Farmer's Market

 

I got up at 5:30 Saturday morning, and headed to my former hometown for their last Farmer's Market/Junk in the Trunk on the Square.  You can see that we pull into a parking spot, then work from the back of our vehicles, which I think is awesome, especially for setting up and tearing down.  

I was able to sell a few pieces, that made me happy.  Got a lot of compliments on my work, a lot of folks picked up my business card, so that makes me hopeful!  

Early morning markets are not the best place to sell handmade items.  My daughter and I did a lot of shows when she was living in the US, most of them were afternoon/evening and we had good luck.  Gosh, I think back to how green I was to pyrography at that time, but still was able to sell some pieces.  

The highlight of my day was when a little girl bee-lined to my little faux patent letter Fat Cat, with the textured highlight on his belly.  In the pic, it's the black one on the left corner.  I could tell by her eyes that she loved it.  She asked me how much it was, so I told her it was $5 (usually $15) and she was so disappointed.  I asked her how many dollars she had to spend and she showed me a $1 dollar bill.  

Of course I sold it to her for $1!  She loved it, and I wasn't going to let her leave without it.  I even asked her if she wanted to pick any of the others of if she really wanted that one.  She hugged it to her chest and said that was the one she wanted.  Made me really happy.  

I sold the Big Fat Halloween Cat, and the Big Dipper Cat, a couple of burnt pieces, and had a good time.  I was happy to be home after it was over, though.  I'm always happy to be back home.

My sister, Mary, and I went to the Thrift Store here in town on Friday, and I scored some more yarn for my stocking hats.  My stack of hats is growing!  Now that my fingers are used to making them again, I can whip one out in a couple of days.  

Life is good!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Handmade by Cosmo

This and That

 Happy Monday, it's the last day of the three day Labor Day weekend.  I've stayed home except for going to my sister's for my nephew's birthday dinner yesterday.  He is 30 years old now.  Jeez.  

I got my driver's license renewed last week.  I wonder if that will be the last time I renew it?  I hope not.

Greg and Brad are getting along as well as I hoped they would.  That makes me very happy, and I can tell that Greg is much happier than he was.  Brad is a most adorable and loving black kitten, and a great addition to our family unit.

Like I mentioned, I got my round loom out last week, and started making some stocking hats for Christmas presents.  My daughter sent me some very brightly colored yarns for my birthday, so I made this:

I can't tell you who it's for.  

I have another one on the loom, and have the next one planned in my head.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Big Boy Brad

Handmade by Cosmo

I Did Another Thing

 

Big Boy Brad

Good Boy Greg was so bored.  He was tired of the games we play all the time.  Even new toys didn't excite him.  All he wanted was for me to stop whatever I was doing and do something with him, even if he didn't really want to do anything, he wanted my full attention.  

Good Boy Greg

Not that I blame him, I'm pretty cool, but dang, I have things I want to do, too.

And I know I said I didn't want another cat, I remember all those things I said...

I got Greg a little brother this weekend. My niece found him for me.  (That girl has the pet connections like crazy.)  after the first night of Greg showing this little 10 week old kitten who was boss, I think he likes him.  He'll be standoffish for a bit, I get it, kitty language and all that, but Brad is not afraid of him one bit.  

So far, Brad is a sweet boy, already knows his name, and loves his cat food,  I feed them together, with separate bowls, of course, and they do fine.  They share a water bowl, which gets refreshed at least 4 times a day, including ice cubes.  Yep, I like my water cold, they probably do, too.

I have a white pleather Big Fat Cat with gray and white details.  Stuffing it tonight.  

Here's some pics I took over the weekend of the Critters I have available right this minute.  If you see anyone you'd like to know more about, check my shop over on FB, and if it's not in there, send me a message!  

The pleather pig is way redder than this shows. 

That's about all of them, for now anyway.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Handmade by Cosmo

Another new one!

Introducing another Big Kitty, I call this one Biggie Fall.

This is how they start out, after the vision in my head, of course.

