Time to Head Home

-note: not all links on this blog are to the actual gifts people are getting, but things similar-

Finally I have all of my gifts wrapped, and I must say it took me all afternoon on Sunday! That made me realize how much time I have put into this Christmas. All but four of the gifts were handmade by me - two from Etsy and two from REI. This Christmas I knitted socks, gloves, hats, and washcloths - also, I made earrings, pillows, and snacks packs. It makes me so excited to think that those I love are getting gifts made with my own hands and with them specifically in mind.

I am so excited to get home and spend time with my cousins, mom, dad, and my hubby too (even though I get to see him everyday). There will be games played, tears shed in laughter, lots of cooking which results in fabulous food, and wonderful catching up.

Safe travels and happy holidays to all! Blessings be to you and yours.

HOBBLEDEHOY

This shop is MUST visit for any knitter, crocheter, spinner, dyer - does that cover it? Hobbledehoy is a fabulous shop of hand-spun yarns, spinning fibers, and hand dyed yarns. I have found much inspiration in this shop and I hope to one day venture into the world of spinning, and this shop will be my second stop (first stop is getting a drop spindle). Please take a moment to check out Liz's great shop and you'll find just the yarn you need and the inspiration for that upcoming project.

Featured - yay!

This week myself and my earrings have been featured in a couple places so, of course, I wanted to share them with you.

Dharma Designs featured me this past Tuesday on her blog with a little interview.

Also, today my Fiesta Earrings (the wooden bead pair) were featured on Wickedly Chic in their Daily Ditties section. You have to scroll down a little, but they are there.

Thanks for the support from all of you!

My Pocket

I would like to share with you a little bit about the pocket that is in my shop. This Manos del Uruguay pocket holds a special place in my knitting experiences.

First of all the yarn itself is rather precious to me. It supports a cause that I hold in high regard. Manos del Uruguay is a non for profit organization composed of more than 400 artisans throughout Uruguay, their goal is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women. It excites me to support their organization by purchasing their yarn.

Secondly, this is some of the first high quality yarn I ever purchased. A yarn shop opened in Goshen, Indiana - where I was living at the time - and I saw this yarn and, of course, fell in love! I bought it and attempted to knit a scarf. This was very early in my knitting experience and I soon found out there wasn't enough yarn for a scarf - so there sat the knitted piece for months.

Later as I learned more about knitting I frogged the piece and added some more Manos yarn and knit a pair of socks, a hat, and then a bit remained. I loved this yarn so much I couldn't let even a bit of it go un-used. And so I knit this little pocket and adorned it with an old antique button from my husband's grandmother.

As I look at that pocket I think of how far the yarn has traveled, how many years that button has served its purpose, and of the joy connected with that yarn and I think, "Yes, it truly is one of a kind."

The Excitement of Sales

It is beginning to feel a lot like the holidays around Pointless Nostalgic, my Etsy shop that is. Not because I am making holiday themed items, that's not really my thing, but because of all the Christmas shoppers! It is so exciting when someone finds the gift they are looking for and it was made by your own two hands.

As I listen to radio I hear more and more about "buyers beware"- related to the recent issues with toys coming in from China. This makes me excited for the day when buying handmade isn't just trendy or emphasized by a small percentage of the population, but rather when it is in demand. I supposed the faith I have in people tells me that one day buying handmade will be embraced strongly and that will be an exciting time.

Sewing Accessory

How wonderfully cute and functional! I have been in the market for a great pincushion since I took up some sewing a few months ago - hopefully I be able to actually purchase one once the holidays have passed. This one is at the top of my list. It comes from a great little shop called the cherry stem. I highly recommend taking a few moments to check it out. Enjoy shopping!

Current Projectes and Listings

Just a little briefing on my current projects

Currently I am knitting away. The photo on the left of a recycled silk hat is similar to the one I am finishing up today and will list soon. The one in the photo I sold last month. I love these recycled silk hats - so colorful, warm, and gorgeous!

