So I'm happy to announce that the Ironman is back in one piece and with just a tiny limp.  I'm also elated to say that political foolishness has subsided for now and I'm back in the local paper.

You can read my column this week HERE.

There's only one way to welcome an Ironman back, and that's with pillows.  Axel and I whipped up a couple custom creature comforts from some darling mattress ticking to perhaps elevate his ankles or cushion his undeniably sore butt (a bike seat cannot be built for 112 miles...I'm only assuming).

If I had to give a "shop philosophy" for my Etsy boutique it might read, "Keeping myself busy while keeping you stylish."  No where in my set of Etsy goals will you find, "be a millionaire" or "be the next Vera Wang."  I just really enjoy sewing and like to create items that are functional.

That being said, I employ great effort in the sourcing of my materials.  I need to get the best pricing and the best quality goods so everyone will be happy.  I'm not into wasting my time and I refuse to work with crap.

One thing I thought I had the best source on was the vintage jacquard ribbons I use for my guitar straps.  I thought the person I was buying them from (on Etsy . . . I'm not naming any names) was wonderful to deal with and offered reasonable prices.  She did disappoint me however when I started ordering in bulk, as demand increased for my guitar straps, and she wasn't offering a bulk discount and was a bit owly when I would ask for excess shipping charges to be refunded.

I did a bit of research and found a new source for trims (not on Etsy) and coincidentally, their inventory was EXACTLY the same as the inventory of my previous supplier.  It seems that although the two websites are unrelated and in different states entirely, my Etsy source has purchased nearly everything in this other inventory, marks up the price, and sells it for quite a bit more on Etsy.

Here I thought I was needing to raise the price on my guitar straps, which I have NEVER raised a price in over three years on Etsy, but I was clever enough to outsmart the fox and keep my prices low!

Hooray for research!  Boo to being a middle-man!  While I would never do anything to negatively effect her business, I am even more so on my toes when it comes to materials.  To the shop I previously ordered from I say, "Bad form."  And also, "You may want to remove the original packaging.  When I received the shipment from my new supplier, I realized it looks identical the same as how to the way you've been sending it."

There you have it.  My prices stay.  All is well in the shop this week.

"Mom, is that your old board?" Axel asks me this morning.  Although I heard his words, more importantly I heard them coming from outside, where he shouldn't have been.  So I wrangled a pair of shorts and sped to the front door to see what he was referring to.

Sitting outside my front door was the most beautiful antique ironing board.  Super strange.  Having just moved here, nobody knows me and therefor I don't receive many random deliveries.

Immediately I started to hypothesize.  Is this one of those "pass the white elephant gifts" where you dump a random object from yard to yard?  Was this perhaps litter, someone dumping it in the middle of the night?  If someone really did intend for me to receive this, why not come during the day so I could thank them?

This is perplexing...but really a great accident.  I have adopted the abandoned "old board" and will be using it until it's claimed.

We are so excited this weekend!  Today we celebrate our 5 year anniversary, we prepare for Jahred's sister to get married tomorrow and we're gaining one house-mate!  While we're dancing the night away, Tyler, my brother, will be moving in and preparing to attend Saint Cloud State University for the coming school year!  Yea!

To get ready for such a special house guest, I decided to try a few painting techniques on his walls.  (Little does he know that in college you do plenty of wall watching as late night studying turns to blank stares.)

Here's what I did...

On the ugly, blank walls I painted two spots of yellow (not too fancy).

On one wall I taped a tree with painters masking tape.  I used a ripped technique on the tape, giving it a torn, rustic edge.

On the opposite wall I used cleanly cut pieces of tape to create a bicycle wheel.  If you haven't heard, this kid rocks his bike and is only one month away from his very first Ironman.

I painted over the tape, first in yellow to seal the edges, and then in the desired room color.

When I peeled off the tape, the results were pretty awesome!  Now for the finishing touches of outlet plates and register covers.  I think we're all set, including the homemade desk which will assist in earning a fourth college degree!

I love when people request something custom!  It has the most lovely side effect, getting me out of my everyday box.

Recently requested was a strap for a violin case.  What a novel idea!  Identical to my ever-popular guitar straps in every way but the hardware.  Instead of leather tabs, I add swivel clips.

I'm always seeing people carrying their instruments on and off of buses, and the subways of Americas largest cities are just ripe with musicians!  Might as well arrive in style to your next gig right?

I was seriously tempted to keep this strap for myself, had it not been for the adorable message this momma wanted stitched for her daughter.  "Julia - You are loved like crazy."

So, off this baby went today, not without a photo session and a new item being added to my shop.  Case straps.  What a great idea!

In other news, welcome to August!  I'm seriously glad to be inching towards fall as the heat and summer storms continue to pummel my lawn.  It's either a scorcher or a monsoon.  Perhaps fall will bring some stability?!

So I stitched up these darling bears for a custom Etsy order.  They are headed for two brand new babies and were made to match their nursery linens.

I always love how these guys turn out, and just had to snap a quick pic.

