HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing everyone all the best in the new year. May your year be prosperous, safe and happy.

Golden Compass Hats

I was watching a movie a few nights ago called 'The Golden Compass' which I thoroughly enjoyed (I'm a real kid at heart). The hat worn by the little girl in the north really caught my eye. It looked so warm and snuggly. I decided to try my hand at knitting one. It took a bit of fiddling to finally get it right . Using various types of wool, I managed to get a variegated effect which is also really thick and warm. I ended up making two of them in different sizes as the first was a little small. They turned out good if I don't say so myself. I really like them ... maybe I'll make some more in different colours. You certainly can't get a warmer hat than this for your little girl.

Deer Ski Hat

I made a really cute ski hat the other night. It was supposed to be a wine colour with cream deer but after I started knitting I realized I wouldn't have enough wine wool so I made it in a stripe design in cream and wine and made the deer wine. I think it turned out really well. It looks a bit odd on my doll model as it's a bit too big for her but it really is a cute hat.

Hats Hats Hats

I love to knit .. especially children's hats. Recently, I've been searching through patterns trying to find really cute hats. It's been such fun that I'd like to share a few with you. These three I made last week ...

I also found a woman's hat pattern in an old book and thought I'd give it a whirl. It turned out better than I expected actually ...

What's really neat about this hat is that it's gathered at the top so if you have a pony tail you could pull it out the top of the hat.

Well, I'm off to find some more patterns ...

My New ETSY Shops

It's been a while since I added to my blog. I've been busy setting up a couple of new shops on ETSY and getting all my sewing organized for the upcoming season.

My first new shop is called WHIMSICAL WOOLENS. Here I will be listing all my knit and crochet projects that I create in the long evening hours while watching TV. I hope to have colourful hats for little girls, stylish scarves for ladies, more crocheted animals and much, much more. I hope you'll visit me once in a while at http://whimsicalwoolens.etsy.com/ to see all my new creations. (I use my large walking doll as a model) . Here are two I have listed now ...

My second shop is called BOUNCING BABY BOUTIQUE. Here you'll find a large selection of nappy/diaper bags in whimsical fabrics for your baby. Also, quilts, bibs, change pads, etc. I'm hoping to create some delightful little dresses for baby, hats, buntings, etc. Hope you'll drop by for a visit at http://bouncingbabyboutique.etsy.com/ and check out all the exciting creations to come. Here are a couple of diaper bags I will be listing soon (sneak preview) ...

Hope to talk to you again soon. Have a wonderful weekend.

Backpacks for Back to School...

Well... August is here and it will go quickly. School days follow. Will your child be ready to go back. I am beginning to list delightful and functional backpacks for your child to carry back to school. Below is just a sampling. These backpacks are well made with double stitched straps and double stitched stress points. Why buy those plastic backpacks that will tear apart within a few weeks. My bags last for years and are completely washable. Just throw them in the washing machine in cold water and dry in a warm dryer. Below is a sampling... Please check out my eBay and Etsy sites. I'm sure you'll find something your child will love.

BARTHOLEMEW BUZZ BUMBLE BEE

I finally finished my crochet bee.... I call him Bartholemew Buzz Bumble Bee.

I started crocheting animals in the late winter and have really enjoyed it. My first two attempts were small Amigurumi bunnies and the next a small Amigurumi mouse. I then tried something larger and made a 15" bunny. My bee has taken me well over two months working on him bit by bit in the evening while I watch TV. I had such fun with him. His antennae are a little too big but it gives him charm and uniqueness. Now that he's done, I think I'll try something else. What do you think of him?

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

That's what little girls are made of ...... How I love to make clothes for little girls, especially my granddaughters. Through the years, I have made many outfits for my daughter and now for them and it always pleases me to see them dressed in my creations.

When our first little darling girl was born, we were all so excited. My first grandchild and a little girl to boot. I sewed sunsuits, dresses, and many other items. What a joy!!! As she got older, we got into outfits with pants.

Then, about a year and a half later along came our second little girl. What a little sweetheart, but so different from the first. One so blond and the other dark. But both are so adorable you could squeeze them til their stuffin' pops out ... just a saying. Now, gramma could make matching dresses and how I loved it. They looked so cute in their little dresses.

Now, they're getting older and turning into lovely little ladies. Not much into dresses any more. But still, they are gramma's pride and joy. I still make dresses for them sometimes and they still wear them.

And last but not least, along came our special little boy. His daddy was especially pleased as he thought he'd never get a little boy. He's our little angel and gramma loves him just as much as the girls. No homemade clothes for him but who cares ... I can still enjoy him and when he puts that little hand into mine .... gramma melts ... and away we go to look at snails, bugs, etc.

How lucky I am to have three such wonderful grandchildren. May they stay this way forever....

Messenger Bags for the Young at Heart Woman!!

Until recently, I preferred to stick to making the run of the mill tote bag and diaper bag. Then I decided to try something new and see what happened. My messenger bags were created for the young at heart woman who didn't want something mundane. They were made with exciting fabrics to boost your spirits and make your business day more exciting. Even if you've been ragged out by your boss or put down by a co-worker, when you see your bag, you have to smile and feel better about yourself. Although, I've been told to tone down my bags in order to sell more, I feel that some women want to have a more outstanding and special messenger bag that's just for them. Below are a few outstanding bags I made in the past...

These sold really well and ladies loved them. Now, I've toned down a bit and am making my messenger bags in floral fabric. They are very pretty and I'm sure will be loved as well. Myself, I prefer the outstanding bags. How about you?? Check out my floral bags...

eBay or Etsy???

I have been on eBay for almost 8 years now. Until about a year ago, I've always done really well. However, now it's gone down hill. My sales have really dropped. What could it be? Are people not buying anymore or are there just so many sellers on eBay that the little person (like me) gets overlooked. I make and sell tote bags, diaper bags, etc. My workmanship has not changed, if anything, it's improved over time. I make beautiful bags and believe that anyone would love them. My daughter suggested I try a new site ' Etsy' . I put it off for a while as I like to keep things the way they are. Don't like change. However, I finally broke down and decided to try it. A few days ago I started listing my bags on Etsy. I'm still keeping eBay for a while until I find out what's the best. On Etsy, I have a lot of people looking at my bags; more than on eBay. Hopefully, this is a good sign. No sales yet though. If you want to take a look, go to http://slheuston.etsy.com/ . My eBay site is http://stores.ebay.ca/SANDRAS-CREATIONS . Below are a few of my newest bags. I started taking my pictures outside beside my beautiful Clematis... Much better pictures than before.

Do I Know What I'm Doing???

Well, here I am trying to set up a blog and don't really know what I'm doing. This is my first attempt at anything like this. Although I know a fair bit about computers, this is a new experience for me. My daughter has a beautiful blog going .. http://mysteriesofthejuniper.blogspot.com/ and always knows the right things to say and the right pictures to add. Me, I'm not so sure. My experience on the computer has been with EBay. Of course, everything there is already set up for you. You just have to enter your information. Anyway, I'll give this a shot and see what happens. Perhaps in the days to come, I might even put something interesting on here.