The Medical Board & A Mother’s Day Sale

Our house has gone through a few changes in the past 10 weeks. One includes a new job, which is going well, another involves two new faces in the form of Adopted Yorkies and lastly we have gotten one step further in our medical board process.

The Medical Board process, for those non military folks, can take anywhere from 6 months to two years depending on injuries and claims. Our timeline is on month 7 and counting. Why does it take so long? The answer may not be very exciting or definite but it is an answer of sort. Basically if the board has all its ducks in a row, you have all your ducks in a row, can get appointments scheduled all in a row… do you see a pattern. Now Ducks are not easy to come by, timely appointments, meeting those in charge and agreeing on the outcome is a very rare thing. When they happen you dance when they don’t you keep your head down and keep trucking along. So far our ducks have been in a wavy row, and things are looking good. A few papers get kicked back, then we do a mad scramble to find our copies of medical records, run to turn in the new paper work and wait. Usually waiting to do the paper all again. Processes are a funny thing. Some have their purpose, to weed out the not so honest or committed, others are just simply time wasters or stall tactics. But they are the processes we have to deal with. We are in no hurry if it means The Soldier gets compensated correctly and fairly.

So while we wait, we try to enjoy our time with the new dogs, eachother, thankful to have a job that I go to without dread and that moonlighting as an artist. Just so you know tehlia.com is having a mothers day sale. Use coupon code GIVEMOM20 for a 20% discount on all items listed.

Rag Rugs & Baskets: recycled sheets

Two weeks ago I found some sheets that belonged to a bed we no longer had and were too stretched out for our current bed. I could have thrown them out or donated that but then again I thought I could do something with them around the house as well. Perhaps they could become rags to clean up the kitchen or dust or maybe I would embroider fun designs on them sometime in the future.

When I thought I was fresh out of ideas I recalled the words Rag Rug and immediately pulled out the sheet and started tearing it into 1 inch strips. Before I knew it this small 21inch rug was complete.

Now I am on a sheet finding mission. I completed a basket and started making this bright rag rug or should it become a basket.

What do you think, Rag Rug or Rag Basket?

Visit the fanpage to see the other photos of the Rag Rugs in the making.

For Mom: a shoppers guide treasury

Mother’s Day is coming up and Etsy is a flutter. Thanks to Tracy from Kranky Krab for including my black pendant in this Mother’s Day Black and white shopping guide.

Visit the treasury to see all the wonderful shops up close.

Sometimes Things Just Are

I have been working on a few new items and trying to come up with a way to incorporate it into my shop. Then I realized it is my shop, my creations and if it is truly something I enjoy making then it doesn’t need incorporating into my shop, it already is a part of my shop.

I found the tiniest rolls of cotton yarn in amazing colors and then a few pendants caught my eye. Walking into the craft store for one thing and coming out with another is something I love. The new jewelry line has inspired an entire remodel of the look of all the shop, fanpage and blog banners. What do you think of the new look?

When inspiration strikes do you take it and run or do you sit with it and… ?

Blue Valentine: Gift guide for someone special

I like red, I truly do. But there is something about the right shade of blue that makes me smile. The blues featured in this treasury, thanks to Kara Fox for creating it, were perfect.

Stop by the treasury to see the complete collection and get great gift ideas that aren’t your typical valentine hue.

Do you like the blue scarf? Visit tehlia.com to see all the cotton scarves and the blue on too.

Passing on What I Can: How to crochet

I have been thinking about posting short tutorials on how to crochet. But I have a confession to make… I don’t know how to read patterns. I am self-taught originally from a booklet over 12 years ago. Once learning the basics I tossed the book and taught myself the other stitches just from looking at the finished products. So when it comes to following a written, with crochet stitch abbreviations pattern, I am lost. I do like the idea of teaching you how to crochet but thought perhaps it could be a learning experience for myself and get around to reading and writing patterns. I will keep thinking about it while I continue on the brain overload of HTML and CSS for WordPress.

