Handmade Chicago and Updates!

Hey everyone! Sorry I took so long to post after the market this weekend, I've been recouping. But now I'm recouped, so here we go.

Here is a picture of my booth this past weekend:

It was pretty dark in the place so sorry about the shoddy photo quality.

It went really well, it was way too short, but that's okay. Being my very first craft show I learned a whole lot. I'll be posting a "what I learned" post on Over Extracted later today. It might be good to read if you are interested in doing a craft show yourself sometime.

I met a whole lot of cool people and swapped some and bought some and had some people buy some from me. It was really great and super fun. I got a lot of great feedback on packaging and display so that made me pretty happy. I don't think I will be doing it again in December simply because they allowed smoking and I thought it would be okay, but my throat is still hurting from it (the guy in the next spot over was smoking the whole show, lame).

So I scooted myself into another local craft sale on a friend's suggestion (thanks Carolyn!). So I'm going to have a table at the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival High School Craft Show on Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th from 9am to 5pm. It's actually supposed to be really good and I'm looking forward to spreading the word about Craft Leftovers to people who may not normally be into blogs/recycled craft projects.

On that note, I've decided to not do a large shop update until after I send out Craft Leftovers Monthly on the 29th. I think it would just be too much to try to get done.

On the topic of Craft Leftovers Monthly, it will be going on sale on Monday, October 22nd. I have lots of fun stuff planned out for it. I will post a preview Sunday night so be looking for it.

Well kiddos, I think that's all! See you on Saturday!

Kristin

Ode to Phyllis

I have all of my grandma’s knitting needles, and let me tell you, for a woman who said “oh I don’t really knit” she had a ton. I guess I’m just like her. I don’t tat, but I have 3 shuttles! I don't really silk screen, but have a print gocco, photo emulsion, screens, filler, and like 5 things of silk screen inks. Geeze. I knit all the time, but honestly, I can’t use aluminum needles because they make my hands cramp up. I really want to use them for something more than just a bouquet of needles on my craft table that they are right now, something to remember her by. My friend mentioned using my needles as handles for a tote, I took it just a little further and bent them into a handle shape and volia and presto chango! Knitting needles into perfect handles from my grandma’s perfect stash!


Download the pattern here (pdf).

My mom is in town this weekend and she was reading in my comfy chair while I was putting the finishing touches on the tote inspired by my grandma's comprehensive stash. She came out to the kitchen and said, "You know, falling asleep in the chair over there reminded me of all the times I fell asleep listening to the sound of your grandma sewing." That just makes me so happy to hear. I feel really connected to her even now, as if she's up there guiding my stitches.

Okay, so, coming up this next weekend is the Handmade Market! It's at the Empty Bottle from noon to 4:30 in Chicago. It should be a whole lot of fun and there are sure to be a lot of great people there, including myself and my friend Joanna.


Along the same line, I realize that this week is going to be nuts with last minute preparations and what not, so there will not be a pattern on the 13th. I'll post some pictures from the market and what not following monday.

If you are by any means in the area, come check it out, I would love to meet you!

Have a great week!

++Kristin++

They are on their way! Hooray!

I'm so happy and relieved to let you know that:
1) my power is back on, it was only out for a few hours, but it was just long enough to make me miss the post office.
2) I totally messed up the layout and had to reprint and cut and staple the zine (my own fault there).
3) I finally got everything together and no more hitches (except a few hot glue burns) and, woo hoo, it's on it's way!

If you are in the US you should your October Craft Leftovers Monthly on Saturday or Monday and if you are international, by the end of next week. (I hope)

Thank you so much for be patient with me and for ordering and all of the nice comments you left this weekend while I was going through neck junk. It's doing pretty good, but I'm still taking it easy on it (less hunched over working).

Have a good week everyone! See you all on Saturday!

Kristin's Power is out

Hey everyone this is Jason again, Kristin's power is out and she can't print out the postage and zine as well, hopefully the power will be back on tomorrow and she will have them out then. Thanks for waiting everyone.

Pain in the Neck

Literally! So, I'm finally at a point where I can give you an update. This morning I completely through my neck out. I can barely turn my head side to side and there is no way I can sew (mooooan... woe is me!). I have the pattern all mapped out, but I'm beat from having to work all day (all my energy went into "suck it up Kristin" while at work and now that I'm home I've turned into some kind of pumpkin), I just can't sew right now. I'm throwing in the towel, I'm not going to get a pattern up this week. But there will be one next week and it's going to be so cool that it will blow your minds.

