At 4:30 this morning I wake up to "Mommy, help me!" She crawled into bed with us and either needed me to cuddle her (I was facing the opposite direction) or needed the covers. I think we managed to cuddle for about five minutes before she decided she needed to get up and get some milk. Needless to say, we've been up since then, and it's not been much fun. She keeps switching back and forth between sweet as pie and demon child. Thankfully, the demon side is kept to a minimum this morning.

In other news...

I actually managed to look up the seats for the game yesterday. They're pretty decent seats as far as I can tell. The price I mentioned yesterday was a group rates. The tickets themselves are worth about $200 or more, it would seem. For you baseball buffs out there, the tickets are in section 14, row 24. That is the day my parents are supposed to come into town, so I think what I'm going to do is send B and my father to the game and ask the neighbor and his son if they would like to go along.

B and I went to dinner last night without The Kritter. We went to Texas Land and Cattle. I ordered a mojito, but the waiter informed me the mojitos they served are not the best mojitos since they use a mix. I decided to go for a pina colada instead (lucky me, it was cheaper than the mojito) and I am so glad I did. It was really the best pina colada I've ever had. Dinner for me was a ribeye (medium rare, of course), a baked sweet potato (with some sort of killer sweet cinnamon butter), and a salad. I didn't finish the steak or the potato, so that might be lunch today. We split a dessert that was somewhat similar to a chess pie (that's what it makes me think of, but it's not the same) and a coffee as well. It was nice to have a night out without Sophie and she seemed to have a lot of fun with Grandma and Grandpa, so it was good all around.

I'm behind on recent comments because I've been trying to take care of ancient comments first. I am trying to catch up. I'll get there eventually. I'm also going to try to find time to set up a couple of mood themes I found that I really like as well as play around with user icons and update my profile. Yeah, right.

If anyone has ideas of where I can find clip art or other images for Minnow Minnow Pea, or if there's anyone willing to be commissioned or who knows anyone who might want to be commissioned, please let me know. I should see if Katie at gronkfanclub would be interested. She was going to create some icons for me once upon a time but things got crazy for both of us...

I believe I have settled on a name:

Minnow Minnow Pea

It's how Sophie used to say "lmnop" as she was learning to say the alphabet (it actually sounds like "lmnop" now). It's not a huge story or anything, but it is something unique and special to me.

Now... I'm trying to decide on a graphic to go with the name. I'm thinking two minnows and a pea (go figure), but with the pea in the middle and the minnows facing the pea. It probably would look a little along the lines of something like this: ><> o <><

If anyone artsy out there would care to draw something for me or piece something together from clip art or whatever, I'm game for looking. I'm pretty excited about the name.

Thanks to all of you who have offered suggestions and reality checks. I appreciate it all very much. You all are so wonderful to me. :)

I am trying very hard to not let this take over my life, but it's not easy. I have decided I'm very interested in owning these books at some point. I most likely won't buy them all anytime soon, but eventually I'd like at least a couple of these books on my shelf.

• Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects
• 24-Hour Sewing Projects
• Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects
• Home Decor Sewing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Sewing for the Home (101)
• The Ultimate Sewing Book: Over 200 Sewing Ideas for You and Your Home
• Sewing Edges & Corners: Decorative Techniques for Your Home and Wardrobe (An Embellishment Idea Book Series)
• Easy Embellishments for Creative Sewing: Terrific Techniques and Decorative Details
• More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric Completely Revised and Updated
• Marketing Your Sewing Business: How to Earn a Profit
• Pricing Without Fear
• The Business of Sewing: How to Start, Achieve and Maintain Success, Volume 2

I own Start to Sew, Sewing 101: A beginner's guide to sewing, and Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew so far. msbluerasp, the Sewing 101 book here is the one I think you'd like. It's pretty nifty.

Also, I need to find more sources for fabrics and notions. Thanks to msbluerasp, I learned the goodness of Etsy, but I have to admit it scares me a little. I'm afraid it will become an addiction, especially with all the many choices!

louenn brought up a good point in a comment, and I'm curious to know how many others agree. So, a poll!

