Game Playing, Flowery Orders, and Blue Herons, Oh my!

On the last blog post I was so busy showing you how to make a hoop that I forgot to show you two recent purchases I was very happy with!  I went out to McHenry, IL with my friend, and we checked out two shops we've never been to before. 

The first was A Peek Into the Past Vintage.  The owner was super friendly, and this antique shop had tons of items in it!  I felt like I could have been there for hours and still not see everything.  The shop was immaculately clean, and everything was organized and displayed so nicely.  I'm thinking of going back before the holidays and getting my sister-in-law a few things, as she's been into vintage quite a bit lately.  Let me show you my great find...

An old cribbage board... with wooden pegs!  Only $8!  SCORE! (Do you like my bad pun?)

My husband loves cribbage, but dislikes the board I bought at some discount store years ago.  When I saw this, I knew I couldn't wait until November to give it to him.  We've already used it, and he was impressed with the fact it had wooden pegs.  So, if you're in McHenry, I really suggest stopping by A Peek Into The Past Vintage... it's a really neat store.  I can't wait to go back. 

While out and about, across the street was White River Junction.  What a neat shop.  Spacious, clean, organized!  There were tons of items I wanted to buy here.  Plenty of home decor and jewelry.  Local artists selling their handmade products, too - which is right up my alley.  My day of shopping in downtown McHenry closed with me purchasing this little guy from them shop:

He can hold a little business card or sign!

I haven't had much time to do any other shopping because this week I had some orders roll in... 
Let me share them with you!

20 large pink crochet flowers!  Interested in some of your own?  Click HERE!

Every time I make these little booties, I smile.  So small and sweet!

A mouse hat made with peach!  You can get one of your own by clicking HERE!

Other than that, I've taken up the sport of long-distance cycling.  It's not very crafty, but I wanted to leave you in this blog post with a picture I took just yesterday on the trail.  Until next time...

Great Blue Heron on the Des Plaines River

Goodbye, January...

I hope your week has been warm.  It was very cold here this week... but on a good note, we finally got a small amount of snow.  I love snow.  I wish it snowed everyday in winter.  It always looks so peaceful and beautiful when everything is covered in the white glitter-like stuff.  These last two winters have been sparse on the snow.  Maybe it's payback after that crazy blizzard we had a few years back.

Speaking of the cold, I have pictures (made beautiful by Holly Briscoe) of the cowls I took to DreamScapes that will keep you nice and warm! 

What do you think?

In addition to taking my new pieces to the shop, I had a few orders. 

 Some cute little flowers! 

 Valentine's Day heart hat!

The one that stood out the most was a custom order.  It's a boxy cowl and I had a blast making it!  I want one for myself now!  I plan to show you the pictures next week.  It will be available for special order.  Here is a sneak peak...  See it on the bottom among the blue and pink cowls?

 Speaking of cowls, don't forget that until Feb 1st (only a few days left!), I am running a coupon code in my shop:

At checkout on etsy, use coupon code:

COWLSALE to get 20% off your cowl/scarf! 

Lastly, the moment many of you have been waiting for...  the winner of my handmade coffee cozy!

And the winner is...

Tony Melissa M! 

Thank you to everyone that shared and liked my posts on Facebook!  I am always so flattered when people enjoy my work...  and I can't wait for the next giveaway!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Until next time!  Happy February!  (Have you planned your Valentine's Day yet?)