My Etsy Shop

Hey folks,

Just a quick FYI - for the first time in a LONG time, I've got actual finished, knitted items up for sale in my etsy shop - not just knitting patterns!  The images below are the 3 new items I posted this week.

Now that market season is done for a bit, I'm trying to bulk up on inventory, so a minimum of three new hand knits will be appearing weekly in my shop.  These will include Owl Hats in a variety of sizes and colors, Cupcake Hats, Ladybug Hats, Bumble Bee Hats, Dinosaur Hats, Montmartre Gloves, and Freya Gauntlets, as well as knits in new designs that are currently in process.

Also, I've been busy working on fabric banners for the shop too!  And they will appear in a variety of colors and themes, and most of them will be able to be personalized.

I hope that you will take a moment to check out my shop!  Also, keep in mind that you can always get a quick view of the most recently listed items by clicking the "etsy shop" tab at the top of my blog.

Sweet Silver

Amy is a loving wife, and busy mom of two young boys. She works part time, and then somehow finds the time in the evenings to make jewelry too. Amy has been hard at work over the last year designing and creating amazing pieces, and I just had to take a minute and show off her work to you all!

Here is a link to her Etsy shopSweet Silver. I've also included some photos of her beautiful creations below. Amy really enjoys making custom pieces for people, so if you are looking for a thoughtful gift for that "hard to shop for" mom, aunt, cousin, wife, or friend, look no further. My favorite of her necklaces are the ones with the initials. Think of how cute that would be for a mommy (with her children's initials), or for a newlywed couple.

After you've browsed through her photos, be sure to read below for how to win 25% off your choice of one of Amy's necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, and a great offer to EVERYONE who shops with Amy thru midnight on Saturday (8/27).

Lovebirds (front)

Lovebirds (back)

(my personal favorites!)  Teardrops Necklace Front:

Teardrops Necklace Back:

Arctic Ice Earrings:

Fruit Salad Necklace:

Grape Candy Earrings:

Isn't her stuff sooooo cute?  How would you like to get one of her pieces (your choice) for 25% off???

Earn drawing entries in the following ways (1 entry per way).  Amy will draw a winner on Friday and we will announce it here on my blog and also on her facebook page.  Here's how to enter:

Like Amy's Sweet Silver Facebook Page (then post here telling us you did)

Add Amy's Sweet Silver shop to your favorites on Etsy (then post here telling us you did)

Purchase one of Amy's creations (post here telling everyone which one)

Put a link to Amy's facebook page or etsy shop on your facebook page or blog (and post here with your link)

In addtion, Amy has agreed to offer FREE SHIPPING on any of her creations to EVERYONE who place orders in her etsy shop thru midnight on Saturday (8/27)!  You will need to enter the coupon code NPBLOGFREESHIP  to receive free shipping.  Don't delay, get your free shipping today!  (And get a jump on Christmas shopping while you're at it!).

Etsy Updated! (finally)

I was able to get 3 new listings up in my ETSY store yesterday.  YAY!  And i'll work on getting a few more up this weekend too.  It feels great to finally have an etsy site that isn't totally lame.  :)

I started by posting a few Ollie Owl Hats...

To get the photos, I set up a little photography tent thing (I honestly don't know the correct word for it - LOL) but thought I'd share a picture for you all to see.  My pictures aren't insanely spectacular or anything, but it might help some of you out who take photos of cards, or knits or whatever.  The only thing that works better is going outside to take those shots!  :)

What's On My Needles

1.19.11 - This was the project I was teasing you all about last post.  I found this pattern on the Purl Bee blog, and fell in love.  However, I didn't want a huge, bulky, infinity scarf, so I adjusted the pattern into a cowl instead.


I'm using Malabrigo in worsted weight (Love that stuff!) and size 15 needles since I don't have 17s.  The gauge is close enough.

Here's a shot of what the reverse (inside) looks like.  This herringbone stitch is too cool!


1.20.11 - I began test knitting a new pattern!  :)  They aren't done yet.  I still need to add a cherry on top and finish the thumbs.


These are the infant size.  Look how tiny the thumb is!


1.21.11 - Test knitting the Toddler size...



Also, some of you may be happy to know that I set up a little photography shoot in my kitchen this morning.  I took pictures of what little remained in my "for sale" knitting stash, and will try and get 1-2 new items up each day through next week in my etsy store.  My goals is to get totally caught up by the end of next week, and then start knitting in earnest and adding new items each week to the store.  It has been neglected for FAR too long!

First Birthday Cake Hat Pattern

One more quick post before I take off.  I just posted a new pattern in my Etsy and Ravelry stores!  (You may need to be a Ravelry member to view that store.)  This hat is one I've been working to get perfected for a while, and I'm so pleased that I got it done before leaving town.

This hat is one size - infant and fits the average 6-18 month old.  I just love how the candle stands straight up!  The "frosting" can be knit in any color - so this hat is perfect for the little boy OR little girl in your life.  If you are comfortable knitting in the round then this pattern is simple enough even for beginning knitters.  Making the baubles is especially fun!

500!

For once I wasn't neglecting the blog.  No, that's not why I haven't blogged all week.

Truly, the reason for the lack of posting has been that this is my 500th (yes, five HUNDREDTH) post.  I wanted it to be something special, meaningful, inspiring, etc.  And I'm totally out of all that right now!  All last week I scoured my brain trying to come up with something cool for the 500th post, and nada - nothing.

Sorry!

Really... I'm very dissatisfied about this.  It's eating away at me.  It makes me feel like a bad blogger.  But, honestly, we can't all be amazing bloggers all of the time.  I guess this is just a season in my life where other things are taking priority.  Lots. and. lots. of. other. things.  These are all good things, but I really miss my time in blogland.

I'll do better!  I promise!  :)

In the meantime, I taught a knitting class on Saturday.  We casted on these lovelies: my newest pattern - the "Skyscraper Fingerless Gloves".

I think the ladies enjoyed them.  It was hard to tell because we were really busy devouring the amazing Peach Tarts that Dave made us for dessert.  (Yes, Dave makes desserts for my knitting class attendees!  He rocks that way).  This tart was pure decadence.  Imagine the best peach pie filling you've ever tasted, but instead of pie crust, it was paired with a buttery lemon short cake instead.  Num-num-num-num (as my little Ruby likes to say).  

The picture really doesn't do it justice.  And you'll have to pardon me as I wipe the saliva off my chin.  Did I say yum?!

If you'd like to purchase my Skyscraper pattern just visit my Etsy or Ravelry stores.  :)  

And I'll try to come up with some great "Pearls of Wisdom" for my 1000th post I guess.  

New Pattern!

Look!  Here I am again!  Two days in a row... amazing.  ;)

I just completed a new pattern that I'm so excited about and proud of.  Introducing the Sushi Roll hat!  A friend asked if I could design one of these for her son, and an obsession was born.  After 4 different prototypes, I finally "perfected" the pattern as seen below.

These little hats are so cute!  We actually had Ruby wear hers to Blue C the last time we went to eat there, and the wait-staff loved it.  :)  I hope to sell lots of them at my upcoming summer markets!

This and all my other patterns are available in my Etsy shop.  Actual hats will be posted there soon.

Sometimes it takes a LOT of pictures before it get the "money shot".  Here are some of the outtakes.  :)

Ruby - eat the sushi, not the hat!

Debut of Montmartre Fingerless Gloves!

My latest creation is now available!  I can't contain my excitement!  YEEEEEEEA!

You can find the pattern in both my etsy and ravelry shops, so please check it out!  (I think you have to be a ravelry member to view any content on their website).  I will try to put the finished knitted gloves in my etsy store soon, but I'm currently knitting frantically for summer markets, so special orders will likely take me 3-4 weeks to complete.  Thanks for understanding!  I hope you enjoy!

I'm Back!

We are officially moved in to our new house and it feels amazing!  I've held 2 classes, a mother's day dinner, a scrap night, and a knitting night since we moved in less than 2 weeks ago - and let me tell you - there is nothing like company coming to get those boxes unpacked QUICK!

I'll be posting photos of our house - especially the scrapbook room soon.  I feel like there are a gazillion deadlines coming due all in the next two weeks, so my blogging likely won't be back to a daily ritual for a while, but I do have a few fun things to share.

First, here is a special sneak peek at my latest knitting design!  I'm *SO* pleased with how this design came out, and am just ITCHING to get the pattern finished and posted to my etsy store.  Literally, I'm jumping up and down in my seat right now in excitement and anticipation.  :)

Alrighty, I have to run!  But check back soon for more fun stuff!  I'm literally overflowing with ideas, photos, and projects to share.  I keep praying for 36 hours days!