Wednesday's Works

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It's that time again...the bittersweet end of another school year.  I'm busy making fancified pens for the PTA volunteer celebration next week.  10 down- 40 to go.  Can you guess our school colors?

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I've also been hard at work on a custom rug order- size 14" by 72".  Right now it is about 14" by 50", and I'm right on schedule for it to be completed early next week.

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And the last, biggest thing that's been keeping me busy?  Packing!  That's right- you heard it here first... unless you heard it on facebook first.  We are moving to Gettysburg this summer, and Sophie and I couldn't be more excited for our adventure.  See the sosovintage shop announcement for a 20% off coupon code good through the entire month of June!

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How about you?  What do you have going on these days?

Wednesday's Works

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Just when I thought Easter basket orders were finished, two more came in yesterday!  This is the ball of fabric ready to be crocheted for the first one.  This particular basket will be the third I've made for this family- what an honor to have them keep coming back each time they have a new baby. 

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Not yet sure about fabric desires for basket order 2... hope to hear back from them soon.

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Remember my red ombre basket?  Well, it will be on the sosorosey shelves soon as it did not work out for the customer who ordered it.  Now she would like two round coaster/pad/trivets instead.  We were going to go with fabric, but after looking without success in 4 different stores for basic red with black or gray flecks, I had to offer other options.  I worked this up to show her what red with black yarn looks like.  Fingers crossed that she likes it!

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Lately when I am not making baskets, being a mom, hosting PTA ice cream socials, and collecting fabric for various custom orders, I'm working on my "for fun" robin's egg rug.  This yarn is soooooo soft, and while I will probably list it, I won't be sad if it doesn't sell.  ;)

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What have you been working on lately?

Wednesday's Works

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Happy Hump Day!  I have begun my latest custom rug order, and I'm so excited about this one.  It will be my largest cotton yarn rug to date- measuring 50" by 106" when complete.  This is what I have so far: 50" by 10".  Just a *little* bit more to go.  You'll probably get to see this in Wednesday posts for at least a couple of weeks.

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Another cat hat - this one bound for Cooper, a furry redhead in Michigan.

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Last cat hat for awhile- this one headed just down the highway to be shared by Lulu and Larry in Warrenton, VA.

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Besides the crocheting, Sophie and I have been working on her class Valentines and a bulletin board at the school.  I have revamped a couple of charm packs for sosovintage, and am finally getting some of my new vintage towel pile photographed and listed.   Busy, busy!

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What have you been working on lately?

Thursday's Treasure

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I'm so excited about the personalized Valentine treat bags I ordered for Sophie!  I found these on etsy (of course) from a seller named wreathartist.  While she specializes in wedding type things like unity candles and signs, she has just started to carry these personalized treat bags as well.  The food safe bags are almost 5" by 7", so they will hold plenty of cookies or candy!  The seller was very quick to respond to my messages and had the proof to me within hours.  The bags were made and shipped by the next day!  I can't wait to see them in person, and I know they will make classroom Valentine giving extra special for my little love. 

Tuesday's Treat

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This dear deer bowl is the brainchild of one of my most creative customers.  Isn't it precious?  It will be a gift for her mother this Christmas :)

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In other news, check out the new holiday slideshow over on the right side of my blog.  It was created by my good friend Karen from Vintage Station, and it features my shops along with many other awesome etsy sellers.  What a sweet surprise!

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Happy Tuesday, my friends- may you have many treats to fill your day

Wednesday's Works

It's been a busy time at the soso world headquarters!  I've been very fortunate to have just the right amount of work to do- plenty to keep me busy, but not so much as to make me crazy.  Er, crazier.

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The order for these two baby stars came to me via facebook, and I'm so happy to have reconnected with this customer.  These left for Rhode Island yesterday.

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I've been playing around with yarns and hook sizes for the lacy scarf that I love so much.  Finally, I think I have the look and feel I was going for.  I have a horrible time taking scarf photos, but I've got some that will *do*, so I plan to list this soon as a made to order item in sosorosey.

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These jute applique flowers are a custom order for a new customer.  I love the way they turned out- I could see a lovely garland of these made with red ribbons as a festive winter "snowflake" decoration.  I'm not sure what the customer plans to do with them, but I'd love to see the end result!

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In between these crochet projects, I've been busy helping Sophie with her school timeline project and also trying to keep up with the "birthday month from hell".  NINE family birthdays in one month- and the month before Christmas at that.  Tomorrow is a big day.  Thanksgiving AND my baby turns seven years old.  SEVEN!  We're heading up to PA for a weekend of celebrations, so stay tuned for photos :)

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What have you been working on this week?  And for you Americans, how do you plan to spend Thanksgiving this year?

