More mice and my beautiful butterfly bush!

Finally took some pictures of the mice my daughter made.  They are for sale at the market and in my Etsy shop.  Here is the link to it: https://www.etsy.com/listing/101717277/catnip-mice-for-your-cat-or-kitten-cat  Lost of different color combinations.  Kitty cat will love ya!

Giant paper roses

I'm making a sign at work which measures 8 x 4 feet, in other words it's huge!  Did you know June is Rose month?  I didn't, until I had a request from the floral department to create a giant sign for it.  So off I went dreaming up something specials.  I was going to draw the roses but then I remembered seeing a tutorial about how to make paper roses.  I ended up taking the basic idea but changing it making up my own as I worked on getting them to look to my liking.  I ended up spray painting them and I must say I'm pretty happy with the result.  Plus I feel good about the fact I recycled a bunch of paper which are old sign request forms which ended up being perfect for making these.  Here is a picture of a couple of them.  I've made a bunch more and made some leaves as well.  These are actually so very easy to make.  I keep forgetting to take pictures when I'm making them so I can make up a tutorial for those of you who want to make some.  If you are interested in such a tutorial let me know and I can create one. 

Beautiful flowers and a baby mouse in a pumpkin house

Working on making some more floral brooches for the shop and the market.  I love putting these flowers together, so much fun and so easy to make.

Made another little critter house ... I had made this little mouse first to use with the lavender house I had made earlier but he was a little too dark to go with that one so I made a white mouse to go with the lavender house and ended up making a pumpkin house for this little guy!  Found the perfect colors so he would stand out more.  He will be up for sale in my shop in a little bit although he's so darn cute laying in his little white nest inside his house I want to keep him! Here is the link to purchase him:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/101047783/needle-felted-baby-mouse-with-crocheted

Rozie Cheeks

A treasury made up with 100% Homespunsociety members on Etsy!  Visit them all, click away to your hearts desire ... I promise you will find some amazing treasures in all of these shops. 

Felted Ring / Sterling Silver Ring / Boho Ring / Gypsy Ring / Woodland Ring / Eco Friendly

Another beautiful OOAK ring made by my friend Missie using my felted bead.  I love the combination of silver and felt, I think it looks gorgeous.  Click on this link http://www.etsy.com/listing/100897056/felted-ring-sterling-silver-ring-boho?ref=af_you_favitem   to get to Missie's shop which has plenty of other beautiful jewelry.   

A bit of teal ...

I love this color and variations of it.  So therefore a pretty treasury with lots of that lovely color! 

There's a mouse in the house!

Ok, so I'm still having fun making these little play huts.  This time I made an itty bitty white mouse with cute pink ears and red eyes.  She comes with the softest little pink blanket which fits inside her little house and makes it a perfect little nest for her to hide in.  More info if you click on this link:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/100783417/needle-felted-white-baby-mouse-in which will take you to my shop where she is up for sale. 

Perfect for summer! A crocheted linen shawl!

I made this shawl with a linen yarn I purchased while in Belgium taking care of my mom.  Just listed it in my PurplePlatypus shop.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/100357373/crocheted-blue-linen-summer-shawl

Let's spoil him!

A treasury I put together with the guys in mind. 

Answer your phone please!

Just another treasury to enjoy ... 

And then I got lost ...

I got lost in the world of Etsy ... finding all kinds of beautiful things ... 

OOAK Ring by MissieRabdau

I met Missie at the Archwood Green Barns farmers Market in The Plains a couple of years ago when she purchased some of my items.  Amongst the items she has purchased was a package with pieces of felt I had made.   When I found out Missie also has a store on Etsy  http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissieRabdau?ref=seller_info  we really hit it off.  We cheer each other up when business is slow and we both feel like we want to stop this arts and crafts business!  But then again, we both know we couldn't survive if we couldn't make art.  It's in our blood and it's something you just can't stop doing.  Maybe for a day, or even two days but I know by then our fingers will be itching for wanting to make something and our brains would explode from all the ideas that have been building up in our heads and need to get out and worked on.  Missie makes and sells jewelry and as we all know there are a lot of people out there making jewelry so it's not easy trying to stand out but I must say I think Missie is on her way to stand out and make a statement.  Check out her latest design and description.

This ring is totally eco friendly. I have taken a piece of felted material that I purchased many years ago and set it in sterling silver and copper. The base is made from a piece of copper sheet metal that I have recycled. The bezel and band are made from sterling silver (.925). All silver was cut, sanded, soldered and burnished by me by hand. This ring is fun and funky and will be sure to attract some attention. The swirls in the felt are stunning...and I give credit to my friend, Chantal for making this beautiful piece of felt. You can find her shops listed below.

