The Country Mink and The City Mink

Now offering vintage items on Easy!

2015-08-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

I am now currently offering vintage items on Easy, so if you want that certain special something or need to get some props for a show or movie, check it out!

CYC Certification

2015-04-19T10:13:00.002-05:00

Well, I am taking the big leap into the fiber world and I am working on my Level I Craft Yarn Council (CYC) Knitting Certification!

I have 6 months to swatch and teach and when I finish I will be a Certified Knitting Teacher (Beginning Knitters). So excited!

New Felted Critters for Spring

2015-04-05T10:45:00.000-05:00

New for Spring! Cute felted dinosaur and unicorn pins. Perfect party favors and I can custom make them in any color your little heart desires! Hop on over to the Easy store and check them out as well as my other springtime offerings!

Spring Paper Flowers

2015-03-22T13:33:00.003-05:00

Since Spring can be so fickle in the Midwest (it was 70s during the week and now its going to snow 1-2 inches tonight) I thought some nice paper flowers might be in order. Available on the Easy store these would be great in your hair or on your wrist.

Don't like the colors you see, how about a custom order?

Green and purple-the original- based on California Chrome's race to the Triple Crown

Hand stamped bees that will not sting on this spring flower-perfect for teat time!

Hand painted red with cream accents and tissue paper with keys.

Hand painted stripes perfect for Autumn.

Dr Who Scarf

2015-03-15T16:33:00.002-05:00

After many long hours and garter stitching (50,000 about) and 13 balls of yarn.....I present the Dr. Who Scarf!

I had to lay it down the basement stairs to get a proper picture of all of it, so the color may look off, but its spot on.

Custom Bunny Pins for Easter

2015-03-14T15:39:00.004-05:00

If you've been looking at the Etsy shop lately, you'll notice my bunny pins are hopping off all over the states to happy new homes. If you don't see a color you like, I can custom make one to your specifications. Just check out some of the custom ones below! Make sure to order in time for Easter!

Belt Buckles

2015-03-08T10:44:00.000-05:00

I went to the Button Room's craft and button show yesterday and picked up some great vintage belt buckles, can't wait to craft with them!

Also, keep your eyes peeled for some new hand dyed scarves on the Easy store and maybe even a certain multicolored extra long knitted scarf that a certain Dr. used to wear......

Adopt a Bunny

2015-03-01T11:14:00.001-06:00

Easter and Spring are right around the corner, though you would't know it in some parts of the country (I'm looking at you Massachusetts).

I've already sold three of these adorable bunnies on my Easy store so hop on over and get one while you can. I have little felt bunny pins in a various pastel shades and even one in chocolate. If you don't see one you like, I can custom make one for you- just check out my policies section to see that custom design means an extra charge!

All bunnies in my store are ready to be adopted!

Paper and Felt Flowers

2015-02-08T14:31:00.000-06:00

I've been creating bit more this past week, snow and all. Lots of flowers, maybe because there aren't any outside and I wanted some to brighten up my studio.

I've started felting again and made this wet felted flower. I even spun the green yarn on this one!

Then I decided to try my hand at a boutonniere. I had this really cool robot paper from Paper Source and some vintage crepe paper.

Then I decided that I needed to make a matching wrist corsage.

Everything is up for sale on Easy!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MinkCouture

design trends

2015-01-25T12:23:00.001-06:00

So there was an article in the Chicago Tribune today where 3 interior designers predicted if last years trends would continue.....

Can you believe that some of them had never heard of Radiant Orchid? And they think mason jars are not a trend?!

Seriously?!

Mason jars will never die for some reason. I only use mine for canning......

Kauni Yarn

2014-12-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

I got this two balls of beautiful Kauni yarn for my birthday! I want to knit a "dragon scale" shawl with the green and try and pick up some more of the orange to knit a cardigan.

Has anyone knit with this yarn before? Its 100% wool, which is fine with me!

Knitted Boot cuffs!

2014-12-28T11:04:00.001-06:00

I made these lovely boot cuffs for my Mom for Christmas, they knit up super fast and I love, love, love this yarn!

For more inför, go to my revelry page here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CityMink/feather-lace-boot-topper

Little Putz Houses for you and meThis one has

2014-12-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

I love these little houses! I will be making some of my own to sell next year on Etsy. Anyone else love these as much as I do?

This one has a tree?

Nice ombre!

This one has fuzzy snow on the roof!

Larger houses

I like the cardboard tiled roof!

Shawl Photos!

2014-11-29T11:07:00.005-06:00

Here they are! Finally got around to taking some photos of my "shawl". This is the Confidence pattern from Lost City Knits, the pattern is free on their website.

This is more of a shawlette than full shawl. Its a good first pattern to get you into reading charts and easy lace work. I used sock yarn and think I may knit another one for a gift!

There are some row changes so things don't get to boring.

Here you can see some of the "lace"

Shawl Done!

2014-11-16T11:09:00.002-06:00

I finally finished my Confidence shawl! All I need to do is block it and weave the ends in. I can't believe that I knit a "lacework" shawl!!!

New Items and a Sale

2014-11-09T10:58:00.000-06:00

I have some new items up on the Easy store- some new Christmas ornaments and some fabulous new pin back "up cycled" vintage tie buttons.
I also have sale going through the month- 30% store wide so you can get your holiday shopping done early!

