I'm ALIVE!

Hey everyone. Believe it or not I'm alive. I know I haven't been updating frequently and it's because a whole bunch of stuff has gone down in my little world in the past two weeks.

The Spring '09 semester came to a close, to which I managed to pull off a 3.75 GPA and make it on to the Dean's Honor List AGAIN! I had a full load too, I'm talking 19 semester units and 6 classes. Whew. Thank God that's over.

Summer is here and the weather has been so nice (minus today's weird overcast). A few weeks ago I found out that Apple would not be hiring me on after my internship resulting in panic attacks and mini breakdowns worrying about how I'm going to survive this summer being unemployed. The following week I landed a job working for the State of California Dept. of Justice Treasury as a Research assistant. (Say that three times fast.)

This past week has been rather relaxed for me as I went camping with my family for Memorial Day for our annual camping get together. I worked part time for Apple, very part time in fact and spent my afternoons snuggling with puppies and pining for the Sims 3 release which is tomorrow. I have been focusing more on my future career plans and have laid low on the craft front, but did however manage to make it to Maker Faire this past weekend with the love of my life on our 6 year anniversary. I'm still doing the pet craft thing but I'm slowly turning it into a hobby instead of a form of business. Future plans of attending Second Saturdays and maybe a craft show here and there are still in the works, but nothing too serious.

I have found my calling in graphic and web design and I want to embrace it completely and I believe that making crafts a main priority would only postpone my career plans. For all my crafty friends out there, don't turn your backs on me just yet, I still have lots of crafty juices running through my vanes. I just don't want to back myself into yet another craft corner.

Today was my last day working for Apple and I got a brand new Macbook to celebrate. Tomorrow the Sims 3 releases and you might not hear from me again as I will probably not sleep for the next week. Just kidding. I have to sleep because I start my new job on Wednesday.

I'm glad to be back and I hope you are too.

:D

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Indie-Mart this Sunday!

Don't forget! I'll be at Indie-Mart this Sunday, April 26th in San Francisco!!



:D

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Attack of the Crochet Key Fobs!

A few months ago I purchased a bunch of key fob fasteners and failed to purchase the much needed cotton webbing to make the actual key fobs. After spending endless hours pondering what to do with the hardware, which sat waiting in a plastic baggy shoved far back on a shelf in my craft room, a magnificent idea came to mind. Crochet! Perfect. But, how do I make the straps without a pattern? A few more days of thought and I decided, I'll make one up myself.

I started to crochet simple straps and after many trial and error attempts, I finally had a pattern that I could use time and time again. The following key fobs are the results. Enjoy.




More available in my shop. Customize a key fob is also an option over at my shop. Now I just have to stop crocheting these long enough to write the pattern down.

:D

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Table Tops

So as you may have read earlier, I vended at McMartin Realty's Second Saturday PYA event.

Here are some pics of my table. Since I've changed my crafty focus towards pet goods I'm still trying to get my display right for upcoming craft events.

Front table shot

New collar display and Stephnay cheesin' it up.

Up close collars.

The Crochet Key Fobs I'm addicted to making.

Table up close

:D

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Park-My-Art

Hey hey everyone. I have been so busy lately and I do appologize for abandoning the blog. However! I haven't been fartin' around doing nothing. Instead I have been working diligently getting my inventory ready for this second Saturday's event I will be vending at!

As you all may know already, I am no stranger to the Park-Your-Art McMartin Realty 2nd Saturday events. So come one, come all and check out all the great new items I have added to my line of Pet Goods for Good Pets. New items include: crocheted dog leashes & kitty toys filled with catnip. Even a few goods for owners including crocheted key fobs & poop pouches for dog walks.

Hope to see you there!

:D

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Untilted: Chapter One - Part One

"Kare I'm in love," Abbie's voice huffed through her cell phone receiver as she walked to her next class. She continued, "I am in love Kare. It was love at first sight. Well more like first glance."

Back at the apartment Karen sat in the living room on the plush overstuffed faux suede couch listening to her sister huff and puff while walking. "Abbie, what are you talking about, love at first sight? That's the third time this month."

Abbie laughed, "You don't understand. I was on the bus," she stopped outside that classroom door and scuffed her black well worn Chuck Taylor against the pavement, "He was sitting a few seats ahead of me and I only seen the back of his head and the side of his face, but Kare, he was to die for."

Pacing back and forth, Abbie brushed a dark bang from her forehead and tucked the strand of hair behind her ear. "Kare he was wearing a dark brown jacket with a scarf. Like a manly scarf not a frilly-girly one. He had this brown hair and when he stood up, he was tall and lean."

"Oh, I like it when guys wear accessories. It's hot, but not when they go overboard and try to outdo you," Karen replied then bit into a chocolate chip cookie and changed the channel of their television they took when they moved out of their parent's house that past June. Talking with her mouth full of half chewed cookie, "Hey Abbie, tell me when you get home. I have to go."

Abbie stood facing the class door, pausing momentarily thinking about the mystery man on the bus. Sighing, "Alright. I have class now anyways. Turn the heater on, don't sit there in an ice box, oh and if you get a chance, call Mom. Ask her if we're going Black Friday shopping this year."

"Yea got it. Ok sis, love you."

"Love you too." Abbie hung up, placed her cellphone in the front pocket of her sweatshirt and walked into the classroom. She quickly scanned the room with her dark chocolate brown eyes searching for a familiar face to sit next to. "Megan isn't here today," she thought to herself as she sat down in a desk toward the front of the classroom. Abbie did what she always had at the beginning of each class. Sat down and put her book bag in between her feet under the desk. Unzipped the bag and took out her laptop, placed it on the desk and turned it on while glancing at the chalkboard ahead.

