The Etsy Shop! And a Giveaway!

I'm am so happy to share with you about my Etsy Shop!  Tree Shadow Designs is now up and running!

The shop is a place for me to share with you, friends, the fiber art that I have been happily working on for the past several months.  I just love yarn, and love the whole process of creating with it.  I love how it feels in my hands, the motion of the needle being wrapped up.  I love how you can make something three dimensional from a single strand of wool.  The items in the shop are a mix of crochet and embroidery, although I also love to knit and felt.  Perhaps there will be some of that in the future!

So....I'd love it if you'd go over and take a peek!  And because all of this has really happened because of the good things that I've been given...I want to give something to you!  A Giveaway!


Here's how it works.  One of you will win a free item from the shop of your choice.  To enter, just leave me a comment here on the blog telling me which one you would like, if you are chosen.   To receive another entry in the drawing, like Tree Shadow Designs on facebook, and tell me about it in your comment.  And get yet another entry if you sign up as a follower of this blog.  The drawing will take place next Thursday and I will announce the winner on the blog.

And lastly, but maybe most importantly, Thank You!  So many of you have supported me though this journey.  Sent me a note of encouragement or given me ideas....Thank You!  Your friendship means alot to me and just might be the best part of this whole endeavor.

Crochet Handbag

 I whipped this up last week one night.  I had no intention of making a handbag.  In fact, I thought I was crocheting some washcloths to give to a friend.  I love how this cotton yarn is to work with, and became charmed with the color.  It seemed too pretty to make into a washcloth, so J suggested I make a bag.  I'm glad he did!

 I crocheted a few flowers to add to it and I like how old fashioned they look.

Now all I have to do is figure out a closure for it.  I thought about a button, but it seemed too clumsy for the design.  I'd like to make a loop and "knob" (you know like a fancy bump that goes through the loop and holds it in place) out of yarn, but I don't know how yet!  Any of you crafty ones reading this have a suggestion for me?

The Latest Creation

The new bathroom rug.....

My crochet stitches are starting to be more consistent which helps the rug look more put together.  The colors are crazy, but that is part of the fun!

What do you think?  Crazy beautiful?  Or just Crazy? ;)

Crochet Fun!

I've been making small crochet pieces and it's been so much fun!  Here are a few recent creations.

 Flowers and Sea life.  That yellow swirrely creature is a sea star.  

 I made this little guy for Owl.  He loves him!  And loves to act out the sea star eating the crab over and over again.  

 I couldn't resist making a snail.  Can you imagine him on a little one's hat?  Or as a lapel pin?

 These flowers were so quick and fun to make!  

 Can you tell from the photo how three dimensional the flower is?  I love crochet for that reason.  You can make any shape you like!

A pansy.  He lies so nice and flat that I was thinking of sewing him to a piece of felt and making a nice bookmark for a friend.  I also have ideas for attaching a whole bunch of flowers to some beautiful handmade rope to make a garland!  Wouldn't that be awesome?!?  The possibilities are endless!

Crochet Flower Rug

One wintry day this past December, I decided to unravel the giant lambswool sweater that had been sitting in my closet for too long.  It never fit right, and it was such a nice big sweater that I thought it would be good to repurpose all that yarn.  It was a good choice.  I made a nice scarf and this rug for my friend Jess.  

I didn't have a pattern, just an idea of making a rug with a flower in the middle.  I used some colored cotton yarn mixed in with the lambswool, and I was pleased with the result.  It's unusual, interesting to look at, and feels good under one's toes.  I hope it looks nice in my friend's home.  I hope many little kid toes linger on it after bathtime!

I love making rugs!  My brother gave me a rope maker for Christmas and it's really fun!  I've made a few different kinds of rope with it and now I'm experimenting to find the best way to sew the coils together to make a rag rug.  Sometimes I wish these kinds of skills were still passed down from generations before, but oh well....here's to embracing the path of learning!

7 Things About Today and A Menu

Today....

