Posting purse

Just posted a new purse, the Teagan Limited Edition Tote. Whoo hoo! Check it out at Ireland Scott Designs!

This bag is made with heavy duty interfacing, so it is a very strong bag. The straps are also lined with this interfacing, so they are super padded! The straps are also a bit longer than usual, so they fit over bulky winter coats.

Black Friday Sales

Would you believe it had not occurred to me that the actual holiday season was upon us? I know this is hard to believe due to the fact that even before Halloween was over, the Christmas decor began to come out. And never mind the fact I've been doing my Christmas shopping since September.

But it had not occurred to me that the actual season was upon us and that I should have a huge sale. I joined the Etsy Black Friday fan page on Facebook yesterday and have been inundated with sales announcements. I should put one out there, I know. I am still only on my 3rd sale (which happened on the day my life took a direction north). The summer sale I began at the end of July or at the start of August has done nothing. I haven't sold a single sale bag. Due to money, I can't really afford the 15 bucks to put an add on Heartomatic through Craft Cult. I hate the forums, mostly because I never have anything to say. I have tried many times to become "active" in the forums, but that usually leads to me obsessively checking the forum and nothing becoming of it other than it takes up all of my time. I hardly ever get an opportunity to hand out business cards, as no one ever asks me where I got my purse any more since I began carrying my own designs. Seriously, no one asks. Before, I always got asked where my purse was from, even once what my purse's name was (when I carried a Coach bag, the Coach bag).

I am at a loss.

So, I guess I will have a huge Black Friday sale and maybe I'll just bite the bullet. I've been tossing ideas around on what to do. Free shipping, 50% off second purchase, 30% off all bags? I'm not sure yet.

exciting places

Last year I celebrated my first anniversary in the Dirt Hole. I spent a majority of the day at Wally Martinos. In keeping with my odd tradition, I am once again located somewhat in the middle of nowhere and once again I went to a Walmart today. However, this time it was not to buy my husband a present (or another present, which was the case). This time it was to buy things the two room flat he's living in currently lacked.

At first, upon my arrival here in southern Oklahoma where he is doing the final leg of his training before we ship off to Alaska, I was appalled at the little flat they gave him to live in. However, after spending two days here I have come to realize it is not that bad. The bed is bad, but the rooms themselves would seem spacial to someone say in New York City. The bathroom is good sized and the closet is large. The bed still sucks and the kitchen sink is too small for the facet its got, but other than that its fine.

I am currently planning my winter line. I created a new purse design before I left to come here and am currently carrying it. With the exception that the strap is way to long, the bag is great. It is a large hobo type of bag. Pretty cool. I bought some plaid print corduroy and wound up using it for the prototype, as I usually carry the prototypes and I like plaid. The bag actually turned out better than I expected, well except I over judged the strap length. I wound up making a smaller version of the bag with the remaining material and was really pleased with the result. I have been making the drop on the bags I've been working on recently a lot longer to be able to wear over winter coats and such, but the strap on this new hobo is just a little long. Well, unless you want to throw it over your body like a messenger bag, which it works well for, especially in airports. I am thinking of calling the bag the Dublin Hobo and hopefully, once I arrive back home, I'll get cracking on making more! (If my mother isn't quilting up a storm again, lol.)

Now, while I am here, Halloween is going to happen. My puppy, Basil Dog, is at home with my parents. She, due to her barking at doorbells and simply freaking out at the people on the other side of the door, is going to have to spend the evening in the basement, as we live on a very popular street for trick o treaters. I did, though, buy Basil Dog a costume, even though she will not wear it as my mother won't put it on her. She'll wear it for Thanksgiving.

trying to get ahead

I've been sewing up a storm these past few days (when I haven't been filling in a large hole with rocks). I went out and bought winter material. I cannot wait to start on the new designs! We'll see how that goes. The winter material is a mix of winter patterns and what I deem as winter like colors (reds, blues and greens).

I ordered more makeup from Sephora. I did this for an array of reasons. One, I needed a new foundation. Two, I didn't feel like leaving the house.

I needed a new foundation. So I ordered Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer. I searched for days until I decided on it. I have really pale skin (especially since I left the Dirt Hole and am no longer assaulted by the sun daily) so finding a color is hard for me. Why? Because none are "pale" enough. I had my makeup done at the Dior counter once and they lady simply couldn't find a shade pale enough for me and I looked orange when I left (I also had about a gallon of mascara on, but I digress). So, I am always sort of iffy when buying new foundation. However, this stuff is AWESOME. Seriously. It totally rocks. It is sheer, but has enough coverage to cover up my flaws. Perfecto!