The photo on the right shows the item most recently listed in my shop- 100% cotton washcloths. They are snuggly and beautiful AND have so many uses. (I listed all of my ideas in my item description on Etsy - if you have any more ideas let me know)

Also, this weekend a friend and I went out thrift hunting with much success! I found some great 70's style fabric - white with red, yellow, green, and navy polka dots. Be watching my shop because soon a cute little bag will be appearing made from this material. We also hunted down a few sweaters with some beautiful yarn. We have begun the unraveling and washing process soon there will be some great creations - more to come soon!!!

Simplicity

I first began making earrings because I find beauty in simplicity. I had a hard time finding it in the stores where I was shopping. I have definately opened up to some different designs like my Fiesta Earringsand these Shnazzy Earrings. Now I know, I know, some of you are laughing because those designs are really not that funky at all. Anyhow, a couple weeks ago I had started playing with some designs that were more trendy, funky, and such. Yet I came to this conclusion, if I wouldn't wear it I don't really want to sell it. So a lot of my earrings may be what some folks would call "simple", but here is beauty in simplicity. I hope you see it too.

Grand Oak

How beautiful is this? This is a print from Veronika Nagy's Shop of Fine Art and Illustration . Looking at this print I am so deeply reminded of the beauty of trees. There is a deep history in them, there is strength, and there is so much purpose. Also I love the size this is offered in too, it somehow seems to fit the greatness of a tree. I just wanted to share this print and her wonderful little shop. Enjoy!

Cold and Inspiration

We recently got our first big snow here in the valley. In this snow I have hiked the Great Sand Dunes and gone skiing (yay free lift tickets). From these two outings I have been greatly inspired to knit.

One inspiration has been all of the hats on the ski slopes. Some amazing creativity even from the large stores and ski shops, but they gave me inspiration to make funky designs, to line hats with fleece, and just to have fun with it!

Also being on the dunes was just fabulous. It made me want to cover myself in knitted wool. The beauty of the contrast of textures and colors was just fabulous. It was a reminder that sometimes we need to dare to put colors together or yarns that may not seem logical, but may make something fabulous!

So with all this inspiration I will continue to knit Christmas presents, and soon I will again knit for my lil' shop - so keep watch! And be inspired!

Weekends

What a wonderful thing weekends are, and even better are extended weekends. My husband and I had a wonderful visit from some friends this holiday. You may be asking what this has to do with design or handcrafts, well I was able to share with my friend the joy of knitting! I had forgotten how fun it is to share what you enjoy. I helped her remember some stitches and showed her how to make knit wash cloths and it was so fun.

So this is my encouragement for the day... be a teacher. Share what you love with those you love. Be understanding and take your time, practice giving clear instructions - and you will have even greater joy in your work.

My Knitting Bag

I have formed and odd attachment to this wonderful little bag. I found her on Etsy, well sort of. I began the search... "knitting bag, not needles". I scrolled through at least fifty or more pages, but nothing fit my style or my hopes for the bag that would safe guard my knitting and the precious bamboo that I have invested in.

I happened upon a shop called Cotton and Cloud and I saw a design that was made for a lunch bag or a sock knitting bag, and I thought this could be it! I contacted the shop owner and we spent some time communicating about fabric, size and such. From that this beautiful little bag was born.

This bag goes everywhere with me and I am always amazed at how many projects I can fit inside. At one point I believe I had a sock project, a hat project, and a scarf project being toted around.

So, in short, I just wanted to share with you this fabulous Etsy find, the joy of custom orders, and the wonderful convenience and comfort of having your knitting at your side.

New Project

I still have quite a bit of this fabulous old quilt and I don't want to keep making the same things. My ideas were getting a bit ridiculous when I remembered I had planned to make a table runner. Now as I thought about this idea a bit more I like it less because the structure of the quilt wouldn't be maximized so then it came to me... inside out squares. And so was formed the Inside Out Table Top Square! Isn't it just darling? It is 10.5 by 10.25 (obviously my squares weren't perfect). Soon we'll see what else develops out of this quilt.

