Christmas gifts

I love it when I find a great deal at a lawn sale and snatch it up. I found this fabric (a very large bolt I might add) at a lawn sale several years ago. It has been sitting in my closet ever since. I knew that it would come in handy at some point. I found a pattern that I wanted to try and thought that this fabric would work very nicely. So I made this for my mom for Christmas. I sure hope she likes it. The pattern was pretty easy and can't wait until after life settles down so I can make one for myself. I may even make a few for my ETSY shop.

Making changes

I'm not a big fan of change; never have been and probably never will be. I have felt for sometime now that I need to change what I make and sell on my ETSY shop. The things that I like to make just don't sell. How many jewelry vendors are on there anyway? I just don't make things that jump out at people I guess. I am letting everything expire and come January I hope to have a new layout. I may even open a second store so I can keep things separated. I'm not letting the cat out of the bag so to speak as to what I will be doing in each store. I hope that I can find my niche. It hasn't happened yet and I am discouraged.

My project for a rainy afternoon. I have never purchased prequilted fabric before or a fabric that has such a bold print. I saw this one on Sunday and bought it. The bag turned out pretty nice. The pattern is really simple and I will be making some more for gifts.

Lavender soap

Goat milk soap
I made my goat milk soap today. Right now my kitchen smells lovely. Lavender is one of my favorite scents and I see myself making more of this soap. I am keep a journal of the different kinds that I make and things that I need to (or would like to) do on the next batch. I have many ideas and can't wait to get started on them. The photo is of the soap after I poured it into the molds. I will add another one of the finished product once it cools and I remove it from the molds. I need to figure out the packaging and make some labels. Then it will be ready for my ETSY shop.

Baby shower gift

I found this pattern on line about a year ago and have wanted to make it ever sense. I love the charm that it has. Once my children start having my grandchildren, I will be making more of them. Well I probably won't wait that long to make another. This pattern was very easy to follow and fun to do. I haven't figured out how to make the booties though. I also made a bonnet that isn't in the photo. When the photo was taken, the bonnet hadn't been fixed (I goofed when doing the edge and needed to add a few more stitches). The whole set turned out beautifuly and the mom to be loved it! Baby Layla will look beautiful in it.

Mugs

I've finished the mugs that I was working on. One if for my father in law and the other is for his wife. My father in law is a pilot so I put an old fashioned plane on his and had the boys sign it. I couldn't very well take him a present and leave his wife out so I made her one with a pretty flower on it with her name on the back. I know that these little things aren't a cure all for the hard times but I hope it brings a smile. And every time they see them they know that they are loved.

My shippment

It's here, It's here!!

Now to find the time to make my first batch of soap.. It is pretty humid today so I think I will be waiting a day or two. Looks like Friday will be a cooler day so that will most likely be when I start making it.

Patiently waiting for my shipment

I was hoping that my soap base and supplies would be in today.... Alas it doesn't appear that will happen. I checked the shipping company and see that it is still in transit with an estimated arrival date of August 3rd. That is still four days away! How will I manage to find the patience ;)

I went to a local craft supply store today to pick up soap molds since I was so sure that I would be making soap this afternoon. I found while I was there that where I purchased my soap base, lavender and buds is a great place to shop. My soap base has less preservatives than what I would have purchased at the craft store and I paid much less a pound than they were selling it for. WooHoo!!!

I picked up a journal so I could record what I make and how much scent I add and what I liked or dislike with the batch. This should make remaking the order much easier in the future. I also purchased some ribbon to wrap around each bar. I still need to make some labels so I can list the ingredients on each bar.

So while I wait ever so patiently for my shipment, I will work on some more mugs! I picked up a tube of brown paint. I was wishing I had brown last night. Never thinking I would find it. So glad I did. I am making big sister and big brother mugs today. Now to get creative with what to put in them. The girl mugs will be easy, but what do you give a little boy who has just become a sibling??

Mugs

Painting mugs should be an easy thing. But last night and part of today it hasn't been all that easy. Last night I didn't like anything that I painted and ended wiping both designs off before they had a chance to dry completely and today I kept messing up the mug I am making for my father in law. I have decided that I need to take my father in laws in steps. Doing a little bit and letting it dry before adding more detail to it. My youngest two boys are going to sign their names on it for their grandfather. The design is of an airplane with a person in it. I will try to get a photo of it to add but it wraps around the mug so it is a little difficult to get it in one shot. May have to take a couple pics so you can see the whole thing. The other mug I did this morning has a bee and a flower on it. I'm not done with that one either. I am going to add a large flower to the opposite side and add a saying under the bee. I took a photo with my cell phone so I will try to add it here.

Till next time,
Pixie....

Goat milk soap

I am going to be starting a line of soaps. Starting the line with lavender goat milk soap. I ordered the base and the lavender fragrance and lavender buds today. They should be here in 4 to 6 working days. So this time next week I hope to be starting the first batch. Goat milk soap is so creamy and is good for your skin. Once I have it made, I will add photo's.

Check my etsy shop in a week or so to place your order. I hope that you enjoy the soap as much as I do!

Creativity

It's funny how creativity can come and go in an instant. One day I will have the urge to get at a project and a few minutes later, it will be gone. A fleeting memory..... I really wish my attention span is a bit longer and I can keep my mind on the things at hand. I have a few tea travelers ready to put together but lack the desire to do it. It isn't like it will take a long time either. They are pretty simple. Same with the tea pockets that I am whipping out. The only good thing is that they aren't needed until September. I sure hope that I get on the ball before then and get them sewn.

Till next time,
Pixie

Blue venetian earrings

I just love these earrings. I made a pair for myself a few years ago in pink. I also made a necklace to match. Unfortunately the beads aren't inexpensive and it ended up costing me a small fortune. I don't regret it at all though. I love the set. I was at my favorite bead store the other day picking up a few things and saw these blue beads. They have been there quite awhile and they have been calling my name. I gave in and bought only two for the sole purpose of making a pair of earrings. They turned out so pretty. I thought about keeping them, but decided to put them in my etsy store. If they are there in four months time, I may keep them at that point. Or maybe if there are still more of these beads at the bead shop the next time I am there, I will pick them up and make another pair.