My Life in Stitches

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2012-08-28T18:48:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day Promo Code in my Etsy Shop

2012-04-27T17:27:00.001-04:00

Hey All!

I am offering 12% off at checkout for items in my Etsy Shop, My Life in Stitches. I have crochet coasters, dish cloths, ornaments and crochet covered beach stones to offer.

Etsy Online labs

2012-04-24T16:34:00.000-04:00

I've been a member of Etsy since 2008. Etsy is a fabulous resource to find all sorts of neat things people are selling. I love browsing the vintage items and I drool over some of the clothing and accessories - so many creative people in this world! I love that it is INTERNATIONAL as well.

For my self, I dabbled a bit here and a bit there. I listed items, I sold items and I purchased from other Etsy sellers. This is the year I decided to get serious about it. My decision is partly based on economic and financial reasons

{also reads as I AM UNEMPLOYED!}

The other part is, I just felt the need to explore my creative side. Now, I don't know where this journey will take me, all I know is that I am enjoying the ride right now.

Anyhoo....I participated in an online Etsy Lab today, Etsy Success: Developing a Successful Product Line. Etsy has so many tools and resources to help the online seller. I learned a few new things today and even had an opportunity to submit my shop, My Life in Stitches for a critique, my shop appears at 19:14 of the video.

More Works In Progress

2012-04-22T16:46:00.000-04:00

I finally got around to trying my hand at embroidery. I am an avid cross stitcher, however, I felt it was time to expand my horizons and explore. I like anything that has to do with the sea, {Okay, I'll call it NAUTICAL} I've always liked the Cape Cod Girls Sea Shanty, and took creative liberty with renaming it Gloucester Girls - since I'm from Gloucester! The next step is to stitch some Codfish Bones and a Mermaid with maybe a crab or two. Then I will tea stain it - that will also be a first for me. STAY TUNED!

Works in Progress

2012-04-22T16:26:00.001-04:00

Along the coast of Massachusetts, we are still experiencing some beautiful weather days. I packed up my gear and headed to my "other" studio - outside down at the beach, where I get to enjoy this view:

The infamous Greasy Pole of Gloucester.

Life is good!

Time for Tarn, An Earth Day Post

2012-04-13T22:17:00.000-04:00

I worked for QVC for almost 12 years. They were a fun company to work for and I had the tee shirts to prove it! I had so many and with the recent move we made from SC to MA{downsized!} I was struggling to find room for them. Enter Pinterest - I LOVE PINTEREST - anyways, on Pinterest I found ideas to help give tee shirts a new life since I really had no reason to wear these tee shirts again.

Before I could begin making the fun things I found, I had to go from this pile of tee shirts

To this pretty basket of Tarn balls.

Here's how I did it:

check out the video on You Tube too!

Works best on tee shirt without a side seam

Begin by laying the shirt out flat and cutting off the bottom seam and the top below any logo. If there's no graphic on the front of the shirt, cut it just below the arm holes.

You can leave the shirt in two layers as if you were getting ready to fold it, {I like to fold mine in half leaving the inch or so at the fold since I use a rotary cutter} with the closed edges at the top and bottom of your cutting surface and the open edges on the sides.

Cut the T-shirt into strips the width of your choice. {I like to make it one inch strips} I wouldn't go narrower than half an inch, though, or the yarn can become less stable.

The key point about this step is DO NOT cut all the way across the T-shirt; leave about an inch or so at theside along the closed edge uncut.

When the cutting is done you'll have something that looks like a hula skirt or the fringe from Jon Bon Jovi's jacket, but with the top edge closed.

The next process is to make a slant cut from strip 1 to strip 2, strip 2 to strip 3 and so on in order to create a continuous strip for the whole T-shirt.

Roll it all up into a ball and make something new out of something old!

A Stitch in the Weather

2012-04-11T20:42:00.000-04:00

My bag of cross stitch goodies.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

This was a day not to be spent inside. There is another change in the weather in Massachusetts and it is a change for the good.