 And here it is, all finished and ready to go to a new home! 

I am really enjoying making the Bigs, I have a pleather Halloween Big ready to stuff today.  I also have a faux suede Big White cut out, waiting it's turn to be stitched.  .

My green pleather Dinosaur found a new home last night.  One of my boys fell in love with it.   

In my Critter Career, which began in 2011, I am sure I have given away more than I have sold.  Same goes for my Burning Career, which began in 2017.  Don't get me wrong, I've made quite a few sales, and probably should have kept better track of them...  I do need to do a big inventory of my wares one of these days.  Maybe even share it here with you.  

All my Critters are made with Magic, Luck and Love. While some may have safety eyes (this one does), they are not sold as toys. They are hand stitched and firmly hand stuffed. If they are to be played with, it should be gently, and with adult supervision. These Critters are designed to be a touch of fun and whimsy in your world. They don't take up much space and they are very good listeners.

Most of my Critters can be made in any color(s), combinations you may choose. Most can be made in either faux leather or suede, and/or felt.

I do love working on a custom order, so don't be shy about messaging me!

Christmas is coming! Order yours soon!

Play Nice! xxoo

Greg is still not used to me being at the computer, While I do take breaks to play with him, he's very insistent on getting in the corner behind the hard drive, where all the cords are. I've had to block one entrance, which leads him to attack from behind past me. I've had to be very stern, and sterner by the day. And by stern I mean scruffing him, while saying no in a stern voice.

Greg in March 2023

More Adventures

This is my test run of using pleather and the "big" version of the Fat Cat pattern that I use.

Here are the 3 sizes Big, "Normal" and Mini.

I learned a few things working on the Big one, it had been awhile since I made one.  

I started another Big in shades of blue, and in using what I learned, I think he's turning out very nicely.  

Hopefully I will have him finished this evening.  I kinda like to do my stuffing in the evenings.  I like to watch a few You Tube videos, always trying to learn new things.  

For example, last night I learned how to make a scarf with my round loom!  I've also learned how to make tassels with my handy dandy pom pom/tassel making contraption.  

When I learn to make something new, my mind just goes into such a heavy creating mode, I love it!  I can hardly write the ideas down fast enough! 

My daughter, Darlin' Danielle, is a very talented artist, in many mediums.  (Shame on you, 2nd grade Art teacher that told her she didn't have any talent!)  I have asked her to draw something for me for the top of my small work table.  

Winter is coming soon, and I want to make sure I have enough projects to work on!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Latest pic of Greg.  

In the middle of all the stuff I am working on, of course.  

Come check out my shop?

Handmade by Cosmo

 

Adventures with Pleather

 

I call this one "Jewell"

This girl was an experiment, and I learned a lot!  I got the faux leather at Dollar Tree, a couple foot in a box...not too many colors to choose from.  

The pleather is pretty thin, so I used a thin needle.  With "regular" pleather, I use bigger needle.  

From a distance, she looks ok.  I was going to use some silver thread to give her some whiskers.  I was going to put a small diamond on the tip of her tail.  

I glued the jewels directly to the pleather using fabric fusion glue.  Before I stuffed her.  
    Lesson:  Glue jewels to felt, sew felt to body.  The jewels did not want to stick to the pleather.

I did not give the glue sufficient time to dry before I started stitching it together.  

    Lesson:  Let the glue dry, for goodness sakes!  

Smudges.  Can't remove them.  I tried.
And you can see the jewel lifting off the pleather.

So, once I admitted that this was not one that was going to leave this house, I stopped dolling her up.  She's still cute as heck, and I have a collection of white items, she will fit in perfectly there.  

Oh my goodness, I just discovered the PERFECT place to take photos, without having to get my whole photo box out!  

I cannot tell you how much I love it when ideas pop into my head.  I often wonder where those ideas come from.  Have you ever wondered how you think of something?  

Just a makeshift in the new location...

I'm really liking it.  

