February is flying by

It's been pretty busy around here lately.  Not that I feel like I'm getting anything done, but we've been busy.  We ended January in Lake Havasu at a BBQ contest.  We did okay, not great...mid pack.  There has been much talk and debate about what we are doing right...and wrong.  Today there are lots of new plans in the works for Trailhound Smokers BBQ.  We'll have to share when we get some photos uploaded. 
I pretty much gave up spring craft shows in recent years but I have two friends that are doing one each this year.  So I guess I'd better get busy and help some friends by participating.  A few extra dollars wouldn't hurt either. 
There had been lots of planing wedding florals with brides and my calendar is filling fast.  Infact, I meet with one this afternoon.  Not one wedding in January or February, but March-June is pretty packed. 
I worked at French Bouquet for Valentine's Day.  Those are some long hard hours.  I enjoy the energy, excitment and such but I'm glad that is over.  Mother's Day will be here before you know it, and it will all start over again. 
The best part of the month was 4 awesome days spent in Hope AZ riding our ATVs with friends Alan and Liz, and Dennis.  Dennis and Sally moved to Idaho several years ago and now snowbird there.  It was great to see them both, old friend Charlie and Jeannie as well.  Arizona must be good for them, they all look great are are doing well.  The Sonroan Desert around that area is amazing, and full of old mines, unique features, history and more.  I would love to go back again this spring.
I had a couple of orders from my Etsy site.  The frame pieces are doing well I am pleased to say. 
Wednesday, I was painting walls for a little girl's room.  Got a full day of climbing up and down the ladder and down on the floor in and still need to go back...I know...where are the pictures?  Anyway, after cleaning up, I headed down the stairs and about 2/3rds of the way down I slipped and tumbled the rest of the way down and hit my head on the tile floor.  Yes, apparently, I am that graceful.  I have a rug burn on my elbow, it feels bruised, I banged up my knee (and they are good to start with), landed on my butt, sprained some muscles in my back, and got a large knot on my head.  After getting up, acessing the damage, and mopping up my Sonic drink I crushed, I hobbled my way to the car and drove home.  No one saw this incredible act of gravity defying stupidity and I'd like to keep it that way.  Timm did take me to urgent care Thursday morning, nothing is broken, no concusion (although I am still dizzy when I lay down).  I was issued a muscle relaxer and pain meds that seem to be working.  Today I feel pretty good.  I need to get dressed to meet a bride later today. 
I enjoyed a day of shopping in St George with Diane last week as well, we both needed some retail therapy and did our part in helping southern Utah's ecomony.  Oh, I picked up my product from a store I just went into last month.  She is closing to due health reasons.  Didn't know anything about it until I got there.  Bummer...but I totally get it, your health comes first.
I will end my month attending the trade show at the Vegas Painting Convention.  It is so inspiring and motivating.  I could use that right now.  I always look forward to this event.   

Las Vegas Etsy Team

I feel like Vegas is moving up in the world of craftiness.  We now have a Las Vegas Etsy Team! 

Sarah Flake of Flaky Friends recently founded and organized this group that is growing by leaps and bounds.  In just over 3 months, we have over 200 members in the Southern Nevada area with Etsy shops working together to lift and promote each other.  Good things are happening with this group and I encourage you to join if you have an Etsy shop and live in the Southern Nevada area.  I am proud to say Twiddlebugz is a member of this fantastic team.  Look for our members at just about every local fair and event. 

In fact, our Handmade in Vegas team is promoting their first event...Mt Charleston Arts and Crafts Fair will be this Sunday, August 8 at the Mt Charleston Resort.  It's the one at the base of Kyle Canyon.  Get of the Las Vegas heat and join many of our members in the cool air of Mt Charleston.  Pack a picnic lunch, have lunch at the resort, listen to some cool jazz music and shop with some talented crafters showcasing some of their best works.   

I'm pleased to announce that I am part of the newly formed Etsy team...Handmade in Vegas.  Creative people all over the valley are crawling out of the wood work to join forces and promote creativity and each other.  Please stop by and visit the blog at http://handmadeinvegas.com/.

