February 11
Greetings! Again, welcome to all new visitors. I'll start by being honest... I'm tired. The write up in Vogue Knitting was wonderful and I'm thrilled to have so many new people to the site, but I've been feeling overwhelmed this week, so once again it's time for me to balance things out. I was taking clothes out of the washer today and it hit me that my life is usually like the spin cycle. I tend to be high energy but steady. I like to be productive, but also know how to care for myself... but I seem to have forgotten that these past few weeks. And you know when the clothes aren't evenly distributed in the spin cycle and the washer gets all unbalanced and bangs all over the place.... well, you get the idea. I skipped yoga on Monday to stay home and work and regretted in first thing Tuesday morning, not good. I love my business. I love my bags. I never get tired of making them, and want to continue making them joyfully. Allison is making the Shopping Cart Information more visible so hopefully more people will know to read it.
http://www.greenmountainknittingbags.com/subpagesindex/cartinfo.htm
Those of you who have been here at the site know that on occasion a bag will sell twice, when I have just the one. These double sales are frustrating for everyone though on occasion I'll make up the double sold bag if I can. In the past two weeks I've had 7 double sales and am working to make up those bags. I'm falling into the 'trying to make everyone happy' thing most of us women know so well. However, it isn't fair to those on my custom list who have been waiting patiently. So, that said, I have to stick by what the Shopping Cart Information says and not make up the double (triple, quadruple) sold bags. Thanks so much for your understanding. I've received many more requests for custom work as well. So, that list is once again pretty long :) Do know how grateful I am to have my business and how much I enjoy and appreciate each and avery one of you. My sister came up with a great idea... she suggested I have one Thursday a month where I offer nothing but cases. That means Lil' Yarn Sacks, Portable Pattern Pockets, Clutches and Circular Needle Cases. During the week of cases, I'll focus on custom work. I think it's a great idea. I always get requests for the cases and this way they'll be offered on a regular basis. The test will be if I can do it! Ha! Not list a bag on a Thursday night? Of course this will all depend on the custom list and how the week has gone.... I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, thanks. My sister said it was my 'pearl of wisdom for the day'. Though I think it's my 'purl of wisdom'.... sorry, couldn't resist.
I want to share this with you too. There's a seller on Etsy who dyes beautiful yarn. She works on it through the month and lists on a specific time... monthly. I missed her update last month but was ready this month. The yarn appeared and I knew what I wanted, but saw another I wanted as well. So, I was on it (!) had them both in my cart and went to check out. But was told I couldn't check out because one of them wasn't available... but it didn't let me know which one. So, back I went, tired it again... still couldn't check out... long story short, I missed one and got one. My heart was racing and I chuckled to myself knowing what you all go through on Thursday! Though honestly, my heart is always racing along with yours.... :)
My faithful old Pfaff sewing machine is in need to a tune up/cleaning, so I'm taking it to Middlebury
http://www.middlebury.govoffice.com/
in the morning. The Pfaff dealership there will do it same day which is great as I can't be without it for 48 hours. My friend Betsy is going with me .... "Road Trip" ! So needless to say we'll have some much needed fun, and there's sure to be yarn involved..... I'll be stopping in Vergennes too to pick up a new batch of handles.
Paul and I had fun watching the Super Bowl! I spent the whole time knitting! As you know I love Ravelry and will be participating in the Ravelympics! I entered the Sweater Board Cross for team Manic Purl and will be making a deep blue heavy weight cardigan/jacket. Cheer me on! It's a riot, and tomorrow is the 'mass cast on' timed with the lighting of the torch. Should be a blast! But... I've been trying to finish a pretty little cardigan for awhile now and set the goal of getting it done before the Ravelympics started, so... finished up in my studio last night at midnight, and knit until 1:00! But it's done! I soaked it early this morning and have it blocking now... look for pics next week! I need 6 little buttons and wouldn't you think in a studio that houses thousands of buttons I could find 6 that would work? Apparently not. I was hoping to use some vintage carved mother of pearl but they're just too big. I hope to find some tomorrow...
Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I sometimes offer a 'theme' bag and did one for tonight, enjoy! Valentine's Day is also Paul's birthday. Happy Birthday Darlin! He'll be tearing down the mountain like a young pup... love him.
That's it, have a great week all. Enjoy the Olympics if you watch them, we sure do! And let's all remember to find that balance (Yin & Yang, right?) when it starts to slip away..... and of course I'll join you all as together we good women knit on!
Martha.
