Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design Blog

Propaganda Candy Benefit Event!!

2011-01-31T09:47:00.001-08:00

Propaganda Candy is happy to announce that we have a benefit craft show coming up this weekend to support a friend who is suffering from colon cancer. Come on out and do some good by supporting colon cancer awareness and visiting your favorite crazy crafters at the Propaganda Candy booth.

THE DETAILS:
WHO: Propaganda Candy
WHAT: "I Wear Blue to Support Colon Cancer" Benefit Craft Show
WHERE: South Beloit American Legion
WHEN: 10 AM-4 PM February 5th 2011
WHY: To raise money for Faye Long's colon cancer treatment
HOW: Get in your car and drive on over!

More info can be found on the Facebook event page.

Check it out, and we hope to see you there!!!

-Carolyn Michelle & Samantha Marie

Another exciting tidbit about this event is that basically my entire family is showing there: Dear Lady Bubs, MooMoo, Beaky, and Grandma Beth all have tables that will be filled to the max with awesome. So if, for some reason, Propaganda Candy is not enticing to you, there is a good chance you will find something else to tickle your fancy.

So, yes, you should come.

Re-Opened!!

2011-01-12T10:17:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been quiet here for a while, huh? That's because I've been in the middle of doing a bit of a major overhaul on the LLH shop. I am happy to announce that the shop is RE-OPENED!!!

But that's not all....

Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design's profits now go towards one of these top-rated charities: World Vision
Compassion International

So you can feel even more good about buying handmade goods from the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design shop! I am very excited about this big change: it has been something I've been wanting to do for a while now. To know that your work is something that brings in money is quite a good feeling, but to know that your work is helping change the world for the better is an amazing feeling.

I could go on and on about feeling called to give back and feeling so blessed with my talents. This is the least I could do with what I have been given. Check out the etsy and the new Facebook page for updates as the shop starts out again.

In other news:

Propaganda Candy is still up and kickin', no worries there. Head on over to our Facebook to see the line-up of shows for the summer as soon as we release it!

Winter break is rolling to a close and I will be quite happy to get back to school. I have enjoyed my time at home, but I'm ready to be back on my own. And besides, I miss my NIU family. :)

Hope the holidays were wonderful for everyone else! Stay warm!
-Carolyn Michelle

Prayers, once again...

2010-12-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

Please pray for my girl Shelby and her whole family. She is, as I type, in a surgery that is projected to take five hours. That's a long time for all of us who are waiting. That's a long time for the doctors. That's a long time for her.

So please, pray for her and everyone involved.

Love,
Carolyn Michelle

Follow the events of Shelby's surgery here.

We are ALL mad here....

2010-12-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

....mad about hats, that is:

Top: Michael's Monster Hat
Bottom: Hannah's Narwhal Hat

What fun hats to be commissioned to make! I was also commissioned to make a plushie, that I finished but cannot post because it is for a gift.

Feeling so festive.

Happy Monday!

Love,
Carolyn Michelle

What up, Buttercup? Another update in pictures....

2010-11-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Well, this is an unusually warm day for Midwestern November: it's 65 degrees!!! What the what?! Hey, I'm not complaining.

So, what's up? I'll tell you what's up: insanity. Rapidly approaching are my first semester of college finals as well as portfolio reviews for my are classes. Uhhhh......yikes? Yeah. Roger that.

But before I melt with the stress of my college classes, I get the sheer joy of flying out to see my sailor for FIVE WHOLE DAYS. I
leave on Wednesday (in precisely 47 hours). In all honesty, words cannot do justice to the excitement that keeps making me giggle like a school-girl.

Don't judge me! I haven't seen him since his graduation on October 4th. That's a long time. I know you know that. You are smart. You can count. And stuff.

The DeviantART obsession continues (no I do not have it opened
in another tab.....stop judging me!) as I have officially posted 50 deviations. It is indeed spiffy.

In other news, my hat making sales have really been booming. So far I've made a narwhal hat for Hannah-from-the-first-floor and have been commissioned to make hats for Long-Lost-Cousin-Andrew-who-wants-a-simple-hat, Michael-who-wants-a-hat-that-looks-like-a-monster, and Jax-who-wants-to-be-the-one-and-only-"Jax-a-lope"-with-antlers-on-her-hat.

So. Looks like I know what I'm doing on the plane! Crochet hooks can be taken on board, yes?

In other, other news, I got to spend some time with some of my favorite people this weekend: Tara, Bubba, and Daddy. :) Before heading home for the weekend, we saw a shadow performance of Rocky Horror Picture Show (featuring Jax as the criminologist) here in town. T'was fun. A relaxing weekend (despite the disturbing nature of Rocky Horror, I was able to sleep well) complete with our first ever fire in our fireplace.

We've lived there for...oh....five years now? Yeah. We're a lil slow with the fireplace thing.

And I got to hang out with the Martin Girls! Though it was not in the best of locations: Shelby is in the hospital again. Click that link to see some of the spiffy crafty work Tara, Shelby, and I were doing. That doll was so well dressed.

Now, the pictures:
1. Jacque the Zombie: an accidental piece of artwork created on my paint pallet
2. Doraleous at Target: the plushie Doraleous I crocheted a while back. He goes everywhere with us. Perhaps I shall post the full adventures of Doraleous at a later date...
3. Tara modeling for Propaganda Candy's new items. Check out the shop and admire all of my fav sister's photo work for us!!!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Love,
Carolyn Michelle

Obsessed?! Who, me???

2010-10-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Cough-cough. Obsessed with DeviantART? Me? Absurd.

Never.

(Thirty-one deviations in two weeks)

Okay. So?

(Hours and hours on the groups page)

Yeah....

(More time spent on there than facebook)

....

(Blogger and facebook combined)

Shut up.

Me on DeviantART

Love!

Hello Sailor!!

2010-10-04T10:35:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous weekend.
Two months is a long time.
A very long time, indeed.

I have renewed amazement for all those who go for even longer than we did without seeing each other in order to defend our great nation. What strength!

I love you Caleb!!

-Carolyn Michelle

Regarding Vintage Dresses...

2010-09-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

Vintage dresses: they are wonderful, right? Who doesn't love the feeling of pawing carefully through a pile of historical garments only to find the most amazing, most lovely, most stunningly-awesome dress...

And have it fit you like a glove...

And find the perfect shoes...

And find a vintage slip to wear under it...

And have a cardigan and belt in your dorm room that will match it perfectly...

And then find out that not only is it a vintage dress, but also a vintage dress made of hand-crocheted lace...

And have a boyfriend who will be graduating from Navy Basic Training on Friday October 1st which presents you with the perfect opportunity to wear aforementioned dress, shoes, cardigan, belt, and slip...

Yeah. I love that feeling.

Dress, shoes, and slip from Moxie in DeKalb, IL

In other news: I got a DeviantArt account (the-carolyn-michelle) which means I have yet another place to list my creations (in addition to flickr and Ravelry and Facebook and here and Etsy...) Yay!

Also, in case you didn't get it, Caleb graduates on Friday!!! I leave with his mother and father on Thursday night to head out to the hotel and meet up with Josh (Caleb's brother) and his wife Linda. It's gonna be an awesome time!!!!!!

YAY!

That's all there is to say: yay!

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Photo: Carolyn Michelle's cell phone 25th September 2010

More stitchery and a Pec Thing recap

2010-09-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Music to suit this post: "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine

My hooks sure have been flying since I've been here at The Ni-U: Monday night I made this festive hat for Jen's (our R.A. for the StubStub end of the floor) birthday which was Sunday. She was out at a staff meeting when it was finished, so I hung it on her door with a note and went off to bed.

Later that night, I honestly don't know what time, Jen knocked on my door. Awoke and opened the door all bleary-eyed. I was met with a huge hug and a thank you. I went back to bed smiling.

I must say, it was one of the better wake-ups I've had in a while.

In other news, this past weekend was the Fall Pec Thing and Propaganda Candy was there. Of course! The weather was chilly, rainy, and cloudy at best. We sustained a thunderstorm early Saturday morning (before the gates opened, luckily). Despite these setbacks, we came out ahead! Hoorah for making money, not losing it!

I would like to make a quick shout out to three very special ladies...Becca, Sarah, and Trisha:

These girls took a leap of faith, journeyed with Samantha and me to Durand, and helped out with the Pec Thing. It was AWESOME to have them with us. Their company and assistance will not soon be forgotten. Thank you girls!!!!

In other, other news, last night I crocheted what I think is one of my crowning achievements in plushie cuteness. I'll have to wait for a few days to post it since it is my dear sister Tara's 16th Birthday present.

OHMYGOODNESS MY SISTER IS SIXTEEN!!!!!

That's all I have to say.

Have a blessed week,
Carolyn Michelle

PS: NINE DAYS (!!) until I get to see Caleb!!!!

For more on the Fall Pec Thing, read the Propaganda Candy blog and check out the Facebook album.

Photos: (from top to bottom) Jen Marie and her spiffy hat. Becca at the Propaganda Candy booth. Sarah with her spiffy mustache. Trisha helping cook homemade pizza at my house Saturday night.

A New Disease: Scarf-Mania

2010-09-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

It started simply: a pattern I found on Ravelry. It was a gorgeous scarf with double-crochet cluster mesh sections...I was smitten.

I rendered the beauty in a silky yet economical medium: Caron's Simply Soft in a shimmering grey/silver. Visions of myself wearing a darling Little Black Dress and this scarf to Caleb's graduation began to dance in my head...oh the romance! Oh the love! Oh the awesomeness of wearing a beautiful scarf and being the most beautiful princess at the ball!!!!!

Reality check: I am not a princess. Nor is there a ball in my future.

I awoke from my double-crochet mesh cluster (DCMC) stupor to discover the aftermath of my episode into Crochet-Lala-Land:

A semi-well made grey mini shawl. The reality of my ability to follow a pattern without changing it to my own mash-up.
The beginnings of a salmon-pink DCMC scarf made lengthwise. This was born with watching America's Got Talent last night. I suppose in my insanity I decided Prince Poppycock should have worn one while he sang Nessum Dorma (watch me swoon).
A green, teal, and blue DCMC scarf also worked long-ways...but with three skeins at once. I was drawing "perfect cubes" for my Drawing 100 class. What do you expect?

I do not think health services here at NIU will know how to treat my newly acquired disease: scarf-mania. Hopefully these scarves will sell well in the Propaganda Candy Booth at the Pec Thing. If only I had some Fiber Freaks here at The Ni-You to share my woes with.

We could make a support group!!!!!

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Where my stitches at?

2010-09-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

Oh...

...here they are:

Photos: 1) Kristi's Slytherin Scarf WIP;
2) The Great Granny Bag WIP; 3&4)
Sammi's Amigurumi Mudkip Plushie.

I'm loving Ravelry.
Who says you don't have time for crocheting in college?!

Anybody else having a crafty Renaissance, or is it just me?

Love,
Carolyn Michelle

We are LIVE on Etsy!

2010-09-07T11:29:00.001-07:00

As of 12:14 PM on September 6th, 2010, Propaganda Candy went live on Etsy.com.

It is one of the biggest moments in Propaganda Candy-dom.

There's not much more to say.

PropagandaCandy.etsy.com

What a day.

Another Sale and the Saga of a Hard Fail

2010-09-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well. Isn't that spiffy, hmm? Miss Zombie Deer will be headed off to her new home on Tuesday.

I was quite fond of the Zombie deer couple, as were many of my friends. If I can get some felt here to the dorm room, perhaps I'll have to make a whole woodland zombie set!

What an idea. i just need to get all my gear together...

Side Note About my Gear: The other day, I was asked by a girl down the hall to d a favor. Well, I guess it wasn't really a favor favor since she offered to pay me in food. But, anyways, Julie handed me her new ballet slippers and asked if I could stitch the straps in place for her. Apparently when you buy new ballet slippers, the elastic cross-straps arrive unattached. Who knew? So I consented, thinking, "this will take two seconds on my awesome-tastic wonder machine!" Yeah. Well, it would take two seconds on my awesome-tastic wonder machine if I had the cords with which to plug it in!!

Fail. Hard fail.

So, there I sat, stitching thick elastic ballet slipper straps by hand. It took a little longer that two seconds, let me tell you, but by the power of my calloused thumbs I got it done. Hoorah! And subsequently got money for food in return! Double hoorah!

I just noticed that this post title rhymes.
Hehe.

In other news: The crocheting-teaching party went well. Very well. I successfully taught two people (one was a boy!) to crochet twith confidence. The others who joined us (there ended up being about five or six in total) did well, but still needed some assistance from time to time.

As it is getting colder here, I am feeling the push to make hats, scarves, and mittens. College kids need them!! I need food!!

