January Featured Blogger

This month on EtsyBloggers, the featured blogger is Nico Designs.

The first thing I noticed when introduced to this blogger was the thoughtfulness of all of her posts.  You can tell she’s a loving, compassionate person from her blog.  She talks about her life, her craft, the causes she donates purchases of sales towards.  And she has tutorials, like a great one for this bulletin board circle:

Of course, she’s got an etsy shop, NicoDesigns.  And it’s great! My favorite of all her items right now is this “Sophisticate Career Bag”: I guess I’ve been thinking about a new bag a lot lately.  And she has stylish diaper bags (oh, how I needed style when my girls were babies!), and some adorable Valentine gifts, too! 

You can read an interview with her, here; and don’t forget to visit her blog and shop.

Artful Thursdays – Tote Bag, Part II – Breaking the Rules

Cut out all the pieces, started stitching them on by hand.  D I S A S T E R!  Ripped it all out.  Got out my free-motion foot, some variegated (nice Sulky viscose) and solid cotton threads, and started stitching.  Now I’m happy:

And I didn’t even need a thimble.  I like the way the back looks, too:

 

Doesn’t really resemble the picture on the pattern – but that’s ok.  Thinking about sewing some buttons into the blue and yellow flower centers.  I don’t think I can wait until next Thursday to finish this (but I said that last week, too, didn’t I?  Breaking the rules is fun, I just wish I had read a little ahead in the pattern – instead of leaving enough batting for the rest of the front, I cut only a piece big enough for the center motif.

 (You can find the pattern here.)

Any quilters have suggestions for how to fix this problem?  Do I just stick some more batting along-side what I’ve already sewn as I piece everything together?

Does anyone else break the rules, or do you always follow a pattern?

Packaging

Sometimes I struggle with packaging.  Is it easy for you, crafty readers?  Do you have a method for all your items?

For these Love Birds, I wanted to make sure that kids wouldn’t grab and play with them – to keep them clean and to protect the eyes from being poked out of the fabric. So, I:

• bagged them in cellophane corsage bags;
• tied with a strip of fabric from my scrap bag;
• used a Sizzix machine (a great find at a yard sale last summer!) to cut out the hearts from a wool sweater that I had shrunk. 
• Added an eyelet (sewing box salvage from an antique store), and some bakery twine (saved from a real bakery box, thanks to NY bakeries that still use it!) to add some ‘love’. 
• Finished each off with a label printed on sticker paper and punched out with a 1” circle punch – (trying to make the most of that tool purchase!)

Since these are going to be on a shelf in a shop, I thought about them differently than  items that I may store at home and sell online.  But now that I have done this, I’m thinking it would be really nice to ship items like this, too & will wrap, everything sold, like this, through V-day. 

There’s an Etsy Packaging Pool at flickr that I turn to sometimes for inspiration.  What about you?

New

I’m still working on 5,000 projects and have to walk sideways just to get through this workspace to sit at the computer.  But it’s good because I’m actually completing items!

Here’s a new crochet cuff that will appear at my etsy shop later this week -

Here are the completed Love Birds, with some additional stitching – and I’ll deliver these to Apotheca by Wednesday -

I’m reworking my key necklaces this week, making some embroidered heart sachets and maybe a necklace or two, working on patchwork fabric cuff bracelets and thinking about my Artful Thursday project.    And more.  Of course. 

Artful Thursdays – Tote Bag, Part I

I was eager for today, had been waiting to work on a special “for me” project, woke up early, had a few hours to myself, and opened the package that I had been storing for years, to work on my tote bag.  (Oh, that quilt I mentioned last week?  Well… I can always hang that on the wall, but this bag used winter fabrics – I just had to start this first…)

There were directions?   I needed to cut more fabric?  I needed freezer paper?

Maybe this wasn’t going to be a one-day project…. I pulled out a box of cottons I had been using for the quilt (soon to be called “the project that shall-not-be-named”).    I began cutting.  Reading directions.  Looking for iron-on interfacing because I was certainly not going to go out and buy anything else.  Before I knew it, I had to go to work and my kitchen counter looked like this:

I left for the afternoon, planning to complete the project before midnight.  This is as far as I got:

My not-so-perfect whip-stitched tree motif for the center of the bag.

I am VERY happy that I got this far, debating whether I should leave it for next Thursday to finish, or work on it when I get free time this weekend – we’ll see. 

Determined to post this before midnight!  How late would you stay up to finish a project?

Love Is in the Air

I was featured, now I’m spreading the love back to you, so read on… 

Last Year I put up a tutorial for these Love Letters – and I’ve been featured this month for having the how-to up here at my blog.  I hope you all enjoy the project!

        

Thank you OnePrettyThing & Tip Junkie!

