I less than a week I'll be blowing out candles once again.  I may just have to stick my candles in ice cream since I happen to be without an oven (lovely appliances they have in this rental), but none-the-less I will be celebrating.

Because I am on the downward slope to Jahred graduating and moving into our next home, it's time to clear out the stocks.  I have added lots of new items from my collection to the Etsy shop.  Antique items, yarn scrap packs, you name it, I'm ready to part with it.

In honor of my own B-day, I'm offering the following deals:
** ALL ORDERS over $27 (not including shipping) will be refunded 20%.
** ALL PDF SEWING PATTERNS are BOGO (buy one get one free...let me know at checkout 
      which one you would like GRATIS)!
** ALL DE-STASH items are 50% off (priced as marked).

Take advantage!  Sale ends at midnight, July 25th!  Supplies limited as everything is OOAK.

Feeling like I am emerging from a shelter post tornado, we are "settled" in the "Chateau Del Mar".

The closing on our property is less then 48 hours away, Axel has only asked twice "please lets go home", and I have managed to tearlessly lead the exodus and final cleaning.

Despite our tiny living quarters, I have managed to create a liveable version of the home we loved so much!  It also helps that I am very fond of our new town.  Not sure if it's the nostalgia of returning to my college stomping grounds, the smell of the food co-op or the library that is more beautiful than a Rocky Mountain lodge, I am happy to be here.

Being so "snug", I am learning quickly to think verticle.  Every shelf has a purpose and every shelf top is utilized as well.  I am secretly pretending that "Chateau Del Mar" is in New York City.  I've wanted to live there possibly my whole life and I just consider this practice (or maybe the closest thing I'll get).  Never mind the shabby siding, I see our place as a lovely brown stone on the upper east side...our door man just happens to be on an indefinite vacation.

Well, more to come when the closing on 810 Baker is actually over and I can officially breathe again.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY ETSY SALE . . . see previous post.

Yipee!!  I am nearly at 2000 Etsy sales!  That wouldn't be possible without loyal customers and lots of help in the studio!

To celebrate customers, I am announcing a HUGE SALE!

Until I hit 2000 sales (less than 80 sales away), I am offering 20% off on ALL sales $20 or more.

To qualify, simply purchase any item or combo of items (yes, patterns count too), and if the total is over $20, I will refund you 20% via PayPal!

Take advantage!!!  Stock up for Mothers Day, Showers, Summer Birthdays . . . no limit to how much can be refunded!

Thanks to all who have helped make my shop and designs a success!  Looking forward to the next thousand!

Now that we've licked this potty business (even staying dry at night...just bragging), it's time to move on to bigger and better things.  This week I'll be teaching Axel Calculus.  :)

No, really...it seems the mundane has set in again.  The house is back on the market, this time with a new Realty Company and a hell-of-a-lot more stains on the rugs.  I have found with jute rugs however, stains seem to disappear over time, and over time as well, my house is BOUND TO SELL!

I even offered to take the photos for this go-around, creating a "virtual tour".  I figure anything I can do to make it more noticeable, and gain a little good karma!

While Axel is dreaming away I sweat out some calories on the treadmill while mentally re-organizing my Etsy shop.  I have determined from my 2 week Etsy vacancy that it really is "what I put into it".  I haven't been updating, adding new things and what I see most critical is that I'm not BUYING.  Is Etsy just one big money cycle, you spend on Etsy and others spend in your shop?  Something to ponder.  I have been getting lots of word of mouth customers (and they tend to be happier and less demanding anyway).

On, POTTY GIVEAWAY!  I am super excited to announce that the winner (by random drawing from a Red Wing Crock) is Shelly!  She is Jahreds aunt and the source of 90% of our toys!  Shelly, you'll be getting a surprise in the mail (just for you and the birds...no sharing with any boys in your house).

