RoseTree Creations

Catch Up Time

2010-03-06T15:51:00.004-05:00

I am truly in awe of those who can blog on a regular basis. You know, those people who update their space on a schedule and send E-Mail updates at LEAST once a week. So, if I wore a hat, it would be off to those amazing bloggers.

Then there are people like me, who start with high hopes and then get way-sided. The New Year began with the best of intentions, I was determined to make blogging a part of my day, everyday! I didn’t even make it through January and here it is the first week in March. With that said, I will TRY to play catch-up this week with what has been going on here in Virginia.
January and February the East Coast was blanketed with record snowfalls. New York, Washington DC, and North Carolina friends all reported that schools were closed and they were snowed in. I looked through my stack of untried patterns and my yarn stash, waiting for the snow to come. The most we got was a “dusting”. Enough to cover the ground in the morning and then gone by noon. So much for snow!

January I worked on a contest entry for the Second Annual Michael’s and Vanna White Contest. There are five categories, and they required the use of Vanna’a Choice Yarns. The entry pictures had to be mailed or e-mailed by February 1st. When I saw the contest ad I knew exactly what I wanted to enter. I read the rules and started on my project. I don’t want to say or show what I entered yet, I don’t want to jinx it. I will tell you that I should have read the entry instructions better. The entry instructions said that the item submitted could be from someone else’s pattern or an original design. Mine was an original design. Creating my entry was easy. I THOUGHT I had to submit the pattern with the pictures. So I wrote down the pattern which ended up taking more time than making the items. Not being good at deadlines I was thrilled to finish well ahead. Then as I was filling out the entry form I realized I did not have to send the pattern. I didn’t know weither to laugh or cry. So I chalked it up to experience and am glad to have a finished written pattern. So…..the contest winners will be announced at the end of MAY! (I know, that is a long time) Once that is announced I will post pictures.

February I worked on making a baby gift for my niece who is having a baby girl in June. We all waited to find out the sex of the baby, everyone hoping for a girl. I love the way she told us, giving us the name, instead of the sex. So, for the new baby in the family, Alexis, whose parents are big Disney fans, I made this crocheted Mickey Mouse. I have started on the Minnie Mouse and I am hoping to get it done before Alexis makes her welcome entry into the family.

Next I tackled one of the many patterns that I have in my stash. This was a pattern for an Amigurumi little girl dressed in a bunny outfit. I purchased the pattern from Owlishly. I love her designs. She has taken the basic girl or sometimes boy doll and created some awesome costumes for them. I bought the bunny pattern because I have two little nieces that I wanted to surprise with Easter Bunnies. I finished them in three days and packed them up, ready to mail out in my new special packaging. Then I looked at the calendar and realized that Easter is not until April. Way to early to send a package to two toddlers with the instructions, “Do Not Open Til Easter”. So, for once I am way ahead of my deadline. And on that happy note I’ll sign off until tomorrow.

Random Pictures

2010-01-03T08:20:00.001-05:00

Just some Random pictures today from items out of my ArtFire shop , RoseTree Creations. The little pocket pup is just one of a few I will be adding this week. He is just too cute! The candy corn and apple are keychains that were sold over the holidays. Of course there woulod be a monkey in the bunch. This little girl was one that was sent to California. The last is one of the heart keyrings. I will be working on keyrings this week, adding about five new designs in the shop. Of course you know I will post pictures here as soon as they are done. That's about it for today. Not a busy crafting day today. As always, more later.

The Joy and Challenges of Creating

2010-01-02T10:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I told you about the “Monkeython” I had before Christmas. It involved making 22 monkeys in 24 days. Though my monkey pattern is usually pretty much standard, the clothes that I make for each monkey are custom and each comes with it’s own challenges. I needed two monkeys with Stanford College logos on white shirts. The shirts were the easy part, making the Stanford logo was the difficult part.

I had previously made a Virginia Tech monkey with a logo on a orange short sleeve shirt. For the logo I used ribbon that I found locally. Since I live in Virginia, the Virginia Hokies are BIG here. The ribbon had the Hokie logo that I cut and carefully hand sewed to the tiny T Shirt.

