Shop update - headbands

I updated the shop with a couple of flowered headbands today.  Check them out here!  :)

Giveaway - finished!

I just finished up this little cutie...

from this picture...

for the Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway day!  Want one of your own?  Check out my shop here.  (PERFECT gift for dads!  Order by June 2 for Daddy's Day delivery!)

Etsy Shop and Bluffton Village Fest

Good afternoon, friends!

My etsy shop is (FINALLY!) up and running again.  I love making things, but truth be told, I have a really hard time getting my act together to take pictures, write descriptions and post it all in my etsy store.  I'd much rather spend my time creating!  But, after weeks of making, I finally did get said act together, and here are the results (if you're so inclined to check them out).

One of my little owls

I am super excited about a new project I've been working on - creating felted objects out of children's drawings (namely Jesse's drawings, for the time being).  I love taking 2-D art and turning it into a special keepsake.  They're perfect for parents, grandparents, or boosting a kid's artistic self esteem!  (Available here in my etsy shop.)

Jesse's rendition of "Plants vs. Zomies" in felt 

Wool felt butterfly, original drawing also by Jesse

"A Scary Alligator on a Leash" by Jesse Plew, made into a felted figure

I have also been sewing quite a bit, and there are some fun sewn things coming up in my shop (HOPEFULLY by next week.)  Please stop by and take a look.

Also.....We have this adorable street in the historic part of Bluffton called Calhoun Street.  There are a bunch of galleries that sell local artists' work, antique and eclectic shops, restaurants, new and vintage clothing stores.... The street hosts a weekly farmers' market, as well as a number of festivals and special events.  By far, my favorite event is the Bluffton Village Festival.  Thousands of people roam the streets sampling the area's best local foods and wares from a number of talented artists.  I have wanted to set up a table here for years!  Something has always stopped me.... not enough inventory, being on bed rest with Micah, fear of failure (I know that sounds silly, since I've been selling my crafty things since I was little, but I'm really nervous about going out there on my own!).... But this year, I'm just going to do it!  Wish me luck and come out and visit - Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-4:00, Calhoun Street in Bluffton, SC!

Made for you - a little gnome

I finished my first gnome order last night, and he will be shipped off to his new home today.  Here he is:

And don't forget to leave a comment with your email address on this blog before Friday at noon to be entered into the giveaway drawing!  Have a great day!!!!

Thanks, Megan....giveaway extended

Hello friends!  My sister, Megan, in all of her vast wisdom, suggested that since it was a holiday weekend, and that people were out having fun, and not hanging around reading blogs and surfing the internet, that I should extend the giveaway for a couple more days.

OK, Megan, I'll give it a couple more days.  I was just really excited to set up my shop, that maybe I made the giveaway deadline a little too short.  How about Friday?  Would that suit you, smarty-pants Megan!?  :o)  OK, then Friday it is!

Just leave a message on this or any post this week (just one please) with your email address so that I can get a hold of you if you win and I'll randomly draw a name by noon on Friday.  So, come on, folks!  Leave a comment for a chance to win some lovely hanging acorns and three Fall leaves...and make Megan happy!

Oh, and since you're back from your long weekend, and you'll need something to do during your long work day, please check out my shop, too.  :o)  Thanks!

Shop update...TODAY!!!! (and a giveaway!)

I've been working really hard on getting my etsy shop up and running again...and today's the day!  Come on over and check it out!  Thanks for taking a look!

And to celebrate, I'm giving away a set of 6 hanging acorns, and 3 fall leaves!

 Just leave a comment and your email address here by the end of the day, and I'll randomly draw a name tonight.  The winner will be announced here tomorrow (September 6th).  Good luck!!!

Baby Project #5 - Baby shower gift

I love giving kits as gifts, don't you?  Whether it's a popcorn and movie kit (popcorn, movie rental cards, movie theater candy, and popcorn toppings in a big bowl), or a cookie making kit (ingredients for cookies, spatula, cookie sheet, and oven mitts), I think it's so fun to give a gift that has all of the pieces needed to make memories, have fun, or get a job done.  Well, changing diapers is no exception.  Although decidedly not as fun and exciting as baking cookies, it is a necessary evil of all new parents, and I just love the idea of having everything you need in one place.  That's how I came up with the diaper wrap.  I have posted on this blog before about it being my go-to shower gift, but I have changed the pattern a bit due my sister's critique of the changing pad being too small (thank you, Megan).  And now, it's better than ever!

