Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 1/22/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday!

I start my new job on February 12th!  I need to get back into a good routine of getting to bed at a decent time and waking up early in the morning.  I also need to work on a new schedule for my daily activities.  Any tips would be appreciated!

The weather outside is:

It is getting warmer!!  I won't even mind the rain as long as the temperatures are above freezing!

(I don't know what that little symbol on Tuesday is:)

On today's to-do list: 

~Figure out a new routine as mentioned above.  I need to print out more pages for my weekly schedule/calendar so I might as well get my thoughts together as to what I want to be doing once I'm back to working outside the home along with my household tasks.

~Clean...again.  It is never ending with these animals :)

Happening this week:

~I have to get a pre-employment physical on Tuesday.  Hope I pass!

~Laken doesn't have school on Friday so I'm not sure what we might get into.  Her 17th birthday is February 2nd and she requested going snowboarding!  I need to do some research.

Currently reading:

~I picked "Keegan" by Lori Wilde to try to kick-start my reading.  I want to try to read for at least 15 minutes each day.  This book looked like one that would be good to start with :)

Watching:

NFL Playoff games.

Hallmark Winter (not Christmas) movies

Youtube videos from a few favorites

On the menu today:

Beef Stew, Biscuits

In the Craft Basket:

I've been making baby octupus for in my etsy shop.  They are supposed to really help preemie babies especially those in the NICU.  The tentacles help the littles ones from pulling at their tubes and lines.  It supposedly helps with breathing also but I'm not quite sure how that works.  I'll have to do some more research.

Picture from the Camera

I made this cute little Valentine cup cozy.  I have a giveaway going on for a cup cozy AND a $25 STARBUCKS Gift Card.  CLICK HERE t see how to enter ;)

Bible Verse

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety."  Psalm 4:8

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Tea Time and a GIVEAWAY ~ 1/18/2024

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~I got the job!  I applied for an administrative assistant position in the Care Coordination Department at our local hospital last Tuesday.  Wednesday they called me to come in for an interview.  Thursday was my interview and they asked me to job shadow for a couple hours which was a good sign!  This Tuesday afternoon I got the call that I was being offered the position!  I accepted and my first day will be February 12th.  I'm hoping all this nasty weather is gone by then :)

~Along with a new job, I decided a new hairstyle was in order.  My pixie had grown out to the awkward stage that comes along with pixies.  So I treated myself to a fresh cut and style.  Now I just need to get my nails done  :)

~Laken has made friends with an exchange student from Finland.  Li is the sweetest girl!  They've had hang outs, a sleepover and went shopping.  Laken introduced Li to Auntie Anne's pretzels.  I'm glad Laken has made a new friend and hope they keep in touch well after Li has to travel home :)

~Litsa from Coco's Crochet is hosting a unique crochet-a-long (CAL) in 2024.  Each "fortnight", she will be drawing an item out of a basket and that will be the "assignment" for those two weeks.  Project#1 is CUP COZIES.  I heard about the CAL from Cassandra at Craftably Ever After and decided to join in.  I've added Litsa's announcement vlog below.  Let me know if you decide to participate :)

~And last, but not least, to celebrate my new job, I'd like to host a GIVEAWAY!  It has been ages since I've had a giveaway here on Colletta's Kitchen Sink Blog.  I tossed around a few different ideas and settled on giving away the following to one lucky winner:

 $25 Starbucks Gift Card

AND

Handmade Cup Cozy in Your Choice of Color

Here's how to enter:

1 ENTRY ~ Leave me a comment telling me what color you would choose for your Cup Cozy

(FOR SOME REASON THE COMMENTING IS NOT WORKING ON THIS POST.  YOU CAN LEAVE A COMMENT BY REPLYING TO MY COMMENT.  SO SORRY!)