Safety Warnings

2014-10-26T11:37:00.001-05:00

I just bought a new glue gun and it came with an instruction booklet. This seems quite silly because....its a glue gun. Other than put glue stick in, plug in and don't touch the hot end, what instructions do you need???

Here are some of the warnings/ preventative maintenance tips..

in capital letters: Do not pull glue stick from back of glue gun

Not to be used to replace structural fasteners when heavy loads are involved

Wear long sleeves, long pants, hear resistant gloves and safety goggles

For indoor use only, do not use outdoors or in wet or damp locations. Never immerse glue gun in water or other liquid

Do not carry the tool by the cord

Obviously, someone did all of these things to warrant including these safety measures.....sheesh!

Secret Sale...Shhhhhh!

2014-10-19T12:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Gentle Readers.....

You are the first to hear about my "Secret" sale I have up for the pre-holidays. From Nov 4 through Dec 2 everything in the store is 30% off!!!

That means Black Friday starts early and you can shop from the comfort of your home for goodies for the entire family.

No coupon is needed, heck, you can even request a custom item and I will give you the discount!

Mark you calendars!

Worst Flu EVER

2014-10-12T12:39:00.001-05:00

Seriously...this past week had to be my worst bout with the flu ever. Not only the flu, but strep throat on top of that. It started out fine and I got some meds from my doctor and then it went downhill fast.
A week later and 5 pounds lighter I am finally getting over this thing. I will be getting a flu shot and encourage everyone to do the same!!!

New jewelry for fall

2014-10-05T11:36:00.001-05:00

I just added two new bracelets to the Etsy store!

Bright green wire with "candy" stones, perfect for the Fall!

Blood red coral pairs nicely with a stark black wire background

First attempt at knitting a shawl

2014-09-28T10:01:00.003-05:00

Well, I finally decided to dive in and knit a shawl. I am starting with the most basic of ones, the Confidence Shawl from Lost City Knits.
For something that is supposed to be easy, I'm already confused one row in. I don't really knit with charts and I am getting lost on the yarn overs. :(
I am going to keep trying and get this thing going! I will not let the chart beat me up. I will post pictures as soon as it looks like something.

Feature on the Etsy CIJ Blog

2014-09-14T11:02:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to be featured this month on Etsy's Christmas In July Blog. You can read all about it here:

http://etsychristmasinjuly.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/member-feature-mink-couture/

New Halloween Items!

2014-09-07T09:41:00.003-05:00

Just added to the Etsy store.....Halloween treat box ornaments. These are 6" tall and not only do they decorate your trey, but they also can hold some tasty candy or a tiny surprise inside!

Halloween Ghosts

Steampunk Ravens

Creepy, Crawly Spiders

Best summer drink ever!

2014-08-31T10:50:00.000-05:00

One of my coworkers told me about this drink he used to make at the Farm he worked at. The would have weddings and he was the bartender. This drink is the easiest thing to make and it tastes refreshing. I have yet to come up with a snappy name in his honor-I think it deserves something classy.

Best Summer Drink Ever

Pour some bourbon in a cocktail shaker (I used 2 ounces of Jim Bean). Add some apricot jam or orange marmalade (to taste- I used 2 tablespoons). Add ice and shake. Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with Gingerale.

You can fiddle with the ingredients to your taste. You get a wonderful jammy, fizzy drink without the punch of bourbon.

Yarn, Yarn, Everywhere...

2014-08-24T09:58:00.000-05:00

I always tell myself, "I have enough yarn"...as every knitter knows, this is just something we tell ourselves to try and stem the yarn hair. I have three boxes of yarn-quite a small amount in the yarn world. I know people that have entire rooms full of unused yarn.
But, still I tell myself-"Do not buy any more yarn until you use what you have". Technically all my yarn is earmarked for projects. The sock yarn is going to become a shawl, the worsted a cowl, the other worsted will be a flapper hat (short rows-why the short rows), the mink will be a shawl after I knit the practice shawl, the sparkly mohair with be a lace knit scarf, the kid mohair is a hat for my Mom.
So, why do I continue to buy wool whenever I see it? Whenever I go to non yarn stores (Jo-Anns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby-your "craft store") they have rows and rows of acrylic and about 1% yarn that is 100% wool. Now, you can do some fun stuff with acrylic and the colors-oh the colors and textures and glittery beads and weirdness of it is overwhelming. But its not real. It doesn't keep you warm and you can't felt and manipulate it like a wool. So, whoever I see wool, I buy it.
When I was at the Fiber Fair I found Alchemy's silk straw yarn for 1/2 price, so I bought 2 skeins. Then I bought some mohair from Blue Moon that is shades of mossy green. Now I am stuck with what do I knit which them?
On top of that, I am still in love with the wrap from Catching Fire that Katniss wears-add that to the list. And....watching Outlander last night I fell good and hard for Claire's knit cowl and gloves- pictures here (scroll down to #7). Oh, the chunky yarn!
Maybe it's because it is currently 90 outside with 100% humidity- it's like the South here, my hair is curling! I want the cool air to come so I can pull out the sweaters and curl up with some tea.....and knitting!