Christmas Ornament #3

Pink hearts are always good for Christmas or Valentine's day. Here is my next installment on hand sewn felt Christmas ornaments. This is a heart with beading. I used recycled beads my daughter had removed from a formal. The whole point of these ornaments is to use what I have on hand and not run out for more supplies.



I ran into a few snags since I didn't use a super thin beading needle. I would suggest using one if you make this at home. This is so simple that I don't feel that you need a pattern to make one yourself.

See you later,

Karen

Things I will do with scraps!

I know, I have pinned a bunch of things that I will do with scraps....lots of ideas. Well, I have started looking at different ideas and I have come up with some ideas that I definitely want to do...and some that I have tried. So here we go!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/07/his-hers-personalized-baby-quilts.html[/caption]

I have this things for quilts. I like these but in a large size without the names. Unless it is our last name.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="307"] http://selvageblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/world-quilt-giveaway.html[/caption]

This quilt is gorgeous! I must have one soon. I think that I would use fabric strips but not selvages.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/2008/11/spools-bird-softies/[/caption]

I can just imagine what my family would say. I love the birds and the different fabrics that they are sewn out of. What a great idea for Christmas ornaments! Hmmm...I would love  a tree like this in my den. It would be fun and light hearted!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/2011/08/-playing-with-dresdens.html[/caption]



I love this quilt, it is only surpassed by the ticker tape quilts.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="549"] http://sewfun2quilt.blogspot.com/2010/05/ticker-tape-quiltsgreat-scrap-buster.html[/caption]

I just found these place mats. I have just decided since we moved that I need to replace ours. These are gorgeous and I could get the feel of what it is like to make a ticker tape quilt before I commit to cutting out all those little squares. I could also see how it wears.



and this....

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] http://www.mygirlthursday.com/2011/05/diy-scrap-busting-pot-holders.html[/caption]

and then there are  these....

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="728"] https://sew4home.com/projects/table-linens/kitchen-confections-modas-vintage-modern-patchwork-napkins[/caption]

Well, I had better stop. The list is going on forever. I think this is turning into a form of procrastination.

See you later,

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Sneak peak

Here is a sneak peak at a Christmas ornament that I have been working on the past several weeks. I have been making several so this is just one. I love the non-traditional colors in this one. It is hand sewn with embroidery floss.



I would love to say that I came up with the idea on my own but the truth is that I used a vintage Vogue pattern for this lovely ornament.

See you later,

Karen

 

Stuck in the Middle

I wish I could just pouf myself to the beginning of September, but if I did I would miss many good times and blessings. So I don't wish too hard for that. We just have so much work between now and then. You see, we are in the middle of the packing part of a move. It is so much work and things are so boxed up. It is a bit discouraging to look at all that is left to do. In my heart I know that we are about 75% complete. It is that the last 25% requires more thought as it is the kitchen, and odd shaped items.

So, I am not going to do that. I will instead tell you all the little things that are being finished. I have not packed all the hand crafting items that I take with me when I am waiting at the dentist, lessons or whatever is happening. At this point I have finished

1. a candlewicking pillow cover for the den


2. an embroidered pillow front for my daughter's room or the Etsy shop


3. 25 + felt Christmas ornaments


4. I am working an an afghan and have another in the thought processes


5. 30 + crocheted Christmas stars

That is quite a bit for this really unproductive time spent packing. I need take some photos but the camera is packed or in Tulsa. I am not sure which. I am feeling some pressure which is a natural part of packing and moving. I know that it will all work out for the best and that this new chapter in our lives will be laughable in September. Our house will be down to two children instead of four and I am not sure how I will handle it. I have some home school concerns about curriculum and classes for the Junior in our house. I hope that everything works out well on that front. I am switching back and forth between state requirements, again. I have a driver that needs driving instruction and time behind the wheel. I have a girl to pack up for college. So, I will do what I always do; which is forge ahead to the path chosen and pray all the while. Here are some pictures of candle wicking so that you know what it is.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/97581326/vintage-1983-unicorn-candlewick-lace[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/103997773/country-cat-pillow-candlewicking[/caption]

It is a tone on tone embroidery with pretty hefty thread. It works up really quickly. The pattern I chose was a more contemporary design of roses and leaves worked on a dark linen background. It is beautiful and will work well with our furniture. All the parts were in the kit so nothing is needed except a pillow form.

see you later,

Karen

Wednesdays Squared: granny #4

This is a fun granny square and is really simple and you can make it any size. I can see this square being used in a contemporary granny square blanket with diagonal stripes or  any quilting patterns that are created with right angles.