Oxidized Sterling

So it is true, I do some earring designs. I like the instant gratification that doesn't come with knitting. With earrings it goes like so: ideas, supplies, process, and product. For me knitting goes: idea, swatch, frog, start project, frog, begin again, process, process, process, and product. You get the idea, don't get me wrong I still enjoy my knitting.

When I started designing earrings it was simply because I couldn't find earrings I liked in the store. Whenever I would get an outfit for an event I would design myself some earrings to go with it. Well, since I began on Etsy I have been reminded that a lot of folks have sensitive lobes, so here they are... my first pair of sterling silver earrings. I'm actually really excited.

The look of the oxidized sterling silver is so cool. There are going to be more coming early next week - Snazzy Dot Dangles, and Fiesta Dangles - so please check in and let me know what you think!

Can't Get Over It

When I first started looking around on Esty I found purposedesign. This shop brought together my love of handmade things and my love of cooking. Their Spice Kits look just amazing, and this Chai Tea kit continues to tempt me. Have a look around their shop, enjoy.

The Craft of Music

Music is my other creative outlet and today I am excited to enjoy an evening of music. I won't be playing but I will be listening to Jamie Lavaland to Ashley Broder. Jamie is a fiddler and Ashley is a mandolinist. I am working on fiddle and my husband plays mandolin so I am sure it will prove to be an inspiring evening. The other interesting aspect of the evening is the location - Hazlerig Music House. I haven't gotten to experience this home, but I am really looking forward to it. Even though it will be an evening of music I'll probably get a little sock knitting done on the way.

Projects

They are starting to pile up, and yet I can't stop beginning new things. The most recent venture is recycling yarn from sweaters. Now my fellow volunteer has done this successfully, yet I tried last night - not so good. Each row was bound off so I had to un-knot the end of each row. Needless to say I lasted about fifteen minutes.

Besides the projects pictured here I have two others. A scarf and a lonesome quilt waiting to be upcycled some more. I share these projects in hopes that it will be motivation to finish something! Most important are the purple socks. They are a gift and I have another pair to make before Christmas - yikes! Those number 2 needles can be so daunting.

Off I go, to try to complete something!

The Yarn Shops

This weekend was my first journey into New Mexico - Taos, to be exact. Entering this small tourist town I really had one goal - YARN! So my friend and I sought out a yarn shop. The first one we encountered demonstrates why shopping in person always tops shopping online.

We walked into the small shop, the walls lined with bookcases piled with yarn. The middle of the room was occupied by a large antique table piled with antique boxes, these too were filled with yarn. There were knitting magazines scattered around the table and shelves and there was an old, spunky woman standing behind the counter.

My friend and I made our way around the store and after finding a few things we knew we needed some experienced advice, and this woman had it. With each of our questions her animation grew and she walked us around and around picking up skeins having us touch them and compare colors to see what we wanted. Her wrinkled hands and cracked fingernails were testament to how many times yarn and needles have been held in her hands, what inspiration.

With joy from all of her wonderful advice and excitement for knitting my friend and were on the sidewalk again walking along when we spotted some hand spun yarn hanging by a doorway. We walked in that door to discover two large rooms full of hand spun yarn and weaving!

The shop lady looking up tight with her jet black hair, bright pink lipstick, and reading glasses resting on the end of her nose, took one look at us and said, "I have a sale bin over here." Though she had us pinned correctly we were a bit offended, but when we went to check out the shop lady transformed and amazed us with a generous heart. She gave me 75% off all of the yarn I had chosen, when the sale bin was only to be marked down to 20% off. God has his ways of teaching us not to judge others, my lesson was learned and my yarn joy overflowed.

Now I have beautiful yarn and my mind is reeling with creations. Hopefully soon things will be popping up in my shop.

Understanding Community, online

I'm beginning to get it. Community is something that has been a part of my life since I was little. Growing up in a small town, large extended family, and a small country church I have been extremely blessed to be supported and loved by my surrounding communities and I grew up.

