Bitta this, bitta that.....

First off--check out this beautiful assortment of goodies!! All mine. Yup. I was the lucky winner of the 200th blogpost drawing from Becky at Hospitality Lane. I couldn't believe it when I got the package in the mail the very next day! Just an absolutely beautiful bunch of prizes and so generous, wow! That beautiful teacup and saucer in the front is filled with the most heavenly smelling candle that looks just like a nice cup of tea! Becky actually sells those, so if you really want to treat yourself or send a nice gift to someone--that's a great idea for ya! Thank you so much Becky--I am stunned and delighted!

Check this out! Is it crazy to have a pink potbellied ketchup pot?? I found this cute little set of vintage potbellied ketchup and mustard pots while out on my last treasure hunt. They even still have the little plastic spoons with them! They were painted tomato red and mustard yellow, of course, and were pretty grubby and when I tried scrubbing them up, the paint was getting scrubbed off! So I scrubbed them really good and decided to give them a little paint job! I finished them off with a few clear coats of poly so you can wipe them clean. It's listed in my Etsy shop (if you would like the mustard pot too, just let me know and I'll give you a shipping deal!)
AND some good news about a dear friend--Miss Bufforfington finally updated her blog!! Yeah. I wrote her a silly comment about getting her rear in gear--and she did! LOL Please stop by and say HI to her, and let's see if we can encourage her to come back to us more often! (just joking around Dinah--I'm just excited to see you back!)

Well, I should go get some work done--then I have to shower up and get ready for my Mammy-smashing this afternoon! Fun! Remember gals-- it's not a very pleasant thing, but it's important to get those mammograms on a regular basis--keep "the girls" healthy!

xoxoxoxo Karen

Sweet Little Bears and Street Teams

Here's my newest little creation! Isn't she sweet? I was at Seaman's Treasures yesterday to see if she had any new buttons in--and found some of these sweet vintage flocked bears! Awww---brought them home and decorated this one up with a pretty flowery hat and some ribbon and lace--and even made her a pretty heart from wood and a sweet birdy image from a vintage greeting card! Available at Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage.

I haven't actually been able to work too much on new designs--been busy with a custom order (which I did finish up today--yeah!) and another order for the Loopy Ewe. Keeping my busy, but I am really looking forward to having a little time to doodle around with some new design ideas that are rattling around in my melon!

So, we all know that a big part of having an online business is the promoting. The constant promoting! lol It's really not that easy finding fresh ways to get out there and let the world see your new creations. One way is to join in on some street teams--that way you get to hook up with some people who are pretty much in the same boat that you are--you know--power in numbers. I belong to 3 different street teams--and I really love them all. Good people and between the 3, I feel that most of my items are represented properly. Each one has a different approach to promoting too, which is good!

1) Cottage Style Street Team-- CSST We represent the cottage, vintage, and shabby chic stuff! Oh my! Just gorgeousness, really. This team has a NING group and a daily thread in the Promotions forum on ETSY each day. Just type CSST in the search bar "titles and tags" for fresh and beautiful cottagey goodness--new items listed every day. AND type CSST in the forum search bar to catch the thread each day, find the best and newest items added by the members and other goodies that they run across in their travels through Etsyland each day of the week. A real fun and sweet bunch of people.

2) Olde World Shops--OWS. We represent traditional crafts and methods being kept alive and well in today's world. Fantastic craftsmanship abounds here! Woodworkers, ironsmiths, pottery, painting, etc. The main promotions with this group are promotional mailings and one of the members is putting together YouTube videos, with a theme song and everything! Check it out (I'm in this one)

Just type OWS in the search bar and check out the wonderful crafts!


3) EtsyMom--- We are representing the Moms on Etsy. The ones who are dealing with raising the families and trying to squeeze in a little craft time on the side! lol There are lots of things for the little ones--fantastic beautiful things--but that is not all. Sometimes I feel like maybe I am a little old for this group, but hey--I have crafted for sanity and profit since my children were babies--and even though they are teenyboppers now--I'm still Mom and I'm still trying to squeeze in my crafts around their schedules! lol It's a wonderful group and I'm proud and happy to be a part of it! Type Etsymom in the search bar and see what you can come up with!!

Remember--there's still time to sign up for the drawing for this planner and keychain wallet--open until Thursday.....see the post right below this one for a link!!

Check this Out!

Hi! What do you think of this cute set--a 2008 planner and a matching keychain wallet?? Well, would you like to have it? I have some fun news: I was featured, by the sweet and marvelous Angie, on The Downtown Boutique blog! She was kind enough to do the feature, interview, and showcase several of the items from my Etsy shop--and I provided this set as an item she could offer as a giveaway! Please stop by and read, look, and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing!! Yeah--thank you!

I'm Baaaack

Good Morning my fine friends (or what ever time it happens to be when you read this--it's 7:15 a.m. for me right now). How y'all? That's right, I'm a southerner from northern MN! How y'all like that? huh? *grin*

Well, I decided I'd better get back to my blog! I've missed you all so. I'm not sure what happens to me at this time of year--I just get so weird and home-hermitty and don't feel like doing anything. I recently talked to my doc (2 days ago actually) and she seems to think I may have a mild case of SAD--which has to do with depression that comes from lack of sunlight. I think in the old days they used to just call it "cabin fever". PLUS, I gave up cappucinos (sp?) for Lent--and I think I'm having withdrawals!! Anyways, I'm sick of it and I need to get back to talking with my friends!

