Etsy Favorites 7-28-11

Heather Ross Mendocino 

3 Fat Quarter Pack

Heather Ross is my all time favorite fabric designer and some of her fabric is very difficult to find.

This one in particular. 

But, I found it at Janeymac's shop

Janeymac

She carries a lot of Heather Ross and Denyse Schmidt..

I absolutely love the fabric she has in her shop.

I almost don't want to share this treasure find with anyone,

because she has a couple pieces I have my eye on.

So...

"sssshhhhh....don't tell anyone!"

Crucified

I really like this piece.
It reminds me of another crucifix that I am very partial to.
I will try and get a picture of it today if I can to share with ya'll.

by Shannon

Junqueyard Royalty

I hope Shannon won't mind that I also added an extra piece to my blog, but I just couldn't help myself.

I absolutely love these earnings.   I was torn between these two pieces to feature.  But if truth be told I went with the "Crucified" because I thought that if I didn't share the earrings then maybe there would be more of a chance for me to get my hands on them.  

See how evil I am.

Me and my ulterior motives.

But I guess that I need to keep with the intention of  "sharing" 

and let others have a crack at them.

I tend to be a bit slow to the gate on many things anyway.

Shannon is also a blogger so check her out...

www.shamelessselfpromoters.blogspot.com

Lemongrass Natural Deodorant

I have had an eye on this lady for a while.  I had another deodorant of her's in my favorites but after I decided to start featuring etsy shops it was "sold" I am not sure if that means that she is temporarily out of stock of this item or she isn't making it anymore.

Woodland Vegan Allergen Free

OK...
never-mind, I found it or at least one I would buy.

Woodland

I am a HUGE Sandalwood fan!
I found this shop a while back when I was looking for handmade cleaning products.
Since I started making my own cleaning products and shampoos, I started looking around at other products.
She really has so many handmade natural items in her shop... it would be so hard to choose just one!

Check out her shop

Elegant Rose Boutique

Alpaca Fiber from Houdini

Grumpy, Houdini and ?

Now, here is someone after my own heart!
I think I am going to have to get to know this lady.
Alpacas, gourds, lotus blossoms and heirloom Seeds.
WOW!

I picked the wool from Houdini to feature because I can only assume that he acquired this name for his skills of escaping.  I have two dogs whom have been given the honorary middle name of Houdini also.
So, I get the humor.
Check out their shop
Seven Acre Woods
a small family farm


Beautiful Shell Nugget Bracelet

I love this...
Ashley is new to the Etsy scene.
But she is quickly getting up to speed.
She is a Mom, Nurse, Friend and now...
and Etsy Shop owner!

Woo Hoo Ashley, welcome to the marketplace!

 She is also a blogger.

www.faithfullybeading.blogspot.com

Ya'll keep checking back in on Ashley.
She is slowly but surely getting her stock posted.
Not only does she make beautiful bead work but she also is a supplier of beads as well.

So check her out at...
Faithfully Beading

Just Keep Swimming

Seeing to Sew

Look at what my daughter came home with the other day.
She took a little trip to the store with her Dad.
I suppose he made a stop by the Dollar Tree,
so much for ethical buying.
I guess it hasn't trickled to far down hill yet.
I am still working on them.


However, I have to say that I was rather tickled by her style choice for me!




A Shout Out


http://blogsandee.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunshine.html

Remember the super cool Hermit Crab Dude?


Sandee saw my post and gave me a really nice shout out on her blog.


Ya'll check it out now, ya hear!




Finished

I am sooo... proud!
One of my daughter's friends asked me to show her how to knit, not to long ago.
I gave her a set of needles and some yarn for her birthday back in December.
(She is 10)
This isn't the yarn I gave her for her Birthday but, I did give her this after she became completely frustrated by all the tangles in her b-day yarn.


It wasn't a whole skain...
just enough to keep her busy for a while
or so I thought.


She asked me if I had anymore of that kind of yarn and I told her that I did.
Unfortunately it was very tangled and I had not untangled it yet.
(it was one of the many skains that my dogs had terrorized)
I gave it to her and she started knitting with it before untangling it.




Well, she started getting frustrated again
saying...
"I can't do it!"


