Creative evenings

I have been using my long evenings to start creating things again.  I know I've been spending too much time on gadgets. I find that when I put the gadgets away and sew, crochet, or some other craft I am having more conversations with my husband and children. This past week I even played games and crocheted at the same time. 

I love the challenge of creating something new and different, especially from the jeans that my boys keep wearing the knees out.  Hannah even wants to sew along with me.  Beth loves to use her knitting looms and create baby doll stuff.  Abby is a wonderful artist and is constantly drawing instead of doing her schoolwork.

I opened an Etsy shop to hopefully sell some of the things I create.  I don't like to hang onto every thing I make.  It would be too overwhelming.  We also could use some extra income to help pay bills.

My husband's work has slowed down so much that he frequently doesn't even get 40 hrs a week.  We have our house on the market, but we have mixed feelings about moving.  One day I want to move, have new friends, new home, and new adventures.  Then the next day I see everything I love about where we are now and I really hate the idea of moving. 

Any ideas or tips about selling on Etsy would be appreciated.  Also I'm open to other legitimate work at home ideas. I am an introvert so marketing/selling things is not appealing at all.

Twenty Dollar Table

I love to shop yard sales, and so does my husband. A few weeks ago we found a table at a yard sale. The top was very ugly. It had been outside for a while, but the table seemed solid. We talked them down to $20. I saw it as a project for my dad, who wants to stay busy when he comes to visit. I had wanted a table to put in my dining room. The room is carpeted so I will not let the kids eat in there, but we want to take the carpet out and put in laminate wood floor next year. My dad got started right away. It looked so much better as soon as it was sanded.

Before

Work in progress

After

It is now my project table. I have all my school books on it now as I prepare to start a new school year. I have also used it to sew. I love the space to spread out and I don't have to clear it off to eat. I've never had this luxury before.