My Table Monday - Veggies and a Monkey

It is what is on my table...I worked on these custom orders over the weekend! 

Best Friends, lol!

Monkey is almost complete, a few more stitches left before she is stuffed and listed on etsy.  She is made to order.  You can order her in any color, and can also be made into a boy monkey.

Mr. Broccoli and Mr. Carrot are now available on etsy!

What were your projects over the weekend?

Work in Progress - Custom Order Carrot.

I received a custom order for vegetables from my dear cousin this week!  Custom orders are my favorite!!  A veggie nursery is in the works for her friend with a baby boy on the way.

So to get started... a few vegetables sketchings.

I got right to work on the carrot.  I'm so excited about this carrot.  I can't wait to see what he looks like stuffed. He is a going to be perfect for spring and a spring time baby!

Next up, broccoli!

Shop Feature --- Cheryl A. Smith

I first introduced the very talented felt designer Cheryl a couple weeks ago in a Friday Five post featuring her cupcake pin cushion.

Please welcome Cheryl A. Smith.

Name 3 random things about yourself:
1. I have stitched over 6,875 finger puppets by hand since I started my Etsy shop.
2. I make friends with alley cats.
3. I like to grow carnivorous plants, especially sundews.

Where are you from? Is your Etsy shop full time for you?
I currently live in Atlanta, GA. I work full time at my art and craft, however my Etsy shop is only part of what I do. I also have a couple of websites: http://www.cherylasmith.com/ and http://hobbyloco.com

 

 

What's your favorite part of running an Etsy shop?
Being able to work from home, doing what I love to do.

 

 

What made you fall in love with Etsy?
I am an Etsy "old-timer". I joined in June 2005 when Etsy first started. I knew immediately that it was going to be great! There is a nice camaraderie among the artists.

 

 

Are you super neat and organized in your craft room?
When I am not working things are pretty organized. When I am working, I am a whirlwind with supplies all around me.

 

 

What is your favorite material to work with?
I love stitching felt. However, when I am not stitching I work with many types of materials. I love to doodle, paint, collage, cross-stitch, and much more!

What is your favorite listing in your shop?Ooh that's a tough one. Currently I love my "Itsy Bitsy Spider" puppet set. I originally created that set for a charity auction and it has become one of my best sellers. 

What are your favorite flowers to receive?
I love to receive plants instead of flowers, so I can watch them grow.

 

 

What is your favorite sweet snack?
Dark Chocolate Trinity Ice Cream.

 

 

Name the first word or image that comes to mind:
cats

 

 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years with your business?
I would love to be living in a cozy little house in the North Georgia mountains, still stitching and able to make a living doing what I love to do.

 

Friday Five ~ Raccoons!

I am a huge fan of nature, and nature is always an inspiration to me when I am creating my plushies. I chose racoons for todays five.  Raccoons are my favorite!  For you fellow raccoon lovers stay tuned because I plan on designing a raccoon felt plushie in the near future! I hope you enjoy this lovely raccoon collection as much as I did finding these five raccoon gems this morning.

Happy Friday my dear friends!

Racoons in Love. 

Ann from My Private Zoo has amazing illustrations of animals perfect for nurseries, and animal lovers.

Red Tile Studio specializes in collectible art blocks and original paintings.  Amber and Darleen are the design team behind Red Tile Studio from Dallas, Texas  The mother/daughter team loves to create unique pieces of art that reflect their love of nature and modern design.

Sunny Day.

Sara and Dan both residing in Connecticut with their daughter and three dogs together created

 Sea Urchin Studio a paper goods, design, and illustration company, specializing in art and design for children.

Beautiful Bandit.

In Florida, Mark is "Bringing nature just a little closer." Mark is the talented photographer of 

Gator Creek Galleries specializing in Wildlife, Nature, & Landscape Photography.

Tetsu the Raccoon.

At bobbin4apples, sister duo, Tiya and Joy make original, super cute, kawaii things to love and share! Every single thing is made with great pride. Anything from plush, artwork and prints, dolls, to Longbottom animal scarves, mochis, and kiddo dolls, are there for you to explore and treasure!

Work in Progress - Bat Owl

I got an order for a bat owl last night. So I decided to cut out two. One to send to Michigan and one to bring to the Pregnancy Baby Kids Expo!

Soft & Cuddly Easter

Look at all the cute ideas for Easter Baskets this Spring!!

Friday Five - Felted Flowers

Yipppeee! It's Friday. We are celebrating my son's third birthday tomarrow - I can't wait to have his Thomas the train party. Anyone else have any exciting plans for the weekend?

Today I am featuring some amazing felted flower designers. Please check out additional creations in their shop links, & enjoy!!!!

