Crafts and Art Marketplace

Tomorrow, if your in the area, stop by the Crafts and Art Marketplace - I will be there!

One Financial Plaza

1350 Main St. Springfield, MA 

From 11am - 3pm

I'm finishing up lots of things tonight - like watercolor prints, some bibs, crochet rock paperweights, and more Let It Snow garlands. Also I will have a couple bags, fabric covered thumbtacks, a few reusable snack bags, and a toddler quilt. If you do go, please stop and say hi - bring coffee :) !

Shop on Vacation

With the studio fully packed, tower of boxes in the living room, and with all around transition happening I decided to flip both shop signs to closed. Once we are moved (still unsure of the exact date yet) and a little bit more organized then the shops will open up again. When it does there will be some wonderful fall things added and the ever so popular snowflake garland will be made and in stock. 

By the way, the studio looks really different all empty - Here are some before and afters:

The Weekend

This weekend we savored a bit of summer while it's still here. Watching the Olympics, we ate bowls full of bing cherries, while being awe struck by the sheer awesomeness of these athletes.
The in-laws treated hubby and kids to the family tradition of the air show. One of my quirky things is not liking low flying airplanes over me, it's weird I know, so I love the fact that this is a tradition the kids can have with Rob's family.
There has been more packing and making lists of things to do before the move. Moving was a much easier thing to do before kids and before they were in school - still not sure how people move across country or to another country. Just moving a couple towns over, my list keeps growing and growing of things that need to be done.
While packing I'm pairing down things. It's great when hubby and I agree that we want a fresh start. So today I'm focusing on ironing some vintage linens to put in the shop, taking pictures of furniture that will be put on craigslist or ebay, and just general "why am I saving this?!" cleaning.

Happy Things To End The Week With

 Getting my new business cards in the mail and they look even better in person.

Finishing up a lovely little baby shower package for a dear friend.

Amazing birthday gifts in the mail. 

These birch tree candle holders are from my vintage soul sister.

I know just the place to put them in the new house.

Hope everyone else has happy things to end this week with ♥

Keep Shining

The sun is shining today! Things are on a up swing, which is much appreciated around here. I started working on more hexagons last night. They're part of a quilt I have started...well kinda. I've promised myself no major projects for a month or two.
Yesterday I reached 200 sales in my Itchin' Stitchin' Shop!! Even more reason to celebrate. Kids and I are going to play outside, eat ice cream cones, and make some puddles with the hose. Have a great weekend.

Yarn Print Giveaway

I know I said last week I would end the week on high note with a giveaway - it's a little later than the end of week....oops. Better late than never right?!

So to promote my new line of watercolor prints I thought I would give you all a chance to win one! Starting today I will be adding prints into Print Me Out. Each print is printed on Premier Art Watercolor Paper with a Kodak Printer. Most prints will be in 3 different standard american sizes 4x6, 5 x7, and 8x10.

For safe shipping they will be shipped inside an envelope marked Do Not Bend, in a clear plastic bag with a white backing board. Each print will be signed on the back.
So with this giveaway this is what you have a chance to win:
One winner will receive a 5x7 inch print of my Knitting Paper Print. It features a lovely turquoise blue gray ball of yarn that is being knitted. There is a bit of an optical illusion in there - after all the knitting looks to be carrying on in the middle of the piece rather than the end of a row.

Here is how to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would do with the print if you won it. Would you give it as a gift? Hang it in your studio?
2. If you follow my blog or would like to - let me know how you follow in the comments for another chance to win.
3. Pin any of these pictures to Pinterest  with a link to my blog - Copy the link to your pin and leave it in the comments.
4. Favorite Print Me Out on Etsy - Leave a comment with your Etsy name.

** Please remember to leave me a way to contact you if you win!** Giveaway is open to anyone worldwide. Winning this print does not transfer reproduction rights.CLOSED Giveaway ends April 10th, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random and announced here.
Goodluck!!!!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I kept my promise and created something last night. The first step was to get the kids all snuggled into bed so no distractions would take place. So after baths, several books, and me contemplating if bribing them with cookies after they just brushed their teeth would make me a bad mom (don't worry folks no cookies were eaten) the house was finally quiet. TV remained off - it is an easy distraction, instead I turned on my favorite Pandora station (Kate Nash).

What happened next was unexpected. When I made the promise I thought it would include thread, maybe a sewing machine, pins, and fabric but none of that came out of studio last night. Instead the watercolors were raising their hands, paint brushes were asking to be picked, and pencils seemed to be extra sharp for drawing. While I'm not sure if I love the end results yet - I want to do more. Make some prints. Put them in my Print Me Out shop for all to enjoy. What do you think? Maybe a little makeover at Print Me Out is in order.

What are you working on?

This Weekend

I am putting Eater things in the shop 

and then taking the weekend off!

I'm spending a complete day with just my husband.

