myself (see below)!

I'm madly working on increasing my inventory. I finished a gorgeous green scarf last night, but am washing/blocking it this weekend. Used this yarn (remember it?).

I'm working on a VERY spring-y yellow/white/peach number, made from this, should be done today, then wash/block.

I'm going to pick up some more Misti Alpaca today, which is my fave fave fiber for scarves -- SO soft.

I hope to get a mohair scarf done this weekend = two more wool ones that I cast on last night.

I can't move right now, Molly's zonked out on my lap (she never snuggles anymore, so I have to take what I can) and Fiona's laid claim to my legs -- I'm kind of hoping for the birds to distract them so I can get up! My poor babies, they're just so happy that it's SO gorgeous, sunny and glorious. Living in the Bay Area, I tell ya, can't complain about the weather (though I do, I do).

Oh and poop, UPS is making me pick up my photography lighting equipment after they tried to deliver at the weirdest times of day for working professionals. I'm sure they're closed on Monday. They're closed today. I have one shot Tuesday morning (my work at home day). I truly wish people wouldn't use them -- I never have good experiences with UPS.

New fiber goodness

Rustico Moderno -- that name was in my head the entire time I knitted this (and it was fun to knit!). I love how the stripes are slightly off kilter, not purely horizontal, maybe a 15 degree angle. I also love the vibrance and texture of this particular wool, from TerraBellaSpun!

Just listed it -- hope folks like it!

Yesterday, I learned that a main showcase entry is an incredible marketing tool, nearly tripling my previous average # of views/day. My next main showcase spot is scheduled on the 18th.

I hope to list another new scarf, made with Sheep Shop 2 variegated wool, tonight -- variegated soft watercolors (no pix yet!).

Happy Valentine's and here comes Spring!!!

My new boyfriend

I've been cellphone-less for almost two weeks, and for someone who doesn't talk on the phone a lot, it's been awful! My Blackberry upgrade didn't work out (ugh). I desperately needed something I can keep my schedule on, as well as use for email and phone. So .... for nearly the same price as that upgrade which shall not be named ... I'm the proud new owner of an iPhone.

I know, I know!!!

But, I'm in love. It's so freakin' cool. And it actually works (hey, that's what counts around this house right now -- the ability to make and receive calls!). And as a big iPod fan (LOVE mine), I thought the extra expense was worth it to love my smart phone. I haven't loved my PDA's or smart phones for awhile, so yay.

I'm still figuring out all the bells and whistles, including how to manage my calendar, but I'm very hopeful now, rather than bleak.... Ah, living in the Bay Area!!!

Look QUICK before it disappears!!!

OK, so I happened on Treasury West in Etsy just as it was approaching opening up for new lists. Darn and yay! I committed to waiting for it to fall under the requisite less than 222 lists, then panicked, and created the following. It's only up for three days, but at least is memorialized here for all posterity. Bunny lovers, enjoy!!!

Why aren't weekends longer?????

Man, it is sooooo beautiful today!!! I want to be outside soaking in the sun, but have too much to do! My parents are stopping for a visit today, so madly cleaning (which is desperately needed anyway). I still have reading to do and a paper to write (but it's just 1-2 pages). The never ending chores. I need groceries, but don't see that happening. I've got to get a new cell phone, but won't be able to do it until Tuesday, so I'm still cell phone-less, which is driving me insane (isn't that funny, for those who know me, and know how much I avoid talking on the phone???).

I did get a new scarf listed yesterday, Woodland Nymph, and just love it. I wish the pictures did more justice!!! It's so soft with so many surprises spun into the gorgeous yarn.

I scrapped the Valentine's scarves I was working on -- they just weren't turning out the way I wanted -- and am working on two really funky and fun scarves, one using the Raisins & Berries handspun I showed you below (LOVE how it knits up!!!), one using a thin/thick wool died in hello, orange and navy (GORgeous), and one using my fave baby alpaca in a deep pink or fuschia. I hope to work on at least one today!!!

Yesterday, my Etsy shop broke all of my records for # of views in a day, which is pretty exciting! In fact, it was nearly double my previous high. Maybe the rest of the country had the worst weather ever, or maybe changing dress forms and improving my photog skills (still much improvement needed) helped. Or both. I'm much happier with the quality of my photos, and think I'm creating a more consistent "look." New banner will be next -- maybe next weekend. I need something that makes it more clear what's for sale ...

Happy Sunday to all -- thank go0dness next weekend is a three day weekend -- I need the extra time!!!!

Glorious Spring weather

It's about time! Warm, sunny, clear skies, birds singing, the whole schmear. Much chillier right now, but it's still Winter, after all!

New favorite fragrance, courtesy of Banana Republic: Rosewood. If my Smell-o-Vision was working, you'd catch a waft of amber, touched with green and a hint of floral. I keep smelling myself ... in a good way! That was the result of a trip to the mall, where I had different goals (unachieved), but still happy with the outcome.

Also did well at DSW (aka Shoe Heaven), where I was able to use three $50 coupons! Get this ... the cashier's response was "What did you do to get these many?" My answer, with a very deliberate voice and direct stare, "Bought a lot of shoes." Duh.

Now I'd better finish a scarf, write a paper, and get all of my reading done for class on Monday...

TGIF!!!!!!

Wow, never was a Friday needed more desperately. Rough, tough week.

But, on a lighter note, I came home to find my new dress form waiting for me! I've also been learning more about digital photos. I needed a lighter colored dress form, but one with a little uniqueness. My darker scarves are totally lost on my black dress form (which is better suited for lighter scarves).