On that note, I shall tell you the moral of this post: never blog when you are hungry.

Ta-ta!
Off to the dining hall for brunch.
Love,
Carolyn Michelle

Ps: I'm on Ravelry now!! CreativeCooby

Chain one, teach too!

2010-08-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

Another adventure in teaching crochet will be heading to a college campus near you!

That's right folks, I am at it again with this wild idea that I should teach people how to crochet. Brilliant, huh?

Usually, this teaching happens at my house, in a loud, party-type setting. Not this time, oh no. I'm taking it outside (weather permitting) and teaching crochet in public.

Now, this might not sound like much. I crochet by myself in public all the time! But this time I am teaching crochet. My fervent hope is that people walking by us will go, "Hey whoa wait! What is this?!" and stop, stare, and stitch with us.

Think it'll happen? Stay tuned: my first teach-in-public day is Saturday. We shall see, hmmmmm?

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Photo Source: free-craft-patterns.com: a vintage collection.

A List of Things I've Done Lately:

2010-08-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

Lists seem to be the most practical way of describing life lately. This is what has happened:

1. Propaganda Candy was officially registered as a business. Yay IRS and responsibilities as an official business owner! (Aug. 5th-ish)
2. Caleb left for boot camp (Aug. 2nd)
3. I moved to college (Aug. 19th)
4. I worked with kids and horses (All summer)
5. Sammi and I got asked to be the "Crafty Goddesses" of the dorm floor I live on (Yesterday)
6. I got a Ravelry.com account (Sometime last weekend) (Add me!) (CreativeCooby)
7. One of my best friends, (and roommate at college) got engaged (Aug. 12th....I think)
8. Classes started (Aug. 23rd)
9. I got a new phone (Aug. 24)
10. I made another sale for LLH design (Aug. 22)

This is not in any particular order, as you may have guessed. The decision has been reached, at least in my mind, that I will attempt to sell the remaining items in the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs shop in the Propaganda Candy Shop. This crossover will be happening I-don't-know-when, but soon. All we are waiting on now seems to be our photographer (my sister) who still needs to send us the images of our products that we will be using in our shop.

With no more Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Shop for the time being, at least, this blog will become my own personal blog...which is basically what it was to begin with...right? Right.

So...no major changes. Okay. All is well. :)

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Photo: From my Dorm Window: a Sunset over NIU, Aug 21, 2010

Mr. Steak Plushie Included in a Treasury of 10 Wacky Plushies

2010-06-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's true.

Happy day.

On Saying Hello to a New Endeavor: Or, Being Torn Between Two Shops

2010-06-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

On Saying Hello to a New Endeavor:

Or, Being Torn Between Two Shops

Bubbles are fragile; so is Grandma's good china, the Spanish wine glasses, and basically everything else I'm surrounded by. The situation about which I am going to write exemplifies much the same fragility as all those things...

I'm writing about being involved in two businesses at once.

It's tricky.
It's fragile.
It's kinda fun.

Running Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design has been quite the experience. Lots of learning...lots of fails. Now, I am experiencing the joy of sharing a business with somebody. Running Propaganda Candy with Samantha Marie has been a blast so far. We are learning together, growing together, feeding off of each others' creative urges...

T'is cool.

But, and this is quite the "but," I seem to be unfairly torn between the two shops.

Propaganda Candy is quite clearly here to stay...but is the same true of Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design? What a bittersweet moment.

I'll have to get back to you on that.

Pray for this decision...indeed it is difficult.

-Carolyn Michelle

Photo by Carolyn Michelle (June 2010)

A Weekend in List Form, or, The Insanity of Growing Up

2010-05-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes. It seems my attentions have been driven yet again far from thoughts of updating this blog. Hmmm....why is that? I have developed an easily-understood list for you, because "easy" is all I can do right now. So, in no particular order, things distracting me:

1. My dear friend Shelby, in whose hospital room I am sitting right now.
2. Graduation from High School yesterday.
3. Reaffirmation of my faith via baptism yesterday.
4. A crazy-intense Grad Party at my house yesterday.
5. My darling boyfriend Caleb's birthday tomorrow.
6. The initial success of my latest crafty endeavor with Samantha Marie, the bee queen.

Regarding #1: Shelby is the middle daughter of the family I babysit for. She has been in the hospital for almost a week because of wonky white blood cell numbers. I have the honor of being the first non-family member to have a sleepover with her in the hospital.

Regarding #2-4: Just. Wow.

Regarding #5: He'll be 20, I'll feel old. What does one get for a guy leaving for the Navy in just over a month??

Regarding #6: Read all about it here on the official Propaganda Candy blog.

Now, sleep does come.

Have a blessed time-period-until-the-next-post.

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

What Your Mother Always Told You, or, A New Way To Wash Your Hands

2010-05-11T05:21:00.000-07:00

I was a dirty child. I loved to make messes and drag them all over the house. If it wasn't a dirt/grim-filled mess, it was a whirlwind of toys, papers, and a hoard of craft projects. Not much has changed besides the acuteness of my motor skills, and even that is debatable sometimes.

My whole life, the one thing tying my down and keeping me from plummeting into the abyss of clutter-filled madness has been the other people guarding the order in my life. Who are these guardians of sanity and neatness? Hmm...

Mothers. My biological mother and all the additional mothers who pitched in to raise me right: Bubba, Grandma Beth, Grandma Kay, and Aunt Moo Moo, just to name a few key players. Without them, I would definitely be an untamed, unruly explosion of destructive creativity that is unable to do anything from start to finish. Through their years of dedicated persistence that I do wash my hands and don't keep bringing out more projects when I have a zillion going I have grown up to be a still-insane yet much more socially acceptable human being.

On Mother's Day I celebrated not only my mother, Bubba, but also these supportive mothers who kept all my fingers attached while I endeavored to explore art while under their watchful eyes. Thank you, ladies. I am quite glad that you put up with me and helped make me what I am today.

Grandma Beth taught me to crochet, to make apricot preserves, to sew on a machine without losing a finger, to read patterns, and to be a world-class bargain hunter.

Grandma Kay taught me how to sew by hand, to make my own patterns, to embroider, to bake a pie, to play hostess, and to tend a garden.

Aunt Moo Moo was my first crochet student. She taught me to be patient while teaching others, to get excited as they learn, and to be amazed when their skill surpasses my own.

And Bubba. I cannot even begin to list the things my mother has taught me through the years.

Thank you.

In other news: The Pec Thing is fast approaching! May 15-16, 8 am-5 pm. Propaganda Candy is lookin' good. Pics next time??

Also, I am proud to announce that this post is courtesy of me getting up on time via Wake-up Call de Caleb. Baby steps, baby steps. Maybe eventually I'll wake up on my own.

Hah.

-Carolyn Michelle

Life is wonderful.

2010-05-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

The art of a trip to Chicago with Art 4 Honors.

The art of knowing what college you are attending.

The art of Senior Prom with Caleb.

Sorry, I gotta go do that Thing...

2010-03-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

At last, the weather here is warming up. You know what that means: the hunt is on. Garage sales, flea markets, and auction barns dance in my head. The prospect of finding that piece of "vintage awesome" is enough to drive me mad. I hear the calls from the beaten-down grass lawns, trodden over by all the hopefuls who came before me. They say, "Oh Carolyn, come and play!"

Well. Here I come.

For the first time ever, I will join the ranks of vintage and craft enthusiasts who line the booths at the Annual Pecatonica "Pec Thing" Flea Market and Craft Show. Together with my trusty partner Sammi-the-bee-Queen, we will craft our way into history with our new joint effort entitled: Propaganda Candy.

Featured items include: pin-on buttons, shrinky dink art, recycled jewelry, and plushies.

I'm so excited!!

Picture Above: Building II at the 2007 Pec Thing (Note: Funny enough, this is actually a picture from the official Pec Thing website of my Grandma Beth's booth)

In other news: spring break 2010 is here and the renovations to the Hay Mow/Art Barn are underway!

The computer is not so crafty...

2010-03-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

It is doubtful that I will ever exist in a state of total and complete peace with technology. No, if it's not one thing, it's the other. PC not working? Good thing I have my Mac! But, wait, what is this? My Mac isn't recognizing my camera? Could it have anything to do with the fact that I cannot find the correct USB cord for it? How is that possible? It's not like that drawer that houses the multitude of cords and plugs for all our devices is a mess or anything. No...couldn't be that at all.

So, basically, this blog post is utterly boring and lacking in cool-pictures-I-took-specifically-for-the-blog. Mer.

Regardless of my electronic plight, I shall press on. These man-made insufficiencies remind me how fail-able humanity is; it gives me more time to enjoy the stunning glory of springtime weather. Thank God above that it is finally here, my prayers have been answered.

T-shirts! I can comfortably wear t-shirts outside now!

So, while I leave you this pictureless post, the score stands at this:

The One responsible for the weather: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 points. Those responsible for technological advancements: 0 points.

Carolyn Michelle.

A Monkey in the Midst of Madness

2010-03-10T16:54:00.000-08:00

Amid all the insanity going on this week, somehow there was time to enjoy the Sock Monkey Festival at Midway Village. What a way to spend Sunday afternoon: walking with my Grandparents, Tara, and cousin Abbey through rooms full of vintage sock monkeys. Of course what would a sock monkey festival be without sewing my very own sock monkey?

{There would be a picture here, if it weren’t show week for Singsation}

Also, the results are in, Caleb is officially a member of the United States Navy.

!!!

I’ve never been so proud in my life.

The best part of it all is, for Caleb’s job, he will only be gone from me for nine months of schooling because he's a reservist. Then he comes back and will probably be going to school somewhere in close proximity to me because, after he finishes training and schooling, he only has to report to a base once a month for a weekend.

In the midst of this madness, the world is slowly starting to fall into place.

On Being Sick and Reaching Goals

2010-03-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

There simply must be some law that ensures that when creative people are home from school, they are totally and completely bored out of their minds and thus are dying to return to school ASAP. If there were such a law, I wish it could be enforced on me. Granted, I should not be in school because I am such a snotty, sneezing mess; however, there must be some was to inflict boredom on myself. Being stuck at home with every form of supply and tool for creative expression available to me is a far cry from punishment. In fact, staying home from school is a great deal of fun, despite the long list of chores Bubba leaves me with and my incredibly explosive sinuses.

I feel guilty knowing that all my friends are having their physical health rewarded with Calculus homework and heat-lamp lunch food while here I sit: still in my PJ’s, doped up on green tea, and crafting like there is no tomorrow, trusty box of Kleenex at my side. Sometimes I wish I could just drop out of school for the sake of art alone. I swear I’d get more art done in twelve days than I have in twelve years.

Disclaimer (in the event that my mother reads this): On the subject of dropping out: I will do nothing of the sort; I’m finishing High School, and I’m going to college. But, at least in college I’ll be studying art all the time.

Even as I write this angst-filled blog post, there are people making significant amounts of progress towards their goals. Right now, Caleb is sitting in a waiting room getting ready to take his ASVAB and MEP tests.

Yes. Caleb is joining the Navy.

Since he was in second grade, he has wanted to be in the military, and now (after much deliberation and questioning) he has finally signed up. Everything is all crazy in my mind with the excitement and fear surrounding his decision. All I can do is wait until Wednesday when he gets the results back and finds out when he ships out. Is there some kind of support group that understands the obsessive “I’m-freaking-out-right-now” crocheting of the proud, yet fearful, girlfriends of future sailors?

There’s one thing I can tell you, I’m going to get so many hats done.

Prayers please.

Carolyn Michelle

photo source: www.collectingpapermemories.com

The Truth About Hats

2010-03-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

The Truth About Hats

Another Reason to Send Him With a Yarn Sample

The truth about hats is that they are an excellent way to use up the random-and-totally-unmatchable skein of yarn. Hats are infinitely variable in pattern, color, shape, and size. You can whip one up in your morning classes and be wearing it by homeroom at the end of the day. Hats are basically the most practical, instant-gratification project in the history of instant-gratification projects.

The truth about this hat is that it was made with yarn. And not just any yarn, mind you: it was made with yarn that Caleb willingly offered to go to the craft store and picked up for me.

Yes ladies. I am gloating. My man went to the craft store for me.

However, the yarn I sent him off to find was not intended to end up as a hat. I was in desperate need of more yarn for Emma's Backpack and thus attempted to leave home early for Bible Study on the 21st. Keyword, attempted. Since I was late and still in need of yarn from the craft store that would be closed by the time Bible Study was over, my darling Caleb offered to go get the yarn for me. I even brought a scrap of the stuff so that an exact match was possible.

Best laid plans of mice and men: I forgot to give him the piece of yarn.

