It's the Little Things

I am easily amused and please at the slightest things. For example Brett and I went to Pier 1 to find a storage solution for our few (over 60) DVDs. After looking through the store and being very underwhelmed by our options we started to wander and look at other goodies (by we I mean me...Brett kind of just followed me around). While wandering I stumbled upon this beauty:

Not only have Brett and I been looking for a kitchen timer since we moved into our apartment (for some reason our stove doesn't have one) but I LOVE how retro these look. I also love the fact that this timer doesn't buzz when it goes of it rings. You know? Like one of those alarm clocks with the two bells on top? Yep that's how this sounds. I am also obsessed with the fact that it is magnetic and you can just stick him on your refrigerator. I bought the red one. I don't think Brett was as excited with my color choice but I think he'll live. We didn't on the other hand find any sort of storage for our DVDs so the search continues.

In knitting news I have found a yarn shop (the only one) in Cedar Rapids to hang out at and I do so every Wednesday nights while I'm working. The ladies there are super nice and very helpful/supportive. I had been a few times and not bought anything so I had to buy Cookie A's Sock Innovation.

I plan on knitting a pair of socks out of this book for my grandma's very late Christmas gift. I love this book because it not only has sock patterns but it teaches the reader the basic fundamentals of designing a sock. It also teaches the reader how to change patterns from flat to round knitting, and choosing types of stitches and yarn, among other things. I think all knitters could find something in this book to benefit from.

In addition to a knew book my grandmother as also subscribed me to "Knitters" magazine but I have yet to receive a copy and I have also never heard of or seen this magazine before so I'm excited to flip through it. I did buy some yarn and my dear darling loving boyfriend bought my a ton (over $100 worth) of yarn for my birthday. But you will have to wait until I can link Ravelry to my blog to see pictures.

Holy Blog Abandonment!

Alright, so it's been a minute since I've updated or done anything with my blog. A lot has changed since my last update. I have since stopped updating my etsy store (I've abandoned that too), moved to Iowa, and got a big kid job at a non-profit organization. What?! Yeah that's right I'm living a big kid life and as of now it's not too bad but I still miss college. The BF and I are now living together as of late September. He got a job in Iowa and I followed and landed a job shortly after. It worked out really well. Now for the big update. I'm changing the direction of my blog. Instead of posting mostly about what I'm selling on etsy I'm going to focus more on knitting projects, dyeing yarn and techniques (if I ever get anymore bare yarn), cooking/recipes, and home decor stuff. These are the things I have become obsessed with and I need a place to document my successes and undoubtably my failures.

Yay for Sales!

I'm super excited! I just got my second sale in about two weeks. I hope things keep up like this, I know it's not much but after that two month lull of absolutely nothing I'm crazy excited! Here is the yarn I just sold (sorry it's awkwardly large):

I also have three new cotton yarns drying outside. I should have them up in my shop within the next few days. I guess I should buy another spool of cotton yarn to keep up the shop. I think I might buy some roving to make dryer balls. I'll have to research and see how popular they are on etsy before I get crazy though...I didn't do that well enough with my facial scrubbies.

In other news, it's been super stormy in Kansas City. I'm fine with this because I love thunderstorms. Also, it's psych week on the Discovery channel second only to shark week. Sometimes I forgot how much I love psychology.

Back to fiber fun check out this awesome news article related to some knitting vandals: super awesome

I will leave you with that (I hope it catches on).

Dye Fail

Well I have had the last week off from work but I was in Columbia for three days and had a bunch of catching up to do before I could get down to dyeing some new yarns. When I did get around to it I had an epic dye fail. I tried using my regular Jacquard dye on the cotton yarn. I didn't take so when I rinsed the yarn after the dye bath cooled ALL of the dye came out of the yarn. I guess I'll have to get some dye at work and re-do it.

The cotton candy yarn I dyed a few weeks ago might go into the dye bath as well. I'm going to attempt to make a not blinding hot pink yarn and if I put my cotton candy in with it it should go into a half pink half purple yarn. That would be considerably easier to photograph than the super light purple it is now.

