Sewing Spree and other things

Hi, all!

Well, it wasn’t easy, it wasn’t always fun, but I have another quilt top and backing DONE! YAY! I’m giving it to the quilter on Saturday. It doesn’t look like the picture in all regards because the one in the picture looked good hanging, but I hated how it looked on the bed. So the side borders are wider than the bottom border, but I don’t care because it looks better on the bed with a longer side border. It wasn’t as wide as I wanted it to be, but measure twice, cuss once, what can ya do? They say done is better than perfect, and it’s a good thing, because it’s far from perfect. I’ll try to remember to post pictures once it’s quilted and on the bed.

I’ve also decided that I’m no longer going to make a quilt backing that requires three widths of fabric. UGH! It’s either going to be a lap quilt (no bigger than 76” wide) or I’m buying the 108” backing fabric. :-\ Talk about a beast of a piece of fabric to try to tame!

So it’s on to something smaller and less in my comfort zone... a backpack purse! I finally bought the Cindy Taylor Oates Backpacks book and I’ve been studying it to see if I can get it to make sense. I think it’s starting to (after about a week or so of reading through it). I started cutting yesterday for the first one, and funny things happen when you change the pattern... you end up with not enough fabric! BOOGERMUFFINS! So I dove into my limited stash of fat quarters and found one that though it’s a little more flowery than I was planning on using, the colors match VERY well. Now I have a problem because I’m planning on making another one just like it with two other sets of fabrics, and I probably don’t have enough. So it’s back to the fabric store. After I prove to myself that I can make this thing, I have some really nice fabric coordinates that I’ve been looking for a special occasion to use, and I think this is it. Pictures will be available should the project come out nicely.

I also have some ideas brewing for a quilt project I set aside last year because I got frustrated and discouraged (a common syndrome with me), so we’ll see if I can make that come to fruition. I just hope I don’t have to buy any more fabric. I’ve already invested way too much and I don’t even know if the fabric is still available since it’s been over a year. I just looked and it seems to be - at least it’s coming up in the product search. That’s encouraging. The quilt is still going to have some elements that look like a three-year-old pieced it together, but it’s going to a non-quilter, not the Quilt Police, so we’ll hope for the best. :-)

I have been making some jewelry here and there, mostly for me, though. Hard to make money that way. Click this link to see a necklace that I made one for me and one to sell. I made matching earrings, too, but they’re a bit much next to the necklace, so I’m not sure what to do with that information.

Well, I think that’s about all the excitement I have for you this time around. I’ll post pictures as things progress (assuming they progress well, tee hee) and keep you posted (assuming I don’t get discouraged and want to give away all my fabric stash again). :-)

Blessings,

Kristin

What does Kristin do on a sunny day??

She stays inside and plays on the internet, apparently, since that's what I'm doing today. I've been monitoring Facebook for news (did you know there's snow back east??) and catching up on a few emails and other things, including a short blog post. I say it's going to be short because I don't have lots of news - we'll see if my rambling gets in the way of that.

Work has been really busy this past week - I've gone from second gear to fifth gear pretty much overnight. I've forgotten how to multi-task because I haven't had to in so long. But busy at work is good - that means that I have a job and that I have meaningful work to do and the day goes by faster than when things are slow and I'm looking for things to do (like cleaning out my files. Ugh.).

I haven't been doing as much crocheting this week, but I did get four bracelets made on Tuesday night. I'm supposed to be doing beading as I'm writing this, but instead I squandered the morning (and part of the afternoon) on the computer. I think I've done about all I had in mind on the 'puter, so it might be almost time to set it aside and do some beading. I got some great beads last week that I'm really looking forward to playing with, but I want to do something creative - I do a lot of bracelets and earrings - I'd like to do a necklace. I have a sketch in my head, but when I try to apply beads and findings, it never seems to match what's in my head. I've always had that problem.

