Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!

As a college student who knits for fun, I have accepted my status as a nerd. So for Halloween this year, I decided to simply dress up as an exaggerated version of myself for the halloween party on Thursday. 

It was so much fun!

I had to incorporate knitting into my costume somehow, so I made the bow-tie from a pattern here on A Common Thread's blog. 



The pattern uses a simple seed stitch and knits up really fast. The pattern was originally intended for a headband, but I think it looks just as cute as a bow tie! 


I hope everyone has a fun Halloween night and eats lots of candy! 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

3...2...1....*BOOM*

Oh sorry, That was just my brain self-destructing from the non-stop studying and writing I have suffered through the past few days...

As we all know, "school comes first"...so I apologize for not blogging much lately. I won't be having a feature this Friday because I haven't had time to approach a shop. Instead, I will be providing all of my readers tissues to dry their weepy eyes. ;-)

Thankfully I have a Halloween party to look forward to tomorrow night. It has been the light at the end of this dreary tunnel of a week. I decided not to stretch far from my personality and go as a nerd. Being a nerd just feels right. Haha. I had most of the pieces of the costume except for the suspenders...and I have to say now that I've tried them...I may be a convert. I knit a bow tie too and it is SO cute. I will post pictures on Halloween, so come back and check it out! 

Well I better get back to work. Here is a awesome and motivating poster I found on Etsy. Check it out and wish me luck as I head back to the books.  

Keep Calm and Carry Yarn Poster by Jenniegee on Etsy

Friday, October 22, 2010

Friday Etsy Feature - gretchenmist

This week I am featuring the Etsy shop gretchenmist. Belinda, the artist behind all of these beautiful pieces of art, is offering a 10% discount for my readers on anything in her shop! You know the drill! Just include "one sheepish girl" in the notes to seller box at checkout! 
This discount ends October 29. 

Enjoy!

How did you get started crafting?

I've always had the 'urge' to make, but really got into making things when my first son was a baby.


Why did you want to sell your goods on Etsy?
I was making a lot of work and once I discovered other artists/makers selling through etsy I thought I should definitely try it out. It's been a fun learning curve and the feedback has really helped my work progress.


What inspires your designs?
I find inspiration in so many places ~ my surrounding/physical environment provides endless inspiration and watching my kids draw, paint and make is pretty fun. Checking out what others are up to always sparks my creative brain too!


What are your favorite materials?
I love working with paper, wood and linen with pencil, embroidery thread and paint ~ I think acrylic paint is my favourite {I do jump around a bit!}.


Tell us something about your non-crafting life! 
My non-crafting life is pretty simple at the moment ~ after squeezing in work time, it's mainly family time and a little left over for relaxing on the couch with my hubby and a good series. If I can combine that with Thai food and a glass of red wine, then I'm pretty content!



Is there anything else we should know about you and your lovely shop? 
I can't wait for summer ~ am thinking a lot about a holiday with a caravan!! I'm eagerly awaiting some postcards for my shop :)


Thank you Belinda! I hope everyone checks out her shop today!


gretchenmist on the web:

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

New Obsession: Etsy Shop "Le Chou Chou Bijoux"

I am continually amazed by the goodies I find on Etsy. Every single day I discover beautiful creations that extend beyond my imagination. My most recent discovery of Etsy shop Le Chou Chou Bijoux is no exception. 

Paola's shop has some of the cutest and most creative pieces of jewelry I have ever seen. She is basically a genius. 

Who would think that a petite cup of tea or tiny chocolate cake would look so charming on a brooches, rings, and headbands? I certainly do!


Coeur de Chocolat aux Cerises, adjustable ring




Go check out the other beautiful pieces in Le Chou Chou Bijoux's shop today! 

Paola has been kind enough to offer my readers FREE SHIPPING for one week on any item in her shop! Just include "one sheepish girl" in the notes to seller box at checkout. This offer ends on October 26.

Visit Le Chou Chou Bijoux on the Web:

Monday, October 18, 2010

Howdy Folks!

(Don't worry, this is about as "country" as I am going to get on this blog....)

Last Friday I made my yearly trip to the GREAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS! (You have to say it loud like that, or it just isn't the same). I'm sure a lot of you have been to some sort of fair near your hometown, but I'd be willing to bet none are quite like this one.


