A few items I have done recently

Here are a few items that I have done. These are my designs. I am trying to do more of my own drawings and not use othere peoples. I want originality.

Autumn is here and I'm freezing!

It's been so long since I have posted anything here. I just have been so busy with life and trying to figure out what I am supposed to do in my business and my personal life. I am still making things and putting them in any shop I can for free. I have a new shop at Bonanzle it's called Deco Decals.
I have also been putting things on Craigslist classified.Nothing as yet from either shop but the holidays are coming so I just need to keep posting items and hope they catch someone's eye that wants to buy them.
I am also tweeting now and not sure if I like it or not. I have bought some soap from xblushie and it is wonderful she is one of my followers and I follow her.Twitter I am told id the way to go. It gets you out there and makes you seen to millions of people. Well,I'm not so sure about that. I know it works for Demi and Ashton but they are also famous anyway and people want to know what they have to say. I am glad it's not all self promotion in their case. Yes I follow them and I have learned a lot of interesting things. They have several charities that I wouldn't have known about unless I were following them.
So.... I have several new things I have made and will add them here.I am trying to come up with my own designs instead of the generic decals I see all over the place. I have done the Family decals in frogs,skulls and hope to do more unique families.
I will try to be more consistent on updating my blog from now one.

It's been a great summer

I can't believe summer is almost over. Here in Oregon the weather has been crazy.One week it's in the 70's then the 100's.We even went down into the 60's for a few days last week.
I have been working on lots of new things. I am really getting into the vinyl deals. I have been on Etsy bidding on custom orders. I have found that I can usually get a couple of orders a week that way. My Artfire shop has been pretty quiet lately. I havent been adding new things either as I have been so busy with the custom orders.I have no orders to work on so I will be filling Artfire with some new things.
I learned how to take one of my line drawings and turn it into a scaleable vector graphic, so, now I can do my own designs and totally custom decals.I love the idea of being able to design my own stuff.I did a hibiscus for a trial run and it turned out great. I put up a picture of it. I am also doing the family decals you see on the rear car windows. I'm not that fond of the stick figures so I love the fact that a family requested a skull family! My Daughter has a frog family. The designs are limitless now.
Along with doing the decorative decals I have done several rear window advertisements. One even went overseas to Scotland for a dog walikng service! That was exciting for me.

Trying to get things done

It's difficult to get things done when you're used to having the house to your self and the men are home sick. I cant get a thing done with them here. If I get up to go to the bathroom,I come back to see one of them is on the computer looking at things to buy that we cant afford. I use my computer for my creating and cant have someone jump on it any time they please. Go be sick in the bed and leave me my work area.
I work in spurts and want the computer available when I have an idea that I need to do immediately.Oh enough whining.
So I have been working on a display for my decals so that I can put them in retail situations. I'm thinking Car washes would be a good place to try first,than maybe parts stores. I have put a picture here of what I have so far.I have been busy making decals and getting them to look as professional as possible.
I have been doing a lot of custom orders form the Etsy Alchemy requests section. I've been doing around 2-3 a week for several weeks so I have been keeping busy. my shop isn't doing all that well. I need someone to enter the items in the shop as I really don't like doing it.LOL Oh well someone has to do it and I guess it's me!
Decals are ready to wet so I must go and get it done!

What a nice lazy weekend

I have been working so hard trying to get my business off the ground that I decided to take a weekend off. I haven't done that in so long. I seem to think that if I work for myself I have to work 24/7 or I'm slacking off.
In the past few weeks I have been a vendor at a car show. Went another car Show and handed out business cards,and told every cashier where I buy my supplies what I do. I have given them cars also after being asked for one.
I'm not really sure how all this blogging,twitting,face booking and such work. It seems to me like it is a lot of work and time taken away from designing and creating......Maybe some day I will have it down.
In my Artfire store I have joined the Rockabilly guild!! I was invited when one of the founders saw my stuff. I am very honored to belong to such an awesome guild. Rock-0A-Billy is a great life style and the clothes and music are fantastic!
The pictures in this post are of some shirts I did for the Rose City Roundup Car Show here in Portland Oregon in June.
If anyone reading this knows how I can get more followers please help a friend out!Also I need help making my blog look way cool!!!!

