I have almost 100 items in my shop. And a bunch more to add, not to mention all the others that I haven't even photographed yet. I've been busy! You know what I think it is? I've been shopping a lot. Anytime I have lots of new beads and supplies I find myself very inspired, and lately I've been inspired all the time. Love it!

We took Jack down to Alki beach yesterday, it was so fun. He loved walking in the sand and watching the waves hit his toes. I love this weather we're having, it's about time it warmed up! I really really need to start tanning for Hawaii. I bought a bikini on my birthday (that's right, a bikini! and it looks great!) and when I tried it on I realized I am far to pasty to wear it in public just yet. But hopefully after Hawaii I will have a good tan that will last me the rest of the summer.

I'm working on 3 custom orders right now. That is very exciting to me! One is for my friend Jenny, for her black and fuchsia wedding. The other two are for two other lovely brides that approached me on Etsy. I think I can finish all the orders this week, then I have 3 others to mail out. Yay business :D

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm 22 today. :D

M.I.A.

Hey bloggies. Sorry I've been a little M.I.A. lately... I haven't updated my Flickr in forever, the shop is now closed, and to top it off I've been too busy to blog. Well my show is tomorrow! I am so ready for it. I've only run into a few obstacles in my preparation. I had planned to used my business cards (Moo cards) as my earring cards. I really hate making earring cards, and I was trying to figure out how the heck I wanted to design them... not to mention how much it was going to cost and how much time it was going to take. So I was getting all frustrated about it when Justin says "Why not just stick em on these?" Thanks babe! So that was a much better solution. This way I wont have to hand out additional business cards with their purchase, they'll already have one in their gift box. Now... the only problem here is that I was running low on Moo cards so I ordered more, but they are not here yet. It's about 9:30 on the day before my show and if they don't come in the mail I'm going to have to do some quick thinking to fill their place. I've got to go to target later today anyway to pick up some little price tags for my necklaces and bracelets so I figure I'll wait until after the mail comes, and if I need to I'll just get some black card stock and cut it into moo sized strips. Then I have to go to the bank and get change for tomorrow, and pick up my other table from Brandy... then I'm done! Just have to load my stuff into the car and I'm good to go. I'm feeling really good about the show tomorrow. I've worked really hard getting ready for it so I'm very confident. I hope to see you all there! Here's some info about the show-

This is the first ever Puget Sound Indie Arts (PSIA) AKA Etsy Rain Arts and Crafts show!

When SATURDAY MAY 10TH, 2008
Where Artworks in Edmonds, WA
201 2nd Ave. S., Edmonds, WA 98020
Here's a map if you need it - http://www.artworks-edmonds.org/HTML/Directions.html
Time 9:30 - 4:30

Remember, the first 50 people there will get an fantastic free SWAG bag full of all kinds of indie awesomeness! Don't miss it!

Time Out

Ugh....

So Jack is going through this horrible phase right now. He started to get a little temper sometime between 9 and 12 months, we noticed that the little baby cry had turned into ear piercing screams. Most of the time it's not too hard to figure out why he's screaming. It's not usually a full on tantrum, but he'll get frustrated with a toy or be hungry or tired and scream a few times until we figure out how to make him happy. Well lately it's been every little thing. I almost wish he would just have a couple of major freak outs during the day and be good in between, instead of the constant screaming about nothing and everything all at the same time. This last week it got really bad and I was so unproductive because of it. The grocery shopping never happened, the dishes sat there for days... it was terrible, I couldn't get anything done! When Justin was here over the weekend he said on Saturday "Wow he's really having a bad day today" and I just laughed. I said "Sorry babe, it's not just today, this is just how he is right now." And then he understood why I didn't get anything done last week. Jack is just on the brink of learning how to talk, so until he figures out some more words, he gets frustrated about everything he can't verbalize (which is almost everything).

This week is crunch time for my show. I've still got things to do, and my mental to do list is growing exponentially. I am starting to think about getting ready for Hawaii, which is not far off! And I'm thinking about getting myself ready for my next show, after this one. Mostly though, I'm thinking about Hawaii. I've got to buy new clothes and swim suits for both of us. I'll be the one packing, cleaning, and doing all the prep since Justin will have work that whole week before we go.