This is Big Tex, the symbol of the fair. He is a great guy. He is also taller than me, which is rare. Forty-seven feet taller to be exact! :-) The fair wouldn't be the same without him.

For better or worse, the fair also would not be the same without fried food. I'm not talking about french fries and fried chicken. No sir. People here will fry anything and everything. Just see what I mean...

Fried Moon Pies, Fried Lemonade, Fried S'mores....

Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly, FRIED BUTTER??!?!, Fried Cookie Dough...

And this year's winner...


That's right. Fried Beer. I really have nothing left to say about that.

When I go to the fair, I stick to the classics. You can't go wrong with a Fletcher's Corny Dog. I'm pretty sure all of these people who waited in line with me agree...


As you can see, I am very happy with my corny dog and look forward to seeing all of the craziness again next year.

Stay tuned to the my posts this week! You can be expecting two fabulous discounts from some featured Etsy shops in the next few days!

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Friday, October 15, 2010

Friday Etsy Feature - Ordinary Mommy




I could not be more excited about this feature!!

Please welcome Faith from the adorable Etsy shop Ordinary Mommy.
She has been kind enough to offer a 15% discount to my sheepish-blog readers! This discount applies to the entire order (not including shipping) and will end on October 22. Just include "one sheepish girl" in the notes to seller box at checkout. The only problem is deciding what you are going to buy first!


How did you get started crafting?

I’ve dabbled in crafting since I was young. As long as I can remember, creating and designing was something I wanted to be good at! My first love was cross-stitching, starting around the age of ten (counted cross-stitch- not that pre-printed stuff). Also, the sewing machine enthralls me even though I only have a basic working knowledge of it and rarely find the time to thread it, lift the foot, and actually slide fabric under it to create anything. Someday I would love to be able to increase my skill from making simple pillows and curtains, and actually sew clothing and bags! My biggest project to date is the custom quilt I made for our couch almost six years ago. It was a labor of love, and now the whole family is loving it to death. I hope the poor thing can survive my children! It was two years ago, after trying to find hair clips for my then 18-month-old daughter, that I began my adventure to design and create original accessories with felt.


Why did you want to sell your goods on Etsy?

A girlfriend of mine introduced me to Etsy a few years back. I was a new stay-at-home mom and she thought that it might be a good fit some day. When I began crafting hair clips I thought it might be a good time to check it out. My target audience has changed since I started, but I haven’t looked back since! Etsy is a great community of artisans that offers fantastic resources, and everyone I’ve met through Etsy has been wonderful. It’s awesome to be able to network and get to know other creative people!


What inspires your designs?

I definitely draw a lot of inspiration from nature. With so many beautiful things around, who wouldn’t? When I see something that inspires me, whether a flower or a bird, I try to think “how can I interpret this through felt?” Things that are soft yet unexpected really speak to me. Unfortunately, I’m really horrible at drawing even simple pictures, so I think my work is definitely limited because of it. In spite of that, I’m very determined to draw all of my patterns myself even if my husband could do a better job because it’s important to me to create every aspect of the finish product. (Except, of course, I don’t manufacture the felt or findings; that would be nuts and I’m just not that gifted.)




What are your favorite materials?

Most of my pieces are made using felt, but I adore adding bits of pretty fabric and lace! I also love featuring pieces of reclaimed slips and neckties when I can.


Tell us something about your non-crafting life!

I’m “Mommy” to three amazing little people ranging in age from five years old to thirteen months. My favoritest thing about that (besides the hugs and snuggles and kisses of course) is the thrill of being able to get a peek inside of their little minds. They’re so funny! My oldest just started Kindergarten this year, and I’m very thankful to be able to homeschool him. I was taught at home all the way through my senior year of high school and I loved it!

A few of my favorite things: books, good food, old movies, Autumn, walks with the family, laughing with the hubbs, writing, rainy days, my chili, Thanksgiving, and Christmas music! And did I mention good food?

Faith's beautiful family!

Is there anything else we should know about you and your lovely shop?

