Future plans

Ok, so here is where I tell you all my great and wonderful future plans....

I am going to make at least one large size afghan like this one.



I am going to finish this diagonal afghan. The brown one in the middle.



I know that the above picture leaves a lot to be desired but the afghan is so incredibly soft and beautiful. I will have better pictures soon. I am also going to make some more football team cup sleeves. Like this one only different teams than what I already have...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="456"] https://www.etsy.com/listing/89660331/coffee-cup-cozycoffee-cup-sleeve-coffee[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"] https://www.etsy.com/listing/82106339/cup-sleeve-cup-cozy-green-bay-packer-cup[/caption]

I am going to clean out the studio...well, unpack it better and set it up. I am going to get ready for the Christmas buying season by creating more Christmas ornaments and cozies. All of this planning is making me hungry and tired at the same time. So I best get to work.

talk to you later,

Karen

Aprons....

When I was learning to cook, aprons were a thing of the past. Grandma's wore them and my Mom had a drawer full of them. We used one apron for years because it was handy. It was also a full apron and covered more than our jeans. These aprons are styled after then one that we used for so many years.









I love these aprons. A perfect size with an adjustable neck strap and long waist ties. Some of these are available in the www.chocolatedogstudio.etsy.com shop. Others are waiting to be listed. Aprons make a perfect hostess gift or Christmas gift for the cook in your family.

See you later,

Karen

Finding your Passion.

There are many self help courses to help you find your interests, and talents. The problem with many is that they depend on your schooling and past experiences to figure out what your "talent and interests" are. That is a problem when you haven't pursued any formal training at all or have been afraid to venture out into the dark unknown. How can you know you have a talent if you haven't expressed it yet? How can you know if you are interested in something until you HAVE to try it? Many, many people are skillful at a task without having a passion for it. Being skillful at a task is NOT the same thing as being passionate about it. Rather, it simply shows that you have been successful at learning how to do it. I have been spending some time finding out how to find your passion. There are some questions that you need to ask yourself.

1. Do you get totally involved in your passion and loose sense of time?

2. Who do you envy, why? Ok, now is it because you could see yourself doing the "it" you want to do or is it because they have some aspect of "it" that you want; for example time freedom, no boss, ability to make decision of how to spend your time. The reverse is also true. What is about what they do that you would hate...the I can't drag myself out of bed to do?

3. If you had a gift certificate for a free magazine which topic would you choose? YOU choose, not which magazine would you get for your children. What topic interests you?

4. Can you test the water? Can you volunteer, take a class, start slow in order to make sure that you are on track?

5. Is it what you dream about day in and day out?

6. Would you have to do your passion no matter what happened in your life?

These questions feel ambiguous but they are meant to be. If you have a wide view to finding your passion, you will be able to narrow it down as time passe. The point to remember is that all specialists start as generalists. So don't be afraid to start in a general direction. You can always change your focus over time.

talk to you later,

Karen

I am really giving myself a pep talk in all of this! :0)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Monday!

Who needs anymore stress on Monday? So here are some beautiful photos of a baby blanket that I just finished and shipped off on Saturday!





I simply love the beautiful colors and it is wonderfully soft. It is 36" square.  It was a custom order and started from these beautiful yarns. It was a super quick crochet job as I started it on Sunday and shipped on Saturday!



I am working on another custom order now and it is huge. I believe it is going to take 150 crocheted granny squares. Yes, 150! Yikes, I have a plan though and it is happening pretty quickly. I have about 80 centers worked now. I will show you more at a later this week.

See you on Tuesday!

Karen

Christmas Ornament

Here is another Christmas ornament. I sewed this using the same pattern as the star. I love this little house it is so cute.



I know that some of the embroidery is wonky but I think it just adds to the handmade look. I really like the shape of the roof on the cottage.

see you next week.

Karen

 

Christmas Trees

These are new to the shop. A very close friend gave me a bunch of fabric. She sews for a living and often has the most wonderful scraps and pieces left over. Here is a photo of a small portion of what she gave away.



Here is what I made from them. I still have a huge number of squares left. So I will need to figure out what to do with the rest. I love these little trees and they are even more fun as they are made out of reds and neutrals.

These are a few of the new I have been creating. I have these listed at http://www.chocolatedogstudio.etsy.com if you want to know.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

As always the photos were shot by Stewart Photo Tulsa.

