Kim's Crafty Apple

Since I’m in the midst of major preparations for my 3rd Annual Hand Crafted Hoedown for the Holidays I thought it would be fitting to do a themed Thursday on some of the fabulous and fun looking DIY projects you can purchase on etsy. 

I’ll start with something for the ‘green’ lover.

A DIY Terrarium Kit, Great CHRISTMAS GIFT, Easy to Assemble, Comes with Full Instructions from WarmCountryMeadows.

This DIY Felt Sushi Set from umecrafts looks like super fun!  Plus would make some really cute stocking stuffers!

I’ve been drooling over StudioCherie’s travel duffel bags for weeks now (since I first discovered them) and now I find that she sells patterns!  Yeah!  I can make my very own Travel Duffle Bag!

I actually browse DIY quite a bit because I love kits.  It’s a good way for me to try a new type of craft out without investing too much in tons and tons of materials.  This Complete Kit In a Box from GooseGrease to make your own family of wooden dolls has caught my eye many time…I may have to give in soon…

You can never go wrong with a fun earring kit like Chasing Miss Scarlet from KCRLehrStudio. 

My last DIY project I would like to highlight is from ImogensGarden for her Anya ePattern.  I’m sure my girlies would just love one of these fabulous dolls!

Here you go!

KEYWORDS:

• harvest
• owl x 3
• love
• plum
• teal
• rustic x 3
• peppermint x 2
• winter accessories x 2
• mustard
• mint
• rust
• recycled

INSPIRED BY:

• Holiday Decor
• Eco-Friendly Fashion
• Winter Holidays x 4
• the harvest x 2
• miniatures
• heirlooms {would be a good tag for quilts…}
• owls
• mod
• luck
• travel
• a woodland holiday x 3
• a winter frost x 2
• a dark romance x 2
• November’s Birthstone: Citrine
• a winter wedding

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Personalized Gift Ideas
• Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas
• Unique Gift Ideas
• Holiday Gift Ideas x 23
• Items Discovered by Pounce
• One-of-a-kind Items
• Items from the Etsy Artists of Color Street Team
• Gifts under $50 USD
• Gifts for Under $25 USD x 2
• Recycled Gift Ideas
• Gift Ideas for the World Traveler
• Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids
• Create an Etsy Holiday

I have an obsession with buying books.  I just love them…ecspecially books with different projects in them.  I recently purchased one with an adorable belt project in it.  I made the first one per instructions (not pictured here) and it turned out great BUT I had to modify a few things to make it easier and to make it look more professional.  Now that I have my technique tweeked, I am offering Patchwork Belts per Custom Order.

  The color scheme here is for a ‘Mocha Meringue Patchwork Belt’ – Made to Order.  The belt will be a random combination of fabric from the Mocha Meringue fabric collection from Marcus Brothers.  Everyone will be unique in the order and piece size but the general color and fabric scheme will remain the same.    The belt is 1.5” wide and comes with a double d-ring end.  You just have to weave the other side of the belt in and tighten to fit.

When you make your custom order I need you to measure your waist (or the waist of a comfortable pair of jeans) and add six inches.  Include that in your ‘Note to Seller’ when you purchase the belt and I will create your order from that.    With all the holiday activities and craft sales I’m involved in I would appreciate a week to make and ship out the belt.  I don’t think it will take that long but with two little kids it’s better to give more time than too little.  I would love to hear what you think of my newest creation!

This week’s Sunday Gift Guide is to help out folks that need to buy people like me gifts.  To know if you need to buy for a person like me I’ll help you out a little.

I am an under 30 mom of two little girls that stays home with them and runs her etsy shop.  I love to create, watch movies, read books, play airplane with my girls and nap.  Sometimes the beauty of colors in the world make me loose my breathe (or in fabrics).  If at all possible I would rather make something myself than buy it from a store.

With that…here’s some great gift ideas for a person like me (this is also for family members and friends who so desire to buy me a gift this holiday season *wink*).

