Monday, November 30, 2009

New Item - Perfect Stocking Stuffer


I love those rare days when I create a new item for the store.

Just in time for the holidays, I'm offering these awesome expandable mug cozies. They are a perfect stocking stuffer or small gift for that special someone on your list.

I love custom orders and can do just about any color you can imagine.


Don't drink coffee? How about hot cocoa, hot cider, tea, or a bunch of other yummy warm drinks!
These are under $10 and free international shipping! Happy Holidays!

Last Deal for This Weekend




Sunday, November 29, 2009

Ode to Alice Cullen Loom -a- Long




Here are my supplies: Provo Craft Flower Loom & Bernat Soft Chunky Yarn

It is a super easy pattern, and I was able to finish the set in less than an hour.


And here are my end results: a pair of super cute arm warmers!

I'm going to make another with a fiber that is even chunkier.
Living here in Utah, arm warmers are not accessories they are necessary.

Thanks Vickie!
I'll keep my fingers crossed I win...

Cost of Creativity

Lots of orders + little time = super unattractive fingers

Before I met my husband, I was on a first date with a guy(who actually introduced me to my future husband later that night..but that's for another blog post) And he was shocked, dismayed and I think down right disgusted that I didn't have a fresh manicure. Ya'll, if you work with your hands you are not going to be doing Palmolive commercials anytime soon.

I've accepted that I'll never have beautiful hands. It's hilarious when we spend time with someone with painted fingers or toes, Isabelle goes nuts over it. It truly is something out of the ordinary for her to see.

That's okay.. Keep those holiday orders coming, I have a haircut next week that will rock my husband's socks!

Warm me up, Buttercup!





Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Turns out not only does my hubby's hometown not have my fav Black Friday shops,
WiFi is hard to come by too!
I apologize for the delay in today's deal...

So!
I'll give you 2 deals today

*FREE International Shipping. Whatever, wherever.
Please convo me your wish list and I'll create a custom listing for you.
As I mentioned I may not have Internet access, so if I can do it today
I will of course honor the deal and create the listing for you tomorrow

AND

* 20% off stork pouches.
Refund will be made via Paypal.

Enjoy the day and the post turkey nap!

Monday, November 23, 2009

My Little Turkey


As my business has grown over the last year, I've felt myself putting projects for family & friends on the back burner so I can get a little more work done. This was heartbreaking for me. The point of running my own business was so that I would be at home with Isabelle (and future kids), and give more to those I love. So each weekend I "try" to set aside all work, and only do projects for those I love. It's not a perfect system, and this weekend I slipped. A lot of the photographers I had orders from HAD to have items this coming week, that meant I HAD to work overtime and then some. With all that said, I was bound and determined to create a dress for Isabelle for Thanksgiving. My original hope had been to sew 2 ties that matched for her cousins; had great visions of the family photos. Sorry Brycen and Bailey, the ties are probably not going to get done in the next 48 hours. I'm sure they'll forgive me.. Well after some Wii and pumpkin pie..

The pattern I used was Olive Ann Designs : Jump-N . Purchased it at one of my favorite local fabric stores, Material Girls over in South Jordan.

And I'm still on my corduroy kick; using a heavy wide wale green cord and small wale chocolate brown w/ matching green polka dot .


I made some changes, and honestly now that I'm done I will make more changes to the next one. I am not a flamingo fan, so that appliqué got axed. Also..

* Isa is skin & bones, so her body measurements put her at size 1. However, I didn't take into consideration that she has my head. Big heads means big ideas! It is super hard to get it over her head and tears usually erupt. For the next dress I will either push the sleeves out more or increase the width of the neck.
* It is supposed to be reversible, but honestly with 2 cords it makes it very bulky. With the next one I'd either use only 1 heavy fabric or not intend to make it reversible.
* Your bobbin thread color is important!! For this reason I will probably not use the polka dot side as wearable option. The bobbin thread color is distracting to me though I'm sure Isa is unaware :o)
* I added a machine embroidered turkey on the bottom for a little added holiday decoration. The original had that flamingo.. I bought the embroidery pattern at SWAK Embroidery

If I had more time to spend on the dress I think I'd be slightly happier with it. It really only should have took around 2 hours to sew, but with a toddler yelling "Go Diego, Go!" and deadlines looming over my shoulder.. I said this Turkey is done, stick a fork in it!








