Good Morning everyone,
Today I woke up and found several fun things had happened.
1. The shop is featured in this contest. Please vote!
http://etsycontest.com/?votefor=ChocolateDogStudio #handmadebot #shopetsy
2. I was featured in this extremely cool Coffee Treasury.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA2OTc2MTh8MjcyMzE3ODI5Mg/everything-you-love-about-coffee
Have a great day today! I am busy this week unpacking, dreaming up new things for the Etsy shop, getting a girl ready for college, cleaning, and running a family! It is a busy time of year for everyone isn't it! OH, and I have been crocheting a luscious baby afghan for a new Mom. I called the customer and asked if she wanted a little bonnet to match, of course she said Yes! I love crocheting for babies!
I also finished up the knitted blanket for my college bound daughter. I can give her hugs from another state that way. It is stripey with a wide crocheted border. It was started in all the moving chaos and was supposed to use up yarn but somehow it didn't. Hmmm. My yarn stash is growing, again. I will have some pictures of the projects to show you next time.
Talk to you later,
Karen
PS. What have you been creating?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
SALE!
All cup sleeves are $2 off in Chocolate Dog Studio!
Stop by and say hi!
Karen Stewart
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateDogStudio
Stop by and say hi!
Karen Stewart
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateDogStudio
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Why Write Goals?
After packing and moving for the second time in twelve months, I find myself asking "Why do I keep writing goals just so I can change course four times in three months?"
At least it feels like I am changing my goals all the time. Frankly, I needed some direction on why I need to write another set of goals. I think this is the fourth set in 6 months? So I am reading what some goal setting gurus say. I found this on Michael Hyatt's blog. He writes like a real person with real life happening. He has five reasons why you write goals but I love this statement here.
"Of course, most people don’t bother to write down their goals. Instead, they drift through life aimlessly, wondering why their life lacks purpose and significance. I am not saying that committing your goals to writing is the end-game. It’s not. But it is the beginning." Michael Hyatt
Ok, so according to Michael I need to write my goals down to keep me from drifting aimlessly through life. Rather like driving in a new town without a map. You WILL get lost even if you do get directions and finally do end up at the right place. So I will lose time trying to get back on track.
Then there is this comment from the Goal Setting Guide.
"When you put pen to paper you turn your thoughts into something tangible."
Then the actual act of writing goals down causes me to believe that the goal I have written is actually going to happen.
This is the third gem I found while searching for answersprocrastinating.
" To remind yourself of what to focus on. Often we get caught up in our everyday business and lose track of what is most important."
This is a great point and I think that people in creative jobs need more goals than most. It helps us to stick to the point and keep moving forward. I did notice that many of the articles I read all stated not to be afraid to rework your goals and to prioritize them.
Here are all of the links to the articles that I read for this blog on goal setting.
http://michaelhyatt.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-commit-your-goals-to-writing.html
http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/step-5-write-your-goal-down
http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2010/09/30/write-things-down/
Talk to you later,
Karen
PS. I am heading off to re-examine my goals while I unpack a couple of boxes in the kitchen, so I can cook again in an organized space. How is that for a tangible, immediate goal? What is one of your goals for this week?
At least it feels like I am changing my goals all the time. Frankly, I needed some direction on why I need to write another set of goals. I think this is the fourth set in 6 months? So I am reading what some goal setting gurus say. I found this on Michael Hyatt's blog. He writes like a real person with real life happening. He has five reasons why you write goals but I love this statement here.
"Of course, most people don’t bother to write down their goals. Instead, they drift through life aimlessly, wondering why their life lacks purpose and significance. I am not saying that committing your goals to writing is the end-game. It’s not. But it is the beginning." Michael Hyatt
Ok, so according to Michael I need to write my goals down to keep me from drifting aimlessly through life. Rather like driving in a new town without a map. You WILL get lost even if you do get directions and finally do end up at the right place. So I will lose time trying to get back on track.
Then there is this comment from the Goal Setting Guide.
"When you put pen to paper you turn your thoughts into something tangible."
Then the actual act of writing goals down causes me to believe that the goal I have written is actually going to happen.
This is the third gem I found while searching for answers
" To remind yourself of what to focus on. Often we get caught up in our everyday business and lose track of what is most important."
This is a great point and I think that people in creative jobs need more goals than most. It helps us to stick to the point and keep moving forward. I did notice that many of the articles I read all stated not to be afraid to rework your goals and to prioritize them.
Here are all of the links to the articles that I read for this blog on goal setting.
http://michaelhyatt.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-commit-your-goals-to-writing.html
http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/step-5-write-your-goal-down
http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2010/09/30/write-things-down/
Talk to you later,
Karen
PS. I am heading off to re-examine my goals while I unpack a couple of boxes in the kitchen, so I can cook again in an organized space. How is that for a tangible, immediate goal? What is one of your goals for this week?
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Goals, again...
I know I promised more pictures but I left the camera in Tulsa and I have been a little busy. Packing a house for a move is a huge job. Thankfully, I have had lots of willing helpers (the kids) and we have had quite a few laughs, some new family jokes and some down time watching old tv shows. I have somehow made my kids Agatha Christie fans. I think it is a great thing and we have watched some old Hercule Poirot mysteries. It has been a lot of fun since they have read quite a few of her books and we keep trying to remember who the murderer is.
It has been a busy couple of weeks and I will get back with my goals in a week or two or maybe even in September. The bad part of moving is getting all internet turned back on and figuring out where everything goes.