Speaking of art never turning out in reality the way it is in my head, I had a fun experience last week. My Dad sent me my school papers and art that he had from before I started school through second grade. I got to read stories and poems I wrote (and we laughed really hard) and I got to see some of my artwork that my Mom could tell what it was supposed to be better than I could. Still trying to figure that one out. I did find some paintings I did when I was three that are actually suitable for framing (if you're a fan of abstract art). I've come to the conclusion that the age of three was when I peaked as an artist. I tried painting about 5 years ago and it looked like it was done by a two year old. Obviously I've not progressed in my painting skills since then. ;-) Though I didn't try anything abstract... maybe that was my problem? I wonder if I could sell prints of my paintings on Etsy? I painted them, after all. ;-)

Speaking of Etsy, I should probably go grab a snack and then play with some beads. Thanks for reading, and feel free to drop me a comment and let me know what's new in your zoo!

Blessings,
Kristin

It's been a while....

.... but I have great excuses!!! First (and foremost), I've been sick since the beginning of December. It started out with a sore throat, grew into congestion, almost disappeared until an airplane ride, more congestion, another airplane ride, and then a cough that sounded like my esophagus was going to be visible at any moment. I'm almost over the cough now (thankfully), as well as the associated fatigue that goes along with being sick (and hacking up one's lungs). Work was about all I could handle, and I didn't feel much like being on the computer when I wasn't working, nor did I feel like thinking. I'm getting a little better with the thinking part now, so here I am. :-)

One of the downsides of being sick is that I haven't been to Curves in about 4 weeks. Now that my cough is almost gone, I'm planning on heading back this coming Monday. I haven't been weighing myself, but I must not have gained all my 40 pounds back over the holidays because my clothes still fit and people are telling me how good I look. Now I'm feeling pressure, though, knowing that people are noticing (and "watching"), if you know what I mean. I can't fail! AUUUGHHHH!!! But failing is what I do best! ;-)

We went to Minnesota for a week over Christmas, and in spite of my being sick and Bill's Mom also being under the weather, we had a good time. This was my first Helgeson Christmas, and it was an adventure. :-) No, really, it wasn't bad at all. A little chaotic, but chaos is sometimes fun to watch. Christmas we went over to Bill's sister's house and about 25 of us gathered to sing carols, hear the Christmas story from the Bible, and of course, eat and open presents! We were about 11 people short of the typical number as the blizzards kept some away. Next time we go maybe the weather will be more cooperative to the west. Speaking of weather, it was WONDERFUL! It wasn't so cold that I thought I was going to die (I'm so acclimated to the Northwest) - in the 20s most of the time we were there. That's a heat wave for December in MN! :-) We had some snow but it didn't hold back the seasoned MN drivers that we rode with. It was pretty, especially knowing we could stay inside most of the time an d just watch the snow fall.

I've been bitten by the crochet bug recently, making things from shawls to ponchos to reusable coffee cup sleeves for those Starbucks trips and for our church that serves coffee and tea before the service (in a different size cup than Starbucks, I might add). I haven't been too inspired to create any more jewelry this new year, but I'm hoping that the better I feel, the more creative I'll get. I also may find my crochet niche and list some crocheted items on Etsy, but I don't think I've found it yet. The coffee cup sleeves are great, but I haven't made one that I've been happy enough with to sell yet (plus I don't have the right size cup to measure yet). My gauge is ALWAYS off on crochet things... must be the goofy way I crochet. ;-) I see these tutorials on YouTube and I see how the rest of the world crochets.... how did I get such a freaky technique? Oh, well. It works for me. Except for the gauge thing. But that's why there are other size hooks. ;-)

Bill and I have been attending a new (to us) church since late November or early December. We're going to their membership class next weekend and have signed up for a growth group together, so we're getting more and more involved. They have a Sunday evening service, too, so that frees us up to visit Bill's "home" church once a month or so in the morning and not miss anything at the new church since we can go in the evening. So far we really like the pastor - the messages are down-to-earth, relevant, and Bible-based. Just what we were looking for. Hopefully one of these days we'll learn the worship songs that they play - they do some obscure ones that you rarely hear on the radio and some things that they've written themselves, so it's hard to get traction if you want to sing along. But there have been a couple that I've known or been able to follow along a little bit... just not as much as I'm used to.