 

 

WIP: Works in Progress Update

You are my accountability partner. Did you know that? I need accountability to finish what I start so today is my day to show you my current status on some long standing projects. I do have to say in my defense that I have been working diligently but have had some custom orders come in, in addition to regular http://www.ChocolateDogStudio.etsy.com sewing of cup sleeves and cup cozies along with all the aprons I have been finishing up for the shop. So here is my list of accomplishments.

• finished sewing 10 aprons have three left


• finished embroidery of one pillow top


• finished 5 - 3" embroidery hoop wall art.


• finished two crocheted baby blankets


• almost finished this blanket, I have run out of the blue yarn and I am searching for it.

• Started on this little beauty for fun and there is no deadline.

• Started this out of sock yarn, it should work beautifully for its purpose. (Shhh, it's a surprise!)

• Turned these into something new and fun. Which I will show you later.

• I am working on these to create a beautiful custom blanket for a friend and customer.

• And these to create a warm, cozy, baby boy blanket for a different friend and customer as well.

So that is my accountability list. I hope to have at least four of these off the list this week! I have a bunch of cozies that need to be sewn up and some shipping to do today, but other than that the crochet hook will be flying as I  wait on kids for different activities. I am not even going to start on the all the house chores sitting in front of me this week. I am pretty sure that you have a pretty good idea of what kinds of work it is.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

Find Your Voice

Find your voice, find out who you are. These are both phrases that designers and artists hear constantly. This is somewhat true. I say somewhat because true artists change and grow. I would use the word evolve but I think it is over used these days. I like the word grow because it is a truer picture of what we are doing as artists. Perhaps it is a choice determined by marketplace. We have to make a choice based on economics,

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/103093232/baltimore-album-style-wall-hanging-quil[/caption]

what we are creating isn't selling, or the market is flooded. Many times artists grow as they master advanced techniques or decide to grow in a particular direction. Almost all artists struggle with paying bills and making creations that will sell. I say almost because there are the few that create for themselves, but they will at some point run out of room on their walls for more paintings and you can only wear so many scarves or hats.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/98296729/watermelon-malaysia-jade-and-dark-brown[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/61198767/miss-elsie-mouse-archival-print-nursery[/caption]

So, the problem is how do we listen to the marketplace and still be true to the artist inside us. It is a fine line. The bottom line for me is do I enjoy creating it (whatever "it" is) and are people willing to purchase my creations.  I have read the Quit your Day Job posts on Etsy. I have read many of them over the years and the thought throughout all of the posts is "Follow your passion". Are you passionate about what you are creating? Would you create it regardless of what the world says? How to make it marketable is another question for another day. So find your voice, create what makes you happy. Why spend your time making things that you do not have a passion about! Why create things that make you frustrated or worried. Your joy in creating and your passion in your art will translate itself into sales. If you wonder why on earth anyone would pay for "it", you should not be trying to sell "it". If you create something and then say "I love it" this is great. I have such a hard time selling this because I love it so much. Then you are on the right track.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Do you agree or disagree?

 

Baby Granny Blanket

This is a fun little granny square baby blanket that I crocheted up quickly a week or so ago. I started it during the move and then ran out of yarn as I only picked up one skein. So I added the green and pink to make it large enough. It starts with a 20 round granny square of the multi-color yarn. Then it has a row of green, another variegated round and two rounds of pink. I then added sweet little two round granny squares to the ends to make the blanket a rectangle.The whole thing is bordered with two rows of green and the pink scalloped border. Here is a detail photo of the cute little granny squares. 

I apologize for the snap shots of the baby afghan. I have lost my good camera sometime during the move. I really think it is hidden in a box that is not unpacked yet. Hopefully it will turn up soon. This pretty little blanket will be in the shop as soon as some decent photos are taken. It was really just a quick little fun project! The good news is that I used up the variegated yarn.

What have you been working on?

Talk to you later,

Karen

P.S. I can always make one in blue and white for that baby boy in your life!

 

 

Link Up!

Hi all I am linking up with Tip Junkie for the Tip Me Tuesday!

Here are some new coffee cup sleeves from Chocolate Dog Studio. I have been busy sewing some new cozies and photographing some that never made it to the store. So for a quick Christmas preview here they are.





I love this cozy created from Laurel Birch's cat fabric. I love how the button matches the purple in the cozy.



And then last but not least.



There are only one of the Noel cozy. So if you have fallen in love go ahead and shop now.

Things have been a little wild at our house as we adjust to a new Autumn schedule but I am sure that things have also been busy at your house too!

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

Granny Stripe Ta Dah......

I know this sounds like so many other Ta dahs that you read about in the crochet blogging world. Actually, there is no other way to celebrate a wonderful finished project, aside from a party, but who goes to a finished project party?

