Photo Friday

Happy Halloween! Malayna has her first school parade and party today. She decided {like, way back in August} that she wants to dress as a shark. So, of course, last night I was putting the finishing touches on her costume. {Okay, so maybe I just STARTED it yesterday.} I'll post some photos of it later.

By the way, the Phillies won the World Series! We let Malayna stay up to watch the game - she was very excited. I, on the other hand, tried not to watch. The city of Philadelphia is holding a parade today, and we were thinking about going. We changed our minds after hearing that they're expecting over a million people. Instead, we'll watch on TV.

{High five!}

{Celebrating outside by running
up and down the street yelling, "Yay, Phillies!"}

{Tired.}

Show updates

I've updated my show schedule - check the sidebar on the right for details. If you'd like to come to the two home shows I'm doing, please email me at lisa@milkshakecrafts.com and I'll forward the information to you. I'll also be sending paper and email invites to my local mailing list.

{The trees across the street.}

Yesterday's weather here in Elkins Park was crazy! It was windy and snowing - giant, wet snowflakes. Malayna was "superly" excited and kept going to the door to see the progress.

Tonight we'll all be watching the Phillies in part two of Game 5 of the World Series. We let Malayna stay up late the other night to watch part of it, but then it was delayed by rain. Hopefully the weather will cooperate tonight and we can get to bed a little earlier. Go Phillies! {Yes, I just wrote that. I'm so not a sports fan.}

{Go Phillies!}

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My Scoutie Girl post is up!

New squares

Well, hello there! I've been gone for a while, haven't I? This cold that I have has left me feeling pretty bad - I've had a headache off and on since last Wednesday. My head feels okay so far today, so that's a good sign!

I participated in a home show this past weekend {thanks, Wendy!}. My last few shows were good ones - so good that I sold all my original squares. Since I had to make new ones anyway, I decided to try something different. The new squares are pretty different than the old ones - brighter colors, my illustrations as opposed to my patterns, and not so "matchy" as the other ones. I'll still make the originals, but will also try these out at upcoming shows. Here are a few samples:

Each of the squares come in the four colors. So if you really like the orange color, you can have all four in that color:

They look great on the wall together. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of my setup on Saturday. Malayna's favorite is the "grow" square with the birch trees. She likes it so much that I made one for her to keep in her room {in blue, her favorite color}. We were drawing together the day I came up with those trees, so I'm sure that's part of the reason why she likes them. I was surprised at how good that made me feel - my daughter loves my artwork so much that she wants to own a piece of it. She's my little fan!

New York, here I come

Exciting news! In January of next year, I will be participating in the Printsource NY show. It's the opportunity I talked about here. Jan of Daisy Janie and I will be sharing a small booth and lending each other support. It will be the first time I'll be away from Malayna overnight. For three nights. I'm trying not to think about that part too much! I know she'll be fine {Jimmy is taking a mini-vacation from work}, but I also know that we're going to miss each other.

From their website: "Printsource is the cornerstone event for thousands of apparel, paper goods and home textile manufacturers and retailers." What that means is that I'll go to the show with my surface designs and retailers and manufacturers will buy them. At least that's what I'm hoping! Even if I don't sell anything, it will be worth it just for the connections and the experience of doing this kind of show.

So for the next few months I will be busy creating new patterns, organizing my collections and trying not to think about leaving Malayna for three days!

Stuff

I went to the doctor yesterday and she told me that I just have a cold. Sheesh. This cold is kicking my butt. Every time I cough my eyes water, I can't sleep, my nose is stuffy and my voice is disappearing. I look like I got punched in the right eye.

In other news, I bought a new sketchbook and some pens this past weekend. I've been busily drawing, putting down whatever pops into my head. All these little sketches will be turned into patterns, which I will be using for something exciting… Curious? Check back tomorrow and I'll spill the beans.

Blah

This is going to be a short post just to tell you that I'll be back when I'm feeling better. My throat is so sore that I'm calling the doctor as soon as they open. I woke up this morning barely able to swallow. Not good, huh?

