Oh, yeah! October!

It's Monday, October 1st... a brand new month, a brand new start!

Last night, I was looking back on September stats. The numbers don't look good...

• I'm trying to "work down" my stash of yarn... but my stash went up 10%
• I'm trying to make a profit, but I ended up more in the red at the end of September! 
• I didn't complete my entire to-do list
• I didn't win any prizes with the two entries into the amigurumi contest
• The basket next to my chair that I was trying to empty is fuller than ever! 

But when I look at those numbers differently, I see that September was a very good month.

• The reason my stash was up 10% is that I finally got organized and entered the yarn I bought on Hobby Lobby clearance months ago! Now I can look up what yarn I have with a few clicks, instead of searching everywhere! 
• Doing an out-of-town show (360 mile round trip) inflated my expenses for September, but it was actually my best September yet for sales! I have set sales records for three months in a row now! 
• The reason I didn't get around to making more stuff from my to-do list is because I got orders! Orders are good! 😊
• While I didn't win any prizes with the Cow crochet-along, both cows that I made sold within a day of putting them up for sale! My other Crochet-Along (the Big Paws Monkey with Banana) turned out well. The generous designer gave everyone who finished the CAL a free pattern. I chose Ruby Roo Kangaroo. Can't wait to find the time to make up an adorable kangaroo mommy and baby! 
  
• Overflowing yarn basket isn't all that bad... Just yesterday I needed three different yarns from the basket. It will empty out eventually! 

So, I begin October with three craft shows on the calendar and a mission to set another record for sales.

Goals:

1. Finish Pattern Test of Wizard Wearable Blanket - DONE 
   
2. Finish Ami-Along (pattern to be announced later in October)  - DONE
   
3. Update my Etsy listings so that each listing has 10 pictures, better keyword usage, custom order info, and a note that I will refund extra postage if more than one item is purchased. (Since Etsy announced a special giveaway for Free Shipping listings, I'm working on updating listings to make them free shipping) 
4. Make a pair of Candy Corn Socks for the Halloween Hop contest - oops, didn't finish in time... didn't even start... 
5. Fill in between projects with items from last month's "Hot List" and yarn from the "use up basket"
6. Keep up with any orders received from craft shows/Etsy/Facebook... got a big order that I need to ship by October 30, so as soon as my yarn comes in, I will be putting in every last minute to finish up a Super Scarf. 
   
   
   

   

   Tuesday, 10/23 - 22" to go! 

Finished, and shipped on time!

Pumpkin Spice cow order... finished and shipped on time!

Green Gecko order... finished and shipped early!