Week 30

I had wanted to do a little something different this week and love the idea of the pop art Andy Warhol prints.

I created this in PS, just playing around with different photo filters. 

Had several color combos going, but decided to stick with primaries...can't go wrong with red, blue & yellow!

After I posted this on my FB profile, it sort of reminded me of some 70's album art!  I've also had comments that it looks like the Beatles!

I cannot believe this is week 30 already!!!

Polaroid love

Made a few purchases Saturday doing some local yard sales.  

I think I spent seven or eight bucks total.  

This was probably my favorite buy of the day:

It was folded up in its case so I didn't know what it contained, all I know is it had "Polaroid" on it so it must be rather cool, right?

I was especially enamored with the awesome square flashbulb that was still attached.  I remember those from my childhood - pretty much any automatic camera had those on top.

And this was even more special with its "Polaroid Focused Flash!"  

I suppose because it was behind that little magnifying window it was more focused???? ;)

This sucker is a monster too!  Not like the Polaroid we used at our house for sure!

Also scored a pretty pottery bowl, some garden snippers,
and a set of white ceramic doorknobs with brass hardware.
And of course great memories with my Mom! =)

Yes Please!

Just a quickie post to share one of the most creative and inspiring things I have seen all weekend pass through my blog reader:

This post:

http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/marvelously-mod-wigs#comments

These photos:

(photo credit)

Seriously, can it get any cuter that this?

Week 29

This is undoubtedly one of my favorite shots from my 52 week project!

I have titled it Watermelon Smile!

I love the color of that background sheet with the watermelon. 

It just screams summer! 

I seem to have a food and beverage theme going with the Raspberry Lemonade 

last week and the watermelon this week.  

Both are just good old fashioned refreshing summertime treats.  

What is your favorite summertime treat?  

I challenge you to take a little self portrait enjoying that treat.  

Link me up in the comments. 

(might be a little something in it for you.)  ;)

Etsy is live

Yay...I got the Clever Notions Etsy shop up and running.

Several listings and more to come.

Check it out: Clever Notions

Notice in the Shop Welcome that I have a little referral incentive for free shipping!

I also want to thank each and every one of you for your sweet comments and suggestions about my name. That is why I dig the blogging/craft community...people are always willing to help each other succeed. 

You all ROCK!

The End.

It's all in the name.

Okay, so some of you may not know that in my real job...the one that pays the bills (most of the time), I work in public relations, marketing and advertising.  In fact, I have a marketing degree and love what I do.  It allows me to be (somewhat) creative on a day-to-day basis.  Plus, a bonus is I also get to take pictures, so it's kind of a win-win for me.
(on a sidenote, I've been questioning myself about a career-change lately, which really seems silly now that I just read back what I typed! anyway...)

So you would think I would be kind of an expert of sorts when it comes to marketing myself or my own handmade wares, but in reality I still learn something new everyday about my profession, both in my real job and these little side ventures.

I am amazed by the talented people in blogging/etsy land - some who are young and have learned rather quickly!  I really think it's quite awesome - especially when you read about young stay-at-home mothers who are able to work from home, be with their children, and do what they love.  I say more power to them! 

I don't think for a minute that I could "quit my day job" and quite honestly don't know that I would want to given the choice; however, I do think the thought of a little side venture selling things that I've made with my own two hands is pretty nifty!

When you make stuff, it is cool when other people appreciate it. There is no way you could pay someone for the heart and passion they have for their craft, so I think most people who make things and sell them get more satisfaction from knowing others appreciate their time and talent than from making a few bucks from selling it.  Am I wrong?

Having had my Country Text Etsy shop open for awhile now and making a couple of sales is pretty sweet, but I'm currently working toward opening a second Etsy to include my crochet flowers, some repurposed jewelry and some sewn/quilted items.

Herein lies my dilemma: my name.
Not my name...my name is Kim and there's no dilemma there, that's what my mammy named me!

I mean my Etsy shop name.

I've kind of branded my crochet flowers as Crochet Candy.  I love it - cute, catchy and I think it describes them to a tee!  Several people know that is what they are called. Would be a great Etsy shop name, no?

The problem is I have other non-crocheted items that I plan to put in the shop.  Things like this:

AND

this...

When I did a little blog makeover awhile back I had all of this swimming around in my head and tried to come up with a blog name that encompassed all of my crafts and hobbies....

Enter: Kim's Clever Notions.  