Front Page on Etsy & Random Thought

I get a thrill when one of my items makes it to the front page. My decorative ornaments which can double as a gift bag tag accessory was featured on the front page of Etsy today at noon. Of course I missed it live, was out helping The Soldier clean out his truck, but I am thrilled nonetheless. Thanks to Craft Cult for keeping a record of it I am able to do a happy dance even after the noon hour that is was on.

And now that I have it written I can’t stop thinking about the word/words nonetheless, none-the-less, none the less. I googled it and settled on the one word version. I actually like words and phrases like that. Nevertheless now comes to mind. Which way have you typed it in the past? Do you have other words that put a question mark in your mind and you start googling it?

Still Keeping My Glass Half Full

Three days into the New Year and I have finished up a few scarf orders, cleaned out and rearranged my studio, had a few cups of coffee, stuck to a budget and not eaten out for dinner (only 3 days, that is a record for us) and I have taken a break. While cleaning out my studio and then piecing it all together, desk completely empty, I sat on my stool and looked out the window. My view was blocked. It was blocked, but I wasn’t irritated. Instead it made me smile.

The Items blocking my view are apart of me. They are extensions of my hands, they are my instruments and without them I am lost. Those pretty sometimes little and other times large hooks are to me what knives are to a chef.

What instruments, tools, items do you use that without them you would be lost.

New Year with a Full Glass

2011 has been filled with some good, some bad and some frightening moments. Several people have surprised me in great ways and a few have saddened me beyond comprehension. But I will look at this glass and the next year to come as beyond half full.

2011 Year In Review:

Holiday season ends for tehlia.com on etsy with a bang. I reach milestones and goals.

January, my husband “The Soldier” deployes to Afghanistan

April he was injured in an IED (roadside bomb) explosion

April tehlia.com hits 200 sales

May the Soldier is back to me in Kentucky. Lots of doctors appointments and questions

While taking care of The Soldier between doctors appointments and meetings, I create  The Forks Farm .com on etsy and get a blog going for that business idea

July the big move back to Washington, our home while the Army continues to “fix” The Soldier

Both shops are slow to adjust but steady.

August we start to get settled into a new home with fruit trees and more lawn then we can handle.

Sept Oct Nov go along with only a few hiccups and some good news (if you can call it that) of The Soldier going in for a medical board, military review for medical retirement from the Army.

I discover that my need to create is also quenched by creating on the computer… The Soldier suggests taking classes to gain more knowledge and establish a business around something I already do.

December the transition begins. I start researching classes, online and in person, for WordPress, HTML and graphic design. I revamp The Forks Farm to include graphic and web design.

Tonight I will have a glass of wine or three, will turn on some movies The Soldier has been wanting to see and get excited for the first Business day of the year and starting classes.

2012 is bringing a lot to our home and future. We are still in the Army with questions in the air. We have a move ahead of us and many many plans. The Etsy shops are going well thankfully winter has a couple months left and scarves to be made.

What 2012 plans do you have brewing… work, life, school, starting a business, losing weight, travel?

Share it with us in the comments below

Busy Hands Happy Heart All Because of Cotton

December for a handmade shop owner/artist tends to be a busy time. Scarf orders rolled in and my hands got to work. One day my making record stood at 4 scarves equaling 8 hours of work. My wrists were tired by the next day but more orders meant they would get a few coffee breaks and then back to work they would have to go.

The Cotton Scarf Section

The Surprise Standout for the scarves… RED. I know what you are thinking, of course red, but last year it was Olive Green. I wasn’t prepared for Red at first and then when my 3rd order for the color came in off I went to the store. Cleaning out every red cotton bundle I could get my hands on.

Red in the shop

Between military ceremonies, mourning the loss of another soldier, keeping My Soldier on schedule and writing in a few blogs I managed to keep most of my sanity. I like to think that the orders, those cotton scarves and the short family reunion over Christmas has all helped. I have fresh ideas coming for spring right after these scarves get shipped out. Time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day.