oh what a nice holiday weekend..

I got yarn last week- my inlaws gave me a gift card to my local yarn shop.. ( happy dance!)
and I finished one of the hats I had on order.
Now I am waiting for the other yarn to show so I can get that other order done.
here is the soccer hat. ( see link at the side )
It was fun to work on.

the soccer hat

well then thats gonna keep me busy

just got the go ahead on another hat- another customer.
woohoo!!!
yay!! and I have all the yarns on hand for this one..
BUT I will order for the other custom piece.

happy hooker here. ;)  yep I have a excuse to pull out the hooks.

never enough yarn

I'm a yarn junkie. Yes I'm admitting to it. It's not a real serious issue to me..
I'm not hiding purchases and Ill accept most yarn I'm given... and no you never have enough.. you always need one extra hank or skein just in case... because there is NOTHING worse then getting half a row from finnishing a project and seeing you are short on yarn.. and it wont match color IF you have to go back to the store and buy more.  So yes I do need that one more ball...

Today   I was given 3 fairly large bags of yarn. and they are good yarns.
BUT not one of them works for a custom order inquiry I have.
This called for a trip to the craft store...I was good too! I went streight to the back of the store where the yarn is, and looked for it.. they didn't carry it anymore.
got out my new trusty phone.. looked it up on the manufacture web site.. yes they still make it..
so I go to another craft store.. right to the back where they hide the yarn.. my daughter in tow.. cant find it there either..
call my spouse.. 
" I need yarn for a order.."
" don't you have yarn?"
" yes but it's not the kind I need for these pieces"
"Ill call you back:"
he called back but not about helping me order the yarn.
I think he's trying not to enable me...
and it is only 3 balls.... of yarn...

Maybe this time I'll write out the patterns as I work them.
Does this give me a excuse for a new hook?

I love it when I wake up to a sale

It makes the whole day start out right.
:) one of my hats sold. I got caught up at work and I was behind when I walked in.
I have plans for a big old bourito for lunch and to get some shopping done.
I also ordered some tea from teaman on etsy.. Im looking forward to that arriving.
I also ordered some soap for my sister inlaw. from WildEdenWorkshop on etsy.
I have ordered from them before and been very happy with their soaps.

I'm working on a hat for my daughter- it is blue and yellow ( her school colors) I just am hoping she doesn't out grow it too fast.
so far a relaxing day ahead.

My tables from the back

Tables from inside the booth one side

My tables from the other side inside

Front view

No tags? really?

One of the sellers at the fair on Saturday didnt have ANY tags at all or signage for her pieces of jewelry she was selling. Which totally amazed me. When it slowed for me she came and talked to me for a little bit. And said she was having issues.
I asked if she had price tags. She said no.
I told her why it was so important to have tags- a lot of people have the mind set IF I have to ask how much it is too much for me to afford.
Then I handed her 15 tags and lent her a pen.
Ten minutes later she had 2 sales.

It amazes me that something as simple as a tag that is easy to read and see can effect sales so drastically.
I made sure everything was tagged. I also kept track of what sold in my inventory sheets AND I didn't sit down unless there was a major lul and when it icked up I was up on my feet again.
little things like that go a long way when selling at a fair I have noticed.

there is still lots of time

I have to remember there is still lots of time before Christmas.
I still need to make more pieces- But that is the fun part.
That is the looking for ideas or coming up with something new.

Shopping for presents is fun on etsy.. but I always end up getting me something as well.
not sure what it will be but it will be good. :)

yep it was worth it

Good show :) it was slow and apparently many vendors didn't show up like they where expecting.
But I did well.
I talked to the orginizer and told her if they do others Im interested in returning again.
they said they didn't know if they would because they don't know where they will be next year.
I hope they are able to stay because that area is awesome for me.

back to hooking gota prep for next year and get some stock back in my boxes and etsy shop.

ever feel like your forgetting somthing and realiz oops!

today I cashed my paycheck... handed my spouse money to deposit.. then looked at him and realized I needed to make a till for tomorrows fair.

Guess who went back to the bank on a Friday at the busiest time of day? Then realized it was time to get Kiddo from school... then remembered to stop and get the table getting on loan  from my inlaws... And realized I needed gas... and to pack the car...

Craft fairs are fun but a ton of prep work.

I hope this one is worth it ... I think it will be.

so yeah Im a mom and a wife too..

I have a kiddo she is hilarious. Parent teacher Conferences where today.. the teachers adore.. of course cuz she is my daughter. Well actually because she is bright and loves class and not too much trouble.. a good kid.
I guess I'm doing a good Job with her.
Ok part of that goes to my spouse.. he does a good job too.. can't take all the credit like I'd like to.

