Baby Girl's First...

...Ecofriendly Christmas Ornament: 2009 edition

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Can you think of a more fabulous way to recycle/upcycle an infant receiving blanket? I did a round version of these last year, and they were a big hit. I like the *star is born* theme of this one. Boy and "gender neutral" versions are on the way :)

More Progress

I have missed you! It's been a busy couple of days around here; I am excited to finally be able to catch my breath and get back to my daily blogging routine. Here is the new rug at 24". She will be finished soon, and I hope to have pictures of her new home to share, too.

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What has been going on around here? Please drop me a comment to let me know what's new in your part of the world!

New Rug In Progress

I've been hard at work on this round rug that will eventually be making its way to the UK.

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It is currently 19" across, but will be 30" in diameter when it is complete. The new owner told me it is for a "bedroom in a rustic seaside shack". That sure made me wish I could deliver this one in person :)

Lipstick in the Rain

I'm not familiar with the movie reference in the title of this collection...are you? I AM, however, quite sure that this is one GORGEOUS group of goodies! Thank you, Cottage In The Sun, for including my napkin cuffs in this beauty. Wouldn't this look super on the front page of Etsy? I think so! Please click on the photo to go straight to the treasury page where you can click on the individual pictures and even leave a comment for the curator!

Friday's Favorite: the Peach Tree

I believe that Etsy should have an award ceremony. You know, like the Oscars and Emmys. Sellers could be nominated from within the community itself, for categories like "Best Use of Humor in an Item Description" or "Most Helpful in the Forums". The awards could be called the *Besties*, hehe. Clearly I have given this too much thought. But, the inspiration behind my grand idea is today's favorite shop. Amy, "the peach behind the Peach Tree", would hands down be my pick for "Best Item Photos". I mean, look at these! She'd win for sure, don't you think?

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With her stunning and unique designs, excellent workmanship, first-rate customer service, and superior quality materials, Amy could very well be nominated in many other categories, too. Would you believe she is also one of the friendliest and most helpful people I have had the privilege to know on Etsy? Total package here, folks!

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With over a thousand positive feedbacks, and over 950 sales, it's clear that I am not the only person in awe of Amy and her work. Even more special and amazing, though, is that she takes no sale for granted. Amy has worked tirelessly (and successfully) to make her shop and jewelry stand out on Etsy in a very saturated jewelry category, and she always appreciates every single customer.

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I have gotten pleasantly lost browsing in the Peach Tree on many occasions. Besides enjoying the jaw-dropping images, it is so fun to read the unique and utterly perfect name given to each item; my vocabulary expands with every visit!

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Go, grab yourself a nice big cup of something and enjoy spending some time perusing the gorgeous offerings in this fabulous shop. Did I mention the free worldwide shipping? Drop Amy a message while you are there, or leave a comment here- let this wonderful woman know that SHE ROCKS!!

You're already gone aren't you?

If not, consider yourself warned: cover your keyboard... there will be drool!***

Fit for a Cottage Garden Fairy

I had a request from a pregnant friend a couple of weeks ago to make a hat for her soon-to-arrive baby girl. She had seen a photo and fallen in love with a particular hat, and was hoping that I could recreate it. Alas, the hat was knitted, and I crochet.

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While I *might* have been able to strain my brain to come up with a close approximation, it would not have been the same or as cute. Nor would I have felt like it was "my idea". So, I set out to make an even cuter hat- one that was all my very own design.

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This little cutie is the result! Crocheted from 100% organic cotton, the natural ivory background is embellished with a light leaf green vine that swirls all the way around the hat. Two pink rosettes are sewn to the hat itself- one in front, and one in back- and two fly freely on the the pistachio top knot tie. All four flowers are perfected with a simple glass pearl bead sewn securely in their centers.
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More than a hat, this is a newborn's heirloom. Won't she look like a little garden fairy coming home from the hospital in this? I am so happy that I was able to bring this idea to life, with a totally unique creation. I'm off to bundle this one up and send it off to that friend!
It's on the way, baby Chloe :)

Purple Craze

Who knew there were so many purple lovers out there?

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Here is a set of holiday ornaments requested by one of my teammates for her "non-traditional" tree. I'd love to see photos of this tree all decorated!

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And here we have a custom lidded project keeper for a lovely new customer in Ontario.

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She wanted all shades of purple, and some blues thrown in too. I think we've got that covered, don't you?

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Suddenly I'm in the mood for a little Jimi...Purple Haze, anyone?

Bundle of Joy

You know you want to say it. Go ahead! Awwwwwww.

This little peanut is all cozied up in one of my newborn wombEEs; check out his little raised eyebrow and accompanying wrinkles! Many thanks to the talented and generous Carleen of Charm Me Photography for sharing this photo with me!

Makeover Monday: 7/20

Here we have a beautiful cotton April Cornell napkin.

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And here we have the first of my 2009 upcycled star Christmas ornaments!