Photo Friday

Earlier this week Malayna and I went to Maple Acres Farm for some apples {to make apple crisp}, a few pumpkins and to pick zinnias from their fields. On Tuesdays you can pick 20 stems for $1.00 {every other day it's 10 stems for a dollar}. On the day we went, the temperature was about 80 degrees - not exactly pumpkin-picking weather, but I'll take that over a 50 degree day any time.

{Fields of zinnias.}

{Our loot.}

{Playing dress-up with Lily. They got married.}

This weekend I'm going to two art shows and lunch with a friend. We're planning on visiting the PA Guild Fine Craft Fair and the Highlands Craft Show. What are your plans for this weekend?

Opportunities and fear

Have you ever had an opportunity that you were excited about because it's just what you wanted? You're excited, but you're scared to take a chance. Because what if you fail? What if you think your work is good enough, but it really isn't? What if you see others' work and compare yours to theirs and come up short?

You feel like that if you don't take the chance, you'll be kicking yourself later. You know what's holding you back. FEAR. Fear that your talent isn't enough. Fear of change. Fear of doing something you've never done before.

You just want to shake yourself and tell yourself to get over it. Stop thinking so much. Stop over-analyzing. Stop underestimating your talent.

Or is it just me?

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Check out my Scoutie Girl post today.

Fall for the Arts

Thank you to everyone who came to the Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts yesterday! I had a great show - sold lots of stuff {to both new and repeat customers}, enjoyed the gorgeous weather and even reconnected with some old friends.

I took home a lot less than I came with, which is always a good thing. I have a few new ideas, courtesy of two shoppers. I even got to see my two favorite people - Jimmy and Malayna came to the show to visit.

My birds clocks were a hit - I sold all of them. Squares were also a hit, as usual. In fact, I'm almost out of them, so I'll have to get working on more.

It's Monday, so you know what that means… studio time!

{PS: Thank you, Stacy, for helping me yesterday!}

Class trip

{That's Malayna in the light blue hoodie.}

Malayna's first class trip was great! We had such a good time. She was excited to be around her friends and couldn't wait to go on her first hayride to pick pumpkins and apples. The "farmer" who took us around was so good with the kids. {Um, I don't know if he was a farmer or not, but that's what I'm calling him!}

When meeting someone new, she often announces loudly, "I'm SHY!" Every time she says that I think, "But shy people don't announce that they're shy!" So imagine my SHOCK when she raised her hand every time the farmer asked for volunteers. The first time she did I said to myself, "Does she know why she's raising her hand? She's never going to get up there in front of everyone!" But she did. And enjoyed the hell out of it.

{Tasting secret vegetables.}

She volunteered to dance and sing and shake dried gourd maracas in front of everyone. She volunteered to stand in front of everyone, close her eyes, put her hand out and eat what the farmer put in her hand without looking at it. Twice. And asked for more green beans {which she practically gags on when she eats them at home}.

It was awesome. I loved seeing her like that - totally enjoying the moment and not thinking about how SHY she was. It was like she couldn't wait to get in front of everyone and bask in the attention! Totally gets that from her daddy, by the way.

{Malayna is the one in the blue hoodie. You go, girl with those skinny legs!}

In progress

I have another morning in my studio today. Malayna's first class trip is this afternoon - we're going to a farm for pumpkin-picking, hay-riding and apple-cider drinking. Because of the trip, I took the day off from my part-time job. A nice little perk is that I'll have two hours alone while she's in school this morning {the trip is after school}. Woo-hoo!

I'm going to be getting things ready for my show on Sunday {Chestnut Hill's Fall for the Arts Festival} and maybe even work on that project I talked about a while back. It's a project that must be finished - the idea that came into my head that day was so clear. I rarely get a picture in my head like I did that day. Sometimes I get an idea, execute it, and then decide that the finished product is not what I imagined it to be. However, that day I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do, but it's taking a while to complete it. Here's a little peek:

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Go read my Scoutie Girl post today. Gorgeous, gorgeous jewelry!

Monday!

It's Monday! That means two whole hours of free time in my studio. I have my things-to-accomplish list ready so I don't waste any time wondering what to do. I also took the TV out, so I can concentrate solely on making and not on watching.