THANK YOU so much for the many tips on coloring the toilet water and especially the tip from Jen!  You provided perhaps the tip I am most likely to use.  Peeing in a parking lot instead of the car seat will come in handy as we are on the road a lot.  Luckily, having a boy, it will be a little less obvious...I may even start parking towards the back, or beside large trucks.  Probably should wait until spring before giving it a whirl...Jahred warned me of potential frostbite.

Check out the pictures of how clean my house was for 5 minutes.  What you can't see are the piles of kid crap just around the corners of each image.  The 4th picture of the blue stairs is the reason I fell in love with this house.  A walk up attic.  The old fashioned wall paper, the blue paint alone; remnants of a better time.  When I saw them for the first time on our initial tour, I spontaneously flashed back to the first book I fell in love with "Diary of Anne Frank".  After that book, I looked for secret stair cases everywhere.  My personal blue staircase walks up from inside my closet, almost like a private escape to possibility, dreams and my very own sauna in the summer.

After showing intense readiness, we have decided to potty train Axel.  Here is my situation.

He carries potty around the house saying "poopy" and "potty".  He wants to put his own pants off and on.  He has an extensive vocabulary and is aware when he is "going" in his pants.

This all lead me to believe that he was ready to go on the potty.  What am I, nuts?

Starting on Monday, I committed to poop, pee and a little potty purchased from once-upon-a-child.  I know millions of babies and mommies are going through this very same process, but really...how isolated can you get?  I haven't left the house in 3 days, and I have seen few signs of improvement.

After much consideration we are using the complete nudity method, ditching the diapers entirely (except during sleepy time) and using a disappointed face when pee hits the floor.

Monday: 1 poop on potty, 1 pee on potty, rest were on the floor
Tuesday: 2 poops on potty, 4 pees on potty, rest were on the floor
Wednesday: so far, 2 pees on the potty, several pees on the floor.

Not sure if I should be encouraged with a 100% success rate for poopy?  I'm grasping for any signs of encouragement.

So, in my head, I'm saying "just quit", try again later.  In my heart, I know he can do it.  HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE to get to the point where you are having more than a 50% overall success rate?  I am pretty much banking on a week of pure torture and some improvement after that?

In order to pull some insight from you all, I am offering a giveaway!  Simply reply to this blog with your best potty training insight, and you'll get a chance to WIN an AWESOME Spring Nesting Box!

HELP!  I'm counting on you!  The giveaway will run through Sunday, January 17th.

Ok, it may seem like I am lacking in my commitment to a pair per week.  I can honestly say, knitting is the 1 area of my life right now where I am not lacking!

Here are last Sundays "socks" and although they aren't the double-point delights of previous weeks, I think you will enjoy these felted lovelies.

Knit with Galaway worsted weight wool in heather...felted to foot size...decorated with vintage buttons.

This pattern was SUPER fun!  It is from an awesome etsy designer and you can find it HERE.

The directions are wonderful.  Mine didn't turn out as cute as hers, but I'm guessing she's made about one-million pair.  Perhaps by then I will have mastered the moccasin looking ridge as well.  Also, I'm a rather crappy felter. I'm inattentive at the washing machine and to save a load, I always felt with a few towels (never hurts to wash your towels in hot).

Also worth mentioning is that tomorrow I will be listing the pair of socks that were actually for today.  Yes, that will make me caught up!

Yesterday was my dear Oscars birthday.  He turned 4 in people years. Sometimes I wonder about 2 things.  

#1 - How old do you have to be until you don't look at the people in passing cars (seriously, there seems to be an age when you look over and people just aren't looking back)?

#2 - Do you ever get tired of your dog?  Previously never a pet owner, I figured the thrill wears off some time during the puppy stage.  With Oscar, I could snuggle him more every day.  Even at 4 years...he's still the most loved dog on the block.

***Don't forget to comment on my previous blog post.  Its a GIVEAWAY!

happy birthday oscar . . . photo credit GS 2009

Ok, lots of stress right now with business, school, family and the holiday rush.

In order to fill my time, and make me happy, I've decided to host a HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

Seriously, giveaways can be addicting and I recommend to bloggers, don't break the giveaway seal...you won't be able to stop!

