Fingerless Mitts

So, as usual, I'm way behind on trends, but I've been working on some fingerless mitts the last couple of days, and I have to say, they're fun!  I don't know that I would wear them, but they're so much fun to make!

Of course, as I type this, I realize they'd be awesome over my biking gloves in fall and way cuter!

Ok, so maybe I'll be keeping a pair or two or ten.

Well anyway, I'm planning on listing them on Etsy, as soon as I can talk someone into modeling them for me so that I can get pics with both hands showing!  But in the meantime, here's a couple of snapshots of me wearing them!

Terrible at this.

I'd like to say that I've been excusably busy and that's why I haven't been posting weekly like I promised.  I'd like to regale you with tales of adventure on the high seas so you'll know why I haven't been around.
I'd like to share amazing photos of my death defying feats so you'll understand that it's not you, it's me.

But the truth of the matter is, I'm apparently terrible at blogging on a regular basis.

I've got quite a bit new posted on my Etsy shop.  

Oliver Octopus, who actually does have suction cups on his legs, so he can hang out on any smooth surface.

Wearable Alien Mind-Control Brain Slugs (alligator clip underneath works with most hair types/lengths) because awesome is even better when you can wear it!

Bracelets available in custom sizes and multiple colors.

And for good measure a couple of tiny Tilly terrariums.  The glass cube containers are 2.5" on a side with the plant sticking up just a tiny bit past the top.

None of this is an excuse for not posting anything, but at least you know I've been doing something.

Stupid Wisdom Teeth and other news.

So I had my post-op check for my wisdom teeth today.  I'm healing well, but slowly.  We had hoped to do my "annual" cleaning today, but it's going to be about 2 weeks out.  Turns out the reason that my lower left is still so sore is because they had to remove a small piece of my jawbone to get the tooth out.  OUCH!  Good news, I was too busy being a geek about my Xrays to have the usual dental-related panic attack.  Not the high point of my vacation, but not as bad as it could be.

I've gotten my garden basically planted, which is awesome, and if anybody wants to come over and help me get rid of a walnut tree that has miraculously grown 4 feet(!) this year, that would be even more awesome.  Seriously, this tree wasn't there in February and I don't have the yard for one or I'd keep it.

I'm getting quite a bit of needlework down, lots of hardware bracelets, work on a baby afghan and a scarf commission, as well as a few more Kindle/Nook cases.

I posted 5 new items to the Etsy shop today, which is great.  And hopefully, by the time I go back to work, there'll be a few more.  I'd like to get a least a couple of the bracelets posted in the next few days.

By the way, I don't often remember to mention it, but I am willing to do custom/commission work, within reason, just drop me a note.

Hope your summer is getting off to a great start too!

Sorry about that.

So much for a post every week.  I've been busting my hump trying to get an Etsy store up and running and I did!  It's small, not a whole lot of items yet, but it's up and it's getting traffic.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/adriennecongdon  Go check it out!

I had my wisdom teeth out this week, all four of them, and if I knew now what I new when I agreed to do all at once, I wouldn't have, that's for sure.  I would have done the bad one separately from the other three.  On the plus side, time to crochet and to nap with the cat, I've got the crochet work portion done on two more Kindle/Nook cases for my Etsy shop, just need to do the details.

Also, I have to finish a bracelet for my dear friend Jesse, the first one was too big.  Silly me, I assumed he wears a bracelet with the same loose fit that I prefer.  I didn't think about the fact that since he does a lot of wood and leather work that he would wear a tighter bracelet for safety reasons.  Well, once I have his bracelet done, I'm gonna get the one I need to post them on Etsy finished.

Will let you know when things get rolling!

Nook/Kindle Covers

For those of you who don't know, I recently got a Kindle Fire. And I love it! But I needed a case for it. So of course I made one. And of course, then my mom wanted one for her nook. Then a coworker-friend wanted one. And it seems I may have stumbled on to the flagship line for the Etsy store I'm getting ready to open.

So it all started with the relatively simple blue monster case I made for myself.

Then my mom wanted one, and I couldn't very well make an identical one. Where's ther creativity in that?


Then my coworkers saw the pictures and one that I'm close with said "I want one, but a Zombie and I'm going to pay you for it because it wouldn't be right to not pay for a custom piece!"

