In a Retail Store Near You!

Boot Cuffs are in The Shoe Closet in Cochrane, AB! (By the way, they have super cute shoes. Definitely go check them out if you're in the area!)

On the needles: Boot cuffs, scarf, mittens, and one more wedding blanket!

In the plans for Crestmont Christmas Fair: Felted mittens, slippers, bags; also some regular knit mittens (full and fingerless).

In the plans for personal: Ginko Shoulderette Shawl available for free on Ravelry! (I want this for Victoria in November!) Yarn to use: Yummy Yarn Studios (from Calgary, AB) in their Ruby Colourway, with sparkle.

Yes, the title and the link are correct! I'm now in a retail store near Calgary, AB. The Shoe Closet is a locally owned and operated store in Cocrhane, AB. They were looking for someone to commission boot cuffs from, and I was the one that they chose! I'm still super stoked about it. They've been so popular that I'm making another small batch for her to deliver Friday for this weekend, and then I'll restock the rest next Thursday. Definitely go check it out! They're awesome. And Danielle is super nice. So happy about it all.


Otherwise, that is a super long list on the top. I'm looking to have quite a bit of winter stock for the Crestmont Christmas fair, and I have my fingers crossed to get at least two bags done in that time (I've got some Scottie-dog appliques that just NEED to have felted plaid bags to go on~!).

So, that's what I've been busy with.

News: I'll be at the Crestmont Christmas fair November 2 and 3. I'll give you more details in week, and I can give you a sneak peek at the items I'll have! 

I've also come to a decision about my Etsy shop. I am reopening it the weekend of November 10. I don't know if it'll be the Saturday or Sunday, but I'll let you know the closer we get. Which day mostly depends on how much I have to photograph!

Also, I am going to start having a systematic update of every couple of weekends. So, the update after that will be the weekend of November 24, and I'm going to set that update for November 25. This follow my boyfriend's schedule of week-in/week-out, leaving me time to work on stuff and to photograph it.

Now the only thing is is that I will be out of town from November 16-21. So anything ordered between that point will not be shipped until November 23-25. So if you want custom order mitts or anything like that, now's actually the time to order them!

Otherwise, keep an eye on the Facebook page and Twitter; I'll be posting some pictures on there leading up to November 2.

What I have also been considering is doing a video podcast. What would you all think of that? I would be talking about what I'll be putting up, what I've got in the plans, and etc.This would likely be put up the day before I do shop updates (so Friday/Saturday). Just a thought. Then I can give you a tour of my new craft room! This is still brewing in the back of my mind, though, so we'll see. :)

Other than that, just been super busy at work and with commissions. And I have my fingers crossed that the Crestmont Market is super busy!

So, message me on Facebook, contact me in the comments section, or however you want to find out about custom orders, or come see me either at the last Calgary West Country Market I'm doing (October 27, ~8-2), or the Crestmont Christmas Fair, November 2 and 3 (Google search to find)!

Type at you later!

Katie =^..^=

And Now, A Review! Cariboo Butterfly's "Little Hoot" Needle Felting Kit

On the Needles: Blankets

In the plans: Socks; shawl; sweater; felted goodness.

So, a couple months back (unfortunately! I've been slow on this process) I told Jen over at Cariboo Butterfly  that I would review her new needle felting kit! I've been looking to learn how to needle felt 3-D objects, so this was a perfect opportunity for me, and Jen has been super patient in waiting for me to actually review her kit. 

The kit was packaged up super cute, and it includes all the supplies you need for one owl, including a twig to perch him on when all's said and done! 

I tried to take process pictures to show you folks what all is included in this kit, and how my owl turned out. The instructions included on the CD were super easy, with lots and lots of instructional pictures. Jen has done a really good job putting this kit together for everyone who has never needle felted before, or whoever wants to learn how to do more shapes and etc.

This kit is an excellent craft kit to do with older children. Because of the sharpness of the needles (I even poked myself a number of times, and it hurts!) I wouldn't suggest that young children participate in this craft. But that's OK. Older kids (and kids at heart) need crafts, too!

