long time no post, huh?

I am in the mists of moving. Again. This time it is like the end of college, when it comes time to pack up your dorm room and move home for the summer. It is like the room I live in is a dorm room. And I have no clue how to pack what is in it. I did not think I obtained much while I was here for five months, but I guess I did. I managed to pack up all the clothes I can live without yesterday into one large suitcase. It is not full yet, which is good.

Today I went through various things that have gathered under the bed and to the side. I'm not sure how to pack those items. Things that are not clothing, I am not sure how to pack. I am trying once again not to take much, which the last time I tried that failed. The items did not fit in the car, the dog was sitting on top of my purses and her head was against the ceiling of the car. I wound up taking a bunch of things out (like all her toys and the car cleaning stuff and the sheets and pillows). This time that is not an option. The dog will need her toys and I cannot leave any behind as I am going to Alaska. No one wants to mail me anything in Alaska. Or bring things to me.

Being in the mists of getting ready to move, I have not been sewing at all. The sewing machine was put away for Christmas and was never brought back out. I had all ready packed away all the cloth when I cleaned up for Christmas, so I figured it was easier if I just left it packed. Thus, I have been sort of ignoring my shop, which is bad. I shouldn't ignore it, but I do. I have re-newed a few thing, but nothing new posted. Mostly because the few purses I hadn't posted before Christmas, I never got around to taking pictures of to post.

But, once I get settled, I plan to begin sewing again (husband has been instructed to get the sewing machine out of storage, so it will be on hand in case our belongings take forever to reach us). So, hopefully, I will be rolling out the summer line soon after I arrive at my final stop.

So, that is your update.

Holiday Cheer

I used to work retail when I was in high school. Right after Thanksgiving the Christmas music would start and it would not end till after the new year. I loved Christmas music till I listed to the same loop of songs for two Christmas's. I also hated working during the holiday season and grew to hate Christmas all together. The magic was lost on my 17 year old self.

I did not get it back until later in life. It still is not all back, as I do not enjoy wrapping presents as I once did, nor do I enjoy decorating for Christmas as I once did. I also dread shopping at Christmas time. I seriously dread going to the post office or stores in general.

This is why some relatives fail to get gifts in a timely manner.

This year as seen me making holiday theme purses. I have been up to my eye balls in the holidays since right after Thanksgiving. I should have been before, but I failed. I just could not get myself into the spirit. I actually started making the holiday theme purses before Thanksgiving, but I did not start soon enough. I guess at least next year I can get going before Halloween. I'll be in my own house next year, so I can get in the spirit with music. This year, my mom wasn't too keen on holiday music till after Thanksgiving.

I think I might have screwed up the iTunes installation. I might have to...make new play lists. Oh no. It might be good for me, in reality. I've had the same play lists since I got my first laptop, also known as Jess, when I was 20. I'm six years older now (Oh no!) and don't really need the play lists that are mostly centered around guys leaving me, being depressed or being over zealously happy. The lists are still on Jess, so I might just transfer over the useful ones.

Oh, holidays. I think I am tired of you all ready and you haven't even started yet.

major bust-a-mundo

Well, the whole sale was a bust. Only one person used the code, and that one person had all ready ordered a purse, thus I "technically" had the sale all ready. Such is life.

I spent the whole day running around from fabric store to fabric store in look for what I had in my head for the next custom order. (I heart custom orders, they give me a challenge!) I finally found what I was looking for at Hobby Lobby and happily told the cutting lady there. She guessed right away what I was making. I lost track of the people who told me they like my festive purse (which in all honesty is pretty crappy, as the interfacing I used wasn't thick enough for the size of the bag I made, but I was going to carry it, so it was okay. I think the print distracts people.) Anyways, I've been working on more purses, but I think the holiday ones aren't going to sell. I should have gotten them up earlier. At least they'll be around next year early!

A few days ago, my mom and I drove out to a near by suburb to go to a spice store (I can't remember the name, it begins with a P). We were shopping for sprices for my husband, as Pilot Boy likes spicy things. Also, the store had just come out with a taco spice, and we could use some taco spice. Who knows how our spices will be after spending all this time in a storage unit in the Dirt Hole. However, the highlight of the trip was the pet botquie I got my mom to go to. Called Two Bostons, it was SO COOL. I loved the place. The lady came right up to help us after she was done doing what she was doing when we came in. She was totally helpful with finding a toy for Basil Dog that would keep Basil Dog happy. I ended up getting Basil Dog a huge gingerbread man chew toy that is made for super chewers. O.M.G. Basil Dog LOVES IT TO DEATH. She even took it to bed with her last night. Later, she kicked out the Gingerbread man, but she loves it. And for a soft chew toy, its still in one piece, which for Basil Dog is real good. She usually unstuffs soft toys in a matter of hours. She did get a hole in the head, but she mostly just attempts to run with it, and fails because the toy is as big as she is. But she will play, and play, and play with it. And she loves when you hold it up above her head and she's gotta jump up to get it. God, does she love that! I haven't enjoyed the holidays for the past few years till this year. All sorts of doors open up when you've got a dog and you make purses. I also realize I love buying fabric today, but I sort of knew that all ready. Part of the reason I began making purses.