*sigh*

happy monday!
k

To do to do...

My show is nearly a week away! I feel so well prepared, I'm so excited! Here's what I've accomplished lately (can you hear my horn? It goes TOOT TOOT!)...

- I've got 4 custom orders in the works right now, more than ever before!
-Got my 2 tablecloths, and they are to die for.
-Bought my table displays, and I love them (still need one more tree)!
-Figured out my earring card/price tag situation
-Ordered more MOO cards (though I'll still need more soon) and matching stickers
-Finally got around to ordering gift boxes (They're 100% recycled in black pinstripe)
-Picked up some natural kraft gift bags for the show
-Stocked up on some adorable thank you cards
-Uh, making jewelry of course (and lots of it!)
-Steady sales in the shop (WOO!)
-Looked into vinyl signs, they're actually much cheaper than I would have thought.

Still need to...

-Get the other table from Brandy
-Do a full mock set-up
-Go back to Alexanders and pick up some Green Amethyst brios for Christine
-Go to Fusion and get more gold chain, sterling chain, and 22g brass wire
-Antique!!
-Return the unwanted tablecloths to Fred Meyer
-Return the unwanted tablecloth and runner to Target
-Go to UO and get another tree
-Design/make Jenny's wedding jewelry (that makes order #5)
-Poke holes in MOO cards and stick my earrings on them
-Organize backstock for easy restocking at the show
-Remove show or changed items from the shop
-Close up shop for the show.
-Go to IHR on Sunday and check it out.
-Pay rent!!

Oh and by the way, this Sunday is our 2nd wedding anniversary. :D

Dry Run

Getting my table ready
Originally uploaded by {sweeter than me}

I've been picking up supplies to set up by booth display for my show in May. I've got enough inventory for 2 table, hopefully I can borrow Brandy's so I don't have to buy another one. I got these really cool tablecloths from Target. They are a gorgeous vibrant green with gold flower stitching around the edge. Then I got a bunch of brass trees and little brass figurines, 2 birds, 2 squirrels, and a frog. I'm going with the black and green, nature theme that goes along with my banner. I've got just about every detail in place, except for a few things...

-make sure I can use the table... or go buy another one
-return the 2 unwanted tablecloths to Fred Meyer
-return the unwanted black tablecloth and green runner to Targer (couldn't make up my mind, haha)
-order more moo cards and NEW matching stickers
-buy one more necklace tree
-set up virtual terminal with PayPal so i can take credit cards
-look into vinyl signs, or make one asap

Once I get my moo cards I need to poke holes in them and put my earrings on them... and think up some genius way to organize my back stock for easy restocking during the show. Pre-cut all my craft ribbon to the right length for gift boxes for easy packaging at the show. Put prices on everything. Stick my stickers on either the boxes or the bags, haven't decided... Gotta find myself a cute outfit, and decide which jewelry I'M going to wear.

Also, I have to get back to Alexander's and buy some green Amethyst brios for Christine's wedding.... and get mor egold chain because I ran out. Jenny is coming over on thursday to work on her wedding jewelry. I'm still waiting on my order of brass hoops so I can make Bushra's wedding jewelry.... Busy busy!! Meanwhile still trying to get my inventory just right for my show so I can sell sell sell!!!

It's 12:32...
I have an appointment at the consignment shop in less than 30 min and I'm sitting here blogging, in my pajamas. Jack is in bed, he just fell asleep because he was throwing a fit so I had to put him to bed (even though I'm going to have to wake him up in like 15 min to leave). Have to load up all the consignment stuff in the car... and the Goodwill junk so I can stop there while I'm out. Trying to figure out how I'm going to go to the post office and run all my errands today with a cranky child. AND I forgot to call Bally yesterday and schedule kid's club for Jack. So i'll have to work out when Justin gets home and remember to call them today (right now) and schedule him for tomorrow so I can work out then too.

