Under Construction

I was shocked to discover that some people aren't reading Swistle yet

You know who you are. So go here for a most excellent post on parenting (perfect for non parents too)

For those of you already clued into the Swistle thing, might I suggest Constance? She recently conducted a poll, the results of which may (or may not) be interesting to some.

And if you prefer crafting to parenting....hmmm...Bitter Betty has been fun lately. And Speckled Nest has some great, new tutorials up.

And if neither crafting nor parenting is your gig, read Seth Godin with the rest of the blogosphere.

Finally, my kitchen recommendation for the evening--the Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Chunk Cookies from her Parties book. I'm not going to post her copyrighted recipe on the web but you can buy the book on Amazon.  It's worth it just for the fact that a tray full of these cookies, warm from the oven, will convince your friends that it's okay you were 30 minutes late to a meeting.  Not that I would know....

Can't leave without a photo

More artisan bread experimentation.  Pretty but mediocre. Again :(

It looked more like a seance

I'm still not sure what the whole  Earth Hour thing was about (well, now I am since I looked it up on Wikipedia but at 8 p.m. I didn't really know). Still, I dutifully flipped off the lights and computer for a whole hour. My in laws probably think I'm nuts but it was actually kind of nice chatting over candle light.

And after they headed home I finished my coffee and read my book by candle light. An hour later I still haven't turned on any lights (just the computer :).

Cooking or Sewing?

I was soooo lucky I commented quick and got to be a part of CurlyPops' Pay it Forward game!  That gal is so on top of things I received a package from her (from Australia!) before I even posted about this on my own blog (as I had promised to do). Now, I'm finally catching up.

adorable apron and headband from CurlyPops. Sorry for the bad photo.

Here's the deal.  Comment on this post (be sure your email address is included so I can reach you). On Friday, March 21 I'll draw three names and mail each person a surprise package.  In return, each winner has to "pay it forward" on your own blog by doing the same thing and surprising three of your readers.  Make sense? 

So just tell me, do you prefer cooking or sewing?

P.S. I just spent the last 20 minutes checking out a new blog. I love the quilt in this post. Dang, this woman is a productive quilter!

Neglected

While this blog is being neglected, I started a new "musings" category and posted a video over at my previously "all bad photos all the time" blog and I'm trying to keep up with Thing-a-Day.

Only a few days left on the pillowcase challenge so I'm working on that too.

Luckily, I've been fueled by cupcakes:

Good Blogs

A few blogs I've been enjoying (that haven't made it on the blog roll 'cause I'm lazy):
Pioneer Woman. I think everyone reads it already but, in case not.
Here be Hippogriffs (aka: Julia) She just had twins and new babies are neato
Design Sponge Dang this site has some pretty stuff and inspiration. But with many, many posts per day, I'm trying to avoid it.
Aunty Cookie I'm not that into the "30 days" thing she's doing right now but she's a hilarious blogger and I love her fabrics
Notten My sister's friend's blog. Apparently she takes my recipe recommendations and just started a blog.

Turns out it can be tough to write decent blog content when you work full time and occasionally try to feed your family. I've been in a rut lately. What, you couldn't tell? Anyway...

Biscuit was sent home sick today (cough, fever). She and Mr. H are asleep in her bed (again). It's cold and rainy. I know, I just went on vacation so I really can't complain but I'm feeling a bit lazy and burnt out.  Someone on NPR was saying something about "Janufeb" and how this time of year is depressing. Maybe they were right.

So here's a funny photo:

"Biscuit and her Grammie eat one another"

Oh wait, one more funny photo

"While waiting for the professional photographer"

So I was just about to hit publish when I heard Biscuit crying and coughing. I got there and gave her a hug just in time to get puked on. Motherhood is so glamorous. I'm calling it a night.

This is why she's so popular

I'm sure you all read Angry Chicken already. If not, why?  You should. As evidenced by these fantastic gift tags. And go ahead and read through the December posts for a TON of inspiration. This lady is amazing and totally giving me a creativity complex (in a good way).

You can thank me later for the link.

I think the readers should win a prize

Yes, I survived NaBloPoMo. I must say, it was somewhat more challenging than I expected. The posts got pretty lame. I did get a nice pep talk from Becky around the 25th when I was starting to give up so I know a (very) few readers stuck with me on the journey of every day posting.  You deserve an award!

I also survived another craft show. This one was actually really fun and well attended (and I sold stuff!) I focused just on my kids stuff-very limited product offering-but it seemed to work. In addition to sales I feel like it was a good networking opportunity and a lot of folks took cards.  I also wrote (very) detailed descriptions about each product and noticed quite a few folks stopping and reading. I know some people are too shy to ask so I thought this might be a nice way to get across that, yes, I did make the doll bed and the trucks from actual wood. And yes, the bibs are small but they are for newborns. I can also use these descriptions to list the items on etsy.  Speaking of etsy, when I sat down at the computer 10 minutes ago an email popped up and it was an etsy sale. That's a nice end to the evening!

Anyway, at the very last minute I decided I wanted to make clothespin dolls and kits. I ended up changing the sign and selling them for a dollar. Probably sold only 4 or 5 but I had a darn good time assembling the kits and then creating samples. Addictive.  I'm saving some for little gifts for my nieces but I have several kits left. 

If you actually read all those posts in November (scouts honor) leave a comment. I'm not sure how many people actually read and how many of those would even want a clothespin doll kit but I'll do at least 5 kits and have a drawing (if there are indeed more 5 of you) My dad's a reader but I don't think he's in the market for a clothespin doll.

Even if you didn't make it through the crush of November posts, thank you for reading and commenting. I have a lot of fun with this little blog and you readers make it way more fun. Even if I'm a complete idiot at responding to comments with any consistency!!

Happy December!

Success!

It's after midnight so it's November 30 which means the last day of NaBloPoMo. I made it! Posted 30 days in a row.

I also finished the gift just in time. It's wonky and has issues but it's done.  I'll tell you more about it later.

Goodnight!

Linky

Things I found interesting around the blogosphere today (geez I read a lot of blogs!!):

Wait, before we begin, don't miss this event.

Ok, now the links:

This post (and photos) about an abandoned building full of school supplies was really interesting. And depressing.

Swistle reminded me that I really should have taken the holiday card photo already.

This Christmas tree is super cool

This contest has some really good prizes--just make an "American" craft project

If you are bored and love cats. Or knitting. Check out this photo set from Crazy Aunt Purl.

This silhouette project from Anna Maria Horner looks cool and she was on the Martha Stewart show!

And I think that's it. Hope you had a great Monday!

Swaps and other goodies by post

I joined the patchwork swap organized by Linda and got matched with Laura.

I got some fabric scraps

And Laura sent the nicest purse/bag with an appliqued apple tree. Biscuit has (temporarily) adopted it for block storage.

The back is striped in fall colors

Continuing the theme of really bad photos, a horrible shot of the adorable tutu from Dana.

Which I somehow won for contributing to Marimello's Witch Fire Etsy Shop
It seems like the perfect item for a two year old girl but so far I haven't been able to get it on her! I think once she tries it, she'll like it.

So that's it for day 3. I'll close with some flowers I bought my mom--we're off to their house for the day.