I'm working on some original cross stitch patterns and the beach seemed the best spot to be. I grabbed my little cross stitch project bag, my iPad so I could listen to A Game of Thorns, my chair and headed to the beach.

Stay tuned for when I roll out my original patterns for cross stitch in my Etsy shop.

The view from my seat of
Gloucester Harbor.
I was sitting against the wall of the
old Clarence Birdseye building

Thrifty, somewhat Nifty!

2012-02-14T22:34:00.002-05:00

I participate in Thrift Share Monday's

It was a slow week for thrifting. I went to our local thrift shop, Second Glance, and didn't find anything too exciting, or at least exciting to me. I did buy some latch hook canvas mesh though. I have a lot of tee shirts from different events when I worked at QVC. I don't wear them anymore and don't want to give them away, so.....they are going to enjoy a new life as a rug or two! My daughter found rugs made from tee shirts on Pinterest and I found a tutorial here on XOELLE. The mesh only cost $2.00 and the tee shirts were free! It's a win-win to me. I'll be posting pictures in a future post.

My daughter had to have the cigarette lighter - she doesn't smoke, just to use as decoration. She likes the AMC show, Mad Men. She said it reminded her living in the 60's. I think it was $2.00, it has a "Bone China" sticker on it, but I'm not sure if the vintage. I also bought the decorative crochet cloth for $1.00 and the pillow cases with flannel for $5.00. There are a couple stains on the crochet piece I will try to Oxy Clean out. The pillow cases and flannel will be a test run before I buy new fabric for a chenille baby blanket based on a tutorial I found through Pinterest here Aesthetic Nest.

During the week I went with a friend to Salem, MA to check out Witch City Consignment. They are also a thrift store. I was overwhelmed to say the least. There were sooo many goodies all in one place. I will need to go back and take another walk through. I was happy with the selection of vintage Valentine's Day and Christmas cards. They were a $1.00 each and I walked out with 10.

We also went to a thrift shop associated with the local homeless shelter. Once again, a lot of stuff packed into a tiny place - but nothing had a price on it. After having to ask different people on multiple occasions, I just lost interest. There were also too many volunteers and they were either in the way or bumping into you as you tried to navigate the aisles.

My friend found a listing for an inside yard sale at an auction company over this past Saturday. I took a look see, was not wowed by anything. Once again, a place that does not put prices on items. On the way out, I spotted the frame and because it had a ship in full sail and a lighthouse, I wanted it. I know I overpayed - $2.00 - but it will look good with my seaglass collection.

I'm still relatively new to thrift shopping, still getting used to what is a good bargain and what is a great find.

A Nubby Texture Pattern to Use Up My Stash

2012-02-14T21:43:00.000-05:00

I have been spending far too much time on Pinterest and Craftgawker when I should be doing more constructive things. I can't help it though, Pinterest, especially, is so addictive!

I am inspired by all the other projects people have completed or are working on. Then I get the little voice in my head that says, "go buy more yarn and make me!" I grab my purse and the car keys ready to go out the door, then I cast a guilty glance towards my craft closet door and knowing what is in there, stops me in my tracks.

Behind that door is miles and miles of yarn, cotton thread, fabric, ribbon, elastic and all sorts of crafting gee gaws. I resolve this year to not buy anymore until I use up what I have and to FINISH projects I started.

My first step in that direction is to use up all the cotton yarn I have by making as many dishcloths as I have to! Here's a look at my progress in that area:

It's an easy pattern to follow:

Using a US-H size crochet hook chain 30 for your foundation chain
Row 1 - SC (single crochet) in 2nd chain from hook TR (Treble Crochet) in next chain. Repeat SC and TR to end of foundation chain ending with a SC, chain 1 and turn.
Row 2 - SC across, 29 times - starting in top of SC from previous row.
Repeat these two rows until desired size - ending on row 1. My dishcloth was worked in 25 rows.

