Start drooling.

Just a quick drive-by posting to share some pictures. Excuse the threads that need clipping and the markings on the fabric--they are works in progress. They will be tarot bags, though, and you'll see them in my store soon.

Out Wandering

I had a doctor's appointment first thing this morning. I left with half a pharmacy worth of medications, because breathing is a good thing. Ironically, I realized a little later that it's been exactly 3 1/2 years since I quit smoking.

Because of the way the bus system in Nashville works, in order to take 2 busses, you have to go downtown. So, when I have appointments or errands to run, I often take advantage of being downtown.

Today, I mailed out a few packages and then walked over to the library. It was a beautiful, sunny day, but it was cold, so staying outside for long didn't sound like much fun. When I finished at the library, I went to the bakery/coffee shop in the same building. I got a pastry and an eggnog latte, and read my book for awhile. It was very relaxing

Dinner tonight was something we decided on at the grocery store yesterday. We found a package of ground lamb at a really good price because today was the sell by date. We decided to make something like kebab-type meatballs, and a yogurt-based curry sauce with spinach. I knew it was going to be good, but it turned out much better than I expected. I generally don't do much in the way of carefully measuring and following recipes, so I probably wouldn't be able to duplicate it exactly, but I'm pretty sure I could come close enough. We will DEFINITELY be making that again. I actually think it might have been one of the best things I've ever cooked.

We finished the evening off by watching several episodes of Heroes. We really couldn't watch it before we got the bigger TV, because we couldn't read the subtitles.

Of course, before I could go to bed, I had to be sure to list a new item in my store. It's a Circle Goddess Kitchen Towel.

This and That

I mentioned earlier that I was reading everything by Sara Douglass that I could get my hands on. I have gotten my hands on, and read, all but one of her books. I'll read the remaining one sometime. Now, I am reading everything by Juliet Marillier that I haven't already read...and re-reading some that I have. Right now, I am reading Blade of Fortriu: Book Two of The Bridei Chronicles.

I am shipping out 3 orders tomorrow. Hooray! I enjoy sending packages to people. I guess I assume that other people get as much joy out of receiving mail as I do.

Remember that faery towel I posted about a few days ago? I listed her, along with one of her friends. Check it out!

I assembled a printer cart today. I *love* assembling furniture. I am pretty sure that makes me certifiably insane, but that's fine with me. It's like putting together a big 3D puzzle, plus playing with tools. Interesting fact about me: I brought the power tools into my marriage. And big fancy toolsets--the ones with a little slot for everything--are always very exciting for me to look at, even when I don't know what half of the tools are for.

For those of you that like puzzles, check this out: Jigsaw Puzzle of the Day. No furniture assembly involved, I promise!

Alchemy

Alchemy is about turning lesser metals into gold. My project for the day was an attempt to turn gold into...red.

I was not successful in my attempt, either. At least, I was not successful if the ONLY object was to turn gold onto red. Since I learned some good stuff and ended up with something beautiful, but not red, I also can't say that it was a failure.

I mentioned that I went to the fabric store yesterday. I needed some fabrics for the appliques involved in my sibling shirt sets, some black silk, and some dark red silk. I ended up with all the applique fabrics I needed, gold silk, and a yard of brocade. I couldn't resist the brocade--blue, purple, and silver on a black background. Their silk selection was really depressingly sad, but I found a beautiful remnant piece of gold silk, at a great price. I knew for a fact I could dye some of it black, and I also thought there was a possibility of getting a useable red. After all, to print red, you use magenta and yellow ink. Gold id pretty much yellow, and I have magenta dye, so it was worth a try. I knew that if it turned out really bad, dyeing it black was always an option, so it was no risk to try.

Final verdict: Very pretty, but definitely not red. Here are some before and after pictures.




Now I need to decide what kinds of embroidery designs would be good for some burgundy tarot bags. I'd love to hear your suggestions.

My newly listed item for today is a tarot bag in green silk with a green triple goddess symbol.

Excitement in My Etsy Store

Today was an eventful day in my store! First of all, when I checked my email, I saw 3 etsy conversations from 2 different people, neither of whom I know. When I read them, I realized that they were all about the same item. I had to go over to etsy and see what was going on.

I saw that the number of views on that item had jumped significantly overnight. It had been right around 20 last night, and it was up to 81 this morning. Now, it is up to 111. I checked to see if I had been in a treasury, on the front page, or anything else like that, but couldn't find anything. I googled myself, my store name, and the item name, and still couldn't find anything. I do feel loved, though.

Once I got home this evening, giddy over the fabrics I bought today, I settled in to catch up on what I missed in the forums, and then do some socializing. I sold 5 items (to 2 people) within half an hour or so. Apparently the paypal fairy hanging on my desk works!

The items I sold were all things that I could relist immediately, so I did. I also listed a new item, since I made the rule yesterday that relisting doesn't count for that goal. Here is is: Celtic Knotwork Embroidered Kitchen Towel

My wonderful husband/live-in web expert made some really nice progress on my website today, too. It's still very simple--embryonic, really, but it's getting better all the time. It should be up and running in some kind of finished way by the end of the year. If you'd like to see how it looks so far, just ask and I'll be glad to give you the link.

Good Mail Day!

Today was a good mail day for me. I got the onesies and toddler T-shirts I had ordered, as well as the paypal fairy button that I ordered from the fabulous lizstaley on etsy.

The T-shirts and onesies are for my Sibling shirt sets, plus I have ideas for some other embroidered kidswear up my sleeve. At any rate, I got some really fun, bright colors to work with, along with some classic pastels.