Copper (lead and nickel free)
Sterling Silver (.925)
Handcrafted Felt
Size 7.5

All of my jewelry comes packaged for gift giving. If you would like a card included, please convo me and I will be happy to provide one for you. Please don't forget to let me know what you want the card to say. :)

Here is the link to the ring in her Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/99908913/eco-friendly-ring-copper-ring-sterling

Thanks Missie for making such a beautiful ring which includes a piece of my felt, I'm honored! 

Morning Dream

One more treasury for today.  Happy Mother's Day.  I'll be spending mine at the Farmers Market tomorrow.  Come on down and visit if you're in the area.  Lots of nice mother's day gifts to choose from in the http://www.facebook.com/archwoodgreenbarns?ref=ts.  Hope to see you at the barn!

Oh lala ... feeling a little French today!

Treasury made up of 100% homespunsociety members on Etsy!  Enjoy ...

Little Ducky and some toadstools for tiny feet

Made another amigurumi, a little ducky this time.  He's so darn cute.  Will be going to the Farmers Market with me on Sunday.  Also finished a pair of baby shoes made from recycled sweaters.  I needle felted the little toadstools with Merino sheep's fleece.  This pair is for a newborn.  I have another pair which looks pretty much the same for a baby that's 6+ months old.  I need for finish sewing on the velcro straps before I can list them.  These two items will get listed in my BitsOfFiber shop in the next couple of days.

Not just for Mothers day

A treasury I made with some of my favorite colors!

New items

Listing a couple more items I had made while in Belgium.  The owl and the baby bonnet are already listed in my BitsOfFiber shop.  The shawl is made out of a beautiful linen yarn so perfect for the warmer seasons.  It's a nice and open pattern but will still provide you with warmth during winter when worn bunched together around the neck.  Will be listing the scarf later today in my PurplePlatypus shop.  I'm working on another shawl similar to this one but in a mohair mix blue yarn.  I'm crocheting it with a very large hook so it will be nice and airy, almost cobweb like.

Itty bitty little things

I love itty bitty little things so I made a treasury of some darling little things you can find on Etsy.  There are tons more to find but these are some of my favorite ones.  

Enjoy visiting the stores were you will find more beautiful itty bitty little things!

Farmers Market and Cupcakes!

We are off to be at the Farmers Market in The Plains.  We are open from 10 till 3 pm every Sunday.  Lots of different items for sale from different Vendors.  All the items for sale are grown or made by the vendors attending.  My daughter baked some cupcakes for this week's event so head on over for a pleasant outing on a gorgeous day!  

See you at the Market!

For location and direction see info on the left in pink. 

Shoes are optional!

Trying to get back into the swing of things!  I've always loved making beautiful treasuries so I just had to make one this morning before going to work.  Wish I was going to the beach instead of work but oh well, dreaming is allowed and like I said "Shoes are optional!"  Enjoy.

Amigurumi Ballerina Bear and a petite pink pixie hat

Like I mentioned before ... I'm hooked on amigurumi for the moment.  I finished this little ballerina bear.  My aunt gave me a book of amigurumi animals and one of the patterns was for a little bear wearing a dress.  I just didn't care for the dress they put her in so I made up my own.  When I finished the little dress on her she looked like a ballerina to me so I gave her little ballerina slippers and a flower on her head and voila ... my little amigurumi ballerina bear.  She's for sale in my BitsOfFiber shop.  If you click on this link you will get to her fast:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/98967896/amigurumi-ballerina-bear-crocheted-bear

This little pink pixie hat I made while I was visiting my mom last month.  It's an itty bitty little think.  Perfect for a very small preemie, a doll or a stuffed animal.  I love the pink, it's a very soft cotton mix yarn.  It's not listed in my shop yet, probably later this week.  I made a second one like this, but a size bigger and should fit a newborn.  Same color, didn't put the ribbon in it yet. Both of them will be going up for sale in my shop in the next week or so. 

Yes! I'll be back at the Farmers Market starting tomorrow!

