Just a few more

When it was first suggested to me that I should sell on Etsy I thought "hey, why not" it's a good way to make a bit of cash on the side when I am not baking, sewing, laundry, etc.   What people forget to tell you is that it is an all out addiction.

So I will do for my loyal readers, what no person did for me....Readers....Etsy is addictive.  There, I have warned you.

I wake up in the morning and the first thing I check is to see how many visitors I had the previous day, how many times was I re pinned, did I get any order the night before...and so begins the cycle continuing at least 4-5 times that day.  What started as something simple like "let me sell some cool organic heating bags" turns into "let me sell WHATEVER I make to share with everyone".  

Most recently I got a shout out from my scrapbook girl Danie (thanks ladybug) who used one of my crochet flowers for a page in her blog.  Next thing I know, I am selling embellishments and thinking of new ones that I can create and share (hearts, 3-d flowers, circles).  It's so much fun, I am addicted.

Cute embellishment flowers for scrapbooks, headband, toques, etc

So to wrap up the long winded, excited ranting of this post.  I LOVE ETSY.  I hope that you all do as well. I have found some many ideas, and already have the hubby in the bush searching for wood to make cool wine stands, and much more. 

For those of us crafty people in the world...This is like the biggest craft fair you could ever go to.  Happy shopping!!!

Live and in Color

The last two weeks I have been a busy little beaver.  Not only is Christmas just around the corner, but I've been a busy elf in my workshop constructing my new "Organic Therapy Bags".  So far I have sold more to family and friends than I have been able to keep in stock at my Etsy store.

I would like to officially announce that today my store is open with a few items, and more to come by the end of the week.  I went and found so many fun fabrics that I don't know which ones to start with, and which ones that I will have to let go of.

My favorite "retro" type fabric so far

I have to say that product testing has been the best part of this process.  The last few weeks I have been having some abdominal trouble and my poor hubby lost all rights to his back heating bag.  I originally thought he would be the perfect test subject as a professional roofer, but quickly became the test subject myself.

LADIES....This heat pad is a life saver for that one week a month when mother nature wants to kick you in the metaphoric junk.  I don't think I have had one night where it wasn't being used.

Abdominal / Back Heating Pad

Speaking of mother nature....as the snow falls and everything becomes a frozen wasteland in our neck of the woods don't forget that your therapy bags can also be used to keep toes warm as you head to bed or wrap around your neck while you cozy up under the biggest blanket you can find.

So thank you all for your patience while I took a week or so off and stay tuned for more therapy bags.  Also this week I will be attempting chamomile eye masks, and mitten warmers so stay tuned 

The Start of an Empire (Figuratively speaking)

The start of an empire (figuratively speaking)

So while I was cruising Pintrest the other day (as everyone does), I came across some beautiful heating bag patterns.  I wanted to make one for me, and mom, Dickie, my sister, my landlord, and then it happened.....

I thought "self" (that's how you address yourself when thinking) "why couldn't I make these and then sell them to people less crafty then me."

Well that's where it all started.  So I trucked myself over to my mother's and fired up my sewing machine.  After a few trial and error bags, and the help of family members doing some "product testing", the finished product is tried and true.

I introduce you to my Comfy Creation Organic Heat Therapy Bags.  Coming soon to my Etsy store.

So I started with the pattern and quickly learned three things.  1. you definitely should not over-stuff the bag or it feels like a rock on your neck.  2.  These suckers need to be longer than the average, I'm talking about full neck wrap around and engulf yourself in goodness.  3. Everything is better with aromatherapy!

So the final product came to be.

• 30% longer than average therapy bags
• Flax seed filling retaining heat 10% longer without that nasty popcorn or burnt seed smell
• 100% pure cotton
• Sectioned for proper placement on your neck or any other aching area.  (no more filling falling to the bottom of the bag where  you don't need it.
• Tonnes of fun colors and patterns

My pretty mommy - modeling how the seeds stay in the back

30 % longer than the average heating bag

Stay tuned for more links to my store.  Next up...mitt organic heat therapy 

The time has come......

Well it has happened.....the time has come.....the world is now revolving at a slower pace.