It sort of attempted to snow the past two days here and the cold weather is really here. Basil was rather confused by the snow, but for the most part she ignored it. She LOVES the cold. My parents took her for a walk today while I was shopping and she was SO HAPPY. My mo was worried about her little paws, but she didn't seem to notice the cold sidewalks or anything. I met her after she was done with her walk (she was pulling so hard, my mom let go of the leash to advoid another dislocated thumb, yeah, Basil dislocated my mother's thumb....) She ran up to me and was SO HAPPY. But, Basil B Dog has had a very good day in general.

We had roast chicken. Basil B Dog loves chicken. She is a chicken loving dog.

Black Friday Bust

Well, I got my sale notice up, posted several new purses and has hardly any hits. I know there are a few more hours left in the day (not to mention the weekend), but this whole Black Friday thing has been a major bust for me. And not just sale wise.

I've been tired and freezing all day long. I fell asleep on the couch for awhile, woke up groggier than before. My back aches (still) and I seem to have come to the end of the internet. I just don't know what to do with myself.

I don't do shopping on Black Friday. I have never really been shopping on Black Friday. I think maybe once or twice I've ventured out. Once I went to Carsons on Black Friday. I remember freaking out and leaving. Last year I went to Wally Martinos. There was like no one there. I cannot remember why we went there, but we did. I remember we had a large conversation about whether to go. And one year, the first year I knew my husband, I spent Thanksgiving in Indiana and was totally bored the day after. We went to the outlet mall and I bought a Coach Wallet for 80 bucks. I also did my Christmas shopping for the most part. Also, this time, there was hardly any one around. But I've never gotten up early to go shopping on Black Friday. I went to work early once. There was a huge line. For Best Buy. Where I did not work. We were busy that day at work, but not as busy as Best Buy. That was also my first day working the service desk. Someone threw a check at me. I can't remember why.

Well, my dog zonked out on the carpet in the family room. I'm thinking she's got the right idea.

Sparkling Diamonds

Sparkling is a thing diamonds do. Period. End. Stop.

In other news, I'm still trying to figure out what sort of Black Friday sale I should have. I've got less than a week to figure it out. Oh no. I made a total of three and half purses today. A half purse, because I didn't finish the fourth one. Though I guess it could be three, as the first one I worked on was a purse I had began a couple days ago. Anyways, I have four purses to take photos of tomorrow, all holiday theme purses. I am on over load getting geared up for the holidays. I feel like I am lagging behind, that I should have started this like two months ago.

This past week has also seen me selling purses! Wow, I know! Selling purses! I have made THREE trips to the post office! I was so excited. I actually ran out of business cards! I had to print more! OMG you guys! I'm also almost out of the tissue paper I bought in the Dirt Hole those many moons ago.

I ordered wipers. They were the wrong hook up, so I had to reorder those. So, I am still without wipers. Oh well. Such is life.

Rain, wipers and pressed rawhide

The past week has been rather cloudy and rainy here. On Monday, I ventured out to mail off my first international shipment (yay!), then to buy new wipers for the "new" car. My husband didn't think it needed new wipers and I knew they sort of were bad, but I thought they were okay. Well, while I was on vacation, my mom and my brother drove the car and complained heavily about the wipers, so I went to get new ones. Just to get them all to shut up and leave me alone.

Normal car stores don't sell wipers for s40s. I have to go to the dealer or some speciality store to get them.

Uh, no thank you.

So I came home (after ramming my knee into the auto shop door on my way out), and cleaned the wipers. I thought they were okay. Then I drove. In the rain.

They were fine at first. Then, as it rained more and I drove more, they began to suck to the point I could not even pretend I could see. I could not pretend. I had to pray I didn't crash. It was bad.

It was epic bad.

So, I came home and said I was going to order new ones.

Instead I went to the pet store. This only makes sense if you know what happened after I came home and annoucned I was going to buy new wipers. First, my mom was thrilled. Then went to get Basil B Dog a greenie. She was running low. Earlier that day, she had run out of "waste" bags. So I needed to go buy those. So I made some comment about needed those and greenies.

This excited my mom as she needed a Turkey and the local PetsMart is located near the food store that sold the kind of turkey she wanted. Also, I learned, my mother likes the pet store.

So instead of buying wipers I bought: a new collar, greenies, pressed rawhide bones, kitty litter and dog food. At the food stores we got: a turkey, pudding, organic lemonade, cheese, orange juice with calcium, lemons, pasta sauce, pasta, ice cream, and chipolte powder. I have been dying for chipolte powder since I got here and discovered the house failed to have any. I just kept forgetting to get it. But I've got it now.

Basil B Dog enjoys her pressed rawhide bones.

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.