New Winter Holiday Scarves

I just can't seem to put the knitting needles down lately. I came across some fabulous yarns recently and I am knitting them up into lovely scarves.

The last two are great for the holidays, either as a gift to your friends and family, or for you to wear to your holiday parties.

This red one has a bit of sparkle as there is a gold thread intertwined with the wool/acrylic/nylon blend. It is knit in a classic lace pattern that also gives it a bit of bling for parties, but is classic enough to wear everyday.



This shades of grey neckwarmer/shoulder wrap is made with a lucious mohair/wool/acrylic blend that is warmer than warm and softer than soft! Short enough to wear under your coat and classy enough to wear on the outside.


Both these scarves are available for purchase in my etsy shop. Order now for the upcoming holidays.

EtsyHookers Creative Challenge #4 - Hearth and Home Comfort Crochet

I just entered EtsyHookers Creative Challenge #4 - Hearth and Home Comfort Crochet


For this challenge members are being asked to create an item in autumn colors that represent their idea of comfort and that can be used in the home. Each entry also includes a short description of the creators idea of comfort and how it relates to the item that they have crocheted.

I came up with this sweet felted bowl that has an oak tree is all it's autumn glory. The tree is complete with a woodland animals nest making the tree home for some lucky creature.

As I look out my living room window I am grateful to have a marvelous view of several aged maple tree that turn an amazing color in the fall. Although this bowl is an oak tree, I find comfort in knowing that nature will continue to show us her beauty no matter what life throws at us. For me, the bowl symbolizes rhythm, beauty and consistancy within the ever changing seasons.


This bowl is available for purchase at valeriesgallery.etsy.com. If you are intrested in having a similiar bowl made just for you, please feel free to convo me through etsy.


I hope you will come look at other entries in the challenge as well. The voting poll will open by 10 am EST on November 10th, and will close on November 17th at 10 am EST.

20% off Sale in celebration of EtsyForCharity's First Anniversary

I just love the snowmen!
Here is another one that is brand new in my shop and is on sale at 20% off in celebration of EtsyForCharity's First Anniversary!

¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. ¸¸.• ♥ ETSY FOR CHARITY ANNIVERSARY SALE ♥
Celebrate EtsyforCharity's 1 year anniversary from October 15 through October 31!
During this period, I will be offering 20% off everything in my store. (Not valid with any other discounts and does not apply to shipping charges.) What better way to start your holiday shopping? At checkout, simply type "Anniversary" and your email address in the message to seller and pay nothing until I send you a revised invoice through Paypal. It's that easy! Also, be sure to visit our team store at http://EtsyForCharity.etsy.com, where you can "Shop to Give." Every month we sponsor a new charity. This month's proceeds will be donated to StandUp2Cancer.

Check out the participating shops here. And don't forget, every purchase you make during this team wide sale will get you a chance to win some great prizes. Check them out!

Erin's Visit

Our oldest daughter, Erin, has been in the JET Programe (Japanese Teachers Exchange) for the last 4 years and has come home to visit us this week! The last time she was home was over 2 years ago for our other daughter's wedding.

We were so excited to see her again and we had a great time. We spent the first few days in Vermont with Sara and her family and then spent a couple of days shopping.

Here is Erin in our front yard ~ One with her Dad...and one with me ♥










We wisked her off to Vermont to visit Sara and we couldn't have picked a better time of year. The drive was lovely as all the trees were showing their colors:









Warren was in heaven ~ He had three days with Great Grandma(my mother), Grandma (me), two aunts (Katie and Erin) and his mom. We went to a apple cider mill, an aquarium in Burlington, stepped into New Hampshire for a bit and took the famous Quechee hike. The weather was perfect and when it came time for us to go home, he climbed into the back seat of my car and had a 'sit in', refusing to let us go. Nothing like getting spoiled by a bunch of women!

This Honey really isn't for sale:


Fun at the aquarium:



Stopping at a covered bridge:



Fun on the Quechee Trail:










Two sisters having fun:








We all had a grand time and will definately miss her when she goes back.

Welcome Matilda to my Etsy Shop

After much shopping and deliberation, I finally plunked down my money and bought a manequin to display scarves.

She arrived today and I immediately named her Matilda who I will call Millie for short. So far she has done a fantastic job!

I spent all day re-photographing scarves I am happy with the results.








Now, I need to get those knitting needles going and create more scarves! I hope you will browse around in my etsy shop and enjoy what you see!

Wish List Continued

I love pottery.

Shape, Color, Texture and Function.... just about every aspect of pottery is very appealing to me. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about making it. Hopefully, my felted pieces come close, but there is nothing like the real thing.

Here are a few pieces that I would LOVE to own and cherish!

This beautiful blue bowl from JDWolfePottery is absolutely gorgeous. The color and shape are perfect! I image this bowl on my kitchen counter filled with ripe red apples.

Here is another one from JDWolfePottery that I am just in love with:



Another favorite is this lovely vibrant red vase from popartpots.



Here is an amazing find - Made with horsehair - What a striking effect! And this is just one of many in this amazing shop: robdrexel

Wish List Continued

I am a collector of wicker baskets. I even took a basket making class and produced a few of my own. Unfortunately, this is not something that I have mastered and the end result was, although functional, not exactly eye appealing.

Here are a couple of fabric baskets from NewEnglandQuilter that I would just love to own and add to my collection.

Not only are they colorful, but are perfectly made and just gorgeous.

Another choice for my list.... Are you paying attention girls? When are you going to have that chat with your father??????

When a Custom Order Opens Your Heart

I am so glad that emcisaac asked me to make an Angel Bowl with Lid for her friend. Esther's dear friend's husband has cancer and doesn't have a very good prognosis. So she wanted to send her friend a little felted bowl with an angel needlefelted on the front. Esther is inserting tiny scrolls of vellum with inspriational notes inside the bowl so her friend can reach in at any time and be comforted.
Some of the notes she is placing in the bowl include:

Inhale deeply, let life flow in
Breathe slowly, listen to your heart beat
Exhale sadness, welcome lightness
Sigh, let it out, all the pain
Relax your toes, wiggle your fingers
Rest your mind, one thing at a time
Calm your heart, good will follow
Unwind and let your soul soar
Leisure at will, take a nap today, take two!
Stroll hand in hand with life
Wander with your heart
Meander with memories

Esther is a wonderful person to do this for her dear friend and I am honored that I could be apart of the comforting and healing process for her.

Who knew that this order would make me appreciate all the wonderful friends that I have and open my heart so much.

Thank you, Esther. You are an angel and an inspiration to us all.