Oh2122

tap tap tap - Is This Thing On?

2009-06-18T10:57:00.002-04:00

It's gotten a little dusty around here, hasn't it?

Oh2122 has been on a self-imposed hiatus for longer than I expected. Best laid plans and all, but the extended absence did clarify an imbalance for me.

Too much blogging, not enough creating.

So I'm still on a mini-hiatus. I'll be quietly working on a few things and will reopen the shop at a later date. In the mean time, I'll be easing back in to blogging in general.

Thanks for dropping by!

Have a wonderful day!

On Hiatus

2009-04-13T10:37:00.002-04:00

We're all recovering, but alas the busy season is upon us so Oh2122 will be on hiatus for the remainder of April.

I will return in May (if not sooner).

Thanks for stopping by, and come back soon!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2009-04-04T13:58:00.006-04:00

The majority of the Oh2122 household is now firmly lodged under the weather. The lone holdout is Monkey, who's 2 year molars are finally breaking through.

Yay.

I'm slowly trying to creep back into the swing of things, but I wanted to share the Not-Bob's-Garden progress.

Day 1

Day 3
Day 6

(Insert "Lost Week" here...)

By day 18 they needed to be relocated.

These will be planted along an unattractive fence that abuts our property.

These will find their home on either side of our almost never used front door and in window boxes on the back porch They're already sprouting the next length of stem.

Apparently the water in our town makes EVERYTHING grow taller than expected.

Hmm.

I'm off to drink a few gallons... 5'8" here I come!

Ironic Indeed

2009-03-30T12:17:00.003-04:00

Sorry about dropping off the radar like that. I'm still here and all is well.

We've had a few colds, Monkey is still teething, and we're knee deep in a Spring Cleaning that must be done before Monkey's birthday party in April.

(The whole town is like one big brush cleaning project. Every day brings the smell of yard waste burns and fresh piles of leaves for compost and mulching. It all has to me done before the rainy season ends, or we'll be in big trouble when brush fire season starts!)

Add to that the feeling like I've been more Blogger than Crafty lately, and you get an impromptu Blogcation.

Which is ironic, given that Liz at Inventing My Life generously graced me with this last week:

I haven't been feeling very crafty, but I am working my way back.

I have to.

Monkey is expecting a giant Handy Dandy Notebook cake, and if I can't find a green striped shirt, I may have to make one...

Subliminal Gardening

2009-03-20T09:33:00.006-04:00

Monkey and I started some flowers this week.

Mini sunflowers for our planters, and giant sunflowers to line the ugly fence in our backyard.

I've been fixated on planting sunflowers for weeks, and had no idea why.

It wasn't until I explained to Monkey that not all flowers are called "daises" for the 100th time that I remembered this:

That would be Bob and his crew in Sunflower Valley.

(And yes, I can name the whole crew and sing the theme song too.)

WIP Wednesday

2009-03-18T12:07:00.002-04:00

I know it looks like it's done, but trust me.

This is still a WIP.

The hammering did not go quite according to plan, a few of the wraps are wonky, it feels just a tad too wide when worn, and it has a slight lean to it.

And this clasp? Not crazy about it. It needs something more.

All in all it's cute enough for my wrist, but I won't be subjecting anyone else to it until the design is just right.

Also a WIP? My finger.

Close encounters of the pliers kind!

(Side note: Get that girl some moisturizer, STAT!)

Monkey's New BFFs

2009-03-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Monkey and Hubby have been making their hands talk to each other for a while now, much to the delight of Monkey, so I decided it was time for him to make a few new friends.

Friends of the cotton variety.

A quick Googling provided a variety of methods, but I choose the simplest variation.

A little stitching in the corners of the mouths, button eyes, and yarn hair did the trick.

15 minutes later - two new friends!

Flung

2009-03-13T22:02:00.002-04:00

And the winner is....SONGBIRDTIFF!

Who has a fab blog, BTW. Check it out!

Happy weekend all!

WIP Wednesday And I Need A Nap!

2009-03-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

In between teething toddler fun and Flinging, I have been working on some new additions for the shop.

Not everything has gone according to plan.

For example, this:

Is actually the second, and unfinished full version of a bracelet I have been working on for a while.

That's the 16 gauge copper again, and I have the bruised fingertips to prove it!

Then there's the aftermath of the complete rewiring I did on the bracelet for the fling:I know I left a desk in there somewhere...

You can enter my Fling until midnight EST on Thursday, and some of the SITSers giveaways are still going on. There are over 300 giveaways listed. I've left so many comments, the word verifications are starting to talk to me again...

I'm going to take a nap.

Fling on.

FLING!

2009-03-10T00:00:00.002-04:00

Today is the SITS Spring Fling!

The hourly giveaways are happening on the main page, but don't miss the Mr. Linky. It's chock full of individual giveaways. I was on by 8:30 this morning, and I'm #160!

If you haven't been over there to check it out...

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

Go! I'll still be here when you get back.

Choosing to ignore the 6ish inches of heavy wet snow we got yesterday, I am giving away a piece of spring bling. It is made from glass beads shaped like leaves, flowers, and flower centers that are individually hand wired and hung on bright silver steel (chosen for strength).

Then length is adjustable, but if you win, and are concerned about the fit, I will gladly adjust it prior to shipping.

All you have to do to win it is to leave a comment by midnight on Thursday March 12th, and answer one question:
What's your favorite part of Spring?

WIP Monday

2009-03-09T10:14:00.000-04:00

Spring!

Um....

Spring?

* Waving Meekly *

2009-03-05T22:18:00.003-05:00

Just thought I'd poke my head of of my office and announce that I have not disappeared, despite the lack of posting and participation.

I've been fighting some slumping creatively and some sneezing physically. The change of seasons always takes a bite out of me, and I think I'm letting it get the best of me this week.

Hello? Weather? Please stop sending me snow. I'm all stocked up, thanks.

Thankfully Hubby and I have a date planned this weekend, thank CUPCAKES for Aunites!

Next week's SITS Spring Fling is shaping up to be a blast, so mark your calendars.

March 10th!

See you all then!

Mabel's Labels Are The Cupcake

2009-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

There are times I wish I could break my own rules and swear in a post. This is one of those times and the phrase in question would be:

"Holy **cupcakes!** It stayed on!"

A while back, I entered the Mabel's Labels BlogHer '09 Contest, and while I didn't win, I was sent a very cool consolation prize.

These are Mabel's Sticky Labels.

(Like the... um... artful use of MS Paint?)

I inherited a specific genetic tendency from my father. Let's call it the warranty-voider gene. He told us a story not too long ago about a company that approached the fire department with a tool they proclaimed to be indestructible. Dad said that sounded like a challenge. Add to that my klutziness and my toddler's fascination with disassembling, and you usually have a recipe for disaster.

So upon receiving the labels, I read the directions, grabbed Monkey's oddest shaped sippy, and got to work.

After applying the label, I ran it through the dishwasher.

Then I gave it to the toddler tornado and waited.

One bowl of spaghetti...
And a gratuitous run through the dishwasher later...
It didn't budge.

Not one centimeter.

I'm seriously considering a set with MY name on them.

Memes And Labor Vibes

2009-03-02T21:15:00.004-05:00

I was recently tagged for a fun meme by the crafty and fab and OVERDUE Sylvia.

She's reached and passed her due date.

It's her first.

And she's not even complaining!

I can not even imagine. I was 4 days early and I still groused my way through that last week.

Ok, last two weeks.

If she hasn't already had her little one, he will be commanded to appear by the end of the week, so check her out, and wish her a short labor!

Here are the rules ... (She changed them, and I changed them again! DOUBLE HA!)

Step 1: Respond and Rework. Answer the questions on your own blog. Replace one question that you don't like with a question of your own invention.

Step 2: Tag other un-tagged people... Or just open-tag anyone who wants to play!

1. Make a list of things you can see without getting up.
Diplomas, filing cabinet, yarn basket, craft supplies, candle.

2. Favorite Football Team.
The New England Patriots.
Though to answer otherwise would call down the fury of a hundred relatives upon me.

3. What are you wearing now?
White tee, light blue running pants, socks. Hey, It's a snow day!

4. What's the last thing you read/are currently reading?
You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore. LOVE HIM! His best is definitely Lamb, though.

5. Who was the last person you hugged?
Monkey, after retrieving him from time out for trying to flip his chair at the dinner table and laughing about it.

6. What's you current obsession/addiction?
Perpetually my piles of notebooks, but I'm trying to get a system in place for them. And a system for blogging... and a system for Esty... So, systems, apparently.

7. What was the last thing you said aloud?
"Raloo, Monkey. See you soon. Be good for Daddy."
Then I ditched Hubby and hid in my office until bath time!

8. What was the last thing you bought?
Coffee and cookies at Starbucks. Monkey's had "Mem-yahs" in it.
M&Ms to the rest of the world.

9. What are you listening to right now?
Monkey and Hubby horsing around in the other room.

10. What is your favorite type of bath product?
Clean and fresh smelling soaps with matching body lotion. Grapefruit, mint, etc.

11. What is your most challenging goal right now?
Getting myself organized!

12. Say something to the person who tagged you:
Sylvia: Thanks for the tag. This was a hoot! I hope by the time you read this you'll be snug at home with your sweet baby!

13. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Here in MA. If home base was paid for, travelling elsewhere would be a breeze.

14. Favorite vacation spot?
Ireland. I would go back right now if Logan wasn't CLOSED DUE TO SNOW!!!

15. Favorite children's book?
And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss.
It was actually rejected 29 times before it was published. Can you even imagine what was like to have been those 29 publishers?
Dude! You passed on Dr. Seuss!

16. What is your most favorite Candy Bar of all time?
Milka Bars, (Made in Germany and hard to find here, dang it!)

17. What was the first tape or CD that you bought for yourself?
You know, I have no idea. Probably something by NKOTB, back when they had a name and not just an acronym.

18. Describe your perfect day.
Sleeping past 8 and waking to mild, 65 degree weather. After a great workout, a leisurely meander through B&N followed by lunch at The Border Cafe. An afternoon of shopping, a quiet dinner at home, then reading until bedtime.

19. What's your favorite sweet treat? (Sylvia's question!)
Jell-O No Bake Cherry Cheesecake. (Oh, the SHAME!)

20. What would you do if you won the Lottery?
Oh, do I have plans for this! To sum up: pay off several houses, college loans, set up college funds for all of my cousins and siblings, donate like it was going out of style, and buy shoes. And books. And a place to store the shoes and books.

21. Aside from blogging, what is your favorite past time?
Reading.

22. How many pairs of shoes do you own, and what's your most prized pair? (My question!)
I love shoes. No, I really love shoes. I have, I'm stunned to say, 37 pairs. And I didn't count flip-flops. (That brings it up to 42.)

I put a pair of heels on my Christmas list a few years ago - black and white spectators with wingtip detailing and corset lacing on the toe. I quite literally did a happy-clappy-squeal-and-bounce when I opened them, and tried them on immediately. I was promptly mocked by the whole family.

They're just jealous!

23. What is your most favorite movie of all time?
Hm. That's hard. I'm not sure I can narrow it down. Anything Harry Potter, Hamlet with Mel Gibson, before he went nuts. Dogma, definitely, and it's much funnier if you went to Catholic school.

24. What is your favorite food to eat?
Rice-a-Roni, Herb and Butter flavor. Might as well just plaster it directly into my arteries, but *drool*

Remember to let me know if you play along!

Flashback Filler, Day 4

2009-02-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

If all had gone according to plan, the first wave of my spring shop update should have be ready to go this weekend.

Really, what are the odds of everything going according to plan?

Ever?

(Teething toddler, lingering head cold, and insurance company? I'm looking at you.)

I will be adding things to the shop a little at a time over the next week, plus actual content will return! Someone got a delivery from Mabel's Labels yesterday....

Also, If you had not already heard, the SITS Spring Fling has been moved to March 10th. (Thank GOODNESS! I will be ready, but I am very grateful for the extra time to tweak and adjust.)

Hope everyone has a fab weekend!

**********************

From The Summer of 2008:

Back Off, Ladies. He's Taken.

TheScene:

Dinner time in our house. We enter upon a discussion involving produce and washing it before consuming it.

Lights up.

Hubby:
I don't know. The FDA is getting a lot better at tracking the problems.

Me:
Yeah, but I'd really like them to prevent the problems before they start. I'd appreciate not having to wonder if my spinach is going to kill me.

Hubby:
Hmm. First it was the spinach. Now it's the tomatoes. What's next? The Parmesan cheese? Oh my GOD! It's THE FLORENTINE CONSPIRACY!

Me:
(rolling eyes)
*snort*

Monkey:
Mummy! Dinn-uh! Dinn-uh! Dinn-uh!

Fade to black.

Flashback Filler, Day 3

2009-02-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

*The summer wind, Comes rolling in, From across the sea...*

Thought we could use a change of song...

*hm hm-m-m, hm h-m-m...*

**********************

From The Summer of 2008:

Dear Barnes And Noble,

I am sorry I have to tell you this, but...

I am seeing someone else.

I never meant to hurt you, really. It's just something I had to do for myself. I'm trying to improve my life. Streamline. Optimize. Living greener and...

Do you really want to hear all of this?