My friend is coming over tomorrow to help me out with the Craft Leftovers Monthly subscriptions, so that will go out on Monday as planned. She totally rocks and is going to help this poor old lady in a 24 year old's body get things together.

I'm hoping that a good evening of r & r and hot and cold compresses will get me back to good by tomorrow.

Just to give you a little bit of crafty goodness, I dyed this yarn up a bit ago, loved it so much I made two batches, so I could knit with it. (the other batch sold right off, sweet!) It's my first go at toe up socks and I'm loving it. I want to work on that too tonight, but alas, I think I might have to resolve myself to a movie and tea... my little fingers are feeling fidgety just thinking about not having anything in their hands.


Anyway, thanks for putting up with me! I'll post an update on Craft Leftovers Monthly on Monday.

-ps if you did not get an email confirmation, that's because I completely forgot to send them out! geesh! I got about half way through, had to stop and then forgot to pick it back up again until I realized it just now, that little "oh crap" bell just went off in my head. I'll send those out tomorrow in the am (if I'm up to it, just to whine a little more, typing is starting to hurt my poor body too and my hands are going numb, lame!, this is soooooo annnnnnnnoying!*(&#@*&), just to make sure I have your physical addresses correct.

Love,
Ms Whiny Pants Kristin

Fall Knit Head Wrap

We received a nice arctic blast this past week that made me think about fall and winter knitting. The Summer Knit Head Wrap just wasn't going to cut it for those cool days and cold nights ahead. So, a Fall Knit Head Wrap seemed to be in order. It's wider, warmer, and less holey than it's sister. Perfect for keep your ears warm!



Download the pattern here (pdf).

Thank you to everyone who placed an order this week! I appreciate it so much. All October subscriptions will be mailed out October 1st.

Also, make sure to check out the new kit in the shop for the honey bunny. He's such a cute rabbit and would love to be a part of your home. More new kits will be added on Sunday, so make sure to check back in the PM.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Update

The Craft Leftovers Monthly subscriptions are sold out! Thank you everyone!

New kits will be in the shop tonight at 10pm! (Finally! I'm so excited about the Honey Bunny having a kit, it turned out really cute!)

Okay, off to class. Check back in the shop at 10pm.


They are up!

Hi Y'all

Haha, I kind of like the word "y'all." Anyway. I just thought I would let you know that there are just 3 kits left! Wowzers! Thank you! If you were thinking about getting one and haven't yet, y'all should. They are going pretty fast. Plus, the October issue is going to kick it, not to be missed.

I had some annoying junk to take care of this afternoon that cut into my product shot time... so I tried when I got home from class and it was a no go. So I'm going to reshoot tomorrow afternoon and the kits will be in the shop shortly there after.... they . are . so . cute! (girly voice there)

Thanks again everyone!

Craft Leftovers Monthly!

It's up! Get your's here! They will be on sale until Monday September 24th and will all be sent out at the same time Monday, October 1st, 2007.

Each month subscribers receive a package filled with:
+++A kit for a pattern from the previous Craft Leftovers post
+++Reclaimed Craft Leftovers goodies (flat quarters of vintage fabric, buttons, iron on patches, ribbon, etc)
+++Craft Leftovers Monthly - A 10 page zine filled with as much tips on leading a stress free crafty lifestyle, a Craft Leftovers Monthly only project, cutout project cards, and reclaimed leftovers sprinkled throughout as a 10 page zine can hold.
+++Little handmade goodies that go along with the zine’s content.

Each subscriber's package is unique because it is made up of reclaimed leftovers and therefore a few of each kind only.

If you are ordering one month, you can just add the subscription to your shopping cart and pay like usual. If you would like to order 2 or 3 months, please add just ONE to your cart and check out. +++Select "OTHER" as your payment method+++ I will send you an invoice with your correct total within 24 hours.

Subscriptions cost:
1 month = $15.00 (+$2.00 s&h)(+$4.50 s&h for Europe)
2 months = $28.00 (+$4.00 s&h)(+$9.00 s&h for Europe)
3 months = $39.00 (+$6.00 s&h)(+$13.50 s&h for Europe)

Bibzilla

There will always be something just so cute about baby bibs, especially when they are covered with pureé pea soufflé of course. They are quick to whip up and super special for that special little one, or friend’s little one, in your life.