My first wish is this Hot Pink and Peach Floral Brooch / Zipper Pin from ZipPinning.  I don’t usually wear brooches or pins but how could a crafty person not be in love with this flower made out of old zippers!  I just love the creativity and ingenuity used to create this item – I must have one!

I’m also a huge fan of hats, cowls, scarves, mittens, any fun accessories!  This Slouch Beanie Hat in Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Spice from BeautifulBridget has caught my eye many times in the past few weeks.

I also want this Elfin Hooded Scarf from PixieBell.

I think this Deep Magenta Crocheted Neck Cozy from CamilleMarie would keep my neck nice and warm and look fabulous with my new ‘art’ hair!

I think this  Earring Sampler Kit no. 2 Flower Cluster Earrings Do It Yourself in Red, Green, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Blue or Green from BellasBeadsandMore would be really fun to make.  Sometimes it’s nice to have a kit with all the pieces and you can just make something for yourself.  (PS.  I would chose an orange kit)

I really love these  Recycled Magnetic Locket Sets from Polarity.  They’re just so unique and different…two things I LOVE!

I’ve been dreaming of this Patchwork tiered spin skirt from ChopstixWaits for months now.  I just love that it reminds me of a quilt but is still super cool looking. 

• Key things to remember when buying for someone like me:
• I love little, cutesy things that not many others will have
• Supplies (ie fabric, beads, wire, etc) are always appreciated and WELCOME!
• It’s hard to go wrong with anything cozy or a good book
• handmade pottery items always, always rock!

If you are curious if something will work on not feel free to ask!

I’m still looking for more ideas in the Sunday’s to come…leave a comment!

If you are in the Middleton Area today make sure to stop by my aunt Becky’s Holiday Craft Fair. 

I was there yesterday morning and took pictures of the fabulous collection of handmade goods. 

Some of the things you’ll see are: hand-crafted fall and winter decorations, fused glass jewelry, fused glass bottles and bowls, ornaments, greeting cards, candles, handmade baskets, purses, totes, pillows, quilted/embroidered wall hangings, table runners, towels, jewelry from theApple, baked goods and treats!

Complimentary coffee and refreshments.

Where: 7100 Spring Hill Dr., Middleton, Wisconsin

When: Saturday November 14, 2009  -  8:30 am - 4:00 pm

  If you want to bring your kids I’m sure Becky will find them some fish food to feed to the fish they normally have in their backyard pond.  Due to winter weather they bring them in to a big tank…kids LOVE them!  (Trust me…feeding the fish beat out Build a Bear in my kid’s answer to ‘what did you do today?’)      As you can see…I only have a small fraction of the jewelry I make listed on my etsy store, theApple.  It’s good that I have a lot of inventory though…I still have three more sales to make it through!                     I hope you can find some time to stop by!

My oldest little girl, Cedi is going to be turning three at the end of the month and I just love to dress her up!  I have to be honest, I have a hard time shopping at the ‘normal’ stores at this point…I’ve been spoiled by etsy.  This is a picture of her in one of my favorite dresses, Free to Be You and Me from allthenumbers.  It is just adorable and it usually takes her about three days to tire of wearing it.  

Now let’s see if I can find some other outfits I would love to see her in!

Cedi LOVES pink and I know she would love this Alexander Henry Little Girl Dress from OriginalsbyLaurenToo.   Throw a turtle neck and some tights on and it will work all year round!

Do I have to really even say anything at all about this Bubbles…tiny silk bubbles from gocksfrocks?  I will say FABULOUS and I WANT!

This New Cherry Blossom Baby Kimono from gaiababy is PINK (Cedi’s FAVORITE color) and adorable…add that to her wish list!

This picture had to be included in this week’s themed Thursday…how cute is this!   Hey Hey We're the Monkeys Party Dress with Bloomers Set from 3lilmuses is adorable and perfect!  Cedi would look fabulous in it and her sister would too when it was passed down!

I hope you enjoyed these fun finds this week!  Stay tuned for next Themed Thursday (posted next Thursday ;)!

