Feeling Creative

Finally feeling the creative juices flowing. It probably has something to do with the time of year. I tend to halt all creative endeavours around June.

Bought this adorable Les Amis fabric by Penny Sloniger from Westwood Acres 

To make some of these fantastic tea cozies. Pattern purchased from Retro Mama. 

Can't wait to get started! First I have to set up the sewing machine :) 

I'd like to...

...eat pie for breakfast, so I will.

I'd like to...

...buy more fiesta ware. It's just so cheerful.

I'd like to...

...open up an online yarn shop, but I've been putting it off for 3 years

I'd like to...

...blog more but I can't come up with a good reason why. 

The End is Nigh...

The end of 2011 that is! Wow, what a year it has been. Each time I sign into this blog around this time of year and prepare to reflect on the previous 12 months I come to the conclusion that it's been the craziest year yet and then the next year is even crazier. In the past 6 years I could have never guessed I would have lived where I've lived and worked where I've worked and met the people that I've met. Even though some months seemed to never end and I thought some situations were excruciating, I am glad that I have traveled the road less traveled with the best husband ever!

Let's do the yearly round-up, shall we? January 2011 saw us ringing in the new year in Lethbridge where neither of us were overly thrilled to be (except for having the company of some people we met there who are fantastic - you know who you are). By May I had quit my job to reenter the land of unemployment and also so we could move to Calgary for the Mister to pursue his career in an actual office with real people (as opposed to being a virtual employee) and tried to settle into cowtown. Unfortunately, the cruel employment gods (faeries, gnomes, whatever mystical being you want to assign here) were not looking favorably upon me and I couldn't find work! Not even an admin assistant gig - very frustrating to say the least. One day while scouring the library job boards I saw a posting for a job on Vancouver Island and thought  "wouldn't it be amazing to live and work on the island!?" but immediately put it out of my mind as we'd only been in Calgary for 2 months and I was determined to make it work there dammit! I never mentioned the job posting on the island to the Mister until a few days later when we were wandering around in Marda Loop and the Mister said "I wish we lived near water again" and I said "Weeeelllll.......there is a job posted right now on Vancouver Island" and he immediately said "apply!"

So after sending in a finely crafted resume and playing the waiting game, all the while applying to any and all jobs posted in Calgary, I got a call from Vancouver Island Regional Library for an interview! From there things moved fairly quickly and the last week of October saw us moving for the second time in 2011.

I sometimes have to pinch myself when I think how lucky I am to have a professional gig on Vancouver Island! The employment gods (faeries, gnomes, whatever) ended up smiling upon me while at the same time dousing the Mister with some employment misfortune. As of December 22 the Mister will be unemployed as the company he works for has decided to liquidate the Calgary office and move all work to the United States. Alas, the Mister will have to find something else to do - in the meantime, some time off on the Island isn't the worst thing that could have happened to him!

I wonder what will happen in 2012 - I won't even ponder a guess because the past has shown that it's never something I could have predicted. Let's just say that I hope whatever happens it all happens here on the Island.

Happy 2012!

Bunting Overload!

This week's episode of Modern Family showed Haley wearing a cute little bunting necklace (sorry, I tried to find a still from the show but couldn't) and suddenly I was reminded of how much I love bunting!

LOVE this tiny bunting necklace from The Polka Dot Magpie! Great autumn colours.

These cute cards from Rainy Day Colors are simple and celebratory!

 Why not make your own bunting with this super vintage kit from My Poppet Shop

Incorporate some bunting into your holiday decor this year! Love this vintage inspired Christmas bunting from Red Marionette

Link Love!

I'm always bookmarking crafty things I love and thought I'd share some of my favourites.

I wish I had the skills necessary to make these! Thanks Sugar & Meringue for the inspiration!

Remember friendship bracelets? The Purl Bee is another fantastic blog everyone should follow. I'm thinking I should make a few of these soon.

I adore these free printable lists from Creative Mamma. I have to admit I rarely use a pen and paper to make lists anymore - but these inspire me to get writing!

I've recently started crocheting and am always looking for quick pretty projects to practice my limited skills. I was super thrilled to find these on The Yvestown Blog. I want to crochet them by the hundreds!

Happy Crafting!

Slow times...