After describing the brand and color of yarn to him via text message, I had little hope of him finding the right kind. It's a very obscure shade of orange Red Heart that I'm using.

When Caleb arrived to give me a ride home, he proudly presented me with the Michael's bag containing the yarn. I peered inside and was amazed at what I saw:

The exact shade of orange I needed...

...except it was Red Heart Soft, not Super Saver.

Snap.

I smiled and said, "I think this is right! Thank you so much!"

Life lesson applied here: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. He went into No-Man's-Land for me and that's enough. Besides, this hat is pretty darn fly, right?

That's the truth about hats.

Who could ask for more?

2010-02-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

(left to right)

Top: Ducks hiding in the bathroom, Find the Ducks note from Tara, Mac & Cheese

Middle: Conversation Hearts picked out for me from Caleb, Valentine's date in the living room
Bottom: Adventures in screenprinting, Progress on Emma's backpack, my new dress

What a wonderful weekend.

To the AM Michael's Shoppers:

2010-02-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

To all the other ladies sitting in the parking lot of Michael's at 8:45 AM this morning: thank you.

Perhaps I did not share any conversation in those awkward moments before the store opened, but what I experienced was something far more special. I shared my unspoken presence with other dedicated and time-constrained crafters like me. I showed up to shop for crafty goods fifteen minutes before the store even opened and found that I was not alone. Ladies, I commend you; you reminded me that I'm not a loser, even if I show up to get some geeky supplies before the craft store opens.

Well, if I am a loser, at least I'm not alone. And seriously, why don't they just open at 8 on Saturdays?! Every crafty chick knows that the early morning hours are the prime moments for yarn, screenprinting emmulsion, and glitter glue purchases.

Perhaps I'll write to the CEO.

Can I Get a Rawr?

2010-02-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

Now, that's what I'm talking about! (Fantastic picture, no?) It's time for some seriously stripey action around here: I'm in the tiger-making business. My friend Miss Emma the Animal Lover, has commissioned a particularly interesting creation: Emma wants a crocheted tiger backpack. You know, like the cute teddy bear backpacks little kids have? Yeah, Emma wants a tiger.

At first, I was a little wary of taking on this project when the third-quarter-mass-assignment-of-papers-and-essays is about to begin. But sweet Emma was so enthusiastic about it that there was no way I could refuse.

She even drew up various patterns and possible construction ideas for the thing. Quite helpful, if you ask me.

So, here I sit, crocheting a tiger's foot while the world outside is being coated in yet another quote-on-quote snowstorm of the century.

Yeah.

Tell me it's the snowstorm of the century when I wake up for school tomorrow.

In all honesty, school should have been canceled today. The school bus that runs our route got stuck in the ditch of one of our poorly-groomed country roads. But then again, who am I to speculate? I just drive to school everyday.

In other, more lighthearted news: there were adorable mini snowmen on the roofs of several cars in the parking lot after school today, mine included. Someone must have been feeling extra festive, or something. Regardless the motive, that gesture of frosty kindness was a nice reminder that my friends are awesome.

Hehe.

Try to survive this horrrid winter storm, will you?

Yours,
Carolyn Michelle

Never cook alone

2010-02-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

"In December, drinking horchata

I'd look psychotic in a balaclava

Winter's cold is too much to handle

Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals"

-Horchata by Vampire Weekend

Since I have lost my voice so completely that it would be an utter waste of time to even attempt to go to school, I embarked on a culinary journey of sorts today in leu of class. Ever since the release of Vampire Weekend's new CD, I've been dying to try my hand at making homemade horchata, which is what the first track of the album is about.

"Horchata (or-CHA-tah) is a milky white, sweet beverage that was introduced to Spain by the Moors. The original Spanish version is made with ground tiger nuts and is especially popular in Valencia. In Latin America, where the tiger nut is not commonly available, pulverized rice is used. In Mexico, horchata is one of the most common aguas frescas and is ladled from large glass jars set in ice." -whats4eats.com

So, after the decision was made that I would stay home, I immediately began to make preparations for my horchata adventure. I had previously done research on how horchata is made, but had never printed out an actual recipe. No problem, I'll just look it up again, right?

Wrong.

It was snowing this morning, which means the satelite dish that connects me to the rest of the universe is dusted in just enough of the flakey, white stuff that the connection is ka-put. In other words, no internet.

But I didn't let this little fact hinder me at all. I remembered most of the recipe and, honestly, how hard could it be? Horchata is made of rice and water, for Pete's sake! Famous last words.

With a quick prayer that none would be harmed in the process about to ensue, I dove in. After about three hours of boiling rice, steaming rice, soaking rice, and blending rice, the horchata was ready. I, in my joy of coming this far without assistance from modern, internet-type technology, was ready to behold the glory. And after looking at my creation that had congealed into a substance that resembled Southern-style grits....

...I'd rather not talk about my horchata.

Photos (top to bottom): Horchata and Jamacia drinks (e-how.com)
Horchata in a Mexican cafe (bakingbits.com)
Horchata ala Carolyn Michelle

Snow of the decade?

2009-12-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

Soldiers in a snowball fight at Camp Grant, Rockford, IL

1918

"A storm is developing...Tonight it will move across Missouri and west central Illinois to near Chicago by daybreak on Wednesday. This will be the most intense winter storm to affect the Stateline area in at least 10 years. Snow is expected to become very heavy tonight and possibly become convective with thunder and lightning." (mystateline.com 12/8/2009)

So, snow day for me? Or just another hyped-up case of the flurries? I'm hoping for the first option. I've already got grand plans for cleaning and Christmas decorating tomorrow.

Go bundle up!

-Carolyn Michelle

Festivity

2009-12-07T13:53:00.001-08:00

First, to kick off the festivity, a few quick pictures of the highly successful Beat Black Friday event:

Since Thanksgiving, the Christmas spirit has been in the air here, even though our local farmers, my father included, are trying to discourage such things. It's been a hard fall: the unharvested corn stands in the fields as relentless reminders of that. December and stuff still isn't harvested?? Nevertheless, I'm patiently waiting for our first major snowfall, which is scheduled to hit on Wednesday. They are talking 6-10 inches. Now, that doesn't sound like much, but out here in the boonies it's not easy to drive some of the roads when they are clean. So, if this storm comes, we're in for a snow day.

YAY!

I'm so ready for the festivities to begin: my extended family is coming in to town on the 20th to celebrate Christmas with us and my beloved Caleb gets home from college, for good, on the 18th.

Above all, I'm only eleven days plus nine final exams away from glorious Christmas-Break freedom. Glorious!

As the day of Christ's birth is fast approaching, I'm filled with a sort of, child-like glee: I love this time of year. Despite the biting cold that nearly drives me to become a hermit, despite the crabby-pants politicians who tell me I can't say Merry Christmas and still be socially acceptable, despite the shopping frenzy and the late-night finals cramming and the terribly icy roads...I still love this time of year. For me it's a time of togetherness and fellowship that just doesn't happen often enough. Wonder and mystery still play into my Christmas season. It's nothing short of magical.

All this goodwillishness is making me want to go hug someone...

In other news: There is a tentative Fiber Freaks event in the mix over this lovely Christmas break. Keep your ears open for more details as they come.

Hope you all are having as good of a week as I am.
-Carolyn Michelle

Not another...

2009-11-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

Not another blog post starting with the phrase: "Wow it's been a while." It seems to be the trend this time of year. I can't tell you how many blog posts I've just got done reading that began the same way. It just seems that nobody has been keeping up anymore! Oh well....if you can't beat 'em...

Here we go:

Wow, it's been a while!

Some quick updates before I start any new banter:

The Bethesda Alley Walk was a success for me, but not so much for my mother and sister. It's a shame that it turned out that way, because that means I probably will not be able to show there next year. A solo show just is not in the books right now.

School has started and now is in full swing. Between all the play practices and homework I finally managed to finish my first (and only) afghan. In down time during my Journalism class, I've been teaching some of my classmates how to crochet.

The college search has wound down to a close. I have my sights set on NIU's Art program. Now all that's left is to get accepted and get a billion scholarships.

Easy?

I'd rather tat a bedspread then burn it than have this crazy anticipation. (If you know how to tat, I think you appreciate that allusion)

In new-er news:

There is another Fiber Freaks Event on the horizon....

Presenting:

BEAT BLACK FRIDAY!!

When? On November 27th, 2009 (Aka, Black Friday)

What Time? 10AM-10PM (Aka, Open House)

Where? At 16027 Campbell Road (Aka, The Glenny Farm)

Who? Awesome crafty people who'd rather make some Christmas presents (Aka, YOU!!)

Are you excited by the prospect of waking up at the crack of dawn on November 27th just so that you can stand in long, boring lines and fight with some half-crazed soccer mom about who saw the Tickle-Me-Elmo first? I didn’t think so.

This year, take matters into your own hands: join your favorite Fiber Freaks for the first ever Beat Black Friday craft-a-thon. There's no limit to what you can make: be it a potential gift for a loved one, or just something experimental. So, come on over, bring your projects, and kick-off the Christmas season by doing something that’s low on stress and nice to the wallet. Because, seriously, who wants to spend more time and money on those exhausting shopping trips?

Now, I am aware that my readers (if I have any left) are probably not going to be in the Rockford, IL area during the Thanksgiving season. So why am I posting all the info about the Fiber Freak's Beat Black Friday event? Because I want to inspire my readers to try and organize their own Black Friday event in order to spread the crafty love and save some moolah. So, bust out your yarn stash and snag Santa's list on November 27th. Make this Christmas a handmade holiday! Oh, yah, and don't forget to post a blog about it and tell me how it went!!!

So there you have it folks: this post is proof that the insanity continues, even when I fail to document it on this lovely blog! I'm making an effort to stay back online, just because I miss you all so darn much.

All my love,

Carolyn Michelle

Coming This Fall...

2009-08-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, a whole month of summer...gone, in an instant. From July to August, so much has happened: I've been home from School of the Art Institute since the 24th of July, Tara and Bubba's trip to New York, New York has come and gone, the days are fast approaching when I will have to once again pay my dues at the educational institution. I can't believe it. Spain and France seems like ages ago, when really it was meerly weeks. My summer, my perfect summer, is slipping away from me. Hopefully, there will be one last hurrah before the golden age fades away.

*sigh*

The trials of time moving faster than you planned it to...

In other news...there's a Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs event on the horizon!!!! I'll be showing with the newly formed Glenny Collective at the Bethesda Alley Walk in Rockford on the 19th of September. Now, I know what you are wondering: What the heck is the Glenny Collective??? Well, allow me to ellaborate: The Glenny Collective is a collaboration between Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design and two other Etsy shops that are run by two lovely Glenny ladies: Bubba and Tara. Yes, my sister and my mother. Neither of their shops are totally up-and-running, but in case you want to start snooping, Bubba's shop at least has a name:

Dear Lady Bubs

Tara's shop is TBA, so yeah. I'll keep you posted.

I'm pretty excited about doing a show with my family. It's a good way to start out, I guess. Plus, the booth is 10'x18' and I have no clue how I'd fill it alone!!!!!!

Alrighty...I really need to go and do some work. These college applications won't fill themselves out!!!

Yikes, college. There's a six-year-old version of myself inside me that's screaming "You are OLD" right now.

Eheh.

All my love,

Carolyn Michelle

Staying Inside Today

2009-07-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today was the day that I had slated for finishing all my papers about my Spain and France trip. Lucky for me when I woke up at ten this morning, I discovered it was a terribly icky, rainy day. That meant that there would be not temptation whatsoever to go and run around and not do my work.

So I did my work...and after eight hours of good, hard work with only one long break: I'M DONE!!!!!!

And at an estimated sixty pages total, my assignments are all printed off and ready to be delivered to Ms. Webb, my dear art teacher, who will be grading them all for me while I galavant about in Chicago. This is a huge sigh of relief.

Now all that's left to do is clean the house. Ugggggggg cleaning.

But today was a very productive "staying-inside-today" day. I got my papers done and updated the shop (thanks to the hat-modeling talent of Tara, which you see above). What a good girl I am! Now, if only there were some ice cream in this household with which to celebrate my goodness. But alas, we are ice cream deprived.

Good night everybody!

Carolyn Michelle

Five Days

2009-07-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

Five days. Five days left until I take off again, this time for Chicago. Okay, so I suppose it's not quite as far from home as Spain and Frace were...but I'm leaving again and this time it's even bigger to me. Yes, I loved Europe. It was wonderful and amazing in every way. I learned more than I thought possible, but this trip is a little longer and a lot more future oriented. I'm going to be learning the trade that I intend to use to make my career.

It's scary.

Really really scary.