Are you thinking Easter yet? The big thing about doing business online is that you have to think so far ahead on the Holidays and once the holiday is actually here, you are already onto the next one! lol I've resurrected (good choice of words huh? resurrected/easter! yeah) my little bunny pins from last year--they are just so little and cute!

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Oh! tomorrow I am being featured on this blog The Downtown Boutique and I've even offered a goodie for a Prize Drawing--so you will want to check that out tomorrow!!

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The kids are off school all this week, it's so nice to have them home. Hub and I have started on our remodelling project for this winter--it's the big foyer room, which also happens to be my computer room! The cracks in the plaster have been ripped and patched and the wood-stripping has begun (ugh!). Stripping wood has got to be one of the most boring and nit-picky things in the world. Let me tell you, if you've never done it, don't just think that you can just zip-zip-it's gone---nooooo, uh uh. It is so tedious and time consuming. Especially if it is wood that has varnish topped with a couple coats of paint. Heat gun the paint and then paint remover for the remaining paint that the heat gun doesn't get off and the varnish--smelly, gooey and you have to nit-pick over every little nook and cranny. We are blessed with some beautiful detailed wood work in our home, but MAN we have had to work at it to uncover it's beauty.

Ok--enough babbling for one day, lol, have a fun day and I'll be back soon--promise!

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Oh, WAIT! One more thing--caught this great funny on YouTube that you need to check out--cracked me up!

Zoom!

Can you believe it's the end of January already? Whoa, time sure flies by fast! I don't have too much to say today--just the usual stuff going on. Been busy making these Valentines as fast as I can embroider :o)--it's been fun having an item that sells so well, I don't even have to think about what to make, just keep making these hearts! Kinda relaxing really (and happily we were able to pay a bunch on our oil bill with the money made from them too, and that's really nice!) AND I've about wiped out my local thrift shops button supplies! lol I guess that's nice for them.

I managed to sneak in this pretty bag--just cuz' I needed to do something different one day--so soft and pretty. That's vintage chenille on the bottom. Wouldn't this be nice to hide some of that shabby, but not so chic stuff hanging around the house? :o)

I also did up this batch of pretty coasters for a dear customer. I was so pleased to find another package of the vintage pink/gold rick rack that really makes these so charming. The new owner is quite pleased with her new coasters.

Linds has been enjoying her dance competition--and we've been enjoying watching them! It's really a fun sport (?) to be a spectator at--the music is great, the costumes are beautiful, and the dancing so fun to watch. Here is a professional pic taken during one of the competitions so you can see my sweet baby in all her made-up glory! I did take a video at one of them, but have to learn how to do the youtube thing yet---so maybe down the line I can share one with you.

Well, I have to go get her from dance practice now--we'll talk again soon :o)

I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille.....

Look what I caught Rosie doing

This and That

Hi! How's things today? There's a couple things to share today. I ran across a giveaway that some of you might be interested in--It can be found here--The Apronista. She's giving away a fabulous vintage apron and an equally fabulous book "The Apron Book". Hurry though, taking entries only through Jan. 11th!



This is Emma Mouse. She is very quiet (quiet as a mouse!) and friendly and would love to hang around and hold on to your treasures for you! A larger sized drawstring bag--available in my Etsy shop.


Here's my newest creation--isn't it cute?!! The gal who has the cutest little antique shop--right next door to my favorite second-hand shop--surprised me one day with a bag full of tissue paper scraps. "Here," she said "I run across these misc. paper patterns and stuff when I go through boxes and drawers-- and I thought if anyone can use them, you can." I love that stuff!! lol It was full of old sewing patterns pieces, and applique patterns, and iron-on transfers!! Yeah! One of them was this little bird on a flowering branch--so sweet! I was trying to think of the perfect place to use it--and this is what I came up with. I just added the word "Love you" and surrounded it with red wool and buttons. Available in my Etsy shop.


Linds and Daisy--This picture just cracks me up! I love the way Daisy is looking at Linds--is that love or what??!

Did I ever tell you guys that I had once won a giveaway at Calamity Kim's blog--and she sent me this fabulously fantastic bunting??? It took me a long time to decide where would be the perfect place to hang it--isn't is wonderful?!! I just love it, and it makes me smile every time I look at it! Calamity Kim is just a wonderful artist, and is so free and fun with her form and pattern--inspiring! If you are not familiar with her, I urge you to check out her blog for yourself!

Have a fantastic day everyone--and go hug your sweethearts!

One More Weekend.....

Rosie is really sad that we took out the Christmas tree yesterday!!

How's everyone?? I miss you guys, and really need to get back on schedule with the blogging (shame on me!) One more weekend and the Holidays are done! lol Seriously, coming from these huge families does present challenges, let me tell you.

