Stockannette

Little dude, big favor!

2012-01-27T17:22:00.004-05:00

Readers, what say we help this little dude win a new wheelchair?

I heard about him from my pal LaRue (you know LaRue; she makes all my favorite earrings, keychains, etc.). Here's what she shared on facebook the other day:

"This is Jorden, my cousin's son. I have asked for prayers for him previously, as he has many health issues. Convaid is giving away a new wheelchair to the child with the most 'likes' [in their Facebook contest]. Jorden is outgrowing his current chair, and the new chair would allow him access to areas that he can not get to conveniently now. Please click on the 'like' button associated with Jorden's photo. A comment would also be helpful."

It just takes two clicks to help! One click here and then one to "like" the pic of Jorden. If for some reason the link above is not working for you, you can also access it through my Facebook page. Thank you kindly. You rock!

Warning: cutess factor: HIGH.

2012-01-19T09:32:00.004-05:00

Told you. Are these not the sweetest little slippers you've ever seen? Hopefully they turn out to be "somewhere between a 6 and a 7" which is what size Ellie's mom says she wears. I googled shoe size measurements and made them as long as the results said. I got the handmade fleece flowers from hksupermom during a Sneak Attack (See? Undiscovered Etsy shops can have the most amazing things!); the genius-y slipper pattern was designed by Little Red Mitten - and she provides instructions for making them in all sizes from baby to grown-up! Regarding the yarn, you know I can be kind of a yarn snob, right? But slippers for a kid must be soft and machine-washable. This is what I used; was super-soft and pleasant on a knitter's hands! Since the pattern calls for two strands held together, I grabbed the center-pull and the outside of the skein - which means my yarn-ball holder came in quite handy. There - now you can go make slippers for your adorable cousins!

Giveaway!

2012-01-16T13:41:00.003-05:00

Help fellow Etsian Jess celebrate her birthday TODAY and win a little something from The Bee! Here are details.

Blogspot feature!

2011-12-08T09:03:00.003-05:00

Hi! Since I'm a co-sponsor of today's kindly Sneak Attack, my pal Sandi has posted a little profile of me on the Handmade Movement blog! Check it out if you have a moment - I'm excited to be helping Crystal, a brand-new Sponsor, make some new Etsy shops' day!

Whee!

2011-11-18T08:53:00.002-05:00

Check out my Sneaky pal Miss Bitty's blog - I think you'll see a little hat that you recognize! What a nice way to get ready for the weekend, huh? P.S. Stop by Bitty's Christmas pretties section, while you're at it! We all need more charming decor, right? I know I do!

Starting next Friday!

2011-11-04T15:49:00.003-04:00

Support my Gays (plus see some awesome movies, meet some handsome twins, and maybe even win some prizes)!

Cuteness level: extra high!

2011-11-01T09:39:00.004-04:00

Flower can hardly wait for a Christmas-y photo shoot! Happy Halloween!

You heard it here first!

2011-10-16T19:40:00.004-04:00

Our new hamster, Flower, is a hint about tomorrow's Sneak Attack on new/undiscovered Etsy shops! Here's our discussion thread for the day - and check the Handmade Movement at or after 7pm EDT to find out which shops I picked!

Hello, Front Page!

2011-09-16T08:49:00.004-04:00

My latest Treasury made it to the Front Page of Etsy - at 2 a.m., but still, wheeeee!

Halloween: it's not too early to be thinking about it.

2011-08-24T13:19:00.004-04:00

Handmade and vintage finds... what do you think of my latest Treasury?

Bees can tweet!

2011-08-12T09:01:00.003-04:00

And can you imagine that twitter led to my shop being featured on Reviewed By Mom?! True - and exciting! Now, darling readers, go follow her blog so you're in the know.

Norway.

2011-07-22T14:50:00.004-04:00

My latest Treasury, thinking of someplace I've never been... but I did have a Norwegian friend years ago.

Look what I got!

2011-07-18T10:30:00.006-04:00

Remember last year, when I won a binder cover from madbird? All this time I've been trying to decide what to else to order, since I know her quality of workmanship firsthand. Well, couple a fabulous mix tape fabric with my new-found interest in spinning with a drop spindle, and voila: check out my new spindle bag!

Look in the pocket and you'll see the matching, removable zipper pouch there in the pocket. Handy!

There is a stationary divider inside, specifically designed to keep your fiber completely separate from your spindle! Clever!

Here it is all loaded up... and I can carry it via the handle or the sturdy drawstrings! Perfect!

Here's that link again, since I know you'll want to order some madbird goodies for yourself... and while you're at it, be sure to check out her group on Ravelry!

Bottom line: getting exactly what you want, handmade with impeccable detail, is priceless (and in madbird's case, very reasonably priced)! Plus, having a real bag for my spinning gear makes me feel like it's official: I can make yarn!

Who wants to win this?

2011-07-14T10:54:00.003-04:00

I've designed and knitted a new baby hat, and it's up for grabs in the next Handmade Giveaway !

I thought it would be a fun baby gift or photographer's prop, since it has an elf-y, stocking cap kind of vibe. The hat, peak, and tassel each measure about 4.5 inches, in alternating yellow, brown, green, orange, and purple stripes. It'll fit baby noggins between 14 to 17 inches.

Care instructions: machine wash (warm), tumble dry (low). Yarn is 75% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon.

Help The Bee's designer out!

2011-06-30T10:38:00.005-04:00

Lovely readers, would you please do me a favor? My dear friend Matt, who designed the Stockannette Bee for me, has been chosen as a finalist in Mondo Guerra's (of Project Runway fame) Go, Mondo, Go t-shirt design contest! If you "like" Mondo's faceplace page, you can then cast a vote for Matt's design by "liking" it, too! So, two clicks is all it takes - wouldn't it be exciting if he won? Here's a screen capture, so you know what Matt's looks like (isn't it fabulous?!)...