I told her... 
"Yes you can!
getting out the knots is part of knitting and she could do it, it would just take some time and patience."


Wa la...


She did it!
She was so thrilled with her self.  And she got back to knitting right away.
Next thing I know,
 she is asking me to show her how to "cast off"... 


Finish!
With fringe and all.




Young Knitters

She was so excited about finishing her first scarf, she wanted to start a hat...
unfortunately I only have one set of circular needles to make a hat at the moment.  So she opted for a washcloth.


For now, the only kind of needles I can keep around the house are the metal one which I really don't care for.
I am more partial to the bamboo needles.
Unfortunately so are my dogs.
One of these days they will outgrow this need to chew everything in sight.

This is my daughter with her knitting project.
She hasn't got the bug like some of her friends do, 
she will do it if one of her friends asks her to knit with them.
I guess she has been desensitized by all the craft projects around the house.
Or she just takes it for granted, being around  it all the time where as the other girls are not.


I have had many girls ask me to teach them to knit,
but only 2 have actually showed up with needles in hand truly asking for me to show them.
NOW...
I have a friend who has asked if I would give her daughter knitting lessons?
She wants to do it once a week,
her daughter wants to do it twice a week.  
I told them that I would have to start with only one a week til I get use to the new schedule.


If I don't have a set schedule...
I get a little batty.


Now I just need to come up with a decent price for lessons.
Any suggestions?


Finally!

Baby Quilt & Medicine Bags

It has taken me longer than I care to admit to finish these projects up.
The baby quilt especially!


It really feels good to have this finally done.
(for many reasons)
Even my daughter saw this, this morning and was squealing...


"Pleeeeeaze, can I take it down to them now!"
I know she realizes how long it has taken me.  It is for my neighbor's daughter 
Kori Rain
The sad thing is...
her baby brother got his baby gift before she got her blanket.
Granted, he only got a knitted hat and not a blanket.
She will get more use out of hers in the long run.


So, after Mary is done with her studies today 
I will let her take this down to Kori & her parents.
I was going to wash it, but I think I will let them do it ...
so they can use the laundry soap that Kori is used to.
Luckily for us she has not changed the decor of her room.


The medicine bags are a little less behind schedule.
I started them about half as long ago.
I decided to simply start over with them, it might be more productive and I was right.


The bag is put together and functional, I just have to add the details if I want to.
Which I do.
So, they are not exactly finished...
almost.

Woo Hoo!

my own hand carders

Now this is something that has been a long time coming.
I have wanted some hand carders for a LONG time.  
I just could not justify the purchase.
Well...
No justification
I just decided it was time to do it.
I think my blogging about my favorite shops inspired me to do it.
I like that these are "vintage"
which to me means
LOVED
& 
USED WELL


There is a story here...
it's a big one to.
I will share in an up and coming blog post.


It is going to be one of those wordy one.
So I will prepare you ahead of time.


Until then...
Live and Love well!

AWAKE

Etsy Favorites 7-21-11

 I am really excited...
 I got some positive feed back from last  week's post,

Etsy Favorites 

so...
I am going to keep on keeping on.

I hope that by doing this I will promote a buying movement
that I am passionate about.

while giving props to the brave folks who choose to go for it...
 believe in themselves,
share
and put themselves out there.
For me it is more intimate than sex.
Sex fulfills a need
as is being creative.
However...
sharing my work,
putting a part of me out there for others to see...
like, dislike, "favorite", follow, tweet and read,
now that is a horse of another color.

Not that any of the folks that I feature on my blog share any of my intimacy hang ups.
But in the honor of full disclosure,
I am also hoping that by showcasing some of the artists and work I admire
it may light a fire under my arrrss!
Inspire me to add some new, more authentically me... items to my own 

Etsy Shop
like the sunflower gourds...

So, keep your eyes peeled!


Here we go...
some shops that I think are worth checking out!

90 Custom Printed Soft Satin Ribbon Labels

90 Custom Printed Fabric Labels

Jennifers Jewels

Custom Printed Top Quality Labels

A Green Gourd Creation

Jennifer made these for me last year.