Here you go the newly finished Granny Stripe!

I love the chocolately richness of the zig zaggy border.



This was created with soft new yarns from England. Yes, I actually ordered in enough yarn to finish this crocheted blanket. The yarn is so incredibly soft that it puts our American yarns to shame and the colors are bright and cheerful.



I love the way the granny stripes vary from one section to the next, always with the same  seven colors bordered with the chocolate brown stripe. It is big, twin bed sized.



It is 72 inches long and 45 inches wide. A perfect size for a throw at the end of the bed or couch. The yarn is 100% washable on gentle and low temps with a low temp dry. Yes, it is for sale in the Chocolate Dog Studio shop. https://www.etsy.com/listing/108330486/crochet-blanket-crochet-afghan-granny

 

See you later,

Karen

 

 

 

New baby blanket

I just had to show my newest creation. It is a custom order baby blanket and I just love the colors. They are a bit daring and different for this part of the country. It completely updates the granny square afghan and in beautiful modern colors. The yarn  is soft, cuddly and completely washable. Pop it in the washer and the dryer and have it out clean and ready to go in no time. Perfect for new babies.

Check out the bright and beautiful granny stripes.



Completely bordered with granny circles. This beautiful baby afghan is finished with beautiful scalloped edging and a ChocolateDogStudio tag. There is a teeny tiny baby bonnet with flower to go with it. I am so excited that it turned out so well. It was tricky to get it finished while moving from one state to another. So finishing it on time was the icing on the cake. This one won't be in the Chocolate Dog Studio shop but I sure hope to make another in a similar style also complete with bonnet! So keep checking back and I hope to have the next one up quickly. http://www.chocolatedogstudio.etsy.com

talk to you later,

Karen

 

It is a TARDIS kind of day!

I am having a TARDIS kind of day today. I just listed a cup sleeve from one of my favorite shows from childhood (think extremely long multi-colored striped scarf). It also happens to be one of my favorite shows in adulthood and one we watch as a family. I have started a new line of cup sleeves in honor of my kids. The new line of cozies portrays some of their favorites. So I start with this one! There are several different designs but this is the first.  My oldest son was joking that it makes your coffee cup bigger on the inside.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] https://www.etsy.com/listing/107909556/coffee-cup-sleeve-coffee-cup-cozy[/caption]

We love watching the current show. Finally some tv that we enjoy!

 

Talk to you later,

Karen

P.S. What do you watch?

Facebook contest!

I am running a facebook contest.  https://www.facebook.com/Chocolatedogstudio

I have chosen some theme fabric from a well known sci-fi program. Please like the Chocolate Dog Studio facebook page, guess and tell me which show you think I have chosen. Post your guess on my shop's facebook page and I will randomly choose a winner from the correct entries.

I will post the winner on Sunday night the 26th of August.

You will win a cup cozy of your choice from my shop! I am busy sewing up the new fabric and will have a photo and the winner to announce on Sunday night!

Thanks, Karen Stewart

 

List Making

I have been making lists and checking them multiple times a day. My new computer has these wonderful virtual post it notes. Yes, I do have a thing for post it notes, paper, tape and office supplies.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="342"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/90017260/dragonfly-post-it-notes[/caption]

 

I have a large virtual post it note on my desktop with all the jobs of the day in gray. I have three or four with important dates and happenings for the next two weeks in purple (dear daughter #1) and blue (dear sons'). Then questions for DH and a running list of bills in yellow and  etsy business/ blogging in green. It is helping keep my immediate goals in mind. I get to delete finished items and know that I have a list that won't get lost in all the post move chaos. I also know that I don't have to carry all that information around in my mind which is NOT like a steel trap.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="342"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/82697562/daisy-flower-post-it-notes[/caption]

I also use real ones  to mark my page in a book, recipes, addresses in a phone book, articles I want to read, chore lists, notes on food not to be eaten by my kids, food in the freezer, etc...  I have a large supply right now but I also love these post it notes by http://www.etsy.com/shop/UnicornPaper.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Good Morning, It's Tuesday!

Good Morning everyone,

Today I woke up and found several fun things had happened.

1. The shop is featured in this contest.  Please vote!

http://etsycontest.com/?votefor=ChocolateDogStudio #handmadebot #shopetsy

2. I was featured in this extremely cool Coffee Treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA2OTc2MTh8MjcyMzE3ODI5Mg/everything-you-love-about-coffee

Have a great day today! I am busy this week unpacking, dreaming up new things for the Etsy shop, getting a girl ready for college, cleaning, and running a family! It is a busy time of year for everyone isn't it! OH, and I have been crocheting a luscious baby afghan for a new Mom. I called the customer and asked if she wanted a little bonnet to match, of course she said Yes! I love crocheting for babies!

