Vacation Depression

So as a New Englander I'm dreading the third weekend in a row because of ... snow. The season finale of Downton Abbey has not helped at all either. To put us all in a better mood here are some of the things I did on vacation in Florida, because we can at least think warm. 

After we landed I refused to leave the airport until I had put my sweatshirt away, because it is much to warm to where a sweatshirt in Florida right? The cold night air blasted me in the face as we left, and I felt as though we hadn't actually left home. The next day was much nicer though.

Funny I didn't realize till I got there that I'd never seen a palm tree in person before.

I never really considered myself a pool, person, but when there is on readily available, I definitely got used to it.

I got to pet a baby alligator and then...

I ate one.

Went to the aquarium and saw a sea lion do this,

while a sea turtle just kept swimming.

I also saw Ms. Attitude.

Doesn't my Woolie Alligator look just like her?

Woolie Alligator

But now I'm back and I will shovel away like all hearty New Englanders do, yet I'll be thinking about this while I do.

Even though it's a little more like this.

So everyone stay warm! There is good news here though the Sweet Carolyn's shop has tags!

Have a great Day.

Wishful Thinking Part 01

I'm a big fan of Pinterest and If you haven't already, you should defiantly check it out. It's full of great ideas and projects, including a lot of things I call wishful thinking. As great as all these ideas are, at least in theory, actually finding the time and energy to complete a few, or even one for that matter is somewhat impossible for me. By the time I get around to it, I either don't have the right stuff, I have all the stuff, but by the time I've collected it all I don't really want to do it anymore, or I have everything but one crucial component. By then I've over doing it, and that's when I move on to more important things like crocheting while watching Downton Abbey. So I've decided to dedicate a few entries to all those great projects that I think would be so awesome to do, if only... I had my own house, had the time, had the money, didn't have to go to the store, etc etc. 

A great idea for Valentine's Day.

 You cut heart shapes out of maps of all the places you've been, then mount and frame them. Super easy and unique right? The Problem: This requires me to set up my new printer so I can print out map sections, and buy ink (p.s. if you haven't gotten out lately apparently printer ink is liquid gold). 

Affordable DIY art. 

All you have to do is 1. Get a canvas, Spray paint (any color, doesn't have to be white), and Letters, or Whatever 3D object you want to be on the canvas (object should have  a flat surface to attach to the canvas). 2. Get out your hot glue gun and attach your objects to the canvas as you please. Watch those fingers though! 3. Spray your entire canvas with selected paint. Do a few thin coats, as thicker coats are prone to drip and pool. The Problem: I would have to go buy spray paint and have to wait for 5 managers to check and make sure I'm of age and then be interrogated to make sure I'm not using it as a drug. Then I have to decide on an object and I have yet to find just the right thing.

Great way to Budget.

This is a cute idea for grown-ups or for teaching kids to save. Get a shadow box, get a picture of your item, you could cut it out of a magazine, photocopy it or print off the web. Then start saving. The Problem: I am horrible at budgeting, I would be ripping that 20 bucks out of there within 2 weeks to pay for my coffee habit.

So get excited, grab a cup of coffee, or your drink of choice, and waste a few hours look at all the projects you should defiantly do. If you do end up doing any let me know, I promise I'll actually do one soon too, but for now I'll dream.

First Step: To Admit There is a Problem.

So we all make those New Years Resolutions, and right about now a lot of people are slipping, falling and flat out jumping off their wagons. I have, so far, stuck to my resolution, which was to buy no more yarn, until I use what I have. Sensible, I know, but I have A LOT of yarn, but at this point I may not need to buy anymore until next year.

I have yarn in these bins and the baskets on top.

There is yarn hiding in bags under these finished woolies, and there's about two more bins, if not more around my studio. 

The second resolution I made was that I wouldn't take a three month vacation this winter, and that I would use it to build inventory back up. Thankfully I can crochet just about anywhere, so I've been crocheting pieces for Woolie Animals whenever and where ever I can. I then set up my studio table as a Sew Um Up station.

Look all those Woolies ready to go.

Here's a Woolie Bunny in progress......

Woolie Bunny Hand Crocheted Plush

and finished! I hope you are sticking to your resolutions whatever they may be, stop by my shop to see what new creations all this yarn is making. I'm thinking about expanding to include accessories as well...

Hey! Nice to meet you.

So after years of thinking about starting a blog I have finally taken the plunge. I've been creating art ever since I can remember, my grandmother had a ceramic studio were she taught, and a good part of my childhood was spent there. My favorite job was when she had me open every bottle of paint and pick all the dried drips so the looked presentable for her students (or it was just to keep me busy). That creativity seemed to stick, I got a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Textile Design and Fiber Arts, and that's when I started a little online business Sweet Carolyn's. 

Woolie Whale Hand Crocheted Plush

That's where I sell things like this Woolie Whale and all other sorts of creatures.

Woolie Alligator

Now, I'm sharing the stories that come along with running your own small business, being a crafter with far too many projects, and oh wait, I have a full time....... I would say normal but its really not, job.

Oh yes that's me! For 5 days a week from 9-5, I eat, live, breath, 17th century life, but then I go home and crochet woolie whales and ship packages all over the world. It's an exciting and interesting time and if you're crafty, geeky, or just like a good laugh you should defiantly subscribe and come along for a crazy ride.