How was your weekend?

[BuzzPlanet]

I had a busy, busy weekend! Here goes:

I got up at 3am on Friday; because I had to make some lotion and get a shipment out; then I had to run errands with my boys, including going to get my ink cartridges refilled; which is a pain! I came home, fed boys dinner, blah, blah, blah. I thought I was almost ready for my Saturday market; but as the evening progressed I realized how much work still needed to be done; so I ended up staying up until 2:30. Yep, almost 24 hours being awake. I woke up at 6; and left my house at 6:45; to make it to the market at 7:30. I'm one of the few people who does the market entirely myself with no helper; I unload, set up everything, arrange it all, etc. for a 9:00 start. I had a great day at the Market; my best ever; including a late customer who was out of cash. I don't accept credit cards, so she actually went to the central ATM just to get tokens for my stuff! I started breaking down at 1:15; and it took me until 2 to get everything done and leave. While I was at the market, I realized that I had forgotten to set up a custom listing for a UK customer I have; she had requested an item the night before; but because of the time difference; I knew she would not be purchasing right away, so I was planning to set up the listing before I went to bed. I forgot. So, I'm at the market; and my phone does not allow me to add listings; so I had to text my husband and have him send her a convo....phew!

So I added the listing when I got home, spent some time with my boys, had a visit from my mother; then at about 5pm I finally got a chance to put my feet up. I fell asleep! My husband took the boys out and got dinner; I woke up and ate; then promptly fell asleep again! I slept ALL NIGHT!

Sundays are pretty low key around here; I lounged around in my jammies all morning; while my husband made "breakfast nachos" (long story). At around 2, I went to Costco, and bought a gorgeous lily plant; my favorite; a 3pack of ink cartridges, because my OTHER colors conked out on me; and the refill place is closed on Sunday; and potato salad. My sister is moving from Washington to Minnesota; and I don't get to see her much, she was in town on her way to Minnesota; so we had a family barbeque. My sister got a picture with my dad and all my siblings (except my 11 year old brother was off playing so we're going to photoshop him in). And it was great seeing her, I miss her.

Oh, and my 11 year old brother is SOOOOOO TALL! He was adopted as a newborn from a foster home in Texas; and his birth parents were 6 feet tall and 6' 8" (his dad); he is already 5' 8" and wears a men's size 11 shoe! Poor thing; people always ask him if he's going to play basketball because of his height (also he's African American); but he hates basketball and wants to be a pilot; he's actually learning to fly already; so he get's tired of hearing it. It's hard not to say anything about his height, though; every time I see him he's taller!

So we had a good time, and champagne; and my niece and my baby Elvis who are 3 weeks apart in age were hugging; it was cute. Most times my family gets together someone gets in a fight, but that didn't happen today, so that was good. And now I have to get tons of things ready to ship, and I've decided to rebatch my Gold Rush; because I don't like having something in my shop I don't feel good about; I'm going to add Meyer lemon and maybe cornmeal; it'll be great....I hope.

So how was your weekend!

[Former_Member]

Awh! That sounds like a sweet, yet hectic weekend! I would like to live a day in the life of buzz, my life is such a bore. lol. We were all shitting bricks over here wondering what happened to ya, lol.

[Former_Member]

Wow! You had a super busy weekend! I hop you're headed to bed now.

I know how you feel doing set up, work, and tear down all by yourself. I do that for shows too, and usually have my 2 year old with me the whole time! (hubs worked weekend nights & we had no family around).

My weekend was pretty blah. Went to the spray park with my daughter yesterday. Only shop related stuff I've done is work on some patterns and get a few others listed! Business is SO slow for me right now, and I can't even afford to buy new supplies (don't want to get into the whoa is me sob story of unemployment) SO, I'm doing all sorts of stuff like pattern writing and making small items that don't take much. Just hoping it turns into some sales soon!

Anyway, Go to sleep!