I also finished up the knitted blanket for my college bound daughter. I can give her hugs from another state that way. It is stripey with a wide crocheted border. It was started in all the moving chaos and was supposed to use up yarn but somehow it didn't. Hmmm. My yarn stash is growing, again. I will have some pictures of the projects to show you next time.

Talk to you later,

Karen

PS. What have you been creating?

SALE!

All cup sleeves are $2 off in Chocolate Dog Studio!

Stop by and say hi!

Karen Stewart

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateDogStudio

 







 

Why Write Goals?

After packing and moving for the second time in twelve months, I find myself asking "Why do I keep writing goals just so I can change course four times in three months?"

At least it feels like I am changing my goals all the time. Frankly, I needed some direction on why I need to write another set of goals. I think this is the fourth set in 6 months? So I am reading what some goal setting gurus say. I found this on Michael Hyatt's blog. He writes like a real person with real life happening. He has five reasons why you write goals but I love this statement here.

"Of course, most people don’t bother to write down their goals. Instead, they drift through life aimlessly, wondering why their life lacks purpose and significance. I am not saying that committing your goals to writing is the end-game. It’s not. But it is the beginning." Michael Hyatt

Ok, so according to Michael I need to write my goals down to keep me from drifting aimlessly through life. Rather like driving in a new town without a map. You WILL get lost even if you do get directions and finally do end up at the right place. So I will lose time trying to get back on track.

Then there is this comment from the Goal Setting Guide.

"When you put pen to paper you turn your thoughts into something tangible."

Then the actual act of writing goals down causes me to believe that the goal I have written is actually going to happen.

This is the third gem I found while searching for answers procrastinating.

" To remind yourself of what to focus on. Often we get caught up in our everyday business and lose track of what is most important."

This is a great point and I think that people in creative jobs need more goals than most. It helps us to stick to the point and keep moving forward. I did notice that many of the articles I read all stated not to be afraid to rework your goals and to prioritize them.

Here are all of the links to the articles that I read for this blog on goal setting.

http://michaelhyatt.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-commit-your-goals-to-writing.html

http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/step-5-write-your-goal-down

http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2010/09/30/write-things-down/

Talk to you later,

Karen

PS. I am heading off to re-examine my goals while I unpack a couple of boxes in the kitchen, so I can cook again in an organized space. How is that for a tangible, immediate goal? What is one of your goals for this week?

 

Goals, again...

I know I promised more pictures but I left the camera in Tulsa and I have been a little busy. Packing a house for a move is a huge job. Thankfully, I have had lots of willing helpers (the kids) and we have had quite a few laughs, some new family jokes and some down time watching old tv shows. I have somehow made my kids Agatha Christie fans.  I think it is a great thing and we have watched some old Hercule Poirot mysteries. It has been a lot of fun since they have read quite a few of her books and we keep trying to remember who the murderer is.

It has been a busy couple of weeks and I will get back with my goals in a week or two or maybe even in September. The bad part of moving is getting all internet turned back on and figuring out where everything goes.

See you later,

Karen

Goals rewritten!

Sometimes, life sends you a storm and you just have bend! Sometimes, you wake up and realize that SOMETHING needs to change. We did that mid June. We woke up June 17 and realized that a deadline set had passed. That deadline was the realization that if our house had not sold we would need to move back to it. Then you top that off with a very special family member being seriously ill and so we took some time off and re-evaluated our lives. It was a very clear simple decision to make. There were no other options we have looked at it several times since then and the end result is the same. Move! MOVE written in neon capital letters all over our lives. Moving seems to take so much of life in time, energy and money. I have an incredibly peace about the move. Well, about being there, the process stresses me out incredibly. It is terribly disrupting and uncomfortable to have two houses with one state between them and your home scattered everywhere in between. That is how it feels. We actually have most of the items with us and the rest at the other house, but what you NEED NOW is  never with you!

I never thought I could be unhappy moving back, but I am. I never expected to have my heart torn as it is. 9 months is a very short time to make friends, put down roots and share lives with people but we did. How can I be sad about moving to what was our home for 12 years? What could be wrong with that? I have flight paths, friends, family and the whole network of people and places that make up our lives already in place. I was just starting to make this here