Hippity-Hoppity and Cluck Cluck!

Another wonderful and busy week!  I got the snow day I wanted and I was able to kick back and relax.  I hope your week was great, too!  Let's get started on what I accomplished this week...

I had a custom order for a St. Pat's Hat - for a girl.  So I came up with the idea of making the buckle into a little heart! 

I hope that the little girl who gets to wear this enjoys it, too!

Next up is also something new!  On Friday I always look forward to getting a Starbucks coffee to celebrate the close of another week of work.  This past Friday I had a freebie to use!  I ordered a massive latte (made with heavy whipping cream) with a splash of sugar free cinnamon dolce sweetener.  It was one of the best things I have ever sipped!  When I came home, I was inspired to create something new...  

Practice makes perfect, but I really think this one is very cute!

Full of caffeine, I also was inspired to make a new brooch, after hanging out with my friend Andrea over at DreamScapes.  She was making singed poppy flowers for her mixed media artwork - which turned out beautiful! - and I thought...  WAIT!  I could make huge ones and put them on cowls!  Here is a massive picture explosion of what happened...

 My hand is here for reference!

 This material was not the right kind... but the color was luscious, so I still made it into a flower.  

And yes, those are actual crystals in the center.  I wish pictures did the crystals justice!

 This fabric was a little wrinkly - on purpose.  I like it the best out of all the ones I purchased. 

Once I have some cowls made up, these will be featured on them.  I know it's starting to warm up, so I am trying to come up with some lighter-weight cowls than what I usually make.  It's something I plan to work on during my "spring break" - which I discuss at the end of the post. 

And then this brings me to my sale items of the week.  Yes, that was PLURAL!  Easter is almost here!  First up, we have the bunny hat - this is the last week to pre-order this hat...

Pre-Order Sale!

Bunny Rabbit Easter Hat

From now until March 17th

Any size, flaps or no flaps, braids or no braids

Only $15

FREE SHIPPING!

 

 And *new* this week is my re-invented chick hat!  I had one up in the shop, but I have since improved my skills.  I think the best part about this hat is the little bit of "feathers" right at the top! 

Pre-Order Sale!

Chick Hat

From now until March 17th

Any size, flaps or no flaps, braids or no braids

Only $12

FREE SHIPPING!

 

I've already made 5-6 of these little guys...  they remind me of those little marshmallow peeps.  I love making them and I always so appreciative of those of you who like putting them on your little ones!   Thank you SO much!  

 

Lastly, this brings us to the giveaway!  Remember the beautiful balms from Carrie's shop, The Black Cat?  Well the winner is....

Naomi W!

Thanks to everyone who commented, liked, and shared the post.  Everyone - please give these balms a try.  As a die-hard Chapstick addict, I am since switched and I won't be going back.  Trust me on this one.  These are wonderful.  I have been putting them in with my orders and people have been giving me feedback at how much they love them.  I still have some more samples left, so I will be sending them out very soon with my current set of orders that go out tomorrow.  

Well everyone...  speaking of sending out orders, making hats, being busy...  I am going to be going on vacation soon.  Not actually leaving the house really, but going on a small "spring break" of sorts.  After next week, I will set the shop to vacation mode until April.  I figure this gives me ample time to make these Easter hats, and then gives me my own time to come up with new ideas (and make a few things for my friends and family).  So if you have any orders you have been thinking about, please let me know before this time next week.  But don't worry - the blog will be updated during this "spring break."  Hopefully I have some new, fresh things to share with you then.

Until next time...  stay dry!  It's been one rainy weekend here! 

It's Cold, Not "Balm-y"...

Snow snow snow!  I love it.  I also know I am in the minority.  As I type this, snow is heading to my area and I am wondering how tomorrow will pan out with me and work.  I don't know if I have mentioned... I'm a high school teacher.  I'm wondering if we will have a snow day tomorrow.

Speaking of the cold and snow, I've been keeping warm here with orders.  The St. Pat Hats were a hit, and I am furiously trying to get them packaged and sent out by tomorrow...

This is just a portion of what I made.

It's for a family for the St. Pat's Parade! I love how Mom decided to get a lighter color hat to keep it feminine!  I always get to hear great ideas from customers.  I want to thank ALL of you for your orders.  It really made me get into the spirit!

This brings me to my second item I whipped up!  Another coffee cozy - with a shamrock pocket!

What do you think?  I know they're running a little late... but better late than never!

Speaking of cozies...  my husband told me that he accidentally drank his coworker's coffee the other week because they have the same thermos.  So he asked me to make a cozy for his coworker.  I thought maybe putting an initial on the front of the cozy would be cute.  Here is what I came up with:

What do you think?  I've made a few more... for friends.  Would you be interested in something like this?

