Forgot about these snowladies at ebay

Here are some pics of the snowladies I made and listed at ebay. I forgot to post the pics here. They're the same size as the small snowmen and are half dolls, too. I love the face on the one above, it's so sweet. In the picture below this snowlady looks a bit mean but it's just the angle the photo was taken at.

The snowgirl doll below is the same size as the cat I made for Halloween. She's a great size for sitting on a shelf, tucking in a large stocking, or even sitting in a large wreath. She's much more elegant than I usually make with her gold painted shoes and ribbon. I bought the fabric at an ebay store called mo and macs fabric shack. They have a lot of great fabric at pretty good prices.

More new dolls at ebay!

I finally got some elves finished. I know I should have started with elves instead of snowmen but I was in the mood for making snowmen. These 4 are up at ebay for one week (id: creativestitches). If ebay runs another special where I can list and not pay until the items sell I'll keep them there. If not they'll be moving to etsy or artfire.

Something else about these elves. They are smaller than the ones I have made before. Reason for going smaller? They fit in mailer envelopes while the larger ones don't. Since I always offer free shipping on my dolls I decided rather than pay to ship them in a box I'd just make them smaller. One more thing, I always name them but if you prefer a name of your own choosing I'll make the 'how to care for' card out in the name you want. All dolls come with a card that has tips on caring for the dolls. It is signed and dated, too.

Larger ones can be special ordered if paid for in advance. After getting stuck with a ghost bride a customer said she loved but then didn't take, I'm going to have to require payment before I go out and buy all the supplies.

More Snowmen! Let it Snow!

These are more of the snowmen I've listed at ebay. Search Seller id creativestitches to find them. I don't often workwith blue for Christmas but the snowflake prints are so perfect for these snowballs and the the snowman below. I also have 2 snowladies in blue at ebay right now. They're pretty big and are half dolls built on a wood dowel and on a star base.

I love these guys. After making Mr. Magic for Halloween I knew I'd be making snowmen for Christmas and I'm now thinking about some rabbits for Easter!

I moved some listings that expired at ebay over to etsy yesterday so if there's something you've been thinking about buying and now can't find, try the etsy link. When the special ebay is having on listing expires on Jan. 7, I won't be selling there again until they start another special. Look for everything that hasn't sold at ebay on either etsy or artfire after the 7th. Come back for more details!

Look for new items to be listed this werek

This is one of the new items I'm listing at ebay. It's a stack of snowmen heads, a stack of snowballs! After making a few jack o lantern stacks I thought it would be cool to make this one. I also have one done in blue snowflake prints to get up.

In the next week look for snowmen made like Halloween's Mr. Magic, small snowladies, and some elves. The snowmen and ladies are done, just need the code written to be put up at ebay. I'm still stuffing and dressing the 4 elves. By Saturday I hope to get their faces painted. I know I'm so late for Christmas sales but I guess I'll be ready for next year ;)

One at Etsy and one at Ebay

My latest item for sale, I know It's Christams and I'm still listing Halloween :) . I made 2 of these catfish witches. One is at ebay and the other is at etsy. They are slightly different as most handmade items are but the same fabrics and trims were used for both.

I just finished another dragon for an order so now I can get back to Christmas things. This is just one of the snowmen bell ornaments I have up at ebay. All 4 are made using different fabrics. Two have blue and white snowflake print fabric for the sleeves. This is the first time I've used blue for ornaments.

Remember if you want to find my things at ebay search for seller id: creativestitches.

Finally working on things for the holidays!

I made 2 catfish like this but never put them up for sale. I'll probably put one up at etsy and one at ebay in case anyone is still looking for Halloween things. If they don't sell look for them at Artfire.

I'm moving most of the Halloween things that didn't sell over to etsy instead of relisting them at ebay for now. At least I will be doing this when I can find the time.

No pics but I am working on some new things for Christmas and winter. I have 4 snowman bell ornaments almost done, 2 snowmen similar to my Mr. Magic I made for Halloween, 2 small 1/2 body snowladies, and a snowgirl with legs cut and sewn. They just need put together. When I get them done I'll be moving onto elves.

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sales

I don't usually have sales but decided to have a mark down for Black Friday thru Cyber Monday at ebay and etsy.

