In Bear, DE, in the fox Run Shopping Center, there is a little boutique called Jewelry Diva Gifts. Owned by a young woman and her mother, this shop is a treasure-trove of unique gifts and collectables. From Trollbeads and Disney figurines, to sophisticated clothing, this shop has a thoughtful array of fine gift ideas.
And now Smile Creations Crafts is joining the list of companies whose products have found a place in Jewelery Diva Gifts. I am very excited to be selling my smiling cotton coasters, fabric book covers, and more with this wonderful shop.
Cheers to a the beginning of great new relationship!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Easy-find-it Keychains
Ever lose your keys in the bottom of your purse? No, seriously... you're standing there in the rain by your car, frantically trying to find your keys while juggling the bag of groceries and your steaming latte.
Well, it happens to me all the time. And of course you know that the minute you find the keys and yank them out of your bag, the latte tips, you stain your blouse, and the groceries fall over as you try to stop from being burnt by the coffee!!
The solution? One of my easy-find-it keychains! They are one-of-a-kind macramed 
keychains, created by Dennis. Available in a variety of colors and designs, they range from 3-6 inches in length. Some are beaded, some are solid colors, some hang from a bamboo ring... there is no end to the uniqueness that is our easy-find-it keychain!
keychains, created by Dennis. Available in a variety of colors and designs, they range from 3-6 inches in length. Some are beaded, some are solid colors, some hang from a bamboo ring... there is no end to the uniqueness that is our easy-find-it keychain!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
OMG -- endless smilies!!!
You would think that a blog called The Smile Spot, for a business named Smile Creations Crafts, would be unquestionably all about smileys.
And I am. Don't get me wrong, I still adore the little round cheery faces.
But if you knit with me in the Tuesday night knitting group, you will recall that I was rather sick of crocheting them. After 16 sets of yellow smiley coasters in about 6 weeks, I was crochet-smiley'd out. It was a scary realization, actually, and made me question my smily-ness.
So I have remedied my anti-smiley sentiment . . . with a rainbow of smiling coasters! Smiley cotton coasters are back in my life (and my shop!) and better than ever in a rainbow of bright happy colors! Yellow (yes, I had to make a few), red, pink, blue, lime, purple. And instead of dictating what type of smiley day YOU'RE having, I offer you the choice. Now when you purchase a set of smiley coasters, you can customize your set by selecting which colors you want included. Same price, new options. A nice way to start the summer, don't you think?
And I am. Don't get me wrong, I still adore the little round cheery faces.
But if you knit with me in the Tuesday night knitting group, you will recall that I was rather sick of crocheting them. After 16 sets of yellow smiley coasters in about 6 weeks, I was crochet-smiley'd out. It was a scary realization, actually, and made me question my smily-ness.
So I have remedied my anti-smiley sentiment . . . with a rainbow of smiling coasters! Smiley cotton coasters are back in my life (and my shop!) and better than ever in a rainbow of bright happy colors! Yellow (yes, I had to make a few), red, pink, blue, lime, purple. And instead of dictating what type of smiley day YOU'RE having, I offer you the choice. Now when you purchase a set of smiley coasters, you can customize your set by selecting which colors you want included. Same price, new options. A nice way to start the summer, don't you think?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New online knitting resources
I've just discovered -- with the help of a few fellow bloggers and the wonderful Stumble! button in Firefox, 3 new knitting sites that I wanted to share.
Knitch - this new (first issue was Winter 2008/2009) online knitting magazine created by Yarnmarket LLC has some promise. There are a handful of free patterns in each issue, along with book reviews, a how-to, and articles on topics ranging from charity knitting to color trends. They also feature a regular poll on their website. The current topic is whether or not knitters are knitting from stash or buying more yarn (me? I'm doing a little of both, leaning more toward stash whenever possible).
Verena Knitting - a new (since summer 2008) knitting magazine out of Europe. So far I like the patterns in this magazine. They offer free patterns on their website (you have to register to access them) and lots of extras for subscribers.