Thanks for your help!

This is what happens when a bee tweets!

2011-06-28T16:10:00.003-04:00

I sent out tweets saying, "Hey, Etsy fans: tweet me your orange and/or aqua items; I'll put the first sixteen applicable responses into my next Treasury! Sound fun?" and here are the results: Orange & Aqua: a Twitter-spawned Treasury! I hope you enjoy it; it was great fun to interact with random, super-talented tweeps!

How does this look?

2011-06-17T13:10:00.003-04:00

I've adjusted my blog settings to adjust for those of you looking at this on a mobile phone! Fancy! Here's my latest Treasury; tell me how you like it!

Have I mentioned... ?

2011-05-24T14:39:00.003-04:00

... that I'm ...

That's right, my pal Joy (whose oldest son Jude is my favorite little boy pumpkin model) has kindly featured me on her Wall of Faves! Go visit Joy's Etsy shop for rockin', adorable printable and customizable paper and party items, too!

Update!

2011-05-11T13:37:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I updated the blog! I've been busy knitting, working, attending to a family emergency in California, reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and have I mentioned knitting? I'm currently designing a darling little stripy baby hat (pics soon). I registered to take a drop-spindle class at the Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival in June... imagine being able to make one's own yarn!

Oh, and Merino, my wonderful, super-genius husband, has graduated Summa Cum Laude, so we've had time to hang out together! We've been to more movies in the past month than in the entire previous year!

A friend and I recently went to the Children's Museum and saw the traveling exhibit of famous movie and t.v. costumes, including the wicked witch's hat from the Wizard of Oz! Talk about thrilling! We also enjoyed the Barbie exhibit!

So, what's up with you, darling readers?

Attention, Sneak Attackers!

2011-03-08T13:30:00.004-05:00

Take this brief survey about the Handmade Movement, home of the Sneak Attacks, and you could win a $20 gift certificate to my Etsy shop! (Yes, I have an alternate prize ready in case a knitter is the person whose email address is drawn on April 1.)

Special thanks to my Sneaky pal Sandi, who came up with the survey idea and made it happen!

Feeling Sneaky?

2011-02-07T08:09:00.003-05:00

Me, too! Sneak Attacks were on winter break, but we're back, and here's today's thread!

Even if you haven't gotten the hang of the new Etsy forums yet, you can still check The Handmade Movement at 6 p.m. Eastern time for the names of a some new Etsy shops we're going to surprise with as many sales as we can! There will be plenty of items under $10 available, and international shipping by at least one shop, so please join in the fun of letting an 'undiscovered' independent artist know WE SEE YOUR WORK AND WE SUPPORT YOU!

As today's Sneak Attack sponsor, I'm trying to get the word out as much as possible, and I'd appreciate your help spreading the word about our Sneaky mission!

Also of interest: there's a giveaway next week, so enter now! AND I'm feaured on the HM blog today. Check out this profile by Sandi and you'll learn something I haven't blogged about yet.

I like the winter weather!

2010-12-16T13:14:00.002-05:00

so I made this Treasury, inspired by the song, "It's a Marshmallow World in the Winter." Enjoy!

Indy LGBT Film Fest: Nov. 12-14, 2010

2010-11-12T14:19:00.006-05:00

Click here for Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival schedule, venues, previews, sponsors, news, and more! It's the 10th year! There are 45 films! Grab your fairy princess and go - that's what my Gays are doing! You'll laugh, you'll cry; it'll become a part of you - and I'm not just saying that because I worked on the search for documentaries!

On a serious note, the proceeds from our film festival go directly to Indiana Youth Group (IYG) a nonprofit community center serving the needs of gay, lesbian, bi, trans, etc. youth in Indianapolis. Right now it is especially important that organizations such as IYG receive all the support we can give.

One hat, two pom poms, many looks - ONE WINNER!

2010-10-22T10:24:00.000-04:00

Here's the hat I made for the next Handmade Giveaway. ENTER NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

This is my own original design; I was aiming for a modified jester/Santa/convertible/unique look. How do you think I did?

One lucky person will win this one-of-a-kind hat from the Handmade Movement; you know, home of the Sneak Attacks! Stay tuned!

Win over $275-worth of handmade loveliness!

2010-09-20T11:02:00.002-04:00

Click here to read all about it and find out the MANY ways you can enter for chances to win...

Sneak Attack! Today at 6pm Etsy time

2010-08-12T09:08:00.002-04:00

I'm sponsoring today's Sneak Attack on a couple of relatively undiscovered Etsy shops. They'll be announced here at 6:00 Eastern time (we are GMT-5:00, for you international readers), at which time we'll be checking out their shops, hearting, and maybe even purchasing a thing or two! Please join me in giving just-started-out, low-sales shops a little boost! Questions, answers, knock knock jokes? We'll be hanging out here until the Attack starts; come on by!

You bettah work!

2010-07-27T12:45:00.005-04:00

Check out my super models:

Jude, who apparently loves having is his picture taken in his new pumpkin hat, and Emma, who seems to be conducting a thorough quality inspection of hers! How lucky am I that my Sneaky pals have such gorgeous children?!

So far, I've got three sizes of pumpkin hat available in my shop (newborn, baby, and toddler - check the baby and toddler listings for more pics of Emma and Jude, but please, be prepared for cuteness overload to immediately set in - again!) and I'm working on one for bigger kids... coming soon! I just couldn't wait to share these cutie-pie pictures with you, and thank the models' moms for taking and sharing the pics with me!

Mystery "song" which might technically be more of a nursery rhyme...

2010-07-24T21:07:00.005-04:00

Check out my new Treasury!

Owl vs. Squirrel

2010-07-22T16:43:00.001-04:00

Not really - I just thought it was a catchy title for my new Treasury:

Loving The Buzz!