Tuesday's Treat

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Behold the fabulousness that I just received in the mail- the expert handiwork of Charlotte from Bizzie Lizzie.  This isn't my first order from Charlotte, and I'm certain it won't be my last.  I can always count on each transaction to be absolutely perfect from beginning to end: communication is prompt and super friendly, custom orders ship out in a very timely manner, and the workwomanship cannot be beat. 

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These tissue holders were made just for me, from reclaimed vintage linens, and I can't wait to give them as gifts this holiday.  The people who received the Bizzie Lizzie zippered pouches last year are still raving about them.  Shopping with Charlotte is a always a special treat- I give this woman and shop my highest praise and recommendation!

Wednesday's Works

Lest you think that all I do these days is sit around making wreaths, let me tell you, there's been plenty of star making as well! I finished my 50 star wholesale order and sent them off to Alabama yesterday.  They will be sold as part of a new collaboration with this adorable website: http://nightowlpapergoods.com. 

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While I was searching for some supply or another, I came across some of the primitive rag balls that I had set aside last year.  The stars made from them really showcase the gorgeous colors and feedsack fabrics, and I'm excited to be able to offer these in sosorosey again.

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A "baby star" customer from 2010 came back for another one for their new baby girl!

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And the guidance counselor at Sophie's school just had a little boy, so this will be sent off to her as she enjoys her maternity leave.

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I finished up my 5 potholder order this week, too.  So now maybe, just maybe, I can bring my 2012 ornament idea to life.  Stay tuned for that - it's gonna be a cute one if I can work out the details!  Enough about me- what have you been working on this week?

Wednesday's Work

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Happy Hump Day!  And Happy 49th Birthday to Mike!

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These last two weeks have been a blur of work.  And not really the kind that gives me nice pictures to share.  Unless you like to see countless forms and sign up sheets and spreadsheets, that is. 

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I am, however, just finishing up a wholesale order of large jute stars.  A big box of these lovelies will be heading to A Piece of Mine in Kenosha, Wisconsin at the end of the week.  Check!

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What's been keeping YOU out of trouble lately?

Wednesday's Works

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This week my work has been centered around getting ready for Back to School night tomorrow night.  I also had the unique opportunity, however, to create this set of bowls for a returning sosorosey customer.  She sent me a gorgeous set of queen sized sheets, and this is what they produced.  The largest basket here is 9" wide by 3" tall.  The smallest is 3" by 3".

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I've also been hard at work getting our Craft Challenge post together.  Be sure to come back tomorrow to see all of the treasures that have been created!

Oh No You Di-int

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The majority of my interactions on etsy range from friendly to ultra-pleasant.  But eeeeeevery once in awhile a nutjob slips through the cyber cracks.  Now I certainly won't go so low as to post names with these tidbits, but I thought it could be kind of fun and educational to share the kind of message that an online shopowner will deal with from time to time. 

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In an attempt to gather different perspectives, I'm hoping that people will give their reactions in the comment section and perhaps thoughts about what the appropriate response would be.  At the end of the day today, I will leave a comment with the response that I gave.  Are you ready for installment one?  The following message came to me from a person I have never met or spoken with...

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YOU to....WHY?????? are you cutting up the vintage sheets,...STOP ....you can not

find them...STOP IT.....let the customes that buy them from you,deside that....not you...

what is wrong with you....I could understand if they were stained..or torn...but these were

perfectly good sheets..PLEASE STOP...they are going to be destint...

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So, there you have it- in its entire unedited glory.   Discuss...

Thursday's Treasure

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 Did you think for even an instant that I made these beautiful things?  If so, you must be a new follower, lol!  No, this adorable cake bunting was handmade by Caroline from Beautiful Thinking UK on etsy.

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My one teeny part in this production was packaging up and sending the stunning fabrics that Caroline chose from sosovintage.  Everything else was all her!  She has an incredible eye, doesn't she?

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Bunting just somehow kicks every festivity level up about 10 notches!  They are perfect for any occasion, and in my book, buying one or ten is a good enough reason to form an occasion. 

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All of these items are for sale in Beautiful Thinking.  Click the banner above to shop the whole store, or click the individual photos above to go directly to those listings.  Warning: Cover your keyboards...Drool Alert!

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Looks like the pink bunting has already been scooped up, but I'll bet Caroline would love to make something similar just for you.  Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful thinking with us, Caroline!!

WiP Wednesday

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I've been busy working on this custom basket for a sosorosey order.  It will be used as a fruit bowl, and I sure hope we get to see photos of her all filled up with bananas and apples and oranges in her new home!  She is currently 12" across and a little over 2" tall.  One more inch of height to add and she'll be all set to fly off to Australia :)



Makeover Monday: 5/7

A favorite sosorosey customer has come back with a special request- this time for a cotton rug in shades of brown and beige.  I found this yarn for her yesterday, and since it is a double strand rug, we're trying to decide what to do for the other color. 

