Pinterest, instagram, and me.

How is your day going? My mom just made me breakfast (for which I was super grateful, these things don't happen often since I became a "big girl") and she is now sitting eating herself. It's pretty dreary out, which makes those plans to go to the library today seem pretty dumb. Since I stayed up last night until after 2 am reading a mystery, I'm looking through somewhat bleary eyes. It's too bad I don't drink coffee. 

The girls are doing their school work, the younger complaining about having to put her spelling words in alphabetical order, and the older wanting to take bathroom breaks and open the blinds every few minutes. Why is it that weather like this makes a person feel so lazy? Far be it from me to fight it...Juuuust kidding. I am still planning to sew today. I have a great knit with hearts on it that I think is pretty cute.

So have you gotten around to finding me on Pinterest?

I'm right HERE.

Since I'm a Pinterest addict now (never thought I would say that) I have made it a daily necessity to find something too cute for words on there to pin. 

I have also decided *drum roll* to start a IG account for Arona Designs. You can now find me there under the username aronadesigns. Pretty cool!

Also, regarding those fashion sketches that I was going to do...I'm gonna revise that plan. As long as it's a fashion illustration it will qualify...every week I will put on up.

Elisabeth Arona

Scalping, scheduling, school, and steps

This week my nephew Michael came over-twice. He was up the stairs every five minutes. 

Sadly, he can't exactly make it back down yet. 

His mom was worried that he was going to fall down them, but he generally stood at the top waiting.

He knew that someone would carry him down. 

Come running to his rescue. 

Besides, going up is so much fun. 

Why think about going back down in advance?

This reminds me of myself. Although I have a few years on Mikey (he's 1.5 years old.) I understand what he's going through. Often I find myself jumping into "good ideas" without really thinking them through logically first. I don't think about whether I can be disciplined and carry through, or whether I will regret it. Why think about the downside in advance? No one wants to go down!

I did think about home schooling in advance, but I didn't consider the scheduling and how difficult it would be. I'm that person that procrastinate well, it's almost an art form! Generally it works, but for children you're supposed to do a little better than that. My boyfriend told me that I would need a schedule (two weeks or so into schooling.) I agreed. How will I get things done if I don't? 

1. Write schedule
2. Write separate schedule for the days I go to the gym in the morning
3. Enforce the schedule

Although it was difficult, I did manage to set a fairly early wake-up time (and no I won't tell you in case you wake up at 6 or something and judge me.) The girls are now waking up even if I hit the snooze--all I ask is five extra minutes! 

So you were wondering how school is going? Pretty decent. I go to the library two or three times out of the week. I check out books relating to what they're learning in their school books, and they're doing several book reports a week. I am planning (that WORD) on starting a journal so that I can remember why I put this or that book on hold, or what the end result was supposed to be for...Well you get the drift. Monnie is learning about Native Americans. I personally feel like I've accomplished something when she comes to me and asks how they went about scalping a person. 

That may be just me though.

I feel that it's important for people to retain their curiosity. 

Don't ask why? Ask "Why?", then "How?", then "When?", and "What were they thinking?"

When they don't know something, I want to have an answer, but I've found that it's even better to make them search for the answer...Because in life rarely is it easy to find.

And that's how my week has been.

Elisabeth Arona

What can I say?

What does one say when one has been away for so long?

"I missed you" seems inappropriate since I did stay away of my own accord. 

"I'm sorry" seems inane...

How about just hi!

After a long year of working, I decided to tell everyone goodbye and come back home. This was for a lot of reasons, most of which I'll just say are personal--that way we won't have to go over it (you know how long-winded I can be.) 

I'm now teaching my younger sisters at home. 

I expect there to be an awkward silence right there. 

Why? 

What do you know about home school?

Are you qualified? 

Why???

Okay people! One question at a time! 

You may or may not know that I was home schooled. I consider myself a fairly well-rounded (if a bit "unique at times) individual, and college was great; I was a suggested tutor. When my youngest sisters needed schooling, my oldest sister (who is an "actual" teacher) began teaching them, then she married and moved away. Since then it's been a combo of my mom and others of us older sisters. When I left my job and school was about to start up again, it seemed like the thing to do. I want them to enjoy learning, but most of all I want them to learn (even if they refuse to enjoy it.) I need to learn discipline, and if you knew my sisters, you would understand why if after working with them I haven't learned it, I never will. 

See long answer above for all the other questions. No, seriously. Didn't expect that, huh?

So, it was supposed to be a short update on my life now, but really it was too long. Let me hurry with the rest--or you could just read faster.

My etsy shop is empty right now. Crickets chirping and cobwebs. 

I'm working on that. I've actually draped several rather nice garments, now to get them made into pretty fabric.

I have a new project-don't sigh or shake your head-I really do. For once, I want to make sure it's something that I'm capable of doing before I show you.

I am living by the Mediterranean diet except when I cheat mostly, by orders of my doctor. I'm trying to make it fun by shopping at the farmers market and having new recipes to cook pretty much every day. I'm racking up in the library ya'll! 

I'm trying new things for my skin.

I'm really addicted to pinterest. You can find my on there, my username is Lizzisays. Or I think you can go here.

I promise I am going to start blogging again, hopefully at least every week. If you could get a glimpse into our house you would be laughing all the time, so maybe I'll let you in occasionally.

Elisabeth Arona

Design of the week 3-2 and 3-9

It has been too long! I will start by apologizing, but I don't want to go overboard so I won't launch into a long explanation. Suffice it to say I have been busy, and I have been avoiding doing things online that take up time and get me all caught up.
I don't know if I told you, but a friend of mine suggested me put up "designs of the week". She suggested this several months ago, so I have no idea how far behind I am, but we can only do what we can do. I will start by putting up two sketches (not technical at all) that go along with what I would love to make now that we are moving into Spring. They're not the greatest because I scanned them on using tracing paper and a drawing paper-that has a grain-behind it.

