Last Day o' May!

So, once again, I forgot to take the camera to The Farmers Market this Sunday. BUT I remembered everything ELSE I forgot last week! So, STILL no pics of my set up.

It was super busy, and I made about 100 new scrabble tiles for last weekend. I got a few orders for favourite images on initials, and one that I'm mailing away once it's finished. I also got low on glass tile pendants (domino sized) so made a pile of them today, as well as more scrabble tiles.

I've also almost completely sold out of sock monkeys. So, I'm a creating diva this week! And I love it. Moving downtown this year has doubled my sales.



I received these two darling Cabbage Patch Kids from a lovely lady in Barrie, named Cathy. With Market being SO busy, I haven't had time to finish the clothes I started in March and April... These babies will have clothing soon!

She's got a PILE for adoption very soon, with clothing and in great condition. She's going to have a store set up soon, I think, but in the mean time you can check out her Facebook Group for the updates. If you are a collector, or are looking for one just like you had when you were a kid, check her out. Tell her Lori sent you :)

And last, but not least... check out my first harvest from the garden. One tiny strawberry. They are a wild heritage strawberry. Ever bearing, sweet and sour at the same time. Yum!

Jem. She's Truly Outrageous.

I found her, unfortunately without shoes. I accidentally "upskirted" her while trying to get a pic of the cleanliness of her feet. Whoops, sorry Jem :(



I wonder what sort of visitors I'll get after writing about "upskirting." The Horror.

It's hot. Real Hot. How'm I feelin? Hot Hot Hot.

The pool is full. (It's a kiddie pool, don't get excited.) There's ice cream and freezies in the freezer. The oven has been given a blessed holiday. I've been working on the front step in the sun, looking at my too - long grass (broke my lawn mower) while making dolls and necklaces for market.

Life is good!

It's Nearly Been a Year, HOLY COW, it's working!

I realized this weekend, that I now officially make MORE from my businesses, working part time, as I would working FULL TIME outside of the house and paying for daycare. For April, Watkins made 90% of that income. I can't believe it.

I've worked incredibly hard over the year. Actually, it will be a year I've been a Watkins associate at the end of June. In April I made manager. Still, little ol' me DID IT. I went from taking a leap of faith a year ago, (and a prayer and only believing I COULD do it.) to earning a decent income. I wonder what next year will bring?

I started the year mostly selling, and didn't really start focusing on team building until December (although I had a few friends who had joined me before.) and now that it's a habit that I spend about 2 hours a day on, it's rapidly growing. It feels a little like winning the lotto. In my head I think "Holy cow, it's working!!!"

This weekend was the first Farmers Market, and it went well. Although I'm not allowed to just present Watkins, I do always bring some popular product. Petro Carbo Salve, Medicated Ointment, plus the bug lotions and sprays, and the Sun Block. I felt a little unready, but made the best of it, and ended up doing VERY well!

Next weekend, I'll actually REMEMBER to take the camera with me, get some photos, and show you my new "market shoes"...

This was an awesome long weekend. But, I think I'm a wee bit sun-drunk.

Umbrella Heaven

Today, I want to post SO BADLY the most AWESOME gift that I made for my sweetheart for his birthday today. But I cannot, as he might actually READ this today. So, it will have to wait until tomorrow. (It is truly awesomeness.)

We finally have some very warm weather - which always brings out the big hats or umbrella's. (For those of you who don't know it, I had a rather large chunk of my face removed as it was cancerous. They stitched me up, with minimal muscle and nerve loss. My face was the ONLY place I ever used sunscreen, and I've got a suspicion it had something to do with the cream facial hair removers I used to use. But, anyway, I use umbrellas to walk in the sun.)

I'd love to get a properly made parasol. One that can withstand the wind, and have material a little thicker than the thin water proof layer that a regular umbrella has. I've seen some lovely (but pricey) ones made in the UK, at Umbrella Heaven at etsy, that are windproof. For the amount of umbrellas that I SEND to umbrella heaven (they die) , it would be worth it.

Today, however, I'm going to settle for a big floppy hat in the shade, and weave up more necklaces for the Farmers Market that's happening in Midland this Sunday (and every Sunday from now till Thanksgiving weekend.)

Come see tomorrow, what I made for my sweetie's birthday!!!

How do I Afford my Rock N Roll Lifestyle??

Dear yard. Please mow yourself. I clearly don't have time. Aren't you aware, I have to WORK here?

I just finished FINALLY shovelling the dirt from the driveway into the raised veggie boxes this afternoon. I had been nursing my back (herniated disc! eep!) and then we had a week of rain. Which made the grass grow strong and tall and thick... and hard to cut with my push mower. (I forced myself to smile and think thankful thoughts. It's Monday, and beautiful, and I get to be out in it. Thanks, Universe.) Raising our own veggies, and getting goods for less at market, will save us money this summer. Plus, it just feels good.

The seedlings in thier little containers are getting big and are going to need to be put to bed soon, so back and forth with the wheel barrow took precedence over mowing.

