Have Mug, Will Travel

Well, I've been in the studio working on some much needed gifts for some dear friends and family members who always seem to be on the go. I figured, why not a personalized travel mug to help them get on their way? So, here they are; three beautifully embroidered mugs for three beautiful ladies. You know, these would make wonderful gifts for teachers as well.

I thought these turned out really well. With the variety of fabrics out there and the unlimited supply of embroidery threads, the options are pretty much limitless. Excuse the glare on the cups; the dang flash from ye ole camera wanted to make it shining appearance. Oh well, gotta figure out a good way to get rid of that in the days to come. Looks like I'll be heading outside to garner more natural light and elminitate the flash.

I hope you like these as much as I do. I've alreay updated the Etsy Shoppe with them. Of course, the website will have them too. Soon.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The weather has really changed in the last few days. brrrrr.... I needed to make more jackets for those cups of coffee and hot chocolate. This one is for the knitter in me.

This one is for some scrapping friends.

And, I made this one because because I love this chocolate diamond fabric with the beautiful blue script font.

Ok, I really like making these so there are several new additions to the ol' Etsy shop. I've even got something for the soccer moms. Now, that I have my cup all dressed up, I think I'll have me a cuppa coffee. mmmmmmmm

Keeping the Ears Warm

For some reason, this change in the weather has me knitting away. I love the feel of the yarn running through my fingers and my knitting needles click away producing row after row of beautiful stitches.

This knitted earflap hat was so fun to knit and work up the pattern. I just love how all the colors just come together with this stripe yarn. I added this this hat to my Etsy shop today. You can hop over there and see the more pictures. I hope you enjoy view it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Knit Happens!

The entire month of August flew by in a flash. Now, here we are in September with school in session and the season changing. Like the seasons, people change too. I, for example, have changed my crafting interest. I have not abandoned my love for crocheting, sewing and embroidery; however, I am now obsessed with my knitting.

I guess with any craft that you are passionate about you tend to dive in head first and then it is full steam ahead. No? Well, at least that is how I am.

I have been working on several scarves and this is a favorite of mine. I love the texture, the yarn color and the fringe. I have several scarves to show you but I will save those for a later date. I'll be adding this scarf to my online store and my Etsy Shop this week.

Well, I hear my yarn and knitting needles calling me. I have the need to dig through my stash and find more wonderful fibers to knit up a new item. Until next time....Knit Happens.

My Fruity Friends

Meet my newest craft room buddies, Apple and Pear. OK, these little guys make me smile every time I see them as they just look so happy. Not a care in the world. My love for fruit and "trying" to eat healthy urged me to create these little guys. Although they are the size of the actual fruit, they are not edible and they will always be around. Oh, how I love their cute little faces.

The soft stuffed plushies can be used as cute whimsical shelf sitters. Or, if you like to sew, these can also be used as pincushions. Don't worry, the pins won't harm these guys.

I've listed these guys in my Etsy Shop. So, when you have time, take a peek and see what's going on. I'll be updating and adding new product throughout the next couple of weeks. I'll also be updating Crystal's Creations & Gifts with new items soon too. Stay tuned, some things are finally coming "off" the cutting table.

Just Ducky

Wow, can you believe it is July? Where does the time go? Am I really having that much fun? Of course I am. The sun is shining. The weather is oh-so-right. And... I am feeling just ducky. So much so that I had to create this little item.

When I saw this vintage style embroidery design, I just had to stitch it. I think this little guy is too cute. And, at the moment, expresses how I feel most days. I stitched this design on a heavy linen fabric. I thought it added just enough texture and adds to the vintage feel. I have a few other vintage inspired designs too. Maybe, one day down the road I'll get inspired to put these on a cute little quilt. Note to self... Go Fabric Shopping!

Can Someone Please Pass the Tissue?

I’ve added a couple of new items to the shop since I’ve been away. I know I said I had a few things on the cutting table, but I haven’t found just the right project. So, I wait until the inspiration hits me.
However, I did find time to personalize some toilet paper. These embroidered roll of toilet paper have been a big hit in my shop so I decided to share them with you and also in my Etsy shop. I do need to update my website with the new designs.