Etsy Update

Just added a few new items to my Esty site. Please come by to check them out.
http://TwiddlebugzDesignz.Etsy.com

Some new items...

finally. I know it's about time I really painted something. I started painting on cabinet doors last year and they have been well received. Here are three I completed this week. I think I like the one with the flags and watermelon the best. I listed it on Etsy today. And summer seems to bring out the patriot in all of us anyway so I also have the one with "Old Glory" around it. You know I have to be writing on my work and the borders on these are just screaming for it.

old rabbit

Here is a project that has taken me over a year to complete. I designed, stitched and stuffed the body last year. A couple of months ago I dug him out and painted, and sanded his body. Last month I dressed him, last week I finished his face. So, you can see, he is already been around awhile but glad to finally be finished. I just love him! Here is the discription I gave him today when I listed him on my Etsy and Artfire accounts.

This ol' rabbit has been working hard in his garden and harvested some carrots. He is an original design by myself, Crystal Martin. He measures +/-36 inches from the tip of his ears to the bottom of his huge feet. After stuffing, his body was spray painted black and sanded to give an aged look. Note that there is wire in his ears so you can bend them to your liking. Clothes were sewn, he was dressed in original clothing also, note the patches on his pants. I drew his facial details on and painted his face. I love his droopy eyes, don't you. I gave him dimensional whiskers from hand-quilting thread since it's stiffer than regular thread. He comes with a bunch of carrots and a tin bucket. This rabbit is weighted so he sits well, and he is quite posable since his legs bend at the knees. He just reminds me of an old soul.

For more photos of him, check him out on TwiddlebugzDesignz.Artfire.com or Twiddlebugz.Etsy.com.

He would love to be adopted and move to a new home!

Surgery went well

Hey, I made it through my hesterectomy and I am home! It was an abdominal surgery since both my children were born by c-section. You know, I don't remember it hurting so bad though, probably since I had a beautiful child to focus on the last 2 times I was cut open. There was a lot more scar tissue than expected, infact, the uterus and bladder were adhered together. There was a very large fibroid attached to the uterus as well. The doctor explained it as half a mickey mouse hat. No wonder I wasn't feeling well. On a sour note, I had to come home with a cathiter and won't get it until April 3rd. Geesh!

Anyway, I'm home now and feeling better everyday. Mom and Dad have been over everyday to help and visit. In fact, they are grocery shopping for me today. Timm took off 4 days last week to be at the hospital and home for me...what an awesome guy he is. I think he worries a lot about me even though he won't admit it. I realize I do tend to do lots of things I probably shouldn't so he figures it's just par for the course. My kids have been good about helping me, I think they worry also.

On a crafty note, I finished tying the polar fleece blanket yesterday for Justin's boy. Today I am clipping rag quilts. I finished 9 of them before I went in so I would have something to do when I got out. Keep crafting everyone...it is still National Craft Month. I have faces to put on a few dolls and get them listed on Etsy and Artfire.

Thanks to all my family and friends for good thoughts, prayers, meals, and chores. I really do appreciate every bit of it. I can tell it's about time for another pain pill...and a nap.

A few things done

I've been busy the last few days with household things but I did manage to get a few things completed.

This is a wood picture frame. I applied scrap book paper, antiqued the edges with raw umber paint, put several coats of varnish on it, cut out the center and added some vintage Scrabble tiles. I will be listing it on Etsy later today at my site. It's Twiddlebugz.Etsy.com for those who haven't added it to their favorites yet ;). Got several others done also, but I think this one is my favorite.

I've also managed to get some organizing done in my sewing room, brought more fabric over, sewed up a rag quilt for Timm's nephew (you know, the one that is having a boy...see previous post about afghan), it's getting washed today. I found 2 boxes of rag quilt squares that are ready to be sewn together. Mostly baby flannel in the boxes...some with warm and natural in them some just flannel squares waiting to be used. So I guess that is my next project.

Finished dollies & Etsy listings

Well, I finally got the clothing done for all the new dollies last night. One decided she only wanted pants, one is dressed all in pink and will make a wonderful gift or decoration for Valentines Day (hint, hint). One is even holding an electric candle. All my stuff isn't moved yet so accessories and props are pretty limited right now...hence I sewed up the stars and the hearts.

Here are some close up fews. They even have toes.
Heck, I even dressed this little gal, she's only had bloomers for a couple of years. She was tucked in a bag in the closet. So sad.

Oh, got some items listed on Etsy today also. Please stop by and take a peek. There may even be something you might just have to have...you never know. All these new beauties are on there also just waiting to be adopted. :)