Poll #1156638
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

When I hear "Sugar Nook," it conjures images of...

Even though my first visual impression of the "Sugar Nook" phrase may be different, I could see purchasing one or more of the following from said store

Okay, here we go again with the poll...

First, a little explanation as to why I'm changing the options.

lindalee_ mentioned that using 00 in whatever name I select might lead to confusion, and she's very right. Ever since I've been using this name, there's always been a bit of confusion. I don't want to carry that over to a possible website or something for people to search since they might not realize they're zeros.

I believe pensivesea mentioned that Tiny Treasures is a little overused and she's very right. I was actually doing a search on it as she was typing her comment and I found a mess of sites all related to baby items or daycare and don't really want to have to compete with that (or run into legal issues with it, for that matter).

Now, that out of the way, I suppose we'll be starting over here. I'm so anxious to get these ordered! I think my biggest problem right now is coming up with a cute logo. Any artist out there care to offer up any cute and adorable designs? :)

Poll #1155642
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which name would you suggest for tags for sewn items that might possibly be sold at some point?

If you selected Other, please list your suggestion here.

---

Also, don't forget the Friending Frenzy! If your name is listed in the main entry, make sure you've added a comment about yourself. If your name is not listed in the main entry but you're interested in joining in the fun, let me know because there will be another round.

I need to do a post about a few Bzz campaigns I'm doing. I'll be giving away some coupons for free products if anyone is interested. I haven't decided if I want to do a trivia quiz or just a first comment first serve type of thing. I need to do it soon, though!

I have videos and pictures to post if I ever get around to it. We're either having issues with our router or our ISP and any pictures we host here cannot be seen by anyone else. It's becoming highly annoying.

winter_in_asia has posted an entry about no content in his journal for those of you upset by recent LJ changes. I know at least one or two people on my f-list are upset by this, so please take the time to check out his entry and join in if you wish. It might be a slow day for the Salmon....

Does anyone have ideas for other items I might be able to sew quickly and sell? Thanks to msbluerasp, I've added zippered pouches and pincushions to my list of things to try. I'm guessing I could probably do placemats and napkins as well. I've also considered making simple purses of some sort. I'm really thinking about setting up an Etsy account and selling the bibs and all the stitch markers I've made so far, and was trying to come up with anything else I might want to add to the mix there.

We'll be fish sitting this week for Thomas the Beta, our neighbor's fish. Exciting, no? I think it will be interesting for Sophie to see another fish other than the ones we have at least.

Okay, I think that's it for now.

Okay, poll time. I took the highest answers (added a new one as well) and have changed the style of the poll. Since you'll only be able to vote for one, I'm hoping I'll be able to narrow this down a bit. I think I know what I'm going to go with, but I'd like to see what everyone else picks.

Poll #1154727
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which do you think would work best on the tags for the bibs (keep in mind, these tags might be used for more than just bibs)?

Ideas for logos?

Other posts to check out:

• Friending Frenzy - Don't forget to check through the comments to see what people have posted about themselves. Don't forget to post something about yourself if you're part of the main entry! If you're not listed but would like to be, let me know. I'm already compiling a list for the next round.
• Quiz Cheating - Please help me with the answers to boyzici's weekly quiz.
• Vote for Bren! - All the info is in the first paragraph of the entry. She'll appreciate it greatly!!

I have pictures to share... later.

For now, two videos, some random info, a link, and a request.


Thanks to kingdavey for sharing this one:



Thanks to dantex for finding this one:



Attention Devo fans... and Yo Gabba Gabba fans: Heh, Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo is the Mark who draws on Yo Gabba Gabba! I found this out a while ago and completely forgot to mention it. That show is just chock full of goodness.

More for my own reference than anything else, this is a handy little zipper tutorial, shared with me by msbluerasp. Thanks! I think I will have to make a few of those little pouches. :)

Request: This is a request for anyone on my f-list or not, whoever wants to participate. I know there are some music fans out there who might enjoy this project.