Want one of your own?  You can always make one… or…  I’ve put my 2009 Love Letters, on sale, at my shop – and since you’re reading my blog post – here’s an extra deal for you – if you buy one of the love letters by the end of February 2010, I’ll either refund your shipping vial PayPal*, or include one of these pairs of wool felt/beaded post earrings with your order*:**You will need to convo me at Etsy or put a Message to Seller with a note about which offer you’d like and how you read about it at my blog (one per customer, please.)  And… if you’re the third customer (since I only have two pairs of earrings to give away) – it will be refunded shipping or this heart brooch:  I think I’m starting to feel the love, and inspired to create for Valentine’s day!  According to my 2010 goals, I was supposed to have done this already a month ago… but I’m giving myself a break since I didn’t create my goals until last week!

I think today’s going to be a day filled with red and pink creations.

Birds in Progress

I want to throw glitter paint all over these.  The design I had tried a few weeks ago…. yeah.. that one will be at the craftfail site coming soon. 

Something else to check out -

   - I’m participating here, and there is a month-long series of articles, some sales and promotions – an upcoming one will discuss how different artists try to be environmentally friendly in their homes and work.  You may be able to tell that I work with upcycled fabrics sometimes ( a skirt, sweater and upholstery fabric remnants in the above birds).  I’m also on my local Solid Waste Commission to promote recycling in our town and schools – I think it’s pretty important, and it’s just part of life to reuse and not throw things away whenever possible.

Let 2010 Begin

This week’s EtsyBlogger topic that I chose to discuss is “Now that 2010 is here, what do you have planned/look forward to/hope to accomplish this year?” The blog carnival featuring team answers will be hosted by BeadedTail on January 18th.

I’m usually stubbornly opposed to “resolutions” and I’ve had to-do lists here in the past, mentioned goals about a week ago… but this year, and from here on!, I’m going to be more focused (kept backspacing over “try to be”).

One thing I know I MUST do is schedule “work” time into my calendar.  And I have to be specific.  I sell items locally, and I have an etsy shop – both have been neglected because I can’t seem to get things delivered on time – and then I give up.  Kind of like cheating on a diet once and then binging for a week straight because of a little slip.

One major goal is to have my shop items ready in advance for seasons and holidays.  How will I do this?  I’m planning to have seasonal items ready one month ahead of events and dates.  Having that scheduled will help me to meet a deadline.  I’ll put a to-do list on my agenda weeks in advance to make sure I work on projects each week.  If I plan early enough, I should also have a number of items that I can predict I’ll be ready with.  Quantifiable goals – important so I’m accountable and have something to work towards. 

How else can I do this?  Give up a few things and only work on what’s important to me.  I’m whittling down my commitments – the ones that don’t help me reach my goals – or make me feel burdened with responsibility.  (If you’ve been reading this blog, I mentioned dropping out of a few Etsy groups earlier this month.)

 

Besides the sparks of inspiration and seasonal items I want to make (love birds coming out this weekend!) I also want to make a series of dolls this year.  I have a plan, I even sketched them.  They’re going on my calendar … soon.  I haven’t made dolls in years! 

Aside from things to sell, I have projects that have piled up over the years.  U.F.O.s that need some attention.  Things for myself, my house, my family.  They’re going to get done on Thursdays.  Even if I work, I can get a stitch or two done – blogged about it yesterday and have accepted the Artful Thursday Challenge to use it or lose it in 2010.

Just one more thing – I want to rework my logo – any design suggestions?  This is what I’ve come up with so far -

I want to keep all the elements I have, but feel like I just need to tweak it a little more.  I wonder how everyone else comes up with their designs.  Maybe I can stitch a mountain and scan that image in to use on the banner.  I don’t want to change the mountain design/colors too much so I don’t have to update my avatars or buttons all over the internet.

Artful Thursday Challenge

Julie at the adventures of bluegirlxo is brilliant.  In a nutshell, she’s going to dedicate Thursday's to “either use the cool stuff i have collected or send it on its way.”  I’m with her on that. 

Thursdays are going to be my day.  I’ll work on projects that I’ve set aside in favor of making gifts or things to sell.  I’ll finish that Neverending Quilt and take out this tote bag kit  from it’s package and sew it up: 

Each week I’ll blog my progress – even if it’s just a stitch or two.  But it won’t be.  Because when those are done, I have fabric for clothes I’ve wanted to sew for years, paper I’ve bought to make cards with, and on and on until my stash is reduced… or I will… “send it on its way”….  During the week I’ll be setting aside the materials I need so I’m ready to go on Thursdays – no matter what!  2010 will be the year for me to get things accomplished!

A Sweet Owl

Thank you, Mai at mairuru for your internet inspiration!

Embroidery was done by hand, but I used a machine to put the pouch together.

Black & Red

My husband doesn’t read this blog (it’s been over three years, you’d think he’d be a little curious by now…).  I’m sure he won’t mind a picture of him wearing braids. 

I knit this black hat on request and it was a hit.  I haven’t knit him anything since the sweater disaster back in the 80’s so I’m glad he liked this.