Admittedly, I have been seriously neglecting my Etsy shop. There are a number of reasons such as a full time job (which is not longer an issue), lack of motivation, lack of interest.

I love the experience I've had on Etsy up until now - but there is just SO MUCH stuff on there that I have to renew an item every day just to get noticed (not even get a sale). I love numbers and stats (must be the librarian in me) so I've decided to compare the sales numbers and they definitely show the neglect and lack of interest/motivation.

2010                                         2011
January: 3 sales                      January: 9 sales
February: 1 sale                      February: 1 sale
March: 2 sales                        March: 4 sales
April: 5 sales                          April: 6 sales
May: 15 sales                         May: 0 sales
June: 9 sales                           June: 4 sales
July: 8 sales
August: 12 sales
September: 9 sales
October: 39 sales
November: 25 sales
December: 21 sales

I've been wanting to sew some cute dolls with a pattern I bought from Dolls and Daydreams. I've altered the face a bit and am just working on the first doll to see how the pattern works out. If I like the results then I am considering opening another Etsy shop to sell my dolls or opening a shop on another site entirely. So far I'm happy with what I've completed and I can't wait to see the finished product.

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek at some bookmarks I started waaaay back in February. I finally dug them out of a box and will start stitching soon. Really, the most tedious part is already done (that being the hand cutting of all the circles) You'll understand why I don't make these as quickly or in as great a quantity as the cup cozies. All that cutting and stitching hurts when done in long sessions! These will be in the shop soon.

Just call me Granny

As I pack up my craft supplies, sewing supplies, knitting and crocheting supplies, and all the projects I have on the go, I can't help but feel some pride at my very first collection of granny squares. I taught myself how to crochet granny squares in March and I have to say they are a lot of fun to make - but figuring out what to do with them after and then actually sewing them all together is another story (one I don't think is as much fun). Once we get to the new place in Calgary I'm determined to get out my solo granny squares and sew them together to form a pillow (I don't have enough for a blanket yet).

So far I've mastered the traditional granny square as you can see here

I've also mastered this fantastic summer garden granny square pattern I found online

 

I get my many squares out every once in a while and try to figure out how I want to sew them together. I would make a mini afghan for Harriet but from experience I know she really only likes yarn in it's dangly form - and not in blanket form. 

We move to Calgary on Saturday - so my squares will be heading into a box to be revisited in a week or so. Eventually I hope to post a picture that resembles this - but with the squares actually sewn together. 

 

Big Plans

I've been in the process of getting things in order for an exciting new project. I pretty much have my business plan finished and I've contacted a Canadian distributor. I've found a website provider and most exciting of all, I've purchased a graphic for my logo. What is all of this planning for, you might ask? I'm going to open an online yarn shop! I've yet to register the name so I won't say what it is until I register it. I can show you my lovely sheep logo (above). Still deciding on the font but I've narrowed it down to a few. I'm getting all graphics and fonts through Veer - not only because my husband works for Veer, but because they have a great selection at affordable prices. Stay tuned as my business endeavor develops.

Spring Colour Blast

I've been on the lookout for a fun bright leather clutch and thought I'd share a few Etsy shops I've had my eye on. Now to decide which one to buy!

Love this green cutie from JennyDesign

Another one I love that probably won't last long from The Leather Store

These are also fabulous and come in so many colours it's a good thing they aren't very expensive as I may need to get a couple of them! Fantastic find from Bambina

To Grandmother's House We Go

My latest treasury was inspired by the fantastic artwork of Little Black Apple. I love their Etsy shop and their book is on my wish list!

'Through the woods' by SlitelyAskew

Little Red and Wolfboy ... theblackapple $14.00	Little Red Riding Hood ... papernoodle $20.00
Red riding hood - 6x8 c... atpalicis $10.00	Little Red Riding Hood. elsita $7.00
Little Red Riding Hood ... inkyeverafter $2.80	Print - Wolf & Little R... fashionfucsia $12.00
Mini Red and Tan Little... DayDreamerDoll... $15.00	Vintage Little Red Ridi... thevintagesupp... $50.00
Big, Bad Wolf Journal StoneburnerBoo... $20.00	Little Red Riding Hood ... malam $102.00
Small Zipper Pouch--Lit... mintlane $8.50	Vintage Red Riding Hood... TheRitzyMeow $14.00
Little Red Riding Hood ... CABfayre $25.00	Wooden Hair Stick - Hai... OutNumberedNov... $36.00
Werewolf Wolf cuff link... grigio $15.00	RESERVED for Dottie - M... EnlightenedPla... $588.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Celebrate National Craft Month

Get crafty this month! Start by visiting the Craft Place for inspiration and ideas for how to celebrate all month long.

