Saturday Rope Burn

Hello, good morning and happy Saturday! I haven't had any coffee yet this morning so I'm just going to jump right in. I was so inspired from the jute I've been working with that I decided to make a couple of crochet bracelets with it. What can I say? I just couldn't wait for my back ordered neutral to come in the mail. So I made two!!! Then I decided to take a trip to Joann because I remembered seeing some of the natural jute there before and I was really wanting to make another bag. Well, they had the jute but a larger gage than I have been working with. I got it anyway but man, talk about rope burn! I actually ripped of a small chunk of skin from my left forefinger and I'm only about halfway done. It's going to be a really cool bag when it's done but quite laborious in construction! I have to wear a band aide from this point on but sometimes you have to bleed for your art! I think when it's complete, I'm going to make a few little flowers out of the smaller gage jute to adorn it with. I can't wait to see the finished product!!! Alright, for now all I've got to share with you visually are the two bracelets, I think they're pretty cute!

As always, both bracelets are available at my etsy store @ http://www.luvbuzz.etsy.com/. Alright, have a great day and happy happy crafting!!!


Parties I've participated in today:

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/     http://www.bystephanielynn.com/    http://www.creativejewishmom.com/

Welcome to My New Obsession

Good morning and happy Friday! I'm so excited, I shipped off my package for the custom order I just finished yesterday! I can't wait for her to get her things!!!! And I have just discovered my new favorite thing to crochet with...Jute! I've done a lot of macrame in my days but always with hemp. I'll admit, I have pondered trying to crochet with hemp but it is just such an expensive material to work with. I've even considered doing macrame with jute twine in the past but it's not so easy to find a great variety. Then, a few weeks ago, my mom gave me an old crochet book from the 70's that she found in a box and it had the cutest jute purses! I was inspired all over again and I just had to make a crochet jute purse myself. Of course, I started out thinking I'd just use the pattern in the book at first, but as usual I ended up just doing my own pattern instead. I've always had an issue with following rules. It's not that I can't follow a pattern exactly, it's that I just don't like to. I'd rather make whatever I'm doing my own. Anyhow, I set out in earnest this time to find a variety of jute twine in different colors. At first all I could find were shades of neutral and green at gardening supply stores. Then, a more specific google search led me to a packaging supply company that had just what I was looking for. Honestly, I think I would have ordered an entire truck full if I could have. I already want to get more! So without further ado, here is my nifty one of a kind and very cute (in my opinion) jute purse........

I am so very pleased with the way this came out and I can't wait to keep making more in a variety of styles! If you like what you see, this purse is available for sale at my etsy shop. Just follow this link for more details...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/73112136/100-jute-bohemian-crochet-purse.
Now all I need to do is practice a little patience while I wait for the rest of my jute to arrive!!!! And of course, order even more. Alright, have a very happy and wonderful Friday and a fantastic weekend as well!!! Happy crafting!


Parties I have participated in today:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/












Ad Space....

Happy Wednesday Morning...

Good morning and happy Wednesday. I'm a little tired this morning as I was suffering from a bit of insomnia last night. Then, the very moment I finally fell asleep, my son started crying in the other room. Welcome to motherhood! It's a good thing that I'm used to functioning on hardly any sleep these days. Anyhow, I am happy to announce that I have completed the fourth and final piece in my custom order!!! The only left to do is complete the detachable pansy for the hat (I'm halfway done). I can't wait to post pics of the flower, the pansy come out so beautifully though it is one of the more challenging flowers to crochet. I really can't wait to ship everything off so I can see how the customer likes her items in person!!! That's always the best part. It's even more special when it's someone you know!!! I do have pictures of the hat on it's own that I am going to share momentarily. It's a standard slouchy and if anyone reading this is interest, I can create my slouchy in any color or combination of colors on demand and I have a large variety of flower patterns if you want an embellishment added at no extra cost. Just message me through my etsy shop @ http://www.luvbuzz.etsy.com/ or you can just write me a little comment on this post with any questions or requests you might have. I would also LOVE it if you would become a fan of luvbuzz on facebook at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Luvbuzz-Luvbuzz-Handmade-/166664783378662.
 Alright, here's the hat I just finished...

And the flower...a purple pansy........

And here are a few other examples of my slouchy, all are currently posted for sale at my etsy store....

I'm also very excited because I just ordered my first set of business cards yesterday and I even got to design them with my own background image!!! I can't wait to get them in the mail!!! Alright, I'll post some pics of my pansy once it's complete. Have a wonderful, happy, blessed day!!!


Parties I have participated in today:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ (show and tell)

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Suggested listening for today:

Don't Forget My Linky....

