Spring Break At Last!

Spring break is finally here! I've had so much going on since my last post. Classes, along with homework and exams, have taken up a lot of my time. I've finally gotten some business paperwork done, in between shipping orders. With all the tie dye I've done in the past month, I'm starting to think the tips of my fingers will be forever blue, green, and purple...

There are about 50+ finished tie dye sitting in my coat closet, but there's no room left for more- there just has to be a place to put more of these things! Lucky for me, my craft room closet should be able to hold a few, because I plan to do a bunch more while I have the time away from school.

I'm rather enjoying dying up these baby clothes, and a good thing too with my current space issues. I'm looking for someplace to get some sundresses and peasant skirts for women and girls, so if anyone knows where I can get some, please let me know!

I'm still hunting everywhere I can think of to find upcycle worthy stuff to play with, but I think I might be waiting for those until yard sales start popping up. Our weather was so good 2 of the last 3 weekends I thought I might see some soon. At least, until last nights rain turned to snowfall overnight!

 Only in St. Louis can you be outside in short sleeves, huddled under an umbrella, and stomping about in snow boots within the same 24 hour period!





Enough of my rambling, I've been up all night again and with only a couple of hours of dreamland the night before... I need to drag myself into bed now.  

 Goodnight!   :)


     

Tye Dye Mania, Day 1

 Today I broke out the shirts and dye, and I had a blast! I did 10 shirts, which are now drying in my bathroom. It's annoying my boyfriend to no end, because he knows I have a lot more to do.   :)

I took pictures of the first 5, but by the time I had 5 more done, it was starting to get dark. I'll get finished pictures of each one once they've gone through drying, rinsing, and more drying.

The one to the far left, the one with green, red, and yellow, sold while it was still dripping!






Apparently, tye dye hanging to dry in an apartment complex in my area isn't very common... I caused a huge stir, with over half of the people who saw them already wanting one of their own! I have nearly a dozen people bringing me shirts and skirts in the next week or so, and some of them plan to bring more than one.

Something tells me I'm going to need a lot more dye, and I'll probably have colorful fingers for the next month or more. I had so much fun, I might see if I can manage to dye a batch at least once a week or more through the whole summer.

I love seeing all the color combinations and patterns emerge, and knowing that each one is unique makes it even better!

whew...!

 This week has been hectic! Between exams coming up, and papers due, I've also been busy baking some of my 'sweet mess' macaroons and working on a couple custom orders- all of which I shipped out today, with the exception of 2 of the custom orders.

  One of these remaining two orders is for my brother, who hasn't decided what he wants(so I can't even start it). The other order is for a friend in Central/South America who only has a vague idea on style, so I have to see if what I made is what she had in mind. If nothing else, it's a really cute purple scarf and hat set!

I decided I'd like to give some local craft fairs a try this year, so expect an update on where to find me later on. I need to build up some inventory or my tables are going to look awful bare! If anyone in the St. Louis area would like to get a booth together to save on fees, please let me know.

I can barely wait, I'm so excited! Now, to try out some of my new yarns that came in this week...

Meet Carlyle the Hedgehog

 Bright little Carlyle is always in a good mood. And why not? He's got the most rockin' set of quills in the neighborhood! He loves hanging out in his flower bed daydreaming about the perfect home... Yours!

Carlyle is approx 3.5" long from nose to rear quills, 3" side to side, and 3" tall. His quills are pink, red, and a pale mint (which appear white). He has no small parts, but his quills might pull out if little hands pull on them.

 

 He has been sprayed with a fabric stiffener, on his tummy to help him stay level, and on his quills to add texture.

Anxiously waiting...

I ordered a copy of Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet (visit the authors blog to find out about translated versions of the book). I'll admit, I only ordered it in the last couple days, but what can I say? I'm impatient, thanks to all the hoo-ha I've seen everywhere saying how fantastic this book is.

While I wait, I've been combing the vast amount of free online patterns, and saving any I think I'd like to try. I've already got several other books that I could work from as well, a few of which I've tried out. In the coming weeks, you can expect to see more ami's popping up in my shop listings and blog posts! I can't help it, they're so darn adorable!

I've been told I need to make a couple hedgehogs, and I have plans to figure out a space duck (long story).  There's so many choices, it's hard to decide what to start on - so if you have any you'd like to see me make, please let me know so I can get to it!

Hello! Welcome to my new blog

  My name is Carissa. I've been crafting off and on since I was tiny, and recently decided it was time to make a go of turning it into my main source of income. I'm not good with daily journals or diaries, so don't be surprised if I don't post every day!

  I have several projects in the works, and I'll be posting about those, promoting other etsy shops, and possibly sharing some patterns or ideas as I go. I don't always work from a pattern, and often make things up as I go, so patterns aren't always available for my original works- I'd share them if there was!

  I've set up  my shop on Etsy, and even made my very first sale! Max the desk turtle found his home yesterday - and he'll be sent out as soon as this wicked snow is over. This legless little guy is approx 4.5" from nose to tail, 2.5" wide, and 1.5" tall. He was made working in the round, without a pattern, and is one of a kind.

  This octopus was made for a family member in Chicago who LOVES octopi. She had given me some yarn when I went to visit last month, and I used part of it to make this gift for her as my thanks. Like Max, it was made in the round, without a pattern, and is one of a kind.