 Well this came kinda unexpected I must say.  I had planned on going back to having a stall at the Farmers Market at the Archwood Green Barns in The Plains this season.  But then we got the news from Belgium, mom has breast cancer and needs surgery.  So I stopped making plans to going back to the barn and made plans to be with my mom.  In the meantime, 2 surgeries behind us and two trips to Belgium I'm home again thinking I missed out on getting a stall for the upcoming season since the first market is tomorrow and I just got back from Belgium last weekend.  But then today I received a message that one of the vendors decided not to take part and a stall was up for grabs!  Now I thought about it for a couple of minutes ... not sure if I could pull this off.  I still had all my boxes with everything I need for the market ready to go sitting in the basement.  I did need to price all the items I made this past year but my kid could help me doing that.  Now 9 hours later I'm exhausted but I got everything ready to go!  Tomorrow I'll be back at the green barn selling my stuff.  I'm so excited!  I think my stall is the 3rd one on the right side as you come walking through the front entrance of the barn.   Originally I had started planning on how to set up the stall this time, a bit different from what I have done in the past but of course none of that has taken place at this point since this was a last minute decision made today.   Anyway do come and visit us!   If you can't make it tomorrow there are plenty of Sundays ahead. 

The market is located in Northern Virginia. Just 8 miles west of Haymarket, on Route 245 exit 31, right off I-66, it's close enough for a day trip!   Roam the stalls of an old horse barn looking for the right treasure.  Ask all the questions you like....the people selling the product are the ones who made it!  We are producer only, and proud of it! 

Weather doesn't have to play a factor we are an indoor market with some outdoor vendors as well.  The variety of wonderful items will keep you coming back!   Baked goods, goat cheese, fresh meats and frozen are all available for the perfect meal. Don't forget the fruits and vegetables, cheesecakes, flowers, bamboo, gourds, quilted specialties and other arts and crafts to browse through and enjoy!   Bring the family and spend some time together at the barn!.  

         See you there on Sunday!
Location

Rt. 245 and I-66, Exit 31
The Plains, VA 20198

When and Where  

(April-November)
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Last Sunday in April through the 2nd Sunday in November. Open the first 2 Sundays in December for the Christmas on the Farm Show.

Pixie hat and a Redskins hat

Just listed this gorgeous pixie hat.  The flower has not been sewn onto the hat yet in case you want to purchase it for a boy.  I do love the color combo I used for knitting this one.  

Click on this link to get to it:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/98581485/knitted-pixie-style-hat-for-baby-or?ref=pr_shop

I also knitted this Redskins hat for a customer.  

Amigurumi Pink Elephant

Little pink crocheted elephant.  Now listed in my Etsy shop.  Click on this link to get to it: http://www.etsy.com/listing/98457032/amigurumi-elephant-baby-elephant

Newborn baby raccoon hat

Just listed this knitted little raccoon hat for a newborn.  Klick on this link to get to the item in my Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/98456522/knitted-newborn-baby-raccoon-hat-photo?ref=pr_shop

Amigurumi - Meet Mister Turtle in his basket!

Here is Mister Turtle in his own little basket!  Just listed him in my Etsy shop.  Have a couple more Amigurumies but need to take some photos before I can list the rest of them.  I started out following a pattern but ended up making up my own basket.

Finally some pictures!

Yeah, now that I'm home I can download the pictures I took while I was in Belgium taking care of my mom.  Some pictures of her cats.  Pictures of the three figurines I made and pictures of the baby elephant toy I made.  The Elephant toy will be for sale in my Etsy shop in the next week sometime.  The little bunny I made for my niece's birthday.   I made a bunch of other things but I haven't taken pictures of those yet.  I was hoping to take some today but due to the rain I couldn't.  But at least here are some of the pictures I promised!

Treasuries, confusing keyboard and heading back

First I want to say thank you to those of you who featured any of my shop items in all those lovely treasuries these last couple of weeks. I usually feature those treasuries on this blog but since I've been out of the country for almost two months taking care of my mother I haven't been able to do so. I couldn't get it to work properly on my I pad. Then I tried using my moms laptop! Oh boy, it's a dinosaur from 2000 AND it has the AZERTY keyboard. Which in itself isn't that bad except because it's a 12 yr old computer the keys have been used A LOT so most of the description on top of the keys are worn off which made it impossible for me to work right. But I'm heading home this weekend so once I'm back in the swing of things I will be making treasuries again and feature the once my items are in as well. I made a bunch of new things during my stay here in Belgium but I will need to take photos first to get them listed in my shop. Now some good news - mom gained 3 kilos this past week! Yeahhhhhh, I'm so happy about that. She lost so much weight since dad got ill with lung cancer, the passed away last summer and then she got diagnosed having breast cancer which only added to her loosing weight. But now that she decided not to go for chemo and radiation she isnt all stressed out anymore, has been able to focus on eating more and will hopefully gain another 6 kilos soon which would bring her back to her normal weight. Of course having me her has helped her with eating and trying different foods and dishes so I hope that when I leave she will continue with that. Alright folks, this is my last day in Belgium. Got to pack my suitcase. I'm sad having to leave my family again but happy to go home to be with my kid, my husband and the animals ... And my own computer as well! Come back soon to find more treasuries and pictures of all the new things I made and will be listed in my Etsy shops.

Have you ever heard of "Pietepap"?

I haven't had "Pietepap" in a 100 years I think. It's pasta pudding! First you boil the pasta in water, my grandparents used to make it with spaghetti but my mom always used macaroni. It doesn't really matter what kind of pasta you use for this, to me it tastes good with any kind of pasta. Drain the water off the pasta, then put the pasta with milk and sugar in a pot and bring it to a boil. Mix some vanilla pudding powder with a bit of milk in a cup and once the milk with the pasta starts to boil you thicken it with the vanilla pudding powder mixture. You need to make it a bit more runny then a regular pudding. I used to make it when I had a bit of left over pasta from a dinner dish. You have to eat it while it's still nice and warm. You can keep left overs till the next day but your Pietepap will be a lot thicker by then since the pasta will absorb a lot of the liquid from the pudding. A friend of mine who's mom always made it with macaroni used to call it macaroni pudding but it's the same thing. As a young child I used to make a game out of eating it with my grandfather. We used to slurp the long spaghetti's of the Pietepap. I remember my grandmother yelling at my grandfather for doing so, but we would both ignore her and keep on slurping our "Pietepap"! So guess what I had for dessert tonight here at mom's house? A nice big bowl of Pietepap! It was delicious! I think I might have the left over for breakfast tomorrow. Kids love this dish!

So what would you do?

Mom decided not to go through with chemo and radiation! I know she really really dreaded having to go so when she made her decision last night my brother and I fully support her in making that choice. In the meantime we have contacted the surgeon who did the mastectomy and whom mom really liked. She will be going back to him to have her stitches removed and for her follow up scans. She is so much more relaxed now that she has made peace with her decision and if the cancer does come back we will deal with it then. She has been through hell these couple of months, I'm heading back to the States this weekend. I know I will miss mom but I'm looking forward to get home and hug my kid, my husband, the cat, the dog and even the fish!

Wishes for my mom

So yesterday we found out mom does need chemo and radiation treatments which sucks. She is so darn skinny, barely 80lbs. She took care of my dad who battled lung cancer last year until he passed away during the summer. She kept busy and never sits still which is a good thing but on the other hand she just can't seem to get her weight back up. Having had two surgeries for breast cancer in just one months time hasn't helped of course. And now she is dreading thhaving to go through chemo and radiation, worried about loosing more weight. I must say she eats very well and snacks in between meals the appropriate foods as well, no junk food. The crazy thing is that originally she was told if she went for the masectomy she didn't need any other treatments so that's what she went for. Then we found out something got screwed up during the biopsy and everything changed. So now we are told that when they poked the biopsy needle through a lymphnode they went too far, ended up extracting some of the bad cancer cells from the original tumor through a healthy lymphnode! Oopps!!??? The other story is that when they removed a piece of the original tumor it somehow got lost inside moms arm pit. Its a long story but when she had to go back for another scan and somehow they found another piece of cancer that wasnt there the week before and depending on who we talked too the story changed and thingsmjustmdidnt add up we got really worried. Then when mom was told she needed another surgery to go find that mystery piece of tumor we realized something was really screwed up. Also the fact that the second surgery was going to be done by a different surgeon. The first one was going to asstist we were told. Anyway, We all know things can go wrong nobody is perfect but the least they could have done is explain it to us and don't try to cover it up which they tried to do. What they didn't know is that I lost my best friend to breast cancer, she battled this decease for 15 years. During those years I learned a lot through her as well as doing research on procedures so with asking the appropriate questions and adding 1+1 and knowing it didn't add up to 2, they had to admit something got screwed up and because of it she now does have to go through chemo and radiation because the cancer went from being non-invasive localized to the milk duct to invasive because during the biopsy somebody made a mistake which really really sucks. Anyway, no matter what we say or do is not going to change the fact this happened and mom at 76 has to move on and make the best of this. I don't want to scare anybody out there having to go through this kind of stuff but just be aware sometimes things just don't go the way we want them to go. Now I hope to God mom will be strong enough to make it through her treatments. MI do know this will be a long summer!