2010-07-21T09:48:00.004-04:00

My little lemon zest knit baby hat got in a pretty Treasury, and then that Treasury was featured on S and O Productions: Treasury Tuesday The Elite Eight! Many thanks to LovelyTiffy and Olivia!

Also, can I just say how much I enjoy the new "tweet this," "share on faceplace," etc. features below?! Not to mention how fun it's going to be to see you click away at my new agree, disagree, hot tranny mess, love, and huh? buttons!

New Treasury!

2010-07-06T14:00:00.002-04:00

Deviled Eggs & Lemon Bars - special thanks to Shell for the inspiration!

Speaking of too much pork for just one fork...

2010-07-04T20:50:00.003-04:00

Check out the "We have a wiener!" news post on Southern Culture on the Skids' website! We won the hottest, coolest pinstriped grill - but the personalized-to-me photo completely blows me away! While you're there, you, too, can win a little something - a free song download, just for signing up for their mailing list! You'll need to know when Mary and the guys are coming to a town near you - their shows are something special, and not to be missed!

I love you. Get tested.

2010-06-25T18:08:00.004-04:00

My latest Etsy Treasury.

This Is What An Oil-Soaked Ocean Wave Looks Like...

2010-06-21T20:41:00.003-04:00

Click here.

That is why we are raising money by shopping for handmade and vintage items at HelpTheGulfCoast

The link you've been waiting for!

2010-06-21T10:55:00.002-04:00

Here is the link to today's Sneak Attack discussion thread. Please come by, say hi, and help us keep it up at the top of the Etsy forums, in the hope of attracting even more new people to participate!

It's gonna be a good one - I really mean it!

New Treasury:

2010-06-19T16:49:00.002-04:00

Here's a link.

Monday Monday Monday!

2010-06-18T18:35:00.003-04:00

... we'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the eddddge!

Sorry, a monster truck rally commercial just overtook me!

Hey, I am sponsoring Monday's Sneak Attack on Etsy (read more about what that means here) and I would love love love for you to participate (which means check The Handmade Movement at or after 7 p.m. Eastern time for the name of the lucky "victim" shop, then heart and cart at will). You really really reallllly don't want to miss this one. I swear.

About the start time: we operate on "Etsy time" - which means it starts at 7 p.m. East Coast time, since Etsy is based in New York. For you international shoppers (and yes, the victim ships worldwide, so you can play, too!), we are GMT-5:00... I hope that makes sense.

Even if you cannot participate, you can help this whole wingding be a smashing success by spreading the word via your own blog, twitter, facebook, etc. The Handmade Movement and I can both be found on those special social networking venues:

Stockannette on twitter and facebook
The HM on twitter and facebook

Want an email reminder, written by yours truly, on Sneak Attack days? Send me an email and I will be happy to comply!

Thanks - I am thankful to be a part of such a community effort, and I appreciate your help!

Overheard in the Forums

2010-06-17T15:50:00.005-04:00

That's the title of the new feature I'm doing on the Handmade Movement blog. Basically, I'm compiling quotes that happen during one of my favorite parts of the Sneak Attacks: when the lucky "victims" stop by our discussion thread all freaked out with excitement! Almost as exciting as that first sale (remember it? or are you still waiting for it? come hang out with us and let good karma take effect) is the super-cool custom logo that fellow Sneaker, Joy designed for me to use along with my Overheard in the Forums posts. Cool, huh? Yes, that's me there on the left - how did Joy know I have a yellow bracelet just like that?!

New Treasury West!

2010-06-12T16:18:00.002-04:00

Check out my latest Treasury... I hope your summer is filled with 1957 Chevys and lots of pie.

BIG SNEAK ATTACK NEEDS BIG HELP!

2010-06-11T00:03:00.002-04:00

Can you imagine if we decided to Sneak Attack 25 new/undiscovered Etsy shops at once? Well, that's what's happening right now! Click here for a list of shops, and heart and cart willy-nilly and with love in your hearts! Wooo!

So inviting! What a card!

2010-06-01T10:51:00.003-04:00

New Treasury; please check it out!

Do what your mother tells you to do - I did!

2010-05-26T15:29:00.002-04:00

Here is my latest Etsy Treasury, called "Go outside and play!"

Hat in a Treasury!

2010-05-23T21:06:00.001-04:00

Check out this cool Treasury called Orange Crush and visit a certain triple pom pom hat! Hee hee how exciting and cute!

Happy birthday, Emma!

2010-05-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

Little Emma, crown princess of HappyHoundCreative, turns one year old today! Obviously, Emma is the girl with the beautiful smile who has graciously modeled one of my puppy-ear hats. More pictures of Emma can be seen in this photo album on my faceplace fan page, too.

I'm writing this so you know... if you pop over to Emma's mom's blog and leave her a "Happy birthday to Emma!"-type comment, you will receive $1 off any puppy-eared hat in my shop today! Just type "Emma blog" in your message to me during checkout.

Sneak Attack!

2010-05-17T21:39:00.002-04:00

I'm the sponsor! I totally forgot to post it here on my blog - but you're in luck, it's going on now!

Take a look at the lucky "victim" shops, and if you like something, type "Sneak Attack" in your message to seller during checkout:

AbsoluteZero is keeping the nerd cool with all manner of Lego and D&D jewelry.

EmmasDestiny has cards to help mark your important moments.

Stashville is your destination for jewelry-making supplies.

I see summertime subtlety...

2010-05-15T15:27:00.003-04:00

Here's my new Treasury!

One Small Step for Man... UPDATE!

2010-05-13T10:23:00.000-04:00

Check out my new Etsy Treasury East, geared toward gifts for dads and grads!

UPDATE: Sneak Attack shops!

2010-05-10T21:01:00.002-04:00

I found both of my lucky victims via Twitter. Don'tcha love it?

First there's 700 West, featuring delightful accessories such as this cuff.

