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Watership Down by Richard Adams




I really struggled with this book at first. But it was highly recommended by my brother and aunt so I pushed through it. I really didn't start enjoying it till about half way through.

I loved Fiver, a rabbit with premonitions. Hazel, the chief rabbit seemed to guide that story. But without BIgwig, a tough rabbit, the story would of never went anywhere. I don't think that Richard Adams had that in mind, but thats how it went. And it results in some dull chapters where Bigwig is unheard from.

I would say if you need an easy read without wanting to invest a lot of time or emotion into a book. Read this one.



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I missed a week in posting.  I know and I'm sorry.  But I return again with gifts!  I want to tell you about all the sales going on Thanksgiving weekend!!!

+Bluff Sleeve BOGO - Coupon Code: BluffBOGO2011
+Hazelwood Messengers $20 OFF - Discount already applied
+Select Shadyside Sleeve 50% Off - Discount already applied

These sales will begin Thursday Night, the 22nd @11pm and will end Monday Night, the 26th @ 11pm.  These discounts can not be applied to custom orders.  Sorry!  But the BOGO is perfect to get a sleeve for you and a friend!

Also, check out the Letter Kay Blog.  She's just started this fashion blog and I'm one of her new sponsors!  I'm excited to be apart of it.  And I learned we both Poison Ivy once for Halloween.  We both got the same response from people... no one new who we were.  Hahaha.

Check back later this week for some other posts, and maybe, just maybe a new collection preview.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book. It's a pretty easy read but very thought provoking. The writing style of this book was a little difficult at first. After the first few chapters, it just adds to the story.



In this story, you are thoroughly inside the main characters head. She tell you exactly what she's thinking, every day dream, every memory, every detail of her current and past life. You build a connection with her and by the end of the book I was sorry it was over. I wish this story had a second book so much!



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Monday, Monday, Monday.  Today did not feel like a Monday to me.  I worked this weekend so I guess I feel like I'm just in one extra long week.  Just so everyone knows the Handmade Arcade is this weekend, the 12th to be exact.  I'll be there in the evening working at the Etsy booth.  Steel Town Etsy is also doing a raffle with tons of great stuff, including some of my own creations.  Come by and visit and see the awesome handmade wares as the show!

      Hello, November!  This past week was exciting in my family as we welcome my sister's newborn, Aiden Ryan.  I'm an aunt for the second time, now.  So, I have a niece and a nephew and can't wait to spoil them both rotten.  I'm already searching for a nice Harry Potter themed Chirstmas gift for Aiden and have planned to make a Olivia themed gift for Sydney, my niece.  I probably won't get to see Aiden till Thanksgiving but my sister has been texting me pictures and my mother posts pictures of him on Facebook pretty often (after a slow start and family reprimands).
      I also finally tied down a new job this week.  Finally.  I can't say that I'm super excited about it but will bring in a much needed cash flow.  So, I'm pretty thankful for that.  My balancing skill will be surely tested as the holiday shopping season begins for Erika Elyn Creations and working 40 hours a week outside that. We'll see how it goes.
      But enough about that.  This week featured items are select Shadyside Satchels.  They're 50% off this week only or until supplies last.  These are one of my most popular items so get them quick, if your interested.  I don't anticipate them being stock very long.

Erika Elyn Creations is the shop of the day over at papernstitch.  Check out this curated site and blog!  It's one of my favorites for handmade items.

Rain, Rain go away.  It will not stop raining here in Pittsburgh.  I feel like we had 1 nice day in the past 2 weeks.  Though, it is like this every fall.  You'd think I'd get used to it by now.
Anyways, what's on the schedule this week for Erika Elyn Creations?  Well, if I can get a sunny day, I'm going to take some pictures of more Lawrenceville Petite Purses & Bluff Totes.  Then get them posted.  I'm in the mist of designing some new business cards and hanging tags for when COMMAbyEEC makes it's official split from Erika Elyn Creations.  And I ordered a bunch of interlining last week so when that comes in I'll be making some more Bluff Totes, Lawrenceville Petite Purses and work some on the new collection.
And for this week the featured item will be...(drum roll please)... select Hazelwood Sleeves!  They'll be 50% off this week only or until supplies last!  Check it out!