I think I have my spouse taught as to what is the perfect gift for me... a gift card to my local yarn dealer.
He asked IF I would prefer 30 or 50 gift card to my local yarn dealer.... then stopped and said please say 30.. remembering my fave shop is only a few blocks from the house.

I need to go in there again.. I know I went yesterday and bought yarn but that was for the finishing of a project.. so I had to have the yarn... now I need yarn to go with some I have.. you see. I have a reason..
and I don't have a problem, Im not hiding yarn in the oven yet.
my yarn bins may be full but it's in plain-ish sight. in baskets around the bins. So its semi orginized.
Damn I sound like a yarn junkie.

wait.. nope not a junkie yet.. almost

WHOOO score!!!!

I found a nice large heavier weight drying rack that is collapsible for 3 bucks at a second hand shop!
This is good it will show off the heavier pieces better and make more room for my throws.
things wont be smooched  together for display :) Making things easier to see.

also a friend gave me a bag of yarn.. one of the yarns is golden rod yellow- a hard to find color that is uesed a lot of times in team colors. ( yay!)

Now if I can get these hats done and get the strap on a bag done I may have time to find my sanity.

Here it is almost christmass and Im still working on some pieces

So in July I thought I wasn't going to do a craft fair. I just kinda looked here and there just in case..
Then I got invited back to a fair from last year that I did well at.. I said yes sent in the application.
Now Im working like a mad hooker trying to get everything done.

I just listed 3 hats this week, my spouse picked me up a" man-head " for when I have men's pieces.


I am finnishing a cotton bag ( made with a rainbow yarn.. helllooo 1977!)
Working on some snow flakes and I had finished a custom piece. ( which the customer has and is happy with.:))
So here it is a week from the fair. Im working my butt off and I get the great idea- Hey I should make more hats..with lacy edges like the one I made myself my daughter and one that sold a friend bought right after I made it ... It sold before I could even list it.. now when am I going to make em?

so I work my hands busy..

I do now have a face book fan page ( yippee!!!)   FAN PAGE HERE and I have quite a few fans.. and it is now one of the best ways to find out what is new in my shop.
I also now have discovered promo codes on etsy.. so watch for those.

anyway busy as usual I almost forgot I have this blog so that was a oops.
I drope d the ball but will try and pick it back up between hooking..

yours in yarn
Me.

been super busy

sorry I haven't blogged in a while been super busy. My daughter Just finished the school year- just did her spring ballet recital and still geting used to a early AM shift... I was also feeling a little uninspired- BUT  I think that has passed. got my garden in finally

I finished a cute baby hat last night- it looks almost like a bucket hat- it started as a bag for ballet shoes.. about half way through I realized I didn't have enough yarn so it morphed into a hat.

I'm also learning some techniques of  Tunisian crochet. ( aka afghan stitch, cro-knitting etc.)

my sister also gave me my birthday gift- a hank of yarn that she made me promise to use on me.. she knows me well.
Im also almost done spinning up some pencil roving ( I use a drop spindle) to make something from.


I also just started writing down more patterns as I go. Right now Im working on a pattern for a girls dress.

todays PSA

DO NOT crochet or knit when really really tired.
The results will always be less then thrilling.
Usually resulting in a" what the heck did I do to this?" moment and damn I need to Rip it apart and start over.
Not a good thing when you realize half is a fave yarn or worse mohair. ( mohair sticks to itself making riping a pain in the rear end. )

show went ok

It was slow- apparently the person putting on the craft show didn't have any advertising on the main road just put a few fliers up. but it's ok- there where a few golfers around to walk through and other vendors there to talk to.
I got my name out there and that works well.
My godsister had a table next to me ( she's a party light candle rep) which rocked-
I have pics of my booth I was expecting 1 table and I received 2 - and I was stuck in the back corner again BUT I think I worked it to my advantage-
I had brought extra table cloths because you never know IF you'll need them or if another vendor might need them... my god sister did. :)

here are the pics
link1


link2


link3

1 week

1 tel I have my show- One week to finish the fern shawl in turquoise blue ( I have a peacock pin it will look awesome with)
I finished another soap sack. Took my daughter to a really neat workshop- so contribute a small piece of work to the art project that will be installed at eathrowrks park in kent on earthday.
The woman putting on the piece showed my Daughter how to do some crochet. :) When we where done some of the other people came and looked at what my daughter made and they made her day. :)

I have had a lot of lookers at my pattern but no takers. hopefully soon someone will bite...

