jewelz

Posted by juliekendall on October 8th, 2008 in General

Today I have read at least 20 blogs, read 3-4 chapters in a VERY large book, played WAY TOO many games on the computer, drank at least a gallon of tea (helps my throat) and slept. And I was miserable the entire time! It’s awful to be sick but to also be bored while being sick is just not fun.

I managed to get up stairs and bring down a stack of material to pick out what I wanted for a couple of purses. HAA! I took one look at it, groaned and pushed it away.

AAuuugghh! Remember the times (and we all know that we’ve all thought this at one time or another) when you are so incredibly busy you actually think that you wouldn’t mind being a little sick because at least you would be able to stop for a bit? It’s NOT worth it! All you do is think about the stuff you need to be doing and wish like crazy you had all your energy back. We are such wishy-washy beings!

Well…I need to go in search of yet some MORE tissues. Sigh…..

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Posted by juliekendall on October 7th, 2008 in General

I managed to catch whatever it is that Craig had last week so I’m definitely not feeling well. I rested all day but still feel icky. Yucky sore throat and the usual stuff that goes along with a cold or whatever it is.

I haven’t sewn anything because I just haven’t felt good enough to sew. That’s a real bummer because I have 3 new patterns and the plans for a new design I’m working on. I also have 3 new fabrics, one of which my friend Katie bought for me as a little gift! Thanks Katie!!

I have several orders I need to be working on but just don’t have the energy to do anything right now! AAuuugghhh….

The weather has been really nice as well so I’m also bummed that we can’t ride our motorcycles right now because of me!

Oh well…I’m sure I’ll get better soon.

Please keep writing in all your blogs. Reading other peoples blogs is all I have the energy for when I’m sick. Besides, I just love being able to keep up with you via your blogs. You have no idea how much that means to people that have moved away and miss all their friends. Right Heather???

Toodles for now. My soft bed beckons.

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Posted by juliekendall on October 6th, 2008 in General

Craig, Chris and I went to the mountains last Friday and had the most amazing time. I can’t even begin to describe to you the beauty of the mountains. It’s not just the colors. It’s the snap of the cool/cold air. The smell of the crushed pine needles on the ground mixed with the mustiness of dirt. The dampness that hangs just out of reach and the pinecones that crunch under foot. The sound of the stream as it washes over rocks. It’s the lack of “people” sounds. The obvious absence of a fast pace. It’s both beautiful and restful at the same time. Peace with a promise. I think I see the mark of God the most in the Fall.

While I did take a lot of pictures, I have to say that they just can’t copy what God drew. So, with that in mind, here they are.

We started our day with a great breakfast at Gunther Toody’s. My favorite speaks for itself.

Then we headed to Golden and from there up into the mountains.

After leaving Golden, we made our way to Nederland, Co. In between we drove through Wonder View, Pine Cliff, and Coal Creek to name a few. And the scenery just kept getting better.

The next set of pictures were taken on Highway 7 on the way to Estes Park. There is a house set just off to the left of the trees in the pictures. The top floor of the house sits right above tree level and has a deck that runs the length of the house. It’s the only house in about 20 acres of land and the trees are just gorgeous. I felt so sorry for those poor people having to live like that.

This was the scene as we got to the top of the peak overlooking Estes. It’s always hard to see storms in a picture, but the sun is shining on the city of Estes Park as hard rain and heavy thunder and lightening head straight for it.

Chris had never seen an Elk up close so we drove through Estes looking for one. It didn’t take long. This bull elk was about 10 feet from my car window.

We had originally planned to go over Trail Ridge Road but ended up not having time. So we decided to drive through the YMCA in the Rocky Mountain National Forrest. If you’ve never been there it’s a neat place to go. It’s a conference/family center. You can rent cabins from tiny to huge. The pictures are around the cabin that we rented years ago with my mom and dad.

As I finished writing this, I stood at our picture window in the back of the house. If you stand in just the right place, you can see between the two houses behind us, one of the larger peaks of the mountain range. It’s covered in snow. We had the first winter storm warning yesterday (well…the mountains did… not us flat-landers) and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Well…that was our day trip. I wish I could have gotten a picture of us in our jeep. We had the top down and had the tripod strapped to the roll bars in between Craig and I. Craig attached the video camera to the tripod and we shot footage as we drove until the rain forced us to put the top back up. Chris was sitting in the back seat with about 3 coats on and at least two hats. (Evidently, Alabama’s fall weather is a bit warmer than Colorado’s). We had a good laugh at all the people staring at us driving down the road. At one point, when we had pulled over to take a picture, one guy asked us if we worked for Google Maps. We all answered “I wish”!

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Posted by juliekendall on October 3rd, 2008 in General

It’s 12:58 a.m. as I’m writing this and I’m pooped! But I just finished my first messenger bag, all my design from scribbles on a paper, to pattern pieces, then finally a reality. And my camera batteries are DEAD! So…I’m going to bed. We’re going up the mountains tomorrow for the last look at the leaves (snow is predicted this next week) and taking some pictures and shooting video. Hopefully I’ll be able to get everything up sometime tomorrow or Saturday. However, it’s a market weekend so it may be Monday before I can get it done.

