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Monday, April 30, 2012

Color My Week - Green

Happy Monday!  It looks like spring is finally here!  The cherry trees are blooming and there is more green in the world.  So with that in mind, here are some green items I found.

Have a great week!





knitting yarns

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Circle of Love Handcrafted Giveway

For my US readers, I just wanted to let you know that I was asked to participate in this giveaway and was thrilled.  Due to difficulty UK crafters are having getting insurance at the moment to distribute to the US. They are limiting the scope of the giveaway to Europe and the United Kingdom.  I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and I am working on doing another giveaway that includes the US soon.  Thanks for your understanding.


The giveaway has started!! Enter now to be in with a chance of winning a wonderful collection of handcrafted prizes contributed by a group of talented craft bloggers - you've got from now until 12 noon GMT on Sunday the 13th of May to enter the draw and be in with a chance of winning it all!!


The great news is that there are lots of ways to increase the number of times you are entered into the draw (please note that the giveaway is only open to residents of the UK and EU Europe):

1 x entree for each blog you follow from the list of participating blogs
1 x entree for fulfilling each of the additional entrance opportunities offered by the participating blogs (e.g. 'liking' their facebook page or following them on twitter)
2 x entrees for blogging about the competition

IMPORTANT! MAKE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE CIRCLE OF LOVE GIVEAWAY POST OF EACH BLOG YOU'VE ENTERED THROUGH SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE e.g "i've followed your blog and liked your facebook page" - IF YOU DON'T DO THIS YOU WON'T BE ENTERED INTO THE PRIZE DRAW!! PLEASE ALSO LEAVE A KIND AND POSITIVE MESSAGE IN THE COMMENT BOX - THIS IS THE CIRCLE OF LVE AFTER ALL!! :) 

Want to see the prizes...?

Long Linen Heart Garland by Free Spirit Designs

As you may have noticed this is my contribution! It is has a retail price of £18 and is just under 150cms with nine hearts in total - you can see more pictures and details about it here. For more information on the other prizes visit the blogs that donated them!

Handmade pinups for Shawls or Scarves by Lilees Gram Knits

HartFelt Mini Owl by iHartFelt

Knitted Wire Brooch by Fiddly Fingers



 

 Loveheart Tattoo Needle Felted Brooch by Myths & Fabrications

One lucky person is going to be the winner of ALL of these lovely goodies!!! To increase your chances make sure to visit all the participating blogs (click on The Circle of Love Handcrafted Giveaway badge in their sidebars to find the giveaway post).

Participating Blogs

Free Spirit Designs (Beautiful cushions, artworks and decorative objects for the home)
Lilees Gram Knits (yes, that's me! see below for how to enter on my blog :))
HeartFelt by Heather (Amazing owl cuteness plus lots more adorable plushies!)
Fiddly Fingers (Cochet expert extraordinaire!)
Myths & Fabrications (Multi-talented crafter and maker of exquisite model dolls)

How To Enter The Prize Draw On This Blog

1x entree for following my blog
1x entree for 'liking' my facebook page
1x entree for 'sharing' the post about the giveaway on my facebook page
1x entree for following me on twitter
1x entree for re-tweeting one of my tweets on twitter about the giveaway (maximum of 5 times)

and remember, you can get 2x entrees by blogging about the competition!

Terms and Conditions

The Competition is only open to residents of the UK and EU Europe.
Items won in the prize draw are non-returnable and are distributed according to UK law.
To be entered into the prize draw entrants must leave a comment on the giveaway posts of the blogs that they've entered through saying what they have done.
If the chosen winner is found to have contravened any of these terms and conditions the participating bloggers reserve the right to select a new winner.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Twitter. We hereby release Facebook and Twitter of any liability.
Winners will be contacted by email within 24 hours of the end of the giveaway.
If you have any questions email flileesgramknits@gmail.com

I am soooooooo looking forward to telling the lucky winner the good news on the 13th! And i hope that everyone who participates feels like a winner too :) you're sure to discover some wonderful crafting talent and fun blogs to follow!!


knitting yarns

Treasury Round Up 4-29-2012

 Luckily for me I have been getting featured in peoples Treasuries on Etsy.  So I decided to do a weekly Round up of those treasuries in an effort to say "Thanks" to all those nice people.  I know today is Sunday, but I am thinking starting this as a weekly Saturday thing.  So here goes....