Being a mom, it’s really important to me to have practical accessories that are durable, versatile, and, of course, don’t require any fuss! When I’m designing a headband or a necklace, I keep those things in mind. My goal is to create extraordinary pieces for ordinary people. Everything is completely hand cut and stitched by hand (no glue!). But most of all, I hope my pieces make people smile. That’s my ultimate goal. If you open that package and there’s a smile on you.


Faith, thank you so much for sharing your shop!

Don't forget the 15% discount ends on October 22.
Anything from her shop would make a great gift for the holidays!

Check out Ordinary Mommy on the web:

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Walking in a Winter Wonderland...

Yesterday I made a winter wonderland inspired treasury that I am absolutely in love with!


I know, I know...I've been complaining for weeks, waiting for fall weather to arrive in Texas, and now that is has....I'm ready for winter! Typical.

These beautiful items certainly have me in the mood for snowy days, so I can bundle up in my winter coat, sip hot cocoa, and listen to Bing Crosby as I curl up with a good book.

Here are some close-ups of my favorite finds:





Go check out the complete treasury on Etsy here.

After one look, I'm sure you will be craving snow and cozy evenings by the fire.




Monday, October 11, 2010

Etsy Trade with Violet Bella


Last week, Laura from Violet Bella sent me an e-mail saying she had seen my sock monkey wrist warmers on Paper n' Stitch. That statement was exciting enough, but then she said if I would consider trading my wrist warmers for something from her shop. I had never traded with another seller before, so I was super excited to give it a try!

Her shops are insane. I mean, they are overflowing with so many stylish, vintage looking pieces, I almost couldn't decide! Eventually, after almost thirty minutes of browsing, I picked the Paris in the Fall necklace below.



Isn't is beautiful? I love her packaging, too.

The entire trade process was so seamless and fun, I look forward to doing it again.

If anyone else is interested in trading, let me know and we can try it out!

Here are Laura's links.



Saturday, October 9, 2010

Oh Mr. Darcy...

Have I mentioned that I love Jane Austen?? Because I do. I love all of her books. My favorite is Persuasion, but of course you can't go wrong with Pride and Prejudice. I mean, Mr. Darcy is everything! (Collin Firth anyone?)

All of these Twilight obsessed people obviously haven't read Pride and Prejudice. If they had, they would be saying "Edward Cullen who?". There is no comparison with Mr. Darcy. I actually saw a bumper sticker today that said "Forget the Prince on a White Horse, I want a Vampire in a Volvo".

Really?

So in an attempt to cancel out some of the insane Twilight love I thought I would share Brookish, an 1800s and Jane Austen-inspired shop.

Look at how beautiful Mr. Darcy's proposal looks on these items? They would be the perfect gift for the book lover in your life this holiday season!




Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday Etsy Feature - Nico Paper Goods

It's Friday! You know what that means...Etsy Feature! Without further ado, I am happy to present to you Andrea from Nico Paper Goods.
Find out what inspires her designs and then go check out her shop!

Hi Andrea! Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers! As a total bibliophile, i am in love with your shop! How did you get started on Etsy?

I am showing my work once or twice a year with a group of very talented women. We inspire each other and share ideas and information. That's how I learned about etsy.

What inspires your designs?
Traveling to different countries and culture, looking through old children books and of course nature. I get inspired by color and patterns, flee market and junkyards, fences and old rundown farms


What are your favorite materials to work with?
Paper and leather. I love to combine colors and patterns.


Leather Book Necklace (Variety of Colors Available)

Tell us something about your non-crafting life! What are some of your favorite things? (food, music, movies...)
My profession is my hobby and my passion. Needless to say....I work a lot. If i don't work I spend my time with my husband Dan and my thirteen year old son Nicola playing boardgames, going to the movies, and having long candlelight dinners (the three of us are hopeless romantics).

What has been the best part about selling your handmade goods?
I love when people recognize how much time and love i put into my work.

Anything else we should know about you?
I was born and raised in Switzerland. The last 14 years I lived in Seattle. I call both places home now. Lucky me!

Wow! Your books are simply beautiful!
Everyone go check out her shop today!

I hope all of you have a fabulous weekend! Take time to relax and spend time with the people you love....
....and go shop at Nico Paper Goods! ;-)

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