Saturday, November 21, 2009

Insane Goodness


While surfing the Internet today for new ideas,
I came across this recipe/tutorial that could only be defined as a gift from the Gods!




Go to their site.. right now.. Did you go?

Do you have buckets of drool on your keyboard now?!

This is my primo family project for December. I'm thinking some kind of apple cobbler for the weekend we drag out the Christmas decorations and set up the first fire.

Hope you enjoy - now go wipe your mouth!



Friday, November 20, 2009

Preview of Prototype

In the handcrafted world, in the past items for men have been neglected.
My husband has made it clear that while he appreciates the effort,
any hand knit scarves, sweaters, etc would only gather dust bunnies.

What's a girl to do?
Well.. this month I will be rolling out a line of ties for toddlers through grandpas.
Some will be embroidered
(think more tatoo style rather than bunnies..of course unless you custom order bunnies)

Here is my a pic of my prototype.
Of course I choose to work with one of the thickest materials out there.. sighs..
Alas, I love corduroy, so I'm ironing the kinks..
(pun fully intended)

These will be perfect for photography shoots, church, and
everyday for the fancy pants boys!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Finally It's About The Ladies!


In 2010, I will be condensing all my items into "All Things Belle".
Right now the store's focus is on baby photography props, but there is so much more
that I create and have interest it.

I'm starting early and am creating a line of fine items for the ladies.
The items will be of the best fiber I can find.

I'm waiting on shipment from Rowan yarns;
once it is in my hands I'll be creating a limited line
of Tunisian Crocheted shawls.
The ultimate holiday gift!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Late Addition


Just in!!

It's created with a super sweet self striping yarn
(how do they do that??)
Lots of cranberries and pinks..

I think it's perfect for this Holiday.
I just might have to make a matching set for Isabelle and I!

Shake Your Pom Poms!

I adore my new pom pom hats!
I just think that they are so fun and cozy.

I of course will take custom orders all the time, but I have added some new colors for
clients to enjoy.




And I've been toying with the idea of making some pom pom scarves
to match for the older children.

For those looking for some Holiday gifts and or photography props,
I'll be adding some peppermint & evergreen inspired hats later this month.


Monday, November 16, 2009

Learning a New Trick



A couple months ago at my LYS (local yarn shop),
I was coveting this gorgeous green afghan.
It wasn't quite crochet and it wasn't knit, but it was 100% yummy!

Turns out it is Tunisian Crochet!


Granted I know both how to knit & crochet, but I have to tell you
that I picked this technique up in about the 10 minutes it took my hubby to get ready for bed.
I bet you will pick it up quickly too!
Go try it!!

Go ahead, I'll wait for you..

I decided to use some of my birthday money to
buy a full Tunisian crochet hook set at Stitch Diva .
But there are quite a few learning projects you can do try on just your regular hooks.

This is so much fun, and I just love learning new skills!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

WIP for Isa

What is a WIP for a Hooker?
Got your attention there didn't I?

Well I'm a crocheter and we work with hooks.. So, just slap the label Hooker on me.
It's okay, I'm comfortable with my title.

And WIPS..
Works In Progress

<---- this is where I am at in making



this------>


for my cutie pie Isabelle!


It is such a fun shell stitch. Unfortunately when I work crochet from other people's patterns, I tend to do it very tight and tiny..

As skinny as my little girl is, this maybe one tight sweater..

Back to Blogging

It is almost 2010, but I will start my New Year's Resolution early!
Bloggin' baby!!

"All Things Belle" on Etsy has really taken off in the last 4 months. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to work from home and stay close to our daughter. I have the most amazing clients, and it is a dream come true to be able to do what you love.

With the rise in business, I've decided to condense all my business affairs
into All Things Belle on Etsy.
This means that will be my only point of sale store.
I will however be offering all my other items there in 2010.
Such as cupcake wrappers from "Busy Izzy Bakery"
and custom designed cards from "Belle Paperie" and oh so much more..

Ironically with the rise in business, I felt it necessary to block out my weekends for just family projects. It is easy for me to spend limitless hours on the computer creating listings and working on projects for clients, that I forget the real purpose.
The real purpose was to be able to stay home with our daughter
and be the kind of mother to her that I had.
This means homemade cookies and hand knitted sweaters!

On this blog I will let you know what is going on with ATB,
but I will also fill you in on the craftiness that is done just out of love.
And isn't that what should inspire us... love.


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