I Did It!

I opened my Etsy store.

Much respect to Etsy shop owners around the world. Making this happen took a lot of work.

Pretty little crocheted slippers
w/fabric flower and binding

Two weeks of non-stop crocheting and sewing.

Pretty in pink apron

My apartment has been a mess. Fabric, yarn, and straight pins all over the floor.

Cottage country style

I had to do a lot of improvising because the patterns were so hard to read and at certain points w-r-o-n-g.

Ruffles anyone?

Of course, it all took longer than I expected.

Double-sided for cooking or crafting

I haven't even made a dent in my list of items I want to make for the store. I'll just wait and see how I do before starting any new projects.

No housewives to distract me. My background noise consisted of HBO's OZ, seasons 3 & 4.

Dang this show is GOOD.

Visit my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/jnorma

Thanks for the support. ♥

It's All About...

...Ruffles!


Still sewing, crocheting, and creating items for my upcoming Etsy store.


My sabbatical from VirtueRadioNetwork.com is almost over.

Christian Bale WON! the Oscar for The Fighter.


Life is good.

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Get Ready! Get Ready!

Get- get- get ready!


Told ya I was going to do it. ♥

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What I'm Reading

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Sweet Sabbatical

Sunset in Redondo Beach, CA
photo by Jurgen Keil

I'm taking a mini-break from VirtueRadioNetwork.com. No update for February.

I may even miss March.

Gotta get my creativity, passion, focus, and positive outlook back.

I'm doing a media fast as well.

The Internet can be so overwhelming for someone like me.

A competitor.

I see things I want to do, or tried to do being done. Ideas I have shared stolen. A-holes.

It can wear even the "strongest" down.

So, I'm stepping away - for a short while.

I'm going to walk on the beach every day instead of my usual 3.

I'm going to master SEO (search engine optimization) and build VRN's "keyword universe."

I'm going to pursue and/or follow-up on some strategic content partnership deals.

I'm going to sew, crochet, scrapbook, and learn to knit.

I'm going to be kind to myself.

I'm going to back away from the computer, leave the house, and have face-to-face meetups.

I guess I'll take a Photoshop class.

I'm going to blog, tweet, update. Maybe even do a few videos - featuring ME?! (That's a BIG "maybe.")

Pay some bills.

Open an Etsy store.

Work on my blog's design.

Sit on my balcony and watch the sun set over the waves.

And then, I'll be BACK!

Come out swinging. Go hard & do it big.

Watch me.

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Can You Guess...

...how many buttons are in the jar?

I couldn't. But I wished I could because I really wanted to WIN!

CHA 2011 - Woo-hoo!!

Picked up my badge and some swag on Friday.

Pretty things from Sizzix and Bo Bunny

Then met up with Karin Aguirre on Saturday to film CROPPED!'s 2011 CHA Daily Video Diary. Karin did an awesome job (her first year doing the diary for VRN). Plus, everyone was a good sport.

Watch the videos at www.virtueradionetwork.com/Cropped.htm

The videos serve three purposes: (1) to introduce our audience of scrapbookers and papercrafters to some of their favorite designers and craft celebrities; (2) to offer a sneak peak at upcoming products and trends; and (3) to allow us the opportunity to network with companies, designers, et. al.

Producing these videos is a lot of fun (and work!). We get a lot of great feedback, so we must be doing something right.

This year, CHA decided to switch things up a bit by moving the show from Anaheim to downtown Los Angeles. They also changed the name from "Winter Convention & Trade Show" to "Winter Conference & Trade Show." The emphasis was on networking and education, which makes excellent sense considering the fact that we are all invested in the multi-billion dollar crafts & hobby industry and want to see it thrive.

CHA did a great job of providing interesting business seminars, social events, and education workshops, which, by the way, I did not attend because I was busy filming the video diary. However, CHA does have a YouTube channel and I believe they will be posting the seminar videos soon.

The show floor was extremely well organized. There was a section for needlecrafts; general crafts; scrapbooking; etc. versus the usual mishmash. I did miss the grandness of the booths. Typically, the companies go "all out" and have amazing booths. I'm guessing the lack was due to the limited space and CHA's conservative investment on this first run in downtown L.A.

I will admit that downtown Los Angeles is my least favorite place. It is dirty. Ugly. And, just plain yucky.

I'm also not a fan of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Don't like the layout or the crazy parking fees.

But order will be restored in 2012 when CHA returns to Anaheim. YAY!!!

Service Is Good.

The winding road to mogul-dom can lead to a me-centric outlook. I'll use myself as an example (because I know this absolutely does not apply to YOU).

At the moment, 90% of my life is spent in "Judyland."


Never heard of it? Of course you haven't. It's not about you.

It's about me. ME!

The majority of my thoughts and actions are related solely to how I'm going to get from A to B to Z on my life checklist.

That is all.

In my defense, I am not married. I do not have children or pets. So, no one is being neglected.

Now, before you dismiss me, let me share what I do with the remaining 10%.

I give.

For example, every other month I donate a crocheted lap blanket (handmade by me) to a local hospice for terminally ill adults and children. The program - known as CAPS - is supported by the South Bay Auxiliary, of which I am a member.

The latest.

I used the spider stitch.
Pattern came from a magazine.

It doesn't cost me anything but my time, which I happily give. They provide the yarn. I get creative. (Bonus: I can do it while watching the Housewives!)

Photo right-clicked from
www.lionbrand.com

Presentation is important. Considering the circumstances of my recipients, my first priority is "pretty." Then "happy." I want to use my hands to bring joy to what remains of their life.

So, I search for interesting patterns. Typically, I end up on www.lionbrand.com.

The Lion Brand Store in New York City.
When I see them this week at CHA, I intend
to beg them to open a store in Los Angeles.

Once I've decided on a pattern, I think color.

Bright. Happy.

I challenge myself not to make the same blanket twice.


It's a commitment that doesn't feel like one!

On the third Wednesday of the month (every other month for me due to my schedule), the blankets are turned in. Beach Cities Health District (our headquarters) provides us with a nice catered lunch and all of us ladies swap stitches and compliments, share neighborly news (not gossip!), and generally enjoy each other's company.

I donate my time for other Auxiliary activities, as well as outside projects such as last year's coat and toy drive at my j-o-b.

This was for the coat drive.
I live in So. California. I don't own a coat.
So, I made a hat & scarf set instead.

Hat close-up.

I made four of these dolls in different colors.
It's a great way to recycle fabric scraps.

Giving is good. I like it. Will keep doing it. And recommend you try it.

Plus, it let's me escape (temporarily) from Judyland.


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