Tis the Season (to be slacking)- TYPICAL ARIES

Obviously I have not been keeping up with "my new years" resolution- blogging each day. I will admit I have been slacking. I have only completed the one purse- THE FIRST initial comp. Uggghh. Disappointment. I have however, completed one painting as a gift for a friend, and started a ginormous one as a another gift, along with finding many supply shops and sketching out my new ideas for more purses. I MUST get motivated and plunge head first into the purse thing. My goal was to be selling by January 1, 2010. While this may be a little far fetched especially with the holidays and all. As of today, December 9, 2009, I will finish my tasks at hand, and continue to make progress. My new goal by January is to have my mock ups out of the way- and get my etsy shop ready to go. Typical ARIES:

Aries live life head first; after all, those horns on your head are not just for fighting. Your headstrong nature can make you a "battering ram" and woe is the person who stands in your way.. .

Aries motto is "Ready, fire, aim!" It may be backwards for others, but you'd rather figure out what to do while you are doing it. Impulsive actions, however, can bring you your share of trouble. While others are gathering information to make informed decisions, you are already on your way. As such, you could suffer from false starts. In fact, you Aries are so good at starting things that you can be off onto your next project before completing the previous one. As you Aries mature, you learn to slow down your reaction time in order to think about the consequences of your actions.

Image & Content Found via: http://horoscopes.aol.com/astrology/zodiac-central/aries Provided by Tarot.com

slacker

Years ago my nickname was slacker. Partly because I was working a full-time graphic design job as well as a part-time serving gig and part-time retail job all at the same time, and partially because I very well could slack when I wanted to. I have officially given myself the title back, but not because I have been too slack-a-tive (hmm, coining my own term there). I have been slacking on writing in this blog, which was meant to keep me motivated.

Since my last post I have completed my first purse comp!! AND I LOVE IT!!! I have been slightly unsuccessful with perfecting my screen printing process so I decided to hand paint my design on my fabric and I absolutely love, love how it turned out. The design of my purse turned out exactly how I have been picturing for years. The interior even has a zipper pocket on one side and a double pouch pocket on the other. The only thing that could use a little improvement would be the stitching along the top (slightly ghetto, as I am learning stitch length and tension for different materials). I used a faux leather for my first comp, which I am pleased with, but think from here on out I am going to use the real thing except when designing a new pattern. The faux leather tends to stretch a little.

So although the "slacker" title has returned, I have made progress! A slight bout with H1N1, and now I am ready to get going again. WHOOT WHOOT! Tonight I will hand paint some more fabric, and hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have a couple completed purses. Each better than the one before!!

Oh, and while I am super stoked to show my results, I am a perfectionist and am going to wait until I have it perfected and ready to sell. January One is my goal to start selling, and when I do I will post all progress pictures as well. Such a tease- I know!

Another One Bites the Dust

Oh. I could mean this on so many levels, but I'll just touch base on the main two.

1. MY PRODUCTIVE WEEKEND.
Turned into a rather UN-productive weekend after all. Friday night my sister stopping by, turned into another friend stopping by for a glass of vino. On her way over she passed her man, who turned around and came over as well. Roommate was home and had a friend coming over. All of this turned a Birthday dinner for the boyfriend in passing. Needless to say, Saturday morning (I should really say 'afternoon') came early, and I was feeling 'pushing thirty'. I bailed on attending a Halloween party Saturday night so that I could be productive, but the couch and movies was what came of my productive Saturday. Sunday did not turn out to well either. I woke up at NOON!!! what!!!! I think its the seasonal depression and change of weather. I did however, make the most of Sunday, cleaning, coating and burning the screens. . . .

BUT. . . Unsuccessful yet again!! Frustrating yes, but with time I will get get my process down. . . and it should go smooth. This learning curve is killing me . A LOT of time has been put in with nothing to show. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.