I'm rushing home after I drop Malayna off at preschool. This is her week to bring snack for everyone, so she's very excited about going today. Actually, after those few days of crying she's been excited EVERY school day. She said today, "I am a friend of all the four-year-olds."

Photo Friday

Briar Bush Nature Center with Lily and Aidan:

{Slighted.}

{Better!}

{Nature hike.}

{Climbing.}

{Floating.}

And yesterday, a playdate with a new friend:

{Malayna and Brenna.}

Now, imagine a picture of a house sparrow here. We had TWO of them in our house yesterday. I suspect they are getting in through the chimney and ending up in the cellar. Then, they're flying up to our mudroom and banging against the windows, trying to get out. Our mudroom is attached to our kitchen, and yesterday I stupidly left that door open. So, guess what? We had a bird in our kitchen! Fun! I'll admit that I was a total sissy and called my next-door neighbor to come help me get it out. Malayna was smart and went up to her room and closed the door. It eventually flew out the back door, but then a little while later I saw another one in the mudroom. Jimmy looked for it when he got home and couldn't find it. I know it's in there, though - there's no way for them to get out unless the door is open. So guess what I was thinking about all night? A stinkin' bird flying around in our house.

We have a guy coming today to point our chimney and check to see if there's a screen up there. He's also going to poke around and see if there's a nest up there. I'm really hoping that the chimney is the problem. Otherwise, how the heck are they getting in?!

It's not the first time we've had a bird in the house. In fact, it's probably the second or third time. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I love birds and all, but not in my house!!

Re-worked and new work

{Reworked card design.}

Thanks for your opinions last week on my card design. I really appreciate your input! I reworked it a little, taking out the cloud shape and replacing it with a less whimsical design. What do you think - does this work better?

Since you were so helpful last week, I need your opinions again! I've been working on some new clock ideas. These would be desk clock size - 4.5" square. Most of my desk clocks at this point are patterned, so I wanted to offer something a little different. Both of these are drawings I had worked on a while ago. I put words on them, but I could always do them without. What do you think? {Seeing them on here makes me think that I need to make the numbers stand out a little more.}

{Bloom}

{Trees}

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My Scoutie Girl post is up!

School and rain dates

I've been happy with Malayna's school experience so far. She seems happy at the end of the day and is starting to share stories about school with us. She talks about her new friends and thinks one of her teachers is silly "like daddy". {There really isn't a better compliment.} She seems different somehow, though I can't exactly put my finger on it. She's been acting sillier, and is so excited about learning new things. She seems more mature and more sure of herself.

When we go in to her classroom in the morning she makes herself right at home. She says hello to her teachers and a few of her classmates, puts her bag in her cubby and hangs up her jacket. She gives this funny little wave, with her arm above her head and her fingers splayed. All with a big smile on her face.

Yesterday she came home and told me that they played in the bike room instead of going outside. Then she said, "I rode a blue boy's bike." I asked her why it was a boy's bike and she told me "because it was blue." She said the other kids told her it was a boy's bike.

Whoever told her that was probably trying to convince her not to ride it. Blue is her favorite color, and she sometimes fancies herself a boy, so I'm sure she hopped right on it. I picture the scene in my head and see her telling the other kid that she IS a boy and that her name is Leo. {Speaking of Leo, he's the reason she wears her hair in a ponytail - she thinks that she looks like a boy when her hair is pulled back.}

She seems to prefer playing with boys in school - at least that's what she talks about when she comes home. I'm not sure what that's about. Is it because she knows most of the boys don't want to play with baby dolls and then she won't have to share them? Is she intimidated by the girls? Is she just used to playing with boys because of Aidan?

I've been meaning to ask her teachers about her friends in school. Does she play with the girls? Does she play with anyone? Does she seem happy to be there? I'm pretty sure about the answer to that last question. If she weren't happy, we'd know about it!