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I spent some time making swatches last night using this yarn with 3 other brown variations.  This mosaic is the fruits of my labor. 

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The rag rug shown on the bottom right is what I was given for color inspiration.  The variegated brown yarn shown is the 2nd color that I think my customer would like.  The closeup on the top left is the swatch with the variegated brown and the first chosen yarn. 

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The top right of the mosaic shows my three swatches.  The center one is the two yarns I shared with my customer yesterday.  There is some gray in that one that I think most closely matches the inspiration rug.  We'll see which one she picks, and I'll have some rug to share on WIP Wednesday :)

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I don't know about you, but I have a crazy busy week going on here.  Most of it is related to school functions surrounding Teacher Appreciation Week, but I also have a dreaded dental appointment on Thursday, a PTA meeting Thursday night, and out of town visitors on Friday.  I'm very much looking forward to the visit, but I sure wish a cleaning fairy would make an appearance between now and then!  If you see her, send her my way, OK?

Happy Happy Day

On this day six years ago, my baby girl was born.  My Budgie, my Squishy, my Soso, my Bubby, my love. 

I xoxo heart you, you are my best!

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And, on this day four years ago, I signed up for an Etsy account and changed my life.  Dramatic but true!

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So, a big thanks to all who have helped me through my mothering adventure so far.  Thanks, too, to all who have helped make my Etsy time both enjoyable and successful.  I couldn't have done either thing without you!

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Aren't the graphics above just darling?  Click on the images to go straight to the websites where they were found.  Don't say I didn't warn you that both sites are totally adorable!

Spill It Session #8

2007 listing photo

I was thinking back over my online shopping history the other day, and thought it would be fun to share our very first Etsy purchases!  Here is mine- the "I Want It All" soap sampler from Dennis Anderson. That was back on November 22nd, 2007!  Today Dennis is the number two top seller of handmade on Etsy, and he still offers this sampler - and for only $2.50 more than I paid way back then!

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2011 listing photo
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To find your first purchase, log into your etsy account and go up to "your account" at the top.  The first item on the drop down menu is "purchases".  You can share the link in the comments here, or just tell us what you bought, when and from whom.  This should be a fun way to learn a little something about each other!

Thursday's Treasure

Oh, how I love it when a customer asks, "Do you think you could....?".  I especially love it when I can say YES! - or at the very least, let me try and see.

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Someone wondered the other day if I could make one of my fabric stars larger.  I replied that I absolutely could- how large was she thinking, and what color did she want?  She wasn't fixed on a certain size- just wanted it to be large and sturdy.  And peacock blue, deep yellow, and shades of green. 

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I poked around in my fabric stash and quickly realized I wasn't going to find one fabric with all of those colors.  So I had a personal *aha* moment and realized I could use several fabrics, which would also help me increase the size.

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I couldn't wait to make this last night, and I absolutely LOVE the look of this new extra large star.  It measures a whopping 10.5" from point to point!  The blend of fabrics can really tie a room together, and this is strong and sizable enough to hang on a wall or front door.  Gone are the days of worrying over not having the right colors in a star fabric- this is like making my own fabric.  And, like snowflakes and fingerprints, no two of these will ever be the same!

Changing it Up

For anyone who doesn't know, each member of Etsy has an avatar.  This is a small photo to represent the shop/buyer. 

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Some people use their facebook photos, some use a logo, some have a photo of something in their shop.  I like to do the latter in both of my shops, as it's a quick way for a person to see the kind of thing I sell when I post in the Etsy forums.  I change my avi seasonally or when the item pictured sells.  Or just when I feel like it!

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My sosovintage avatar item sold the other day, and I need to replace it with something I have available.  Please help me choose one of the following:

#1 pink and aqua lamb

 #2 fawn couple

#3 big eyed girl

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Which do you like best? 

Please leave a comment with your # vote- I really appreciate your input!

Coming Attractions

Just a few of the new vintage sheet fabrics coming to sosovintage in the next few days. If you see a print that's perfect for an upcoming project, now is a great time to acquire large cuts- I can usually get a good yard or two of excellent fabric for customers who jump on new listings right away. If something looks interesting but you just aren't sure, I'm always happy to send additional photos, too- just ask!

Colossal Bowlee

A nice new customer saw THIS listing in sosorosey, and asked if I could make it a bit bigger. The original bowlee measures 4" across and 3" high. This mammoth beauty is 11" across and 10" high! It will be used to house either a wastepaper basket or a large houseplant. Isn't that fun? Off to find the right size box...