Happy New Year!

2009 in Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this year. It was a big one for our family. My daughter graduated from college. My son's band made some great music. Our entire family got together to celebrate. We have a couple of furry friends who delight us daily. We have our health, a roof over our heads and food to eat. All in all, it was a great year.
Here's to an even better 2010. Happy New Year Everyone!

New Buds

I found a video online by Diane Gilleland, the author of Kanzashi in Bloom.


So, I had to try it. This flower is very much like the one I make for my fobs and bags. They are so cute! You've got to try it.

Pantone Reveals Their Color of the Year

"Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens."

These Etsy sellers are on the cutting edge of the trend.


1. Turquoise Pillow by plonkahome
2. Turquoise Silk Band by itsthelittlethingsut
3. Turquoise Veil by inspiringcolor
4. Fabric Sampler by buttercuppityfabric
5. Turquoise Dots on Black Canvas Tote Bag by bluecalla
6. Turquoise Earrings by deliverusbeads

New Fobs for 2010

I really like these new clip-on key fobs. They are so cute hanging from a pair of jeans. Enjoy!

Photos of the Week...Wishing You a White Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Collage....Some Christmas Favorites

1. Red and Ivory Milk Vase by stephaniekao
2. Mini Stocking Ornament by bloomandbarnacle
3. Verdegris Orchid Earrings by stamp
4. Green Ruffle Scarf by CaCtuSDesiGn
5. Cupped Red Padlock Earrings by DownToTheWireDesigns
6. The Umpossible fine art print by Raceytay

Photo of the Week...Ugliest Christmas Ornament

This is the ornament that has to be on our tree every year. It was the only ornament my husband was allowed to touch on the tree when he was a little kid. I know it's pretty ugly, but it has to be there or the tree just isn't done. The bell on the bottom of it still jingles!

Collage...Lavender

1. Lavender Swirl Soap by SweetSallysSoaps
2. Tassi Lavender Olive Oil Soap by MapleHillFarm
3. Tassi Lavender Handmade Soap by seaspritesoaps
4. Coaconut Milk and Lavender Essential Oil Soap by BubblesVarietyShoppe

New Bag

I was asked to create a bag that would clip to a golf bag. It's just the right size to hold a cell phone, money, credit cards, lip balm and some tees.

Collage...Stars

1. Holiday Star Ornies by CherryLaneJane
2. Stars Ring by mannmadedesigns
3. Teal Checked Origami Star by Rigmarole
4. Twinkle Stars Tree Ornaments by MagiaMia

Photo of the Week...My Baby

This is my son Sam recording in Nashville. How totally cool!

Collage...Hats

1. Plum Chunky Knit Hat with Button by Oops!KnititAgain
2. Kirby Beret-Tam-Snood by SavannahLaneDesigns
3. Butterfly Flapper Beanie by DollfaceDeVille
4. Spiral Button Brimster by knittles

Helen's Holiday Hoopla Review

I promised I would let you know how it went. I'm happy to say I did have an audience. You never know with these kind of events. There were 2 other speakers presenting at the same time. The group of ladies who attended my session were fabulous. They were attentive and had many questions, so, all-in-all it was a great experience.

Helen's Holiday Hoopla

If you are in the West Lafayette area tomorrow stop by the Helen Magazine's Holiday Hoopla. I'll be giving a presentation all about being an Etsy shop proprietor. I'm actually a little terrified. Will people really be interested in what I have to say. Ha! We'll see. I'll let you know how it went.

Photo of the Week...Christmas Tree Kitty

We're putting our tree up today and I'm hoping this doesn't happen.

Collage...Flowers

1. Pale Grey Blossom Corsage by AAliciaAccessories
2. Doin' the Numbers by HappyFind
3. Lychee Flower Corsage by SisilyLove
4. Leather Poppy Brooch by tmStudioDesigns

Photo of the Week...Happy Thanksgiving!

Big Orders this Week

Just working away in my sewing room this weekend. Lots of big orders! Yay!

