Going with the Flow

I love how life reminds me that going with the flow is so much easier sometimes.

For the last half of 2009 and the first half of 2010, I beat my head against the wall trying to figure out how to sell my creations. I twittered, facebooked, blogged, promoted, joined groups, etc. I spent more time on the computer trying to sell my stuff then I did actually making stuff (or so it felt).

I managed to sell one thing.

Around summer time last year, I said the heck with it. Trying to sell my stuff was so stressful, it was making me not enjoy the actual creating.

Once the pressure was off (and in between running all over the country) I managed to make some great stuff. I still have most of it, but I tried to give some stuff away to people who could use it.

By chance, I managed to sell some of my book purses. Well, to be accurate, my mother-in-law (the awesome woman that she is) managed to sell not just one, but 3!!!

Then, in one week, I am commissioned to make hats for two different people! (you can read about that here)

I finished up the hats for Angie while I was in AZ (a long story and one I don't really have the energy for). I shipped them off to her on Wednesday, and she got them on Saturday. Just in time for her Packers fan friend to have her hats for the super bowl.

They loved them! Nothing makes my day brighter then knowing someone is happy with something I made for them.

Actually, a lot of things make my day brighter; Emma (or the hubby) giving me an unexpected hug or kiss, a ray of sunshine on a cold, gray day, cooking something new and having it taste good, etc.

But knowing that I made someone happy just by making something for them? That is way up there.

I did remember to take pictures of the hats, but not until I was in the Post Office. The pictures did not come out great, but at least I have some :)

Packers Fan Hat (Child and Doll)

I decided to make some scarves also

One Black, One White Adult Hat

Pink Hat (Child and Doll)

with matching scarves

So, to reiterate, going with the flow works for us. Very well :)

I hope everyone is surviving this crazy winter. If you need a hat to keep your head warm for the remainder of this winter, just let me know!

Hats Galore!

I have been commissioned to make some hats. 

The woman who cleans our teeth is the same woman who does our family photos (you know, being "Paula the dental hygienist" is just her secret identity, she is really Paula the Super Photographer). Her company is This Day Photography, and I could spend all night telling you how much we love having our pictures taken by Paula and how much we love the pictures she produces, but I should go to bed at some point, so I will try to stay on task.

While Emma was sitting in the dentists chair the other day, Paula asked if I still crochet. 

It may not seem so here, but yes, I still do. 

Paula then asked if I could crochet her some hats. 

I thought, "Awesome, now Emma's poor head will get a break because someone else will be wearing the hats I make!"

Paula, however, did not want hats for herself, she wanted hats for itty, bitty babies. The ones she takes pictures off. 

The images that came to mind where stunning, knowing what I know about the photos that Paula takes. And I was honored that she wanted my hats in her awesome pictures with the adorable newborn babies. 

So of course I said yes. 

Did you know how hard it is to make hats for a new born when you crochet like I do? One of the reasons Emma has so many hats is because her head and my head are the only heads available for me to measure against. 

My solution to this dilemma is to make a bunch of different sized itty, bitty hats. Besides, not all baby heads are created equal. 

I have finished a few and will continue to work on some more until I can make a trip out to Paula to deliver the goods. I like to offer choices when someone gives me a general idea of what they want (as if I am a pro at this sort of thing, ha!).

Meanwhile, I took today "off." Jared has Fridays off from school, so I typically make plans to do errands on my own or something fun for myself on Fridays. Today was the ultimate 'me' day.

I started off with a meditation class, which I am enjoying, then I headed over to Finess Spa Salon in Ames for a Mani/Pedi that I got an awesome deal on through Groupon. While I was lounging around with my tootsies soaking in the pedicure throne, I was finishing up a crochet hat that I was making for Emma (I know, give the poor kid a break). The woman being pampered next to me, Angie, started asking some questions about what I was working on. I was enjoying chatting about crafting and such, because it is one of the only subjects I feel really knowledgeable in. 

Then she asked me if I would make her a hat.

"Really, that would be so awesome?!?" is what was going through my mind. 

But, I played it cool. I simple asked what color she would like, "Black" was her reply. "And white, I would like a black and a white one." 

Now, it is a good thing I had my feet soaking, otherwise I probably would have done my happy dance and embarrassed myself. 

I mean, it isn't every day someone likes my stuff enough to want me to make one for them. And two different people in the same week! I love my stuff, and Emma loves my stuff (to a certain point), but other people? That just makes what I already love to do more enjoyable. 

'Cause really, I am going to make the stuff anyway, but when I can find a home for it where it will be loved and appreciated, that gives me a warm glow. 

So Angie and I exchanged e-mail addresses, and I starting thinking about the fun that I was going to have making a black hat and a white hat. 

White seems to be a popular color right now. Me personally, I feel there is enough white stuff falling all around me, but I have to admit the white hats look nice :)

Just so you don't think the only thing I make is hats, here are a few pictures (taken by Emma, my 5yo) of some horse/unicorns/llamas that I made for her. 