Amigurumi

Ahhhh I love the little cute crocheted animals. My aunt gave me a pattern book and that's all she wrote! So far I've made an elephant, an owl, a turtle in a basket, a lop bunny and a pony. The last two wont be for sale but the other ones will be. I have photos but I still can't get them to show up on my blog via my IPad ... Which is driving me crazy! So, for now you will have to be patient till next week when I get home and back to using Tomorrow another big day for mom. We will find out the results from the second surgery, the head ct scan and if she will need chemo or not. Keeping my fingers crossed that all will go well. Thanks for stopping by.

Moms surgery and my Easter Treasury featured

After a bad start this morning things turned out ok with my mom. First she was told they couldn't locate the cancer on the scan anymore! So she was told probably no surgery but then 3 hrs later things changed and she was told surgery will happen, they were going to look for it and I mean really looking for it by opening the mastectomy cut she got about four weeks ago!!! Needless to say, frustration,anger and being scared is what we had to deal with. In the meantime surgery is behind her, they supposedly found what they were looking for and removed it. At this point we don't have any other details then that so we are still frustrated and confused but happy mom is doing pretty good for now. Hopefully we will be able to get more info tomorrow as to what the deal is, what they removed, how bad it is, chemo and or radiation still on the menu? Very emotional day it was indeed. Now to change the subject, one of my Easter treasuries is being featured on It's a madcap life blog! So hop on over and find my treasury "Bunnies, chicks and more!". Here is the link: http://itsamadcaplife.blogspot.com/p/madcap-madness-team-treasuries.html

Surgery ... again

You know that word I hate "cancer" well it's back and I hate it even more now!  My mom has to go back into the hospital to have another surgery.  Somehow a 2 mm cancer spot was either missed, grew or by accident (pretty scary if that's what really happened!) placed in mom's lymph nodes under her arm.  She's been doing fantastic since the mastectomy last month, no issues with her arm and now this ... something doesn't add up which is the frustrating part.  When doctors tell you that a mistake during her original biopsy could be the cause of this how are you suppose to react to that!  Anger, frustration and sadness.  I pray mom's recovery will be just as good as with her first surgery.  This surgery is physically not as complicated but I tell you mentally this one is doing a number on her as well as on the rest of the family.  She's mostly worried about the chemo and radiation that they said will have to follow which I totally understand as we all watched dad having to go through that process last year about this time. 

So I'm off to go see mom, to be with her and help her get through this crap.  Trip number four to Belgium in less then a year all cancer related trips which sucks.  I was hoping my next trip would be for a happy occasion not another anxiety trip full of worry.  I'm usually a very happy optimistic person I would say and my glass is always half full ... not half empty but I must say ... these days it's starting to look more empty every day.   I want to say thanks to my hubby and daughter for supporting me through this year, they are not joining me on this trip but are always there for me when I reach for the phone, my Ipad or e-mail.  Thank God for technology!  Mom does enjoy it when I facetime with them while I'm with her. 

I'm hoping to be back on April 22nd so for the time being I have closed both my BitsOfFiber and PurplePlatypus shops.  If all goes as planned I will re-open them on the 23rd of April.  Thanks for understanding. 

Purple bunnies rule!

In case you didn't know this yet ... I love purple!  So, voila ... purple bunnies rule.

Feel free to click, comment, share and enjoy the purple bunnies!

Mom's choice

Made a treasury with all the mom's in mind.  Click, share and enjoy!

Bunnies, Chicks and more!

Made a treasury with Easter in mind!  Enjoy and don't forget to click on each of the items which will take you to the creator's shop with lots more fun and creative things to check out.  

Treasury time!!

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog with treasuries but I couldn't get it to work on my mom's dinosaur computer.  So bear with me as I'm going to play "catch-up" on my treasuries!

This first one is called "FELT SPRING' featuring my needle felted hedgehogs  http://www.etsy.com/listing/87061241/needle-felted-hedgehog-mom-and-baby-in-a?ref=tre-2506530838-1  .  The curator  http://www.etsy.com/shop/FliesflyawaY  Here is their shop announcement: "Welcome to our shop. Thank you for being here. In our shop you will find different home and garden decorations. They are all made by the persons who are living with us in our Thomashuis, Lexmond in the Netherlands. They all have a mentally handicap and like to make things. All products are made of used materials.
We like to answer all your questions."