Ok.

It's been going on for about a month now. Sometimes we meet online. Then, only when things are ready, do we meet in person.

I still think about you every day. Really, I do. I think about you there too. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true.

Your card is in my wallet even now... yes, that card is in there too.

Yes, I do love your discounts.

Of course I love the squishy chairs and panoramic views from the second floor.

You don't understand. There's free Wi-Fi there!

You charge! Who charges anymore?

They are not used! They're just pre-read.

Yes I do miss being the first... the only...

Of course I remember those nights when we stayed up so late. Hazy summer nights filled with Frappucinos and wizards and neon wristbands.

We'll have that again. Someday.

No. I can't stop it now. I want to, but I can't!

We can still see each other. Just not all the time like... before.

And the time we spend apart will make the time we do spend together special.

I have to go.

No, I really have to go. The book I ordered is in.

I'll see you around.

Flashback Filler, Day 2

2009-02-25T00:00:00.002-05:00

*Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Impanema goes walking...*

Another flashback today, this time to a NaBloPoMo entry for the theme "Letters."

*And when she passes, hm hmm hm-mm-mm-mm-mm, ahhhh...*

I'm still elbow deep in shiny bits, and there's a whole list of new blogs I need to blogroll and follow. I am WAY behind! I swear I will visit all the new readers and followers as soon as I get this muzak out of my head!

**********************

From April of 2008:

Parlez Vous Coffee?

So up here in the frozen, but happily defrosting Northeast, we have had a bit of coffee bipartisanship a'brewin for some time now. (Pun intended. Sorry.) There are two very large chains. One has a green logo, and blended, frozen cups of crack-addictive goodness... The other one serves "donuts."

(Can you guess which one I prefer?)

There's also a very funny commercial put out by the bakery-related chain where a group of people sing about the strange names given to the sizes at the green-logoed heaven. Perhaps they are singing in "Fratalian?"

Now you've got it.

I never really got the whole tall, grande, venti, why don't you have an intravenous option thing, but hey, when in Rome, don't piss off the lion making your coffee. So I learned. I have become very adept at chanting out my usual, as well as my husband's favorites.

That's a hoot in and of itself. When the 5'5" chick approaches the counter and asks for what amounts to 5 or 6 shots of espresso in a cup with some foam, eyes do bug. I do usually know what I'm saying, or so I thought.

Then came Saturday afternoon, at a branch location of my house of worship with a small but reasonable facsimile of green-logo land in it.

I approached the counter and the conversation went something like this:

TheCoffeeLady:
"Hi, can I help you?"

Me:
"Hi, yes. Could I please have a grande, low-fat, *copyrighted frozen drink*?"

TheCoffeeLady:
"A large?"

Me:
*Blinking, wondering if anyone else smells burnt rubber from the mental screech marks*

"Um, no, medium? A grande?"

Now, I've been an exchange student and a tourist in countries outside of the US. I am all for speaking the language of the country you are in. It's when you go to Germany and they're speaking Swahili that things get dicey.

So today, G is for large. Deal with it or go get yourself a cruller.

Flashback Filler, Day 1

2009-02-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

I am trying very hard to be productive this week, and there are a lot of unfinished projects clamoring for my immediate attention.

Between the Barking Mad giveaway and my impending 1 year Blogiversary, I'm feeling a little introspective. (I know the math looks fuzzy, but I'm counting the anonymous before time too.)

So rather than upload a video of me humming random muzak to pass the time, I thought I'd dig into the archives of my long lost anon-o-blog and share the before with the fine readers of Oh2122.

Enjoy.

Or at least don't point and laugh, m'kay?

**********************

From March of 2008:

Dear Little Girl in Pink,

I am so glad you had such a good time at my cousins' birthday party this weekend. You seemed to take a special liking to my son. Who could blame you? Monkey is a shameless flirt, and obviously drew you in with his trademark squeals and smiles.

Running at my new little walker full bore and skidding to a stop, unbalancing him each time, looked like a lot of fun for you. You especially seemed to like crawling up next to him and the other children playing with an animatronic toy and whining, "Nooooooooooooo-wuh!" Only when he reached for it, of course, but you really did have to protect someone else's toy from the curious one year old.

And when you came up behind Monkey as he was crawling along after his beloved cousins, and proceeded to push him down to the ground with all of your might... well!

You may have just invented the best party game ever!

Monkey's father and I are glad we could provide you with such an entertaining playmate for the day. We'll be sure to reintroduce the two of you at next year's birthday party, when Monkey will be almost two. I'm sure he will remember you, sweetie.

I know I will.

All my love,

Monkey's Mummy

And The Winner Is:

2009-02-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Tori from The Sweet Jelly Bean!

Congratulations, Tori! These will be heading your way this week!

Thanks again to everyone who entered. Your comments were all so sweet, and will definitely help motivate my where-the-heck-is-spring self to get back to work!

If you're eagerly awaiting the Spring Fling, The SITSers announced this week that it will be moved to March 10th. Remark your calendars!

A Mossy Bit-O-Sunshine

2009-02-20T19:53:00.002-05:00

It snowed here this week.

It's supposed to snow again this weekend.

And those cupcakes at the weather channel are talking about more next weekend.

I know Phil saw his shadow and all, but if this keeps up, I'm going to track that furball down and

We. Will. Have. Words.

There was a great surprise in my mailbox this week, though.

My snow covered mailbox... but I'm not bitter...

How fab is this?

I won it, courtesy of Erin At Every Heart Crafts.

I have plans for this yummy hint of spring already, and I can't wait to get to work on it!

Erin has a great Etsy shop, too. My favorite is the Green Bodhi Leaf, but you'll have to judge for yourself!

I'm Barking Mad

2009-02-18T22:19:00.003-05:00

And so is Jori.

And you should be too.

Auds at Barking Mad is apparently attempting to prove her blog title.

If the lure of a fresh batch of blogs to check out is not enough, how about a $250 gift card to Target?

Yup. She's mad alright.

Seeing as how I just passed the 100th post mark, it's a nice chance to look back at how I got here.

If you're new to Oh2122, enjoy!

If you've already read all of these and you're thinking, "Hello? How about some new content, slacker?!?"

Smile and nod, then go check out the rest of the entries!

Frosted Friday - A Re-Post

Baby Shower Crafts And A Tutorial

Silliness On A Saturday

Welcome To Mass, Blog Around The World Peeps!

Nuh-UH!

Overheard This Morning

It's Election Day In America

Thankful

Smile And Wave!

Untitled

Frosted Friday - The Commercially Produced Edition

Sometimes The Google Lies

*Names Have Been Changed To Protect The Giggling

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Let It Ride

2009-02-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Wow!

You guys are some of the nicest commenters I have ever met!

It makes me want to get back into my office ASAP and polish up some really amazing listings for the update and Spring Fling.

If you haven't already entered, you can do so until midnight on February 21 at midnight EST.

Don't forget that

will be hosting a major spring giveaway starting March 3rd.

I'm off to tinker with these:

And how fab are those green adventurine beads? This photo totally does not do them justice.

They're like tiny round reminders that the snow will be gone very soon.

100!

2009-02-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

***************

Comments are now closed, and the winner will be announced on Monday.

Thanks for playing!

***************

Today marks my 100th post here at Oh2122.

Woo-hoo!!!

I have been hard at work on the pending shop update I've scheduled for March 1st, so I thought I'd give you all a sneak peek today.

My bead board is looking very springy indeed.

In honor of my 100th post, and because everyone needs a little spring boost, I'm giving these away:They're amethyst and sterling hung on hand embellished sterling earwires.

With a tiny surprise underneath.

To enter, leave a comment on this post. It's as simple as that!

Be sure that your comment contains a way to reach you through your user profile, blog, or email for the non-bloggers. (The AT and DOT format is fine for leaving email addresses.)

Comments will be open until February 21st at midnight, EST. I will pick a winner via Random.Org and announce the winner the following Monday.

GOOD LUCK!

99 ...

2009-02-13T00:00:00.001-05:00

It's been very hard to get anything substantial done this week.

Or anything done right, as evidenced by "Double Post Wednesday."

We had two back-to-back days of 50+ weather and I played hooky on the best of them. Though, it's hard to let your guard down when your lawn is still covered in snow.

Earlier this week, I posted my entry for Mabel's Labels BlogHer '09. While I was not chosen as a finalist, 10 fab bloggers were. Check them out here and remember, voting closes at noon EST on February 23, 2009!

Even though they can't send all of us to BlogHer, Mabel's Labels is very generously sending along a set of these:

Their awesome Sticky Labels!

I am so excited to try them out. I have a toddler after all...

Who am I kidding? I should get them with MY name on them!

And just in case you missed the title of today's post...

99...

(Fear not, 100 will go up this weekend, but the giveaway will be open for a week.)

Thoughts? Ideas? Views? Opinions?

2009-02-11T00:00:00.004-05:00

Soooo... I have an idea rolling around in my head for a little while, and I'd like to shine a little sunlight on it and see what blooms.

(Or as Hubby is fond of saying, "Quick! Let it out before it starves to death!" How sweet, right?)

Everyone's familiar with CommentLove, right?

I'm contemplating running a monthly event where people can join in and post about their own favorite comment(s) of the month.

I would put up my CommentLove post on, say, the last Friday of the month, and add a Mr. Linky so people can add their own links.

What say you, pixel peeps?

How Many Letters Does YOUR Alphabet Have?

2009-02-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

If you answered anything other than 26, this link's for you.

Elizabeth from Thoughts From An Evil Overlord has started a list of New England bloggers.

Though with the crazy weather we've been having, it may be more of a support group!

Doing My Part For The Troubled Economy

2009-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

One bead at a time.

That bottom strand was actually in the goody bags that Beadles gave away this weekend. It's chock full of semiprecious chips. I was so excited when I saw it, I actually did a fist pump/YES combo.

All alone in my car in a busy parking lot.

Something in that picture will be a part of the SITS Spring Fling.

Something else will be leaving Oh2122 a little earlier than that.

Anyone else notice the post count around here lately?

This is #96.

Which means 100* is rapidly approaching.

In the blog world such an occasion demands a little flair, right?

Right.

*Ok, so technically it's my second 100th post, seeing as how I hit 100 somewhere else too, but is anyone really going to argue with me?

Didn't think so.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2009-02-08T20:22:00.009-05:00

Mabel's Labels, makers of the ab-fab Mama Card, is having a contest. They're giving away a trip to BlogHer 09 in Chicago and the amazing opportunity to be their correspondent for the event.

This was my entry.

*****EDITED*****
The finalists have been chosen, and they're fab! Check them out here.

In April of 2007, I gave birth to the most amazing person I have ever met. He was small and sweet and he drove me out of my ever-loving mind.

When they tell you that having children changes everything, it is the understatement of the century. What they should do is sit you down in a chair, slap you across the face, and yell it at you until you get it. Really get it.

Monkey was a pretty mild baby, by all accounts. He was giggly and had personality to spare. He also had jaundice, mixed up days and nights, a major latching issue, a witching hour that happened every day around 6pm, and he spit up regularly until he was over a year old.

For no reason at all.

As a well versed modern mommy, I was already a member of an “Expecting Club” on a well known women’s site. If, of course, by member you mean lurking and not posting because the boobnazis I met on that particular board would not take kindly to my surrender to formula.

Nevermind the fact that I exclusively pumped for almost 4 months, and only fed him half formula mixed with half expressed milk for another 2. I was weak. WEAK, I TELL YOU! And not worthy of posting my weak mommy thoughts lest I poison the rest of the village…

So lurk I did, until one day I came across an article containing a new word in a old blog post. A wonderful word. A word that told me I was not alone.

Sanctimommy.

It said it all. Actually, she said it all.

She was a mom, but not just any mom. She pulled no punches and told it like it was. She was funny, she was real, she spoke my native tongue.

Sarcasm.

Intrigued, I dug deeper.

What I found was a secret world of moms who were not afraid of speaking their minds. They were not about impressing the crowd at the PTA. They were in it for survival.

With a side of snark where appropriate, of course.

The summer of 2008 was a life changing time. Fueled by a handfull of well-rounded blogrolls I began blog hopping. I lurked for quite a while. Then, slowly at first, I tested the waters. I started my own blog and joined NaBloPoMo. I wrote anonymously, still wary of the potential reaction I would garner. Then I got my first comment.

In the beginning, I felt like I was shouting into the Grand Canyon and not even getting the satisfaction of my own echo. My first comment changed that forever. I had spoken and someone spoke back.

If you have never blogged, a word of caution: comments are a gateway drug. They lead you deep into a world of carnivals and giveaways and conferences with hundreds of strangers who can quote your writing to you, but could not pick you out of a police lineup.

For several months, I blogged on the DL. Only Hubby knew. Then Little Sister, followed rapidly by then newly pregnant BFF. Wonder of wonders, I had readers! I even had a small handful of regular commenters, and while I enjoyed blogging for blogging’s sake, I knew there was so much more out there.

A crafty girl to my core, I wanted to try my hand at Etsy. I also knew several women that I wanted to share this amazing secret with. Plus, not having to stop myself mid-sentence at family parties to avoid giving myself away would do wonders for my nerves. When BlogHer announced the reach out tour was coming to Boston, I knew it was time.