The middle one was the first one I made, and it is knitted. Yes, I decided to knit something because it was a horse and I have been promising Emma I would make her a horse for about a year now. Thankfully the pattern and directions where easy (and in a video format). I did end up paying for it though, but it was well worth the money. 

After taking forever to knit it, I decided to try to make my own with crochet. The didn't come out as great, but Emma loves them anyway. She is so good to my ego!

Well, it is almost tomorrow, and tomorrow I head out to AZ for a week to help my grandmother move. I best get to bed because I have a lot to do tomorrow before I leave...

p.s. I promise to post pictures of the hats once I have them finished. Have a great week!

Whining and Blabbing

I am feeling really tired and my ankle is hurting today (can't wait for my surgery on Monday), so I don't really have the energy for crafting. I am still feeling craft obsessed, so I have been surfing some favorite blogs. I am happy to say that I have found a new one to follow.

Ok, I was just over visiting Crafty Maima Jama, catching up on some of her past blogs when I found myself relating completely to this particular post.

Well, I started to leave a comment, then realized I was writing a book. So, I decided to just write about my kaoticness, kinda let you know some of the crafts and projects I have tried in the past, and some that I am looking forward to trying in the near future.

I did sort of blog about this earlier, and you can read that here. But I hope to make this one a little different. As I mentioned, I am tired and hurting today, so it may just end up being a repeat.

Some current favorite materials to work with and projects to do:
paper making, wool sweater, needle felting, weaving, t-shirts, fabric flowers, little wool creatures, paper mache, and more then I can't think of.

So, if you read my post from last night (well, this morning actually), you would see that I have lately become obsessed with weaving. Not really sure why. I learned a long time ago it is just easier to go with my odd obsessions then to fight them.

Anyway, this morning Emma and I where coloring on newspaper (it is what she wanted to do) with some pastel chalks that Aunty Sara had given us. At first I stared to draw a tree (that and stick figures are about all I can do). Then I just stared scribbling and blending the colors together. I really like the green and the pink together, and decided to "weave" them.


As I got up to take pictures of the weaving, I found this project that I had started and plan to finish some day.

I am not entirely sure where I found this project... Basically what you do is roll up strips of magazines and then stack them together to make a container. I got some of them rolled and ready, then for some reason I lost interested, or got distracted by something shinny.

I also got super excited about freeform crochet, gave it a try for a while, then ended up moving onto something else. I do like it, and plan to do some more in the future, but for now, this is all I have managed.


My kaoticness is not limited to inside the house (or to crafting for that matter, check this out). Yesterday I started building Emma a play house. I would never claim to be a carpenter or an engineer, but I figure I can swing a hammer, work a tape measure, manage the power drill, and use my cordless saw to cut some wood (which we have had sitting around for almost 2 years now because I just knew I would be able to use if for something!). I have gotten some of the frame work done, but now I have to wait for the batteries to charge.


And like all things in my life (since this past October anyway), I don't strive for perfection. Life is too short and I hate the stress of trying to make things perfect. As long as what I make is safe, fun, and functional, I am more then happy!

After the batteries for the power drill died today (I managed to get one board added), Emma and I decided to make an addition to her "playground" as she calls it.


She had a blast, but I learned something very important, something that I kinda had an inkling on before, but I now know for sure. Emma hates to fail.

For some odd reason she thinks that she should be able to do something new perfectly the first time. I see us working on this in the future. How? I will make sure she sees that I sometimes get frustrated and struggle with the things I am trying (new or not), and also make sure she sees me trying over and over to get better at it.

Ok, so last night I decided to try out rug hooking. I saw it in a book, and I thought it looked cool. The directions called for t-shirt strips, and I just happened to have a bunch of those, so I sat down to give it a try. I really think it will be cool, but I don't think it will be something that I become obsessed with.


Ha! I was just now thinking about some of the other things I have tried from this particular book, "Craftcycle" by Heidi Boyd,, and I remembered that I used Jared's mountain dew boxes to weave a new box. I just realized that I can use the same technique from the box, to weave the t-shirt strips into a bag!! Might have to give that a try today (if I ever end up with any energy).

I did also manage to make Emma her own snuggle buddy this morning. She picked the colors and shape. Took me all of 30 minutes I think. Now our snuggle buddies have buddies :)


Let's see, some other craft/art projects I have tried in the past and didn't particularly like:
Soap Making
Candle Making
Scrapbooking (I do like to scrapbook, but it requires to much surface area and a lot of time per session)
Painting (I really don't have much of that type of artistic ability)
Knitting (I prefer crochet)
Jewelry Making

That is about all I can think of right now. I know there are more but I can't remember them (that's how much I liked them).

I do remember some of the crafts I did as a kid that I really liked; friend ship bracelets, beaded pins, gimp bracelets, drawing on clothes (he he).

Almost forgot to let you know about the things I am looking forward to try in the future:
freezer paper stencils, quilting, wet felting, rug braiding, more freeform crocheting, weaving a bag/ basket with t-shirts, and more that I can't remember.