1 ENTRY ~ Follow my blog and let me know that you do so (honor system)

BONUS ENTRY ~ Visit Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop and let me know that you did so (honor system)

I'll announce the winner here on the blog on January 31, 2024!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colletta

WIP Wednesday ~ 1/17/2024

 

I thought I'd do a weekly post listing my current crafty works-in-progress (WIP).

~~~~~~~

As of the moment, I have a Valentine Bear started that I'm not sure if I'm going to finish or not...  I'm so disenchanted with it that I didn't even bother to take a picture!

Other than that, my only WIP is a Think Pink Prayer Shawl for my Etsy shop.  I'm almost halfway finished with it at this point and would really like to complete it this week as I didn't even touch it last week.  The pattern is based on Attic 24's cozy stripe blanket that I've modified.

I have been creating all week and finished quite a few items but you'll have to come back for Finish Friday to see what I've completed  :)

What are you working on?  How many WIPs do you currently have?

Colletta 





Finish Friday ~ 1/12/2024

I had one finish this week and it was the Mini Cow (pattern by Graceandyarn.com ). 

The pattern might say "mini" but it still measures approximately 11" tall!  It took me a while to finish but I worked on other projects as well and just worked on this one a little each day.

I decided to make her a "girl cow" and added some little flowers to her head.  I think she turned out super cute!  I'm trying to decide if I should add her to my Etsy shop .  

And that, my friends, is my finish for the week :)

On to the next project!

What are you working on?

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 1/11/2024

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~I noticed the other day that I have surpassed writing 4100 posts on the blog.  I can't believe I started writing posts in 2009.  15 years of sharing!  I appreciate each any every reader that has stopped by throughout the years.  Thank you!

~I mentioned in my "Happy Homemaker Monday" post that I was to have an interview for a PT job on Tuesday, but due to the weather I was going to try to reschedule.  I was afraid it would be a deal breaker but the HR contact was very understanding and rescheduled my interview for Friday, January 12th!  I'm a bit nervous so I'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Friday at 1pm :)

~This past Sunday, we had the privilege of attending Nate's Senior Soccer Banquet.  (I introduced Nate to the blog a few "Tea Time"s ago as Laken's boyfriend.  They've been dating for 8.5 months and we absolutely adore him.)  Nate earned Defensive Player of the Year and we couldn't be prouder of him.  He is a great young man and treats Laken like a princess!  He's a keeper :)

~I think I've mentioned it in another post, but I had somebody purchase the Dr. Seuss/Cat-in-the-Hat Baby Blanket from my Etsy Shop.  In this crazy weather, I hope it gets to NH safely.  I packaged it in a 2 gallon ziploc and then in a box with tons of packing tape but I'm always nervous about the shipping process.  It was supposed to arrive today, so I'm going to check the tracking number with USPS.  Wish me luck :)

~Slowly, but surely, I have finished the amigurumi cow I was making and featured on my WIP Wednesday post.  I wanted to have it finished up for my Friday Finish post so that gave me some extra motivation.  Make sure you come back tomorrow to see the finished product :)

So, what's new with you?

 

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 1/8/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday!

How was your first week of 2024?

The weather outside is:

When does Spring start?  Obviously not this week.  I was to have an interview for a part time bank teller position on Tuesday, but the hubby is making me try to reschedule due to the weather :(  I sent an email to the HR contact.  I hope it won't be a deal breaker!

On today's to-do list: 

~I need to make a trip to the post office to send out an etsy order.  I was so excited to wake up Saturday morning with an order for the Dr. Seuss inspired baby blanket!  The buyer emailed me and said that his daughter is due within the next few weeks and has worked really hard to decorate the baby's room in a Dr. Seuss theme and that it was a blessing finding the blanket.  I love getting messages like that!

~Clean.  The family room has a few "hot spots" that need attention really badly.  There is a table that is a catch all and it is over flowing with STUFF.  I really would like to get it organized.