I began the transition from an anonymous blog to one I could actually tell people about. I worked for weeks on a name and created my own logos. I started learning a new craft that I would use to launch the shop. I migrated my blogroll to the new email address and disabled all links between the two. Finally, I shut down the blog that had been my home for so long.

Goodbye anonymity, hello every member of my extended family with internet access.

As I clock in at 10 straight months of blogging, I am amazed at all that I have personally experienced. I have “met” so many wonderful people out here among the pixels. I started a business. I have learned to use words like widget and html and analytics without Hubby checking me for delirium. I have stepped way out of my own comfort zone. Sure I was hyperventilating at certain points, but I did it anyway.

What I have witnessed has also been nothing short of amazing. I have watched strangers become friends. I have seen hundreds of people reach out to a family in need. I witnessed the awesome power of a grass roots movement to save a cottage industry.

I have seen the power of one person finding their voice, and the astonishing results when someone listens.

And though Monkey is almost two years old now, and the whole spit-up thing has resolved itself, he remains a constant source of blogging material.

Over the last year blogging has come to mean more to me than I would ever thought possible. It has been a haven and, I will freely admit, at times a curse. Oh2122 has become my creative outlet and soapbox to the world. Each day brings new voices and new experiences. I am learning more about myself and this incredible world with every word I type and every post I read.

And I sincerely thank you from the very bottom of my sarcastic little heart for sharing it with me.

Friday Housekeeping

2009-02-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

I am not feeling the Luv.

The CommentLuv, that is.

It is doing very weird things to my little corner of the web. Comments are being eaten. Comment numbers are not matching up. The blog itself has been behaving strangely since I added it, so it has to go.

I apologize if it has done odd things to you and your comments, and rest assured, I am working on it. I have two support emails in, one reply was not very helpful, and I am waiting for the second.

Comment Love, on the other hand, will continue to be a fixture around here.

Providing I can scrub CommentLuv from my template soon!

*******************

On a lighter note:

If you're in the metro-west area of Mass this weekend, my favorite bead shop is having a grand re-opening event!

Beadles, formerly of Westford, is moving to fab new digs in Chelmsford.

I will be the one in the red coat (that, incidentally, matches my car) wandering the aisles counting to myself and muttering about color combinations.

Next week's posts should be chock full of springy goodness!

*******************

Also, today is Very Funny Friday over at Navel Gazing.

My link will just end up taking you back in time to yesterday, when I was much funnier and less distracted by comments borking left and right, but the rest of the links will most assurely be filled with laughs of the "OMG I HAVE TO PEE" variety.

Enjoy, and have a fab weekend!

* Names Have Been Changed To Protect The Giggling

2009-02-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

I know I posted this on Thursday, but I've submitted it to Navel Gazing's Very Funny Friday!

If you've already read it, act surprised, then go check out the rest of the giggles.

*************************

My sweet new (to me) ride has finally arrived, so Monkey and I took it out for a spin yesterday.

As we were meandering through the aisles of my local Target, I overheard another mom reaching the ubiquitous parental end point with her preschooler.

"Susie*, get over here now or I will make you sit in the cart."

(pause)

"I am giving you to the count of three."

(pause)

One... Two...

And knowing what was coming, I held my breath and silently begged Monkey not to do it.

Alas, to no avail.

He smiled his megawatt smile and proudly shouted,

"THREE!"

(sigh)

On a side note, it's really hard to admonish your child when you're gasping for air and it's coming out,

"Nuh-uh-oh! St-t-t-t-t-aaaawp! Mon-k-ke-e-e! Sh-sh-sh-uh!"

Deep End, Throwing Of Self In, And More List Making

2009-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

So by now everyone has heard of SITS, right?

Wait, which one of you said no?

Get to clicking, and come back later.

For everyone else, SITS announced today that the Spring Fling will begin on March 3rd.

If you're doing the math, that would be 28 days frooooom.... NOW!

The asked for volunteers, and in a moment of sheer Chutzpah, I threw myself into the deep end.

Head first.

So all the fab sparkly bits I have been sketching for spring must begin appearing on my desk, ASAP.

This may mean I'm a little light on content this week, but it will be worth it.

Bonus, as if it were a gift sent from on high, my fave bead shop is moving to a bigger and better location this week, so there's a grand opening sale on Saturday. A sale AND a chance for Mommy to peruse, latte in hand, a plethora of beady goodness? Fab.

Plus, we're going to have a high of 45 and my new wheels will be ready this week.

My new RED wheels.

And speaking of RED. This:

(photo credit)

Leaves Boston on Friday.

Destination: Fort Meyers, FL.

It's going to be a nice weekend.

Not-So-Breaking News!

2009-02-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

I intend to be knee deep in crafty bits and list making today, but I needed to pop in to join in the revels!

Handmade artisans and crafters have been granted a stay of execution.

The CPSIA has been put on hold for one year while they look into the impact it would have on small businesses.

There are other statutes going into effect, and this is only a temporary hold, but it is amazing progress!

Score one for grassroots movements!

*happy dancing back into my office*

Frosted Friday: Sugar Loaded Toddler Edition

2009-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

So I finally decided what to do with this:I made these:
I altered the topping, omitting the cream cheese icing all together.

Instead I melted about two tablespoons of butter and mixed it with 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 2 cups of powdered sugar,and just enough water to make it spreadable.

They were just as yummy as you think they would be.As evidenced by the speed at which they were consumed.

Even Monkey approved.

The photo is a little blurry because he didn't want to sit still, but in his defense I had just loaded him up with a huge cinnamon roll.

And then I settled him in with Hubby and high-tailed it out of there for the afternoon.

In my defense, the sugar crash synchronized perfectly with nap time.

The Light At The End Of The Shovel

2009-01-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

Yeah.

So it did this yesterday.

Again.

That used to be my backyard, and no, those are not bushes on the left.

Somewhere under there are branches, small-ish though they may be, that fell waaaaaay back during that ice storm.

Because it has pretty much done that once a week since HALLOWEEN.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

This week, these appeared at the grocery store.
In New England, these are a clear sign that Spring is coming.

Ok, mud season is first, then Spring.

The next sign will be the daffodils appearing towards the end of February slash beginning of March.

I'm so giddy, I may start digging for my flip-flops.

Until then, I will busy myself with your fab comments.

It's time for some more

Comment Love

*********************************

The new comment system is taking some getting used to, and it retro-fitted all my posts, so today's comments come mostly from one post, but it's a doozy.

On: Sometimes The Google Lies

Nikki: Oh no. I'm sorry, but I totally laughed out loud! Hey, I've been there MANY times. It's so frustrating. I enjoyed your journey anyway!

Susie: That does look like a nightmare craft!

Jori-o: Oh dear...naughty Google!

Lauren: HA! I love it :)I've totally had those experiences. New crafts are nothing if not an adventure :)

Cristina: I also thought I was making a big crafty thing, by making a apron to Nicole, after all, mommy made this, right? Now the time that took me to find fabric, the petrol, the time of cutting, measure, sewing...well at the end I think I spent more money then if I actually ordered from school.

T. Allen-Mercado: Oh no! I would've been NUTS-you waited 3 days?! Sue the Google!

I'm glad everyone got a kick out of this. I posted it for that very reason. When I told Hubby I had started the project, he asked how it was going.

My answer:

Well, let's put it this way: it will make a really good post.

*********************************

And lastly, best comment of the month:

On: A Snowy Birthday

Jori-o: Um, will you adopt me? My birthday is in November... =)

Jori-o-darling-o, if you'll come shovel my driveway, I will adopt you, your whole family, and Buck to boot!

Etsy's CPSIA Blog-In

2009-01-28T11:10:00.003-05:00

I have posted about CPSIA here before, but time is running out.

If you have kids, you need to know.

If you craft for kids, you need to know.

If you buy for kids, you need to know.

Etsy is having a day long Blog-In today.

Click, read, act.

Sometimes The Google Lies

2009-01-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

Last week, while watching Monkey cover himself in washable doodles just before bath time, it occurred to me that he might be ready for soap crayons.

Sure, I could buy them from the nice people at Crayola, but why buy when I can make?

So I did what any self-respecting crafty blogger does.

I Googled.

Google said this was all I needed to provide my darling child with hours of bath time fun.

I set about grating the soap in to flakes.

It stuck.

A lot.

Plus I was left with tiny chunks which could not be grated without losing a significant portion of my fingertips, so I minced them and tossed them in.

(Soap chunks, not fingertips.)

Added a little hot water at a time, constantly stirring.

Don't let the picture fool you. It is not liquid. It is foam.

No amount of stirring would make it liquid. I even tried to microwave it for a few seconds.

That only seemed to make it angry.

Undaunted, I divided the mush into four bowls and added the food coloring.

Then pasted it in to the popsicle molds.

And wondered what all that dye was going to do to my fair skinned child.

I briefly froze the molds to help them firm up, then turned them out to dry.

For three days.

At the end of which, they resembled decaying fruit more than soap crayons.

But it's what's inside that counts, right?

Unless what's inside is air bubbles and mush.

Lessons learned:

1. Sometimes it is better to buy it.

2. Sometimes The Google LIES.

Bloggy To Do List Update

2009-01-27T00:35:00.002-05:00

Three column format?

Check.

Comment Luv enabled?

Double check.

Edited own template without swearing and throwing things and begging Hubby to pull Oh2122's shattered remains from the smoldering rubble?

Triple check.

I'd say this calls for a celebration. I'd have more of those Faux-reoes, but, well... they're gone.

Oh, well. Shoe shopping it is then.

*sigh*

(If anyone has any issues with the new format looking wonky or comments going awry, please let me know. I'm still tinkering with it all so if there's a problem, I want to fix it ASAP!)

"Oooh, Shiny!" Monday

2009-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

It seems like every Monday post lately has included either gifts or custom orders.

Yellow and black stone with silver plate:Freshwater pearl, crystal, and silver plate: I've had a few requests for these, so I'm working on adding them to the shop as a custom listing of their own.

In other crafty news, I have thrown myself in to the deep end of the pool via a very large giveaway.

I don't have the details yet, but suffice it to say there will be flinging.

In the springtime.

So I have to get back to work.

Happy Monday all!

Frosted Friday - The Commercially Produced Edition

2009-01-23T13:30:00.004-05:00

So I am working on a Comment Love post, as well as a bunch of shiny new crafty bits, but what good is a Friday without frosting?

Mmmmm, Oreos...

Ok, looks promising.

Wait for it...

DENIED!

Ok, confession time.

After eating the first pack, I thought - "Hey! I should totally blog this!"

So I opened another package.

And I did not share them.

200 Calorie Snack Pack.

************************************

(Edited to add: Giggle your way into the weekend. Go check out Very Funny Friday.)

4 Photo Folder Tag

2009-01-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

If you read me through a reader, you got a sneak peek at this post last night. PRE spellcheck.

Don't tell anyone I can't spell overlord, ok?

Thanks!

I've been tagged for a photo meme by Elizabeth from Thoughts From An Evil Overlord!

Here's how you play:

1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

This was taken on our trip to the pumpkin patch this past fall. Ironically, one of few shots in that folder that do not have Monkey's face front and center. It's a little shaky thanks to the "tractor ride" we were on. Think choir risers pulled by a tractor.

Yay for safety!

It occurred to me after seeing this that I have pictures of trees from vacations, our honeymoon, and all the hottest tourist spots in MA.

Apparently I like trees.

I blame the Druids.

So I've decided to tag a Gypsy, an Inventor, a Wanderer, and a new Visitor.

Jump on in if you'd like!

WIP Wednesday: Oh2122 Central Command

2009-01-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

The oh-so-fab Thrifty Decor Chick has an ongoing organizational project that she's invited us all to join.

Storage, organization, and blogging?

If I can just sneak some new shoes in there, I'm SET!

Up today is Oh2122 Central Command.

Ok, so it's really our home office, but it's aaaaaaaalllll miiiiiiiine. Except when it's not...

This is the newest acquisition in my never ending quest to tame all things clutter in my life.

I put it together all by myself.

And it hasn't fallen down yet.

The clear and blue containers are pencil cases bought during the back to school sales, and the yellow totes are from the dollar section of Target.
(Street sign bought not stolen. I swear.)

The blue totes are Closet Maid and the in/out boxes are Rubbermaid made with post consumer recycled content!

The basket on the left holds the random bits of flotsam that I have gathered intending to make it into... something.
The one on the right holds packaging for reuse and catalogues to shred for packing materials.

These are the new shipping labels and note cards for Oh2122.

I'm still working on my shipping process, but it's a start!

Pop on over and check out what everyone else is up to!

It's Inauguration Day In America

2009-01-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

An amazing thing is happening today.

In one of our most noble traditions, the reigns of power will pass peaceably from one person to another. By itself, this is astounding, and well beyond the political life of so many other countries, but this year is... different.

Every inauguration day, our country starts anew. Fresh ideas and hopeful people. A chance to make and remake ourselves into the country we want to be.

Whether you voted for the incoming administration or not, the hum of excitement is undeniable.

Pure energy, distilled into one singular moment in time.

Pure potential.

Since I'm likely glued to MSNBC today, I'm posting a rerun from November.

Happy Inauguration Day, America!

