Charming By Nina

Please Read! Don't Want to Lose You

2010-02-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

I'm making a few updates and changes. I'm always re-decorating my house and now that's what I'm doing with my blogs. I've had two blogs for almost a year now and I'm finding it too difficult to keep up with both. I'm still going to show what I do, but I'm going to put everything under my main blog: http://newagegrandma.blogspot.com/. I won't take this site down because I have a lot of pictures on it that I don't want to lose. But since knitting, sewing and crafts are such a part of who I, Grandma Nina, am about, there is no need to separate. I'll still have a link to this on my "Grandma Nina" blog if you're interested in looking back at some of my things.
Now with the pages widget on blogs, I will have a page of My Charming Creations. Just mostly pictures. I also still have my Etsy shop: http://charmingbynina.etsy.com/ . I hope you can also visit me there. I really need to consolidate my blogs, and so also my life.
Thank you to all that have followed me here. For those that did not also follow my other blog, I hope you will move over there. Thank you for all your support and comments. I'm not going away, just moving.

The Stuff I Love To Do

2010-01-24T16:19:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while. I got so behind in everything since the Holidays. Then my son and family moved, so we helped with the move and one or two days a week I've been going to their new home to help clean and decorate. I just bought some cream shear polyester to make two door sidelight panels. They are extra long and we can't find 80" lengths ready made.
I have managed to get a couple of new items made for my Etsy shop. My inventory, that wasn't that large to start with, got much smaller since the Holidays as I sold quite a bit and gave away a lot for Christmas. That's good, though, right?
I finished this chunky creamy white neckwarmer a couple of nights ago and finally got it up on Etsy about 1/2 an hour ago. It's knit from 100% Sherpa wool. It's really warm and comfortable, but for someone that's bothered by wool I would suggest wearing it over a turtleneck. I wore it myself around the house for a while and hated to take it off.

Last week I finished another mini tea cup pincushion. These little mini ones are just so darn cute. I almost hate parting with them.

I maybe showed this half apron before, I can't remember. I was going to save it for myself, but instead decided to give it to my sister-in-law. She's been taking care of her mother (my mother-in-law) who's very ill with cancer and she also just got married and re-modeled her darling kitchen. I thought this apron would go so well with her kitchen and thought she might appreciate it. These are old fashioned hats on the fabric.

I need to make more aprons. I have several ideas in my head as soon as I get a little more time.

The knitting project I'm working on now is a lace patterned scarf with a pastel mini mochi yarn. It's very light and airy and feminine. I've learned not to work on this pattern while tired late at night. I keep making mistakes and have to rip out stitches. Two steps forward, one step back. Takes a long time to finish at this rate.

I didn't make dinner tonight since we took the grandson's to Pizza Hut for a late lunch, so I have an extra hour to work in my studio tonight. Such a luxury!

New Year - Need to Get Moving

2010-01-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

I know, I'm really behind. I've been posting on my other blog, but this one has been ignored a little. Christmas and life got in the way. I'm also really behind on my Etsy shop. I just haven't had time to make too much new. I realize I never showed the finished apron I made for my mother for Christmas. It turned out cute.

I really need to show these aprons on a model or dress form. Just laying them on the floor doesn't do justice.

Now that the Holidays are over, decorations put away, house cleaned up and furniture moved back into place, and moving the kids (see other blog) is done --- I am now thinking of what I can make next. I have the little teacup and notions picked out for my next pincushion. I'm also knitting some hand warmers and a matching hat from some beautiful Grande Baby Alpaca. I'm thinking of giving these to my DIL for her birthday at the end of the month. See, this is my problem with Etsy. I give a lot away. Oh well, that's really more satisfying than selling it.

If you've read my most recent post on my other blog, you know that I've recently found out that I have two more grandchildren due this summer. You know what that means! More baby knits and two more baby quilts. I really need to hibernate for the next three months to get done what I want to get done. Ohhh, hibernating sounds so nice!! If that could only happen.

Santa's Workshop

2009-12-23T07:37:00.000-08:00

My little Santa's Workshop has been busy for the last several weeks. That's why there hasn't been a post on this site in quite some time. Before Christmas is over I felt I should show a little of what I've been doing locked in my Workshop (Studio/Sewing Room) at night.

I had a few orders for neckwarmers. This is one that a friend had asked for to give as a gift to her sister.

It's knit from a dark purple brushed Baby Alpaca.

This one was ordered by my beautician for herself. I ended up just giving it to her as a Christmas gift.

I didn't get a picture of it finished before I gave it to her, but it's a black ruffled neckwarmer with silver buttons. Just like the dark purple above.

My mother had requested an apron for Christmas about a month ago, and actually picked out the fabric that she wanted it made from.

She picked out the black floral. I then found these other fabrics that coordinated and I had this good lace that I knew I could incorporate in some way.

The apron is almost done. I will get it finished tonight. I'll be sure to get a picture of the finished product.

I always worry a little in making something that someone has specifically ordered in fear that it won't turn out as they imagined. If someone is paying me I feel an obligation to get it exactly right and then always let them know that they are not obligated to buy it if it's not what they wanted. So far no one has refused anything. I really prefer to make what I like and if someone wants to buy it, great.

I also made a chunky neckwarmer for my Mother-in-law to match the hat I gave to her.

Here's the hat. Still need to take a picture of the matching neckwarmer. I gave her the hat already and now will need to mail the neckwarmer to her.

And I'm still working on the black hooded sweater requested by my son. It's not going to be finished for Christmas. Maybe for his birthday in April. It's something I work on in between other projects.