Well, I think that about sums up the last month. Hopefully I'll have something exciting to blog about one of these days. Until then, you get to hear about my mundane life. ;-)

Blessings,
Kristin

Welcome to December!!!

Hi, all!

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving... we went to a community dinner so we didn't have to cook, and we had a wonderful time. Not much else new in November that I can think of now. If there had been, I probably would have blogged about it. ;-)

The onset of December has given me a head cold... usually that happens around New Years. Maybe that means this year I'll get through Christmas and New Years being healthy! ;-) In spite of the scratchy throat and dripping, we managed to get our Christmas letters done and printed and stuffed in signed cards in addressed envelopes this weekend! Now we're just waiting for the stamps. We got our first Christmas card on December 2nd! Can you believe it??? Complete with a picture! How amazing is that?? I'm excited that people are going to get a card from me BY Christmas, let alone probably by the week before. I just hope I remembered everyone. I did take a few names off my list this year - people I haven't heard from in a number of years. It's sad because the people are dear to my heart, but it's been forever since I've heard from them. I don't even know that they're getting our cards. Granted, Christmas is the one time per year most people hear from me (which is why I continue to send cards year after year), but it would be nice to hear back sometimes, too.

In other news, we've been keeping busy with various things... I've been crocheting a lot over the past couple of weeks. I bought some patterns on Etsy and have made a few different scarves and two hats (same pattern - the first one didn't turn out as well as I would have liked - the second was much better). Just in time for a cold snap here... it was 20F at my house this morning! Not fun when I'm already sick! :-( But I had my nice warm coat and my nice warm neckwarmer and my nice warm hat and my thin gloves (bad call on my part), so I was pretty okay waiting for the vanpool. The sun's out now, so hopefully it'll break 32F today. This is unusual for this area - we're not used to it and we don't like it. ;-)

I have been making some Etsy sales here and there... I ran an ad for a while on Facebook and got a bunch of new fans for my Ladybug's Beads and Baubles Facebook page, so I can let them know about new items I have and hopefully that will translate into sales eventually. I'm also running an ad on a crafting site, and I'm getting some views from that, but I don't know if the sales I'm getting are from there or people just wandering in. Either way, I'm getting seen and selling some things along the way. Not too bad for a beginner.

I also want to report that I think Bill and I have found a church to attend. It's interesting because it's not somewhere I would have expected him to be comfortable, but everywhere is going to have pluses and minuses. We're also occasionally going to be going to the church Bill's been a member of for a few years. Our new church has an evening service, so we can do both in a day. That will help him since he's used to something more traditional and this new church is anything but traditional. :-) We really like the pastor, though, and the way he delivers his message, and that's the main thing I think we both were looking for. They also have small groups (another thing we were looking for), so we'll be checking those out in January. Thanks for those who prayed about us finding a church home, and please continue to pray that we would be able to grow and serve in this church.

Other than that, it's been Christmas plans and preparations. I have my shopping done (YAY!) and all the presents wrapped except one. I think Bill's getting close to having his shopping done, too. I'm glad I started my shopping early. ;-) We did some decorating but not as much as we normally do. I just didn't feel like hauling out every box and going through it. We did our tree in a red theme this year (no, I don't have pictures, Jana, LOL) and it doesn't look too bad. We have some lights outside, but not a many as last year (I guess my lethargy was contagious - sorry, Bill!). But we're still festive. :-)

If I don't "talk" to you before then, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and in the bustle of presents and preparations, don't forget to remember the real Reason for the Season. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Blessings,
Kristin

Great weekend!

Hi, all!!

Retreat report - it was great! :-) I think I was the only one there that wasn't from the three churches that participated, but everyone made me feel very welcome. I sat at a table with 7 great gals of varying ages, and even though we had to do small group discussions, I survived. ;-) It was a great time of learning and I took some notes that I hope to refer back to. Carolyn also sang some of her songs that had to do with the topics she spoke about, so when I hear those songs again, hopefully the lessons will pop into my mind as a reminder of what I heard.