Next is "LETS treat MOM FOR EASTER" featuring my wire birds next earrings and necklace  http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU4ODcwMDV8MjUwMzk0MDg0OQ/lets-treat-mom-for-easter-give-your-a  .  The Curator  http://www.etsy.com/shop/JEchardCreations   sells handpainted and Homemade Craft Ideas as well as Vintage Collectible.




Next is "Life Expressions" featuring my felt flower brooch  http://www.etsy.com/listing/37457459/creme-de-la-creme-felt-flower-brooch?ref=tre-2491103060-14  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/Annieoky?ref=seller_info  sells  beautiful photos.



Next is "Rainbow of color" featuring my  http://www.etsy.com/listing/79707509/nuno-felted-forest-colors-scarf-ooak?ref=tre-2482153930-15   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/Daysgonebytreasures  sells days gone by treasures!



Next is "Lovely" featuring my needle felted pincushion  http://www.etsy.com/listing/73501667/needle-felted-fairytale-toadstool?ref=tre-2472942327-1   and my knitted baby mouse hat  http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTY1OTAwODh8MjQ3Mjk0MjMyNw/lovely-3   .  The Curator  http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepassion   sells   beautiful children gloves and gorgeous yarn!



Next is "Winter's last Hurrah!" featuring my nuno felted scarf http://www.etsy.com/listing/79707509/nuno-felted-forest-colors-scarf-ooak?ref=tre-2310970927-8  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitMomWi    sells  beautiful knitted and crocheted items.



Next is "Soft Beauty" featuring my little bird which in the meantime flew the nest and has found a nice new family!  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/CartoonSpacecraft    sells   cool art illustrations and cartoons.



Next is "Wild Life" featuring my needle felted baby seal  http://www.etsy.com/listing/52253454/needle-felted-harp-baby-seal-named?ref=tre-2288106751-2  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/MastersCreations  sells fantastic items created using plastic canvas. Many of my items are my own design.



Need to share more of them but that will be it for today.  Not feeling too good, not sure if I have allergies or a cold!

Home again

Feels good to be home again.  Mom is doing pretty good after her mastectomy.  Wound is healing nicely.  Only thing that sucks right now is that she might still need chemo and radiation.  Her own surgeon didn't think it was necessary but his boss and the board of doctors that reviews the cancer cases happening in that hospital really think she should.  I'm just worried because of how underweight she is.  If she has any bad reaction towards the chemo, which I know doesn't always happen, she really can not afford to loose more weight.  But, we'll see what next week will bring.  That's when the decision will be made after they do another scan tomorrow.

So, I'm back in the US for now and I'm praying I don't need to make another trip to Belgium in the near future because that would mean more bad news.  I'm really ready for some good news this time.

While visiting with mom I was busy making some more baby items for my shop.  I just need to put the finishing touches on just about all of the things I made, take photos and then I'll be listing them.

Mom is doing great after surgery

My mom had her mastectomy and is doing great. No chemo or radiation and hoping for the best. She will need to gain some weight to get her strength back. I must say I hope I will have her courage and willpower at 77!

Hating cancer

I never use the word hate, it's just a bad word ... disliking would be a better word to use but today I am using it.  Using it to let you know I "hate cancer"!  My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 yrs ago.  She finally lost her battle last year in April.  My husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer 3 yrs ago.  He underwent a tricky surgery to remove a 10 lb tumor (we named Chucky).  Thank God he's doing fine now.  Then dad got diagnosed with lung cancer and also passed away last year in June.  Now mom has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  The good news is that it hasn't spread.  She just had surgery and is doing pretty good considering she's 77 and gone through a lot this past year.  I'll be going over to help her when she comes out of the hospital.  I realize I'm not the only person having to go through sad, bad, crappy times and most of the time I can handle times like that ... but today it all hit me like a brick wall and I decided it's okay for me to say I hate cancer.   

So, to get my mind focused in the right direction to get ready to head on over to help mom I made these treasuries for her, my dad, my best friend Erna, my dear husband and for all of those who have lost the battle or won the battle against cancer.   Pink in my world doesn't just stand for breast cancer, to me it represents any kind of cancer. It's okay to say you "hate cancer". 

P.S.: both my Etsy shops are in "Vacation Mode" for the next couple of weeks.  If all goes as planned I will re-open shop on March 19th.  Thanks for understanding.  

Just a few treasuries

Sharing a couple more treasuries today.

This first one is called "My perfect home" featuring my little blue crocheted hearts in a chipboard box http://www.etsy.com/listing/91920609/crochet-heart-appliques-for-decorations?ref=tre-2199167643-7 .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrintingPretty    sells beautiful patterned textiles and paper goods.