I'm going to be doing the things I've been doing my whole life but this time, I'll be doing them with the intention to learn how to be perfect at them. I'm going to a school specifically for art and I'm going to learn how my heros and role models do what they do. This is not summer camp, this is HUGE to me. This is the first step on my path to where I want to go in life. I want to run my business, and make it soar. I want to spend the rest of my life doing terribly crafty, creative things that challenge me and keep my brain working until my body finally falls to pieces. Even then, I hope there's a hook in my hand and some yarn by my side.

Haha, I can just see it.

In other news, my mother is awesome. Yesterday I had to go and get all my supplies for School of the Art Institiute and let me tell you...my piggy bank is in no shape to do that.

So, Bubba, if you are reading this, thank you again for making this happen for me. I only hope that someday when my kids come up to me and say they want to chase their dreams and it requires a LOT of my money that I am able to smile, congradulate them on taking innitiative, and help them get where they need to go. How do you do it? Really, Bubs, I don't say it enough. You amaze me. It's moment's like this that make me realize it even more.

In other news, I'm almost done with the course work that accompanied my trip to Spain and France. I am the only student on the trip that is doing the work and let me tell you, I'm really glad that I'm doing all this. Sure I'm sacrificing my summer lazy time, but I'm learning so much more than if I had just gone on the trip.

And on the other hand, once I'm done with the work there will be so much time to do stuff!! Like...crochet.

I've been typing papers all day. I think I'll take a break for a bit.

Hope you all are having fabulous weeks.
Much Love,
Carolyn Michelle

Update

2009-07-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

Just some teaser pics because, guess what? The shop was updated today!!!! Go and check out the goodies.

Enjoy the coldest July 1st on record! Darn that global warming :P

Heehee,

Yours,

Carolyn Michelle

Home, Sweet Home

2009-06-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Read about my adventures in Spain and France here.

Man it's good to be home! I had a blast on the trip, but alas, my aformentioned "crocheter's block" has only gotten worse. I bought some yarn that was made in Barcelona, Spain only to be asked by many people, "Que vas a hacer con lo?" "What are you going to make with it?"

Uhhhhhhhhhhh......

I think I'm in need of some serious crafty interventions. My shop hasn't been updated in MONTHS, I haven't made any new patterns since...since.....oh man.

So, in stride with that, I think it's time once again to have a Fiber Freaks event. Yes, an event. I just have to make some all-important phone calls and arrange a date, time, and food-provider.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve, so....be ready!

I plan on hosting the event BEFORE I go to Chicago on July 12th. By the time I get back from Chicago and School of the Art Institute, all my frineds will have had fantastic tans and wonderful parties without me. And with my luck, everybody will be on Vacation in August, the only month I'm actually HOME.

But, yes. An event. Tell me what you guys think?

Missed you all!
-Carolyn Michelle

Did you find a card on the street?

2009-06-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

If so, congradulations: you now have a chance to win some fabulous free goodies from the Luck, Love, And Hedgehogs Design Shop!!! Here's what you do:

1. Find a card. These cards have been dropped by me and my team of tourists while we were out-and-about in Spain and France.

2. Take a picture of the card.

3. E-mail the picture of the card to me at luckloveandhedgehogs@hotmail.com

The rest is up to me! On June 30th (if I have gotten any e-mails!!!) I will draw at random one lucky winner to receive a package of goodies (valued at $30 USD) from the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design Shop! Fantastic, no?

-Carolyn Michelle

24 Hours 'Til Take-Off...

2009-06-13T12:35:00.001-07:00

...yeah I'm ready.

Be back in ten days!!!!!

Yours,

Carolyn Michelle

Postal Services

2009-06-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Air Mail Travel Journal by Paperama

Postal Love Necklace by prettypeonies

Embroidered love note by dashofmagic

...and I couldn't resist:

some passport stamps from Mondayne's flickr...

Feeling a little postal today. :) Doing my last few "getting ready" things today before we all take off on Sunday. Very excited. Have a fabulous weekend.

Yours,

Carolyn Michelle

Summer

2009-06-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

I'd like to offer my very hearty welcome to Summer 2009, and boy, does it ever promise to be crafty!! I've got loads to do in these next three months including attending School of the Art Institute Chicago for two weeks and registering Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design to get a Federal ID Number. How exciting is that??? I know I mentioned that I was planning on registering MONTHS ago...but, well....yeah. Not even going to TRY and find an excuse for that one.

In other less...procrastination-oriented news, I've discovered a new craft: Bookbinding. Now, I can already hear you all shouting, "CAROLYN MICHELLE!!! Bookbinding is not a NEW craft!!!! It's practically the oldest one there is, spare making loincloths out of animal fur!!! Are you daft??"

I know, I know, but it's new to me! In two days I have perfected the art of Coptic binding. Okay, maybe not perfected, but let's just say I accomplished binding three books with minimal outbursts of obscenities-not-to-be-named. That's quite an accomplishment when it comes to me learning new crafts. Let's not re-live the time I tried to teach myself to knit. Yikes. Nobody ever said I was a fast, non-violent learner.

But yes, bookbinding is definitely up there on my "new favorite passions" list. I've been obsessively hoarding scrap paper with which to practice new binding stitches on.

On a completely different note, SPAIN AND FRANCE IN THREE DAYS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not that I'm excited out of my mind, or anything like that. No, certainly not. I'm going to be nabbing paper at every chance I get while I'm abroad to feed my new-found bookbinding love/obsession. Pouvez-vous nous dire l'amour du papier? Can you say, paper love?

I'll be back in the States on Wednesday, June 24th with lots and lots of loot to share. Hopefully, my new camera will cooperate much better than my old one, which would make it far easier to upload loverly pics for you all to see!

Have a lovely week, and do share your all your adventures. I can't wait to read all about them when I get back. :3

Yours,
Carolyn Michelle

Just a quick post

2009-05-29T14:52:00.001-07:00

Ahem. We've all heard it before but, "Oh my gosh how time sho' do fly!"

My sister is going to be a Freshman next school year.

A FRESHMAN!!!!!!

She's old!! And that means I'M old!!!! What am I going to do?!

In other news:

I survived my first day of finals. Three tests down, five to go. Uggg, will this year just get OVER already?? I'm just dying to crochet. Honestly. My fingers are literally twitching like mad. I think I have withdrawls and crocheter's block all at once. I was going to throw some yarn in my purse so that I'd have something to work on after I finished my tests today, and I couldn't think of anything to make. Not. One. Thing. I just stood and gaped at my stash of yarn this morning going: "Uhhhhhhh......" like some sort of loser. What's my DEAL???

Anybody else get like this? Anybody? I know I've gotten writer's block...but crocheter's block?? What's with that??

Okay, Tara is begging me to get off the computer, so I must surrender. Silly girl. She's all done for the year. No finals for the Junior High. Psht.

Unfair.

Okay.

I'm done.
-Carolyn Michelle

Yes, Crazy

2009-05-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

I believe I have mentioned in the past that my life is crazy.

Yes, crazy.

I'm down to two weeks of school for this school year and let me tell you, the teachers are piling on the work like there's no tomorrow. Now, it's not difficult work, it's just tedious work. Final exams are May 29th, June 1st, and June 2nd. My last day is the 3rd. Can you say: PARTY?!! So many of my friends are graduating this year! Including my boyfriend. Did I mention him before? Heh. Like I said, crazy life lately.

So, as you can see from the hat picture above, I am.......behind on posting stuff to the shop. So, my loving Grandmother took my hats to the infamous "Pec Thing" and tried to sell them for me. I actually don't know how well it went, considering I hadn't even priced the darn things. Oh dear.

In other news:

The article in Rockford Woman's Magazine about my mother, sister, and I was a HUGE success. Sales have not been skyrocketing exactly, but tons of people have been coming up to me and asking me about my shop. The article is here if you are interested in reading it. I am still majorly excited about the nice little slice of publicity the shop is getting from the article. Very very exciting. Who'da thunk?

In other other news....my schedule for Summer 2009:

June 3rd: last day of school

June 14th-23rd: In Spain and France with the Durand Art Boosters

July 12th-26th: In Chicago at School of the Art Institute studying fashion construction

Other than that, I'm taking lots of naps outside, crocheting up a storm, hopefully reserving a booth for the Fall 2009 Pec Thing, playing hillarious pranks on my friends, breathing in and out....you know, the normal stuff we all do in the summer time.

Hope you all are enjoying this FANTASTIC weather today. 85 degrees and sunny, now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. No more of the snow-cold-winter routine. I'm DONE!

Okay.

Lots of love,

Carolyn Michelle

Crazy Fast Update

2009-04-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

There's been a case of The Crazys around here. My stack of crocheted hats has reached dangerously close to the overflowing point. Where are they coming from?! I swear, I don't remember making half of them. :P

Tomorrow is the ACT. Need I say, YIKES?!! For those who don't know, the ACT is a HUGE-MASSIVE standardized test that all juniors in high school take, nationwide. It's only what colleges now base most of their entrances on. No pressure. Psht. None at all.

*Faints from the pressure*

At least we get the rest of the day off afterwards.

Then on Thursday there is the PSAE, another state standardized test, and on Friday I leave to go down state for the state competition of Science Olympiad. More thinking. Ugggg, I'm going to be so braindead!!!!!! At least it's a nice long bus ride, so I'll be able to nap a whole bunch. And the hotel we are staying in has a pool. Bonus! Haha.

So this week is insane and maybe, eventually, I will update the shop. *sigh* I've been renewing my items weekly in order to pretend like I'm keeping on top of things. Key word, pretend.

Okay, study time.
Have fantabulous weeks all of you. I'll try to post after my head stops spinning.
-Carolyn Michelle

Whoa.

2009-03-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

Whoa. Haven't been on this page in a while. Life is finally slowing down, like the whole world is finally exhaling again after many months of breath-holding. I don't really know what to think about all this...sudden inactivity. I'm so accustomed to only arriving home late at night that now, I can hardly recognize the place in daylight. Okay, so that's a mild exaggeration, but I have been getting home after school, finishing homework, doing some dishes and then looking to the clock to see it's only...four o' clock?!!?? What now?

I found a whole slew of hats that I don't remember making. Well, okay, I do remember making hats. I remember making hats in a desperate attempt to stay awake during various classes, but I do not remember making such a large quantity of hats. I must have been more spazzy than I thought. Thank goodness Show Choir is over with for this year. I will miss the stage time, though. As you may have guessed, I'm a bit of an attention freak.

So, in other news, I'm teaching a group of Girl Scouts how to sew and alter their own clothing on this Friday. Pretty cool.

Okay, I ought to get something done.
Goodnight,
Carolyn Michelle

Thanks guys!

2009-03-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

All your awesome comments about my good fortune make me feel so special! I am really happy to have readers like you. *bows to your nice-ness* Love you all!!

Life is about to get crazy, like so crazy that I'll have no idea which way is up and which way is down. It's show weekend for my school's Singsation (singing and dancing in sparkly costumes on a cramped stage) and I happen to be performing. Tomorrow is opening night and I don't think I have ever been so ready in my life. I have mentioned in the past that I love theater to death so I'm guessing you understand that this is going to be a huge rush for me. :D Besides, I'm hosting the opening night cast party.

Haha, my parents must be crazy in the head for allowing thirty make-up and hairspray covered teenagers to come and rave in our house. Bubba, if you are reading this, thanks again. You have done so much work this week for me and my ca-razy friends. Love you!!!

So, this weekend is going to be a whirlwind of curling irons, costume changes, dance shoes, and sporadic bouts of attempted homework in between wild fits of partying. I'm excited. But once it's done, I'll have nothing to do besides chores and homework. So there will certainly be a huge amount of "Oh no! I have no life now" crafting going on at mi casa in the weeks to come.

I just have to survive next week and then I have SPRING BREAK!!!!! Glorious, glorious spring break. There hopefully will be a Fiber Freaks event. I'll keep you posted.

And Jenn, you are so strong!!!! I'm keeping Shelby and your whole family in my prayers!! I love you guys! And on Saturday there may be a super-secret-covert-Carolyn stopping at your house to drop off a little something I've been putting together for Shelby.

For those who don't know, Shelby is one of the three sisters I babysit for. She has been in the hospital for the last week, at least. Read her mom Jenn's blog here. And keep their family in your prayers, they really need it.

Okay, I suppose I should attempt to get all this make-up off my face before I pass out.

Good night one and all, sorry for the ramble-ness.

Love, Carolyn Michelle

A Day of Good News

2009-03-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo everybody!

Long time no blog, eh? I have very little time on my hands right now, so I'm trying to keep this brief. Here's the scoop: Today is full of good stuff.

