Deer, Deer and More Deer

One very nice thing about living in the country is seeing all the wild animals come into your back yard.
Lately, there has been quite a few deer that visit very day.  Mostly a doe and her two fawns or two doe and four fawns!  They are so sweet as they frolic and compete over the apples that I throw out for them.

Then a few days ago, I looked out to see a buck, a doe and a fawn all together munching on my lawn!  I was thrilled to see an actual deer family together so I grabbed my camera and got a great shot of the three of them!

Either everyone is rewatching the Harry Potter movies or visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter because in the last month I have had a run on orders for Dobby!  Not complaining, mind you, just wondering what is happening?

This summer has been the perfect summer so far for me.   I just LOVE sunshine and warm weather and  we have had quite a bit of both!  That is saying something when you live in PA!!!!  Although, the last few days have been pretty dreary and rainy but we do need the rain.....so the farmers say!!  But I figure we have had enough....time again for sun and warm!!

It has almost been a year since I last posted here.....A lot has happened in that time as I am sure it does in most people's lives.  I will try to touch on the high points.

My husband and I went to Universal Studios in September.  What a great trip!  I absolutely adored the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  Hogwarts was awesome!!  As was the Butter Beer.....best thing for a hot day!  I still crave it.....sure wish they would bottle the stuff!!

In October, my granddaughter, Vivian turned a year old.  One of the unfortunate things of living away from your kids and grandkids, is not being there for the important occasions in their lives.  My husband and I try to visit as often as we can, but we miss so much and it is a great sadness for me.

The holiday season was exceptional for my Etsy shop.  I was so thrilled and overwhelmed at the same time.  Also grateful, I don't want to forget grateful!  First for customers discovering my shop and then for their patience as many were willing to wait until after the holidays for their items.  It made me very proud that they liked my work so much that they were willing to wait.  I truly appreciated their understanding.  I even took a week off of work to get caught up with all the orders.

Christmas and New Years was very quiet for us as it is most years, now.   It is not as easy for our daughters to visit during the holiday season with the little ones in tow.  Especially since Santa needs to visit their homes now and they are making their own holiday traditions.  And living in Pa, weather is always a consideration.  However,we can't miss a Christmas without seeing them so we visited our kids the week before Christmas. It was very nice and I enjoyed every minute but it still is not the same as being with them on Christmas morning.

After the holidays, I continued to be busy with my shop.  Catching up with orders placed before Christmas and getting new orders continued to keep my fingers and needles flying.....
January 3rd was my three year Etsy anniversary!

In March, Jenna, Vivian and Jon came home for a short weekend.  It was wonderful to have them home even for the few days.  Those days were filled with visiting great grandparents and playing with our little Vivian.

After many discussions between my husband, Jim and I, about whether we could handle it financially and much soul searching on my part,  I retired in April from my secretarial job at Jedco.  22 yrs.!!  Hard to believe!  It was a great job for me. A small family owned construction company....all guys but really great guys.  It was time to close one door and open another.....

I spend quite a bit more time now on my shop.  I am able to make more new items and do some much needed promotion.  And I am here to say that it is true what retired people say about being so busy......I just don't know where the time goes!  I don't know how I did what I did and still had a job!!!

In May, Steph, Ade and Ryan came for a visit.  It was Mother's Day weekend and Steph's birthday so we were able to spend them together.  Another round of visiting great grandparents and also taking Ade to the Museum in Pittsburgh with lunch at Primanti Bros.  Then Mommy and Daddy wanted a day away for Mommy's birthday, so Grandma and Grandpa took Ade to the mall and a movie.  A great time was had by all!!!

Well, that is pretty much catches up to today 6/21/12.  There are some exciting things to look forward to in the future.
We have a vacation planned for September at Wrightsville Beach, NC.  2 hrs from our kids!!!
My husband and his brother have developed an app for the iPad, Iphone, etc. that is due out in July.  It is a children's game called "Picnic in the Park."  We are hoping that it does well!!  And we have the house back on the market....we WANT to be with our family!!

And I am keeping my fingers crossed that my shop continues to do well.....as I really enjoy creating!

Until next time......

So very long!

It has been since December since I posted here.  I am ashamed.... Time just goes by much too quickly and my life isn't that exciting......I guess that is a good thing in a way! :-)

The last so many months, I have visited my kids and grandkids several times and I am about to make another trip this week.  The Grandmas(mother-in-law and myself) are on our way to save the day!  We are going to help my daughter with her daughter while Daddy is on his once a year fishing trip.  I really am dreading the trip.......NOT.  I just can't wait to hold Vivian and see my Ade.

Ade is now the big girl at 4 yrs of age.  She is such a joy and such a whip!!!  She has many things lined up for me to play with her.....as always!

As far as the crafting.....always busy.  Finding new patterns, new yarns, new fabrics......all very exciting!

A friend told me about a new yarn shop(Yarns by Design) in Oakmont, PA.   It is a wonderful shop filled with beautiful yarns and patterns.   It is located near an awesome bakery (Oakmont Bakery).  So beside having a treat for my crafting at the yarn shop, I also have a treat for my tummy at the Bakery!  Just couldn't ask for more!

Holiday Sales

I have had a wonderful holiday selling season on Etsy this year!  Mostly custom orders and a couple of stock sales.

My Artfire shop is not doing well.  Only two sales and one non payment sale.  I still have to give it more time and I also need to post more items in it which I plan to do once the holidays are over.

Just wasn't enough time to make the custom orders and promote and get ready for the holidays.  There are only so many hours in the day.... But one of my new years goals is to get more new items made for both shops and to do more promoting.  I am sure I will have more time to do those things once the holidays are over because sales will probably drop to zero. Unfortunately,  I can see the trend already as I haven't had a sale for two weeks.  Of course,Christmas is only 3 days away!  So I can't blame anyone!!!

Anyway, I am very grateful for the sales that I have had.  Hopefully, people will continue to buy throughout the year.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy, Healthy New Year!