This past weekend I went to the Quilts By Barb Quilt Retreat and I have actually finished one of the projects I started there.  (I started three…what was I thinking?   I know what I was thinking…I wanted to learn everything that they were teaching even though one of the teachers is my MIL and I can ask her any time!)  I just wanted to share it with you.

This project came from the book Easy Biased Covered Curves by Wendy Hill.  Because I did the mini project and the mystery quilt project I didn’t want to go to crazy with the Biased Curved project…I just wanted to learn the technique so I could use it in future endeavors.  I decided I would make a tote bag out of my blocks. 

Since the curvy project seemed a little wild to me I decided to choose wild colors for my bag.  I really wanted it to pop…

I think I accomplished that…. 

I enjoyed learning the bias technique but did not really enjoy all the prep work involved.  I will have to try it again in my basement since we had to walk outside to use the basting spray (I’m lazy) and I won’t have to do that at home…may make things less tedious.  The actual sewing of the bias onto the curves was really not too difficult as long as you took your time. 

I’m really happy with my final result…helps make the time worthwhile! 

   This a great (and practical) tote bag for anyone that wants to call attention to themselves.  As you can see I used a wide variety of yellow, orange, green, and blue fabrics to create this bright, vibrant bag.I’m sure people will notice you if you are carrying this bag around.  I used  a few of my leftover scraps from my biased curved blocks on the handles to create an even wilder looking bag.  I think it adds flavor and sturdiness.    I lined the bag with Blank Textiles Fusion Illusion Fabric and added a fun little teal striped pocket to the inside of the bag(approximate dimensions 4.5” x 5.25”). 

Bag dimensions are approximately:  14” x 14” x 5” with 20.5” straps.

What do you think of this ‘Curvilicious Tote Bag’?

The response from last week is that people are finding this post helpful so I’m going to continue to do it for awhile. So, here we go…the keywords from last week’s front page on etsy.

KEYWORDS

woodland

feather

owl x 2

plum

eco

mint

swedish

INSPIRED BY

an etsy Holiday x 2

fall harvest

winter Holidays x 2

travel

a dark romance

boyfriends

roses

MISCELLANEOUS

Planning the Perfect Holiday Party

Holiday Gift Ideas x 2

So, I’ll have to add more to this since the flickr stream only goes through November 6th…check back!

Before I get into this Sunday’s gift guide I want to give a big congratulations to my etsy and quiltsy friend MountainHomeQuilts  who had a new baby boy last week!  I’m so excited for her and her family!

In my very first gift guide post, magpieknits, a fellow quiltsy teammate made the following comment, “I would love to see a post on ideas for the men in our lives.”  Today’s the day!

In my experience some men are easier than other men.  If they have hobbies or interests (that aren’t crazy expensive) you can usually go with that.  For example, my brother is really into computers…I can typically find some funny, ironic, weird computer geek gift for him.

I bought these microchip cufflinks from digibling for my brother the other year and he just loved them!  If you search the etsy geekery category for the ‘geek’ in your life you’re sure to find something that will fit!

If the man in your life has to wear a tie regularly there are some really fun ties on etsy like

these Coney Island Parachute Jump, screenprinted microfiber necktie from toybreaker. 

For the cook, you should definitely  check out GneissSpice’s shop. 

You can create a Customized Spice Gift Set (12, 4 oz magnetic jars filled with spices of your choice) that fits the type of cook your man is.  And…it will look great on your refrigerator!

The best gift I ever got my husband was probably his chainsaw.  I think his favorite hobby is cutting wood. 

I think he would enjoy this t-shirt too…almost as cool as the real thing.

I’ve found some other great guy gifts on etsy as well like this Stoneware Pint Flask with Cork from foxpots.

You could also go with a classic wood turned item.Like this Rustic Bark Edge Sweet Gum Bowl from JLWoodTurning. 

Other great gift ideas would be tickets to a concert or ballgame, surprise him by bringing him to his favorite restaurant, buy him his favorite beer paraphenlia (ie Miller High Life) or sports gear from his favorite team (ie Milwaukee Brewers). 

I would love for you to share you great gift ideas…boys can be tricky. 