Good thing #1: I just got done doing a photo shoot with my mom and sister. The three of us are going to be featured in Rockford Woman's Magazine in the May issue. The article is about mothers and their daughters and what they have in common. Our family's crafty-ness and my shop are going to be featured in the article!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good thing #2: My Chaim Mail fingerless gloves got featured in a treasury on Etsy. Check it out here if you feel so inclined. :)

And finally, the most exciting and crazy Good thing of the day...

I GOT EXCEPTED FOR THIS SUMMER'S EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM AT SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE IN CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh. My. Gracious. I'm studying Fashion Construction for two weeks this July. In Chicago. At School of the Art Institute. I can hardly believe it. Hardly. I just, wow. I'm so excited. Excited doesn't even cover it. I'm enthralled, I'm spasmodically amazed. I'm I'm I'm....ready. This is going to be so great.

Show Choir will be done with after this weekend so hopefully I'll have loads of free time to catch up on my Etsy-work (and my house work, and my school work...yikes)

Talk to you guys later.
Much love!
-Carolyn Michelle
magazine

FIERCE AND NERDY!

2009-02-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

Hello folks, just dropping a note to say that the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design Shop has been FEATURED for the first time ever in a Blogozine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The online-magazine's name is Fierce and Nerdy and can be found here: http://fierceandnerdy.com/

Not that I'm REALLY REALLY EXCITED or anything.

Ahem, of course.

The article launches tomorrow (Wed. 25th) at 10 Am. Be sure to go take a gander. I haven't even seen the article yet! So, head on over to Fierce and Nerdy and read the article tomorrow. Tell all your friends!!! :D

Okay, I'd better get going on all my other projects. Hope you all are having FABULOUS weeks.

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Winter Cleaning?

2009-02-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

I'm just feeling chatty today. I think I've been driving my sister crazy. The whole time she was playing various computer games I was asking, "And what are you doing now? What's going on? Whatchyadoin?!" Two-year-old-style. She'll be glad to get away from me.

Happy President's day! Yay no school! In order to celebrate, I've been...doing my history homework. Wonderful. Luckily, I'm all done with my work and it's not midnight, so perhaps I'll get some time to myself for crafty goodness. Cleaning my room shouldn't take too long...

On second thought...it's been a while since I could see my own floor.

Today has been productive so far. I woke up at ten am, ate some left over Olive Garden pasta for breakfast, did homework, started a loaf of bread in the bread machine, more homework, made lunch, did dishes, finished homework and renewed ALL the items in the shop in some desperate attempt to sell stuff. It's been a long time since I've sold anything. But I do have 31 hearts on Etsy. Hooorah for that. And I have sold two hats at school...and that huge order of twenty two crocheted chocolate candies was delivered to my teacher last. Okay, so for a slacker I'm not doing too poorly.

mmkay, I have to go take Tara to a Girl Scouts thingy. Hope you all are enjoying your day off of school/work as much as I am.

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Fires!

2009-02-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Toy Society: Bushfires: thetoysociety@gmail.com
I'm sure you've all heard, but wildfires are sweeping Australia. Thousands are left homeless and as of yesterday, the death toll is 173. Personally, it's hard for me to imagine being forced out of my home and wondering whether or not my house will be reduced to a pile of ashes by the time I am able to get back. These fires are personal for me because I know many crafters through the Internet who are based in Australia.

You may recall my involvement with The Toy Society, which began in Australia. If any of you are looking for crafty ways to get involved with relief efforts, you may want to read The Society's blog here as they have some good links. You can always make a plushie and send it off to Toy Society members in Australia who will make sure it gets into the hands of someone in need. Just send them an email for the information: thetoysociety@gmail.com

And the Red Cross always works, too.

Crafters, let's reach out!

Love,
Carolyn Michelle

I was featured!

2009-02-03T18:29:00.000-08:00

Long time no blog.

Wow, life is crazy. I only have a few minutes to post this little blurb about the Treasury I got featured in, on Etsy. You can see it here if you check it out within the next few days. But hurry, Treasuries sadly are not permanent. But, it is exciting to be featured nonetheless. :D

Good deal.

In other news, I got two orders from people at school this week. One netted hat and a whopping TWENTY TWO crocheted chocolates. Wow. My whole purse has become infested with the things. I'm almost done and hopefully, at some point soon, I'll get enough "me time" that I'll be able to hot glue all the little buggers into their wrappers.

Still got lots to do, this is my only free night this week...I'm beginning to forget what my house looks like; I'm never home. :P

Hope you guys are having wonderful weeks and are staying warm *fingers freeze off*
Love,
Carolyn Michelle

I was blogged

2009-01-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

That's right! To my knowledge, this is the first time I've been blogged. Check out the one post of glory about me here, on Noricum's blog. Special, huh? I thought so. :3 She apparently was quite taken by my Tin of Sardines with she found on my Flickr page, so she posted a little tiny blurb about it.

Thanks Noricum! You made my day...even if I found the post a little late....

Okay, now that I feel all warm and fuzzy from being blogged about, I think I'm off to bed. I do have work tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get a chance to talk to Bubba, my in-house accountant, about my SS-4 form tomorrow. That crazy governmental mumbo-jumbo made my head reel a little. *sigh*

Goodnight dear readers.
-Carolyn Michelle

This is Getting Scary!

2009-01-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

So.

Guess what my plans are for my day off of school?:

Filing for a tax ID number using an SS-4 for Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design.

That, my friends, is scary. That means my little shop is sort of...moving forward? Moving towards, I don't know, becoming more of a legitimate business? By that prospect, I am excited and also terrified. The future is a scary, uncertain thing and the thought that I am taking steps to insure that my future is what I want it to be makes me quake in my boots a little. I keep telling myself that if I don't have to power and courage to take initiative and stake my claim on my dreams, then who does?

Okay, maybe I'm over thinking this a little. But that's just how I'm feeling right now. I want to spend the rest of my life doing what I love and today, it's all a little tiny bit closer to my reach.

It's just the IRS, after all.

Love,

Carolyn Michelle

Two quick things before I dash out of the house:

2009-01-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday, loves! I've officailly survived the first week back to school after my glorious two week break. This week sure felt like a month-and-a-half. But, I did get a lot done. There'll be pics later, I promise! :D

Now, for the two quick things before I dash out of here for my Friday night festivities:

1. Look at the banner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! Isn't it spiffy? Made for me by my new friend on etsy: FashionCandy. I met her in an almost random way. One of my friends, Allison (also a Fiber Freak), was telling me that her aunt made all sorts of stuff and sold on etsy. She gave me the URL and I introduced myself. She is pretty much one of the coolest designers I've come across in a long time. I'm a major fan, now. *girly squeal* Her stuff is so durn cute!!!

2. I'm debating something important right now: shall I or shall I not book a table at the famous Pecatonica "Pec Thing?" Okay, so it's not very famous if you don't live within thirty miles of Rockford, IL but, oh well. It'll be my first show if I decide to book. I'm kinda wary, considering it is primarily geared towards antique buyers. And...my creations are not antiques. >.< BUT it is a huge sale, and all the other area sales are, well, tiny. I want to get a big audience. It's in May...I believe. Debate debate debate. Any advice??

Okay loves. Thanks for reading. Enjoy your Friday night!!!!

Yours,
Carolyn Michelle

The Fiber Freaks Update

2009-01-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the long wait for this post. Life went a little berzerk for a while. Getting back into the swing of school is almost as hard as going back at all. My alarm clock is SO not my best friend right now.

Okay, without further ado, here are some quick shots from the Fiber Freaks party on Saturday December 27th:

Top to bottom: My new sewing machine!!!!!!!!!, the jelly donut pinchusion I found time to make, Sammi (in blue) making some shrinky dinks with Jessie Jo crocheting in the background, and me, freaking out a little.

The party was a total success. Everybody made some super spiffy stuff. I only wish I had a ton more pictures to show you. The whole thing was like a whirlwind, I only remembered to ask Tara to get her camera out at the last second. Too bad, there were some great projects. Such as:

-Sammi's rainbow crocheted american girl doll turbin

-Jessie Jo's Huge massive lime green knitted scarf

-Rachael's crocheted acorn

-Tara's tiny tiny tiny shrinky dink cupcake

-Kody's crocheted bug

-Dan's crocheted...thing

-Danielle's crocheted "Texas tie"

And about a trillion others.

There are a few more pictures on my Flickr so check em out!

In other news, two new shop items, go look!!!

Love you lots!!!

-Carolyn Michelle

Ready or Not, Here it Comes...

2008-12-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

New Years.
I'm ready, but not so willing to leave 2008 behind. At least, not with a nice looong look at the year that has passed:

January: Spent New Years Eve with my Costa Rican exchange student and fourteen other host families.
February: Valentine's Day.
March: Spend Spring Break on a road trip to Indiana with my cousins, aunt, uncle, Bubba, Dad, and Tara
April: Art Class Trip to the Art Institute of Chicago.
May: Finally get my Driver's License. Done with school!
June: My spanish club leaves for Costa Rica, I see them off tearfully. June 6th, Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs goes live on Etsy. June 7th, Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs goes live on Blogger.com
July: The annual Aldersgate UM Church Corn Boil
August: Back to School
September: Audition for the High School Play, rehersals begin
October: Performance of Oklahoma! on Halloween weekend. My second-to-last High School Play EVER. *sadsadsad*
November: November 14th, Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs sells it's first item!! I turn 17
December: Second and third sales at Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs. Christmas, joy, love, and New Years Eve-Eve (today)

It's crazy how it feels like just last night I was in a house crowded with Costa Rican exchange students, counting down to the new year, dancing to salsa music and snowmobiling across an opened field. Time really does fly. Oh, how it flies.

I have a few tradtitional New Years Resolutions I want to make before I wrap up this post.

1. Take Luck, Love and Hedgehogs to it's first events. Really get the name out there more. In conjunction with that, host more Fiber Freaks Gatherings. Being with Crafty people really makes me more creative and feeds my soul.

2. Be more opened with my faith and more passionate in my relationship with God.

3. Bring more positive people into my life. I have a ton of them but you can never have enough.

And finally:
4. Tell more people that I love them.

That's all I got, people. Have a super-wonderful new year. I'll be talking to you soon with the update about Fiber Freaks.

Love,
Carolyn Michelle

Christmas wonderment

2008-12-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas was full of wonder this year. It was such a joy seeing new members of my family get to participate in the traditions I have grown up with. My favorite being the annual sharing of the cheesy tates. You really can't beat something like Grandma's cheesy tates. yumyumyum. I have some cheese tate leftovers in the fridge right now. I'm thinking lunch.

I really hate to go off and list what I got for Christmas (because that's really not interesting or even polite) but I would like to tell you about one key gift: a sewing machine.

I GOT A NEW SEWING MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the best gift ever ever ever on the face of the earth ever. EVER.

You get it.

It's a Brother brand machine, Project Runway Limited Edition spiff-tacular beast of computerized stitch selection glory. Yes, glory. It even automatically adjusts the stitch length, width, and tension for me when I change the stitch. Thank God above who created such clever sewing machine engineers! I am really really stoaked about this.

Thank you bubba, Tara, and Daddy...if you guys read this. <3>

In other news, we are one day away from one HUGE explosion of creativity in the Hedgehog household. Fiber Freaks!!! I can't believe it's already here...

In case, somehow, you missed the e-mail and previous posts and would still love to join us, here's the 411:

Where: My house (directions through e-mail)

When: 11am-10pm come as you please

What: FIBER FREAKS!!! Crocheting, knitting, and sewing like madwomen (and men)

Bring: fiber of any sort, an opened mind and FOOD!

See you there?

Hope you guys are feeling as blessed and fuffilled as I am. May God guide you throught this crazy weather safely!! Have a wonderful day, enjoy your gifts :D

All my love,

Carolyn Michelle

Winter, as I know it

2008-12-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

On December 20th, I completed my secret mission: the Toy Society Christmas Toy Drop. Read all bout it on their blog here and see if my toy has been posted/found yet! I'm really excited about this, I actually cannot wait to see if I hear from anybody.(:

The Christmas season in officially in full swing here in Hedgehog land. The 20th was my first "Christmas" celebration of the year. I partied with my dad's side of the family at the famous Grandma Kay's house. Sadly, Tara and Bubba were sick and stayed home to rest. The snow is really drifting and blowing here, making life crazy. More crazy...I suppose...

Also, my cousins Alicia and Joel are back. Visiting and such. I really miss seeing them with more regularity, even if it was only ever once a year. I haven't see Alicia since 2002. That's a loooong time when you think about it. In five years I've gone from middle school to high school, from riding to driving, from single to...wait, no, I'm still single. Okay so some things never change.

One thing that I wouldn't mind a change from is this super-deep-crazy-lunatic cold weather. Ug. It is so cold here that my pipes froze! Yup. You know the water pipes leading to the washing machine? Yeah. Frozen. My poor father is working on them right now. I have no idea where this winter season thinks it's headed with this sadistic weather. Definatly not winning any points with ME. And just when I was getting into the whole snow thing.