I also have a lil' something else for you all!  Of course, it comes from yet another Sweet Kiwi Crochet pattern...

Pre-Order Sale!

Bunny Rabbit Easter Hat

From now until March 17th

Any size, flaps or no flaps, braids or no braids

Only $15

FREE SHIPPING!

Last but not least...  a GIVEAWAY! 

My friend Carrie has given me some of this awesome lip balm and I will never go back to any other kind.  She makes it from all organic ingredients, and it is the best balm I have ever used.  I can't say enough.  This pack is valued at $16 + shipping, and she's giving it away on my blog!  I am pumped about this...  I know you are going to love it!

How can you win it?  FIVE WAYS TO WIN!

1. Go to Carrie's etsy shop, add her to your circle, and shoot her a message on etsy with your name.
2. Comment on this blog.
3. Comment on this facebook entry. 
4. Share the facebook entry - and let me know you did.  :)
5. Tweet her!

You know what else?  I will have some lucky customers this month...  Carrie has given me samples to include in all my orders! 

 

I hope you can see now why I had to wait a day on the blog post.  Just too much good stuff and I wanted be able to share it all with you at once.  I cannot wait to hear from all of you about the giveaway and the new Bunny Rabbit Easter hats!  See you next week!  Stay warm!

Slowly, but surely...

This week has been a little slower than usual for me.  I had just as many orders, but I had a bit more free time, too.  Let's get right into what I whipped up!

First, I had a good time sending out a few St. Patrick's Day Hat orders!  Since it's three weeks away, I am going to extend the sale offer for this week, too!  So here goes:

St. Patrick's Day Hat Sale!

Order by Saturday, March 2nd for an introductory pre-sale price of 

$12

and that includes shipping! 

You can order it with and without ear flaps, with or without ear flap braids...  whatever you'd like!

 

 

I also had a few baby bootie orders...

 Interested in purchasing some?

You can order them here in any color you would like!

 

And because the week was a little slower than usual, I was able to start working on a cuddly, soft baby blanket...

Of course, I have to give credit where it's due.
This etsy shop is amazing and I love and admire all the work that Rachele puts out.  Such talent!

Finally, I was looking at my pile of yarn ends that I had and I wondered what I could do with them...  In the past I have tried to use it as stuffing, but it just makes things lumpy.  Then I remembered someone saying that they put theirs outside and the birds will make nests out of them.  YES!  Perfect idea!  I found this link and went to the store and purchased a small suet holder.  I'm on my way to giving the birdies in my neighborhood a little nest-pizzaz this spring and summer.

   I wonder how long it will take for me to fill this small one? 

 

I am hoping for another wonderful week.  I have a three day weekend coming up, so I will have much needed time to keep making a few more of these guys (which I will have a pre-sale on starting next week!)...

  What do you think?  Would any of you be interested in this pre-sale?

Also, credit goes to Kandice for all her fine pattern-work!

  

So here's to hoping you have a wonderful week filled with friends, family and fun.  Stay warm and until next week...

 

It's Not Easy Being Green

Hello everyone!  I have to tell you...  I have been thinking green all week.  As I type this, it's sunny outside and even though there is still some remnants of snow on the ground, I can feel spring fast-approaching. 

In case you forgot about it, St. Patrick's Day is exactly a month away from today.  Why not celebrate early with a special order sale? 

St. Patrick's Day is coming!

I cannot take credit for this wonderful design, however!  It's from the very talented Sweet Kiwi Crochet.
I whipped up some of these St. Patrick's day hats that come in any size you would like.  Interested?

St. Patrick's Day Hat Sale!

Order by Saturday, February 23rd for an introductory pre-sale price of 

$12

and that includes shipping! 

You can order it with and without ear flaps, with or without ear flap braids...  whatever you like!

Speaking of St, Patrick's Day and green, I was honored to be able to complete some special orders this week, including a pesto green cowl...

Along with a beautiful, bright purple-fuchsia one for my best friend...

I also dabbled with a little heart hat, again from the amazing Sweet Kiwi Crochet!  I haven't put this one in the shop yet, but if you're interested, just let me know.  It can be made in any color and size you would like!

Another pattern I bought from Sweet Kiwi Crochet was this super cute lamb hat pattern, too!  What do you think?  I think I may put this on special for pre-order very soon...  Easter is not too far away!

I also had an order for some little cream booties!

And I didn't take pics of all of them... but I had quite a few coffee cozy orders.  I just did this one last night in a new wool felt color!  I kind of like this color... maybe even more than the gray?

 I want to also say sorry about not getting on that second item-of-the-week last week.  Things got busy and I got a little behind.  This is why I thought in addition to my St. Patrick's Day hat sale, I would also include a little something else...