First, let me give a little background... I don't have a problem with most music made for children. I would just like to have other options for when people who might not have children are with Sophie and me in the car (or when B tires of Sophie's music). We love all sorts of music, and the For the Kids series is one of our favorites. We also love Ralph's World and They Might Be Giants.

Now, for the actual request:

Create a CD of music YOU like that is suitable for children's ears. Please, no swearing, no illicit drug use, no crazy sex references, etc.. Remember, The Kritter isn't even two yet. ;) I don't really want her running around singing "Nookie" or "Don't Marry Her" around the neighbor kids. Please have the playlist contain roughly 15 songs or so. Most importantly, please explain why you made the selections you did. Just post them (artist and song) as a comment to this entry. Feel free to create an album cover and label the compilation if you'd like. Go nuts with this!! Show me your creativity! :)

Edited to Add: I meant to mention the new Knitty is up. Yay! I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but it's on my list of things to do today.

This goes back to the request I made for creative assistance. Thanks to all who offered suggestions. If your suggestion isn't listed in the poll and you really liked it, let me know. It's possible I just missed it.

Poll #1151187
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which do you think would work best on the tags for the bibs (keep in mind, these tags might be used for more than just bibs)?

Other suggestions for tag/label wording?

Ideas for logos?

Any other logo suggestions?

Okay kids, request time.

As many of you already know, I have been making bibs. I've finished the four (five, really) and have a pile cut out and lined up to sew. I like doing this. I like it a lot. I don't know that I plan to sell them ever, but I do enjoy being able to give handmade gifts to friends and family. However, the bibs have no tags, nothing to say they're made by me. My sewing machine is simple and doesn't do embroidery (and I'm not hand stitching letters onto bibs).

My thought is this: I should order tags (just a small order at first) that can be sewn into the bibs so people can remember where they got it. Also, since babies love to play with tags (hence Taggies), I could sew in other bits of ribbon as well (just a thought, not sure I like it). I've found a great source of tags at a reasonable price at Pixel Perfect Designs but I'm stuck as to what I want on it.

My request is this: Help me, oh creative ones. I am in need of a name/phrase/logo to put on these tags. I want something that is rather small but something that will make them remember me. Not all of the recipients would know me as Jodi, nor would all of them know me as sm00bs. I'm really stuck here. I put a request on the craft blog, but leanbysummer is the only soul kind enough to ever comment over there.

Anyhow, if you have any ideas at all, please help me brainstorm. I would greatly appreciate it!

Note to those of you not on LiveJournal yet: It's easy and free to set up an account if you'd like to comment that way. It's also possible to comment using Open ID (Blogger and various other sites are using Open ID as well). However, if you choose to not have an LJ account or not use Open ID, please comment with your name so I know whom to thank! :)

• Sophie actually slept through the night last night. It was so nice!
• The weather here was beautiful yesterday, nice cool weather that doesn't yet require a jacket.
• .
• I made Mexican Meatballs last night for dinner and actually liked them.
• Sophie and I met up with friends yesterday at Boston's and had a wonderful time. She was very well behaved yesterday.
• We also stopped up at the office to see B. We'd been through some rough traffic on the way out to lunch and figured since we were out there we might as well take advantage of being in the area.
• On our way home we stopped at Simpatico Yarns to say hello to MaryJane and to pick up the Holiday issue of Interweave Knits.
• We need to go to Pier 1 today to return a table runner that is too short.
• JoAnn Fabric is also on our list of places to hit. I need to pick up fleece for blankets for Christmas gifts.
• I absolutely love gingersnaps and have decided to make a pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust possibly for Thanksgiving.
• I need to plan Thanksgiving Day dinner (twice). The first dinner will be simple, and most likely during the football game. Seems the silly people around me thing there's only one game on that day. ;)
• The second Thanksgiving Day dinner will actually be in December when my parents are here, so it will be a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas, most likely.
• Speaking of Christmas, I cannot wait to decorate! I'm going crazy with waiting!
• I need to find a Christmas dress for the Miss Thang.
• We have lots of work to do in the office to get ready for the swap. I have a feeling we'll be hitting Home Depot this weekend for paint, though. Yay!

