Farewell to February ~~ Free Shipping

It is a bright sunny day and I am excited that February is coming to a close!! March may give us more snow, but winter is almost over. ♥♥♥

I am offering free US shipping today in celebration. Just make any purchase from my shops on etsy, shophandmade or artfire and I will refund shipping costs through paypal.


Summer... hurry up and get here!! please.............

Hooker Spotlight ~ Smudgekitty

This weeks spotlight is on Smudgekitty ~~


"Smudgekitty is specifically for my handcrafted items. From bookmarks to bath stuff...to afghans...and of course, my favourite: Cuddly Stuff, dolls & toys. All items offered here are from my own design, or are being sold with permission from the original designer or copyright holder. If a designer's name is not given, it is my own design".

These are too cute ~~~~~~





I am sure she would warmly welcome you to her shop! So stop by, any time!

Felted Nesting Bowls ~ Watermelon

I couldn't resist taking this photo out my kitchen window last night. The colors that nature provides to us totally amaze me!



But while I am stuck inside most of the day due to the rediculous amount of snow, I am dreaming of summer. I am planning my vegetable garden and thinking about picnics! This felted wool nesting bowl set is crocheted and felted and looks just like a juicy watermelon...






Visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire

Artfire Fiber Artist of the Week ~~ Amy Designs

Wow ~~
That is all I can say about Amy Designs, one of our newest Artfire Fiber Artist members. She use fabrics as a paint brush and jackets as her canvas to create fabulous wearable art.


Amy's Studio Greeting: "I love fabric, color and texture! Combining them is my favorite activity. I have been sewing for decades and continue to take classes, read, experiment and grow creatively. I hope you find something you like here---and I welcome requests to create something special just for you!"





Check out her Artfire Studio to see more! Good Luck, Amy ~ your work is fabulous ♥

Toddler Slippers

My newest ~~~



I love how these came out and you can be sure there will be more! The scalloped ankles give these slippers just what they needed to put them in the really cute category!

Now I need to put on my thinking cap for boy designs. Good thing it is Sunday and I have time to play around!

Hoping you all have a great day!

Visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire

Knit Scarlette ~~ Yellow Sunshine

Is it a scarflette or a scarfette? Well, I really don't know. I've seen it both ways, so I am adding both tags.

This one is so soft!


Happy Wednesday, everyone ♥♥♥

Visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire

Felted Wool Booties

Well, I couldn't be more excited that wool doesn't need to be tested according to the clarification of the recent CPSIA legislation. As a mother of 4 and grandma to 1, I do understand the importance of providing children with safe toys and clothing, however this legislation was not well thought out and appears to be a reactionary measure to an incident which could have been fixed in a much better way.

It makes me very sad that children will never see, touch or experience some great literary works that were written just for them. I sit here looking at a 1904 version of "The Tale of Benjamin Bunny" by Beatrix Potter.. you know that cute little just right for little hands version? The illustrations are amazing. When I was a child, weekly visits to the library were part of the schedule and I recall an entire shelf dedicated to this series. It was one of my favorites. This just makes me very, very sad.


Well, here is my answer to CPSIA ~ I will work on making them more exciting as I develop the styles, but I really do miss those cute little buttons!


Don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire!

FAM Birthday Bash ~~ Celebrating 1 Year

Would you like an invitation to the Party? Consider yourself officially invited!


It has been one year since the birth of the Fabulous Artistic Moms of Etsy! To celebrate our 388 moms membership, we are having a Fabulous Birthday Bash Giveaway! 38 Artists have donated prizes!! There will be 1 Grand prize winner who will receive handmade items from 28 of these Fabulous Artistic Moms and 10 Honorable Mentions who will each receive one prize! So, here is how to enter ...



Rules of the Game
1) Visit one or more of the shops below and look for the cupcake hidden (like the one above) as one of the images in their listings.