TOO MUCH TO DO, TOO LITTLE TIME!!

Loop, Wrap, Snip

I have been making so much lately! Every waking moment, at least the ones when Jack is asleep, is spent beading. I have been working really hard on my inventory to get ready for shows this summer. I mentioned before that I was invited to do a festival in Oregon in August. I want to do it soooo sooo bad! The application isn't due until July so I'm going to see how well I can prepare for my May show in Edmonds, and how well I do at the show... then I will decide if I want to sign up for the Taste of Tanasbourne. I've been feeling so creative, it's amazing. Sometimes I get into kind of a slump, so I get so excited when the creativity flows. I will be posting photos of all my new pretties on Flickr, but I can't promise they will all make it to the shop. I am still a little indecisive on this, but I think I am going to save my new pieces to debut at the show. There's no point spending all that time listing them and paying the listing fees just to delete the listings when they sell out at the show (hopeful thinking of course). I want to move out some old stock on Etsy and save the new ones for summer (but if you see something on Flickr that you've gotta have just shoot me an email and I'll make an exception for you). So be sure to check out my ever growing sale section in the shop!

Help!

OK readers, I need some help. That's right, I'm talking to YOU!

I am getting myself, and my inventory, geared up for summer. Summer is craft show/fair/festival season. I've got one lined up in May, which is what I am preparing for now. There is another one in August that I really want to do, but I have to be prepared otherwise I will lose a ton of money. This is where you come in...

I need everyone's help in getting my inventory ready. Last summer I did a few unsuccessful shows, but since then I have come a long way. I got myself on Etsy and in a few short months I had a great holiday and I have now sold over a hundred items (tooting my own horn here, if you don't mind). So to avoid becoming jaded, I want to make sure I don't have any more unsuccessful shows.

So here's how you can help-

Tell me which items you love, and which ones you hate (I won't be offended, I swear). I need as much constructive criticism as I can get. What will people like? What will people buy? Which items (if any) are so good that they should come in multiple colors? I need to know which items to make multiples of, which items to put on clearance and get rid of, which items to make multiple colors of... everything. I need everyone's help! Leave me a comment, send me an email - whatever. Go through my Flickr, my Etsy shop, my bridal shop, my sold galleries... whatever you can do. I will be oh so grateful to each and every one of you :D And as a little incentive, in case you need a little push, everyone who helps me out will get 15% their next order! So now you can get those earrings you've been eyeing for 15% off :)

Also, if anyone would like some constructive criticism from me, I would be more than happy to reciprocate.

Thanks everyone!!

PS - I almost forgot to tell you that my wonderful husband got me an iPod nano for my birthday! God I love him!

137.8

I've already lost almost 6 lbs! Today was the beginning of week two and I weighed in at 137.8 after my workout today. Addis is working me so hard. I've been so motivated, I find myself thinking about working out all the time... even wanting to work out twice a day. I'm so freaking excited, I can't wait to start shopping for summer clothes, and no size 9's!! No longer will trying on clothes be a miserable depressing experience. I am so looking forward to shopping being fun again, the way it should be.

I got an invitation to sell my work at a festival in August. It sounds like a really fun time and a good price, but I am still looking into things. I will post updates of course. :D

For those of you in the greater Seattle area be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday May 10th! I will be one of 25 local artists participating in a show at Artworks in Edmonds. I am so so looking forward to this so be sure to save the date and stop in and visit me! I'll post a reminder with the rest of the details closer to the actual show.

Tomorrow is earth day! Everybody get out and enjoy mother nature! Go on a hike, recycle, ride your bike, switch your bulbs, unplug your electronics...

Love, k

Ugh.

So freaking sore!

Work it out!

Oh. My. God.