And if you do think that this is "creative"...
well, you better think again.
It takes time and vision to put the graphics together to make these labels.
I have worked with computer graphics and I can tell you
it takes a patient person with a creative eye to put it all this together.
She has many styles and fonts to choose from.
She will digitize your logo, pick one of her many prints or you can have her design one for you.

She is a very personable, professional and reliable.
I just ordered some more labels from her, for my daughters cloths.

I plan on getting some of these ribbon labels soon as well.
I know she will be ready for me.

Wheel Thrown Colander

Mountain Mud Babies

Ugggh...

I am so bummed out...

I LOVE this piece!

I just looked at this piece again this morning and see that it sold on Tuesday.

Oh well,

you snooze you loose.

However congratulations to both the buyer and seller.

I would have been almost to afraid to use it because it is so beautiful...

but, I sure would have given it a try.

check out MountainMudBabies shop there is so much to choose from.

PDF Pattern for Round Burlap Bucket

by
Maya*Made


This is one of my all time Heroes!
I am a HUGE fan!
She is so talented, down to earth and motivated people out there that I have come across.
I don't know how she makes it all look so ...
easy!
Her blog is on the Top of my list of morning blogs to read.
And I am absolutely thrilled that she gave me her blessing to post this on my little ole blog!
If you have not checked this amazing lady out, then you need to.


She is truly and inspiration to me.
I am sure she will inspire you as well.




Woven Clog Matador

Chameleon Clogs by Rabia Hodges

Now, these little babies are too dang cute...
These clogs are made buy a local weaver here on the Outer Banks.
She is another inspiration to me.
Fearless Lady ...
Out there doing what she loves and following her own path!
Kudos Rabia

Yellow

Daisynconcrete

Ok,
what can I say about this artist 
that will not have me blubbering and unable to finish this blog today.
I will start by saying...


Shet is probably my biggest hero,
best-friend,
and most importantly my 

Little Sister!  

I can not begin to tell you how absolutely proud of her I am!
She is an amazing person.
She has overcome many obsticles in life and has
rose up singing!

She is ...
"PHENOMENALLY Woman"

a quote from my most favorite poem ever!
if you didn't get it the first time you can read it in an earlier blog...

How Do You See Things?

Recently Sold...

check out more of her work on her Etsy shop...
as well as all the other
phenomenal folks featured on my blog!

A New Week

Morning Music            

Awesome!


I woke up this morning early and did a little surfin...


online surfin that is.


I found myself on Youtube, 
looking for some help with my grandmother's sewing machine.


I tried using it a few times just after bringing it home, 
with no luck at all.
I couldn't even thread it.
I was beginning to think that the machine didn't work.


so with some help from...


fatty2027





... my morning was off to a running start!


I quietly asked for some assistance from my grandmother as I began my morning adventure.


The music in the background

Für Elise

or as Mary use to say ...

"for Alice"

is something that my mother use to play all the time 
so 
this was the extra push I needed this morning.


And for any new readers...
both my mother and grandmother have both passed away.


Mom 1989
Meema 2009


Go-Go Godmama



Check out da little ditch digger on the left
& No that isn't me beside her.

Last week I went out to see my girl Neva play!
2 nights in a row at that.


I do NOT get out much and almost never go out to a club,
ANYMORE.


But twice a year I make an exception.
It is never disappointing.
Even if I do have to take a nap, put on a pot of coffee before heading out 
and then pay for it dearly 
for the next several 
days.


Shew...
I can't even imagine if I still drank.
I am just happy that they don't allow cigarette smoking in the bars anymore, I feel so much better after a night out without sucking in all that second hand smoke.
Sorry smokers.
This coming from an ex-smoker!
~8 years quit~


However, my joints are still sore... from all that dancing.

Yikes, where's my glucoseamine... I better restock.
Getting old is painful.


Mary, the bass player is my daughter's Godmomma, so I took her with me the second night.
Guess I won't be winning any Mother of the year awards for that one.
But, she gets a BIG kick out of it.
It was the icing on the cake for her to go out to see them play.
(even though she doesn't like cake).
She got to hang out on the beach with her Godmomma 
(after doing a full days wort of school work),
then go to a radio station and sit in   
while one of her favorite DJs
"Moose"
from Beach 104


 interviewed her Godmomma and the rest of the gang from 
Southern Culture on the Skids.

although the interview was on 99.1 The Sound?