I like the play on the word notions, and thought it would be a great Etsy shop name - I even did an etsy search to make sure there was not another Clever Notions out there.

I even thought about two separate new shops. Then I came back to my senses! I just don't think that is practical and it makes it hard to market - it's just confusing to people.


So now you see my dilemma - I need some advice here. 

What would you name my new Etsy shop?

Also, if you have an Etsy or plan to open one anytime soon.  You should go check out Amy Lapi's free weeklong workshop she is doing this week. She has some great practical advice and ideas!  Thanks Kara for pointing me that way.

Week 28

Feeling a little kitschy-vintage for this one!

I had set up a little venue (complete with Raspberry Lemonade) for a photoshoot for my handmade items and decided it would be a perfect setting for my week's self-portrait.

You will also recognize the skirt from my little nifty & thrifty project a few weeks ago.  I had worn this little number to church. 

I actually have more of those projects planned, by the way, just trying to figure out where on the busy clock to fit it in!

mad about plaid!

I really don't think plaid ever goes out of style, but it has its more popular times 

in the fashion industry.  

Whether it's in style or not, I love it!  

Plaid can have such a great variety and the mixing of colors and patterns is just fun.

"So what does plaid have to do with this blog post and why are you mad about it Kim?" 

you are asking...well, I'll show you:

So, I feel quite certain that some of you quilting pros will think this is quite silly, but I'm so excited about the possibilities now that I've made several of these little puppies.

What pray tell are these little puppies I speak???

Well, they are coasters of course!

and that look darn cute on my coffee table I must say.

I had come across a little coaster tutorial awhile back and bookmarked it via my tumblr and decided to give it a whirl using some tossed aside clothing I had put in the ever-mounding "yard sale" piles, along with some vintage fabric I have acquired.  

For an extra touch I added some little pom-pom trim I had in my ribbon and trim stash.

cute, eh?

I have another set that has yet to be put together and finished.  

My first set, which we'll call the guinea pig set is being used in my living room right now. 

I'm also very excited about putting some of these together using some great vintage sheets I found for a nice "shabby chic" look. 

So any feedback?  Good....bad?  (I can take it!)  ;]

Do you think Etsy buyers would appreciate these?

My goal is to have a new Etsy shop (I'll still have Country Text also) up and running by next weekend. It will include a few sets of these along with some jewelry and hair accessories utilizing my 

Crochet Candy.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

"Independence" Day

That is what I felt Friday getting to have a day of fun on Lake Norfork with my family. I try to keep everything positive on the old blogitty blog, but let's all face it, life is not positive 100% of the time...mine included!

I have felt very tied to home, even on my days off, because of my MIL's illness the past few months, so I really needed a day away from home.   It was nice and I got over my guilt as soon as my feet hit that wooden boat dock!  :)

sidebar: We rented from Buzzard Roost in Mountain Home.  They were super nice, clean, and professional - highly recommended if you are ever in the market. 

We started out sitting in the boat slip waiting on Dad and Hadley.  

We joked that we were having an environmentally friendly day of boating!!! :D

They finally made it and we made our way into the main part of the lake. 

The first half of the day, Wayne was our "captain", then the second half, went to Tommy.

He was captain when we got pulled over by the lake patrol...I think they were hoping to catch a bunch of drunks on the lake in a rental...boy were they sadly disappointed!   :P

They did reprimand us for Hadley (my lil bro) riding on back of the boat while we were moving.  (the bench you see behind my cousin Cindy above) We honestly didn't realize you were not suppose to be on there. In fact I was laid out on there on our initial trip leaving the boat dock.  Luckily Cindy ended up knowing the lake patrol dude so he backed off the attitude when he realized he knew someone.  

Was excited to finally meet Jill (left) my cousin Cindy's good friend. She's a hoot!

This is probably one of my favorite all time pictures of my Dad.  He just looks like relaxed and happy.  Usually when I pull the camera out he tries to be funny and makes goofy faces or looks all stiff, so I was glad to catch him just being him.


Look at my adorable little brother Hadley! He HATES for me to take his picture, so I took a crapload to catch him smiling while he was drying off from our little excursion in the water. 

So that was Friday - my "independence" day.  

Everyone needs an "independence" day every now and then regardless of 

what's going on in their life, dontcha think?

You are correct!

I am trying something I've been wanting to learn for awhile now: quilting.

(Mandie - you are correct too, as I have something envisioned using crochet and fabric strips)

I have already put two sets of my little project together.

Hoping to make more and reveal the final product soon. :)