8 maids a milking

When I was in third grade, our class did "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for the school's holiday show. Needless to say I was disappointed in the role. There was nothing cute about a maid-a-milking. The costume was frumpy. The movements were, well, um... up and down with both hands like you're milking a cow. Nothing difficult, nothing challenging, just embarrassing. I wanted to be a golden ring. After all, these five got to twirl around with gold hula hoops for the "fi---------------ve gol------den rings" which meant they had much more stage time and got to dress like ballerinas (which is secretly what I wanted to be).

So I have to wonder who had a similar school holiday show experience...

I started doing banner advertising for CraftyAlien.com again. It's a science experiment to say the least. You start with one ad and watch how it does for a while. Then you change the ad and see how it does on the same sites. You change one word, one image, you try animation, a promo code... just to see if you can reach a broader audience. I've been advertising on crafty sites because it's where the crafty people are. And then I was rejected from a site because I guess they don't want the competition. I love that, because it only makes me want to work harder, better and faster. I'm just working small for now until I get the ads just right and then I'll expand. I'm also working on an affiliate program as well, but it's on the back burner for the holiday season. If you have a blog or other website that has advertising and you need some ads, email me.

Items on Sale Sunday, December 6 thru Saturday, December 13, 2009 EST

Beginning this week, selected items will be on sale at CraftyAlien.com as well as PDF patterns in CraftyAlien's Etsy shop in the "On Sale This Week" category. Be sure to check them out because they won't be on sale again for a while!

Busy like a Christmas elf...

but without the pointy ears, thankfully!

I did some shopping on Saturday morning, missing the Black Friday crowds because one little girl decided she didn't want to go to sleep until after midnight on Thanksgiving (She fell asleep before dinner and woke up at the time she normally goes to bed). It's unfortunate to learn from one of the salespeople that the holiday rudeness is already in full bloom. I prefer to park and walk a little further than be a parking lot stalker and I also prefer to shop either late or early to avoid the crowds. And I bring a smile and probably a story or two for the people just trying to do their job.

I managed to buy a few things for the business... which means some new kits are almost ready, some have been restocked and some new gifts for the gift-giving-ie people are soon to make their appearance. I think one particular one will allow for some snuggling up to a cute something-or-other around the fireplace.

As soon as my head stops spinning from all the busy-ness, I'll post pictures. Until then, I'll be sipping on a chai latte and chasing a little crawling cutie around the house.

Late night nerdyness...

I stayed up to see the Atlas 5 rocket launch. I was prepared, had my camera ready. The sky was indescribably clear. But there was no rocket. I'm bummed. Perhaps tomorrow night. I saw the last space shuttle launch and it was rather surreal. It was another crystal clear night after a bunch of dreary nights. I was told a nighttime launch is the best way to see a launch and who ever said was speaking the truth. When the shuttle launched the sky turned orange and you could here a cheer from the neighbors over the hill. A moment later a bright fireball appeared and curved over the house. I swear I could hear it, but I'm not sure. A few moments later it curved back toward the horizon as it got further away, out of our sight. We always think of space as being straight up, but never really as way, way, way to your left or right. I think I'll take advantage of being in Florida and try to catch a few more launches while I can. I hear Athens calling me and I really want to go back. I just don't fit in down here and I knew that the last time I lived in Florida. I really love the smell of fall and the scent of chill in the night time air. I like hills and mountains. I like being able to stand next to a body of water and not fear getting my foot bit off by a gator.

They ask her to focus on...

...sailors fighting in the dance hall.

It's been hectic here as is the norm nowadays. BabyAlien takes up almost all of my time. I get to sneak away around 8 or so each night to work on new Crafty Alien adventures while she sleeps most of the night away. If I am lucky, I won't feel the need to fall asleep soon after.

I'm in the process of revamping the Crafty Alien newsletter. I realized I haven't sent one out in quite a bit. I think while I was pregnant, it was quite difficult in the later months to sit at the computer if I wasn't napping or getting off of my swollen ankles.

A big change is coming to the Crafty Alien website... In the coming months, CraftyAlien.com will start focusing solely on craft kits, patterns & supplies, while a new "sister" site will have finished items for the non-crafty types, including artwork, jewelry, clothing and plush. We'll have a new sister shop on Etsy as well featuring one-of-a-kind and very limited edition handmade items and art. Both have new names, a new domain name and a little different look. More details soon!

I can say that I am working on a new pattern that is neither crochet NOR knit. I should be done with it this weekend. It features six designs for you to make. I'll post some pictures this weekend.

Backyard Critters 3

I just posted the crochet version of Backyard Critters 3 (cute little bunny, hedgie and raccoon) at CraftyAlien.com as well as the Etsy pattern shop. I've been busy with the little one who is almost ready to sit up on her own. I can't wait to get working on her very first Halloween costume, which I am designing from scratch. The only foreseeable problem is that I need a VERY specific fabric or it just won't be the same. I'm hoping Joanns has it... otherwise I'm not sure where the next fabric store is. The completion of the costume is rather important too, as this will be Elizabeth's very first portrait!

Backyard Critters 2 (Crochet)

Sorry for the delay - I didn't factor in my sister and niece's visit into my design schedule and it threw me off by two weeks. Backyard Critters 1 & 2 for crocheters are now available at CraftyAlien.com as well as in our Etsy Shop. I'm finishing up Backyard Critters 3 for next week. Sneak peeks will be on Flickr.com by this weekend.