Don't ask me...

that's the Outer Banks for ya.

She felt like a Rockstar!




 So to top it off she got to do a few solo Go-Go moves...
to one of her favorite songs...


Daddy was a Preacher and Mama was a Go-Go Girl
and then
  Banana Pudding


she got to dance to many other songs with some help from a few other go go groupies.
It was a fun filled day.


Somehow I was able to drag my weary bones out of bed the days followin my late night escapades... 
do some school work,
housework,
clean two cottages 
and then make a few trips out to the barn to see our man Phoenix.


We even brought our own...


"Hay" Man

I don't think Bill was expecting this one at the end of his day.
But, when it was all said and done, he was quiet pleased with himself.
I knew there was some country in him somewhere...
we need to get him prepared for when we make our run fer the hills!


Oh man was Phoenix happy to see/smell him after that...


Meema's White Rotary

The cup is one of her's as well.


Ready Set Sew...

Knee Pedal

This is going to take a little getting use to.
But, I love it!
This baby is smooth.


I feel a little sad retiring the Morse, "Green Machine".
However...
I will get over it.


It has been with me for a long time and I won't be putting her out on the trash heap any time in the near future.


Something fer Me

Those dogs better stay away from this!

My Etsy Favorites

I am SUPER excited!

I am going to try something new for me and my blog.

I am going to start showcasing some pieces from at least 5 of my favorite Etsy shops per week.

Each piece has caught my attention and inspired me in some way.

Usually it is the piece it'self

however, not always!

Sometimes it will be a combination of the artist and the work.

Yes, 

I have an Etsy shop

 not just to sell my work (although selling IS nice)

but also to be part of something bigger...

Ethical Buying

When I first joined Etsy it wasn't to sell anything,

it was to buy directly from  the people who took the time, effort and love to made the item.

Or simply try and get to know a little more about the people I was buying from and also to keep it local if I could.

I loved what I found!

Thanks little sister, for turning me on.

Every penny we spend matters!

Every penny is a choice.

A vote.

We spend money sometimes without a thought ...

well maybe, a thought ...

"Wow, that sure was expensive!"  

"Now I'm broke..."

"Ooooo... a SALE"

I have heard many times that if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

I have been part of the "problem" and still am sometimes.

But, I want to be part of the solution!

Sometimes my purchase do not reflect my beliefs

either out of necessity or sheer laziness.

We may not get to choose where our tax dollars go...

or maybe we can?

We can choose to support each other.

Our money

will speak for us

 in ways that 

Government and Corporations will understand.

I absolutely HATE having to shop at 

Wal-mart

Why?

Granted, I have cut back on my consumer consumption 3 fold 

I try to only make purchases that are necessary 

or contribute to the higher good of my family and community.

Used, recycled, local you know...

Big companies do not mirror the moral or social justice that are important to me.

Why would they?

It is not a place of worship

or

welfare

It is a business with one purpose...

to make money 

and keep the share holders "happy".

Unfortunately money seems to be a necessary evil.

It is rather difficult to function in todays world without it.

So, when I am in a place of abundance I truly hope to support these shops and what they represent to me.

So Here goes my first of many 

Green Gourd Etsy Showcase

 Please check them out!

Summer's Crafts

Yarn Bowl

Oooooh, I LOVE this!

One of my daughter's friends said to me...

"Ms Debbie, you need one of those things to put your yarn in so it doesn't roll all over the ground and get dirty"

I had no idea what she was talking about.

So, I did some research.

WOW!

She is so RIGHT!

Fire Horse Pottery

Blue Cascade over Black Mug

Now, for those of you who do not know me well,

I am a collector of mugs.

I especially like the ones with the little thumb rest!

Hannah Meredith Ceramics

Wood fired Coffee Mug

This mug may not have a thumb rest but it is 

Beautiful & Simplistic!

Just like I like it.

Khataklysm

Blue Crab- Giclee Print

I absolutely LOVE this Print!

Sandee's Village Shop

Hermit Crab

Ok folks...

This is my ABSOLUTE favorite of favorites!

Much to my disappointment this piece has already 

SOLD

However, I just had to share this piece with you.

You really ought to check out her shop.

I am inspired!

How about you?