New pictures

After all my moaning about the weather, we've now got lucky and enjoyed glorious sunshine and warm weather for 4 days! 

We've buried all our winter clothes into attic for good, and jumped into shorts and t-shirts. Thankfully I've had 2 days off to enjoy all of this. I've also taken my chance to snap some new pictures of my new listings, two of my friends were brave enough to help me and don't they just look beautiful!

Black cardigan is hand knitted with silk mix yarn; cardi is soft and glorious on skin.

Purple is vintage style cardigan, one of those which will make any girl look like a queen, as it's designed to enhance your figure.

Light grey is more braver style, different lace styled top for summer.

You can find all these at my shop:
www.knitkitbox.etsy.com

Rain drops

I've experienced the Great Irony of Life again. My Etsy shop has been in near stand still since our relocation. Firstly we had some great difficulties with our household goods, including my yarns, needles and felting kits. Whilst packing to come over with my son and dog I had to give in to my mother instincts and actually pack clothes for us, not just fill the suit cases with Highly Important yarns, buttons etc. This meant my hands were tied until the removal boxes were delivered with these treasured items.

Due to several reasons, including one Evil Volcano Eruption, our removal boxes were delayed. When they finally arrived, on another sunny spring day, I jumped into a chance with my Treasured Items and started creating with new force.

I knitted in full speed, enjoyed every second of it whilst sitting by the window admiring the sun and watching green grass push it's way through grey mud. I finished few items, and was ready to tackle next obsticle, which is setting my new stuff into my shop.
As I can not afford a studio with and proffesional model and photographer to do the job for me, I needed someone beautiful to help me out in a outdoor shooting session to get the best possible picture quality.

This meant I was now looking for someone to wear my creations so I could set them up into my shop listings. After careful considerations (read: picked the first friend brave enough to be available) we set the date and got on at it. We managed to plan things, get everything ready and... the heavens opened. They've been open ever since, or they've opened approx 30 minutes before our rearranged and newly scheduled shooting sessions. Grey rain, gray weather and cold winds every time, forcing me and my brave model to a stand still. Ironic, don't you think.

The only conclusion to my knitting battles is: Life can be easier in more sunny places, but not as pretty and colourfull as in others. I'll stay put, wait for sunshine and enjoy it better when it appears. And keep calm with well earned chocolate bar or two...


--The picture's featured today are by two fine artists--

The Thunder Above picture can be found at Reddish Gallery at  http://www.etsy.com/listing/15202702/the-thunder-above-8x10-fine-art-print


Sparkle and Shine picture at While Wandering's shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/45954473/sparkle-and-shine-5x5-fine-art-print

Breath of fresh air

Recycling is a trend. Unfortunately trend is starting to turn against itself, as recycling and enviroment friendly are terms easily and light heartedly used in any marketing and advertising. I tried to make Real Finds in Etsy as well as from web, and 80% I managed to come across was something from the grey zone- something which possibly was recycled, but most likely not, word has just been tagged in to create traffic. Other option I found in my travels was recycled odd items- purely recycled but with no usage purpose, something to purchase to be ecofriendly (but how ecofriendly one can be just by purchasing something with no use or need?) My personal red flag also is too expensive upcycled items- why would I want to pay more for a recycled button ring (plastic button attached to a kinder egg ring) than for a truly handmade silver ring?

Thankfully I found some true crafters! There are still some clever ideas around and clever crafters to make them. This week I chose some of my favorites, have a look and be surprised what can be done!

 

 Bird cage by Paperleaves

This is a blank pop-up greeting card made from recycled and repurposed paper. A tiny red bird sits on its perch in an open cage.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperleaves

Rug like my grandma used to make- by Emmeli Works


Do your fitted sheets wear out faster than your top sheets? Mine do. The good news is that I am left with high thread count sheets that have past their prime for my bed, but still have a lot of love to give. I add all the used fabric I can find that matches (in addition to sheets, this rug contains some shirts, pants and even a poly/cotton shower curtain) then I render that fabric into strips and knot them together using the toothbrush method. A beautiful, soft and durable rug is created!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmmeliWorks 

Recycled rice sack by Panbeh


Recycled basmati rice sack shopping bag . Burlap outer shell and red cotton inside. Great for shopping and going out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/panbeh 