Isn't it funny how people from big families seem to be drawn to others with big families when they marry? My Dad is the oldest son of 17 kids and we had 6 kids in our family. My hubby is the youngest of 10. My brother married a gal who is the youngest of 13 kids. My other brother married a gal who is the youngest of 7. It just goes on and on!! We had a nice, mellow Christmas at home here, Misty did come by for Christmas, which was nice!. The last weekend we had Christmas with the 2 brothers who live here in town and their families. Now today my other brother from out-of-town and his wife are coming ! They are renting a jacuzzi room at a local hotel, so we will go there and eat and play and have a good time..... and no one has to clean their house, yeah!!

How sweet are these two babies??? They sleep together a lot of the time, but sometimes they just look so sweet that I have to photograph them!

I haven't been crafting too much--I was having some back problems (which really sucked!) and I couldn't stand or even sit in a chair for very long. Thankfully that seems to be working itself out! I finished up some custom orders and have been working on that big order for the yarn shop in little spits and spurts. I have some new 2008 planners in the shop

This one is called Mossy! I love the colors in this--so rich and earthy.

And a pretty aqua floral.

Well, I better get going, I have an order to pack up and get to the post office this morning (yeah, only 20 sales away from 500 now-- whoot!) and then I need to figure what the heck I'm bringing to the hotel for food today, get to the grocery store, and then get home and make it! I'm feeling very uninspired! lol

Hey---what are your favorites to bring to parties?? It would be great to get some new things to make. Please share your tried and true party recipes!!

Christmas Blessings

A Very Merry and Blessed Christmas to all !

When I count my Blessings--you are all included, what a warm and loving bunch of people that I feel so privileged to have become friends with!!

Big Christmas hugs all around, and wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Now, I'm going to go and finish wrapping gifts and watching the blizzard blow the snow around!

Yup!! Still here!

Still here, alive and kicking! We are in the midst of a big shovel out this morning. Seriously, I think we are going to have to have a big fundraiser and collect monies to send our weather people back to meteorology school or something--lol! Saturday, they predicted 4"-6" of snow, we got 14". Yesterday they predicted 1"-3", we got 19"!

Our town, Duluth, is a loooong city, it sits on a tall hillside and runs along the point and shoreline of Lake Superior. All in all I think it's about 26 miles long (ballpark guesstimate). The storm that blew in yesterday and last night came from the east and blew strongly to the west and brought lots of snow with it. What is so weird about this is that we--who live on the WEST side of town, got 19" of snow yesterday. The EAST side of town only got about 4".

My hub recently got a rebuilt snowblower (rebuilt by a friend of his)--and was pumped up that he wasn't going to have to shovel by hand this winter. Well, on Sunday, he had his chance to try out his snowblower--but, much to his chagrin, the auger had been put on backwards and was pushing the snow away from the machine instead of into it! lol So he had to bring it back to the guy who rebuilt it (who is quite embarrassed to say the least hahaha!), who still has it-- and then guess what?? The second storm hit! He is soooo bummed! Poor sweety :o(

OK--I'm sure you have all been busy as little beavers--everyone getting ready for Christmas! Are you all buying HANDMADE this year? I hope so, let's get this world back to where it should be by supporting the people who are trying to make a living with their art/craft---plus you get the coolest and most unique things, made with love and care! Yeah--it's a win/win!

I was just notified this morning that I am featured in A Punkin Card Company's blog--go check her out! She is a real sweety!!!

I also had a blurb on B. Inspired Boutique's blog about a week ago. She has a beautiful blog, and a fun way of writing her reviews--be sure to check her out too!

Speaking of people who are trying to make a living *grin*, here are a few of the things I've been working on latelyI did up another fuzzy bunny--this one holding tags that read "love". I really love making the stuffies--but they take so much TIME, grrr! I really need to start planning for Christmas earlier (I know, I say that EVERY year!) lol.And here's my newest bagkeeper--Pretty Puppy--hot off the sewing maching! He is all done up in blues and greens. I will be listing him in my shop a little later today.
Now, here is something just ridiculous--I LOVE this fabric. When I bought it (about 3 months ago) and saw it in person, I just couldn't get over how gorgeous it is! It's really a different color scheme than I'm used to and I couldn't figure out right away what companion fabrics to use with it, so I stuck it off to the side. Welllll, it ended up getting buried in a big old stack of fabric and I just found it again yesterday! LOL! How is that for a flake huh? I paired it up with some rich and gorgeous charcoal corduroy and some vintage gold rick rack to make this GORGEOUS drawstring bag --I really think this is one of my favorites ever (which means, guess who's making one to keep?!)OK--this is the last one--I promise! ...........*sure, she doesn't write for over a week, and then babbles on and on, grumble, murmur*...........I was inspired by some ornaments I saw in an old Mary Engelbreit magazine to make this little heart with the black and white beads! In a fun, non-traditional color too. I think it'd be cute to hang on the tree, but this is one you that would be fun for a teenager, then they could hang it in their room for the rest of the year.

Oh, and one more thing--I'm running a shipping special in my shop for the next few days--you can read all about it in my Shop Announcement. It's always nice to get a deal at this time of the year!

Have a wonderful day!! Hugs.