For the Stanford shirts I had no logo ribbon and there was not time to order any that I might find online. So, instead I thought if I could find the two JPG photo’s of the logos online, I could save them to my computer, size them down to fit the shirts, print them out, and then sew them on to the shirts. Here is where the challenge came. A paper printout just would not work. Any type of iron-on would not work because of the same size and the fact that the shirts are crocheted, not made of material. The solution came from a previous project I had worked on.

Pellon, interfacing, whatever you want to call it can be cut to printer paper size and it can be run through the printer. So, I took the JPG files, sized them down to the size I needed and printed 3 of each image (just in case of mistakes). Then I cut around the image and sewed them to the shirts. As I cut the thread on the last shirt I realized the possibilities are pretty endless. Personalized T shirts for my monkeys! Sometimes there are just more ideas than there is time to do them all.
As you can see, the Stanford monkeys turned out pretty good and made their way to California before Christmas.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

So the New Year begins! 20010, I have to get used to writting that.
I am not a big fan of making New Year's Resolutions, mainly because they never seem to last. However, when I came here and saw that my last post was actually written before Halloween of last year I realized I need to do some serious change.
My son has a photography blog and between going to school, assignments and his studies he manages to post a new picture each day. I have been thinking about that all week and how I can apply the same discipline here. A project each day? A picture of something from my shop? Maybe a tutorial? All I can commit to right now is, who knows!
So since this is not a Leap Year, that doesn't happen until 2012, I will have 365 posts here. Hmmmmm that sorta smacks of a resolution.
For today, let me do a little catch-up on what has been going on with RoseTree Creations.
December, I undertook a Monkeython, as I like to call it. Between gifts and special orders I made 22 monkeys in 24 days. All of them dressed in specific outfits. It was a crazy time as I had to make two college T shirt clad monkeys and three architect monkeys. Since clothes for my monkeys are made without patterns, new designs and requests are always a challenge. Each challenge though, becomes a learning experience and later this month I will share some of the things I learned.
That's all I have for now, other than the hope that everyone has a GREAT new year! See you tomorrow!

HALLOWEEN IS COMING

2009-10-18T20:40:00.000-04:00

Ok, I like Halloween. The kids Trick or Treating, and seeing them all dressed up in their little costumes, but as far crafting goes I have never really been big on it. So when I ran across this pattern in a new magazine that I subscribed to, it is unusual for me to drop what I am doing to make one.
Usually when I run across something that might be intersting to work on I store it away, either in my head or storeroom until I have time. But lately that "pile" has been getting bigger and bigger. More ideas than what I have time for. I don't know what inspired me to start right in on this scarecrow.
Maybe it was because:
1. I had EVERY color and brand yarn that it called for.
2. It has REALLY been Fall weather here, cold, wet and windy.
3. I thought he was really CUTE!
4. Though the pattern calls for him to be 14 inches tall I wanted to try and make him smaller.
5. I had just gotten the magazine subscription he was in "CROCHET TODAY".
6. It was better to sit and make something new than work on other things.

I guess it was a little of all and a lot of the last. I really enjoy working on new things.

One of the things that I NEED to do is go over to ArtFIre and work on my Blog. They have added a new feature where each shop can have a blog. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I love ArtFire because they are always adding features for both buyers and sellers to make things easier. They listen to suggestions and respond quickly. My problem is, I have trouble keeping up with it all.
So when I saw that I could have a blog on ArtFire AND here, I had to think how to handle it. Should both be a repeat of each other? I decided No, I would continue on with this one and use the ArtFire Shop Blog as a way of profiling new items in the shop, telling the inspiration and story behind each piece and getting to know my buyers better.
So, one more thing to add to my list of things to do each week. It's a good thing I don't have a regular job. LOL!

Work in progress

2009-10-11T10:12:00.000-04:00

I think my favorite part of any craft project is the whole designing phase. Figuring out how different components will look together, selecting the right colors and textures and bringing them all together into something that is unique and wonderful. When I make Amigurumi I generally work with a "basic" pattern and it takes on a life of it's own. This guy is going to be a baby reindeer.

He really started with his eyes. On a trip to the craft store I ran across the BIG safety eyes that I have used here. I knew I wanted to make a baby deer with them because of fawns having such big wide eyed looks. When I sat down to make it, after making the head I put the eyes in place as soon as I could. I always do this before the head is even finished because it helps the creative process.

