chocolate canary

Sing for Spring!

2008-03-20T18:35:00.000-05:00

Spring is Here!!!!!

I love this photo. I took it on a trip to central California a few years ago! It always makes me think of spring! It is so warm and sunny here today! Unlike the 3 previous days of constant rain we have had. I love it when the weather warms up, the grass starts turning green and the first flowers pop up!

Vermicomposting??

2008-03-18T18:53:00.000-05:00

photo from Angeli

This is a far cry from artists and etsy, but I am curious.....Anyone tried this?

You can read more of the in's and out's here. It is very simple, a few worms and a lot of scraps equal some really good stuff to add to your dirt! I really want to start doing this. It only makes sense. We have so many vegetable and fruit scraps that would make great worm food. But, the greatest reward would be a rich place for my future flowers to grow.

I may have mentioned before that my soil is all but missing. I have rock and clay. Yuck. So, I started thinking about this last fall and I think I am going to start it now. I am going to go get some red earthworms and a large container. Then as I get the compost I can start putting it where I want my flower beds. The plan is, by this time next year, I will have some place for my flowers to grow. I also think I am going to bring in some fine mulch an till it under and let it decompose over the long hot summer.

Any experts out there have an opinion on vermicomposting? I love any advice along the way. I will keep everyone updated on my worm journey!

I think I've got cabin fever!

2008-03-11T17:22:00.000-05:00

Somebody sound the alarm!!!

Did you hear the news? Jimmy Buffet sold out the St. Louis tour date on April 24th in 15 minutes!!!! This is the fastest sellout in the venue's history! I've got to tell you that I love the Margaritaville scene and everything Jimmy! Yes, we were one of the fortune 21,000 people to get tickets in those 15 short minutes. Thanks Dad! Myself and 2 other friends stood in line for tickets, but my dad managed to get them online - yeah! Lucky for us, because that line did not move and we would have walked away empty handed.

Somebody give me a boat drink!

Now onto getting our attire ready for the big day. Hmmm, should it be finheads like the guys above or grass skirts and a coconut bra? I can't wait to come up with this. I will be sure to post pictures of the whole event.

Check out this son of a sailor! Too Funny! Jimmy back in the day - what a great picture.

It has been probably 16 years since I went to see Jimmy in concert. Let me know if you have any tips on the attire. There are eight of us going altogether.

Blue Christmas

2007-11-26T15:31:00.000-06:00

Happy Cyber Monday everyone! How is the internet treating you today?

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and it went allllll weekend long. Thanksgiving is just about as crazy as Christmas for us. We travel to 5 different places over the course of three days. It includes my husband's fam, my fam and a few friends that we only see here and there. The good thing is, I am only in charge of getting us to and fro. No big menu and house cleaning spree for me!

Here are the newest gift tags in my shop. I love

the green ribbon candy ribbon. Say that 3 time fast! I only wish I had more. It did not last long.

I have been working on some new paintings. I want to do some nursery/toddler themed canvases. We'll see what I come up with.

I have several more tags to list. I will be putting up some really cool baseball tags soon. Keep your eyes peeled!

Let it Snow

2007-11-20T18:23:00.001-06:00

How cute are these little snowmen? I love them and have received such great reviews on them so I thought I would share them here! I made them out of wallpaper scraps and added a button and scarf to dress them up. I have used the larger ones around the neck of a wine bottle. But these smaller ones are so cute tied to a package or hanging from a small tree. I cut each one separately, so they are all unique in their shape, just like a real snowman.

Craft Fair Survior

2007-11-19T15:07:00.000-06:00

It's official! We survived and actually sold some of our goods!!! I did this craft fair along with my good friend Joanne over at BritArt. She makes fabulous cards.

Let me tell you, it was an experience. I know those of you who have been a vendor know this already! Wow! The stuff that was flying off the shelves...Let's just say that it belonged in my Grandma's house! Seriously, can we get a few more quality shows around here?? I can't wait for the Strange Folk 2008. I was just a spectator this year, but I am definitely filling out an application for next year!

We learned alot and made a list of things to do different next time. We were kinda under the gun for our fist one. Making the inventory was our first priority and I think next time we will have more variety to choose from. The funny thing was, how many people would stop, pick up something and comment how beautiful it was. So beautiful, in fact, that they couldn't imagine sending the card to someone or putting the tag on a gift for friend. HUH? Isn't that the point? One lady wanted to frame them and put them on her desk. I say, OK, whatever works for you!!

Here is our table. I think it looks a bit crowded. I think next time we will make better use of the space and have a back wall and side table so people can walk into the booth.

This is the display "tree" that we hung our cards and tags from that people could rotate to see the various items. I think it worked pretty good.

So, we are focusing our attention on the next event for spring. We're not exactly sure where or what yet. I am hoping to include more of my painted items. Unfortunately, these take a little longer to produce. I guess that means, back to work!

Stayin' Alive

2007-11-08T13:50:00.001-06:00

Yes, I am alive. I have feverishly been working on gift tags for the upcoming craft fair. Let's see, eight days until the big event! We are setting up on Friday night. The craft fair actually has a holiday theme so we are creating our tablescape with that in mind. We are doing a dry run tomorrow. Maybe I'll remember to take a picture to show you before the big event! I am actually getting excited. I have about 140 items made and hope to get to at least 200 by Sunday. I have heard from good sources that this craft fair packs them in. I just hope that they are packed and ready to buy!!!

My plan is to be finished creating by Sunday and then to add a few to my poor neglected etsy shop. The poor thing needs a little TLC. Like I said before, nothing like jumping in with both feet and getting wet! So, now I have product, got my domain name, printing some business tags tomorrow, got some cello bags and our display should rock!

