Busy weeks of vending!

The past couple of weeks have been really busy, I wish I was better at balancing my blog posts and work.  Somehow, I still can't figure the best way to structure my day to get everything done that I'd like.  But I am working on it. 
This past week I was featured as an artist at Sports Optics, a really cool artsy optical shop on the strip of Tennyson for First Friday.  While I didn't sell anything, it was a lot of fun, and I was asked to come back in February.  I am also able to leave my artwork at the shop for 1 month, which would be a great way to get it on display all the time.  I am excited about that at least!  Then I had planned my Holiday Gift Sale yesterday, it was at our house and I had all of my items available, plus a new friend Marci from Barefoot Regalia came and joined me as well.  I had visions of lots of people coming to the homeshow, lots in my neighborhood, friends and aquaintances.   However, that was not the way it played out, unfortunately.  We could count the number of visitors easily, and while they did spend some money, it wasn't the turnout I had hoped.  I guess I know for next time, right?  Had to give it a shot, but I don't know if it was worth the time I put into it. 
Now, I am working on finishing up Christmas gifts...I don't want to post too much about those until the family opens the gifts..but I love how they are turning out and wish I could post the pics!  This year we are going to be staying in Colorado, and won't be able to see all the items being opened up.  Speaking of those gifts, I should really get to work on them and I'll post pics soon! 

Hot Crab Dip, from Aunt Chris

My sister and I :)

Josh and I went home to Michigan this past weekend for a friend's wedding and to visit with family since we aren't going home this holiday season.  We had a great time even though it was a very quick trip, from Thursday night through Monday night.  

While we were there my grandmother was asking what to do with some crab meat she had in the fridge.  I love crab, it's one of my favorite foods that I rarely get to eat.  She wanted to make a dip from it to use as an appetizer when she and my grandfather make the trip to Newaygo this weekend.  I suggested this recipe from my Aunt Chris (I had a recipe wedding shower and use some religiously).   Here is the recipe:

Hot Crab Dip
7 1/2 oz of crabmean, frozen, or can or imitation.  (Much better with anything but imitation)
1 Tablespoon milk
8 Oz cream cheese
2 Teaspoon Worcester sauce 
2 Tablespoon green onion 


Combine Cream cheese with milk and Worcester sauce.  Drain crabmeat. Add to cream mixture along with green onions.  Put into small baking dish, back at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until heated through, serve with crackers. 
This is for 1 serving of the dip; if you are serving more than 4 people then double the recipe. 
I also often add sauteed garlic and onion, or I just throw it into the mixture when baking 
You can also serve with chips or bread.  Very yummy and a party favorite!  

Things to keep you cozy!

Rainbow Ear Flap Hat, available on my website. 

My crocheting habit hasn't stopped in weeks, and I have been hooking up a storm!  Crochet is so easy to create and shape items, I love it!  Here are some of my newest creations.  Ear Flap hats are great for winter activities, skiing, snowshoeing, etc and keep you oh, so warm.  
I have also been crocheting super thick neck warmers, or cowls, whatever you'd like to call them.   I love the cowl for hiking, it doesn't add too much bulk or weight, plus they are so tall and cozy that I can pull them up to cover my ears on a windy day!  Keeping warm with less bulk is always key on a hike, or snowshoe expedition. 

Pink hand warmers, great for that hard to shop for teen/tween in your life.  Available on etsy for just $20!

Hand warmers and hat and scarf set on etsy. 

Super thick and chunky neck warmer.  This is great for the hiker, or outdoorsey person this winter season.  Handmade buttons and a beautiful crochet edging gives versility and style. 

Art expression in photography

It has been 8 months since I quit my full time job, and 2 months since I haven't had contract work and I am solely relying on income from my business to support our lifestyle.  Not having any other job has really made me focus on running a business solely and it has really shown me my major fault.  Time Management.  I have a hard time balancing sewing, crocheting, custom orders, orders for my site, computer time to add items to etsy, website, artfire, and promote, as well as daily duties regarding the house, cleaning, cooking, etc.   And last week, I realized that I *have* to set time aside each week for a solo hike and photography session.  It's one thing that I love to do by myself and with the dogs, it brings me peace and meditation.  Below are a few of my photos from the last 2 weeks.  They are available for sale in my etsy shop here. 

Left:  Solo tree on the cliff, reminds me of myself a solo hiker on a trail :)

Right:  Belle politely waiting for me at the top of the stairs at our neighborhood park

Cactus and burning bush, well, that's what it looks like to me anyway.  Colorado is famous for it's earthy subdued tones, so to see a red tree or bush is exciting! 



