Thursday, January 17, 2008

New Ideas

I've put a new pillow up in the shop that I'm extra proud of.


I'm also in the process of making some other little new things for the shop that are a little different.
So keep an eye out.
I'm excited about being able to incorporate, "The Needlings," into the pillows and pins and have
been thinking about more ways of doing this that allows me to make lots of different little things.
It's fun.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Cinnamon Hearts

So I've never been a big celebrator of Valentine's Day but I have always loved the toys and gummi hearts that start showing up in the stores around this time.
At work for instance, all the Christmas stuff is being cleared out and all of the pinks and reds and chocolately are being put by the front door.
So this pink and lovey dovey holiday also allows me to embrace my tendency to make the pinkest and cutest things I possible can. I struggle with the compulsion to make cuuute but thank to the Plush Team Valentine's Challenge I was fully able to make an adorable lovey teddy bear.
It's not in the shop yet...
but here's a taste.

Tastes like cinnamon.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Working Away

I just put a new little owl up in the shop.
They haven't been staying there long (which is awesome).
And this little guys is soon to come:

Hopefully everyone's week is feeling as productive yet still as peaceful as mine is seeming to go so far.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Etsy Love

I was thinking today about how much time I have spent on Etsy for the past few years.
Now that I sell my plushies on etsy, of course, I've spent significantly more time clicking around and still buying lovely things from lovely people.
I'm happy to be a part of it and really want to wiggle my way in there as much as possible.
I even wrote an article for the Etsy online journal, The Storque, where I wrote up a little summary of one of the great critique workshops EtsyLabs conducts.
So I suppose I am now a published writer and a small business owner all thanks to this website with the funny name.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

A day off for work

I was woken up this morning at 6am by the fire alarm.
Don't worry, nothing was on fire. In fact, my house was freezing.
But off it went anyway.
So I just decided to stay up and start making a pillow. I intended it for the shop but I decided to keep it!
Here it is in the middle of sewing.
Made from some pretty little fabric swatch I had and some deconstructed brown pinstripe pants I decided to destroy.


It was a nice day.

Monday, December 31, 2007

End of Days

Well the end of 2007.
I've really had an amazing year.
Lots of changes but lots of good constants too.
I'm excited about the future and sad about things that have passed.
I will not be making a resolution of sorts because I feel it's cliché (though occasionally made with good intentions).
I'm still happy though and I feel like things will keep getting better as long as I have the good mind to attempt to make them that way.
I hope everyone has a lovely, lovely night.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

New Pins

Ok, finally a photo of my little fawn pins (and test Squirrel for myself...probably will make more for the shop)

Without further ado..."Resting fawns":

And my squirrel:
They will be making their way in the shop over the next little bit.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmasy times to anyone who celebrates it!
Today I have been hanging out with my mom and brother; opening presents, playing with new toys, making dinner, wearing pajamas.
It's been great and I love how laid back Christmas is for my family.
I hope everyone is getting a chance to relax a bit and hang out with all the ones you love.

That is all for today.
I promise I will get to photographing my new Needlings goodies very shortly.

Love.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Fawns

Today was a day off and a day for pin making.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve when I will be fully immersed in retail chaos once again.
A herd of lovely fawn pins in the making.
Photos to come.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Very Tiny Year in Review (and Owl)

Retail is crrazy this time of year but I feel great big heaps better about where I am this year than where I was last year.
I suppose I feel that way all around.
I know the year has yet to end, but I feel a little gushy right now. I'm really happy to have my Needlings. I feelthat as long as I have them I know I am at least doing something that is wonderfully good for me and something that I love.
There are things I want and don't have, like everyone...big things too involving being further away from people I love that I ever want to be...but I am happy and feel lucky.
Nothing that is bad lasts very long but I feel the good things are staying.
Which is a good feeling if nothing else.



Monday, December 17, 2007

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Mine was great and pajama wearing filled. I love having days off work, let me tell you.
I finished a little owl brooch that people have been looking a lot at. I think it is adorable and am just about to officially make one for myself that I'm allowed to keep.


One more week!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Storm's a brewin'

There is literally a big storm brewing around these parts. Tons of snow is expected and luckily I am (ecstatically) off of work for the next few days. So, excluding a trip or two to the post office, I have nowhere to be and can work in the warm dryness of my home.

Today was a day for Christmas gifts, making and buying. I also made a little sock creature as an experiment and ended up with a little guy that, although possesses an almost phallic tail (ahem), is quite cute and was fun to make.
I think I'll stick with my Needlings though.

The new pillow seems to be quite popular which I am happy about as a lot of work went in to it and I think the little owl turned out exactly how I wanted him to.
I never understood why people dread the winter holiday season.
It doesn't feel lonely to me at all.
I'm lucky.
And cozy.

Keep warm.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Clyde and More


I put up Clyde in the shop today.


I think he's pretty cute although he lacks some of the bright colours my others guys have. He has a sweet little face and it was fun to make a black and white (and grey) Needling for a change.


I also finished up a little guy for my mom to give to a little girl she works with who has a bunny. So here he is:

I'll be working on some more things slowly this week as it's a busy week with my "real job," but hopefully I'll be able to get a few more things up before Christmas.

13 more days!

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Clutter and New Cuties



















I was able to sleep in a bit today which was wonderwonderwonderful. I stayed up late last night finishing a little blue and orange Needling. I just had to see him finished before I went to bed. He's very cute and I think he might be my own.
I took a few pictures and him and my "work table." That is really just a place to store my Needlings and other supplies.


There he is, the little blue one in the front.

and his backside:





















In other news, I've been reading Jose Saramago's "Blindness," which is sososo good. I'm so excited for the movie that is coming out next year!

Seriously, if you're looking for a book to read...read this one:

Friday, December 7, 2007

Here's Lucy!


Isn't she great? Her story is in the works but I had to show off a picture!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Hello Again

It has been a busy week for me with lots of early mornings and long days. I've been sleepy but have managed to survive quite well.
Polly and Twila both left the shop this week. I'm working on some more little cuties that can perhaps take their place. I have a little white and pink one with black stitching with a sweet little face ala Polly that will be up soon enough.
I hope everyone is having a great week.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

New Obsession to Go With the Old

I am having so much fun finding fabrics and fun colours to make more pillows. I'm still making toys of course and have a few that will be in the shop soon but more pillow ideas are in the works right now.
I've had such lovely feedback about them and another owl pillow left the shop last night.
Another will be there soon...

and of course look for this little lady soon...

Saturday, December 1, 2007

A day for writing and pillow making

I'm going to spend the next little bit writing some new Needling stories so a new one will be up in the shop in a short period of time...along with another pillow that I finished last night.
It is made with some vintage fabric I've had for a while. I'm so happy with it and it's such a cheerful pillow.
Don't you think?

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Power Outage Crazies and New Pillow

Well, when I arrived home from work the power was off. It stayed off for the following 4 hours. I read and took photos...but I really wanted some soup or tea!

I was able to finish a couple of chapters of Oryx and Crake and take photos of my new Needling pillow though; which will go up in the shop in a little bit.


I like it. It tells a story. :D

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Owls, etc.

I'm tired today, friends. Being off from waking up early than my body would like for a week did a number on me and I'm just trying to get back in to it. Work has been busy with Christmas book shopping fully gearing up.

I have though managed to finish yet another fun owl pillow that will probably be going up in the shop tomorrow.
I'll show you the pictures as soon as I take some! :)

I like owls...I'm in an owl mood...

Why don't I show you a couple of etsy favourites? Including a few owls.

Check out these great shops and enjoy:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
Needlings.etsy.com