[BuzzPlanet]

Wow; how brave you must be to bring your 2 year old! I'm lucky because my husband is home on the weekends (although for the first 5 years of our marriage he worked two jobs, including weekends and nights so that I could stay home with our children) and he has Daddy day with our boys, feeds them something sugary for breakfast and lets them play video games; they all enjoy it. I hope things start to turn around for you!

Thanks Vampy, I feel so LOVED around here!

[PinkPjs]

I got invited to join a great Team!

Wow, you sure had a buzzy ... I mean busy ... weekend!

I don't know what they are exactly, but Breakfast Nachos sound GREAT!

[BuzzPlanet]

Cute; as a crocheter (when I have time); I think you're really onto something with those pattens; would you consider selling your sock monkey pattern? Because I'd buy it in a second! Also your cloche hat in a crochet only pattern? Your patterns are really great; I think if you market them correctly, you could do great business that way! As a mom and a crocheter; these are the types of things I'd be interested in.

What about a full baby layette? A diaper soaker that could be done in wool; I'd snap right up. And headbands for women; as well as vintag-y looking cloche hats. I know it's a lot of work to add products; but I'm keeping an eye on your shop!

[Former_Member]

Buzz, my sock monkey pattern is currently in the works! If you want, I can let ya know when it's ready :)

What sorts of headbands do you mean? Most of the headbands in my shop are for women, just with a younger look I think. I'm always open to ideas though :)

As for shows with my 2 year old, I won't lie. It's a challenge! One weekend I actually had to drive to Seattle in the am (hr drive) set up, sell all day, tear down, drive another hour to a remote boutique that had been set up for a week, tear THAT down, then drive 2 hours home. Alone with my daughter! Aaaah! What a long day. At that point, she was also in a "run away" phase which was super scary and certainly kept me on my toes! I wish my husband could keep her while I do shows. It would be so much nicer, haha.

[dressurdolly2]

I pulled everything out of my closet and had a "Yes. No" party with my husband. Got rid of everything I don't need or want in anticipation of the install.

Went to Ikea and bought everything I can't live without. Had swedish meatballs for lunch.

Went to Penney's and bought curtains for my daughter as per her strict direction in anticipation of her (and boyfriend's and dog's) return back to PA from CA. after boyfriend's 6 month fellowship.

Took everything out of cabinet in kitchen where we keep all our meds and made it all neat and tidy.

Looked through a bunch of books and magazines for some inspiration for paper crafts I'm adding to my other shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/StudioMoi

Rearranged some of my scrapbooking in my studio.

Cut out 20 new outfits.

[BuzzPlanet]

Good gracious, Pattie! 20 outfits! My sad little vintage dress that's all cut out is sobbing....I'm so busy I almost never get to sew and I love it...sew.

Cute; do let me know about the sock monkey pattern, I think that will sell really well! If I give you the credit, can I sell them locally (not on etsy)? I didn't realize at first your headbands were for women, maybe making that totally clear for people (like me) who can't read might be good. And patterns for flower headbands would be great, in the fall and winter in my area; women are always going around with those headbands on; I think there's a good market for ones with large/unique flowers, and the tie-on ones with crochet all around. The patterns as well as the finished product. And cloches with flowers for women; I'd love to make one for myself; the bolder the better. And I'd love a diaper soaker pattern because I cloth diaper; and I think that would sell well. Anyway, those are just some ideas; I think patterns are a great thing to have in your shop; so many people crochet; so they don't feel right about buying an already made item; but appreciate your designs, and might purchase the pattern.

[Former_Member]

Since we de rail often, I'm derailing here. Sock Monkeys: Creepy. Let me tell you a story. Since I grew up throughout the 70's when they were popular to make with the actual socks and button eyes, my Grandma made one. She used to make felt puppets and what not. Well she had a spare room. It was blue. ALL blue. Carpet, walls, bedspread, All blue...very dark. 2 things were in that room. A broken doll from like the 50's and that creepy sock monkey in the middle of the bed. Used to scare the crap out of me. Not fond of them. Hate that they have come back popular.....My hubby and kids always say they are going to buy me one, which I then assure them I will burn it.
I had a pretty busy weekend myself. ..Did just return to actually fitting in some time with my BF since I've neglected my friends as of late. Starting to feel like a hermit, holed up in my house, creating, listing, cruising forums, setting up blog, yadayadayada..