Sorry for the random dump of nothingness. ;)

Some of you will be happy to know I've updated my Ravelry a bit. I haven't added any other projects than the one, but I have put in all the books that Ravelry and I share. I can't find my copy of A Knitter's Stash, though. I'm pretty disappointed about that. I suppose I loaned it to someone and forgot about it or I lost it in the move. It's a little frustrating I can't put in all my books, but I'm sure Ravelry will continue to update their database and I'll be able to add more. It's possible I might be able to add them through Library Thing.

I don't know if I'm going to bother with trying to get my stash or my needles updated. I think I'm going to ditch a bunch of needles and I know I'm about to destash soon. Look out, eBay, here I come!

In somewhat slightly related news, B said tonight that he would buy me a spinning wheel if I went back to work. Heh, like I'll have time to spin then. Besides, I'm scared to death the Kritter will get into it and make a mess of things.

I have a few ideas for Christmas wall hangings I'd like to do eventually. One is of a Christmas tree, one is of a stocking, and one is of a snowman. All involve felting and framing. There may be others to follow. I'll need to draw these out, I think. Unfortunately, I need to get Anna's blanket done before I play with those, though.

Speaking of the blanket, I was able to work on it a bit the other day. I have three boats left to do, two cable strips, and all the borders. Poor Anna is probably miffed she doesn't have her gift yet. I know she'll love it... if I ever get it done.

I have found some of the best music editing software I have ever seen, and I'm only using the free software this company has to offer! I remember playing around with something similar (but not nearly as advanced) years ago on our Tandy (yes, a Tandy). I absolutely love this stuff. Yakizakana, this might be fun for you to play around with, too.

I'll have to show it to B so he can use it for his drums. It might help the people in his classes, but I don't know how many of them actually read music. I also am not sure if it will work with the sounds of a doumbek or not. I don't know enough about music for percussion to know the difference.

I am so excited about this software. I really want to play around with it! Now, if I can just find the time... ;)

The invitations are completely assembled now. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. I enjoyed making these very much (minus the trails, of course). I wish I had time (and money) to do more creative things like this. I still need to work on labels and then pop these little suckers in the mail. I should be able to get them out by Friday, and I think that should be enough time (I hope).

There were a few things I noticed after all the invitations had printed that I wish I had noticed before so I could change, such as the "Please RSVP" (it's redundant and will bother me for a long time). I also wanted to change the phone number to our house number, but it's probably just as well since our answering machine just says "bueno" and confuses many people.

Anyhow, here's the finished product:

Yeah, so those little ladybug trails kept nagging at me to be made smaller. I think it looks better this way. I'm done now. I'm printing these out and will be cutting them as soon as they're off the printer. I need to assemble the invitations and get the envelopes addressed and then they're out the door. I mean it this time. Really.

Of course, I can never leave well enough alone, so I went back and redid the trails on the invitation a little. I wish I hadn't made the trails so chunky, but I don't think I'm going to bother fixing that. I put together a complete invitation last night and it turned out pretty well. The ribbon at the top is going to be a bigger pain than the trails, but I only have about 25 or so to do.

Now I need to decide if I want to stick with the whole ladybug theme for the party or if it doesn't matter to me.

I think the invites are done, at least the computer portion. I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out for the most part. Now all I need to do is print it out on white cardstock, cut out 25 or so of these, punch holes, thread ribbon, attach to the other colored pieces of cardstock, address, and mail.

I'm just going to say this: Ladybug trails are a pain in my bum.

I have decided it's time for yet another new dA avatar. That pastel crap is annoying me. I think I need another icon that blends with the site and isn't so... bold. Gah. This means I need to be creative.

I'd rather go back to bed.