When I put the eyes in I realized that not only did he have that wide eyed baby deer look, he had a "OMG! I've just seen a ghost look!" So, for the first time I crocheted eyelids. It helped give him a better look. With

eyes in place, I just had to add his nose and ears. Here he is looking almost finished, but still bodiless.
I wanted the deer to have a light patch that ran under his belly and rump and showed the tail. I started it on the chest and then had to stop until I got the body made. When I make animals I like for them to be as "realistic" as possible. If I remember correctly both male and femal reindeer have antlers, so I gave him antler buds. When it came time to do his feet and legs I gave him some brown hooves. As a final touch I added a green scarf with a gold jingle bells on each end. I think all and all it came together pretty nicely. Now if I tried to make an exact copy I could not do it. That is the beauty of working without patterns. The same basic feel but each one is like we humans, different.

He can be found here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=618016 So that was my latest adventure in designing . This week I have to concentrate on getting more Christmas

Holiday items in the Shop. I want to add some more of the ornament/ head balls that I have made. It started with a snowman head ball and then I went to the reindeer head ball. I made a Santa head ball and still want to make an elf head. I have some beautiful silver buttons that someone gave me, I never turn down a donation, and they have been sitting on my desk, just begging to made into something wonderful. I thought of making a ball type ornament with the buttons for embellishments, than I thought, "What if I use them as a clasp type thingy and the ornament could open and close. Could be used as a gift tag or stockingstuffer. There just are not enough hours in the day for getting all the ideas done that come through my head!

WORKING ON MY LIST

2009-10-04T20:53:00.000-04:00

Today I again took up working on my list. I finished this new Hedggie. She is Scarlet and is made with a combination of deep red and pink eyelash yarns. I liked the silver yarn that I used for Silver's face so much that I used it here. She and Silver both have the green eyes instead of the solid black eyes and they are really different. By accident I had put Silver's nose upside down. The more I looked at it, the more I liked it so I put Scarlet's nose on the same way. I just added her to the shop. Now back to the list.

SILVER HEDGGIE FINISHED

2009-10-03T08:06:00.000-04:00

The silver hedggie yarn was begging to be used, so I picked up my favorite hook and in no time I had a very small hedggie completed. I just listed Silver in my ArtFire shop.

This little guy is only 3" and is more of a ball than the regular elongated shape of the other hedggies. It was a case of not having enough silver yarn, but he is just too cute to scrap the whole effort. Thank goodness It looks like I have more than enough for the red and silver hedggie that is coming up next.

FUTURE HEDGGIES

2009-10-02T14:40:00.002-04:00

I don't know about anyone else, but I am foever looking at my shop and trying to make it better. Thanks to ArtFire, and their dedication to the sellers there, they are always coming up with new features to make things easier for us.
So, rather than be overwhelmed by tackling the whole shop I am working on a catergory at a time. This month it is going to be the Hedgehogs. So here is my list to be completed by month's end.
1. Reduce Hedggie price for the month by 20% (check)
2. Increase Hedggies so there are 20 different ones
3. Purchase gift boxes for each (check)
4. Create hang tags for each Hedggie, certifying that it is
handmade, and include it's name and date of birth

So, the picture above is of some of the yarn I ran across in my stash. It is unlike the other eyelash yarn. Both have sparkly strands mixed in with the yarn and will work up well as hedggies. Can't wait to get started on these tonight. I will post pictures as soon as I get them finished, and of course offer them in my shop.

HEDDGIE HORDE!

2009-09-30T22:56:00.006-04:00

It has been a Hedggie Horde Time! Between everything that has been going on in my "personal" life I have been able to finish a long over due special order for three Hedggies. Not being able to stop I made some more to add to the Hedggies I already have listed on my ArtFire shop ( http://rosetreecreations.artfire.com/) . Getting them all to sit still for this group shot was not easy but somehow they all managed to get in the picture. Thank goodness ArtFire has added a new global editing feature, because I decided to do a little tweaking to some of the listings. It has been two days and I am still adding and changing. I can see this will be an ongoing thing. Because once I get the listings finished for the hedggies, then I will have to start on the monkey listings, and then the Christmas listings. And O my Goodness, Christmas is getting here soon and I need to get busy adding more Christmas critters. I sold three earlier this week and have not even started on replacing them.