 

By the way, love the foam; I've 2-D needle felted purses before with a brush, but the foam is much more forgiving!

This is the fibre (which is 100% Corriedale wool). The main body colour was a gorgeous dark brown, and sooooo soft! 

I just wanted to squish it all night. haha

Jen is awesome, and includes two felting needles!  This is super important, since the needles can break easily; I broke one as I was finishing my owl body.

Fibre! There's just over an ounce included here. Which makes this little owl body:

Now, I was bad. I didn't follow Jen's instructions to the tee. I more took to heart her blessing to be creative with her kit. So, instead of a rounded owl that was pictured on her kits, I went with a more modern, squared off owl:

Square owl body! So cute. I love it!

And this is the front of my finished owl:

And the back!


 If the kit isn't enough, then she also has a video tutorial.








Jen was very thorough in putting this kit together. I would recommend it for anyone and everyone (from older kids up) that wishes to learn how to 3-D needle felt. It taught me how to do it! And I have enough left over fibre that I'll be making a kitty-cat face and putting together a pussy-cat and owl mobile. Super excited about it, so keep your eyes open for pictures of that soon!

If this review has piqued your interest in needle felting, or Jen's other work (she makes amazing hand-felted soap!), check out here site here at Cariboo Butterfly.

Take care, everyone! And stay way from the tips of those felting needles! haha

Katie =^..^=

Blanket Burnout

On the Needles: Change purses
In the Plans: Socks; more blankets
Miscellaneous Crafts in the Plans: Painted glass ornaments, button Christmas trees
In the Life Plans: Hiking and reading

Hey all!

So, it's been a long time, as you may have noticed. Life has been hectic around here. My boyfriend and I moved July 31/August 1, so we've been setting up and settling in. The new place is gorgeous, and I've actually got a craft/library room, which is awesome!

We're through the wedding craziness for this summer. They were both amazing! My boyfriend was in the wedding party for the wedding on the 11th, and I was in the wedding party for the wedding on the 18th. Both went off without a hitch, and both had amazing weather! (Particularly important for the outdoor wedding on the 18th!)

These weddings mean blankets, though, neither of which are finished. So that's what I've been working on to pass my time recently. The blanket for the 11th wedding is nearly finished! (So stoked!) And the other I'm going to have to finish sometime after they get back from their honeymoon. Oh well. It's been fairly warm recently, so there won't be much use for these blankets for about three weeks to a month! :) And I did try my hardest to get them finished beforehand. Once I'm finished these, though, I'm taking a break from blankets for awhile. haha

We officially booked vacation time for November, which I'm super excited for! Finally going out to Victoria! Which means I get to visit the Beehive Wool Shop! And I'm definitely taking a copy of the KnitMap for Victoria! I'm super excited to go see the coast; it's been 15 years since I was last out in Vancouver, although my family and I did spend about a week in Chilliwack in 2000.

In other news, I actually have a new full time job. I'm working for an online projector lamp company. It's been really good, and I'm happy to be on a way better schedule (well, actually on a schedule), compared to the Home Depot. Here now it's Monday to Friday, 9-5, which leaves me with time in the evenings and on the weekend to actually spend with my boyfriend, instead of having a shift until 10 the nights he comes home from his week on, and then being up again for a 9 or earlier shift the day afterwards. Much better for the control of my diabetes, too.

And, for a shop announcement, I have put the shop into vacation mode until the late fall/early winter. I need to focus on getting some new stock together for a Christmas fair November 2-3, and I want to revamp what I'm actually carrying at Nekozuki Yarns on Etsy. I think I'm going to shift more towards felted handbags and change purses, and some slippers, and then some regular knit things as well (scarves, mittens (felted and non-felted), etc.). I'm still going to carry baby blankets and I'm also going to add some newborn booties and hats, because I love making those. So, keep your eyes peeled for those changes coming! I'll post teaser pictures as I go here. And I will still be here, if there's something you absolutely want from my shop. Just contact me either through the blog here, Etsy, Facebook, or Twitter. The shop vacation is mostly so I don't feel bad that I don't have a full store front. :) When I come back, as well, my prices will likely be revamped. So if you know of something that you've had your eye on, feel free to talk to me beforehand, and we can work out a deal.

