Giddy about Christmas

I am sooo giddy about Christmas this year!  I am really excited about the gifts I'm giving my family and Matt.  This year I made quite a few gifts.  Here are a few gifts I made for family and friends!

Oscar the Grouch knitted Hat
for my Nephew (22 months old).  I have to say, I'm really impressed with myself for making this hat.  It was the first hat I've ever made and the "Oscar the Grouch" theme is so cute!  My nephew loves Green and Oscar



"Hair Candy" - Bow Clip
I made 3 different colored bows, black headbands & red flowers for my friend Sandy's girls.  Look for these items in 2011 in my Etsy shop!


Baby Legwarmers
I made these for Matt's baby niece Maya. After finishing them, I don't think they will fit her for awhile.  She is only 3 months old.  But someday they will :D It is very fitting that Uncle Matt, Grandma G and Grandpa G are all dancers.  Plus it runs in her mom & dad's blood too.
 
(look at those CUTE little pom poms!!)

Tile Coasters
These are for my dad.  He has a bar at home in his man cave.  He is always asking and looking for things and is excited when he comes up with new drinks at his bar. I made these coasters using Tile I got from a local home improvement store and my friend Sandy cut the vinyl for me.  I think it will be a perfect addition to his bar.

Photos coming soon.

Ballet Art
Matt's gift is not made by me.  But I found him these BEAUTIFUL Ballet Art prints on Etsy and couldn't pass it up.  They will look beautiful in the Studio or even our house.

One is called sleeping beauty - which I thought was perfect, since that is the ballet the FM Ballet company will be doing this upcoming March.

What gifts were you most excited about getting a family member or friend this season??

More Gift tags

Just wanted to share some more gift tags I made for my Etsy shop (free gift tag with purchase)

 

 

 

 

Close up photo

 

 

MemoryWorks Retreat 2011 - Classes

RETREAT CLASSES

I have been blown away by the classes offered at the MemoryWorks retreat in the past.  MW Finds stellar teachers and companies that offer amazing classes with NEW product and LOTS of it!  I often had some extras left over from some of the classes.  Plus, you get directions to create the project - which is awesome to RECREATE with items from your stash.

Here are a few photos of MW Retreat classes.
 




Even the MW Staff sits down to relax


Classes and Teachers @ the 2011 Retreat, there will be 10 classes total (plus there is a Creative Studio Expo (more on that in the next few weeks).

1. Teresa Collins (Teresa Collins Design)
2. Layle Koncar (Pink Paislee)
3. Madison Parker (Echo Park)
4. Jodi Sanford (Fancy Pants Designs)
5. KC Burningham (My Mind's Eye)
6. Wendy Morris (Simple Stories)
7. Laura Walker (Cosmo Cricket)
8. Info coming soon
9. Info coming soon
10. Info coming soon

Retreat Website 

Holiday Tags & Cards

I really need to come up with more interesting blog titles!

I have been making lots of holiday tags and mini cards this season.  With every purchase on my Etsy shop, I give away a free gift tag!  So here are a few gift tags and mini cards I've gave away this season.

2 Holiday Mini Cards - 3" x 4"

Close up of the 2nd card

Holiday tag, hand stamped with Unity stamps and Ranger Distress Ink

Holiday tag using Unity Stamps, Ranger Distress Ink & Crate Paper Snow Days paper

Holiday Tags using Crate Paper Snow Days, Ranger Distress Ink and Unity Stamps on American Crafts card stock.

Holiday tag using BasicGrey Jovial paper and 7 gypsies stamp

There you have it.  Hope it inspired you to make some of your own holiday tags this season!

Christmas Shopping

Some people are hard to shop for then others.  This is DEFINITELY the case in my family.  My brother & mom are the HARDEST people to shop for.  Always have been.

I finally got my mom figured out and now onto my brother.  Hopefully (well it has to be) this weekend I'll find some fun stuff for him.

On another front, my sister in law, dad, and nephew are SUPER easy to shop for! I just bought my sister in law another gift today.  I must STOP!  And I keep thinking of things to get my nephew but have told myself I can't.  Maya was really easy to shop for this year as well (Matt's niece).  I'm mailing the gifts today (my car didn't start yesterday!).