See you later,
Karen
It has been a busy couple of weeks and I will get back with my goals in a week or two or maybe even in September. The bad part of moving is getting all internet turned back on and figuring out where everything goes.
See you later,
Karen
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Christmas Sneak peak
Here is a sneak peak at a Christmas ornament that I have been working on the past several weeks. I have been making several so this is just one. I love the non-traditional colors in this one. It is hand sewn with embroidery floss.
I would love to say that I came up with the idea on my own but the truth is that I used a vintage Vogue pattern for this lovely ornament.
See you later,
Karen
I would love to say that I came up with the idea on my own but the truth is that I used a vintage Vogue pattern for this lovely ornament.
See you later,
Karen
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Goals rewritten!
Sometimes, life sends you a storm and you just have bend! Sometimes, you wake up and realize that SOMETHING needs to change. We did that mid June. We woke up June 17 and realized that a deadline set had passed. That deadline was the realization that if our house had not sold we would need to move back to it. Then you top that off with a very special family member being seriously ill and so we took some time off and re-evaluated our lives. It was a very clear simple decision to make. There were no other options we have looked at it several times since then and the end result is the same. Move! MOVE written in neon capital letters all over our lives. Moving seems to take so much of life in time, energy and money. I have an incredibly peace about the move. Well, about being there, the process stresses me out incredibly. It is terribly disrupting and uncomfortable to have two houses with one state between them and your home scattered everywhere in between. That is how it feels. We actually have most of the items with us and the rest at the other house, but what you NEED NOW is never with you!
I never thought I could be unhappy moving back, but I am. I never expected to have my heart torn as it is. 9 months is a very short time to make friends, put down roots and share lives with people but we did. How can I be sad about moving to what was our home for 12 years? What could be wrong with that? I have flight paths, friends, family and the whole network of people and places that make up our lives already in place. I was just starting to make this here
I never thought I could be unhappy moving back, but I am. I never expected to have my heart torn as it is. 9 months is a very short time to make friends, put down roots and share lives with people but we did. How can I be sad about moving to what was our home for 12 years? What could be wrong with that? I have flight paths, friends, family and the whole network of people and places that make up our lives already in place. I was just starting to make this here
Stuck in the Middle
I wish I could just pouf myself to the beginning of September, but if I did I would miss many good times and blessings. So I don't wish too hard for that. We just have so much work between now and then. You see, we are in the middle of the packing part of a move. It is so much work and things are so boxed up. It is a bit discouraging to look at all that is left to do. In my heart I know that we are about 75% complete. It is that the last 25% requires more thought as it is the kitchen, and odd shaped items.
So, I am not going to do that. I will instead tell you all the little things that are being finished. I have not packed all the hand crafting items that I take with me when I am waiting at the dentist, lessons or whatever is happening. At this point I have finished
That is quite a bit for this really unproductive time spent packing. I need take some photos but the camera is packed or in Tulsa. I am not sure which. I am feeling some pressure which is a natural part of packing and moving. I know that it will all work out for the best and that this new chapter in our lives will be laughable in September. Our house will be down to two children instead of four and I am not sure how I will handle it. I have some home school concerns about curriculum and classes for the Junior in our house. I hope that everything works out well on that front. I am switching back and forth between state requirements, again. I have a driver that needs driving instruction and time behind the wheel. I have a girl to pack up for college. So, I will do what I always do; which is forge ahead to the path chosen and pray all the while. Here are some pictures of candle wicking so that you know what it is.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"]
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97581326/vintage-1983-unicorn-candlewick-lace[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"]
http://www.etsy.com/listing/103997773/country-cat-pillow-candlewicking[/caption]
It is a tone on tone embroidery with pretty hefty thread. It works up really quickly. The pattern I chose was a more contemporary design of roses and leaves worked on a dark linen background. It is beautiful and will work well with our furniture. All the parts were in the kit so nothing is needed except a pillow form.
see you later,
Karen
So, I am not going to do that. I will instead tell you all the little things that are being finished. I have not packed all the hand crafting items that I take with me when I am waiting at the dentist, lessons or whatever is happening. At this point I have finished
- a candlewicking pillow cover for the den
- an embroidered pillow front for my daughter's room or the Etsy shop
- 25 + felt Christmas ornaments
- I am working an an afghan and have another in the thought processes
- 30 + crocheted Christmas stars
That is quite a bit for this really unproductive time spent packing. I need take some photos but the camera is packed or in Tulsa. I am not sure which. I am feeling some pressure which is a natural part of packing and moving. I know that it will all work out for the best and that this new chapter in our lives will be laughable in September. Our house will be down to two children instead of four and I am not sure how I will handle it. I have some home school concerns about curriculum and classes for the Junior in our house. I hope that everything works out well on that front. I am switching back and forth between state requirements, again. I have a driver that needs driving instruction and time behind the wheel. I have a girl to pack up for college. So, I will do what I always do; which is forge ahead to the path chosen and pray all the while. Here are some pictures of candle wicking so that you know what it is.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"]
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97581326/vintage-1983-unicorn-candlewick-lace[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"]
http://www.etsy.com/listing/103997773/country-cat-pillow-candlewicking[/caption]It is a tone on tone embroidery with pretty hefty thread. It works up really quickly. The pattern I chose was a more contemporary design of roses and leaves worked on a dark linen background. It is beautiful and will work well with our furniture. All the parts were in the kit so nothing is needed except a pillow form.
see you later,
Karen
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