Roses Are Blue...

Blankie!

Blankie.jpg, originally uploaded by Alana.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I had Kara buy me a shiteload of gorgeous organic cotton yarn at Purl when she was in NYC. I had big plans, big plans. Blankie, hat, booties, maybe even a little shrug sweater for my precious newborn. Fast-forward to me in active labor stuffing the unfinished hat, the only item I had actually started, into my hospital bag to complete, oh I don't know, in the whirlpool tub between contractions. I did actually finish the hat but I can't say the same for any of the other items.  The blanket was important to me though, so I went ahead and started one when she was about 3 months old, fully knowing I probably wouldn't get very far. A couple weeks ago, right before her first birthday, I finished it. A little late for a baby blanket but just in time for chilly nights again. And honestly, a year barely counts as late for me.

BlanketDone.jpg, originally uploaded by Alana.

It's half double crochet with a shell border. Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton in "Bone" is the yarn. I love it. She loves it. Mission accomplished.

Thank you, Craft Attackers!

Thank you to everyone who came by the booth this Saturday at Craft Attack!  I hope y'all had as much fun as I did.  What a cool bunch of people there were there, vendors and shoppers alike.  I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and the feedback was great!  Sadly, I sold pretty much every single one of my favorite things.  Now don't get me wrong, I was thrilled that people loved my stuff (thrilled, I say!) but it is so hard to say goodbye to my favorites...I know, I know...my husband kept shaking his head at me too.

Independence Park is in this amazing older neighborhood in Charlotte where I had never been before.  It was a beautiful setting.  Oh, but the wind was pretty crazy so there were some casualties during the fair, mostly involving wayward tents and sudden acorn showers...  Luckily, we were in a really good spot so it wasn't too bad for us (and all of my goods are soft which definitely helped when they were blown to the ground).

This sweet little pup, Ashka, was my favorite customer of the day.  To give you an idea of how tiny she is, that is a felt bracelet she is sporting!  Have you ever seen a cuter hoodlum in your life?  And my favorite vendor of the show was a woman named Christy Wooke.  I just had to have a couple of her adorable pins (choosing was agonizing!) but I really wanted her magnets too (that goes back to mistake #513, Buying a Stainless Steel Refrigerator...)

Kilroy was here...

Just in time for Craft Attack, I am rolling out a few new and exciting guitar strap designs (along with some of my previous and equally exciting favorites) on a brand spanking new 2" model.  The excitement is killing you, right?  Of the new designs, Kilroy is embroidered and the Flair and the Angry Octopus are painted (just in case that's not clear from the photo...or you've been hitting the malt liquor already). Personally, I wanted a pink & happy octopus but my husband said he should be dark & mean and I figured since he is kind of my target market (although definitely pushing the upper bracket), I should listen...

These newer straps are a slightly different construction than the 3" leather-backed straps (which will still be available for those of you who like a fancier model...err, once I actually set up a shop).  Obviously, these new straps are more narrow at 2" but they are also made (front and back) with sturdy 100% cotton fabric of varying colors and weights, have leather tabs and nickel plated zinc hardware (or is it zinc plated nickel...um, in any case, it's silver).  The leather, you will be happy to know, is recycled (like on all of my other straps).  Moooo...  And, for those of you who play like I do, all of these straps fit perfectly on Guitar Hero & Rockband guitars as well.

Anyway, y'all can pick up your very own at Craft Attack on Saturday October 11th.  I'll be set up under my top secret alter-ego, Kersplash, in booth 52.  Only 4 more days!

Wait, what?  4 days?  Seriously?

I hope to see you there but if not be sure to let me know if you want to be on The List for the Etsy shop invitation coming this month...

1 1/2" Side Release Buckles-Black

How's that for a catchy title?  You just had to read on I know it...

So last week the shipment of parachute clips (or as we say in the biz Side Release Buckles) that I needed to finish the Joey Bags were put on back order for two weeks...which if you are playing along at home you know would have the shipment arriving while I was at Craft Attack already...which um, would be too late.  I scrambled and found another outlet a couple days later and ordered a replacement batch o' buckles at roughly 3 times the cost but, I thought, at least I would have them.  (I added the whole experience to my List of Lessons Learned About Procrastinating which I totally plan to read someday.)  Anyway, yesterday I was thrilled when my package arrived via FedEx!  Only guess what?  It was the original (back ordered) shipment...the replacement order came via USPS about 3 hours later.  It's just like Christmas around here!  Only with black plastic buckles instead of chocolate and presents...but, at least the Joey Bags are done now.  For real.