I am also looking for more ideas for people you need to buy for! 

thought I enjoy personalizing a clothing article for someone by free-handing letters and appliquéing them.  I was so wrong!  I absolutely love it.  It was so much fun to see my creation come to life and I even enjoyed the somewhat tedious stitching involved too.

I received this convo not too long ago from a customer:

I was wondering if you put names on the apron. Like for the adult one to put "Baba" and the child's "Xenia" (name of my daughter). 

This request came from a first time buyer on etsy.  I knew it was important to try and make this a great experience for her…I wanted her to know how wonderful it is to buy from the individual that makes an item…not just the factory. 

I had some time so I thought I’d give it a try…here’s what I came up with:

   I used the same fabric that I cut the Matryoshka dolls out of for the top section of the apron.       Here’s what she wrote me she got them in the mail:

Oh, Kim, they are so beautiful! Thank you so much for your hard work on the most adorable aprons! I will be sure to send you a picture of my Xenia in it! You truly are talented...you knew exactly what I wanted! Thanks, Kyra

Receiving notes like that make all this even more worth it.  Not only do I truly enjoy creating but to have others truly appreciate it makes it even more rewarding.  And now because of this new etsy buyer I will be offering personalized aprons in my shop. 

My picks for today are going to have to do with what I’m all packing in preparation for the quilt retreat I’m attending this weekend. Papa is keeping the girls and Mama gets to SEW! What fun! Here are some things you’ll find in my suitcase:A cozy pair of slippers like these Earth in Sky Strap Slipper Socks from crochetbybydiana.

Some really cozy pants like these womens low hip stylish chocolate brown sweat pants cozy fluffy polar fleece fitted warm sexy from turtleshellco.

I must have some fabric for my mystery quilt. I plan to use the color scheme of

turquoise blue

Turquoise Tile Mosaic cotton quilting fabric from Lantern Bloom by Laura Gunn from iltec

pink

1 Yard Cotton Fabric...Hot Pink...Lt Pink...White... Batik from loftremnants

and grey.

Amy Butler Martini in Grey Gray Midwest Modern - 1 yd from buttercuppityfabric

I also have lots of other things packed…my sewing machine, thread, other accents, all of my completed crafts for the Holiday Sale, and a good book to wind down with at night. I can’t wait!

Happy November!  Merchandising has changed once again for this month.  Here’s a summary taken from the ETTEAM thread on etsy, from bytheway:

November Merchandising Themes

• woodland
• tribal
• wintry motifs
• metallics
• winter hues of
• gem tones
• reds
• whites
• silvers
• greens
• blues.
• Vintage objects repurposed into decor and storage solutions along with eco-friendly options are topping the trends this season.

KEYWORD (Search Term)

• paper dolls
• tribal
• recycled
• olive
• romantic
• burlap
• natural modern
• travel
• papercut
• spooky
• pinecone
• woodland x 2
• cottage
• cabin
• autumn accessories
• modern
• hello
• linen
• winter accessories
• lumberjack

INSPIRED BY

• Vampire Tales
• an autumn harvest x 2
• morning coffee
• linen
• winter holidays x 3
• winter weddings x 2
• natural history x 2
• romance
• retro holiday
• miniatures
• woodland holiday

MISCELLANEOUS

• Create an Etsy Holiday x 2
• Gift Ideas Under $100

I hope this is helping you!  Would love to have some feedback on these posts. 

This weeks’ Sunday Gift recommendation is a request from the comment Jan left on my very first Gift Idea week.  She wants some ideas for her Knitting/Spinning/Crochet/Quilting Friends…I love this one!  One thing I know about crafters is that we all have an addiction to supplies and clever things.  Let’s get started!

We’ll start from the beginning…gifts for those that love to knit.  I had three things come to mind immediately…let’s see if I can find them…

A Yarn Bowl.  The one shown above is from dancingpigpots.  If you live in Wisconsin and plan to attend my Handcrafted Hoedown for the Holiday’s I’m 95% sure that JennyBlasenPottery is making some to sell at it.  (this would also be great for a crocheter…)

Or some Needle Bangle Bracelets from sassafrascreations.