In Christines shop Soft Additions she creates unique felted items perfect for special occasions, weddings, gifts for the home and you. Items include, bridal, scarfs, bags, purses, flower pin brooches, decorative wall hangings, table runners, placemats and coasters and much more.....She is a graphic designer living in England.

Andretta in Connecticut is the creativity behind Wreathink Gifting. All her wreaths are handmade and can be cutom ordered. She keeps busy with being a
mother, a wife, and a pet owner. Most of her free time is spent hard at work crafting.

This Florida based company This Happy House ...is "your source for all things happy," where you will find handmade colorful, cute bouquets for any special occasion!

Laura from Pennsylvania created Stellina B "accessories for you and your little star." She offers fun, unique and affordable accessories for girls of all ages!

Felt Flower Bouquets by Princess Lasertron is the original designer of the felt flower wedding bouquet. With the combination of handcrafted design and business prowess she has earned her cult celebrity status in the wedding industry. Since 2005, she has grown to serve over 300 brides each year.    

Work in Progress - - - Polka Dot Owl

Here are 4 Polka Dot Owls in the works ... ready to be stitched, so they can go to there new homes.

What is your favorite part about crafting? I love everything about crafting...using creativity to create a new design, cutting out all the felt pieces, stitching all the pieces together, shopping for supplies...my list could go on.  I do have to admit that I love the stitching part the most. I've loved to stitch (particularly embroidery) since I was a little girl.  That thing called life took over for many years.  I'm so glad I jumped back in full force into my craft. I'm in love. I could stitch all day if I could...maybe one day I will be able to.

So for now, I am cutting and stitching like crazy in the evenings to prepare for the expo...

One of these owls is being sent to the March giveaway winner. One owl will be submitted as a door prize for the Pregnancy Baby Kids Expo. Two are left. Any takers? Email me any questions:: ihartfelt@yahoo.com  

Please take note that I happily take custom orders and bulk orders. 

My Table Monday - Owls

Owls, owls & more owls. I am making lots of these cuties. Let me know if there is anything you really like - is there a color combo that you are in love with? Would you like to order more than one? I love to hear your feedback. Most of these owls will eventually be listed on Etsy. If you have your eye on something that you need sooner than when I can get these hoots listed, just let me know & I will create a listing for you right away! Dont forget both Easter & Mothers Day are both right around the corner...
Happy Monday Friends!

Friday Five - Cupcake Pin Cushions

Look at these darling cupcake pincushions I found this morning on Etsy! So stinkin cute without the guilt of all those darned calories. 

Cheryl A Smith

Cheryl began stitching her goodies in 2005 including finger puppets, plush cupcakes, gift sets, ornaments, pins and more! She also takes large orders! You can also find her on her blogs:

http://cherylsjournals.blogspot.com/

http://chaosatlanta.blogspot.com/

Made it Green

"I love to find new purposes for old items. My latest material is wool. Vintage sweaters, suits, re-purposed yarn - so much fun. I begin working on a project and could hibernate if the world didn't get in the way."  ~Linda, Made it Green

Fabulous Felties

Louise has been felting for three years and launched her shop Fabulous Felties in 2011 where she has her felties and other cute critter creations listed.  She always welcomes custom orders!

Handy Little Me

Louise from Handy Little Me opened shop in 2008.  She creates one of a kind & unique knitted bunnies, tea cosies, illustrated journals, artwork, illustrated cards, plush toys and more! She
will also happily create something special just for you!  You can also find her at her website www.handylittleme.com

 

Whim Wham

Inspiration for Jennifer from Whim Wham is her daughter and niece.  Jennifer loves crafting and has been doing so for over 25 years. She  likes to sew, needle felt, knit crochet...and combine her skills to make new things!

Versatile Blogger Award

A big thank you to Patty at Fabric Sticks and Strings - for awarding me the "Versatile Blogger Award!" Patty loves to create beautiful one of a kind things to brighten your home!

She uses only the highest quality cotton fabrics, threads and yarns in her pillows, table runners, quilts and other home decor items.

Check out her etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/twistedsticks

My job now is to tell you 7 things you might not know about me.

1. I have two boston terriers, one is a "Bugg" (Pug + Boston Terrier = Bugg) 10 & 6 years old.
2. I have ran 1 full marothon (26.2 miles) and 2 half marathons (13.1 miles), and various other smaller races. I will run more races someday soon to raise money for leukemia & breast cancer.
3. I love cheese.
4. I used to be in a book club. I wish I still was because I have loved to read since I was a little girl.
5. Before my current property managing position I was a toddler teacher at a local child care center. 6. I wish I could play an instrument.
7. I want to have my second baby in the next year or so.

Now for the list of 15 blogs to pass the torch to...The list of amazing, creative, pasionate bloggers you must check out !!