Bill drive down and met me after the retreat and we went to dinner and then back to the church for a concert (where he also bought me some Christmas presents, hee hee). All in all a really good Saturday. The concert was especially nice because I went to a concert years ago where Carolyn opened and only did two songs. I was so disappointed!! This time not only did she play for over an hour, she took requests! :-)

Sunday Bill and I visited a church. Our "first choice" had an off-campus service, so we visited our second choice of the three on our list. We both liked it pretty well and a few people introduced themselves, including the pastor (which is always a plus). They were having a bake sale in the foyer so we bought dessert for later. ;-) Then we went to lunch and talked about the church and what we thought about it and a lot of other things, which was neat. Not that we never go out to eat or ever talk, but it just seemed especially good on Sunday. After we got home, Bill logged into work and I listed a few new things on Etsy and played with beads. I constructed one bracelet three times before I was happy with it, but finally got it done as well as one other (which went together with much less rework). Even though we had to get out of bed for church and we both "worked," it was still a nice kick-back day.

This week I have my three workouts, dinner with a couple friends, a free night (which will probably be spent with beads), and then this coming weekend Mom and I are going to a sewing and craft festival. I already know what (three or four) free seminars I want to attend... my brain is going to be full! :-)

I hope you all have a great week! Keep in touch, and thanks for reading!
Blessings,
Kristin

A jewelry kind of weekend...

Hi, all!!

This past weekend I was either eating, sleeping, or doing jewelry stuff - buying supplies, taking pictures, creating new items... Okay, it wasn't quite THAT intense. We did go to church and I did have some time away from the worktable, but I did accomplish a lot, too. I had no idea that I would have such a hard time taking pictures. One or more of my medications makes my hands shake (or maybe it's just me - it's more fun to blame the meds), so I have the hardest time getting clear pictures. Using a tripod is even a challenge because most of my photos are close-ups and it's hard to get a close-up shot from overhead with a tripod. I have some pictures I have to take over even though I spent the better part of an hour yesterday photographing. By the time I dragged out the tripod, I was just not in a way to do a whole lot of manipulation. Since then, I've been thinking of other ways I might take the pictures I want and utilize the tripod, so we'll see. I've included one of my favorite shots - it's SO clear! These earpins are made with tiger eye beads, and this picture brings out the beauty of the stones (though I'm not thrilled with the background, but that's the best I have for now. That's one area that I could use a little more creativity - and props.






Other than that, I haven't been doing much with my Etsy shop for the time being because I applied for my business license (heaven help me in making a profit three years out of five) and I'm waiting for that to arrive before I go out beating the bushes for more sales... ah, the feeling of legitimacy. (Update - it arrived on Thursday!) I thought I could do this as a hobby, but I didn't want to get into trouble and the license wasn't that much to apply for, so I wait patiently for November 1 when I can start listing things in my store again and know (hope) that I'm not going to get in trouble. If any of you want to keep track of my Etsy shop activities, do a search for Ladybug's Beads and Baubles on Facebook and join my fan page! I've been revamping that, too, to add some bells and whistles, thanks to some great Etsy forum posters. I did manage to make a sale while I haven't been doing any listing or promoting - my first sale to a stranger! My previous sales have been to my friends. Those earpins went in the mail on Friday.

On more personal happenings, things have been busy but good. Bill found he's got enough vacation time for us to spend a week in Minnesota with his family at Christmas, so we're excited about that. Flights are booked - now I just have to book the pet-sitter. I hope she still remembers us. :-)

Work has been going well for both of us... Bill's been really busy and has been working weekends now and then to meet deadlines. My work has been at a slower pace (no OT for me!) but steady. I'm going to be taking on another project here in the next couple of weeks - I'm not sure what all that will entail, but it sounds interesting.