Can't tell much from this picture. Black is very hard to work with, too, because it's hard to see.

I wish I could get a lot more done. Maybe if I had elf helpers! Oh well!!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Quilt Tour

2009-12-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

Less than two weeks now until Christmas and I love to have all the decorating and preparations almost complete by now so I can sit back and enjoy it all. On my other site you can see the decorations inside and out and all the trees I put up. I also have several quilts and pillows that I have made over the years for Christmas. They come out of the closet for about one month a year, so here they are.

This is a very small quilt that sits on a table at the top landing of my staircase. The quilted poinsettias are 3D. They are only attached to the quilt at the center of each flower.

The "Joy" wallhanging is made to look like stained glass. It hangs in my shoe and purse loft guest room

Here's a pillow that goes with it.

This is a flannel rag pillow. The seams are all on the outside and then are frayed.

This is made from a darling red toile winter scene. I also made the pillow behind it that is a hand quilted design.

A bargello design that hangs on a quilt hanger in the upstairs hallway.

Trying to get a full view of same quilt from first floor

A reversible table runner on my living room coffee table that my ceramic manger scene sits on. It reverses to autumn colors.

Hope you enjoyed my little Christmas quilt tour. I hope to have at least one new one next year.

Art Shows are Fun!

2009-11-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

This is such a busy time of year and I love it. As long as people leave me alone so I can do what I need to do!
Last Sunday, two of my very talented friends and I had an art show at the new local coffee shop. We had a steady flow of people show up and a very good response. This was just a show, no selling.

l-r - Anju, Alma and me

Anju does beautiful mosaics. She designs them from start to finish.

Alma is a very talented painter. She has been painting for about 20 years.

I displayed my miniature quilts. Most of them are framed, a few aren't.

This one on the right is a piano counted cross stitch and then borders added and quilted.

This upcoming Sunday some other local artists, including myself, are having an Open House where we'll be selling our creations. I'll include my smaller framed quilts, pincushions, and knits. My mother is also going to be including the dog tag pendants that she's working on. I think we're going to have a very large turnout for this event. I'm looking forward to it and a little nervous. This is my first show for selling. Will people buy? Do I have enough to show? And if I do sell, my Etsy shop will look empty! O.K., let it go and whatever happens, happens.

I have just finished knitting two neck warmers and listed them on Etsy. I can make these fairly quick so they're good items to sell. They are really warm and fashionable, too. Isn't my model cute? She's very cooperative!

This one is made from 100% Sherpa Wool.

This one is brushed Baby Alpaca with a ruffle on the end.

I just started a pink one that I'm making very similar to this blue one with a ruffle.

I would like to get a few more pincushions done by Sunday, too.

I'm also in the middle of putting up Christmas trees. I put up about six of them in various sizes. All with a different theme. I'll be posting them on my other blog eventually. I want to get them all done by this weekend because we're leaving the day after Thanksgiving for Spokane to visit my son, DIL and granddaughter. Very excited! Check my other blog for more details on this later, too.

I'll keep you posted on the Open House.

Teacups, quilts and headbands.

2009-11-09T13:13:00.000-08:00

I am so loving my little teacup pincushions. I love buying the antique tea cups and little shoes and little vases. I love picking out the materials and colors to transform them. I love putting all the pieces together. Here's the one I finished last night.

I call it "Sand and Sea". This turquoise color is so pretty and the cup itself is very delicate.

I also have another little quilt I need to get framed. Maybe I'll get that done tonight. I'd like to start on another quilt, too. They are a little more time consuming, so I need to really be in the sewing/quilting mood.

I finally finished knitting my pastel rainbow headband last night. What a pain this had become. I thought I had it finished according to size a few nights ago. I bound it off, sewed up the ends and it was too small. Must be that my head is larger than I thought! So I took it partially apart and made it longer. I have to say that it turned out pretty good after all the frustration with it.

It goes with this scarf that I finished a while back.

I'm not putting these up for sale. I'm keeping for myself. I actually should give as a Christmas gift, but no - I'm keeping and wearing myself. Way too much time involved to sell at a decent price. And besides, I love the colors for me.

Now, I also have to mention my blog and Etsy friend, Cathy Strate of Tolentreasures http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/ . She had an Open House at her home on Saturday and since I realized we live fairly close and I was going to be down her way on Saturday, I looked her up and visited her at her open house. She felt like an old friend, even though we met face to face for the first time. We both have grandsons named Logan and granddaughters that were born on the same day. She has a wonderful Etsy shop and is very creative and talented. I think this world of blogging is so amazing. You meet people that you have so much in common with and it is such a thrill if and when you get a chance to meet in person.

So pay Cathy a visit. She's a very sweet, warm person with a great blog and shop. I hope we get to see each other again soon.

My First Sale!!

