Juggling Balls

Thursday, I had one of the toughest gigs I ever did. There was an opening of a new shopping center and I had to be a strolling juggler for 10 hours. There was all sorts of entertainment there: stilt walkers, balloon artists, characature artists, and face painters...but only a few of us had the full 10 hour day.

Now, yes I can juggle and yes I perform sometimes as a juggler, but there's a huge difference between juggling for the length of a song, and keeping it going for 10 hours. My arms are still aching today and it's Saturday!

My legs are also in a bit of pain from walking all over the place, on cement, for such a long period of time.

I have to do the same thing next Thursday, and then I'll be finished with this gig. Next time I'm going to think a little bit harder before accepting something like this.

In Treasury News:

This week's No Books to be Well Red treasury has received 87 views and 37 comments in one day! That's a one day record for any of my treasuries!

Friday's Favorites -No Books to be Well Red-

April showers bring may flowers, and in my opinion red flowers are the best. Red is such a vibrant and bold color, it really makes a statement no matter how you wear it.



Here's the link for the actual treasury, for those that want to twitter, facebook, blog, or whatever about it.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbadd550b658eef35c0b14c/no-books-to-be-well-red

Submissions: RED

Every Friday, I put together a treasury of some of my favorite items made by other sellers, post in on my blog and call it the Friday's Favorites!

Last week's treasury had 94 views and 24 comments!

This week I'm looking for RED! If you have red items in your shop, post the link in the comments and check back tomorrow for the Friday's Favorites.

Don't have any red? You can always nominate a friend's item and help spread the love.

I will be looking in the forums too, but I always consider the blog submissions first.

Busy days ahead

Today is an early day (well, early for me). I have a costume fitting for a gig tomorrow for an opening of someplace. I still have to find out where it is and how to get there. Then I have rehearsals for the one woman show.

The one woman show is getting completely revamped. Though in the long run it will be a good thing as it is to make it better, but in the short run it's going to be hard as I will be learning the new show while performing the old show and the whole time trying not to get both of them confused.

If the new show were completely different, it wouldn't be nearly as hard (although there would be a lot more memorizing). With the shows being similar and having a lot of the same aspects in different orders, that is going to be the confusing part.

Lets just hope that my brain doesn't explode.

Birthday Party

Last night I went to a birthday party. It was at this art gallery/bar that I'd never been too. Cool place, but I'm definitely getting old as the whole time I was wishing that they'd turn the music down.

I've never been much of a club person (well, maybe for a year after I turned 21), so I've never understood the draw of having a bunch of friends meet up only to have to shout in each other's ear to make themselves heard.

Now my voice is sore, and my head hurts. I'm not sure if it's due to the gin and tonic (I only had 2), or the thump thump that's still pounding in my brain.

In other news:

There's a new sale going on for mother's day... see the add above for more details!

Sunday Funday Video - Happy Easter!

Well, I had a late show last night, so no eggs were dyed this year. It's ok, we don't have kids and the dogs could care less, so no one's too upset about it.

I've always liked America's Funniest Home Videos, so here's some Easter home videos that will have you in stitches...



Treasury Update:

This week's Hoppy Easter Treasury now has 79 views and 21 comments!

Happy egg hunting.

A night without Baby...

So far, the Friday's Favorites Hoppy Easter Treasury has 66 views and 20 comments. We're doing great so far.

In other news:

Last night two of my friends came to see my one woman show. I always get really nervous when someone I know is coming, but with these people I was even more nervous... You see, they just had a baby recently and had gotten a baby sitter for maybe the second time ever. I really felt responsible for them having a good evening, and didn't want to ruin there one night out of the house.

They said they liked it and we all went out for drinks afterward. I was so relieved. Who knows when they'll get another night out together by themselves...I really didn't want this one to leave a bad taste in their mouth.

Yay for a night without baby! Now if she could just finish teething so they can get a good night's sleep.

Friday's Favorites: Hoppy Easter

This week's Friday's Favorites is all about Easter. Besides the Easter egg hunt, I think the rabbits are one of my favorite things about Easter.

I wish I could have a bunny rabbit, but so do my dogs... unfortunately, they'd want one for dinner.

Enjoy!

Easter Submissions!

Well, the rabbits and eggs are almost upon us. When I was a kid, it was all about the Easter egg hunt. I didn't really care if I found the real eggs or the plastic ones, or even what was inside them...I just wanted to find them.

Submissions:

Every Friday, I put together a treasury, post it on my blog and call it the Friday's Favorites.

Last week's treasury had 30 comments and 95 views!

This week, I'm looking for your Easter items. If you have anything Easter in your shop, then post the link in the comments here.