   
This next one is called "berry ..." featuring my pink daisy baby dress http://www.etsy.com/listing/68440024/pink-daisy-baby-dress?ref=tre-2226475788-3 .  The curator  http://www.etsy.com/shop/anasknits   sells  crocheted and knitted objects. 

I love the colors of this treasury, just gorgeous!


Next is "Pretty Pink Treasures" featuring my catnip mouse  http://www.etsy.com/listing/92201796/catnip-filled-mouse-toy-beige-with-black?ref=tre-2183768223-2  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/jalinde   sells gorgeous alternative photography.  



Next is "A Tisket, A Tasket" featuring my fulled wool basket http://www.etsy.com/listing/44262612/fulled-wool-basket-or-small-handbag-or?ref=tre-2191518502-3   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/SatinDollAccessories   sells beautiful bags, totes and silly pillows.




Next is Blue and Green for Statteam" featuring my unique felted bracelet with glass beads http://www.etsy.com/listing/79235962/unique-felted-bracelet-with-glass-beads?ref=tre-2196928547-14   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/recreated1  sells vintage, recycled, repurposed art and OOAK jewelry.

Next is "Vibrant and Verdant" featuring my mixed media OOAK brooch http://www.etsy.com/listing/79629504/mixed-media-ooak-brooch?ref=tre-2225645010-8  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodnheart sells  cool vintage treasures of the heART.

  

Next is "I love you on a molecular level" featuring my mixed media felt bracelet http://www.etsy.com/listing/79238452/mixed-media-felted-orange-beaded?ref=tre-2259901635-14   .  The Curator AuntieKaren doesn't have a shop on Etsy but certainly makes gorgeous treasuries!

Last but least for this post is "In your EASTER bonnet" featuring my felted wool embroidered easter basket http://www.etsy.com/listing/40859652/felted-wool-embroidered-basket-easter?ref=tre-2263401904-10   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/WeeLaddie   sells beautiful knitwear for little boys.

More litte hearts and a baby hat and booties that make you smile!

I just can't stop making these little crocheted hearts. They are the perfect thing to work on during my lunch break at work so you'll be seeing more of them. I've decided to try working my way through my stash of yarn this year without buying more! Kind of a challenge I must say as I love buying yarn. This little hat and booties used up less then one big skein I still had laying around which is a good start I think. Here is the link to get to the hearts in my shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93588759/heart-shaped-tin-with-pink-crocheted  .Baby hat with booties are now listed in my shop so hop on over to see more pictures by clicking this link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93670288/knitted-and-crocheted-multi-color-baby.

Treasury time!

Jumping right into sharing these treasuries with you.

This first one is called "Orange you glad"  featuring my knitted newborn baby hat http://www.etsy.com/listing/84748906/knitted-newborn-orange-and-beige-baby?ref=tre-2153729826-6   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/PennyroyalDesign  here is the shop announcement : "Pennyroyal is a small Penngrove based company with a penchant for beautiful, well and hand made goods for the home. I design everything from day beds, reclaimed furniture, and the accoutrements that go with them. I use hand-dyed natural fabrics, found and collected remnants, reclaimed wood and other materials, vintage fabric, 100% wool felt, and Grandmother's old button collection. All are used to create bits and pieces I think are truly lovely."



Next is "Lilac and Sage" featuring my knitted eggplant baby hat http://www.etsy.com/listing/77753749/knitted-baby-hat-eggplant-purple-and?ref=tre-2170729173-14  .  The Curator  http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonlightphotography  sells beautiful highly professional, refreshingly unique images
with a still life quality, focusing on rare moments of beauty, mystery, and or tranquility!



Next one "One baby step at a time" featuring my wool felted baby shoes http://www.etsy.com/listing/92536276/wool-felted-baby-shoes-with-needle?ref=tre-2181037658-3  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/TuppersPerch  sells an eclectic mix of items created by combining a love of nature.



Next is "Sugar and spice and everything nice" featuring my baby dress http://www.etsy.com/listing/68440024/pink-daisy-baby-dress?ref=tre-2179815835-9 .  The Curator   http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenbriarCreations sells  Hand-Knit Items! Upcycled Denim! Chemo Hats - Comfortable and Unique! Vintage Linen & Lace Creations! Antiques & Collectibles! Country Farm Creations
Quality Construction and Novel Designs.