2009-11-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo!! Finally! I'm so excited. Last night I had the e-mail from Etsy saying I made a sale. So now I have to get it wrapped, packaged and mailed. I'll be doing that this morning. Good customer service is just as important as the marketing and promoting.
I sold the little yellow pincushion, Buttercup. (See it it my previous post) It is darling. I better get busy getting more things made. I've had more e-mails from people possibly interested in Christmas presents. And two of my very talented girl friends and I are having an art show next Sunday, in which I will be showcasing my mini quilts. The following Saturday, another girlfriend is hosting a arts and crafts bazaar at her home and I'll be selling all my things there. I was given advice that I should put my Etsy shop on "vacation" mode that particular day so that I don't end up selling the same items to two different people at the same time. That could get a little sticky.
This is fun. It's a lot of work, though. At least now I feel it's a step in the direction of being worth it.
My mother is now going to get on board. She has been wanting to turn some of her creative ideas into the real tangible deal. She saw this done by the daughter of a friend. You take just plain, silver, dog tags and decorate in various ways, then cover with resin to make it shiny. That's a very simplified description. They turn out very unique and different. Each of them One Of a Kind that invites many Oohs and Aahs and compliments. That's the goal, anyway. I'm helping her with these to get started. I also had the idea of making tiny little quilts to apply to the tag first as a base or background. This is all still a work in progress and I'll show pictures once we get some finished pieces that we're happy with and ready to "take to market".
Believe it or not, there is even research that we had to do on these tags. We have found out that you don't want to go with nickel plated, but instead want to use silver plated. Nickel can cause allergies and other problems with many people and is actually not allowed to be sold to or used in Europe. Who knew?
I sure wish I had more time to spend on these fun hobbies of mine. My family can be very time consuming and needy. They are my priority, though, so I just wish I didn't have to sleep. The middle of the night is the only time I have to myself.

Old and New

2009-10-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

I want to start this beautiful Sunday by saying that I wish I had the time to write on both of my blogs every day, and that is my goal, but right now I just don't seem to have the time. I have to admit, though, that I just realized that between my two sites, this is now my 102nd post. It adds up in six months.

Yesterday, Mom and I took the day to go furniture shopping, new and antique. She's looking for new furniture for her family room and an antique night stand for her guest room. I'm looking for an antique small coffee table for my tea room. We struck out on all counts.
But---I was very excited about the teacups and vases that I found to either make into pincushions or just to add to my collections.

Antique tea cups (I think the little one in front is fairly new, but it's so cute)

I believe the one on the left is a small vase, as is the Imperial Glass

on the right. The cup in the middle is a chocolate cup.

Here are the other teacups I've made into pincushions.

And miniature shoe

This little one is only about 1-1/2" high and 2" tall)

There's also the one from my previous post of October 10 (I can't believe it's been that long since I last wrote). I'm having so much fun making these. Picking out the fabric that best goes with the cup and choosing the different laces, ribbons, buttons and charms that seem to belong.

I just finished another framed mini quilt.

This little quilt size is a little over 3" square, then mounted on linen, with the title "Reach for the Stars" cross stitched, bordered with lace on the top and bottom and framed in a 5x7 silver frame. There is a star charm in the middle.

And I finally finished my pastel rainbow scarf.

I made it 72" long and 3" wide so that there are many different ways of wrapping it or even making it into a bow. This is a washable wool, very lightweight, so it lays so nice. The knit stitch is a mock cable on one side. I originally planned on putting this in my Etsy shop, but I think I might have to keep it for myself now. I loved this yarn so much that I got some more and just started a "Kisses and Hugs" cable pattern headband to go with it.

It's a good thing this is only a headband and won't be very long because I really have to pay attention to the pattern. I've torn out many times already. TIP - don't knit complicated patterns late at night when tired!

Each night I decide what it is I want to work on for the evening. I have to have several different projects going at once because I tend to get bored easily. I think I'm going to sit and knit tonight.

What Was I Thinking?

2009-10-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

I was barely awake this morning, my eyes still closed, and I layed there thinking about my Etsy shop and how I needed to re-do my pictures. I read a tip from someone on an Etsy forum yesterday that said she uses the same background and lighting for all her pictures so that her shop looks more uniform with a similar theme. After looking at her shop, I could see what she meant. That was my goal today, and that is what I've been doing all day.
My style is very feminine and lacy, so I needed to make this more of a theme. I'm using a lace background now for all my pictures. Now I need to re-take the pictures of all the items on there. It's going to take a while. Today I re-did my banner from this

to this

I re-did my avatar from this

to this

And I'm now using the lace background, for example: this

to this

When I started this Etsy thing, I thought I would just take a picture of what I made, put it on the computer, and people would be flocking to my site to buy. What made me think that? Not happening! The more I get into it, the more I learn and realize it is much more complicated than that. The pictures have to be of excellent quality, so I now edit all my photos through Picnik, which is a great tool, by the way. Very user friendly, fun, and it does an excellent job. This is time consuming, though. Then you have to have good descriptions, and tag the items with the right words so people can search it, and then promote and market yourself. This really could be a full time job. That's not considering the time making the stuff you make. Why did I think this would be easy?
But you know what? I'm having fun. I've made no money. I'm spending an awful lot of time with it. But it's fun. Right now, though, it's still a hobby. And I know I can't be spending eight hours a day on a hobby. So little by little I'll just keep playing with it, and if I start to sell things I'll up the time investment.

A little bit of encouragement came my way today by way of a fellow Etsian and Blogger, Julie, at http://juliesbits.blogspot.com/. She posted one of my pincushions on her blog as one of her favorites Etsy finds.

I was very touched and excited by this. Thank you Julie.

Making Progress

2009-10-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've put myself on a semi-time schedule and it has helped me stay a little more organized and not feel so overwhelmed. I actually wrote down a weekly schedule so I have particular things I need to get done each day. Such as: Monday is laundry and ironing day. Tuesday is the day I send out mailers for my husband's business, etc. Then I have a daily schedule where I give myself so many hours on the computer, so many hours updating my Etsy site, so much blogging time, etc., and I don't allow myself on the computer after 8 pm. From 8 pm until I get tired I work in my sewing room on my projects while I watch TV. Of course, this can all vary slightly when grandkids are here, or the phone rings, or someone shows up at the door. Anyway, it's still helped me a lot.
I got Riley's pink sweater done Monday night. It turned out pretty good.

