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.

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!

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."

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

FREE Shipping!

Until the end of June!

Free shipping worldwide in the shop.

On everything!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Closing shop!

Don't worry! Just for two weeks!

I'm going on vacation so, while technically the shop is completely open, I'm not going to be shipping any purchases made until I return on May 9th.

I will be maid of honouring it up in Iowa and then spending a couple days in Ohio with Carlos afterwards; essentially I will be touring the midwest of America for my super tropical spring vacation.

I am actually really excited.

I have been really inactive on this blog lately because I've just been trying to get myself together and ready to take a couple weeks off life at home!

I've been working (and actually finishing, thank the lo) on Jenny and Trystan's wedding present and spare extras for the shop over the past week.

A little photo tour:

The beginnings of a fluffy pillow; a fluffy pillow so desired by said receiver.

Really messy work table with the beginnings of a covered canvas experiment

Domino looks on unimpressed. (Note tiny spot of cat drool)

And done!

So that's what I've been up to.
An owly wedding present of two wall hangings and a fuzzy pillow for my best friend and fellow owl lover, Jenny, and her probably ok enough with owls fiance and soon to be husband, Trystan.

They don't read this blog so I can be sure the secret is safe.

So again you won't see me for a stretch of time...two weeks to be exact!

But as soon as I get back home, it's back to work on lots of new Needlings suches!

I hope everyone has a great end of April beginning of May!

Newbies

I keep all my scraps.

Bins and drawers of cut up felt and fabric and thread.

Here's "Dot the Scrap Munchkin," to help me out.

She's just been listed in the shop.
:)

Oh and also I have to show off my new stuff,
some made, one bought.

My new "Princess Tina" tote purchase from Magic Pony (really fun toy shop/gallery)
and my new wallet and change purse I made for myself.
Yay new stuff! Right?

Sunday

I made a new Owl Mama yesterday.
She's red.
And she's in my shop.

New Apple (and yummy yarn)

I just made this new little apple keyring for my shop and while I was taking photos
I looked over at my brand new knittydirtygirl yarn and thought the red would look so nice with it!


It's her "intergalactic cabbage"...
which is completely amazing as you can see!
It's super soft too!
I have to think long and hard about what to knit up with it.
I'll definitely be checking back at her shop though because I may need the "mustard seed" as well at some point.
Highly recommended!

Blister Fingers the Wallet

I worked on this new little wallet yesterday.
My poor fingers hate me for it!
I made a sort of experiment one first to test out the card holders and then just went for it.
I think it's pretty cute but I don't know how many I'll be making because it was a big job for such a little thing!
I just listed it in the shop.

Awwwww

Ok, I don't regularly talk about my etsy favourites, (perhaps I should more?)
but I saw these in SugarElf's etsy shop and I just had to tell someone!

Aren't they adorable owls?!
If you haven't seen her shop before, definitely take a look because her stuff is so sweet.
I own one of her pin cushions (an owl one. surprise.) and it really is a great happy making addition to my sewing table.


Really cute stuff.

I always seem to work on Saturdays...

I guess I just work whenever I have the time and I had it today.
I finished the custom order for a gal in Copenhagen:

I really love how it all turned out and I really hope she does too!

I also managed to get little Kirby up in the shop so check her story out
when you get the chance.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Mine's been exciting because I've just received my bridesmaid dress for Jenny's wedding!
The wedding is May 3rd where I will be maid of honouring it and I'm super excited to get down to Iowa in a few weeks to see lots of people I miss and do lots of fun stuff.
Jenny is one of my oldest and bestest friends and I can't tell you how wonderful it will be just to be there for it.
Sorry.
I gush.

Moody Mushy

I couldn't decide if I wanted a happy or angry mushroom..

So I did two in one.

A Moody Mushy:


I just put it up in the shop.
Back to work!

New Needling

Name and story currently in the works...


Now back to my custom orders.
Happy April!

Back!

Helloooo Everyone!
I had a truly amazing week with Carlos.
This week calls for feelings of "back to reality,"
which, lets face it, isn't really that bad.

The Needlings took a back seat to a fun week driving around drinking coffee,
walking around Toronto, visiting more friends, and
spending too long in a more recently discovered favourite gallery/toy shop, Magic Pony,
with someone I love and can't help but have extra fun with.

This week I'll be getting back in front of the felt/needles/sewing machine/knitting needles/etc.
in order to fill a big custom order as well as hopefully get a few new things up in the shop.
I worked on this custom makeup pouch as soon as Carlos left in order to distract me from the immediate missing.


Talk soon.

Easter Weekend

I hope everyone is having a good Friday.
he.
I am very excited to be expecting my favourite guest tonight (Carlos) who will be visiting for the week.
It will be a happy vacation for me too so if you don't hear from me for a while...
Don't fret.
I shall return.

Happy Spring!

Elf Drops

My most vivid memories from being a kid are various bits of car trips. I remember driving through the night, Nick and I in the back seat laying against each door with our feet up against each others in the middle. I would stare out the window when it would rain and the drops would run off the window sideways. I would pretend that they were racing or running away or to something. I would pick one little drop and I would root for it to win whatever race it was. I still look at drops of water singularly instead of collectively. I just have a history of singling them out as individuals.

Elf Drops.
Just went up in my shop tonight.

New Owl Mama

Someone snatched up both the Owl Mamas in my shop earlier this week.

So here's the new one.

With red rick rack and red stitching around her face.

I like her. :)