And I thought 'how am I going to design a zombie, where the opening placement is both hilarious and adorable?' and after a few minutes consideration, I had it! HEAD WOUND! So with this stroke of genius in hand, (um, mind maybe?) I bought some mossy green yarn and got down to business.

I deliver this one today, but she's already seen pictures and is completely in love with it!

Studio: Reboot

So, no access to my art supplies is driving me crazy. That combined with the fact that I have things like Ink and Paint that can't remain in the basement much longer now that the weather is getting colder, has made us come to the decision that I really need to put my studio back together. What does that mean to you?

Well that means:

• new items in the store (which will hopefully move off of Etsy)
• updates to the website in a more timely fashion
• new patterns!
• a permanent move from tripod to Tilghman Street Studios (fewer, more targeted ads)
• possible addition of video to the how-to's instead of just pictures

I'm feeling pretty ambitious about all of this. I'm up in the middle of the night, wide awake from having badly overslept and evening nap, and my brain is going a mile a minute.

We'll need to the get the hubby's computer up and running to make up for the fact that I may be living on the laptop for a good portion of our vacation next week. We'll be getting our new washer and dryer before too much longer with also means that I can felt without having to run down 3 flights of stairs to the washing machine. (The hook-ups are in the basement right now and the studio is on the 3rd floor. The hook-ups are getting moved to the kitchen!)

Speaking of kitchen, I had one that usable, if not actually finished and I'm thinking about trying to custom dye some yarn. Maybe doing some tie-dyes and such.

That's it for now, I think I need to spend some serious time with my notepad and my sketch book. I'll keep posting as new things happen!

Etsy has expired.

So, I'm still waiting on the photo for the pattern I finished. Can't post it till I get the pic. I totally need to get my own camera. I just don't cross paths with Sarah often enough for this to work anymore. She's got a second job and an early morning gym routine. My job has me working more evenings than days lately.

Which means, in addition to sometimes not seeing my husband for days at a time, it also means that more often than not, but the time I get home from work, Sarah's gone to be already too. Which means it's almost impossible to get pictures from her, she doesn't have internet at home and can't upload anything at work.

Totally need to get my camera working.

Also, I need to relist my Etsy items. I forgot that the listings expire - silly crafter!

I really need to get back on top this stuff and stop letting work from getting in my way. You guys deserve better than a half-assed job from me and I deserve to do something that makes me happy. Getting my act together will be good for everybody.

A very full few days

So, it's only Wednesday, and I feel like I've already put in a weeks worth. I finished a pattern for the site, it just needs a photo and to be typed up. I have an afghan pattern a good portion of the way finished.

Sunday, I worked a half day to cover for someone who was sick, then finished the one pattern and big part of the other.

Monday morning, I went to the gym and then I worked a closing shift. At work, I finished up the last 13 pieces in a set of 71 that I had been working on.

Tuesday, I went to the gym with Liam, then worked another closing shift, this time with Liam.

Today, I worked another half day, because I had to leave early because apparently overtime is evil. I bought the stuff I need for a couple of Mother's Day gifts that I'm responsible for and the stuff to make the favors and start the centerpieces for my Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Then I came home and played on the internet for a while. Then I went for a sushi lunch, hit Walmart for some odds and ends and then went to Wegman's for the tea bags for my favors.

Then I called Dave and we went tromping around in the woods at the Mary Immaculate Center, and climbed a tree. Then we went out for dinner.

Now, I'm home, putting my favors together and playing on Facebook.
Whew.

Tomorrow plans are gym with Liam and then babysit and make a Mother's Day gift with Lyam. (No, that is right, there are 2 Lyam's and they spell their names differently. One is Scottish origin - Lyam, the other is short for William - Liam. Also, one of them is 2 1/2 and I babysit him, the other is a coworker and dear friend of mine.)

Friday - work, then Date night.

Saturday - another closing shift.

I hope you followed all of that, because I'm not sure that I didn't miss something.

Oh, also, I sold a coffee cup sleeve and pair of baby slippers this week.

Crochet Pages Shop on Etsy Now Open!

So, I finally got my Etsy shop up and running. Now you too can have something handmade by yours truly! Right now it's all coffee coats and cozies, but they're adorable, I promise.

Check it out!