Dream Vacation Blog Carnival

I'll go with topic number 1.

1) It's summertime, a time to get away from it all. Do you have a dream vacation? Share details of your perfect getaway.

I have several dream vacations, but the main part is getting a vacation.

I want to get away and relax and do all sorts of fun things that I don't get to do very often, starting with kayaking and more kayaking. Then we can head to a LYS for some fun shopping and then a delicious sushi dinner. The next day we can do some hiking and give our arms a bit of a rest. A mountaintop picnic lunch sounds like just the thing, and then back to our cute B&B for a dip in the hot tub.
We can sit in the shade and knit or read for some downtime. When we're feeling more energized we can go water skiing on the lake.

Repeat as desired. :)

Goals and Accomplishments Blog Carnival

Welcome to the June 21, 2010 edition of the EtsyBloggers
Blog Carnival! This weeks topic is on goals and accomplishments! I got the idea for these topics because my sister just graduated (or I knew she would be when I picked the topic!) That's a big accomplishment and the other direction is looking to the future, what do you want to accomplish: goals!

Missie presents EtsyBloggers Carnival Post posted at Sykin's One Stop Etsy Shopping Guide.

Clare Dempsey presents Etsy Blogger's Blog Carnival: Goals posted at Cricutcraftyclare, saying, "I think I got this one in on time! Thanks for the opportunity to particpate!"

mickeyscreations presents Goal-Setting to Keep Myself on the Crafty Path posted at Living the Crafty Life.

Sarah Buckingham "Finding Charm" presents Finding Charm: EtsyBloggers: June 18 Blog Carnival posted at Finding Charm.

Liz Howell presents My Goals Short and Long term posted at Liz's Wares.

Sandy Simpson presents Dreams posted at Punky Jane.

Megan Smolich presents Handmade Jewelry from Etsy posted at Glue Gun Crafts.

gilliauna presents Kitty Cats, Puppies, Pet Lovers and Charity - A Rare Post by Leal posted at The Meandering Musings of a Consummate Shopper.

Jen presents Mama Gets To Be A Grownup Today! posted at Mama's Magic.

dizzydragonflies presents Knitting Nirvana posted at dizzydragonflies.

storybeader presents Etsybloggers Carnival - June 18, 2010 posted at Stroll Through Storyland.

Elizabeth presents I Can't Believe It's Happening! posted at Thoughts from an Evil Overlord.

theashgrove presents Blog Carnival: Goals posted at Notes from the Ash Grove.

Linda B presents Recent Accomplishments - Blog Carnival posted at Linda B's Blog.

Beth presents Summer goals posted at Sunshine Daydreamz.

Erika presents The Goal is in the Shoes posted at NICO* Designs.

BeadedTail presents Making Tails Wag One Bead At A Time! posted at beadedtail.

Linda Wheelock presents Learning to Roll with the Punches Life Deals Me posted at Spotted Cow Soaps.

cindy devine presents Setting Goals posted at Devine Designs Jewelry.

Tammy presents Short Term Goals posted at tamdoll's workspace.

Alicia Mae presents Goaallll posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Sandi Myers presents What are my goals? posted at The T-Shirt Lady.

Mary presents Blog Carnival Time! - Goals posted at Misobel: Handmade Hooligan with a Mystic Touch.

Edi presents Blog Carnival-My Goals posted at Memories for Life Scrapbooks, saying, "The date and topics are posted wrong here."

Patti presents Goals in small (and large) steps posted at peacoxcreations.

RainyDayArt presents Goals Blog Carnival posted at RainyDayArt.

GirlyGirlsCrafts presents Around the Bend posted at Crafty Horror.

Kathleen presents Thursday's Thoughts - selling what you create! posted at tapestry316, saying, "What goals do I have...!
Wow - my security code says "working tapestry"!"

Anitra Cameron presents GOOOAAL!! One step at a time... posted at Coffee Pot People.

