Sugar*Sugar

a work in progress

Before I even begin, I want to thank you all who have left comments on my last post. I was just reading over them, and as I haven't even been able to answer all of you, I want you to know I've read them and really thought about what you've said. While I'm humbled by your generosity with words, I am also moved by some of your comments.

It is heartbreaking to me that so many people have had some "icky" experiences thru blogging. I understand that some of it can be chalked up to pure misunderstanding. Really, when communicating thru email, it doesn't always come across to the other person the way we were thinking it... I'm sure you all get that.

But also, I hate to keep harping on this point, but it needs to be said... I do know that people sort of form a false "security" when relating to others online. They think that they can behave in disrespectful and really unhealthy ways, because there are no immediate or real consequences. People feel safe saying and doing really ugly things to people because they are not saying it face to face, in person. They don't have to be on the receiving end of a hurt and/or angry individual. In short, they do and say things online that they might never do in real life. 

Is it true that a few bad apples can spoil the whole bunch? Ehhh, I don't think so... In my opinion, there are too many good people out there... I think we know better. I think we are stronger than we think we are. Sometimes, you think you are battling something totally alone, only to find out, you are not the only one. 

I think if we could maybe bring ourselves to get really honest, to open up and get real... like so many have... we would find ourselves in an overwhelming support system who could bring us sunshine on our darkest days. All you have to do is start typing... ;0)

I titled today's blog "A Work in Progress" for two reasons. One, I really do have a project that I'm working on that is a work on progress! Pictures below!  and Two, I am a work in progress! Aren't we all? We all have our "stuff", you know? Our hang ups...our issues... our problems. 

This year, I really want to look at my "stuff" and try work thru it an move forward. I have a lot of work to do. This year I hope to share more here on my blog about some of my personal battles. So, I guess things may look a little different around here... at times. Don't let it scare you... I'm still posting pretties and foofing things out! I just feel the need to get a little more real with you, my peeps!

Okay, now to those pictures!! I'm working on a very big, custom project for a sweetie pie of a gal. I am really excited about the progress I've made so far and wanted to show you some of the work I've done.

I'm making a large scrappy journal with all the bells and whistles... here are some peeks from a few different pages. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by my friends! Happy February!

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Analise 

***

Edited to add:

I just wanted to say, that I'm fine... really! I'm not having any issues with any cyber bullies...right now. he he he

I'm only addressing the issues because I want to raise awareness. Yes, I've had some pretty ugly stuff to deal with in the past, but so have many others. I just want to let you know, I'm good! I just like to talk it all out, sometimes that takes time to do. :0)

thanks for clicking

It's been another cold and rainy week. I know that a lot of you are experiencing yukky weather too. For me, the bad weather totally affects my mood and how I'm feeling. It's been raining here in California for a week solid. Our crops need the water, but my mood needs some sunshine! I hate that dreary dull feeling, don't you? I'm so ready for Spring weather!!!!

Okay, enough whining. I've been working on a custom order for a wonderful customer. I can't wait to show you what I'm making for her!! You are going to *LOVE* it! Hopefully next week the sun will come out for me to snap some good photos.

In the meantime, I've been slowly working on a few new goodies for the shop. Like I mentioned, the weather isn't cooperating with my schedule, so photos are hard to come by this week. I'll have more things listed in the next few weeks, so keep checking in.

A couple of new creative supplies...

Candy colored crepe paper ruffles... these are so fun! I use them a lot in my paper crafts and scrapbooks, so I decided to offer them to you as well. You will get the colors shown, made to order and ready to use, just glue into place and embellish.

 

Next, we have some RED Forget Me Nots... new to the Sugar*Sugar Shop. Red has been growing on me lately, so I picked these up for the shop. I'm hoping to use them in some of my own Valentine projects, probably paired with cream and aqua... what do you think??

 

 

I've also made some cute little Red Crepe Paper Rosettes... they come in Gold and Silver, 100% hand crafted by me! Great for cards or embellishing your Valentine crafting. I have these in pink as well, coming to the shop asap.

 

These little Rhinestone Buckle Sliders make me so happy! You've seen them before in a few of my Christmas ornaments, they are a quick and easy embellishment that add a lot of glam and sparkle. They come in round or heart shape.

 

Don't forget the buttons! If you've read my blog for a while, you know I really love buttons! I've collected some buttons in the traditional Valentine colors, red, white and pink to share with you. You can find them HERE.