We had another busy but awesome weekend. We had a BBQ Saturday night, and then Sunday we drove out to Canmore, which was really nice. Gorgeous weather and everything! And I finally found a yarn guide, so I won't totally wear out my fingers on the rest of these two blankets.

Anyway, not much more is going on (although I think there's been enough)! My boyfriend is going to be starting the full time, week-on/week-off schedule on the 14th, so there will be some adjustment there. But it'll give me lots of alone time to craft! I have to get lots done so that I have stock for the Crestmont Christmas Fair! I'm super stoked for this one, because it always sells out, and seems like it draws a huge crowd. Look for lot of goodies there. I would love for people to come visit!

Now, off I go to try to conquer at least 1 out of the 2 blankets. And work.

Take care!

Katie =^..^=

Convocation!

On the needles: Mittens
In the works: Cabled Cowl, mug cozies

That's right, folks! I graduated! I am now officially a recipient of an Honours BA in English! And here's a picture to prove it (well, actually, a few. haha):

In front of the Olympic Torch on campus

With my degree!

In my awesome Mickey ears and grad dress at the Calgary Tower.

It was an absolutely spectacular day. The ceremony was really good, and our dinner at the Calgary Tower was superb. I graduated with my honours group, before the rest of the English department, which was kind of cool. I don't remember much once I was up on stage. Mostly reminding myself not to fall, making sure that they pronounced my name right, smiling for the camera, and then walking to the side. The first person I shook hands with told me that graduating "looked good on me" (yay!), which I guess is true, seeing as how most of the people crossing the stage couldn't even muster up a smile. A lot of them looked downright disgruntled to even be going through the process. Anyway.

The Friday before, Dallas and I finally went to see The Avengers, which was sooooo good! One of the best movies I've seen in about a year. Then, Saturday, we went for a drive all the way up to the Columbia Icefield/Athabasca Glacier, in Jasper National Park. I haven't been up there for about ten years, and it was a good day. We just kept missing the rain, so it was perfect.

Yay, Peyto Lake! (You can see the rain cloud in the upper right.)

Otherwise, I've been super bus. Started going to the gym, and I'm working close to a full 40 hour week. In crafting news, I have buttons on the way to start making bobby pins with, I'm going to start knitting some cabled mug cozies (I'll hopefully have a few for Saturday!), and I'm working with Kool-Aid to dye some more yarn. 

Basically, keeping busy and out of trouble. Hope you are too, and I'll blog at you all later!

Katie =^..^=

Bags, Bags, Bags!

On the needles: Felted Rose Bag from Knitting Today! August/September 2011
In the plans: More felted bags, couple of blankets.

So, another market, another set of knitted items up for sale. However, this style is going to stick around for awhile, in multiple variations, some due to colour, pattern, or decorative design. But you know what will keep them all together? The fact that they are felted! Here's the pictures:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99771282/hand-knit-yellow-felted-purse-handbag

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99773228/turquoise-felted-purse-boiled-wool-purse

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99774969/sunshine-yellow-felted-coin-purse-with

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99776264/cat-bag-knitted-felted-fulled-wool-purse

These have kept me busy and out of trouble for the past few weeks, at least! I'm glad that I was able to spend the afternoon getting some pictures yesterday, and then was able to edit them last night in preparation to post! I have more in the plans, particularly the cat style one, which is a lighter fabric than the two other bright ones. The forthcoming cat ones, however, are going to be in Paton Yarns' Jade Heather (jade colour) and a kind of dark lavender colour, which is really pretty. I'm also going to make more of the change purses, and definitely some more of the bright coloured bags. I'm thinking that I really want to make a green one with lady bugs going across it, kind of like the paw prints.