Stamping. Stamps. Paper. Adhesive. Scissors. Hardware. Ink. Ribbon. you get the idea. After Sunday I hope to return full force with a run down of how the craft fair went the week of the 19th.

Craft fair: Parkway South High School Ballwin, MO November 17 ( 9-4) and 18 (10 -4) - See you there!!

Creative Mess?

2007-10-16T21:02:00.000-05:00

If this was my kid's mess, I would have a fit. But it's mine, all mine, and it's in my dining room! What a mess! Does a mess make you more creative? Sometimes I wonder. I really like to have everything in it's place and within arms reach, but a dining room doesn't lend itself as a studio very well. Have to be careful of the floors and the lighting is horrible. It's really good for a romantic dinner, but not for creating. The pains of a new house. My husband is slowly making headway towards a studio in the basement. Until then I am left with the dining room and making treks to the basement for supplies. Good exercise, right?.

I have a few criteria for my studio in the basement. Not many, but the first and biggest is NO spiders and no spider webs!!! I can't stress that enough. He has built me a shelving unit, but I think I need another. Then I am leaning toward some peg board that I can hang some stuff and put some small shelves that I can put everyday items on. Walls, electricty, lighting - lots of lighting, paint on the walls, a door and a closet sounds like a good start. I have some work surfaces (folding tables), but I think I will look for something else. I had the perfect table before we moved, but it wouldn't fit down the stairs. It was a 8 x 4 solid top chemistry table and was indestructible! I miss it. The other thing I want to do is label each of my containers with cute tags that are all color coordinated. Hmmm, anything I am leaving out? What do you guys love or use most in your studios?

ugh! YEAH! whoopee!!!

2007-10-11T18:28:00.000-05:00

Ugh...kids sick, i'm sick. Still sick. ugh. sigh. cough. sniff.

Pulling myself back up here. I'm number 100 of a great group Swanky Moms!!! What a cool number. I always wanted to be caller 15 or shopper number 97 but I love being the 100th member of this group. Being sick has put a slight damper on my craftiness and networking, so I have a small mountain to climb to get back on track.

So, I found some inspiration the other day and whipped out some new tags. They are a collage of sorts and I think I am going to sell them as a set. I think they are really cool! They are inspiration in themselves. For those of us that need a boost every now and then.

I started some new holiday tags last night. We'll see how they turn out.

I have to say that I am more than excited that Rachel at hue left me a comment. I couldn't believe it! I felt like I had just seen a star!!! I love reading her blog. Everything I have learned has been self taught and learning about the finesse of color is my fav. Thanks Rachel!

I have managed to score a new knife to my cutlery collection!!! I am soooo excited about this knife. When I get it I'll make sure to show it in action! I sold Cutco when I was in college and have been a big fan ever since! The guarantee is true, I just sent in my knives about 3 months ago for sharpening and they sent them back not only good as new, but most of them were brand new! Where do you find that kind of service?

Brainstorming

2007-10-09T12:22:00.000-05:00

So, here I am, trying to come up with some more ideas. I this this is the death of me. While I should be creating, I am thinking. Can't do one without the other. I decided to work on some bags today. Can't decide on the finishing touch. I'm always looking for the piece of flair. Maybe I should just go with the simple, clean route.?. I don't know... any suggestions?? Need some inspiration and some $$ to go scavenging for some new found supplies.

Here is my latest gift tag. He is on the simple side and I kinda like him that way.

Back to the drawing board and the bus stop...maybe I'll find some inspiration along the way!

Yikes!

2007-10-05T18:54:00.000-05:00

OK, now I am officially nervous! My friend has decided to give me the jump start that I needed... I think. She is entering us into our first ever craft fair. No not sometime next year, next month! HOLY COW!!! That means we have to get crackin' I guess I always learn the most by jumping both feet first and not looking back. So I am racking my brain on what to make first. I have a lot of the larger tags made, need to start the smaller ones. I painted a tag yesterday that I loaded to my etsy shop today.

I think it is pretty good. I would tie it to my Halloween Hostess gift! Anyway, I think I need to come up with more ideas for my wallpaper stash and fast. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Flower Power

2007-09-27T16:01:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest gift tag from my recycled wallpaper stash. I also learn a few things about my new camera...like the macro button. I really think it makes a difference. Now I just need some photo editing software and a tutorial and I'll be good to go!

I'm trying to score some wood scraps from the house behind me that is being built. I am hoping to make some yard ornaments out of them. Yep, you heard it...yard ornaments! I think suburbia is in desperate need of some big painted pumpkins, santas, pastel eggs and what not. We'll have to see what I can come up with.

Halloween Treat!

2007-09-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

Here it is, my first handpainted pot! Not too bad for my first try! I thought it turned out good enough to add to my shop. If you really like it, check it out (hmmm, can't get the link to work...chocolatecanary.etsy.com ) Have any constructive critizims let me know. I am all about what the people want!

So that's it. My little shop of handmades is now open and ready for me to create, create, create!

Turtle Soup

2007-08-31T11:50:00.000-05:00

That's what my little guy wanted for lunch! Ha, just had to laugh and made him chicken noodle instead. He did not understand why I did not have a turtle to make his soup. Oh to be two!

Back to the grind...working on setting up my etsy shop today. Got the bones laid out. Not as bad as I thought. Need to get my logo up. My neighbor has agreed to swap graphic design services if I make her a bedskirt and a couple of pillows for her couch. Sounds like a good deal to me! Of course I took her up on the offer! Wait until you see the most handsome chocolate canary ever. He's coming soon. I promise.

I have been making tags, I call them gift tags, but I suppose you could use them for any cause. I ran across some really yummy wallpaper and have been using it as paper. I hope to have some of the finished pieces up in the shop soon. We'll see what I can accomplish this weekend in between the BBQ's.