Then there's Big Bisous (which means Big Kisses), whose Canada-based shop includes vegan lip balms and bookmarks, in addition to movie magnets and jewelry - and more! You know I'm a sucker for cabachons... but check out Mr. Rabbit as well!

I'll be seeing you...

2010-05-09T23:03:00.002-04:00

... in all the Sneak Attack-y places...

I'm sponsoring the next Sneak Attack! Come help me keep the discussion thread a-hoppin', please!

It's going to be a good one, and both of the lucky "victim" shops ship worldwide! Woo!

Knitfabulous Friday!

2010-05-07T15:01:00.003-04:00

Click to take a look at this cool Treasury by capegiftshop, filled with delightful knit goodies, including one of my puppy-eared hats! Once you're done checking out the soft and delicious, you'll probably want to follow that up with some cold, hard silver. Capes' keyrings are knocking my socks off!

I'm IN a Treasury! - UPDATE

2010-05-02T21:06:00.000-04:00

Can you imagine? I love making Treasuries, but I never put myself in them, so imagine my delight at being included in a Treasury West called It's a Beautiful Spring Day by The JoyofColor!

She's featured my brown knit baby hat with black ears! Speaking of a beautiful Spring day, aren't her yellow clay flowers just stunning?

Edited to add: now Ailce500 has put this hat in a Treasury East! After you give this one some clicky love, as well, check out her awesome gnome hats!

I love the smell of Sneaking in the morning!

2010-04-28T23:32:00.003-04:00

Hey, the Sneak Attack "hiatus" is over - we can be found here, and the Thursday April 29 Sneak Attack begins at 4 p.m. EDT. Be there or be square!

"What's that red?!" Treasury

2010-04-28T15:22:00.005-04:00

My latest Treasury! It's a long story, involving a Canada goose (there may have been more than one) and my friends Kevin and Laurel.

The earrings by ShadesOfVictoria got me started... and you MUST click on the third photo of Joy's Textual Oddities cards to know what made me laugh out loud when the concept fully came together.

Woo hoo the BNR is going strong, and I'm having a sale!

2010-04-28T10:07:00.002-04:00

I'm over in the Sneaky BNR today, and I just got the coolest necklace for my mom for Mother's Day. And some cards - the goodies are a-flowin'! Come on over!

Here are my sale terms for today: for each of the following "tasks" you choose to complete, you'll get 50 cents off your order in my shop:

1. Follow this blog (leave a comment here so I know you did). Existing followers, leave a comment and you get 50 cents off, too.

2. Heart the SNEAKteam shop.

3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about your favorite item from my shop, including "@stockannette". (Existing followers - tweet about your favorite item from my shop, including "@stockannette".)

4. Follow the Sneak Attacks on Twitter and tweet about your favorite item in the shop, including "@Sneak_Attacks". (Existing followers - tweet about your favorite item in the shop, including "@Sneak_Attacks".)

5. Become my Facebook fan (or like, or fave or whatever) and leave a comment there so I know you did. (Existing fans, leave a comment!) You can even leave links to your Etsy shop in my 'Link Love' discussion!

6. Become a Facebook fan of the Handmade Movement and leave a comment there so I know you did. (Existing fans, leave a comment!)

So, each task above “earns” you 50 cents, which means if you do them all, you'll receive $3 off your next order in my shop. Do two things, and you get a dollar off, three and you get $1.50 off, etc.

People come and go so quickly here!

2010-04-22T08:38:00.001-04:00

25 sales in two days? This BNR thing is a-hoppin'! Stop by - everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

BNR

2010-04-21T09:11:00.004-04:00

Are you all into BNRs? I just recently discovered that "BNR" means "Buy and Replace" - which means that if you buy from someone on The List, your name replaces theirs on the list, thus hopefully prompting people to buy something from you, so their name replaces yours... and so on, and so on!

Anyway, our newest Sneaker, JavaJessPublishing, has coordinated the first-ever (as far as I know) Sneaky Cheap BNR... come by and check it out! Many of the people on The List are having sales and specials and stuff; it seems like it's going to be a lot of fun!

Treasury EAST!

2010-04-16T13:35:00.003-04:00

How do you like my very first Treasury East? So far, I'm loving that you can see all 16 selections, and that you can go get one whenever you like.

Hats off!

2010-04-14T10:19:00.002-04:00

Well, I didn't win the Meerkat Giveaway, but I was chosen for a Treasury by glorioushats! After you visit my green baby hat with the big white flower in the Treasury, make sure to drop by and check out Jane's pink pillbox hat - talk about glorious!

If you're in the mood to show your clicky love, don't forget that you can vote for my Marigold Mini Book in the Etsy Gardening Voter!

'The Pacific'-inspired Treasury West

2010-04-10T11:22:00.004-04:00

Here's my latest Treasury:

Yes, the HBO miniseries inspired it. It's given me some insight into the war my dad fought in - because, as I hear is typical of many Veterans, my dad did not talk to me about his time in the Pacific theater at all.

I just almost had a heart attack!

2010-04-09T16:19:00.003-04:00

One of my mini-books is in the Etsy Voter! It's because of my fellow Sneaker, LaBeq. You remember, the one who made the kaleidoscope that we gave my brother-in-law for his birthday?

I would love to have you cast a vote for my li'l book, if you like it... and then stop by the Handmade Movement and find out how to enter to win a similar one!

Sneak Attack!

2010-04-08T14:38:00.003-04:00

Marz and I are cosponsoring today's Sneak Attack. Check http://www.handmademovement.com at 5 p.m. Eastern time for "victim" shop names - you are not going to want to miss this!

The Puppy Love Baby Hat.

2010-04-06T16:27:00.002-04:00

Congrats to the winner - and if you didn't win but you love that hat, here it is, and it's also available in other color combinations:

Emma and Snoopy say:

2010-04-06T13:10:00.000-04:00

Win a hat like ours! Hurry and enter, though, because this giveaway ends at 4 p.m. EDT today, April 6th!

Win!