Happening this week:

~As I mentioned above, possibly an interview...sometime...for a part time position.  Last week, on Wednesday, I had an interview for a fulltime HR Assistant position but I haven't heard anything back.

~Laken missed school pictures and is quite upset at the thought of having a blank space in the year book where her picture is to be.  I made arrangements with the photographer to meet at their office (an hour away) so that they can take her picture.  That appointment is Thursday at 2pm.  It is her Junior year, so I can understand why she wants to be in the year book.

Currently reading:

~I'm doing well with my Bible Reading Plan and Scripture Writing Plan.  Other than that, I'm really in a reading slump.  I've been spending my spare time working on my etsy shop.  I do need to take a break from reality sometimes though so I want a really good book to dig into.

Watching:

Other than a few football games this weekend, I haven't watched much TV.  I have been watching youtube videos of a few favorite content creators.  How to Faith a Life and Elise Rose Crochet are a few of my favorites.

Listening to:

On the menu today:

Creamed Chip Beef Gravy over Biscuits

In the Craft Basket:

I've made a few more amigurumi toys.  Laken requested a bee and Kaylee requested a bunny.  I haven't gotten the courage to add any to my shop yet, as I feel that I still need more practice.  All I can see are the imperfections.  I've worked a bit more on the Think Pink Prayer Shawl and would like to get it finished this week.  I've also made a few Love Letter Book Covers and listed them in my shop.  I think they are really cute and can't wait to make more in different variations.

Picture from the Camera

I'm going to go out of my comfort zone and show you the bee and bunny I made for my girls.  I had a lot of fun making them and learned a ton.

Bible Verse

"The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.  Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light."  Genesis 1:2-3

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 1/7/2024

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~I haven't written a Tea Time post since before Christmas, so, "How was your Christmas?"  We had a busy month leading up to the big day .  I felt very unprepared this year.  We did our shopping very late and even had a few packages not come in time :(  Christmas Day, itself, was kind of quiet and anti-climatic.  We had to wake Laken up at 9am to open presents...typical teenager who likes her sleep...  Kaylee and Shawn came over for the present opening and then later for dinner.  The time between opening presents and Christmas dinner was kind of like a twilight zone.  Like I said, very quiet day.

~Happy New Year!!!!!  I know it is almost a week late but I do hope you had a wonderful New Year's Day and are enjoying 2024 so far.  The hubby was off the week between Christmas and New Year but had to go back to work on Monday night.  So, what are your plans for 2024?  I'd love to hear!

~I started a new Bible Reading Plan that will take me through the entire Bible in a year.  So far, I'm up-to-date and enjoying my quiet time in the Word.  I also started a Scripture writing plan for January.  The theme is "God is my Refuge".  Again, all up-to-date and enjoying it.

~Laken is back to cyber schooling for a while.  She got so behind from being sick, having surgery, recovery, strep throat and the "sickness" that we decided it was the best option.  She's hoping to head back to in person school for the 4th quarter and is working really hard.  I'm super proud of her.  She's been through a lot and has been very strong even if she has her moments...

~I re-opened my Etsy Shop:  Colletta's Kitchen Sink!  I even sold a Dr. Seuss Cat-in-the-Hat inspired baby blanket Saturday morning.  So far some of the items I have listed are Prayer Shawls, Baby Blankets, Dishcloths and my newest addition:  The Lover Letter Book Cover.  I've made a white one and a purple/yellow on so far.  I do hope you stop by and check out the shop!

So, what's new with you?

 

Colletta

Attention Readers! Calling All Book Lovers!

The Love Letter Book Sleeve is now listed in my ETSY SHOP!  

The book sleeve/cover can be made in any color as a custom order.

Right now it has a cute little bow tie to shut the "envelope" but I think I'm going to be on the look out for some cute buttons as well.

The sleeve measures 9.5" X 7" when tied close but there is a good bit of give and can fit most paperbacks and even a kindle if you prefer reading digitally.

I had a lot of fun creating this piece!

