Soooo, this past weekend was the Shop Hop craft fair (which I still haven't gotten around to blogging about because there have been other things that have more priority. Ya know, like cleaning toilets, having the cat fixed, bringing my 3 year old to school, oh, and all the orders that my amazing fans have placed!) But anyway, it was ok. I was only able to attend on Sunday due to hubby's work schedule (damn work!) but I heard that Saturday was MUCH busier. That totally bummed me out. However, I made a few contacts, sold a few things, signed up for another craft fair coming up in the middle of November and was able to begin a new avenue for selling my hats! WOOT.

Shop Hop was hosted by the Thimble Cottage in Woodstock owned by Miss Kelly. She's amazing. Simply amazing. I love her. And her family. They are the sweetest. They are long time family friends of my husband from way back. (And I'm talking way back.) You just might as well call them family. And well, we do.

During Shop Hop, Miss Kelly's store was so so busy. If you're local to the area you should stop in and check it out. It's adorable. She has country primatives and hosts a few local vendors in her shop regularly as well. Unfortunately my wallet does not like her store. I can't go there without spending money!

She periodically checked in with me to see how things were going and fell in love with the hats, headbands and bows. Well, now you can buy my stuff in her store! I'm so so excited! I've made the bar. HA.

Seriously, her store does well and I'm hoping that people will fall in love with things like they have with her and her store.

Check her out on Facebook!

And P.S. My things are on sale there! So stop in and check it all out. You won't be disappointed. I promise!

New "Twist"

You know when you get this "great idea" in your head? Something you've just got to try? Yeah, well I have a lot of those "great ideas." Just ask my husband. Some he thinks are great and others and meh. Especially when they involve some sort of work from him.

Well this one didn't. It was my creation. All mine. I did the hard work and I'm going to reap the benefits of it!

I decided to take the braided/twisted beanie that I've made in a variety of colors and take it up a notch. I had this vision in my head of how the new version would come out. Not knowing how it would look, having tons of orders coming in and knitting like a mad woman, I decided to cast on a few stitches andgive it a whirl.

And you know what? I'm thrilled. Like over the top in love with this new hat.

Neither of my girls have gotten a knitted hat from me. They are the models for me and my three year old always is asking "is that for me?" Sadly no. LOL. Sorry kid. Truth is, she doesn't have a winter coat and I'm one of those moms that likes things a particular way. Including my girls to have coats that match their winter accessories. So until she gets one, she'll be hatless. But then again, we are having a bit of an Indian summer here.

Now, without further ado, I introduce the full color braided twist -

Now that my darling child is becoming a little more independent, she is not the best model. It takes a lot of coercing to get this little girl to leave the hat on long enough to snap a picture....

See what I mean? She's cute though so I let her get away with it.

This one is shown in a brown tweed with a light pink braid knitted all the way up. You can order yours HERE in any colors you want. (Just leave a note in the comment section during checkout to specify color and size needed!)

Enjoy!

Knitting Fool

I just wanted to take some time to congratulate myself on all the hard work that I've been doing. I started knitting simply because I wanted something to do (as if I don't have enough things going on at the moment or enough "hobbies" to occupy what little free time is left in my life) and I wanted to be able to create things for my daughters that they would appreciate and love for a long time to come. I was also thinking of others and that I'd be able to give a gift that came from my heart.

Well this newfound "hobby" of mine has truely turned into a passion. My husband will be the first to admit that there hasn't been a free moment of my time in the past few weeks that I haven't been furiously knitting. And my older daughter can give you the first hand account of how many times per day I tell her and her sister to not touch my yarn stash. Or that I've completely taken over her table. Poor thing. But don't feel bad for her because she LOVES picking out the next color I'll use. Really.

But I set out with a goal in mind when I fell in love with knitting. And that was that I'd be able to create pieces for other people that they would love and treasue. From the feedback that I've gotten in just the past two weeks or so, I'm humbled. I never thought that this little side thing of mine would grow like it has.

I have people asking for specific items, special orders, larger sizes, different colors. I have my items in a local store and I've gotten this blog, a Facebook page and an online store up and running in a matter of one month. That deserves a HUGE pat on the back.

And since I'm alone right now, I'll have to do that myself...

So, I also wanted to thank everyone that has reached out and gave me a thumbs up. It is so rewarding. I might not have said it personally (although I hope to have!!!), but now I want to say it publically...THANK YOU!!!

I'm so excited for Sunday to come. My first craft fair ever. My mom moved back just in time to help me out and put the finishing touches on the setup of this. Without her I'm not sure I'd be as prepared as I am. I don't think I'll sleep tomorrow night dreaming of how much fun we'll have.

But then again I'm used to little sleep.

And lots of coffee. I love coffee. I mean, love coffee.

And with that, I'm off again.

To pick up my needles...

And get more work done. All for you. Enjoy!

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails

And puppy dog tails..

Ok, so maybe I didn't add any of these ingrediants to my baby boy beanies, but they definately came to mind! I've been anxiously awaiting announcing the arrival of these hats into my store. They're just so darn cute.

My two year old is obsessed with the red hat that has soccer balls. She's dying to play soccer. We've told her she needs to wait until next year but I think she just might have to have one of these to wear with her uniform. How cute would that be?

And the monsters. Who doesn't love monsters? Well, maybe not two years. And definately not when it's bedtime. But on a hat? She thinks they're darling. And so do I.