2) Post a comment below with the listing URL (http://...) where you found the cupcake, your name, and your e-mail address. (Your comment will not be shown to the public.) The game runs from February 15-21, 2009. A list of winner will be posted on the blog.

Would you like an extra entry?
1)Visit a different shop and find another cupcake! Post an additional comment below with the listing URL (http://...) where you found the cupcake, your name, and your e-mail address. You may leave up to 5 entry comments for finding cupcakes!

2)For every item purchased from one of the shops listed below, from February 15-21, you will get an extra entry. Simply post an additional comment with the transaction URL link with your name and e-mail address.



Participating Shops and Prizes Donated for the Birthday Bash!!
Giggleberry Creations
Unisex fabric banner

Whimsical Creations
Cupcake Ornament & Birthday Hat Ornament

Annie Howes Keepsakes
DIY Scrabble Pendant kit w/tutorial


Apple Loves Orange
5 photo gift tags in "Black"

Tender Heart Babies
FAM Princess Bank

Michon
freshwater pearl earrings

DoubleDippedSweets
Turtle Caramel Apple, your choice of nuts!

Handmade by Andrea Baker
The Oogly Friend - Snowflake

Crafts by Carer
Crochet Top Kitchen Towel

ChamberryCherryDesigns
personalized cosmetic makeup bag


BerryCreek Soaps
Monkey Farts Scented Aloe Vera Soapsicle

Crochet by Momma J
Sachet Pillow

Sweeet Pickles Pottery Little Dish many uses

Elegant Snobbery
8 x 8 Chocolate and Roses Cupcake Print

ImagineThat
Original Design with Artisan Handmade Beads Necklace

Ravishing Jane
Plum Striped Earrings

GingerKittyDesigns
Pearl bead bracelet and earrings set

Skinner Studio
Red Cherry - Chiyogami and Resin Necklace

Alphabulous
Iron on patch, letter or number and bookmark of their choosing

LJ Design Photo
5x5 photo and 4 gift cards of a cupcake

Macaroni and Glue
A Hint of Shimmer - Boxed Set of 10 Flat Notes

Oh Mandie
Sugar - Whimsy Earrings

New England Quilter
Pink Fabric Coiled Basket

TheTieDyeGirl and TheSewingChic
$20 gift cards

Mock Frog Jewelry
bakelite necklace w/ black satin ribbon, ball chain

Valerie's Gallery
Blue and Green Felted Wool Bowl

KlymyshynDesign
Aqua Thread Earrings

Huggabears
butterfly and flower totebag

Haberheartwork
Glass pendant with ballchain necklace

Kims'c Custom Cards and Gifts
One free item from my store (excluding printing services), winner's choice

Sensationally Sweet
1/2 pound chocolate assortment

TheBrassHussy
Brass Musical Swirls with Green Filigree Capped dangles - Earrings

Sweet Pickles Pottery
Fleur de Lis Wine Bottle Stopper

PickleJuice
3 Hand Hooked Wool Flowers-spring colors

Tiny Storm
Pair of earrings in the Czech glass color of the winner's choice.

Memory Books and More
Card

Pumpkin Pea
A Pair of Flower Duo


Spare Time Crafts
First Aid Etui boxes

Hooker Spotlight ~ MountainsideCrochet

Today's Hooker Spotlight features MountainsideCrochet.



Although she makes household items as well as sweet children's items, it is the plushies that grab my attention.




"I live in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in western South Carolina.

I'm a crochet crafter of cute critters and household items, and anything else that strikes my whimsy. I started making crocheted plush animals for my children when they were young, progressed to my grandchildren, and now create for children everywhere."

Don't you just want to spend the day fishing with this guy?



Or have a garden tea party?



Visit her etsy shop to see more....


And don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire.

Artfire Fiber Artist of the Week ~~ Felt4Ewe

This week's featured artist has an amazing selection of wet felted functional works of art. This is a process that I admire, but have not attempted. I'll leave this one to the professionals! And Felt4Ewe is definately a professional!