2010-04-05T17:21:00.007-04:00

Darling readers, I want you to win something I've made! There's a hitch - you've only got a chance to win if you ENTER! So, click here for instructions on how to enter the next Handmade Movement giveaway! The prize is a mini journal, and that's an antique seed packet label I've applied to the front! I think the flowers might be asters, but I don't really know, as the words are in French.Do you love it? I hope so!

In case you can't wait, I've made a similar one and listed it in my shop:
I believe the flowers are marigolds. Again with the French. So who knows? They are yellow, which makes them fabulous, in any case!

Tune in tomorrow, too; you will not believe the cuteness I'm giving away in HappyHoundCreative's bloggy birthday bash!

Jiffy Hop says...

2010-04-04T10:16:00.010-04:00

Happy Easter - buy chocolate, not bunnies. Please visit the other Annette's blog, too, if you have a moment.

Jiffy Hop is a wild rabbit that was born in our back yard in 2008. Thank goodness we have a big tall wooden fence - not just to protect Jiffy Hop and his brothers and sisters, but also to keep people seeing that we may or may not let the grass back there grow way too long (because I don't want a mower to hurt or disturb the bunnies).

Whee!

2010-04-03T19:56:00.005-04:00

The binder cover I won from MadBird arrived! As you can see, I've already put my knitting-pattern binder in it; suuuuper-cute, no?

Here is a listing for one in an equally-fabulous fabric... and Ravelers, don't forget to enter her April giveaway!

This place is going to the dogs!

2010-04-03T10:15:00.005-04:00

I guess that really should say "dog." But I digress.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Pop On Over To My Pal HappyHoundCreative's Blog And Become A Fan:

10. Because I said so (I know - you're surprised this is not number one).

9. She's a Sneaker - someone needs to keep an eye on her!

8. Hot damn there are cute cards and wedding programs and other goodies in her shop!

7. You just can't get enough of Kirby on her website, faceplace, and twitter and you feel like you need more!

6. Snoopy, the happy hound!

5. Kirby (who I call "Happy," or "Hap") finds the neatest handmade items and shares them on her blog in fun features like Team Tuesdays and Fabulous Fun Friday Favorites.

4. You want to win my latest original design in her upcoming giveaway!

3. Monday is Hap's birthday and she's having the party on Tuesday, April 6!

2. Baby Emma is crawling all over the place and you're hoping for a video.

1. Snoopy in a party hat:

Letterpress Love

2010-03-31T09:01:00.003-04:00

Check out my latest Treasury West:

I just love letterpress stuff, don't you? I wish I could learn how to do letterpress! Now, go click on the items in the Treasury. Shop to your little letterpress-lovin' heart's content!

Another cuteness overload alert!

2010-03-23T14:09:00.005-04:00

Here is Merino's cousin, Bridget, and her baby, Ellie, in a hat I made.

What is it with Texas having such talented photographers? All y'all in the greater Austin area should troop over to Andrea Foster Photography to have pictures taken!

Plainly, little Ellie has set the cuteness bar VERY high! I probably should have gone to the dentist after receiving this photo from the photographer, because I'm pretty sure the sweetness is about to cause a series of cavities! I should be used to it by now, having such adorable babies in our family. Hee hee. I'm hoping to finally meet Ellie in October!

Meet Kitten!

2010-03-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

I hope you've enjoyed my cats-in-need profile series. You've met Fuzzy and Brad, then O.J. and Max. I would be completely remiss, however, if I didn't tell you a little more about my Sneaky pal Kitten, a.k.a. Jennifer of Kittredge Candles, the person behind all the wonderful photos and bios of the cats. Here's a little bit about her. You'll see why I was inspired to try and do my part to help these particular cats, when you read about her:

I've loved kitties all my life, so when a Petsmart opened nearby in 2004, I jumped at the chance to volunteer with its affiliate cat shelter, Feline Friends. I started out just cleaning and feeding but it quickly progressed to doing adoptions, taking cat photos, running our website and answering all the emails, which can range from 20 a day during quiet times up to 100 or more a day in kitten season. We are a no-kill shelter and don't have our own facility. We just use the Petsmart adoption center and a handful of foster homes. My husband and I have fostered 85 cats and kittens over the past 4 years, working primarily with bottle babies and semi-ferals. It is extremely rewarding and extremely time-consuming. We are fortunate that our own kitties are so accommodating, too.

Right now we are in the quiet period- the time BK (before kittens)! Kittens will soon be back, with the numbers gradually increasing through the summer and into fall. We seem to hit our peak in September and October and often still have a handful of kittens waiting to be adopted at the end of the year. Now is the time to try to find homes for our adult kitties, many of whom have been with us for months or even years.

For more about Kitten, including the extensive list of scents her candles come in (I can recommend her Granny Smith Apple and Tomato Plant jar candles from personal experience), please visit her Etsy shop's profile.

Even though this series is over, we still need your help to find these cats permanent homes! If you know anyone who wants to adopt a cat, and they live in New England, where Feline Friends is located, please encourage them to apply for adoption, which they cat do at www.felinefriendsnh.org/adoptions.html

Here are some other ways you can help:

Send your friends and family a link to this blog post to help spread the word! Tweet it and/or facebook it, too!
Purchase one of Kitten's handmade cat-shaped soaps (Honey the oatmeal soap cat and Coco the coconut soap cat are pictured here); proceeds are donated to Feline Friends.
Make a purchase from my Etsy shop. I'm donating 50% of my Etsy shop's sales between now and March 31st to Feline Friends Rescue/Adoption League. In addition, I'm going to include a free little gift, handmade by me, with every order placed during this time. We've been over this before: do not argue with the birthday girl; I can give you presents if I want to! Please type "kitty" in your Message to me during the checkout process.

Thanks for reading these kitty profiles! I encourage each of you to volunteer at your own local rescue organization if you can, and for goodness' sake, spay/neuter your pets!