Found this video via pinterest.  At first, I thought it was neat.  Then I started thinking about it.  Does Major League Baseball really buy mud???  You've got to be kidding me.  I'm sure the cost is minimal, but really???

Mewithoutyou.  Still one of my favorite bands.  Oh yes.

Erika Elyn Creations is currently the featured artist over at Cosa Verde.  YAY!  Check it out!

http://cosaverde.com/

      Every week that I write my Monday post, I'm amazed how time is flying.  Amazed.  I WILL get the Lawrenceville Petite Purses posted this week.  I love them a lot.  I'm so proud of them and I don't want to give them up.  But... I will.  Look for them towards the end of the week.
      Also, after much deliberation, I've decided to redesign somewhat the Hazelwood, Oakland, and Shadyside Collections.  Upgrade in materials used, mostly, and slight change in design for several items.  But above all, they will move into a new shop, COMMAbyEEC.  Ascetically, these collections differ than the other collections I offer and I feel it is best to separate the two.  I feel it will help market all items better, and make it easier for people to find what they are looking for in these shops.  The "official" separation of Erika Elyn Creations & COMMAbyEEC won't happen till next year.  I wanted to give you guys a heads up on it and also let this be a segue to this week's featured item........
      I have some old inventory I've got to move, now.  So from now till the end of the year, the aforementioned collections will be HALF OFF!!!!!!  Not all at once,  and the items on sale will vary from week to week.  This is only while supplies last.  This week the Oakland Messenger is half off!!!!!  This bag was $38, now it's only $19!   This week only!

This is a friend of friends and interestingly enough, my old college enrollment counselor.  He's obviously doing other things these days.  I thought I'd give a shout out for him...

farewellhello.com
thefiddleback.com-An_Interview_with_The_Kernal

      October, October.  This week means getting everything together for the Appomattox Railroad Festival that's this weekend.  I need to finish some hanging tag designs, get them printed.  Tag all my items.  Get my signage together.  And assemble some lovely coat racks I'm going to use to display my bags.  I definitely did not get all the stuff made I wanted.  But I have enough to bring with me so I'm satisfied.  Oh, and I need to get some pictures shot of my new Bluff Totes and start posting them.
       Is it lame if I keep the featured item the same as last week?  I think I'm going to do that.  And keep a look out for the Lawrenceville Petite Purse.  It'll arrive in my shop after the festival.
       I have a lot debuting in my shop in the months prior to the holidays so keep a eye out for them. The Lawrenceville Petite Purse, the Bluff Tote (only available October-Janurary), and I'll finally get some Hazelwood Clutches posted.  It is a busy season, after all.

I did a post for the Steel Town Etsy Blog on accepting gift certificates.  So if you want to know the ins & outs of that for your Etsy Shop this holiday season, check out the post.  It's a little lengthy but informative.

Yep, that's right.  Erika Elyn Creations is setting up shop at Cosa Verde.  Cosa Verde is a great site which features great eco-friendly, handmade items direct from independent artists.  You'll find most of my repurposed items displayed over at there.  Please take a look at my shop, as well as the other artists featured there.  I'm quite excited about being accepted to display my items with Cosa Verde.  I hope this will help expand my use of repurposed material, too!

Hello, hello, hello.  The Lawrenceville Petite Purse will make it's debut here shortly.  I made a prototype and I'm actually pretty happy with the way it turned out.  It's super cute, I have to say.  I'll make a few more and post them probably this week or next.  As with the Lawrenceville sleeves, they are made from scraps so nothing goes to waste.  Some will have embroidery and others applique.  Here's a few pictures and check in over at my shop to see their arrival.