This weekend is the first farmers market, too. I bake biscotti for the markets, as well as banana bread, carrot cake, and I'm going to do a zucchini bread for this one, to see how it goes. I also make hemp necklaces, sock dolls, and scrabble tile pendants for the market. I've been working like mad all winter, but I still feel like I'm not quite ready! It's Midland on Sunday... I'm considering doing Elmvale on Saturdays. Still not sure about it.

This past weekend, we did some wicked thrifting, and some of the items I got pics of and listed on etsy already sold. I love when that happens.

I also pitch Watkins while at the market, but that part takes almost no effort at all. When people see the name, they know EXACTLY what they are after! I just have to make sure my Watkins apron is clean! I have quite a few members on my team now, who are getting started, and I'm so excited for them.

And that, folks, is how I afford my gyspy rock-n-roll lifestyle.

Now, to figure out dinner and fetch the kiddies from school.

Life is Good. Say thanks now and again.

My Place Has Become an Orphanage. (and, there's room for more.)

Last night, while snuggled in with my sweetheart, and watching some Doctor Who (We're catching up on episodes... we both stopped watching when we started dating each other, figuring the other wouldn't want to STOP EVERYTHING on Friday nights to catch it. Funny that we've been together for over a year, and didn't figure out we're both fans until about two weeks ago!)

Anyway, parenthesis segue or what??? Let me start again...

Last night, while snuggled in with my sweetheart, and watching some Doctor Who, I gathered my adopted and rescued Cabbage Patch Kids around, and sewed up all thier loose and missing stitching. I don't know why I put it off for so long, because it took no time at all.

These babies are intended as models for the clothing and diapers I make and sell on my etsy store, but now spend most of their time on the couch, as my daughters adore them.

It feels incredibly empowering to allow my artistic side JUST DO, when I used to fret over "the right way" or "professional" way to do something, and then never get anything done.

From left to right:
EmmaLee Giovanna. She has a birth certificate, but needs some cleaning, and possible repainting of her eyes. Then, she might be up for adoption.
Yvette Alora. Needed many stitches, and I have to figure out what to do with her gorgeous cornsilk hair.
Alex Ander. I loveses him.
Cecilia Amelia. She was a gift from my girlfriend for my birthday, My littlest daughter drags her around the house everywhere.

Oh yes, and "Dear Ebay. Stop tempting me with the promise of more friends for these darlings." and... "Dear Thrift Store and garage sales. You may tempt me any time."

What Magic in store for May 11th?

Feelin' the magic today!

Yesterday, my girls remembered to give me a Mothers Day box of chocolates they got for me on Saturday and forgot to give me Sunday. My sweetheart laughed and asked if there were any missing.

Yesterday, my Monty Python French Taunting towels got 90 views on etsy, thanks to it being "Monty Python status day" on Facebook. hehe. Random.

Yesterday, we got news that verifies we've got some magic :) and forever.

Today, I have a rental housing inspection. My house is a write off, as I've been babying my back and moving at a snails pace. (CTscan revealed a herniated disc, explaining the 9ish weeks of pain.) but, hopefully they'll still be able to get to the windows and what ever else they need to look at. I have a list for them. Beginning with the birds who've made a next in the attic, using the bathroom vent as a door.

Today, I have 150 more emails to send out, plus as many calls as I can manage before housing gets here. I was given 275 leads from my Summit Group team leader, for participating in a boot camp training AND making first month manager in April. (I'm working hard on maintaining it this month, as if I do, there's a bonus in it for me. Work from Home mommies LIKE bonuses, that begin with $$$.)

Today, I'd rather be outside, to continue putting the dirt into the planter boxes I made. But there's WINTER in the air. I have to go slow when I do it, again because of the back. It's VERY frustrating to have to go slow, when I'm used to doing 5 things at once. I found more seeds hiding in the cupboard from last year. I'm going to need some crafty garden stakes, to keep them all figured out.

But, anyway, I had dreams that kept me wanting to sleep to see what happens, and May 11 has got something planned for me. I rolled out of bed with a smile on my face.

Words of Wisdom for Mothers Day

The littlest pixies classmates were given the beginning of wise old sayings.. and had to fill in the blanks...

Strike while the ... enemy is distracted

It is always darkest before... bed
...light

Never underestimate the power of... your dad

You can lead a horse to water but... it might get wet

Don't bite the hand that... is dirty

No news is... on the TV

A miss is as good as a.... kiss
.... Mr.

If you lie down with dogs, you... could get fleas
...fall asleep
... you might get licked

Happy is the bride who... marries a man

A penny saved is... one cent

Two is company, three is... a family
... busy
... more than one

If at first you don't succeed... then its too late

When the blind lead the blind... it is love (this one was by my daughter. lol.)
... they get lost
... they always bump into things

An idle mind is.... a person not thinking


Happy Mothers Day!

Free Tarot Readings

Just a Quickie today - I've been practicing with my new deck at the kitchen table (although the trusty 16 year old deck is on standby!) Giving free readings to my friends who are interested.

Check me out at The Little Witch and peek around for the FREE reading links, or the 10 minutes for $1.99 (new users only.) If you can't get here physically, Keen can hook us up.

You don't have to read with me, there are a tonne of great readers there.

More crafty endevours tomorrow!