Stitch Crafts

Super slow sales

2012-01-29T14:30:00.000-06:00

I am sure missing my Christmas sales right about now. I've only had 2 sales in my Etsy shop since the first of the year. I have started listing pieces for sale on Ebay again under the name xstitched4u and it looks like this piece will be going to a new home.

I'm busy working on some new pieces for my shop. Happy crafting and hope everyone gets some sales!

Finding a job

2012-01-26T14:18:00.001-06:00

Posted by Gaylord Campbell This is not an ideal time to be looking for a job. They say it is not what you know but who you know, and I am beginning to think that statement is true. I have been looking online for jobs for two months, and I have submitted my resume to countless companies. Every morning I get online our Wallingford clear wireless internet provider and begin the search all over again. My dad knows several men in the marketing industry, and he got me two separate interviews. Unfortunately, both companies were looking for more experience. Coming out of college with a degree in marketing, I was hoping to land a job specific to my degree, but at this point I will take anything. A sorority sister of mine helped me get an interview with her dad’s company, and I made it to the final four out of 30. However, I did not get the job. I am continuing to look, and I know that there are many people who have been out of work for longer than two months. However, it is pretty discouraging coming out of college and unable to find work.

Couldn't resist!

2012-01-25T09:43:00.001-06:00

A couple of nights ago I was getting ready to take some pictures and saw a great photo opportunity. It's not too often that both my cats curl up together but I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of them relaxing together in our recliner.

I dont' think they liked being distubed by the flash. It's often difficult to find anywhere to sit in our living room because of those 2 cats and our 2 dogs. They like to be with us but love to be comfortable while visiting.

Needle Crafts

2012-01-23T11:51:00.000-06:00

I have to say that my favorite needle craft has to be cross stitching. I've been stitching for around 30 years, since my grandmother taught me how to cross stitch when I was 15 years old. She was so talented at cross stitching but her true passion was knitting. I'm sorry to say that I have pretty much forgotten everything she taught me about knitting but at least her legacy lives on in my cross stitching. My second favorite "needle" craft is needle felting. Needle felting is when you take wool roving, a super sharp, barbed felting needle and repeatedly stab the wool roving and form whatever shapes you need. I love making felted acorns of various shapes and sizes and matching them up to different types of acorn caps. Needle felting is an ancient form of needle crafts. It's very fun to do just watch out for your fingers when felting. When cross stitching or needle felting I love to create country, rustic, and primitive pieces. I'm pretty sure I should have been born 150 years ago because I am drawn to the primitive style of years gone by. Happy crafting!

The new year and crafts

2012-01-14T15:26:00.000-06:00

Here we are 14 days into the new year and I've been busy working on new pieces to add to my shop on Etsy. So far I have gotten 9 new pieces listed. Off to a good start I think.

My next goal is to either start or make my blog a selling blog. I'm not sure exactly how it works but am trying to figure it out. I'd love to list some of my patterns for sale so I can do a little destashing. I've collected so many patterns that I feel guilty if I buy a new one. That makes me think that it is time to find them some new homes.

Happy crafting everyone and be sure and check back to see if I figure out how to sell on my blog.

Baby it's cold outside

2012-01-12T10:15:00.000-06:00

Here it is January 12th and we just got our first really cold winter blast and a few inches of snow. You sure won't hear me complain about the lack of snow this year. I have been loving our springlike weather over the past few weeks.

Today's blustery weather makes me just want to sit inside and stitch. No school for the kids today so I think I'll just hang out with them (when they get up cuz you know teens).

Stay warm and Happy Crafting.

I've finally caught the Christmas Spirit

2011-12-14T12:14:00.002-06:00

Now that I've put the tree up and all the other Christmas decorations I'm feeling the holiday spirit. I put the tree up yesterday, decorated the house, and wrapped presents. Today I'm baking cookies and making candy with my daughter. Just have to finish packing my niece's gift bag of goodies and deliver that to my sister in the morning and I'm all ready to celebrate with friends and family.

I'm anxious to get to stitching something new but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays.

Happy Holidays!

Getting ahead with proven results

2011-12-11T07:44:00.000-06:00

With today's economy many of us are returning to school to help better ourselves. While planning to return to school to get my masters degree in business I decided to give myself a little edge by getting some help from a proven online source for the GMAT's

After enrolling in this course I now feel prepared to pursue my degree with confidence. I know that by giving myself this extra edge with the GMAT I can go out and get my degree and look forward to a much brighter future in the business world.