So are you in search still of the perfect last minute gift??  How about a coffee cozy from LaceyBug Creations?!?  I still have some left in my Etsy shop, but they are going quickly!



 
And don't forget HAIR CANDY coming in 2011!!! Crochet head bands, bow clips & flower clips!

I'm so excited to introduce this to my Etsy Shop in 2011!!

MemoryWorks Retreat 2011 - Goodies

GOODIES

I'm not joking when I say you get TONS of goodies. I would suggest to come with an EMPTY suitcase (if you are flying).

MemoryWorks does offer shipping your products home (if you run out of room).  I've actually had to do this before.

Information from the Retreat Site

Pack an extra tote! From product goodie bags to fantastic prize giveaways - we’re spoiling retreat guests with so many products, prizes and scrapbook goodies you’ll have all of the inspiration you need to reignite your passion for scrapbooking! We won’t send you home empty-handed... Plus, all retreat guests will be entered to win the ultimate $500 grand prize package giveaway at the end of the retreat!

GOODIES GALORE

• Bring an extra bag.  Make sure you check out the airline's website for extra baggage costs, weight limits and what those extra costs would be, what you can carry on, etc.  Don't be surprised when you get to the airport. Be prepared :D
• Should you bring products to work on at crops?  The first year I packed my bags and brought tons of papers, tools & stamps.  I never used it.  We received so much product in class and at different "events" during the retreat I was overloaded with product. The 2nd year I went, I decided to just bring some basic tools and a container of photos.  I was able to scrapbook my photos using the products I received at the retreat or bought in the MW retreat outlet shop. Plus, crops are a great time to finish up projects you didn't finish in a class.
• Class Product.  It is AMAZING what you receive for class product. You receive beyond the amount needed for the class (in some classes) and you receive CURRENT product.  I have always been amazed at what we receive for a class.

My Friend Mary showing off what will be handed off when retreat attendees walk through the door (June 2009)

The BIG grand prize (in the center!) - June 2009

At the 2009 retreat we got these fantastic bags at registration.

Here is just an example of one of the variety packs of product we received when we walked into a crop! - June 2009
 
So do you have any questions about the product, prizes or anything about the MemoryWorks retreat?? Let me know!

Early Bird Sign-up till January 15th, 2011!!  Check out the MemoryWorks Retreat website for more details.

MW Holiday Stuff

There are some AWESOME deals on the MemoryWorks website right now.  Plus FREE shipping TODAY only on orders over $50!


Here are some great items at an excellent deal for the "Steals & Deals" section.

7 Gypsies: Clear Stamps - Venice $12.00 NOW only $7.50

Crate Paper: North Pole Collection only $8.50

This kit includes: 16 double sided patterned paper, 22 title stickers, 16 journaling stickers, 6 borders, and 53 free designer die cuts!! WOW!

You will also find some great holiday items in the NEW FALL / HOLIDAY Trend Essentials section. So what are you waiting for?!?  Head over to my MemoryWorks website and check out all the FABULOUS items for yourself!

What's to come in 2011?

The holiday season has kept me busy knitting coffee cozies, fingerless gloves, Mitten ornaments and xmas gifts for family members.  The new year will bring some fun things to my Etsy shop! I'm really excited about these additions.  The photos I'll be showing are trial ones for my friend Sandy's girls.

So here is a preview of what is to come in 2011. 
(note: With my current workload of knitting, I will not take be taking orders on these items till 2011).


Hair Candy
Crochet headbands
Flower Clips
Bow Clips

All these items can be interchangeable.  Wear the headband and add a cute flower or bow clip to jazz it up.  You also have the option to just wear a headband or just wear the clips.  So universal and adorable accessory for both Children and Adults!

So here is a sneak peak of what is to come in 2011.
 


These items are on alligator hair clips.

I will still be making lots of coffee cozies throughout the year and hoping to try out a few ideas I have for those.