2. MY PHONE.
Although I hated my stupid pink Motorola Razr, I was just hoping that it could hold off until Dec. 2nd when my contract with Verizon expires. Nope. For no reason (the duct tape was still holding up pretty darn well if you ask me), the screen went blank and I had it on vibrate. Grrrreeeeeaaat!! So I have no idea who's calling. Can't retrieve texts. Can't call anyone except my dad's cell, my roommates cell or my aunt's house in Leland. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.

Funny that those are the only numbers I know, but yet I still remember my first phone number from when I was 5 years old. Although this is going to hurt me financially for a couple months, having to pay two cell phone bills and all, . . . I opened a new account with AT&T. And drumroll please. . .

I am now the proud owner of an iPhone!! whoot whoot!!! Grrrrrrreeeeeeaaat. Just what someone with self diagnosed A.D.D. needs. Ewwwwe, but boy do I love it!!


Image found on music remedy.com

The Weekend To Dos

One of the main reasons I decided to start a blog is to keep me on track in reaching the "BIG Dream". If I write it down and make it public I will feel the need to make progress and stay motivated. So with much TO do - My weekend To Dos:

1. Remove Emulsion from Screens
2. Clean Screens
3. Finish Cutting fabric
   
4. Sew Purse Lining & handles
5. Hand paint outer fabric
   
6. Coat Screens with Emulsion
7. Iron Set Paint on fabric
8. Sew Purse Exterior- Possibly complete mock-up
   
9. Burn Screens (hopefully Successful this weekend)
   
10. Print (assuming that screens burned properly)
11. Read Chapter in Business Book
12. Read Chapter in Leatherworking Book
13. Research other etsy shops and figure out shop policies, shipping, etc. in preparation to list items for sail on etc. . . . Take notes to figure my own.
14. Visit Post Office and UPS to determine shipping costs of paintings.

Well the List could go on FOREVER, but I will leave it at that so that I don't overwhelm myself. (yeah right)- I think my list is overly ambitious as is. . . . I look forward to checking things off the list and posting my progress on Monday Morning.

"The Freakin Never Ending to Do List" Image is courtesy of Erin Vale of Vale Design: www.erinvaledesign.com. I found the site via www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com. Download one of Erin's FREE lists- to do list, blog topics list, or grocery list right HERE so can print at home and stay on track.

Swoon

Ahhhhh. gasp. . . swoon swoon. I am IN LOVE with these Herman Miller chairs I found on Craigslist. Description:

---

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SET OF HERMAN MILLER EAMES CHAIRS [DCM'S] FOR SALE.
THEY ARE THE ORIGINALS BUILT IN THE 1946-1948 SERIES. YOU CAN PICK UP OR CAN
DELIVER FOR ADDITIONAL FEE. THANK YOU.

If you are in the Northern Michigan or Grand Rapids area, and have $500 handy you can grab them here: sale-qrjsv-1425257284@craigslist.org

I wish I could. I have recently realize that I LOVE Mid-Century Modern, and Danish Mordern design.

Making Things Happen

September 1st marked my "new year", and since then I have actively been working towards my "BIG DREAM". Years after I originally had my big vision- all it took was reuniting with a best friend that has confidence in me, to remind me of what I talented and motivated person I used to be and I still could be. Words can not express how grateful I am for this person being a part of my life again. They have been my true motivation and inspiration, and that one person that doesn't say "IF' you do it". . . They say- you "will" do it. I can not give enough thanks.

I still have a LONG (very long) way to go, but have been taking steps to get to where I want to be. Its somewhat frustrating seeing people doing things that you had ideas about YEARS, and YEARS ago. But success does not come to you. . . you need to work for it. So I am trying to teach myself the basics, and not so basics of BOTH screen printing and sewing- Two processes that I know minimal about. But this has been my dream for years. I hope to use this blog to track the progress of my design, work, future product line and etsy shop, and to keep me focused and on track. I WILL MAKE IT WORK, I just need to remember to have PATIENCE (a characteristic not common for an aries), and have FUN!