*******************************************

It's Election Day In America

Do you know where your polling place is?

When I was little, my parents would take us to vote with them.

In our district, we had the old school booths where you entered and pulled a lever to close the curtain. The booth itself was a massive wall of metal switches that could be flipped up and down, and when you were ready, you cast your ballot by cranking the lever back to open the curtain and "punch" your card. When we were big enough, we were allowed to pull the lever for them. I still hear that metallic click-click-click-clank every time I think about voting.

So today, I will take my son to vote with me.

At only 18 months old he may not remember, but I will.

I will remember that this was the year when people stood in line to vote for hours on end - the way they would normally only stand in line for iPhones and Sox tickets.

I will remember that this was the year people ran for president who, in the past, would not even been allowed to vote, much less actually have more than a snowball's chance of succeeding.

And hopefully, I will remember that this was the year that more people came out to vote than ever have in modern American history.

Left, right, or center - vote.

Get in line.

Stay in line.

VOTE.

A Snowy Birthday

2009-01-19T00:00:00.002-05:00

We actually have two January birthdays in my family in the same week, but my Dad's not really into bling.This bracelet was for Middle Sister's birthday.
It's made from silver plate medium curb chain with crystals, freshwater pearls, silver swirls, and natural garnet stones.
It's sparkly and swingy and just plain fun to wear.

I may have to make another!

Up this week: a meme, a flash back, some comment love, and my continuing addiction to storage. In the meantime, check out what the Thrifty Decor Chick is up to:

Not content to simply show us all the incredible things she's doing around her house, she's set up a Mr. Linky so we can all continue to share with each other.

She's an enabler. I'm sure of it.

CPSIA Anyone?

2009-01-17T00:00:00.003-05:00

Are you a crafter?

Do you make things for people under the age of 18?

Do you know that the CPSIA is?

Frosted Friday Now With More Red Fingers!

2009-01-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

Last weekend was our Christmas 2 with Hubby's family. Ab-fab local Sis-In-Law made an amazing dinner with all the trimmings, so I offered to make dessert.

When you're a Northerner with in-laws coming in from South Carolina and Georgia, what else do you make for dessert but Red Velvet Cake?

My southern Sis-In-Law was actually present for the baking, and had the red stained fingers to prove it!

I used the cake and cream cheese frosting recipes I found at Pinch My Salt.

Thank you Google Blog Search!

(Hers looks waaaaaay better than mine, though!)

This is the paste you're supposed to make with the cocoa powder and food coloring. An ounce of food coloring.I actually used a gel, and I don't think I'll do that again. It looks more like joint compound than paste.

I didn't get an action shot of the baking soda and vinegar, as I was afraid I would delay the folding too much. So this is the only action shot.

Can you feel the heat? No?

Cooling and looking pretty good.
Frosted and ready to go.
I think it looks slightly pink.

And what was even coloring when poured in to the pans ended up slightly uneven.

I blame the gel. In retrospect, I should have used a liquid food coloring.

It was met with resounding approval from all Southerners present.

Not bad for a Yankee.

I just have one question...

What am I supposed to do with all of this?

- Untitled

2009-01-15T00:00:00.003-05:00

I had originally planned a post about organization today, but despite the best laid plans of mice and men, I am driven elsewhere.

An extraordinary thing happened this week in and around the original 02122. A man showed up for work, went about doing his job, and died in the process. Upon hearing this, most people would be shocked and immediately ask what happened.

If I revised the story and told you that a fire fighter showed up for work, responded to a call, and died in the process, it would undoubtedly be met with sorrow, though less surprise. As perfectly logical as that would be, today it leaves me feeling very uneasy.

I have made many jokes through the years, here on this blog even, about smoke detector Christmas ornaments and extinguishers as housewarming gifts. These things have become second nature to me over the past 20+ years. Familiar. Comfortable. As have the wail of sirens and the rumble of bagpipes, much to my dismay.

The scenes that took place over the past few days are not new to me. The pomp and circumstance is at once great and terrible. It is also universal.

Thousands of people have come from all over the US and Canada to stand in the bitter cold in navy blue uniforms and pristine white gloves. They swaddle themselves in traditions and wool to ward off the chill and the unspoken understanding that someday the people around them may be standing somewhere for them.

I have first hand experience of what it is like to be in that crowd.

The deep stillness permeates the crowd as you wait for the engine to arrive with the flag covered casket. You recognize some faces in the crowd, or at least you think you do. They tend to melt and blur in to one another. Your heart stops when you spot a family member standing at attention in the honor guard and you think it will never start back up.

The silence is enough to make your ears ring with the pounding of your own nervous system, when suddenly the bells call out, and pry loose the tears held at bay with rituals and rites.

Last alarm.

All clear.

Come home.

Did I know the man who was laid to rest this week? Yes. Though less than my siblings and parents, I had met him on several occasions and remember him well. Not that it would have mattered. I did not have to have known him to be connected to him. Every day he got up, put his boots on, and answered the bells.

When a line of duty death happens, there are an infinite numbers of reporters and politicians waiting in line to wax poetic about brotherhood and service. Awestruck at the show of support that is, to us, expected. Understood.

Today there are tears and anger, and there will be for some time to come. There is also laughter. And stories. And tall tales with very little basis in fact.

Tomorrow, there will be boots, bells, and a job to do. There is always another call coming in, and it has to be answered.

*********

I've closed the comments because it is not about me today. It's about the countless people who get up and go to work and do the things we can not. Fire fighters, cops, teachers, EMTs. They lay claim only to doing their job, and shrug off any suggestion otherwise. The first in line for the red pen when the budgets get tight, and the people we can not function without.

Thank them today in some small way. Words, actions, or simply intentions will do, because even though we do not often stop to consider them, they are always thinking of us.

WIP Wednesday

2009-01-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is this week's major WIP. What's that you say?

It looks finished already?

Well of course it does!

It's the other 5 exactly like it that are WIPs.

This week's WIP is my biggest order yet. 6 bracelets for a Valentine's Day wedding party.

How sweet is that?

Hi! You've Reached Oh2122

2009-01-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

The blogger you have selected is not available at this time.

She may or may not still be in her pajamas recovering from

carb overload,

her car being declared a total loss,

and six more inches of SNOW.

Please be assured that all your crafty and blog-related concerns will be addressed as soon as she is available.

One more pot of coffee should do it.

In the mean time, go check out the Best Posts of the Week.

I'm not even finished reading them all yet, but so far my personal favorites are here, and here.

We Interrupt This Frosted Friday To Bring You A Finished WIP

2009-01-09T00:00:00.001-05:00

I've finished the ornaments for Hubby's family, just in time!

Only two of them know about my little bloggy adventure as of this posting, so...

Hi, In-Laws!

For a small primer on the SOPs at Oh2122, see the bottom half of this post.

Hope you liked these!

They're a little bigger than the last set, but I think I have the technique down now.I'm going to start sketching some variations for sun catchers for the shop.

Christmas is so last year. Bring on Spring!

These are for Hubby's cousins.
However, the pitcher's shape was not ideal and the flash reveals that we no longer heat dry with our dishwasher.

Ooops.

Next week should bring a return to a level of relative normalcy, thank cupcakes. The shop is in need of an update, and I have two new custom orders to work on.

Have a great weekend all!

We Interrupt This Thursday To Bring You Frosted Friday

2009-01-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

Between the car stuff and getting ready for Christmas 2, I am all turned around this week!

So tomorrow's post became today's instead. Think of it as a preview of your weekend.

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Straight up Nestle Tollhouse. Or Nestle Tollouse for you Friends fans.

Classic Peanut Butter.Thank you, Skippy.

And Iced Gingerbread. Which you will notice are almost identical to these, except that I ran out of Vanilla after the first two, and substituted cinnamon sugar in the glaze.

Yay for yummy mistakes!

It is, after all, how we were blessed with fudge!

WIP Wednesday

2009-01-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

I'm hard at work on the last of the ornaments for Hubby's family.This stroke of genius came as a result of the impromptu copper wire ball I created when I made my mother's birthday gifts.I really didn't want a repeat performance.

These are not WIPs, but they technically were a few hours before this photo.
On the left: Onyx and sterling wire.

On the right: Freshwater pearl and copper.

Back to work!

Reusable Bag Swap

2009-01-06T09:39:00.003-05:00

Thanks for all your suggestions! Keep them coming!

Today I have one for all of you.

Heather at Dollar Store Crafts is having a reusable bag swap on Swap Bot.

Pop on over and check it out while I get back to the last of those holiday crafts for Christmas 2.

I'll have a peek at what I've been working on tomorrow!

Soooo...

2009-01-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

I appear to have a rather large list of blog and craft goals for '09.

(Don't we all?)

I want to make Oh2122 accessible and efficient and - let's face it - cute!

I have re-added the "Follow" feature to my blog. It's still doing slightly wacky things to my Google Reader, but I'm getting used to it and will leave it be for now. I also want to add the CommentLuv feature that displays a commenter's last post as well as go to a neater 3 column format.

I've even invested in HTML, XHTML & CSS For Dummies so I can finally roll my sleeves up and dig in to my code. This is a major step for someone who only ever failed one class in her whole academic career. Computer Programming.

Ironic, no?

Then there's the ever growing crafty list. Aside from the organizational projects I have lined up for our home office, I want to:

Refine my current primary skill set:
* Jewelry
* Crochet

* Photography

Try the following new skills:

* Polymer clay beads

* Paper beads

* Paper crafts, including but not limited to:

- cards

- beads

- quilling
* Actually learn how to knit

* Finally use my sewing machine for more than just hemming pants
* More green crafting

Ambitious, yes?

I've been raiding my library's inter-library loan system, and I'm bookmarking every half-interesting project and resource I can find.

Do you have a favorite craft resource? Was the last craft book you bought just awful? Have you found the ultimate online craft resource?

I'd love to hear from you all!

Frosted Friday

2009-01-02T00:00:00.002-05:00

Thank you all for your well wishes and concerns. I swear we really are ok.

I'm still angry at myself for what amounts to a rookie mistake. I've been driving for almost 15 years and have lived in MA my whole life. I actually took my test in the snow! (FYI: 3 point turn + snow + mailbox + Boston streets = 8 point turn.)

Despite being told by everyone around me that it wasn't my fault, I still think I should have known better. The snow tricked me. Surface road conditions looked better than the highway ended up actually being. I'm still replaying it in my head trying to figure out what I should have done differently, but live and learn and challenge the premium increase, right?

Now for something frosted:

('Cause frosting makes everything better.)

The cookie recipes from last week!

They all originate elsewhere, and are gently tweaked.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Alton Brown - Food Network

(I follow this almost to the letter, but if I made a change to the original, I have marked it with a *.)

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour*
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 oz. semisweet chocolate chips*

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter*. (He uses the stove. I microwave it.) Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.

Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Chill the dough, then using an ice cream disher*, scoop onto silpat* lined baking sheets, 6 cookies* per sheet. (Alton uses parchment, and I have too, but Silpats are reusable. Also, I use the smallest disher I have, and can fit more cookies on the sheet. Beware, they will spread.) Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container

Scottish Shortbread Bars or Bites

The Joy of Cooking

1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 300 for bars, 374 for bites

Cream together the butter, sugars, and salt until fluffy. Slowly sift in the flour and mix until dough holds together. If it's too dry, add a few drops of water, but do not over moisten.

For bars, with oven at 300, press dough into a pan. pierce the dough with a fork, score to form bar shapes, and sprinkle with additional granulated sugar. Bake until pale gold and slightly darker at edges, about 45 minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool. Cut before cold. Yields depends on size of bars.

*My variations*

For bites, use a small ice cream disher to form balls. Flatten, pierce with a fork, and sprinkle with additional granulated sugar. Bake 10-14 at 375 minutes until firm and golden brown on the bottom. Yield depends on size of dough balls.

Anise Spritz Cookies

adapted from Classic Spritz Cookies, Pampered Chef

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg

2 tablespoons anise extract, adjust to taste
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
green food coloring (optional)
colored sugar or sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Beat butter until creamy. Add sugar, egg, coloring, and anise. Add flour, 1 cup at a time; mix well. Dough will be soft, so do not refrigerate.

Using small ice cream disher, form dough balls. Flatten slightly onto cookie sheet, 1 inch apart. Decorate cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired. I used the back of a fork to make a checkerboard pattern.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until firm but not brown. Remove to cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough. Yield depends on size of dough ball.

Iced Gingerbread Cookies

These were a mix, but for the icing:

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

water - do not add yet

Mix the vanilla and powdered sugar in a bowl with a fork. A whisk will only get clogged. Slowly add water until the icing is smooth and firm, but coats fork without running. Dip cooled gingerbread in to the icing and lay flat to dry. Store in an air tight container.

Lemon Cookies

These were actually a disaster, and never left our kitchen, but they were tasty enough. I added 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon extract to a sugar cookie mix. I originally intended to ice them too, but they spread out and touched and generally made a mess. I'll try again with a sugar cookie from scratch.

I'm taking the weekend off. Who am I kidding, I just won't be posting for the weekend! Hubby's family is coming in for Christmas part 2 next weekend, and we have to get in gear!

I'll be back Monday with a preview of the new crafty skills I'm going to attempt this year and a whole bunch of questions.