Hope you guys are warm, safe, and festive.

And crafty. Very very crafty. :D

Today I:

2008-12-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

Today I already:
rejoiced about the snow day!
did the dishes.
shipped a cuttlefish (and it only costs $5 for priority shipping, who knew??).
got stuck in the driveway (twice) with my dad driving the truck.
wrapped all the gifts for the kids at Saturday Kid's Club.

Later today I will:
decorate the tree with Tara.
wrap MORE presents.
not be going to ring bells for the Salvation Army ):
play in the snow.
clean.

This weekend:
is the Toy Society Christmas Toy Drop! Check their blog to see what I drop!
is the Christmas Party for Saturday Kid's Club, I'm excited.
is my family Christmas party with my dad's side of the family. :D
I get to see my cousins that I haven't seen in...forever.
is going to be cold.
is going to be spiffy.

To those in Northern Illinois, enjoy the snow!!! It's very pretty. I'm finally getting in to this whole winter thing again.

More Information About Fiber Freaks:

2008-12-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

What: The first ever meeting of the Fiber Freaks Group
When: Saturday December 27, 2008
From: 11am-10pm open house style
Where: My house (directions when you rsvp)
Rsvp: ASAP

So, as you know, the Fiber Freaks are just a group of freaks like me getting together to learn and teach crocheting, knitting, sewing and what not. Now I have more information as to what the Fiber Freaks will be doing at our first ever meeting-thingy...

Got some extra yarn that you'll never use? Bring it along for a yarn swap! If somebody else has some yarn that you like perhaps you can convince them to trade with you. You never know! So bring along some yarn and swap to your hearts content! Other things you could bring to swap: old clothes, fabric, felt, hooks/needles, misc. craft supplies, sewing machines (like I said, you never know!), pretty much anything...

Also, what's a crafty party without food? When you come be sure to bring some snack-type food or dish to pass to share with the group. That makes it easier on me and Bubba, preparation wise. I'd rather be teaching you guys how to crochet than slaving over a hot stove.

Know how to crochet, knit, sew, or what not? You might be called upon to teach some newbies. It's no big deal, I'll make sure they play nice.

Remember to bring you latest project! I can hardly wait for this EPIC event...it's gonna be good.

Good things that I have failed to mention...

2008-12-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

Good Thing Number 1:

I'm participating in my first ever toy drop with The Toy Society this Christmas. *points to button on the right sidebar below the mini shop* You'll have to check it out on the weekend right before Christmas.

I'm super excited about this. I love doing random acts of kindness and what better way of doing it than leaving a cute little hand made toy for somebody to take home? This is such a great project, I plan on participating in more toy drops after the crazy-time ends.

Good Thing Number 2:

Guess who is back? Thar't riiiiiiiiggggggghhhhtttt...
The cuttlefish is coming back to the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design Shop. I got a request for on earlier this week and that request go me thinking, why haven't I made more cuttlefish? Hmmmmm, I don't know. So I have another project! Yay! Seriously, no sarcasm whatsoever was intended there. I love making stuff for people.

Good Thing Number 3:

As you can see from my Etsy-mini over there to the right *pokes sidebar*, I finally updated the shop!!!!!!!! YAY!!!! It's only two more items, but hey, I'm making progress...

Good Thing Number 4:

It's a SNOW DAY TODAY!!!!! YAY!!!!! I've gotten so much stuff done already. My room is all decorated for Christmas, I vacuumed, I did the dishes, and I updated the shop. Later Tara and I are going to make sugar cookies :3 I love the holiday season so much...

Good Thing Number 5:

I'm going to the Art Institute of Chicago tomorrow with my art class. Which means I'm not going to be at school, which means I'm not going to stress too much which means I can seriously enjoy the day in my favorite city. I do love winter in Chicago: The snow, the bell ringers in front of every shop, the cheeryness, the sales, the decorations, did I mention the snow? I mean, honestly, the flakes are GIMONGOUS there. Must be the Lake Effect...or something...

Hope you guys have tons of good things to list. Enjoy the snow, but stay safe. The roads are super super bad (hence the snow day, I suppose). Just stay home, put on your pjs, sip some cocoa, and get crafty.

All my love,

Carolyn Michelle

Luck, Love and Hedgehogs Design (and Bubba) are hosting...

2008-12-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

...The first ever meeting of the Fiber Freaks group. What are the Fiber Freaks? I'll tell you! The Fiber Freaks are people who are obsessed with the art of manipulating fibers into wonderful creations. (Aka, people who crochet, knit, sew, embroyder, tat, felt etc etc etc).

Basically, the story goes something like this, there are a ton of people at my school and in my family who are interested in learning to crochet (or knit or sew or what-have-you) so I have contrived this sort of...club thingy called the Fiber Freaks. There are at this point no "meetings" or "memberships" for the Fiber Freaks, just a group of wierdos getting together to get crafty. Care to join us?

Saturday, December 27th
At my house (I'll give you directions when you RSVP) near Durand
From 11am-10pm, open house style
Rsvp asap by e-mailing me for more details...

Luckloveandhedgehogs@hotmail.com

There will be people to help you with the basics of crocheting (or knitting or sewing or what-have-you) as well as plenty of opened electrical outlets if you care to bring your sewing machine. All ages and experience levels are welcome.

What better way to spend the Saturday after Christmas than crafting with your favorite silly people?

In other news, I got my car stuck on my road last night after babysitting (yeah, I'm fine Jen, it was no big deal). The road was really drifted over and stuff so my dad had to come and plow me out. Praise God for trucks! Hope you guys are liking this cold weather...I'm not enjoying it too much. Coldcoldcold. Perhaps I need a coffee...

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Oh, December!

2008-12-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

It's cold here. Very very cold. I'm fairly certain that I'm one hundred percent NOT a polar bear.

Anyways.

Last night was quite an adventure since I went on my first ever college-type visit. Bubba picked me up after school and we drove to Northbrook (outside of Chicago) for the School of the Art Institute Chicago's (SAIC) Information day thingy at the Renaissance Hotel. It was splendid. Splendid, I say, splendid. I've been seriously considering going to an Art school for a while now and after this visit it seems like this actually could happen. I actually could go to school for the thing I love, get a job doing what I love, and make a living (you guessed it) doing what I love. Does this happen in real life?

I got some information on Summer Courses that SAIC offers. I think...I hope...I'm goint to be taking a course in fashion design this summer....

I am beside myself with giddy joy. School girl-like joy. Summer...in Chicago...studying fashion...and getting college credit...as a junior in high school. Like I said, does this really happen in real life???

In other news, tomorrow Tara and I are going to do a fun sister-bonding-and-shopping-for-Christmas-stuff day. I'm pretty pumped. We just have to babysit from 10:30 am- Noon for Eliana and Dylan. Not bad. We sat for them again tonight..and now I'm sitting for Riley and Shelby and Avery. Not going to lie, I love using Jen's laptop. (if you are reading this Jen, thanks!!!)

In other other news, I have my whole Spain/France 2009 trip paid for. THANK YOU MRS. WEBB FOR YOUR AMAZING FUNDRAISING POWERS!!! Seriously, my art teacher is brilliant. My whole trip, totally paid for, thanks to fundraising. Wow. Lot's of work, but oh so worht it. I can't wait for the moment I see the eiffel tower all lit up in all it's glory in the Paris night air. Oh, poetic.

Crafting has been s.l.o.w. thanks to the ever-time-consuming skeleton project for Anatomy and Physiology. It's due on Monday so hopefully that'll clear up my schedule a great deal. What a shame I am. Not updating my shop and such. Lame child I am. Mhmhmh.

Okay, that's all the stuff I've got for now. Stay warm guys, drive safely and avoid telephone poles. Please.

All my love,
Carolyn

Busy...

2008-12-03T16:48:00.000-08:00

....is an understatement. Happy December, everybody! And to all those with snow outside, enjoy it. It sure does make my lawn look pretty, although it makes my house COOOOLLLLDD.

Hopefully they'll cancel school tommorow, the roads are bad out here.

Upcoming events (I actually have one to list!!):
The First Meeting of the Fiber Freaks Crocheting and Knitting Group
On December 27th
More details later if I get some free time. Ha ha ha...funny. Free time?? In December? Hahaha! Get it?!

Okay.

I'm crazy.

And loving it.

Happy December, again.

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

Thanksgiving Weekend in Pictures:

2008-11-29T19:33:00.001-08:00

Hey guys.

I've been noting how short on pictures I am in this blog. This weekend I made a special point to take lots of pictures to documant the good times had by all. Here they are!! Nothing terribly craftey this time. Like I said, I'm WAYYYY behind on listing stuff and getting stuff done and man, I don't wanna stress right now. Without further ado, the first 'This Day In Pictures' post:

November 27: Thanksgiving
This year was my family's year to go to Cousin Mary's for Thanksgiving Dinner. We had a lovely time with Grandma Kay, Grandpa Tom, Mary, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Ed, Cousin Rachael, her husband Jaben and their kids Elianna and Dylan. The food was splendid and the crocheting after dinner was just as good. Especially thanks to Elianna's entertaining antics. She's such a drama queen! Wonder where she get's THAT from. hee hee...must run in the family. Left to right: Festive place settings, bubba crocheting a pillow, Eliana telling a story, Grandma Kay in the kitchen.

November 28: My 17th Birthday & Black Friday Shopping

Grandma Beth, Tara, Bubba, Aunt Michelle and her two boys, and I all braved the stores on Black Friday. Or as Bubba calls it, Black and Blue Friday. Kohl's wasn't so bad when we went at 10 am. Got some good deals and such. After shopping we stopped at Grandma's for Turkey Day leftovers and I made myself a little Birthday Treat...candle-lit mashed potatoes. Yummmmmyyy! Left to Right: The sales, my potatoes, and making a wish.

November 29: (Today) Babysitting & Minty Hippo

This morning I woke up bright and early to go with Tara and babysit for our cousins (Rachael's kids, Elianna and Dylan) in Rockford. It was quite a blessing to have some peace and quiet while the kids napped. Plus I was a super sneak and got this cute shot:

My friends and I like to do strange, surprising, wierd celebration-type things to each other on our birthdays. I thought I had escaped my 17th unscathed but...I was wrong. This evening, about an hour ago, I was 'Belated Birthday Kidnapped' by my friends Kera and Sammi. They showed up at my house (wearing masks) and forcably escorted me to a car. They then drove me down my road, turned around, and took me home for frozen strawberry pie. Yum. My parents were in on the whole thing, of course. Earlier today, it was dubbed: Opperation Minty Hippo. Left to Right: My pie, Kera cutting my pie, and Sammi decorating my kitchen after the kidnapping.

Whew! What a weekend! Hope you guys are less tired than I am!!!

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle.

[Edit-The pics are really poorly aligned because SOMETHING is messed up. I dunno what it is. Rawr, computers.]

My head in a tube, Turkey Day, and something splendid

2008-11-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

Last night was my MRI and it was pretty intense. I've been in quite a mood lately. You know how sometimes you are in a really really really bad mood and you are totally aware of it? Yeah. That was me. Not pleasent. I didn't even want to be around myself. ANYWAYS. Went in for the MRI at 7 pm. Yeah pm. Kinda awkward, but oh well, right? They do the talking thing, "blah blah blah sign this blah blah.." and we go down to radiology. I lay down (blindfolded because of my claustrophobia) and the scans begin. Twenty or so minutes later, they pull me out and inject the contrast (aka dye) through my hand. OUCH. I'm so so so bruised on that hand now. Gross.

Two more scans and I was done. I walk with the nurse out to the waiting area to meet up with Bubba. Well, apparently the nurse presiding over my MRI had been on the phone chatting away about lip balm, parties, and her friends in LA. Nice. Seriously, Bubba was so incredibly mad...she chewed the nurse a new one right there in the waiting room. I had no idea what was going on since I had spent the last half hour in a tube. When I finally figured it out I was pretty heated, too. Seriously? Personal calls while you are doing somebody's freaking MRI? What's with that??

I digress.

Tomorrow is my favorite holiday of all times, Thanksgiving. Mhmmm. The food, the weather, the people. It's just all so good. Bubba and Tara have been doing fall-colored crocheting lately. Both of them are using the same yarn: Incredible by Lion Brand in yummy maroon-brown verigated. Very autumnal of those two, indeed. It puts me in the mood to cozy up on the couch with them and make lots of scarves. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a ton of time between eating and improv games with my cousins to do some serious crocheting. The shop is soooooo far behind and oh-dear-goodness it's almost Black Friday.

And my 17th birthday, at that.