Have a great weekend…I’m planning on having a great one myself!

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Posted by juliekendall on October 1st, 2008 in General

I just LOVE October! I bought two bags of apples today and Craig and I are hopefully going back up the mountains on Friday to take some pictures and shoot some video. I’ll make sure to post them if we get to go.

As for sewing, here is the latest purse for the Market on Sunday. The purse pattern called for the purse to stay open (no closure of any kind) but I felt it both looked better and functioned better with an easy closure.

A close up of the covered button I added.

The lining.

I’ve really been in the Christmas mood lately and I’ve always loved making ornaments. So I thought I’d try something new. I’m not really sure if I like them but here are some pictures of some pinecone ornaments that I made several days ago.

On a personal note…
Not much new. Craig is still battling some kind of cold/allergy thing. Jes has some off and on Crones issues and Adam is having a difficulty in his life as well. Me…well…a distinct lack of estrogen does not make for a happy Julie! So prayers all around would be greatly appreciated.

Oh…and Lily? She gets a day at the spa! I feel so sorry for her.

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Posted by juliekendall on September 29th, 2008 in General

Wow! I certainly never intended to stay away this long but life happened and you know what life can do to your plans.

But I’m back now and missing all you girls from TN something fierce!! I’m going to try to catch you up on things but it will have to be the short version. So…here goes!

NEPHEWS:

Doing great and growing like crazy. Their ages are: Seth-10, Cade-9 and Grey-7. Here are a few of the conversations they’ve had via Jen…

At the breakfast table before school on the first morning that electricity had been restored after a two day outage due to Hurricane Ike.

Seth: Mom..my shoulder is sore so I’m not going to football practice.
Jen: Why is your shoulder sore?
Seth: Because of football practice.
Jen: Your going to football practice.
Grey: I would appreciate it if someone would pray…my cereal is getting soggy.
Jen: Grey. Pray.
Grey: Dear Jesus. Thank you for Ben Franklin and the electricity he discovered. And please help me with that….that…that thing…Oh Jesus! Just forget it!!! Amen.
Jen: Grey. What thing?
Grey: That thing down my throat.
Jen: Drainage?
Grey: Ya’ll close your eyes real quick. Jesus..I just remembered. Help me with that drainage down my throat. Amen.
Jen: (unable to form words at the moment)

Yet another occasion.

Cade (just back from the doctor with a broken elbow. Cast from his wrist to his shoulder)

Seth: Cade! You have all the luck!
Cade: What are you getting so hyper-reactive about?
Seth: huh?
Jen: Seth. I think he means hyper-ventilating and/or over-reacting.
Seth: (Rolls eyes)
Grey: Don’t worry mom. He’s on the right block. He’s just in the wrong driveway.
Jen: (worries)

Jen and the boys will all be here for Thanksgiving (Ron works for Fish and Game and Thanksgiving is the first day of hunting season so he has to work. Arkansas Fish and Game REALLY needs to change the day deer season opens! gggrrrr…..). I’m sure I’ll have all kinds of things to share (and some I wouldn’t dare share) at that time.

Jes and Adam

Jes is now working for Pinnacol Insurance company (workers comp). She both lives and works on the old Lowry Air Force Base that was closed in the late 90’s. They have since turned it into one of those cool little communities that have work places, doctor’s, library’s, schools, parks, grocery etc all within walking distance of each other. Her apartment is wonderful and very Jes. She walks to work everyday so gas isn’t an issue for her. She loves her job and is doing REALLY well there. Oh….and she now has 3 baby rats. Yes…I said rats. You won’t believe it but they are SO adorable and I just love them. They are gray and white and their names are Rocco, Connor and Murphy.

Adam is living in Ft. Collins and working at Buckle. He didn’t get to go to CSU this semester due to some weird deadline dates for being considered in-state. However, he is taking an art class at Front Range Community college and loves it. He will be majoring in Graphic Design when he goes back to CSU in January so the art class will transfer nicely. His work is ok. He is working for Buckle in F.C. and still selling quite well. It’s been an adjustment for him (last store was VERY different from this one) but he is sticking it out and I’m very, very proud of him.

Craig is going to Front Range as well although he and Adam are at different campus’. He is taking a coding class and last week his work was highlighted in the class session. Way to go Craiger’s!!

I AM NOT GOING TO CLASS ANYWHERE.

However, I am still sewing like crazy. My Craftygirlz adventure is still going strong. I have 3 vendors other than myself with 2-3 other vendors expressing an interest. Right now though, the site is still left overs from last year. I haven’t had time to work on it due to all the sewing I’ve had to do for the Farmer’s Market I’m in.

Every Sunday, Craig and I load up the trailer, hook it up to the jeep and travel to Boulder (about an hour away). We set up our booth and then for the next 4 hours just enjoy all the people God sends to us. And you wouldn’t believe the diversity!! We have met some of the neatest people at the market and look forward to that part every week.