I worked out with Addis for the first time today and he totally kicked my ass. It felt great! I was sweating and panting and red in the face, now that's a work out! I'm going back on Saturday to do a spin class with Justin. I am so so excited! I am tracking my calories, taking my supplements, and totally motivated. I don't have all that much time (10 weeks) but I also don't have a ton of weight to lose (23 lbs). Actually I'm already down to 141 (started at 143). It's not much, but it's something! Later, when Justin gets home, I'm going to have him take my 'before' shot. I'm going to put on my old bikini, the one I wore when I was last at the weight I am shooting for. I couldn't wear it last summer because I had a ton of baby weight (even more than now), and the summer before that I was pregnant. It's still in great condition... I got prego before I really had a chance to wear it out so it's still got plenty of uses left in it. It's the suit I want to wear in Hawaii so naturally I'll use it for my before shot. I think taking this photo, as unattractive as it may be, will really help me to see just how far I've come when I start seeing results. I want to see more than just numbers on the scale and inches in the tape measure... I want to actually see myself shrink. Man, the last time I was really in shape was about 6 years ago... sophomore year of high school, when I was on the swim team.

Ok, enough about my weight... I realize this is much more interesting to me than anyone else.

I am slowly merging my two shops together, in case you may have noticed. I discovered than promoting two shops is no easy task. I feel like when I'm promoting one shop, I'm neglecting the other. If I can direct traffic to one place I'm likely to make more sales. And unlike most other Etsy jewelry shops, I'll have a fairly extensive bridal collection. 

Earth day is coming up. What will you do for the environment on April 22nd?

Neglect

*siiiiiiiiigh*

I feel like I've left my blog slightly neglected lately. I'm sorry, I've just been so busy! How can a stay at home mom be too busy to blog, you ask? Well...

I used to nanny for a boy named Preston. His mom, Kelcey, is an associate of Justin's brother, Jason. Jason mention while I was prego that his friend Kelcey needed a new nanny for her 6 month old because her nanny was leaving to be a Sea Gal (cheerleader for the Seattle Seahawks). So he gives her my number and the rest is history. I grew to loathe that job with a passion. There are many reasons, I could go on all day. At one point Justin's salary grew significantly so I was finally able to quit. I left on good terms, and Kelcey still has no idea how I really feel about her and that job (as far as I know). She asked if I would be willing to come back and fill in from time to time and I said sure, assuming I would just tell her I was busy if she ever actually called. Well, some time went by and I grew less bitter of the situation, so now when she calls (which is not very often) I don't mind filling in and getting some extra cash (tax free of course). When I am there it is nice to see Preston, him and Jack have fun together now, but I am reminded why I left and I certainly don't ever want to go back.

So after that little recap, that is why I have been so busy lately. Kelcey called and asked if I could fill in last week and this week (Monday, Tuesday, Friday) so I have been gone most of the week. Last Sunday I signed up at Bally Total Fitness. I'm sooooo excited!! I was jumping up and down after we left the gym (Justin was rolling his eyes, of course). I got a call today from my new personal trainer!! His name is Adese (I think that's how you spell it? Uh-dees) and he left me a message. He has a really deep voice and a slight accent, he sounds like a big black guy. The girl who signed us up said he's the top trainer in the Seattle area. He's going to kick my ass and I can't wait. Ten weeks to get into shape for Hawaii. It's a little tight, but I only have 23 lbs to my goal so I think I can do it. I really feel like this time is going to be different. I've realized that if I want to reach my goal I need help. I cannot do it alone. Now that I am getting help, I am very confident. i.can.do.it.

As soon as the week is over I plan to get back to my work bench and get some new designs up in the shop. I've been getting more supplies in the mail and I can't wait to use them! I finally got around to ordering gift boxes in bulk. Now all of my orders will come in a cute little box, yay! they are black pinstripe and made entirely from 100% recycled materials. 

Anyway... Happy rainy monday <3

Baby Mama

So, I think I've mentioned that we are going to Hawaii in June. Maui. I'm so freaking excited I can barely contain myself. I've never been to Hawaii, Justin went once as a kid. We're going with my parents and my two sisters. Amy is 18 and Katie is 15 (just got her permit, scary!). We'll be gone the end of June. 