Alert! Alert! Reader participation ahead!

DISCLAIMER: WE'RE ALL FINE

2009-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

My 2008 went out with a bang.
And a 360.
And a guardrail.

And a deductible.

Again: we're all FINE.

Promise.

My car is now a WIP, and I am considering moving somewhere it will never snow.

So if 2008 ended like this, 2009 has nowhere to go but up, right?

Right?

Hello 2009!

2008-12-31T00:00:00.003-05:00

All the way back in October, I read this post at Bead Nerd about setting your intentions for the upcoming year.

In part, she said:

"Recently I read a blog post about choosing a word for the year. No resolutions. No goals. Just one word."

The idea has stuck with me.

An intention.

A single word to carry with you.

A theme for the year, if you will.

In thinking about it I have many goals for the upcoming year, both personal and professional, and the professional is very personal for me.

Professionally, I want to write more. I want to make something happen with non-blog writing the way I have with Oh2122. I want to make the most of this bloggy-bloggy world. I want my writing to live up to its potential. I want my crafting and Etsy shop to live up to their potential. I want to live up to my potential.

2009 will be about potential here at Oh2122. Seeing and seizing opportunities to learn new skills and improve my craft - er - crafts? Um... craftiness?

So readers, how will you be living up to your potential this year?

Comment Love

2008-12-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

This has been a watershed year for me. 2008 brought me blogging, Etsy, and all of the fascinating people I have met out here among the pixels.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for reading, and commenting, and your encouragement. And thank you for all of your own blogs too!

What an amazing thing this blogging is!

***Comment Love***
*a teeny tiny sampling of the fab comments here at Oh2122*

On the picture of Monkey from 2007:

Charity Childs-Gevero: That's your little monkey? Aaaawwww.... can I have little monkey?

Jenners, who's here too: I am so glad that someone else can't show photos of their kid on their blog too! My husband told me no photos of our son (unless he is absolutely unidentifiable) on the blog (he is really paranoid about creepy people) and I felt like the only one not able to post photos of my kid but I see you have the same restrictions! Love the photo!

Amy: So cute :)

Thank you all. I am seriously considering renting him out. He's grown in to quite a personality. The Blarney Stone runs in his veins, I tell you!

I decided to only post non-identifying pictures of him for my own piece of mind. Safety is paramount, but it's about his privacy too.

I'm more than willing to tell embarrassing stories about him, but I wouldn't want the kids in his kindergarten class to know before he even meets them about the time Mommy changed his diaper in the back of the car and locked the two of us in.

I have to save SOMETHING for the bus stop, right?

Pratibha, of MANY blogs: do u ship to countries other than US and Canada ??

Not yet, but I'm working on it. I'm so new to Etsy, I'm still learning. Shipping outside of the US and Canada is on my "Bloggy-To-Do" list for 2009!

On the smoke detector ornament:

Brenda: I love the pics - and the smoke detector for the tree? I HAVE to get hubby one, he would sleep better at night! The plaid throughout the house is a nice touch.

Liz: I'm guessing you are related to a firefighter - I am going to ask a friend with a firefighter father if she had a smoke detector inside her tree, will report back soon!

The parents got it for us, but I have no earthly clue where. Google failed me too. It's just one of the many perks of growing up as the daughter of a fire fighter.

Also included are hip-high fire boots for shovelling snow and your father in the fire truck driving by you and the approximately 100 other kids walking home from school and telling you over the PA to go home and do your homework.

Lorrwill: Oh and feel free to post those cookie recipes...YUM!

Ask and ye shall receive. Truly, they're all variations on recipes from The Joy of Cooking, Pampered Chef, and Alton Brown. The gingerbread is from a box. I'll gather them up and post them Friday.

It will do me good to write it out so I'm not sniffing the anise cookie dough AGAIN next year and wondering if I put enough in!

Jori-O: BTW, I can't help but share...the word verification right now is "upbut". HA! =)

HA! I love when word verification looks like it's trying to communicate with us! Then again sometimes it just looks like an eye exam. I once got rrurunni. Seriously? I had to the count letters!

Kat: First...your comment today on my blog truly made me laugh out loud. And I'll be sure to do some financial planning with your dad when we win the mega millions :-)

*Part of what I said on this post about what I'd do if I won the lottery was: "Anyone in financial need gets a loan. Dad, who thinks about this a lot too came up with that. You have to pay taxes on a gift, but not on a loan with a $1 payment schedule and next to nothing interest!"

Dad's brain just works like that. Brilliant. Go check out the comments. They're sweet and funny, and hey, if you know where to get a llama...

Very Mary: Shoes are SO crafty. Because someone had to craft those cute shoes. right? RIGHT?

Yes. Yes they are. Now if I could just figure out how to write them off on my taxes... or maybe get them for free?

Hello, shoe companies? Will blog for shoes!

Size 7 1/2, thank you.

Crafty Loot

2008-12-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

Bloggy peeps, there are some DEALS to be had out there!

I am positively stocked with crafty bits post-Christmas!

Thank you Hubby! How did you know EXACTLY what I wanted?

*snort*

Not pictured is the sterling wire I ordered on Etsy, the wire rounder from Art Beads, and the cookie cutters from Michael's that were insanely discounted.

And thanks to some generous relatives who are familiar with my B&N addiction, I scored 200 Crochet Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets, and a very cool calligraphy starter kit. Bonus, I still have room on my gift cards! I've requested a few crafty books from the library so I can test drive them before buying. Love that inter-library lending!

Yes, I did get things that were not craft-related. I am nothing if balanced when it comes to shopping. So among other things there may or may not be two new pairs of shoes in my closet. And if there are, they were most certainly on sale. Possibly even clearanced down to 1/3 their original price. And left there by elves under the cover of night.

Ahem.

I'm going back to Michael's and Joann's this week to check out their fab end of the year clearance deals. If you're crafty or know someone who is, it is VERY worth it to sign up for their email notices. I am getting % off coupons from both places at least once a week.

Before I drag Monkey back to the store with the "Beads!" I should share a story.

A teeny tiny little old lady* stopped me in Michael's this weekend to ask if I wanted one of her coupons. She wasn't getting anything that wasn't already on sale, so she couldn't use them. Sadly, neither was I, but how sweet was that of her to offer?

*If I, at 5'6" AFTER YOGA, thought she was teeny tiny, how tall could she have been?

Best Posts Of The Year

2008-12-27T10:33:00.002-05:00

Hubby and I gave each other the perfect gift this Christmas.

Not having to shop for one another.

Between ice storms, blizzards, and 104 fevers, it was easier to wait and get what we really wanted after Christmas.

So I'm off to peruse the post-holiday, OMG we're no where near our projected numbers quick make everything 70% off sales. I have my eye on quite a few crafty things, too.

In the meantime, Best Posts of the Week has a great post up today:

Best Posts of the Year!

Check it out, and have a relaxing weekend all!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T12:49:00.002-05:00

***Note: No photos of Monkey rule only bent, not broken. This is from Christmas 2007, his first. There's no way anyone could ID him now. He's probably at least 1 1/2 feet taller. No I am not kidding.***

Happy To You

2008-12-23T21:50:00.008-05:00

I've pretty much been in motion non-stop lately. I may or may not have been wrapping in my sleep... If I wake up tomorrow with curling ribbon smooshed on my cheek, I'll let you know.

So I thought while I'm slacking in the bloggy world, I'd share what's going on in the real world this week.

I did a little baking.

Frosted gingerbread cookies

Followed by shortbread, anise spritz, chocolate chip, and lemon sugar cookies.These are the picture frames in our bathroom. I take ZERO credit for this idea.I've seen it so many places, I can't even credit one of them.And the tree is finally done.
Minus the topper, which I have located, but is out of stock.

Again.

I'm sure I'll have it by August.

How about some ornament highlights?

We got this on our honeymoon at the Waterford Factory in Ireland.Why, yes. That IS plaid ribbon on the tree.

It simply has to match this:And these. There's plaid in pretty much every room of the house.

These were the favors at our December wedding in 2002.

And last but not least, the highlight of our tour:

Meh? Ok...

What if I told you it was a smoke detector?

Yes. Yes it is.

Growing up I was the only kid I knew who had a smoke detector inside their tree. Other than my sibs and 'rents, I am still the only person I know with a smoke detector inside my tree.

I'm off for the next few days for Christmas parts 1 and 1a. (Part 2 is in January with Hubby's family.)

Whatever you're celebrating this week, in the words of the Monkey himself:

HAPPY TO YOU!

Oh2122's Family Christmas Swap

2008-12-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

In case I haven't mentioned it (at least 50 times) I have a huge family. So big, we have to draw names for Christmas or we'd all go broke.

My little family unit of 3 actually got 3/4ths of another family unit. Weirdness like this happens all the time. One cousin has now gotten my youngest sis 3 years in a row.

When I asked this cousin what she wanted, she told me, "My birthstone is pearl, my favorite colors are red and black, and I have NO BRACELETS."

Done and done, cuz.

This is made with white and grey freshwater pearls and finished with silver plate findings.

Loving these grey pearls!

This one is red jade and onyx with permanently colored copper wire.
The clasp is hand made to match and connects to the last loop on the last link.

I've auto posted this for after the party's start time, so as not to ruin the surprise.

Off to eat way too many cookies!

Holiday Catch-Up: Christmas Card Display

2008-12-19T15:25:00.004-05:00

It's getting busy around here. Even though we're going to have an extended holiday season this year, as Hubby's family will be gathering in January, we're still really behind on the holiday front. And the insult to our injury will arrive today in the form of 6-12 inches of snow.

Yay.

Tucked in the massive pile of mail waiting for us were a ton of Christmas cards!

Last year we displayed them on ribbons strung on one wall in our hallway. This year, Monkey and his curious hands can reach the light switches in our house, so we needed a new solution.

Apologies for the odd circles on the photo cards. I don't post Monkey's picture, and would never post those of anyone else's kiddos. Trust me when I say they're all BEAUTIFUL!

I used a rectangle of foam core and covered it with the same fabric as our stockings. The fabric is stapled to the foam core so it can be reused in the future.To hold the cards in place, I used nylon cord and upholstery tacks left over from my office renovation.The cords were wrapped behind and stapled as well.
More cord was used on the back so we can hang it from nails already in place in our kitchen.

To finish it, I ran packing tape along the edges to give it all a little more support.

All in all it only took about 30 minutes!

WIP Wednesday

2008-12-16T23:47:00.004-05:00

I had another order this week, and this time it was from an awesome blogger I've been reading since I was just a wee blogger -scarcely knee high to a Sitemeter.

As timing would have it, her package shipped on Day One of Ice-mare 08. By some miracle the post office actually had power. So I photographed a new process I'm test running and intended to post it on the day of shipping.

Partly to warn the buyer that an experimental envelope of paper bits was on the way, and opening it over carpeting may be inadvisable.

Ha. Silly me.

Ice, Monkey, fever, coolers of chicken and milk... but I digress.

We've been greenifying our lives for a while now. Reusable bags for shopping. CLF light bulbs. There is even a bottle filled with water displacing the tank water in or bathroom. (It makes your fixture a lower flow fixture at a fraction of the cost of a new one.)

So in an effort to make shipping a greener affair at Oh2122, I've been doing a little research and tinkering. Bubble mailers, though reusable, are not easily recyclable. Plastic linings will do that.

This is what I'm working with right now, but it needs tweaking.

I gathered some of the catalogues destined for the recycling bin and ran them through the cross cut shredder.

I lined the bottom of a manila envelope with some of the filler. Advanced move may involve paper grocery bags, as suggested by my neighborhood barista. I've had so many Peppermint Mocha Twists in the last 4 days, he may be my new BFF.

Here's where the picture of the wrapped items should be.

Should've could've would've.

Again that dang ice, Monkey, fever, coolers of chicken and milk...

Then again the "dressing" of the items is it's own WIP, so maybe it's for the best.

Items in and the envelope was stuffed with more filler.

I am contemplating a shipping label with the Oh2122 logo on it, self printed of course, but that will be a WIP for another day.

The filler is recycled and recyclable with your other paper products, and the envelope is both reusable and recyclable. Quad score!

So, readers, do you have any green shipping ideas? Have you received anything lately that came fabulous AND green packaging?

Home Again

2008-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

We're home!

And I am fighting the urge to turn on every light in the house.

Just. Because. I. Can.

We passed many a dark house on the way home, and I hope they are keeping safe and warm, and that they will also have their power restored ASAP.

Though we are eternally grateful to my parents for housing us, and to their dogs for putting up with the love Monkey heaps upon them, it is good to be home.

As soon as we unload the coolers of frozen food*, we're going to BED! Here's to a good night's sleep for all involved, and a return to relative normalcy.

I'll wade through my reader in the morning. 298 at last count. Yipes. Apologies to all the bloggy peeps who will be seeing three-day old posts getting comment hits and scratching their heads.

Sleep now. Yes please and thank you.

*I had just gone grocery shopping in the morning of the day the storm hit. Timing. I have it. But I'll be a frosted cupcake if I'm going to lose 4 gallons of milk, chicken, ground beef, and half a freezer full of veggies to an ice storm!