I haven't seen it on her yet, but I think it will fit now. Riley and Dee got here Tuesday and it is so nice to see them and to hold that beautiful little granddaughter again.

I listed my first pincushion on Etsy today. I finished another one that I made out of a little antique china shoe. It's so cute. I know it's hard to tell from a picture, but this is only about 2" x 4".

I did make it to the flea market on Saturday and found several tea cups for more pincushions. I got this little shoe there, too.

I'm not sure if I'm going to knit tonight or make a tea cup pincushion. Maybe a little of both. First I have to look up the TV Guide and then get myself settled in. My favorite time of the day. Watch TV, get a snack, and do my thing.

Computer Catch Up Day

2009-10-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Our lives are so computerized now, aren't they? It's a rainy, cool day in Pennsylvania, My Bob is on the road today, and no grandkids today. I've been sitting at my desk all day, getting papers organized, and caught up on all my web sites, e-mails, etc.
I also finally got the quilted Guardian Angel change purse listed on Etsy. (see previous post) I thought I'd get that done a week ago, but -----.
I finally finished the other green baby booty. Dee, DIL, and Baby Riley, granddaughter, will be here on Tuesday. I'm making progress on the pink baby sweater. I HAVE to have it done by Tuesday, too.
You would think that was enough to do, but Oh No, I have to always start something new! I saw this yarn at my yarn store and had to have it.

For all you knitters out there, I'm sure you can relate. Once I got the yarn home it kept staring at me as I was knitting that booty, so I had to pick it up and start the scarf I wanted to make with it. This yarn is called Mini Mochi. It's a thin, washable, wool. I'm using two strands to mix up the rainbow colors and make it thicker. It is so soft. The pattern is a mock cable. I love this yarn and colors.

You'd think that was enough going on, but Oh No. I saw this insipiration for pincushions and I just had to make it last night.

Isn't this adorable. I'm hooked. I'm looking through my teacup collection for my next future pincushion. This particular cup is an antique shaving mug. You can tell by the base. It was made in Germany. I'm going to get pink pearl head pins for in it.
The last local Flea Market for the year is this weekend and I'm hoping to go tomorrow in search for perfect tea cups/soon to be pincushions.

Can't Stay Caught Up

2009-09-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

I know this is becoming a constant theme with me and I'm sorry to keep on about it, but I can't seem to get organized with my blogging and my Etsy shop. I can't find a good routine and time schedule to get it all done. I still have my two grandsons 3 days a week, so that isn't helping. Next week I will only have them for 2 days and then their mother will be done working. I think then I'll miss having them and will still ask to have them visit a few times a week. Then week after next my DIL and 4 month old granddaughter, Riley, will be home from Spokane for 2 weeks. I can't wait to see them. Anyway, it's all for good reasons that I don't have more time and I won't give any of it up. The only answer is to not sleep.

I did manage to get some knitted fingerless gloves finished and listed on Etsy. I have a matching scarf that I think I'll be listing today.

I also just made a mini quilted change purse. I call this one "Guardian Angel". It's about 4" square with a velcro closure on top, and it's lined. I loved making these little mini squares and then making them into something.

I'll probably get this listed on Etsy tomorrow.

I am also trying to finish up a pink baby sweater for Riley to have ready when they get here. And Dee (DIL) asked me if I had the second green booty finished to match the sweater set I made before she was born. The answer was, "No". I have to finish this within the next week and a half, too, because Dee wants to get Riley's picture taken in this outfit I made while she's here. I'm so flattered by that so that needs to get done.

See what I mean, one booty. O.K. so I'm overwhelming myself by writing this all down.

If I could just hole up for the next several days with no one bothering me, no cooking, cleaning, etc. I think I could do it. Realistically that's not going to ever happen.

Gotta get busy with all this. Right now, though, I have to go blow the leaves off the driveway.

Tired of Pillows

2009-09-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

I'm watching Design Star finale. I'm not sure who I want to win. I guess I'm leaning toward Dan. So I'm going to get off this computer and knit while I watch the show.
Since this was the first weekend in a month that we've been home the entire weekend, I used the time to sew. I seem to be on a little pillow kick right now. I finished this 10" square little one today for Fall. I love the rich colors on it. The pumpkin is pieced like a small crazy quilt and I embellished with embroidery by hand. The quilting was done by machine.

Here is the back of the pillow.

I just listed it on my Etsy shop.

I'm tired of sewing for a little while, so back to the knitting needles. I may even actually have to go to bed earlier than usual tonight. I'm just plain tired.

To Be a Business, Or Not To Be

2009-09-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

Time, time, time! I wish I had more of it. I just have so many projects I'm working on and then so many more in my head. I overwhelm myself. I really need to get myself better organized. I started this Etsy shop, but I don't feel like I'm being serious enough about it. I haven't sold anything yet, and now it's becoming a "why, what's wrong" type of thing. You know, just the principle of it. I don't need to support a family or even myself, for that matter, but I need to feel like it's worth my time. I just read a good blog by http://studiomme.blogspot.com and she gave some very good organizing tips. I did just have these cards made up. I designed it and had a local printer friend print them for me. I was happy with how they turned out. So I'll just keep sewing and knitting because I love to do it, but I am going to also become a little more business minded about the whole thing.

