Happy Halloween

Pie Plate Cozy

When I posted a picture of my first pie plate cozy, several visitors suggested that I make some in Thanksgiving colors. I also thought it would be a good idea if I made them a standard 9 inch size. All of my pie plates are a large 10 inch size so I had to go buy a smaller one. Sure wish I could have found one (without trucking all over town) in glass rather than this treated metal one. They will be listed at my shop if you are interested. If not, I will have some pretty fancy pies this holiday.

Zizzy-Dot Swap - October

Wordless Wednesday

Finally

I made it into another Etsy Treasury, done by a Design Style Guide member. She named the treasury "Finally, (snagged a treasury)"

Advertising

I can hardly believe it, but I started this blog over two years ago. For the longest time, there were only 10 to 20 visitors a day, if I was lucky. It really didn't matter that much, because the blog was about my quilts and whatever crafty thing I was up to at the time. That all changed when I was laid off last March. That's when I started my Etsy shop, something I had wanted to do for the longest time.
Of course the shop was going nowhere and I was in need of some advertising. I joined Entrecard which brings a bunch of traffic to my blog. I also joined Adgitize which has brought some but not much traffic to my blog. But the point was to bring traffic to the etsy shop not the blog, so I have also signed up for CMF ads and Project Wonderful. Neither of them have brought much traffic at all. I have ad space for sale on this blog which as of this writing, still remains blank.
I bought some advertising on Found Handmade and that has brought some traffic so I think I will continue to advertise there. I have joined etsy teams, as advised by Etsy, along with Facebook and Twitter.
I really have to wonder if any of this advertising is doing me any good. Do you advertise? Who brings in the most visitors for you?

TeamFest

As an Etsy member of Team Fest, I have won the September challenge. Please check out the great write up at http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/2009/10/sept-team-challenge-winner.html.

Fabric Postcards

Some new cards in the shop, more texting jargon.

Sister in Law
Mother in Law

Not computer jargon, but self explanatory. I am not crazy about this set of cards. They are kind of boring.

Pie Plate Cozy

I designed a new style coiled bowl and I don't know what to call it. So far the best I can come up with is Pie Plate Cozy. The point is to make the pie a little more festive for whatever the holiday is. I suppose they could be made for any occasion but what do I call it? Is it a good idea? Should it have handles?

Wordless Wednesday

Is it too early?

I really don't like it when you see Christmas being advertised before Halloween. But, I'm reading on all the blogs and forums that you've got to start early to get the jump on all the crafters and artisans selling their wares. Who am I to argue with experience?

Christmas Plaid fabric bowl with handles.

Mini Christmas fabric bowl

Double Irish Chain Christmas table topper

Tea Dyed Teddy Bear ornament

Theater Etiquette

I have always loved Broadway musicals. Yesterday, I did something out of the ordinary for me, and I went to see Fiddler on the Roof by myself. I read some online material about Topol, that he doesn't do matinees, so I wasn't too disappointed went he didn't show up. Otherwise, the show was wonderful and his understudy did a great job. I enjoyed it tremendously but I wish I could say the same for the audience.
Looking for your seat after the curtain has gone up is just plain rude. The cast is singing Tradition with all their hearts and these old farts are still looking for their seats down in front. There was an awful lot of loud talking and shushing going on all through the show, not to mention the constant rumblings of snack bags. I also don't think the theater is the place for nachos.
While I think white gloves are no longer necessary, I do think cut off jeans and a tank top with a baseball cap is in poor taste. I even saw a lady a few seats down from me take off her high heeled shoes and hang them from the seat in front of her.
But the curtain calls was the worst. It is a time when you should be showing the cast that you liked the show and appreciate their hard work (and it really is hard work). The people were running out of the theater as though it were on fire instead of applauding. What is most surprising is that this was not a crowd of today's youths, who have no manners. This was a matinee of the Fiddler, mostly old people who should know better.

Texting Jargon

I know, Hello is not what you would call texting jargon, but I couldn't come up with too many popular phrases that would make a good postcard.

There is a Facebook suggestion to make a card LOL. Anybody else have a bright idea?

Quilts for Kids, Inc - Completed

I know what you are all thinking, it looks great doesn't it? But you don't have a picture of the back (and I'm not posting one). There is bunches of bunches and I really have to stick to piecing and let someone else do the quilting.

Beverly's Pink Saturday

The customer who ordered the green Christmas bowl, also ordered a mini princess pink bowl. I think it came out cute, I hope she thinks so too.

Do Over Part 2 and a Bit of Silliness

Here is the completed second bowl and imagine that, the color doesn't rub off.


And new in the shop is Tom. I've made several of these over the years and he never fails to make people smile. He stands 8 1/2 inches tall and is just plain silly.

Do Over

I got a custom order for a dark green bowl with handles. The customer wished to give it to her mother for Christmas. I found this perfect green fabric with Poinsettias and a splash of gold, made by VIP Cranston. Everything was working out fine and I completed the bowl, and then I looked at my hands. They were green. The inks had rubbed off. I cannot sell a bowl where the ink is likely to rub off, so I washed the remaining fabric in very hot water and 2 color catchers. I tried rubbing the washed fabric against a piece of white cloth and sure enough, the color still rubbed off.


I have purchased a second piece of fabric and will start over again.

Quilts for Kids, Inc

Have you heard of Quilts for Kids? They make quilts that comfort children in need. They have a program where if you request it, they will send you a kit.


The kit contains everything you need, except the batting. This is a good way to use one of those batts that Vicki W sent me. All the fabric is precut and the included pattern is super easy.




Now comes the hard part. If you know me at all, you'll know my machine quilting is the worst. The instructions are specific, no hand quilting. Lets hope I don't ruin it.


This is a terrific charity, won't you consider making at least one quilt for a kid?

A fabulous write up.....please check out

http://twitthis.com/zmux4c

Beverly's Pink Saturday

You would think there would be a whole lot of pink at Disneyworld but I had a hard time finding some. This is a a rose garden at the Beachclub Villas, it's the most pink I found anywhere in Disneyworld.

Zizzy-Dot Swap - September