Someone's Having a Giveaway

Molly over at Whimsy House is having a fabulous giveaway over on her blog to celebrate her first year selling in her Etsy shop. She makes the cutest accessories from felt and vintage findings.




So hop on over to her blog for 5, yes 5! chances to win.

Sock it to Me!

I found this fabulous giveaway this morning (ok, maybe you don't care so much if you don't knit) on Beth's blog, At the End of This Row... A new blog, for me, and a very nice one I might add. I always love to see what fellow knitters are up to. Her husband made her a pair of these sock blockers for Christmas and she encouraged him to make more. A rather great idea, I think. So he has made some for his shop and she has snagged another for a giveaway! So, hop on over to her blog and enter to win.

I Smell Good!

I used to strictly be a body wash kind of girl. could not stand that icky residue left all over my body by commercial bar soaps. Not to mention how dry and itchy they leave my skin. But that was until I tried some of the fantastic handmade soaps on Etsy.
I just recieved this pink goddess in the mail today. It is Pink Sugar by OuttaBody. It is a huge 7 ounce bar and is so, so pink. It smells sweet and floral and like cotton candy. And the lather is out of this world! Rich and frothy and creamy and leaves my skin so soft and smelling sweet.
And while I'm on the topic of body treats, Rachel over at HuggerMugger turned me on to this lotion bar from Athena's Olive Tree. My dry, cracked knitter's hands have never felt so good!

Purls of Wisdom

Well, I am back! Bet you didn't even know I had gone anywhere, didja? I was lost in Christmas-ville. Orders and gifts and company and food. And wrapping and lights and carols and anxiously waiting for packages to arrive in the mail. I feel like it kinda swallowed me up this year. Do you ever feel like that around the holidays? Like you're just trying to make it throught to the end so you can breathe a little? This year did that to me. I think it was trying to run the shop and my life at the same time that did it. But I learned heaps and am so ready to take on the new year a little wiser. Oh, and I wanted to share my latest design. I've been dreaming of this necklace for a couple of months but have only had time for what I have to make instead of what I want to make. But now I'm able to work on all sorts of new things. This is my take on the ever classic and elegant string of pearls. But mine is called "String of Purls", of course. Love, love, love the yarn! Soooo soft and silky, Silk Bamboo from Patons. Tonight I'll be working on a new color, Sapphire!

Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas?

Are you thinking of Christmas yet? I have to admit, I've been thinking about it since about July. Not that I am in any way prepared. I've been so busy knitting for shows and custom orders all I have had time to do is think about it.

I have not made one (complete) gift yet. And I try to make all or most of the gifts I give. Am I worried? Not in the least! I have quite a few handmade, though not by me, items that I have traded some other talented Etsy sellers for. So a few people on my list are already taken care of. And the rest..... well, I still have time.

I have started working on these little hearts for my own tree and ths shop. But, what you're looking at is what I've got, so I'd better get busy! But, even though I've been thinking about Christmas for so long, I have to say that I am really turned off by how each year, it seems, that the stores are bringing out the merchandise and even the Christmas store decorations! earlier and earlier. The day after Halloween, Halloween!, I went into...Wal-mart....ahem, and what before my wondering eyes did appear but a Christmas Tree!, right beside of the door. Not for sale. No, this is for decoration. Note my wild use of italics today. It's just disgraceful. Though I obviously don't agree with them, I do understand those who are cynical about Christmas. But, just like life itself, it is what you make of it. If you buy into the commercialism (or are totally repelled because of it) then that's what you'll get. A holiday for buying and shopping and working so many overtime hours you don't even see your family till Christmas day. Or you can toss all that aside and remember why we celebrate. Whether it be for religious reasons or simply a celebration of love and family.