 

I'll be adding more new items as soon as I get them photographed. All of these goodies are found in a new "Valentine Treats" category in the shop. :0)

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Before I go, I just want to briefly mention something. I've been blog browsing here and there reading up on old friends and seeing a lot of new faces as well. This got me to thinking about my own blog. I want to say a sincere thank you to all of you who stop in to read what I have to say. It really means a lot to me. 

I don't always have great stuff to talk about. I have a lot to say, I just don't always say it because sometimes things are too personal to share here or I think sometimes people don't come here to hear me talk, maybe just to see pictures... whatever the case is, I'm glad you came.

I've had some personal situations that have made me look at my blog in a different way. The purpose of this blog was to share my experiences as I tried my hand at the whole idea of "doing what you love". It's been good so far, really good. I could make a giant list of positives.

I've also had my share of negatives as well. I've been trashed talked behind my back. I've been accused of copying. I've been betrayed. I've had hurt feelings. I've had negative feedback. I've had to ask others to "please take my photo off of your website". I've had people use my ideas. I've received the "thanks, but no thanks" letters from magazine editors.
and the list goes on...

I guess, I just want to say to my readers, that I'm still here. I've survived. In spite of the negatives, the positives have changed my life. People have had my back all along, and listened to me cry about the ugly stuff. They also reminded me that the negative stuff really doesn't matter all that much. You will always encounter people who are hurtful to you... you cannot escape it.

So, I guess we just roll with the punches. You deal with it as it comes. For those of you who are new bloggers...keep at it. Do it for you. Don't worry about how many comments you have on your blog. If you are happy, then keep up the good work.

Google analytics is depressing.... who cares how many hits you got yesterday? Does it matter? Naahhh.

For those of you who are just starting out, selling what you create... keep doing it. Keep creating. Let your work evolve and improve. Don't let numbers intimidate you. If you love it, then do it. If you get negative feedback, then learn from it, consider it and move on. Who cares?

I do this because it is my passion. I love it.  I love it. I love having the opportunity to share my ideas, even if you come for the photos... thank you... that is a HUGE compliment. It makes what I do matter. Even if it's for 40 seconds of your day, it matters to me.

I love doing this.

Thank you for clicking.

♥/Analise

hello again

Hello out there! There is not a lot to chat about today. I've had a lot on my mind this month, sort of just staying back and observing more than I've participated I suppose. I think this is a pattern for me.... Fall is so busy for me, from Sept. to Dec. 25th is non-stop action, full speed, no brakes. On Dec. 26th my brain and body are just fried and can no longer concentrate for any length of time. All that to say, I've needed a break, so I took one! :) Thanks for checking in on me and for returning to my blog!

During my little break, I've been on the search for inspiration. I've pulled out some magazines, browsed thru flickr and etsy and pulled out some of my own supplies. Sometimes I just sit and stare at something until I get an idea. Sometimes no ideas come at all. Sometimes my ideas don't really work out the way I want them to, so I stop and disassemble the entire thing. 

An idea can sometimes take a little longer to get from my head to an actual thing. I keep a journal of ideas, little sketches of projects with notes of what I want to use or a few different variations. Sometimes those projects take me a year to actually try. I guess that's just the way I work!

This week I made a few small Valentine cards, just playing around with some gathered supplies. I used a few different mediums and combined them for one cohesive look.

Here I used some trim, ruffled crepe paper on the edges, decorative paper, a vintage quilt piece cut into a heart shape and blanket stitched. For a finish, I added a little strand of charms... love the result!

 

 

I used the same idea on this card, only I wove a vintage red ribbon around the edges and added a little red button at the top.

 

For the last card, I used a background of vintage ledger paper... I love the listed numbers on it.... sort of says to me "Let me count the ways"...

 

That's all for today... I'll be back tomorrow to show you a few new items in my shop!

Happy Tuesday!

Analise

overdue update

Hi Friends! I am alive! I've been busy resting!

I don't know what I did, but I think I have a pinched nerve or some other crazy muscle problem... If I sit at the computer too long, my back, shoulder and neck start having intense pain. :(

I've been using a heating pad, icy hot, massage, ibuprofen... the works, for 2 weeks and it still hurts.

Sooo, my mom told me, (moms know about these things, you know) that I need to stay off the computer for a few days. Yes, my desk is cute, but not ergonomically correct AT ALL!!! So, I'm going to take a bit longer of a break. :)

For those who are in desperate need of supplies, you can find them in my etsy shop. My website needs a little house cleaning, so I'll need another week to finish that up. If you REALLLY need something that isn't in the etsy shop, just send me an email and I'll get back with you asap.

For now, how about some etsy fun? Here are some of my favorites....

Chat soon friends! Have a great weekend! XO Analise