(Gotta  make a new backdrop)

Play Nice!  xxoo

Impact

Nope, not the font used on memes.  I was today years old when I learned that there are a bunch of memes out there regarding using this font on memes.  Hilarious.

Nah, I'm thinking about the impact that we make on others without even knowing it.  I mean, for example, not too long ago two of my friendships went through a status change.  Being the loner, I became the odd one out.  The other two, I assume, stayed connected.

Now you know that I am a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason, and I'm not going to go into the reasons, suffice it to say that I was relieved.  

I also believe that what's done is done, so I didn't do any lurking.  I have no interest in that regard. What they may have said is none of my business.  

The point is that I got a notification that one of them had changed their insta to private.  Now it very well may not have been because of me, but if it was, dang. 

Feeling the impact of what happened?  

So, in thinking about this, that's what got me to thinking.  I know this isn't a new idea, but it's one that I'd like to keep in the front of my brain.  

I mean, I try my best to be kind to everyone, to be friendly, upbeat, positive.  Trust me, I tried being "quiet" and that just doesn't suit me at all.  To go through a check out line without asking the cashier about her day is something that I can't do.  I've been on the other side of that line, and I do remember the customers that were sincerely nice.  

Except for that old man that lives in this complex that thought it would be ok to come to my door at 9:00 pm to ask me for help with his electric stove.  I got such weird vibes from him, I pretty much shut the door in his face.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

I made this, do you like it?

Handmade by Cosmo

Blocked

I seem to find myself with a blockage in my creativity.  

I spoke of this before, and while I did try to not work on anything, it's very hard for me to sit still and not be doing something with my hands.  Apparently this is a lesson/practice that I need to work on?  

I have to remember that I am in a new life now.  I don't have to depend on selling my creations to supply the vices that I no longer have.  

I have to remember that I am making it all on my own now, and remind myself that I'm doing well.  

In saying this, I am allowing myself to unschedule from self-imposed deadlines.  

My FB Shop is up and running, and there is content in it.  I'll continue to add items as they become available.  And I'm pretty much always up for a custom project, for sure.

I'm gonna give myself a moment to think about this, give myself a little re-boot.  

I can almost feel my creativity starting to bubble a little bit.

And in that regard, in my life I have found that if I take the time to put my thoughts in writing, it seems to clear up some space in my brain to think some different thoughts.  It's like I get a loop going in there, thinking the same things over and over and over until I write them down.  Like my brain knows now that it's written down I won't forget.  

My thoughts are fleeting these days, too.  I gotta write them down quickly, or else I will remember that I wanted to remember something, but I'll be danged if I can remember what that was!  So frustrating.  I mean, eventually some of those thoughts come back, but I'm sure not all of them.  Like Shower Thoughts.  

Sometimes I get the best ideas, and I think there's no way I will not remember them, yet I do.  I know they were great ideas, I remember how I felt when I thought them.  

Ah well, I can't blame that one on age, I've always been like this.  I have so many notebooks filled with such thoughts.  

Greg and I have had a couple of play times, he's ran the circle around here, climbing up on the top of the pantry in that circle at least twice.  I think we are both maybe just a little bored?  He doesn't know it but I have an order going in to Temu this week, and he's getting a bunch of new toys!  He won't get them all at once, of course.  He's also getting a large container of Temptations, because he loves to learn new tricks.  On his own time, as that is the cat way.

Just putting things in different places is something different to explore. 
And nap.

Play Nice!  xxoo

PS  I almost forgot the weather report!  A beautiful rainy/thunderstormy morning.  Lost of cool breeze blowing in the windows.  But this afternoon and the rest of this week?  Almost triple digits!  

Handmade By Cosmo

As I sit here

 on a Friday evening, watching the storm roll in...I started thinking about how blessed I am and thought I would share real quick.  

I went to the Food Pantry this afternoon, (Mary had to work) and got some things that I have been wanting but didn't need.  Also, some bath soap (wonder how I will like smelling like a Lemon?), toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner...

