Treasury Tuesday

I always want to read Tolkien in the fall.....

The anchor for this treasury is an art print from artist Cat Mallard of Darkling Woods

Here is what Cat has to say about herself......

“Ahoy there! I'm Cat Mallard, artist, teacher, illustrator, story teller, and wanderer of imaginary places.

I've been a curiosity seeker since I was a wee girl, always wandering off alone looking for secrets gardens. Fortunately times were different and only once did anyone notice I was gone. A puzzled me wondering why parents were calling the police when I always came back before dinner!

All grown up I became an art teacher, my junior high students and I have been inspiring each other for over 20 years now. That's the day job. I still wander, wonder and create (mostly paintings these days) whenever possible. I'm obsessed with the Pre-Raphaelites and Doctor Who, shiny things and shabby things.

You can find my work published in Sommerset Studio, Better Homes, and Pasticcio Quartz
For more on my work pop by my place at

darklingwoods.blogspot.com”



Here is what others are saying about her......

“Another gorgeous print from this seller! One day I will find an original for sale here, and it would be criminal not to buy it!”

“Love love love! and what a nice little bonus getting the Alice card and I loved the envelope. A delightful experience!”

“The LOTR fan I got this for will be thrilled with it, I feel as though I were looking right at Bag End! This is a great print, perfect for anyone who's a fan of the books or films. Thank you, it arrived quickly and was safely packaged!”

“Love it, I had seen this print on the cover of a magazine in Myrtle Beach and I tracked down the artist to make this purchase. I have always been a Wizard of Oz fan and this is grown up and whimsy! I have it framed in my work office.”

Until next week happy browsing everyone. 

If you come across an artist or a piece that you believe would make an excellent anchor please feel free to post the link in the comments. 

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Whatcha Doin? Deb

Deb Buckingham is the Owner and creative force behind the Etsy shoppe The Artful Yarn. She is also the author of a new book of knitted washcloth patterns and works for Knit Picks as a designer. This amazing woman took time out of her busy schedule to let us know.....
 

What she is working on.......

 I'm working on fingerless gloves for a salon who requested them.
Also, writing a book about a woman who struggles with blog content. Who doesn't, right? Or at least some do. My character sure does. She's a romantic at heart, finds much comfort through knitting, and writes about the oddest things. She can't find a boyfriend to save her life, and has a corgi she talks to like a human being.
I'm also working on 3 sets of dishcloths for a customer. Love my job!

What she is reading.......

I am reading a book by Kristin Hannah (my OH-SO-favorite author), called Magic Hour. Amazing read. Kristin Hannah continues to amaze me. Just when I thought I had read them all, I come across this older one. *squee*

What she is listening too.......

 You know, we all have our favorites. Mine happens to be country, and Little Big Town. Their harmonizing is like no other. This CD came out last week and I ran to the store to pick it up. It hasn't left my car cd player yet. Brilliant!

What she is watching.......

Why, The Voice, of course. Who isn't. I love Blake Shelton. (but, you knew that from reading what I listen to) And of course, Adam is pure eye candy, and Ceelo, well, he's plain cool. Christina ceases to amaze me with her wicked vocals, and her choice of tops. But, that's to be expected right? You go girl, is what I always say...


Thank you Deb.

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Treasury Tuesday

Today's treasury has been inspiredby the rich colors for fall 2012.

Today's anchor is a Storm Clouds photograph in rich teal by Ana Pontes Photography

Here is what she has to say about her shop

"Ola! I am Ana Pontes and welcome to my shop.
I'm a photographer and an artist (oil and watercolor painting) with background in graphic design. Photography and painting are my passion and color is my biggest inspiration.

I am the owner of art shop anapontesphotography.etsy.com which I welcome you to visit for fine art photography and home decor. I am also a children's portrait photographer based in Curitiba, Brazil."

 

Here is what others are saying about her shop

"This is gorgeous and I am so excited to hang it in my room over my bed! Thank you very much for working with me!"

Until next Tuesday happy browsing everyone.

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Crochet Square Joining Technique

I am often asked about my granny squares. Now granny squares are a basic item that most crocheters know how to make. Most of the time granny squares are one of the first things you learn as you learn to crochet. The challenge then becomes how you do something new with those grannies. Well today I am going to demonstrate a joining technique I use to create a great look to a granny square blanket, you could also use this technique for scarves.

This particular joining creates a ridged ripple along the squares as seen on this blanket. 










How I create this raised ripple pattern.......

Tip: work as you go, then you don't have look at a mountain of squares you have to join. (this only works with squares that do not need to be blocked.) 

As you know a granny corner has three chains. You will be joining the squares together at the middle chain of the granny square.

You will work evenly through both loops along both squares. 

Work around corner onto next square without finishing off. You will end up making two single crochets in middle ch.

