Christmas Stockings Galore!

All week, I have been working on Christmas stockings, and I don't mean to toot my own horn here. I think they are wonderful, though! The colors are some of my favorites, which is why I had picked out the yarn a few months ago without really knowing what I would be using it for. These are some of the first projects I have created after listening to and reading an article in the Etsy Success. The lady that wrote the article basically said that ultimately, what you make should be something you have fallen in love with, something that has pieces of your personality and all your quirks in it. Her article reminded me that I crochet because it is my art form, because I love to do it, and because it helps me to keep my sanity. It also reminded me how much I dislike corporation. It reminded me of my own ideals of small business, and with each stocking I made, I made sure that it reflected what I love.

I was talking to my husband about this article, and I pointed out to him that a true artist, such as a painter, were painting something, they would be painting from their soul, from somewhere deep down inside of them. They would be painting their own emotions out onto canvas. They would not necessarily be thinking about consumerism or about painting what the general public would want to buy. Also, if they were half way through a painting and absolutely hated it, I would like to think they would just get rid of it instead of trying to finish it according to what a possible consumer would want.

Isn't that what art is really about, anyway? Isn't really about expressing yourself? I know there are people out there that will not ever understand why I feel my crochet is my art form, but I truly feel that a piece of me goes into every work I make. I truly feel as though I am expressing myself in my work, and that is really what art is about, in my own honest opinion.

I feel like I have been through the ringer.

I don't know why, but I feel totally and completely exhausted today. From the time I woke out my coma like state this morning, I have felt hazy and like my limbs way 1000lbs each. Crazy!

But today has been a wonderful day. I met a wonderful woman named Sandy through my sister. She writes awesome patterns and sells them on her Etsy, and I have been given the chance to do a little work with her patterns. I am so excited to get started. If my work is accepted, it could end up in India! This will be the furthest any one of my items has ever gone. Ireland comes in second. ;o)

Also, upon checking my e-mail this morning to find out about this opportunity to work with her patterns, I found that five of my eco-friendly cotton coffee sleeves had been sold! I listed them only two days ago, and a woman in Maryland snatched them up. I am just so happy to be selling things I made with the skills God gave me to people so far away from me, people I have never even met before. It is a wonderful feeling, a sense of accomplishment.

I feel like standing on the rooftops and shouting to the world what a wonderful God my God is. I am being provided for. I am being looked after. God gave me this skill, and I am being able to use it in ways that make other people happy. I never imagined that at 20 years old, I would be married and own my own online store, but God has made it all possible. Praise Him for His everlasting love!

Also, if you get a chance, go check out the adorable patterns my new friend Sandy has created. You will want to learn to crochet just to be able to make them. They are fantastic! Her store is called Sandy's Cape Cod Originals and her other shop is called Sandy's Cape Cod Consignments. She was even featured in the most recent catalog of Annie's Attic patterns.

She was kind enough today to add one of my very own necklaces to her treasury. There are some other great fall hand crafted items in there as well. Take a minute to pop in and check out everyone else's handy work. My sister from My Crazy Kids was even featured in there for one of her adorable bucket hats! She has been working hard at her own shop Momma B's Hat House and More making some really fun hats and her newest items for Halloween.

Have fun, and don't break the bank. ;o)

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Well, in my recent outburst of emotion, I have had a few new comers stop by. I am only sorry that their first impression of me was in my desperate cry for help. However, a very sweet lady actually made a purchase in my store. She bought my stitch markers!


I absolutely cannot tell you how ecstatic it makes me to know that people are looking into my store and actually liking things enough to buy them. This is truly a dream come true, a dream I truly was unsure would ever become a reality. I could honestly cry because I am so happy people have chosen to buy from me...ME! A year ago, I was just a beginner crocheter, not having a clue how I would ever use my new found skill...especially in the state I was in with uneven edges and sloppy stitches, and today, I am selling things that I have created with my own hands. It is such a wonderful feeling.


Thanks again for checking my store and following along in my blog. It feels so nice to have a support system of people who are so caring toward someone they haven't even met.

I can't believe it is done!

The blanket I made per special request is finally finished, not that it really took long. I am so happy with it, and I am actually jealous of it. I never would have though to make it out of such bright and fun colors. I always paly it safe, and making this blanket has helped to inspire some new jewelry ideas as well as pushing me to get out of my box and start using some more color!


I think my boss will be very happy with this blanket. I hope so anyway! I really can't wait to get started on some new projects, though. My sister and I are going to be having our very first booth sale in August, and my list of items is just not big enough to fill half of a 15'x15' space! I have about three weeks to really boost my stock. Wish me luck!!

Look what I got today!!

I am in love! I loved the little ribbon. I love that the lotion bar is shaped like a flower. I love how much you get for such a great price, and I love that it is VEGAN. I also love that it actually works the way it supposed. I haven't gotten a chance to use the soap yet, but I love the lotion so far. I have heard great things about the soap as well.


I also think it is a really great marketing idea to send a sample of another product with the order. I hope you all check out this lady's store on Etsy. Please jump over to TGurleyBathandBody and see her great soaps and lotions. It is a great product. The scents are wonderful, and the prices are truly guilt free!

Thanks, Tracey!!