Tehlia.com

January Went Out With a Blast

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:30:39 +0000

January’s winter storm in the Pacific Northwest took our breath away in the sheer power of it and also some of its beauty. There were moments when I knew standing under a tree was a bad idea but the need to document some of it was too much to hold it.

So far this February has started in classic Northwest fashion, bright warm and happy. You can always count on at least a week of freakishly warm weather to get us Seattleites to break out of the house and bathe in the sun. We are a happy city for a few more days.

What weather events get you giddy?

Blue Valentine: Gift guide for someone special

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:08:08 +0000

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

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:28:36 +0000

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

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:12:49 +0000

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

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:47:42 +0000

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

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:00:13 +0000

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

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:49:47 +0000

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.

Awarded a Purple Heart. My Husband, The Soldier

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:54:39 +0000

When a day becomes something bigger then a single moment. When it becomes a day that is etched onto your heart and in your memory, it becomes apart of your soul. But when that day is recognized and given an honor, an award, it can leave you feeling thankful.

The day that is etched into my memory… April 16th 2011, my husband was injured in Afghanistan. Other then the bruises that were left all over his body, his injuries were invisible, still are invisible, but exist. That day, that phone call will never leave me. It was a day that could have gone so differently and I am always grateful that it didn’t. And on this day December 12th, My Husband, My Soldier was able to walk, shake hands, stand at attention, speak and have a Purple Heart pinned to his chest. I have attended many military ceremonies, helped in pinning his next rank on his uniform and been proud. But this one was different. This one meant he was home, with me, walking, talking, breathing and smiling that smiling. This ceremony meant there will be more and I can’t wait to see them.

Get Your Chartreuse On

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:27:05 +0000

I love green so when the winter season of holiday’s come around and also St. Patricks day I am in heaven. One of the greens that make me smile. Lime, Chartreuse, Bright green with a dash of golden yellow. It is a beautiful thing made even more beautiful when my Chartreuse Infinity scarf is included in an entire treasury dedicated to this amazing green.

Stop by the treasury on etsy to see the entire collection.

And I would be thrilled if you came to see the Infinity Scarf in all it’s glory.

Pearl Harbor & A Childhood Memory

Tehlia From The Forks Farm — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:15:23 +0000

My father was in the Airforce which means we have lived in many places. One place in particular we happened to live for several years, Hawaii. Having done parts of Elementary School in Hawaii, living on Oahu at Hickam AFB you see many things, cultures and events. And I have retained a lot of those memories.

The attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th 1941 happened 70 years ago but everyday on Hickam and Pearl Harbor you are confronted with the reminders of that day. From 1987 to 1992 I would visit my father often at his work in the Headquarters building which was the Barracks in 1941. Walking to his office and through the long halls to his desk meant a trip through history. Pictures of the attack, bullets holes outside, bullets holes that had come through the walls. I would run my hands over them and couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like. To be my age living on base 50 yrs ago, at the time. To be a scared 9-12 yr old child whose family and home was being destroyed. But then to have the juxtaposition of a pristine water tower unmarked because the Japanese thought it was a shrine or temple. Knowing that fascinated me and scared me at the same time. A shrine was important but people were not.

Have we learned anything since then? Are things different now? Do we still have the same values? Do we protect the United States in the same way? And do we hold Shrines and Temples above human life?