Alright, happy Monday! I'm about to get started on the last piece of my custom order while the little one sleeps. First I thought I'd hop online for a quicky since I don't have any completed projects to show off yet. I really, really want to host link parties. I signed up for blogger with that intention because I love to participate in other parties but most are not etsy shop friendly. I would like anyone who is reading this to please link up anything you are currently working on weather you are selling it or not. The first party is free through the linky service, after that you have to pay for image links. If I don't get any participants there will be no reason for me to pay and that will make me very sad. So I am putting this out there once again in hopes of some action! Etsy sellers are more than welcome to link up as many items as you wish, the more the merrier! I want to see who's out there and what you've got. It's free advertising so what have you got to lose??? If you're just really crafty and proud of it, please link up too. I'm not biased here. I love being creative and I love seeing what other creative people are coming up with as well. So, my party will be open for another 60 some odd days (I set it to run long in hopes of followers and participantion). I will be very sad if I continue to be the only one linking. Please show me some linky love, it would really make my day. And have a wonderful Monday....




Here are the parties I've participated in today...

Easter Greatings!

Hello and a very happy Easter to everyone! Our weather has gone back to the usual rain and gloom but I like stormy weather so for me it's just as well. This will just be a quick entry with as much info as possible. I am happy to announce that I have just one more piece of my custom order to complete! I finished the gloves and one of the hats over the last two days. And here are my completed items, I am quite happy about how they both turned out....

Earflap beanie in brown neutrals with cat ear detail.

Fingerless gloves in solid black with ribbing at cuff and body.**now listed on etsy @ http://www.luvbuzz.etsy.com/ as a made to order item**

The next item I would like to share with everyone is this amazing jewelry designer who happens to be the sister of a very near and dear friend of mine. Her jewelry is so amazingly beautiful that I would be sharing it regardless. She does custom work and you can contact her directly for special request or questions. Here is the link to her personal site: http://www.luvfea.com/ and you can link to  her facebook profile page url at:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/LUV-FEA/167324963312992. Please take a moment to look through her example pictures, I just know that everyone will lover her stuff as much as I do. If you're a facebook member, give her page a "like" as well. And hey while you're there maybe you wouldn't mind giving the luvbuzz facebook page a "like" also. All support is always greatly appreciated. I just love the idea of someone making a living from their craft. It is so important to me to support others on their journey as I forge my way along my own entrepreneurial path. If we would all take the time to support one another, think of the wonderful things we could accomplish! This is especially true for all of the women out there trying to make their own way in this crazy world. I wish every single one of you great fortune and prosperity in all of your endeavors. Alright, that's it for today. Please have a happy and blessed Easter!!!

Parties I participated in today:
www.creativejewishmom.com




Rainy days reading list:

Sunny Days and Blue Skies

Hello to all and happy Friday! It has just been beautiful here in the Pacific Northwest for the past few days. Nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Yesterday I went for a walk at a trail nearby with my husband and son. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy the fresh air and lovely weather while getting a little exercise and family time in as well. I took tons of pictures which I will be sharing today as I have nothing else to show you project wise. I am still working hard on my custom order. Today I finally completed one fingerless glove, now I just have to get started on it's mate. That is if my son allows it! I really can't wait until these gloves are finished, they are even cuter than I anticipated and I am so excited to share them with everyone! Also, I finally got around to applying for my business license a couple of days ago. Now I'm waiting for it to arrive in the mail so that I can work on expanding my horizons and try getting into a few craft fairs over this next year. It's funny, when I started out with crochet I never imagined that I would love it so much or turn it into a source of income. Now I feel as though I've found my niche in life and I just can't imagine doing anything else. Here's hoping that I can have success with my new business one day. Until then, I am so very thankful to be blessed with a few sold items and a handful of custom orders! Hey, you've got to start somewhere! I'm also trying out the heartsy.me site again. I got my required votes the last time but I wasn't picked in the final process. I'm hoping if I try enough times I will finally be featured. Well that's all I've got for now, I may not be posting daily for a while. I have to get this order finished but I promise to keep you updated as often as time allows and post lots of pictures along the way. For now, please enjoy some more of this lovely scenery I just can't get enough of and have a wonderful Friday evening and Saturday as well.

Busy Work...

Hello and happy Tuesday! It's been a while since I posted, sorry about that. I've been so busy with this custom order I'm working on. Between crochet, motherhood, laundry and cooking I simply haven't had much time for myself in there. I finally finished the first piece of my order and I'm very excited about the way it came out. It's a solid black ribbed infinity scarf with a detachable oriental poppy. I've never made an infinity scarf or a poppy before so this was a big adventure for me! I still have 3 more pieces to make on my order, including a pair of fingerless gloves and two hats! I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Here are a few pictures of my scarf....note that it is extremely difficult to photograph a scarf on one's self but I did the best I could.

I've also been on a few new culinary adventures over the past few days. I'm working on a weight loss plan the involves a complete change in diet, permanently! I have this really great cookbook by Better Homes and Gardens called " Eat Well, Lose Weight ". The food is delicious. It really makes eating right enjoyable and proves that healthy food can still taste really good. A couple of nights ago I made Lemon Adoboe Chicken and it was devine. I'm not much of a chicken person but this was very tasty. I highly recommend this cookbook if you're looking to start out on a healthier you!!!

Link Parties I participated in today:

I also recommend the original Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook as it has some really good low calorie meals as well. Last night we had spicy black beans and brown rice, it's one of my favorites!