I found a gray  :(

Unfortunately for my family I found said gray hair right before a road trip with my dear mother, which subsequently ended in me complaining half the time about how I was getting older, and the world was ending. (poor momma)

In reality the dreaded gray is two small hairs which in all reality will most likely not alter the course of my life; however at this time of the day it felt like.  So it begs the questions, why do we fear the gray?  Why don't we embrace the experience that it represents?  Are we too afraid to get old in case we aren't needed anymore?  So many questions....so little answers.

Here are my thoughts...(cause you knew it was going to happen).

Gray sucks..YES...you love your hair the way it is.  It's not what the gray hair represents, but that you are changing and if you are anything like me, you are quite content with what your life is at this exact moment.  Not that there is a fear of the unknown or how your life will be, but more that I love right now and want it to continue.  I will continue to dye my hair, not because I think gray is bad, but because I love me, right now, at this moment.  In two years I may absolutely love to have a full head of gorgeous silver hair like a distinguished lady, but for now...BRING ON THE NICE N' EASY

The dreaded two gray hairs - which by the way are bright silver

On a separate side note in my genius yesterday I decided that I was going to become a multi-million making handmade heating pads and sell them on Etsy....stay tuned for more on this adventure, however the prototype is being tested as I type :)

Till then, stay sane (because sometimes I'm on the border)

The bathing suit conundrum

Well family vacation is almost upon us and with such come thoughts of barbecue, fishing, and OH CRAP, swimming.

The dreaded swimming which in itself would not be so scary if it wasn't coupled with the fact that to do such an activity requires the deathly terrifying bathing suit.

If anyone is in the Muskoka area you have probably heard over the past few days the screams, sighs, and generally despair that comes with trying to find the perfect bathing suit.  Why does it have to be so hard.
Why can't we go to a store, saran wrap ourselves and call it a day, but NO, so much pressure has been put on is to not look like overstuffed sausage tubes that the perfect bathing suite must be found.

After several hours online, debates, and store emergency shopping I have determined that the perfect bathing suit is a fabled myth....just like a unicorn (which i still kinda believe is true).  What does exist however is the fact that somewhere in a factory in the middle of china a small evil Chinese woman sits and giggles as she sews bathing suit after bathing suite thinking "haha mother #%$'s" try to fit into this sucker and look good.  Maybe next time someone will pay me more than $1 an hour"

.....Listen little women...I will find you....until then I am standing up for all women and saying "NO MORE", I will not conform and do not care what I look like.  I will buy a bathing suit that fits, is comfortable, and I don't give a crap what I look like!!!! I am empowered, taking control of my fate and my personal image.  I am women...hear me roar :)

On second thought, maybe I should go online and see if there is another type I can buy :)

Welcome to my world

Welcome, ¡hola

Well as I woke up this morning and sat drinking my coffee in a quiet house I thought that I would check my mothers blog. (ronnazroom.blogspot.com) for those interested.

It suddenly occurred to me in the most dramatic of ways....and by that I mean my cat accidentally stepping on the computer and hitting the create new button that I should have a blog.  I mean...why not...everyone is doing it :)

So hear it is, the start of the story of my life.  I live in an apartment with who I think is the love of my life (never know) and have two cats, a crazy family, and a job in Human Resources.  What that means you ask?  I listen to people all day and have no outlet to vent it out.  Viola.....a blog....and no I won't get into details.

For today's subject and probably the subject of most of my rants I would like to introduce you to Ebony.  The one cat of my two that absolutely makes me crazy, and yet still lives.  The reason I am up so early typing on a computer is because of this precious specimen.

Ebony (yep, he is that fat)

At 7:00am on the only day that both my significant other and I can sleep in this charmer decides that it is a great idea to first start a fist to cuffs with the other precious (2 pounds) cat happily sleeping on the bed by jumping on her.  Then he decides that it is appropriate to walk through the house calling us as it is now time for mom to get up and change his litter box (done yesterday, but god forbid it was used overnight).  Then as the house is awake and I strip the linen from the bed to wash decides to go back in and make a "cat in a blanket" type situation, subsequently passing out after a hard morning's efforts.

Cat in a blanket anyone?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!  Day one and the cat almost gets it.  Seriously he is that much of a diva he needs to be catered to, and the worst part is I do it!

Tomorrow morning is a work day and hopefully I get up before him...Do you know why?  Cause I am going to jump on him, sing all morning, and make sure that little bugger doesn't sleep.

Well off to a fun filled morning I go.