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There will only be 5 stars offered in this fabric, but I have been collecting plenty of lovely materials in holiday colors! Ornaments will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop starting in August. They measure 5" (13 cm.) from tip to tip, and weigh just over one ounce. Price for a beautifully wrapped and tagged star: $6. Set of 3: $15. Want to get your order in early? Click HERE to send a message directly to me at my Etsy shop!

Whatta Wake Up Call

This gorgeous collection was created by the very talented (and uber nice) Amy at ThePeachTree.etsy.com. It graced the front page of Etsy at 8:00 this morning. Unfortunately, I was still stretching and waiting for the coffee to perk, so I missed seeing it there. I send thanks out to Toni at RCTees, Gayle at MonkeyThreads, and Klaire at MysticSilks for sending me congrats messages, though. And special grateful hugs go out to Amy for choosing to include my bowl, and to Etsy admin for choosing this one for the primo spotlight!

Bitten by the Treasury Bug

No, I didn't leave out a photo on purpose- it only looks that way. I've been bitten by the treasury bug. If I hadn't seen this happen to someone else recently, I would be completely confounded. As it is, I am only semi-confounded.

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I'm so disappointed that this happened; with the 12th picture this would have been a FP collection for sure. Well, I like to think so. Please click on the photo to visit and click around if you have time, though...there are some amazing artists represented.

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This beautiful work by carapace.etsy.com is what SHOULD have been in the blank spot. Hopefully you can imagine it! Do click on the photo or the link to visit this unique shop; she deserves that and more for getting bumped out of this collection.

Fabulous Finds

It was a banner day at the thrift store today! I mean, will you LOOK at these vintage sheets? The top one is washed out in this photo, but it has a beautiful sparkling white background.

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This is a real oldie, too. Who can resist a sweet little red-haired imp? These colors will look awesome once worked up. Ooh, a tutu bowl perhaps?

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Had any fab finds of your own lately? Do share- I love to live vicariously through other thrifters!!

Custom Large Rag Coaster: Check!

One of my very best customers recently sent me a large bundle of awesome sheets, pillowcases, and scarves that she thought I would like. As a side benefit for both of us, she sent an entire matching set that SHE really loved...so she asked me to make her a 24" table coaster/rag rug from them! I finished this baby last night, and am so pleased with the way it came out. I used the entire set of sheets and a pillowcase for this. Care to guess how much she weighs?

Full Circle

I went to college in the late eighties at the University of Virginia. Waaaaay back then, there was a rivalry between our school and the *other* state school down the highway...Virginia Tech. I'm *pretty* sure this still exists today.

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I embraced the rivalry when I was in school, just for the fun of it. I even had a license plate that said "No Hokie"! Said license plate was later stolen after a Uva/Tech football game weekend. Go figure!

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So, how interesting to get a request from a Hokie this week- for a custom nest bowl set in, you guessed it, maroon and orange (Va Tech colors). I had to giggle to myself. I love the idea of making these in school colors, though- what a great gift! So today I say: Go Hokies! Isn't it funny the way life goes sometimes?

*Hmm...running off to add that Dave Matthews song to my playlist....

Book Slippers: Check!

Both of my *book* slippers are done!

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I wonder what the pro photos will look like!!
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I was anxious to see them "on", so I enlisted my little girl as a model. They are too big for her, of course, but they look pretty sweet, don't they? Looking good, kiddo, looking good!

Makeover Monday: 7/13

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I found this beautiful 100% cotton Ralph Lauren bedsheet at the thrift store the other day. I washed her up and have been gazing at her, trying to decide what special purpose she could serve. The background is such a shabby chic vintage mint color, and those roses, mmmmm.

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I cut her into 4 equal pieces, and am using a large hook to crochet each piece into a round like this one. These will be the beginning of my new project...care to guess what I have in mind?? Come on, play along...leave your guess in the comments. I'll be back tonight to tell you what I am making!

pistachio

My timing was on yesterday, and I managed to snag a treasury for the first time in awhile. My theme? Pistachio! Please click on the photo to head straight to my collection. Click around on all the great shops, leave a comment and enjoy!

Shabby Chic Glass Buttons

Oh, just look at what came in the mail for me this week!! Can you believe the intricacy and the colors of these lampwork glass buttons??

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The amazing talent behind these creations is Lynn of Brilynn Beads. I am already planning an ultra feminine bag design that I hope will be a fitting backdrop for these beauties! Stay tuned.

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You must have some of these for yourself right this very minute?

Go right HERE to visit Lynn's shop. Tell her I said hello!

Super Special Order

When is a robe not a robe?

When it has become a bowl!

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I had the tremendous honor and pleasure of meeting a wonderful person last week. She saw my memory bowl listing, and it resonated with her. Like me with my gramma's jammas, she has kept her late Gram's robe in her closet, unable to part with its sentimental value.

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We sent messages back and forth, and she decided to send me the robe to see if I could work with it. When it arrived, the first thing that struck me was the beautiful pale blue color. It was a size large, so there was a good amount of fabric to work with, too. The material was super silky and thin though (a poly/cotton blend), so I knew I would need to cut fairly large strips to make a sturdy bowl.
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There probably is a scientific or mathematical way to calculate the size that a bowl will be. We'd have to figure in many variables, such as the heft of the fabric, the width of the strips, and the size of the hook.

