Craftsy's Big Fall Course Sale

It's that time again! The time for hot cocoa, crisp and cool mornings, walks along paths littered with colored leaves, and knitting. If you're lucky enough to live in one of the cooler climates, you can knit by the fireside or bundled up in a blanket. Or maybe you like to sew, decorate cakes, crochet, and a variety of other crafts to keep you occupied on those chilly fall and winter days. If not, but you've always thought you might like to learn, now is the time!

Craftsy's BIG Fall Course Sale! (sponsored post) Have you heard Craftsy's BIG Fall Course Sale is happening now? Learn from the world's best instructors in the comfort of your home, when you shop up to 50% off ALL online classes! Once you enroll you can watch your classes anytime, anywhere, forever. Hurry, offer expires September 22, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop Craftsy's BIG Fall Course Sale and save.

You can never go wrong with a Craftsy class. Great for watching on those days you just want to be creative, or any time you feel the need for more crafting. Get inspired! 

Big Changes, Knitting Shawls, a Craftsy Sale, and Art, of Course

Good day to you all! There have been some major changes in my life as of late. First of all, I'll be closing down my t-shirt quilts for a while. I'm just tired of peanut butter sandwiches and want to explore some more exotic tastes. An eclectic person like me finds it somewhat difficult to continually pursue the same thing day after day. The joy is gone, so now I must move one.

With that comes the pursuit of something new! And I'm very excited about it. I decided it was time for me to go back to work. So after a few weeks of filling out applications and taking those repetitive employment tests, I found a great job through a Facebook contact of mine. It is working with students at our local art center after school. It's only part time and minimum wage, but I love it! The kids are great and I get to be in a teaching position at least in some aspect. I also get off all of the school holidays and the summer. Unless, of course, I can find something else to do there during that time...

On top of that, I'm also assisting with our Charter School's drama class. I also work with students there in an extracurricular session and the teacher has some really cool things planned. I don't get paid for that one, but the benefits are amazing.

A possibility also exists - pending approval from the governing board - for me to teach a knitting class on the last 3 Saturdays of the month at our library. I really love being involved in the community and some of the main social centers of our little town. Being an avid book lover, working at the library and teaching knitting is awesome. Can you tell I'm geeking out a little?

So with the possibility of teaching a knitting class, I decided it was time to step up MY knitting prowess and take another Craftsy course. After learning how to spindle From Fluff to Stuff this past year and working on Stupendous Stitching as an addendum to art quilts, I decided to head back over to Craftsy and take a course on Lace Shawl Design. I have been designing some hanging plant baskets lately and publishing patterns for them. Lace shawls (really lace in general) always intrigue and fascinate me though. So I thought this would be a good direction to take my newest pursuits and continue to produce some patterns!

Right now, Craftsy is having their Dog Days of Summer Sale and ALL CLASSES are up to 50% off until August 11, 2014. I just bought the Lace Shawl Design class for $14.99. It is normally $49.99 - so that's more than a 50% savings. If you've been itching to take a new class or explore deeper into a craft you already know, now is the time to do it!

So here is the announcement:

August Big Course Sale at Craftsy: Save 50%! (sponsored post) Don't miss Craftsy's Dog Days of Summer Sale happening now! Enjoy up to 50% off ALL online classes! Take advantage of big savings today. Hurry, offer expires August 11, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop now and save! And I hope you take advantage of it. There is nothing like learning a new skill or improving on one you already have. I wouldn't recommend it if I didn't take advantage of it myself!  Here's to you, my friends. May you be ever artful and happy in life.  I am a paid affiliate for Craftsy.com and clicking on any banners or links in this blog post will take you to the Craftsy site. The affiliate commissions add no extra charge to you whatsoever. I will never recommend a site or a sale that I have not first tried and am happy with. Thanks!

Countdown to Christmas

Hmm...So what do you all think about the new Blogger homepage? I tried opening it in my Google Chrome and all I could see was the title bar. Not a lot of help there, Google! And the fact that it doesn't open in your own browser is not a real confidence booster.

Anywho...I don't have a whole lot to say. My Bead~N~Knot studio is having a sale - 15% off everything - until July 15. It's my mid-summer sale, so enjoy it while it lasts! And did you know that there is now only 167 days left until Christmas? I'm sure you'll find something in my shop to tickle your fancy. If not, let me know what I can make for you! I'm adding a Christmas Countdown to my blog. Yes, it will be here soon. No, I'm not pushing the issue. But with 5 kids and a very extensive family I like to get a head start and little items for all.

I love Christmas. I like the smells, sights, sounds, weather, baking, and most importantly the meaning behind the entire holiday. It's funny to me that the most significant Christian holiday is also the most celebrated by all people, both Christian and non. What does that say about the impact of Christianity? I think that if you're going to celebrate it you should celebrate for the right reasons - and know what you're celebrating. Do people in Britain celebrate the American Fourth of July? How about Hanukkah? How many non-Jewish people celebrate that? Yet, everyone wants to celebrate Christmas - then complain when we use our Christian symbolism and words during the holiday! I don't wish people a Merry Christmas unless I KNOW they are Christians. Why would I? It would be like wishing someone in a foreign country Happy Thanksgiving. It's a Christian holiday, folks, and should remain that way.

I'll be bringing some crafts that I find, sales, and beautiful things your way over the next 167 days. Hope you enjoy them!

Homeschool Books for Sale

Hello. We have recently placed all but one of our children in public school due to unfortunate circumstances. We are selling out our stock of homeschool books on Amazon. They are very reasonable, most in excellent or like-new condition, and immediately available. Check out my storefront @ http://www.amazon.com/shops/A3PYJA6KCKYO22
Most are older A Beka books and BJU Press books.

• I have all of the 1st grade and 4th grade teacher editions, charts, manipulatives, etc from BJU press available as an entire package. Sorry - no unused workbooks. These would originally cost $351.50 for all of the first grade teacher materials and $389.50 for the 4th grade books. I am asking $200 for each set. They are less than 3 years old and stored flat with very little wear or markings.
• I also have double student books for the 1st grade set (retail $284.50 including workbooks) that I am selling for $50 for the set. This includes reading books A-F, Heritage 1 student text, Science 1 Student Text. No workbooks are included.
• I have a single set of the Grade 4 Heritage studies student text, English, reading, math, and science texts. I am asking $75 for all of these.
• Because all of these will be listed on Amazon over the next few days, you will need to act quickly to avoid the breakup of the set.

Leave a comment and contact info to inquire about the sets and arrange shipping. Thanks.