I used some coordinating fabrics from my favorite reproduction 30's pattern stash (the most awesome Christmas present EVER from my Mom!) and some quilting binding I had had on hand.  Besides the changing pad, I also like to give the new Mommy-to-be a couple of newborn diapers, and a package of travel wipes.  I'm in the process of putting together a tutorial for this little present now, but it will take me a little more time to put the finishing touches on it.

Shop Update

Hello, sweet friends!  Just to let you know, I've updated my etsy shop a bit today.  I added a bunch of cupcakes, a felted bag, and few birds, too.  I'll be adding more later this evening.  I hope you're having a great day!!!

And the winner is.....

Thank you everyone who entered the giveaway for Horace, but the winner is.... MICHELLE!!!

Michelle said...What an awesome giveaway!

When I was on bedrest, I mainly used my laptop to keep me company and Netflix was a great way to be entertained. I especially love to watch TV series on DVD... Good luck!
Thanks for the chance to win!

Congratulations, Michelle!  Horace will be on his way to you very soon!  Again, thank you, everyone for participating!  Check back here on May 24th for my etsy shop reopening!  

a new year...just a little late

OKAY.  I know that it is 21 days into the new year, but I've been running just a little late for everything lately.  Thus I think that this post is more than fitting for my recent state of mind/life. {smile and sigh} I have been thinking and puzzling things over in my head regarding the start of a brand new year.  So many things have changed in my little world and I am enjoying them!!!  My adorable new (soon-to-be-officially-ours) son is the most amazing change in my life.  He is both a blessing and a challenge! (Why does he feel the need to rip books, lick counter tops and shopping carts, and pull the pee guard off his potty seat, sending a yellow liquid trajectory all over my clean pants ?) {another giant smile}

Which brings me to the real reason for this post - my promises to myself for this new year! (otherwise known as resolutions...but I really dislike that word...it always makes me want to quit before I get started...)

1.  I will spend more time laughing and less time getting frustrated.  (This includes pee on my pants that I didn't put there.)  I will let go of having an immaculately clean house, perfectly folded laundry, and a tidy craft room.

{my embarrassingly messy craft room}

2.  I will be more conscious and conscientious in my daily life.  This includes taking some important stuff seriously -  reading my Bible and praying, investing in friendships, playing more and fretting less, and getting healthy.

  

{sunflowers}

3.  I will make something every day.  I get in funks where it's hard for me to be crafty, even though I love creating.  This year, I want to have a pile of goodies on hand to give away and sell.

{happy craftiness}

I hope this new year finds you well, and with a whole new perspective on your life, too.  Happy (21 days into) 2009!  

oh how sweet!

Carolina Gudanowski, of From Tiki with Love,  posted the sweetest blog about my Little Sheep Felt.  Thank you, Carolina, for your sweet words!  Check out her etsy site, where she posts THE CUTEST bird prints, paintings, and greeting cards.

the lazy river and wool roving

I love being a nurse, but my days off have become a much-needed rest from the real world.  My sweet friend, Kim, invited me to come to the pool with her, and as we floated around the lazy river, we contemplated answers to the pressing issues in our lives.  Ah.....there's nothing like the leisurely solving of life's biggest problems!  And then, I finally got my act together and posted the wool roving and beginner's felting kits on my etsy site.  Hooray!  Another step closer to crafting independence!
 

it's done!!!!

After nearly nine months of felting/refelting and writing/rewriting, my little felting book is finally finished!  HOORAY!  Check it out here.  Oh...and I cannot finish this entry without thanking my amazing husband for doing all of the layout and printing.  He is amazing!

the beginning

I have been busy in my studio lately!  My time is consumed with writing a short instructional manual on needle felting, and trying to increase my inventory.  So far, the progress has been slow-going, but I'm inching closer to this life that I want to live (thus a blog entry - finally!!!).   I am not sure where this little venture will take me, but here I am....willing to make this first step in this journey.