Wow it's been a while!

I cant believe it's been over 3 months since I have posted anything here.My how time flies....
So much has happened in these few months. Our Daughter got married on April 4th and she and her Husband went to training in Wisconsin so they can be deployed to Iraq one month after the wedding. They were there for 30 days ,went home for 3 and then to Indiana until the second week in July and will be home for 4 days and then to that big sandbox in the east! I dont like this and there is nothing I can do about it but pray!!!
After her wedding my husband flew home and I flew to Tennessee to see my Uncle and his family. Had a wonderful time I celebrated my 50th birthday with them and we went sailing!!! It was awesome .We were on the river 3 days.I was there a week then flew to Oklahoma to see My oldest Daughter and her family! I miss my grand kids so much they are 11,9and 4. Stayed there a week then flew on to Denver to see my Sister ,nephews and Dad. Spent 5 days there and then finally home to Portland. You only turn half a century old once you know!!!
Then in May Wally's oldest Son and his family came for a week.These Grand kids are 3 and 1 1/2 yrs. What at time we had. Cara had never seen the ocean and we got our condo for 2 days. I really think she could have stayed there forever LOL.When they left the house was very quiet hehe.
I had a car show in June here in Portland, The Rose City Rounduop. It was great fun. I had a booth there. Didnt sale even the price of the space but had a great time anyway. Gave out lots of business cards! That's always a good thing.
Business is going well. I sell at least one item a week so I can now justify it to Wally. He is even talking about us getting better equipment for the vinyl!! You have no idea how that makes me feel. I guess like he has faith in me and what I want to do.
Im adding some pictures of the decals I have done recently! So until I return, Later People!!

Oh listen to the silence

It has been a very busy week. My niece and her family drove out from Oklahoma and spent the week with us. On Tuesday we all drove to the Oregon coast and went to the Aquarium they have. It was very cool. The kids really enjoyed touching the sea animals. My four year old great niece wanted to swim with the whales( we didn't see any this trip as I think they were farther out and not hugging the coast). We spent the night at the condo we have a membership( Worldmark by Wyndham) which was awesome. Nothing like the lap of luxury when traveling.We had to many people for the scheduled unit so we were able to get a second one.There was a last minute cancelation which was fine by me. We went swimming in the outdoor heated pool and it was very warm water.When we got out our skin was steaming! It was wonderful. We worked our way up the coast wednesday and got home very late.
Thursday we went and did the Waterfall route and did some hiking and then home for the Ranges to gather there belongings and head back to Oklahoma this morning. My nice had very misty eyes as shye said goodbye. She wants to move here so badly but her husband isnt as sure as she is. We will have to wait and see what happens.
I actually got a little bit of product made while they were here. They wanted Tee shirts so late last night i was making iron ons for them to waer home. Here are pictures of what they wanted. I think my great nieces is my favorite so far.

Creating the day away

I have spent the whole day making decals and putting them in my Artfire store. I am fading out my Esty shop. I have had good sales with Etsy but I feel I need to save money and with the small amount I pay to be on Artfire I cant see doing both. Someday I will have another etsy store but for now I will just let all my listings expire.
Here are some of the decals I made today.I find that deciding which ones to do takes alot of time. Theres so many to choose from. As I sat at my computer today it was snowing and all I could think of was spring so I made sun decals to help it along!!!!
I also made a decal for my front door to let people know which place is ours! I like the look of it. If you would like one visit my shop and I can get it made for you!

What a week!!! I'm exhausted.

