I'm Back - Finally!

Feel free to chastise me for staying away so long, but Vacation and illness are my excuses.

We had a lovely vacation earlier this month to Lake Fausse Point State Park in South Louisiana. The park is fantastic and the cabin we rented was wonderful. We had the opportunity to visit Avery Island and tour the Tobasco plant and the Jungle Gardens there. Really lovely.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip!

We got to see quite a few gators, and got closer to this one than I like!


Things are slowly getting back to normal, though, so here I am at long last to fill you in on recent happenings. I'm slowly finishing some tatted items to add to my etsy shop and am pondering some new items to add.
I have a lovely baby bootie pattern that I love to make (though it is a tad time consuming), but I want to make them in some less traditional colors. Suggestions anyone? I'm thinking dark brown or turquoise or a nice pale green. Hmmm.....
I am also venturing out with some new bookmark patterns, but I want to try a few more out before I settle on them for the shop.

I finally managed to finish a special order necklace and two other necklace I am giving as gifts.






























































I've also joined in on a #mailart project from twitter. (I'm @knotaway if you'd like to follow me there.) I'll be part of a group of 30 or so artists who will create a postcard size peice of art for each participant. We will mail them to each other. Everyone should receive 30 pieces of original art from artists all over the world. Fun, Fun, Fun!!! I'll be sure to post more details about that later!
Thanks for visiting. More Later!

Blog Giveaway - Pink Tutu

3 Little Monkeys is giving away a child's pink tutu on her blog!

http://3littlemonkeysnews.blogspot.com/

Now just tell me WHO doesn't want a pink tutu????

Here's a bit about it from her blog (but be sure to visit her blog for the details, and follow her!)

Don't forget to visit her shop, too.
http://www.lilsoutherngirl.etsy.com/

"Alright I am doing my very first give-away. This one is for a beautiful pink tutu. This is my most popular item and it takes the cutest photos. This tutu is available in sizes 0/3m all the way through a 5T. The winner will be able to choose the size they want."

Swinging by...

I apologize for the extended absence from my blog. I have been quite busy lately in my offline world and have neglected this poor little blog!

Let me know what you think of this recent photo.
It's easy to see that nature has definitely taked over this old swing in my grandparents' yard. I know all the "younguns" use to love swinging on it.





















This is "Gold Dust". It is my newest addition to my etsy shop.
It is a macro shot of a bloom on a Jerusalem Artichoke plant in my backyard. I really love these plants even though they can be somewhat invasive. I transplanted them from my Grandmother's backyard. I believe she got them from her parents' home in Louisiana.
I hope you like it.

4.16.09

Youch!
I've been seriously neglecting the blog.
Sorry about that. Life has been busy lately and has kept me from spending more time here.

I did manage to take a couple of shots that I liked.
This one was a particularly dreary day, but I love the colors!














This is a Cherokee Rose that I started from a clipping about 13 years ago. I think it likes where I put it as the flowers are quite a bit larger than the ones on the original plant.







I am thrilled to say that an item I donated to http://www.etsyforcharity.etsy.com has sold! I'll be packaging it and sending it on it's merry way tonight.

Do check out this store. All proceeds go to charity (this month's sales go to Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org).

EtsyforCharity!

I've just joined a really neat shop on Etsy...
http://EtsyForCharity.etsy.com

From their storefront...

Etsy for Charity (EFC) is a group of artists all fueled by the passion of helping the community with their crafts. All items listed at EFC Shop are donated by Etsy sellers and they will be shipped direct from their country to you! Sales proceeds (less shipping and other expenses) for this month will be donated to EFC March Charity of the Month Save The Children http://www.savethechildren.org Search tags for "efc team" for members of Etsy for Charity (EFC). Register at http://etsyforcharity.ning.com to be a member of EFC Team.

Be sure to stop by and look at all the wonderful wares to be had!
Here's what I've donated:

LuvHandmade.com

I happened upon this really neat website through the etsy.com forums not too long ago.
http://www.luvhandmade.com
They were offering some free "promotion" and I was quick to reply that I'd love some!
My etsy shop is now one of the shops they are featuring in their minibrowser! WOW! I am among great company. Everyone should check out the many shops that they feature!
THANKS luvhandmade.com!

Don't forget if you haven't already signed up - I have a giveaway ending this Friday at Noon (Central time)! Don't miss out! I'm feeling generous!
http://knotaway.blogspot.com/2009/02/sky-outside-is-lovely-blue.html

Red River Road...

I've just listed this earring and choker set on Etsy. I almost hate to part with them, as my daughter has a similar set, but I can always make myself a set.
Red River Road

Don't forget about the giveaway. There is still time to leave a comment and get your name in the drawing!

Boo Hoo!!