I also got this square pattern from the book Beyond the Square Crochet motifs by Edie Eckman. I haven't decided how many squares of this pattern I will need.

I will see you later,

Karen

The Flower Sampler

I love this embroidery that my Aunt completed. It hung in my Mom's house for years and it is a lovely sampler piece of many different types of embroidery. I am in the process of re-framing it. My Aunt wanted to see some photos of it and sharing it with you seemed the best way.







 



This is just a gorgeous piece of needlework. It is so bright, happy and cheerful.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well at your house.

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday: Goal Check 1!

Here we are another Monday. I am running a goal check. This helps keep me on track and remind me that I AM reaching those goals and actually doing something!

Business goals:

• Finish three two afghans (I have two left to finish this goal. Currently I have three afghans started....

 

The zig zag chevron stripe is finished. The one on top is started....and I have a granny striped started in my new yarns, and a sampler granny square afghan started.

• Start three more afghans


• Sew 50+ cup cozies in new styles ( I prepare for the holiday buying season in advance, because I also home school.)


• Sew the 30+ new items I need him to photograph


• Make the new Christmas items....


• Blog more consistently (I have been writing ahead and found my blog planning pages...)


• Write a business plan

Family goals:

• Take two summery day trips every week


• Make some meals for the freezer for THOSE days when I just really need them (one lasagna down...)


• Help K get her things ready for College.... (two major things marked off our list.)


• Take T for driving practice


• Exercise (walked and/or exercised three times last week.  YAY!)


• Make the kitchen a better place to be, using things I already have. (It seems small and I really have to work at loving being in there.)


• Make the curtains in the living room fit the windows better and the hems the same length (I put these curtains up super quick when I realized that the bamboo shades are see through at night with the lights on.) 

Rather lofty goals aren't they. I also have some personal ones that I have not added to this list.

Personal goals:

• Work through my Bible study that I stopped this Spring.


• Have us sit at the table for dinners 5 nights a week. (Totally missed out on this one this past week, but we have another week ahead of us!)


• Keep my kitchen and laundry caught up and ready for action. ( Frankly, got clothes washed but not folded or put away. Laundry is my most hated chore. It is never finished)


• Have some friends over for dinner...or coffee or dessert or something.


• Read some books about homeschooling


• Attend the home school curriculum sale this weekend.  (Totally missed out on this. Now, I need to find inspiration in another place...)


• Help with the Youth at church at least 2 times a month.

Well, those are my rather lofty goals. I hope that things get better and I get more organized at meeting my goals.

Things I/we accomplished that weren't on my list of things to do!

I started cleaning and organizing my studio areas.We also moved the furniture around in this area and I need to finish organizing, pitching or donating items.  I have a lot of boxes left to go through but we are happy with the new arrangement of the room and how it is starting to come together.  I re-opened my Amazon.com shop by listing more books for sale. We did a quick check up on our budget and re-affirmed our money goals. I sat down with our calendar and checked dates and times of appointments as we missed some important things last week.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

Goals...

I received a wonderful package in the mail last week when my Mom was visiting. I restrained myself and only opened the packages to make sure that the order was right. I set goals for myself to help me finish my projects. I received my yarn that I had mail ordered and I was right it is softer and brighter than what is available locally. I bravely pushed it back into the bag and set it aside. I have two other fish to fry before I can start on the new yarn. It is calling to me. =0) I have two afghans started the zig zag, chevrony  ripple and another diagonal afghan. I am making myself finish both before starting on the new yarn. Mom was visiting so I just spent about 7 days not really creating anything and I think I am refreshed and ready to begin again.



This post was supposed to be about setting goals. So these are my goals for June. I always use bullet points as it helps me realize that these goals aren't in any certain order. I have a bunch of sewing to do as our oldest son is coming in July and he takes the majority of my www.ChocolateDogStudio.com photographs. I bribed him to come (not that he didn't want to come anyway.) but I mentioned that I had some work for him and would pay his gas for the trip. It helps if there is a bunch for him to do.

Business goals:

• Finish three afghans


• Start three more


• Sew 50+ cup cozies in new styles


• Sew the 30+ new items I need him to photograph


• Make the new Christmas items....


• Blog more consistently


• Write a business plan

Family goals:

• Take two summery day trips every week


• Make some meals for the freezer for THOSE days when I just really need them


• Help K get her things ready for College....


• Take T for driving practice


• Exercise


• Make the kitchen a better place to be, using things I already have. (It seems small and I really have to work at loving being in there.)


• Make the curtains in the living fit the windows better and the hems the same length (I threw these curtains up when I realized that the bamboo shades are see through at night with the lights on.) 

Rather lofty goals aren't they. I also have some personal ones that I have not added to this list.

Personal goals:

• Work through my Bible study that I stopped this Spring.


• Have us sit at the table for dinners 5 nights a week.


• Keep my kitchen and laundry caught up and ready for action.


• Have some friends over for dinner...or coffee or dessert or something.


• Read some books about homeschooling


• Attend the home school curriculum sale this weekend.


• Help with the Youth at church at least 2 times a month.

Wow, I had better stop before I organize the world....lol.

Do you have goals for your summer or do you just let it happen? Can you share two of your goals for June? I would love to know that I am not alone. Summer seems busier than the school year.

Talk to 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

 

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....

 

Crocheting....

Crochet has been calling my name again, patterns are running through my mind and interrupting my sleep. I have been googling patterns and finding lovely items all crocheted. Lovely colors and items with texture and life. Moving is difficult even at the best of times, and I usually reach for yarn and a hook for comfort. That sounds a bit odd. I also pray deeply while I am crocheting and think. I let the yarn run while my mind is planning or thinking about the future. I have crocheted at least 6 blankets and numerous other items since Christmas.

[gallery link="file" orderby="rand"]

I find myself wanting to head in a different direction with the crochet. I am not sure which direction, yet. Possibly just a change in yarns and colors. I am craving the bright colors that I see from the European crocheters. They are light and bright while the US yarns seem a bit grayed and drab. Do you even care about this? It doesn't matter to me I need a place to talk about it and think about it. Is it worth ordering yarn from over the sea? Shall I venture out into wools or cottons?

Here are some of the items and blogs inspiring me at this point.

Lucy at Attic24

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2009/09/baby-ripple-tadah.html"][/caption]

Aren't they bright and cheery.

Jules at littlewoolie

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="http://littlewoollie.blogspot.com.es/2012_04_01_archive.html"][/caption]

Gorgeous colors and great ideas.

Sandra at Cherryheart

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.com/2011/04/colour-explosion.html"][/caption]

Wow, this one is just gorgeous and beautiful!

 

Well, there are others but these are the few that I visit, again and again. I am thankful that they share their days and projects with us. I have been through three computers in the past year, so I have lost many others that I had bookmarked.

Well, I will check back in another day. Today is waiting and there is much to be done. Thankfully, I don't need to solve this small problem today!

Karen

 

 

A Sneak Peak

Here are some new things that have been happening at the studio these days...



I can't resist taking yarn and a crochet hook with me on a road trip. So, it started with these  yarns and some little bits that were used up. I then added these beauties halfway through the trip.



Now you can't see all of the colors as this is a big bag. Here is a better look at them.



and another look here.



This is promising to be a big crocheted blanket. I can't wait to have it finished. I did feel silly crocheting in 90 degree weather as we were driving along. It was a long drive and I finished quite a bit. Hopefully it won't be long before it is completed.

Karen

Why do yarn projects seem to grow out of their bags? Am I the only one that has this happen?

Woohoo!

A new blanket for the Chocolate Dog Studio shop! This is toddler/child sized. It is pearl grey, purple and red.

