Finally!!

I finally got my business cards designed today!!! I've been kicking around ideas for months and months now and for the last week have been on various design websites trying to create the perfect image/layout and after a lot of headaches and several occurrences where I had to storm out of the room--away from the laptop--I figured it all out and in less than two weeks I'll have my beautiful business cards in my hands. I'll post them as soon as possible. 

I ordered them from VistaPrint (but completely custom designed them) and instead of paying $8 for shipping, I ordered a $7 canvas bag which brought my total high enough to get free shipping---same total cost but now I get a bag with my logo :)

Just one more step towards legit business instead of fun hobby. I'm not gonna stop either way but I'd love to make enough money from this to quit my day jobs (which I probably wouldn't do either but maybe I could quit one of them) or at least take a great vacation from my earnings.

Other websites

I just had a really great night out with friends (something that rarely happens because I work so much) and nice calm morning of checking my favorite websites. If you don't already check http://www.postsecret.com/ every single week you are missing out on one of the truly great places on the internet. Frank Warren posts about a dozen secrets that people from all over the world mail him (on artfully designed postcards) and it really shows how everyone is connected. Some are funny, some are sad, some are just beautiful and some are horrifying---but all very human. I love it. I can't say enough good things about it.

Made a quick stop

I made a quick stop at Joann's craft store today---Love Love Love when the yarn I need more of is on sale already. Then I still got to use my 50% coupon. If you don't already know you can download Joann's and Michael's craft store smart phone apps and use them at both stores. Sometimes you can even double dip and use a 50% off one item and 10% off total purchase together. Always good to coupon and craft.

UFOs

UFOs are everywhere..........at least at my house. In the crafter's world UFOs are Un-Finished Objects. I must have at least a dozen on-going projects in various states of completion. Some are waiting on more yarn or specific notion but most are just waiting...and waiting. 

I hate having so many unfinished things. Its like the island of misfit toys, each project waiting patiently in its own gallon ziploc bag. 

I was super proud of myself this past week (in honor of Earth Day) when I went through all-and I mean ALL--of my old yarn scraps and either used them to make cup/fruit cozies or wound them into two large balls so I can finally add to my second scrap blanket. The first one found a great home on the bed of a friend who has recently moved away to college. Hopefully this one (when finished soon!) will find a good home with my younger cousin when he decides to go to college....hopefully this fall, who knows. I just want him to do something that will make him happy and keep him busy. 

I digress, these UFOs are slowly making their way to the finished project bin, which in turn need to be photographed so they can make their way into my etsy shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/13thhourdesigns and hopefully get sold and make it to their final destination, a loving home. 

......or at least a home that isn't mine, my bins are overflowing with finished projects!

My etsy shop

Please take a few minutes to check out all the items in my etsy shop. I do custom orders for everything in my shop (a rarity on etsy) and right now every item is on sale--many items only $10 USD!

If you don't already have an etsy account you definitely need one!! It is the website for all things handmade and vintage. Its a cross between ebay and crafty social networking. I have found countless shops that have inspired me again and again to try harder and think outside the box with my crafts. Although my etsy shop has only crocheted items I actually do a lot of other crafts including carpentry, painting, watercolors, scrapbooking and shadowboxes. Maybe in the near future I'll add a section shop of cool things I've made but for now its my awesome one of a kind crochet projects.

Creativity breeds creativity

Just one more place for me to show off my creations and to share other creative things I find online. Hope this to be a huge source of inspiration for myself and others. Creativity breeds creativity.