1.  We ate pumpkin pancakes for breakfast, which is always such a happy start.  Hen polished off more than any of us I think.  :)

2.  We changed out the 2010 calendar for 2011.  Yeah, a few more days left, I know....but I was ready!  I read this post about Naming Years which was really interesting.  Go ahead.  Click on it and read it for yourself.  You might like it!

3.  We colored the windows.  Thanks Grandma J for the new markers.  Fun!

mosaic rocket Owl made

4.  We learned about air polution, the digestive system, and mosaics at the lunch table.  There is never a dull moment when you are with these boys, let me tell you!

5.  I learned how to crochet a Granny Square.  :)  And started making a rug out of an old sweater.

6.  We made bolognese sauce.  Yum.

7.  I listened.  I stopped what I was doing and listened every time a little one talked to me.  At least I think I did.  It's something I'm working on.  I always listen, but my body language doesn't always show that I am and it's so important!

Baked Ham and Eggs

And a menu.... It's been awhile since I've shared the menu with you all.  Have you missed it? ;)

This week our week started on Tuesday....

T   Yogurt Dippers (yogurt swirled with fruit puree & whole wheat toast to dunk)
     Pita pizzas and salad
     Roast beef (grass fed), baked fries, and fresh veggies

W  Pumpkin Pancakes                              
     PB & J & smoothies
     Spaghetti bolognese w/ fresh veggies

Th Oatmeal w/ raisins/nuts              
      Hard boiled eggs/salad
     Vegetable beef barley soup w/popovers

F   Eggs and biscuits                      
     Leftover soup w/ fresh fruit
     Jambalaya w/ homemade beer bread

S   Waffles w/apples & cream                                  
     Leftovers
     Homemade pizza (pesto w/ veggies)

S   Oatmeal w/ fixins                
      Leftover pizza and salad        
     Chicken Tangine with butternut squash  (new recipe!)

That's what's cookin' over here!  What's on your menu? Leave a Comment if you like!  I love hearing about what you're cooking!

ps.  If you are having trouble leaving a comment will you let me know?  I have gotten a few emails recently telling me that leaving a comment was tricky and/or not working and I'd like to solve the problem!

Peter, Edmund and Aslan

This year our church had it's first Trunk or Treat. It was awesome! The kids all had a great time and it was an awesome time of outreach to our small community. Here is my little crew all ready for the event!~

I whipped up this little pumpkin hat for Hen, and I was so glad he decided to not pull it off! Isn't he just so cute?

I like this picture of Cricket.....such a mature look for him.....

My mom and dad came for a visit on Friday, and my mom helped me sew these felt bags for the boys. I didn't want to buy a "trick or treat" bag for them, so instead we used what we had. The boys helped design them.

Little Owl being Lion-ish.

Aslan is not a tame lion. :)

Crochet Chainmail

I've finished Badger's birthday present! He was so excited about it! (yeah, I gave it to him early because he wants to wear it for the Trunk or Treat Outreach that is happening at our church this Saturday.)

Here's the Crochet Chainmail Hood.

and gauntlets.....

my brave knight.....

A Crochet Quiver

Here's my latest creation......

I am starting to love crochet. It's so much faster than knitting! And although it wouldn't do for some things, it's perfect for quivers. :) I'm also working on a set of gauntlets for each of the boys in a metallic grey yarn. Fun.

Learning Something New

I've been writing a post for the blog in my head for the past week. *sigh* But I just haven't felt very motivated to sit down and write. (not like me!) There has been so much going on. Our tenth anniversary last week. The boys learning and growing like crazy. Cider season. Yeah. I have started a post called "update" (creative, huh?) but for now....here is a picture of something new.

Last week I got a book from the library about Crochet. I did! I am a knitter. So crochet has always seemed like....well....the dark side. Ha ha. It is sooo different than knitting. And guess what....I think it's quite fun! Oh, and my project? It's a rug! Made out of old t-shirts. Yep! So far it's about four feet across and if I can round up any more shirts it'll be even bigger. I want to make it big enough for the music room!

Want more info about how to make one? Check out my sister-in-laws blog (she gave me the idea) for a little more depth and more pictures.

I'm off to dig through J's things. He must have more t-shirts. :) G'night.

-reba