Etsy has this new discount code thing for when you checkout so you'll find a code in the announcement on my etsy home page for 10% off any purchase at my store there. Remember I never discount my tatting supples so this is a bit of a sale. Free shipping is still offered on dolls!

Over at ebay I'm still running auctions instead of opening a store. You'll find most listings on sale, at least $5 off. I do have a few things that won't end until Friday so when I relist they'll be on sale.

Hope you'll stop by and buy!

It's Still Halloween around here!

I"m still adding a few more things to ebay. Below are pictures of some of the newest dolls. I love the fairies on the crows! One more witch to finish and then I'll move on to winter and Christmas items.

I'll keep relisting what doesn't sell at ebay for awhile and then will move them over to etsy or artfire. I have a lot of winter themed things I want to make so I know I'll still be sewing them until I switch over to rabbits for spring.

Newest Halloween stuff up at ebay!

This is a first, a Halloween dragon! I wanted to sell him with a small plastic skellie I found at the dollar store in his arms but my husband thought he was too cute for that.

I have a lot of Halloween things up at ebay and below are just a few of the newest. I just finished a couple of pumpkinhead ladies, some teddies, and 2 cute tiny elves riding crows. Look for them soon! I know Halloween is tomorrow but I plan on making more Halloween before I switch to winter stuff.

This is Stella. She's a half doll built on a brass candlestick. Last winter I got a bag of them at the local Salvation Army store. They're perfect for bases and a lot easier than cutting and drilling wood. Stella is a spider loving witch and is decorated with tiny tatted ones. A large bead and wire one sits in her basket.

This is Bernadette. Last year I made a ghost witch similar to her. I used a pattern from Back Porch Pickins that I resized smaller. I really prefer to make small dolls.

I love this cat I made, Sadie. Last year I did one as a ghost and had planned on keeping her but finally gave up and sold her. She has such a sweet face. I tatted pieces for her bodice and around her neck. I also crocheted the cord around her head and tied at her waist.

Here's a pic of a mummy I listed at ebay. I made one last year that was displayed hanging but this one can stand! The spider is wire and beads. The kitty mummy is just tucked into her arms, it isn't sewn. She's fully wired so can stand on her own or be bent into a sitting position.

These are 2 Halloween fairies I have up at ebay. I'm working out the kinks of a new body pattern I'm designing so that's how these were made. I found a video at you tube on how to make the wings. They're actually earrings turned into wings. Lots of fun to make!

I'll post more next time!

Big News!

I know it's been over a month since my last post but so much has happened.

First, I am now writing for http://www.creativetimes.com/. It's a free online magazine so go have a look. I'm doing the getting organized column. My first column will be in the next issue but the Halloween one is really good.

Next I fell off a chair, hit my kitchen table and crashed to the floor. Nothing was broken but I was in a lot of pain for a few weeks. Just when I started to feel a bit better. I caught a bad cold that's still hanging on. For the first time in over 5 years I managed to get to a doctor. I picked out a new one that has an office with therapists who specialize in treating panic and anxiety. My next appointment is to see someone about that!

I had thought about re-opening my eBay store for the rest of the year but they are offering free auction listing with only a final value fee so I'm going with that. I put up some Halloween things from last year and sold 3 already. Today I finished 2 new Halloween fairies I'll get listed this week. I also plan on listing a Halloween dragon and a Halloween cat doll sometime this week. Still have a few things to finish on them.

I'm also listing more at the etsy store. There's the dragon at the top of this post, some goth Halloween fairies, a few small mohair bears dressed in Halloween fabric, and a few small crocheted bears. I have another merbear to go up, a leaf dragon to finish, and 2 more mohair bears to list this week.

Keeping busy!

New Fall Tatting Pattern is up for Sale!

Yesterday I listed my new pattern at my etsy store, artfire store, and at patternmart. You can use the links to the side you get to them.

This pattern is $10 and comes with all five pattern for the tatting plus the complete directions for each of the finished projects! You will get a basic directions booklet with this. If you already have my first pattern you don't really need it. Only for customers who already bought the first pattern: I will sell it for $9 without the basic booklet. You have to email me before you opt to buy though to get the $1 discount. That way I can put up a listing just for you.