September is almost over!  What?!?  It's true.  I find out if I'm accepted to the Handmade Arcade on Friday.  But I've decided if I'm not, the funds I've allotted for the booth fee are going to some advertising for this holiday season.  So really, it's a win win.
But anyways,  to this weeks featured item.  It'll be the Lawrenceville Sleeve!  Look for this collection to be expanded in the near future, too!  Here's a coupon code worth 10% off any Lawrenceville Sleeve...  LVSLV9262011

New Collection Preview!!  I made some ereader sleeves.  I'm still tinkering with the measurements but here are a few that I've made.  They have a main pocket for the ereader then a back pocket for any extra's you may have, like a power cord or maybe some little notes.  All closures are done with a zipper.  They are also lightly padded to protect your gadget and this way they aren't bulky either.  Centered in the front is a fun and beautiful fabric burst stitched in a spiral to give texture to the sleeves.  Here are some (too dark, sorry) pictures!!!

I did my September Team HIP Treasury.  Take a look!

This is my first recipe post!  The first thing you should know is that I am no cook.  I'm just a 24 year old looking for some good food.  And story begins like this...  Digging through my mother's pantry one day I found a box of Rooibos.  If you don't know what this is, it's only the best tea ever.  I once was strictly a earl grey girl, but then in college I had these two friends, they we're brothers, who would often make me Rooibos and scones.  I was hooked.  So when I found this box of tea, I just had to bake scones.


CINNAMON CHIP SCONES: 
12 Servings
25 min Prep Time
10 min Bake Time


Ingredients>
+3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
+1/3 Sugar
+3 Tablespoon Sugar
+2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
+1/2 baking soda
+1/2 teaspoon salt
+3/4 butter
+1 cup buttermilk
+1 1/3 cup cinnamon chips
+2 tablespoon butter melted


Directions>>
+Preheat over at 425 degrees
+In a large bowl, combine flour , 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Cube butter, and add to mixture.  (I let the butter soften a tad before adding).  Stir in buttermilk just until moist.  Then add cinnamon chip.  (I wrote 1 1/3 cups, but add as little or as much as you like).

      What's on tap this week?  More work for the Appomattox Railroad Festival.  I'm making pouches, Kindle/Nook/iPad cases.  Oh, and Tote Bags!!!  These tote bags will make an appearance in my shop, too.  They'll be part of the Bluff Collection and will be available from October-January.
      You probably want to know the featured item for this week???  It's the Oakland Sleeve.  I designed this sleeve to the perfect minimal, but also functional accessory.  I use a Bluff Sleeve for my personal computer, but I'm thinking about switching over to the Oakland Sleeve.  20% off any Oakland Sleeve, this week only!  Use coupon code OAKSLV9192011.
      I also want to do a new collection preview this week, as well as my first recipe post!  So keep checking back!

     I'm just ending my first year of Erika Elyn Creations.  Half of that year I was juggling school, work, and sewing.  As soon as I finished school in Tennessee I packed my bags for Pittsburgh.  I image myself down the road with a little shop in Oakland where students bustled in and out.  I never thought I could live off the money from Erika Elyn Creations in its first year or so.  The money I have/do make goes right back into it to help it grow to the point that one day I will be able to live off of it.  So in the mean time, I've been searching for a job to help me pay my bills and hoping to make a little extra to put into Erika Elyn Creations, too.  
     I started that search in February.  It's September now... still no luck.  I've got turn down from soooo many jobs and a good majority I've been over qualified for.  I was lucky enough to be able to work during school and smart enough to save some money to live off of while I search for a new job in Pittsburgh.  I got turned down today for yet another job I consider myself over-qualified for.  And Mint.com keeps sending me emails about how my account is low.  Trust me... I KNOW.  Is finding a job this hard for everyone?  I thought a college diploma was supposed to help get me a job.  Only thing it's done for me thus far is put me in debt.  I really don't like that.
     So, I've spent most of the day searching job ads.  And spending hours answering questionnaires that are made up of the same 10 questions rephrased 50 different ways.  BORING. and ANNOYING.  If I'm lucky they'll send me an email thanking me for submitting my resume.
     This is what I want to tell the recruiters I talk to...