I still need to fit in the grandson babysitting for two weeks starting this Sunday evening, helping My Bob with his business, cleaning, cooking, laundry, and decorating the house here and there (which is also another hobby I enjoy), and the travelling we enjoy doing when possible. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining one little bit. I have a great life and very much appreciate that I can do all these things that I love to do. There just aren't enough hours in the day. Trying to be a perfectionist in all that I do takes extra time, but it's the only way I know how to do things.

I just finished this little pumpkin pillow for Halloween. I posted it on Etsy yesterday. I don't personally do much decorating for Halloween and I don't do orange, but I know a lot of people do. I prefer to decorate more in a Fall/Harvest type theme in golds, greens, and burgundys. Anyway, this little pumpkin was fun to make. The pillow is about 9" square and the pumpkin itself is about 4" square with approx. 37 pieces of fabric in that 4" square. I trimmed in black lace.

Here is the back of the pillow. I have a velcro closure on it and stuffed with Poly Fil.

I have Fall/Autumn pillow ideas in my head right now so that is probably my next project.

I'm also working on a knitted black sweater for oldest son, Austin. This was a special request from him and I'm just thrilled that he would wear something made by his mother. He's 28 years old. I guess I shouldn't get too excited yet. It's not done and there's no guarantee he'll like it or wear it. Oh well, at least he made the request.

Pouch and Hat

2009-09-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Another Etsy listing. I knit this little pouch last year and it's just been put away in a cupboard. That's why I've decided to start selling some of my things. I don't know what to do with everything I make. This little cutey was knit from wool and then washed several times to felt it. I knit holes into it for the cord so it can be pulled almost closed. Aren't the beads pretty? I bought those at a great bead store in Lancaster.

Just finished knitting this little "Ring Around the Rosy" hat. This was a lot of fun to knit. About every six rows is a different pattern. The yarn is called "Mini Mochi" and it is 80% merino wool, 20% nylon and is washable. It's a very soft, light yarn.

Here's a close-up showing the patterns.

This is the top. Tonight I just finished knitting a little purple rose with beads on it to pin onto the side of the hat. It's late, so I'll get a picture of it later and put it up. I haven't decided yet whether to sell this or not.

Listed, finished and new

2009-08-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

I just listed another item on Etsy. This little "Tea for Two" mini framed quilt really is very cute. I struggle with whether or not to sell some of my things. I can't use them or display them all and I keep making new things, but I become very attached to my creations.

I also finished this Market Bag. I sort of customized it so it could be used for a knitting carry all bag. A few girls at my knit shop said they would like something that they could attach to themselves, to hold their knitting, that they could actually walk around while they knit. So I made a pocket that I attached to the inside made out of a batik fabric that velcros closed. This can hold small items or scissors and knitting needles. Attached at the top of the bag by the shoulder strap is a charm clip that holds charm stitch markers. Then I put two snaps at the top of the bag. The shoulder strap stays on your shoulder since it's a yarn and not slippery. It works better over your head and shoulder. I've tried it out and it works well.

The latest item I've started is this little knitted rainbow beanie hat. It's made from a thin wool on size 6 needles. I think it's going to be very cute. I love little hats in late fall and winter.

As the nights get longer and the weather gets cooler, I get more done.

Fixing and Adjusting

2009-08-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

I tried to get the business cards I designed printed at a local print shop and that didn't work either. I guess I'll have to pay an outside source to get these made correctly. I'm just giving up for now.

I'm also loving the Piknik picture editing site. Free at http://www.piknik.com/ It's so much easier to use than Paint.Net. My pictures on my Etsy site are getting better. Fun but, again, very time consuming.

I posted another item on Etsy today. This is a mini quilt pillow.

I need to be knitting or sewing during my evening TV time, though, instead of blogging. I was trying to schedule myself to blog during the day. There doesn't seem to be time during the day, either. I need to organize my time a little better, I guess. I have too many things I try to do, want to do, need to do, like to do, every day. I just don't understand people that complain of being bored. This never happens to me.

New Stuff

2009-08-11T20:04:00.001-07:00

I put another mini framed quilt on Etsy today. I'm getting the hang of this Etsy thing, but it's taking a lot of my time. I know I'll get a better understanding of it as I go. Pictures are a major part of it. I just downloaded a free photo editing site called Piknik and have played around with it a little bit. It seems to be a little friendlier to use than Paint.Net, which I've been using.

I also tried to design and print my own business cards today and I got the design part done and they look really cute, but my printer (HP Inkjet) wouldn't feed the business card stock correctly and I wasted several sheets of that. I think tomorrow I'll go into Staples and see if they can print them for me. I get frustrated because this computer stuff is slow moving for me. And I know I'm not going to make a tremendous amount of money, but I'm really enjoying it. My Bob, though, is going to start to get impatient with me because I know I'm sort of ignoring other things. Don't you just wish that you could do your thing all day with no one bothering you? Not going to happen! That's why I stay up late at night. Bob not happy about that either.

I've also started knitting another Market Bag with a thicker wool yarn for fall/winter. I'm thinking of making it into a knit project carry bag. You know, to carry your yarn, needles, etc. I will put a fabric pouch inside for small items so they don't fall through the holes. But I'm running out of yarn so I hope my yarn shop has more of it.

The brighter colors showing is the bottom. We'll see what I end up with. Sometimes it's not always what I start out with in my head.