Finally made a mermaid!

I know it's been ages since I made a mermaid to sell and this one's been sitting for a month waiting to go up in one of my stores. Took ages to take photos and then (as always) put off doing anything with them.

That makes this mermaid, the rainbow dragon, and the prim doll to go up. Now I have to decide about reopening the ebay store for the rest of the year.

Oh, in case anyone is interested, I have finished the Fall tatting pattern and it will go up this week if nothing happens to keep me from the computer. Watch for another post here to let you know it's up!

Tatted Dragons!

This is a pic of 2 dragons I tatted. The patterns are by Anne Bruvold and here are the links:

http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2009/annebringtrimmikrodrageeng.pdf This is for the little dragon, Ringtrim

http://www.nuperelle.net/drager/monstre/MinidragerEng.pdf This is for the larger dragon

Anne has done a fantastic job of designing these patterns.

I have a book with some dragon patterns for sale at my stores by Karey Solomon. I haven't tried any of them but if you're a dragon lover like me you may want to get a copy.

Rainbow Dragon Done!

Finally finished something! Here's a small dragon I made. I've had these fabrics for a while and have been saving them for something really speacial. I thought they'd make a great dragon and now that it's done I love it! The blue fabric has a sprinkling of gold speckles (kinda like glitter) so it matches the gold in the multi fabric. I used blue eyelash yarn on the head and down the back to the tail tip. I'm not sure where I'll put it up for sale. I'm thinking I'll start with ebay and if it doesn't sell there I'll try etsy.

Pic of Patriotic Prim Doll

Here's a pic of the patriotic doll I wrote about in my last post. I call her Becca Mae. Not sure where I'll put her up for sale yet since my ebay store is closed. Might do an auction or just put her over at etsy.

The dragon is done but I have to take pics yet. Last night I got about halfway done on the mermaid. Hope to have her finished in the next few days.

My Halloween group http://www.halloweenartists.com is redoing their site and getting ready to advertise in Celebrate 360. I'm working on some postcard and flyer designs for them. Now you know why I'm always behind in getting anything finished, I take on too many new projects ;)

Doll Crafter & Costuming shutting down!

I just got an email from Heidi Heideman the editor at Doll Crafter & Costuming magazine to say the last magazine to be published with be the Oct. issue. Wow! I'm really sorry to see another doll magazine gone even though they didn't have a lot for cloth doll makers. From the letters printed in the magazine there always seemed to be a problem with subscribers and the content. They tried to have something for all the different kinds of dolls but why would someone who made cloth dolls buy a magazine that only had one pattern for that style. Same with hand sculpted or porcelain. I think they were trying too hard to appeal to too many and ended up losing the people who originally liked it the way it was when it had no cloth dolls. Well, no matter, it's just sad to see the end of a very nice magazine.

Ok, what have I been doing with my summer so far? Jumping from one project to another as usual!
1. The fall tatting pattern is still waiting for me to sit and finish all the charts. I have the cover photo done and ordered them this week at Snapfish. I'm working on the winter patterns when I feel like tatting.
2. The bag doll is on the bottom of the pile of things I've been working on because I just can't move on with it.
3. I have a fantastic blue dragon almost done. I'm planning on finishing it tonight.
4. This afternoon I finished a doll for a contest at my doll group at ning. It's for a patriotic doll contest. They provided the doll body pattern and we had to go from there.
5. I also have 2 mermaids I'm working on. When I finish the dragon I'll probably move on to them.
6. Then there's all the books I've been reading. Last night I finished 'The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood'. I know it's been out for ages and I've had a copy of the book for ages but never got around to it. I have a lot of books since I'm addicted to going to library book sales and it's just one that kept getting ignored until now. I finally get all the excitement about the book now! I loved it and plan on getting the other books Rebecca Wells has written.

Before Divine Secrets... I read 'Garden Spells' by Sarah Addison Allen. Loved it, too. It's another one I bought and left on the shelf. I paid full price, it wasn't a library sale book and still I let it set! Kind of reminded me of Alice Hoffmann's 'Practical Magic' without all thew beautiful prose she uses. Yesterday I stopped at the library and got another book she's written called 'The Sugar Queen' along with some other books. I know I spend too much time reading when I should be working.