Meet OJ!

2010-03-19T10:00:00.001-04:00

I saved the best for last. Truly I did. You're probably thinking to yourself, "Look at that cat; he's gorgeous! He's not in need!" Later in this post, I'm going to show you O.J.'s 'before' picture, so you can see the good work that Feline Friends does. The contrast between this (his 'after' photo) and the one below is so stark it'll blow you away. For real, though.

OJ is one of the most gorgeous long haired orange tabby boys you will ever see. He showed up in the yard of a Feline Friends volunteer. She tried for weeks to trap him but OJ was just too clever and wouldn't go in the trap. After using different traps and all sorts of food, one night OJ finally relented and walked into the trap. He was so terrified when he first got to us but was so weak and hungry and dirty and tired from his ordeal that he didn't even mind having most of his matted fur shaved off and medicine put down his throat to make him better. The before and after pictures of OJ are like night and day. He has turned into the most gorgeous boy you could ever imagine. The woman who found him is fostering him and hopes he will be adopted with a black-and-white eight-month-old kitten named Max, who he has been with now for months. OJ needs a quiet home without children who may scare him. He likes young kittens but has not been crazy about other cats so he either needs to be an only kitty or needs to be adopted with his buddy Max. He is a sweetheart with a heart of gold who is so lucky that he was found! If you know anyone looking for amazing cats like O.J. and Max, and they live in New England, please encourage them to apply for adoption, which they can do at www.felinefriendsnh.org/adoptions.html

I know that not everyone can adopt cats, and that not everyone lives in New England, where Feline Friends is located. Me, neither! Here are some other ways you can help:

Send your friends and family a link to this blog post to help spread the word! Tweet it, facebook it, whatever - the more people that know about him, the more O.J's (and Max’s) chances of finding a permanent home increase!
Make a purchase from my Etsy shop. I'm donating 50% of my Etsy shop's sales between now and March 31st to Feline Friends Rescue/Adoption League. Why Feline Friends? They work hard, they are a no-kill organization, and they need that money! In addition, I'm going to include a free little gift, handmade by me, with every order placed during this time. Don't try to argue with the birthday girl; I can give you presents if I want to! Please type "Brad" in your Message to me during the checkout process.
Purchase a handmade cat-shaped soap from Kittredge Candles; proceeds are donated to Feline Friends.

Max says, "Stay tuned: I've got a surprise profile for you next week!"

Meet Brad!

2010-03-15T15:15:00.000-04:00

This is the second in my series of three profiles of cats in need, in conjunction with my shop's Etsyversary hoopla (read about that in this post). First of all, I just have to say that I love that his name is Brad!

Brad is such a good boy - you can tell just by looking at his sweet face. Brad was found outside, wandering the streets trying to fend for himself. He was so shy and scared when he first came to Feline Friends.

His big double paws and beautiful green eyes are complimented by a fabulous personality. Brad now gets along great with people and loves other cats but he would be just as happy as an only kitty.

Brad is FIV positive (FIV+). FIV is feline immunodeficiency virus, also known as feline AIDS. It is not contagious to humans or other pets' species, and can only be transferred to another cat through a deep bite, so Brad hangs out fine with the FIV-negative shelter kitties. Many FIV+ kitties live long, healthy lives. However, those that do get sick tend to be less able to overcome serious illness and may succumb more easily.

I know that not everyone can adopt a cat, and that not everyone lives in New England, where Feline Friends is located. Me, neither! Here are some other ways you can help:

Send your friends and family a link to this blog post to help spread the word about handsome Brad! Tweet it, facebook it, whatever - the more people that know about him, the more Brad's chances of finding a permanent home increase!

Make a purchase from my Etsy shop. I'm donating 50% of my Etsy shop's sales between now and March 31st to Feline Friends Rescue/Adoption League. Why Feline Friends? They work hard, they are a no-kill organization, and they need that money! In addition, I'm going to include a free little gift, handmade by me, with every order placed during this time. Don't try to argue with the birthday girl; I can give you presents if I want to! Please type "Brad" in your Message to me during the checkout process.

Purchase a handmade cat-shaped soap from Kittredge Candles (she took these photos and wrote the descriptions that are in italics, by the way); proceeds are donated to Feline Friends.

Stay tuned - I've got another amazing cat to introduce you to later this week!

Meet Fuzzy!

2010-03-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

This is the first in a series of three profiles of cats in need, in conjunction with my shop's Etsyversary hoopla (read about that in this post). Look at Fuzzy! Don't you just want to scoop him up?!

Fuzzy was trapped outside in 2007 as a young adult and is probably about four years old. He was part of a colony of feral (wild) cats living in a town outside of Bangor, Maine. Unlike the others in the colony, Fuzzy has long fur. At first, Feline Friends thought Fuzzy was a completely wild kitty but over time he gradually became more and more friendly and started coming in the home of the lady who found him and even sitting on her lap. He now loves to be combed and patted but can still get a little testy if overstimulated, so he wouldn't be good with young children. Fuzzy does fine with other cats but would also be okay as an only kitty, as long as he can get constant attention and loving. Fuzzy is used to being able to go outside from time to time. Although he would probably be fine as an indoor kitty most of the time, once the warm weather comes he will probably insist on a brief trip out on the deck, so he would need a home on a very quiet, rural street. If you know anyone looking for a wonderful kitty like Fuzzy and they live in New England, please encourage them to apply for adoption, which they cat do at www.felinefriendsnh.org/adoptions.html

I know that not everyone can adopt a cat, and that not everyone lives in New England, where Feline Friends is located. Me, neither! Here are some other ways you can help:

Send your friends and family a link to this blog post to help spread the word about the beautiful Fuzzy! Tweet it, facebook it, whatever - the more people that know about him, the more Fuzzy's chances of finding a permanent home increase!