I've been in the mind set of "Christmas crafting" and this little guy will be great for any of the little ones that are in the family.

Download the pattern here (pdf).

Sorry about the delay in pattern today. I'm moving super slow yesterday and today, this sick thing hits me hard. I was so excited about these little guys that I couldn't just cancel this weekend. I mean heck, the clock is ticking, we need to get started making stuff... crazy! I suppose hand made does need more time than just stopping buy the local mall. Which I totally love about it, it's way more thoughtful.

Anyway back to the fun stuff. Craft Leftovers Monthly will be going on sale this Monday at 3 pm Central US time. I'm going to post a little teaser tomorrow evening to give you an idea about the fun that will be had. I'm really excited about it... I mean October has Halloween! It's been a lot of fun coming up with themes and projects and such for this issue. I know you will all love it.

Also, check out this awesome review Sister Diane of the CraftyPod wrote about it! Wow! Thank you so much! Totally made my day!

Oh and other fun stuff. I just finished revising the Honey Bunny Pattern and the corrected version (only like 2 or 3 things that were a matter of making it easier to make) will be posted on Wednesday as well as kits to make your own! Hooray! That's right, new stuff will be going in the shop on Wednesday!

And with that I'm going to bed, goodnight and keep it crafty out there!

CraftyPod Goodness

Sister Diane of the CraftyPod contacted via email about a month or so ago with some questions on craft overload. We did a follow up interview just 2 Sundays ago and now the show is up, wow she is fast! She interviewed quite a few crafty ladies for the show and it's packed with great insights on how to deal with and avoid becoming overwhelmed with all the craft goodness out there.

To listen to the show and for more details click here.

Thanks so much to Sister D, it was such a pleasure to chat with her and I am so honored that I was asked to participate.

And super thanks to all of you for inspiring me to keep at it, you totally rock.

And now back to cutting and stuffing subscriptions! Woot!

Dynamic Duo

My couch is well, a broken down futon inherited from a friend who got it from a friend and so on. It doesn’t stay in the grooves, so is perpetually sunk in with the bend resting on the floor. When you sit on it your knees can be all the way to your chest (or at least that is how it feels to me anyway). Needless to say it’s okay for sitting cross legged on or on the edge if I’m working on things on my coffee table, but not really just for sitting. My friends avoid it. I don’t blame them. So I need to fix that, or get a new couch, but the latter won’t happen. So the solution? Pillows! I didn’t have enough of the same yarn to make a full knit/crocheted pillow, so I backed them with a sturdy decor fabric. I needed more than just one, so two it is. One is knit and one is crochet.

Okay, i thought everything was great, but it's not downloading the revised pattern. I'm going to have to fix it when i get home or I'll be late to work. I'm having issues again!

Hooray! It's fixed (I think it was actually just me and my browser not refreshing from the server or some such thing).

Download the pattern here (pdf).

In other news:
I'm steadily working towards revamping the shop (it's coming, just slowly). As soon as I started school everything kind of spun out of control, but life is yet again regaining order, hooray!

Subscriptions will be going out on Monday so you can start checking your mail boxes towards the end of the week (I love getting mail!).

On another note on that end, I've decided that I want to change the send out date to the first Monday of the month instead of the second, so the October subscriptions will be going on sale Monday, September 17th for one week, then be sent out Monday, October 1st. I'll send out the time in the mailing list and make an announcement with photos and whatnot closer to the date. (You can sign up for the mailing list by clicking here - link).

Oh that's the other thing. I'm working on getting all the photos of projects I've taken into the flickr group, I'm going to try to get it organized into topics for each pattern. Feel free to join the group and add your Craft Leftovers project photos too, it's open to the public. (link)

And thank you so much to the pattern testers who tested this pattern to make sure it was A-okay!

Have a good week!

Mailing List and Stuff

Hey there folks, a couple of updates.

1. After a couple of requests, there is now a Craft Leftovers mailing list. Click on the link in the sidebar under the "About" header. Be the first to know about shop updates, upcoming shows, and craft leftovers contests.

2. I'm not sure how long the hard drive recovery is going to take, so I'm just going to do something else. It will be up by tomorrow morning. I'm just running through it again to make sure all my math is right.

Okay, it's 1 am on monday night/tuesday morning.... this just isn't happening is it. I'm just going to admit defeat and move on. A pattern this labor day weekend was just not meant to be. No labor on labor day right?