Etsy is Up and Running

2009-08-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

Finally! I did it! I've been thinking about it and talking about it and making things for quite a while now. Then I procrastinated on actually doing it. Getting an Etsy site. For any of you that don't know what this is, it's a site to buy and sell anything handmade. There are some amazing things on this site for sale and some very talented people. I think that's why I hesitated so long. Everything on there looks so nice and professional, I hope mine measures up. So I decided to take the leap and we'll see what happens. It's been fun, even if I don't sell anything.
I've put up a link on the sidebar of both my blog sites if you would like to check it out. I hope to have more items on there this week. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I figure I just needed to jump in and learn and improve as I go. In addition to my mini quilts, I plan on putting up some knitted items and probably aprons. The aprons I question because some of the other sites showing aprons are selling them for so little that I don't know if it's worth it if I keep my prices the same as some of these other ones. I'll have to think on this.

Creating My Little Heart Out!

2009-08-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

Another apron and a knitted bag. I've been busy and having fun. Although it's been taking time from my blogging. It's just so hard to do everything. I started this hostess apron before we left on our trip to Spokane and didn't have that much more to do on it when we got back last Monday. There are some projects that I just become obsessed about when I start them and this was one of them. It was a lot of fun. I thought it would be cute to wear while preparing a girl friend's luncheon or afternoon tea. Now if I only had time to do either of those.

Here's a close-up to show the lace and button on the pockets.

I bought this yarn before I left for Spokane and wanted something to knit that would be rather simple knitting that I could do while riding for 36 hours in a U-Haul. So I decided on a Market Bag that I found a pattern for.

The plain lavender was used for the bottom and trim around the top. This was a great travelling project.

But, this bag stretches, especially after putting stuff in it, and I didn't allow for that. I was just enjoying the knitting and just kept going, so it got a little longer than I really wanted. This bag is great for carrying knitting projects, groceries, beach or pool bag, overnight bag, use your imagination. Because of the large open knit you can't put anything too small in it, so I sewed a small fabric pouch that I attached to the top of the inside to put any small items in. It actually shows prettier and brighter in person than in the picture. I can't wait to make another one that's not quite as large.

New Award, Thank You Charmine

2009-07-15T16:49:00.001-07:00

Thank you, Charmine, for this adorable award. You are also one of my top ten so I pass right back to you. It feels so good to know that my ramblings that sometimes go on too long and my creations that bring me pure joy, are at least looked at by a few others.

The one rule is to pass on to my favorite top ten. I really can't do that. I have to pass on to all of you wonderfully creative people that are sweet enough to follow this blog of mine. So if you are one of my followers, please accept this award and please check out each other's sites if you aren't already familiar with them. I hope I'm not cheating by breaking the rule just a little, but that's the only way I can do it.

Thanks again, Charmine. I am very appreciative.

More Aprons, Coming Up

2009-07-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

My first apron is finished. I've always had this desire to make aprons and now I know why the thought appealed to me. You can be so creative with them. The pattern is really pretty basic and easy, and then you add, change, embellish, etc. and each one is unique and fun. So this is the first and while making this one I had many more ideas come to me, so I'm on to the next one.

Here it is showing it tied in back. I need to get a dressmaker form to model this better or model it myself, I guess, but that means I should dress up a little and put on some make up. I don't have time for that.

Then here it is with the long ties wrapped around to the front and tied.

And here's a close-up of the button and lace embellishment I did on the pocket. I inherited a big tin of old buttons that my grandmother had collected over the years and another tin from a good friend of my mother's. I love just going through these tins to see what's there and how I can play with them.

Now I'm so inspired I have the fabrics picked out for my next one. I think this one will be a hostess or half apron with this whimsical hat fabric as the main body and the green, yellow and pink stripe maybe for the tie and either one of the greens or the pink for the pockets and trim. It will come clear as I move forward.

I think I am going to sell these, but I don't know where, or how, or how much yet. I don't want to have to get into sales tax and that kind of thing just starting out so I don't know how that works if I take them into a few little boutiques that I know of, do they take care of that? And do I need to bother with any legalities or taxes on Etsy? Then I have to account for S&H and what to charge for that. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Works In Progress

2009-07-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

I've got some new projects going. It seems I always have more ideas than time, but I like to keep them going in stages. I'm getting started on a project that I've always had in mind that I wanted to do and that is make vintage inspired and embellished aprons. I bought the material the other day for my first one. That's as far as I've gotten, but next free evening or weekend I'm going to make it. The main body of the apron will be this black background with the pink scrolls fabric. Then I think I'll put on a pocket or two with the pink striped. I also got some pink organza ribbon to add somewhere. Once I get started, ideas will come to me. I may sell these, we'll see how it goes.

This knitting project is going to be a pink baby sweater. The other baby clothes I've knitted had to be neutral, non gender colors because I had started them while my daughter in law was pregnant and they didn't want to know the sex ahead of time. Well now that we have our beautiful little baby girl, Riley, I went right out and bought pink yarn. I love pink anyway, can you tell? And now to have a girl is so much fun. I have started the back of the sweater and up to the back yoke. This yarn is so pretty. It's called "Cotton Kisses" by Plymouth Yarn. I'm making the 6-9 mos. size.

This project is almost finished. About another hour or so and I'll be done. You may remember the baby quilt I made from another post. The color scheme for the new nursery is beiges, tans, and off whites. I've had the quilt done for a while. Well, they'll be moving into their new apartment in Spokane in a couple of weeks and I wanted to make a window valance to match the quilt and other bedding.

So I went back to the quilt store and bought more of the same fabrics and made this valance.