Jan Thompson presents Etsy Bloggers, my first deadline was missed posted at The Journey Continues, saying, "first one, late but done"

Deirdre presents EtsyBlooger Team's SOTM: Handmade by Sandi posted at Blackbird's Learning To Fly.

Misobel presents Blog Carnival Time!- Goals posted at Misobel.

Ebogie presents I can't believe its happening posted at Thoughts From An Evil Overlord.

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Goals Blog Carnival

I'm hosting this carnival and here I leave my post to the last minute! It's been a crazy week (although that seems the norm).

The topic is to write about goals or accomplishments.

For goals, short term first: major improvements on the house!

Here is a view from the hallway looking into the bedrooms shortly after they were done being painted. Most of the painting is done, the only thing that isn't is the kitchen. Notice the floors in this picture! They're down to the subfloor. We had to take out the absolutely nasty carpet. It had to be done before move in.

Hey if you only look at the right side of the room, it looks done. We're so close to finishing the first room and hallway!
Also on the list: other bedroom, remove wall in kitchen, floors in living room and kitchen, stairs, toilet that works for upstairs bath, floors for both baths. There's more for outside work, but that should give you a good idea of what's going on.

For long term goals I want to expand RainyDayArt. I plan to grow RainyDayArt in a systematic way. I want to offer more fiber art supplies, dye more yarn, and eventually have a physical store!

Monday April 12 Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival Newness!!!

After patiently waiting my turn, I'm excited to host this week's blog carnival!
The two topic choices are:
1) Spring is a time for new things and growth. Tell us about a new item and what inspired you to create it.
or
2) Easter is April 4, what family traditions do you do for Easter?

Welcome to the April 12th 2010 edition of EtsyBloggers

Blog Carnival!

dizzydragonflies presents Dyeing for Spring posted at dizzydragonflies.

Odin presents Blog Carnival March 2010: Spring Fling posted at Odin's Bead Hall.

Trina Baker presents Etsy Blog Carnival « posted at gallery32, saying, "Thanks for hosting this months carnival!"

ImagineMDD presents Swoon, I'll Catch You: A necklace for springtime or anytime posted at ImagineMDD, saying, "hope this is the right place :-)"

Edi presents April Blog Carnival-New Listing!!! posted at Memories for Life Scrapbooks.

Alicia Mae presents New things and growth - an EtsyBloggers carnival posted at Crafts and Cooking.

TiLTcreations presents Etsybloggers Carnival: New Things posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.

Patch First Shop presents New items for Spring.. posted at PatchFirstShop.

BunnyKissd presents BlogCarnival: Easter Tradition posted at Diary of a Crazy Rabbit Lady, Too.

UberArt presents Grand ReOpening of UberArt! posted at UberArt Shop.

storybeader presents Etsybloggers Carnival - April 9, 2010 posted at Stroll Through Storyland.

Rainy presents Spring Time - April 9th Blog Carnival posted at RainyDayArt.

Spring Time - April 9th Blog Carnival

This is a new crochet scarf of mine made with a variety of hand spun and high quality yarns.

I was inspired by some of my hand spun yarns of which I didn't have all that much yardage. For some of the yarns I had enough for only one row. I wanted to make a really long scarf with length wise stripes to really highlight each yarn. I may have gotten a little carried away on the length as it is 9.8 feet, but it can be worn folded in half and still hangs down to the legs.

The main inspiration was the soy silk and alpaca yarns in row 3 and 5. I liked going through my hand spun stash to find yarn to match.

The first row and all the purple and gray rows are merino mill spun yarn.
The second row and the two other green and lighter green rows are also merino mill spun yarn.
The third row is a hand spun soy silk yarn.
The fifth row is hand spun with dark gray alpaca.
Row 8 is hand spun with bluefaced leicester wool.
Row 10 is hand spun with a hand dyed merino wool.
Row 13 is hand spun with a 70% merino, 30% tencel blend.
Row 14 is hand spun with a heather gray wool, the same yarn that I knit my fist pair of socks with. (Yarn from the same batch, I still have my socks!)

