Monday, October 26, 2009

Blogs I Follow

I realized this morning as I was blogging and posting some new things on my etsy, that all I ever seem to blog about anymore are new items in my shop and I wanted to take a minute to blog about something else! And what better to blog about than my favorite blogs! Because if you like to see what I make, maybe you'd also like to see what I read? Maybe?

Last year I blogged about Sew Mama Sew, a fantastic blog that has inspiring sewing ideas and pattern for free. Last year Sew Mama Sew did an amazing Handmade Holiday collection of gifts that you could make for the holidays. This month, they are doing a scrap busting month with ideas and patterns to convert all of your scrap fabric into beautiful things! Go check it out! I'm especially inspired by this and this and this...

Here are a few other crafty blogs that I read almost every day (when they post something new!)

http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/
Who posted a cute fabric box that she made the other day.

http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/
Who sells gorgeous purses on Etsy and has recently been experimenting with handstitching from Alabama Chanin's book.

http://craftapple.wordpress.com/
Who is a quilter but posts all kinds of great sewing tips for non-quilters as well! Her recent blog features the newest edition of Stitch Magazine which I keep meaning to get my hands on... my friend D bought it for my friend N's birthday and I almost stole it from the birthday girl!

These are a few of my favorite sewing blogs, check them out and share some of your favorites!

Holiday Prep


The last few weeks have been pretty crazy for me between work and helping to organize the SECAC conference that my department was hosting and procrastinating in front of my beads... phew! I realized this week that I tend to make more jewelry when I am busy than when I have free time. Isn't that odd? When I am crazy busy I have to reward myself with 15-20 minutes of non-work every now and then, so I end up turning to my craft room as my getaway space. I can easily start and stop a jewelry project as my spare time dictates. I just keep all of my current project's materials in a velvet lined tray and drop it into a bureau drawer when I stop (to keep it away from kitties). With this method I posted 6-8 new things on my etsy website these last 2 weeks! Much more than my normal listing speed!


It also occurred to me that now is the time to start building up my shop for the holiday season. The more items you have the more likely you will have just the right thing for a buyer! So my goal is to keep making and posting regularly for the next few weeks. Hopefully I can keep up the momentum!


I've also started a facebook fan page. I'm not sure if I will keep it up yet. So far I've only been using it to promote new listings in the shop and thats kinda boring I think. I haven't decided if I really have a use for it yet!


Thought I'd post a few pics of new things in the shop just to spice up this post, hope you like!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Red and Brown Stitch Markers





I've been having a terrible time lately with my camera. It's definitely time for a new one. But last night I was so excited to post some of the new things I've made that I fiddled and fiddled and fiddled with the lighting and the magnifying until I squeezed out a handful of decent pictures for listing. I'm not happy with the lighting still but its better than it used to be.

Here are two new sets of stitch markers. I really don't think the lighting does the colors justice but it will have to do. The red is far more jewel toned than it appears in the pictures. Whats a girl to do! Making stitch markers makes me miss knitting. I haven't seriously picked up my knitting needles since my move south. Partly this is because of a lack of time but mostly its because I just don't feel like knitting when its hot outside and it is always hot here. Or at least warm-ish. Sigh. Maybe I should take a project with me to Maine for Christmas, two weeks of knitting over the holidays might be in order!