There will be a day trip, picture taking, walking,

dreaming, hoping, and wishing. 

So hope, you have a great weekend too♥

Nasty Bug

It seems we are quarantined here at the moment. A nasty little under the weather bug has taken it's toll on the house. Patient zero, Miss Aries, seems to be fine now and skipping about - but Odyn and myself are still in our bubbles.

Not sure how the older males in the house seem to dodge the bullet every time. Maybe I would have too , but I can't help snuggle up the kids when they are sick. It seems to be the only time they stop long enough to snuggle.

Tonight I have plans, if I can keep my eyes open, to work on some fun handmade items for the shop. New to my shop things, like clothing items (washed and germ free). While I am in the studio I think I may poke around a bit in my fabric cupboard for a fun giveaway. But more on that tomorrow. Right now I am going to go pump myself full of vitamin C.

Bits of The Weekend

There are so many bits of things that happened this weekend I don't know where to start! This package of fabric happiness arrived on Friday. It's for a very special quilt that I am hoping to tell you more about shortly. Only seeing Freshcuts by Heather Bailey on the internet, it made me a little worried that colors would be a bit bright or maybe the patterns would be too much for the project. Thankfully it's just what I was looking for - amazingness.

Saturday was the day to prepare for Damien's 9th birthday party. He wanted a Sonic The Hedgehog cake for awhile but when he wanted chocolate frosting too ... well I had to get my thinking cap on. Sunday the day of the party, he gave me his approval (whew), now that he is 9 that is a little harder to get.

Also arriving in my mail box was this lovely book!! Gosh I am still in shock over this giveaway win. Tif was sweet enough to sign it for me. The pages have been turned, read, and stared at. Funny how it's been on my must have books and now that I have it I don't want to put it down. There are a million little details to this book that I adore. If you are a fan of granny chic, vintage, or handmade - it should be in you hands too. Thank you so much Dottie Angel ♥

Last but not least is a new journey we are starting to prepare for. So this weekend I started going room by room organizing and downsizing. Taking pictures of items you may have seen and inquired about that were in my house, for the shop and the bay. Only the absolute must have can't live without items will make the cut. Something that is much harder than you may think.
Hope your weekend was full of bits like mine :)
P.S. Can you spy what Aries' item snuck into my last photo?

Strainer Bunny

Sometimes when I get ready to photograph something vintage for the shop - it transforms into something else. The little wire ears on the strainer kept reminding me of a bunny - So I just couldn't stop myself. Strainer bunny was born.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

I'm A Sucker For You

I've made some fun printable Valentine cards for Print Me Out! They can be used as merchandise tags, lollipop holders, favors, classroom cards, or party decorations. Being a mom of three buying those little cards at the store can be a task - usually they don't have the amount I need in one box for all the kids in the class, so I end up buying two or three boxes per kid. This year it will easy - just print them out - have the kids sign them and we are done.

Heart Garland

Just wanted to show what I'm working on for Valentine's day. There are also some cute printable cards and lollipop tags in the works. This heart garland was added in the shop this morning. Thinking about making a rainbow hearts garland, all white garland, and.....not sure. Those little hearts are just so much fun to make.
Also Aries' birthday is just around the corner. Since she had a big birthday last year we are keeping her party small this year. Can you guess her theme this year?

The Lefton Christmas Angel Story

Amanda,

Now that we are one day after Christmas, I'm going to tell you my Christmas Angel story.

My wife Colleen was born on 12/28, and she received a little Lefton Christmas Angel for her 5th birthday in 1958.  This little red, white and gold ceramic angel was one of her prize possessions and it occupied a place of honor in our China hutch.  About 10 years ago, as Colleen and I were moving the hutch away from the wall because we were repainting, the hutch tipped slightly, its door opened and the little Christmas Angel fell out, shattering into so many pieces on our hardwood floor that it was unrepairable.

Since then I've heard Colleen mention on many occasions, that she used to have a precious little Christmas Angel, but Mike broke it several years ago.  Well, after searching and looking for many years, and looking at hundreds and hundreds of little ceramic angels, I found the replacement at your Itchin Stitchin website!

Imagine my excitement, when I opened your package to discover what was indeed a replica of my Colleen's missing Christmas Angel!

Colleen opened her present yesterday, in the company of her 91 year old Mother, and they both agreed that this was just like the Christmas Angel that she treasured for so many years.

I really, really appreciate that you were able to make my wife Colleen's dream of having her Christmas Angel back come true.

Amanda, you definitely rock!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you,

I will always remember you,

Mike

 This is the very reason I love selling vintage. Treasures that hold memories and have a story. I'm so over joyed that this little Lefton Angel brought such Christmas cheer to one of my customers.

The very reason that one of my New Years resolutions is to never give up.

 Just like Mike, one day you will find your angel.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!! This year I am so grateful for many things including my little shops, everyone who visits and reads this blog, and of course all the new friends I have made.