Well it's been awhile since I have written anything. I am working two jobs right now and trying to get new orders for my shops. I've been painting a friends house for her as she has no creative ability what so ever!She says she doesn't know what she would do with out me. I am also pretty much redecorating the house with new curtains and such!
My morning job will be ending soon and I cant say I am sorry to see it go. I work for a Quadriplegic man and work 7 days a week. I have no back up and worked 7 months without a day off. I asked if he could find someone to work the weekends so I could have some time to my family and he decided to replace me altogether.That's fine with me. It leaves me more time to work on what I really want to do and I can get unemployment also which will help with the bills. My husband has been very supportive lately and has even had me make decals for his friends at work( of course at no charge) to give them an idea of what we can now do!
I will be going on vacation as of April 1st. My husbands daughter is getting married( I might have mentioned this before...oooops) and then I am flying from Omaha to Nashville to visit my Uncle and his family. They have four sailboats and he is trying to decide if we will drive to the coast( boat on a trailer) and sail to the Florida Keys for a few days or sail up the Tennessee River 100 miles. I'm game for either one although the Keys would be fabulous!!!So needless to say I wont be blogging for a while. After I leave Tennessee I am flying to Oklahoma to my Daughters foar a week and then to Denver for another and final week... Then back home and I am afraid I will need a vacation from my lengthy vacation. I have never been gone this long. I'm usually good for a week then I need home.... This should be interesting. The reason behind all the traveling after the wedding is I am turning 50 and wanted to have a spectacular birthday. I think a few days in the Keys is just the answer.
I have gotten a few jobs making patches for jackets and such from friends of my son. he is a good salesman and proud of his Mom as I am proud of him. He is also very artistic( Tattooist). I have all thje patches screen printed and now just need to satin stitch the edges. I think I will seee what the guy wants. they are iron on so maybe I wont have to add the stitching. He works with youth in danger of joining the skinheads. He mentors them and is trying to help them see that isnt a good life to lead. I'm a sucker for helping youth find the right road to walk on so I wont make much off this deal. I can call it my charity work for the month.
I am adding a picture of a lamp I decorated with vinyl words and fern fronds. It turned out very nhicely I think. It's amazing what you can do with this stuff and a Cricut. I love my Cricut... I'm not sure how I ever thought aI could have a business without one. I am also adding a picture of the Patches I have for this young man and his teens in danger.
Business is going slowly but I guess in this economy I am lucky to be able to continue doing what I love so much....
I'll caht at you all later.. Christina

I'm lovin' this..

I love learning new things. I guess I should say that I love doing things I used to do. This silk screening is a blast. I did my first one last night so I thought I would put a picture up for you all to see and critique.
I am on the phone right now with my Daughter that's getting married in April. We're discussing her Boutique and flowers. I used to own a flower shop so I will be doing all of her flowers.She has given me free reign to do what I want. Even though she says I can do what I want, I want her approval. They will be fresh flowers so I cant do it until I get to South Dakota. I am buying the flowers here in Oregon because they are so much cheaper. Even with the shipping it's still cheaper. $270 for 250 Red roses!!
Ok so here is the shirt I did. I am going to do a limited edition as I only have two screens so cant keep them in a design for to long....

I'm feeling inspired

I'm feeling inspired by so much these days. I have everything I think I need to make a good go at a business. I have already done patches for a car club and now will move on to bigger and bigger things.
I have always been creating something or another and always have a mess of some sort around the house. It's a good thing my husband loves me or I think he might move to a less crafty house.
I just got the Yudo yesterday and have already ruined one emulsion sheet! I told my husband it might be a couple of more before I am through! The instructions arent very clear and the training Video they give you is hokey. Some guy in overalls keeps pestering the girl showing you how to do the process. I just wanted to slap him from this distance. He should not be in there at all. He is of no help. I was in the 7th grade the last time I silk screened anything(Ok so thats around 37 years for those of you trying to figure it out) and I loved it then and I am sure I will love it now! So far I have had to redo the whole process twice. I needed a break so went and had dinner and can now think and see wherer I keep messing things up!
There will be know pictures today as I need to get this figured out so I can sleep tonight. If I dont get it resolved before I try to sleep I'll be lying there fidgeting keeping my husband awake!
Well wish me luck and I'll let you know how it turns out with pictures even!

Finally I feel completed!