Once I went off to college I realized that I really put a high value on community. I studied cultures during college and was always amazed at how beautiful and inspiring it is to see people living in community. I also was an Resident Assistant for a year and enjoyed building community amongst the women I served.

Now I am learning about this online artist community. I have become part of We Love Etsy, Indiepublic, and obviously I have opened an Etsy shop. I can feel the support. When people comment on a blog, or become a friend on a social network, even just share encouraging information in forums - we are building community. Amazing isn't it that through computers and creativity we can support and encourage one another to design and press on. Thanks for welcoming me to the community.

Business World...

... the foreign land. I must say, I never ever considered having any business of sorts until a month ago when I joined Etsy. I will admit I have enjoyed it, to my own surprise - but wow as the days go on I learn more and more that makes me tired. I want to keep it simple, but I find myself on the computer all the time (mostly because I just got a new job that is at a desk), but for real. It is amazing what it takes to promote and post and don't forget create. This blog isn't a grumble it is just my sheer amazement. So kudos to all of you have made your shops a great success and cheers to those of us who are trying. Remember, we enjoy this.

The Quilt

So it didn't begin with the quilt... it began with an old sewing machine. I wanted to make a nice little roll for my knitting needles. Since I am thrifty (not cheap) I figured I "just learn to sew". Now this wasn't completely random, I had sewn before- in junior high and once on an old treadle machine so yeah.

I dug out this old machine from a closet and realized I couldn't remember for the life of me how to correctly thread the thing and so on - since the instruction book was probably miss placed back in 1952 I had to seek out some help. So my supervisor's husband, who happens to be an accomplished seamster (I hope that is a word), gave me some pointers and I was off and running.

Now I have been gifted this amazing old quilt that is worn out in various places and begging to me to be creative and so that has been occupying my every evening - oh the things that beckon to be made... bookmarks, Christmas stockings, pillows, table mats... and my mind wanders on - now let's just hope this machine stops shooting sparks out of the motor... don't worry too much, it is only now and then.

fiddle learning

Have you ever tried to learn a new instrument after the age of sixteen? It is so odd to have the desire to play be so much larger than the actual ability to do so. I mean wow, I hear a fiddle and I think oh that is so beautiful and unique and I am motivated to pick it up and I put my fingers down and out come slow methodical notes - not fiddle playing. Now don't miss understand, I do okay with music. I have been playing acoustic guitar for a decade and I have led quite a handful of musical groups. I am finding that the discipline to learn a new instrument seems to be more than I can handle. There are so many things that I love to create that come to me so much easier than fiddle music. Well, I'm going to listen to some Nickel Creek now to become more motivated, maybe they will push me over the motivational edge.

It got cold,

and I mean quick. I was sort of expecting it, but I am used to the gradual cold of the mid west. Now I am getting to know the instant cold of the mountains. But with this cold came beautiful (distant) snow, high up on the peaks. And what motivation that is to knit warm cozy things that make a person just want to snuggle in and bundle up for the cold.

the addiction

Oh my goodness, this selling thing is so addictive! It just makes me feel happy all over for someone to enjoy something I have created - whether something knit or jewelry. Of course the addiction, as with all addictions, has it ups and downs. During those down times I find that I become an obsessive email checker and internet browser - my eyes get really tired during the downer times. And then I notice there is a new email, in fact, two new emails, which means it is even more likely there has been a person on a computer somewhere who has come across one my lovelies... but alas the emails are a forward from my grandma and advertisement from REI, maybe the next time. Then it happens, just when I think the addiction is waining, I check my email less and am barely on the internet, it happens - a sale. Someone found something that they wanted to be part of their little world - hooray, and the addiction grows once again.

where to begin

So I have been thinking about this blog thing, and well I do really love to write I just have never really used a computer as my venue. And since I just opened my lil' etsy shop and there are a lot of things that inspire me to create I've decided to write about it - so here I come!