Will post pics of my Patriotic doll next time!

Dreaming of More Time as Always!

Don't we all need more time? I could get so much more done if I had either more time or less to do. Add to my regular huge list taking care of a garden. Have a tiny bunny I just can't seem to keep out. It's eating my pea plants!

I'm still working on new patterns and I'm taking a new class on Paint Shop Pro. I'm learning to write tutorials. Like I really need to do this, but I thought it's similar to writing directions when designing my dolls and stuff so it would be eay to do. WRONG! I forgot about all the screen captures for the graphics and then there's the problem of deciding just what to design. Lots of work but I am enjoying it. Love to learn new things don't you?

Update on the Fall Tatting Pattern. Still finishing the charts for the directions. With the class it's made me slower than usual (which is slooooow). Have started on pieces for a winter pattern. I tat when I get tired of sewing or is it I sew when I get tired of tatting?

The new doll has been pushed back as as uusal I can't make up my mind about trims and things. She's so close to being done. I also started a new mermaid pattern. This one is much larger that any of my other ones. I got so tired of just staring at the first doll that I cut out and sewed the mermaid. I've got a lot to do on her, too.

Hope you all have a great summer!

Cover of Fall Tatting Patterns

I'm still writing the directions for this pattern but this what the cover will look like. Remember when you buy my tatting patterns you get more than directions for tatting, you get the directions for the finished projects! This one has 2 tote bags, a wall hanging, a sachet, and a card. I just have to do the tree and sunflower patterns for the pattern to be ready. Watch the blog for when it's done!

Had a HUGE surprise in July Soft Dolls & Animals!

Soft Dolls & Animals July 2010 issue has an article about selling online by me. It was such a surprise to get my subscription issue and find I had an article published. I thought I was only providing them with info for an article to be written in house. They did a great job of editing it and I received 3 free copies! Next they will be printing another of my felt bear patterns. When I find out what issue I'll post it here. I think it will be the August issue.

Pic of New Doll Pattern In Progress

Spent last evening before it got dark taking pics of the new doll I'm working on and the tatting for the fall mini quilts pattern. This is a picture of her face and hair done though I may have to change that hair. I love the curls but the style is pretty huge! Next comes sewing her arms on and working on the sleeves and bodice. This is one time when I'm not really sure how I'm going to dress her. I've got this 2" wide red satin craft ribbon I'd like to use but I'm worried it could become a problem for anyone who can't get something similar. Guess I'll be pinning fabrics and trimms on her to see what I like best. Still need a name for her, too. One always comes to me as I'm sewing but so far "she hasn't spoken her name". ;)

Tat pics next time!

Rabbit Pattern Up for Sale!

Had a bit of a problem with snapfish when ordering my photos but they finally came so now the rabbit pattern is up for sale at my web site, Etsy, Patternmart, and Artfire.

My next pattern is started and I'm slooooowly working on it. It will be a bag doll. After that I should have a fairy and frog. The fabric has been picked out but I'm still making changes to the frog's body. I like to work on 2 patterns at the same time. That way when one is waiting for photos I can be working on another.

The fall tatting pattern needs all the directions written and photos taken. I'm hoping to get to the photos later this week.

As always so many things going on at one time! I did get my store at Artfire fully filled this week. I have all my cloth dolls, patterns, and tatting supplies there. I've come across a few other sites to sell at so I may have a go at listing at them, too. I'm thinking the more places I'm at, the more
I'll show up in searches.

Rabbit Pattern Finally Ready!

I finally finished all the editing and ordered the cover photos at snapfish. They should be in this week if my order didn't get messed up completely. As it is I have been charged twice for the same order. A bug in their paypal payment caused it to charge my account even though it said it hadn't so I paid with my credit card, too. Now trying to get a refund on the paypal payment is proving harder than I thought it would be. No real help over the phone either.

The store over at artfire is up and running. Now I'm looking into opening stores at madeitmyself.com and fuzzb.com. I'll probably reopen my old bonanzle store too. Without my ebay store I need to get to as many other places as I can.