So as a thank you I am offering 15% off anything in either shop (Print Me Out and Itchin Stitchin - including *custom orders) starting now until Dec 1st. Just use coupon code GOBBLE !
So get ready, get set, GO get your food coma on :)

*If interested in a custom order please message me - I can make custom business tags, headers, banners, blog designs, snowflake garlands, quilts, blankets, bags, or anything else you have seen here or in my shops that you want personalized

Things That Make Me Happy

After a let down of a week I needed somethings that made me happy. My list included:

* Crafting new items for the shop

* Organizing the studio - including color coordinating the threads

* Making cupcakes with the kids

* Getting an extra special package in the mail from a wonderful friend

* Realizing it's candles season

* Almost finishing my scarf

* Deciding to go back to school

* Reading all my favorite blogs

What makes you happy when you're feeling down?

Did I tell you?

I just realized I have been keeping some secrets. Not on purpose of course! Well the first one is that I am running in my local political race as town tax collector. Being a girl scout and going door to door selling cookies was little easier than going door to door this time. Maybe it's the cookies. So if your local and you see me on your doorstep, I promise I am not selling something, I'm just there to introduce myself. Let you see that I don't have horns sticking out of my head and that paying taxes is never fun but I can try to make it be.

Secondly or should I say lastly, this is my new Etsy shop. So you don't have to print this out...unless you want to. My other shop (Itchin Stitchin) is still open but this new one (PrintMeOut) is solely dedicated to printable crafts. What you will find in there is gift tags, labels, stationery, collage sheets, cards, and other paper crafts. All the images are vintage ephemera  inspired. So it's full of great kitschy retro cuteness. 

So want to help me celebrate? Do you like GIVEAWAYS!?!?! I figured what better time than right now to have a giveaway of the peachiest kind. So here are the details!

One winner will get to pick 3 tag sets from my new shop. New ones are being added all the time! My tag sets come with 4 different designs each that measure 2x3 inches, print on 4x6 paper, are in JPEG form, and are in 300dpi high resolution quality. If I am confusing you with numbers that is 12 different tags that you can print over and over and over again.

How to Enter:

Please leave a separate comment for each one and a way for me to contact you!!

1. Visit my new shop and show it some ♥ love. Heart my shop on Etsy and come back here and tell me for ~ 1 Entry

2. Tell me what your favorite item is so far from Print Me Out for ~ 1 Entry

3. Follow my blog through google friend connect or if you already do (Thank You!) leave a comment for ~ 1 Entry

4. Tweet about this giveaway using this tweet: @ItchinStitchin opened her new #Etsy shop and is doing a #giveaway to celebrate!! Go check it out at http://tinyurl.com/3ctd24o

Come back here, tell me you did, and get ~ 1 Entry

5. Facebook like ItchinStitchin or if you already do (Thank You!) leave a comment saying you did for ~ 1 Entry

6. Post a blog post, say something nice about me on Facebook, or spread the word in anyway about the shop or my blog - post the link here so I can read it for ~ 2 Entries!

Rules ~ 

There are multiple ways to enter. Giveaway ends November 5th, 2011 12pm Est and comments will be disabled on this post. 1Winner will be chosen by Random.org on November 6th, 2011.

***Please remember the prize is for personal use only, I dislike having to even mention this because I don't think any of my readers would do it, but Resale of the tags digital or in printed form is a No No - Thanks and GOODLUCK***

A Lesson

All primped and fresh out of the laundry Mr. Squirrel and Calico Bunny had their photo shoot. They will be placed in the shop!! They did give me a bit of a scare the other night though. 

Another bad habit I like to do is keep pins tucked in my lips while sewing. Being the busy mom that I am one of the kids came into the studio while I was sewing, reminding them to be careful and that I would be out in just one minute, I lost track of the pin. Realizing there was once a pin in between my lips and now there wasn't the first thought that came to my mind was .. Did I just swallow a pin? 

Of course thinking this thought only makes things worse. You Google what to do if you swallow a pin (something I would not recommend to anyone), your throat starts to hurt, and you go into total freak out mode. Needless to say I am still alive, nothing hurts, and I won't be joining the circus anytime soon for swallowing weird objects. The pin is on my studio floor and not in my tummy. 

A nice little lessons learned. Don't tell your kids to not put things in their mouths and you put pins in there. Slow down before you hurt yourself. Pay attention. 

Slowing down will have to wait though. This weekend will be filled with a barn tag sale, game night at my mom's house, making things for next weekends farmer's market, and finishing up the 2nd Doodle Embroidery Block. I did get the blocks from the printer and they will be in the shop as soon as I can show my finished block. If you do want one before then I can set up a reserved listing for you - either comment or send me an email (itchinstitchin (at) gmail (dot) com). 

Hope everyone has a fun filled weekend like we do!!!

*Also don't forget to enter my Bloom Bucket Bag Giveaway it ends on Saturday Aug 6th!!!