Happy Customer

I have been so terrible about writing here! Or not writing, I should say. But I finally have one of my big projects out of the way--for the time being, anyway--so hopefully I should be updating and sewing more!

But right now I wanted to share some lovely pictures from a lovely customer that I did a special order for recently. I think this bamboo top and pant set look fabulous on her!! They are really the perfect clothes for bellydance...and pretty much everything. (You know I love that bamboo...)

Scraps

So...I had this lovely, albeit small, ball of yarn I had spun right here. Really not enough to do anything with. But then I remembered that I also had a small brown alpaca ball and a small ball of alpaca/wool. So I made a stripey scarf! I love the color combination. I added only one button to the center of one edge, and the other edge has yarn overs all along it, so I can button it any which way.

Morning

I love my Irish Breakfast Tea...even though I haven't put the water in yet. :)

Mug by Jill Houtz of the Secret Gallery .

Nooooo!

Not rain! Not now, when Wichita Handmade is supposed to have its second ever Craft-in-Public!! :(

Can you believe the sun was shining so bright just a couple hours ago? Like when I caught this silly thing sleeping in my future garden spot:

While Kansas does have a reputation for lightening-fast weather changes--and oh yes, the pun was intended--I doubt if it will be clear enough by the time the event's to start. So instead of preparing to publicly craft, I thought I'd experiment with some "business cards". I love it when I purchase a handmade item online and the seller includes a little something extra. It doesn't even have to be anything real special, but it's always special to me if it's handmade.

So I made a few mini log plushies. I think they look cute, but some improvements could be made, as far as the process goes.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Okay--don't get me wrong, I love summer, I'm very grateful for it. It's warm and bright and...summery. It's when I get to grow my garden, the daylight hours are long, there's no nasty ice to worry about, etc. But I can't say that I'll miss the extreme heat--especially when the air conditioner breaks. And the flies and mosquitos. And did I mention the extreme heat?

For all of you who dread the coming of fall, give it another chance...pretty please? It's a wondrous season, really! The leaves are turning, there's a refreshing nip in the air, and the atmosphere is heavy with mischief and magic.

So, this is my official welcome to the Autumnal Equinox. May yours be full of wonder!

A Day at the Fair

The Kansas State Fair is going on right now, and I took some time today to have a look around. I must admit, they don't have quite as much craftacularness as I'd like to see, but I can't complain. I was thrilled when I saw a lady painting yarn! And then there were the alpacas and the sheep shearing. And some extra treats on the side. It was a fun day.

I should be working...

...but this streak of rainy weather and a messy workspace that I just can't seem to clean up has left me unmotivated. So I thought I'd stop by here and share my latest finds from Needle Nook Fabrics!

These are definitely day-brighteners. Maybe I'll make myself a little something with them in a bit? I especially love the wide, yellow lace. Needle Nook is definitely THE place to purchase lace trim. The variety is enormous, the colors and styles are beautiful, and it's even less expensive than at Joann Fabrics. If you're in Wichita and sew, you must stop by and check it out.

Pearly

What? I've spun yet another mini-batch of that old rambouillet?! Apparently so...

I was actually just using up what was left over, and had no idea what I was going to do with it. When I remembered this last night and took it off my spindle, I found that it was surprisingly even (for me) and also very much overspun. I don't know why I did that, now. But, eh... whatever.

Anyway, I thought I'd use the rest of my Kool-Aid and sort of do a half-hearted dye job. I didn't even try to do it the way one is "supposed" to. So the color is a bit washed out, but I don't think I could be more pleased, and I am sad that I don't have more of this lovely yarn!!

I use Kool-Aide because in all honesty I don't trust myself with anything a 2-year-old shouldn't be trusted with, so naturally, any kind of chemical dye is out, at least for the time being. That's also why I am continually spinning singles...just keeping it simple.

And in case you're wondering... this is blueberry and strawberry. Doesn't it look like a pearl? It does, even if my camera refuses to capture its subtleties. I promise.

Etsy Finds: Soft September

Because what else is one to do at 11:30 on a Wednesday night? Enjoy!

vintage by salingercrumbs

clutch by redplanet

boots by spirocreations

yarn by muzzlepuffs

necklace by jeweledambrosia

wall hanging by justpuff

earrings by bionicunicorn

Excuses, excuses.

Talk about falling down on the job...I apologize for my delinquency. Is there really any excuse that justifies this lack of blogging? I doubt it.

So it's time to announce this week's (or should I say last week's?) giveaway winner--

GREMLINA!

Gremlina is the winner of 60% off any item at Folk.etsy.com! Of course...she was the only contestant. LOL.

When I get the time and energy, I will have some great posts for you, my lovelies. Promise.

"Contemplation is the highest form of activity."

~Aristotle

Sugar Pickle: handmade with love, reduce + reuse + repurpose

So this is my third blog post within the last 12 hours....but it's all good,

that just means I have lots of fun stuff to tell you about, right?

Today is the official re-opening of my other Etsy shop, SugarPickle.

This is a shop that kind of went by the way side. It was neglected and kind of lost. But it has finally found its calling.

ALL profits made from this shop will be donated to charities that help people who haven't got the kind of blessings we do. (Yes, I say "we," because if you have a computer or the ability to get to one and are reading this, this indicates that you have more material blessings than most of the world. Think about it!) So please do check it out. If you make a purchase, not only will your money go towards a worthy cause, but you will have a quality, earth-friendly item!

Here are a few things, but more will be listed later this week!

{ and don't forget the new GIVEAWAY!}

Reclaimed Shower Curtain Tote, $10

Reusable Cloth Pad, $4.50

Hand Knit Wash Cloth, $4

Fused Plastic Wallet, $6