      This is going to be the first of many "Oh! That would go good with..." posts. I'll raid my closet and mix and match outfits to go with Erika Elyn Creations accessories.
      Check out this weeks match! I'm not a big fan of denim skirts. But I found this skirt at Goodwill a while back and thought I could make it work. It was long so I cut it to my desired length and hemmed it.  The sides needed some shaping, too.  The leggings I purchase white then I dyed to this shade of green. I actually dyed them for a Halloween costume a year ago. I was Poison Ivy, you know, the Batman Villain. The plaid shirt is from Target. I can't go into that place without coming out with something. Shame on my American consumerism habits. The bag, of course, is my Oakland Messenger. This is my day to day bag so I carry an off white one and it goes with almost everything. And goes especially well with this get up.

The winner of the Union Giveaway 2011 is Brooke Sledge!!!  Thanks for participating Brooke!  Congratulations!

Halfway through September already!  Whaaaat?!?!?!  This week I'll be perfecting the patterns for the new collection.  Though... this is the part in the design process that I loose sleep over.  I go back and forth over 1/4 an inch sometimes.  4 1/2 or 4 3/4??  I'll sell a dozen of them before I'm content with the decision I made.  Hahaha.
Anyways, this being Monday, we need a featured item!!  Last week I posted some new upcycled/repurposed sleeves.  So, this week the featured item will be the Bluff Sleeve-Polka Dots and Repurposed Denim.  I really would like to work more with repurposed materials.  Sometimes I feel guilty with my stacks and stacks of new fabric.  But a new goodwill is opening up near by and I'm hoping to frequent there.  Here's some pictures of the new sleeves with repurposed  materials and read more about them over at my Shop  I hope you like!

I ordered a lot of zippers and they have arrived!!  Now, I can really get to work on this new collection.  I have one month till the Appomattox Railroad Festival to start selling theses suckers.  It'll be the new collection's "soft open."  And if I make it into the Handmade Arcade for the Holidays (fingers crossed),  I'll be selling them there, too.  I haven't decided if I'll be participating in the I Made It Market's I Made it for the Holidays.  I only have 9 more days to decide before applications are due.  I've never been there before and I think I might just want to go as a shopper this year, just to check things out and get some christmas shopping done!

        Well, it was probably 5:30pm before a managed to get out of bed today thanks to something we like to call a migraine. Thankfully, I'm all caught up on orders so I was able to sleep until I was feeling a bit better. I'm still a bit fuzzy though. I went into the bathroom and hit the light switch about half a dozen times wondering why the light wasn't going on. It wasn't going on because I was hitting the switch to the fan not the light. Maybe, I'll just work on my September Team HIP Treasury tonight and not tackle any sewing. Best to avoid any silly mistakes.... again. ;)
        You may have also noticed I have a new Blog Layout/Design. I wasn't to fond of the old one and I'm not 100% enamored with this design but I think it'll due until I find something I like a bit better. I also changed up my shop banner and it now features my Shadyside Backpack. I just really love that backpack. Hahaha.
        In other exciting news, the Shadyside Backpack has been blogged! And not by me! Find the post over at Maddy Anne Designs. Her shopping for pretend posts are really fun. I love the jacket she chose and the colors all look great together. A great blog all together, really.
        I know I wanted to say a few more things, but I really just can't think of them right now. Keep checking back here. I should have a new collection preview soon, and don't forget to vote for the name of it!

The featured item for the week of 9/5 is the new Shadyside Satchel in Two Tone!!  It's a You Pick item so you can customize the color to be what you want.  Pick the colors that go with your favorite outfit!
Check it out over at my Etsy Shop.

Ode to the Beautiful Annie Clark...


Now, Now by st. vincent