Brown Stripey Blanket!

Here is the big unveiling...finally!
It has grown from this

and yes, I know that is a miserably bad photograph. I have posted about this blanket multiple times and it is good to finally have it complete.

to this...

It is made out of Vanna's Choice yarns, 100% washable. It is very masculine with all the men at my house wishing it was theirs. It is a big 65" x 42" rectangle which makes it a perfect size for the recliner. I love the basket weave pattern. It has taken me a long time to get this one finished but the wait was worth it. I put a very simple border on it of a blue stripe followed by a chocolate brown stripe.
I am so pleased that it is as beautiful completed as it was  a joy to make.
Talk to you later,
Karen

Yes, it is available in my  Chocolate Dog Studio shop.

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

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 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?

 

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

 







 

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

Mug Cozy Pattern...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="427" caption="https://www.etsy.com/listing/101074456/coffee-cup-cozy-pattern-fabric-java"][/caption]

Friends are great. I have a long time friend, Dawn. We have known each other since high school. She has encouraged, and listened and put up with me for a long, long time. She also teaches sewing, quilting and worked for some big names in the sewing and fabric industries. Not too long ago she encouraged me to sell patterns of my mug and coffee cozies.  She even offered to help me edit the instructions. She did and I finished up with some photos on the instructions. Chocolate Dog Studio now has its first pattern for sale. I am so excited to be able to offer this pattern to you. You can now make your own mug cozies!

Dawn, Thank you for all of your help and encouragement.

Karen

 

Thursday!

Today has been hard, not bad, not sad, just hard. There are some loose ends I am trying to get tied up. I have a couple of concerns that seem to be hanging over my head.  I have a family member on the road; which makes me a tad bit nervous. I am incredibly tired today even though I got plenty of rest. It has just been a long day and it is only noon. It is gloomy outside and cold. Which after the bright sunshine we have had I am missing it.

Anyway, here are some things to brighten up a darkish, longish, dreary day.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78942874/beaded-leather-wrap-bracelet-3x-orange"][/caption]



This photo by H20 works is bright and cheerful!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/37777980/giraffes-watercolor-8-x-11-print-matted"][/caption]

There, I am feeling better already. Thank you for allowing me the time to regroup. Some days are just hard, nothing serious or permanent. It is a day to be cozy and  warm to hang out and crochet kind of day. I think I need to do a bit more cleaning before my Mom comes. So I will see you later!

Karen

To tweet or not to Tweet!

Using all the different social media to promote your online shop can be overwhelming. Here are a few good sites that can help you understand what twitter is and how it can help your online business.

Twitter: These are pretty basic and a good introduction to twitter.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Twitter

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Twitter-to-Promote-Your-Website

http://www.squidoo.com/howtousetwittereffectively

http://www.ehow.com/how_5112315_use-twitter-marketing-platform.html

http://www.business2community.com/twitter/how-to-use-twitter-effectively-to-get-a-quality-following-0172889

And then this...

http://www.wikihow.com/Promote-Your-Online-Store-Online

I am trying to spend time reading about how to promote my little business so that it isn't quite so little anymore. That is one of the hard things about running a small business, you get to wear a bunch different of hats. It is also one of the good things about running your own business. Creating and maintaining the image and voice of my company I can  be sure that the image I promote is accurate.

Talk to you later,

Karen

What do you do to promote your online business? How do you advertise? Do you pay for advertising? Curious minds want to know....

 

My friend Rose

Have I told you about my internet friend Rose? She is finishing up her school year. She has taught High School science for years (AP chemistry, if I remember right). She is getting ready to start organic farming, interested in bee keeping, and has two boys and a husband. She also has two Etsy shops and is co-owner of another. She keep busy all of the time.  What caught my eye today are her wonderful hair clips and ties. The colors are intense, bright, and summery. Well, pictures are worth a thousand words so here are a few shots of her beautiful work.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77964139/bobby-pins-hair-accessories-non-slip"][/caption]

Rose seems to be working all the time.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72641155/ponytail-holders-set-of-two-covered"][/caption]

Her Etsy shops are http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rotifera and http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewecological. The paper shop that she shares with Cris is http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoPaperAddicts. Rose sews the most amazing rick rack roses that she puts on hair clips.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80100710/flower-hair-accessories-royal-blue-roses"][/caption]

Rose is also a team leader for the Easl team or Etsy Artisans Success League team (http://www.etsy.com/teams/9712/etsy-artisans-success-league-easl) on Etsy.  Rose works really hard to help everyone around her be successful and I just wanted to say thank you. Thanks, Rose for all that you do!

Karen

 

 

 

Art for Thursday

I found these beautiful artworks recently on Etsy. Hmmm, how wonderful that I found them when I wasn't looking. They make me happy.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89447774/148-veedub-samba-signed-and-numbered"][/caption]

Don't the dogs in this one look so fully into going somewhere, except for the beagle facing backwards. It must be our beagle/hound mix. He has always seems to be looking back at life, or sleeping. I just love both of these. I would love to put the both of these dog prints in the family room. I pinned the top one earlier this week but I couldn't resist showing you this one too!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53947527/115-back-up-signed-and-numbered-giclee"][/caption]

See you later,

Karen