Onward and Upward

I just love it when my husband asks for tools for Christmas. This happens every year during the holidays and on his birthday. And when he gets tools AND gifts cards for Lowes or Home Depot, you just KNOW there is a project in the works.


In a very short period of time right after Christmas, John took the measurements for the wall outside my studio in the basement and framed it out on the floor. Then we lifted this framework into place under the ventwork and he took a sledgehammer and put it into place. I admire a man that can build things! Granted our basement is unfinished but this is progress! I am hoping that by the time we retire we'll have the basement finished while we can still walk down the basement steps!


I am really excited to see that the project has started and realize that we'll only be able to do small things, a little at a time, as the budget allows. But still!

She Believed She Could So She Did

So this is my mantra for 2010. At least the first one I've come up with that seems to fit. I was in a hallmark store with a terrible migraine, picking up a card, when I ran across this ceramic tile. It really spoke to me as I love collecting motivational quotes. And this tile was on clearance, so needless to say, I took it home.


It is now strategically placed on my super duper wall cabinet from Archiver's.


Let me tell you, it is quite an accomplishment that it's hanging! I saw this advertised by Archiver's for a fantastic price (I think back around Labor Day??). I called, they were out and were not issuing rain checks past the week of the sale. Left my name and number anyway, just in case. Sale is over, no call till later and how nice, they extend the sale price for me. I picked it up immediately, where it then sat in my studio in the basement for a couple months because I needed help from the hubs on hanging it. He very graciously got it anchored to the wall for me and then I started filling it up! I just love it!


My plan for the month of January is ORGANIZATION. I have been using the same style Franklin Covey planner for about 8 years. I just ordered a totally different style from them that fits in a sleeker cover. So I am purging stuff I have carried around for years that I don't need anymore.

Also, I was very recently laid off from my job of nine years so I now have time for ORGANIZATION. I have already reorganized my jewelry armoire, some drawers and cabinets in the bathroom and am working on cleaning up the studio and getting rid of things I don't use. I measure my success by how much gets sent to Goodwill or goes in the trash. We have a whole cabinet of spices and sauces that is overflowing and needs attention. My recipes are a mess, I have so many that I've collected and can't ever find the one I want when it's time to cook. So next week I am tackling those. I have binders and sheet protectors to put them in. And since I am at home now, I will be cooking dinner more often so I need to find those recipes.

Meanwhile, I am eagerly looking for the next great job with help from monster.com and lots of networking, but am excited about taking care of business around the house and giving attention to some things that really need it. My husband pointed out the cobwebs in the hallway tonight, so maybe I'll start there. I'm sure there's more where those came from.

Holiday Sale!

I will be hosting a sale in my etsy shop from Black Friday through November 30 Cyber Monday. I am offering free shipping to the US and Canada. Purchases will arrive in a gift box tied with ribbon, ready for giving!

Mention that you saw this post on blogger for a free gift with purchase.

Here is the link to my CreativeEyeStudio etsy shop.

Thanks for looking and Happy Holidays!

I'm Back!

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
John Lennon

I can't believe it's almost been 4 weeks since I last posted. I have missed blogging but had to focus on some other things in my life lately. I have been traveling for work, doing some holiday craft fairs and recently helped my son move into his first apartment. In the midst of this activity, I am also preparing for a career change, although not a planned one. Sometimes we get comfortable in our jobs and I've felt for awhile that I wanted to do something different. Now I will have that opportunity. Do I know what I will be doing next? No. But I am excited to see how things unfold!

Here are some photos I took on a recent trip to Joe Huber's Farm in Starlite, IN. It was a cloudy day, but that makes some of the pics even more interesting. I LOVE the shot of the tractor. I've never seen a duck as beautiful as the one below, and he was the only one with those markings.

Enjoy!

Bracelet from WhimsyBeading

I am the very proud owner of this shiny metallic multi-colored bracelet created just for me by my team members and friends Kelly & Joey Graves of Whimsy Beading. Each time I am around them, they are nonstop, constantly creating new things while at the same time socialing with those around them. They certainly know how to be productive and get more time out of their day!

I fell in love with this bracelet and had to have it! I picked out the button after seeing the beads in September and Joey was able to attach it and custom fit it to my wrist at our last team meeting.

Isn't it lovely and unique?

Check out their beadweaving jewelry creations at the WhimsyBeading etsy shop.

Wordless Wednesday - Back to Nature

Bluegrass Etsy Fall Team Meet & Greet

Here are a few photos from the Bluegrass Etsy Fall Meet and Greet held on Saturday, September 26. I love these meetings as it is great to speak face to face with people you know online. It's always fun to see what others are making and do a little bartering. And these are great team building activities.


With the past two meetings we've had, we end with a promo swap. Basically you bring a small item that reflects your shop or your craft and swap with others. We also swap business cards and include those in promo bags with our orders. We know from experience that these promo bags work!


Time seems to fly by when we get together. We allotted five hours for the meeting and we still didn't have enough time to socialize and talk business as much as we wanted to!

Joey & Kelly Graves of Whimsy Beading are always so productive when we see them! Wait till you see the bracelet they stitched up for me. (coming soon!)

Team members: Paulena of Polly's Pavilion, Angela of Spool of Plenty and Libby of Maylees Garden (our fearless team leader)

New team members Sherry and LeighAnn from SewFriendzy meet existing team members Toni Johnson with Vernon Ave and Carolyn Campbell of Cowgirl Rosie.
Tina Mackin of SmackinArt and Paulena.

To see more pics of the team in action, visit our Kentucky Handmade team blog.