I will also be looking through the forums, but I always consider the blog submissions first.

Don't have any Easter in your shop? Submit a friend's item and share the love.

Tim Burton Does it Again

Last night, the boyfriend and I watched Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". I know it came out forever ago, but it's hard to find time to actually go to the movies. It was wonderful!

First of all, the film was beautiful to look at. I'm not always one who notices that kind of thing as I usually concentrate on the story, but this one really popped, so I couldn't help but see it.

Of course the story was one of my favorites since childhood, but I really dig the older Alice coming back to slay the Jabberwockey. If you haven't seen it yet (and I probably was one of the last people left who hadn't), then put it on your netflix list.


Take it off Tuesday Sale!

Today, you can get 20% off my Red and White Swirl Scarf!

Coupon code is: TUESDAY

As always, everything in my shop has FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the US and Canada, so you can save money there too!

Lost in Translation

So, I work with a lot of Russians, and sometimes, though they understand what's going on, they mis-understand the words...

Well, our manager had a replacement in for the first half of the day, and I thought my friend, Sasha, didn't like her for some reason. This was weird, since he always likes the lady managers. He kept calling her "crazy manager".

After a couple of shows, I realized what had happened. Here name was Gracie, and here he was trying to figure out why someone would call themselves crazy.

Sometimes I forget how close some of our words in English sound...



In Knitting Knews:

I finished making the Summer Dog Sweater. Now, if you are so inclined, you can buy a Human Summer Sweater to match your doggie one.

I know matching your dog isn't something for everyone, and the pieces are sold separately, but it's something I would do...lol

Sunday Funday Video: Cat and Dolphin

This video has been immensely popular since it came out. If you haven't seen it (or even if you have) and need your daily dose of cuteness, then it is definitely a must see.

When my kitty was alive, she would have been waaay to mean to do this...lol

What a Show!

I often wonder why people go to a show when they're really not in the mood to be entertained. Especially my show... I mean, I'm not some famous star where you buy tickets months in advance and you go no matter how you are feeling that day. Most people choose that day that they want to see my show.

Through 75% of the show, I swear the audience was glaring at me, as if to say, "Get on with it!"

Now, I could understand if I hadn't done the show for very long... then I wouldn't know if the jokes were funny and how most audiences react. But I've done "My Secret Diaries" for months and months, and I know that the jokes work, and most people think it's funny.

Not last night. They were not in the mood to see a show, so I had an hour to kill (a very long hour), on stage, in front of people with their arms crossed glaring at me.

I really hope that tonight is much better... *sigh*

Friday's Favorites: Purple Passion

Purple is one of those yummy colors that can be used in so many ways. Whether light or dark, it's a color that can be used in all seasons, and always makes me smile.




Here is the link to the actual treasury so you can click, comment or show it off on twitter, facebook, or any other place you desire.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da86536a2736d9173ad757a/purple-passion-is-always-in-fashion

Submissions in Purple

Every Friday I put together a treasury of some of my favorite items made by other sellers, post it on my blog and call it the Friday's Favorites!

Last week, one item sold!

This week I'm looking for purple items. If you have something in your shop that's purple, post the link in the comments and check back tomorrow for the Friday's Favorites!

Don't have purple? Feel free to nominate a friend's item, and spread the love.

I will also be looking for things in my forum thread, but I always choose from the blog comments first.

A Cold? Really? Now?

First I must say that I'm one of those people that gets sick once a year...usually a cold that lasts for a week, and then, I'm fine.

Well, I already had my yearly cold, I should have approximately 300 days until my next one (give or take, I just pulled a number out of thin air). I'm not ready to have another cold again, not when I have one of my busiest weeks.

However, the cold cares as much for my schedule as my comfort level. At least this morning my sore throat is almost gone, however I will be carrying a role of toilet paper around with me as my nose has been running a marathon.

I better get a whole year and a half now without getting sick... Please, cold virus, pick on someone else for awhile.

Take it off Tuesday Headband Sale!

But first...

Today starts an incredibly long work week. 8 days in a row, 6 shows a day at the Venetian, and then I'll be having rehearsals after my last show. The producer is revamping the one woman show and taking it in a new directions. It could be a good thing, but right now it means lots of work for me.

Take it off Sale:



Today, all headband earwarmers are 20% off!

Coupon Code: TUESDAY

Though I won't be including special orders in this sale, if there is a color that you would like that you don't see, I can make it for you.

And as always, free shipping anywhere in the US and Canada!

Sunday Funday Video of the Week: Fur Coat

I know there's always a huge battle about fur coats, and I don't necessarily want to get into that. Love them or hate them, this video shows one that I think everyone will love... make sure you watch till the end!