I also ordered Two Face's Natural Eye kit. It is also awesome. I've worn it almost every day. I usually opt for the Day eye, but have tested out the Classic. I've worn only one shade of the Fashion line up, but it is glitter crazy for night time, and I'm just not into glitter. But the Day eye is all matte, totally cool. I'm all ready looking into getting more of the Two Face palettes because they are just such a great deal.

The other things that came with my order were samples. I chose three, one was a face wash, one was a purfume sample and the other was another foundation that I had considered. The face wash, Fresh Soy Face Clenser To Go, rocked. I totally want to abanonded the face care line I've used the past three years for this one, but I can't bring myself to pay 15 bucks for some soap. The other sample, the perfume sample, totally won me over. It was Michael Kors Very Hollywood. Man, does it smell good. And I think it lasts all day (Unless you go into Victoria Secret and spend an hour wandering the store while they are pumping in their new sent Amber Velvet or what not).

I also went to the Sephora store in JCPenny's to buy blush. I didn't like the colors I had, so I wanted something new. I got new. I walked in, got HELPED right away and told the lady what I wanted. She did not try to overtly sell me anything I did not want and I was out of there in ten minutes smiling with my small bag of Sephora brand blush (which was where she found me, she didnt' try to sell me an expensive one, just the Sephora brand) and another perfume sample, this one for Gucci Flora. I wore it the day after I got it. Basil Dog sniffed me all day. I guess she liked it?

Well, that is all the makeup reviews I have for the moment.

Books in Ten Sentances or Less

1. The Other Boyln Girl, by Phillipa Gregory - This book was awesome. I enjoyed the characters and how Mary evolved throughout the book. I liked how the book hinted at scandal and for the first time a book I liked ended when I felt it should end. I always had a mixed perception of who Ann Boyln was and I felt this book gave her a portrayal that was believable.

2. The Boyln Inheritance, by Phillipa Gregory - This book did not hold my attention as The Other Boyln Girl, but it was interesting nonetheless. I did find the take on the two queens, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard interesting. However, the character that was truly interesting was Jane Boyln, as what she did for the "family" and her own hide were what really drove the book. It angering the rate at which the Howard and Boyln families were willing to sacrifice its women in their quest to be related to a king.

3. The Virgin Queen, by Phillipa Gregory - I went on a Gregory kick. This book was good for it investigated and fictionalized the events between Lady Dudley and Lord Dudley. I liked how the twists in the book happened and that poor Amy was the only one never plotting and all she wanted was a simple life, yet even when she was resigned to have one, she could not for the situation she found herself in did not allow it because she was a women. Also, it is always nice to see the loser guy screwed over in the end by a woman.

4. Kane and Able by Jeffery Archer - AWESOME BOOK! It is a huge book, but totally awesome. The book follows two very boys and their journeys to become life enemies. One boy leads a very tragic life, but comes out stronger for it, while the other lives a privileged life, but it is still stained with tragedy. The book follows them as their paths cross and spite leads one to charge the other with the death of his friend, leading to a life long grudge fest that only ends when one dies, then the other finds out how he really helped him out and become the rich man he became. It is a really great book, especially if you like books told from two points of view and over long periods of time.

5. Twenties Girl by Sophia Kinsella - While I adore Kinsella for all she is and writes, this book did not hold my interest like her other books. I am not sure if I simply wasn't in the right mind set or wasn't in for the predictable nature of chick lit, but something wasn't right. The premise of the story, ghoast haunts down on her luck girl, seemed great when I read the jacket cover, but I just did not fall in love with the book as I have done with all Kinsella's other book. I will read it again, as maybe I am just all read out a the moment?

6. Baby Proof by Emily Griffin - Pretty good book. Was an interesting concept, as the fact the lead female character doesnt' want a child leads to a divorce from her husband. The book deals with self discovery through the fact everyone around her wants kids, but she knows she doesn't want one in the least. Even as she explores the reasons she doesn't' want a child of her own, she comes to realize that her love for her ex-husband trumps the fact she is afraid to have a child of her own. Good book and good topic to explore in a chick lit book I thought.

MIA for a little too long

I've been so bad lately keeping this updated, right after I made a promise to keep it updates. Oops.

So, what have I been up to?

Not making purses. I've stared at fabric a lot lately, itching to buy, but in all honesty I haven't made a single purse for awhile now, mostly due to my mother's quilting. There is just no room for me in the work room...tragic. Hopefully, I'll be able to get in there after she finishes the quilt for my brother. So, instead of making purses, I've decided to create a new line for winter. While I love the bags I make, it is getting somewhat tiresome (which might be why I haven't made any lately) so I need a new challenge. I've been brain storming lately trying to come up with new designs. I'm going to find a notebook and sketch out a few ideas. I guess I am looking for a challenge. I need to make some new patterns and some new fabric. If only I was made of money, lol.

