Friday, May 29, 2009

Collage...Some New Favorites



1. Bluebird Crash Print by chickory
2. Green Tree Bookmark by alamodestuff
3. Springy Patchwork Purse by spongetta
4. La Petite Cottage in the Forest Print by jellybeans
5. Thistle and Tiny Green Marbled Purse by solsisters
6. Patina Bronze Medallion Earrings by BlondeChick

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Blog Award



I just received this One Lovely Blog award from Mandi at Mandibeads. Now I get to pass it on.

Here is what you do...
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

1. Alamode Stuff
2. April's Originals
3. Attic 24
4. Audrey's Country Crafts
5. Block Party Press
6. BridBird
7. Dog Daisy Chains
8. Emma Lamb
9. Fancy Picnic
10. Flower Wild Designs
11. Goodbloom
12. Hen House
13. Her Library Adventures
14. Rocky Top Studio
15. Solsisters

Monday, May 25, 2009

Treasury...Gifts for Her

Thanks to DigitalPhotoWorks for including my key fob in this treasury.

Memorial Day Photos

I love this time of year in the midwest USA. Everything is green and lush. All the flowers are blooming. Beautiful!








Happy Memorial Day!

Buds in Progress

Thank goodness for 3 day weekends. Getting lots of work done. Here are some buds in progress.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Orange and Green Treasury

Thanks to Embellishedlife for including my bag in this great Treasury.

Friday, May 22, 2009



Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

CAB Team Summer Project



Some Etsy Carried Away Team Members are spending time this summer making up 12" blocks to create quilts for donation to Project Linus.

"Project Linus is a non-profit organization with a two-fold mission.
First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children."

So far, we've had an enthusiastic response from the team. These shops will all be making blocks, whole quilts or assembling blocks for the team.

Wendy (that's me) of Bags and Buds
Barb of Baggaroos
Cynde of Cynde's Place
Dawn of D's Chic Boutique
Krystal of Solsisters
Regina of Miss Gina Designs
Leslee of Tropical Crush Bags
Kim of Kim's Crafty Apple
Penny of Pennamite
Nichole of NiChern Designs
Masko of Siam Square

Go Team!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Collage...Here Kitty, Kitty



1. Russian Blue Cat Art Print by dogartstudio
2. Custom Pet Portraits by meltoberer
3. Fish, Bowl, Cat, Kitten by LaBerge
4. Black Cat by k9artgallery
5. Quiet Thoughts by PatriciasPalette
6. Blue Tabby Maine Coon Cat by 3StreetArt

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Getting Ready for a Craft Show

I've been getting ready for a craft show and have been trying to come up with some great display options. I think the spinner rack will work just fine for my key fobs and push pins. I plan to put a little sign on top with pricing and have been toying with the idea of using some cork to show the push pins.



Because I bought the rack online I couldn't really tell how big it was. Turns out it will hold about 80 fobs on one row. I have been sewing like crazy to fill it. I made 28 fobs today. Whew!



The baskets follow the same chrome look as the spinner. I really need to get busy on my zipper pouches to fill this one.



Now I just need to come up with some kind of floor stand for my bags. I've been toying with making a hinged screen that I could put hooks in to hold the bags. Or, I could stand them on a set of collapsible shelves. I'm just not sure how much floor space I will have. I've got a few weeks to figure it out. Any ideas?

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Etsy Seller Spotlight...ShibaNgDesigns

I am totally blown away by the art of this Etsy seller. Robyn's bags are just stunning. Can't say enough, so I'll let her speak for herself. Here is our email correspondence...



1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia which is somewhere so far away from where I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia that I sometimes can’t believe I really live here. I came to Halifax to continue my studies at The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, after completing a Textile Arts Certificate at Capilano University in North Vancouver. From a young age I’ve been artistic and that interest was encouraged by my family and people who surrounded me, but when it came to deciding what pursue what to do after high school it wasn’t obvious at first. Luckily it only took one year of intro university courses before I was lured into textiles by a capturing poster I saw around campus advertising a sale from the Textiles Department. On that day I realized that this was what I had to do. That was more than five years ago and I haven’t looked back since. I feel so fortunate to have discovered what I feel so passionate about at this stage in my life.



2. How long have you been sewing and creating bags?

The first bags I made were when I was in high school and didn’t want to use a backpack and I raided my dad’s closet and took all of his old pants to use as material. My first designs came out of a utilitarian need which is still an important quality in the bags that I make today. The whole evolution of my felt appliqué style began during my second year of textile studies when I needed to create a tote large enough to carry all of my supplies. Since I didn’t want it to be plain, I threw on some fleece and hand-spun yarn to make the bag into a bold piece that I felt good about using. This is where it began for me.



3. Do you sell your creations anywhere else besides Etsy?

Currently I am selling in Halifax at Lady Luck Boutique and Seeds Gallery. I am looking to expand to Vancouver boutiques which are where I first began selling my original bags before moving to Halifax.