Ever since Jack was born I've had a few extra pounds I'd like to get rid of. I'm sure all the moms out there can relate. I was always very slim in high school. I was on the swim team so I've been in good shape as long as I can remember. But then I graduated, and stopped swimming. So I wasn't in shape. Then I met Justin and after we moved in together some of his bad eating habits rubbed off onto me and I gained 17 lbs. in just a few weeks. Then, of course, before I can even blink an eye I got pregnant with Jack and weight loss was out of the question. I was doing pretty good the whole pregnancy and everyone was saying how amazing it was that I wasn't putting on any extra weight. Then in the last month I packed it on like I was preparing for hibernation. It was disgusting. Then Jack was born and I was so happy and excited to have him, but for the first time in my life I felt like a total cow. Never before have I felt fat. Before Justin I was always at a constant 120, and right before Jack was born I was up over 180!! Yikes! Well, now I'm down to about 143 which is still not where I want to be. With our Hawaii vacation rapidly approaching I am finally in panic mode as I feel the clock ticking and time is running out. I went shopping around for gyms with Brandy a few nights ago and I am soooooo ready to go. Saturday Justin and I are going to to Bally for a membership. They have the most amazing program, I can't wait! You get a full membership, unlimited child care, unlimited racquetball and swimming, 5 personal training sessions, a nutrition kit with protein shakes and bars, a food journal to track your calories, access to online nutrition software and meal planning, and they teach you how to use supplements to get all the vitamins you want for the results you want. They pretty much hold your hand and walk you through the entire process. This is exactly what I need, and I am finally motivated enough to go. I have been wanting to work out for a long time but when the weather is crappy (which is almost every day) it doesn't make me want to take my toddler outside for an hour. But now I will have plenty of incentive to go because I get a break from being a mom and get some much needed ME time. Plus I can look forward to a smokin hot bikini bod for Maui. Yay! 

Featured on Cuteable today!

Featured on Cuteable today!
Originally uploaded by {sweeter than me} bridal

Thank you Cuteable for featuring me today! My new necklace, Elise, is third from the top :D Check it out!

In other news... I've been getting packages of supplies in the mail almost every day. I love getting mail! Well, I love getting mail that fits in my mail box. Big packages and anything from UPS or FedEx are a huge pain. Our building has an intercom at the front door and guests have to buzz the apartment to be let in. Sounds nice right? Safe, yes. Nice, no. The speaker at the front door doesn't work very well so the only way they will ever hear anything is if I shout and they put there ear right up to the speaker. Which of course, they never do. So they buzz the door, nobody answers (in the 5 seconds they wait) so they leave. So every time our door beeps we have to drop what we're doing, throw on some shoes, and race down 2 flights of stairs to catch them in time before they leave. All this and I don't even really know who's at the door. Could be UPS, or if I'm not expecting a package it could be a bum, crackhead... anyone really. So anyway, I've been getting lots of mail lately, woo! New supplies make my week!

Kristin

ps- happy friday!

I've finally been buckling down and getting some new items in the shop. I'm slightly ADHD when it comes to design. I change my mind a lot, I start projects that I never finish (or if I do finish them, they sit there for a few months half way done), and I can never seem to stick to one genre or style. Right now I am really into filigree, so you can expect to see lots of that in this next batch of new items.I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. I am always learning and growing as an artist and business woman and I am constantly looking for new ways to improve myself and promote my work (as every artist should). For a while I was on the hunt for new websites to promote and advertise my work, and places to network with other artists. I found so many places that I couldn't possible use all of them and it became slightly overwhelming. So as I continue my efforts I am starting to figure out which sites are worth my time, and which are not. The poll on this blog has helped tremendously (thanks to everyone who voted!). Pretty soon here I think I will be making some changes, but I'm not exactly sure what those changes will be. Probably removing myself from a few sites to narrow it down and avoid spreading myself too thin. At one time I thought it was a good idea to have a presence on as many sites as humanly possible. Now I realize that if you cannot regularly maintain each profile then your presence there is pointless. I do not regret anything or feel that I have wasted time, I am just glad that I learned so I an continue to grow. By the way, for anyone who doesn't do this kind of thing - marketing is hard! Self promotion isn't as easy as it seems, especially in such a competitive field. 

