Are you getting caught in the...

The Bermuda Triangle of Productivity - where does all the time go?
(source:  http://phewsha.tumblr.com/#2084775636 )


I try to stay away...as much as I can. Still love to blog, and found these blogging tips very useful:


Up and coming blog list from Liz Stanley
"If you don’t find something inspirational, or come up with a great idea you shouldn’t force a post." - Design Milk
First benchmark for ad sales: do you WANT ads on your site? Second benchmark: do you have 5 passionate readers - Federated Media
"Art is the ultimate renewable resource." - DJ Spooky
"Life is too short not to surround yourself with beautiful things." - Swiss Miss
Blog with the right intentions (don't blog just to make money) - Swiss Miss
Rules of blogging from Swiss Miss:

1. Always credit your sources.
2. Respect the reader - too many ads, too busy, music on site, insincere content are no nos.
3. Keep it light "I want to be a happy place."
4. Blog with the right intentions. Focus on what's important.
5. Respect your readers with beautiful images.
6. Find your place and own it.
7. There is such a thing as blogging too much. Don't make your readers feel like they can't keep up.
8. Be personal.
9. Know what not to post about. 

(Source: http://www.mintedcondition.com/ )

impressed by...FRANCIS CHAN _ BALANCE BEAM

Spring Colors 2011...a happy outlook...HONEY SUCKLE MAKES ME LIKE PINK ALL OVER AGAIN

 

A Color for All Seasons
Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

	Spring 2011 – An Exotic Journey

	Citing exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey as inspiration for spring 2011, designers continue to satisfy consumers’ need to escape everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that transport them to foreign lands. "The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "By cleverly combining complementary colors, those that are opposites on the color wheel, they have created a striking intensity to the palette. These unique color combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colors traditionally associated with fall, with new favorites to punch up springtime wardrobes." Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a festive sense of playfulness to this season’s palette. This vibrant pinkish-red for both apparel and cosmetics makes consumers feel alive, and is a perfect post-winter pick-me-up. Spicy, gregarious and persuasive describe Coral Rose, a sophisticated orange that, much like Beeswax, a warm, honeyed yellow, conjures up feelings of faraway lands and locales. Pair either of these piquant hues with a cool, refreshing color-wheel opposite like Regatta for a vibrant color combination that will add zest to any wardrobe. Romantic, fanciful Lavender implies sensuality with its subtle hint of red undertone. Combine it with Beeswax or Coral Rose for a unique counterpoint. Alluring Blue Curacao evokes thoughts of tropical destinations and pays homage to the 2010 Color of the Year, Turquoise. Practical consumers can continue to incorporate enticing Caribbean blues into spring by pairing Blue Curacao with warm, complementary colors like Honeysuckle or Coral Rose. Peapod, a fresh yellow-green, brings an organic element to the palette and is reminiscent of the green shoots that signify change and new beginnings traditionally found in spring. Trans-seasonal neutrals ground this season’s palette and provide a stable backdrop for all the other colors. The so-called "nude hues" are represented in the range of ethereal Silver Peony to dramatically deep Russet. Another dependable background color, Silver Cloud, is the quintessential neutral that consumers can rely on to coordinate with everything in their closet. For 17 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season’s most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2011.

Cool stuff...even though it's store bought

There are things you can't make by hand:) But they rock my (vintage loving and book worm) world :)
My kindle:

vintage sweaters on Ebay (I used to own almost similar knit wears in the 70s)

My listing goal of 5 dread tam slouchy beanie hats per day...

cannot always be met, even though I do have a whole tub of finished tam hats ready for photographing.

The icy snow days usually come with house problems, it never fails that we have to call a plumber or repair person after the holidays.
This time it was frozen water lines...and phew, they didn't bust, but caused me more stress than desired.

Oscar and Masha are not too crazy about the winter weather either, but they are troopers and keep themselves busy with playing, running and guarding the fence line.

Newly listed on Etsy:

Pulling out the retro look again

with this style:

(retro doily tam listed on my website Purple Sage Designz)

Slowly getting into the groove of 2011...with new tam hats

After my short hiatus it's hard to have a long online presence again, I was most happy enjoying my time offline at the end of last year.
I am crocheting like a mad woman but I am slow taking pictures and listing my dread tams and slouchy beanies for sale.
here are a few new designs to show off today: