Raige Creations

This song may just get me through Monday....and Tuesday.....and well you get the idea. I really try not to 'live for the weekend' , but lately I have just been worthless after work during the week. I get up barely in time to have a leisurly cup of coffee and easy shower before work, and then after work I just want to sit and browse the web and watch Shark Tank . (We have TV again, and I forgot what a mesmorizing magnet it can be....)  It is only on the weekends that I can aget done the stuff I WANT to get done. The one good thing is, that I CAN get the things I want to do done. Now that we are back to renting (a weight has been lifted, no more renovations, no more stresses of home ownership, no more fighting with strata, and no more bad neighbors.  [Actually we don't really know our neighbors yet but that is A-OK for now. At least they are yelling at us and nearly running in to us with their car- yes those things did happen and that is all I have to say about that] ...

Click here to vote! I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way, but I am SO ready for Spring. In fact, this week's Great Finds is all about SPRING, so head on over there to get your fix. And while you are there, give Raige a vote. These Toekini's are being featured. Sunshine Yellow with Groovy Red Heart Toekini's Ready for Spring, bare feet, beaches, pools, and to not be cold any more! Who is with me?

I was just enjoying getting lost on my blog . {does anyone else ever do that? click on the 'you might also like' posts at the end of the blog and find old posts, old pictures, marvel at how good some posts are, how bad others are??} source And I realized Raige turned 4 this year! Past toddler years now. It is hard to believe it has gone by so fast. I noticed, too, that Raige has really grown. Particularly in the style of Toekini's. Check out THIS post , where I was celebrating one year. The Toekini's were different, thinner, more bead-y.  Should I go back to that style?  Or keep going in the thicker, wider direction? I guess there is room for both, right? What do you think? Comments welcome and encouraged. thanks.

source - Pinterest I am sure I am not alone in wishing for the temperature to start going up!  In this vein, I am sharing some of my warm weather creations for us to dream about no wool socks and slippers , no fuzzy socks , not being covered in quilts when watching tv , etc etc. Let's dream about being barefoot ! Natures Green Rose on Sunshine Yellow Toekini's Alices Blue Flower Garden Toekini's Let's dream of a nice Valentine gift too. Red Open Heart Toekini's Beating HeartToekini's These make you feel too cold still? How about some with a little more cover? Purple Mesh Barefoot Sandals Sunshine Yellow with Groovy Red HeartBarefoot Sandals All that is missing is the beach I would be on wearing these..... (click on that beach link to see the beach I mean.....) Well, now back under the blanket, because it is really only 27 degrees outside, even though the sun is shining like it is Spring. Stay warm!

London Calling As often is the case, songs pop in my head by something that triggers a lyric. In this case, the charms on my newest Toekini's   ( Zibbet link )  has brought The Clash to my mind, and there this song has been ever since. London Underground, Red Telephone Box, and The Union Jack Toekini's available in both my ArtFire shop and Zibbet shop Of course, I don't know all the lyrics, just the repetitive London Calling . S o, over and over and over, this has been stuck in my head.  I have never been to London , but it is on my unofficial 'Bucket List' . (I haven't actually written anything down...so far it is just a bunch of things in my head, like, "yeah I want to do that someday...." )   And no doubt, this song will be stuck in my head when that day comes, too. Now, it is stuck in your head. Enjoy.

I have been off my game lately. Or should I say on a different game? I don't know. After the Jingle Bell Run , I stopped running. After two months of blogging every day, I all but stopped blogging. I didn't even blog about the actual RACE I ran for goodness sake. After applying strenuously for new jobs listed on the online sites, I stopped applying.  (Until today, that is.) So what HAVE I been doing? I  HAVE  been cooking more (mostly).  I even made pancakes for a breakfast yesterday, and we all sat down as a family and ate breakfast, well brunch really it was noon, TOGETHER! We never do that.... And Kung-Pow Chicken and Lasagna, two days in a row! I  HAVE  been spending time with the family.  The kids all home on break, Assasin's Creed IV for Christmas (Pirates! We all love pirates and this game is kinda fun to watch, with all the pillaging and plundering and shark fishing and all....) Then there was The Walking Dead Marathon. I am...

Original Artwork by Paige These boots were made for art class actually,  by my daughter. But how can you see a picture of boots and not think of Nancy Sinatra and These Boots Are Made For Walkin' ?  It didn't help that we found  Austin Powers  on the telly last week. It is a good tune to start the week, especially when last week was sort of my 'week off' and I really could use a boost to get some crap done this week!  Last week, -I took the week off from running (and even walking) ,  -I took the week off from blogging (was 2 months of NaBloPoMo too much? perhaps. But I wonder this week if I had that to get me blogging I wouldn't have dropped the ball there) , -I even took the week off from putting real pants on! (I did put on leggings and sweatpants, don't worry.) I did manage to: -list some Jewelry for Bridget (all the jewelry from the Blue Rage , with still loads more to list)  ( Artfire section for AF shoppers , Zibbet se...

Bones sez Happy Halloween Happy Halloween! It is a sad one for me today, as it marks the last day of NaBloWriMo 2013 .  And yes, it's Halloween, but we really don't celebrate that much anymore. For one, I have no candy for trick-or-treaters (we don't get any because of our long, beautiful yet potentially creepy even on a normal day, driveway). Second, my teens don't dress up for Halloween anymore (well, except my daughter who gets to dress as a literary character in AP English class - she is Elizabeth from Frankenstein, but I won't get to see her in costume!)  The most I do for Halloween is hang up my dear old friend Bones . He was an excellent Toekini model, but lately he just hangs around. I have really enjoyed this year's NaBloWriMo . I made some good new blogging friends, and my passion for blogging is even stronger now. I am sad in a way that it is done for this year. Also, I suddenly have a desire to make more Toekini's ! How diffe...

