Making Snowflake Buttons!

That is CORRECT! I'm in charge of the buttons for the stockings now, and that includes MAKING them. You see, the supplier seems to be unable to keep up with our demand, ( isn't it always that way?) So I have been saddled with the task of finding a solution to this problem. After several trials, I found an alternative that even Cheryl approves of. I have to cut the snowflakes out with a punch, punch out two holes, and then shrink them in the oven. It's very much like baking cookies, only they do not smell as nice. And you can't get as fat eating the finished product, ( but you will get as sick) So, there you are! You have to make sure you get a punch large enough because these smaller ones Cheryl believes might be TOO small. I'm very pleased with the results, however, they still take a lot of time to make. Hopefully Cheryl will be able to track down the Wholesale button manufacture so we can get a box of the buttons we need. We seem to be going through the snowflakes fast! And I prob ably will not have the time to make them as I did this weekend. We shall see....

More Apartment Adventures In WELLMAN, IA.

Flooding, power outages, Heating problems, Poisoned water, And now Crevasses! When the WORLD rends ASUNDER! Could this be a disaster site in some distant third world country? NO It is another adventure in Wellman, Iowa. They decided, now, as winter approaches, that this would be a good time to rip up our driveway/7th ave. This is just the beginning! They plan on repaving it next week so for the 10 days after that, we will have to park on the road. Now, I know many of you are saying, "big deal, drive around the construction." If you don't know Iowa, Their lawn is their CATHEDRAL! Seriously! I have never seen a people so religious about their lawn as these people in Iowa. Lawn work is like Sunday MASS! Raking leaves is like communion! I can not imagine the wrath I will invoke if we were to drive on that immaculate green carpet. So that leaves walking from the road to the apartment with our stuff. It's not too bad as long as it is not dark or you do not have any thing heavy. (It's rather distant, more so than the picture may imply) So that should be fun to look forward too. It's almost a Blessing that the car DIED! At least we didn't have to park that on the road as well. ( that is a joke) With so many things throwing our peaceful routine into chaos, We are doing our best with sales, cats, and estate trustees. I can hardly wait till things REALLY get crazy! ALSO The Spartains beat Iowa 37-21 today. Payback for the humiliation of last year. WAY TO GO SPARTANS!

Farewell Misty Dawn Subie!

Well, We decided that this was the farewell swan song for the Misty Dawn Subaru. We are currently looking for anyone who will take it off of our hands. I feel almost "bad" like I' m losing a part of the family. It was a good car for 10 years, but cars have a lifespan just like everything else. Instead of looking back with sadness, I should be looking forward with excitement! We shall see what the future has for us. In the mean time, Some Origami Goldfish and Deer for the Panera.

Could this be the end of the Subaru?

One day from retirement, and she dies.....It's very very sad. It turns over but there seems to be no spark getting to the engine. Add that to a laundry list of other problems and the fact that we were stranded in Iowa City with very few options other than to panic, break out in a cold sweat, and begin having fits of rage and anguish. The Subaru is over 21 years old with over 300,000 miles ( that is WELL over 1/3rd of a million miles!) And things are beginning to fall apart and Andy ( Cheryl's brother, the Subaru mechanic) is still in Michigan. So there is a very good chance he will not come to save the day. Add that to the rust, cracked windshield, old tires, numerous electrical problems and you will see that the decision toe put it out to pasture might seem a little overdue. Well, No final decision has been made as of yet, But the people at the bank might want us to make one soon before it spends another day in their parking lot. On a bright note, one of the bank tellers gave us a ride to Wellman to get our other car ( the winter Subaru!) It runs great as of this moment, And we were going to change over to the blue one after today anyway. ( the climate control actually WORKS in the blue one) Car problems are such a drag , yet loads of entertainment for my readers....so I will keep you all posted on how things turn out. Wish us luck!

Panera Origami, Claymore, And Sales.....

Just a quick post today because I have to help Cheryl with Website maintenance. That is...I get to answer questions! I have also been promoted to Button Manager and maker. I now get to sew on the snowflake buttons and make them! It's very exciting. Cheryl says if I apply myself, I might someday be running the company! In the mean time, I folded a few of origami sculptures for the Panera. The staff seem to like them. And I forgot to mention that the new Claymore manga chapter is out! Also the latest book ( which I snapped up right away, even though it is 6 months behind.) Check it out here and find out what happens next....that is if you have been following it.

Weekend MADNESS! More Names, Origami, Sales that make Cheryl Smile...

We were happy to find that sales are picking up now and we worked pretty much all weekend to get caught up. This week's plan was to work on the second gallery order ( about 63 stockings) however, we were wonderfully surprised to see that we also sold A LOT this weekend. Cheryl is VERY happy! (Check out the smile!) I also heard that I will be putting on even MORE names, so that should keep me busy tonight. I guess I won't be able to work on any more origami for a bit. I discovered this great paper that works really well for the older designs. I've known about this paper before, but this was the first time I actually had the motivation to make it. The heron and Pegasus came out great and the Panera people loved them. I can't wait to see what else I can make. Cheryl wanted me to use some Christmas paper for the deer. It looks festive. Well, I'm off to work now. Looks like it is going to be a busy week already. Hope everyone Else's weeks is as promising.

Tags, Names, Origami, And Stockings.....Oh MY! A Christmas Wolf?

We finally got caught up just before the weekend and we are once again behind! YEAH! Cheryl was wise enough to order felt from the wholesaler, but even that will take some time to get here. At least we have some left over felt from the store that we can use. In the mean time, We worked on the Wholly Craft order this week with key fobs, pencil pouches and perhaps even a stocking or two. Then there were the names....I was quite happy with the way the purple turned out. It's quite striking. And then there is the new origami paper I have been experimenting with has shown some great promise! I can't wait to see how far I can push it. In the mean time, the deer and horse turned out pretty good. Compare with the Tyvek mouse and you might see the differance. At least with the new paper I don't have to burn my fingers with the heat gun to melt it into shape. Oh! And you will be the first to see the finished Wolf stocking! Isn't he cute? We decided that the blue eyes were more fitting since the black or brown ones just looked plain. I can't wait to see the reaction when Cheryl lists him in the shop!

Rhino at the Panera, Stockings, And Black Butler ANIME

So it started out as a typical day at the Coralville Mall. It's cold today, and rainy. But the coffee was warm and the excitement was just beginning with an Origami Rhino on the table. I was fairly proud of this one, even though it was quite small. Someone snapped it up right away, so it I was not alone in my opinion. Cheryl says I should trade them on Etsy. Speaking of Etsy, The rush has begun and Cheryl has added a couple more colors and designs to the store. She was going for a little more color and style this time, instead of keeping things "real". We also got a request for a skunk today. I have always thought that skunks could be cool, they just are misunderstood. They are cute and pretty actually, when you take a moment to look at them. And Finally, We have been enjoying Black Butler...the Anime. It's great fun the second time around. I forgot some of the cool parts. IF you are an Otoku, this one is worth giving a try. Then again, if you ARE and Otoku, you probably know more than me about the latest anime. Here's the Second ending. Its eerily entertaining. Enjoy!