March 15 Blog Carnival is Published

Here's a blog carnival with a variety of topics: Spring, Women's History Month, Nutrition Month, and Irish American Heritage Month:
http://madebymelissa.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-15-etsybloggers-blog-carnival.html

Featured Etsy Blogger For March

Each month the Etsy Bloggers choose a member to feature. This month's featured blogger is ... DizzyDragonflies!

She has some very pretty yarns!

You can find her blog here: http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com
and her Etsy shops here: http://DizzyDragonflies.etsy.com
http://KnittingDragonflies.etsy.com

This shows a few of the things that are in her shop!

Mug Challenge and Women's History Month

The Sweets did a second challenge in February to decorate mugs with pebeo pens. I covered my mug in some of my favorite feminism quotes! I would have done with without March right around the corner, but how timely.


This quote tops my list!

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute. ~Rebecca West


Another favorite!

"Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
—Eleanor Roosevelt

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less. ~Susan B. Anthony

The only jobs for which no man is qualified are human incubators and wet nurse. Likewise, the only job for which no woman is or can be qualified is sperm donor. ~Wilma Scott Heide

"Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings". ~Cheris Kramarae

"I will love, honor, cherish- but not obey." ~Rosalie Slaughter Morton

Featured Etsy Blogger For February

Each month the Etsy Bloggers choose a member to feature. This month's featured blogger is ... TiLTCreations!

This bag of hers is very tempting! :)

You can find her blogs here: http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com
http://tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com
and her Etsy shops here: http://TiLTCreations.etsy.com
http://TiLTtoo.etsy.com


This shows a few of the things that are in her shop!

Vacation Blog Carnival

I'm so ready for a vacation! I think the best places are the ones that aren't really touristy, the ones were you can go an relax or where you can do all sorts of fun stuff. The best vacations are the ones where you can get away for a while, and not worry about when you're coming back! Most of my trips tend to be shorter though...

I have a huge list of where to go. I want to see the world! You can't make me pick just one place! Some of the places I'd like to go first are: Seattle, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, England, and a cruise to the Southern Caribbean. I guess I'm starting with some of the closer places.

Snowflakes Blog Carnival

Snowflakes! What a fitting topic for today as its been snowing all day!

These are some fabulous snowflake themed items on Etsy!

These cute earrings are from a Daily Sweet, The Magpie's Daughter

Veelana, also a Sweet has this paper window ornament.

This snowflake shaped goat milk soap from, a fellow blogger, SweetSallysSoaps's is adorable.

Feature Etsy Blogger for January

Each month the Etsy Bloggers choose a member to feature. This month's featured blogger is ... NICO Designs!

Two things that jumped out at me in her shop are these super cute shoes

and this bag!If anyone wants to buy these for me feel free! I'll find a baby for them later. :p

You can find her blog here: http://NicoDesigns.etsy.com
and her Etsy shops here: http://DesignsbyNico.blogspot.com


This shows a few of the things that are in her shop!

Looking Forward to 2010: Blog Carnival

Now that 2010 is here, what do you have planned/look forward to/hope to accomplish this year?

I plan in finally introducing my soap.

I look forward to skiing! I'll be really disappointed if I don't get to ski before it gets warm again.

I hope to sell more than I did last year! I'd like to get up to 300 (or more) sales by the end of next year, which means making and selling a lot more than I did this year.

I also hope to travel and take more cool pictures. This is me after a mile hike on a peninsula sticking out into the Pacific Ocean in 2009. :)

Featured Etsy Blogger For December

Each month the Etsy Bloggers choose a member to feature. This month's featured blogger is ... calkat!

She has some great jewelry in her shop; I especially like her zodiac necklaces, and she's currently offering free shipping until New Years.

Her blog is a fun read too. I just finished her post on St. Lucia's Day

You can find her blog here: http://calkatthejewelryjunkie.blogspot.com
and her Etsy shops here: http://www.calkat.etsy.com


This shows a few of the things that are in her shop!

Featured Etsy Blogger for November

Each month the Etsy Bloggers choose a member to feature. This month's featured blogger is ... thefabmissb!