Thanks to these online studies I'm looking forward to what awaits me in the future.

It's feeling like winter

2011-12-11T07:30:00.000-06:00

It is finally beginning to feel like winter and Christmas time here in the midwest. We actually had snow a couple of days this week that just dusted the ground (my favorite kind of snow since it is pretty but doesn't cause bad driving conditions).

Still need to put up the Christmas tree but I was waiting for my daughter to get home from college. Now that she is home we can put the tree up as a family. I'm anxious to start wrapping presents too.

Happy Holidays!

Work wear

2011-11-30T16:58:00.001-06:00

Like most of you, I want to be professional looking and comfortable while at work. Slipping into my uniform which is a set of scrubs makes getting ready for work super easy. I love the comfort and fit of my scrubs and the ease of buying new ones through Blue Sky Scrubs.

Even though I don't get to wear "regular" clothes at work I feel stylish because of the modern look of my uniform. With Blue Sky Scrubs I can pick and choose my scrub tops, bottoms or buy sets. They look great, fit well, and give me a professional and comfortable look all day.

Check them out.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

2011-11-09T12:29:00.000-06:00

Was out running errands this morning when what to my wondering eyes should appear but tiny little snowflakes. The chilly, windy day made me realize that Christmas is not too far away.

I've been busy working on a custom order for 2 Christmas ornaments. They are so pretty and I just love Santas. I collect them and have about 60 different ones. Here's a picture of the ornaments.

Downsizing my personal space to a smaller apartment

2011-11-07T13:46:00.001-06:00

Guest post written by Katherine Smalls

I thought for a long time that I wouldn't be able to live by myself ever. But I think that now that I've had a series of roommates, I've had enough of them and I'm feeling a little too old to put up with other people. So I'm getting an apartment by myself in about a month. But of course I'm going to be living in a smaller apartment than before. I'm not all that sure if I'm going to have more room in general, so I'm going to make sure that I have a little less stuff.

Plus it will also help to have to move a lot less stuff. Besides, this is me moving myself for budget's sake so I've been looking up all kinds of packing tips online with my Jacksonville Clear Internet. But I guess the best packing tip is to have less stuff to pack.

I think that I'm almost ready for my downsized space. I still have to cut down on the amount of shoes that I have though. It's so hard to pick out ones over others because I feel like it's picking children!

Indian Summer

2011-10-05T09:04:00.000-05:00

Seems like we are experiencing our Indian Summer right now. Had a hard frost over the weekend but so far it's been in the low 80's this week. The leaves are turning right now and it is just beautiful out here. I love fall.

Been busy working on some new pieces for my Etsy shop. Just finished this prim piece and I may have to make one for myself.

Frosty start to the day

2011-10-02T07:52:00.000-05:00

Got up at 6 am to a very chilly house (59 degrees) and to see that we had a hard frost last night. I was ready for summer and the 100 + days to be gone but not sure I'm ready for the cold.

Also awoke to 4 sales in my Etsy shop. I'd say that's a good way to start the day. Time to start stitching.

Happy crafting everyone.

Last day of September

2011-09-30T15:00:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe it's already the last day of September. I've been busy working in the yard and cleaning up the garden. Still have some peppers growing but that's about it.

Now it's time to think ahead to Christmas. I guess I should be busy working on holiday crafts now that fall is here. Saw a beautiful pattern online today by Blackbird Designs that I would love to have. After lots of online searching, I guess I'll just have to add it to my wish list.

Hope everyone is having a great fall. Happy crafting.

I can't decide!

2011-09-07T08:51:00.001-05:00

I've gotten caught up on all my chores around the house and now it's time to stitch. Problem is that I can't decide what to stitch first. My new favorite patterns are from La D Da. I'm also loving the patterns from Little House Needleworks.

Should I stitch this one.

Or maybe this one.

I'll end up doing both anyway so maybe I should stick with my fall theme.

Happy crafting.

