Knitting Update

 I've been slowing working on another baby blanket recently, but given my recent excitement over plarn I had put the blanket away. Well my mother-in-law emailed me looking for a baby blanket for a colleague.  I sent her off these pictures as all as some other options, so we'll see what comes of it.

I may be putting away the plarn and picking up the knitting needles again either to start a new project or to finish this one.  We'll see what today brings.  I think this is by far my favorite part of Stitch Silly, the custom order part.  I love talking with my customers to see what excites them and then making their vision come to life.  The down side is that it keeps me from creating new products to list in my shop.  I think I'll take the guaranteed sale over the potential sale. 

Up close and personal with the pattern

Another look at the pattern

Here's the big picture

Talk to Me Tuesdays! - Wood Home Accents

Last week I showed you a great sketch artist, this week we're going to another extreme of a phenomenal wood worker.  People who are able to create with wood always amaze me in their talent.  Wood Home Accents makes some incredible pieces. Here is his story.

Stitch Silly:Tell me a little about yourself.

Wood Home Accents: Retired sales and marketing. Been doing woodworking almost all my life, even when I was a kid.

Ulu Chopping Bowl and Knife Set

SS: How did you get started with Etsy?

WHA: Ran across Etsy while surfing the web for sites to sell products.

SS: What is your favorite part of being your own boss?

 WHA: I love the freedom to create and make things to suit my taste, and take the time to make my products excellent. No boss and no schedule to deal with. The only person I have to please is me and my customer.

SS: What are your 2 favorite products in your shop?

WHA: My two favorite items listed is the Ulu bowl set, and the multi colored woods salad of fruit bowl.

SS: What is your greatest success since joining Etsy?

WHA: First month on Etsy had a customer from Singapore order two of the more expensive items, Cocobolo serving tray and a tea light set, and gave me raving reviews and feedback.

SS: What do you most want to improve?

WHA: Don't really know what I want to improve, I take such pains with my work already.

SS: What is your ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?

WHA:  My goal for my shop is to develop a small parttime business. I don't want to get too big or too busy.

Multi Colors Woods Bowl

SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

WHA: For me I do a totsi pop in one bite.

How can we reach you if we want to see more of your stuff?
On Etsy of course!  WoodHomeAccents.etsy.com

Current Fabric

You asked for it!  This weekend I was able to get some photographs of my current unmade fabric inventory.  So here they are.  Both are images of blue fabric (entertaining I know) that will be eventually be turned into crib sheets.  In addition to my future crib sheets, I also posted my most recent product to Etsy!  It is a beautiful floral bloom boppy cover.  When you're done examining the fabric swatches, stop over and check out my latest product. 

Light Blue Future Crib Sheet

I started the pinning process for the light blue crib sheet this morning.  I should have the corners sewn tonight then the long tedious task of creating the pocket for the elastic starts.  I'm getting to be pretty good with my crib sheets so hopefully this one won't take me too long! 

Blueberry Future Crib Sheet

On a completely different note, I am about half way done with my plarn bag I am creating.  It's now 7in. tall and I think I will make it just about 14in. tall when it is complete.  It will be the perfect beach bag.  On the down side, I'm running out of white and green plarn!  I may have to switch to white and black...

Wahoo Sewing Machine Fixed!

Whew...I had a big sigh of relief, thankfully I had another needle in my supply case so I quickly switched out my needle yesterday and was off to the races.  Unfortunately, my son had other ideas in mind so my productivity has not been as high.  No complaints here though, he is my number one priority!  I'm also being realistic here.  I know the shop still is lacking in inventory, but I'm trying to make progress on a daily basis.  Yes, I would love to be able to post a new listing daily, but when push comes to shove my family is always first and that's a decision I'm comfortable making.  I'll finish up the boppy cover and get some great photos out of it then it's off to my next project.  All in due time.

This boppy cover has been interesting to make.  I usually don't use flannel for my boppy covers for fear that it may make mommy or baby to hot.  With fall and winter approaching I wanted to give it a try.  There is nothing worse that a new mom trying to figure out the whole breast feeding thing and freezing her butt off doing it!  Boppies are also useful for more than just assisting with breastfeeding so those little ones can always use some extra soft and cuddly fabric to snuggle up to. 

