I am a terrible blogger!

I can't believe it's been over a year since I posted. Shame on me. So much has been happening that I could have filled a hundred pages with blog updates! First of all, my divorce is final, I've moved....again...and now my sewing room is the smallest it's ever been. Wow. Not sure how I'm going to ever get anything done in there, but hey, guess it's better than no sewing room at all! So, I'm grateful to have it. I've re-opened my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/ellesbelle
Right now I'm just trying to sell my buttons I've collected over the years, and hopefully get to making some stuff soon.

Small post, but better than a year + absence!

Ciao for now,
Tonya

I've moved again and other randomness

This year has been one of many changes. Divorce, moving, illness, oh the fun I've had! So now that I've moved to a more permanent (I hope) location, I am working on getting fully unpacked before re-opening etsy. I had to move from my last place because who wants to see there ex at the grocery store? Running into 'old ghosts' is no way to start your life over, so I've moved out of that town and am starting over totally. Now if I could just get a couple of un-packing elfs to help me unpack and decide what gets donated and what will fit in this smaller apartment!

Hoping to be more present,
Tonya

Once Again I've Been absent....

Sorry folks, for the very few of you that actually read this :) I am in transition and it is a tough road. Very rocky at times and I can't for the life of me seem to remember that I have a blog and that it is probably therapeutic on some level to post in it! I am on my way to being single again. Not exactly by choice, but it is the best thing really and I'm glad of it, at least I will be when it is all finished! Right now it is very turbulent and unpleasant as those of you who've been there before know, and so I'm not extremely vigilant of the blog for that reason.

I have been trying to get my etsy shops back up and running. They're up, but not quite at full speed yet, still in the infancy. I once had nearly 100 listings between the two shops, ellesbelle and ellesdestasht (yep, accidentally spelled it wrong when signing up!) So, look for more listings weekly as I add to them as often as I can. Have so much to list.

I am also fighting my fibromyalgia really hard right now. Emotional upheaval is not generally a good thing for that particular disease and I'm unfortuanately good proof of that right now. So, I'll be back, just bare with me if you will. I hope to recover all my pics so I can post some of my prior crafting endeavors as well as post some of my new ones as they occur. I am currently working on a simple knit Vogue dress with some gathering in the multi-piece bodice, and it is coming along nicely, although slowly. I have also started working on a new simple quilt that I hope will be finished before I need it in the fall!

I'll be back soon!
Ciao

Where in the world have I been?

No, it's not a mixed up version of Carmen San Diego, or the Facebook app, it's why haven't I posted on my blog, taken care of it, nurtured it, displayed better blogmanship. Well, when the carp hits the fan, the fan breaks, needs repairs and of course extensive help to make it all better. I've been on a journey of sorts, somewhat unpleasant, but occasionally worthwhile, and as always there was something to be learned.

My life has changed and will not be the same, but I am still me, and I will go on. So, here is to new times, new places, new faces, and better tomorrow.

Until next time!

Ciao!

A Mission to Mexico

I have been fortunate to find a wonderful group of people on Etsy in the HOST Team (Helping Others Street Team). There are so many giving, thoughtful, spirited, kind, generous, and amazing artists on this team of people who have gathered together to raise money to help Etsy artists in need. This team not only helps people financially, there are a miriad of resources that have been researched and gathered to give out to those who might not know about them, so that they can help themselves. In this group I have found several people whom I call friend, and others I am getting to know better. One of my friends is featured below.

My friend Mishy is trying to raise funds to go on a volunteer trip to Mexico to work in an Orphanage. Here is a link to her blog post explaining it in detail. She has had some unfortunate and sad events in her own life of late and could use some help of her own as well. She has helped me in my etsy shops with banners, avatars, and ideas that have brought great successes for me. She has asked for nothing in return. Here is a link to her fabulous shop, Fire and Ice Designs, on Etsy. She is an artist who works with glass and turns it, along with various stones, into gorgeous jewelry. Please take a moment to check out her shop, you won't regret it!

On a more sad note, one of my very good friends in my home town who has been and inspiration, a rock to cling to in times of trouble, and has helped me adjust to my own life changes, is having surgery today for colon cancer. I am asking for any and all types of prayers, good thoughts, lighting of candles, crossing of fingers, and/or any other good wishes and positive energies for her on this day that her surgery go well, that her cancer be in a curable stage, and that she will heal quickly. Thank you!

That's all my locked up slow moving fingers can type out at this hour ;) so, until next time...

Ciao,

Tonya

Heart Awareness Sponsored by HOST on Etsy

The HOST Team (Helping Others Street Team) on Etsy is holding an Etsy-wide contest to make an item heart related and donate the proceeds to The American Heart Association. The information on this challenge/contest is located here: Heart to Heart Thread

Please check it out, whether you decide to participate in the contest or just check out the items made for the donation to the AHA, doesn't matter.

Have a heart healthy day!
Tonya (Ellesbelle.etsy.com)

Been gone too long...

I've been a bad blogger. I've been blog-less, blog-impaired, blog-uninspired, for far too long now. It has been a crazy world here on the home front. The basement is begining to be rebuilt. It is now empty and has had concrete moisture sealant applied in 2 coats and is now ready for rebuilding. Tonight through Sunday my husband and his friend will be beginning the wall rebuilding process and that is VERY exciting! I don't know how long it will take, but it does look like I will have have a craft/family room sometime in the near future! That will help me make some handmade items that I haven't been able to for quite awhile as my sewing room was overcrowded even before the flood! Here are some pictures of some items I have made in the past...

Crazy Cat Quilt few yrs ago


Close up of one square

Wristlet made for daughter

Half apron from half of top of Jeans (ties in back)

'Flip flop' for daughter, 2 ft long

I made 4 different types of aprons for gifts a few years ago at Christmas time, but didn't take pics.

Some purses and totes I made for my daughter and a friend

Purse made up for friend

Purse made for daughter

Tote bag for daughter

These are just a few items I found in the picture archives from a few years ago. I also have several crochet items and a few knit items I have made. I just started beading in the last year or so and am working on getting better at that.

I have also made numerous outfits for my dad's Chihuahua in the last couple of years because the poor little guy is so cold in the winter and transition months.

I really want to sew again even though it will be a slow process.

Well, off to rest for awhile...

Tonya