Don't get me wrong, I love creating the critters and having someone love them so much that they want to have them.....it is everything else that makes me crazy.

I gave up on Twitter, too much to figure out, as far as how to send..etc. Facebook, I put up the Artfire link and have gotten a few hits from that. This whole Blog thing is new to me. I have followers here but I feel like I am talking to myself. But I will keep talking. And I will try to do it more often.

O, I thought I would include this picture I found of a REAL Hedgehog. Pretty drab when you think about all the different colors that can be found with the crocheted ones on the Web. Actually, this hedggie is different than the first real one I saw. A friend of mine had one as a "pet" and hers was gray and black, with a shorter pointy nose . They really are odd little creatures. Did you know they hibernate? As my friend found out, the females, unless they are fixed will experience PMS symptoms, poor things.

AMIGURUMI AWARD

2009-09-23T19:02:00.003-04:00

I love Buttons! Not the kind that keep your clothes decent or the ones you wear to tell the world your opinion of things....No, I mean buttons to add to Blogs. I have received a few but adding them here? have put that on my backlog of things to do.

Instead, I wanted to come up with an award that I could share with fellow Amigurumi Artists who sell on ArtFire. A way of adding to their blogs that they enjoy creating with yarn and crochet hooks and provide a link to their ArtFire Shops.

I knew exactly how I wanted it to look and the hardest part (not REALLY) was making the Amigurumi piece to use. I love this little Wacky Bird and he just begged to be labeled "Too Stink'n Cute!" So, armed with a good picture I added the caption and got a working button to use. I figured out how to add it to my blog here. No great feat you say? It is for me, because this whole blogging thing is new to me, and adding things is unfamiliar ground. So, anyway, I got the button here, you can see it in the righthand sidebar.

Now is where I need help. I want to offer it, like I said to fellow Amigurumi artists. I am just not sure how to go about doing that. Anyone who can offer help doing this it would be greatly appreciated. Help me please. Leave a comment. Thanks.

ITS BEEN A WHILE

2009-09-07T21:15:00.002-04:00

I have not been posting here, but things have been busy! I have four or five projects going at once. Just when I set aside time to work on one of them something comes along that demands my attention, but that is life! So in an effort to prioritize I am working on the most pressing on down.
Number One on the list is a special order for three hedggies, dark blue, purple and a darker pink than what I have listed in my shop. I had a search out for the darker pink eyelash yarn and got it in last week so there is no more delay in getting these done and mailed out.
Number Two on the list is finishing this little guy. I got this great bear pattern that also has several clothes outfits.

Number Three on the same list is finish putting Christmas items in my Shop. I want to carry Christmas Items year round, since I was TOTALLY unprepared for the ArtFire Christmas in July Sale.
Number Four on my list is to post more, do more with my Blog here. While I have 18 followers I feel as though I am talking to myself most of the time. This item is the hardest because I am in unknown territory, learning as I go, about this blogging thing. I hope to be able to add some of the features I have seen on other sites, contests, tutorials and more.
Number Five is a long term venture. I have more research to do before I can even attempt it. I have an idea for an OOAK Amigurumi that I want to market. A collector type item, that I want to include a “certificate of authenticity”. An ambiguous phrase that I need more clarification on.
So Basically that is what has been going on at my end.

FREE PATTERN

2009-08-07T23:57:00.005-04:00

CROCHET KEYRING PATTERN

Things have been busy lately and I have been wanting to put a free crochet pattern on here for a while. Until tonight, when I was making a bunch of these I have not had a chance to sit and write the directions down. This is a very simple project and would be easy for beginners on up. I include one of these as a Thank You gift when someone makes a purchase from my ArtFire shop. I show the heart, here, made with red yarn but you can make it in any color or colors you like. Let me know what you think of the pattern.

Here it is:

Heart Key Ring
This is a quick and easy pattern for a cute Heart key ring. It can also be used for a backpack clip. The only difference is what hardware you use to attach it to. This pattern is so easy I am using full terms, not abbreviations.