While she waited for her computer to warm up, she reached into the front pocket and took out her phone and texted Megan, her best friend since high school. They drifted apart for the first two years of college, mostly because Megan moved back to the city with to live with her mom and go to community college while she watched her little brother and sister. Abbie went to the local state college and lived at her parents for the first two years before moving into an apartment with her little sister, Karen.

"Are you coming to class?" Abbie pushed send. Observing her thumb nail she thought, "I need to get my nails done."

Abbie was about 5'6" and considered herself healthy when it came to weight. She was the first born and resembled her father most. Although she was average height for an adult female, she had compact features, she always thought her arms and legs were shorter than they should be, but she was probably just paranoid. Her hair was dark like her parents, and full of voluminous waves. Her almond shaped dark brown eyes complimented her full cheeks. She thought her best feature were her lips she inherited from her grandmother, God rest her soul. A full and pouty set of lips and dimples in both cheeks to complete her smile. Written on paper, Abbie was in every sense of the word Latina, but white washed since she grew up in the suburbs.

Bzzzzt. One new text message. Megan. "Stuck in traffic."

"Hurry up. I took the bus. My car died this morning. :(" Send.

Even though the day started off on the wrong foot, Abbie knew, this day would change her life.

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New Hair Doo

Well, it has been over two years since I last dyed my hair. Meaning my dull naturally black hair has dominated my photos on Myspace and everywhere else I am online. Turning 21 made me want a change. Something that represents who I am. And so, I chose red. Bright red to be exact.

Red has always been my favorite color, and ever since I can remember people have always complimented me when I wear the color red.

I have gotten a few compliments already, but in all honesty I did it for myself. And, I'm glad I did.


:D

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Etsy Gift Guide!

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been a week since my last update. Saturday was my big 21st birthday bash at my parent's house. And, my actual birthday was Sunday. Justine and I took a personal day on Monday and getting back into the swing of things yesterday was a bit much.

Today, while I was working my little tush off handing out fliers, I got an email from a fellow craftista, Stacey from Pill's Place and Bouton Blue, letting me know that I made it into an Etsy gift guide!

How awesome is that? I was so proud to pull up the page, I just had to take a screen shot.

Go check it out while it's still up today.

Thanks for all the support!

http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/under-20/34


:D

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Help a Craftista out!

Please feel free to add this code to your page if you like what you see in my Etsy shop.
Please and thank you. :D

<a href="http://ErikaAshley.etsy.com" target="_blank"><img alt="ErikaAshley on Etsy!" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sqMR0INnJIK9FYeF3K4EL0-XH_D1Uac3jfMes0JxEHGNMIW_Uax8xGX-SJOBGYfKZO7CNpSCxZ1tKu0BKYMn60MX7-=s0-d"></a>

:D

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Spring Blowout SALE!

Spring is just around the corner brighten up your pets day with a brand new collar! Charming Co. has closed and I've opened a new shop and I'm already having a great sale.

25% off old inventory collars!

X-Small & Small only $7.50
Medium only $9.00
Large only $10.50
X-Large only $12.00

Take advantage of this great sale or just check out the new pet toys available!

:D

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My tag cloud

In one of the classes today an instructor brought a new site to my attention. Wordle is an awesome site where you can create a "tag cloud" based on text you provide. This tag cloud I created expresses who I am as a person.
Pretty nifty eh? Check it out for yourself the possibilities are literally endless. Or, go to Wordle and checkout their galleries of tag clouds created by people all over the world.

:D

Tag I'm It!

I have been tagged by the ever so awesome Ashlee of Refashionist.

Here are the rules...

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.

4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Let's get this show on the road:

1. I believe in ghosts, spirits, the afterlife, hauntings, etc.
2. I am 20 years old and still afraid of the dark.
3. I love Disneyland more then anything in the world.
4. I have rediculous fears of butterflies, moths, and eating dry food.
5. I can swim but tell people I can't so they don't force me to.
6. I slept with a teddy bear till I was 19, the only reason I don't know is because I need to find someone to refurbish and fix him.
7. I want another dog but Justine won't let me get another one because we have two crazy little boy puppies as it is.

I tag:
1. Kaytea
2. Pill's Place
3. Sacred Snatch
4. Simply Strands

Check back tomorrow for a brand new tutorial. It'll knock your socks off! Literally! :D

Get to know ME!

First Name: Erika Ashley

Nickname: Arka

Birthday: March 1st

Home state: California born and raised.

Marital Status: Taken

Siblings: One younger sister. She's 14 years old.

Children: Ralphie Edwin (Pomeranian) and Brutus Wayne (Dachshund)

Occupation: Student, Apple HBA Tech Support Intern, Crafter.

Favorite part of my job: Helping people.

Favorite Season: Winter.

Movie: If I HAD to pick The Little Mermaid

TV Show: Dexter.

Food: Shrimp. Mexican food. Chinese food. In that order.

Holiday: My birthday. Then Christmas.

I love to: CRAFT!

Favorite bands and/or Singers: Too many to list. Way too many.

Favorite Song(s): Bohemian Rhapsody is my ALL TIME FAVORITE.

Favorite Quote: "Whateva"

Who is your biggest supporter? My Mom.

How do you gain motivation? Unfortunately competing against someone really gets me going on tasks.

What is a random fact about you? I hiccup at least once a day.


Now you know more about me. Enjoy.