cleo*dee

We're off to Chicago bright and early tomorrow morn since we've decided to sight-see tomorrow. Scott has a surprise iteneray but so far I know if includes seeing Emma Goldman's grave, Dissenter's Row and hot dogs. I have the squids packed up but due to some unforseen super-buying at shows in the past couple weeks I have less than what I normally sell of squidtivity and mini christmas sets. If you see them this weekend scoop them up while you can. I have one more show after this in Cleveland next weekend and my shop will be open until the 14th for custom work and for all work ready to go you will have until the 17th to purchase.All items will be shipped out December 18th.

If you're in the area hope to see you there! (we're in the left side-room on the first floor)

We left my Dad's and visited my bestest friend and bought lots of bulk rice and honey comb at Peight's and got back into town Friday night, hung out with Scott's friend from high school and then hiked it to Cleveland for Bazaar Bizarre. We forgot the camera because we were kind of out of it so here are some shots of Thanksgiving.

Going through Belleville

dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's


Turkey Truffles


Adorable Kitten.....her name is Muffin. It was between Muffin and Sticker. Her owner is an 8 year old girl if you couldn't tell.

well we are back from DUCF and it did not disappoint (there are a few photos on flickr with many more to come- good Lord did we ever take a lot of photos). It was so successful that I don't even have time to write about the awesomeness of this trip. I think an hour after getting back I drove out to replenish my supplies and our food and have been sewing ever since. I am officially out of 6 types of squid (including mini christmas sets) so this week will be all about squid and pie makin'. We will be selling at the East side Bazaar Bizarre (it will be Friday and Saturday but due to Thanksgiving travels we'll only be there Saturday).
I'll have more to write about this later but for now hope you all have a great thanksgiving!

I'm getting up at 2:30 this morning so we can head on out to the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Majestic Theater. I'll be there from 10-7 along with some other very swell vendors. Check it out if you're in the area (and if there's anything fun to do on a Sunday either in Detroit or along I-80 in Ohio let me know, we're staying overnight and looking for some fun roadside attractions for the way home.

so not sure how but when I added the special of the free second shepherd with the squidtitivity until November 30th I messed up the price (I blame trying to do computer work on little sleep). The price is now back where it should be.
But as I just said, I have a special where if you order the full squidtivity you will get the second shepherd for free. This is a little gift for all of those that went to my site when it was down. Hopefully you weren't scared off forever by the they crazy malware warning that popped up.

I am getting some more squids ready for this weekend since the folks at Columbus really loved the mini Christmas set, hopefully I get more down in time for this weekend! If you're in the Detroit area please stop by the Detroit Urban Craft Fair. I was looking through my records and I don't think I've ever sold anything that went to Michigan (even though I've hit almost all of it's neighboring states). Pretty exciting (but also a little nerve-wracking :) to try something new.

So we finally had the opportunity to see the city we were selling and Columbus did not let us down. After we checked into the room we picked up a brochure and Scott noticed there was a neighborhood called the German Village so off we went. We were hoping to eat at Schmidt's Sausage Haus but the wait was 45 minutes so we hung out at Schmidt's Fudge Haus and then walked around and ended up at Max and Erma's and then hit up the wonder that is the Book Loft.



The inside was crammed full of books and they had maps letting you know where to go (it did get a bit confusing) but it was so wonderful to wander around and there were so many books we wanted to buy but I limited myself to a family history chart in a Pennsylvania Dutch design and Scott bought a new version of Candide.


Oh how I wish this guy would have been on one of their tote bags.

More to come about this wonderful time later but just a quick note to say we're back, the website is back and now it's time to replenish some stock and get ready for the Detroit Urban Craft Fair this Saturday.

We discovered the website was hacked while at the hotel on Saturday night (and after we handed out cards to folks all day) with no way for Scott to fix it until we were back home. Lesson learned: put my etsy shop on there as well.

Getting everything ready for this weekend and Tiny Canary. There are a dozen Mini Christmas squid sets packed up (plus some ready to go for the shop) along with some squidtivities.




