Let me tell you a story about a girl who had her finger in a lot of pies.

Ok, that sounds dirty, I’ll just talk about me and all the crap I’ve been trying to do.

THE ONE THAT ACTUALLY PAYS
First off, I’ve had a freelance gig. It has been somewhat strenuous, as I have a full time job, 2 kids with soccer, a husband, and a household.. I used to do quite a lot of freelance, when I didn’t have kids, and then when I had kids, but stayed home with them. So when an old friend of mine called me up and asked if I was interested, I told him bluntly that it would really have to be worth my while. I knew that the hours spent on a freelance gig would be hours spent, oh let’s see, not sleeping, not spending time with my kids, not seeing their soccer games, not seeing my husband, not taking care of my house.. and I knew that it would wear me out! So they made it worth my while and I jumped on board. I’ve been cranking on that for the last few weeks, with a big push this last weekend. Now, little bits and bobs pop up, but it’s finishing up nicely. Overall, I’m glad I took the gig, because it is going to translate into the new couch in the basement! The one I can’t decide which color it should be! Yippee! (My latest plan is to scout out the floor models – if the Lichen is on closeout, then they’re going to be getting rid of the floor models too, right??)

THE BABY CRAFTY
A few weeks ago, there was a joint baby shower for 2 ladies in the neighborhood who were expecting.. Correction, 1 was expecting, the other delivered prematurely at 32 weeks. (At the time of the shower, the baby was still staying at the hospital at the NICU, but now she is at home with her family.) So for this shower, I had 1 baby blanket done, and the other partially done, and somehow I got it into my head to make bibs from Amy Karol’s Bend the Rules Sewing book. It was lots of fun, and I’m glad I did it, but I am NOT glad for deciding to do all this the DAY BEFORE the shower. I was kind of stressed out about it, and that’s never a good thing. It makes you think all about the fact that you can buy a 4pk of bibs at Target for $1.99, and that’s never a good thing to think when you’re making something handmade! Oh, and another thing – Did I remember to take pictures? NO I DID NOT. What’s the point in making handmade gifts if you FORGET TO TAKE PICTURES?? Oh right, the joy of giving, blah blah blah. 🙂

THE BASEMENT PAINTY PAINTY
The basement is an ongoing project. James finished the floor with astonishing speed and verve, and as such, I told him that if he would prep it, I would paint it. He hasn’t finished prepping it, but that’s ok because I don’t think I’ll be able to get around to painting it until November.. and that’s only if I can decide on a paint color by then.

MORE CRAFTY! THIS TIME WITH FURNITURE!
I also bought 2 chairs off craigslist about 2 months ago because I liked their bones, and wanted to try my hand at recovering. It’s a good thing I had planned on recovering to begin with, because they STINK. They reek of dank musty smoke to high heaven. I spent one afternoon several weeks ago pulling staples out of one of the chairs, and at the end of the day, I dropped everything I was wearing into the wash immediately, and then went and got in the shower. It was that bad. So now, 1 chair is taken apart and stripped down to the foam, and the other chair is sitting in the garage in all it’s stinkiness, waiting to be stripped. I am even thinking of stripping the wood and painting them. My thoughts: white, chocolate brown, or turquoise. I’m leaning towards the turquoise. Oooh, or bright red. Super glossy! Fun! The color they are now ain’t bad either. I have pictures, I just haven’t gotten them off the camera yet (STORY OF MY LIFE!)

THE HIGH PRIORITY CRAFTY SEWING PROJECT!
And LASTLY.. and now, most importantly… We have halloween coming up! Which means I have 4 weeks in which to construct a suitable Belle costume! Which I predict won’t be nearly enough time! I even purchased the satiny yellow fabric a few weeks ago. I have looked at the directions numerous times and feel that I am in way over my head. I guess we shall see.

So, yeah. Projects, projects. Lots of projects. Lots of projects for me, for me.