(All photos, treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)

 




  • This Fertile Earth   Judy included my Camo Hand Comb Top in this collection. I really like the earthy colors in this collections...and I am usually more of a bright jeweled toned girl!  You should check out JNOriginals , she has some beautiful crocheted & felted personal items.











DEMET   DEMET included my Khaki Recycled Cotton Yarn in this collection. I like the Earthy theme in this collection.  You should check out DEMET, she has some fun and unique crocheted items for you and your home!






Thanks to everyone who included me in their treasuries.  I really appreciate it and I love seeing all the other things on Etsy that I would have missed.

Have a great week!



knitting yarns

Things I found this week on Etsy

This has been a good week...Lots of traffic finally going on to lileesgramknits.com  and here.  I am getting more things finished up for the shop, and Hubby didn't work this weekend!  Also....I am going to be in the  Phat Fiber Sampler box in May!

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)


Have a great week!




 New Things I Listed This Week!


 1,000 Yards Lace Weight Wool Yarn





 





                    2,400 Yards Lace Weight Cotton Yarn













knitting yarns

Friday, April 27, 2012

We have a WINNER!

 Last Friday I featured Ger W. and her Etsy shop:  TimelessAvenue.  Click here to see that post.

Ger very generously had a give away for this beautiful bracelet


 and...drumroll please........the winner is:  Mary Mixed-Media Map Art 

Congrats Mary, you will be getting an email from Ger to make arrangements!

Thanks everyone and have a great weekend!

knitting yarns

Featured Friday - Etsybtsy

I would like you to meet Annie and her Etsy shop:  Etsybtsy


If you like Handspun yarn, spinning fibers, handmade soap and so much more.... Then you will love the items at Etsybtsy.

Annie has generously offered my blog readers a coupon code:  SHEEPY10 for 10% off purchases from her Etsy shop.  Just remember to enter the coupon code at checkout.

Let's get to know Etsybtsy and Annie :

What would you like us to know about you?
Hello! My name is Annie and I am a crafty kind of gal, living in the mountains of New York with my partner of many years. He and I keep farm animals as well as our awesome miniature schnauzer. I enjoy creating new things out of anything I can get my hands on. I try all sorts of crafts and like to teach others everything I learn. I’m hoping to live a more self-sustaining lifestyle and would like to show others how to do the same.

What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?
I’m sure I’m not the first crafter who could chuckle at how many finished pieces they are sitting on. I think I finally realized that I could do something with all of those creations!

How did you come up with your shop name?
I opened up an Etsy account many years before I opened up my shop. At that time, I figured if I ever had a shop that it should be something catchy, so Etsybtsy was born. I made that name back in 2004 and I wonder how many people have tried to open that same name since.
 

How would you describe your shop?
At this moment, it’s an eclectic mix of hand spun yarn, homemade soap, seeds, fiber and jewelry. If you visit the Etsy forums, many sellers will often debate on opening up a second shop when their goods start to be less than cohesive. I decided to leave mine all together, and focus on the overall crafty and farmy aesthetic. In the future, I plan on adding more hand spun yarn and soaps. They’ve been popular items for me and I enjoy making them.




What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the world around me. I learn so much from my animals and I hope that what I create can give people the opportunity for people to enjoy a little piece of my farm. You really appreciate wool and goat milk soap when you know the animal it came from and how it was cared for. When I see people sell feather jewelry, I often wonder about those birds. Were those chickens spoiled like mine are? I think the energy of working with natural materials travels with that item. It makes me proud to be able to bring a positive energy into my natural items, using materials from the wonderful creatures that I’ve had personal experience with.

Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?
There’s something so completely cathartic about spinning wool on a wheel and watching it come to life. The hand spun yarn is my favorite to make by far, especially when I have processed the fiber from its raw state to the finished product.

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?
Does Blake Shelton count as a “crafty must have?” I’m sure I could use him as an assistant! So – Blake, my spinning wheel and sheep so I could spin their wool.

Where else can we find you?
I have my own site, www.etsybtsy.com where you could read about my pursuits in self-sustainability.

Please look for my Facebook page in the future! If you live in the tri-state area, you may see Etsybtsy wool or soap products appearing in your local boutiques!

Is there anything else you would like to share?
I would like to thank you for this feature! If anyone out there has any questions related to anything I work with in my shop, I’d be happy to help. If you are starting out as a soap maker or spinner and have questions, let me know. Likewise, if you’d like to know more about raising your own chickens or other farm related questions, send an email to me: annie at etsybtsy dot com

Thanks so much Annie .  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Annie some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great weekend!





knitting yarns

Thursday, April 26, 2012

More Features

 I have been working very hard on my Etsy shop, to get noticed, to get traffic, to help other people and to ultimately get sales....well, it is finally starting to pay off...I have been getting featured in other peoples Treasuries and I just wanna share!

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)

 

My Agen Sea - Comb Top was featured in this Treasury
by    Nancy Fallon of NFallonDesignStudio





knitting yarns

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Knit Nite Wed

I always have fun on Wed nites.  I get to see my girlfriends, have yummy treat and a caramel apple smoothie!  YUM.

Speaking of YUM,  here is a treasury of yummy fibers I think my girls would like to spin!


(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)







knitting yarns

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Blue Skies Treasury

This is turning into a good week!  I just got featured in another 2 a total of 4 Treasuries today!  I just want to say Thanks to those that included me & I hope everyone clicks on the links to them and looks at all the great items!

 

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)

My Cloudy Day Combed Top (3 right, 3 down) was featured in this Treasury 
by Lauren from TheCrochetLady1 



My Stitchmarkers (bottom row, 3rd one) was featured in this Treasury 
by Judy from JNOriginals 



My Stitchmarkers (1st one, 3 rows down) was featured in this Treasury 
by Judy from JNOriginals 



My Camo - Combed Top (4th row, last item) was featured in this Treasury by 
Judy from JNOriginals 



knitting yarns

Talented Tuesday - 4WitsEnd

I would like you to meet R.A. and her Etsy shop:  4WitsEnd


If you like beautiful handpainted artwork and so much more.... Then you will love the items at 4WitsEnd.

Let's get to know 4WitsEnd and R.A.:

What would you like us to know about you?
Well, I've been a stay at home mom forever and self-taught artist. I originally was a 'hobby-ist" writer (club newsletters, website pre-blogs, etc) and dabbled with paints. As time went on,  I found  I loved the creativity of turning the stories in my head into painted images, rather than words, more and more. I love the creative process!

Secondly, I really enjoy the challenge of trying to get the picture in my head onto canvas (not that  I'm all that successful at it, but  I love to try! Besides, some amazing things come out in the process, totally unexpected turns!)

And, third,  I always say painting is my vacation. My mini-mental vacation.

Raising 4 children and running the household painting became more and more a place to get lost in that satisfied the craving to create and the never-ending joy of learning. I used to get that same satisfaction with gardening, but as my parents became elderly and in ill-health, my gardening went by the wayside as  I have become the primary care-giver for their needs. I can't really garden at 1am, but  I sure can paint then!!
 
What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?
Well I've been a seller on eBay for about 15 years or so, but eBay, I felt, became flooded with fewer and fewer quality hand-made items (as it had in it's early days) and more and more mass produced items, in the past year or so I've tried to make more of a commitment to my Etsy shop.

I never failed to be astounded at the talent on Etsy., and feel it is an honor to have my paintings on a site that settles for nothing less than quality, creativity, originality.

I find Etsy buyers as well to have a broader range of interests and styles, to be looking for the unusual, the unique. It is a delight to strive to meet the standards of fellow Etsy sellers and buyers.

How did you come up with your shop name?
Years ago, when I started gardening at this house, we enclosed an area for private gardens. I love it so. It's cozy and filled with high walls and vines and over grown shrubs and birds of all kinds. I named my garden "Wits-End"..my own place to escape to all by myself when i was at my wits-end because surely no one in my family wanted to dig in the dirt with me!  My garden seemed to need more and more: a concrete statue here, a new shrub there. So, I started selling my art in order to fund my garden, hence the store name: 4 Wits-End!
 
How would you describe your shop?
Art for the Romantic Heart!

For the young at heart, for those who smile at a bit of whimsy. Art, that I hope, touches someone's heart and speaks to the soul, that might revive a fond memory, and always, always brings a little smile.

What inspires you?
Oh my!!! Everything!!! Every thing inspires!
The creative reach of the remarkable sellers on Etsy; the antics of birds outside my window; memories of my Mom; seeing the world through the eyes of my 2 year old Granddaughter. The changing of the seasons, the joys of family and holidays, a beautiful tree, the smell of the seaside. Everywhere I look, everything we feel inspires me.
There will never be enough hours to get one zillionth of what inspires me down on canvas!


Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?
goodness..that is like asking a mother which child is her favorite!! I love them all. I wouldn't offer up for sale any painting I don't favor!

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?
Must have paint! And brushes (I CAN finger-paint, but I'd prefer brushes). And an endless supply of canvases!!! (of varying sizes, please!) 

Where else can we find you?
well, if I'm not here on Etsy, then you can find me on Pinterest! I'm afraid my blog is woefully out of date.
Other than that, you'll find me at my table, painting!! (rarely you'll find me at the washer and dryer, much to the dismay of my family)

Is there anything else you would like to share?
Well, would it surprise you to know that I don't have any of my own art in my home???! I either sell it or gift it....tho I admit to having a hard time of letting go of many of my pieces.

Well, I do still have that 15 year old "Wits-End" garden sign that I painted...nailed up on the tall white gate that goes to my garden.

~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much R.A.  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show R.A. some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great weekend!





knitting yarns

Monday, April 23, 2012

Color My Week - Blue

This week looks like it is going to be warm and sunny....so I chose blue for this week, not because I am blue...but because I am thankful for the lovely blue skies!  I wish every one a happy happy week!

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)






knitting yarns

Where am I? What day is it?

I just realized that today is Sunday or rather was... Sunday and I didn't post my finds for the week!  So better late than never right?  I hope everyone had a great, relaxing weekend!


(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)









knitting yarns

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Whoo Hoo - I'm got Treasured!

 I got picked to be in 2 make that 3 Treasuries today.  I got so excited that I thought I would share with you!  I hope you are all having a great weekend!  I am.  Michael is home today, and I am so happy that I am willingly watching old movies with him...

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)



My Wine - Hand Spun Yarn (4th row, last item) was featured in this Treasury 
by Audrey Bouvier from audreybouvier 



My My Camo - Combed Top (2nd row, 4th item) was featured in this Treasury 
by Loretta from ThoughtfulGemsCrafts 



My DPN Sock Cozy - Cocoa Dogs (1st row, 4th item) was featured in this Treasury 
by Deborah Jordan Sackett from skyspirit8studios 



knitting yarns

Friday, April 20, 2012

Featured Friday - Timeless Avenue

I would like you to meet Ger W. and her Etsy shop:  TimelessAvenue.