I'll be running some errands tomorrow morning, picking up a grocery order, a couple of other stops, then I'll be home.  Tomorrow weather will be clear, and more rain expected on Sunday.  I love it.

(typed July 14th)

July 20th

Nothing much out of the ordinary has happened in the last few days.  I shared some stuff Food Pantry stuff with her.  Shared some with the boys as well.  Also with a neighbor here in my complex, and with a guy in a parking lot, who gave me 3 homegrown tomatoes in exchange.  

I'm having I guess it could be called a creative block.  I have ideas, and I've started a few projects, but not motivated to actually finish.  So I am putting everything away in a drawer for a couple days...do some thinking and make some notes...like a brain dump.  Something up in that brain of mine is clogging my creativity, gotta jiggle that loose.  Been here before, it'll work out.  

I've been pretty faithful in posting to FB and Insta on a daily basis, posting products, and have re-opened my FB shop.  Populating it a little every day.  Gonna have to splurge on a better desk and chair, though, because this set up is too cramped for me.  

Since Mary couldn't go to the Pantry, and since she had to get ready for work, I had an hour to kill before I had to get in line.  I stopped in at our local flea market, and found an awesome old chest of drawers that I am going to get next week to replace the tall dresser that I have.  The bottom three drawers of the dresser I have are a bitch to open and close (it was purchased by my grandparents in 1944 and I have been dragging it along with me for the last 40 years).  Young Son is going to take it.  I'm pretty excited about that.  Come on Payday, and I don't mean the candy bar.

Less than $100!  

And it's low to the ground.
Hopefully Greg won't loose any toys under there.  Ha!

Speaking of Greg...

That's my boy, lounging in a Longaberger Basket.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

P.S.  We did have some weather this weekend and Monday...big baseball hail in some places.  Not here in my town, but in the town I used to live in (15 minutes from here).  Lots of roof damage and car windows broken.  

Back to "Normal"

Whatever that (normal) is.  My kids are gone back to Europe.  It was a short visit, I spent time with my grands but not so much my daughter, which was disappointing, but I will take what I can get and be patient until the next time.  

I've been working on my FB shop, finally figured out how to do it...being away from my computer for over a year, I had to get used to it again.  

Anyway, I've started listing Critters, I'll list the Pyrography after.

The kids made it "home" just fine.  And I have reconciled within myself to not be sad about it.  We'll stay in better touch now.  

If you've been reading a bit, you know that the my life changed at the end of 2021.  It was something that I hoped for, dreamed of, prayed about, and wished for.  And now I'm finding my way around my new "normal" and loving every minute of it.  

So, for that Year Of Limbo, our communications were pretty light.  I didn't want to worry her as she was so far away, and I was working through that big Demon (that got it's ass kicked, btw)...it was just a lot, and most of it was external on my end.

But now, since she's been here and we've all reconnected physically, she's seen that I'm actually doing what I said...I think it's better now.  Not that it was bad, just a little stretched.  

I think it's safe to share a pic here.  

Ain't they lovely? 

 

Unfortunately we did not manage to get a selfie of the two of us?  Next time!  

(Not knowing how many "next times" we have left, this is a practice that has to stop!)

Later...

Greg and I have had a couple of play times, morning chores are finished...probably do a few more throughout the day, 'cos that's how I roll.  

Gonna go post some more Critters in my FB shop which I have been informed that it is Live now!  How exciting, right?  

 

Just a couple Pleather Critters, you can find them in my shop!  

Handmade by Cosmo

Play Nice!  xxoo

I made this one for my daughter, for her Birthday.

(she's 38!)

  

Well, Hello!

 It's been a little bit, I've been doing a few family things, since my little family has come to America to visit for the first time in 4 years.  My grands spent the night last week, Thursday, and are coming to spend the night with me tonight!  

My place is small, but we all fit, and we have a wonderful time.  

They are staying with family about an hour north from here.  I drove up to see them, all his cousin's  and their families, and all his siblings came...they had a really good time.  It was fun to watch them in the pool, laughing and talking to each other, as grownups, for probably the first time.  I hope they took group pics.