I am ineligible to win this prize, but you may not be. A VERY talented friend and fellow etsian is hosting another fabulous giveaway!

http://jewelrybymignon.blogspot.com/2009/02/weird-sort-of-thing-here.html

Be sure to check it out!
Sob!
Wish it could be me!
Hope ya'll have a great weekend!
Come back now ya hear?
Or as my five year old says...
I'm gonna haf ta let ya go now!

Sunset Enriched...

Sunset Enriched is my newest addition to my etsy store! It is a monotype on yupo using waterbased block printing ink. I wanted to recreate (and edit a little) last night's sunset. Hope you enjoy!

And don't forget to comment below for my giveaway!

The sky outside is a lovely blue...

But so am I. I've been in a funk/blah/bleh whatever you want to call it since Friday! There are no real reasons beyond everyday life for this, BUT I am determined to come out of it starting NOW!

So to make myself feel better I've decided to do something to make someone else feel better.

I'm going to start my first giveaway! That's right a giveaway!
I'm going to give one of my zebra print notecards and matching envelopes in the color of your choice (and maybe a couple of other little "happies") to one lucky winner.


And just HOW do you win? Well...

This drawing will be open to anyone. I'll draw one winning name on Sunday, March 15, 2009.

1. Follow my blog. Easy peasy! (That's one entry) (Don't worry. If you are already following you are automatically in the drawing!)

2. Leave me a comment telling me how much you'd like to win. (Don't forget to tell me your favorite color!) (That's the selfish part of this giveaway. Don't forget to leave contact info!) (That's another entry!)

3. Blog about my giveaway on your blog, and leave a comment here letting me know you did. (That's another entry!)

4. Visit my etsy shop - Knotaway and pick out your favorite item and come back here and leave a comment about why you like it. (That's another entry!)

5. Make a purchase in my etsy shop- Knotaway . (That is worth 5 entries!)

That is a possible 9 entries! If I have left something outrageous out that you think is worth an entry or two feel free to let me know!

Do this by NOON (central time zone!) on Friday, March 13th (yes, that is Friday the thirteenth!) and you may be the lucky winner to be announced on the following Monday!

Again - don't forget to let me know how to get in touch with you! I can't send you goodies if I don't know how to get in touch with you!

GOOD LUCK!
Wow! I am already starting to smile!
Thanks!

Oh and speaking of giveaways...
Check this one out!
http://alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-giveaway.html
She's also on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=6178650
and has some really lovely items!

YIPPEE!

I am about to get some fantastic jewelry from a fellow Mississippi Etsy seller!
http://jewelrybymignon.blogspot.com/ has created two wonderful custom pieces for my husband and me. (Don't tell him they are done if you see him - he has to wait until Valentine's Day!) I absolutely love them and can't wait to get them.
Visit her shop and pick out your favorite piece! I warn you - picking just one piece won't be an easy decision!!!!
http://jewelrybymignon.etsy.com/


In other matters - I did a bit of printmaking this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed myself! I am making some notecards with matching envelopes. Should be finishing the envelopes and listing a couple on etsy later this week.

We spent the better part of the weekend getting everything ready and installing my booth at Southern Treasures in Brookhaven. I don't have any tatting or printmaking there, yet. I should get that all finished and placed later this week, but if you are in the area be sure and stop and look around at what is available!

I managed to make a pair of tatted earrings to match a choker I finished last weekend, and I tatted 4 bookmarks while "watching" the Superbowl!


What do you think of the choker and earrings. I plan to make more of these. The stones are garnets. I thought they turned out nicely.




This is one of the four bookmarks I worked up. Very "Valentiney"

More printmaking...

I managed to make a good start on a print based on a photo I took of a zebra. I think it'll work nicely for notecards. I am thinking hot pink/turquoise/lime green? Let me know what you think. I plan on pulling a proof tonight (if life cooperates :-D) and I'll try to post what I get tomorrow! Maybe - just maybe - I'll manage to get some listed in my etsy shop!
I spent a good portion of the early morning insisting that my daughter was going to go to school, while she spent an equal amount of time insisting she wasn't. Anyone know any reallllllllyyyyy good (and non-medicinal) remedies for a nervous 8 year old tummy? A chronically nervous 8 year old tummy?

Also I am thrilled and looking forward to receiving some jewelry a very talented, fellow etsy seller has created just for me and my husband! Be sure to check out her store and check out her beauties! http://jewelrybymignon.etsy.com/

Shopping locally!

I am still new to Etsy but I must say - "I love Etsy!" One thing I love about it is the option of finding local sellers (artisans!) you might never have found otherwise! I've joined a group of sellers called TeamEtsyMS that is made up of Mississippi crafters and artists! Who knew that shopping online could also turn into a sort of artist's support group?!?!
I am trying to list some of the members of this group on this blog as a sort of reference point (and a little extra marketing help!!!). They are a great bunch, so please visit their shops and blogs! Happy shopping!