One week ago, I signed up for the One Thing One Week Challenge over at Amy's Creative Side.  The point is to pick one thing to work on, concentrate on it, and finish it!  My goal was (and I am copying exactly what I wrote one week ago): My goal this week is to photograph all of the purses and items that I have made in the past few months that I have yet to photograph, because I don’t like the picture taking process as much as I like making stuff! I know this doesn’t sound impressive, but I have 50+ items to photograph! Let’s hope the weather holds out for me.  So there it was, simple right?  No, not really, and my problem really started with actually setting a goal and then expecting myself to get in done within the one week time constrains!  I am not good with Goals!  For instance, for the past 5 years, my New Year's Resolution has been the same every year (hold your breath, here it comes....)  I don't have a resolution!  Want to know why?  If you don't set a goal, you won't be disappointed when you don't accomplish it!  Yes, I know this is totally pessimistic, and yes, my glass is always half empty. Sorry it is who I am!  Back to the point, here is how my week went (I had really good intentions!)

Monday - Officially signed up for the challenge.
Tuesday - Photographed 30 Purses, took roughly 300 pictures.
Wednesday - No pictures (I don't remember why, probably didn't have a reason.)
Thursday - My son needs emergency trip to the Doctor, the day is shot!
Friday - Trying to recover from Thursday.  Photographed Odds and Ends, 7 items, roughly 100 pictures taken.
Saturday - No sun at all, downright dark outside.
Sunday - The exact same as Saturday.
Monday - Oh crap...what to do, I am not finished, oh well, what is a girl to do!  Technically I have about 10 items left (which I will get done this week, I promise!)
See more below...

So, what is the moral to this story?  Don't set a goal, and then you won't be disappointed...well kind of, for me at least.  I have officially learned from this challenge:
1.  Don't cage me in, I am the bird that wants to fly over here and work on this, then abandon that and go over there and work on something new.  That is how my creative mind works.
2.  I set my goals WAY TO HIGH.  Why did I think I could get it all done?  I have an "almost" three year old for God's sake....excuse my French, but shit happens.  Why didn't I set my goal at 20 items instead of 50?  I am an over achiever, and then when I don't meet the goal I beat myself up about it for days, thus being counter productive.
3.  Also, don't set a goal that you have to blog about, and then can't show all the pictures you have taken, because you don't want to spoil blog posts in the future.  So to remedy this, some of the photos (five of the pictures in the bottom set) are of new products not yet listed in my shop!
4.  When at first you don't succeed, try try again!  Yes, Amy I will be back, next time with a more realistic goal!  I do love a good challenge...

To end this post of random rantings, Thank you Amy, I did really enjoy this challenge, and look forward to next month when I can pick something new to challenge myself with!  I wasn't going to link up at all today, but after stewing on it all day, and reading other participants stories (and seeing that not all of them met their goals) I decided to cut myself some slack and to link up after all, even if it is at the last moment!

A while back, a customer contacted me about making some custom bags for her, she chose all of the fabrics, and she actually sent me some fabric that she already had, how cool is that!  These are the two Uber Large Handbags that I made for her, and I thought they turned out just lovely.  The top handbag features Anna Maria Horner's great Home Decor line of fabric (love it) and the bottom handbag features Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet line of cotton weight quilting fabric.  The customer chose to have three fabrics featured on the Sandi Henderson bag (photos below,) and I love how unique it truly turned out.  This style handbag is "uber" large (hence the name) and can hold so much stuff, but isn't too big, if you know what I mean!

Interested in a custom order?  Just let me know and I will be happy to work with you on whatever design and fabric you would like.  I LOVE custom orders!

Thanks so much to all you lovelies for entering my giveaway!  I loved reading all of the super sweet comments from all of you!  And now for the winner...

Random.org
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random integers, generated without replacement:

13


Timestamp: 2010-08-18 15:15:48 UTC

Congratulations Lucky Number 13! 

Kristina
Who said:  Happy Etsy-versary.  You're doing really well, considering you've been on Etsy for a year!  Keep it up!

Kristina I will be in touch with you shortly.  Make sure you click on Kristina's name to check out her lovely Etsy shop!

Thanks again to everyone who entered and everyone who supported me in my first year of business on Etsy!  Stay tuned to my blog for another great year of adventures, giveaways, and some great tutorials!

Any idea what today is?  Marci Girl Designs 1 year Etsy-versary!  Oh the things that can happen in one year.  So many changes, a lot of work, goals accomplished, a lot of new friends, and a bunch of great customers!  Thank-you to everyone who has made it possible, my customers, twitter and blog followers, all of you who have "hearted" my shop, and everyone who has supported me through this time of "new adventures!"  There is a lot more to come in the future, and I am here today to share one of those *new things* and host a giveaway of my own!  The item you see here today, is one of my brand new designs, and I am giving this one away to one of my readers!  A simple pouch that features pretty little prairie points, and is just the right size to slip into your purse.

Several easy ways to enter, please leave a separate comment for each:
1.  Comment, any comment, anything you would like to say...keep it clean folks!
2.  Follow me on Twitter. @Marci_Girl
3.  Tweet about this giveaway, something like this: "Win a pretty little pouch from @Marci_Girl visit www.MarciGirlDesigns.com for details!
4.  Visit my shop and tell me about your favorite item.

Giveaway ends one week from today, 8/17/2010, Tuesday at Midnight!  I am looking forward to reading your comments!