Sunday, September 14, 2008

Enter to Win some Needlings Owly Goodies!


Blogger, SevenDogsandaBaby. com, is having an owl giveaway
along with her nice post of my items!

Click here for the post

All you have to do is go read her post then check out my shop
and make a comment on her blog about your favourite item and
you'll be entered to win a Mini Owl Mama and an Owl Baby Pin.


The contest runs until October 15th and it's for US entries only.

Good luck!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Forgive Me

I've been a very bad blogger lately.
Many bummed out life-y things have prevented me from
sharing more regularly.

All bumming aside...
I've remained happy with all the Needlings
goings-on.

In fact,
I'm super excited for Renegade this weekend!
Of course, I am not going to Chicago myself; but
I will live through my little guys that attend in my place.

The amazing Plush Team, who I feel
genuinely lucky to be a part of,
is going to be there in Chicago.
At booth 70, if you're so inclined.

We also have another team event planned
for October.
A trunk show in Columbus, OH.

Something I was going to attend but,
due to those bummy life events,
will be experiencing from afar.
Though a handful of Owl Mamas and other Needlings
will enjoy their time there, I'm sure.

I'm working on getting ready for
yet another show in November.
But this one will be all by my lonesome
for a three day show at McMaster Museum of Art.
Very exciting.
I'll keep you updated!

I've also added a bunch of fun magnets
and other new goodies to the shop
since we've talked last so don't forget
to go check them out!


I hope all is well with you.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Fall Up

The title of this entry, "Fall Up," comes
from the new Rio en Medio single.
I'm super excited to acquire the full
new album, "Frontier."
Amazing.

I'm winding up my summer work;
having finished the Renegade group to sell along with
the amazing work of my fellow Plush Team members,
and another group of Owl Mamas heading off to
Wholly Craft in Columbus, OH.



Lots of other little ends being tied off before I dive in to
fall shows and the Christmas season prep.

I'm slowly getting back in to making new items for the shop.
I put up a new little owly magnet set
and just finished this funny little thing that will
appear in the shop some time this week:


I may be heading in to Toronto this week or next
for a little fun friend time but you will be informed I'm sure!
Hopefully I will take some photos too since I always forget.
I forget to get in to tourist mode
when I'm only going 45 minutes away.




Saturday, August 16, 2008

Fin

My Renegade work has ended.

A very large box is out of my hands
and headed towards Chicago.

I can only hope it will be happily received!



My other little bit of exciting news that is
unrelated to Renegade Craft fair
is that I am participating in
the etsy coop advertising program.
This means a little Needlings ad will be
seen in a two page etsy ad in the November
issue of Craft Magazine.
I'm super excited about it!
My businessy birthday (birth month I guess)
gift to myself in November.

You can be sure I will be showing that off
when it shows up on the shelves.

Lots of things to work for in the next few months.
It's good.
I love being Needlings busy.


Thursday, August 7, 2008

More work...

I'm surprised with how busy I've been.
I'm nearly finished with my items to send along with
the Plush Team at Renegade...
which is awesome!

I really didn't think I would be quite as productive as I have been.

And I even had time to finish and list a new "Out on a Limb Tote."

I had yet to take photos of the ten new Owl Mamas I've finished
but I'm planning on being able to get a quick shot or two in
before they enter the box and (hopefully) leave me forever.

Oh and I even managed to finish these two Needlings too:

Back to work I go!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Renegade Owls

My goal is to get together at least 20 items to sell at Renegade
along with my Plush Team members.
My first step is cutting up some felt for Owl Mamas.


I've sent a couple to SevenDogsAndABaby.com where
they will be reviewed and a little giveaway contest will occur.
(Don't worry, I'll let you know when;
in case you're interested in some free Needlings owly stuff!)

A few are in my shop and
a few are in the works for Renegade.

I also have a bunchabunch of ric rac on it's way to me in the mail...
so I'll have fun putting new colours together I'm sure.
I love ric rac.
I took dance when I was little and I remember
my mom had to sew some strips of ric rac on a costume
and I loved it then too.
It had to be red, green, and yellow which I remember
not quite enjoying as much as a few other strips that
were available at the fabric store.
It was the 80's.
I hadn't learned the appeal of primary colours
and much preferred pastels and "hypercolour."

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Mini Work


I made this little girly last night.
My mom claimed her right away!
I might have to make a big version
(this actually took just as much time to hand sew as my regular sized Needlings take; tiny stitches.)
but I really need to get started on some work for Renegade asap.

I've put in a request at "the real job" that will, hopefully,
allow me more time for the Needlings,
going in to September and "the Christmas season."
This is exciting for me.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Renegade (and pouches)

Exciting plans =
The Plush Team got accepted to Renegade Craft Fair Chicago!
We're all so excited and just trying to work out all the specifics right now.

I would love to love to go.
It might (probably) won't be doable realistically for me
but my amazing team memberswill be manning the booth for those of us unable
to attend but will be sending items to sell.

So I really have to get a lot done in this next month.
I have about 20 Needlings/Owl Mamas
(probably more owls than Needlings)
to finish and send off to Chicago.

Hopefully I can still get new items in the shop on a regular basis!

I did, however,
finish all those pouches I showed you the other day.
The two top ones are sold already but
I'll try to keep a steady stream
of the popular ones made in the shop.


Wish me luck!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Projects and Plans

As I wait very patiently (ahem) for some potentially very exciting news tomorrow...
I've been working on another little batch of pouches to keep me occupied.
I think I have the most fun picking out colours.
Contrast is my favourite.

Here's a peek:

Ok, back to work...
And don't worry,
I'll let you know if there's any BIG news.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

New shop things!

That's right...two posts in one day AND
two new things in the shop today.

