What the.....?

I realized today I have no hobbies. I have no free time, either, I am either cutting labels, sewing, cross stitching or hanging out with the kids. Sewing and cross stitching used to be hobbies, they are now a business. So, in my infinite wisdom, I thought that picking up a new hobby was a good idea. I was at the craft store tonight, they were having a sale...so I brought home some yarn, a pair of knitting needles and a how to book. It took an hour or so to get 24 relatively uniform cast on stitches. Off to figure out knit and purl.........

It's the thought that counts

Okay, so it's Christmas and I'm beyond stressed out, frazzled and busy. Who isn't? Well, we got to church last week, it's the first Sunday of Advent. The kids get to go up front to bless the wreath and light the first candle. We come home, the house is all decorated, I have the 3 purple candles and pink candles, and I think, okay, I have a fake wreath and I know I have short taper candle holders somewhere. I hunt and hunt and discover that the short taper candle holders must still be somewhere in a box in the garage (the dining room as only been packed for 2 1/2 years..let's not rush into this) so I had to improvise. It is the thought that counts, right?????

Notice the layer of dust on the one candle holder in the picture!! Like I have always said, dust is a decorating style. The black cat bottle is an empty wine bottle...and I know everyone recognizes the other 2 "candle holders".

Dear Poor, Neglected Blog

I am sorry I have been ignoring you...I have been very busy. As soon as I can, I will tell you all about going to Maine to get our Christmas trees, almost rolling the truck off the side of a sandpit, details of Sarah's 5th birthday..I have pictures, too.......but I don't have time to get to them right now. If the laundry would do itself, if the house had a self cleaning feature and the kids had a pause button, I would have you all updated and current and spiffy!

Do not cry, I really haven't forgotten you!

Love, Pandys

Oh My

Holy hectic! I lived through the craft fair, it was fun, met BonnyJewelry and ThreadFed from etsy, both super nice......and had some great people watching. However, later that night, Michael and I went to the grocery store kidless (my parents had them in Montreal) and it was odd....we ended up standing in front of the beer cooler, staring at the Old Milwaukee, wondering where the O'Doul's went...and decided we were pathetic. It was a Saturday night, after all.......

Here are some pictures of my booth....

Craziness

Okay, so I have these 2 shops and I'm sewing like a mad fool, we had trick or treat, the hot water heater blew out and flooded the cellar-kids thought no baths for 2 days was pretty cool, our chimney tiles cracked, so no woodstove..it's been cold and I can't dry out the cellar, but it's getting fixed TODAY! and a switch went on the stove and a burner wouldn't shut off, so I had to flip the breaker and run up and down the stairs every time I wanted to use the stove or oven. The good news? extra trips up and down the stairs are great for the butt and it really make me think before cooking!

I am also a member of the New England Street Team, New Hampshire Street Team, Etsymom Street Team, Etsyskids Street Team, Lucky Thirteen Street Team and just joined Desiging Swanky Moms Street Team on etsy. Not sure how I am going to keep up with all of this, but I think once the house gets back together and I can get organized and have everything put away once and for all.......yeah, I know. Not going to happen. It's a good dream, though~if anyone has any great time management suggestions, or organizational tips, please feel free to post them in the comments.

New Shop!!

Okay, I must be crazy...I have opened a second etsy shop, http://GriffinGear.etsy.com which features little boys clothes. Right now I have flannel lounging pants, a fleece jacket, fleece pants and a fleece beret. More hats, jackets, pants and vests to come. I am learning how to do zippers....not easy, but I'm figuring it out. Fleece is a little tricky, but I have a pretty good handle on it.

Pandys is still going strong. I am making new things and trying to have something new to list in each shop daily. Not making that goal, but at least 2 new things a week is what I'm shooting for.

I also have a craft fair coming up in November and need to get some inventory ready for that. Did I mention I also have the 2 wonderful helpers, a house and sleep? Not sure how it all fits in a day, but somehow I manage....like my tagline for Pandy's says, where creativity and chaos come together!!!

Blue Ribbons Abound

I entered a quilted tote bag, lap quilt and small table quilt in the Deerfield Fair and got blue ribbons on all three! The kids also entered crayon drawings that they did and they each entered a painted pumpkin face....and got blues (but the placement of the pictures was such that I could only get glare when I tried to take pictures of the drawings and the pumpkings were behind wire mesh....)

Here are the pictures of my quilted items.