Make a purchase from my Etsy shop. I'm donating 50% of my Etsy shop's sales between now and March 31st to Feline Friends Rescue/Adoption League. Why Feline Friends? They work hard, they are a no-kill organization, and they need that money! In addition, I'm going to include a free little gift, handmade by me, with every order placed during this time. Don't try to argue with the birthday girl; I can give you presents if I want to! Please type "Fuzzy" in your Message to me during the checkout process.

Purchase a handmade cat-shaped soap from Kittredge Candles; proceeds are donated to Feline Friends.

Stay tuned - I've got two more fabulous cats to introduce you to over the next week or so!

Treasuries!

2010-03-10T10:47:00.003-05:00

I made one, and I'm in one (special thanks to Spice of Life Designs) ! P.S. Her birthday is coming up AND she's having a sale! Did you know that aquamarine is March's birthstone? See Spicy's lovely earrings, for example:

March!

2010-03-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

March is kind of a big month for me: on March 16 my Etsy shop will have been open for a year (that's my Etsyversary, and no, I didn't make up the term); March 23 will mark the two year anniversary of the day I learned to knit (I call that my knitterversary) - oh, and then there's Merino's brother's birthday and mine toward the end of the month!

I've been wracking my brain to think of a way to celebrate all these things, and finally figured it one day last week when I was perusing the shop of my pal, Kitten (yes, I'm aware that it's spelled "Kittredge," but the first time I saw her name, I thought it said "KittenRidge" and that's what stuck). I saw Coco and Honey, and thought to myself, "What a wonderful thing she's doing, donating proceeds of these two soaps to the organization she volunteers for!" Then I asked Kitten to tell me more about her work with Feline Friends, and asked her to please send photos and info about some of the cats in need, so I could blog about them.

I know what you're thinking, darling readers: what does this have to do with your March/Etsyversary hubbub, Stockannette?! I'm getting to that.

I've decided that I'm donating 50 % of my Etsy shop's sales between now and March 31st to Feline Friends Rescue/Adoption League. Why Feline Friends? They work hard, they are a no-kill organization, and they need that money! Plus there's the Sneaker connection. Yay!

In addition, I'm going to include a free little gift, handmade by me, with every order placed between now and March 31st. Don't try to argue with the birthday girl; I can give you presents if I want to! Do me a favor and type "March" in your message to seller, so I know you know why there's free stuff in your envelope/box. I don't wanna confuse anyone!

Stay tuned; I will be introducing you to three cats from Feline Friends over the next week or so, so you'll be able to see who your dollars will be helping.

March 6

2010-03-05T23:51:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite Etsy sellers, and a Sneaky pal, Manic Spider, is getting married today! I thought I'd feature her on my blog to celebrate. I have an 8x12 print of these tulips, and it's perfectly lovely. Maybe you should pick it up in card form, like the picture on the left.

Happy wedding day, J.!

Warning: cuteness overload imminent!

2010-03-03T17:51:00.005-05:00

I'm not kididng.

You know I love to see photos of people wearing things I made, but you have no idea how absolutely thrilled I am to have one of my little hats be in this perfect portrait taken by Dallas-area's own Expressions by Wendy. Plus, how sweet of Wendy to send me a copy of it for use in my shop and blog and all!

Seriously, this is your last chance too look away before you will be compelled to either squeal with delight or say, "Awwwwwww!" for about 45 minutes. Yes, it's that cute.

I mean it.

Told you!

Texas people, hurry, oh hurry and call Expressions by Wendy to get photos taken! Hey, why limit this to people who are already in Texas? Everybody pack your kids in the car and head to my Mom's home state! You know you want to end up with beautiful photos like this.

"That makes it!"

2010-02-24T10:41:00.003-05:00

Here are all 16 selections in my latest Treasury West!

THINK GREEN, In Blue and White

2010-02-22T10:13:00.005-05:00

That's the title of my fellow Sneaker and EtsyFAST teammate Engelfelt's latest Treasury, wherein she placed my Junior Environmentalist knit baby hat! She has this lovely felted soap that would go so nicely with her theme, I thought I would feature it here!

Earth Day and Earth Hour are coming up - are you doing anything to celebrate?

Today's Sneak Attack is brought to you by...

2010-02-18T09:52:00.005-05:00

HappyHoundCreative and I! Isn't her little teapot invitation adorable? I know! Anyway, we are co-sponsors today, so come by the thread if you get a chance, and at 7 p.m. EST check out the Handmade Movement for tonight's shop names! Hints: worldwide shipping is available, and who doesn't love to have their shopping benefit a good cause?!

Happy Fun Joy!

2010-02-16T14:28:00.003-05:00

This morning, DalkullanJewelry has put my pink pom poms baby hat in a new Treasury West! After you give it some click-y and comment-y love, you'll most likely want to stop by her shop, too - but don't look at these lifesaver earrings, because they are completely darling and I want them for myself! Take a look at these, instead - no, wait, I want them, too!

Have I mentioned the evidence tags?

2010-02-14T18:56:00.003-05:00

Police Evidence Tags Challenge Treasury:

VE challenged Sneakers to come up with items using evidence tags. Go, please, click and comment - right now all three of my items are in it: the mini-book, candle holder, and lever-back earrings!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-13T09:47:00.004-05:00

So, both halves of the sweetest couple in the world got each other little gifts knit by me, coincidentally BOTH completed just in time for Valentine's Day! Marz had me knit a scarf for Verve, out of that fabulous yarn by Dee. Separately, Verve and I plotted for weeks about what color would be perfect as a hat for Marz (turned out to be a machine washable navy blue 100% alpaca). So they're each emailing me, sneakily, and when I got the items done, I wrapped them in identical tissue paper, one with a tag reading, "To James, From Kay" and the other reading, "To Kay, From James." Then I put the items in the same envelope, sent them off, and gave both husband and wife the tracking number. Is there such a thing as a Knitting Cupid? Maybe so! Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite couple this side of Merino and I, and to you, my darling readers! (Here's a photo of Heidi The Glass Head wearing both Marz' navy blue hat and Verve's Verve-A-Luscious scarf.)