Enjoy them!

Halloween

I seriously can't believe that the summer slipped away so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I love the warmth, the green trees, the smell of fresh cut grass, a little baby in just a onesie, watching my older daughter learn how to swim BUT fall is definately by far my absolute favorite time of the year! Nothing beats the colors, the fresh smells, the sweaters and food.

My oldest is excited for Halloween this year. Last year she was Elmo, I was pregnant and we walked around my dad's neighborhood. She had a blast. This year she swears that she'll be Abby Cadabby. Fitting. And she wants her baby sister to dress up in her Elmo costume from last year (which might just fit - LOL), I have to be cookie monster (is she trying to tell me something?) and Daddy will be Big Bird (again, fitting....)

I'll have to think on that one......

Anyway, I've made up some super cute Halloween stuff. Headbands & bows to be exact!

You can find them in my store right now! I mean, it is right around the corner, right? Right.

You can never be too prepared!

Heck, I'm even thinking about Christmas already. (And I have some stuff made up, but we'll save that for later.) Enjoy!

Giveaways!

I'm flattered to have been asked to be a part of not one, but TWO giveaways that are currently going on right now! You need to check them out. Seriously, winner takes ALL? In both giveaways. That's some serious winnings!

Now, if you haven't already, come and "like" me on Facebook! I post all my stuff there and occasionally will have coupon codes out good for a discount in my store. (Haven't I mentioned that I like to coupon and stretch a buck? Well if I haven't, now I have. And for those of you who personally know me, you know that I don't pay full price for anthing. Nothing.)

Actually one time my brother came over with $50. He left with a sweet set of golf clubs, a razor, some body wash, deodorant, toothpaste and probably other goodies. His comment? "Next time I come I'm going to bring $300 and see what I leave with!" Ha.

Oh yeah, the giveaways...

Ok, so HERE's my page (in case you missed it ^up^ there).

Now, Jenn from Jenn's Photo has been a friend of mine for a few years now. She photographed my wedding, maternity, etc. Her Facebook page now has a fan base of 3000 followers! Woot! That's Ah-MA-Zing!!!

Her giveaway prize pack has some serious loot! Check out all the details on her blog - HERE!

And of course leave a little love on her Facebook page too!

Now, for the second giveway that I am a part of...AHEM...

Introducing....

Gingez Shop! Come and 'like' her on Facebook and show some love! She's just starting out on Facebook but has been making some super super sweet embroidered things! I'm loving all of them!

You can shop her Etsy store HERE!

Don't forget to leave a little love for everyone. Afterall, all we need is love....

Good luck!

Facebook!

Yeah! I've got shop setup on Facebook now! Come be a fan and keep in touch. I'll be posting new items, colors, specials and other news. You won't miss a beat. Hang around a bit, I bet you'll like what you see!

You'll still have to purchase items through my store but there won't ever be anything there that I don't post to Facebook. And those of you who know me, know I'm always up for a good deal. So keep an eye for a coupon once in a while. You can bet I'll be putting some out!

New Product!

I am so excited to introduce these sweet headbands. They were requested from me for a photo shoot and I'm glad they were. I love love love the way they turned out. Everyone is a little different from the next but just as adorable. I hope you love them too!

I'll be adding more colors and sizes so check back soon!

As of 9.15 - There have more color combos added to the store! I'm loving them! These can go through sizes 6 years!

You can purchase these headbands here.

New Inventory!

Lots of new inventory in the store! I've been knitting like crazy getting ready for the annual Shop Hop at Scranton Shops in Woodstock. I'm so excited! I've listed all the new styles and colors of hats that I've made. Take a peek...maybe something will catch your eye!

But remember, everything is one of a kind and can't be replicated. So if you see it and like it, grab it!

Happy Shopping!

Functional Art

So, here it is! Funcional Art has a Facebook page up and running. The store is just starting out but things are looking so positive for this little shop. It's adorable. And if you're from the area, stop in and check out all the cool handmade items that crafty people have put their love & creativeness into making. You won't be disappointed!!!

So a while back I received a fortune cookie with the following fortune inside of it:

"Go confidentely in the direction of your dreams."

I've saved it since then and looked at it every day. This seems to hold true when it comes to my new found love of knitting. I truely enjoy making things that will bring a smile to someone's face. Not for just today or tomorrow, but a lifetime.

So today I found a new avenue to take with my baby hats. I found a local art shop that is looking for "functional art." Baby hats are deemed functional. My work was well loved which made me feel proud. I'm glad someone else saw the care and attention I put into these!

Starting in the next week or two, the baby hats will be available to purchase locally. As soon as the shop's website and/or Facebook page is up and running I'll post and link over to it.

I'm not sure who's more excited....me or her...(she's pregnant so baby hats will be in her near future!)

And for now I'm off to knit away the evening as I have a lot of prepping to do for the upcoming craft fair and to stock up the art store!

For a girly girl

This dark turquoise beanie takes on such a delicate look when some flowers & mesh are added to it. It's a perfect addition to any cute outfit.

You can purchase this hat HERE.

My new store!

Well, without power for just about a week, I've turned up the notch on knitting lots of super sweet hats. I'm getting ready for a craft fair and bulking up the inventory in my new store. If you're looking to purchase any of the hats here, simply follow the link that I've included in the blog post. While you're in the store, take a peek around and see if there's something else that catches your eye. I have tons of color variations of some of the hats posted here. Enjoy!