New crochet goods ~ hand warmers, ~ neck warmers ~ hats and more!

Maroon hand warmers and hat, size small, youth

I have been busy crocheting this fall, and I am in LOVE with this craft!  I learned to crochet years ago from a gal I worked with in Ann Arbor at an Assisted Living home.  Her name was Elena, and we worked in the lock down Alzheimer's unit together.  Our female patients all used to know how to crochet or knit, but their dexterity and memory was so affected that they weren't able to craft anymore; but they sure loved to watch us crochet!  So, Elena taught me and I started a project to make a blanket; I brought that blanket in each day I worked and the elderly ladies "oo'd and aah'd" over it each time.  Even though the blanket was 7-8 feet long and only a few inches wide; what was I thinking?  To this day, I never finished that blanket; it's about 4 feet wide now and makes a comfy dog bed :)

I stopped crocheting after college for several years, and started knitting for a period in between, but didn't love the knitting.  Recently, I came back to crocheting and I am again 'hooked'!  Crocheting offers a lot of variety, you can modify patterns easily, if you mess up it's easy to take out, and it's just so, so, so fun! 

My current line of handmade goodies are crochet items that you can use for the outdoors; hand warmers, neck warmers, ear warmers, hats with ear flaps and many of the items are lined with ORGANIC BAMBOO FLEECE!  One of my customers is quoted saying; "The fleece is so soft, I think this is what a cloud feels like."

Here are a few of the newest items, more to come!  Message me if you are interested!

Crochet Thru Hiker warmers in Mustard Jess; with fleece lined ear warmer.

Black unisex warmers with wooden button on etsy

Chunky grey hand warmers and headband, on etsy

Chunky grey hand warmers and headband, on etsy

  

Maroon fleece lined hat and Thru Hiker Maroon Warmers

Blue unisex warmers on etsy

Slouch hat, this hat rocks! 

Neglect!

Taken at Nora Fabrics and Fiber in Westcliffe, CO, etsy

Wow, it's been a long time since I updated here!  The past month has been a mix of busy and bordeom and I am trying to deal with this mix while staying at home and being productive.  My contract job ended September 1st, and since then I haven't had any steady work, so I am staying at home trying to grow my business and take care of the house.  Unfortunately, business has been really slow this season, and I am just trying to make ends meet and earn enough money for our bills each month, unsuccessfully.  But, just because things are slow doesn't mean I am giving up! 
I am currently offering a "make me an offer" Sale for all clothing, if you like an item, make me a fair offer and it's yours (plus shipping).  Message me if you are interested, here is the link to my website. 
I have been adding photos to my new etsy shop that I have taken during hikes and other times and I hope that maybe I can sell a few.  I have always loved taking photos and it's really fun to display my favorites.  Also, do you know that I have another blog, a hiking blog that I update bi-weekly?  Well, you should check it out here.
Last weekend Josh and I had our 6 year wedding anniversary and we took a trip through the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado and spent time camping and hiking in the area with our new Chalet.  We had a blast and I took numerous photos; here are some of my favorites. 

Reflection on the water, find in my etsy shop

Beautiful aspen trees; looking through the Aspens in my etsy shop

Leaves on the trail, remind me of cross country season! 

Self portrait on our hike to Spud Lake

Our Chalet :)  We love her!

Rock sniffing some wild animals on our hike to Spud Lake

Views of Ski resort at Sunset.  wow!

Aren't we cute?



Our new camper ~ Chalet

We bought a camper today ~ we have been looking for about a year for a small, reasonably priced, camper that we could tow up mountains in Colorado.   I love tent camping, and don't plan on stopping anytime soon; but we can't camp in the winter and sometimes it's nice to be off the ground and out of the rain.  The Chalet is hard sided and foldes up into an A-Frame; it has a double bed on one side and twin bed that converts to a kitchen table and seats.  There is also a propane stove and sink; plus, the best part is a small portable potty!  The potty wasn't a necessity, but it sure will be nice to not run outside and pee in the woods; in the middle of the cold Colorado nights.  Twice, I have had coyotes around me when going to the bathroom outside and that was pretty scary!   A potty will sure be a step up in the world!  
Plus, I am a little worried about having kiddos in a tent, and I don't want to give up camping when we have a baby; or when I am pregant.  We are excited to take it out this weekend; after the farmers market on Saturday. 

Here are some more pics of our Chalet. 

I will recover the cushins right away, and we already started painting over the crappy wall paper.

This is the double bed/couch.  I will again re-finish the cushins.

Inside, its pretty sunny, but bad curtains and stove and sink