I feel a need...

to CREATE! The last couple of days have had my hands twitching, my brain in overload, and some serious stalking of Pinterest's craft pins. I've been on an awesome roll with making things that are fun and even sometimes useful. The only thing I've noticed is that I can usually get a project done in less than a day, and a great example would be yesterday, where I finished THREE projects. I don't usually need or want multiples of each item, and I can't always rely on Sophie to play with the things I make for her. At least she humors me with a "Oh mom, thanks so much! This is great!".... before she puts it down and plays with something else.

Octopus based on a free pattern found online.

So today I'm wishing that I had a fan/client/buyer base that would be interested in buying my stuff. It would put my growing skills to good use, give me great practice, money to buy more materials, and all that jazz. I once tried to do a craft market when I had an 'in' with the people in charge. I think I was set up for a couple of hours, but I also had my small daughter to take care of and my hubs wasn't into helping me out that day. I got really discouraged and angry, and never bothered again. I once set up a Facebook group, got a bunch of likes from friends, but never sold anything. I once had a little stand in a shop with some crochet earrings, but the only 2 sets that sold were to the ladies who worked there.

Harry Potter inspired magic wants via Pinterest.

Not that I wish to be a huge internet renowned success or anything, but, something would be nice. I like making things for people, and I like it when they or their kids like the product too. Once in a blue moon I'll get a commission for something, and its usually some of my best work. Even all of that, is a hard thing to even think of when I don't know many people on a good friendly basis in the first place, online or in life. Cant count on family either, we are unfortunately too few, and out of touch.

Crochet princess crown, free pattern here.

So here's to hoping and trying not to give up. Maybe I'll make that Facebook page again, start blogging again, nag at people to buy things, and glue a big happy smile on my face so they'll go for it. Maybe try to pimp my goods somewhere, maybe even start an Etsy shop! But, as with most things, I dont know how long this crafty spell will last, how long I'll want to bother with any of this for, how much more work I'll need to bother with if I'm selling anything online (shipping, packaging, etc).

Recycled wool slippers, no pattern, suede bottoms, hand cut and sewn.

All the pictures posted here, are the projects I started and finished in a two day span. Peace out. <3

on potty training

I LOVE how quickly Sophie has taken to using the potty. Sure, a number of accidents here and there but she's getting better, and I am so proud of her. Already noticeable is the lack of diaper reek in the bathroom, and a smaller garbage load for the week. Her latest pack of boy short style panties are SO. CUTE.
We're still using pullups at night time obviously. Also having another potty trained kiddo around the house every day is a huge help, as they tend to make bathroom trips together. Good thing I had two potties already. Outings are getting better as well, as Sophie tells me when she feels the need to go, whether she does anything or not. Sometimes I think she's playing games with me.
I have the book "How to potty train in one day!" and I think I only ever got a few pages in. Sophie finally clued in to it all around her 3rd birthday. For a while I was rewarding her with M&M's, and I've slowly been moving away from that.
Mark mentioned he hopes to have them using the toilet in a week, and just keep a little stool in there for them, and get the potties out of the house. (He has a habit of stubbing is toes on the mini land mind of potties, cleaning caddy, and stool that I leave in the bathroom. HAH!) Baby steps I think. Baby steps. Also? THANK GOD that I still have the diaper sprayer attached to the toilet. YouknowwhatImean?
So what am I not digging? Or rather, what is totally grossing Mark out? (HAHA!) It is the "Come and see!" side of it. No one wants to see it kiddo. Not even Grandma. Thanks.

In LaLa Land

I'll admit it, I'm pretty much in sweet sweet love with the Lalaloopsy dolls. Our little collection consists of 3 big dolls, a little, the mouse plush, and a dozen or so mini's that live in a Fisher Price doll house. I've also picked up outfits, the new movie, and a cute little drawing book. I'm pondering how much Sophie actually likes them (not as much as I, me thinks!) and if I want to buy more or not. It's silly, I know. I'm 30 and still collecting cute dolls. Sue me?

Ahh, but here she and they are, watching the ceiling clouds in her bedroom. Love.

I hate the tiny bits of extra stuff that come with the mini's, as my OCD kicks in when something goes missing, and it drives me bonkers. The mini furniture packs are fun though. I've got my eye on the camping mini. HAH.
Sophie's been great with all of them, not much lost or broken, even though she's just turned three, and has had all these dolls for a while now.

I love the different colors and patterns, the stories behind each doll. In my internet searches I know there are plenty more accessories and junk to go with everything, so god help my wallet. Guess I'll ask the boss first, yeah?

Goodness!

Where have I been? Being my homely little house wife self, that's what! As it so happens, I have nothing of importance to note. Holidays happened, good times were had, hobbies continued, people were seen.

All is well with the world.

This one keeps me on my toes.

This is my new favorite hat, from a free pattern that I found online. I've tried it a few slightly different ways, seeing what works, and what doesnt. I've also tried a big slouchy, that I'm not sure how I feel about yet. I've been crocheting more these days, trying my hand at different hats and styles. Keeping house and raising the kidlet keep my days content. And I so love the people I've been hanging out with. They save me from the insanity that lurks in the dusty corners of my quiet house.
I've taken up pot smoking.
I've taken up fun.
Trying to start some new habits, but old ways are much easier. I've lost the attention span to sit down and read a book, or perhaps I just havent picked up the right one yet. Either way, I miss reading.

Birthdays are looming in the near future, and I have no idea what to do. SIGH. Here, read this.

i thrifted...

again! oh, how i love a nice successful thrift!

another beautiful blanket with nice pops of color! i think i'll keep this one on my computer chair, since i'm right beside the patio door to the deck. BR!
these wonderfully broken in vans that FIT! a couple cuties for myself sophie, and some bigger clothes for her as well.

yay!

I am back.

*dusts off blog* With a sudden need to get out of the house this evening, I bundled Sophie up and we moseyed over to the thrift shop, open late on fridays, and found these. Love.

Then we picked up some Chinese food and orange juice, and came home. <3

Hello Again.

While life isnt always as boring and uneventful as I usually make it out to be, its hard to remember the good fun moments, or even to put much meaning or significance behind them.

This morning Sprout and I went to our Gym Tots class and had a lot of fun. She's one of the older kids there, and this week had more kids in the class, so there was more fun and learning to be had. Sprout actually had more fun with swinging on the rings, the bars, balance beams and trampolines! I was quite impressed, as I was feeling iffy on the class this go around for some reason.
My friend Sev and her daughter K came over in the afternoon and we ended up going for a wonderfully lovely walk to the air park, around it, and back. So good to get out of the house and away from screens, especially when the weather is still nice!
This evening I was pleased to receive a phone call letting us know we got into the Mother Goose program at the rec center! Good thing I put our name on the 12 person wait list, yowza! I was looking at my planner, and we've got something to do every single day during the week! Fabulous! We've also started going to a new tot group, tomorrow will be our second visit, and we both really enjoyed it last week.

Last night I tried my hand at some kool-aid play dough. It was a success! Nice and pink! I managed to find some used play dough accessories the other day, so we hauled those out, and the play dough out of the fridge, and Sprout had a great time. She pretended the play dough was a baby, feeding it, carrying it, and I even heard her talking to it. She even put every thing away after I asked her too! Hurrah!
This evening, in another attempt to keep her away from her tv, we painted some rocks together, and it was pretty fun. I'm on a mission to try toddler friendly fun new things!

Sprout had a good day.