A bloggers dilemma

Little Amigurumi Mushroom

I've been writing this post in my head for a while now and thought it about time I got it out of my head! I think I have blog overload or blog fatigue, and not just from posting here, from trying to keep up with everyone else's blogs too. I have so many in my reader now that I'm just not reading them, just scrolling down looking at the pretty pictures. I have a few blogs that I definitely read and try to comment on every post but I'm finding it really hard to keep up. And then I think, why am I trying to keep up? It's not my job, I'm not getting paid for this I don't have to do it. So I'm going to go through my reader and unsubscribe a few, which is hard, I'm a hoarder and it's like I've hoarded these subscriptions! It's school holidays here at the moment and I'm going away for a week next week, without a computer! I wonder how many posts will be waiting for me in my Google Reader, will I just mark them all as read? Then I think what if I miss out on something? What am I going to miss out on? It's only a week and it's only someone else's (that I usually don't know) blog!!

So if I'm skipping over blogs, how many are skipping over mine? I know I need to improve my photography, will that make people stop by or is it what I write or what I craft? Am I losing track of why I started this blog in the first place?

It's not just blogs that I'm trying to keep on top of either, it's also facebook and recently I was introduced to pinterest! So I think having a break for a week is going to be good for me, get my head and priorities straight.

So does anyone else share in my dilemma or are you stronger than I?

On another note, these are a few pics of what my mum has been up to lately with the Grandkids. They are so lucky to have an art teacher for a grandma. She got the inspiration and pattern from here. Every time a grandchild comes to play they add a little.

Saucepan Man

The Magic Faraway Tree

Dame Washalot's washing

Dame Washalot's house

Toadstools at the bottom of the tree

So that's it for me on this very wet, cabin fever, kind of school holiday day. Hopefully I'll be able to take some pics of some baby hats I've been making.

TTFN

200th post

Wow never thought I would get here but I have. 200 posts. Could have got here sooner if I blogged more!!

I'm taking a little break from sewing, after the marathon effort over the last couple of weeks, so I can now catch up on other things that have been a bit neglected. Like blogging and connecting with other people!! (Not to mention house work!)

Lego Box pouch for Billy

A couple of weeks ago I made another box pouch, this time for my cousins now 5 year old. I love this lego fabric, I wish I'd bought more.

This is what I've been busy making.

Lots of tiny shoes

Lots of Pocket Clutches

And a cute little Amigurumi mouse

I think I am now up to date in sharing what I have been making. Next will be for family and friends. It's been a good experience making for a market but I do get a lot more joy out of making for someone in mind. I'm looking forward to taking commissions though, there is a contact and I know where the product will end up.

Until next time.

Happy Sewing

TTFN

Edit: I would also like to thank those that read and comment on my blog, thanks heaps, I wouldn't have got to 200 without you :-).

It's all over

My very first attempt at selling what I make finally came, and boy was I exhausted by the end of the day. My hat goes off to those who do markets every week. I guess the build up was huge, what shall I make, what would sell, what fabrics should I use, and even after we got home and finally relaxed I felt that I needed to be making something. I sold a few items and got interest from a few people.

My bit of our stall

Now I can finally reveal Ditto Crafts is finally officially up and running and open for business!!  

This photo was taken after the gazebo was taken down after the wind picked up. We are literally holding down the fort!

So pop by our new website. Which is very new, so you may need to pop back often as we polish it up a bit.

TTFN

Can't talk, making

Pleated Pouches and Keychain Clutches, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I'll be back after the school fete is over, so much to sew so little time left to sew it in. I'm trying to focus on quality over quantity at the moment. If you want to see what I'm making pop over to my flickr page (just click on the photo above).

These are more keychain clutches from the pattern by Keyka Lou and also her Pleated Pouches pattern, these will be great for e-readers, ipods and such.

Have you ever had a stall at your school fete? Any tips?

TTFN

Edit: Also, I've put the We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler on hold for the moment. I'll start that again in a couple of weeks when I can focus on it.