For this project you will need:
* Small amount of red (or color of choice) 4ply yarn. (I used Red Heart Super Saver)
* Size E/4 3.50 mm crochet hook
* Yarn Needle
* Tiny amount of stuffing of choice
* Key ring ( I use a split ring that has a small link chain attached)
MAKE 2

Row One: Begin by chain stitching 2 stitches. In second chain from hook, single crochet twice. Chain stitch 1 and turn.

Row Two: Make 2 single crochets in the first single crochet and the next one. Chain one and turn.

Row Three: Make 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Make one single crochet in each of the next 2 single crochets. Make 2 single crochets in the last single crochet. Chain 1 and turn.

Row Four: Make 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Make one single crochet in each of the next 4 single crochets. Make 2 single crochets in the last single crochet. Chain 1 and turn.

Row Five: Make 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Make one single crochet in each of the next 6 single crochet. Make 2 single crochets in the last single crochet. Chain 1 and turn.

Row Six: Skip the first 2 single crochets and make 2 double crochets in the third single crochet and make 2 triple crochets, then 2 double crochets in the same single crochet. Skip 2 single crochets and in the next single crochet, slip stitch 1. Skip 1 single crochet and make 2 single crochets, 2 triple crochets and 2 double crochets in the next single crochet. Slip stitch in last single crochet. Cut yarn leaving long tail on one of the hearts for stitching together.
Holding two hearts together, with right sides facing out, using tapestry needle and long tail from one heart, stitch two hearts together. Insert small amount of stuffing before completely closing heart. Finish stitching around, then bring needle up between the two top humps. Attach key ring hardware by going through it several times, and into heart and then bury yarn into heart. Trim leftover yarn. Enjoy.
I hope you find this pattern easy and if you have any problems I will be happy to help.

JUST ADDED TO MY SHOP

2009-08-02T22:09:00.004-04:00

FINALLY FINISHED

Finally! I finished the first VA Tech Monkey and added him to my shop, you can see him here, http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=344283

I made his T shirt with a smaller ply cotton thread. instead of the yarn I am used to. Smaller thread, smaller hook, smaller stitches, longer time to complete. It took a long time, so I am going to make the future VA TECH monkeys with sweatshirts instead of T's and using the yarn and hook I am used to. Or I could go with using felt for the shirts, will have to see which looks best.

I am excited about this fundraising project and I hope that it will be successful. Making a donation to the VA Tech Memorial Fund in December will GREAT!

Next I have to start on the VA Tech Turkeys. The turkey is the official mascot of VA Tech and if I start now I can have a few made in time for Thanksgiving.

I still have to make Christmas ornaments for the shop, and then there is a few more dogs I want to add. So much to do, so little time.

COMING SOON

2009-07-30T22:13:00.005-04:00

FUTURE ARTFIRE MONKEY

Meet a monkey in the making! I used the same weight yarn and pattern that I normally do, but this time I used a smaller size crochet hook. A few pattern modifications and the result is this smaller version of his bigger relatives. He is about 7 1/2" tall. He may be small but he has a big mission.

Right now this little one is "nakey", but in the next few days he will be dressed in his Virginia Tech sweatshirt, and yes, his tail will be swinging out the back of his sweatshirt. Starting next month and until the end of the year I will have Virginia Tech Monkeys, in either the orange or maroon school colors sweatshirts.

By September I hope to add Virginia Tech Turkeys as well as the Monkeys. Like I said earlier the monkeys as well as the turkeys have a mission. Fifty percent of the total sales from the monkeys and turkeys will be donated to the Virginia Tech Memorial Fund. Everyone who buys a Virginia Tech Turkey or Monkey will be listed as a donor in the final donation. Once I get the monkey listed in my shop, I will have more details, but being a native Virginian this is a cause I feel strongly about.

PROJECTS UNDERWAY

2009-07-25T15:12:00.003-04:00

WORKING ON MONKEYS

Last week I got a repeat order for another set of Bride and Groom Monkeys, so that is what I have been working on. This is the completed groom here. I have reminded the buyer that since they are handmade each is different, just like people. I don't think I could make two alike if I tried. They seem to each take on their own personality. Unlike the first Groom I made, this monkey is sporting a black bowtie to go with his black tux. For the new Bride Monkey I plan to add a bouquet and a garter on her leg.

