Etsyversary Celebration ~~ 2 - 4 - 8

Come celebrate with me!!

On August 4 I will celebrate my 2nd anniversary on etsy. I couldn't be more thrilled and excited, and I want to share my excitement with you.

I will be running a two week long sale where everything in my shop is 20% off and FREE US shipping! No need to wait for revised invoices or paypal refunds... I went in and changed all the prices and shipping for easy check out.

Starting today - July 31 and ending August 14 - everything in valeriesgallery.etsy.com is on sale. Whether you want to stock up on some holiday gifts or just splurge a bit on yourself, you will find some great bargains!

And if that's not enough ~

I am giving away this beautiful hand knit wool braided cable scarflette to one lucky winner. Just in time for fall!


How to enter? Couldn't be easier - Just leave a comment wishing me a happy anniversary (don't forget to include your e-mail or etsy address!!) and I'll pick a winner on August 14th (my mother's 80th birthday!) Of course, I will have her pick the winner ♥♥ So just drop by and say hi and you will be entered. Good Luck!

Sunday Morning

Busy, busy, busy! That's the word for this summer. Not only is it flying by (I can't believe that it is the end of July already!) but if there isn't enough hours in the day, this summer is proof that we need a few extra.

Daryl and I are leaving this afternoon to pick up our daughter Erin and her boyfriend at JFK Airport. She is coming home for a visit from her 3 year stay in Japan. I can't wait to see Erin and finally meet Aleck. She has been in Japan with the JET Program as an English Teacher Assistant. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for some photos of my long lost traveling daughter!

I can't resist posting a pic of how the peppers are growing. This is the first year I've tried growing peppers and everyone has been telling me they are rather fussy, so I am very proud of this now dime sized pepper!


On to the old farmhouse saga - Last weekend we finally got the last of the clapboard up on our house. We have torn up the porch in preparation of putting a new one down next spring (we move a slowly on this place). The entire porch was filled with rocks, covered with cement and then had a wood floors on top of that. We tore it all up and will rebuild from scratch. We found some beautiful rocks that I will use for landscaping (more work!) and made quite a few trips to the dump. In a few weeks we will paint the clapboard to match the house - I can't wait for that!


I spent most of yesterday cleaning and getting the house ready for Erin's visit. I really need to have visitors often as that really inspires me to do some deep cleaning! Well, I'm off to bake a chocolate cake to celebrate her home-coming!

Getting ready for fall

Yes - I said fall. Even though we are in the middle of July, my thoughts are about all the wonderful fall colors. Last week I listed 3 new items in my shop and I've noticed that they are all fall-ish and I love the way they look together.

New items include an oatmeal colored knit wool blend clutch is a great shade that will coordinate with just about anything, a rich golden colored knit wool scarflette in ribbed cables, and a fabulous large felted wool bowl in brown and orange.




I have some lovely paprika, sage and red to add in the future weeks, so be on the look out!

Scarflette Knitting Pattern

After many inquiries, I am finally offering the Classic Cable Scarflette pattern for sale in both my etsy shop and artfire studio.


I never really followed patterns and when I make my own work, I just scribble notes to my self in a notebook. No one could decipher these notes, in fact, sometimes even I can't! But I've had so many knitters ask me to sell the pattern, that I took some time to write Classic Cables out properly.

I asked a sweet lady that inquired about purchacing the pattern if she would be willing to test the pattern for me and exchange, she would get the pattern for free. Well, after a few revisions and a few tips from my etsyhooker friends on how to use PDF technology, Classic Cables Scarflette Pattern is ready to debut!

The pattern includes photographs and a few tips that can be used with all your knitting projects. These tips will keep your work flat, even and easy to work. The pattern can be adapted easily for a full length scarf as well as a button up scarflette. All the photos in this blog entry are knit with the same pattern


I would love to share with you what my tester said about this pattern: I really enjoy making small projects. I like that it is done on big needles with two strands of yarn. I have arthritis and small needles are difficult for me to knit with. I like that the repeat is only eight rows - short enough that I could memorize it and not have to keep looking at the pattern and still be able to watch a movie while I'm knitting it.

I'm already starting to work on writing up a second one and couldn't be more excited that I am finally getting these documented. This pattern is available for $4.50 and will be sent to you via e-mail in PDF format.


So if you are looking for a quick and fun project and want to impress your friends and family with your knitting skills, consider this pattern. You won't regret it!

Sunday Morning

I am quite pleased with my garden so far this year. Things are starting to flower which means we will have some great fresh veggies soon. Each year I try something new and this years new item is green peppers. They don't seem to be growing very tall, but they are starting to get flowers so I'm just waiting to see what I get from them. I also have the regular stuff - beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash.














I've listed a few new items in my shop this past week. In addition to listing more vintage buttons, I've added 3 new bowls and a scarfette.

Summer Sun is a vibrant orange felted wool bowl with a large red dot on the bottom edged in brown. I think it is rather stunning.



Chocolate Blueberry is a felted wool bowl in blue and brown. I think it would be lovely in kitchen or dinning room.


This wool scarfette in avadaco is just right for fall. It is knit with 100% wool with three rows of cables.


I named this felted bowl Log Cabin as I think it would be a great accent in a rustic setting.



I have a full length wool scarf and a super size felted bowl getting ready for next week, so keep on checking in to my etsy shop and artfire studio.

Branch Designs ~ One of my favorite etsy shops

Last week I was just browsing about etsy and I came across a fantastic shop.

I am a potter-wanna-be. I know absolutely nothing about it, but I admire the shapes, colors and function of pottery. I drool over hand made vessels, bowls and vases. And when I stumbled on Sarah's shop I stopped in my tracks. She represents everything that I love - combining nature, whimsy and practicality in beautiful useful items.