You would think that marrying my best friend would complete me. You would think having lived my dream of owning a floating home would complete the dream list( I sold the house on the river in April and got my land legs back)but no. Or even going on a month long vacation for my 50th birthday would do it......
Well let me tell you what has done it( I know finally)......
Not only do I now have a Cricut Expression that I can(due to a new program)use any font or wingding found on the internet I also just today got the brand new YUDU screen print set up!!!!
I am going to be so busy I cant wait. I go to see a demonstration Saturday afternoon and am so excited. I have already come up with my first original design of the year. This is from my own little head..Not a stencil or copy. I hope you all will love it. I saw this in my sleep and had to draw it. When GOD speaks to me I have to listen.......
I am including some pictures of decals I have done with the Cricut Expression. These are for your car,mirror,notebooks or what ever your heart desires to put them on!!!!

It's Wednesday and I am waiting patiently for Paypal to accept a deposit I did last week so that I can buy my new program!
They say it takes 3-5 business days and today is the expected date of deposit according to their info. After I am able to DL this software I will be creating in a frenzy!
There is a Car show here in Portland on June 21st 2009 at the Jubitz Truck Center off of I-5. It was a great success last year and we are expecting around 200 cars this year!
There will be vendors( I am one of those) selling vintage clothing,car stuff, T shirts ,memorabilia and such ! It's a great time. Also there will be several bands. Pep Torez is the headliner this year and if you have ever seen him you will know this kids ROCKS!!!! Rock_A-Billy music is the best.
The show is called Rose City Roundup and is put on by the Driven Dead Car Club. They are a great group of people and the proceeds after expenses go to a charity. I'm not sure which one the have chosen this year.
If you have a event you want me to talk about just get a hold of me and I will put it here in my blog!

Another day to realize I need help

So, I have decided that I need help in getting myself to the gym. My wallet is getting more of a work out then I am. I need someone to call me everyday with lots of enthusiasm and say"Let's go to the gym"
I know I need to lose weight for my health( I have diabetes) and just for the sake of wearing those cute clothes I see all the time on Esty and Artfire.
When I was a kid I used to play with my Grandmother's sagging arm flesh. I thought it was great fun to watch it swing back and forth. She was so good about it. I don't remember her ever telling me to stop. If one of my Grand kids ever try that an me I'll lose it! LOL My Grandmother died at 58 yrs and I am turning 50. When I look at her in pictures when she was this age I just cant believe how old she lookied. I realize my life has been so much easier and less stressful. I feel like I am in my twenties most of the time. I have always been told I look great for my age!

So moving on to other things.

Here are some of my items from my shops at Esty and Artfire... I love creating things!!!

So this is blogging?

I have read blogs since they started years ago but I never thought I would become"a blogger"
I have two web based stores one on etsy and one on artfire( address to follow later).
Everything I read tells me that blogging is a great way to get your business out there and seen.
So I ask that you bear with me and if you have any suggestions to help me figure out what I am doing here feel free to comment!

So with that all said let me tell you a little( ok a lot) about myself and what I do.
First of all I am a Mother to 2 grown kids. My Daughter is going to be 31 and is a Nurse.She has three of the best kids in the world who call me "Grammy".
My Son is 29 and lives with my 3rd husband and I. He is a welder by trade but cant find a permanent job. He is also a Tattoo Artist and does amazing work. His style is traditional reminiscent of Sailor Jerry.
My Husband is a welder and makes ocean going barges for a large company here in Portland Oregon. He is my 3rd and last husband. Girls 3rd time is a charm. We were together 10 yrs before we finally got married( it was him not me that wasnt sure LOL)
I have 3 step kids who now that they are adults are wonderful( all you step moms know what I mean) They are 24,22,20 yrs old. The 22 yr old is married and has 2 great kids. The 24 yrold is a girl and she is getting married April 4th of this year. Her Honeymoon will be spent with her new husband in the sandy Iraq Desert! They are being deployed in May. They will get to stay together as they are in the same company in the Army Reserves.
As far as my business is concerned I make hand painted clothing using new and recycled clothing.I also design and paint circle skirts with scenes on them. I have started cutting vinyl for walls,decorating lamp shades and such. I can also make banners for your booth at craft fairs and such. I just finished an order for http://evilmommy.artfie.com. Check it out on my site
http://ChristinaKoisnkiDesigns.artfire.com
Well I guess that will be all for now. This was easier then I thought! Thanks