I also made smaller ones to use up cotton yarn that I did not have enough to make a full size cloth.

Using a US-H size crochet hook chain 20 for your foundation chain
Row 1 - SC (single crochet) in 2nd chain from hook TR (Treble Crochet) in next chain. Repeat SC and TR to end of foundation chain ending with a SC, chain 1 and turn.
Row 2 - SC across, 19 times - starting in top of SC from previous row.
Repeat these two rows until desired size - ending on row 1. My dishcloth was worked in 17 rows.

Hope this helps you use up some of your stash so you can buy more too!

My First Estate Sale and It Was Free!

2012-02-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

This post is part of Thrift Share Monday

So there I was, cruising through Craigslist looking for stuff. Now, remember, this is winter in New England. I wasn't holding out much hope that there would be anything under the garage sale listing when I clicked on it, but there it was - ESTATE SALE 4 FREE and it was in my area! WOO HOO! I got up early the next morning and accompanied by my daughter, took off to the free Estate Sale.

Quilting magazines & fabric pieces

I have watched enough episode of Cash & Cari to know that there would be a line of people outside and that I needed to be at least in the first group of 20 - 25 to get to the decent stuff. When we arrived at the sale location, there were a lot of cars, so I had my daughter get out of the car and secure a spot in line for us. We were 21st in line. While waiting to get in we heard the background story and why it was free.

It's Lucille Ball on the cove of Cosmo!

The house was a two generation hoarder situation and the last occupant passed away last year. The first estate sale occured in the beginning of December 2011 and after having additional yard sales, the family members decided to open the house and let people take what was left so they wouldn't have to do the cleanup themselves.

Vintage Redbook!

A hoop for a skirt! Actually found 3!

My daughter and I did not really know what we were looking for, so we just picked up what we liked - since it was all FREE!

Dishes

We will be checking Craigslist for more Estate Sales - just wish they could all be FREE!

1950's Bra Slip - Gilead

Made In Japan containers with lids!

A pair of goat skin gloves never worn in the wax paper and other gloves

This post is part of Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thift Girl

Birthday Shout Out

2012-02-01T12:33:00.000-05:00

One of my friends is celebrating a birthday today. She also makes fabulous tutu's and bows. Check it out here,
Hannahs Treasures, like it, and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

New Listings on Etsy Today

2012-02-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

To celebrate February 1st, I put up several new listings in my Etsy Shop, My Life in Stitches, today. They are all heart themed in honor of one of this month's holidays - Valentines Day! Click on over and take a peek - I may have that last minute gift you are looking for.

Obsessed With Knitting?

2012-02-01T09:36:00.001-05:00

The Last Knit - When knitting becomes an obsession.

Directed by Laura Neuvonen
Country Finland
Year of Production 2005
Running Time 7 minutes

Just watch it.

Diagonal Crochet Dishcloths - Set of Four for Sale

2012-01-31T16:27:00.001-05:00

Diagonal Crochet set of Four, a photo by My Life In Stitches on Flickr.

I have a really nice set of four diagonal crochet cloths up for sale in my Etsy shop.

Made from 100% natural cotton - Keep two for you and give two away! Great for a teachers gift, housewarming, bridal showers or any other occasion.

The cotton yarn is durable and is perfect for cleaning your kitchen pots and pans - however, also can be used as a face cloth as well.

Measures 6 inches by 6 inches.
Allow for shrinkage after laundering.

Care: Machine wash, lay flat to dry

Go check em out!Via Flickr:
www.etsy.com/shop/mylifeinstitches

Pretty in Pink Small Cloths -SOLD!

2012-01-31T15:25:00.001-05:00

Pretty in Pink Small Cloths, a photo by My Life In Stitches on Flickr.

It is so nice to make a sale. I reopened my Etsy shop at the begining of January and good things do come to those who wait, and market and wait. Well, you get the picture. It makes me happy when the things I make find their way to a new home. Kind of makes me feel like I'm making a difference for someone!
Via Flickr:
www.etsy.com/shop/mylifeinstitches
SOLD!