I've been going to the gym (still) three times a week with one exception (I was sick) where I only went two days. Bad Kristin! LOL! I've lost 44 pounds, give or take, and am kind of stuck right now (or losing slower than I want to). I think I need to change my eating pattern a little to jump start my body to losing again, but to be honest, I don't want to. ;-) I'm not ready to do that yet, so I guess I'll be "stuck" a little longer and then decide I'm ready to eat like a rabbit to get my body losing again. The last 14 pounds has made the first 30 pounds seem easy. Bottom line - I've just gotten lazy. Good thing I'm still working out. As much as it's not my favorite thing to do, I know it's working and so I keep on going and hoping for a pound of fat to fall off now and then.

In other personal news, I'm going to be going to a Women's Retreat in November with one of my favorite Christian musicians, Carolyn Arends. I could have just attended the free concert that night, but it's been ages since I've done a retreat and I really need a spiritual jump-start. Maybe this will help. Bill and I are also talking about church shopping again. He likes his church, but it doesn't have what I need (as much as I like the pastor there). So I found a few churches that we may have a look at, or we may just keep going to Bill's church like we've been doing and avoiding the topic altogether. ;-) Church shopping is never fun, but when you have two peoples' needs and wants to take into consideration, it's even more difficult. Neither Bill nor I have church shopped as a couple before, so this will definitely be interesting. Prayers appreciated if we come to mind.

I think that's all the news I have for now... Thanks for reading. :-)

Blessings,
Kristin

Moving weekend and a near miss

Hi, all!

We went down to Puyallup Saturday to help my parents out with the residual items they needed moved, plus a little settling in. We made two trips in the morning, and decided about 2pm (after lunch) to take a break for a couple hours. Are we ever glad we did! We found out in Sunday's paper that there was a high-speed chase with a fatality (the one being chased was shot) while we were all comfy at the new house. This happened on the exact route that we were taking between the two houses (6 miles apart). Here's the news story. It was done with and cleaned up by the time we went by for another trip between houses. Scary stuff. Lord, thank you for keeping us out of that situation!

The most exciting thing that happened to us was a few claps of thunder (with one lightning strike so close I could hear the buzz of the electricity) and some rain. It managed to pour while we were inside and no more than drizzle when we were loading and unloading the cars. As of Saturday about 7pm, we had all the stuff out of the old house except for cleaning supplies, and when Bill and I left Sunday afternoon the kitchen was at about 75% settled, the master bedroom closet was in pretty good shape, and Mom and David had beat us badly at a game of Hand and Foot. :-) It was a nice balance of work and play - Mom and David were ready for some down time since they've been packing the car and carrying loads to the new house all week, and the big stuff was moved on Friday. Mom was really pleased with the movers she had on Friday, so that's greatness!

The new house is a few years newer than the one they moved out of, in a 55+ community, and yardwork is included in the rental price. YAY! They really like the new house (even though there are a few things that aren't as convenient, like the kitchen is a little smaller and there's no hall coat closet - it was converted to a much-needed linen closet). It's VERY nice and is begging to be decorated! :-) It's one of those houses with lots of interesting angles and lines and walls that don't quite make it to the ceilings, if you know what I mean. Mom and I will tackle the decorating one of these days, once the garage gets cleaned out to the point that we can see what decor stuff she has. Right now most of her sewing stuff and a lot of David's office-type stuff is in the garage - that's going to be the fun part for them to get settled. But the nice thing is everything is at the new house (including cable and internet) so if they're looking for it, it's there somewhere. :-) I wanted to help Mom get her sewing room in order, but she's still scheming about how it's going to get set up. She gets two rooms now, so one will have the machines and a couple other things, and then the stash will live in the other bedroom. David has a loft for his area, and I'm sure he'll love it up there.

So that was our weekend, and this week we're all back to normal. Three days at the gym, errands on Tuesday and downtime on Thursday. YAY! Downtime! :-D It's been a while since I've had a down evening that I haven't been feeling so tired that I thought I'd gotten hit by a truck. I hope I feel up to doing some things around the house or some hobby stuff. I've just been so tired - probably the weather. Yeah, we'll blame the weather. ;-)

Thanks for reading, and blessings to you all!
Kristin