Current Obsessions

I go through OBSESSION phases.  Currently these are some of my obsessions!

Bakers Twine

I recently ordered some from "Paper Treats" on Etsy.  I can't WAIT for it to arrive!

Shipping Tags

I think these are fabulous.  I can actually make my own at home using my Tim Holtz tag die cut.  These are great for so many things, gift tags, packaging, scrapbook pages!

Mini Clothes Pins

I just love them. I know, I know, clothes pins have been around FOREVER.  But something about the holiday season makes me want these cute little mini ones to hang things up with.  :)

Paper Source
Olive Manna


Also, I'm part of an ETSY Treasury team called - Treasury Tree Team! I'm thrilled to be amongst this group of shops on Etsy!  Check out mine (and group member's) treasuries.  I always post mine to Facebook.  Leave comments on the treasury if you like what you see!  Awesome and amazing things on Etsy!

MemoryWorks Retreat 2011

Crops

Today I will highlight the awesome crops they have at the retreat! It is so fun to socialize during this time and get projects done.  Hang out with your new friends and enjoy the moments of getting things done with little interruption.

 

At the 2011 retreat there will be THREE crops

1. Pajamma Crop

2. Chocolate Crop

3. Retreat Farewell Crop

• Chocolate Crop - yummo!!  Seriously chocolate fountains with so much delicious fruit, bread & pretzels around it.  I don't know if I eat more at this crop or scrapbook!  It's mouth watering.  But yes we do get scrapbooking done!  
• Class Projects - The crops are great for getting your projects completed if you were not able to finish them during class time. There are attendees around to help you complete the projects, plus your project instruction guide is at your fingertips!  You can leave the retreat with all your amazing projects completed!!
• Catch up - do you have a project or layout you are working on and just haven't had TIME to complete it all?  This is a perfect time to do it.  Words from me: Don't bring a TON of extra projects with you.  I never seem to get to the projects I brought with me in the past.  You receive so much product at this retreat!  Bring photos you want to scrap & use the product you receive when entering a room to complete those projects.
• Socialize - The crops are a GREAT way to get to know all the attendees!  It's a big party, with music, laughter, tools and fun! And did I mention dancing!!  OH and there was some poetry read in the past as well. You will walk away with LOTS of crop memories :)
• MW Store - Through out the retreat, MW has a store open.  It carries some awesome products that you can (and some you can not) get from the catalog!  Run out of adhesive?  No problem, they have plenty in store! Lots of shopping can be done.  The store is open during part of the crops to stock up on some needed (and wanted) products!

Do you have any questions about the MemoryWorks Crops?  Let me know

Craft Fair

I had a good time at the craft fair.  It was a good experience.  It was the first one these ladies put on and I was able to sell about 1/2 my inventory of coffee cozies. 

Today I worked on putting all my items in my Etsy shop that I had left over.  So head over and get some coffee cozies, knitted mitten ornaments or even gift tags!  All these items will make perfect holiday gifts for friends, family members, co-workers, teachers or as stocking stuffers!

Here are a few photos from the event!

My table!  It's a wintery theme with blanket snow and sparkly trees!

 Crate full of knitted coffee cozies with crotchet flowers!

 Mr. & Mrs. Claus Coffee Cozy Set

 Gift Tags!

 My cozies make a PERFECT Holiday gift!  

1 cozy ($6 or $8) plus one gift card ($5 - $10) = Perfect Gift under $20!!!

 Do you ever realize how much you spend on a nice card at the store?  

Well for only $3 (less the most store bought cards) you get a beautiful handmade card!  Buy 5 at my event and that is like getting 2 cards for FREE!

 My Sign.  I love this little clipboard.  I used Crate Paper Restoration on this clipboard and love using it as a sign for my table at events!

 Knitted Mitten Ornaments!  These are now for sale in my Etsy shop.  Head over and get some for yourself today!  I've already been selling these!

I hope you enjoyed  the tour of my table at the craft fair!  I had a good time at the event and look forward to doing more in the future. 

In the coming weeks I'm adding a new item to my Etsy shop that I am SUPER excited about!  Stay tuned!