Recent Musings

I have been spending the past couple months quietly rethinking my business and the items I create. Reflecting back on my first couple years in business, I realize it was a time of experimentation, scatter brained creativity, and learning from the handmade community.

It was the past holiday season that really put my creative business in perspective for me and I realized a couple of important things: along the way:

1) I love the handmade market and community. It is a lot of hardwork but extremely fulfilling and a place I can see myself working in for a long time.
2) I can't do it all and that's okay. I love blogging. I love the blog universe and understand the immense advantage of social media when it comes to promoting my business online but staring at a computer screen for 8 hours each day and then some doesn't really appeal to me. And I'm okay with that.
3) I offer too many products! My desire to manifest new items and work in different fields is a great and keeps things exciting. But guess what? It can actually work against you if you are trying to build a creative business.
4) I am ready to start planning the next big step. For me, this entails lots of quiet musings, reorganization, and executing some serious discipline with my business. It also requires patience. A lot of it.

All of these thoughts have lead me back to pursuing what I love most, embroidery. I really neglected it the past year which is a pity considering I had initially planned on it being my primary medium when I first started my business. This weekend I took the first step towards returning to this medium that I love. Above is a sneak peek of one of my new creations which is a more detailed version of my "Married Hands" greeting card.

What about you? Do you have any new commitments/directions with your creative business?

My Reading Wish List

Today my co-worker gave me the heads up about a new embroidery book that will be coming out this August by the woman behind the amazing blog, Posies Get Cozy. This lady has such a charmed life! I dream of the day where I can stitch and create all day, while working on my newest publication, and in a lovely Portland home, none the less!

Alicia Paulson's new book titled Embroidery Companion: Classic Designs for a Modern Home sounds like it will have a wonderful variety of new designs. I get the impression that it will have a nice combination of updated classic embroidery designs that one would find in folk art inspired needlework. I'm imagining lots of floral designs that you could stitch onto just about anything! Want to know more? Read about the upcoming book HERE. You can also pre-order it from the same page.

Another book you may want to check out is Redwork from the Workbasket. I found this book while browsing the shelves at Powell's bookstore in Portland. It really is quite phenomenal. The price was a little steep so I decided to wait on purchasing it, but I can't wait to add it to my collection.

The book includes a few wonderful embroidery projects for you to try as well as a cd with JPeg images of some of the featured designs. All the designs come from a craft magazine started in 1935, called Workbasket. You can browse a few pages of the book on Amazon for free. My favorite design is the horse head which you can view on Page 7 with Amazon's "Look Inside!" feature.

Now if only I had some free time to actually stitch up some of these designs for myself.
Sigh . . . . .

Today I'm in love with . . . .

Claire Coles! This amazing British textile artist has really stolen my heart. I find her work to not only be unique but quite inspiring. Claire received a degree in Applied Arts from Middlesex University and is mostly recognized for her unique stitched vintage wallpaper designs. But what caught my eye initially were her embroidered tea cups that I found via the website I dreamed I saw. And they are actual embroidered cups!

I then ventured onto her website where I discovered more amazing work. I realized then that I just had to share her makings with you. Be sure to take a few minutes to peruse her website, found HERE. You won't regret it. Here are a few of my favorite pieces by her.

I love these wallpaper textile collage tableaux. The inclusion of lighting was pure genius. It really brings the objects and wallpaper to life.

Here are the teacups which are actually embroidered. She also has ceramic teacups that have been imprinted with what appears to be lace and textured wallpaper. I can't decide which ones I like more. She also has bird and flower wallpaper brooches.
Loving the flowers. This wallpaper collage of an airplane really won me over too. I have been thinking about possibly doing an embroidered wedding invitation that I could digitally scan and sell. I doubt they would be as glorious as this one that Claire did.
Simply Stunning. **All images from Claire Coles Design. Artist discovered via I dreamed I saw blog.

Who doesn't love a cute doggie or kitty?

A couple weeks ago I mentioned how the Berkeley Humane Society burnt down in a fire. I was inspired to make these doggie and kittie embroidery designs as a way to raise some money for them. I was initially going to make some simple little fabric brooches, but found myself suddenly creating key chains. The keychains came out pretty good. I'm still trying to perfect circular fabric key chain part.

I can't decide whether to make it an enclosed plushie with no edges or a more circular plushie with a pinking shear fringe trim. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to get the circular shape to stay even or consistent when making an enclosed plushie. I still think they turned out pretty cute- even if they are a little crooked. :)

I decided to try the exposed edges with the fringe trim because it is easier to sew the plushie shut after stuffing it. What do you think? Should I try to come up with a new pattern shape and make an enclosed plushie or should I stick with the shabby chic fringe look? Or should I stick with my Crooked Sister motto and just make cute little crooked key chain plushies?

Winnings

Last week I received a lovely hand embroidered wooden brooch that I won a while back from the amazing Maggie Makes blog. I absolutely love this blog and feel so lucky to happen across it just by chance one day while reading another crafty lady's blog. Karen, the genuis behind Maggie Makes, offers amazing free DIY tutorials, including one on how to make yourself this pretty little brooch I won. You can find the tutorial HERE.I was already excited to be receiving this lovely little accessory so imagine how thrilled and shocked I was to find other little goodies in my package from Karen! The packaging was so pretty that I just had to take photos of it to share with you. Much thanks Karen for the goodies! I can't believe I had never heard of Baker's twine before! It comes in so many pretty colors that I just had to buy myself some of my own!Karen also sent me a roll of Kamoi Japanese masking tape. I instantly fell in love and am already stocking up on some different colors/styles for my own packaging needs. I'm thinking of embroidering onto the fabric and then making them into dishtowels.

