And work slows down

Things have been going along quite well as long as I don't push too much right hand work, but all the sudden my right hand, elbow and arm are in so much pain that I can't even type with my right hand.

The "injury" started about two months ago, with what I thought was stress from tensing my shoulder while I knit.  I worked really hard with that and it got better, and worse, and better... and oh so much worse.

Now the pain is from shoulder down into thumb and there are many tender spots.  I'll be calling the doctor on Tuesday to see if we can figure anything out.  My sewing on Friday had to stop and I've been able to do nothing at all, even eat, with my right hand most of the week end.

I hope there is a simple fix, and "resting it" is not a simple fix when I have orders on the board and fairs coming up, but that is why I've been so quiet.  I have so very much to tell, but it will all have to wait for a bit of a better day

Inspire yourself.  Get busy and make something!!

Shopping Trip!!

We try to make it to Buffalo to do major shopping once a month.  We are going to squeeze in two trips this month because we missed July, but only by two days....
This trip was all about crafts and some needed supplies.  The next trip will be all about being a tourist.  My first trip to the Falls!   I can't wait

Our first stop on this trip was Pier One, where I got some new scented candles, a candle holder and a pink daisy tea mug.  It will be so cute with my spring sets, and a large mug for those nights when a pot of tea is too much for me to drink alone.

Then my big trip:  I'd been planning and plotting a trip to Michaels for Weeks, I even had a list.  I'm not sure I needed a list, but it helped a little bit. Check out this haul!   We had a great time laying it all out on the table, sorting a  bit and admiring the variety. 

 Three new books.  Steampunk Jewelry, 75 Knots and 1500 recipes for blending paint colors.  I've got some ideas, and now maybe making the new products will work out better. 
I found some new to me products for jewelry making and so I picked up just a couple of parts.  It seems that it is going to be too expensive to make and sell, but things that might work for gift items.  I can't wait to see how they work... or don't work.

 A few basic stamp pads.  Mine are so old that I really need to replace all of them.  Right now I don't do a lot of stamping, so I bought the cheap ones, but if that changes I'll be adding to my supplies soon.  I love the 12 pack of tiny pads.  Great colors to play with.

I also bought a new white board. My grand daughter laughed at me.  I have so many now, what do I need a new one for, but I keep running into great inspirational quotes and I want to keep them in front of me once in a while. 

Beads, beads and more beads.  I even have ideas for these beads.  And some "metal stickers" that I want to use on some frames I am trying to dress up some.  I'm sure I'll find a way to use those suns and moons on frames that I keep. 

 I want to do a few more paper mache hats for Halloween so I found some fun maple leaves and butterflies, plus some paper made just for paper mache Halloween projects.  Quick and fun.  That always helps fill in when I have no idea what I want to work on next.

I have sweater patterns picked out for just about all of the kids and a couple of the adults, so I'm starting to collect the yarn.  I hope what I imagine works as well as I think it will.

 These colors I know are perfect, and I know who they are going to.  I have several projects in the works, so this one has to wait a little bit, and with my arm bothering me, I've had to slow my hand work down, but if not this Christmas, than next, right?

 The silicone mold is something I am familiar with, but this one used a clay for jewelry that I've never used before, and I found a bit pricey.  I bought some cheap air dry clay and I'll see how that works out.  Love the butterflies!  If this works, I may be moving more in that direction

One of the unplanned purchases are the coin pendant, but they were on sale and while I don't have a project in mind, I've also not gone through my new book very much just yet.  Sale items mean a better profit!

My guilty buy, because I don't paint very much, but I've read so much about this book that I felt like I'd use it for a long time.  It highlights oils, acrylics and watercolors, so I can see it being useful in my dying fabric as well.  I'll take my inspirations any where I can get it.  My art room is getting used more and more.  That has to be good news! 




And my last guilt buy.... I have been obsessed with this painting for years and I wanted to figure out how to convey the feeling in a tee shirt, or other background.  This flat print will allow me to create a series of stencils, for us art challenges artists.  I just want the feeling of movement in the sky, sort of like in the galaxy dyed projects that are all over the place right now.

Two other stops.... Target and Office Depot.  Dinner at TGIFridays and a stop at Lowes on the way home.  It was a long, satisfying day.  Now I have to put everything away and tend to the week end chores.  Oh, the mundane world after a shopping trip!