While headed to separate homes, I can't help but think that they make a darling couple.  She is more reserved, subtle and shy.  He is very bold, not afraid to show his colors and is ever-so-geeky with matching Curios George pocket square and bow.

Since there isn't much else to do on these 100+ degree days, you can see that humor comes easily.  Axel and I had a bit of fun before giving these guys kisses and sending them off to Illinois.

Ciao! 

I received the most lovely surprise the other day in my inbox.  A customer, like many before her had purchased one of my sewing patterns.  Ok, not that unusual.  However, even though I always encourage people to send photos of the bags the make, I rarely receive any.  Most seamstresses simply leave lovely feedback about liking the pattern, and thats the end of it.  

It was so nice to hear from Diane, who had made one of my most difficult bags and sent pictures to prove it (see photo left).  She went out of her way to make my day and I completely appreciate it.  You all should visit her blog HERE.

Enough on that already.  My third column in the Sartell Newsleader can be read HERE.  I'm so happy they continue to publish me!  Hopefully positive comments are pouring in and I'll get a confirmed regular slot.  Right now I'm still fighting my way in!

Happy July to you all.  It's feast or famine weather here in Minnesota, hopefully wherever you are is a little more stable, the sunny days are steady, and the humidity non-existent!

While the "CLOSED" signs have angrily been applied to Minnesota rest stops and state parks alike, I wonder, what are the other 49 states supposed to think?  Really?  Do I live in the one state that says bah-humbug to the most important National Holiday, and our government cannot agree to the point of a shut down?  With all the passersby and the wanderlust travelers on the highways this weekend, I guess the message we're sending is, "don't stop here."  A bit sad.

On the brighter side of the road, it looks like I won't be stopping my columns either.  I was published for the second week in a row!  You can read my article in the Sartell Newsleader by clicking here!

So it looks like this week there's no rest for the weary travelers and writers alike.  We'll all just keep up the good fight, plan our fuel-ups accordingly and celebrate the 4th of July wherever we land.

Happy Independence Day!

So, because once again, Nikon's battery is dead, I'm forced to grab point-and-shoot from my purse.

A funny thing happens when you pull out the "emergency camera," you discover pictures that have been clinging to digital media for a while, just waiting to be uploaded and remembered.  Tonight is such an occasion.

The FedEx guy must work overtime around here because around 7pm, long after normal delivery hours, a long and slender package arrived at my door.  I knew exactly what it was.  AS Hanging System's top notch gallery track hanging supplies, coveted "for a long time" by me and recently purchased for my new walls.  Almost immediately, the cordless drill, ladder, level and the contents of my package were gathered and ready for installation.

Hanging just one track, on my tall purple wall, I became so proud of myself that the old Cybershot came out and I have the first cryptic photos to show you my new "gallery" (scratch that...home).

Now, here comes the fun.  Uploading the pictures I knew wouldn't do justice to the fabulous wall system, I discovered the final pic taken of our humble apartment.  It seems like we kissed it goodbye decades ago and a bit of nostalgia comes with seeing it's picture once again.  Sigh.

So, just to peak your jealousy, and encourage you all to display art (however trivial) in a uniform and respectable manner, here is the first glimpse of "gallery meets living space."  (Never mind that I still have no furniture.  I'm a big girl now, and I'd rather cross legs on the floor looking at beautiful walls than stare at unembellished space.  Besides, when's the last time you saw living room furniture in a GALLERY?)

Well, the offer is in, and the ball is in the hands of Mr. "606 Scenic Drive."

Trying to be vague on the details until all is final, we are really getting close to our new beginning in greater Minnesota.  Jahred is one-and-a-half weeks away from his debut as an RN with the Surgical Services Unit at Saint Cloud Hospital.  A large hospital with over 4300 employees, they offer outstanding benefits and seem to be such a friendly place to work (the gift shop is outstanding)!

Last week, Jahred, Axel and I spent a day in the area looking for what Axel calls a "garage house."  We trudged through 15 houses; enough is enough.  Today, while Jahred met with hospital administrators, I looked at our favorite house "one more time."

I am really feeling the "house number five" confidence as I now realize, it isn't our "dream home" I'm in search of; it's simply a place to store the things we gather while living our "dream life."

When we moved into our rental nearly one year ago, I discovered quickly that I had very few requests of our next home.  I need: four exterior walls of my own, a thermostat that we can control, toilets that flush more than one-out-of-five flushes, and a place for my boys to play.  The house we offered on today has those things and more.

I completely forgot to take pictures.  Here are a few defining characteristics...promises of photos to follow:
 - fenced, large yard
 - four bedrooms (one large enough for a king size bed...finally)
 - two bathrooms (one for boys and one for girls...haha, I'm the only girl)
 - two stall garage, with shop, that may be large enough for the bike Axel is coveting out of the Target catalog
 - a raised garden box in the back yard
 - a piano wall
 - plenty of boredom busters (wallpaper stripping)

So, the offer is in and hopefully we'll get the all clear soon.  I'm trying to be emotionally detached until we hear from the owner...emotional detachment has never been one of my strong points.