Spring/Summer Knitty is Up!

There are a couple of patterns in the newest issue of Knitty that I'll have to put in my Ravelry queue. First of all, I LOVE these socks. I also think that is sweater is very nice and I may have to make it for my girls. I wish that I could have started it in the Fall so that they may have worn it for Easter.

I wouldn't say that I'm a slow knitter, just a distracted one. I will start a project and put it down for months. Always looking for something else.

I'm currently preparing for a Craft Fair and have just completely ignored this blog. Is there such a thing as loosing your blogger mojo?

Have a wonderful day, or dare I say week, or month, or life?

100th Post and a Giveaway Coming

This post has been somewhat delayed because I wanted to plan something nice for a giveaway. Even as I type, I have nothing planned, but it's been so long since my last post that I felt like I just needed to do one today.
When I go grocery shopping, most times, I won't know what I will be purchasing. I put my meals together in the store. It is that same mentality that I am relying on now as I type the post that an idea for the giveaway will come to me. Why not use something that I already have? Hmmmm. I don't know. I think I will give it a little more time. I will figure it out over the weekend and post the giveaway item on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Fun and Games

This morning I walked by the window and this is what caught my eye. It was very entertaining to watch the bird "toy" with my neighbor's cat. Initially, they were both at the same level and the bird kept moving from side to side and a little higher each time. The unsuspecting cat didn't seem to know that it was just being played. Once it would move to the side that the bird was on (and a little higher--kind of like checkers), the bird would move. Of course the bird just could have flown away, but I think that it enjoyed frustrating the poor cat.
I have been thinking about how to proceed in the unpacking of my craft items and getting back to work. I don't really know where to start. I think that I'm losing my knitting mojo. That won't do.
Well, that's it for now. Have a wonderful day.

Phase II

When I opened my Etsy store, I had planned to eventually open another store selling items that I also really enjoy making.

Now, I have decided to phase those items into my current store and see how they move. I have hand painted yarn, some of which will be discounted due to knots which were in the base yarn when I received it from my supplier. Although there are knots, the dyeing went well and the colors are very pretty. It will be somewhat of a hassle though, to break the yarn and tie it on again. Anyway, some of the yarn has been dyed to match bags and will be offered as sets. The yarn shown above has been dyed to match either of the first and last bags shown below. With all sets purchased, a free gift will be given.

Here are some of the bags. These bags are pretty labor intensive, which seems to be my way of doing things. Those little baby booties that I make are also laborious. Anyway, the bags will be added to the store.

Also, keep on the look-out for the knitting project books (crochet books are currently being typed and will be available very soon). They have been completed and I feel that they deserve a post of their own. I like them a great deal, and I believe that you will like them as well.

In celebration of all these new and exciting things, I will be hosting a GIVE-AWAY tomorrow! Details will be given tomorrow on how to enter and how the selection will be made for the winner.

Have a wonderful day.

Bag Lady

Whew! Have I been busy. I've been making more small project bags and I have finally got the pattern as I like it.

I will be adding project bags, hand-painted sock yarn, project journals, and stitch markers to my Etsy store within the next couple of weeks.

Also, on the baby knitting front....I have completed the Christmas hat/bootie set and will soon complete the knitting on a pair of Christmas pants and bodysuit set.

As far as the hat is concerned, I frogged the lil' elf hat. It was not sitting well with me. It's not really about Santa and elves. For me, it is Christmas.

Have a really great weekend.

Birthday News

Yesterday was my birthday and my husband bought me these pretty flowers and took me out to dinner. There is a restaurant here called Rococos and the owner/chefs are from the East Coast. Boy, I tell you those guys know how to prepare a serious crab cake, which we got for the appitizer. My entree' was lobster and shrimp risotto and my husband got a filet mignon. Wonderful stuff.

My oldest daughter took me to lunch on Saturday. I cannot beleive that she is 19 and now asking to take me out, instead of the other way around! The two youngest girls made cards. There is nothing like card from your children that come from the heart. So sweet.

I also received a yarn ball winder (Thanks again, Ivy!), a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure, a gift card to Bath and Body Works, and cash. I will use the cash to purchase a new camera. I thought that I could make my old one work indefinitely, but the more I use it, the worse it acts. It is sick. Poor camera. I will just have to put it down and buy another one.

I've got some things ready to list on Etsy, but the camera won't allow me to zoom in and get appopropriate pictures. That will be put on hold for what I hope is only a few days.

House maintenance calls. Have a marvelous Monday!

CPSIA

August 14 is quickly approaching and I have read, and researched, and re-read. I used to work at the Medicare office which prepared me for dealing with the government's red tape. If you need this info, here is the link.

Now, I am beginning to see the need for my business degree. A new inventory system is being birthed, a new way to log completed items and sales, and of course all of the materials involved are going get some very detailed logging. Microsoft Excel is about to become my buddy. I've had a conversation with the people who will make my new CPSIA tracking clothing labels and I will have them soon.

Back in February, the new laws were making things look pretty glum for the small business, particulary at-home crafters. I praise God that most the materials that I use are exempt from testing. The elastic is encassed and so I'm okay on that too. The only thing that I haven't gotten clarity on is the iron-transfer. It seems to be some sort of plastic. I have some professional grade paper, but you have to use a professional heat press and that, I don't have yet.

In other news, we are approaching tax free weekend in OKC and the inhabitants over here at His Glory Hand Knits Headquarters are pretty dern excited. Actually, I'm the only one over the top excited. The kids are just happy to get new things.

I will post tomorrow with pics of some precious little booties. Have a great Day!

I'm Baaaack

Well, there will be no visual post today. I did complete the knitting on the striped hat, and will post pictures soon. Maybe I will get some sewing in today after I get the housework done. I have lots to do today, most of which is non-crafty. The good thing is, once it's done, you are free to create without guilt. Have a great Monday.