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All day Saturday I was wishing I had gone to the Yardley Harvest Fest. I hated making a decision like that - I wish there had been a rain date. At the end of the day I received an email from one of the organizers. She said there were about 15 crafters missing because of the weather and that I had made the right decision. She said it was humid and wet all day and that one of the vendors' labels were peeling off her candles. That's what I was afraid of - that my work would be ruined - so I'm glad that I decided not to go. I did miss being there, since a few people emailed me to tell me they missed me. There's always next year!

Rainy forecast

Because of the wet weather forecast for today, I won't be attending the Yardley Harvest Fest. Sorry if you were going to be visiting today! I just can't take the chance of ruining my work. Paper doesn't hold up well under water!

Photo Friday

It's official - summer is over and I want it back! Seems that as soon as the temperature dips below 70 degrees I have to bundle up in socks, long pants and a sweater. Blah. I am always cold - yesterday my hands were freezing all day long. Like my daughter, I don't like change very much. Or maybe I should say it takes me a long time to accept change. So, by the time March rolls around I should be used to the cold weather.

Malayna and I went to the zoo this week with Aidan and Wendy. Despite having to wear a sweater, it was a perfect day to be at the zoo. Malayna and Aidan are so cute together.

Show on Saturday

The Yardley Harvest Fest is scheduled for this Saturday from 9-4. As of today, weather forcasters are calling for rain and gusty winds. Of course, they could be wrong. But do I risk ruining my work {not to mention my tent that covers my work}? But if I don't go and it turns out to be mostly sunny or at least not rainy, I would regret it.

This was a good show for me last year. I don't know what to do!

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Malayna did great at preschool yesterday. She helped N again, putting her arm around him when his mom left, giving him a puzzle and trying to make him laugh. It was so cute to watch. At one point she said to me, "You're staying a long time!" I took that as my cue to leave. Could the crying days be over? If so, they didn't last as long as I thought they would. Next, I hope to convince her to stay for lunch bunch - which is over around 2:30. That would be five hours of uninterrupted studio time!

I love Mondays

Monday is my favorite day now. I drop Malayna at preschool {more on that later}, come home and enjoy two whole hours of free time. Yahoo! Yesterday I spent that time in the studio and got two orders out the door. I even made a list Sunday night so I wouldn't waste any time wondering what to do. It felt great to be able to check multiple items off my to-do list. I'm hoping that I can keep up the pace and that Mondays stay a productive day.

Yesterday was also a good day for Malayna - the first day she didn't cry when I dropped her off at preschool! On Friday she came home with an award for "being brave". We talked about it over the weekend and Jimmy and I told her how proud of her we are. There's another little boy in her class who cries when his mom leaves {I'll call him N}. Malayna and I talk about him and I often ask her who cried longer. She always says he did.

N's mom kind of snuck out yesterday when he wasn't looking. When he realized she was gone, he kind of wandered around the classroom blinking his eyes and tried not to cry. I heard him say, "I didn't know that was going to happen!" Poor little guy! He came over to where Malayna was doing a puzzle on the floor, and stood watching her. She looked up at him and said, "You miss your mommy." He said, "Yes, I do." I said something to him about how he was being brave, he agreed and we gave each other a high five. Then Malayna got up, went over to the toy shelf and picked out a puzzle for him. When she gave it to him he got a big smile on his face and said, "I LOVE puzzles!" He and Malayna took their puzzles to the table, sat next to each other, and laughed at N being silly.

I crouched down behind them and said, "N, did you get an award for being brave?" {Malayna told me he got one on Friday, too.} He said yes, and I said, "You're both going to be brave again today!" They both said yes, I said goodbye and gave Malayna a kiss. She waved her little hand and said, "bye!"

Keep your fingers crossed for another tear-free day on Wednesday!

Opinions needed!

My first show of the season is next weekend. It seems that no matter what type of show I do - big, small, outdoors, indoors - customers buy cards. When I do shows, my cards are $3 each or three for $8. Almost everyone buys three.

So, since I'm a little worried about what the economy is going to do to craft shows this year, it makes sense to make more of what sells.

The card below is a little different that what I've offered in the past. I tend to believe in the "less is more" philosophy - at least in terms of design. What do you think?