The joining will end up looking like this creating a ridged detail diagonally across your blanket or scarf. 

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Treasury Tuesday

Another fall inspired treasury.

Today's anchor is a set of gift tags from Cards by Karen

Shop owner Karen Grise

Here is what she says about her shop...

Welcome to my card shop! I am a software engineer by day and a crafter in my spare time. I've enjoyed doing crafts since I was young. I'm originally from Texas, but I currently live on the West coast with my husband and crazy chocolate Labrador, named Hollister.

I run a very small shop, usually with paper and other supplies strewn all over my desk and dining room table. I started a few years ago after a suggestion from my sister-in-law. I've had a lot of fun making all sorts of cards. I do it as a hobby and on the weekends when I have time. Thanks for stopping by my shop!

In the last couple of years or so I've really gotten into paper embossing. It changes the texture of the paper and gives it more depth. After embossing I like to sand or ink the paper. Paper is flat and I like to get something more from its surface.

I also like to layer diecuts taking them from a flat cutout to a 3D cutout. You will see in all of my items that they are much more than just flat cards. They all have that extra set of layers or embossed texture which makes them unique.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or if you would like a custom order of cards.

You can follow me on Facebook if you'd like:

Thank you for stopping by my shop!

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Here is what others are saying about her shop.....

"Absolutely amazing service and perfect cards. Will definitely order from you again"

"Love this card!!! Perfectly made and safely packaged. Super fast shipping too. I will definitely be back for more of your awesome cards!!! Thanks so much:)"

"Karen's cards are beautiful, unique, and crafted with precision. Her shop on Etsy has become my favorite card shop. I'm always so happy when I open the package and get to see the gorgeous cards she's made for me."

Until next Tuesday happy browsing everyone. 



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How I became a Whovian....

Much of my time is spent with a hook and yarn in my hand and a cup of coffee at my elbow so having a netflix queue on demand is an extremely useful thing. At the beginning of the summer I went looking through netflix for a throw away show to watch in the background of my crochet and I stumbled upon Dr. Who. Most everyone has a Dr Who fan in their lives and I have several so I decided Dr Who was a good choice.

I started with the first season because you should always "start at the beginning and when you get to the end stop." It was NOT a throwaway show. It became a thing. Slight obsession! I watched it from season 1 to season 6 and all I could think about through the 5th season was starting over from the beginning. LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!

A little on David Tennant my newest celebrity crush (and since I only have celebrity crushes I should really appreciate them to their fullest).

An actor able to carry off Shakespeare and laugh at themselves at the same time was no surprise after Christopher Eccleston but David Tennant brought something rather incredible to the role. He has these expressive eyes that could have been in silent movies. His understanding of his strengths as an actor make him a pleasure to watch, especially when he's playing such a campy role as the Dr. has historically been. This new incarnation brings a new respect to Dr. Who and I believe we owe that to David Tennant as the Dr.  Thank you David Tennant. I forgive you for the role you played in that debacle that was the fourth Harry Potter Movie. :)

 

 



 

So here it is, the 7th season and I am decidedly a Whovian.










This strange obsession has led to a new one and I must say that I may love this show more than I love Dr. Who just because I have loved the material since I was a kid. But the writers of Dr. Who have a new labor of love and if you haven't seen it its a must. SHERLOCK!!!!!! Its incredible, treats the familiar material in such an amazing way and its not a new incarnation of Sherlock Holmes its the same one just in a different century.

I am chomping at the bit for the 3rd season of this show. As I look forward to a new Who tonight my thoughts will wander to 2013 and the new fantastic Sherlock

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Whatcha Doin? Me :)

What I am working on....

Cowboy Boot baby booties assembly line and a silk skirt repair?

I love special orders. They stretch you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I am reading....

This is the first time I have ever read these books and yet my mother has owned them all the whole time I was growing up. I've read all of Anne, all of Little Women, how I missed reading these is a blight on my education so I am rectifying my gross oversight.  What I have learned is that in comparison, we of modern day America are a bunch of lazy beggars.

This is the last in the series and then its some steam punk fiction and my most beloved Tolkien. I always want to read Tolkien in the fall. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I am Listening To....

Loreena McKennitt and Celtic music in general, The weather has turned to fallish which always makes me want to go awanderin' and Loreena seems to embody wanderlust in her music. Check her out. She has a fantastic version of Noyes' The Highwayman set to music. Lovely.

 

I am also drawn to the soundtrack of Gladiator right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I am watching....

 

Gotta love this show. Modern day Robin Hoods ( I love Robin Hood, have ever since Disney made a Fox look "foxy"), heists in truncated form, action, wit and stickin' it to the man. What's not to love. :)

I have become a Whovian. Its unexpected and a little sad but I defy anyone who starts this show at the beginning to try not to become one too. But more about that tomorrow.

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