Ch-ch-ch-changes

On Friday I did something I never thought was going to happen: I was able to pay off a credit card! Granted, I have two others with much higher balances, but those aren't accruing interest so I feel ok with paying those off month by month.

I think I'm going to save my old credit cards (with the numbers cut out) and gift cards to create something big and awesome someday.

Like this...but different.

or this...but bigger

ALSO, you guys, this morning I got up before work and was able to get in a 40-minute elliptical workout. Pippi was so confused. She better get used to it! After then doing some weights, I laid back down for a half hour instead of eating breakfast. So, yeah, my morning workout plan isn't flawless, but today is just day one.

Let's talk business a moment. I've got a few more new patterns coming to the shop (including more sparkly ones!). That being said, I've got a ton of older patterns (Noodle Huggers and collars) that I want to move out (they're no longer paying rent). I had an idea of having an auction to sell these items. What do you think? Would you be interested in taking part in an auction for some super amazing Noodle Huggers and fun pet collars?

A couple of culprits:

RAWR!

Spring's-a-comin'

Run with robots

Would you bid?


Have you ever gotten crafty with old credit or gift cards?


P.S. a sneak peak at a few new patterns...

Not quitting my day job

To put it mildly, this weekend was a kick to my ego's crotch. While Kara and Alyssa finished 50-mile races and Gina, Amanda, and Kari finished half and full marathons, I took a punch to the gut by trying to finally run 8 consecutive miles. I tried to let all of the above people be my inspiration.

Here's where I think my downfall was: three forced rest days in a row last week followed by a kick-ass spin class and weights workout with minimal stretching on Friday does not make for a good run on Saturday. My legs were refusing to go and, oh man, the pain. My inner and outer thighs were refusing my attempts at begging. I was forced to quit at about 4.5 miles. I feel so defeated!

Even wearing an awesome outfit didn't help.

...and today I'm going to spinning class since it's the last day of classes for the rest of the week, and then I am going to expect the rest of the week's runs to be successes. Hard-headed? Probably.

And now, how did the holiday shop go, you ask? Well, Amanda and I went in thinking it was going to be a roaring success. Our "goal" was to make $200. I had spent the last three weeks making Noodle Huggers and pet collars like I was one of Santa's elves. I was trying to be so prepared for this thing, I've let cleaning the house go by the wayside and now I can't STAND the mess! But it's ok because I was going to make enough money to afford Christmas!

We got in and set up our table, which took a whole...15 minutes. We literally sat around watching everyone else set up their tables for two hours.

The left side

The right side

Finally, 12:00 came and people started trickling in. We sat and watched...and watched...and watched no one come over and buy a single item. I began to realize that this crowd was...well...not fun (read: snooty and pompous). No one understood the whimsy of my items. I got so sick of hearing "What's a Noodle Hugger?". It was clearly explained on the sign AND I told everyone that showed any interest, "they're non-slip headbands". Now, if someone at a craft show told me that, I'd be all over it, especially with all the designs. I'd get this weird look and then they'd walk away. I'm pretty sure the connection between "noodle" and "head" was completely lost on these people (or maybe it's because they're noses were too high up in the air to be at all imaginative).

Around 2pm I told Amanda that if it didn't pick up by 3:30, we're just going to leave then and not stick around til 4 to get stuck in the crowd of everyone packing up to leave, with all their money. So, as my suspicions expected, we got no sales in that time and we packed it up at 3:30. The organizer lady came around wanting to know why we were leaving early. I told her because we just aren't selling anything so we're going to leave. She goes, "It looks really bad for the other vendors if there's an empty table". And if my brain worked faster, I would have then told her, "There may as well have been an empty table here!" and then I'd have stomped on her foot and ran away. I'm pretty sure I won't be invited back next year. DARN!!

I had to pay $25 for the spot at this show and I didn't even make my money back. Yeah. It was that bad.

The theme of my weekend? DEFEAT



Did YOU have a better weekend??

Do you like to wear colorful running clothes or is it just me?

Competition time!

Yesterday I found this on Pinterest and laughed out loud. It's so true! If I walked into work without makeup on, I'm convinced people would think I'm ill. (Thanks, family, for the permanent under-eye dark circles).

Tell me it's not true :)

I'm currently in the process (along with a couple of other creative souls), of naming the headbands in my etsy shop. I want to spread the word and get more interest, and I think it calls for a brilliant marketing strategy beginning with a super fun name. I want this name to stand out and not be like all the rest of them. Mine are clearly the best ones! (BTW, If you have bought one [or two or seven :)] and wouldn't mind my using a quote from you to use on a flyer or poster, or even on the Facebook page, let me know!)

So far we've come up with some good ideas. Brainstorming is fun (thank you, Thesaurus.com). BUT, I know there are some even better ideas floating around in your brains. Enter: THE COMPETITION (dun dun dunnnn).

Here's the deal-e-o:

1. Between now and next Wednesday (November 2), leave a comment on any post with all ideas you come up with for my non-slip ribbon headbands.
   
2. I'll take all the ideas that I receive and post them on Thursday.
   
3. You will all vote on those ideas.
   
4. The winner of that vote will receive TWO FREE BANDS (and will possibly be the namer of the bands!)

I'm looking forward to reading your ideas, as crazy as they may be. So, get on it and start sending me your ideas!



Just in case you need some inspiration