4. What is your inspiration?

Inspiration for me primarily comes from nature and I am in awe. I have taken an interest in watching plants grow and noticing the patterns and symmetry that unfolds. Springtime is always so amazing to see how new life can burst out of the ground or from stark branches. The colours that emerge are beautiful and I take note of how they look in contrast to the colourful houses lining the streets. I see the world in colour combinations and this translates into my work where I play with colour and texture to create my designs.



5. Do you do any other arts/crafts?

My love and passion is textiles and anything related. I am moving into making clothing and my interest is in winter coats, spring trenches and blazers. I also did study jewellery which I am incorporating with my textiles by making the buttons out of metal to become features on clothing I make.



6. What piece in your collection is your favourite?

Right now I like the bags that have the light grey branches and bright blossoms because they are fresh and vibrant. My favourite would be the combination of the mossy green with turquoise or purple and white branches.

Thanks for sharing Robyn!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Collage...Chartreuse



1. Button Necklace in Chartreuse by smashing
2. Applewater by tinarice
3. Passaporto Passport Cover by feralgirl
4. Pitcher by PainterlyPots
5. What Growth May Come No. 3 by UmberDove
6. Multi-Strand Wrist Cuff Bracelet by be2be

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Graduation Weekend

We had a fabulous weekend at my daughter's graduation. My mother threw a big party at her house with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. A great time was had by all.

Kate and Michael

Michael, Curtis, Dean Kvan, Kate and Tommy

Bill, Kate and Kip





100th Sale Celebration Giveaway


I want to thank everyone who entered my 100th Etsy Sale Celebration Giveaway. I had my 100th sale this weekend. And, the winner is Nicola Callow.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Wonderful Surprise...Try Handmade


I was reading through my favorite blogs today and when I came to Try Handmade, I got a wonderful surprise. My very own blog was featured in their weekly "Handmade Blogs" post. Thanks so much to Erika Jurney, founder of Try Handmade, for the feature.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Bella...The Crazy Cat

I shot this picture of my cat last night. She's insane!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Collage...Merlot


1. Zola Jones Z Bag by ZolaJones
2. Deep Red Cotton Flutter Dress by larimeloom
3. Krylon Spray Paint Lamp-Red by bblock
4. Graphic Black, White and Red Drum Table by ljindustries
5. Red Poppies Wall Wear by neawear
6. Hand Felted Red Merino Wool Pillow by olofsdaughters
7. 3 Mixed Paper Journals by afiori

Monday, May 4, 2009

A Walk Around the Yard

After our weekend trip to the garden center. We've got our work cut out for us.

My favorite boots!

Bleeding Heart in the woods

More little hearts

Cheddar Pinks

Lily of the Valley from our generous neighbor Joy

Popping up through the branches

Miniature Iris

Woodland poppies

Treasury...Red and Blue from the CAB team

Thanks to pandjcrafts for the beautiful treasury. This really makes me think of summer.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

My Baby is Graduating from College

Well, the day I never thought would come is quickly approaching. My oldest is graduating from college next weekend. I just can't believe it. I can remember when she was 2 how she would run down the hall on her tip toes after her bath in nothing but a smile. How she'd change her clothes 6-7 times a day and none of it matched. How she'd pull her twin mattress off the box springs and prop it on the roof of her playhouse to use as a slide. I remember her first day of school, when she got on the bus and didn't even look back. I remember birthday parties and sleepovers...braces and bad haircuts...first boyfriend and first dance...getting her drivers license...school plays and competitions...senior prom...high school graduation...moving into her first dorm. Wow, those days go by so quickly. Now she is a beautiful young woman with her whole future in front of her. I'm so very proud of her.

100th Sale Celebration Giveaway

I've decided to allow the giveaway to continue until I hit 100. I'm currently at 99, so it could happen any moment now. If you haven't entered, now's your chance.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Free 5 Day Etsy Marketing Course

I just finished taking this 5 Day Etsy Marketing course by Timothy Adam of Timothy Adam Designs. The course comes to you via email and is chock full of great tips and advice. Just click on the title of this blog post to link to the course.

If you haven't heard of Tim, he is an amazing metal artist who runs his Etsy shop full-time. He's an avid blogger who has dedicated his blog to showing his work, featuring Etsy artists, and providing useful information to the Etsy community. I highly recommend both his blog and his course.







In his newsletter this week he mentions Vote Handmade...

"Vote Handmade just launched today.. This site is amazing.. it is a book marking site that is only for handmade links..Not only can you add your links, you can also vote on your favorites! So now we have a bookmarking site to call our very own. This site is brought to us by Redit and Artfire.. Today I was able to promote the launch.... "

here is the press release>> http://tr.im/votehandmade

Thanks so much for sharing Tim!

Collage...Rain, Rain Go Away



1. The Other Side of the Mountain by AnnWilkinson
2. Blessings (Rain in an Apple Orchard) by ajawin
3. In the Rain by dianalila
4. Colorful Rain by ShadedMemories
5. Little Rain Cloud Earrings by ShySiren
6. My Red Umbrella by carambatack
7. Bumbershoot Keyring by clevergirl
8. Granville by Ann Wilkinson

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