Here's a close-up view to see the fabrics used. Notice the first border fabric. It's a white on white print, but the print is a baby motif. Probably no one will ever notice this as you have to look pretty close, but Dee (DIL) and I know it's there.

I would love to go up to my sewing room right now and work on these projects for the rest of the evening (it's 4:00 pm), but it's Friday and I try to reserve Friday nights for My Bob. We have dinner reservations at 6:30. Hopefully this weekend will provide some time if the grandsons don't come over and stay too long. I love for them to come visit, just not stay too long.

Out Comes the Pink

2009-06-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

My new grandbaby was born May 30 and now we know it's a girl! Riley Loren. So I wanted to add the pink flowers I had already made ahead of time to the green sweater set. I crocheted a bunch of pink flowers to have on hand so I could sew them onto anything that needed to be "girlied" up a little.

I finished this little green set and posted it on April 30. You can see the difference a little bit of pink makes. I crocheted pink trim around the sweater, added a pink flower to the hat, and replaced the yellow pom-pom with a pink flower on the bootie. I still need to make the 2nd bootie. This set is a size 3-6 month, so I still have time.

I also finally finished the booties that are attached with buttons to this onesie that I originally posted on June 8. This is supposed to be a 0-3 month, but it looks bigger than that. Riley is only 3 weeks old and is growing fast, so it's possible by 3 months it will fit.

I just started knitting a pink baby sweater. I can actually go with all out pink now. Love it! So far this little girl has so many clothes she can wear a different outfit every day. Baby girl clothes are so much fun. It's like playing with a real life baby doll. I also made a baby quilt posted on May 4, and I have more of the same fabrics to make a valance for her nursery window. They'll be moving into their new apartment in Spokane on July 26, so I'll have it ready by then.

More Mini Framed Quilts

2009-06-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more of my little mini quilt blocks that I have framed. And then I have a few that I initially made to frame, but decided to make little tiny decorator pillows out of them. They look real cute just sitting on a shelf, on a small easel, on an end table, or the pillows can be shown on a shelf, on a bed, chair, or couch. Again, they're embellished with charms, lace, beads and the words are cross stitched.
This one"Tea For Two" is a teapot and tea cups, using my favorite color fabric, pink.

Close up

"Home is Where the Heart is" I decided to make into a mini pillow (about 6"x6").

Thank You, Charmine

2009-06-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

Attitude of Gratitude Award

Thank you so much, Charmine. I have enjoyed your blog and the glimpse you give us of India and the beautiful crafts, furniture, homegoods, etc. that are part of your culture. And thank you for peeking into my world and following along. I have so enjoyed the creative outlet that blogging has provided and I have just been amazed at how intelligent, creative, funny and entertaining the special people in Blogville are.

For any of you that have not paid a visit to Charmine in India please do so at

http://charmine-myfavorites.blogspot.com/

The guidelines are:
1. Post the award logo on your blog.
2. Nominate at least 10 of your favorite bloggers.
3. Make a link of your list in your post.
4. And let them know about this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Now I want to thank the following "friends" for entertaining me, making me laugh, making me think, and sharing with me:

Laura at http://whitespraypaint.blogspot.com/

Melissa at http://melissasheartandhome.blogspot.com/

Molly at http://mollyscountrycolorshomeplace.blogspot.com/

Carrie at http://cottagecozy.blogspot.com/

Grandma J. at http://askgrandmaj.blogspot.com/

Snooty at http://snootyprimadona.blogspot.com/

Mariah at http://manicmariah.blogspot.com/

Brenda at http://cozylittlehouse.blogspot.com/

Framed mini's for sale some day

2009-06-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Here are two of my "charming creations" that I am considering selling on Etsy. I just haven't had time yet to study and set up my Etsy store. I'm going to work on that as soon as I get a chance. I love making miniature quilts and like to be creative with these mini's. I like to embellish with beads, charms and lace. These little 3-4" quilts are attached to a cross stitch cloth, then I cross stitch a saying or word that fits the pattern, add a little lace border, and frame in a 5x7 frame.

"Star of Bethlehem"

"Star of Bethlehem" close-up

"Desert Rose"

"Desert Rose" close up

Baby's Here and Onesie is Done

2009-06-08T13:50:00.001-07:00

Baby Riley was born last Saturday, May 30, at 3:30 p.m. And I think it was two days later that I finished knitting this onesie I've been working on. It's a size 0-3 months, but I think it will be closer to the 3 month age before it will fit her.

I used "Peter Pan" double knit yarn, soft blend. It's part nylon and part acrylic and feels so nice. I used a size 3 needle and since I don't knit that fast it took a little while.

I've started little booties that will match and then they will button onto the cuffs so that they don't fall off.

I hope it fits eventually. If not, I'll frame it just because it's so cute.

Check out the baby pictures on my other site.

"My Heart Belongs to the Sea"

2009-05-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

This is another one of my miniatures. I've always liked this Storm at Sea pattern and wanted to try it in miniature. Notice the pink heart in the lower right corner. The reason for the name, "My Heart Belongs to the Sea" . The total size is 17"x 17".

Each square is 3", and each 3" square consists of 28 pieces.
This quilt won first place in the miniature division at the Cook Forest Quilt Show here in PA.

Almost Baby

2009-05-14T18:54:00.001-07:00

I've been knitting this little baby onesie for a couple of months now. My new blogging habit has taken up some of my knitting time. Today I finished all the sections, now I'm ready to trim, block, sew the seams and embellish. This pattern is from an absolutely darling pattern book by Debby Ware called "Too Cute!" and they are.