Thank you to everyone who has been requesting these. You’ve been keeping me busy with your creative ideas. Keep them coming. I love this fleur-de-lis design. I think it is so elegant. This design was digitized by my good friend Gail at Gail’s Embroidery Spot. If you pop over there you can see many of her creative and fun designs. I’ve tested quite a few for her. Thanks Gail.

Hopefully, I’ll get back in the studio and start sewing soon; however, do not be surprised if you see another crocheted/knitted project pop up in the next few days.

Vacation and a New Addition

Wow!!! I cannot believe how times flies when you have a lot on your plate. I do apologize for not keep up to date with you guys, but I plan to do better in the coming days…months.

So, what has been going on? Well, V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N and a much needed one. We visited St. Augustine, FL the mid part of May and stayed for a little over a week. We did not do anything to exciting, just a relaxing vacation.

Well, the new addition in my life is my Grand Daughter Maggie. She arrived on 6/7/08 and is so precious. She is a beautiful baby with perfect round cheeks. My step son told me I was too young to be a grandmother. Hmmm, I think he is right; 38 is young, but not too young to run around and spoil the little one.

Welcome to the world Maggie.

Coffee, Anyone?

I just love the taste of a good cup of coffee. I can't say that I am a coffee addict, but I do love the smell of it brewing and the rich flavor when I take the first sip. I had a nice delicious cup this weekend and it got me to thinking.... I don't have an appropriate coffee cup sleeve for the spring/summer. Well, you know me, off to my creative studio I go.

Digging through my stash of fabrics, I found some very cute and colorful pieces that I felt would do the trick. What do you think? Do these say spring? Summer? Ah, pretty daisy flowers everywhere.

These make me want to visit one of my favorite coffee shops and get the best drink every. Can we say Turtle Mocha??? Now, is it really a drink or is it a dessert???? By the calorie content, I have concluded it is a dessert conveniently disguised as a drink. Yummy!!!

I did make five (5) new coffee cup snugglers over the weekend. You can find them in my Etsy Shop. Hmmm, I'll get them over to my online store as well. Maybe next week.

On the Cutting Table

I went to my local fabric shop the other day and I was taken by the beautiful array of spring fabrics on display. The silkiness of the the soft cottons. The adorable designs on the novelty fabrics. And, the enticing collection of the floral prints. Wow, if I could have a house big enough to store it all in, I would snap it up in a heart beat.

Well, I was fortunate enough to snag a few cuties for new projects I'm working on. I just love this cherries on the cotton fabric. Oh so cute!!! Don't you just hate cutting into cute and pretty fabrics??? Or, is it just me?

Well, let's see.... What is on my cutting table?

• Cherries and red and white polka dot fabric
• My rotary cutter - can't live without it
• Gingher Dressmaker Sheers - I love these scissors.
• A scallop-edged template
• Cake pincushion - Yes, I actually do use the things I make.

Hmmm, something is missing. Where the heck is my ruler? Can't start without that. Well, stay tuned to see if i find the ruler. Until then, the fabric is safe for now.

;)

Spool Sitter Pincushions

Looking outside and the beautiful colors spring produces, I wanted to bring a little bit of the that spring into my craftroom. So, I decided to make more pincushions. Not cakes or pastries this time, but flowers.

These little rays of sunshine are crocheted using mercerized cotton thread. The bright color tees just add and additional punch of spring. They fit perfectly on top of any standard sized spool of thread.

Aren't these guess the perfect gifter for that crafter on your list? I've got these up in my Etsy Shop.

Well, Hello Dolly

Wow. I had so much fun creating these little girls. I was inspired by these little creations. I just thought these were the cutest things made by Alicia. This is my interpretation of the little dolls. I love to crochet, among other things, and decided to crochet each one a little dress using thread. I forgot how tiny thread was, but I so love the outcome. It was worth the time and effort put into each doll. I have more in the works but I was so excited to share these with you that I just had to upload them.

I currently have them listed in my Etsy shop but will also add to my store as well. So, pop over to the etsy shop and see them individually. I'll get them on my website soon, too. Just not today.

Grandma's Old Fashion Strawberry Preserves

I so love strawberries from the sweet smell to the soft flesh. This year I plan to grow strawberries in my little garden but I decided to make some using felt as well. I thought these turned out really cute. The best part of all, they are scented and smell just like strawberry preserves.