Now, I'm off to take some shots of my new items for the shop, and I'm really excited about them! I can't wait to share them with you! Check back soon for updates :D

This weekend was a blast! Jack slept over with Justin's parents on Friday. Ron picked him up on his way home on friday night and dropped him off at noon on Saturday. Delivery service and everything, what a treat! Justin's band played a show at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard and there were a ton of people there! It was probably one of the best shows I've been to. They played really well and the crowd loved them, of course. Brandy overheard the girls next to us saying "he's so cute!" and "there's just something about a bassist". Hahah! Justin is the bassist, by the way. I thought it was hilarious that my husband has groupies ogling at him. I told him I would love to watch him squirm while some girl tried to flirt with him. Hah, I'm so nice :D After the show Erin came over for margaritas. We had a few and got a little giggly while she pillaged our music on the computer. We are music junkies, I'll admit. We're up to over 10, 600 songs on the computer. That's 44gb of just music! And there is still so much that I want and don't have. I've got a feeling we will be out growing our music hard-drive soon, it's running out of room! Saturday morning was so nice. We slept in until 11:30, Jack came home at noon. We played with him a little, put him down for a nap, and then took him out to my parents' house later that day. After we dropped him off we met up with Kevin and Brandy at El Camino in Fremont for dinner. It was so good! After dinner the four of us met Jason and Michal (Justin's brother and his girlfriend) at Sunset Bowl in Ballard. The Sunset is closing soon since it was bought by developers to turn into condos. They're going to be soooo expensive, the Sunset is on prime Ballard real estate. There were a ton of people at the Sunset that night, and it was a 2 hour wait for a lane! We had a beer and then decided to head out to Kenmore lanes instead. We ended up getting to Kenmore around 10. They have 50 lanes so we got right in. We played 2 games. The first game Jason and Michal did really well. Justin did ok too. Kevin and Brandy and I totally sucked. But then the second game I rocked it! I got like 3 strikes in the first 4 frames! I guess I just needed a warm up. I was so close to winning and then Justin swooped in at the end and beat me. Oh well. We left the alley just after midnight. Jason and Michal went home and Kevin and Brandy came over for a little while. Charlie was spending the night and Gary and Paula's (Kevin's uncle and aunt) so they were enjoying the freedom like us. Sunday morning was even nicer than Saturday morning... we slept in until 12:30! Then we got up and headed straight to Ihop for breakfast. It was your typical greaseball breakfast, with your typical crappy Ihop service. Whatever, at least I didn't have to cook or do dishes. We went straight out to my folks' house after breakfast to get Jack, then stopped at Costco on the way back. We dropped over $300 at Costco, ouch!! But now we are stocked up for a while, and we finally got ink for our printer (only took us like a year). All in all, this was a really great weekend.

Busy bee

This has been a busy week! Time flew by and before I realized, my blog went neglected the whole week! There, there little readers, blogger's here now. This week has been spent running errands like a mad woman. Safeway, Target, Post Office, Grandma and Grandpa's house, Safeway again, Grandpa's house again... bla bla bla. Monday was a mellow day. I was still recovering from a little cold I had over the weekend, so Jack and I just lounged around all day. It was pretty cold out so it was nice to just cozy up and not have to worry about going anywhere. Tuesday is Jack's day and Grandpa Friesen's. He was really crabby that morning and I was worried he was going to be awful for Grandpa, but when I picked him up he said they had a wonderful day! Then we went home and he was crabby again. Figures. I spent the day running all my errands. I was very productive. Went to Trader Joes, Safeway, and the post office in between my trips to Marysville and back to drop Jack off and pick him up. Justin came home from work at 2 because now he was sick!Wednesday Justin stayed home from work because he was all achy and sick. He took over my bead table to set up a little desk for himself to get some work done from home.

As you can see, he got a lot of work done...

Even thought he was sick, it was still nice having him around during the day. I made him breakfast and lunch, and I could tell he really liked being taken care of. Who doesn't?

Thursday I got a call from Brandy in the morning. She had been really sick since Tuesday. She actually called me to see if I could take Charlie on Tuesday because she was so sick, but then Kevin (her fiancee and Charlie's dad) ended up coming home from work early to help out so I was off the hook. Yesterday when she called she wanted to pay me to come help her clean her house. In case you don't know this... I am a neat freak. My house is always clean and I love to organize. I know, it's weird. But Brandy is, well, not so neat. So she occasionally asks me to help her out with the cleaning and organizing and she pays me. I don't mind at all, I actually really enjoy it. Again, I know I'm weird. So I went over to her house yesterday and helped her clean it since she was still too sick to do it all herself. Erin came over for dinner last night. Erin is one of my best friends from high school. Erin, Lauren and myself were inseparable all through sophomore and junior year. I don't get to see them as much now, but we are all still great friends and make an effort to get together as much as possible. Erin just happens to work pretty close to my house, and she is on spring break this week so she came over after work. She and Justin and I had fajitas for dinner and the played board games all night. After she left, Justin said "You should have Erin over more often, I miss hanging out with her," which was really nice to hear. I miss Erin sometimes too. 

This weekend is full of excitement too! For this first time in... as long as I can remember, we have plans this weekend for Friday and Saturday night! I'll keep you posted :D

Hate Mail

Happy Easter everyone!! I've still got a little cold (and my little I mean I'm miserable). My ears are so plugged up that my own chewing sounds like a bulldozer, so I'm eating easter candy for breakfast to balance it out.

Lately I have been spending a lot of time beefing up my faves on Etsy in the bridal shop. I have been finding so much amazing stuff I thought I might share one with you today. I would like to start doing more promoting for other artists in my blog, so why not start now.

I found Carol Lee Designs, also known as Junkmail Greetings, and fell in love with her cheeky, sarcastic greeting cards which she calls Hate Mail. Here is just a little sample of all the awesomely bad cards you can find in her shop.

  

Snif Snif

I had the sniffles last night... sneezing, itchy nose. One plugged nostril and one clear nostril, don't you hate that? Then the plugged nostril gets drippy all of the sudden leaving me racing for the kleenex just in time. I knew I was going to wake up this morning feeling worse than last night, and I did. I felt like I had been hit by a truck this morning. I slept on my stomach so when the aches kicked in I was left with a sore chest. I took a little pill cocktail so I'm feeling a little better now. Hopefully a shower will help even more, I've got to go the the store and get supplies to make desert for sunday. I can't decide what I want to make, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be brownies of some sort. Justin says brownies are better without frosting, but I think he's crazy. Tomorrow morning is the Woodland Park Bunny Bounce, a little easter egg hunt for the kids at the zoo. Brandy and I are going to take the boys early before it gets too crowded. We've got a little afternoon BBQ planned for afterwards so hopefully the weather is nice. We'll let the guys stay home with the kids and the grill while we hit up the beads stores. :D

{chess}

{chess}
Originally uploaded by {sweeter than me} bridal

Justin's been teaching me how to play chess. He told me that he won a chess competition in kindergarten and he played chess in high school and I made fun of him for being such a nerd. I am amazed at how fun it actually is! Who needs checkers, chess is way more fun. Since he taught me last weekend I've been totally into it and wanting to play every night after Jack goes to bed. We have to play on this tiny little travel set that Justin has had since he was a kid. 2 of the pawn are missing so we have these little ladybugs instead. We filed our taxes last week so as soon as we get our refund check I want to surprise Justin with a nice new chess set. I was going to list a request for a cool one in the Alchemy, but all the sets I saw already listed were really expensive (like $995.00, and one for $75.00). I really love having something to do other than watch TV (and by TV I mean Sopranos on DVD since we don't really have cable). It makes me feel intellectual. I mean, I've got my book of course... but I'm not always in the mood to read. So if anyone wants to challenge me to a game of internet chess, let me know! I'm not very good yet, but I love it anyway! I know all the rules too if anyone else wants to learn :D