In other news, my husband visited me for a few days last week and we went to Indiana to visit his family. The dog got all messed up by this and the fact her boy returned home. Now she's a complete idiot again. Today she peed in my parents bedroom right at my mom's feet. After we'd taken her outside like 8 times since she had gotten up and she never went. She'd do some sniffing then go to the door to return inside. She spent most of yesterday sitting in the front window, waiting for her boy to return to her. She is rather pathetic. She's been not eating when she will go potty and eating when she wont' go potty. Oi.

In other news, my husband and I are at odd on how to reach Alaska. To say the least, it'll be an interesting journey.

I've been doing a lot of reading as of late. I've turned into this reading machine. I read a lot of books and I will be doing some book reviews, as almost all of them were wildly good and I enjoyed them all. I just finished "Twenties Girl" by Sophie Kinsella. Yesterday I finished "Kan & Able." So good. OMG. I think tomorrow I will take a break from reading and write those out.

Well, that is pretty much it for now. Fall is in full swing here and my nose has set itself to rebel against me during the season I so love.

Reading till my eyes pop

I've been doing a lot of reading as of late. I am not sure why this is, as I've had over a year to read to read to my heart's content, but recently I have had this huge urge to just read, read, read and read some more. I'm staying up till 11 or midnight simply reading. I do not think I have done that since the Harry Potter books came out.

I have read a few library books, one of which was really good. "As the Crow Flies" by Jeffery Archer. My mom got it for me and said she's read all of his books, except his newest one. It is a huge book and I finished it in two days. It would have been one, but I couldn't stay awake any longer. I also read another Mary Queen of Scots book, which I felt went a little better than the other one I'd read, which seemed to make her life heavily romantic, which in all honesty I don't think it was. "Fatel Majesty" by Reay Tannahill was the better of the two. I cannot remember the other one, as it is packed away in some storage unit in the Dirt Hole. The other book was a bit strange, I read it in a day. "The Gossip of the Starlings" I think was the name. It was strange, sort of like the book "Prep."

Due to the fact my dad ordered yet another light for the backyard so we can see Basil Dog the Black Wonder, he also ordered the new Dan Brown book. I've been dying to read "Angels & Demons" since the movie came out, only I had no idea where my copy of the book was. Turns out my Dad ran off with it and it is still in the house. My mom gave it to me saying, "Its in micro print. I can't read it." I had noticed this, as it is a paperback. I also noticed, as I ran off with the hard cover copy of "The Di Vinci Code" they have another one on the shelf in my room. (Which I learned my brother had cleared off for me, only to have my dad invade with all his own books, so I have no room to put things on the shelves.) I am looking forward to reading the new Dan Brown book. More than likely will finish it in a day.

Due to all this reading, I haven't made a purse. I did manage to get all the redo pictures up yesterday and post one. I still need to edit the pictures of the bigger bag and make the one i cut out last week. I am just sort of lackadaisical about sewing thing together at the moment. I have all ready concluded I'm going to basically miss fall, due to this feeling and other things coming up. Oh well. Such is life, right?

gloomy last day of summer

Today is the last day of summer. And here, it is gloomy. Sort of rainy, sort of humid, sort of warm, sort of uncomfortable.

And I am wearing jeans and a long sleeve shirt, mostly because there is still a part of me that thinks 82 degrees is cold. Rationally, I know this not to be true, but the Texan in me thinks it is cold.

I retook a bunch of my purse pictures and edited them down to size yesterday when I had access to a working computer with Photoshop. My laptop, known to the world as Jess, is currently in a fued with Photoshop, so they aren't getting along. This is unfortnuate for a wide array of reasons, one being that my husband's laptop, also known as Merv, is dying a slow death. I all ready went through this, I believe but Merv only will deem to work if his battery is removed. The past two days I've been looking for laptops, talking to people and have decided for now to let go of my dream of Mac ownership (well I own one, but Milo Mac is old. He's like nine or something) and buy another Dell. That is if my husband decides to buy one, as of last night he deemed Merv worthy enough to go through phase three of training with him, when he needs a computer to read his pubs (don't ask, no idea what they are exactly in nature.)

Anyways, I've got a teacher sort of bag I will be posting this week. Its a large tote bag, basically. I took its pictures yesterday in the overcast skies in the green house. It turned out okay. I guess we will see...

I have been feeling pretty lazy as of recent. Also regretting not bringing my sewing machine with me, as I think I might do more sewing if I had my own machine and did not have to wait for my mom's machine to be free. Oh, such is life.

it all just got away from tony romo

So today, whilst watching football, I saw a commercial about GM. I had seen the same commercial a few days before, but I had forgotten about it. It is the commercial staring the new CEO of GM.