I also had a dilemna to face today. I had to decide if relisting sold items counted toward my goal of listing a new item every day. In the end, I decided that it does NOT count as a new listing. I may reevaluate that rule after the holidays, but for now, it has to actually be new to count.

Today's new listing is an Aries Embroidered Bookmark.

I love this towel!

I'll be listing it soon enough, but I have to share this picture. I love the way this faery design turned out!

Football Fun

I've been a Titans fan for a few years, but it has never been quite so fun as it is now. No one seems to know quite what to make of the situation, including me. Watching football has been especially fun today, because we got a new TV. It's HUGE! 22 inches! Yes, I know, that probably doesn't sound all that big to some of you, but our old TV was 14 inches.

We went to Best Buy yesterday, and were just about to buy a TV and a few other things, but the TV didn't seem to be in stock, and the people working there were uncharacteristically not around to help. This morning, we decided to check the new sale paper online, and found that walking out empty handed yesterday was, indeed, a good move. We found what we were looking for, saw that it was all in stock, and at better sale prices. Then we placed the order online, with store pickup as the shipping option.

Those are exactly the kinds of situations that make me think that it's a good idea to walk away, when it seems like it's taking too much effort to force things to happen. Especially when I'm not all that sure of them in the first place. I tend to think that's Life's way of trying to give me a clue.

I listed 2 new items in my store tonight. Check them out, if you're so inclined!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17423817
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17423360

Holiday plans at Rain's Obsessive Stitchery

I've been thinking about holiday plans for my store today. If I keep up my new habit of listing at least one new item in my store every day, I should be able to get some exciting things up in my store in time for holiday gift giving. Today's Goddess Keychain listing makes 5 days in a row.

You can look forward to seeing some new Tarot Bags in my store before too long. Not only do they make good gifts on their own, but they would be a stunning way to wrap a special gift of jewelry or another small treasure. If you would prefer a customized bag, with your choice of color and embroidery design, it is not too late for me to get that done for you.

My Goddess Keychains and Embroidered Bookmarks make great stocking stuffers. I have several of them listed already, and I will be listing more of them all the time. Please let me know if there is a color or design you have in mind that isn't listed in my store--I may have it ready to go, and just haven't listed it yet.

You'll also be seeing new kitchen towels on a regular basis. Faeries, another goddess style, knotwork, and several more holiday designs will all be showing up soon. I will also be introducing some flour sack towels. They are great for drying glassware, because they are soft and lint-free. They're also useful in bread baskets, or as aprons, tablecloths or altar cloths.

I have some other ideas of things I would like to make in the next little while. I have some brocade patchwork purses in the works, and some really pretty tree ornaments. I'm also looking forward to embroidering some onesies and toddler T-shirts. If there is anything on that list that sound particularly interesting to you, please tell me so that I can make it a priority.

I hate migraines

Very short blog entry today, because about the most interesting thing I have to say is...

I really hate migraines. And I really wish this one would go away.

I did manage my 4th day in a row of listing something new n my store, at least. It's a Knotwork Heart Kitchen Towel.

Today's ramblings

Being pagan, it's not uncommon to run into confusion as to what name to use for holidays. Yule, Christmas, Midwinter, Solstice, etc. My normal reaction to those moments of confusion is to shrug, smile, and say "Eh, I'll celebrate most anything." That's not to say I'm going to throw a party because someone's puppy died, or anything like that, but I'm definitely of the mind that the more things there are to celebrate, the better.

That is part of why I love the calendar I have. Here's a link to the 2009 version. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602370575
First of all, the artwork is gorgeous. I have a serious weakness for celtic knotwork. It also has a lot of holidays/observances, from different countries and religions. For example, today is a Bahá'í holy day, the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh. Interesting stuff!

Some of you are probably a lot more interested in what I did today than what my calendar says. Specifically, what I did related to etsy, and crafting. I am trying to get in the habit of listing at least 1 new thing in my store every day. This was my 3rd day in a row of success in that attempt. Today's new listing is a reindeer kitchen towel.

I worked on embroidering some more kitchen towels today. Some of them were for custom orders, and some will end up in my store. One is a beautiful faery with pink and purple wings. I'm hoping for a sunny day soon, so that I can take some pictures, because I am very happy with how that one turned out.

Bad blogger, try again.

I have been a very bad blogger. I keep meaning to post, but can't think of what to say, or get really busy and distracted, and all of a sudden it's been over a month since my last post. I will do better!

Since the last time I posted, there has been cool stuff that I could have talked about, so I'll talk about some of it now.

I posted previously about having a booth at Nashville Pagan Pride Day. It was great. I had a lot of fun, I learned a ton, and I met some wonderful people. One of those people convinced me to go to Womenspirit.

Womenspirit is a UU pagan women's retreat. I set up a booth there, too. I made some improvements based on things I learned at Pagan Pride Day. I learned even more good stuff, met a LOT of wonderful people, and considered the weekend to be a smashing success. I ran out of Goddess towels very early, so next time I will have to be sure to bring more.

Since I got home from Womenspirit, I have attended the UU church twice. Once on a Sunday, and once on a Wednesday night for Religious Education. I've enjoyed it so far, and plan to go to Religious Education tomorrow night, too. I've met some really wonderful people there, too.

Apparently meeting wonderful people is the theme of this blog post. I wasn't sure what the theme was going to be when I decided that I really had to blog tonight, about SOMETHING.

Really, other than making stuff, the past several months have been all about meeting people. I'm finding myself beginning to be a part of several communities, and it feels good. It feels a lot like juggling, but I'm supposing I'll learn some juggling skills eventually.