In other news I am now in charge of another living thing...my lucky bamboo plant. I named him Brutus and I will love him...and hope that I don't kill him. It shouldn't be a problem this time, the last one I had I put tap water from Columbia in and it killed the whole plant in about 2 days. I've learned my lesson and hope that this one will not peril like the others.

I'm Alive I Promise

So I am a neglectful blog owner. I'm sorry (to the three people who might read this) I'm going to try to do better!

Not much as happened since my last post. I'm officially working for the enemy now, a big dog craft store. I pretty much hate it but I need the money so I'll just have to put up with it until I get a "real" job as I like to call it. I sold my first and most popular set of stitch markers Friday.

Debpolley is now the lucky owner of Naughty Things:

This also happens to be the first order I've had in about two months. I'm hoping that sales pick up for everyone on Etsy. It's pretty slow for a lot of people there. I have been working on a few new things for Autumn Fibers I have a new line of cotton yarns here are a few pictures of what I've done so far:

This is "Pumpkin" it was supposed to be a gold color but ended up being well...a pumpkin color.

This is Amanda's Bright Turquoise. It is my favorite of all the cotton I've got so far. I do have one more but I have yet to photograph it. It's a nice cotton candy combo of light purple and a light sky blue. I have two more skeins to dye, that will probably be my project tomorrow.

Autumn Fibers was also featured on Craftgawker here very exciting. I am also offering small knitted items in my shop now like facial scrubbies and coffee cup sleeves. I'm working on a line of beaded bracelets but haven't been able to master the art of knitting with embroidery floss yet.

Well I'm off to do some knitting while the baby sleeps!

Spring Cleaning at Autumn Fibers

Due to my extreme spring fever and my urges to bring in some new awesome product I am having a "Spring Cleaning" sale! Check out the sale section at Autumn Fibers for great deals on hand painted yarns and stitch markers.

P.S. I got my business cards from Overnightprints.com they are AWESOME. Now I just need some sales so I can pass them out! Pictures soon!

Back in KC/ Feature Friday - Spring Fever

I'm so sorry bloggy, I've been negligent. In my defense I have been very busy. I am back in Kansas City, moving half way across the country twice in less that a month was pretty tough. We did get to stop in Memphis on the way home to get some BBQ and check out Beale Street. We ate at Rendezvous which is one of the big name BBQ places in Memphis and well worth the drive. I also got to see the pyramid at Mud Island again, I saw it in passing the first time when I lived in Arkansas and my family took a road trip to Memphis. Here are a few snap shots!

The big sign before you hit Beale Street

Downtown Memphis

There was a basketball game the night we stopped

The BF's Camaro in front of the pyramid on Mud Island

Back in Kansas City I have officially unpacked and am already making plans to redecorate! I am also working on getting a job. I have new business cards for my shop I got 500 for free from Overnightprints.com they had a promotion so I only had to pay 12 bucks for shipping. Check it out if you're in the market for cards, I love mine. I also started my spring line including lace and sock weight yarns in super fun spring colors. In addition to offering knitting supplies I plan on offering small knitted items in the near future. Stay tuned!

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Now for Feature Friday! It's that time of year again, where people begin to come out of their winter hibernations and start pending more time outside and if you're me....wearing flip flops even though you know it's still to cold in hopes that will make the weather warmer, faster. So this feature Friday is in dedication to spring!

I've started paying more attention to decorating and storage/wall space and I saw this wall vase/hooks by OldNewAgain and fell in love! It's so creative and decorative at the same time! The red flowers really make a nice pop against the turquoise board.

So not everyone has a green thumb. I mean you forget to water your plant a few times and what happens? Well you know...so here is your solution:

janejoss has came up with a cute care free solution for those forgetful gardeners. She has so many cute patterns to choose from as well as different types of "plants" to choose from! Just pick the fabric that matches your style/decor!

These cups by PrettyMyDrink are awesome:

I love my coffee (any time of the year) and I just broke my giant mug, tragic I know. Not everything about Spring has to be brightly colored, these black dandelions are a perfect example! Super cute, hand painted, and dishwasher safe!