The first time I saw the commercial, I had to roll it back to make sure I had heard correctly.

I had heard correctly.

Ed Whitcare is the new CEO of GM.

Ed is back, back again, Ed is back tell some friends.

Now, why do I know who Ed is? I know who Ed is because he terrorized my family for awhile. And by terrorize I mean he drove AT&T stock into the ground, expanded the company too fast to the point it was much too large for its own good, and took away all employee benefits or limited them to the point where they were almost pointless. After Ed entered our lives, when SBC bought out Ameritech...it was pretty much all down hill from there. My senior year of college, I randomly decided I could do Ed's job better so I proclaimed I was going to become the CEO of SBC. Or AT&T.

I also concluded Ed as plotting against me, so everything that went wrong in my life, or in the world in general, was Ed's fault. Ed was plotting against the world.

And then he left. He left and left Randy in charge and Randy moved the company to Dallas from San Antonio, where Ed had moved it from St. Louis after Ed was told he couldn't play golf somewhere because he wasn't old school St. Louis. So he went where he was old school, San Antonio. We'll see how long he lasts in Detroit, before GM moves to San Antonio, though the government might not let him do that...

My brother just informed me I'm a week behind in my news. So what? I finally remembered to tell the internet world this random information.

No one cares, so why should you?

What I managed to do yesterday in relation to my current profession:

I cut out a purse and ironed the pieces.

This was all I did due to the fact after I finished I could barely stand to stand. I know that sewing the thing together would have required me to sit down, but I was also sweating a lot, so I figured I should go take a nap and maybe it'd all go away.

For the most part it did go away, other than my sinus headache, which I've had on and off today, so all I've done today is re-take pictures. Which I should go load onto my brother's laptop and cut them down to size and redo all the purses I've recently put up for sale.

Will I do this? More than likely not.

My mom and I ordered some stuff form this scrapbooking place online. I need a new blade for the paper cutter, as the blade on the on I found in the drawer of the room I live in needs a sharper blade. Somehow we managed to order blade scorers, not cutters. Not good. The site doesn't have any blades, just the odd score thing. The rotary cutter my mom ordered wont' cut cloth and barely cuts paper. It totally butchard the picture I tried to cut with it. The dull blade on the paper cutter is better. My dad gave me his old photo paper cutter he had for his dark room, which hasn't been used since 1992, thus its covered in rust and dust and has to be cleaned. It is also huge and I usually scrapbook in my bed. I know, not the best place, but I'm not one of those crazy scrapbookers. I just stick thing on the page in a haphazard way. Then I stick some stickers on sometimes. When I was on my game, I stuck random objects I had saved in the book, but so far that has only worked when I went to Scotland.

I've been doing more research on the whole going to Alaska in the winter thing and am thinking the ferry looks like a really good idea. I'm not sure its such a steller idea for Basil, but then again, she spends roughly maybe 8 hours a day in her crate when not barking, then about 12 at night in there. The 8 hours during the day is of her own free will. We've been closing the door so she won't hang out in there, but she's been super smart and nosing the door open. We try to keep her out of there at night because once she goes in there after she eats, she won't come out to go potty, which is an issue.

I ordered jeans from Victoria Secret. Finally. I got 34s because that was all they had, but I really need 32s to wear flats (or heels....it seems). They are a little long, but they fit. They are a size smaller than all the shorts I ordered because the shorts are all falling down. Least to say, my butt looks nice in the new jeans, especially when I've got my super heels on. I've also been surfing through White House Black Market looking at dresses. I'm not sure who runs their site, as there's always a bunch of dresses that they don't have any or they show up in the size searches when there are none of the dresses. I am confused. Last weekend I went with my dad to the mall and I hit up WHBM to see if they had the dress I wanted in my size. They only had a size 0. My dad told me to just try it on.

And I did.

I got it zipped up all the way till I hit my boobs. The waist fit. The lower hips fit. My boobs were just too big. Seriously, my boobs were too big! I knew they were huge. Well, huger than they used to be. I needed about another two inches of material around the bust area. I was so shocked. I stood there staring at myself wondering what was going on. The other dress I ordered back in teh dirt hole was a six. The boobs were a little big, so I thought I'd need a four. I never ordered it because I didn't like the dress all that well, but this dress I loved. It was gone from online when I went to look later that day. Then it appeared again last night. Only they only had a size 8. Then it was on there this morning only they did not have any sizes. Now it is gone.

Thus I have become obsessive in my search of the site for dresses. They don't seem to have any in a size two, which is what I'd need I think.

I think I might be wasting away. I'm not sure why. I don't have a gym to go to any more and I seem to eat more here simply out of boredom. I'm not sure what is going on.

Well, that is all.