Also, we just got in the latest set of buttons that Scott designed and the lovely Button Arcade quickly made up for us. Here's a sneak peek, they'll be available this weekend and definitely in the shop Monday but perhaps Friday if I get a chance to photograph them.

Still chugging along making things for Tiny Canary this weekend although we did take some time out to wander down the street to visit some folks which hasn't happen in awhile.  One of the nice things about having Scott back working on freelance at home.

These 2 are snug in a box and going off to the South tomorrow.

I've come into that time period where there isn't much new to post on the squid front since I'm usually having a hard time just keeping up with the standard squid designs for shows and there's only so much my fingers can handle.  I will have some more Squid  A Month to show soon and some really cute custom items are in the works and of course shows will be starting up next weekend.  I looked at a calender and after this weekend between craft shows and visiting family for the holidays I will be out of Pittsburgh (and except one weekend, out of the state) until New Year's.  Man, Ico is not going to be happy about this.  

So we never can find anything fun to do on Halloween so no costume for me (until New Year's) but we did walk around the neighborhood to see all the adorable trick or treaters.  Best one was this precious little girl I see all the time with super curly red hair who's about 2 or 3 in a mini hogwarts costume just teetering down the street.  Hope your night was fun and you had awesome costumes. 


from hallowe'en past.

So Scott heard rumblings in his company earlier this year that lay-offs may be coming.  We figured it may happen right before Thanksgiving and decided to prepare by just saving as much as possible.  The day after discussing some of this he was laid off.  He was already thinking of preparing to look for work even before hearing of lay-offs so he's pretty excited to be able to work on his reel more and he's got some freelance to do.  Things will be tight but bills will be paid so that's all we're really concerned with now.  Luckily I started doing Christmas shopping about 6 months ago and actually wrapped the majority of the presents tonight and we're taking advantage of the last month of our dental insurance by getting our free exams and probably getting some fillings fixed (no more crumbling in my mouth!).  Also luckily I like to stockpile meat and make our own bread and other yeasty items along with granola and I just started making chocolate syrup (which is so simple to make.  I can't believe I haven't done it sooner).  Even with all the homemade goodness we did celebrate Scott being home by going out to breakfast at the Pretzel Shop because it's best fresh and we've never been there before even though it's only a few blocks away.  And oh my Lord why have we never gone there before?  We both got the sausage, egg and cheese pretzel sandwich (Scott got hot and I got sweet).  It was glorious and beautiful and I'm totally going back there to buy a big bag of pretzels for an insanely cheap amount.  Pretzel Shop, I want to court you.

This is the last week you can order the squidtivity with free shipping.  The offer ends October 31st at midnight. 
Also, if you're thinking of custom work remember to get it in before it's too late in the season (the last day to order custom that will arrive in time for Christmas is December 14th although the more you order before mid-November (i.e. before all the shows start) the more I will throws heaps of kindness and gratitude at you :) 

Also, as a re-cap, here are the shows I will be doing so far, hopefully I'll be coming to a city near you, or at least if you're a mid-westener:

Tiny Canary (Columbus, OH) November 14th-15th
Detroit Urban Craft Fair (Motor City!) November 21st
East End Bazaar Bizarre (Cleveland, OH) November 28th
Renegade Holiday (Chicago, IL) December 5th and 6th
Bazaar Bizarre (Cleveland, OH) December 12th and 13th




(also there are a total of 2 additions that are also for sale at the shop cause who wouldn't want an extra shepherd and camel for their squidtivity...)

One thing I love about Southside is that depending on where you are it's either full of shops, bars with frat boys and ill-clad college girls (that I could live without), or you can glimpse what Southside used to be back when everyone stopped at the old dive bars after their shift at the mill. 



Sadly, there was also this blight on our streets. 



So I'll leave you with this as a palette cleanser:

I picked this up yesterday in the "special priced" section at Goodwill for $10.  Now I just have to wait until it's not 70 degrees out to wear it.