Closed ebay store again -

Been busy this month sewing a few dragons for Andrea, getting taxes done, working on tatting, fighting a cold, and reading a lot. The rabbit pattern got lost in the amount of stuff I was doing. I still have to do 2 more pattern pages, go over the directions for mistakes, and order cover pictures. Missed the Easter season again with this pattern.

Today I closed my ebay store again. I was planning on closing it for the spring and summer like I did last year but with the increases in fees I'm not sure I'll be reopening it. You can still contact me there by sending me a message and I'll keep my ME page up.

Last week I opened a store at http://www.artfire,com/. I now have to start filling it. Interesting site and I hope they get enough traffic so I can sell there. I'll add a link here when the store is up and running.

I'm also a member at indiepublic and cloth doll artistry. When I get some info up at those sites I'll add the links.

Started working again on a pattern I started back in Feb. for a gift bag doll. She was set aside because I just can't decide on how to dress her. This week I plan on sorting her hair. I figure if I can do just one thing a week I might actually be able to get her done.

Last week I ordered the most beautiful dyed thread from yarnplayer's store at etsy. Her threads are so gorgeous I had a hard time deciding on what to buy. She has inspired me to have a go at dying thread. I have some old balls that were given to me and are dirty. I thought I could wind skeins, then wash then, and then try dying them. That's a job for warmer weather though. I have dyed threads with natural dyes but now I want to try the Procion dye.

Hope you all have a great Easter weekend!

I'm back with a pic of my newest pattern

I know it's been awhile since my last post but I really needed to deal with the feelings I was having. I'm still not going to set the blog up for comments. I can't handle them and the upset they can cause me. This explains why I don't often submit patterns or articles to magazines, I can't take rejection.

Now for the picture at the top of the post. These cute rabbits are my latest pattern. The directions are done and pictures are all taken, including the cover picture, but I still need to work on the patterns you cut out. I have them all drawn and scanned but I need to clean them up using Paint Shop Pro. They were supposed to be done by now but with life interupting they got set aside while I dealt with problems around here. I have a sick dog.

Another quick note. I'll be closing the ebay store at the end of the month. Ebay has raised rates and fees yet again especially for the small sellers. I really don't think they want us around any more. I may sell some things at auction and of course will be keeping the etsy store open. I'll let you know if I'll be re-opening the store in the fall.

Becareful of what you post!

Hi Everyone or at least the few people who read my blog. I've decided I'm going to shut down comments in the next few days. I'm finding it too stressful since I don't blog very often. Sometimes weeks will go by before I come here, other times I just forget about them, and I don't want to upset anyone by making them think I'm ignoring them.

Because of all the problems I have with panic attacks and agoraphobia, the less stress in my life the better. My safe "cocoon" isn't feeling so safe to me right now because I upset someone whose work I greatly admire. I didn't think I would hurt anyone with my "moan" but it did and I'm beyond sorry. To avoid upsetting anyone else I've deleted that part of the original post.

I never want to hurt or upset anyone with my ramblings. There's too much meaness in the world so I try to be nice whether it's in the real world or online.

When I started this blog I decided it would only be about the business and not about my opinions or anything personal. Over time I've broke that rule but I think it's time for me to go back to it again. The only time I'll be moaning now is about myself.

I admit I'm neurotic and tend to fixate over things. That's why I was up almost all night brooding over all this and writing pages and pages to help me deal with all the sad and panicy feelings I'm having. So excuss me while I drop off the face of the earth for a while and pull my cocoon tightly around me until I can let go of the pain I'm feeling over the hurt feelings I've caused................

Another Pattern in Soft Dolls & Animals!

Last week I got an email from Kelly at Soft Dolls & Animals saying they would be interested in printing the pattern for the bears in the picture. I'm so happy!!!!!!! They are just a basic bear pattern but are decorated with made and purchased flowers.

I usually decorate bears with silk ribbon embroidery, in fact I even won first and second place in a big national contest for designers with 2 different bears that I embroidered a while ago. Better Homes and Gardens was one of the sponsors and bought the rights to the patterns but I'm not sure if they ever used them in any of their publications. Most mags I've dealt with send out free issues of the one your in but not all do. I had sent a tatted bracelet pattern to workbasket magazine. Turns out they printed it and never paid me. Worse yet they lost the bracelets and still didn't pay me. I have never sent anything to them again. At least BH&G did pay.