2010 Handmade Olympics!

2010-02-10T19:13:00.002-05:00

Hey, the S.N.E.A.K. Team has been nominated in the 2010 Handmade Olympics - go cast a vote for us, wouldja?

Jell-O Bee offering

2010-02-08T10:54:00.002-05:00

This is Jell-O week, and today's Sneak Attack avatar theme.

Happy Groundhog Day!

2010-01-31T20:36:00.005-05:00

You know it's my favorite holiday, right? Just because it's so completely nonsensical! I made a Treasury - I hope you like it!

Hey, I'm in a Treasury!

2010-01-29T20:09:00.004-05:00

My navy and red alpaca keyhole scarf can be spotted in this fabulous T-West by PipingHotPapers!
After you go give the Treasury some clicky-and-commenty love, and check out PHP's shops, you should also pop on over to her home here on blogger!

Vervestock!

2010-01-28T15:22:00.004-05:00

Look what Dee made, to celebrate Vervestock!

VERVE-a-luscious! and........................ Stock-a-licious!

Thursday, busy Thursday!

2010-01-28T11:35:00.002-05:00

After you click around in my Treasury and check out the latest hat I've listed, you'll probably want to head right over to the Sneak Attack thread for today, because I'm co-sponsoring with the darling Verve.

Can't make it to the thread? Tonight's Sneak Attack starts at 7 - so stop by The Handmade Movement any time after that to find out tonight's "victim" shops!

New Treasury West

2010-01-26T14:42:00.003-05:00

The original (too-long) title of this one was

Montreal
Canada
Coffee Shop
Countertop.

All the items are from Canada, and yes, I see the typo in the title, and while I am completely mortified by it, the Treasury is too nice to delete just because my fingers don't listen to my brain.

NAME THAT HAT!

2010-01-25T18:58:00.005-05:00

Kiddies, if you've seen my shop today, you know I've expanded from the two-pom-pommed hats to a three-peaked, three-pom-pom hat. It's very exiting... and now I've come up with a three-peaked, one-big-pom-pom hat that I guess one might call a Hat With A Concept. See if you can figure out what I was going for before you scroll down and read the rest of this entry. Here it is:
It symbolizes green earth, blue sky, and a white (cream), fluffy cloud. Make sense? So, here's my issue... what to call the hat when I list it. Should I call it "Green Earth Blue Sky Fluffy Cloud knit baby hat," or the "Junior Environmentalist knit baby hat," or what?

Please post a comment if you like one of the names I came up with, and if you've got a better idea, I'd love to hear it, so feel free to post suggestions. If I use your idea and you have an Etsy shop, I would of course put a link to your shop in the item description, as a way of crediting you for super-genius. Also, if I use your idea as the title for this hat, Etsy shop or not, I will give you free shipping on any item in my shop.

New Treasury West!

2010-01-23T23:09:00.003-05:00

It's called "spring sprang sprung."

A small, informal poll...

2010-01-19T16:52:00.003-05:00

I finally finished Elliot's "Cat Satchel" for my Kevin - and as the picture on the right shows, Ethan is enjoying it, as well. I'm wondering if i should try and sell one of these little numbers on Etsy. So, please post a comment telling me "yes" or "no" - and if your reply is a yes, how much do you think I should charge for one? It is my own original design (yes, I wrote the pattern down so I would know how I made it in case I needed to make more), and the yarn this one is made in is a machine washable/dryable acrylic/wool blend.

GREEN and PINK!

2010-01-14T14:09:00.004-05:00

Here's my latest Treasury:

Mystery solved... again!

2010-01-10T11:47:00.006-05:00

When I first started knitting, I was completely mystified why it appears that almost everyone who knits makes things for babies. It seemed that babies would have no concept of how much love and effort went into anything, and on top of that, why would I want to knit something someone might spit up on?! Well, the answer first came when I saw the family portrait pictures of the baby booties I made for Merino's cousin, and then there were the hats for a coworker's kids and the delightful brown boots. Here is the latest explanation of why people knit things for babies: because little stuff is so g.d. cute! Here is a picture I took of a baby-and-bear hats set I made for fellow Sneaker Snoopy - I mean HappyHoundCreative. I hope she likes this hat I made for little Emma... 'cause the only thing cuter than a baby hat is a baby hat actually ON a baby! What I cannot explain is why I would write a little poem to go with the hats; I know Emma is highly advanced, but I'm not sure she can read just yet:

Dear little Emma, I made this for you;
I hope you like your new hat!
There’s also a hat for your teddy, too -
Or monkey, or puppy, or cat!

New Treasury!

2010-01-09T15:53:00.001-05:00

Birthdays can sneak up on you!

Sneak Attack practice?!

2010-01-08T14:50:00.002-05:00

Hey, why not? Every shop featured (including the alternates) in my new Treasury West currently has zero sales! Shop it up, darlings!

Orange you glad...

2010-01-06T08:48:00.003-05:00

... I didn't title my latest Treasury West "orange you glad"?

Better late than never?

2010-01-04T18:37:00.008-05:00

These were supposed to be for Junior Sneaker Jude, darling crown prince to the TheArtOfJoy throne, but his li'l toes got cold before I got them finished. Ah, well. They came out pretty cute, nonetheless:

Edited to add: Little Jude is definitely all set for footwear, so these are now listed on Etsy.

Ravelers on EtsyTreasury!

2010-01-02T10:57:00.004-05:00

Please stop by my Ravelry revelry Treasury when you have a chance, and show some click-y, comment-y love.

There are even a couple of people in there who are triple threats: Etsy sellers, Ravelry peeps, and SNEAK Attackers - and one whose triple threatness is Etsy, Ravelry, and Bravo Whoredom!