Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

*cross post from my other blog*

My kids like to make newspapers. In one recent issue, they had the following full-page ad/article about how I'm closing my online shops.

This completely cracks me up, particularly the quotes on "just too busy"... These kids are something else!

Counting down...

So the process has begun. My current shop listings are expiring at a rate of a couple of items per week, and I have had inquiries into some of the listings still up. Seeing the number of items dropping definitely makes this all seem quite real! My Etsy shops have been part of my life since late 2006. *sigh* The very last listings are due to expire in April, unless, of course, they sell first.

So... once again I feel compelled to say, Check out the shops! What's in there today, may not be there tomorrow.

Pink Kitty Designs

Renegade Stitches

A Sad Day...

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that I will be closing my Etsy Shops, Renegade Stitches and Pink Kitty Designs, for the foreseeable future. I've gotten so busy with the other aspects of my life (homeschooling my children, writing, etc.) that I just don't have time to keep up with my shops right now.

Here's how it's going to work: The shops will remain open until all my current listings expire or are sold. Which means... if there is something that you've seen in the shops that you simply must have, grab it now :). Also, even after the shops close I may still open to custom orders... contact me for more information.

I am going to miss the Etsy community so, so much. They've been such a source of encouragement, inspiration and support. I'm hoping this "leave of absence" is temporary... we'll just have to see how my "Real Life" plays out.

Thank you so much to all the great "Friends" I've made in EtsyLand... customers as well as fellow sellers. Thank you all so, so much!

Pregnancy and Birth Art Gallery

I got an email from a fellow Etsian last week, asking to include one of my paintings in a "Pregnancy and Birth"-themed gallery on her website. It's a lovely gallery, presenting such a wide range of pregnancy art. It's truly beautiful... please check it out!

http://www.fyrestormcreations.com/id36.html

Lucha Libre!

While waiting for me to browse through yarn at my favorite local yarn shop, my 6-year-old son amused himself flipping through the knitting books. While perusing Son of Stitch-n-Bitch by Debbie Stoller he found a pattern for a Lucha Libre-inspired ski mask. "MOM!!! PLEEEEASE buy this book!! I NEEEED you to make me this mask!!" And so I did. I bought the book, and although I despise following patterns, I made the mask for my boy. I did have to adapt it slightly, as the pattern is sized for an adult, but it was really fun to make, and so much fun watching my boy get so excited as it began to take shape. It was my first attempt at two-color knitting, so it was a learning experience for me, as well! My boy has already picked out my next knitting project... he'd like some handknit socks. This will be a learning experience for me as well, as I've never attempted socks! But I think I'm up for the challenge!

In other news, there will be a new painting/collage underway soon. I've done a sketch, and now I just need to find time to get downstairs to my paints!

Another Nekkid Girl

Untitled Nude 2... 8x10, acrylic on canvas board. Available in my Etsy Shop.

Irons in the fire....

How many projects can one girl have going at the same time? TOO MANY, if you happen to be this girl. I really do have a horrible habit of starting new projects before old projects are finished. On the plus side, I've always got something handy to work on... on the down side, some projects get lost in the shuffle, AND it's hard for me to keep my stuff organized when I've got so many things things going at once. At the moment, my works-in-progress are: A halter top for my daughter, two sweaters, a bag that will be for ME :), a painting which is about half-done and will be a companion piece to one I've already finished. Add to that the projects which are in the planning stages but not actually really started... the ski mask my son wants me to make, the sketches I've started for new paintings , the collage series that's in my head but not on paper yet, The blue jean bags I'm going to make with the stack of old jeans I have... I could go on and on. Sometimes my brain goes into creative overdrive, but there simply aren't enough hours in the day to make all the things I'd like to make. Wait... why am I typing here? I've got knitting/painting/cutting/drawing/sewing to do!