Piano Key Belt Buckle Recycled Licence Plates -


These little baby piano keys are cut from license plates so you can walk, dance, or drive to your own music!
I've designed these buckles with bits of vintage, retired, and found-alongside-the-road vehicle license plates, mostly from the state of Michigan [although Ohio has worked its way in here and there]. These plates have traveled places, and now they will again! 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageinretrospect

 

Lady Liberty -Hand painted upcycled decoupage decorf art canister

The eco-friendly recycled materials used in this item are: a tin can, magazine clippings, recycled paper, and yogi tea tags. This lovely, symbolic piece displays a silver 1890 coin with Lady Liberty upon it and then an illustration of Lady Liberty in her flowing white dress nurturing an injured dove (symbolizing peace); pink tulips and exotic flowers surround the dove. Lady Liberty's hand is also depicted pulling a white rope which represents the strength of liberty; as well as her delicate smile of hope.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ecofriendlyfreckles

Team CAC

All these following beauties have been collected from the Team CAC's production. (You can find more info about our team also from Facebook, from our newly created pages at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Etsy-Team-CAC/101781875105?ref=search&sid=601218211.1950546945..1)

Isn't it fairly amazing what people can create?

I'll quote words of Andre Gide, the French author and Noble Price winner:
"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better".

http://www.crochetedwithlove.etsy.com/

http://www.sewfaithful.etsy.com/

http://www.mysaviour.etsy.com/

http://www.delightedhands3113.etsy.com/

http://www.fallingstarlane.etsy.com/

Something new, something old, and something blue…

My Finnish saga continues, this week I’ve concentrated on Formydarling and Karuski, as well as introducing some new items on my shop.

Formydarling uses only materials she collects from second hand shops and flea markets, and by felting and sewing and altogether upcycling, she gives the old, ordinary pullovers a miraculous new lease of life. One of my favourites in her shop is the owl wedding cake toppers http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38662583 isn’t this couple just adorable? And they beat the plastic lifeless figurines by any given day!



Another artist using mainly repurposed and vintage materials is Karuski. Her sweet purses and jewellery just ooze fairy dust and feminine touch. Have a look at this Princess in me necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39007772

I’ve added some new styles to my shop on this week, following my new style of hats with safety reflectors. I’ve done this experiment with reflectors creating hand bag charms & key chains, as the idea of keeping our loved ones safe in dark winter months has been toying constantly in my mind. I’ve been in touch with other Finn, hard working family business Laxo Design, and created these items around their existing safety reflector styles.

White feminine butterfly reflector is designed by Paola Suhonen, and is also available in other colours at http://www.laxodesign.ch/shop-en.php

I have an idea-join me!

Even though living our day to day life can be hard, even stressful and nerve racking at the best of times, we should come through with flying colours as long as we dress right, be polite to our neighbours, eat well but not too much, exercise regulary, remember the animal rights and global warming, our kid's collage funds and our pensions, and regular contact with family and friends. That's about it, I think.


I also know, I fail all this terribly most of the time. If I can achieve most of these tasks in one week, by Friday I will at least fall flat on my face on top of chocolate cake and complete non-educational tv-program where celebreties have to eat live bugs.


This week has been hard one, not just because I could not watch the last episode of mentioned tv-series, but because all real life plans seemed to fail on me. Again. This has sent me to dark moods, black clothes and to much cake. Even my polar bear husband has understood this, and kept his distance. Looking back, I know there should have been things I should have done differently and by concentrating only on my own problems I have selfishly shut out the outside world. This is the moment where my idea jumps in: as we are closing on Christmas, I've decided to make someone else's life easier, sort of Pay it Forward style. So hereby I challenge all of you to do the same. Let's spend the next 3 weeks quietly helping others, going the extra mile, either with concrete help, and/or prayers; just to make someone else happy! Let's just concentrate on others, the rest will follow. Leave your note of your good deeds on my comments, My 6 year old son will choose the Kindest Act (Remember child will see the truth) and I'll announce the Kindest Act on the last week of this year. The Kindest Act will win one of these mobile phone cases!



Remember treat others as you wish to be treated yourself and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. And as my son says "it's not about winning it about taking apart" !!