Note to self, I really should get better about taking pictures of my fabric inventory to post.  I'll just add that to my list of things to do. 

What's on your list today?

Aargh!

I was sewing right a long last night on my floral boppy cover when BAM! I ran into the metal end of the zipper and bent my needle!  It was late, I didn't want to sit down and figure out if I had a replacement needle in my supply set or even to change it.  I was pretty bummed because I thought I would finish the boppy cover last night photograph it this afternoon and post it tonight.  Not so much! 

In the mean time, here are some pictures of the plarn bag I am currently working on.  For just learning how to crochet, I think it's looking pretty good!

Talk to me Tuesdays! - Portraits and Projects

Today we are featuring Portraits and Projects from Etsy.  This lady has some talent!  I consider myself artistic, but am pretty much incapable of drawing sketches.  Not so much for today's featured artist.  Let's hear her story.


Stitch Silly: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Portraits and Projects: I LOVE to draw! I've had a passion for it since I was very little. At the age of 2, my mom would catch me drawing on my walls during what was supposed to be "nap time". I guess that's where it all started. I started doing portrait commissions right out of high-school (I enjoyed that very much). The only formal training I've had was a correspondence course through the Minneapolis School of Art. I just got married this past April, and am experiencing the joys of being a "newlywed". My other hobbies include- photography, baking/cooking, and playing the piano.

SS: How did you get started with Etsy?

PaP: I actually opened a shop a few years back. I did a lot of research and reading, promoting, etc., but nothing really happened, so I closed up shop. My husband recently encouraged me to re-open a new shop, and so the beginning of Portraits And Projects began. I have only been open for a couple of months, so I'm still getting used to everything. I have made a sale, though (to Australia, none-the-less)! That was very exciting :)

SS: What is your favorite part of being your own boss?

PaP: I can make my own schedule and do things in my own time. I am a pretty organized and driven individual, so things always get done.

SS: What are your 2 favorite products in your shop?

PaP: I'd have to say the Audrey Hepburn drawing, and the engagement/bridal portrait commission

SS: What is your greatest success since joining Etsy?

PaP: As I said, I am still fairly new. My greatest success was that first sale to Australia! I sold an original drawing of Frank Sinatra.

SS: What do you most want to improve?

PaP: My promotion and sales.. I could use a lot more of both!

SS: What is your ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?

PaP: To get my name out there, and to make sales!

SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

PaP: one, two, three… three according to Mr. Owl :)

Do yo want to see more of Portraits and Projects?   Stop over and see them on:
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/portraitsandprojects
Their Blog: www.portraitsandprojects.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/portraitsandprojects

Are you interested in being featured on Stitch Silly?  Please contact us directly and we can coordinate an interview.

Rested and Refreshed

After a wonderful week away with the family, I am now digging out of emails on multiple accounts.  It was a wonderful week that gave me lots of great product ideas.  As you may have seen, I have a new obsession, PLARN!  I was trying to let my mom focus on making a plarn beach bag, but I couldn't resist.  I stopped the baby blanket I am knitting and taught myself how to crochet and started my own beach bag.

Crocheting was a lot easier than I had anticipated to pick up.  I'm not very far yet, but now that I'm back I'm trying to force myself into working mostly on projects to sell.  Last night I went to finish up some burp cloths only to realize that I'm out of thread.  Total bust! 

Instead I pinned out a boppy cover that is up next in the sewing world, while I wait for a chance to get to the store to get more thread.  Tonight's project is to cut and start sewing it.  I've done a few covers now so it probably won't take me too long to do, it's just a matter of sitting down to do it.  I am also going to try to take a few pictures of my plarn bag in progress.  My husband keeps touching as I am working and doesn't believe that it's just upcycled grocery bags. 

Also, after weeks and weeks of being told that an order form for my nap blankets was going to go out at my son's daycare, I finally stuffed the cubbies myself right before I left.  Hopefully something will come of them, only time will tell.