Wordless Monday

2008-12-15T13:27:00.002-05:00

Ok, to be fair there are words, but seeing as how we're now at 72 hours and counting, have been told multiple power restorations times (all different), Monkey is sick, and while our house is blessedly intact we have had to retreat to the real 02122 so we won't freeze to death...

Let's just say those words are all bad words.

Really bad words.

Shout outs to all the New England bloggy peeps. Stay safe and stay warm.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like

2008-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Cold season.

I'm down for the count, and seriously need to recover so I can meet the new baby in my life, so I'm reaching back to Christmas past for today's post. Comment Love returns Friday. Saturday if I run out of DayQuil.

When Monkey was 8 months old, I decided we needed to have "family" stockings.

I had previously only ever used my sewing machine for straight lines and hems.

Mostly hems.

Hubby and I both being Scotch-Irish, I set out to find a nice plaid, giving no thought whatsoever to the fact that I couldn't read patterns and had never used one.

EVER.

One cardboard template, a couple of yards each of plaid fabric, black cotton jersey for the lining, and white polar fleece for the cuffs, and an unholy number of straight pins later:

In my defense, the fireplace grate is curved.

They do really match up better than they appear in this photo.

It's a good thing Monkey was only 8 months old at the time... Have I mentioned that I work blue when crafts go awry? Like during the blue frosting issue?I will not be showing you all the lining.

Suffice it to say, Monkey will always be able to tell that his mom made his stocking.

By hand.

With no pattern.

And VERY little experience.

I've Got MORE Mail!

2008-12-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

My package from the Pampering Beki ornament swap has arrived!

Seriously, how cool is this?

It's from Tameka at Tea and Honey Bread and The Buzz.

As if two blogs were not enough, she's on Etsy too!

My swap buddy's package has been delivered, according to the USPS, but I haven't heard from her yet.

I love my post office, but you never know, so swap buddy, if you haven't received your package, please let me know so I can fix that!

In the mean time, check out her blog: Monhegan Moment. Her work is beautiful!

Custom Order For Etsy

2008-12-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

The custom order I received on Etsy was to replicate the Binney Bracelet in gray.

The original is made with glass beads and pink freshwater pearls.

Lining them up.

Making sure the length matches.

Very important as freshwater pearls vary by nature.
The finished project. It hit the post office this morning!

First custom order - CHECK!

Loving these pearls too.

Must resist urge to go back to bead store.

Must.

Resist.

Resolve.

Failing...

Smile And Wave

2008-12-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

Having made my first (and second... and first custom..) Etsy sales, it's time to out myself. I've been blogging on the DL for quite a while now, so this will be a bit of a shock.

Everyone smile and say, "Hi Alicia's entire family!"

My mother's birthday was this weekend, and I made a little something for the occasion.

They're made with silver plate findings, crystals, and freshwater pearls.

Christmas is a very big holiday in our family, so this one's from Monkey.

Copper and glass seed beads.

Monkey does nice work, huh?

I wish. That 16 gauge copper is great in a finished project, but murder on my hands!

Outing myself has a two-fold purpose.

The first is that I can actually say things like, "I have to go to the post office to ship an order." Or, "I was at this blogging conference..." Or, "I forgot to RVSP because I was knee deep in email and thought I had already."

The second is that I come from a big family. A big CRAFTY family.

They knit. They crochet. They sew. They quilt.

They should also ETSY!

So if you're here for the first time, and know me outside of the bloggiverse, there are a few ground rules on Oh2122, for your safety and mine.

I say my name, but only my first name. No last names, please. Hubby and the Monkey are only ever Hubby and Monkey. You can use your name, but omitting your last name is probably best.

Monkey's picture is never posted here.

Ever.

Yes, I'm in MA, and most of you are too, but there's no need to say where in MA.

You'll meet a lot of nice people among the pixels, but it's always a good idea to be cautious.

Have fun, be careful, and welcome to bloggy land.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

2008-12-05T22:20:00.002-05:00

Busy little bee.

I have not been buried in a craftalache.

I've just been upgraded from headless chicken to hair on fire.

I got my first Etsy custom order request last night.

I'm finishing a birthday gift.

My wedding anniversary is this weekend.

My friend is in LABOR!

And I'll have some new bloggy visitors very soon.

More on that on Sunday...

Off to finish that custom order!

Meme Along With Me

2008-12-04T19:43:00.003-05:00

So the ab-fab Laughing Purple Goldfish has tagged me for a meme this week, and I am just now posting it! Between my SECOND Etsy sale, sniffles all around, and a birthday project for my mother, I've been running around like the proverbial headless chicken.

Side note - how much does that blog name rock? I can't help but think of a purple goldfish rolling around on a counter laughing and holding it's sides. She is an amazing crafter who can recycle just about anything into something wonderful. Got unusable burnt out Christmas lights hanging around? She can help!

The Rules, Yo:

1) Link to your tagger and list all these rules in your blog.

2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.

4) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Just The Facts:

1) I like scrambled eggs on toast with Nutella. No I am not kidding, and yes all of my taste buds still work. Try it.

2) My Dad and I have scars in the exact same place on the exact same eyebrow from the exact same thing. Chicken pox.

3) I would live in Barnes and Noble if they let me. Hubby and I have a date this weekend and the only thing we have decided on is that we will be going to B&N.

4) Hubby and I were both named, first and middle names, for our grandparents.

5) I love the show What Not To Wear and if I were ever on it, I would certainly go home naked but wearing the coolest shoes EVER.

6) I have a gaggle of first cousins on one side ranging in age from 40 to 6. And yes, we all blood relatives and have the same two people as grandparents.

7) My Google Reader currently contains 111 blogs. Which makes choosing 7 people REALLY hard, so I'm digging into my comments!

The Tagged:

Elizabeth @ Thoughts From An Evil Overlord

Cairo Typ0 @ Wandering The World

Susie @ Susie's Homemade

Jori-O @ Jeff & Me + Three

Liz @ Inventing My Life

Erin @ Every Heart Crafts

Kat @ Sunshine And Lemonade

'Cause I Needed More Beads

2008-12-03T08:09:00.003-05:00

Yes I did.

I actually managed to enter the store and only leave with what I came for.

Yay me!

I found some great Tiger's Eye, which I think will be used in remaking yesterday's bracelet.

And if memory serves, this is Carnelian.
But I forgot to write it down.

Boo me.

I'll be back there very soon, though. They have a frequent flyer card and I hit the spend $ get $ mark.

Of course I did.

Back To Work

2008-12-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

The turkey is now officially "leftovers" and the pie is almost gone.

I managed to eek out one more project for myself just before the first of our TWO Thanksgivings.It's made from 20 gauge copper wire and glass beads that look remarkably like amber.Not wanting to add a dissonant note at the end, I handmade the clasp to continue the natural flow of the piece.
I like this one so much, I'm going to make another.

(Voice coming in clearer, I think...)

I'm off to the bead store today to see if I can find just the right bead. I know where I got the originals, but I'm going to try my local shop first.

I have a few things floating around in my head that will hopefully make it into the shop. I'm leaving the holiday pricing and shipping up for now. Why mess with a good thing?

Thankful

2008-11-28T21:35:00.002-05:00

There are many things I am thankful for this week.

I am thankful that I live in a relatively safe part of the world.

I am thankful for full cabinets and full bellies.

I am thankful for family and friends and the way Monkey laughs when he is with them.

I am thankful that, thanks to Hubby, we are secure enough in this economy that I can be home with my Monkey.

I am thankful that while home I can be crafty, and wordy, and bloggy.

I am thankful for the opportunity to search for, and hopefully find, my voice.

I am thankful that all of those led me to all of you. And to Etsy. And to my Etsy shop.

And I am especially thankful for the person who peeked in my shop and saw something they liked.

And bought it.

Holy cupcakes.

I sold something on Etsy.

Why does Blogger not have a font for, "So stunned I may need someone to pick me up off of the floor?"

Ready, Set, Turkey!

2008-11-27T01:05:00.004-05:00

It took at least 2 hours, but the shop is updated!

(Psst! Look over there --------->)

New items, new prices, new shipping, holy cupcakes I'm exhausted.

Almost every seller on Etsy is all stocked up for the holidays, and pixel peeps, you can not believe how talented these Etsy-ers are!

I'm off for TWO Thanksgivings. It's probably not wise to hammer while under the influence of turkey, so I'll be back when the tryptophan wears off.

Otherwise I might ruin the projects queuing up on my desk.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fab Giveaway Alert!

2008-11-26T09:44:00.005-05:00

Monkey did pretty well at his coming out yesterday. Only one MINE! then he shared pretty well after that. He did spend most of the 1/2 hour running around the room and trying to lead the others in a jail break when he figured out how to open the door, but that's to be expected for a 19 month old.

He was thrilled when we sang, "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." He knows it well enough to do the movements and occasionally shout, "Toe!" and "Eye!"

One mom did comment on how I must get so much exercise from chasing him around.

Yes, thanks, I'm caffeinated, you? Seriously, it's a wonder I'm not a size 2... why is that again???

I'm in my "workshop" all day today, prepping the shop update. In the meantime, want to knock out a major chunk of holiday shopping in one giveaway?

Have you been to Cinnamon*Sticks yet today?

Well, why not?

I'm off to brave the grocery store for apple pie supplies. Yes, I should have done it yesterday. I'm counting on my 10AM arrival to beat the crowds. If all else fails, Monkey can distract the crowds of Grandmothers he inevitably attracts while I sneak behind them and grab the last container of ground cloves.

Cover me, I'm going in!

Monkey's Debut

2008-11-25T00:43:00.009-05:00

Taking Monkey out in public is a little like being a museum guard. And an ostrich wrangler. And a campaign manager.

He wants to touch everything, go everywhere, and talk to EVERYONE.

He makes people smile and I hear one word over and over again.

Happy.

Today is a milestone day for Monkey. Today is our first story time at the library. It's a registered class, so it will only be kids in his age group. Monkey loves books and kids, so it should be good.

Oh, please let it be good.

Monkey learned a new word this week. He's learned several new words recently.

Handsome.

Awesome.

Something that sounds like broccoli.

Oh, but this new word...

On the eve of his debut in pre-pre-school society, this word strikes fear in the heart of this mother. These will be the kids he goes to school with. These will be the parents we go to PTA meetings with.

For the love of cupcakes, please do not let their first impression be,

"Oy. Who's kid IS this?"

He's

MINE!

Crack That Whip!

2008-11-24T11:34:00.004-05:00

Thank you all! The ornament should be arriving VERY soon, and I can't wait to see what's in my mailbox too!

I am a very busy little bee this week. I am working on a shop update and holiday shipping and pricing for Black Friday. I'm working on a birthday gift for my mother too. As a result, I've had to pry myself away from my reader for the weekend. I haven't looked yet, but I'm sure it's hovering somewhere around 150... Yay and gulp all at the same time.

I'm off to sequester myself again, so I'll leave you with a tiny peek at what's been happening on my beadboard this week:

Ornament Exchange Day!

2008-11-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's finally time! Today is the mail-by day for:

My exchange buddy makes beautiful ornaments out of natural materials. Once I'm sure she has received her package, I will link to her. I don't think she's reading me now, but I want to share her work with you all. It's lovely!

As much as Cairo Typ0's suggestion tickled me, we're eating elsewhere this year, so I will only be making something sweet to take along. And really, it's best that Hubby stay far away from all things baking. He can cook, but inherited his mother's lack of Betty Crocker skills. She often joked that I was sent to her because of mine!

I wanted to use a 16 gauge copper wire for strength and durability. And though I had intended to use the cookie cutters as "molds," I was afraid the 16 gauge would bruise the cutters like it bruised my hands. (Plan not abandoned, I will try it with a smaller gauge wire soon.)

New plan!

This was posted yesterday afternoon, and should arrive very early next week.

(Minus the black cord. I need to figure out a better way to photograph things that hang!)

The links and jump ring at the top are handmade as well. The hammer marks were intentional to give it more of a raw copper look.

I hope she likes it!

Work In Progress, Um, Thursday?

2008-11-20T12:17:00.002-05:00

I have been one busy little bee. I'm working on some new things for a shop update and I'll be altering pricing and shipping profiles for Black Friday.

I keep forgetting one small thing every time I pop out for the last thing I forgot. It's a good thing Michael's has been giving out 40% off coupons for the last two weeks!

Then again, that may be the root of my "just one more thing..." issues. Now THAT'S brilliant marketing!

In the mean time, here's a riddle for you.

What do these three things have in common?

No, not the worst Christmas cookies ever.

You'll have to wait until Saturday to see!

I've Got Mail!

2008-11-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

I recently won a giveaway on Art Bead Scene Blog's Saturday Spotlight and it arrived today!

How cute is that? My prize is courtesy of Jennifer Heynen at Jangles.

It's just begging to be filled with something. It's SO time to learn how to use resin.

Hubby! Hide the Monkey! Mommy's working in permanent mediums again!
And, hello? How fab are her business cards?

Comment Love

2008-11-17T01:15:00.000-05:00

If anyone saw multiple copies of old posts flooding their readers this weekend, I owe you a brownie. I finally finished tagging, so thing should be easier much to find now. The new Gadget is in my sidebar.