It is WEDDING SEASON! In honor of all the brides and grooms getting down on the dancefloor, I say to you..... Young Man.....There's no need to feel down.... You can get yourself clean.....You can have a good meal......... It's fun to stay at the...... Y....M...C...A.... Yes, I am doing the arm motions!!  Oh boy I forgot how fun this song IS! Turn up your speakers and join in!!! Everywhere I turn, talk is of weddings. I even have been a mini part of planning one (which I am thrilled about) (insert shameless plug here....)  I got to make Toekini's for a wedding party! They turned out beautiful, which I am so happy about. I only wish I could be there to see them on the bride and her party.  If you are like me, and won't be attending any weddings this year, join me in playing this classic wedding reception favorite. Re-play it, and enjoy the real live Village People singing right along, dancing, and looking, well, like they are village peop...

Under Pressure. The pressures of life, we feel them. We are either weighed down by them, crushed by them, or we grow stronger because of them. This week, I have experienced pressure. Pressure from the obligations of life. Pressure I impose on myself. Pressure others put on me. I have been weighed down, nearly crushed, but ultimately I have grown stronger, as I am still here, still going. The pressures don't have to get the best of us. And that is something we sometimes forget when we are feeling the pressure. We can let the pressure get the best of, but it is just as simple to overcome the pressure, and tackle each one as it appears. I was imposing on myself the pressure to write, on top of the month end pressures the business requires, along with the housekeeping pressures that always exist, the time pressures that never let up, the creative pressures I long to take more time on. All with the self imposed disgust from not running in almost an entire month. Not even ...

I am much too old to stay up until 2:30 am and get up at 6:00 am. But that is just what I did Monday night. Why? Probably one of the most common reasons people cannot sleep. Stress. I had tried to relax after working my 6th day in a row, avoided turning on my computer when I got home. I just watched the boob tube until my brain finally quieted down and I dozed off on the couch. But then ~ midnight rolled around and on my way to bed from the couch it hit me! I HAD SO MUCH TO DO!! Thus my brain and body said - NO SLEEP FOR YOU . I mindlessly did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, the tried to find my brain and write all of my 'to-do's on the message board. Then I felt compelled to turn on my computer, and I printed off the past 4 months of bank statements and proofed some graphics and worked on my blog.   Finally, I forced myself to bed at 2:30 am.  The alarm going off at 6:00 am hurt. But I got up and did the normal morning rituals, except in a slight dream like state. B...

Only one week into the kids' summer vacation, and I had to get up at 6:30am today.  Why?  ~Science~ Not psychology though.  My youngest was invited to a science camp at the local community college, AB Tech . They call it STEM Camp - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Have I mentioned how smart my youngest is? Well, he is smart enough to be asked to attend (this was invitation only), and smart enough to want to go - on his summer vacation no less. Sparkling Blue Starfish Toekini's So this week, we will be up early, which is good for me since I seem to get more done when I am up that early. Got 2 sets of Toekini's made before anyone else got up - something that seldom happens during any school vacation and particularly summer vacation.  Speaking of summer, this new set of Toekini's is perfect for the beginning of summer. (Picture shows both ways to tie these soft and fun Toekini's.) Have a great Monday!

It was a beautiful Sunday, 2 Sundays ago here in Asheville, filled with lots of love for the local businesses. It was  The Big Love Fest I was lucky enough to share a booth with Fuzzy Leaf Felting - she makes felted soaps, and absolutely beautiful hats, fedoras, and the coolest bracelets.  Lindsey is such a fun booth-mate too! We loved people watching.... I also got to introduce Turn Peace Around to Asheville with some great TPA products. Luxurious hand towels with Turn Peace Around symbol and Peace in beautiful flowers letters by Grandma Carolyn's Everything Else shop. Plus, a great selection of Key FOBS from Terri's POP Embroidery. I had an eclectic mix of things, from Toekini's (of course) to Jewelry by Bridget, to Mosaics and plants. <- This is what people saw walking by our booth. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.  The mosaics are now happily at the Farmers Market shop Locally Grown.  The banner was perfect - made by Anne's H...

Never thought it would be, but today is Farming Friday!  I went to the Farmers Market in West Asheville to check on Raige's Toekini's there at the shop Locally Grown. I added a few more, and after re-arranging, think maybe even a few more would do nicely. Then I had a wonderful lunch at The Moose Cafe with a friend. Super good Southern Food, super good company. Their Apple Butter is awesome on those home-made biscuits! It got warm, the sun was out ~ So far a great Friday Then I come home and check on my tomato plant and LOOK! I have 4 tomatoes! PLUS a few more flowers that are sure to turn into yummy home grown tomatoes. I may just have a green thumb after all, but don't want to speak too soon. My daughter has a good green thumb though. Proof here, are all due to her diligence in taking care of these, here are her  Trumpet Creepers .  She grew each of these from the seeds. Took care of them all fall, winter, and so far this spring. Then she ...

I am! I am hardcore! Ok, maybe not to the runners, marathoners, tri-athletes.  But I am hardcore - and so are you if you think about it. For me, it hit me as I was walking in the rain last week. I know I have bragged about walking in the rain before , but that was nothing compared to the rain last week. It had been raining all the night before, all morning, and there were rivers of water running down the street and large puddles everywhere. The rain wasn't a drizzle, it was steadily raining. My clothes, after walking in the rain. But I went for a walk anyways. The old me would have stayed in and missed a day of walking. But the hardcore me got my hoodie and my old walking shoes (didn't want to get my new ones wet and dirty), and headed out to get wet walking. The bottoms of my pants were so wet when I got back, I took my clothes off and left them on the steps. And I couldn't see because my glasses had drops all over them and were fogging up. ( Yes, I took the pi...