I thought using a mason jar decorated with a strawberry tag and Grandma's label was just the added touch these little berried needed.

I think these will make great play food item and a sweet smelling gift for a sweet little strawberry loving little girl. These strawberries will be in season all year long. You can find them in my Etsy Shop. Pick yourself some today.

Hello, My Name is Bennie.

Well meet Bennie. He is the latest addition to my turtle creations. I just think he is so cute. I really enjoy making these little guys and they a very popular with my customers. Thank you. You can't help but smile each time you look at the turtles.

See... he even smiles back. As with all of my turtles, Bennie will make a great pet for anyone. The best part is, he doesn't eat much and takes up very little space. If you would like one, feel free to pop over to my store or my Etsy Shop .

The End!!!

;)

I've Been Tagged

OMGosh, my blog has been tagged by one of my crafty, blogging friends. Thanks to Debbie of Teddy Bear Gifts, I get to play along. It is a fun game played by some of the most creative people who blog. Basically, if you get tagged, you are to post 5 unknown things about yourself on your blog and then tag 5 more.

What you didn't know about me...

1. I love watching forensic type shows on T.V. I secretly would love to be a homicide detective or have the opportunity to solve cold case files.

2. I taught undergraduate computer course for a college. I really miss this as I loved working with the kids of all ages.

3. In my free time when I am not working on business, I love to bake and cook. I collect cook books of all kind.

4. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and there is a 14 year difference in our ages. In May, I will be a 38 year old grandmother. I don't have any biological children of my own, but have two loving stepson's who I love as though they were mine.

5. Along with my husband, my crafty friends inspire, encourage and support my creativity. They all are a true blessing.

Now....Tag! You're it.

Little Ladybug Designs
Kristen's Personalized Gifts
Mel's Smells Blog
The Ultimate Mall
Lollipostitches

Nothing but Cupcakes

Colorful glass beads make wonderful sprinkles for a crocheted cupcake. I was asked by a customer to create a cupcake for her upcoming wedding. She wants to use it as the ring pillow. Wow, I had never thought of using my cupcakes in a wedding. I was honored to create the cupcake using her wedding colors. I not only made one, but several for her to choose from. The one above was made using a bright orange yarn. I think it is pretty.

This one is made using a soft peach color yarn. It is one of the ones she picked. All the glass beads on this one are peach as well.

Another one she picked is this dark orange, almost pumpkin orange, cupcake. As I said, I really enjoyed working with this customer. Maybe she will send pictures of her wedding. I don't have these cupcakes on my website for sale, however, you can find them in my Etsy Shop . I so love doing custom work and seeing the end results.

Letting Go

Wow, time flies when life gets in the way and everything else around you comes to a screeching halt. My 2008 challenge of 52 new items was put on hold for a few weeks. This time was spent saying goodbye to my dear, dear grandmother. It is so hard to let go of someone so dear and near to my heart. However, until we meet again, I will miss you "Mother Bug".

The Challenge of 2008

Wow, can you believe it. 2008!!!! Where did 2007 go? Does this mean that we are too busy, even for ourselves, to realize how time flies? Or, am I really having fun and time does fly??? It must be that latter. How can you not have fun when you are creating something?

Well, this year, instead of making a New Year's Resolution, I vowed to challenge myself to create a new item each week. Hmmm, can 52 items be too daunting of a task? Heck, no!!! It's fun so I am guessing time will fly.

On to this weeks challenge:

It dawned on me one day while drinking a cup of coffee, that the paper sleeve on the cup was not trendy, snazzy nor did it represent my personality. So, why not create your own. So, I did. My very own cup snuggler.

Of course I could not just stop at one. I had to make one for my Aunt Shirley who loves hot Tea:

Do you think she will like it? I sure hope so. I really think this one is so trendy and Aunt Shirley is a hip and happenin' kinda gal. I can't wait for her to get it.

I had fun making this cute little item. It is not only trendy, attractive and useful; it is also eco-friendly. Use it over and over again. Would you like to have one of your own, pop on over to the shop and design your cup snuggler today.