I'm also wading through my blogroll. Updating and adding all the fab new blogs to The Blogroll That Ate Boston. So if you're clicking though from a comment and thinking, "Wait. Have we met?" You might. I used to have a blog that had a type of shoes in the title.

Um. Pointy shoes.

Ahem.

Ok, on to the good stuff!

Comment Love!

Krissy: Those are great ideas! It can be a lot of work to get your blog just right, and by then, you probably want to change it again. lol.

Yup. I'm already thinking about going to a three column format, but then I'll lose my cool background! I am looking in to a new one, but I'm not sure where to start. Anyone know of a cool place to look?

Elizabeth: I know HTML and mess around with my links and blog posts, but the majority of a blogger blog is programmed in CSS, which I don't know at all.I've had no trouble with my blogroll deleting things below it. But I've had trouble with other blogger widgets.

CSS, really? I did not know this! Reason # 573 The Overlord rocks. How was your trip in to your code? Any advice for us? (And ditto on the widgets. I think they might be sentient. That whole "follow" thing made RSS-hash out of my reader!)

Kat: You know. Scarves would make a lovely give away :-)

Stop reading ahead, Kat! *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

Kat also mentioned that the location for BlogHer 09 has been announced. Congrats, Chicago! Will I be there? When I told Hubby Philly had lost, he said, "So? Why can't you go to Chicago?" Ah, man-logic. Truth be told, I don't know, but you can be sure I'm keeping an eye on the calendar!

Cairo Typ0: Great job on the scarf! What size needle did you use? What yarn?

Thanks for asking, I forgot to add that. I used my tried and true Red Heart Super Saver yarns. They're 4-ply and very easy to care for. The hook was an N-9.00mm, the largest I've ever used. So far... I just bought something for an upcoming project that looks like roll of dimes!

Jori-O: Wow, those cuppycakes sound deLISH! Might have to make me some of those...

They were pretty yummy. Sometimes you just have to think INSIDE the BOX!

Widgets, And Gadgets, And Comments, Oh My!

2008-11-13T17:00:00.001-05:00

As anyone who direct links or clicks through their reader can tell you, there's been a whole lot of shifting going on around here this week. I have been prepping the next installment of "Cool Things I Picked Up At BlogHer Boston."

While it's been fun, some of it has not been pretty. Like when I added a widget that wiped out my sidebar. Or the feed that linked to an unknown location that had some *very blue* language.

All *whoops* aside, today's post is about the cool things you can do TO your blog. Most, if not all of the platforms out there have ready to use gadgets. Explore. Tinker. Add. Remove. Get in there and change colors and backgrounds. Add a new layout, maybe one from Aqua Poppy.

Why settle for the same old forms that anyone can use? It's your blog, it should reflect your personal style.

Your Profile

Almost every platform I've seen has a "profile" widget or gadget. USE IT!

Who are you? What are you blogging about? What color are your socks?

Share something that makes your readers aware that there's a real live person on the other side of the screen.

While you're at it, tell us how to get in touch with you. A email address or a comment policy tells your readers you're listening.

How Do I...?

Think of something you'd like to do to your blog. Make it cute. Embed video. Add a widget. Can't find what you're looking for in your platform? No problem.

Google the following phrase: "How do I __________ on my blog?"

It really is that simple, I promise. Though I did learn a lot at BlogHer Boston, this is actually one of the things they taught us, and much of what you see on my blog that is new came from this handy dandy trick.

Your Blogroll

This is one of the easiest things to do. It lets readers know who you're reading, and is how most of us find new blogs to read. Most platforms have built in gadgets and widgets that will allow either a full list, or the spiffy new list feed I have added. Aaaaaaall the way down there on the right is a list called "Breaking News From The Blogroll That Ate Boston."

This would be the amazing invisi-widget that for some unknown reason makes everything listed below it disappear! Thus, the unfortunate banishment to the bottom of the heap. I have a post up in the Blogger "we-should-just-call-them-the-HELP-I-BROKE-SOMETHING!" forums, so here's hoping they can "HELP!" me.

As cool as this is, it does not show you what's on my complete list. Now that I have my favorites folder back, I will be fixing that ASAP. I will list out all of the blogs I am reading and provide a quick link in my sidebar.

Recent Comments

You have readers. You're encouraging participation. They leave great comments. So great that you want to share and answer them. But how? Some bloggers reply in the comments themselves. Some directly email/comment. I have, and still do all of the above, *plus* after much experimentation, developed a little thing I call "Comment Love."

Once in a while, I will gather comments that either ask questions are just plain awesome, and give them a post of their own. Not only does this answer my commenter, it gives you all a peek at some new blogs. Comment Love will return tomorrow! Yippee!

I have also just added a new widget, courtesy of The Blog Doctor, that automatically lists my most recent comments. It's the feature in my sidebar titled, "The Pixel Peeps Have Spoken."

Tags And Keywords

How do people find what they're looking for in your archives? If the answer is dig, you may have a problem. Asking someone to burrow through months or even years of posts is a surefire way to drive them away. The best blogs I have read have tag clouds or keywords that allow me to find exactly what I'm looking for.

I haven't done this myself, yet. I intend to go through and tag this weekend, on the of chance it republishes to all of your readers. Annoying your readers is a no-no too! Afterwards, I'll share what I did and how I did it.

Link Love

Like Comment Love, Link Love is all about sharing. Find a cool tutorial? An awesome Etsy shop? A blogger who makes coffee come out of your nose? Get yourself a towel then SHARE!

A quick scroll down the right side of my blog will illustrate my love of Link Love. If I am listed there, or if I am blog stalking a really cool place, you can be sure I will be talking about it.

Extreme Blog Makeovers, The Home Edition

One of our esteemed panelists recommended digging in to the HTML code f your blog. Frankly, this freaks me out a little, but I think that's because the only class I have ever failed was Computer Programming.

Try printing out the HTML and comparing it to your blog. Try to figure out what does what. If you're lucky enough to know someone who speaks computer as a second language, ask them to help you. There are apparently HTML translators out there that will help, but did I write that down? No. But I know where to ask, so if/when I find one, I'll let you all know.

As wary as I may be, I will be doing just this very soon, and then bribing Hubby with more of those brownies so he'll help me decipher it. As always, I will definitely share.

The moral of the story is thus, Pixel Peeps:

It's your blog. Make yourself, and your readers at home!

My New Scarf, Or:

2008-11-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

Why the girl with two astigmatisms should not "just eyeball it."

As I washed and sorted our winter gear, I couldn't help but notice that almost all of my handmade scarves are skinny, as was the edict sent down from on high last year.

This simply will not do for Winter '08!

So I set out to make a chunky but cozy neck warmer that would go with the majority of my wardrobe. Rather than measure my current scarves and make one that was bigger, I decided to wing it.

Not bad, if I do say so myself. Chunky, soft, and ALMOST A FOOT WIDE.

I have to fold it in half just to see.

If my neck is cold this year, it is my own dang fault!

Sharing Is Caring

2008-11-10T20:16:00.006-05:00

So part of me doesn't want to tell you all this... but who am I kidding? I couldn't keep this to myself! I have some of the nicest readers in the bloggoverse. How could I not share this:

Nifty, right?

I can think of so many things I could do with this. Photos of Monkey sent to family all over the country. Restoring and sharing the photos of Hubby's late mom and grandfather that are languishing in boxes. Finally doing something with the photos I took on our honeymoon. Adding photo cards to my crafty repertoire...

The possibilities are endless.

So... what do you think?

Like it?

Want one?

GO HERE NOW!

Do it before midnight on November 16th!

Why are you still here?? GO!

Hello, Old Friend

2008-11-09T17:21:00.003-05:00

Long time, no see. It's not my laptop, but it is everything off of it that did not originate at a software company. Super Hubby is going to crack the laptop open and attempt a brain transplant this week. Crossing my fingers...

The elite rescue team was paid in Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes which, in my delirium, I did not photograph. The were a box mix flavored with lemon, frosted with strawberries and cream frosting, and garnished with lemon zest.

It may have been the first time I have used that zester in a year.

Up this week are the cool things to do TO your blog I have extracted from my notes and files, followed by what to do with your spiffy new self. That first one may make things go a little wonky around here, so please do not adjust your set...

Plus some ACTUAL CRAFTINESS. Like the scarf I finally finished for myself and my ornament for the exchange.

Work In Progress Wednesday

2008-11-05T09:22:00.003-05:00

(photo credit)

So much hope.

So much potential.

So much work to do.

(We'll return to your regularly schedule craftiness after this short nap!)

It's Election Day In America

2008-11-04T00:01:00.003-05:00

Do you know where your polling place is?

When I was little, my parents would take us to vote with them.

In our district, we had the old school booths where you entered and pulled a lever to close the curtain. The booth itself was a massive wall of metal switches that could be flipped up and down, and when you were ready, you cast your ballot by cranking the lever back to open the curtain and "punch" your card. When we were big enough, we were allowed to pull the lever for them. I still hear that metallic click-click-click-clank every time I think about voting.

So today, I will take my son to vote with me.

At only 18 months old he may not remember, but I will.

I will remember that this was the year when people stood in line to vote for hours on end - the way they would normally only stand in line for iPhones and Sox tickets.

I will remember that this was the year people ran for president who, in the past, would not even been allowed to vote, much less actually have more than a snowball's chance of succeeding.

And hopefully, I will remember that this was the year that more people came out to vote than ever have in modern American history.

Left, right, or center - vote.

Get in line.

Stay in line.

VOTE.

Uncle Money

2008-11-03T16:17:00.004-05:00

Hubby works with a great guy who has a name Monkey can not pronounce yet. He calls him Uncle Money.

He is SO Money.

Hubby will return home today an external drive filled to the brim with the heart and soul of my laptop!

Pictures!

Documents!

MY BLOGROLL FAVORITES FOLDER!

Uncle Money thinks the hard drive needs to be replaced, and the screen still needs repair, but I so do not care. My stuff is back, so I'll rock the Franken-top as long as I have to.

I see an obscene amount of baked goods in his very near future...

Overheard This Morning

2008-11-03T10:08:00.004-05:00

...over the monitor as Hubby got Monkey up for breakfast.

Monkey

Daddy!

Hubby

Hi buddy! Are you ready for breakfast?

Monkey

I ready.

Hubby

Ok, let's change you and then we'll have breakfast.

Monkey

PISSAH! (Pizza)

Hubby

No, buddy, pizza is not for breakfast. How about waffles?

Monkey

Waff-ooo!

Hubby

Ok!

*changes diaper*

Hubby

All done.

Monkey

Done!

Hubby
Are you ready for breakfast?

Monkey

PISSAH!

Hubby
*laughing*

No, buddy, we're having waffles.

Monkey
Waff-ooo!

Hubby

That's right!
Are you ready?

Monkey

I ready.

Hubby

Ok, let's go have breakfast!

Monkey

PISSAH!

The kid knows what he wants.

I did a crafty stock-up run this weekend! I see sparkly things coming through the readers very soon....

Also up this week are the things I'm trying out from the blogging conference. New widgets, new blogrolls, new ways for me to mess up my layout... Yippee!

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Weekend For This Blog Bling

2008-11-01T21:45:00.005-04:00

Hey, I have some new bling to show off.
Like?

The uber-fabulous Georgette at Can't Hardly Wait saw fit to bestow it on me, much to my great surprise and deep appreciation!

So now I am supposed to pass it on to 5 more people who have rockin' blogs.

Only 5? Ok. *pout*

1. Susie: I am pretty much a longtime blog stalker when it comes to Susie at Susie's Homemade. She makes the yummiest things!

2: Lauren: Even though she blogs in two places, A Life of Delight and LB Williams Designs, she still finds time to whip it. Ganache that is, and it has tweaked my Grasshopper Brownies just so.

3. Erin: Talent. Envy. Oh, the ENVY. See for yourself at Every Heart Crafts.

4. Elizabeth: Not only is the Evil Overlord a crafty crafty chickie, she is a fighter and a blogging superhero.

5. Jori-O: at Jeff & Me + Three. She's funny. She's real. She's an Esme. Me too! Jori? Go check out LB Williams Designs. You'll see why when you get there.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T00:01:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I know I have said that I would not be posting pictures of my son for his own privacy and safety, but I just can't resist.

This is actually a pretty good likeness, though Monkey has more teeth and is decidedly pale like his Mummy.

Happy Halloween!

Work In Progress Wednesday

2008-10-29T10:49:00.004-04:00

I am still working on Franken-top, so I'm calling THAT my work in progress. Thank you all for the commiseration and get well wishes for my laptop. If it weren't for the election giving me something to direct my frustration at, I don't know what I'd do.

I'm still working on a TON of stuff, but have just now put my camera's software on Frankie. Maybe it's about not wanting it to seem too permanent, but I want MY LAPTOP back. I am in the process of settng this up so I can get to posting already, but... have I mentioned how much I miss MY LAPTOP?

Arrrrrrggggg!

Anyway. This is not so much a WIP as a birthday gift. Lil'Sis turns 23 today, so we sent a giant package down to her. This was in there too, but I couldn't post it until today!

It's onyx and pearl with stainless steel wirework on an 18 inch leather cord.
There was something else I was working on too, but it's taking a bit longer to learn.

That will just have to wait until Christmas!