Collage...Aqua and Coral

1. Necklace Pendant Turquoise Lampwork Heart by WildWomanJewelry
2. Girlie Girl 11 x 14 Painting by lauratrevey
3. Set of 6 Small Cotton Star Ornaments by sosorosey
4. Scooter Bag by retrofied

Photo of the Week...Turkey Cupcakes

How cute are these!!!

Crochet Obsession

If you've been keeping tabs on this blog, you might have guessed that I'm a little preoccupied with crochet. Here is my latest project...cotton dish cloths.



I have seen so many cute things on Etsy by talented fiber artists who crochet. So, I've been teaching myself. YouTube video tutorials are very helpful and there are a lot of them out there. I've also found two books that are very simple to follow. They both have great pictures and instructions. The first is "Teach Yourself Visually-Crocheting" by Kim P. Werker and Cecily Keim.



The second one is called "Crochet Adorned" by Linda Permann.



I knew the very basics going into it...chaining and single crochet. I've taught myself double and triple crochet and how to do granny squares and flowers. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I can't wait to try some of the things in the Linda Permann book.

Craft of the Week...Christy's Italian Bean and Sausage Soup

Okay, I know cooking isn't the kind of craft you are expecting in this feature, but it is really a craft of sorts. Anyway, my sister gave me this recipe and I just love it. It's perfect for a cool autumn day like today. And, it's so easy.

Ingredients:
1 lb of mild sausage
1 small onion diced
1/2 cup celery diced
1 carrot diced
1 46 oz can of beef stock
1 28 oz can of diced tomato
1 15 oz can of lima beans
1 15 oz can of kidney beans
1 15 oz can of butter beans
1 tbsp Italian spice


Brown the sausage with the diced onion and Italian seasoning. Then put the meat mixture in a large stock pot. To get all the bits of sausage from your skillet, de-glaze using some of the beef stock. Pour that into the stock pot with the meat. Add the rest of the beef stock, the tomatoes, carrot, celery and kidney beans (drained). Simmer on low heat for 1 hr. Add the lima and butter beans (drained) about 1/2 hour before serving. They are delicate and will cook down to nothing if added too early. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with grated parmesan cheese and a crusty Italian bread. So yummy!

Photo of the Week...Veteran's Day Poppies

Thanks to all the men and women who defend and protect our country.

Craft of the Week...Granny Square Ornaments

We have a holiday tradition in our family of giving Christmas ornaments at Thanksgiving. After turkey and pumpkin pie, we sit around the table and open packages. There are 19 in my family, which includes Mom and Dad, two brothers and one sister and their spouses, and 9 grandchildren. I prefer to make my ornaments because, as you can imagine, it gets costly to buy 19 ornaments. And, it's so much more personal to make them. I try to find something that isn't extremely time intensive...mostly because I usually procrastinate and have very little time to make anything. I also try to make an ornament that isn't too big because after years and years of exchanging ornaments, we either need 2 trees or very small ornaments.

This year I took my idea from a fellow Etsian, namolio, whose work I have lately admired. Her work is much more detailed and beautiful than mine, but I thought I'd give it a whirl. First, I went to YouTube to look for a tutorial for granny squares and was amazed at how many videos there are out there. This tutorial in particular was very easy to follow.

I used lace making cotton and a #4 crochet hook to make these 2" x 2" granny squares.


Than I made little 2" x 2" pillows using red and natural colored linen.


I attached the granny squares to the pillows with the red side up.


Now, all I have to do is attach a ribbon to hang them. Cute, huh?

Collage...Moths

1. Moth Queen Card by artspell
2. Moth Burnout Shirt by vital
3. Moths Original Mixed Media by potatobirdstudio
4. Brooch-Art Deco by redwhisper

Photo of the Week...Autumn Frost

Collage...Some New Pouches for the Shop

Collage...Candy Corn

1. Felted Candy Corn by QueenHeronCreations
2. Candy Corn Crochet Coasters by HCKCrafts
3. Newborn Candy Corn Hat by ToddlerToppers
4. Amigurumi Crocheted Candy Corn by trendycraftcreations

Photos of the Week...Pretty Pumpkins