All that Yarn

Art to Wear pins for a private swap.  To be used as decoration on pony tail holders I think.

What to do with all that yarn?  I keep making tiny projects… but the yarn stash never seems to diminish.  I’ve got to get a grip on things and just start working with it and make things that are bigger than 2”!!!!!

What I realized, in the grip of all this frustration, is that in the past I’ve sorted all my yarn according to color with no regards for weight.  (You can see the stash at ravelry or flickr.)  Sorting by color makes it kind of hard to put together something with regular dimensions.  So… I think in the next few days I’m going to have to re-sort and see what I have with a different perspective.

How do YOU sort your stash of yarn or fabric?

EtsyBlogger Meismama

There’s something very charming about Becky’s blog and etsy shop.  The tagline at her blog says “A creative journal of a mother’s passion for things handmade.”  And you can really tell she has a passion for what she puts up there.  I’m really enjoying her summertime blog posts – you can visit her blog, Miesmama.  Especially cute is the National Hot Dog Month post.

She also has an etsy shop, miesmama, and I had to put up a picture of this great bag.  I adore the splash of bright orange inside, and the embroidery on the top. 

I’m really glad to be part of the Etsy Bloggers, even though it fuels my addiction for the internet, I get to see so many new things.  Becky’s blog links to other wonderful bloggers, her flickr site, filled with fantastic photos and some creative inspiration. 

When you stop at one good blog, how much time do you spend as you travel from link to link, browsing the internet?

What’s Blue & White & Striped All Over?

Free pattern from Lion Brand website.

 

Cute, fun, project to use up bits of yarn.  I’m going to make some more animals with this basic circle shape as a starting point.  Put this on Ravelry, too, if you’d like to friend me there.

E.T.T. Shop of the Week – Geek Details

Geek Details has been a favorite of mine for a while, I love the sense of humor this woman has!  

I’m a Zombie Sympathizer.

I have so many favorites in her shop it would be obnoxious to post them all here.  I think this one was one of my first, spotted a while ago:

Yeah, I spend a LOT of time online.

She’s got the vampire humor going (so popular! Anyone else following True Blood?), binary love and so much more.  You know what else?  Lots of these things make great gifts for men – something that’s sometimes hard to find in the sea of jewelry and pocketbooks on Etsy!  Take a look at Geek Details, you won’t be disappointed!

There’s a great interview with the creator, Amanda, over at the E.T.T. blog, where she shares some of her inspiration.  Special Deal for the Week: “One FREE button for every $10 in merchandise purchased (shipping not included). Include the names of the buttons you’d like in the notes to seller. She will also have a listing up for a value pack of buttons that will be up for one week.”

Self-Sabotage?

I love yarn.  I love knitting, and now crocheting.  I find it sooo relaxing.  In the past, I’d see yarn that I loved and bought it – with no plans.  Usually one skein, rarely more.  Who could resist that color? the texture?  maybe a sale price?  Now I’m faced with a stash of colors and weights that I am baffled what to do with it.  Yes, I like to make tiny projects and little toys – but they’re hard to take on-the-go (I end up carrying bags of stuffing and sewing tools which gets crazy!)  I’m kind of tired of making dishcloths.  Working on some baby booties… Don’t know what to do next.

Do you ever have yarn lust? 

I couldn’t resist picking up this Smooshy yarn, thinking of a baby hat or two for gifts, but it may have been a bit unrealistic.  Should have had a project to work on before buying.  Next time I’m heading to a yarn event, I think I’ll look at all my projects beforehand so I can buy enough to complete something.

Another pair of Saartje’s Booties off the needles.

Maybe I’m in a little slump.  Been doing things automatically and can’t get my creative mojo fired up.  Ideas are popping in my head but I’m just not sitting down to make them.  Could it be the rainy summer? 

What do you do with your small amounts of yarn?  I’d love to be inspired by you!

Want to laugh?  Visit CraftFail for my newest contribution.  A beautiful yarn, a beautiful pattern, and lots, and lots of stretch.

Lots going on with the Etsy Twitter Team!

First of all, the Shop of the Week is Beadwork by Amanda.  Check out this amazing upcycled circuit board jewelry!!!

She has so many beautiful, original pieces of art at her shop, including beadwork, supplies, even tutorials & kits to make your own!  There’s a nice interview with Amanda over at the team blog.  This week, she’s offering a special: “All items are already marked down 15%. Mention "Etsy Twitter Team" at checkout and she will include a free gift!”  Not only that, she has a giveaway and other offers right in her shop announcement – check it out!

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This is a very, very busy group and I’m sorry I missed joining in on the Going Green event!

Do I need to mention that “going green”  is trendy, practical, safeguards our future on this planet and saves money?  Probably not!  Everyone should know that Earth-friendly can also be beautiful, artistic and available right at your fingertips from creative sellers right on etsy.com!

“From July 21st to July 27th, the authority on Twitter for all things handmade will be offering a summer feast of cool eco-friendly tips, suggestions, awesome handcrafted genius and a scavenger hunt with lots of “green” prizes for the winners.”  Details will be posted at the team blog – sign up there to keep up to date.

Check out the Handmade News article, here – you can vote for it with a thumbs-up, too!

