Happy October

   Fall is finally here and I could not be happier. This is my favorite time of year. When I was younger it was because that's when my birthday was but now I really appreciate all the leafs turning, the smell of wood smoke in the air and snuggle under blankets. I was in Maine last week for a friend from college's wedding and it was simply gorgeous. We stayed at this little bed and breakfast in Hallowell and it was simply amazing. The best part was getting to be a part of my friends wedding memory and catching up will all of my friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in over 2 years!
   While I was there I was able to give my friend her birthday gift. I will make my friends anything but my 1 condition is that they have to wear it. Otherwise that's all they'll get from me and I will just buy them a book. This friend, Amanda, is one of my biggest fans. She still wears the stuff I made her in college. Not that college was that long ago, but my skills have greatly improved. She's bought 2 items from my shop this year for other people, so she's getting my name out and she put up a post about my shop on her facebook wall which meant a great deal to me. The past 2 years I have made her something for/around her birthday. Last year, a striped and spiked hat in out school colors and this year, my first cowl in her favorite color. I managed it get some great pictures of it too. While I was shopping for dresses for my friends wedding I kept noticing this color block trend:

So I incorporated it into my cowl. Here are the pictures of the cowl and my friend Amanda:

I loved the way it turned out. My next project is to make one in grey and purple for her sister! Happy October!

Feeling a little festive

I am not a huge fan of Halloween. Growing up it was fun to dress up and collect free candy. But when I outgrew it, it just became another night where all they show are scary movies (which I hate) and I sit at home trying to avoid them. But this year I am trying to show more Halloween spirit so I am making a few items just for Halloween. Here is a picture of the first one.
It's another Ninja Apple Cozy which seems appropriate given the holiday.

I will post the rest once they are finished! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Ninja Apple Cozy!

I have a new item this month that I am happy to say has already sold! I am always trying to figure out ways to use that last bit of yarn. I hate getting to end of a skein or project and not having a enough yarn to complete around or make something else. I had had strips of yarn that I had made up to make a bag, which never happened and on a whim made this:
   I'm pretty stoked about! I'm going to re-list this one after I ship it out and then see if I can't sell another color combo! Yay!

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/57464758

I'm baaaaaaaack!

Hello! I have been MIA! Not just on this blog but in my real life! I just got back from a 6 week stint in the black mountains. I was working at a summer camp up there an honestly it's one of the most beautiful places. But now I'm back! Back to work....back to paying bills...

What was really exciting this summer was that while I was there and sold a few things. For the first time in my life I had 4 orders going on at the same which is great. But I'm still trying to figure out how to balance it all. All in all it's pretty exciting!

What's in the works now? I'm finishing up some custom orders and then photographing them to see of they would sell and then hopefully start making some new stuff. I have a great idea for a cloche and maybe peacocks...Can't wait to show you all!

Contest Winner!

First let me apologize for my extreme tardiness! I am working at a summer camp in North Carolina and we only recently got wireless! This camp is a real fan of simplicity which I am normally a fan of, but can make things a wee bit difficult. I am happy to announce... Katarzyna! I will contact you soon! Thanks everyone for playing!

Reduce, Reuse, Save Money CONTEST!!!!

   It's no secret that this economy sucks and that many of us are struggling just to get by. I work at a school who only pays the staff once a month. This is not a hardship, but I have had to learn how to live on a budget real quick. And technically I am still learning...and learning... and learning...but I digress. What I realized is that I spent so so so much money on yarn every month, 90% of which I was not using and ended up in a box or bag in my room, or living room or my brothers room.
    So I got smarter about my money and have decided to only spend money on yarn that comes directly from sales or custom orders. You think I'm crazy, I know but I have two large tubs and several boxes of yarn and a few bags who are threatening to walk out on me if I don't use them. They're serious this time (they have a union).
   For the month of June I am only going to uses the yarn I have to create new items. I'm hoping I will make many things for my shop but who knows, I might come up with some fab gifts for Christmas, either way it's a win-win-win situation.

   My challenge to you this month is to do they same. Post pictures of the things you are working on that saves resources and most importantly saves you money! It doesn't have to be crochet or even yarn related. You could make grocery shopping bags out of old t-shirts, musical instruments out of recyclables, anything! When you figure out what this is follow this blog and post a picture or a link to a picture showing me all the fantastic things you are making! Every post/project in an entry. The winner will receive my wildly popular WILD THINGS HAT! 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62884796/wild-things-hat

   This hat is not just for kids, and can be made in just about any color combo you like. So this is free for you. All you have to do is post some picture.

   To prove I am doing the same here are some booties I made this week and a bundle of yarn that will soon become a hat:

All right! On your mark, get set, save money!

I've run out of space!

I have run out of space. I would show you pictures of my room but frankly I would be embarrassed and you would probably think alot less of me. I live with my parent in their house. Yes I am a college graduate living with her parent but I graduated in a recession and don't have a full time job yet. So I live with my parents while I save up money to get my own place. But my biggest issue is I have run out of space and I have no idea what I should be doing to get more organized. I LOVE ikea but let's be honest I don't have the time or budget to buy and build their lovely lovely products. So I am reaching out to you all in the blogosphere. Please post your pictures or links of great ways to get organized!