Beautiful Fall Day

2011-09-05T10:34:00.000-05:00

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful fall like day spent with family. My niece was in town with her toddler son. We barbequed, sat outside in the fresh air, and spent a little time fishing. I helped my great nephew catch his first fish. It was a 4 pound catfish who put up quite the fight. Cole quickly lost interest which I expected since he's only 2 1/2. Great way to relax and have fun.

I haven't been working on any crafts lately. Been busy catching up on housework and outside chores. I would love to find the time to knit some more pumpkins or stitch some fall pieces.

Happy crafting!

Check out some of the great artisans on the PAFA team

2011-09-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

The fall treasuries just keep rolling in and there are some really beautiful, unique primitive fall decorations available on Etsy. Our team is currently also hosting a giveaway of some of these items.

This treasury brings back memories from your childhood just with the title. Check it out.

Be sure and go over to the PAFA team blog and enter the giveaway.

Think I'll start stitching on some more fabulous fall pieces.

Happy crafting!

Planning for the future

2011-09-02T16:14:00.002-05:00

College has started again for my daughter and she is busy deciding if she wants to go on for her MBA. Her counselor suggested that she take the GMAT practice .

She is majoring in graphic design and photograph with a business minor. She intends to eventually start her own business and we know that getting her MBA in Business will be a great asset. Veritas prep offeres her the chance to take the practice test and see if this is what she wants to do.

Maybe she should get that business degree and pursue something in computers because I don't know what we would do without the internet and all the information we can get whenever we need it.

Expressing my love of flea markets

2011-08-30T16:47:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Whitney Hale

There's no place that I would rather be on a weekend morning than a flea market. They're just a goldmine, to me anyway. I just can't get enough of them. I don't even mind when I come away from one empty handed, which happens less times than not. It's fun to just look at all of the off beat things that you can find in a flea market and imagine who owned them before they were on sale at a flea market.

I use my Dallas wireless internet a lot to track down different vendors that are really good and I've met at certain flea markets. I've even met a few that sell their creations in boutiques. People tend to forget that it isn't just used things that are sold at flea markets.

But a lot of the things that I do buy at flea markets, which is mostly furnishings and decor, are used. They're so much cheaper that way. Also, it's nice to know that 500 other people didn't buy the same kind of lamp from Target like you did.

Fall Giveaway - Check it out!

2011-08-29T08:43:00.000-05:00

I am a member of the PAFA team on Etsy. PAFA means Primitive And Folk Artists. The team is made up of over 130 members who all sell beautiful, unique primitive, rustic, country crafts.

The team is hosting a giveaway that started on Sunday, August 28th and runs until September 17th.

Hop on over and check it out. Be sure and enter the giveaway.

Feels like Fall

2011-08-25T10:37:00.000-05:00

Felt like fall this morning when I stepped out the door which was a pleasant surprise after the temperatures reached 100 degrees yesterday. I've already been busy collecting acorn caps. The Oak trees are slowly releasing their seeds.

I've been busy working on fall pieces for my Etsy shop. Added this new piece today. I think it turned out cute considering knitting isn't my favorite hobby. What do you think?

Summer is almost over and school is about to start

2011-08-12T12:14:00.000-05:00

Summer is almost over and school is about to start which makes my 16 year old son very unhappy. I, however, am ready to return to my usual schedule. Working on my cross stitching is so much easier to do when I'm doing my usual school routine. I love getting up early, getting the house cleaned, chores done, and the kids off to school so by 7:30 I'm ready to sit down and stitch.

Six days and counting!

Happy crafting!

Craft Blogs

2011-08-02T07:43:00.000-05:00

If you have ever searched the internet for craft blogs you know there are thousands of them out there. As you can see, I have one too. I recently discovered this new blog called The All Craft Blog.

Check it out. They take submissions of your items and post links to your shop so it's a great way to get seen by others.

Crafts

2011-07-30T12:14:00.000-05:00

I must admit that I am a huge fan of crafting. I've been creating cross stitch, needle felted, and country/primitive crafts for more years than I care to admit (ok, it's been about 20 years).

A huge part of crafting is having easy access to supplies. I live in a very rural area and prefer to buy most of my supplies online. I have discovered a whole world of craft stores online.

Sometimes shopping at online stores gives my creative juices a nudge and I come up with new ideas. I love to browse through fabric, beads, threads, patterns, and such so I can add to my supply collection. Who knows what I will end up creating from my next delivery.