Let me know what you think so far? (Bearing in mind that I'm not a super skilled photographer ... yet!)

p.s., note the new wool scarf with the supercalifragilistic tie dyed effect -- need a good name for it!!!!

Shopping

work, sick, knit, missed school this week (sick), work, knit, more work, feed kitties, love kitties ... that's my week. So, please enjoy the following sampling from new additions to the yarn inventory!

p.s., should mention that I'm madly working on several Valentine's types of scarves to list by Saturday. Stay tuned!



Plum copper art yarn from kittygrrlz (LOVE her stuff!).







Forest floor art yarn (look at the sparklies!) from MollyMillerByAppt (also love HER stuff!).





The last three are from TerraBellaSpun (love her!). The photos don't do true justice -- really soft and lustrous!

Scarf musings

Kris asked me the other day about the needle size that I use. I thought I'd share my sage reply here (ha ha ha).

1. I love making scarves because I'm way too "ADD" to make sweaters or bedspreads: a scarf doesn't usually take more than 4-6 hours (8-10 for more complex ones), and the end is always in sight.
2. That said, the larger the needles and bulkier the yarn, the faster the scarf!
3. Therefore, I do try to primarily use bulkier yarns (e.g., FAT and fluffy), but with lots of texture.
4. AND I primarily use size 17 or 19 needles (but use anywhere from 9 to 15, depending entirely on the yarn's weight and the design).
5. Also, I've replaced all of my old metal and synthetic needles with bamboo and rosewood -- it really does make a huge difference! I knit faster and more accurately (fewer dropped stitches).
6. Also, I try to only use yarn that I love; otherwise, what's the point??? If you love the yarn, you'll love knitting with it.
7. That said, I may start/restart a scarf more than five times to try to get the right width, pattern, needle size, etc.

Whew. I'm starting a custom order (yay!) tomorrow night with Misti Alpaca (best yarn ever!). I started a new one tonight with Sheep Shop Yarn Company wool, which I am loving. I may give it a Grateful Dead inspired name -- it's very tied dyish (did I spell that right?).

Hey, I made it to Etsy's Valentine's Day Gift Guide! Pretty cool! (Be My Valentine scarf)

Did I mention how much fun I'm having???

NOT having fun healthwise -- still crummy -- but not complaining.

Working on some new scarves with brand new yarn, can't wait to show them to you!!!

Sale #2 + continued bronchitis/sinus woes/whatever

Sale #2!!! Yay! Hooray for Spring Scarf, which had about eleventy billion views, sold this morning, and is heading for a new home. (Heather, you can custom order another -- the alpaca yarn is available just down the street from me.)

Listed "Secret Garden" scarf last night, the gorgeousness with bits of lace and ribbon and such. I don't think I have the right name or description quite yet. It makes me think of ruins -- a little more Goth than roses and violets, you know?

Also listed "High Sierras" yesterday, but again, don't have quite the right name or description. It definitely reminds me of the mountains, but is more agate-y or fossil-y to me. Hmmm.

In bed since Saturday with massive headache, chest pain, that lovely deep night time cough, etc. If I'm not better tomorrow, I'll have to call the advice nurse. :-(

I'm finishing up a wool variegated ribbed scarf today, if I feel up to it, which is very different than what I currently have listed. Very tailored and crisp. I think it will be popular, but we'll see. If I get up the energy, I'll add a photo later today.

I have to rethink and reknit the scarf with the gorgeous antique gold wool with green/blue glazes -- I had two skeins and 1/3 into skein two, I realized they totally don't match!!! That's the chances you take with handspun/dyed yarns from other countries (and I should have looked at them closely before starting....). There's not enough in either skein for a full scarf, so I'll either need to alternate rows with each skein, or maybe just make neckwarmers or scarflets. Hmmm.

Because sales depend on pictures, and my pictures aren't best quality because of poor light, I took the plunge and bought some lighting equipment via ebay. I think I've now made not just emotional but also monetary commitments to making this work! And another dress form, lighter color, since black doesn't work with all colors.

I know I'm getting boring about the scarf biz -- I just need to think out loud sometimes! Thank you all for bearing with me.

Last thought ... I think I either didn't record or deleted by accident last week's Project Runway! But if I go to their website, I'll see who was auf'd (and don't want to ruin it). Argh! Have to remember to watch it at 9 and at 10 on Wednesday.

Couldn't wait

So I finished my most favorite scarf yet yesterday!!! I'm blocking it now; hopefully, it will be dry by this evening for listing. This art yarn from Kittygrrlz is just so incredible and beautiful -- I ordered another skein last night (plum/copper this time)!

Molly modeled it first (no worries, washed/blocked AFTER her modeling debut).


I'm in the process of listing a new scarf, which reminds me of hot springs, with the variegated aquas/fossil and agate blues/soft teals. LOVE it. I think it could be for men or women (but I want to keep it for myself ......) Hand spun/dyed yarn is from misshawklet via Etsy, who has a great focus on animal friendly fiber (you should check her out).

In the interest of equal time, here's Fiona trying to keep warm under their favorite spot, "The Heat Lamp." They love laying on the cable box (warm) and toasting under the lamp next to it. Anything to keep warm in this wacky weather!!! Cold, wet, cold, windy, cold, rain. Good day to be inside, tucked into a comforter, working on scarves, reading my chapters and cases for class tomorrow, and writing up a case brief! Oh yeah, that's right, that's what I'm doing!