Gifts From The Sea

2012-01-25T13:55:00.001-05:00

Gifts From The Sea, a set on Flickr.

We have been experiencing really warm weather in New England this winter. We have also been having some really unusual higher tides than normal. However, this results in a fun stroll along the beach and finding pretty treasures and jewels. Interesting pottery shards, pieces of sea tossed and tumbled new glass and old glass. I love living by the ocean.

Beam Me Down Scotty - To Arizona

2012-01-18T11:39:00.004-05:00

I came across a really great site, South West Trading Company. Based in Arizona, the website has a great selection of yarns and patterns. They are also very active with promoting fiber arts in their area with the offering of classes. I wish I lived in the area to take advantage of the events on their calendar. Until that happens, I will browse their book selection, with patterns developed by Jonelle Raffino and other members of SWTC.

Happy creating today ya'll - - - I am back to cross stitching the Mario chart for my son I found on Sprite Stitch. His birthday is this weekend and since this won't be done by then, I'll be sending him a picture of the WIP instead!

Crochet Covered Beach Stones

2012-01-17T16:12:00.003-05:00

Crochet Covered Beach Stones, a set on Flickr.

Been working on heart themed beach stones and I'm starting to be happy with the results. A few could end up in my Etsy shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/mylifeinstitches

Pardon Me, I didn't Knit That for You

2012-01-14T08:25:00.004-05:00

Just out of curiosity, I searched YouTube for interesting videos about crafting and came across this gem.

It is sung by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne, of http://www.masondixonknitting.com.

Enjoy - I'm off to crochet stars today! Pics and info to follow, stay tuned.

What Are You Working On Today?

2012-01-13T11:36:00.004-05:00

I'm spending time today with a project I started in November 2010. This is a gift for my son and was inspired by this chart I found on a blog by Sprite Stitch. It is a lot of stitches, but well worth it.

What are you working on today?

New Listing on Etsy Brings Satisfaction

2012-01-11T11:57:00.004-05:00

Satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. I listed a set of 6 crochet coasters on Etsy today. I made these a few months ago and for a while could not decide if they would be small facial cloths or coasters. I always came back to coasters. Head over to Etsy and check them out! They make a great gift for yourself or someone else.

Heart Breaking Trial and Error

2012-01-11T09:29:00.007-05:00

So this week I was wondering if it wasn't too late to hop on the Valentine Day marketing and selling of heart related things.

I scoured my pattern files looking for hearts that would translate well to my current obsession of crocheting on beach stones. I found a couple, got the supplies together and got to work.

For some reason, I wasn't feeling the love on these. I'm wondering if it is because I fabricated a set pattern for the beach stones instead of being more free form.

Still debating if I will place these in my Etsy shop.

What do you think?

see more pictures on Flickr

Singing About Crochet

2012-01-07T09:26:00.007-05:00

I was cruising the internet yesterday looking for a small filet crochet heart to crochet. I came across Crochet Geek who had a great chart and as I cruised the site, I found this little gem she had reposted from Youtube - check it out!
I Crochet
The Collaboration Project
July 31, 2011,
The Triad NYC
Music: Kevin Wanzor and Joel B New

On The Rocks

2012-01-04T10:28:00.005-05:00

We moved back to our beloved hometown of Gloucester, MA. It is so nice to be back again. We moved away in 1994 and 16 years later we are home! I love being by the ocean again and being able to take daily walks along the beach in the harbor and scavenging the gifts from the sea, buttons, glass, pieces of pottery and stones. I love the beach stones with all their different colors and shapes and I like to cover them in crochet!

Stripes Part Two

2009-11-06T16:46:00.004-05:00

My candy cane inspired scarf is coming along nicely. The yarn is sooo easy to work with and this scarf is going keep someones neck VERY warm this winter. I am using a K2, P2 pattern alternating every two rows.