If you want to learn more about the process visit her blog and you will see just how passionate she is about her art.

Check out these fantastic hats!




And wouldn't my set of bangles go well with the red one!?!

You can visit me at etsy, shophandmade and artfire.

Fiberific Felted Wool Bangles

Newly added to my shops are felted wool bangles. These have all the fun of traditional bangles without the sounds.. so they are safe to wear to the library or any other place where you must be quiet.

Here are the first two sets that I have ready for sale. I plan to have several more sets available in all color shades as I am just having too much fun with them. Be sure to look at the sizes available as I will have small ( 2.62 inches / 6.75 cm ) and large (2.87 inches / 7.5 cm) inside diameter measurement. And of course, if you want a set in any color made especially for you, just contact me and I will be happy to make some for you!




Visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire.

Two New Pairs of Felted Wool Baby Booties ~~

I've added two new pairs of felted wool baby booties to my shops ~~

These cute little sailboat are perfect for the little guy who will grow up to be a sailor ~~


And this pair is a perfect baby shower gift when the sex is unknown!



Don't forget to visit me at etsy, shophandmade and artfire!

Artfire Fiber Arts Guild ~

Artfire is a great on-line shopping place. I have been a member for a little over 2 months now, and I really love it there. I have joined the Fiber Arts Guild that has been growing quickly and am excited about our future there!

Our group already has 65 members! Some are friends from etsy, and some are new aquaintances. Remember your Brownie song " Make new friends, But keep the old... Some are silver and some are gold " ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Here are a couple new friends and a couple old:

CTStudios has a great studio filled with unique work and is at least 50% found material. Great to know she is helping the upcycle world!




Yarn2Spin has roving, yarns and a wonderful selction of fibers! This is a must see studio if you are looking for natural fibers to work with:



RoseThistleArtworks never ceases to amaze me with her true to life felted menagerie! She has been my inspriration for the past year to put my hand to the needlefelted test! Rose - You are amazing!


Bugeater has the most intricate lace work! Her work is perfection and her studio is a must visit if you are looking for gifts or wardrobe updates!


I am really looking forward to making new friends and learning from all these great artists. The Artfire Fiber Arts Guild's description and motto are as follows:
A guild bringing artisans together who love to work with any kind of fiber medium. Love to knit, crochet, sew, spin, weave, felt, dye then this is the place for you. Lets encourage, learn and laugh together!

Don't forget to visit me at etsy, shophandmade and artfire!

Felted Booties ~~

With the CPSIA stay, my line of felted baby booties has returned...

Here is the first pair in pretty pink






Please visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire

Felted Wool Bowl ~ Tiger Lilies

Amid all this snow I have been dreaming of summer. I have a very large patch of deep orange Tiger Lilies that come up every year and I can't wait to see them this summer.

Here is my felted version of a patch of multicolored tiger lilies.




Don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire.

Knit Wool Handbag

I am so proud of my newest knit wool handbag that it deserves a blog entry of it's own.

This project took a week to complete, but it was worth every minute as the results are better than I had imagined. Using two strands of the softest winter white merino wool, this cabled handbag is stunning. I used a pale green cotton upholstery fabric with white floral design for the liner to give it stability and a very sweet oblong white button finishes it off rather nicely.






It measures 11 inches wide and 8 inches tall and 4 inches deep which give plenty of room for your wallet, checkbook, cell phone, makeup bag and all of your essentials.

Don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire.

Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings are my favorite time ~ The house is quiet as all other family members sleep in. Coffee never tasted so good as when I am exploring etsy and artfire at my leasure.

This week, I added 2 new items to my shop, both seem to have the same color themes.. which was not planned but just happened.

This set of wool nesting bowls remind me of the 70's - yes, we did have and avacado refridgerator in our kitchen!


And this golden wheat scarf was a test run that turned out beautifully! I tried a new knitting stitch that has become my favorite.. be on the look out for more in this pattern using wools and wool blends


Don't forget to visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire.