Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

THE AMAZING PDF


I'm a real fan of PDF patterns and have bought several. It's a wonderful way to shop. I go to Etsy, put in a search for what I want to make, buy it, and within a few hours I have my pattern without ever leaving my house. This works for me. LOL
DIY origami Kusudama Flower Ball - PDF
I decided to see exactly what Etsy sellers have to offer in the way of PDF's, and I think I could find everything I need to make a complete wardrobe, cook all my meals, write letters, throw a party, make toys, organize my home, and maybe even build my house.

Printable Calendar and Matching Gift Tags ( PDF Blank Inside Booklet) - Flower
No matter what search word I put in, up popped hundreds of PDF's. I found such a variety it is impossible for me to show you all of them, so I had to pick and choose. If you check out just these few shops you'll be amazed at what they offer.

Printable Recipe Cards and Matching Gift Tags (PDF 4x6 and 3x5 ) - Day At The Beach

Sweet Shoppe Party Printable - Complete Birthday Party Pack w/ Invitation plus more, EDITABLE PDF file - personalize at home w/ Adobe Reader

Beaded Band Lace Bracelet Crochet PDF pattern

MELISSA Handbag Pattern, with free instructions on how to sew with a burlap potato sack - PDF Download

Butterfly Collection II - Cross stitch pattern pdf format

Ring Stacker Soft Toy, a pdf sewing pattern - free shipping

Sheldon - amigurumi crochet pdf pattern

Crocheted Baby Giraffe PDF Pattern

Crochet Lariat Necklace with Tiny Flowers - PDF PATTERN

PDF Sewing directions of infinity scarf. Experience level: Begginers

PATTERN - Ziela and Uchenna Crochet Cowls - 2 COWL PATTERNS

Carpet Roses Purse PDF Pattern  Knit Crochet Felted Art Bag

Choosing which patterns to share was really difficult.  There are PDF patterns for nearly anything you can think of.  We didn't even get into food and recipes. LOL

Have a wonderful day.
Pepper


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Favorite Blogs!


Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite blogs!  The ones I visit the most.   

Click on the logos to be taken directly to blogs!
First one is a friend of mine, I can't stay away from her blog and must know what she is up to!  She is one talented lady!

This next one was so much fun!  She blogged a collection a day for an entire year!  It ended now but still fun to go back through the days and see her collections!

Here is one that I can't figure out how she finds the time to blog!  Another talented and one busy lady!  Not only does she make her own beads, but now she has a line of fabrics and is opening her own B & M store!

Next is Valerie from Valerie's Gallery!  She is an amazing knitter and felter!  Another one I must see what she is up to!  Now, she got herself a spinning wheel!

Here is Marcy!  She makes the most amazing lampwork beads!


Michelle is a Vintage Junky!  Gotta love that!

Here is 1950's Atomic Ranch House!  *sigh* Can you say DROOL blog?  Wow.

Anyone ever watch those Flip This House shows and they come across the old houses from the 50's or 60's and say, EW, that tile has got to go or that kitchen needs to be totally destroyed?  It makes me cringe!  I would just love to have an entire house furnished with 50's and 60's items!  Take a look at this blog!

While at that blog, check out her Save the Pink Bathrooms blog!
Hope you've enjoyed some of the same blogs I do!  Now you know what I'm doing all day long
Have a great day!
RWS

Monday, March 21, 2011

And Poof! The Ugly Frog Becomes Adorable!

In my humble opinion it takes a really talented person to take the ugly frog, (and they are ugly admit it,) and turn it into the cutest, most adorable reptile in the swamp.

Froggy Coaster 3 choices
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2903976

I took an unquided tour through the swamplands of Etsy, Artfire, and Zibbet to find the best of the best. If you ever had the absurd thought that artists and crafters don't have a fantastic sense of humor, just cruise through the gallery I have put together for your pleasure and I guarantee you'll change your mind.
 
Froggy Clip
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42036162/froggy-clip
 
Lampwork bead - Pandora style - Frog - 305100 (20mm by 18mm )
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43030373/lampwork-bead-pandora-style-frog-305100
 
Frederick the Frog Fleece Soft Sculpture
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2960980
 
Frog Prince bamboo knitting needles FR*EE US shipping
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=884556
 
Kermit the Frog
http://www.zibbet.com/BarefootJJ/artwork?artworkId=94654#art
 
Set of 2 Hand Painted Animal Cards
http://www.zibbet.com/Valmade/artwork?artworkId=28672#art
 
Kelly Green Multipurpose Felt Head Case Frog Bag
http://www.zibbet.com/PotatoFace/artwork?artworkId=26317#art
 
Dog Sweater and hat  - Frog Costume
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1862626
 
I hope you enjoyed your guided tour of the swamplands and that some of the inhabitants made you smile.
 
pepper/Helmet Head

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Knitting Made Easy!


This has to be one of the easiest things to knit but with great, wonderful results!

I'm using Red Heart Pomp-A-Doodle and I prefer buying two skeins.  If you only use one skein, it's a short scarf, more like a neck warmer.  I like nice long scarves so I use a second skein.  The color of this is Prairie.

Cast on 12 stitches using size 9 US needles.  Simply knit the entire scarf until you achieve the length you want.

How do you do this?  You knit two stitches between each pom-pom.

This comes out amazingly soft!  I have yet to meet someone that I've shown them the scarf, that hasn't buried their face in it!  When I told my sister this, she showed her's to her hubby.  She called me laughing and said her hubby looked at it and buried his face in it!  It has the feel of cashmere!

It's easy to tie off the ends, you can't see them!  And this is another project that works up quickly.

You can find this at any local craft shop like JoAnns, Michaels and AC Moores.  Plus, they have brand new colors out for this year! 

This is one of my favorite colors called African Violet, but I like Faded Jeans, too!
With the weather turning colder, now is the time to wrap yourself up with some knitting!  I highly recommend you try this one.  Each skein of yarn comes with directions for making the scarf, but again, I recommend two skeins.  You can buy three skeins and get two scarves from them.  Easily done in a weekend and once you get the hang of it, most likely can be done in one evening.
RWS

Friday, October 15, 2010

"A Day in the Life" with Valerie”


I love my blog job.  Getting to know some really cool people, and sharing that info with you, our readers, is a blast.  This week, I met someone that I didn't know before.
And after visiting her shop and sharing emails back and forth, I just know you'll like her too.
So grab your snack, get comfy, and let's take a journey to:


"A Day in the Life with Valerie, owner of
Valerie's Gallery"

(click banner to enter her shop)



Duuuuuude:  How long have you been creating handmade products?  I see you are a fiber "junky" (and I mean that with the utmost respect as I can't do a thing in that arena).  Is that your passion

Valerie:  I have been creating handmade just about all my life, but only recently (three years ago) decided to open a business.  My passion is fiber arts and I have always worked with fabric, fiber and yarns.  I don't think there is any other medium that gives the warm, fuzzy and cozy feeling that working with fiber provides. Whether it be quilting, sewing, knitting or felting, the end result is not only beautiful, but practical as well.
I remember my very first hand-knit gift was a very crooked headband for my best friend in 6th grade.  Looking back it was pretty pathetic, but I was ever-so-proud!

Duuuuuude:  What inspired you get into this area of crafting?

Valerie:  I have always been a knitter, but it wasn't until one of my daughters went to college and started a fiber arts club, did I learn about felting.  My Mom taught me to knit and my daughter taught me to felt.  I love the fact that I am combining old and new and coming up with something original and fresh.  I also like to take ideas from nature, such as colors, shapes and textures. 

Duuuuuude:  Tell us a little bit about your process for creating.  
Valerie:  I absolutely love felting.  For me, it is very exciting because once I make the item I close my eyes and throw it in the washing machine to do its magic.  I never know how it will turn out and it is always a surprise.   Because of the differences in yarn content, weight and color dyes, everything takes on its own life during the felting process. 
I basically start the process sitting in the living room chair watching movies or as a passenger in the car.  Once the item is done, I use an old washing machine that I bought second-hand.  (Agitation is the key to felting and the new models just don't agitate enough!) Then I shape them and let them dry.  The process to make one bowl can take up to a week to complete from beginning to end. 
I will say that not everything comes out as anticipated.  As I mentioned above, each piece is a surprise no matter how much I try to calculate. I have discarded a few failures, but I have also had a few positive surprises as well!

Duuuuuude:  Where do you typically get your supplies? (handmade, online, craft shops, etc.
Valerie:  Right now, I use commercial wools that I purchase from yarn shops or order on-line.  I just ordered a spinning wheel after having a few lessons and I can't wait to start spinning my own yarn. My daughter raises sheep and Angora bunnies, so I hope I can have a direct supplier soon.  Think I should get a discount?  (Duuuuuude:  absolutely!) 

Duuuuuude:  Where do you get your ideas for your items? 

Lavender Felted Pansy 
Valerie:  My ideas come to me from nature for the most part.  I am lucky enough to live in the country in Upstate NY where we are surrounded by colorful beauty.  I look at something and say, can I felt that?  Recently I have been picking up interesting pebbles while going for walks and felting them.  How crazy is that?  Good thing I have a used washer!  Anyway ... I love playing with color combinations for felted items and I love mixing up textures in my knitted work. 

Duuuuuude:  Where do you sell your items?

Valerie:  Currently, I have two on-line shops - http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com and http://valeriesgallery.artfire.com.  I also do several fairs and festivals each year.  This year I went to 8 and I have 3 more planned for the remainder of the year.  I really love being a vendor at the festivals because I get to meet and talk to people about the process.  It is incredible to meet others that really 'get' your work.

Duuuuuude:  Anything else you'd like us to know?

Valerie:  My husband and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and although we are now empty-nesters (we have 4 grown children), we keep busy renovating and old farm house that we bought 6 years ago.  It seem that this is a never-ending project, but we are finally seeing some of the results of our labor.  I love decorating our home with handmade, whether the items are some cherished wood pieces made by my father, a doily or two made by my grandmother, a table scarf hand knit by my mother, or something I pick up at the festivals I attend.  I don't think I would be so committed to working on such a large project without the handmade treasures to decorate with   (Duuuuuude:  Congrats on that)
Duuuuuude:  Do you have a blog or any other sites that you are involved in that you would like to share with us, and we can link in our article?

Valerie:  My blog: http://feltedtreasures.blogspot.com where I have a Sunday Morning Knit Wit article each week.  I try to feature a different knitting stitch or just talk about knitting.

I want to thank Valerie for taking the time to share her passion with us and for sharing some cool shots of her renovation.  Now go visit her shop, show some ACJ love.  J
Until next week ... "duuuuuude"

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Make Someone Happy!


It's tough enough getting a sale these days on Etsy.  Think how it is for new shops, being small fish in a big sea.
I've done a series of treasuries of shops that are still waiting to be discovered.  Stop by and make someone happy, make just one someone happy!
Vintage and Misc. itemshttp://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca863ba63448eef874ce1c7/undiscovered-shops-vintage-and-misc

Simply click on the links above to see some amazing new shops on Etsy!  And don't forget to leave comments on the treasuries!