Hello to Handmade!

Hello 2014...and Hello to Handmade.  Let's make this year the year of handmade because buying handmade is buying quality...and family.  When you shop at your local small businesses, or purchase handmade at craft shows and on-line, you are supporting family.  Let's see what I can find today....

...according to Pantone, the color of this year is Radiant Orchid.

Isn't that just GORGEOUS!!!

So, now let's go shopping...

I generally don't shop at Etsy anymore...but I thought today, aw, why not.  I was so pleased to find this handmade Kumihimo bracelet in the shop of Sparkleez Crystals. 

 If you love bling like I do, you'll love this shop.

Over at Handmade Artists the first thing that popped up was this beautiful Orchid Lavender Knit Headband created by my friend Sandi at iKnitQuiltSew.  I especially like the flower, and with the cold weather across the nation, this looks toasty and warm. :-)

Now on to The Craft Star, and these very pretty Layered Heart Tags in the shop of Cards and More by Sheri.  You can find so many uses for these cards, gift giving, scrap booking, or string them together for an awesome banner.

And now for some self-promoting...here is my Radiant Orchid Lilac Beaded Handbag.  I have lots of other stuff too in my shop...

Yankee Burrow Creations,

and

Yankee Burrow Vintage.

So, what do you have that's Radiant Orchid?

Be blessed,

Debbi

We're "Seeing Red" at the Handmade Artists Forum

Even though I moved my shop(s) to The Craft Star, I still am part of the forum over at Handmade Artists because, well, good friends are hard to find.  

And I made some good friends there.

And part of our friendships is the blog ring, where we get to just brag about each other. 

Sandi from IKnitQuiltSew has taken over the organization of this ring, and I thank her for that.  She has deemed in her wonderful wisdom that we will be following themes (I love themes) and picking items from the list of participating shops.  So much fun!  And here we go....

Now I know that these are pink, not red, but hey, it's the same color family.  And I could not help but share these baby skates from Sandi at iKnitQuiltSew.  I have seen lots of baby booties, cowboy booties, baby slippers, but for us yankees there is nothing like ice skating.  Love them!

Next is my best buddy at HA, Pam from BeadThing.   She is a homeschooling Gramma, and I love how she remembers to send me links to cool homeschooling stuff.  We crazy women need to stick together. hahaha

She started beading She started beading and designing jewelry for her health many years ago, and has gotten so good at it, she even teaches classes now and then at Michaels.  For her red item I chose to share this wonderful handwoven red swarovski waves bracelet. 

I cannot imagine the patience it takes for Monika of MyEuropeanTouch fame to create her totally awesome mosaic pieces.  This rectangular lidded recipe/treasure box truly is a treasure.  With each piece meticulously cut and shaped and set into place...the end result is...

WOW.

I am blessed to own a mosaic dove created by Monika, and it has become a family keepsake.

If you love gemstones, you'll love John's shop, Rasmussen gems and jewelry.  John is an accomplished lapidarist and jewelry designer, and the gemstones you'll find in his shop were cut and polished by him.  So you can rest comfortably knowing that his experience will get you the best bang for your buck.  I love this garnet and gold pendant.  So very pretty and elegant.

My last share for this post is a newbie to our blog ring, Lisa from Uniqlets. She is more than a jewelry designer, more than a steampunk jewelry designer, and more than a vintage lover.  She is an artist, and her jewelry is just that...art you can wear.  She also has the greatest collection of Bakelite I have ever seen!  This Red and Yellow  Flower pendant is just that...a bakelite flower on a yellow bakelite buckle. 

Too cool!

Well, that's it for this week.  I can't wait to see the theme for next week.

Be blessed,

Debbi

HAF artists feature - iKnitQuiltSew

Today I would like to share with you a great shop at TheHandmadeArtists. 

iKnitQuiltSew is a wonderful place stuffed full of blankets, and dolls, and so many things for baby and mommy. Check this out.

I love this little kitty!  A vibrant pink baby quilt with pretty grey kitties.  What a great way to comfort your baby girl at nap time.  Heck, I would like this quilt for myself, LOL.  This is a one of a kind original design by Sandi herself, and it measures 40.5" x 44", perfect for the princesses crib.  It was first machine assembled and quilted, then hand quilted with medium weight polyester batting.  Sandi hand embroidered the details on the kittens faces and even signed her name, making this not only a quilt, but a piece of art.

Sandi learned to knit from her grandmother and some of the patterns she uses are actually from her great-grandmother, dating from the late 1800's.  That's where the classic look of Sandi's items must come from, like these hand knit white and red cowboy booties.  Aren't they just adorable?  And how about this large brown toy teddy bear?  He is completely handmade with movable joints, and a cute knit scarf.  He measures almost 16" tall when standing.  She also carries dolls, headbands, dishcloths, and baby gifts.  So hop on over to her shop iKnitQuiltSew and visit her blog.  You won't be sorry.

Be blessed,

Debbi

trying new things! iKnitQuiltSew

If you caught my blog post(s) yesterday, you'll see where I was playing with my new phone...trying a new blogger app, and not doing too well with it, lol.  Another new thing in my life this year is my shop on the Handmadeartistsshop site.  It's a forum, and it's a selling site, and part of the "newness" is that there are new artists that I get to meet, and share.  So my first HAS artist feature is.... *drum roll please*.... iKintQuiltSew!

Not all artists work with paint, or clay, or marble.  Sandi is an artist that lovingly creates beauty with fabric and yarn.  She learned to knit and sew from her grandmother, and uses the patterns that came from her great-grandmother, giving such a touch of vintage class to all her items, like this...

 Camo Colors Knit Baby Hat and Booties gift set.  With all the great-grands, and great-nephews and nieces popping up in my family, gift sets are a God-send to my sanity.  And let's not forget poor tired mommy...with this beautiful Ladies Headband with flower.  The color is sure to brighten any sleep deprived new mother, and make her look, and feel, wonderful.

And if your newest family member is a little girl, what little girl could resist this...meet Anne the rag doll! 
I made a doll..once..for a granddaughter, and let me tell you, attaching curly hair onto a doll was enough to make me pull out my own hair.  It's so much better when Sandi does it, lol.  This doll looks so soft and ready to help your little angel have sweet dreams.  And then hang this colorful Hand Quilted Baby Quilt on the nursery wall.  What a perfect touch! 

The last item I would like to share is the very first item that caught my eye from this shop...a gorgeous Handmade Log Cabin Lap Quilt.  The air can be a little nippy at those 3am feedings, heehee.
You can also get to know Sandi by becoming a follower of her blog, and like her on facebook to get all the latest up to the minute news on iKnitQuiltSew.

Be Blessed!
Debbi