A.A Van Hoof
Art by Julia Skerry
Be More with Less
Cute and Creepy's Cannibalized Cuties!
Greenie Marie
Jillian Rene Decor
Just Kutz
mmmcrafts
Run 2 the Wild
Simon and Ruby
The Beauty of Life
Winter Sinking Strokes
Lambcake
Tranifer's Wonky Critters
Bliss Works Studio

Hoot Hoot

Hello fellow OWL LOVERS! "My table Monday - Mini Owl post" was reblogged on this Hoot Hoot "collection of owls" Blog! Check out some of these amazing owls that this blog is "sharing - to enjoy," & go here to enjoy more: http://hoottoot.tumblr.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/skunkboycreatures

www.perpetualkid.com

www.poketo.com

www.amazon.com

My Table Monday - Bunnies and Mini Owls

Work in Progress - "Hop Hop" the Bunny Rabbit

I sketched the bunny first.

I then made the sketch into pattern pieces.

I pin the pattern pieces to the felt so I can hand cut all the shapes.

Using embroidery thread I hand stitch all the details like eyelashes and whiskers before I pin all the pieces together to be stitched together. The last step not shown here is to stuff the bunny with polyfil.

"Hop Hop," the Bunny arrived just in time for Spring!! "Hop Hop," would make a perfect gift for a new baby, or for Easter as it is just around the corner! He will be listed in my etsy shop in a few short days. I can make him in any color combination you can dream up. xox

Shop Feature: Ruff House Art

I'm sure you are aware there are so many amazing shops on Etsy! I really want to take a stand to get to know who is behind some of these wonderful shops. I found Ruff House Art the other day while browsing for love birds. I found her love bird coasters to be clean, simple, and affordable - featured a few days ago on my Love Bird Friday Five post.  

From affordable wedding invitations, and personalized stationery, to party invites, and paper coasters...

"Everything we do is from the heart. We mix hip new designs with old-fashioned printing techniques. Our love of letterpress is matched only by our joy of bringing to life your ideas. All design, pressing, and production is done in our Lawrence, KS studio, ensuring that every piece is done with precision and passion. A small shop, with big heart, and endless ideas." ~Ruff House Art

Ladies and Gents I would like to introduce to you "Jill" from Lawrence, KS, of "Ruff House Art - a Letterpress & Custom Design Studio."

Name 3 random things about yourself:
1. Hugs and kisses from my 2 year old daughter, Mila, are my bliss.
2. I love old VW's. I drive a bug and someday hope to own a VW bus.
3. I regularly have a collection of at least 3 coffee cups on my desk.

Tell me about your craft: Ruff House Art began in 2009 with one designer, one Chandler & Price Letterpress and a whole lot of creativity and ambition. Today, Ruff House Art is proud to offer a superbly creative line of wedding stationery and home & office retail products. We aim to be as Eco-conscience as possible. All of the paper products contain at least a little recycled content with most containing 100% recycled content. Even the coasters are 100% biodegradable. The Seeded Line of greeting cards is the most eco-friendly with a beautiful flower bed embedded into every card.

What's your favorite part of running an Etsy shop? Definitely the people. People that shop Etsy, do so because they want a personal experience. They want a one-of-a-kind product and experience.

What made you fall in love with Etsy? The versatility of the artist. You can literally find everything - food, furniture, gifts, decor, clothes....love it!

Are you super neat and organized in your craft room? HA! I wish! I would like to say that I am organized in my own way. This is definitely something that I work on and maybe I am just too critical of myself as our recently hired intern was impressed by our organization.

What is your favorite material to work with? Paper, of course.

What is your favorite listing in your shop? This is a tough question and the answer changes daily. I love all our coasters and am probably most proud of that product line. But I am super excited about our most recently line of wall clocks.

What are your favorite flowers to receive? Daisy's, without a doubt.

What is your favorite sweet snack? Brownies....cookies, iced coffee. I have a soft spot for sweets! Name the first word or image that comes to mind: Brownies - I hadn't quite moved on from the previous thought. Wondering if I have enough ingredients to go make some, hmm...

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years with your business? I started the company three years ago and never would have guessed I would be this far along already. I have big plans and endless ideas. Right now I am focused on the retail line and taking it to the National Stationery Show in May. I hope to gain a solid client list. I would ideally like to have a few more letterpresses, a couple of employees and one amazing office/retail space.

You can find Jill at her website www.ruffhouseart.com or on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/ruffhouseart

Treasury Thursday - You Are So Loved

In honor of Valentine's Day, a "love" themed treasury curated by www.ihartfelt.etsy.com

Work in Progress - Custom Order Owl Friends

Are you interested in a custom order? I happily welome custom orders at my etsy shop - to match your bedding, themes, or color schemes. For custom ordering go to: www.ihartfelt.etsy.com