[PWOriginals]

Wow, Buzz - I'm tired just hearing how your weekend went! Sounds like you have a dream of a hubby, too. How often do you do the market?

Cute, I agree - you have a great shop! Patterns are so popular on Etsy and I think, too, your patterns would be a good seller.

What's a diaper soaker? (I've had an empty nest for quite awhile, can you tell?)

My weekend was quiet. I spent yesterday at my folks, helping them out with some things (they're 40 miles from me). Today, I had a fabric cutting marathon - usually I do things one at a time, start to finish, but mindless cutting seemed to fit my mood. Now I have several sets of bag "inside layers" ready to go - you know, all the boring stuff like interfacings, stabilizers, and linings.

I also had cheese and crackers and wine for dinner!

[Former_Member]

I think patterns are a great thing to have in your shop; so many people crochet; so they don't feel right about buying an already made item; but appreciate your designs, and might purchase the pattern.
--------------------
^Exactly! I started making patterns once I started doing shows and heard ALL THE TIME "Oh I could make this," so now I can say "Well I do sell my patterns as well!" lol.

I have no problem with my designs being sold as a finished product, either! Credit to me would be great, but that's not even required :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks pworiginals. A diaper soaker is for cloth diapers. I've never made or used one so I'd have to look into it! Wool is supposed to be really absorbent and self-cleaning (I think) so wool diaper covers make great covers for cloth dipes. Might have to look into making some and seeing how they work!

[PWOriginals]

It took me awhile to hit the "post" button (phone call from my daughter), and now I really feel like a slug, thanks to dressur - you cut out 20 outfits???

Geez...I need some Geritol.

[dressurdolly2]

but they're just little dolly outfits. Not human sized. And I did it off and on all weekend.

[Former_Member]

Wow looks like we all had hectic weekends. I finished this dress
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76690845/1940s-50s-style-wiggle-dress

I also worked the replacement wedding dress for one I made backwards.

http://eleenfashionista.blogspot.com/2011/06/after-three-years-of-making-wedding.html

I sent her pictures to ease her mind I hope. My luck lately she will e-mail and say she hates it.

[PWOriginals]

Hey, cutting out tiny doll outfits ain't easy either! I remember making Barbie clothes for my daughter and her friends, even a wedding dress with a tux for Ken. And sewing those itty bitty pieces - arg!

Have a good nite all!

[dressurdolly2]

Ohhhhhh....it's looking gorgeous p1xie!

[Former_Member]

g-night pworiginals

Thanks dressurdolly2. I hope she approves and the neckline is plunging enough for her. It is hard to tell on a form.

[Former_Member]

I love sock Monkeys!! Who had that? Can you make a big one? How much if you can. Be a great gift ofr my brother. He is finally having shows for his carvings. I think be good to have that to keep his head warm around all them fancy people.

Oh yeah I finally found a driver for my printer...so that is a go now..I can print..
Then I have worked on my Dot.com store for hours. All my meta tag had poofed. No wonder no one was going there anymore.

Shoot I forgot to eat today... augh.

[Former_Member]

OH that dress is wonderful. I got too much wiggle

[Former_Member]

Ravenzmoon says

I love sock Monkeys!! Who had that? Can you make a big one? How much if you can. Be a great gift ofr my brother. He is finally having shows for his carvings. I think be good to have that to keep his head warm around all them fancy people.
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I do, and yes, I can make it for an adult. Should I convo you?

[Former_Member]

The wedding dress looks great! So glad she is letting you send a new one!

[Former_Member]

She just e-mailed me and is totally happy with it so far!

[dressurdolly2]

*claps*