I was able to get the hard drive recovered and will have a really great pattern ready for this weekend.

Oh and the other thing. I've realized that now that I've started school, it's going to take longer to get the store revamped. I'm not sure what a more realistic date would really be though. I'm going to think about it, see how things play out with school and what not. I'll let you all know as soon as I get it figured out.

Have a good labor day!

Out of town!

It turns out that I'm going to be leaving out of town right after work tomorrow and will not be able to revamp shop this weekend. Some stuff is backordered and just isn't going to arrive on time too. I guess everything doesn't always turn out just right.

I'm hoping that things will come through by next weekend. I'll at least have most of the shop updated by next Friday.... hopefully.

The pattern will be updated tomorrow morning as usual though, so no worries there.

See you all in the morning!

Edited in: This must be a day of issues. I know it must be a throw back from the computer issue I had before, but I can't find the pattern that I was going to post tomorrow. I've looked... and looked. Sigh.

Okay, so new plan. Jason is going to extract my hard drive on Sunday, so hopefully, that will get my set of unpublished lost patterns back. And then... by Monday... hopefully.... I will have a pattern up.

I am so sorry about all this mess! And thankfully it will all be ironed out soon. Hard drive extraction. Woot. Maybe. It may not work. I'll keep you posted.

Hopefully I'll be back with good news about the hard drive!

(lots of hopefullies here)

Sold Out!

All the confirmations have been sent out. Thank you everyone!

Craft Leftovers Monthly

I've been kicking around the idea of making a monthly subscription for Craft Leftovers for a couple of months now. When the Babylock sewing machine was donated to me, I wanted to do something special for Alice to repay her for her kindness. I started thinking about a kit a month club, maybe a package of reclaimed leftovers, both would be nice, then what about a special project? Well why not a little zine? It all came together yesterday and here it is hot off the press!



Each month subscribers would receive a package filled with:
+++A kit for a pattern from the previous month of Craft Leftovers
+++Reclaimed Craft Leftovers goodies (flat quarters of vintage fabric, buttons, iron on patches, etc)
+++Craft Leftovers Monthly - A 10 page zine filled with as much tips on leading a stress free crafty lifestyle, a Craft Leftovers Monthly only project, cutout bonus projects, and reclaimed leftovers sprinkled throughout as a 10 page zine can hold.
+++Little handmade goodies that go along with the zine’s content.

Each subscriber's package is unique because it is made up of reclaimed leftovers and therefore a few of each kind only.

Subscriptions cost:
1 month = $12.00 (+$2.00 s&h)
2 months = $22.00 (+$4.00 s&h)
3 months = $30.00 (+$6.00 s&h)

Here is a link to the listing in the etsy shop: Craft Leftovers Monthly!

The subscriptions are open until Monday, September 3rd and will be sent out Monday September 10th. There are only 20 subscriptions available so pick your's up asap so you make sure you get signed up.

The September Subscriptions are all sold out! Holy Moly folks, thank you so much!

I have a busy day today with class, I'm just on break right now. I will send as many as I can manage confirmations and revised invoices right now, and then finish up when i get home tonight. Thank you sooooo much!

We will see how doing 20 goes this month and maybe up it to 25 or 30 next month. I just didn't want to go overboard. One step at a time right.

Thanks again!

Enjoy!

The Perfect Dishcloth.... Knit Style!

I've been thinking for quite some time now that there was a need for a knit version of the perfect dishcloth. I really like it half felted, or even just with two different colors it looks really nice. It make doing the dishes quite a bit easier and quite a bit more enjoyable. Handmade kind of does that for me.


And unfortunately this is a teaser. I completely forgot that I still needed to set up my server info on my new computer and can't get the pattern up. It is finished. Which makes it all that more annoying. The thing is that I honestly have no idea how to set it up and need to wait until Jason (my boyfriend who just happens to be the best guy ever) wakes up, which will be after I leave to work. I guess that means it won't be up until later tonight.

Download the pattern here: The Perfect Dishcloth-Knit (pdf)

Keep it crafty!

Good stuff to report... finally!

After many set backs this summer, things are calming down a bit and working themselves out.

I took my ibook to the apple store (a day trip really, it's an hour and a half away) and was confirmed in my fears that it was indeed kaput (not capute, hehe, woops). Sigh. I am just so thankful that because of the generosity of you guys I only had to replace a computer and not a sewing machine too. Oh I did get it the other day and am starting to figure out how to use it... it's kind of complicated... but hopefully a sewing pattern by next week. To read more about the trip to the apple store, you can read a post on it on my personal more ranty blog, Overextracted.