 

Another gift, two different crochet motifs sewn together with some beads in the center.

 

 

 

These are all things I finished last month but didn’t get photos of until now.  Now I want to move on and have new projects here at the blog.  So, I’m going to get off the computer and see what I can create this week.  By Friday I should have my act together and am going to post some realistic goals for the coming year.

Finally Friday

Still working on smoothing out all of my 2010 goals.  I’ve got a few projects listed and working on my calendar.  Left a few Etsy Teams so I can focus more on creating instead of marketing.  Because… if I don’t have anything new in my shop, what am I trying to get customers there for? 

Although I still use Twitter, I’ve left the Etsy Twitter group and even though I still create with recyclables, I’ve left the Etsy Trashion group, too.  I just can’t keep up with the requirements – although minimal, all these groups added up take a lot of time & it’s hard for me to focus on crafting when time is short.

Here we have – in the far back – more crochet keys in their raw form; I’ll crochet a few today and lay on a coat of metallic paint before stringing them into jewelry.  In the middle – another Quickie Cowl; this one I can work on while I’m doing something else not needing my full attention (waiting on line….)  In the foreground – a sweater redo, that I’m going to take out again and start fresh; the yarn has too much drape for me, I’m going to try something new with smaller needles.

How many projects can I attempt to keep going at once?  How many do you?

It’s the Little Things

I got an award.

And I’ve been stalling in my acceptance of it.

Why?  Because there’s requirements.  I’m sounding a little stressed and ungrateful right now, aren’t I?  Well, that’s what I realized.  I’m so honored to have been recognized by a fellow blogger – Foxy G – I cannot let it just slip away.

Here are the rules for the award acceptance: 

• Thank the person giving the awards, and link to their blog
• Copy award to your blog  
• Name 7 things people don’t know about you
• Nominate 7 bloggers, link to them & leave a comment on their blogs letting them know of their award

Now for the 7 things you probably didn’t know about me:

1- I don’t watch tv.  Except for the once-a-month sci-fi foray, I avoid it completely. Well, there’s True Blood.  So, almost completely.
2- My grandparents had a bakery while I was growing up in NY – most of my baking now is done in bulk with pounds (not cups) of flour and sugar each time.  
3- I drive people to their appointments sometimes for The Caregivers, Inc. 
4- I love to eat spicy food.  Like, ‘makes you cry’ spicy. 
5- “Alternative” is my music genre of choice. 
6- My name really is Tammy.  Not Tamara as I’m often asked.
7- I collect postcards.  Randomly, just picking them up when I like them and stashing them in drawers all over my house.  There must be 100’s by now.

This seems like a lot of work … and I don’t want to pressure any nominees or make them feel reluctant to participate, too… but I’m going to continue so whoever’s reading here can at least enjoy the ones I point out to you.

My 7 nominees – this is really, really hard - I follow so many, so I’m going to go for the ones open in my feedreader right at this moment:

1- Springtree Road –beautiful 
2- SoCuteItHurts – yes I always nominate this wonderful blogger!
3- Mairuru – amazing skills!
4- How About Orange – always something new & beautiful
5- Velma’s World – color & yarn to wake you up 
6- Art Bead Scene – inspirational! 
7- Gingerbread Snowflakes – so much talent in one spot

Can I change the award? Can I add some Tamdoll cuteness?  Well, here it is – thanks for being so patient -

New Year, New Projects

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you may notice that I start a lot of projects.  I finish many… but certainly not all.  I love the inspiration and new ideas that I’m constantly getting – but once that’s over with, I don’t always have the motivation to keep working on something if I already know how it’s going to turn out.  That’s also the reason you’ll rarely see any duplicate items in my shop.

I’m not into making “resolutions” – maybe setting some goals is a more appropriate phrase for me.  And still…. I haven’t set any of those.  I’m committed to the usual – exercise more, eat less sweets, spend more time creating then browsing the web, and working on projects that I truly enjoy.

Last week’s scarf ripped out:

to make way for this quick cowl:

The scarf was really, really beautiful, but I just couldn’t commit myself to all the knitting and following a chart – especially when it wasn’t reversible.  So, in a car ride last week, I whipped up the Quickie Cowl, sewed the seam, and gave it as a gift.  It was so nice and quick, I’m going to have to make a few more of those.

Next finished product – not gifted yet… (hope you’re not reading this!)… a pair of fingerless mittens with some great, squishy sock yarn (Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino).  I re-did the 2nd one at least four times, I just couldn’t get the tension right, modified the pattern… what a mess.  Now they’re done and I’m pretty happy.This week, I will look for a cute button for the side of these as a little accent.  Or maybe I’ll crochet one.

I also whipped up a great hat last month in bulky wool – I have to get a shot of that one to put up here.  Now onto sewing projects I think .. and thinking of Valentine’s Day projects!