Insert Bad Words Here

2008-10-26T18:13:00.003-04:00

Apparently making a grand declaration of intent does not amuse the powers that be.

I wasn't supposed to post this weekend.

I was supposed to be doing maintenance.

I was supposed to be getting my next summary ready.

I was definitely not supposed to hear the words

harddrive corruption.

There were tears, threats of hardware being flung from the roof, and I may or may not have consumed a Frappucino shotgun style... I blacked out sometime after my uber-techie Hubby uttered the phrase, "I can't fix this."

So I'm here, but I'm on a Franken-Laptop for a while.

It's blogging, old school.

I might as well be sending smoke signals.

Best go find two sticks, just in case.

A "Fine" Friday

2008-10-23T23:41:00.006-04:00

Deepest apologies to anyone who saw the blog go all wonky last night. I am trying to implement some of the things I learned from Sessions 2 & 3 so I can post about them.

Ditto to anyone who sees any wonkyness this weekend. If I pop up in your reader 100+ times, I am terribly sorry. Just "mark all as read" until Monday.

So there is a blogger I think you all should meet. Her name is Maggie, Dammit.

No, really. Maggie, Dammit at Ok, Fine, Dammit.

A short time ago, Maggie held a contest to give away a pair of earrings I made. Of course, because I have been pointy-toe-boot deep in the throws of The Great Blog Move '08, I missed the start and didn't send you all over there and generally was no help at all. (Seriously my fault.)

Maggie pressed on through my FUBAR and awarded the earrings to Cathy, a fabu blogger herself. Go check her out and say hi. Bring a snack with you, though. You will get hungry.

This week, she introduced us to her fab new writing space. It's warm, it's cozy, it's all hers and I am just about 7 shades of green with envy. In her post she says:

Why, as writers, do we have such a hard time validating what we do? Why is it done in our spare time, tucked in garages and basements, hidden behind computer solitaire games at the coffee shop? Why do we call it a hobby, a craft, a leisurely pursuit? Why do we say, “I am in advertising sales, but I like to write on the side?” Why do we think it can’t be done?

You have no idea how many times I have pondered this. I am a person who thrives on success. Anyone remember the scene from The Simpsons when the school shuts down and Lisa has a meltdown? "Grade me! Grade me!" Yeah, that could be me. Only paler. I know this and own it.

However.

Through blogging and my awesome mommy fueled identity crisis I have come to a startling realization. 3 times in my life I have chosen to do something which owes it's measurable success standards to the opinions of others.

3 times I have chosen. Music, writing, and crafting.

I did it to myself, dang it!

This was my comment to Maggie:

I pretty much have issues with any statement that begins, “I am a…” I was recently asked about Etsy, and whether I was an artist. I answered, “Well, no. A crafter.” As if I needed to correct them and disavow the extra credit they had awarded me. Come to think of it, I was asked pretty much the same thing about baking recently and answered similarly.

I am. A writer. A crafter. An artist. A flippin’ purple frog if I put my mind to it, and we should all stop qualifying ourselves.

Hubby and I have had many conversations about this subject over the last 12 (yup, 12 this week) years. Tonight, I was telling him about Maggie's post and talking about labels.

I told Hubby that I have come to realize that if I label myself as XYZ, then in my mind I have to follow that with some measure of success as an XYZ. Otherwise, I fail. Better not to try than to fail.

He said, "But if you don't try, you'll never know."

My answer? "Yes, but failing is worse than not knowing."

Blech. I annoy me too.

I would not accept this answer from Monkey, so why is it ok for me?

Short answer: It's not.

Work(s) in Progress (And Completed) Wednesday

2008-10-22T16:09:00.006-04:00

Thank you all for your great comments on my summary. It was informative, empowering, and I'm psyched to be able to share it all with you. There's more to come!

Before I forget, a few announcements:

Thanks, I love my new look too! It's like having a new pair of shoes for your blog. I found Aqua Poppy through Maranda Marie, who has just redecorated her blog too! If you like what you see, hop on over to:

Also, Friday is the last day to sign up for:

When last I checked, there were over 100 bloggers signed up. This is going to be so much fun!

And don't forget about the CraftStylish Make It Pink Challenge! It's open until the end of October.

And now, my finished WIP!

Working in variegated colors was fun. I liked watching the pattern emerge and change. I also noticed a big difference in the feel of 100% cotton.
But the best surprise was by far what happened when I took it out of the dryer.The cotton tassels puffed up in the cutest way!

It's big and smooshy and soft, and I think it will be the first crochet listing in the shop.

Off to work on my current WIP - the next summary!

BlogHer Boston: Session One

2008-10-21T17:07:00.008-04:00

The brilliant people at BlogHer, in their infinite wisdom, had decided that this year, they would give more bloggers the opportunity to eat, blog, and be merry. The tour was originally scheduled for 6 locations, but alas, only DC and Boston survived.

The good news is that the location for THE BIG ONE in the summer is up for grabs now. Personally, I'm rooting for a location somewhere within driving distance of my house... I think I heard someone whisper *Philly* was in the running. Then again I think I also heard *Colorado* spoken about in hushed tones. We'll have to wait until the end of the month to see!

On to the good stuff.

The liveblogger's version of this can be found here. Worth the click. Ditto for DC's liveblogger.

Session One was aptly titled, "I blog, therefore I am."

Our esteemed panel took our questions and shared their own experiences with us. I have condensed my notes into what I found most poignant and relevant to my own blogging.

Boundaries & Identity

Blogger, know thyself! Whether we have come to blogging through chance or intention, it is important to decide now, if you have not already, what your personal blogging boundaries are.

Are you using your real name? If so, how could that affect you later? Are you using a pen name? If a potential employer Googled you, can you stand by what they will find? Will you be answering questions from irate in-laws over turkey?

Will your son survive junior high when his friends find the post you wrote about the time you had to crawl over the back seat of your station wagon after locking the two of you in there while executing an emergency poopy-diaper change in the grocery store parking lot?

(Yes, I did.)

As our speakers noted: Who you are writing for is not the only person reading. Be mindful of that and decide early on what your personal informational standards and boundaries will be.

Now that you know what you won't share, what will you write about?

This is my current dilemma. I left behind a blog of anonymity to share more of my creative self, but at what price? Will I censor myself in this new medium where the readers may occasionally be people I know IRL? (Hi Lil' Sis! Hi BFF!)

Um. No answer here. Yet. I'll let you know how that goes.

While we're talking about the what, it's important to think about the how too. We all have read at least one blog where after a few sentences - meh - and we click away. The blogger had no pull. No draw. No voice. When you write, write for somebody.

Be authentic. Be honest. Be you.

Site Metrics & Measuring Success

There have been times when I have wondered whether SiteMeter has a SiteMeter that tracks how often I track my blog. It's an addiction, I know.

Tracking can be useful. It lets you know people are reading, and where they're coming in from. Trackers like SiteMeter and Google Analytics seemed to be the most popular in the crowd.

Popular opinion held that the best gauge of whether your blog is a "success" is COMMENTS. Actually, after 12 hours and three sessions it is clear. It is all about the comments! COMMents COMMunity. Get it?

Here's where knowing why you're blogging in the first place is so important. If you know the why, you'll know the when. If you're only out for popularity, SiteMeter is your goal. If you're here to share, learn, create, inform, then it's all about the - say it with me - COMMENTS! Yay!

Blogging For Bucks

Are bloggers getting paid? The truth is yes, some are. Whether through ads, referrals, professional gigs, or Etsy (Hi Etsy!), some bloggers are getting paid in some fashion. Big bucks? It's a one in a million shot. (Another reason to know your intent.)

The prevailing sentiment on Pay Per Post and paid reviews was mixed at best. Are these bloggers being paid what their time and effort is worth? Not usually. And writing positive or neutral reviews only? Did not go over too well with the crowd.

If you're looking to monetize, they are looking for you too, but you need to be clear about what you're doing. Are you trading your influence and good (blog)name? Do you believe what you're writing? Do you have reasonable expectations? As long as you're willing, the opportunities exist, you just have to look for them. (Try Googling Problogger, monetizing my blog, Adsense, etc...)

Blogging & Life Transitions

I came to blogging as a direct result of a life transition. My own personal new mommy induced identity crisis. Some bloggers are posting away when their crisis hits. Either way, blogging can help when life kicks you to the curb.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well it takes a village to sustain a woman too. As we become less localized and clan-like, we lose our traditional support systems. Out among the pixels, you can find a new village. Your village.

Speaking of crisis - there also is the apparently inevitable blog crisis. Burn out. Peaking. Trolls.

Step back. Ask yourself why you are doing what you're doing here. Is this your preferred direction? Or in the case of a troll, is this person just angry at the world? The answer from the panel seems to be prioritizing. What is most important to you, what are your goals, and how will you achieve them? There was a whole session on this, and I will share that with you all another day.

Whew. That's a lot to take in. I will be back with more soon, and I even promise some less wordy eye candy tomorrow. My two week old WIP is FINALLY done!

So how about a handy-dandy Six Word Summary?

(I do so love Six Word-stuff!)

Boundaries

Priorities

Identity

Authenticity

Sharing

and....

Comments!

BlogHer Boston In Pictures

2008-10-20T08:00:00.003-04:00

I did actually remember to bring my camera - and use it - but not nearly as much as I intended to.

Leaving the house. Ugh, this is too early.Wait...
That's better!

This is not a cocktail before 9am.

This is a yummy smoothie that looks like a cocktail.
That shortly after this was bumped by a passing laptop.

My notebook smells like bananas now.

I tried liveblogging the first session,
But my wrists were killing me, so I went old school,
And pulled out my banana-book.

Saturn was one of the sponsors and graciously provided what looked like their entire line to test drive.
So did I try the minivan? The hybrid?

Pu-lease.

I drove this.
Nice view!
Red always was my color.Yes, thank you, I will take this home with me.

No? But there's a back seat and everything, though I'm not sure a car seat would fit in there...

There are no photos of the cocktail hour.

Not that I was actually drinking, what with the drive and all...

By the time I got home I was lugging this:
Dibs on the slippers!

That stack of paperwork and business cards is what I've been going through.
Next up: The sessions and what I learned.

Other than that I am a klutz in every setting and should keep an eye on my smoothies.

Who Are You? Who-Who Who-Who?

2008-10-18T13:31:00.005-04:00

I have mentioned before that Oh2122 is not my first foray in to all things bloggy. I started blogging, um, elsewhere...

I'm still not sure what I want to do with that space, and whether I will be combining the craftyness with the mommyness, but I went back and changed it to private until I figure it all out.

So while I sort through all things BlogHer Boston, riddle me this, readers:

If you're mostly a craft blogger, do you read mommy blogs "for a change"?

If you're mostly a mommy blogger, do you read craft blogs "for a change"?

Does the merging of the two in one place bug you?

Do you prefer the little sidebar that says "find me here too" to keep it separate?

Oh2122

*tap* *tap* *tap* - Is This Thing On?

On Hiatus

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Ironic Indeed

Subliminal Gardening

WIP Wednesday

Monkey's New BFFs

Flung

WIP Wednesday And I Need A Nap!

FLING!

WIP Monday

* Waving Meekly *

Mabel's Labels Are The Cupcake

Memes And Labor Vibes

Flashback Filler, Day 4

Flashback Filler, Day 3

Flashback Filler, Day 2

Flashback Filler, Day 1

And The Winner Is:

A Mossy Bit-O-Sunshine

I'm Barking Mad

Let It Ride

100!

99 ...

Thoughts? Ideas? Views? Opinions?

How Many Letters Does YOUR Alphabet Have?

Doing My Part For The Troubled Economy

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Friday Housekeeping

* Names Have Been Changed To Protect The Giggling

Deep End, Throwing Of Self In, And More List Making

Not-So-Breaking News!

Frosted Friday: Sugar Loaded Toddler Edition

The Light At The End Of The Shovel

Etsy's CPSIA Blog-In

Sometimes The Google Lies

Bloggy To Do List Update

"Oooh, Shiny!" Monday

Frosted Friday - The Commercially Produced Edition

4 Photo Folder Tag

WIP Wednesday: Oh2122 Central Command

It's Inauguration Day In America

A Snowy Birthday

CPSIA Anyone?

Frosted Friday Now With More Red Fingers!

- Untitled

WIP Wednesday

Hi! You've Reached Oh2122

We Interrupt This Frosted Friday To Bring You A Finished WIP

We Interrupt This Thursday To Bring You Frosted Friday

WIP Wednesday

Reusable Bag Swap

Soooo...

Frosted Friday

DISCLAIMER: WE'RE ALL FINE

Hello 2009!

Comment Love

Crafty Loot

Best Posts Of The Year

Merry Christmas!

Happy To You

Oh2122's Family Christmas Swap

Holiday Catch-Up: Christmas Card Display

WIP Wednesday

Home Again

Wordless Monday

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like

I've Got MORE Mail!

Custom Order For Etsy

Smile And Wave

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

Meme Along With Me

'Cause I Needed More Beads

Back To Work

Thankful

Ready, Set, Turkey!

Fab Giveaway Alert!

Monkey's Debut

Crack That Whip!

tap tap tap - Is This Thing On?

Insert Bad Words Here