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Although I didn’t participate in this event, I do often make things out of upcycled materials, turning them into tote bags, purses and sometimes dolls.   During this summer I’ll be having a Christmas in July sale and a 40% off birthday celebration – check out the different sections and see what’s going on!

Christmas in July Sale Going on Now!

Ribbons on sale in my shop now.  Some holiday ribbons offered at great discounted prices, some combination packs, and I also will be adding a ribbon scrap bag later today after I measure them all.  Also, check out my 40% off SALE section where you can help me celebrate my upcoming 40th!

Looking for bulk quantity?  Just let me know & I’ll make you a great deal… after these ribbons are sold out, I’m probably not going to restock and would love to clean out my workspace to make room for more crafting.

Want more Christmas in July sales?  Check out the list of Etsy Sellers here offering specials this month.

A Friday Wrap-Up

Working on a new pair of Saartje’s baby booties with Dream in Color’s Smooshy.  Will take some pictures as soon I find buttons.  I drove around for about 2 hours today looking for buttons, and didn’t find any.  Not just ones I didn’t like, but it seems like every store has cut back or eliminated their fabric and notion departments.  I am so aggravated… next I’ll have to see where to buy buttons online.

Starting Sunday, I’m going to relist all of my Christmas ribbons, gingerbread boys & girls, snowflakes, trees, etc… whatever I find that I still have from last year & I’ll put them all on sale.  What entices you to buy at a Christmas in July sale?  A discount or free shipping?  BOGO?  Let me know, and I’m sure I can make it happen!

 

A few new pictures uploaded to flickr also, including scrabble tile close-ups, take a look:

E.T.T. Shop of the Week – LMcreation

Doesn’t this look like a great wristlet?   I love how it would match with anything and is elegant.  Check out the interview with artist Lisa, here.  At the LMcreation shop there’s so many nice handcrafted wristlets/bags/pouches that would be great for yourself or as as gift.

Special Deal : 10% discount offered to Twitter customers until July 12. Use code "EtsyTwitter" in the Message to Seller and 10% of purchase price will be refunded. check out the LMcreation shop and support handmade!

Busy Weekend Recap

 Crocheted this awesome beaded bracelet.  The pattern is from the futuregirl craft blog and she is so generous with her tutorials and how-to’s.  I have a feeling I’ll be making many of these this summer!  The beads I used where from one of my kid’s craft kits – and the button was a vintage one from my collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did lengthen the strand the button was attached to so it would fit my wrist better.

Yesterday, I had some fresh strawberries in my fridge that were getting too soft to eat (well, I would have eaten them.. but the kids just say “eeeew… they’re rotten!”.)  I thought of making some sort of pastry with them and went to King Arthur’s Baker’s Banter Blog & their recipe of the day was Strawberry Sorbet! How could I not make it? 

That’s all that’s left, one tiny scoop.  So, so, good.

 

Last… and getting to be my least favorite thing are these new scrabble tile charms.  This picture is pre-resin.  I spent quite a bit of time searching for tiny images to collage.  Did the Gloss Gel coating before gluing onto the tiles.  Everything seemed to be going smoothly.. I’m experienced with these already, right?  Well, too much confidence perhaps did me in.  I wasn’t too accurate with the resin mixing and ended up with tiles that were not drying, just sticky.  So…. I wiped everything off with rubbing alcohol and discovered 4 of the tiles had that dreaded resin seepage.  Maybe it was a good thing that I had something go wrong?  Right now I’m going to gel some more pieces to collage over the spots then mix and pour the resin again.  More carefully this time.  Wish me luck.

E.T.T Shop of the Week – Sumiko Shop

What a lovely shop!  And being shop of the week, sometimes it’s the first time I’ve been introduced … not this time!  I have drooled over her items many times in the past.  Everything in Evelyn’s shop is beautiful and a delight to look at.  One of my favorites is this featured ring:

And, just one more – I don’t know what part I like best – the locket, or the colorful beads, but I thought this Heart Locket Necklace was adorable.

There’s a great interview with Evelyn at the E.T.T. blog, check it out.  And… she has a special for this week, wish I had blogged about it sooner! “Free shipping worldwide. Mention “Etsy Twitter” in Message to Seller and shipping will be refunded.”  Go visit her shop here, quick!

Around the Web

Etsy

Until July 6, 10am EST you can vote at Etsy for “Which Item Colors You Beautiful?” and look who’s item is up there for voting!!! Click on the picture and vote for your favorite before it’s over.

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Facebook

Edited 9/2010 - Since there's no longer "My Stuff" links on Facebook... please visit the FB link in the sidebar of this blog to connect with me there.  Thanks!

Back from NYC

Trying to get organized after a quick trip, still need to unpack little bits of knitting and crochet I did while on the road and take pictures of those.  What did I do while away?

Admired architectural details:

Some of it knit - At the Lion Brand Yarn studio – loved this yarn cityscape in the window:

I didn’t make it to Tinsel Trading or Purl SoHo like I wanted to… maybe next time…

Ate:

& shopped just a little bit:

I loved the patterns in this book, will have to blog more about them at a later date and take some pictures.  No… I don’t have little kids to knit for, but just prefer to make small projects! Met a great woman in the mall who showed me how to read the symbol for “stitches” – now I just have to follow the charts and I think I can do it.  Anyone else love these Let’s knit (crochet!) Japanese books?

Now back to that unpacking.