My Very Unique Work Space

Lol, I live in a 1300 sq ft condo with 2 bedroom and my youngest child occupies the second bedroom.  She will be moving out by August and although I will miss her a lot it will give me a workspace that I am so much in need of.  In the meantime I do what I need to do to get my work done.  My place is usually a mess as I always need to see my yarn in clear light to get inspired to start something new. If I know I am having visitors and they are not coming to see my shop I clean up and get the place really spic and span. I hold an open house every couple months in my place so therefore my place usually looks like a shop for at l

east a week considering I need to set it up and tear it down.  I have so much baskets and bins and boxes with yarn and stuff anywhere they can fit and not look too messy, props, a clothing rack set up in my living room that is there permanently and beside that is a chair that is holding one of my afghans and usually my unfinished work.  Then to the right of that is my bookshelf with five shelves that really is holding just half of my knitting, crochet and arts and craft books. My laptop is on my dining room table permanently it gets moved to the floor next to my printer if I need to use the full table for anything else (like eating, lol).  All my other stuff is either under my bed in plastic pullouts, in boxes and suitcases in my walk-in closet and the remainder is in a storage unit that is a 15 minute drive from my place. 

Enjoy my pics.  I wanted to share with everyone to let them know that no matter what work spaces we have, we do what we need to do to do what we totally love!!!!

25% Off March Madness Sale

March Madness Sale on my Etsy shop Dylana Designs is on until the last final day of March.

Save 25% on absolutely everything in my shop.

Below please find all the new items listed in my store in March.

Peachy Delight http://www.etsy.com/listing/69125590/peachy-delight

Bath Mat and Paper Cover http://www.etsy.com/listing/69250108/bath-mat-and-paper-cover

Jute Market Bag http://www.etsy.com/listing/50673632/jute-market-bag

Orange Bikini Set http://www.etsy.com/listing/51141444/orange-bikini-set

range-bikini-set

Eco Market Bag http://www.etsy.com/listing/48151574/eco-market-bag

Delft Blue Beach Set http://www.etsy.com/listing/69763142/delft-blue-beach-set

Unisex Slouchy http://www.etsy.com/listing/38197412/unisex-slouchy

Afrocentric Necklaces http://www.etsy.com/listing/50445222/afrocentric-necklaces

Roots Rasta Earrings http://www.etsy.com/listing/69886352/roots-rasta-earrings

Soy Earrings http://www.etsy.com/listing/69887275/soy-earrings

Col

ourful Headbanz http://www.etsy.com/listing/69888497/colorful-headbandz

Crochet Floppy Sun Hat http://www.etsy.com/listing/70201621/crochet-floppy-sun-hat

Feel Free to Tweet, Tumbleupon any item above.

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Winter in Toronto via Hot, Hot, Hot Belize

Mountain Pine Ridge

I am not sure if it's purely age, lol,  or just that I am fed up with winter. For the last few years by the time March rolls around I am so sick and tired of the cold, chill and snow. I was born in Canada to Belizean parents that did not have no desire to live in Canada. Being a Canadian it gave me the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. I came back to Canada 27 years ago and over the years I have enjoyed travelling back and forth to Belize to enjoy my family and the many gifts that Belize have to offer.  Let me walk you through some very interesting information about Belize.



Belize (formerly British Honduras) lies on the Caribbean coast of Central America, bounded on the north by Mexico and the south by Guatemala.  There are many islands along the coast called Cayes (keys). Belize and its Cayes are sheltered by the second largest barrier reef in the world.  Belize hosts The Great Barrier Reef, longest in the Western Hemisphere, shelters the best stocked light-tackle fishing grounds in the Carribean.  The territory's greatest length from the north to south is 180 miles and its width is 68 miles.



Going to Northern Lagoon

 Estimated population is 230,000.  The main ethnic groups are Creole (African Descent), Mestizo (Spanish-Maya) and Garifuna (Caribs).  There are also a number of people of Spanish, Asian and East Indian descent.  There is also a small Mennonite community. Ethnic groups are heavily intermixed.



Altun Ha Maya Ruin

I grew up in this jewel called BELIZE not realizing how fortunate I was and not appreciating the sheer beauty of my country.  Over the years that I have visited I felt like a tourist in my own country and I really got to love everything about Belize all over again. It can be hot, balmy or rainy but mostly hot (avg. temp 80F). It has so much to offer to the tourist that want a laid-back, backpack style vacation. There are coral, cayes, atolls, lagoons, pine forests, maya ruins, rivers, caves and much, much more.  You can dive, sail, fish, paddle, hike, bike, ride, swim, walk, bird watch, eat. Because I have so much roots in Belize I personally feel that the people and the culture is what makes Belize so special. My most favourite place in Belize is Caye Caulker, take it from me if you are ever in this part of the world do not go home without visiting Caye Caulker. Whew I needed to get my homesickness out of my system and blogging about it sure helped!

Caye Caulker

My Joy of Knitting is what keeps me alive and kicking in the long winters of Toronto.  Please remember to check out my Etsy shops. Dylana Designs and The Joy of Knitting.





March Madness 2011

***Joyful News***

March is here and February seems like just a blur.  I am so glad that it’s March as after this it’s Spring then Summer. I am back in shape and running a mile in under 12 minutes. Soo looking forward to NCAA's March Madness and to starting back yoga. My knit and crochet projects that are on the go includes, halters, bikinis, summer totes, floppy hats and I can go on and on...

Dylana Designs Etsy Shop

News and Events

March Madness

***Sale of the Month***

25% off entire Shop

Coupon Code: MARCHDISCOUNT

Dylana Designs Etsy Shop

The Valentine Showcase at Retirement Suites by the Lake and Valentines Open House at my condo were well attended. Thanks to all who took the time out of their busy day and came out to support me.

My next showcase and open house will be in April. I am still trying to nail down the dates, will share as soon as I can.

Facebook

Join The Joy of Knitting on Facebook http://on.fb.me/TheJoyofKnittingonFB let me know if you like?

Twitter

550+ tweeties and counting... Follow me on Twitter @LadyDylana.

Blog

I have been keeping my blog updated, remember to take a peek and give me your feedback. http://ladydylanabelize.blogspot.com/

Custom Orders

As always this is a reminder that customization is a huge part of my business and I am always open to work with you on your own style and design.

***Joyful Tips***

Q. Where do you get inspiration to always keep knitting and crocheting?
A. I get inspired everyday by something I see in nature, architecture, colours or fashion. Most of the time I spot a ball of yarn and on a whim I am inspired to create something new and different. At any given time I can have 5 or more projects on the go.

Q. What do you do to grow your business and keep it current?
A. This business is not unlike any other small business. To keep it fresh at all times, I network, blog, tweet, facebook and send out a monthly e-blast and last but not least do shows. I try to do two shows every other month. Most importantly I make a point to talking to everyone I meet about my business.

I am always looking for venues to do my open houses. If you cannot make one of my open houses, please host and I will gladly come and host a show at your place. There are freebies for the host/hostess.

Thank you friends and family for all the custom orders over the month of February, your business is much appreciated!

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Thank you for Reliving the JOY!