Custom Order

Can you guess what I'm making for one of my sweet customers?

Hand Knit by Emma

Emma's is a little shop at Grand Central that sells gorgeous hand knits. I bought this little head wrap. Now I need to make some.

Thick and Thin Baby Headband With Red Flower

Another new headband that will be added to the shop soon. Here is a sneak peak. Gorgeous thick and thin merino wool in cream with a large red flower with pearls. The flower attaches with an alligator clip so it's easy to remove. Headband closes with a sweet little toggle button in the back.

Boot Cuffs

This is a new pair of boot cuffs in charcoal gray. I really like the color and may have to knit myself a pair.

Cupcakes Just Because

Just felt like baking. Even though I am 18 orders behind. That's the beauty of working from home. I can stop anytime and just bake cupcakes. Now I need to get back to knitting. It seems that boot cuffs are my big hot seller right now. Who knew!
Midas loves to help : )

My Favorite Supplies

These are my most favorite,  most used knitting and crocheting supplies. Do you have your own favorites?

 

Shipping Day

I've been so busy at my two Etsy shops this holiday season. I've been especially busy at my "Cuddle Me Knits" shop which is a brand new shop I started in August of 2011. My biggest seller is boot cuffs. I had no idea these would take off like they have but obviously there is a need for boot cuffs out there!

I make them in all different colors and they are used as a buffer between the top of your boot and your calf. They look really cute with leggings and a long sweater or a skirt with tights. They measure about 6-7" long and since they are knit with a chunky rib stitch, they stretch nicely to fit almost all calf sizes.  I sell them for $18 plus shipping.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85552123/knit-boot-cuffs-in-chunky-ribbed-taupe

Before I ship my handmade goodies to my customers, I iron on labels to each item. I think it looks really professional and helps remind my customers where they purchased the item. It's also great for when a customer buys an item for somebody else who would otherwise have no idea where that item was purchased. I highly recommend this. My labels just have my shop name and website address on them. You can buy the iron on type or the sew in labels. They are both great. This is where I buy mine but there are many other places to choose from if you do a search.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BitsyCreations?ref=seller_info
http://www.etsy.com/shop/boodybabies?ref=seller_info

boot cuffs ready to be shipped

Knitting Classes

In my ongoing venture to support myself through knitting, I have decided to teach knitting at Michael's Crafts. I love teaching knitting and spent four years teaching children how to knit while I was a second grade teacher. It was so much fun to see those eager little ones learn how to knit!! Now I will be trying my hand at teaching adults.

Sign up for Knitting Classes 

I will be offering three classes:  The first class will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 from 1:30-3:30. At this class, you will learn how to knit and purl and you will create a very cute and stylish neck warmer.  

My second class will be held on Saturday, Jan, 7, 2012 from 1:30-3:30. At this class you will learn how to make a sweet tassel beanie hat for adults.

The third class will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 from 1:30-3:30 and this time you will learn how to knit a garter stitch beanie hat for adults.

Each class is just $25 plus materials which you supply yourself. Classes are held in the classroom at Michael's Arts + Crafts on 295 Union Street in Waterbury, CT. It is located in the shopping center next to the Brass Mall.
You can contact me to sign up at judyjem1@yahoo.com
or you can sign up online at the Michael's website:
http://www.michaels.com/Exciting-Classes/classes,default,pg.html   
or call the store at 203-597-1336.

I really hope to see you there!!

Project #1 - Button Hat

My first project from the Peruvian yarn I got at The Pumpkin House...remember? I have this for sale in my Etsy shop : )

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86609410/newborn-thick-thin-hat-in-blue-and-green

Cascade Mountain Winery

My fiance Fred and I took a trip up to the Cascade Mountain Winery for a wine tasting. Let me tell you, this winery in NY was way off the beaten track. It was the perfect Saturday to go for a drive and we try to go to a new winery as often as we can.  After taking a wrong turn and driving on a dirt road for many miles, we turned around and found our way again. The wines were wonderful. It was hard to choose a favorite but we ended up buying two bottles to take with us and then headed off to the Millbrook Winery a few miles away. We had been to this winery once before and so far, it's our absolute favorite! The views are amazing and there is an outdoor eatery overlooking a beautiful pond. Fred loves their olive oil so we bought another bottle and after tasting their wines, we bought another couple of bottles to enjoy at home. I always say you can never have too much wine. When we were leaving, the sunset was spectacular. Oh, I forgot to mention, I knit those cute armwarmers in the car on the way to NY. They are super comfy to wear and I have a pair for sale in one of my Etsy shops Cuddle Me Knits, I can make them in a ton of colors.

We decided we would head into the town of Millbrook for a bite to eat. The nice gal at the winery recommended a French Bistro so we parked the car and decided to look around the town a bit. That's when I spotted it!! The most inviting little glowing shop called "The Pumpkin House." I knew we just had to go inside and look around. As soon as I stepped inside, I knew I was going to be there for a while. It was all painted orange and had an amazing, eclectic variety of items from vintage to modern. It was almost difficult to take it all in, total sensory overload for me.  Each room I walked through was even more inviting than the next. The entire store was like eye candy for me. I was deciding between two scarves when I heard Fred call out, "There's yarn in here." Yarn!!!... did I just hear him correctly....yup, I found my way into an entire room filled with gorgeous Peruvian wools, cottons, and hand knits all around me. I was giddy with excitement. I decided I had to have two beautiful skeins of hand painted thick and thin merino and two skeins of the softest cotton yarn I've ever felt in pink and red. I also purchased a really cool scarf that no one else likes but me but I had to have it, it was calling my name. I wanted the brightly colored one with pinks and salmons but Fred and the store owner talked me out of it. I ended up with the blue one but I still haven't stopped thinking about the pink and salmon one.  I also bought a great vintage 45's record player for Fred's son, Dominick for Christmas. Dominick loves all things vintage so this gift is right up his alley.

I can't wait to show you what I make with my new yarn : )