Monday Etsy Love

Handbags! Who doesn't love a gorgeous bag to carry around? I know I do. I also love to fill them with tons of stuff. Have a peek at these lovlies!

Pleated Shoulder Bag by sineminugur

Mulberry Hemp/Cotton Bag by tippythai

Smoke Green Shoulder Bag by christystudio

Dark Grey Messenger Bag by nottoc

Cotton Canvas Striped Hobo Bag by milloo

What do you think of these handbags? Where did you get yours?

Sneak a Peek!

As promised, here is a sneak peek at some of the new circle scarves I whipped up for my shop.

Black, Red and extra tall. [UofL colors: GO CARDS!]

aqua & cream [colors of the beach. so pretty]

cocoa & cream [reminds me of hot chocolate with marshmallows]

I love the alternating waves of colors. I usually don't do that much color work, so this is a nice change of pace for me. I'm not a fan of sewing in so many ends, but it was definitely worth it. I really love how these have turned out.

Currently I am still in vacation mode in the shop, mostly due to some shenanigans that happened with my bank account. So it will take me some time to figure it all out. Hopefully I will have the shop up and running before it gets warm. However, my shop is going to take a seat on the back burner for a little bit because I would really like to focus on my blog for awhile. I love writing and this blog has the potential to be such a creative outlet for me. Plus, I have been really getting frustrated with the details of my shop and not being able to just crochet things for fun. Taking some time away will do wonders for my creative "juices" and also will reduce my stress level significantly.

I've got some great stuff in the works for the blog and I've got plans to go thrifting regularly, so expect haul posts and MAYBE I will do some outfit posts. I usually feel pretty silly taking photos of myself, but it sounds kinda fun. I also love thrifting. A lot.

I hope you guys are enjoying your week so far! Maybe one day the weekends will last longer.

Monday Etsy Love

Weekends are just too short. Get rid of the Monday blues by checking out these gorgeous handmade goodies!

Isn't she just precious?? I LOVE this hood. It is such an awesome idea. 

Check out Hand knit children's hooded bear cowl by Sweetsouthernpurl on Etsy!

This necklace is just adorable and I am going to buy it. I seriously love it.

Check out this Sterling Silver Cloud Necklace by lunahoo on Etsy!

I'm usually not a huge fan of raw gemstones, but this citrine is gorgeous and happens to be the perfect shade of my favorite color!

Check out the Raw Citrine Ring by mooreaseal on Etsy!

Wooden jewelry is amazing. This ring is no exception. The center line of shimmery sand makes it perfect.

Check out this Wooden Ring Ebony with Lake Superior Sand by NorthWoodRings on Etsy!

I am in love with these glasses. I have been pining away for these wood veneer sunglasses forever now! Eventually I will splurge and buy me a pair. The heart frames are just dreamy!

Check out these Striped Lolitas by tumbleweedshandcraft on Etsy!

Don't you just love shopping on Etsy? There are some incredibly talented crafters out there! I could sit and browse Etsy for days and days. What are some of your favorites that you've found? I'd love to see them!

The view from up here...

Living on top of a large hill has a few perks and some things that are not so great. 

For instance, driving up said hill when it is covered in ice, or the fact that our "breezeway" [where our front doors are located] is more like a high speed wind tunnel that catches all the wind and forces it to jet through, sending rugs, papers, packages, everything out into the wind.

The biggest perk is the view. It is totally spectacular. Its amazing how far you can see from here. Its also pretty funny that we can see our hill from pretty much anywhere in the area. 

                             

What I'm Working On: Wednesday!

We have been super busy crafting a bunch of new items to post up in the shop. Unfortunately for you, I won't be sharing the sneak peek in this blog post, that comes soon. [its almost ready!]

But, here is what I can show you:

[excuse the terrible phone pics! my camera is charging.]

The other day I started working on this little sleeve for my tablet! Its made from 100% cotton, so its soft, washable and strong. I love the bright color blocking, though I'm not quite sure how I'm going to finish the flap, and I'm not sure what buttons or how many I should stick on there.

Also, I've been working on a freeform blanket here and there. It's my first attempt at anything freeform and I don't even know if I'm doing it right! I'll post photos of that as it comes along. Its not looking like much just yet.

What are you working on this week?

Baby, It's cold outside!

Where has January gone?? I woke up today thinking it was the 15th, definitely not the 22nd! Oh boy, I have some serious work to do, plus a zillion ends to sew in. I think I need to hire someone to sew them in for me! UGH!

This morning we woke up to some super chilly weather.
10°  this morning and now at 4pm it's barely passed 22°, just in time for it to start getting colder again. Bands of snow are approaching and I hope you all are staying toasty on this frozen day. Soon, spring will come.

In the meantime, I'm thinking that I am going to cast on a sweater for sweet Maci. She hates the cold. 

Shop on Vacation

Just to let everyone know, the shop will be on vacation mode until February 1st!

We are in full crafting mode, building a big inventory to post.

Updates and sneak peeks soon!

Recipe: Apple Strudel Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large apples
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

topping

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease muffin pan with non-stick spray/butter or use muffin cups.
2. Wash both apples. Peel and chop one apple into chunks roughly 1/2 inch. Peel and coarsely shred the remaining apple with a cheese grater. Place apples in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the apples. Mix well and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, white sugar and eggs. Add vanilla and mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix well.
6. Spoon into muffin cups.

     7. In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly onto unbaked muffins. 

     8. Bake for 20 mins at 375°F. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack or plate.

Pattern: Knotted Crochet Headband

What you need:

• Bulky Yarn
• Size K crochet hook
• Tapestry needle

What to do:

Decide how wide you want your headband to be. You can make yours thinner or wider than mine, just add or subtract foundation chains.

Chain 8. 

Row 1: Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, Half Double Crochet in all 7 stitches. 

Row 2: Chain 1 and turn. HDC in all 7 stitches.

Row 3-Row 20: Repeat Row 2.

Take your flat headband and tie a loose knot in the middle. Test to see how it looks on your head, making sure the knot is not too tight.

Continue to crochet, repeating row 2 until the length of the headband can wrap around your head comfortably.

Connect the opposite ends with a slip stitch or sew closed with a tapestry needle.

Sew in your ends.