Last month I decided to teach myself how to crochet granny squares and it has been going pretty well. So, I'm going to dedicate March to my granny square afghan endeavors! I'm also going to finally get around to sewing my first pattern and possibly start on the doll project I've been meaning to get going since January 1st!

What are you working on this month?

So Much to Make...So Little Time

I've been gathering supplies and patterns like some sort of crafting maniac in the hopes to use them to make some sweet creations. However, that pesky thing known as a full time job keeps getting in the way. At this rate, I think I'd need a full month off just to get started on everything I want to make. Needless to say, I'm still gathering and still planning so that every chance I get I've got something fun to work on.

These are just a few of the things I've been gathering and planning:

LOVE LOVE LOVE this yarn! The colours available are so great and I just adore bamboo!

 

I'm hoping to use the bamboo yarn to make these beauties. I bought this pattern from Spilly Jane Knits. She has fantastic colour knitting patterns and it was so hard to pick just one! 

I found this fantastic Amy Butler fabric in a local quilting shop. I also bought some coordinating Kona Solids in pale yellow, sage green, and coral. 

 

I bought this pattern a few weeks ago and I can't wait to use my Amy Butler fabric to stitch up a few of these. I love Keyka Lou's etsy shop! I want to try all of her patterns!

I can't wait to get started on these! Now to find the time...

Firsts

 

My first blog post of 2011, I got my first sewing machine recently, I made my first treasury of 2011 today, I completed my first sewing project in 20 years just last week, and my Etsy shop will mark its first year of existence in a couple weeks!

I hope 2011 holds many other firsts!

Sew Wonderful

Santa brought me some fantastic sewing books and a superb sewing machine! I wanted to get a head start on supplies knowing that I would soon have my very own sewing machine so I did some pre-Christmas Etsy purchasing and got this great doll pattern from Dolls and Daydreams.

Then I purchased some adorable fabric from Fabric Shoppe I can't wait for it to arrive so I can start sewing!

Happy Holidays

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!

I'm working today and then looking forward to three days off. I know that I have a sewing machine waiting for me under the tree and I'm eagerly awating some adorable fabric to arrive after the holidays so I can start sewing like its 1991 (the last time I sewed anything of substance)

Cheers!

Success by the number

In mid-January my Etsy shop will celebrate one year! It started slowly and I definitely still need a day job but I'm pretty proud of the momentum I was able to gain.

Here is my success in number form:
January: 3 sales
February: 1 sale
March: 2 sales
April: 5 sales
May: 15 sales
June: 9 sales
July: 8 sales
August: 12 sales
September: 9 sales
October: 39 sales
November: 25 sales

In there was a wholesale order for 50 argyle cozies, a bulk order for 45 argyle cozies, and a bulk order for 12 argyle cozies.

Needless to say, I'm running low on stock and looking forward to creating some new designs. I'm also playing with the idea of buying locally sourced hand spun wool and dyeing it myself without harsh chemical dyes. If I could replace commercial yarn with this then I'd be really happy. Just trying to figure out if the added expense of high quality local wool will pay off in terms of sales.

I'm looking forward to what the next year holds and I'll definitely be better prepared for next year's holiday season. This year I was invited to about 6 different local holiday craft shows that I had to turn down because I didn't have enough stock and am trying to work full time in addition to running my etsy shop. I participated in one online holiday craft show but it yielded only a few sales. Honestly, I was just glad to get some more exposure and wasn't looking for a mass amount of sales. This past week I was contacted by RealSimple.com asking me to submit a couple cozies for an upcoming web feature on their site. Sadly, I couldn't get my cozies shipped to New York in time for the deadline and I'm missing out on that opportunity. Either way, I'm super happy with my first year and looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to all who have supported my shop either through browsing or buying or "following" or "hearting". Each and every visitor to my shop has made a difference!