Let's break it down...

Hi there again ladies -

All three of us have been in the same water sogged boat....er, or should I say dingy???.......when it comes to reaching the end of a new project when *WHAM*...we notice it.....a mistake. Not just any mistake mind you. Uh-uh, I'm speaking of the mistakes that require us to break down the entire project back to itty-bitty square one. "HUMPH!" *sob*

When you first notice it you try to hold it at different angles and say out loud in your empty workshop, "No one will notice. If I hold it at this angle, you can't even tell."

BUT...you know it is there. Watching you. Making fun of you. Daring you to let it go...let it exist. Noooooooo! *ran screaming from the room*

Nah, just take it apart as that mistake will drive you to the edge of sanity if you care about your creations. Doesn't matter what you're doing either; knitting, jewelry, cross stitch, candles, etc. If you plan to give it away or sell it...you can't let a mistake out the door. Not only does it signal that you take pride in your creations, but it also speaks volumes for quality. Something each and every customer remembers and continues to look for.

What spurred this letter? *cringing with one eye closed* A silly little anklet. Yep. I missed one little rassin-frassin bead in the pattern (near the start of the strand by the way) and I gotta tell ya...it wasn't noticeable. But I couldn't let it go. Plus, if I noticed it then there's a 99.9999% chance that someone else will too. Know what I mean?

Bye for now!

~LeeAnn

beyond the pale...pumpkins

Hi Colleen and Jenn!

So you really want to publicize some of my letters to ya', eh? I'll try not to pull the typical "LeeAnn took it and sprinted over that line......still going....going....". Well, this is all about crafting and creating so how how wild could it possibly get, right? Yup, that's the sound of my evil chuckling you hear.........

A candle maker, a soap maker and a jewelry designer. Only two of the three knit because I'm simply not patient enough. I'll do a hundred count of seed beads every hour before I can sit and knit. I do, however, want to make a few hand towels and I'll need some....er....[in]spiration to do so. (smacking forehead at own corniness)

I'll also need some 'guest appearance' time in your shop, Coll, as I'm dying to make an orange peel candle (my first, and probably last, candle ever!). Speaking of orange....(cough)....remember the first pumpkin jars you made way back when in the kitchen of my old townhouse? On the gas stove? I think we were two Yellow Tail bottles into the night when you decided that "the color wasn't working out". Yes, the orange was a little pale but good grief, you had put almost half of the color block into the molten gel....that was sitting on an open flame gas stove. Is that dangerous? ;) Anyhow, I still have that candle and look forward to another night of pumpkin jars this Halloween!!!

Listen girls, I'm psyched about this blog and am looking forward to sharing workshop stories and pics of our creations.

~LeeAnn M.

[IN]SPIRATION

Dear Lee Ann & Jenn,

So excited!!! This is my first (ever) blog post. Have been brainstorming for quite a while about starting a blog to share some crafty ideas, patterns, projects, shopping and links... finally figured what better way to do it than to share it with two of my best friends :)

You both have enriched my life with not only your friendship, support & encouragement but also your inspirational ideas, candid advice and enthusiasm. The creative juices always seem to flow more freely when we get together...I figure that this blog could be an virtual way to bridge the miles between us and keep those craft nights going...I'll bring the wine!



Love,
Colleen