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I'm sure if I asked my husband, he would gladly put his math major to work and spin formulas into the night. But, I enjoy the approximation. I enjoy never knowing exactly how large something will be, or what shape it may take on. I love just letting the fabric take me on a little journey. Fortunately, my new customer trusted me to just make her something special.
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The bowl ended up being 5" across and almost as high! I listed it late last night thinking my customer would see it this morning. Nope, she snatched it up right away and sent me the nicest message. She said she had tears of joy in her eyes when she saw what had been created from her Gram's robe. She told me she took a carnation off the closed casket before she left Gram's funeral, and had pressed it in her bible. This bowl will be the new home for that carnation.

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This special item is on its way to Florida as I write. I can't wait to hear that it has landed safely in its new owner's hands. May she bring joy and many, many fond memories!

Getting Loopy

My good friend Karen at RunsWithScissors4.etsy.com sent me a message the other day about a bowl idea that came to her...in a dream! And here I thought I was the only one who had crochet bowl dreams (and nightmares!). Anyhoo, she went on to describe the "loopy pot" that she envisioned and asked if it could be made. I said I had no idea, but that I would try.

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This little lady is the result! I love the ruffly sweetness, and in person the bowl really does beg to be touched. My friend Kristine said that it looks like a bowl wearing a skirt, and I have to smile and admit that it totally DOES. So, should I stick with "loopy pot" or go on and call it a "tutu bowl"?

Bye, Bye Beanies!

What??? I didn't tell you that my adorable project 3 organic cotton beanies have top knots?? Silly me!!

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All 10 of my little hats arrived in Texas today, where they will wait for all their *relatives* to arrive before being bundled up and heading off to India at the end of the month!

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I had made all of the "normal" ones- in natural and pink and blue and green- when my mother said, "Wouldn't it just be perfect to add some in more exotic colors?" She was so right! The paprika and cumin spice up the bundle perfectly. Thanks, Mom!!

Why Thank You, Etsy!

Since I am usually awake until 1 am, it is rare for me to wake up to any messages on Etsy. So, when I logged in and saw 4 "convos" waiting for me yesterday morning, I was a little astounded! It turns out that while I was snoring away at 5am, a kind Etsy admin took notice of my work and included it in a front page treasury. What an honor! Special thanks to Felicia at FluffyFlowers.etsy.com for letting me know :)

Makeover Monday: 7/6

The Craft Hope book project is moving right along! I have heard back from Jade Sims and the Lark editors with feedback about my upcycled child's slipper project, and I've also signed my contract! The editors would like the slippers for the book to be made in bright, super kid-friendly colors. I made it my mission last week to find the perfect fabric; what could be better than a child's bedsheet?!

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This sheet is full of such happy colors, isn't it? I spent the day working with it yesterday. The hardest part about crocheting for publication for me is having to constantly interrupt the creative process to write down every last direction as I am making the item. I want to just MAKE, y'know? But, great instructions and photos of every step are, of course, a must.

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Here is slipper number one that will be sent in for the book! I just have to photograph the binding process for slipper number two, and I will be all set. Well, then I'll need to translate my shorthand to write out the thorough directions. But, whew!, I have until August for that!

A New Shape

As I sat down the other night with the remainder of this gorgeous purple vintage sheet, I decided that it deserved a special purpose. I had been thinking about adding a *median price range* bowl to the shop, for those who'd like something larger than the 3" or 5" ones that I typically offer.

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I came up with the idea of combining a bowl and a coaster and making sort of a shallow dish. One that could be used as a sweet centerpiece, or as a container for items that you really want to see all of. Like makeup, maybe. Or some kind of pretty potpourri or collection of little things. This "art bowl" measures over 8" wide and the sides slope up gently to stand about 2" high. Price tag: $15.

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Please help me out with my description...what would YOU put in a container like this?

Gray or Grey?

I had such fun putting this new treasury together! Searching for "grey" and "gray" items on my teams, and on Etsy in general, produced very different results. While there were almost 42,000 items tagged with "grey", there were only about 36,000 for "gray". Savvy sellers spell it both ways in their tags to make sure that no matter how the searcher spells it, it will show up!

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Please click on the photo to go straight to my treasury page. Leave a comment, too- it will let these sellers know how much you like their work!

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And by the way, how do you spell it?

Beanies, Baby

I'm up to my ears in cute little organic baby beanies! I love the pattern I created, and I so wish I had a real newborn handy to try these on. The caps I've made so far are destined for children's homes in India thanks to Craft Hope and The Miracle Foundation; I'm so excited to finish them up and send them on their way. There's still time to get involved in project 3- beanies, booties and blankies are needed, and the deadline is July 25th. Read more and sign up to participate right HERE!

Voila!

Surely you know what it is now!

Yes, an upcycled envelope clutch!

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You can check out more photos right HERE!

To order one of your very own, just send me a message!