Looking Ahead

Most artisans who sell their items online have stocked their shops, and promoted, promoted, promoted their handmade items.  I admire them for it and I heartily support the purchasing of handmade items for Christmas gifts, etc.  But this year I am pulling back from the selling aspect.  Those who know me a bit are aware that I have had a year of challenges that have directed my focus and energy elsewhere.  This Christmas, I need to make items for my family and that comes first with me. 

However, I do intend to get back into making things for my online shops after the holiday season, providing that no new challenges prevent me from doing so.  I also am contemplating getting back into my artwork, both drawing/painting and digitally. The New Year is a time of redirecting my focus.  Oh, and I have new plans for my JellyBean Critters.

The Pumpkins Are Coming!

September 20th UPDATE:  Yes, I am slow in getting new photos and listings up.  Gotta get it done.  I, however, have posted a photo of a fabric wall hanging entitled Whimsy Witch on my Artfire shope:  This was made last year and sold before having the chance to be listed.  I am offering to make to order, on a limited basis, another for any one who wants one - however, I do not plan to make any past the first week of October.
I have been working on a few pumpkins in between my busy schedule for this week.  However, a couple were purchased by someone of my locality and did not stay with me long enough to even be photographed.  That is okay as that I have started on a few more.  Now, I need to get them finished and listed.  I do not intend to make more for sale after this week as that I need to move on to other projects.  Have a great weekend, everyone!http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CherChic/3836790

More Pumpkins Are Arriving!

I have finished a couple of pumpkins and they are to be photographed and posted shortly.  Making items for my online shops is a part-time activity for me.  This week is going to be hectic for me, but I will work to get some new pumpkins and previously made items listed.  Have a great Labor Day week, everyone!

JellyBean Critters are PURRfect for Easter Baskets!

There is one bunny, HOPPIE, in this bunch ... but any of these OOAK kitties will be PURRfect for any Easter basket.  These little critters are a result of my love of my two granddaughters and of my cats.  I made one after an idea suggested by a friend, and my older granddaughter begged for one.  Well, it snowballed from there... granddaughter has several (I have to hide new creations, that are made for sale or on commission, from her).  The ones above can be found at my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherChic


I also have a few listed at my Artfire shop (more images below): http://www.artfire.com/users/CherChic

BACK AT HOME!

Little Clormey is a whimsical fella of my own design!  He is ready for spring and Easter ... I can see how he would be a delightful addition to any Easter basket.

Please visit my shops for

more information, and to

browse through my other creations.

MY SHOPS: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherChic
       and            http://www.artfire.com/users/CherChic


Thank goodness that we have our father back at home after a hospital stay.  I am now trying to get back into the routine.  Please become a follower and check back for what I am doing.  I still aim to revamp this blog to make it easier on the eyes and easier to navigate.  Have a great weekend, everyone!h

Transition

This blog will be in a transitional stage for the next week or two.  Please be patient, as that I am monitoring my elderly father who has life-threatening health issues, and the process of revamping my blog may be slow.  I have created another blog, called Claudia's Chatter, which will focus on my cats, gardening and other creative outlets so that I can organize this blog better as far as my Etsy and Artfire shops are concerned, as well as for my JellyBean Critters, etc.  Please stay with me ... check in on a regular basis.

A Hit with My Granddaughter

This pumpkin set was created today and is a hit with my 8-year-old granddaughter!  I have created so many pumpkins of different fabrics and accents, and this was not the one that I expected her to gravitate towards.  Even my husband was wowed by it.

This set and other pumpkins made by me are listed on my Etsy shop.

I hope to have all pumpkins listed by late Friday.  I have to take my father to his doctor tomorrow (out of town), and I am taking photos, etc., and this takes time.  I have enjoyed creating the pumpkins this time around, and by the first of next week, I am working on another Halloween idea - stay tuned.

The Pumpkin Patch Is Overflowing

Visit my Etsy shop for these pumpkins.

      Click the image above for closer view.

NOTE:  I am in the process of making at least 5 more pumpkins -- Pics of

 these will be posted and will be listed for sale ASAP.

Harvesting My Pumpkins

I am in the process of listing, on my Etsy shop, the pumpkins that I completed during the past few days.  I aim to get all posted by late Sunday.  I also have some cloth napkins and a set of Christmas place mats that will go up for sale.

This pumpkin is on an Etsy Treasury! What a compliment!

It Is Time for Pumpkins!

I am presently stitching up some soft sculptured pumpkins.  Recently, I ran across a great find at a yard sale:  a huge stash of fabrics from a quilter of 20 + years.  From this stash, and from a selected number of prints purchased by me within the last year, these pumpkins are being created.  I do not know why, but the pumpkins are one of my favorite things to make.  Keep an eye out for these on my Etsy and Artfire shops next week!

SIAMMIE on Etsy Treasury!

My SIAMMIE, one of the JellyBean Critters, has been featured on an Etsy Treasury!  I take this as a compliment.

New Labels for Cher Chic!

I received the labels that were ordered from Jennifer's Jewels and am really am excited about them!  I attached, in an email, a digital copy of a design created by me and told her as to what dimensions I wanted for my label, and viola!...here it is!  Good job, Jennifer.  If you need labels customized for you, click the hot link in this post and convo her.  Oh, by the way, my labels are iron-on, which is very convenient.  Dimensions: 5/8" tall and 1-1/2 inches long.

THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS

I know that someone may be moaning, "already putting things out for Christmas!"  No, I am making it a goal to start making items for Christmas (and Halloween & Thanksgiving) in order to have these ready for the holidays.  As soon as I complete each item, if not for a gift for a family member or close friend, I will post it on Etsy and/or Artfire for sale.
~If you would like to see something made that you have not seen in my blog or shops, feel free to give input.  I will certainly take suggestions into consideration!~

{I CAN'T HELP IT}

Another nature shot from my window.

Although I am focusing on laundry and gardening today, my mind keeps thinking about new projects.  I just cannot help myself!

When I get the "must do" items out of the way, I will be creating something.  I still can sketch and doodle and write down ideas.

Do not forget about the GIVEAWAY - the deadline for entering is midnight, May 31st!

{In Between}

Back to the garden again.  I am still trying to figure out how to get better pictures with my camera, so bear with me.  The views here are from my desk in my bedroom, which overlooks the garden.  I tried to get a portrait of the back yard boss, a mockingbird, but he was too busy running off "invaders," including the squirrels.  


Not much was done in the garden today as that showers kept us out.  But hey, we surely need the moisture!  The plants have really grown since the rains started Sunday.


The plants in the top photo are potato plants, which my hubby is pulling soil towards them, to make the hills bigger around them, as I write.  The second photo is of okra.  I love okra!  The third photo is of the yellow crook neck summer squash and the fourth is of the pole beans and the Ichiban eggplant at the end of the row.  Between the beans and eggplant are cucumbers that should start climbing the trellis soon.


        My husband was not sure about vertical planting last year, but loved it when he discovered that he did not have to bend over to pick the green beans last year (not much, anyway).  


He is to fix another trellis row next week and we are to plant some more beans and cukes.  Staggering the planting of vegetables keeps the veggies coming through the summer.  We can grow stuff well beyond September if the weather is right.  Oh, we also want to plant sweet potatoes somewhere.  I am not sure if they will overrun the place, but we have decided to try.


I have decided to pull back on producing stuff for Etsy and concentrate on immediate needs.  However, I do need to list the JellyBean Critters that are ready. The garden is an immediate need, as well as that I intend to make some clothes for the granddaughter and a couple of shirts for my father...as well as create some more embroidery designs from my original artwork.  Hey! I see fireflies!  Summer is around the bend!

~:~ Marvelous Monday ~:~

It is raining! Just that fact makes my day so wonderful.  


What am I doing? I am listening to music by Annie Lennox and working on a new embroidery design.  I am also in the process of getting together a case for iPhones, etc., as suggested by a follower. I do not have an iPhone, but sure can use a new case for my cell phone.  In fact, I am thinking of making a new purse with matching zippered pouch and cell phone case for myself!!!  


What is with the photo?  This is a shot of one of the magnolia blooms on one of the five magnolia trees in my yard.  I love magnolias and they are in bloom now.  It is a good thing I love them as that the leaves keep us busy at a couple times of the year.  I may go out and cut a few to put in a vase in the house - they smell so good!

{{{ Back to Work }}}

Click on image above for larger view.

Recuperating from the Weekend

I am not referring to a Monday "hangover."  I had a really busy weekend and enjoyed it:  Seeing my son receive his Masters degree on Mother's Day and eating dinner with him and my husband.  We stayed overnight and then returned home today.  I am just tired.  But it is a good tired.

Before the weekend, I managed to squeeze in digitizing a peace symbol design [this brings back some memories] and then applied it to some upcycled denim, which was made into another sunglasses / large eyeglass case.  This was digitized to be stitched over mylar which makes the design iridescent - click on the image for a closer look.  I like it so much, that I am contemplating making some more in different colors on the same denim.  Comments, anyone?

Discovery in a Dresser

I peeked into a dresser in which "stuff" was stored and I found a kitty shape that I made many years ago of muslin. Now, muslin is what I use in trying out new ideas of my own creation.

The kitty design is one that I plan to explore further - I am deconstructing it and using the pieces for a pattern. However, I have already analyzed the object and plan to make a few changes. I will post what develops later on.
June 28, 2010 UPDATE:  This is still in the making.  I hit a "bump in life" in having to spend more time monitoring my father -- I am not complaining as that he is dear to  me.

What Are JellyBean Critters?

I have started adding stand alone pages to my blog. Look at the top and click on the link for further information about my JellyBean Critters. I will keep adding to the page when I make a new critter, such as HOPPIE, as pictured below. I enjoy making up new critters for my granddaughter. I get such delight when she visits my each weekend and asks, "What did you do this week?" We exchange information about her experiences in her second grade school life and about my endeavors, etc.

I made some pom pom chicks for her last week and plan to put them into a basket as an Easter gift in addition to HOPPIE, which she has not seen, yet. I have to get some photos done and post with this writing. There are not enough hours in the day.

Next week I will be focusing on making her two spring outfits. I went fabric shopping yesterday and enjoyed looking at the material and wonderful prints.