Ooooooohhhhh boy.

All I can say is:

!!!!!!!!!busy!!!!!!!!!

In keeping with my title, the 'something splendid' would be going to see Twilight in about...twenty minutes. I'm pretty stoaked, actually. Lately I've been so FED UP with hearing about squealing fan-girls, Edward, vampires, Twilight and (gah) Bella. I mean, come on! I read the book when it first came out and I was obsessed then. Now...it's so overdone and popular theat any desire for me to obsess about the film is all but gone. I've heard it wasn't very good. But at this point, I don't really care. I'm getting out of the HOUSE!!!!!! YAYYYY!!!!

I've gone a bit stir-crazy over the last week.

Maybe I'll take a project or two in my purse in case the movie really blows. Hahahaha. I think I will.

Okay,
Happy Turkey Day! Gotta go.

Love you guys,
Carolyn

Funny story...

2008-11-21T06:55:00.000-08:00

I'm not at school today thanks to an odd misunderstanding with the MRI department at the hospital. Apparently I did not have one scheduled for today although we got a call saying that I did...I don't know. Who knows?

Regardless, I'm in Rockford all day with my Bubba..chilling and trying not to be mad at her for pulling me out of school for a non-existing MRI. Seriously, I keep telling myself it wasn't her fault. hahaha, it's actually kinda funny.

There are bigger problems in life right now. My girl Shelby is in the hospital again. Poor baby, she has a liver condition that is wreaking havoc on her body. I have no clue what's going on beside what her mom, Jen has posted on their blog. I've babysat for their family since...forever, pretty much. Those girls are my sisters.

I just. Don't know. They are so strong. Please, even though you may not know her, say a quick prayer for Shelby and her family. They really need it. Really.

Okay. I'm done.

Love you Shelby.
-Carolyn Michelle

The Flu

2008-11-19T15:08:00.000-08:00

I. Hate. Being. Sick.

It's horrid, and yes, I'm ranting.

I hate the flu. As if having the worst head cold known to mankind wasn't enought, today I got the FLU. Yay. Joy. And that meant that I didn't get to go on the Spanish III&IV field trip to an art gallery and Dos Reales. What do you expect? I was violently ill...and I'm sure you don't want to hear all about it. So yeah. I digress...

I'm getting a bit behind on listing stuff in ye-olde-llhDesign shop. Mhmhm. I need to get on top of it, really. How does one go about balancing their personal holiday preparartions with the preparations for their business? Is that one of those questions you never really get the answer to? I hope not. Anybody? Anybody? Who has the magical answer?

Oh wait...it's time travel, isn't it? hahaha, shoulda known...

The joys of growing up. Hope you all stay SUPER SUPER healthy. Go take vitamin c. Right now. Do it.

All my love,
Carolyn

The finished hoodie

2008-11-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

So, since I was feeling miserably sick and pathetic today, I stayed home....and finished the hoodie I've been working on for about forever and a half. It's DIVINE, my friends, divine. All done up in double crochet with 'Sky' 'homespun' yarn by Lion Brand and caron 'naturals' in lavender for the cutsey scalloped edging. Sooo soft, sooo warm. I just kind of made the pattern up as I went...not thinking to write it down. Can you say, duh?! What a foolish move. Regardless, this hoodie is epic-tastic. The pics really don't do it justice because my camera is crap and I am not allowed to use the oober nice one because I'm "sick." Uh-huh. Sure. I just think Tara doesn't wanna share. :P

Being sick is worthless. My nose feels like it's gonna 'splode off my face any second now. uggggggg. I'll be going to school tomorrow, though. I can't afford to miss Art III. We're doing our annual self-portraits in oils this year. If you get behind on the portrait you are SOL for the rest of the year. Seriously.

Shipped off the cuttlefish yesterday, can't wait for the lucky customer to get it!!!

Hope you guys don't get anything like I've got. *sneeze* It's not worth it.

Love,

FIRST SALE!!!!!!

2008-11-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

It happened, it finally happened!!!

It is official, dear readers: the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design shop has made it's first sale ever.

Today (during school, slightly undercover, in my Consumer Economics class) I listed Paypal as a payment option for the shop. Later in the evening, while I was working on my oil painting after school, Bubba calls me:

"You sold something."

HORRAY!!! Let everybody rejoice. Haha.

The beige crocheted cuttlefish plushie is going to be shipped off to his new home. Yay!

In other news, I have a cold. But that is inconsequential compared to the joy of making my first sale.

I'm on my way to Etsy stardom!!

...Or at least mild non-anonymity, anyways.

Tell all your friends and family about the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design shop!!!

Hope this weekend is restful and enjoyable for you,

Yours,
Carolyn Michelle

I Love:

2008-11-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

Stitcher Scribbler

Masquerade.

Zakka Sewing

Roman Sock

Little Odd Forest (and hedgehogs in general)

Gleeful Things

The Needlings

Sewing Stars

LoveAndASandwich

I also love free online classified ads. For all of you who have online shops, I suggest you go post a classified or two on Walmart.com's free classifieds. It was super easy and (ta-da) I got to post pics with the listing. Same with the Myspace.com Classifieds. Hopefully this mild publicity will result in a first sale?? It's been so long since I started my shop...

Inspiration, glorious inspiration. I'm off to stitch myself silly.

All my love,

Carolyn Michelle

A story about my head, and MORE new items...

2008-11-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

Last time I updated, I neglected to mention a slightly strange story about my head:

Monday I woke up with an odd, pounding sensation in my cranial region. I get frequent migraines, but this was quite different. Almost like I'd been bashed over the head, which I hadn't (to my knowledge). Hmm. Took some generic Advil, went to school. Pain and suffering. Complained a little to Bubba. More aspirin, went to bed. Tuesday...woke up, the pain was STILL THERE. Greeeeaaat. More pain killers and off to school. It was atrocious. Whenever I laughed, spoke loudly, turned my head, sat up, or yawned I got a ridiculous painful sensation in the right side of my head. That evening my dear friend Sammi drove me into Rockford and I went to Physician's Immediate Care. Fun fun. They gave me an injection for the pain (which, at that point, was very mild) and a prescription for ketorolac, aka toradol (aka tortellini, if you are me). Major pain killer. I picked up my prescription and went off to lalalaland. Wednesday came and went. School was out for the week, so I just chilled at home. Blah blah blah...the pain in my head continued through today, and now the toradol has stopped dulling the pain. My head doesn't hurt SUPER bad...it's just annoying. We'll see. I have a consultation with the pediatric neurologist coming up as well an MRI. Joy, joy.

In other news:

The two items I finished last night will be posted tonight...if all goes well. In addition to those new spiffies, we have a debute designer contributing her first work to the LLH Design shop! Give it up for Tara Lea! She is a well-versed fiber artist specializing in thread-crochet (ie- doily making) as well as a budding photographer. And, for the record, she's my sister. :D

Check out her first piece in the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design shop later this evening!

Another wearable has been finished by yours truely, but that piece won't be listed until later tomorrow. Lil Miss Photographer needs to take some pics of it before I can list it.

Go look at the goodies!!!

All my love,
Carolyn Michelle

A few good days

2008-11-06T17:36:00.001-08:00

It's quite nice to have time off from school, especially after such a huge massive controvesial event in history. It's probably for the best that I don't really have to be around all my peers who will no doubt be beside themselves with giddy joy about the president elect. It's just comforting to have a few days to gather my thoughts, relax, craft, and prepare myself for Monday. I'm not going to be bitter about the whole thing and this is not going to turn into a huge rant on woulda-coulda-shoulda politics. I'm just saying, I'm thankful for the "me time." Ignorance is bliss, however temporary it may be...

Today was very nice.

I wore one of my favorite outfits as a bit of a moral booster and spent the majority of the day perusing crafty blogs on the good old Internet. I also picked up the Lion Brand Homespun I needed to finish off the hoodie I'm crocheting. Hobby Lobby had some spectacular bamboo-blend yarn on sale so, what the heck? I got two lil skeins, justifying it as "edging for the hoodie." Ohhhh it's so lush.

Two new items have been finished since last night (I'm in hyper drive): A new plushie and a new wearable. Hopefully Miss Tara Lea can take some spiffy snapshots of them tonight and I'll get them listed by mid-day tomorrow. Hopefully. There's a few things I kinda have neglected to do...homework...dishes...make my bed...

Oh the joys of being a high schooler.

Hope you guys are all have splendid evenings!

Happy early Friday,
Carolyn Michelle

Welcome Back, LLH!

2008-11-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, the shop died a little there for a while. It makes me incredibly sad to think about how dead it really was. But, but, but, BUT the high school play is done and I have a few goodies I've been neglecting to update, list, fix, tweak, make prettyful etc. That's my plan for the FIVE DAY WEEKEND (be jealous, go ahead), to update the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Design shop. It's going to be epic. Yes, epic.

In other news- I've been getting lots of requests around school for a certain hat. I made this puppy a while ago and it seems like just about everybody thinks it's the bee's knees:

Once I get all caught up on the requests from school, perhaps I'll make up a couple spiffy lil newsboy hats for the shop. Who knows?! I have so much time on my hands now...

Don't forget to check the shop for the spiff-tacular updates!

luckloveandhedgehogs.etsy.com

Thanks guys, hope to hear from you soon!

Yours,

Carolyn Michelle

It's been so long, my love.

2008-09-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Here I sit: keyboard in lap, chapstick, cell phone, and now empty bowl of popcorn near by, Queen playing peacefully in the background. Today is already a good day.

The recent days have been intense. All week I rehersed for Oklahoma! at school. Let me confess a tiny thing: I love the stage at my school. But get this straight, it is the crappiest, lamest stage ever. It's lanolium tiles are unforgiving and slick. We never have enought room to do large dance numbers on it so people always end up dancing off in the back corner where nobody can see them (ususally me). There aren't actual seats, the audience sits in what is commonly known as the 'little gym' on chilly folding chairs. Most of the curtains are ripped and discolored. And still I love the stage. It is by far, my favorite place in the whole school. The set pieces have messages from casts and crews past scrawled all over the back sides of them. There are a million and one places to hide backstage and ambush fellow cast members, or sleep. It is like a home filled with all my peers. The drama, energy, and pain resulting only makes the stage more magical for me. Every moment on it makes me smile.

But that doesn't mean rehersal was totally enjoyable.

Also, I have a job now. Two actually. One goes directly to my pocket and the other is for the upcoming Spain/France trip in Summer '09.

This weekend has been really really strenuous. Bubba is sick, so she has been staying home and going a little crazy with the house cleaning thing. As I type, she is upstairs above my head unpacking the rebel boxes from our moving day....three years ago.

Where does the time go? Two years living here already?? Wow. Anyways...

Today I plan on avoiding housework and totally vegging out in front of the computer. i want to catch up on my story that I'm writing. Perhaps I'll do some sewing later.

It's gotten hard to do a ton of crafting, as predicted. Hopefully I'll get a brillant idea for a product that will be small enough to take in my purse and work on at school. lately all my ideas have involved intensive amounts of sewing.

I'll have pics of my latest endevours soon, hopefully my dear sister will let me borrow her AMAZING camera. It's disgustingly good at taking better pictures than my poopy little thing.

Okay, enought rambling. hope you all are doing well, I just wanted to post an update!

All my love,
Carolyn

And We're back!

2008-08-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, I finally got the guts to re-connect our computer. Yup, it's back with a new hard drive. Hooorahh for that. The printer is now on the fritz though. If it ain't one thing, it's the other!

And that brings us to the Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs Shop News! Da da dumm!
No new items have been listed at the moment. Although I have two new spiffies that are ready to be sold, but I need new pictures of them before they are listed.

Also, some concerns were voiced about my lack of a PayPal option for purchase from the shop. I'd like to say, I am working on it in my round-about way. I can make no promises on a specific date upon which I'll have it up-and-running, but I want you to know, it's in the mix.

On a side note, I started my Junior year in high school today, meaning insanity shall follow making it mas dificil to post updates and make items. Sad sad sad.

So, to recap, things in the shop will be slowing down even more (boo), Blog posts will be getting more sparse (hiss), and my crafting will draw to a near close (other angry noises).

Kids, seriously, stay out of school...

Just kidding, stay in school. But only if your teachers let you crochet in class. (wink wink)

All my love,
Carolyn

Houston, we have a problem...

2008-07-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Our home computer has literally blown up. The hard drive as been dignosed as completely corrupted with most of the files on it being unretrievable. Yikes. That's a major problem for me, because not only do I have my crochet patterns saved on that hard drive, but also all the pictures of my creations, all my pictures of Italy, Prom, and well, everything. And let me tell you, it is driving me bonkers not being able to post pictures or check my etsy. I'm bumming the Internet off of my cousin right now...