The left is a dress...the part that looks like a vest is actually an attached bodice of the dress. It is made of a nice woven (not sure what fiber), and the skirt, sleeves, and "undershirt" are made of a cotton knit-soft and comfy. 

The dress on the right is a basic retro style dress, mid-calf, woven (possibly cotten) with short cuffed sleeves and a ruffle piece from the neck of the bodice to the waistband. Both dresses zip in back. 

Elisabeth Arona

Handmade Christmas in a leisurely way

Handmade items are the best for Christmas! I think we've already agreed on this, right? I gave mostly handmade myself last year and am very proud of that fact. Naturally, we don't all always have time to make things ourselves. Here is how to have a leisurely handmade Christmas. To help you as you go about your merry present-buying way, I have found some great shops and sellers for you to remember even after the Holidays for their quality wares.

First shop is Julia (also known as Jeweleighab.) Her shop is as cute and unique as she is. Interestingly, she is pregnant with her third child-which is a random fact, but who doesn't love those? It should be pretty convenient to take out your nesting on something other than just house cleaning though, right? For a card shop, this one is pretty varied. You will find them for every occasion, she even made a custom karate one for me to give to someone special! Julia is in Canada, so please be aware that if you're in the U.S. it may not show up as quickly.

This second shop is by Niki who lives in the UK. Remember what I said about remembering that if you're in the U.S. especially. Niki's specialty is drawing and painting. I love her work, it's very whimsical and--well just look at it! I'm in love with her Christmas tags, but another idea would be to buy someone an art piece! 

 This third shop is run by Sheila. I love her to death, she creates very vintage-type things for children and I know that right now her fishing game is crazy popular among her shop visitors. I personally would like to vouch for the Lizzi doll myself (which as it turns out is named after me.) What little girl wouldn't love that doll? *snick*

This last shop is run by Sara. I am d-d-dyyyyying to buy from this shop. Her stuff is just so cute and still very much necessary during the winter. I have to wake up early and leave the house for my job, and I think her hand warmers would definitely help out with my cold hands. 



Thank you for checking out these shops...Eventually you may thank me :-) Feel free to check out my shop too. I have added a few things, and will be adding more in the next few days! Elisabeth Arona

It was custom made-for me.

"That is so cool! Where did you get that?"

I finger the conversation piece, "Oh, it was handmade, it's one of a kind." 

I try to say it casually, like it's not a big deal, but as usual there is a moment of silence-then,

"Oh. So someone made it that you know?" 

Here is where things change. Sometimes I say yes, and tell them it's someone that sells online, other times I say that I bought it from etsy, other times, I didn't know the seller and just smile mysteriously while saying that I can get the the info if they want one "almost" like it. 

This all happened to me once again on Friday. I never know when it's going to happen, I just know that when it does it makes me happy. You see, there is something special about handmade or NOT mass produced items. 

A unique way each person leaves their fingerprint on their craft

A special story behind why every crafter creates

A touch of pride each artist has in making sure their item is just perfect

Each piece is different no matter how much they were made to resemble. 

But back to my story...

Where I work I have to wear a uniform, and for certain reasons we're not supposed to wear acrylic nails, any earrings that aren't studs, or any shoes that aren't black (to name a few little rules).  Basically, we all look somewhat alike. I think we all want to be unique, but my way is usually to put on some sparkly aqua nail polish or a pair of custom made earrings. 

Friday, it was the necklace. This adorable bottle cap necklace was made by an online friend Ingrid who you can find by clicking that name or going here . I can't remember why she was having a giveaway, but I won this necklace from her on her facebook fanpage. Around lunch time, about three co-workers gathered around me. One-a guy-said, "Can you turn it over? I want to see what it has on back." another said "Is that really a bottle cap?" a lot of "wow"s followed.

While we were all standing there another strolled up and said "That necklace is really cool..." Everyone looked at him and said "Duh, we were just talking about that." 

My customers also commented; one noted that it matched my nail polish. I beamed...But casually, y'know? 

I will wind down by saying this: I know you're a fashionista, a trendsetter, and all that. Prove it to everyone else by wearing things they couldn't copy if they wanted to! Nothing burns a girl up like being told that something they complimented can't be obtained by them. They won't be so upset that they will dislike you though, they'll just go find something similar, but never the same. See how that works? You're welcome. 

Feel free to go check out my friend's shop...and of course with Christmas coming soon I'm working my poor fingers to the bones and I will once again be posting a bunch of great etsy shops for you to buy handmade/custom made from!

Also important: My website is coming along; I'm so excited to show it to you--when it's ready. 

Elisabeth Arona

Belt loops and young love

Here I am in the middle of making the belt loops for the bridal gown I'm altering. Fun, right? I actually did secretly enjoy doing the chains from thread, no real sewing required. I did it all while watching old episodes of project runway! :-)

So here is something a little different from what I normally do...But alas, that's what love will do to you. I made this for my boyfriend and was so anxious for him to see it that I didn't do some of the extra things I could have to clean it up and make sure it looks extra nice. I have to admit though, I did LOVE the final product. At first it was going to be a sketch, then I decided to do it as a silhouette then I wouldn't have to explain to him why I couldn't get his face just right (btw the reason is his looks so good I couldn't do it justice *winkwink*.) I put this silhouette up as a custom listing in my etsy shop FYI and will give a good deal to any fellow CAST team member. 

More pictures hopefully before the end of the week...

Until then,

Elisabeth Arona