Friday Finds: Embroidered Accents

I know I'm not the only who is guilty of doing a little window shopping on Etsy while at work. :p Here are a few fun and weird embroidered accented wearables I came across Etsy the other day. Enjoy and hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

I love the idea of embroidering down one side of a dress. I wish I had time to work on a project like that. Dress from Vest Bee Vintage

I have a weakness for embroidered designs on dark/black fabric. Don't know why exactly. It's hard to tell in this photo, but this little apron also has cute hidden pockets. Apron from Verite Vintage I love, love, love this top. This unique swiss design with little embroidered people on it is too cute. I also love when the collar of a shirt is accented with a few darling stitches. Shirt from Ingenious Rehab. Now onto the more odd stuff that I came across, like these poodle shoes. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like these before. I wonder if the person who bought these shoes actually wore them or if they sat in their closet. Shoes from Xtabay Vintage Boutique I can't quite figure out what's going on with the shirt, but it's so ridiculous that I kind of love it. The cat has seem to have a partially invisible body and is watching the most odd looking bugs. Shirt from Hell in a HandbagThis deer/mushroom stitched tableau is just plain awesome. Got to love the '70's. Shirt from Hula Kitty Vintage

Weekend Business

The weather was quite nice this weekend. Too bad I didn't have much time to enjoy it. I was able to find a few free minutes to make these yummy cranberry orange muffins on Sunday morning. I placed them on this milk glass cake stand that I bought a few months ago at the Goodwill for only $10 bucks! I love it and was so glad to finally put it to some use. Then I ventured over to Alameda to drop off my first box of goodies at Modern Mouse. I'm so excited to have my items carried at this store! If you are in the area, you must stop by and check all of the amazing locally crafted goods they carry. It's the perfect place to find a Mother's Day present! I also figured out how to make my own little brand tags this weekend. I think they turned out pretty cute and they weren't too hard to make. My next goal is to design and print my own jewelry cards. We'll see how that goes . . . .

Craftiness

Here's a little sneak peek at a tote bag I have been working on for awhile. Hoping to finish this buffalo some time soon. Just need to fix the satin stitch on the nose and add a few more accents. Excuse the wrinkles.

And last night my sister helped me craft some new necklaces. Aren't they cute?

And the Winner is . . . .

Congratulations to Julia!! She is the winner of the Acorn Sachet giveaway! I will be emailing you later today in order to receive your contact info.

Julia's spring idea was to embroider spring flower bulbs like the botanical drawings below. Thanks for the great idea Julia! I can't wait to give your embroidery idea a try. I have a feeling it will produce some great stitched creations.

How about a little Spring GIVEAWAY?

**THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!!**

Spring is here (well, almost) which means I need a few new FRESH embroidery ideas! If you share any ideas below you'll get your name entered into my Giveaway! That's right in exchange for your brilliant ideas, you'll have a chance to win my lovely Embroidered Acorn Scented Sachet. This little guy is so cute that he made it to the front page of Etsy. You also get to choose your scent: luscious lavender or warm vanilla.

So here's the breakdown on how to enter the giveaway:

1) You must share your Fresh Spring embroidery idea below in the comments. Be creative! Be crazy! Give me an idea!

2) You don't have to be a blog follower to enter. But all current followers will automatically get an extra point by leaving a comment idea below and New followers will too! Just be sure to mention your a newbie with your idea in the comments below.

3) Earn an extra point by RTing my giveaway in the twitter world. You can follow me on Twitter by clicking on my link on the Left side. Remember you STILL need to leave your embroidery idea in the comments below to earn your first point! You MUST RT me in order to get your extra point!

4) The more points you earn, the more times your name will be entered. Only one idea per person.

Also, be sure to INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment below so I can contact you if you win.

Last Day to submit your ideas is 5pm PST Sunday, March 14th. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 15th. Because it's always nice to wake up to a little surprise on a Monday morning.

So start thinking up some fun new ideas and send them my way!

A Photo speaks a thousand words

I got featured on Craftgawker today. I'm just thrilled to have my little embroidered acorn sachets on the front page and the first row!! Here is a really awful tiny screen shot of it. So exciting! If you are on craftgawker please Stop By and add it as a favorite. All my hardwork in trying to get the perfect photo really does pay off. Thank God!

Featured

Nancy from ForOlivia Jewelry has featured my pin-up girl pillow doll on her BLOG today. Thanks Nancy! Stuff like this really makes my day. I loved making this doll and am actually in the process of finishing a brunette version of lovely Lulu.

Be sure to stop by and check out Nancy's jewelry shop. She has some really gorgeous pieces. My favorite are these red coral, blue accented earrings, shown below.

Front Page!

My coworker happily informed me this morning that my lovely acorn sachet made it to the front page on Etsy! It was posted from 7am-8am today so I missed seeing it in action but it still sold! So Exciting!!

I have reposted the acorn and am now selling it as a made to order item (only takes 2 days!).

Work marathon over.

Where have I been the past few weeks you ask? What have I been doing? Well, besides eating tons of holiday treats, I've been crammed in my little craft corner making tons of new things! The etsy store is finally getting updated throughout this week and I have a few new products on the way. Wanna know what I have been up to? Check out below: I am working on a new embroidery series of Pin-up girls. They will be available as plush doll pillows and magnets! My mini drawstring deer bags seem to be taking off so they will be back in stock in a variety of colors. I am also introducing some new mini drawstring bag designs which include foxes and mushrooms.