cleo*dee

big roll O felt

cleodees@gmail.com — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:26:03 GMT

This week has been about unwrapping this big wonder, ironing all of the felt and then pulling out my handy list of to-do squids and drawing tons of squid blanks. After that I have to cut each squid out, categorize it and then put them in a box where they will await faces and backs and eventually be sewn up. While it's not "un-fun" work it really is kind of tedious because it takes FOREVER. Luckily I've been passing the time by watching the Dr. Who/David Tennant finale and the Torchwood Children of Earth special which is a wonderful thing to have while you're mindlessly ironing and cutting.

this also helps:

bring it

cleodees@gmail.com — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:18:36 GMT

This weekend was spent going to Ikea mainly for a new rug since a certain someone had a nervous stomach while we were gone. And of course while I was there I picked up some more boxes to organize more of the squid piles to ring in 2010. Speaking of 2010, it will be my fifth year of doing Cleo Dee's. Holy crap! To commemorate this occasion I have teamed up with Scott to launch a new little creation. I'm not sure of the exact date since there's still a lot of prototyping to do but hopefully it will happen in the next few months. Also, come October there will be some fun things in store for the anniversary of Cleo Dee's. But for now taxes are being organized and obsessive calling of the landlord to fix our frozen pipes are what is consuming my mind at the moment.

Ring it in

cleodees@gmail.com — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:55:37 GMT

Last night we pulled off the End's annual Holiday Party and I have to say it was pretty fun.

Champagno was passed out of course by Melisa in her lovely costume.

the pinata was broken.

Prizes were given out for the costume contest (won by Mary Poppins and Bert).

and Thanksgiving dinner was eaten.

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's!

Year in Review

cleodees@gmail.com — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:04:35 GMT

I stole this idea from some other folks on LJ so here are some favorite photos from the past year. Hope you enjoy ringing in the new year and I promise there will be some less photo-heavy posts once things calm down 'round here.

January-

February-

March-





April-

May-

June-

June-



July-

August-

September-

October-

November-

December-

the rotund is back

cleodees@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:19:16 GMT

Jenny Peaches Football. The cat named by my 4 year old cousin who is now 15.

cleodees@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:09:00 GMT

Back from Christmas vacation. All the traveling has been fun but it's nice to be home.
Still getting things together so here's some of the outside shots from the week.

We drove an extra 3 hours since it snowed the entire time we were traveling to my family's

we almost got side-swiped by the on-coming buggy.

Pre-Christmas activities

cleodees@gmail.com — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:18:33 GMT

A few more dishes to wash, some more carpets to vacuum and a car to pack and we're off for Christmas. In honor of that here's some Christmas-themed photos of our only holiday activity thus far.

Yummy Christmas dinner

spicy mixed nuts for gift-giving

bundles of cookies for cookie-giving

karl marx embroidery gift for our Commie friend

vidoes

cleodees@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:21:21 GMT

Sorry for the stretches of silence on here but the only thing I've been doing is finishing up custom work, wrapping packages, mailing said packages and prepping for crazy cookie bake day along with prepping for crazy week-long Christmas activities that will occur in 2 different states. My kind of Christmas. In the meantime watch some videos. Some little facts: in the first one I voiced the cat since Ico's english just wasn't quite ready for voice work Commonwealth is the same place where I get the squid cards printed up. They are all awesome.

Finally home!

cleodees@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:25:19 GMT

Back from my last show of the season which was just lovely more about that later but now just a quick reminder-
all custom items are due by midnight tonight. But I still have 1 more squidtivity that is boxed and ready and 2 more mini christmas that will be up for grabs (along with any other ready-made items) in my shop until December 18th (noon eastern).

Baz Biz

cleodees@gmail.com — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:17:14 GMT

If you're in the Cleveland area tomorrow I'll be selling my wares for the last show of the season at Bazaar Bizarre.
78th Street Studios: 1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St., north parking lot, north entrance (behind the building) -- accessible from W. 78th OR W 80th St.

Tomorrow from noon-9pm and
Sunday from noon-6pm.

Depending on where I'm set up I may be selling my squid aprons along with a clothing sale along with plenty of Christmas squids, a few Squidtivities and a small amount of mini christmas squid sets.

Hope to see you there!

And remember this for any online orders:
Custom orders must be received by the stroke of midnight eastern time on December 13th.
All other orders must be received by noon eastern time on December 18th.
All items will be shipped out between 12p-4p on December 18th or before noon on December 19th

Everything is guaranteed to be shipped out in time to reach you by December 24th (if needed I will gift you with the free upgrade to priority). If you have other dates you need items by please let me know and (time willing) I will make sure you get it by your needed date.

Comrade

cleodees@gmail.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:58:03 GMT

We're back from Chicago! We drove straight back from the show Sunday night so Monday involved some sleeping in and Tuesday was errand day. We had tons of fun and I have lots of custom orders and other squids to make this week and one more show to go. If you want any custom stuff remember there's only 5 more days to order!

It's the Chicago way

cleodees@gmail.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:09:39 GMT

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)

Thanksgiving

cleodees@gmail.com — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:04:50 GMT

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.

Detroit

cleodees@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:07:15 GMT

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!

show 4 of 7

cleodees@gmail.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:22:15 GMT

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.

whoops

cleodees@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:14:51 GMT

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.

32 Rooms

cleodees@gmail.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:17:47 GMT

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.

and the traveling begins

cleodees@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:59:32 GMT

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.

hope to see you there!

cleodees@gmail.com — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:37:40 GMT

packing up

cleodees@gmail.com — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:24:40 GMT

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.

Squid a Month Club: Cosplay

cleodees@gmail.com — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:35:10 GMT

homes

cleodees@gmail.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:15:36 GMT

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.

consignment: First Christmas for everyone!

cleodees@gmail.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:41:04 GMT

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

squid a month club: Creme Brulee Maker

cleodees@gmail.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:05:14 GMT

keeping up

cleodees@gmail.com — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:31:31 GMT

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.