 

From the Archives

Time sure is speeding by quickly. We took a little trip home so the kids could go to prom. A promise kept. We had promised that we would take them to prom when we moved. We are looking forward to a graduation and another little trip. It seems just yesterday that I completed these beauties, well I thought they were pretty at the time. They are all crocheted out of acrylic yarn.

Here are a few photos of vintage crochet I completed back when I was in 9th grade or so.

That is the second granny square that I had made. The first had the bright yellow as the outside border and looked awful as the squares were all different sizes. I hadn't figured out that different size hooks would make different size squares by the time I made this one, I had figured it out.



I completed this one the same year. I am sure that you can tell that the stripes use the same yarn as the granny square afghan. This was my original pattern and each corner had a red tassel.  We were travelling a lot that year and I was able to bring my projects along in the car. These were well used afghans and the stripey one was a favorite for naps as it wasn't too heavy.

Here is a bit of what I have been working on this year. I have one afghan close to being finished and it is calling to me. I am doing the finish work on the border and I can't wait to get done. I have another in the starting and it still isn't bigger than a napkin. The starting stages are fun because it can travel with me. The bigger sizes take a whole lot of movie watching.



Talk to you later,

Karen

 

My Grandma's Quilts

My Grandma or Granny (Bethel) as we grand kids called her created quilts out of necessity. She had a large family and needed blankets. She was a part of a quilting group in her small town. I believe most of her quilts date from the 1940's. Her quilts were made from the better parts of used clothing and some were quilts within a quilt in order to make use of all available materials. I believe that all of these quilts were sewn completely by hand. I know that they were quilted by hand. Having four kids myself, I am pretty sure that some of these were made in order to have something finished that she could look at everyday. Somehow that is important in the daily grind of dishes, meals, laundry and keeping a family running.

 



Should any of my family read this and want to add any information or if any information is wrong please send me an e-mail and I will fix it. She made many, many quilts and they were scattered among the 7 kids when she passed away so these are only the few that I was able to photograph.



Quilting was also a  chance for women to get out and see other women. These were often qulited as a group and offered a reason for the women to get out and socialize. It helped to build the community and fostered the friendships that women need. I am pretty sure that we need gatherings like this again. I am hearing about knitting groups and sewing groups and churches that have quilting groups. There are quilting guilds and sewing retreats and so women are reaching out again to build friendships.



Well, these are a just a few. I have others to share on another day.

Karen

 

 

 

Spring Sale at Chocolate Dog Studio

It is time for my Spring Sale.

Check out the shop, fill your shopping basket and then type in this coupon code: Spring30 for 30% off anything in my shop!



See you later!

Karen

Photo Friday! Where in the World Am I Today?

        

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93704901/yellow-daffodil-photography-yellow

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68102232/fancy-english-lavender-bouquet-with-hand



http://www.etsy.com/listing/28352784/a-secret-garden-8x10-photo-11x14-mat



www.etsy.com/listing/93147315/vintage-ellgreave-england-teapot-32-oz



http://www.etsy.com/listing/95683195/vintage-english-breakfast-tea-tin-brass

Yes, I am in England (in my imagination) and I am ready for a nice cup of English tea, some chocolate digestives and chat with my Mom, with daffodils on the table. It reminds me of Spring and brings back the hope that Winter really is gone for the year. I think that it will return and I am worried because all of the trees are in bloom and it IS only March in Iowa not May. People tell me that there is a chance of snow all the way to  Mother's Day. So we shall see, but I am pleased that today it is warm and the sun is out part way. It is Friday and we are all glad. It has been a busy week of school, cleaning (sometimes), Etsying, work and we are all ready for the weekend. We were extremely busy last weekend so this one will be a good chance to relax a bit and just do the regular weekend chores.  In addition to our other activities last week, the girls each got their own room. Since we live in a real world and have real messes, you know that it was just that, a mess that seemed to drag out all week! Finally, the youngest cleaned hers up yesterday for the final time and the oldest will do so soon. So progress has been made and they are both excited. I just have curtains to hang properly, a bed frame to put under the mattresses and a re-cleaning of the studio!  The joke is on me! After all of the cleaning of the studio two weeks ago, I now get to do it all over again. Such is life! Have a great Spring day, see you later,

Karen

 

ps. All of the photos come from Etsy shops, stop by and say hi!