Trick or Treat!

Halloween will be here sooner than you think!!!! 

So, have you started your Halloween stuff for your shop? Or are you starting to sniff around Etsy or ArtFire or Zibbet for cute, scary or maybe repulsive decorations?

I lean toward the cute myself. I don't really decorate for Halloween, although I do put out a few cutie things for Noli. Just a small space on my room divider shelves.

I'm working on a few Halloween things for my shop -- this trick or treat basket filled with pretend candy. Very oversized pretend candy!

I'm almost finished -- as you can see, the swirl candy is pinned together at this point. I, of course, don't have the right purple thread -- not even embroidery floss and I have about every color DMC makes, but not this one!! I prefer sewing the pieces parts on with sewing thread, maybe using the yarn to anchor it first. I like the way it virtually disappears into the crochet!

Oh no! The swirl candy didn't have its wrapper in the first pic -- it was feeling a bit *naked* so I promised I would show you it when *dressed* -- it's a happy swirl candy now! Also I can see I'll have to fiddle with the color on this purple. Miss *dressed* candy is closer to the true color.

Question for you:  should I put a face on the basket and let it be a jack-o-lantern? If I do, I think it will be felt sewn on (with black thread!!) Noli said it had to have a face if it's for Halloween....

That's her vote, what's yours?

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Blushing

I'm so in love with this treasury that I just must post it here!

I really had a fabulous time creating it.....I so enjoy finding just the right item for what I have in mind for the treasuries I create. And sometimes I just have to post them here. Maybe I'll start doing that all the time since I know that a lot of you might not see them otherwise on Etsy. And I know you love, love, love to look at treasuries : )

I know I do...

Anyway, here is my latest....



Just click on the title or this link and it will get you to the full-size one on Etsy, and you can go to each store too.

Hope you enjoy it!

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Ugly Truck Day!! Or So They Say.....

Today is Ugly Truck Day! We must celebrate all those beat up and battered trucks out on the roads (or in somebody's front yard....)

Here's a fine specimen! Late 1970s Ford Work Truck by Classic Wrecks. Have a look through his junkyard!

But, you know, I also like the cute stuff -- so I'm celebrating "Cute Truck Day" too! Let's see what we find around Etsy...

This one's a cutie! My son would have loved playing with this one -- but, alas, he has owned and driven (pickup) trucks and doesn't much play with them anymore!!

I love the different woods and the simple design. Organic Walnut Flatbed Truck by A Summer Afternoon.

That same son is a volunteer fireman in his town so maybe he would like to have this out in the backyard!

Be sure to check out all her super cute playhouses!

Fire Station Card Table Playhouse by MissPrettyPretty. 

It was hard deciding on a truck to show from this shop! But, in thinking about that same son..... he used to love watching cement trucks, and called them "see me trucks" !!

Go see his other vehicles -- you will be amazed! And everything works!!

Ready Mix Cement Truck by Wisconsin Woodchuck.

Love this cross-stitch! I have the pattern and have always kept it in the back of my mind to stitch! Guess it would have been a good one for that certain son : )

Finished and Framed Cross Stitch by RocknRobin.

Here's another one that qualifies as a junker -- the truck, not the painting! I love the old rustic look of the watercolors in her shop! Fantastic!

Easy Terms Ford Truck Watercolor by April Fords.

Thanks for going truckin' with me today -- now go out and celebrate and find yourself some "ugly trucks"!!

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Lizard, lizard, show your money bag!

When I was a kid, I would say that until Mr. Lizard bounced his neck up and down and showed me his wonderful red money bag!

This Mr. L was no exception!

I looked out my window and saw him on the side of the greenhouse -- got my trusty camera -- and asked him to please pose for me.

I had to say "pretty please" but he accommodated me! Note his bright green color -- he might be a bit apprehensive as to my intentions, but he's still trusting of me.

OK, what's that human going to do? Catch me by the tail? And what on earth is that weird black thing she's holding? Think I'll just hang out a minute and see what's up....

Not so trusting anymore...

Not so trusting at all. Now he's completely brown and in "I'm going to bite you if you get any closer" mode. But, wait! His money bag is appearing! Will he show it?

BINGO! 

Zip! Zap! Off Mr. Lizard goes -- the show is over!

Can she see my hiding place?

I'm outta here!

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Today is Waffle Iron Day! ~ wednesday wanderings and the shops found along the way

Get your irons out!! Ready? 

Iron those waffles till all the creases are out!!

No? Not that kind of waffle iron, you say?

Ohhhh -- THIS kind of waffle iron! This looks similar to the one my mother had -- a big huge thing, Sunbeam, I believe. Made four big waffles at a time. Yum!!

Vintage Waffle Iron with Fabric Cord from By the Wayside.

This one's a TOY..... and it WORKS!! What were they thinking? How on earth did any kid survive playing with such a thing? Maybe mom supervised the little waffle chef? You think? OK, a little tongue-in-cheek there -- I'm off my soapbox now.

I think it's adorable and probably would have loved having one when I was a kid! 

Vintage Dover Toy Waffle Iron from My Heirloom Charms.

And here's what you make in that waffle iron! Oh my goodness, that looks delicious! I love the cutie bananas!

Waffle with Bananas, Syrup and Whipped Cream by Bug Bites Play Food.

How about this one? It even includes an egg, bacon and sausage! Think waffles and fixin's for dinner!!