I just read an article last night where a fellow crafter offered the advise of finding an item that you like, make it a thousand times until you are happy with it. The problem I have with that advise is that I could make the same style monkey 1000 times and each time it would be different and I would be happy with each.

JUST FOR FUN

2009-07-24T19:32:00.004-04:00

THOUGHT THIS WAS FUNNY

Maybe I have spent too much time with yarn, stuffing, small creations and crochet hooks lately, but I thought this was funny.I thought it was so funny I had to take a picture to share it with you here.

I was going through my crochet hooks, looking for a small size the other day. This involves checking an assortment of thirty odd hooks. I came across an alumunium hook that looked about the right size. This is what I saw when I looked for the size on the needle. When were crochet hooks TEN CENTS! ?

I have no way of knowing how old this little one is. My grandmother and my mother both crocheted and many of my hooks are from them. It was just a funny reminder of how much prices have gone up. Last week I needed a hook size that had disappeared and was forced to go to the closest store, which was a fabric store. I paid 3.49 for one hook. When I came across this 10 cent hook it made me wonder.....

Was plunking down a dime for a crochet hook as "easy" for the original owner as it was for me to purchase that last hook? Did they crumble about the high cost of materials? How many doilys, mittens, scarves and afghans came off that hook? Was this the crochet hook that my mother made her first doily with? The one I have and cherish. Or maybe my grandmother used it to make a pair of the countless slippers that she made for her children and grandchildren.

Like I said, maybe being so involved in crocheting lately has made me punchy but I thought it was funny, and now........it makes me appreciate a bygone time. While most of what I do does not keep people warm or serve as a daily "tool" I hope that what I create will be remembered after I am gone.

ARTFIRE GUILD and BLOG

2009-07-24T13:44:00.003-04:00

LESS THAN 10 SALES ArtFiire GUILD BLOG

Do you have a shop on ArtFire? Are you still waiting for your first or more sales? If you answered yes to both questions, the next one is, Have you checked out the Shops with Less than 10 Sales Guild? If not, you should!

I have been in other Guilds and this one has got to have the most helpful, devirse shops I have seen. It is an ACTIVE Guild. There are always new posts and Topics. You can get help and input on setting up your shop and your blog. Find out how others have increased their sales and participate in Guild Contests.

The down side is that after you reach your 10th sale you have to say goodbye to the Guild. When you do, you'll leave with more knowledge and friendships than the day you joined.

Active participation is a requirement. But who wants to join a Guild just to say they belong.

Go to the Guild's Blog, and find out what is going on right now!

http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/

NEW IN MY shop

2009-07-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

APPLES ADDED

Monday I sold this Apple Pincushion I had listed. I made another and relisted the apple, then I got thinking about making another, only smaller. The apple you see above was made with 4 ply yarn and a size f crochet hook. It is a no brainer that if I used a smaller size hook and thinner thread I could make a smaller apple. So I went with that and created this mini apple, which is 2 1/2" tall. Now the question is, will I be able to stop there?

I have seen Amigurumi style crochet done with thread as small as sewing thread and crochet hooks that are the smallest size I have ever seen. A part of me would like the challenge of trying that. I love a challenge. For now, I think I will stick with these two sizes. You can see both apples, with more amigurumi minis in my ArtFire shop @ http://rosetreecreations.artfire.com/

RED, WHITE AND BLUE

2009-07-21T20:02:00.004-04:00

WHERE'S WALDO HAS BEGUN

The Artfire Guild Contest has begun. You can click on the monkeys on the right or go here to get all the details.

http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/ I am happy to be the prize sponsor for this month's contest. My Uncle Sam Monkey has been under wraps until last night when he made his debut as the prize.

Even after the contest be sure to check out all the participants in these great shops. You will find a variety of handmade items. There are quilts, jewelry, beautiful writing pens, intricate origami, purses, and so much more. All the shops are worth going back to again and again, and of course, finding something for yourself or to give as a gift.

http://vabeachquilter.artfire.com/

http://onpensandneedle.artfire.com/

http://exquisitestudios.artfire.com/

http://origamibysisi.artfire.com/

http://franciebagsetc.artfire.com/

http://nothingbutstring.artfire.com/

http://valmade.artfire.com/

http://jewelrybyfyfe.artfire.com/

http://liquidambar.artfire.com/

http://stitchnlove.artfire.com/

http://twitterbird.artfire.com/
http://beadyourhabit.artfire.com/

I can't wait to see who wins this month's contest.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