I am working on another pattern as well- I'm in the sketching stage yet but I have a idea and I hope it will work out ok.

getting closer :)

Getting closer to the next show. I'm working like a crazy woman on new pieces and I will get them done.. I hope.

I just finnished a red and white bag- a red white and blue soap saver for gardeners the slochy hat and a cowel..
Currently working on The Fern Shawl pattern again this time in a teal blue-which  reminds me of peacocks.

My shoulder is doing much better- I have PT almst done and two massage therapys left and that's done.
Hard work is paying off- 

16 days

I have 16 days tel my next show- I just finnished a slochy hat in the fern green yarn-
Im almost done with a cowl in green and purple/ fuchsia- I need to finnish a cotton bag- its red and white and adorable all over ( Ill get the things I need tomorrow when I have time..)
I also will be making more soap sacks.... and Hopefully some more washcloths..
yep.. busy busy busy- and I hope my arm holds up- it has improved a lot and I'm very happy with the progress. :)
 

YAY it's for sale now!

I finally got the pattern on ravelry and on etsy. :)
I'm a offical designer now.
YAY!

so here is what I have been up too

wanna see something purdy?
each time I would work on it some one would comment on how pretty it is..
It's called The Fern Shawl and I have a pattern written and ready for sale.. ecept I can;t figure out how to get the PDF to upload to ravelry's sale page.
Ill be selling the pattern for $4.95
My Local Yarn Store has it on display and for sale currently. ( yay!!)
and the owner is being very gracious in displaying it.  It's 100 percent peruvian wool from the Cascade Eco line. the color looks like ferns.

I may also bring a few other pieces over to her show to display for sale as well. ( and I Will also have them for sale in the etsy shop. I loved working on this piece and may make another in a peacock blue. I have a pin I made ( from a pendant and pin back ) that Ill be displaying the blue shawl with as well.

So this is ONE of a few things I have been up to. I also felted a small bag and finnished the stitch work on another cotton bag- both very cute. Ill get pics and show them off soon.
crysi

National Cro-MO-

March is national Crochet month
So now you know. It's national Crochet month.
:)  not just a day but a WHOLE month -
well I like to hook in public, in a car , in a doctors office/
Yes I like to hook Sam I Am. ( Dr Sues referance brought to you by ADHD. )
It's another excuse for me to work in another project...

Im working on a new piece

Its a warmer shawl- done in a fern color. and Im making it a bit longer and wider then my other shawls so it can really offer a lot of warmth.
Im loving the feel and the texture that's showing-
I'm working with a new yarn- Cascade Yarns ECO- It's 100 percent Peruvian Wool so its very very soft and warm. Not scratchy at all. It's goin to be cozy for whom ever buys it.
IF I have yarn left over ( I might) Ill make a hat or scarf ( or both) from it. 

The hat below took longer then normal

The hat below took longer then normal for various reasons .... mostly because of my shoulder.
HOWEVER good news! I can hook longer then I was and I started a bigger project.
Hopefully this will go much faster and I know Im happy with the out come.

the hat I made was a challenge because Im use to making a hat quickily- I had to start it a couple times and re work my gague a few times because of shoulder fatigue.
soon I hope to be back to my old tricks and speed.
Crysi

the newest hat I have finnished- 100%wool

Able to hook a little longer then last week :)

Friday I tried to hook for a little bit- I was able to work for about 20 minutes before my shoulder started hurting so this is a big deal. :)
I also had a good PT appointment last week- I am now doing both stretching and builing resistance so this also helps with how long I can crochet.
yay! I also had a mostly non-advil day yesterday too first time in almost month. Just did heat and Ice.
I only needed a muscle relaxer at bed for the shoulder so I know its getting better. :) 

I have found some inspiration for new projects so as soon as I'm well enough I expect to be back in my hooking swing of things.
I also have a craft fair coming up in April I'll be prepping for- more light weight things to come for that.
So today is a post of good news. :)

Ok playing catch-up

SO a few little updates-
I have been Ok'd to lift ten lbs ( yay!) Physical Therapy is helping though Im still on crochet restriction my pain has decreased. this is good!
I did try and hook a few days ago and it hurt so I think slowly I'll be building up my strength for that again.

Also A very good friend of mine showed me one of her favoriate christmass gifts.
this magnetic spicerack is a perfect solution for my friends small space in her kitchen.
the spices smell and taste very fresh and the glass jars are beautiful.
At the price offered I think it's a steal.
Her Husband said the shipping as fast and the seller was excellent to deal with.
She she loves them and doesn't know how she lived with out them.  so here is a
featured seller for this posting- Genissspice


here is the set my friend has.

Magnetic spicerack