iKnitQuiltSew

11/29/2010

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iKnitQuiltSew has a shop that oozes sweet and traditional. Her shops hold over 40 years of experience and talent at creating wonderful pieces for children or collectors. Creating is her passion; and, even though she's selling to others now, she still puts so much love into each and every piece.


Now really, does it get any cuter than that face? Her teddy bears are beyond charming and have such personality. This particular bear is fully jointed and durable, making it a fantastic toy for kids...and possibly even their kids!

Since iKnitQuiltSew learned many of her techniques and got her start from her grandmother and still uses many older patterns, I have a feeling that her lovely work will definitely become heirloom or heritage pieces. Take, for example, this beautiful, vintage-style log cabin quilt:

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Reef Botanicals

11/21/2010

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First word: YUM. I've written about this fabulous team before, but who can resist an update, especially when it comes to such luscious, soapy goodness?

Eric and Larissa handcraft their soaps as naturally as possible, and make sure to make batches to satisfy their demand. That means your soaps and products are fresh, right out of the soapery (which, in my mind, is what a soap creation area should be called!).

What I really love about Reef Botanicals is that they make an effort to provide quality products for men. Men are a pretty neglected segment in the handmade market, and a man smelling like jasmine and honeysuckle might catch a snicker from his friends. But here, you can find luxurious shaving sets, gift baskets, and even beer soap.

They have a wide array of products, from bath fizzies to face scrubs to soaps to candles, all beautifully photographed and described, so you know exactly what you're getting. Details of their product creation, testing, and brainstorming show up in articles on their blog, where you'll also find snippets of their life, personalities, and articles of other artisans.

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Step by step.

11/02/2010

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After completing the last round of custom orders, I've actually started making forward progress again!  I packed up a footlocker's worth of yarn that'll go with me during our move, but I have another left to knit from for the next few weeks.  
In the meantime, I've broken out the kit I've made up for the second stocking for my brother and his partner.  I finished the cuff and plan on tackling some of the colorwork tomorrow while it's nice and rainy out.  It's a pretty quick knit, but it requires slightly more brain commitment than I usually need.  It'll be good to have those done, boxed up, and ready to mail out when the time comes.
After knocking out a pair of socks for my shop, I decided to make myself a pair of convertible mitts.  They turned out pretty kick ass, if I say so myself.  I originally intended them to be just red, but the cream and yellow jumped out of my scrap drawer and had to be used.  The cream and yellow stripes are at the top of the cuffs, the top of the mitten flaps, and two narrower stripes run at the base of the fingers on the fingerless glove part.  Pleased! 
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