I don't really have any witty or cool closing comments, so I will just leave you with a question. Can you see the squirrel that is watching me? (just click on the picture to make it bigger)

Studio Cleaning Giveaway

to

While rearranging, reorganizing, and cleaning up the studio, I found, I mean decided on, the items I will be giving away this month. Yes, some of the items have been hanging around for a while, forgotten in some corner, but I did make something on Saturday and Sunday specifically for you (I am hoping that you win:)

Curious about what I made? Here they are.
Meet Buddy and Flower Ragamuffin. Buddy was born on Saturday, February 27th. He is approximately 10" tall. Flower was born on Sunday, February 28th, she sits about 8" high. Both of these cuties are made from lonely, unwanted, and neglected wool sweaters that I have rescued, felted, and given new purpose to. Buddy is a hodgepodge of colors, textures, and patterns. Flower is a little more mellow in her colors, textures, and patterns, but just as fun. Both love to be snuggled, but for safety sake, if Buddy ends up in your home and you have small children, the buttons on his outfit should be removed. Though Buddy and Flower do love each other, the are excited about finding different homes.

The third item I will be giving away is this:

A Granny Bag. This bag is crocheted by me. I test all of my bags out by using them for a few days. This bag is not lined so it works well for bigger items. This bag is machine washer and dryer safe.

The fourth item is this:

Two brag books made from antique paper lunch bags. Actually, I have no idea if they are antique, but I did find them hidden away in my mother-in-law's back room. I used scrapbook paper, ribbon, and a few embellishments.

That's right, there will be 4 WINNERS! After participating in the One World One Heart Giveaway, I have realized that I love to give things away. So, sticking with that theme and evoking the power of positive thinking, here is what I will be doing.

Are you ready?

For every 50 comments I receive, I will make a new ragamuffin and select another brag book to be given away.

Here are the rules:
1. Leave me a comment on this post by midnight on March 14th. That is all you need to do to be entered into the giveaway. To make things a little more interesting, I will give away a special prize for my favorite comment. I love to hear from and about people who visit my blog, so feel free to tell me a little something about yourself (think long note, not short story). Oh, and I love to hear about how you found my little corner of cyberspace.

For additional entries (you know, more chances to win):
2. Visit my ArtFire shop then leave me a message on this post letting me know what your favorite item is.
3. Visit my Facebook Fan Page and leave me a comment on Facebook. Once you do that, leave me another message on this post.
4. Check out my Etsy Shop and same as rule 2.

On March 15th, the winners will be selected at random. I will send a mass e-mail to all of the winners so that all the winners receive the e-mail at the same time. Winners get to choose their prizes based on who replies first.

I hope you enjoyed my blog! Feel free to come back anytime.
Good luck and have a great day!

One last picture before you leave. This is Emma sitting on a pile of wool. I managed to find a home for almost everything, but my sweater obsession is starting to take over Emma's side of the studio :)
Yes, she dresses herself.
I Made It! @ Everything Etsy

Welcome To My New Blog!

I have no real reason to start a new blog except for the fact that I really like the name of my ArtFire shop, KaoticKrafter, and I wanted to create a blog with the same name.

I just entered the crafting scene in September 2009. For some odd reason I decided I wanted to teach myself to crochet. I was going through a rough patch for whatever reason and thought a nice, quite, calming craft would be soothing to my soul. Turns out it was, but it was also energizing, exciting, and door opening. I am still having a lot to learn as far as crochet goes, but each day it seems I am learning about a "new" form of crafting that I just have to try! Craft forms I have been known to dabble in are: jewelry making, sewing (clothes, stuffies, blankets, really just anything that comes to mind), crocheting, knitting, felting, paper making, scrapbooking, soap making, and possibly a few I have forgotten about. Out of that list the activities are partake in most are, crocheting, sewing, paper making, and felting.

The other thing you might want to know about me is that I am very into becoming as green as possible. I have no idea when this all started, but that is where I am headed. When I lived in AZ, we were able to recycle just about everything. In the town we currently live in, they don't collect or recycle anything. Now I try to find was to reduce, reuse, and upcycle just about everything that enters my home. Here are a few examples:

-We have a worm farm in our basement for composting our kitchen scraps as well as a compost pile in the side yard.
-This past year we grew our own tomatoes and peppers and we plan to grow way more in numbers and variety this coming season.
-I recycle most of the paper that comes into my house by either sending it back through my printer to use the blank side, or by turning it into home made paper (which we then give to friends and family or use for art projects).
-All the PB jars that come into this house (and there are a lot) get used to store buttons, ribbon, string, etc.
-Most of the frozen juice containers get used to hold pencils, and other office type items.

Well, I know we do more then that, but apparently I am finally tired enough to go to sleep.

For now, if you would like to see some of the things I have done, or to learn a little more about me, check out my original blog Ready, Set, J.E.T.

Thanks for stopping by!