NEW IN MY SHOP

2009-07-18T14:16:00.000-04:00

NEWEST AMIGURUMI DOG

This little guy what I made last night. His name is Captain, in honor of my brother's black Lab. Captain, the living breathing one, is an incredible dog. He is more human than dog. I refer to him as my nephew. You can ask him where his new toy is and he will go to his toy box and get his newest toy. If you ask him where his fish is, he will go to his box and bring you back his stuffed fish. Unfortunately he is so convinced he is human that breeding him as been unsuccessful. There will never be another dog like Captain!

So when I started making Amigurumi dogs last week, I KNEW I had to make a Black Lab like the beloved Captain. I have made him with the big paws and long legs that Lab puppies have when they are so young. You can check get more info on this litlle guy, as well as the other dogs at my ArtFire Shop. http://rosetreecreations.artfire.com/

FEATURED ARTFIRE ARTISAN

2009-07-17T21:57:00.000-04:00

VALMADE

Looking for really unique note cards, gift tags, cross stitch or knited items? Then take a look at this shop: http://valmade.artfire.com/

Right now, Valmade is part of the Christmas in July Sale, so it is not too early to go there and find Christmas Items.

Val has an assortment of beautiful hand-crafted blank cards, like this one, which features a lovely fairy. Gorgeous artwork on the front and you can personilize the inside.

Of all the items , I have to say this is my favorite item in her shop, a cross stitch poem. Who would not feel blessed to receive something like this from a family member or friend.

CHECK OUT THIS ARTFIRE SHOP!

2009-07-17T00:30:00.000-04:00

PEACEFULLY FOLDING

Aren't these the coolest things you have ever seen? Sisi at Peacefully Folding does origami and it is absolutely beautiful! I first met Sisi through our ArtFire Guild and when I checked out her shop I was amazed at her work. So much so that I HAD to make a purchase so I could see her work up close. She makes earrings, flowers, hair pins, greeting cards, butterflies and fish, all in the Japanese paperfolding style called origami. You should visit her shop and see for yourself. In celebration of the Christmas in July sale, everything in her shop is 10% off. Her shop can be found here: http://origamibysisi.artfire.com/. And don't forget to check out her blog @ http://peacefullyfolding.blogspot.com

O, and in case you were wondering, those black crane earrings? That was my purchase. Like them? Want them in another color? No problem, Sisi will be glad to custom create for you.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

2009-07-16T22:06:00.000-04:00

SAME BLOG, NEW FORMAT!

I'm working on changing the format of my blog, so bear with me. It is all part of trying to bring some organization here. I need to start bringing some elements to the Blog and a new format was in order. I hate to put a timetable to it, but I hope to add some weekly features. So please be paitent and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Let's Play WHERE'S WALDO? Anyone Can WIN!

2009-07-16T20:34:00.000-04:00

Remember "Where's Waldo?" It was a book with page after page, full of all kinds of pictures and you had to find the Waldo character. The Guild that I belong to on ArtFire.com, is hosting our second "Where's Waldo?" Contest. Anyone can play and win, except for the members of our Guild.

There are full details on our Guild's blog:

http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/ , but I can give you a quick idea of how to play. On the above blog you will find a list of the great ArtFire shops that are participating in the contest and the Theme of the month, which this month is "Red, White and Blue". You visit each shop and look for an item in each that would fit the theme, there may be more than one. If you look in the item descriptions, only one item in each shop will have the phrase, "You have found Waldo!". Make a list of the shops names and their "Waldo" item. Submit your completed list to the blog. The first complete and correct submitted list will be announced at the end of the contest as the winner. This month the contest will start on the 25th and the winner will be announced on the 31st. Like I said, you don't have to be a member of ArtFire to enter the contest. We are diversified group with shops full of interesting, cool, handmade items.

I am especially proud to be part of this group. Last month for our first "Where's Waldo?" Contest I was one of the participating shops and a beautiful red crystal necklace was part of the prize package for the theme, "Princess for a Day." This month I am the sponsor, and I can't tell you yet about the prize but when I can I will post a picture here. Give it a try and Good Luck!