I have to confess I’m TERRIBLE at taking pictures so I don’t really have any to put up. However, I did take a couple of quick shots of the work aprons I designed (right before a big storm came up and all my things got wet!). They have two small pockets on the outside and one large one in the middle. I had a customer ask for a work apron that was functional as well as pretty. The quality of the pic is terrible but it’s all I have. I promise I’ll try to get better at this whole picture thing.

That’s it for now. I’ll try to have more pictures and less words from now on. Just hard to remember to take a picture of life! Give me a ping back and let me know you haven’t given up on me. Sorry again for the long absence.

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Posted by juliekendall on July 25th, 2008 in General

…to blog right now. We don’t have an air conditioner so with the temps in the 90’s it’s just too hot to have a laptop running. Not to mention the heat is making me kinda woozy and icky. I’ll be back when things cool down a bit.

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Posted by juliekendall on July 21st, 2008 in General

Things are still CRAZY around here. I’m sewing like mad but still behind. I promise I’ll get back to blogging sometime in the near future. Please hang in there with me and don’t go away. I have tons to tell just not the time to tell it!

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Posted by juliekendall on July 7th, 2008 in General

I haven’t blogged in awhile because I’ve been SO busy sewing. Nikki (my CraftyGirlz partner) and I did our first booth at our first Farmer’s Market this past Saturday (July 5). How did we do? We didn’t sell one thing! At first I was REALLY bummed but after talking to some pro’s in the vendor business and looking at a couple of other markets I feel much better. I learned that holiday weekends aren’t so good for Market business. They are either heavily attended or not attended at all. There were 6 booths that didn’t show and very few customers for us so that was one reason for the bust. The other reason was that our products didn’t really fit the customers for this particular market. After going to two other markets on Sunday, we realized that I would need to sell my low end products at a reduced rate for our market (Brighton Market) and then do other high end markets (such as Boulder Market, Vail Market and Evergreen Market) for our finer products. I’m going to see if we can do the Boulder Market next weekend in addition to our Brighton Market.

The upside is that everyone that saw our stuff really liked everything. So this week I’ll be sewing a lot of stuff that is very simple and quick to make with pretty but inexpensive fabric.

All in all I’m having a WONDERFUL time diving into the “vendor” life. I LOVE making the stuff, meeting all the cool people, and just being outdoors. Every person I’ve talked to says that it takes a lot of time getting everything just right so that you actually start making money. I’m looking at this summer as a time to learn the ropes and pay off all the start up fee’s we’ve encountered. (You wouldn’t believe how much you have to do just to have a tiny little 10′ X 10′ booth. I’m talking everything from tax licenses to liability insurance!!)

Below is the picture Craig took of the booth. Take a look and let me know what you think. Next week, we are going to move our money table to the outside corner of the booth so that people can move around more easily inside.

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Posted by juliekendall on June 15th, 2008 in General

The last month has been really crazy. I started it by getting sick. Then sicker. Then sicker….Yuck! I had an upper respiratory viral infection that morphed into a bacterial infection. Both infections did their best to make me feel awful. After 2 weeks and two rounds of VERY EXPENSIVE meds (over $11.00 a pill!) I finally got better. It could have been worse though. My doctor told me that the many people had the infection move to their digestive systems and that it was causing their appendix’s to burst!! Whew!

After a VERY quick trip to Nashville to hang with Amy for a very short couple of days, Jes and I headed to Arkansas to see my sister. We stayed with Jen and Ron (hubby) for 5 days and had the best time ever!!!!! I SO hated to leave. The boys were so much fun and I love them so very, very much!

So eventually, Jes and I jumped back in the car and drove back home. It was a two day ride that I was glad to get behind me. However, we listened to an audio book on the way and that helped a ton.

As of this moment…all 4 Kendall’s reside in COLORADO!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Jes is currently searching for a job and has already had one interview and one request for her resume’. We’re excited to see where she will end up.

I’m itching to sew like crazy but have to reorganize my sewing space due to Jes’ hanging with us for a few weeks and additional fabric I was given while I was in AR. So a good reason to have a problem! I probably won’t organize anything until Tuesday though. Today we are having a TV day! Craig and I haven’t set down to watch all the shows we recorded while I was gone so we’re going to have a fun time in our ghettoized (for the moment) home theater. Battle Star Galactica, Hell’s Kitchen, In Plain Site just to name a few.

Since Adam had to work today, we’re going to celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day together ( I was sick on Mother’s Day and Adam and Jes were still in Murfreesboro) all day tomorrow. We’re all four going to take a LONG bike ride up through Loveland, into Estes’ Park then back down to Denver to eat at a Jose’ O’Shey’s for dinner (GREAT MEXICAN!!). Jes will be riding with her dad since she hasn’t got her motorcycle yet. (She intends to get one as soon as she is settled).

Well…that’s about it. OH!!!! Jes and I did some thrift shopping and BOY did we find some real goodies! I’ll try to take some pics so you can see how much we got for under $20!

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