I'm still tatting and working on new patterns. I actually have 4 going right now. I put aside the winter fairy I was working on and got out the rabbits I started last year. I also just cut out fabric for a bag doll. Lena, my witch pattern, was supposed to be a bag doll but as I made her I really went off design. Today I got out the patterns and fabric I had ready for a new fairy and frog pattern. Then of course are the fall tatting patterns. Forgot to add those to the total. I sewed 2 to tote bags but still have to finish the other 3 designs. Since they aren't sewn I'm slow on doing them but the designs are pretty much worked out. Guess I need a few days without interruptions, yeah like that will happen :)

Here's some of what I've been working on -

These are 3 of the tatted rings I've been making for the new etsy store I plan on opening just for jewelry, both the beaded stuff I make and some tatting. There are so many great tatters over there already. I should have done this a few years ago but didn't think there was a market in selling tatting. It takes so long to make things so it's hard to get paid for your time. The pattern is on yarnplayer's blog and she allows people to make things from the pats she posts to sell. She has a great blog and etsy store. The thread she dyes is amazing! In case you're wondering the book the rings are laying on is an old one I bought at my local libraires book sale. It's from 1047 and has a variety of needlecrafts. I was so lucky to find it.

The metal bowl I have this tatting in belonged to my Gran. I love it and recently dug it out of storage to enjoy. I have quite a few things from everyone in my family. They all know I love old china and things like that so when they clean out cupboards I usually end up with boxes. Prob with that is I have a basement full not to mention all the cupboard in my kitchen. I would have liked to take some of it to an antique mall to sell but how do you explain that you know longer have something when the person who gave it to you asks to borrow it.

The tatting I'm doing here is with 2 shuttles and 2 balls (one is just the thread wrapped around paper). It's just a basic ring and chain edging that I decided to try joining at the chains. They wrap around not join at picots. I came up with this on my own after doing reading on Celtic tatting. I don't think anyone can claim this pattern as their own since it's such a basic pattern. I know I don't claim it as mine. I plan on turning it into a vintage looking bracelet/cuff. I know by the time I'm done with it I'll want to keep it!

That's the hardest thing about tatting, deciding whether you can claim the design as yours or not. Like the basic square I use for my mini tatted quilts. I saw it in an old vintage booklet I bought. The book is now available online as a copy right free download so anyone can use that same block and do their own thing with it. Some things in tatting are just too basic to claim as your own design. It's what you do with it that makes it yours. Like how I took that basic 4 ring square and turned it into mini quilts. As far as I know no one has ever done that before with tatting so that makes it a new design that I can claim. Just how it's used but not the square itself. I've never seen any rings like the one yarnplayer came up with even though when you look at it, it's just a basic trim. But it's how she used it that makes it her design. Or when someone takes a basic motif and adds beads or charms and turns it into a necklace. They used their imagination so I think the tatted piece could be claimed as their design. But what happens when someone else uses that same basic motif and adds other kinds of beads, can they say it's their design? It's the same thing with basic doll and bear body patterns. It's all such a grey area that causes anger and hurt feelings.

BTW, if you want to learn how to tat, online classes are run by http://www.georgiaseitz.com/ . I've never taken them but have had a look at the classes. They look really good and they're FREE!

Some one asked about making and selling dolls using my patterns. I have terms of use them so there is no question that you can sell what you make as long as you're not hiring people to do the work. As for the free patterns on my web site, yes there are free patterns over there so go look some time, the same goes for them.

Way too much snow!

This pic was taken yesterday, since then we've had another 5 inches with more to come! Great excuse to stay in and make something. :)

I'm still tatting for my new etsy store. I was working in black, but last night switched over to white, next will be a dark red thread. Thought I should have a few choices of color.

Valentine dolls are up at the ebay store. There are 3 sweet little Valentine fairies. I don't think I'll be making any more because I'm too busy with other projects. I guess I'll just skip Valentines and move onto Easter Rabbits. I really like the one I have at etsy and was surprised it never sold last year.