Item of the Week:

The Confetti Cowl!

You will receive the cowl - which is made of brushed acrylic and is super soft and light - 

and one flower of your choice for only 

$15

and this includes shipping!  I have two of them available only and when they're gone... they're gone!

Last week it was gone in less than 10 minutes...  I'm interested in seeing how it goes this week!

Also, compliments to Holly Briscoe for her amazing photography skills!  I feel so lucky to have her in my life!

 

Lastly, I also whipped up a 3 month and an adult size in the same yarn!  I probably won't list either of those hats on etsy, but if you're interested, let me know.  The 3 month size would be $5 + $2 shipping and the adult size would be $8 with $2 shipping.  You can contact me here, on facebook, or on etsy. 

Whew!  I feel like this week is really full of photos!  The good news for my crochet obsession is that I might have a little extra time to work on items this week than I usually do.  They're talking about a snow storm here on the IL/WI border by the week's end.  As a teacher, I always cross my fingers for no snow days - mainly because making them up is a pain.  At the same time, I wouldn't mind seeing mother nature give me another blanket of brilliant, white snow and be able to get in a whole day of crocheting.  It gives me a beautiful scene to look at as I work hard on your orders and my new creations.  We will see how it pans out.  I hope that everyone's week went wonderfully, and I also hope the following week will be wonderful, too.  Until next time - think green!

White, Blue and Cold

Hello everyone!  I hope that any of you (who have power) on the east coast who are reading this are braving the storm and doing okay.  We were lucky to get just the perfect amount of snow to cover everything with a good, thick coat.  We didn't have much wind, so the trees were lined with snow for the better part of the week.  Driving to and from work everyday was amazing and beautiful.

One reason I love the winter is because I can wear all my crochet items.  I was able to piece together an outfit to highlight my Noro scarf I made from my yarn in Austin.  So comfy!

Speaking of winter, it always makes me think of the colors blue and white.  It totally inspired me to make a cowl and a matching hat with a pin that can be removed that matches both pieces. Check out the result!

 

This is the combo of both pieces.  There is only one flower, but you can put it on either piece.

A collage of the hat - with and without the flower.

 

A collage of the cowl with the flower.

What do you think?  It's made of soft acrylic and then a very light white mohair wool that is mixed with the smallest of sequins.  I wish the photos could pick up the slight glittery-look of the sequins.  If you go back and look at the close up of the flower, you can see them.  I'm totally in love with it!

So this week, I am going to try something new...

Item of the Week!

*50% off!*

The Blue Topaz Sequin Cowl and Hat with Detachable Pin!

Once it's gone, it's gone.  No custom orders for the sale price can be accepted, but I can take them for the regular price.

I'd love to hear what you think!  Your comments here and/or on facebook are always welcome!  The feedback helps me improve my service to you.  Thank you again for all your support!

Speaking of support, I received a message on etsy this week regarding the piggy hat from next week and the customer was so happy that it totally made my day.  It is reprinted with permission from SSpillie1215:

I CANT... EVEN TELL YOU... HOW MUCH... I LOVE THE HAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
OOOOOOHHHH MYYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOODDDDDDD!!!!!!
IT IS AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
It will be a gift for my cousin's baby shower in a few weeks, and i can't WAIT for her to open it!!!!!! 

I am so beyond thrilled... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Speaking of, I have to run off of here to finish up some more orders... including next week's item of the week!  Thank you again everyone.  Have a great week and until then... stay warm!

Hello, February.

What a busy week.  I am so very excited to show you what I was up to! Let's get right to it!

Some cute little baby booties!

Two mouse hats - for a pair of siblings.

I wish I could have seen them being worn.  I am sure the two kids were adorable!

I also had an order for a piggy hat!

Two cowl orders this week!  Here is one of them in pink...

...And I was so excited to get a custom order for a cowl made of fleece yarn.  Yummy softness!

And lastly...  the star of the week.  I know I showed it on my facebook earlier this week, but I have to show it again!

One of my proudest moments...  the Rainbow Boxy Cowl!  It was a custom order and it forced me to be creative.  I enjoyed every minute of it and I think it came out great!  It took a lot of time to create and plan, but I enjoyed the process. 


I just want to thank all of you out there for all the love and support - especially over the last month with starting the new blog.  Since it's almost Valentine's Day, I wanted to give you a special offer! 

Free shipping on all Heart Hat orders!

You must place your order by this Thursday, February 7th, please!

With that, I leave you with a picture I took this weekend of the beautiful snowfall.  Nothing makes me happier than when it snows on the weekend so I can fully enjoy it.  I'm on my way to continue doing that right now:  Looking out of the window at the fresh snow fall down with a cup of coffee and my hook and yarn.  Until next week...