The bow can be made in any color as well.  I can even make a few different color ties that can be swapped out.

I'd love for you to stop by Colletta's Kitchen Sink Etsy Shop!

I'm still practicing some amigurumi pieces and will be sharing them here on the blog soon :)

Colletta

P.S.  I also just added a light purple and yellow Love Letter Book Cover, as well.

Fred the Sea Turtle by CJ Design ~ My First Amigurumi Project!

 I mentioned in my last post that I've reopened my Etsy Shop and that I want to learn how to crochet plushies and amigurumi.  My very first attempt was Fred the Sea Turtle by CJ Designs.

The pattern is free on CJ Designs website but can also be purchased in PDF form in their etsy shop.

Look at that wee little tail!!!

The pattern was well written and easy to follow.  The pattern calls for a chunky yarn but I'm trying to use only yarn that I already have, so I used a Medium (4) yarn and hooks in sizes 3.75mm and 4.25mm.

I don't have any safety eyes, so I embroidered the eyes on with black yarn.  (In a way, I like it better this way as I was always fearful of those safety eyes falling off when my girls were littles.)

My very first foray into the amigurumi world is complete and I think he is super cute!

What do think?  After some more practice, should I add him to my Etsy shop?  (be gentle...lol)

Colletta

Etsy Shop ~ Re-Opening!!!!

 

I'm so excited!!!!

After much deliberation, I've decided to re-open my Etsy shop!!!!

I was going to wait until January 1st, but I just couldn't help myself from listing a few items that I've already made.

Some of my listed items so far are dishcloths, prayer shawls and baby blankets.

I definitely want to get some better pictures for the listings and also add new listings.

I'd love to learn how to crochet plushies and amigurumi.

Is there anything else you think I should add to my shop?  I'd love to hear from you!

BTW, I've created a coupon for my blogland audience.  You can use the following coupon code for 10% off your entire order:  BLOG10  

Please go check out Colletta's Kitchen Sink shop at https://collettaskitchensink.etsy.com and let me know what you think, what ideas you have and what you think I should add.

Thanks so much :)

Colletta

Saturday at the Shop ~ 1/16/2021

Below are some of the listings in my shop.  Just click on the picture to go to the listing.  I also love to make custom orders!  You can email me at collettaskitchensink@yahoo.com .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I finished this Yellow Prayer Shawl last weekend and got it listed on Sunday.  It is so pretty and spring-like.  It definitely lifts the spirits :)

I took a break from Prayer Shawls to make these super cute Valentine-y, pink and white dish cloths.  They are made from 100% cotton and measure 8X8.

I also made this set of 4 dish cloths in "Mint".  They also measure 8X8 and are made from 100% cotton.

And once last set of dish cloths made in "Evening Sea".  Again measuring 8X8 and made from 100% cotton.

I hope you'll stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Colletta

Saturday at the Shop ~ 12/19/2020

I've been really busy this week adding new items to MY SHOP.  Below are some of my new listings.  Just click on the picture to go to the listing.  I also love to make custom orders!

I finished up the Cafe Latte Prayer Shawl I was working on last week.

I also made and listed a Medium Thyme Prayer Shawl.

I also relisted the Heather Gray Prayer Shawl.

I have the yarn for a few more Prayer Shawls in my stash.  I just need to decide what color to make next.  What do you think?  Red or Black???

I hope you'll stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Colletta

Saturday at the Shop ~ 12/12/2020

I've been really busy this week adding new items to MY SHOP.  Below are some of my new listings.  Just click on the picture to go to the listing.  I also love to make custom orders!

This is a solid Baby Pink Beautiful Shells Blanket.  It measures 36X36.

I also made a Beautiful Shells Blanket 36X36 in Pale Blue.

Below is a Prayer Shawl in Ombre Pink.

I wanted to make some baby hats to coordinate with some of the blankets I have listed.  This listing is for a set of three in girly colors.

And some boy colors...

This is a super cute Christmas/Valentine hat.  Again, I can make custom orders for different sizes.

I finished off this Granny Square Baby Blanket that measures 30X38.

And some coordinating beanies :)

Right now I'm working on a prayer shawl in Cafe Latte.  I'm hoping to get it finished and featured next week.

I hope you'll stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Colletta