Waffle Breakfast by Milkfly.

How yum is this? Just dripping with maple syrup. But watch out!! It's soap in disguise!! Don't you just love the presentation on the plate?

Waffle with Butter and Syrup Soap by Mollycoddle Soap.

Oh my, all these waffles are making me soooo hungry! I think I just might have to cook convince my hubby to cook waffles for dinner!!!

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Tamdoll ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for June!

Tammy of Tamdoll is this month's featured EtsyBlogger! Tammy makes one-of-a-kind fabric jewelry, art dolls, handbags and collages. Quite a fun eclectic collection "depending on what creative mood strikes" as she likes to say.

In strolling through her shop, I was drawn to her embroidered fabric jewelry.  Embroidery is something I love to do and to look at, so these little works of art really called to me!

Like this awesome necklace. I love the way she added a bit of simple embroidery around the fabric design. It really makes the design stand out and adds a little whimsey!

Or these super cute teeny tiny heart charms! And they're embellished with embroidery! And beads!

And they come in this cutie matchbox! If that just isn't the dandiest thing, I don't know what is!

And then there's this little oak leaf pin! It's made of wool felt with a crochet edging and embroidered accents, and stuffed so its nice and fat and just right to wear on your jacket!


You should go right now and peek in Tammy's shop -- there's an awesome dragon waiting for you.....

Oh, and, being a member of the EtsyBloggers, Tammy also has ......a blog!! Be sure to check out her post for the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival -- it's about a delicious sounding pie aptly named "Out of This World Pie" -- oh my it does sound decadent!

♥♥

Sting Like a Bee! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

There it was, peacefully sleeping in the grass.....waiting......

Bumble Bee Hat and Matching Diaper Cover by Aunt Mimi's Designs.

for me to walk by in my sandals, unsuspecting.....

Busy Bee on Black Toekini by Raige Creations.

Bzzzzz.....Zap! Gotcha! Oh my, that hurt.

Bee (35 inch) by Manartas.

My garage sale picking is over. Next time I wear sneakers!

Converse Bumble Bee Hi Tops by Princess Sneakers. 

Thanks a lot, Mr. Bee....

Honeycomb Letterpress Note Cards by Smockpaper.

Glad there weren't two of them!

Busy Little Bumblebees Pillowcase Dress by Punkytown.

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And just for fun, I made a bee treasury too!



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What a Great Market Bag! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

In my wanderings around Etsy, I found Ellen of Earthwise Emporium -- I was very much impressed by her recycled farmer's market bags and wanted to share them with you!

You know those net produce bags from the grocery store? The ones that house tomatoes, onions, avocados and  such? The ones you usually throw away? Well, Ellen has a super use for them, one that I think is just so clever!

She takes those throw-away bags and repurposes them into wonderful market bags to tote your groceries home! And the way she does it is what caught my eye -- she crochets a top for the bag and adds a drawstring to cinch it up! Very simple, very clever.

Here's how they begin in life, a humble little nylon net bag holding your fruits and veggies! I just love the way Ellen extends their life and keeps them away from the yucky landfill.

Her Etsy shop has other lovely creations.....

American Girl Doll clothing

A wonderful memory quilt design that is created just for you with your photos 

And she's now offering pick-your-own-color sets of knitted dishcloths and crocheted scrubbies! Super idea!

As Ellen says in her profile and shop announcement, "Earthwise Emporium is about recycling, reusuing and providing products to replace disposable ones. I believe we are all to care for our natural resources and our own personal resources through being frugal..."

I hope you will visit Ellen's shop and show her some love!  You can also find her on Facebook!

♥♥

Summer Colors

What colors remind you of summer? Have you been using these colors in your shop lately? Show us!

That's one of the questions posed by Edi of Memories for Life Scrapbooks for the current EtsyBloggers blog carnival. Be sure to check out Edi's shop too -- she has the most awesome scrapbooks! And she's getting into laser art now and her engraved coasters are unbelievable!!

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I always think of bright, sunny colors for summer -- hot pinks and blues, bright yellow and green. Citrus colors like lemons, limes and oranges. Patriotic red, white and blue. Shades of blue for the ocean -- from the deepest blue to lighter aqua.

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With the Fourth of July coming up, I have been working with red, white and blue... 

like this cute flip flop pin cushion 

or this nautical dishcloth set perfect for your yacht's galley when you're on your summer cruise...

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Fruit punch colors

like these flower facial scrubbies... Bring on the lemonade!

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This is my current project... bet you can't tell what it is! I've had this little pattern for ages and finally thought, "well, why not" and got out the brightest blue I could find!

Can you figure it out? Bowl? Beginning of an amigurumi animal? 

Nooo..... you'll just have to wait until I'm done! 

But it will make life easier when you're out walking!

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Life is Like a Box of Chocolates.....

Forrest Gump had it right!

His quote, including his accent, got stuck in my head.....so that told me "Treasury Time"!! I've only made a few but I'm loving making them! Plus I find some really cool shops that I might not have otherwise.

So here, with a bow to Forrest, is a treasury full of chocolately goodness!
P.S. I featured teamies from the Etsy crochet teams I'm on... : )



You can click on the title to go to the "real" treasury on Etsy where you can (because I know you want to) comment, click and share!! And, if you click on each photo, you'll be taken (like magic) to that shop!  : )

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