8 weeks to go

So in April Ron and I made created a challenge for ourselves to lose 50lbs each by our birthdays in September. Whichever of us beats the challenge can name the birthday gift that the other person has to buy for them up to $400. The idea was that hopefully we'll both win and so just get to blow a lot of money on each other and feel happy. If just one of us wins, that would really suck because then one person gets a really fancy bday gift and the other gets something very small and inexpensive.

Needless to say, I realized yesterday that I only have 8 more weeks to go and still have 18lbs left to lose. That averages to 2.25lbs a week which is a lot. I'm a little nervous - especially because the gym is closed next week. I think that I'll probably have to work out every day to make this happen because god knows, I'm not going to stop eating.

Pot-head Mania - ALERT SPOILERS!

Well, I've spent the past 5 weeks rereading books 1-6 of the Harry Potter series and now I'm feeling a bit bereft and unsure of what to head to next while I await the release of book 7 in just over two weeks. For years I was told by friends whose reading tastes I generally admire that I would like the series, but I held off reading them thinking that there was no way they could live up the hype. I got suckered into the stories because Ron listened to them on audiobook while working in the studio. Since then, I have to admit, that I'm a bit of a Potter-head.

Anyhow, after this past read-through I've adjusted my opinion of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I'm not quite as disappointed with that particular book as I was in the first reading with two exceptions...there was way too little description of Harry and Ginny's relationship and Dumbledore's funeral was lacking in pomp in my opinion. But I'm hoping that more will be divulged about both in the final book.

My predictions (which could be revised at any point until Book 7 is released):
1. Snape is truly bad and did maliciously kill Dumbledore.
2. Dumbledore is really dead, but will continue to have a presence through his portrait in the headmaster's office.
3. The two main characters that die will be Harry and Voldemort - they will kill each other after Harry has managed to destroy all of the remaining Horcruxes (or after he finds them already destroyed by the mysterious R.A.B.)
4. Harry and Ginny will get back together before the end.
5. Ron and Hermione will end up together.
6. Neville will become even more heroic and will have a larger role.

Mutation Craft Fair to happen in November

Last week I got myself involved in planning the 2007 Mutation Craft Fair in Savannah. I'm excited as it will help keep me motivated in my own creative ventures but also because it means that there will be an opportunity for me to sell my wares and make some extra cash right before Christmas. I'm interested to see all of the work and planning that goes into making this happen. Luckily, we're working with Megan who has been involved in planning these fairs for the past 5 years here.

Dates will be November 17-18, but the location is still to be determined. Keep checking the Mutation website for updated information including the new vendor application forms.

Secondary Blog

Just in case people are interested in what I do in my day job, feel free to check out the blog of my alter-ego, Page Turner.

Penguins!

Aren't these guys just darling? They are my third and fourth penguins that I've made. I initially got the request from my boss to make a penguin and when I brought it in to show him, he bought it on the spot for his granddaughter. Then I made my second one and before I could even list it on etsy, friends bought him for their nephew's birthday. And so here are the next ones up. I worked on them on Monday when I was at home on the couch sick.

Quick catch-up on life: Atlanta and back on Saturday for the Atl Tattoo Convention and Ikea; Sunday hit up a sale at Joanne's for more felt and then home feeling sick. Monday at home with a sore throat, but enjoying the fact that at least we have cable again. Thought that I was getting better but home again this afternoon with an even worse sore throat and wheezing. I'm hopeful that it's just a chest cold and not bronchitis. At least it's a lovely rainy day to be inside and on the couch.

Now for Sale Online!

The stuffed animals are now up for sale on etsy.com.

www.katydidcrafts.etsy.com

Blue Bunny has already gone! In less than 14 hours since he was listed. I'm quite happy about that. The next challenge is going to be making sure that I'm consistently making new little guys to put online.

And I'm finally sending out three stuffed animals to my pal Lauren who requested them a couple of months ago. Since her twins are due in just weeks, I'm sneaking them in just in time! I'll put up pictures of them once she receives them just so that more samples are on view.

Swallows

Finally worked out the kinks for a new pattern for some swallows. The plan is to figure out how to construct a mobile to hang them from. And then to sell the suckers.