Since my daughter-in-law, Diana, and my son, Brandon, don't want to know ahead of time whether it's a boy or girl, this has blue, pink and green in it. I got it covered. The baby is due on June 8, but we think and hope it will be a little early.

I'm making size 3 months, so it will be perfect for fall. I'm getting so excited! This will be my 3rd grandchild. I already have 2 boys, but I really don't care if this is a boy or girl. I'll keep you updated on the onesie and the baby.

My Charming Miniatures

2009-05-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show some of my miniature quilts. I found miniatures to be so much fun to do and the more I did the more I challenged myself to see how small I could make the pieces and see how accurate I could be in piecing them together.

This was the very first miniature I made. It was just a simple nine patch that I put sashing in between and then one border, with ribbon used for the cornerstones. The squares are 1-1/2". I use this little quilt now to pin my quilt show pins to. It hangs in my sewing room.

Here is a close up.

This was probably the most difficult miniature I've made to date. I entered this one in the Lancaster Quilt Show in 2006 and received an Honorable Mention. It's such a hassle to enter a quilt that I haven't entered any more since. I called this quilt "Pineapples In My Garden" This picture didn't turn out so clear, though. The total size is 15-1/2"x 17-1/2". It's foundation pieced, hand appliqued flowers, embellished with beads in the middle of the yo-yo flowers, hand embroidered vine. The main quilt is machine quilted and hand quilted around the flowers.

Here is a close up.

2009-05-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

A-Line Coat

This is one of my favorites as far as actually wearing what I've made. I wear this all the time.

It's perfect for Pennsylvania fall and spring weather. And it looks good with jeans or a peasant type skirt. The length hits about mid thigh and the cream color of course goes with everything.

The pattern is from Knit Simple magazine, winter 2008/09, and I used Burly Spun 100% wool by Brown Sheep Company. The buttons are plastic shower rings that are crocheted around. Even though it's the beginning of May, we've had some cool and rainy weather, so I don't want to put it away in my winter storage yet.

Baby Quilt Done

2009-05-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

I finally got this baby quilt finished. And just in time. I finished the binding on Saturday night, and the baby shower was Sunday afternoon. This is for my 3rd grandchild, due June 8. My son, Brandon, and his wife, Diane, didn't want to know the sex of the baby ahead of time, so the color theme is "Creme Brulee" . The backing is white minkie and it feels so good. Diana didn't want any cutesie pictures or pattern. She just wanted the color blocks and I think it looks sophisticated and babyish at the same time.

Here's a closer view.

Now, back to knitting the cute little onesie. I went with blue, pink, and mint green for that.

Baby stuff

2009-04-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

This is the first baby outfit I've knit. My grand baby is due June 8 and we don't know if it's a boy or girl, so green was the way to go. The yarn I used is called "Oh My", and that's exactly what you say when you feel it. It is sooo soft. I told my daughter-in-law, though, that if it's a girl I have little pink roses already crocheted ready to attach to the hat. The date is getting close and I'm getting excited.
I am in the process of a knitted onesie and almost have the baby quilt complete. The baby shower is Sunday and I will have the quilt done by then. The onesie won't be ready for the shower, but will be done before the baby's born.

"The Piano Room"

2009-04-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

The center of this quilt was a counted cross stitch I had done several years ago. I had it just rolled up and put on a shelf. Then when I started making miniature quilts I wanted to incorporate this cross stitch into a quilt. The overall size of the quilt if 17" x 17". I found some musical themed fabrics that I used for some of the borders. The fourth border out is pieced.

This quilt hangs in my piano room, which has a Victorian/European Tea theme.

More quilts and a baby one on the way

2009-04-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've been working lately on a baby quilt for the 3rd grandbaby due on June 8. My daughter in law is living with us right now while my son is at Air Force Basic Training in San Antonio. The baby shower is next Sunday and I really want to get this quilt done by then. We leave tomorrow night for Brandon's (my son) graduation in San Antonio so I don't have much time left. I started the binding today, though, so I should be good. I'll get the picture of it up as soon as it's finished.
Brandon and Diana didn't want to know the sex of the baby, so her color scheme is beiges and tans, which I like to call" Creme Brulee".

Here is a "Snail's Trail" miniature that I did a few years ago. I have framed some of my miniatures because I like to display them in my home and they were also on display at the local art gallery for a while .

Here is a close view and a detail view. Each square is 2" and if I remember correctly I think there are about 24 pieces in each square.

The Start of my Gallery

2009-04-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

I spend so much time quilting, knitting, some cross stitching, etc. I've entered my quilts in several quilt shows, (and have won several ribbons), but I kind of got tired of lugging these quilts all over the place. I decorate with them and have them displayed all over my house and I miss them when they are gone for days at a time. I also knit quite obsessively lately. More so in the winter than in the summer. Since I have a new grand baby due in a month and a half, baby clothes are the current obsession. I'm also just about finished with a baby quilt. So I came up with this brilliant idea, since I just got a new digital camera, to show my wares on a site. I hope others enjoy, and I don't have to leave the house. More time to quilt and knit, right? I feel it's also a great way to keep a "journal" of my creations.

I use this quilt as a centerpiece tablecloth on my dining room table in the spring and summer.

This quilt hangs next to my wine cabinet. The fabric used in the fans is wine theme fabric, with wine bottles, corks, etc. This is a "Stack "N Whack technique. If you can look closely at the close up below, each blade of the fan is cut from the same exact image in the fabric.