If you are a lover too, you must visit Branch Designs and stroll through her shop. Go slowly ~ I'll warn you each piece holds little detailed surprizes as you view each wonderful piece!



Here is a snippet about Sarah that makes me love her shop even more! (I just know we would be kindred spirits if we met in real life)
My name is Sarah Branch. I'm happily living back in my hometown with my little family.
Its beautiful here, the ocean, beaches and woods leave me constantly amazed and inspired.
Making pots is one of my favorite things to do.I'm all about function...i love making things for people to use and appreciate. I want my pots to bring joy and character and maybe a little quirkiness into your everyday life.
I love making jewelery and sewing bags too..but its what i do when i cant make pots...and have some very rare free time.
Most recently i graduated from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design...but since then haven't stayed in one place long enough to set up a studio..until recently! I am now a proud squater in my very own little piece of shed....life is good!!


So, I could see my day starting early in the morning sipping some coffee from this beautiful cup:


While knitting a soft and warm scarf using this fabulous yarn bowl that will keep my yarn from rolling of the porch:


And then desperately trying to decide which buttons to attach to the scarf ~ Oh, the choices are just too hard!




Hoping you will stop by and say hello to Sarah ~ She has much, much more than what is displayed here. ♥♥♥

Felted Wool Bowl - Poppy Dish

As the world is blooming around me this summer I can't help but take in all the gorgeous colors and shapes. I have some day lilies, tiger lillies, daisies and phlox in full bloom and they are all a great inspiration to me. It amazes me how each flower is diffent and has such detailed structures.

Although my intrepretation is not quite as detailed as Mother Nature provides, it makes me happy create my little bowls based on my surroundings.

This simple Felted Wool Poppy Dish is just perfect to add to any home decorating project. It has vibrant colors and bold simple shapes. Use it by your door to put your keys and pocket change in or on your dresser to keep your bracelets organized.




This bowl and a great selection of other felted wool bowls are available in both my etsy shop and artfire studio.

Romantic Rose Bud Trellis Wool Bowl

The funny thing about making felted bowls is that I never know how each one will turn out once it comes out of the washing machine. I try to predict, but it is always a surprise to me in the end.

I couldn't be more pleased with the results of my newest rose bud trellis bowl ~~ Romantic, Soft and Lovely. What a great addition to a country cottage home or that unique gift for a special woman in your life!

Etsy Hookers 1st Annual Christmas in July Event

Set aside some time tonight to browse the etsyhookers shops!



We are having our first annual Christmas in July event between 6 - 12 pm EST and you will not believe the great selection of gifts you will find. Along with various different special sales and offers, you just can't go wrong! So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable and get some of your Christmas shopping done tonight. All in the comfort of your own home with no traffic and crazy shoppers to deal with!

If you are a do it yourselfer - just check out all the patterns that are on sale ~ many BOGO and you will have plenty of time to create your mastepieces before Christmas!

Come on in and join us. At 6 pm EST look for us in the forums with a complete list of participants! Each crafter will have their own fantastic specials - whether it is % off, BOGO, free shipping or free gifts, you just can't go wrong! See you there!


Here is a teaser ~~~


















I will be offering 20% off purchase price (not counting shipping) on all orders that have "Hooker Christmas" in note to seller in my esty shop.
♥ ♥ EARLY BIRDS ARE WELCOME ALL DAY LONG ♥ ♥

Vintage Buttons

Daryl stopped at an estate sale on the way home from work last night and brought me home a huge.... I mean huge.. bag of vintage buttons. These buttons are in pristine, brand new condition still on the original cards. What a find! I was thrilled.

And although I love buttons, there is just no way I can use all these buttons through out my life time, so I've decided to share these great finds with others. I took out the ones I wanted (you will see some of them on future scarfettes!) I am still sorting through and getting them organized, but I have started to list a few sets for sale on etsy.

Don't you just love these??





Be on the look out for more added daily!

Back to Work

Well, today I go back to work after a 10 day vacation. I'd rather be at the beach...
I guess I will only dream about it today!

From boygirlboygirldesign ~ Too cute onesie for your little squirt ~~




NewEnglandQuilter makes wonderful matching games ~~ Go sailing with this one:



I am in love with this bracelet from lakeeriebeachglass ~ So smooth and the colors are fantastic!




Isn't this pendant from liltinpurse adorable?




Yes - here is where I want to be today ~~ AllieArt4Children says it all!




Well, it's off to work I go......

Have a great day!

Sunday Morning

Warren has gone home and life is back to normal here. I will miss the little bugger but I know he is happy back home with his Mom and Dad.

We had severe thunder storms off and on yesterday and through out the night yesterday, but woke up to a bright sunny day. Daryl and I resumed our walking schedule (we certainly didn't need to walk when Warren was here - he kept us hopping all day long!)

But now, it's back to business. I knit up a scarf and a couple scarflettes last week and they are available on etsy and artfire. And I have finally written up a pattern for the classic cable scarflette which is being tested by a wonderful woman who has been knitting for 40 years. When she gets done trying it out, I hope to have it available for sale for $5 on etsy.

New this week is a fabulous wool/silk blend cabled scarf in lucious chocolate brown. This scarf is thick, soft and warm!



Also new is a wool/acrylic blend scarflette in a double seed pattern. Just right to keep off the chill and the natural color will look great with any outfit.


This new 100% wool ribbed cable scarflette in a rich deep blue is incredibly soft and warm.


Hoping you will stop by my etsy shop and artfire studio this coming week as I will have some brand new felted bowls and another new scarflette!