Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Hello Everyone;

Since starting the volunteer driving again, I have been extremely busy. Unfortunately right now it is necessary. I feel frustrated though that I don't have as much time to do what I love and it is a lot of work for a minimal amount of money to put toward bills. I have created a few things to add to my etsy site. I need to find and take the time to take pictures and post them. I lost money on my Craft Fair sale last weekend, but I try again this weekend. I have two, Raymond, ME on Saturday and Gray, ME on Sunday. I remain hopeful. Hope everyone had a great Thanks Giving. Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Re-start

Today I began again doing volunteer driving for an agency that caters to several populations of individuals needing rides to Dr. appts and such. With my first 3 rides completed, it came back to me quickly why I love doing this. Not only does it get me out in the real world, I get to meet many interesting people along the way as I learn to drive around my surrounding area to spots I didn't know existed. The difficult part is that it cuts down on my time crocheting items for craft fairs. I do bring things with me though for the times I have to wait for someone. I hope all that read this have a blessed day and stay warm. Here with the wind chill factor it is definately cold. My husband and his father are putting dormers on the front of our new house. It is looking good, but I feel bad for them being out in the weather. The good news is that there is no snow today. I pray it holds off for a bit longer (until the roof is complete).

Monday, November 17, 2008

Who would have thunk it......

Having done several craft fairs this year, sales have been extremely slow, so this past weekend I expected more of the same. Who would have thought that a craft fair at a nursing home would have out done all the others. I came out of there excited. I was able to buy my boys boots for the winter. Hooray!!! I am still on a high over this one. Isn't amazing what can bring happiness? Having grown up not having proper winter wear often, I strive to make sure my children have plenty. I came home and checked my e-mail that day and I had also made a sale on Etsy! And to make life even better I received change back when I filled my tank with gas!!!!! Talk about exciting :) My weekend ended with my first pieces of venison for the season. Ahhhhhhh!
Today I will be finishing off at least 3 dozen more hanging towels. I am down to 1/4 of a tote. I started with it over flowing. I have two hats to finish and a zillon other projects I want to do. Have a blessed day where ever you are and with what ever you are doing. Remember, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible unto thee." (Matthew 17:20) That verse has kept me going for many years (since I was about 9 y.o., when I learned it)
Back to work for me.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I now lay claim to

tagging my first deer. A doe weighing 100 lbs. I hate the idea of killing such a beautiful animal, but right now- like with many people- I am trying to provide for my family and economize where ever possible. My 11 y.o. (Isaiah) and I named her Thelma and thanked her for the meat she will provide our family. If he gets a doe (he has an any deer permit) he says he will name it Louise. If it is a buck it will be either little Ben or Big Ben, depending on size. I truly am grateful for this meat and hope the other two tags in our household will be filled for the same reason. I am not beyond dented cans and store brands in order to save. These are tough times and I suspect they are going to get considerably worse before we see an upside. So I continue to think what I do have and remind myself to be grateful. Presently for my creative side I am working on two bags. One has a blue base and the other is red and black. I needed a break from hats and mittens.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

O.K., so I am sitting in the woods

under a stand of pines, with my 11 y.o. son near by, a rifle across my lap, scaning for deer. This is my third time going hunting and my son's first. A drizzling rain falls all around us. We are bundled up and a little damp, but fine. So besides sitting and scanning, What am I doing? Crocheting of course! I carried the scan of yarn in my pack, the hook and child sissors in my shirt pocket, and crocheted until the yarn ran out. Why not? No deer were coming by. They were smart enough to stay out of the rain, unlike us humans that were out there. My sister-in-law had asked me before we went out if I would be able to sit long enough to hunt. What she didn't realize is- I brought Suduko with me last year..... and now I have it on my cell phone and I played it after I ran out of yarn. So that is my hunting story and I am sticking to it. Stay tuned. Who knows what I may do next.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Today

Another day in the life of..... I have 5 or 6 more hats to photograph and list on my etsy site. I need to be knitting more child size mittens. Time to commit to this once I get two more children's hats made. Other than that it will be a day to chill with Benny and Boomer until it is time to head to the in-laws and an Eastern Star meeting tonight with my Husband. Have a great day!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Blessings!

For another month the mortgage is paid and we will be getting 70 gallons of heating fuel tomorrow to keep us warm a bit longer. As was said, We may not always get what we want, but we often get what we need. I am greatful for that. Sure, sometimes I would like a bit more. I have worked hard much of my life, but life is as it is and not always fair or just. So I focus on what I do have and try not to dwell on what I don't. I have a hard working husband trying to build us a better home and 3 boys still at home that are doing well in school. We have a roof over our head, food in our stomachs and clothes that we need. As I said, I am blessed.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Voting Day!

Today will be a busy day for many. I will be going to vote when my husband returns home. This will be the first election I am voting in this community. All I pray is that God will guide my hand and decisions as I mark my ballot!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Time Change....

Prior to the time change early Sunday morning I was waking up at 5 a.m. This morning it was before 4:30. Since then I have restructured my web site, read blogs I am following, checked my e-mail, finished my daughter's second mitten which goes with the scarf and hat I made her to match her new jacket, and drank the first of my cups of coffee. Next on the agenda is getting dressed, starting the creating of the hat which was custom ordered at my last craft fair (and paid for), taking pictures of two hats I made this weekend while with my daughter and posting them for sale on my etsy site (and flickr), and going grocery shopping (yuch!! I hate using the gas and knowing that what I have for money won't buy much). Along with watching Benny (the little boy I provide childcare for) I think this is a full day! I set weekly goals as well. Finish the preordered hat, make more knitted mittens, and more of the visored caps my daughter got me making are on the list. Now I just have to set the numbers. Do you set quantitative goals? Don't forget to set completion dates as well. This is important. Sharing them with at least one other person will help you be committed to your goals as well. Until next time.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Boomer says......



"You really need a job Mommy!"

It's All Howell's Eve

Or better know as Halloween. Time to take the boys tricker treating tonight and then off to see my daughter, in Vermont, tomorrow. I made it through the down day and have now managed to knit 3 pair of mittens and am on the 4th. Not having made any this way in years, I figure I'm not doing too bad. Seeing as it snowed yesterday (just a dusting), I had better get some made for my boys. We finally pulled out the winter jackets. Ugh!! What if anything do you do to celebrate Halloween?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Help Please!

Being fairly new to blogging, can anyone tell me how to move the section on the right up? Help is appreciated!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Today I wake up

a little under the weather, with 2 extra little ones in my home. I find myself thinking, How can I take care of myself today? Soon four of the children will be off to school. Hoorrah! The fourth child likes to cuddle up on the couch with me and watch cartoons. Not the best, but on days like this it works. A warm bubble bath tonight would be great as well!

What do you do on those days when there are things to do and you can't avoid the task? How do you take care of yourself?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

November News Letter

Creative Designs
Well, I have now done my first two craft shows. The first was in Woodstock, ME, and the second in Augusta, ME. It is clear the economy is keeping people from spending! We are all tightening our belts as we wait to see what happens next. Still this will not deter me from continuing creating. For me, it is like and addiction. At least it’s a useful addiction, vs. a harmful one. With each new item I whip off I have a sense of accomplishment! If they sell that is even better. Then I know the item has a home to call it’s own. Some times my boys (3, ages 8,9,11) beg me for things I make. The 8 year old received a monkey, like the one pictured, for his birthday in September. He has quite the monkey collection going. So what’s next? Probably knitting (vs. crocheting) some mittens and working with fleece to make ponchos for cold winter mornings. I have one I wear and I love it! It goes great with my fuzzy slippers. I call it my crafting garb!
Heads Up - Items For Sale


Bee Happy Bag

$9.95

Carry All (lined)



$9.95



Trimmed Pixie Hat $12.95




Monkey $24.95 or Poncho$9.95

Positive Thoughts
Life is too short to fight with someone we cannot change, to be discouraged with something we cannot resolve, and even to feel worried about something that will barely happen. Every life is worth living and we have to fully enjoy whatever we have.” Unknown
Whatever you're thinking about is literally like planning a future event. When you're worrying, you are planning. When you're appreciating you are planning...What are you planning? - Abraham
"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo


http://www.jolmowriter.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 10, 2008

Creating For Fun

Today I continue to create and meet other artists on line. I love doing both! Often my mind goes much faster than my hands can go. .... an idea note book- that's what I need. So crafters, I would love it if you subscribe to my site. I will gladly check out yours as well!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Yesterday and Today.....

Yesterday I sorted what I have created thus far. I am concerned about having enough for the craft fairs I have signed up for. Never having done one before, I don't know what will sell and if I have enough. Guess I will find out. I love my husband's idea- have a sign up sheet for custom orders. Should I ask for a percentage down? If I agree to do the item, I will give a date as to when it will be done. I am sure this will be fun. I'm just nervous!

Friday, October 3, 2008

To be listed in my monthly news letter....

One must just let me know you are interested. I look at various etsy sites on a daily basis and keep track of ones I enjoy, and hope to go back to. When I do my news letter I will list 3-5 of these sites each month (no charge!) Eventually (Spring 09) I am going to open a shop and want to develop the ability for etsy artists to post their flyer and business card with me, so tourists and locals can be exposed to these sites. I am very excited about this project!!!! Well, back to my crocheting now :)

Monday, September 29, 2008

Newsletter

RosieAnne’s Crafts

Publisher: Annette Farrington Volume Number: 1 Issue Number: 1 Date: 09/29/08

Creative Designs
For the past month I have been working diligently, creating a variety of items, setting up my etsy web site and determining how I can better market the creations I make. Given my love for writing and my desire to be published, I have decided a monthly news letter is one way to go. I encourage people to send me positive/inspiring quotes for the positive quote section of this news letter. You and your etsy site will be listed as the contributor.
The process I am going through as I develop this new business is spectacular. For all of my life I have been a care giver (and yes I do mean all- long story), but now I am feeling as though each day I am being rewarded as I do yet another activity I love (and is a bit less demanding). It is nothing for me to work from morning to night on the various aspects of my business. Before I know it, the day has flown by……


Heads Up - Items For Sale














Dark Blue Hooded Scarf $15

Black Soft and Fuzzy $20















Positive Thoughts
“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.” Salada Tea Bag- 1979

“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible unto thee.”
Matthew 17:20

“Don’t wait for something to come to you, go get it yourself before it’s too late.” unknown
“If you wish to be held in esteem, you must only associate with those who are estimable.” unknown

Friday, September 26, 2008

Getting Going.....


Never having blogged before my previous entry, I'm not quite sure what one does with these. I will be looking at the blogs of others to get ideas.....

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Dream Come True

Years ago I would crochet and make things for myself or my children. I then got busy and lost perspective. I was layed off from my job in May 08. By June my stress level went way up and I was dealing with anxiety attacks (this has happened in the past). Determined not to add medications, I picked up my crocheting again- trying to keep myself busy and guess what..... my anxiety has decreased to almost zero. My finances still stink and I have yet to encrease my sales, but I am working on it. Meanwhile, I am recommiting to what is important to me- my family and my desire to work for myself with flexibility. I crochet or do other crafts from morning to night (honest- ask my family) and I don't see it as a chore at all. I can't wait until our log home is done (we are cramped into a 14x60 trailer - 2 adults, 3 children, 2 dogs and a few toads and snakes-boys' pets). I am looking forward to setting up an area where I can work and organize supplies! I'm just thrilled to be doing something I love!!!! Hopefully I can make money at it too.