Okay, so good stuff. New computer, new to me sewing machine that works so awesome, my little ferret buddy is still hanging in there and actually doing well.

Now for Craft Leftovers related stuff. I am officially going to be participating in the Handmade Market in Chicago! Woot! Craft Leftovers first show! So if you are anywhere near the Chicago area come and check it out. It is Saturday, October 13th from noon to 4:30 at the Empty Bottle.


Now the other Craft Leftovers news has to do with the Etsy shop. I'm going to revamp it come September 1stish. Most likely it will take the weekend. I'm going to take most everything down, reshoot, and relist it. Mainly the kits. I'm going to start including everything in them, including hooks or knitting needles and anything else that the pattern calls for. I'm also going to add a couple of other types of kits.

After being so "don't under sell yourself, value your time.... etc etc" I realized that is what I have been doing. So the prices will go up a bit come Sept 1stish.

So I guess what I'm saying is that if you have had your eye on something in the shop, you should pick it up before the first if you would like it at the cheaper price. If you would like to get the hook or knitting needles with your kit, just let me know and I can send you the revised invoice.

Oh and priority mail will become an option if you would like to get your package faster. It will be $6 flat rate on all priority mail shipping no matter the size/weight.

And the Winners Are....

Grand Prize: Alice for outstanding massive scrap use up
Second Prize: Anary for using all those bits and some yo yo fun!
Honorable mentions:
Rachel from http://www.notsosuburban.com
Kimberly from http://artistikdiva.etsy.com
Laurie
Lauren W.
Laura from http://minnie.typepad.com/halfassedcrafter/

The prizes are as follows:
++First Place: $15 gift certificate to the Craft Leftovers Shop; Craft Leftovers Pin Back Button
++Second Place: $10 gift certificate to the Craft Leftovers Shop; Craft Leftovers Pin Back Button
++Honorable Mentions: Craft Leftovers Pin Back Button or Silk Screen Patch (your choice) and 30% off your next Craft Leftovers Shop Order

Pinny Stitch Markers

I always get these grandiose ideas about polymer clay. I think I'm going to make these wonderfully maticulous little doo dads... and then nothing. Maybe some mashed up bits, but not much else. Combine that with the fact that I made some earrings a while back and you get 20 jump rings and 4 earring hooks. What the heck am I going to do with the other 16!

Well, I decided to make some stitch markers. But instead of those pegs that are used for jewelry making, we are just going to use plain old straight pins. So not only are they super inexpensive, but super quick. They definitely make great presents for any knitter you know. Yeah, I'm thinking about Christmas already.

I went a little nuts once I got going on them and before I knew it I had a whole pan full:


Here you go:


Now you may have noticed the throw back to a jpg instead of a pdf, well..... so... Thursday night, I was sipping tea, working on stuff.... I turn my back for a second to go make some popcorn in the other room and I come back to see the ferrets tag teaming my poor ibook. The dumped my tea all over the keyboard and shorted it out.... So I lost all of my programs, particularly the one that lets me put pdf's onto the craftleftovers server.... among a lot of other stuff like all my patterns' original files for the past few months. Sigh, I now know, a little too late, that even if I think it's out of ferret reach, no liquid is ever safe around my open laptop.

This is what shows up when I try to turn it on:

At least it's turning on now, but I think, what it's telling me, is "woops, I'm not able to find a drive to boot up off of."

So I dusted off my old laptop, a Sony Vaio from about 5 years ago, and started it up. I have to keep it plugged in at all times because the battery is crap, but at least it's working. Then it did this:
Twice...

I think it's telling me "what the heck are you doing? I'm old, calm the heck down, stop openning programs, ah! Blhark." I restarted it, twice, and it seems okay.... not sure how long for though.

So I'm not sure how I'm going to get a new laptop, but I think my old one will work for now... we will see.

Anyway, all that, kept me from posting the winners of the birthday contest last night, and now I have run out of time and don't have them ready still. I have the winners picked out, but I need to leave. I am just going to do a separate post for the winners. Most likely tomorrow afternoon. Maybe sooner.... or later actually, I can't get consistent wireless so I'm going to wait until I get that so I can post pictures and whatnot. Sorry about the delay of game!

See you all soon! Have a good and crafty weekend!