Next is "Little Girl Blue" featuring my knitted mohair baby hat http://www.etsy.com/listing/60262128/soft-blue-mohair-baby-hat-with-flower?ref=tre-2189810699-1.  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/WeeLaddie   sells beautiful knitwear for children.

Sunset wishes

Treasury made up of 100% homespunsociety members. 

Lavender sunshine

I love the combination of lavender and yellow, so pretty!  Trying to keep my mind occupied, waiting to hear the results of all the tests my mom has been going through to find out if her breast cancer has spread.  Should hear about the results tomorrow afternoon.  Wish I could be there with her right now, so darn frustrating being that I'm in Virginia and she's in Belgium.  Praying things will work out somehow. 

So, in the meantime I'm spreading some lavender sunshine to make us all feel better! 

A couple more treasuries

Some more lovely treasuries to share with you.

This first one is called "Sail Away" featuring my felted fulled crocheted child/youth slippers http://www.etsy.com/listing/67454999/felted-fulled-crocheted-childyouth?ref=tre-2134656749-5   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/bayahta   sells beautiful custom knit, crochet designs such as Blankets, Scarves, Hats, Children Cardigan Sweaters, Women Cardigan Sweaters, Vests etc.



Next treasury "Think spring with purple and green" featuring my knitted eggplant baby hat http://www.etsy.com/listing/77753749/knitted-baby-hat-eggplant-purple-and?ref=tre-2142910453-16   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/iamny  sells beautiful crocheted scarves, hats, hoods and purses.  She also sells beautiful feather earrings.



Next is "Nature's Palette" featuring my nuno felted forest scarf  http://www.etsy.com/listing/79707509/nuno-felted-forest-colors-scarf-ooak?ref=tre-2026012478-1  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/lillieandnora  sells an eclectic mix of vintage and antique items. Handmade re-purposed one of a kind treasures and supplies.




Next is "The Sky is the limit" featuring my nuno velted blue scarf http://www.etsy.com/listing/24791349/nuno-felt-azure-blue-wrap?ref=tre-2027583427-14  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/stoevvalentin sells gorgeous inspiring travel and nature photography from around the world.



Next is "Keeping warm" featuring my nuno felted forest scarf http://www.etsy.com/listing/79707509/nuno-felted-forest-colors-scarf-ooak?ref=tre-2032616290-10   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/ITSYOURCOUNTRY   sells original handmade unique vintage primitive shabby quilted/wild west Americana home decor/quilted Christmas stockings/gift tags/ornaments/cutter quilt appliqués/embellishments/dog cooling collars/neck coolers/fever relievers/antique & vintage finds/craft supplies, upcycled, recycled, re-purposed craft cycled items & more.



Next is "Hedgies" featuring my mom and baby hedgehogs http://www.etsy.com/listing/87061241/needle-felted-hedgehog-mom-and-baby-in-a?ref=tre-2069249911-14  .  The Curator does not have an Etsy shop but certainly makes beautiful treasuries!



Next is "Sure tis nearly that time again!" featuring my felted shamrock St. Patrick's Day brooch http://www.etsy.com/listing/69421466/felted-shamrock-st-patricks-day-brooch?ref=tre-2072270919-7  .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaminaRose   sells cute clothes for cute kids.



Last but not the least!  "Valentine's Day ... Anthropologie style" featuring my needle felted bear with heart http://www.etsy.com/listing/81997815/needle-felted-ooak-miniature-bear?ref=tre-2085048476-2   .  The Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissieRabdau   sells beautiful Elegant, Unique, Romantic, Western, Cowgirl, Wyoming, Texas, Ranch Style Jewelry.

Itty bitty knitted baby booties for a preemie or newborn

Just listed these cute little booties in my BitsOfFiber shop.  They are a perfect gift for a preemie or newborn and will work for a girl or a boy.  More info if you click on this link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/92828063/knitted-multi-color-baby-booties-for?ref=pr_shop

One strange bird!

A treasury made up of silly, cute, amazing animal art!  I love them all, strange bird included ... and I leave it up to you to decide which one you think is the strange bird amongst them all.  

Felted woodland baby shoes with toadstools

Just listed these cute little shoes in my BitsOfFiber shop.  These are made out of wool sweaters I fulled in the washing machine and turned into these little shoes.  For more pictures and info click on this link http://www.etsy.com/listing/92536276/wool-felted-baby-shoes-with-needle   and it will take you into my shop.  Perfect baby shower gift even if you don't know the baby's sex yet, they will look cute on a boy or a girl.