See You in 2010

Thanks for sticking with me through these blogging years, looking forward to many more to come!

Have a Sweet Holiday

 

I’ve been baking a little, and crafting a little, and wrapping things up for 2009 (really and metaphorically).  I’ve reached the point where I realize I can’t do everything without getting burnt out – so I’ll have to be happy with what I have done at this point.  I managed to make some treats for teachers for today, but these Honey and Sea Salt Caramels weren’t done until school was over.  They are so good, I almost can’t believe it.  Packed up and ready to travel to family:

 

When I looked back on one of my old blog posts to get the recipe for the teacher Rolo treats – the link was bad, so if you’ve never had or made these goodies – I’m putting it up here for you and for my own future reference:

Rolo Pretzel Treats

2 bags Rolos, 1 bag mini pretzels, 1 bag pecan halves

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread a single layer of pretzels.  Place one un-wrapped Rolo candy on each pretzel.  Bake at 250 F. for 4 minutes.  Pull out of the oven and squash a pecan half onto the top of each Rolo.  Let cool completely.   Try not to eat them all as you pack them up.

 

 

 

In regards to my Inspiration post… not so inspiring results.  I’ll keep working on the birds pattern, but the first (and second) incarnations didn’t thrill me.  As far as the other projects I had lined up to do – I’m nixing more difficult ones and will probably whip up a couple of bulky scarves and other tiny projects.  It’s a good thing that I still have about a week before I see the folks I’m making these for.

Next year I vow to get a better schedule going and plan each holiday’s crafting far, far in advance.  Not only did I neglect my etsy shop terribly, I have local opportunities that I let slip by because I procrastinated too much.  Each year I try a little harder to be more organized and be more productive, and each year I can see some progress… I just have to keep working on it. 

December Featured Blogger

This month on EtsyBloggers, the featured blogger is CalKat, the Jewelry Junkie. Calkat is Kathy and Carrie - I loved the video of their jewelry when you get to the blog – the zodiac pieces were very striking!  (Warning though, if you’re at work – turn your volume down - music will play!) 

Both the blog and the shop, CalKat.etsy.com, is a visual delight, and worth taking a look.  CalKat.etsy is filled with beautiful jewelry, and in addition, these two have three other shops: Ametista.etsy.com (Apothecary bottles & “uNuSuAl OnE oF a KiNd GiFtS aNd MoRe”); TheClayShoppe.etsy.com (unique molds for clay); and YogaFairies.etsy.com (cute clay yoga fairies)!

My favorite & in keeping with my last “trend”y post Small Skeleton Keys Mold:

These ladies have a lot going on, I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing what they do.

Inspiration, Finally!

 

I’ve been wanting to make birds, ever since April.  I still have these parts lying around – unfinished!  Why can’t I finish things?  (Really a discussion for another time …)

 

 

So, I’m sitting here, thinking about a new bird design, and I look around…. I’ve been looking at that green bird on a nearby shelf for years.  I have a few more around the house, too – all this quirky, long-beaked style.  Hello?!  So, I drew a picture and I think I’m on my way. 

Hopefully to having a productive afternoon!  (Ignoring the baking, mittens-in-progress, the scarf that’s only 1/8 of the way done, and the two bags I wanted to sew this week…)

What inspires you? I’d love to hear about it.

I’m going to answer my own question here before I even post.  (Because I don’t plan these blog posts, they just develop as I write them.)  I don’t think it’s the bird that inspired me.  I think it’s the huge list of other things I need to do that makes me procrastinate with new creative ideas!

Colorful Blog Carnival

I just discovered I’m not too late to participate in the EtsyBloggers blog carnival – the last one for 2009!  These are fun, because after everyone participates, the host will feature a link to all the posts and you can read them all.

Question of the week: What are your favorite color combinations? What do you create using those colors?   I can’t really say I have a favorite color combination when I’m creating.  I seriously like every color.  If you look at things I’ve made in the past, you’ll see that bright colors don’t scare me away -

  

Yes, that’s a chicken bag – mini rubber chickens on the handles.

Actually, a shop owner told me the pink cuff on the left was too bright and that I should tone down my colors if I wanted people to buy the things I make…. I eventually took it out of her shop and it quickly sold online.  I have to make what I like, or it’s no fun making it!  Does anyone want to work with or accessorize with drab colors?

I’ll make things in subdued or bold colors -

  

I use a color wheel sometimes if I’m stuck for a contrasting or complementing color idea.  Sometimes it’s the color or material that inspires me, other times I just use what’s on hand to create an idea I have brewing.

I’m not sure there’s a color I haven’t worked with.  Do you have any that you avoid or one that you love or always gravitate to?

Trends

I don’t know what this trend is about, but I’ve been crocheting keys.  It’s been months, and then I started seeing Tiffany ads featuring them.  Figured now’s a good time to get some of my creations finished and put them up for sale, right? 

 

I crocheted these shapes after much trial and error – using a ring inside the top, using Tofutsies yarn.  Then I used some paints to add a little shine to them and enhance the metallic look.  I’m really pleased and had fun with this project.  Mixing up the beads, the paint, yarn and chain is what I love to do.  They’re for sale locally, but I just ordered some chain from Rings & Things so maybe I’ll have some at my etsy shop in the future.

 

 

(please let me know if this doesn’t appear correct in your browser. Thanks, Tammy.)

Crafters, Do you find yourself picking up on trends? or do you make trendy items intentionally?

Crafting

One day, I will finish a project and clean this all up.  Hopefully soon.

Wow

(At least I didn’t call it “Wow it’s Wednesday”… I’m not getting that carried away with the alliteration.)

Why wow?  I received a surprise package in the mail:I won this after entering/commenting at the fantastic Sew, Mama, Sew! blog and it looks like a great book! I’ll be sure to post projects that I make from it, but I have a feeling there’s some pre-teen hands around here that may get on it before I do!  The funny coincidence is that I had followed a link to the author’s website last week, and had been admiring the work that she does before I even learned about winning the book. 

 

In November, Sew, Mama, Sew! had some amazing posts about projects to make or buy, and you can see the whole list here.

 

 

And I went out last night and got a nice photo of the full moon, and I thought it came out pretty cool:

Team Tuesday - Etsy Twitter Team: Shop Of the Week : Yarn Coture

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop Of the Week : Yarn Coture

Wonderful shop! 

My fave, because I can see myself wearing it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

My second fave, because she has a section in her shop for her kid’s creations!:

Nice interview at the Team Blog with announcement of special offer through December, too.