My last idea was some personalized knitting needles.  CindyAdams makes these great, whimsical Hand Painted Sushi Roll Knitting Needles.

Onto the spinner…I’ll have to be upfront that I have never tried to spin my own yarn (although I would love to) so I’m not an expert on everything needed.  Here’s where I would start. 

There is a lot of wool roving on etsy like this Merino Roving – Goofing Off from ilashdesigns.  

For someone like me, that wants to learn how to spin…this Drop Spindle Learn to Spin Spinning Kit from bhmalpacas would be perfect!

This Top Whorl Hand Spindle from skeinwinder123 also caught my eye as a great gift.

Onto the crocheter in your life…

Here’s a beautiful crochet hook organizer from sarahkincheloe for the crocheter.  

A fun pattern like this one from ashton11 would be a nice gift along with some yarn to create the project…

And onto my personal favorite…the quilter!

The very first thing that came to mind was to get your friend/loved one a membership to FabricAlaCarte’s Fat Quarter of the month Club.  I am a member myself and I just love when I’m surprised by a package of new fabrics every month.  I don’t know a quilter who wouldn’t like new fabric to freshen up their ‘stash.’

A Die Cut Tumbler Block Quilt Kit from SFOQuilter would be a great idea to.  These blocks are adorable and their unique shape makes the quilt even more intriguing.  These kits go together easily and quickly with stunning end results:  Example 1 and Example 2. 

For the quilter that is a grandma or new mom, this Ladybug People Baby Shoe Pincushion is absolutely perfect.  The price is right too so it would make a great stocking stuffer!

These Sewing Machine Charm Earrings from theApple would also make a great stocking stuffer!

The Quilter in Yellow from marysgranddaughter also came to mind for a great quilter gift.

I hope this gift guide helped a little…I have lots more ideas but I really must go and get some things done.  Please leave comments with your ideas and any other people you are having trouble buying a gift for!

With getting up early for my very last Farmer’s Market, frantically putting together the kids costumes (which they basically refused to wear…a story for another time), working at the apple store, and trick or treating with the girls, I didn’t get my treasury Saturday blog posted yesterday.  I apologize for the delay, but here you go! Treasury:  Delights in Green

Curator:  QuiltSewPieceful

Featured Item:  Yellow and Green Swirled Flounce Dress

Treasury:  Got It

Curator:  Juneshin

Featured Item:  Brown Paisley Wristlet

Treasury: Latest Odd News – Snowwhite Weds

Curator:  ValentineFiberArts

Featured Item:  Ornament – Handy Man

Treasury:  Nice Bag you Have there

Curator:  Quilting Corner

Featured Item:  Earthy Quilted Shoulder Bag

Treasury:  Pinks Surrounded by Grey

Curator: PetsPortraitsandmore

Featured Item:  Tie Dyed Bucket Hat – Pretty in Pink and Purple

Treasury:  Plum Crazy

Curator:  MidnightCoiler

Featured Item:  Ornament – Swirling Purple Disc

Treasury: Raspberry Swirl

Curator:  PrimsbyAndrea

Featured Item:  Grow ACEO - OOAK

Treasury:  Some Pumpkin Orange for You

Curator:  LindenAvenueDesigns

Featured Item:  Little Pumpkin Bodysuit – 3 to 6 months

Treasury: Spoooky

Curator:  Alexart64

Featured Item:  Little Pumpkin Bodysuit – 3 to 6 months

Treasury:  them Apples Vol L (this one made Front Page!)

Curator:  KimsCraftyApple

Treasury:  Them Apples Vol Unprepared

Curator:  KimsCraftyApple

Featured Item:  RIP Tombstone Earrings

Treasury:  Black Licorice Candy

Curator:  MyMothersGarden

Featured Item:  Round Robin Quilt

Treasury:  Bounty from the Heartland

Curator:  PerfectPaperShop

Featured Item:  Orange Flame Party Ring - Adjustable

Treasury:  Personalize This

Curator:  theApple

Featured Item:  Child Apron Personalized for YOUR Child