In other news, it's straw bailing season here on the farm and you know what that means? Manual labor. I over worked myself yesterday so being the whimp I am, I took the day off of bailing to babysit Eliana and Dylan, my cousin's kids. Tara is doing most of the work, because she's in training to take over as chief babysitter when I go away to school. Fun, fun.

I want my computer back.

All my love,

Carolyn

Playing Operator, Among Other Things

2008-07-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't sold anything at the shop yet I have been forced to get a job. *gasp gasp gasp* At least I'm keeping it in the family, haha. I'm working at my mom's office, probably only for this week. I've got a huge ream of contacts to call and ask them if we have the correct addresses on file in addition to answering the phones here. I know, you are all jealous of my super exciting job. NOT. But hey, it's only temporary and it gets me out of the house. Hooray for that.

In other news, I've been working on the Aardwolf, he now has two legs, eye patches, a detailed tail, and half of his stripes. But no name. Help me out here peeps.

Yesterday I made two new fused plastic bags which will be in the shop soon, I hope. Our home computer has taken another turn for the worst. It won't even start now, and yes, it is plugged in. So, unless it decides to pretend like it's acting in a soap opera and come back to life, I'll have to upload my pictures to this computer at Bubba's office. Don't know how well that's going to work. Oh my, what a luxury technology is.

Hope you all are having an easier time than I am.

Happy hooking,
Carolyn

Mysteries of the Deep, and others

2008-07-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

I felt that it was indeed time to get myself in gear and post more stuff in my shop! So, on that note, I've been very busy this morning posing my items and snapping pictures for their Etsy profiles. I even got Tara into the act and had her pose with 'the mystery creature.' Have you guessed what he is yet??

This is my second 'mystery creature.' This time he's beige instead of peach. Fun fun. He's also going to be listed in my shop by the end of the day, be sure to have a look!

Here's my Aardwolf-in-progress:

He's only got one leg at the moment. Along with no eyes and an un-fluffy tail. But I'm working on the lack-of-stripes. He's got a few:

I'm working on it.

Don't forget to check out the shop and see all the spiffy new goodies for sale! Enjoy summer and tell your friends about Luck, Love, and Hedgehogs!!

All my love,
Carolyn

Stuff and stuff

2008-07-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

Oh the spiffy-ness abounds! Here's some 'comming soon' stuff just to keep you all on your toes and guessing. Okay, so it's only one thing, but it's really spiffy, I promise:

Care to guess what that was? I'd love to hear it. The answer will be revealed in a later post. Muahaha, I am evil.

As you can see, I've been ever-so-busy. I got inspired to start making some rather...offbeat plushies. Guess what I was inspired by? The National Geographing Big Book of Mammals. I'm working on one right now, it's an 'aardwolf.' Never heard of it? Google image search it. I call it a Zebra Dog, because that's what it looks like. I'll have to post some 'work in progress' pics after dinner. I'm working on thinking of names for him. Maybe after I post pics, you guys could give me feedback? Pweeze?

Speaking of inspirations, check this one out:

It's crocheted! And edgey! Yarn grafitti, if you will. Check out the culprits of this brilliance. Their blog is linked in my left-hand 'Other Awesome Blogs' list, the title is 'Masquerade.' Click the link, and revel, I say, revel. What a crazy way to use up scraps!

That's it for now, I'm hungry and my sister cooked noodles. Hope you are all having fun!!!

All my love.

Carolyn

Lurking

2008-07-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some lurking around Craftster and Etsy. During these 'lurking sessions' I've become suddenly inspired to get off the computer and go make stuff gosh darn it!

But first, some craft-related updates:

I received a package in the mail last week from New Zealand. Why, you may ask, am I getting stuff from NZ? Because I met an amazing girl on Craftster who makes pulshies and she and I did a personal swap. And oh boy did she ever deliver!! Bubblegum_Pheonix (aka Sasha) sent me a mini plush version of a Kiwi bird, a hedgehog hook holder (OMGYAYYYYYYYYYY), a nice little post card and a bracelet made of shells (which she bought, but it's still epic).

And I'm closing in on that last few projects from my first swap. I'm sorta stuck on the last large project. My hands keep cramping up and dying a little.

Oh, and I sold something! Not in the etsy shop but at church! My youth director bought the fused plactic bag that used to be listed in the shop. So now I have a little money to treat myself to some new yarn. Horray for yarn!

Other than that, it's beautiful outside and I think I just might go crochet in the sun. Ahhh, the joys of summer.

All my love,
Carolyn

Inspiration and daily life

2008-06-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

Good times in the Glenny household. First there was my movie party on Friday night, it went really well. Good fun was had by all. Didn't get to sleep until 2 AM, so no crafting was done Friday. *sadness* Saturday a high school friend of my dad's came over with his family in tow. That was interesting. Got to hear many many stories from 'the golden age' of my father. haha, what a rebel.

And today, no crafting will be done unless I get off the computer right now. Tonight I'm going to say ta-ta to all my friends who are headed to Costa Rica for three weeks. WITHOUT ME!!!!!! *cries a little* But it'sfine, I suppose. I'll just tell them to bring me back crafty stuff...like yarn and beads and loteria cards. Or is that in Mexico that they have loteria?....hmmm.....

The purse show was SPECTACULAR. I was spazzing out at suffering from sensory overload in that exhibit. Lol, Jen you would have done the same. The bags were to die for! Maybe I'll post pictures soon...

Still have three items listed in the shop! Be sure to let me know if I can make anything for ya!

Lots of love and crafty-ness,
Carolyn

Get Well Soon, Computer!

2008-06-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Our home computer has taken yet another nose-dive. The Internet has been s l o w beyond all meaning of the word. This means I will not be able to get on until someone fixes it. I think it might be a virus. Oh dear.

No sales yet, but that's okay. I'm just starting, after all!

Today Tara and I are going with Grandma Beth (sewing hero) to the 'Purses Through The Ages' exhibit at Midway Museum. This is going to be really fun! I hope to get some inspiration for new designs of LL&H purses.

But tell me, is this sad? I'm using my really super spiffy purse made out of old vinyl records when I go out today. Know why? Because I get insane amounts of complements on it. And since we are going to a purse exhibit, there will be purse junkies there who will comment on it, and then I can give them my business card and get more people viewing the shop!!! Bruhahahahahaha I shall conquer the world with my marketing schemes! *ahem* yes. Okay...

So guess what I got today? Sewing Hero Grandma Beth has struck again, this time as the Yarn Hero. She waltzes in to Bubba's office with a Target bag full of beige yarn. Guess how much? Four skeins weighing in at one pound each. WOW. I'll never have to buy skin-tone yarn again! Horray for Yarn Heros!

WoOt!

2008-06-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

Two items posted! I'm not going to tell you what they are, though! You'll have to go to the shop and check them out yourself!
What are the first two items??
I'm working on posting other goodies like, oh, say crochet patterns. Intriguing, eh? Hmmmm...I'll have to see what I can dig up. *big grin*
I cannot find the words to tell you how happy I am about this my etsy is ALIVE!!!!
Can't wait for my first sale!
Hope summer is being good to you!
All my love,
Carolyn

Night Update: Etsy Etsy Etsy Grand Opening!!

2008-06-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

It's here!!! The official Luck, Love and Hedgehogs online Etsy shop!!!!!!! And yes, that did deserve seven exclaimation points! Horrayyy!!!!
Click here to see the shop front in all its shimmering glory!!
But, there are no items posted yet *group awwww.* Keep looking back in the coming days to see what spiffy new things I post-ificate to sell!
I am sooooo excited about this!!!!!!! And of course I shall be making a lot of hoopla about my new items, maybe even teaser pics. Who knows?
Happy summer, everyone!
Love,
Carolyn

Etsy Etsy Etsy

2008-06-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

I need an Etsy! Need need need need an Etsy!
Yesterday I got something that I rarely ever get, MONEY! Horray money! I sold a painting for $125. Nice, eh? I'm pretty pumped about it. It was the same (exactally the same) as one I sold at my school's Art Auction back in March. That was to raise money for my trip to Spain and France in '09. Mrs. Johnson (the Junior High librarian and my friend's mom) liked my painting but didn't win it at the auction. She asked me to make another one and I did. So, she got the 2nd edition of my painting "Muse." It rather ticked me off that I had to repeate myself, but beggars cannot be choosers. And besides, she seems so pleased with it!
So. Since I liked getting that check so much, I feel new motivation towards my launching my Etsy shop. I hope (hope hope hope) that I will have it before the day is out. Cross your fingers for me!
Yours,
Carolyn

Housebound

2008-06-18T12:10:00.001-07:00

For the past three days I have been stuck at home. Stranded, really. It's kind of annoying knowing that in my wallet lies my driver's license, the key to freedom, which I cannot use. Both my parents have been leaving early in the morning so that means no car, no truck. The tractors are still here but, tractors are a bit of a stretch...especially driving the 30+ minutes into Rockford.

So here I am! At home, with my younger sister. Sometimes the most random things can come from the boredom of homebound-ness. For example, yesterday I spent the entire day cleaning my room. I mean the entire day. It was...odd, actually. I kept finding yarn under my bed, even after I thought I had it all rounded up, more yarn appeared. Strange, no?

In other news, I'm joining my first ever swap on Craftster.org! After, what, a year or so of lurking? Haha. The name of the swap is 'The Completely Random Swap' so it has the making to be a fine first swap for me. Huzzah for random!

And wow, I was just checking my Craftster account ant you will not believe how many people commented on my prom dress!!!! AHHHH!!!! I am beyond words! People are so freaking nice...it's unbelieveable. It just makes my day that much better. It's...so...great, yeah...great...to get lovely praise and words of encouragement from people you don't know, have never met, and never will meet. It's so reassuring to know that people are supportive of each other, even if they have nothing in common besides the desire to create. That is magic, pure magic and grace. It makes me so thankful that I have some remote talents that I can share...

Okay, I'm rambling. It's just so hard to put down in words how lucky I feel everytime someone looks at my work and says "now that is amazing." I feel so....proud and complete. When you make something, you put part of yourself into it, and when people affirm that what you have made is beautiful, it's sort of like being told that you, yourself are beautiful. I don't know, it's just nice to hear. Maybe I'm self-centered, but this certainly makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Alright, that's enough for now I suppose.

All my love,
Carolyn

Today's weather:

2008-06-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

....A chance of not having the Etsy store up and running yet. RAWR!! I need to know if I can use a debit car instead of a credit card for the seller shop thingy-ma-giger. I'll have to look into it...
In other news, my sister is on a dishcloth crocheting frenzy, I guess she's getting ready for the flood, hahaha. It has rained soooooo much here! Perhaps I should build an ark? Can you crochet one?
Just got another bank statement this week, and may I say, yikes? If I don't get this Etsy off the ground successfully, I might have to get a *gasp* job. Ewwwww, jobs. Isn't this supposed to be easy? Trillions of other people just pop onto etsy and get an account and sell stuff in seconds! Maybe I'm just over complicating this....
And just for fun, here are some pics of my latest creation: Kon the stuffed Lion from the Anime show, Bleach...

I posted him on Craftster, too:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=251840.msg2801564#msg2801564

Please post a quick comment if you are reading this, it'd be nice to know I'm not alone...

All my love,
Carolyn

Welcome!

2008-06-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

Horay! You are reading the blog!!!

Okay, this is the Luck, Love and Hedgehogs' Official Blog!! *fanfare, trumpets, and confetti* Which is kind of ironic because, technically, Luck Love and Hedgehogs doesn't even exist yet. Heh.

So, here's the background information all in one convenient place for those of you who have never heard of Luck Love and Hedgehogs (which is probably all of you, unless you are some freaky mind reader or something):

My name is Carolyn. I am 16 years old and I have been making stuff since I was born, pretty much. My mother dearest (who is known as Bubba, by the way) is all about the self-employment movement and after some pressuring from her (and people who saw what kind of things I make), I came up with Luck Love and Hedgehogs. It's my business that I will be using to sell my handmade goodies. The products range from crazy little crocheted stuffed animals to pendents made from shrink plastic. It's quite a range, let me tell you!

You may be thinking, "So where does this blog come in to play with this whole...hedgehog...thingy?" Well, I have been raised on the mantra "You gotta get your product out there, or it won't sell" so that's what I am doing. I'm spreading the word! And, once I get the Etsy shop up and running, this will kind of be a little behind-the-scenes place for my rantings about life, money, and anything else that relates to crafting and selling. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a ton of help from experienced entrepreneurs/crafters, since I really have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Yeah....

Thank you for reading and please keep checking back for more updates on the will-be shop and/or craft shows I might be at!

All my love,
Carolyn