If you love  jewelry inspired by the speculative, steampunk, fantasy, and all things vintagem, that are given individual names, Then you will love the items at TimelessAvenue. Ger also does custom items.

Ger is generously offering my readers chance to win a wonderful bracelet (pictured below)  It is a beautiful deep red glass bead steampunk bracelet. The centre of the bracelet is a stunning vintage watch piece and underneath hides a beautiful ballerina and her partner who dance on your wrist.
Please leave a comment in this post and also like Ger's FB page

 Let's get to know TimelessAvenue and Ger :

What would you like us to know about you?
I love what I do! Making jewelry is a new passion of mine but its growing and growing and growing. I had no idea how much desire was hidden and embedded deep down. I’m creative by nature but I wasn’t aware of my jewelry making skills until recently!

I have a slightly different style to a lot of people, but it’s interesting and a little bit unique. I like my jewelry to shout loud, and to speak about my personality. So a little bit different is good!

What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop
?
It was very strange to be honest with you. I woke up one morning and decided to make my own Alice in Wonderland Range of Jewelry, for myself. As I said my taste in jewelry differs from what I can find in the local shops here, and so I decided to source some goodies and make some special pieces just for me.
 I had no intention of selling any of them on. But once I started I discovered I couldn’t stop, and I
simply fell in love with the whole process of
designing and creating new and intriguing pieces of jewelry.
 
I had used Etsy before as a buyer and thought I’d give it a try. No harm!

When I had about 10 items of “stock”, I started listing them on Etsy, and I received such a good response from friends and family. It was exhilarating when I got my first sale, and my second… and even now 26 sales on, it’s still as exciting. I only listed my first item on the 11th March and feel so successful with my sales to date.

I will admit though, because I put quite a lot of myself into my creations, it can be difficult to let them go! And deciding which ones to keep for myself and which ones to sell is also a little heartbreaking! I can’t keep everything for myself, no matter how hard I’d try!

But Etsy is such a fantastic platform for sales and a great way to promote your shop and get to know other Etsians who are maybe a bit more experienced at this whole selling thing. I’ve had sales outside of Etsy and I’ve recently supported the Friends of the Rotunda Hospital charity with a sale of my items. My jewelry is also being stocked by a store in Dublin city centre, the Jam Art Factory, after I was approached by them through Etsy. So the ball is definitely rolling. I keep thinking what else might happen.

 

How did you come up with your shop name?
Coming up with a shop name was definitely the hardest part, because once you decide on a name and start trying to build a reputation, you’re stuck with it! I wanted my name to stand out, be remembered and most importantly mean something to me.

I’m also a writer. I write poetry, short stories and lots of ramblings and so I finally decided to use one of my poetry titles as my shop name. I wrote the poem a long time ago but it’s always followed me. It’s about friendship and futures and I felt it was very apt for my shop. So far, I haven’t regretted choosing it!

How would you describe your shop?
A little bit kitsch and a whole lot of me!

Everything I make in my shop I make for myself. If I won’t wear it, I won’t make it. There’s definitely a little bit of me in every piece. The majority of my pieces are one of a kind because I like to make something different every time. And I especially love when someone asks me to change an element of a piece I’ve created because it’s what they’d prefer or like. Putting the personal element into my jewelry is what I’m all about. I want someone to wear a piece of my jewelry for their friends to say, “oh that is so you”! I want my customers to know that the piece they have bought was made especially for them.

 
What inspires you?
So many things! Inspiration is incredible because it literally can come from anywhere. I could see a color and long to use it in a bracelet or necklace. I love looking at old movie posters, and love trying to incorporate the imagery I see. Anything dystopian, futuristic and steampunk is obviously a huge influence on me and I love the intricacies of the inner workings of machinary.


Watch parts are a big element of steampunk jewelry. I spend ages just looking at them before I decide on how I’ll magic them into a beautiful piece of jewelry. Essentially, I try to combine something hard with something soft and beautiful. So a rough metal watch piece matches perfectly with a sepia tone ballerina!

Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?
I love making the steampunk bracelets with hidden pictures. They are a stunning addition to a piece that stands out so dramatically already. Including a vintage photograph, or a posing ballerina picture really adds another dimension and element to these pieces. And the best thing is that my fans and customers really like them too.

If I can create a piece that will make someone stop and look because they think it’s interesting, then my work is done!

Above all, I love it when someone says, “Isn’t that unusual” when they look at my jewelry.




If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?
Definitely my orange round nose pliers! I’d be lost without them. I have so many different tools, but I always go for trusty orange. After that I’d need some head pins and my cutting pliers. I’m sure I could make some desert island jewelry with that… maybe.

 


Where else can we find you?
I’m trying my best to build up my online life with Timeless Avenue and so far I have a thriving Facebook Page and I’m slowly getting into Pinterest. I’ve yet to start blogging, but you never know!

www.TimelessAvenue.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/TimelessAvenue
pinterest.com/timelessavenue/


Thanks so much Ger .  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Ger some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great weekend!





knitting yarns

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Knit Nite Wednesday

What...it is Wednesday already....boy this week is flying by....here a Treasury of stuff I think my knitting buddies would like:

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)





knitting yarns

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Swimming Under the Moonlight

I got featured in an Esty Treasury called Swimming Under the Moonlight

(All treasuries and items within the treasuries are clickable.)


My Tyrian - Hand Spun Yarn (2nd row, 4th item) was featured in this Treasury 
by Susan from Alpaca4US




Talented Tuesday - JulieDeeleyJewellery

I would like you to meet Julie and her Etsy shop:  JulieDeeleyJewellery .


If you sparkly, fun jewelery, Then you will love the items at JulieDeeleyJewellery

Julie is very generous and is sharing the following coupon code: BLOG5 will get you 5% off of your purchase until 4-24-12.  Just be sure to use the code when checking out at JulieDeeleyJewellery


Let's get to know JulieDeeleyJewellery and Julie:

What would you like us to know about you?
I have been making jewellery for 22 years now and started off making jewellery to sell at school fairs and craft fairs in the local area and expanded from there.
 
What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?
 I heard about Etsy through a jewellery making magazine and thought what a fabulous idea that designers of handmade items were getting their own forum to enable them to show their handmade items to the world and also share with the crafting community.


How did you come up with your shop name?
My shop is simply named after myself and what I sell "JulieDeeleyJewellery"

How would you describe your shop?
I would describe my shop as an ever expanding Aladdin's Cave of jewellery including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, brooches and some Sterling Silver items.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things, it can be anything from a fashion magazine, through to nature, seeing gorgeous colours in everyday life, getting new ideas of what works well together and triggering off new design ideas.


 
Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?
It's hard to narrow down a favourite but I love any heart shaped items and if it is crystal or glass then even better.

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?
If I was shipwrecked I would have to have my trusty pliers as an absolute must have, along with some crystal beads and Memory Wire. I may be shipwrecked but could still look stylish!!

Where else can we find you?
I can be found on Etsy at JulieDeeleyJewellery.com
I can be followed on facebook www.facebook.com/juliedeeleyjewellery
twitter @julie_deeley
pinterest  pinterest.com/juliedeeley


Is there anything else you would like to share?
Several people have contacted me about making bridal or bridesmaid jewellery and I would be happy to hear from anyone who wants to convo me regarding this to discuss design ideas.

Thanks so much Julie .  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Julie some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great weekend!





knitting yarns

Monday, April 16, 2012

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Stuff I found this week

This has been a busy week.  I started my new Featured Fridays, and have been spinning like crazy.  I have met so many  new people through Etsy.  It has been really fun.  I really like Sundays, I can take it easy and just browse through stuff from the past week.  There is so many wonderful things to see and buy!



This weeks stuff



knitting yarns