There are a couple of "things" going on, family wise.  Of course, right?  One may be fixable.  The other I think it could be written in stone that it is finished.  

You know, people feel how they feel.  I think it's disrespectful to try to change the way they feel.  But I will, however, suggest a different way of looking at a situation.  That's about all I can do really.  

So, I've been creating little Pleather (faux leather) Critters.  Really liking the Pleather Suede a lot. I'll get my photobox and stuff back out of the closet once the kids are gone.  

Good Boy Greg is one year old!  Our routine is so comfortable, but he's still a "teenager" in most ways.  Energetic, mischevious, cantankerous when he doesn't get his way...but also sweet and cuddly when he wants to be.  

I love this cat.

Here's a couple pics of something I've been working on.  Those are I think 5 x 7 stretched canvas.  I've hand appliqued the kitty's and handsewn them to the canvas.  Teal and a few shades of purple.  

I think they are so cute!  

And of course, I can do them in just about any color combo,

and have some printed felt, as well.  

Send me a message, I would love to create something for you!

Alright, it's almost 1:00 pm, they will probably be here in a couple hours, so I better do anything that needs to be done before they get here because that's how I roll.  I only have them for a short time, and it will be a long time until I get to squeeze them again.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Found those Benihana Buddahs on the free table in the community laundry room!  

Score!  One for me, one for Mary! 

(tiniest Gain bottle, for scale) 

HandmadebyCosmo

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The Weekend!

In just 3 days I will see some people that I haven't seen in 3 years.  These people are very very very close family and I am beside myself with giddiness!  

Since I've recently moved here, and since it's just Greg and I here, my place is pretty clean, there's not a lot that I need to do in that regard.  I just want my new home to look peaceful and comfy and inviting, as well as functional as to my creativity.  

My order from Amazon of some frosted suede (faux) was supposed to be here on Thursday, but now they say from the 16th to the 20th, and if not I can get a refund.  Pffft.  I didn't mind waiting a week, but now it's all in limbo, and I don't like that.  I am so looking forward to trying this new idea, this is frustrating!  

I have the A/C on, but looking forward to a good thunderstorm this afternoon.  

Warning!  The next paragraph will be discussing bodily functions.

Waylon is doing well, his owner is still a bit edgy.  He's worried that Waylon hasn't pooped since he got home from the vet (wednesday).  The food that Waylon is eating now is a mucho better grade of food that he has been having, so his body is actually absorbing the food.  Plus he hadn't really kept much down for about a week.  He's acting fine and not acting like he needs to poop but can't, so I'm not too concerned.

With my company coming, and my mind busy with thinking about that, my creativity has taken a back seat for the moment.  Not a good time to start any new projects, but I do have a couple that I can finish up, so that will keep my hands happy.  

A little later...my pkg did come today, in the mail! Now the decisions.  Which Critter?  Regular sized or mini?  

Sunday Morning

The predicted thunderstorms did not appear, but we did get some rain early this morning.  It is a coolish day, probably won't need the A/C.  I'm gonna crank up some tunes and do a whole apt. tidy up.  Laundry tomorrow, and I'll be ready for my company!

Waylon Update ~  He did do what he needed to do, and what he did shows that he is completely recovering from whatever gut infection he had. 

Oh, and Happy Father's Day to the good ones out there.  

I did start on a  regular sized Dachshund yesterday, stitched but not stuffed yet.  I'll do that this evening, and hopefully share a pic with you tomorrow.  

Until then,  Play Nice!  xxoo

Handmade by Cosmo

Waylon Wednesday

My Young Son has a dog named Waylon.  He is a good dog, and they are very bonded.  Waylon's been throwing up intermittently the last couple weeks.  We took him to the vet today, he'll be fine.  He's got an infection in his stomach lining.  He's on antibiotics and  a very bland diet.   I haven't gotten a phone call, so far as I can tell he hasn't thrown up again.