If you are the lucky winner, you will be receiving by mail (world wide entry is always accepted...2 entries for posting in Spanish) a surprise WRISTLET!

To enter, do the following:
1 entry for posting your favorite stress relief technique
2 entries for posting in Spanish (I am desperately trying to stay current on 1 of            my college degrees)
1 additional entry to anyone linking to this giveaway from your blog/website and          letting me know about it

Ok, there ya go.  The giveaway will run through Monday, December 14th. The wristlet pictured below isn't the one you will be getting, then it wouldn't be a surprise!

Best of luck!

It's occurred to my over the last 5 consecutive days of being on the road, that traveling with a baby is a lot like running with scissors.

Starting our journey last Thursday, a black tie event to meet a new boyfriend (approved, by the way), I put on my survival face and trudged through a 2 hour dinner.  Initially with color crayons and ultimately letting him color with sour cream and a french fry, I did whatever was necessary.  They have to wash those table cloths anyway.

On Friday, Axel and I braved the cold to see a new yarn shop in Stillwater, MN.  The store did have a play area for kids, but unfortunately, no gate.  Is it too much to ask for a padded room in retail establishments?  Lucky for me though, it's hard to spend copious amounts of money when chasing down your kid.  Eventually you just buy what's in your hand and get the he*l out of the store.

Saturday was a rough one.  Attempting a new craft at my moms proved that I am either lacking in patience or ambition to try new things.  Half way through making velvet pumpkins I had had enough and needed a change of scenery.  Axel and I trekked back across the twin cities where I turned him over to Jahred.  Although you never really turn a kid with the runs over to the father...a mom always ends up dealing with it.

On Sunday, despite attempts to find a babysitter, Axel was forced to be a part of the Minneapolis skyline, 25th floor.  Visiting friends in their new condo overlooking the Mississippi river, and the new Twins Stadium...it is surprisingly difficult to contain him even in the small space of a condominium.  Ironically though, it was Jahred who spilled his own beer.  "Happy House Warming"...here is our child with a side of beer on your new leather furniture.

Eventually when you run with scissors you fall and poke your eye out...or at least your dignity.  With our tails between our legs, we headed home in the darkness of autumn.  Damn...life changes.


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ONE EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT:

Thanks to all who entered the weekend giveaway!  I now have some wonderful ideas for my own Christmas presents (just kidding). Because I can never choose just 1 winner, I drew 2 names out of the hat.  The winners are:

JEN and CORTNEY
I have to say...Cortney, your idea is beautiful.  Seriously.

To claim your winnings, email your address to me at:
jahred_jen_stephens@hotmail.com

Your prize will arrive by US Postal Service.

STAY TUNED FOR MANY MORE GIVEAWAYS AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRESSES.

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In the spirit of holiday preparation, I have decided to host a GIVEAWAY!

Since the holidays are about doing for others, here's one just for you!

I am interested in what you will be shopping for / making this year. What is the ONE gift you will be giving where you are proud of it's...creativity, ingenuity, or thoughtfulness?  Maybe it's for a friend, your dad, or your kids.

To enter the GIVEAWAY, simply reply to this post with your favorite gift ideas for 2009.  The contest will run through this weekend, Sunday (11) at midnight.

If you are chosen (by random drawing) as the winner, it will be announced on my blog on Monday.  You will be winning a ZIPPY WALLET and GIFT CERTIFICATE to my shop!!

Wearing a scarf for the first time today, I feel like fall is on the way.

My favorite season deserves another favorite of mine...and thats a SALE / GIVEAWAY!

My Etsy shop is currently being worked on to lower prices (check out the SALE section) and new items will be added in bulk over the next few days.

For every purchase of $25 or more (yes, multiples of $25 will receive multiple gifts), you will receive a FREE SURPRISE SNAPPY WALLET!  I know, it's exciting...but don't stalk your mail man, the surprise will arrive soon enough.

Of course I always ship worldwide and custom orders DO count towards the GIVEAWAY!

Enjoy!