Did you ever think someone could be so productive on a Saturday?



Now I promise I have nothing more to say or do today.
See you soon!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Two of the Three

So from the little messy picture from the last post...

Tote:

and new Needling:
Her name is Kaz and her story can be found in the etsy shop.

The green scarf is an ongoing in between projects project so I'm still knitting...
I'm also knitting turquoise straps for a new red corduroy bag so who knows what will come first.

I spent a little part of the day organizing my work table too:
Ok so I don't really have any room to do "work" at it but it is where I keep everything anyway.
Then I cover everything with their respective plastic lids and then a tarp to deter further cat attention.
It works well.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

New Projects

I've been working away I promise.
Lots of knitting actually as I try to get ahead on some straps for totes.
Feels like progress but not as many new things in the shop lately to show for it.
There will be more in the coming weeks.

Here's a little peek at a few things I've been working on:

A green scarf (thinking ahead for the winter season)
Doesn't it look so pretty on those purple needles?
Like an eggplant.
Gave me an idea for a little extra...

A new Needling just waiting for my new Needlings tags to come in the mail
so her little leg can be stuffed and sewn...

And a polka dotted tote with yellow straps.

Oh and also!
http://www.theneedlings.com
is now mine.
Currently it only directs to the etsy shop but it still feels like nice progress.

So you see, lots of things!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

FREE Shipping!

Until the end of June!

Free shipping worldwide in the shop.

On everything!


Friday, June 20, 2008

Buttons!!!

I got my new buttons today!

There will be some in the shop by tomorrow,
and they'll be sent with purchases as well.

I shouldn't be this excited but they're just bright and cheerful and plentiful!


Monday, June 16, 2008

Stories

Today I came home from work and thought,
"what should I make today?,"
as I often do...
I decided I needed a book bag.
I work at a bookstore and as a result,
I buy too many books and always have one in my bag.
They can get a little banged up so I decided to make a little book bag to protect them!

Books really shouldn't be banging up against keys and lip gloss.

On a personal note, anticipate a possible shop closure in the next couple of weeks
as I may need to go out of town for a short period of time...maybe a week.
On another personal note,
my dad, who I rarely see because he lives in Nevada and has been desperately trying to sell
his house so he can return to Canada and retire, has finally sold his house and is moving back!
It was excellent father's day news and I'm so happy he'll be back where he wants to be.

I really hope everyone is having a nice summer so far, maybe reading a few good books (which ones? recommend!), going on fun vacations, and generally enjoying their lives.

Monday, June 9, 2008

The Return

I seemingly have abandoned this blog
but I promise you it is not for good.
I've been occupied and preoccupied along with
busy for the past few weeks...
I have, however, updated the shop with a few new things:
Pouches
Totes
A doll
who I love:

Between you and me,
this Penny Doll design was created for one of my friends
who just so happens to be having a little baby girl in about 4 weeks.
This new little girl is going to be getting one of these dolls in pink and green which are,
I am told,
the colours of the nursery who waits for her to arrive.

Quite exciting really.
I'm excited.

So that's all for now.
New things to come always.
I hope I won't abandon this blog again but
hopefully you are all having summer fun with no time for blog reading anyway.

Thank you, as always, for checking back.

Love,
Heather

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

New Tote

I mentioned a new tote last post...

well, this isn't it.

But it is a new tote!

The other one I am still knitting/trying to find the time to knit the straps for it.

This one is going to go up in the shop in a little bit though.

It's a bigger one.



Saturday, May 17, 2008

Victoria Day Weekend Work Update

To make use of my first day off since I got back from my trip,
I made a new little clutch for my shop:


I'm super excited about it. I think it's really cute.

I've also finished a new Needling that remains nameless because I've just been exhausted in a way that doesn't warrant naming and story-writing. Even mini-story writing.

Here he is though.
Probably will be in the shop sometime this coming week.


I'm also working on a new tote.
I've just got some pretty pink straps to knit up and it will be ready to go.
Give me a little while for those but you'll see that soon too.

There.


Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mama's Day

I suppose it's almost over now but still.
I had some nice family time and showered my mom with magazines and books.
Well two British magazines and Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (an Oprah recommended book I have no desire to read but my mom was interested in).
Work at a book store.
It will make you Oprah bitter.

I finished and listed in my shop this new little scrap munchkin today.

Found about 3 yards of this navy polka dotted chintz at one Saturday morning yard sale.

Not sure what I'll use it for...
so far, little legs and arms.

Put up a new pouch yesterday and am working on another little wallet for the shop that I think I will manage to list by tomorrow afternoon.
The wallets are a lot of work but I think it's worth it and I get compliments on my own all the time which is encouraging.
Check out the shop tomorrow...I promise a new one will be there.

I'm very happy to be motivated this week to get a lot of new things finished.
I think because I've been away from my supplies for two weeks.
It's funny how much I miss hanging out and sewing things.
I love that I get to do it as much as I do.
I very much miss and wish my other loves were closer to me.
Can't have everything and everyone you love always together I guess.
Mom's here though.
That's a plus.

Friday, May 9, 2008

I'm back!

I had an amazing trip and an overwhelming amount of happy times over the past two weeks.
I'm home now, and after sleeping the whole day to recover from an all night bus ride rapidly followed by first day back to work...
I will be starting to get The Needlings shop back in gear after packing up orders made while I was gone.

I don't recommend working at 7am the morning you arrive by bus at 5am.
It will mess you up.

I hope everyone's May is off to a good start.
Although I am sad sad sad about being away again from my Iowa friends and Carlos in Ohio,
I am excited to get some work done this week.
I'd say you can expect a few new things in the coming weeks for sure.

Talk soon.