Keep Your Chins Up & A Smile On Your Face

Just because the economy is down right now, it doesn't give us an excuse to be down.

   I know, I know. Bills to pay, school clothes & supplies to buy, worries about where the next bag of groceries will come from. What can you do about it?
 Getting down, getting upset, talking negative and complaining about it will only hurt you and make you sick.
 Your attitude will make ALL the difference in this difficult time. Make sure you are taking time to take care of YOU.
 Get out and get some fresh air. Take a walk, walk the dog, take the kids out. Apply for heat and electric assistance if you haven't done that yet.

Go on line and get coupons for groceries. If you've never used them, now would be a good time to start. It's better to use a coupon & buy better & healthier foods & stop buying cheap packaged food that is loaded with preservatives, fats, & bad stuff. Even though it is cheaper, it is not in the long run. Buy fresh veggies and fruit from a local Farmers Markets (not the commercial ones that truck their produce in from different states).
 Cook at home. You will be shocked at how little a home cooked, fresh, healthy meal can cost to make at home.

Even though you may be out of a job, it is a great time to open roads of opportunity. Network. Ask others that are out of work what they are doing and what is working for them. Lots of people = lots of ideas.
  If you need something...send out an email asking if anyone has it to spare or if they are getting rid of it/one. You say that is hard to do? Not after the first time (I've asked family for tube hangers, a blanket, and a winter coat and got all 3)! In fact, it will quickly make you realize how wasteful us Americans are and just how spoiled we are. Yes, I said that.
 Even though you are struggling, make an effort every day to be a Nike, "just do it". Anything. Something. Volunteer. Go visit people. Walk, play in the yard, or read a book from cover to cover. Go give blood/plasma (you get paid for that), take a shift at the library, watch a friends child so your friends can have a date night and vise versa.

 No matter what, keep your chin up and a smile on your face. Yes, no matter how bad things seem you have a lot of control in how it all plays out. Also know that you can always be much worse off.

Monster Mash Halloween

Shame on me!
School hasn't even started and I am as guilty as the retailers of rushing the holidays....by 2.25 mos!
MY bad. I couldn't resist.
I got on the stick and ordered Halloween ribbon far enough in advance that I got some (newbies learn the hard way!).
I received my ribbon order and put together the Monster Mash Bow out of curiosity. I knew it would be adorable but look at this! I just love the ribbon & bold colors. Now I only wish I had ordered more. Enough for more than just two of these.
Posted here for your viewing pleasure...let me know what you think. Keep on crafting and Yay for HANDMADE!

I'm making tutus!

Yay! I'm doing the happy dance!
I have my first tutu made and ready to put in my little boutique!
These tutu cute tutus are made to order and can be made in any child size. Depending on how I do with the sales, I may expand into larger sizes.

Simple to order! Go to http://www.LollyBopBaby.etsy.com. Click on "contact seller/LollyBopBaby". Leave me a note!
What I need: waist measurement, 2 color choices for tutu, and when you require to have it in your hands.
 I need a two week notice right now to make & ship your order.
You pay shipping.

 For more information or more specifics, please contact me through my Lolly Bop Baby site and we will gab about it.

8/26/09 Update. This pictured tutu was sold and was shipped to Budapest, Hungary today. I thought that was pretty neat so I wanted to share!

July is coming to a close

Seems like it was the first day of summer only a few weeks ago and there's only 6 weeks left until the first day of school! I have been so busy the last few months trying to figure out how to network and get my on line shop name "out there" & pick up some biz. It sure isn't & hasn't been easy, exactly as I was told. However, my passion for what I do far outweighs the trials, costs, setbacks, and frustration of trying to sell your own product and name. There are also payoffs even before the money starts coming in. Most of that is being able to be here for the kids, especially in the summer. Nothing can take the place of being your own kids mom! I've wondered for years what it would be like to "make it" doing my craft, making quality products that last, are made by hand, made in the USA, and support a hard working single mother. I admire all of you SAHMs as well as you crafters that are doing and attempting to do the same. Hats off to handmade, all the love sweat and tears that go into our craft, determination , talent, and the time & heart it takes to do all of it! Have a great weekend!

Juicy Watermelon Baby Beanie

I have been wanting to make this beanie since last summer!

I think it turned out really cute & have almost finished my second in a larger size, 6-12 mo.

Watermelon is one of my favorites in the summer.

This beanie is baby size approx 3-6 mos and can be ordered through my etsy handmade store.

Please visit http://www.lollybopbaby.etsy.com/ to see this and other adorable baby items/gifts.

Star Gazer Lilies ~ Ready Set.... Bloom!

A true example of Nature at her finest!

Each spring these lilies multiply 3-fold and I can't wait to see them start bursting open. I'm not sure which are the Star Gazers or if all of them are but they are all beauties. The deep dark orange is first this year, starting to open on the 2nd day of (official) summer in the 90* humid heat. I am excited to share the pictures with you and not hog their beauty all to myself. This is just the beginning. I believe I also have white & pink in the same bed. Enjoy!

Free Pattern Sites

I have spent quite a bit of my computer life in and on free pattern sites.

There are an endless number of them out there. Most are easy to navigate.

Some sites ask you to "join" or "sign up".

There are also quite a few sites that you don't have to enter any information to get the patterns.

It's like a clearance rack in ways...keep looking, you will find great patterns here and there hidden among the rest of them.

Here is one that I like, http://www.free-crochet.com/ It is easy to maneuver around in and has some nice patterns.

There are additional tabs that you can check out too.

Enjoy!