Thefabmissb has all sorts of vintage items from aprons and table cloths to a paprika shaker and bathing cap. Her shop Becky Kazana has her handmade creations such as greeting cards, word garlands and pipe-pets.

You can find her blog here: http://thefabmissb.blogspot.com
and her Etsy shops here: http://thefabmissb.etsy.com
http://beckykazana.etsy.com

This shows a few of the things that are in her shop!

November 6 Blog Carnival- Successful Items!

My most successful product is my felted soap.
They are followed closely by my magnets, mirrors, and buttons.I started with aviation themed ones and have recently started offering custom magnets, mirrors, and buttons!

While, I'd still like to sell more of these items, let's look at what's working for them.

They're both at a price point that can be an easy decision - both less than $10.
They can be made quickly, as long as I have the supplies around.

The felted soap especially, has done well offline. I think it has benefited by people being able to see how good it smells, and no shipping if you're buying in person. Plus its a natural item made with handmade soap, a small luxury or a break from all the chemicals we are bombarded with.

They're unique. I haven't seen anyone else making the same style of buttons, and while there are plenty of felted soaps out there, they are a small percentage of handmade soap in general and they're all different- different scents, colors, made with different oils, etc.

Quality is important too! The buttons are sturdy. I've never had a problem with one breaking. The felted soap is made with quality ingredients and without the nasty stuff that's in a lot of commercial soaps or detergents and then wrapped in wool one by one.

I enjoy making them. Without that there would be no point.

All together these are products that are working for me and I can continue making.

Featured Etsy Blogger For October: Madebymelissa

Each month the Etsy Bloggers choose a member to feature. The featured Etsy Blogger for October is ... madebymelissa!

Madebymelissa has a wide variety in her shop, including necklaces and earrings, scarves and cute crochet toys like this adorable octopus!


You can find her blog here http://madebymelissa.blogspot.com
and her Etsy shop is here http://madebymelissa.etsy.com


This shows a few of the things that are in her shop!

Halloween Memories Blog Carnival

I always liked trick or treating as a kid. It was a lot of fun to run from house to house wondering what goodies we'd get. I'd go with my sisters and when we got back we'd dump our bags out on the living room floor and trade candy with each other. I think the trading candy was as much fun as going out and getting it all.

This year I'm planning on going to a friends Halloween party! It should be fun, but I still don't know what to wear, probably something warm. I'm playing with the idea of something from Firefly, possibly Kaylee...

September 25 Blog Carnival: My Studio

I've done posts on my studio before but I've moved since then so I thought I would show you the latest version.

Yep, its the same couch and spinning wheel as before. The couch is still comfy and the spinning wheel is still awesome.

Here you can see my shelf with my boxes of finished things and works in progress. I have all sorts of stuff on that shelf: my swift, wpi tool, scale, boxes of yarn. You can see some blue and green hand dyed merino wool at the top left. I thought it looked pretty blotchy when I was finished dying it, so I decided to spin it and see if I like it. I can always ad more dye when I'm done if I want.

I'm still working on the whole more space thing. I actually have less space at this apartment than at our last one. I'd probably keep whatever I was working on in the living room because I like to spin there, but it would be nice to not have to keep everything there, well the drum carder is currently in the bedroom. I still have to figure out where to store it!

Favorite Food Blog Carnival

There are sooo many yummy foods out there, but I think I'm going to go with sushi as my favorite. Ok, now I want some sushi. ^_^
Why? because it tastes so good!
In fact, I want to go here! The last time I was there was a really great night, but its been too long. It's time to go again. It sure would be easier if my favorite restaurant wasn't about 2,000 miles away...

Anyway, here are some sushi related items to look at since I don't get to eat any right now. ;_;

Crab, Avocado and Tempura Sushi Felt Roll Pin by Sypria

Ocean Floor by Glassprimitif

Kawaii huge sushi necklace by honeypopjewellery

I HEART SUSHI bracelet by insanejellyfish