I have some new supplies coming tomorrow, and I brought groceries home with me today, so I am hoping that I can stay home for the next few days.  I'm going to have company next week, so I want to be ready for whatever may come up!  

 

 

This is a dragon I made for my grandson.

It's black felt, with a black textured felt on the belly and wings.

A light gray used for contrast around eyes and under wings.  

(my next one will be made out of pleather)

Thursday

My granddog, Waylon, kept his food and meds down last night, and has had breakfast and meds this morning.  So far so good.  This has been emotionally and physically taxing on my son, because Waylon is everything to him.  I think that whatever was bothering him exited his body yesterday, and he will continue to get well.  Soon he'll be our same old Waylon.  

Trees are calling to me this week.  I gotta do some research.  It feels like a sign, and I do not want to miss out on this one. 

Preliminary finding - of course I did the Google - Trees are symbols of strength, individuality and expression, calmness, growth and the interconnectedness of everything.

Uncanny, because this mirrors the thoughts in my brain, my feelings, and what I am studying.  I know some trees by sight, but I don't think many.  That was my first sniggle of a thought, "I should get a book and learn how to tell the diff. trees."  

Then one of my cyber friends did a tarot reading, and the deck she used was "Trees."  

Today, another cyber friend posted this:  

I feel that I am being dm'd by the spirit of the trees, and they have something I need to know.  

Luckily I am surrounded by trees where I live, I'm kinda in the country, not rural, but there are more trees than buildings around here.   I'm not a farm girl, I tried to be a city girl way back when, but where I am right now is where I belong.  

So, that's probably enough for today, I have an order of faux suede sheets coming today.  Not sheets like on the bed, sheets of 9" x 12" for creating my Critters.  I'll probably start with a Kitty, since it's an easy and super cute pattern.  Stay tuned, I'll probably have something to show you in the next couple of days.  

Squee!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

I love Snapchat!

Handmade by Cosmo

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P.S.  I do not know how to remove the highlighting and such where it is, I tried but now it's time to do morning chores, so, hey, if you are reading this, please leave a comment.  

A Beautiful Morning!

I woke up early to a beautiful morning!  It had rained, and the temps are in the 60s right  now!  

Greg and I played around a bit, did the morning chores.  As soon as I sat down with my 2nd cuppa coffee, here came the mowers.  I love the smell of fresh cut grass.  

So far it's been a very great day.  

Sunday, June 11th, 2023

As of 4:00 pm yesterday, I outlived my mother.  I can't imagine how it must have felt to her, knowing she had to go.  I feel so young!  She had to have felt the same way.  Breaks  my heart, and makes me so grateful at the same time.

I'm grateful for my life, and my continued health.  But damn I miss her.  

This morning is cool and lovely, all my windows are open, and I'm about to get up and get my morning chores finished, so I can sit down to create something, hopefully something wonderful!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Handmade by Cosmo

Out my Window

I was sitting at my computer having coffee this morning.  Out my window I can see the sister of the man that passed away last week.  She was sitting outside, and my heart felt a pang of sadness for her. I wondered how I would be feeling if that was me and I had lost a sibling (which the thought of immediately made me tear up), so I walked over to check on her.  We visited for a minute, then I came back home.  

Not sure if it made a difference in her day, but as I am trying to listen to my inner voice more, I feel better by doing what it asked me to do.  

In our brief visit, I did find that she and I think alike about the things we chatted about.  

Not time to make a new friend yet.  

I have been working on getting my creations out in the world, via Instagram and Facebook.  I actually did sell a Minicat this weekend, which really tickled me.  It was a purchased by a girl had already gotten 2 of my Kitty's.  I do appreciate repeat customers!  

Gonna go work on scheduling some stories and posts.  Gosh, I wish someone was reading this blog.  Ah well, my hope is that someone someday will stumble upon on my words, and actually leave a comment. That would make me pretty happy.  

Until then, I'll probably see you tomorrow!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

PS  

Here are a couple more of my pleather creations.

HandmadebyCosmo