Also in the works are some of the lighter felt that will have geekery symbols. Such as: Legend of Zelda Triforce, the Deathly Hallows symbol, Pi, and etc. I'm also thinking I might make a couple small change purses with moustaches, and maybe a bigger bag with a dinosaur that's saying "RAWR!" But we'll see. haha

I'm currently also starting work full-time as a cashier at the Home Depot. So I'm going to be a busy girl. Which is good; my boyfriend is starting his week-on/week-off schedule, so particularly when he's out of town, I like being busy. It also helps me not stay up until 2am constantly, although most of my days don't start until 12, which doesn't help the whole not staying up. haha But he'll be back tomorrow night, so all will be right in my little world again. And then there will be more knitting!

However, I do have a couple of projects under wraps right now; one for my supervisor, and then a couple of others. I need to get them finished. Oh, and an entry to the Calgary Stampede competition. My ideas have changed quite a bit for that, but I've settled on what I'm doing...I just have to actual knit it!

Anyway. Right now, I'm just staying out of trouble and hoping that these bags are somewhat popular. I am currently waiting on a custom order, so fingers crossed!

Take care, all!

Katie =^..^=

My First Craft Market! :) (Warning: Picture Filled)

On the Needles: Bags to felt for May 12th.

In the plans: More felted bags, couple of blankets.

Hello, folks! So, I did my first market (ever) on April 28th. It went really well! So happy with he promotions that the lovely ladies did, and all of the traffic that came through! Lots of people stopping by to take a look, and etc. There were lots of vendors, which was awesome! The only downside was that it was a bit chilly, although the sun came out and life was good. 

I didn't get any pictures of other vendors, but I got some of my set-up. I love how my banner (from Vistaprint.ca) came out! It's awesome. And my tables look good. Although I think I'm going to leave the coat rack at home next time; no one really saw it, because it was behind me. 

I need to do a couple things to what my tables look like; I'm going to shift the custom order binder and the business cards to the front where people are always walking by. I'm also going to keep a few of my "extra" knitted pieces (i.e. duplicates) under the table unless they sell, so that there's more space so that people can actually see all the individual pieces. 

I really like how the hair accessories look, though! :)

Anyway, I'm super excited for the next market that I'm in, same place, but May 12th. Now, most people won't know this, but May 12th is actually a pretty significant day for me, especially this year. It's significant (not particularly special), because May 12th was the day that I was diagnosed with diabetes, and this year is the 10-year anniversary of that diagnosis. As such, I am donating 10% of all sales at the Market to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Any sales on Etsy from May 11-13 will also be included. So, make sure to come out and support a great foundation! You can actually RSVP for the event on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/events/378728962166578/

Now, I'm actually going to go work on some bags that I'm going to full next week and have ready for the Market. I'll try to have a sneak peek available for you all by next Wednesday/Thursday. Also, keep in mind for father's day: I'm going to be making fulled (felted) ties, too~! (Hopefully! haha)

Take Care!

Katie =^..^=

Getting Ready for Saturday~!

Calgary West Country Market Booth: April 28th, 8:30 am - 1 pm, D79

On the Needles: Felted Rose Bags
In the plans: needle felt mittens, felted bags, ribbon scarf

That's right! The countdown is on. I'm all done school, and now my living room looks like a craft explosion has occurred, since almost every available surface is covered in craft goodies! Between making more things and packaging/pricing, I am a very busy girl. I also have two job interview coming up, so we'll see how that goes. I wish I could just stay home and craft, but right now I need to help pay off some debt from my schooling.

Speaking of which, I did awesome on my final honours project (the 40-page paper): I got an A! Whoot! Other grades are coming in for other classes as well, and they look pretty positive as well. Convocation date is all set for June 5, and I'm super excited!

This Saturday is the Calgary West Country Market! Super stoked. Especially since I have my table placement for this weekend. I'll be at Table D79. I'll post a map to the "Pages" tab for all future use! I hope that you can come join me! The event runs from 8:30 am - 1 pm.

All right, now I'm going to run off and work on the last of the pricing and try this whole needle felting thing to see how it goes.

Take care, and I hope to see you all at the market!

Katie =^..^=