In other news:

One of the items from the Friday's Favorites sold! Congratulations mystichintime!!!

New Pattern For Sale!

I finished writing up the pattern for the Summer Sweater Top. It's a great piece for a beginner who has experimented with sweaters before. It is an easy pattern to do, if you are used to continuing a pattern stitch while increasing.

Stitches include: Knit, purl, yarn over, knitting in front and back of the stitch, purling in the front and back of the stitch, and attached icord (there are detailed instructions for the attached icord and also a you tube link if you need to see it done.

My pattern section is growing. You can check it out by clicking here!

All of my patterns come with permission to sell what you make, so maybe you'll see something not only for you, but for your shop as well!

Treasury News:

This week's TREASURY has 40 views and 8 clicks so far. If you haven't checked it out (or even if you have), give it a click or two to get this thing moving up the hot list.

Friday's Favorites: Mellow Yellow

Before we get to the favorites, I just have to say that I'm loving the picture additions in the etsy forums! If you haven't seen it yet, check it out...Any link to an item you post there, will now show the picture...unless it has been sold.

Pretty cool, huh?

Now onto the favorites

Even out here in the desert, the skies have been quite grey, and so I figured that some yellow was in order to help cheer us up.



Here's the link to the treasury for those that want to tweet, blog or facebook about it...hint, hint...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d9f29cc884b8eefef5da0de/mellow-yellow

Submissions: Yellow

Every Friday I put together a treasury, post it on my blog and call it the "Friday's Favorites"!

This week I'm looking for your YELLOW items. If you have some yellow in your shop, post the link in the comments and check back tomorrow for the Friday's Favorites!

Don't have any yellow? Feel free to nominate one of your favorites made by someone else... it's perfectly ok to spread the love.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of your creations.

Poor Puppy

Sorry I didn't do a sale of the week this week. Yesterday, I had no time in the morning as a trip to the vet was in order.

Monday night during our walk, Bess (the white chihuahua) started having what the vet calls reverse sneezes. It sounds like a wheezing gasping for breath thing. She had it when she was a puppy and the vet said not to worry, and they would only last about ten seconds and then she'd stop. Well this went on and on and on. So I picked her up and walked Gibbs (the brown puggle) back to the house, and was just about to call the emergency vet when Bess threw up and was then ok.

I knew I was going to be working at the Venetian all day Tuesday, so I woke up extra early to see if she was ok... She started again so I took her to the vet (I had to make sure she'd be ok if I left for 8 hours)... Turns out she's just fine, and might have developed allergies...everything is blooming over here right now.

She's just fine now and had a perfect walk last night...

So that's my excuse for not having a Take it off Tuesday Sale.

Finally Finished Sweater

Yes! My new Summer Sweater is now finished, photographed and listed!

What to do when it's too warm for a sweater, but too cool to go without one? A summer sweater is perfect for when the breezes kick up but without sleeves, you won't get too hot.

Next I'm on the fence on whether to do a matching doggy sweater, or to write up the pattern for this one. I like selling the patterns to things I design as the people who can make them are not going to buy one ready made, and the people who will buy one ready made will probably never make one.... but making the doggy sweater is just a lot more fun than writing up the pattern...hmmm... Hopefully I'll figure it out by the time I've finished all the chores I have to get done around here.

Sunday Funday Video: Talking Twins

One of my friends posted this on Facebook, and I thought it was just the cutest thing ever. These twins are having their own conversation in their own language...Awwwww!

Money: Yay!...but I'm tired

With 3 inches away from finishing the sweater edging, I could do no more as I had to go and perform my magic at the Venetian, and then off to do the one woman show. Venetian went well, the show, not so much...

I understand wanting to cheer someone up by taking them to a comedy show, but maybe...just maybe...the day after someone's sister commits suicide, might just be a bit too soon. So half the audience came in depressed and stayed that way.... (I didn't know about the suicide part till after the show, but I did my best anyway).

Today it's 6 shows at the Venetian and then the one woman show at night...the longest work day of my week. I usually tell people that my 5 day work week is smashed into 3 days, but since so many performers are sick, insured or on maternity leave, I've been averaging about 4 or 5 days a week... New computer, here I come!

...oh wait... taxes here I come...

Friday's Floral Favorites

Before we get to the treasury, last week's had one sale! Congratulations heidicarpenter!!!!

Now for the Treasury!

Spring is in the air, and what says spring more than flowers? Treat yourself to a bunch that you don't have to put in water, and that will never die.



Here is the link to the treasury http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d95f630e77a8eefb6e8e66e/april-showers-bring-may-flowers...

Please retweet and facebook it so we can get on the hot list!