Knotions - this one is my favorite. Much like the Knitch, this site offers free patterns monthly, book and product reviews, and engaging articles. I think what grabs me better with Knotions is the layout. The site is pleasant and easy on the eyes. The site is laid-out in an easy-find fashion; the important stuff jumps out at you. Also the pictures that accompany the patterns are terrific -- bright and crisp and nearly touchable.
Knitch - this new (first issue was Winter 2008/2009) online knitting magazine created by Yarnmarket LLC has some promise. There are a handful of free patterns in each issue, along with book reviews, a how-to, and articles on topics ranging from charity knitting to color trends. They also feature a regular poll on their website. The current topic is whether or not knitters are knitting from stash or buying more yarn (me? I'm doing a little of both, leaning more toward stash whenever possible).
Verena Knitting - a new (since summer 2008) knitting magazine out of Europe. So far I like the patterns in this magazine. They offer free patterns on their website (you have to register to access them) and lots of extras for subscribers.
Knotions - this one is my favorite. Much like the Knitch, this site offers free patterns monthly, book and product reviews, and engaging articles. I think what grabs me better with Knotions is the layout. The site is pleasant and easy on the eyes. The site is laid-out in an easy-find fashion; the important stuff jumps out at you. Also the pictures that accompany the patterns are terrific -- bright and crisp and nearly touchable.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pictures from sheep shearing day
Before ..... 
And after!! .... 
Waiting his turn... impatiently
The actual shearing was about 5 min per sheep. Most didn't even squirm.
Wool, lovely wool!! Or rather, fleece, lovely fleece! This was from just three sheep. There were at least 30 to be shorn!
And after!! .... 
Waiting his turn... impatiently
The actual shearing was about 5 min per sheep. Most didn't even squirm.
Wool, lovely wool!! Or rather, fleece, lovely fleece! This was from just three sheep. There were at least 30 to be shorn!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sheep Shearing
A farm in Landenberg, PA, the Meadowset Farm and Apiary, has an annual openhouse/sheep shearing day. This year it'll be March 14th beginning around 10am. I've never been but my friend Reluctant Mango said it was a fun little event last year, with spinning demos, sheep shearing (obviously), and finished items for sale. And they shared some homemade lamb chili (yum!).
I think I'm there..... :)
I think I'm there..... :)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Strange yarns
Good morning, and happy Monday!!!
I thought this morning I'd share something strange I came across while reading the Lion Brand email newsletter: stainless steel yarn.
Yes, you read that correctly (although you may want to do as I did, and click through the link above to confirm that your eyes are properly interpreting the letters above). This yarn is 75% wool and 25% STAINLESS STEEL.
I wonder how soft that is? Is there any real drape to steel? Does it relax/soften more with washing? Or with insertion into a VERY HOT FURNACE??? LOL
Actually, it got me to wondering about other strange materials used for yarns. Here are some I've found (each with a few brand examples), some stranger than others:
possum (there were several, I just picked one)
milk (tell me, do your projects curdle if not refrigerated?)
newspaper (this one you can spin yourself, although it looks very time-consuming)
pre- & post-consumer recycled yarn (this yarn made from waste poly-fibers and post-consumer plastic bottles isn't available, as far as I can tell, for us hand-knitters, but is interesting nonetheless)
What odd yarns have you seen/heard about? Anyone know anything about "concrete" yarn? I swear I saw it in passing one day, but I can't find information on it anywhere.
I thought this morning I'd share something strange I came across while reading the Lion Brand email newsletter: stainless steel yarn.
Yes, you read that correctly (although you may want to do as I did, and click through the link above to confirm that your eyes are properly interpreting the letters above). This yarn is 75% wool and 25% STAINLESS STEEL.
I wonder how soft that is? Is there any real drape to steel? Does it relax/soften more with washing? Or with insertion into a VERY HOT FURNACE??? LOL
Actually, it got me to wondering about other strange materials used for yarns. Here are some I've found (each with a few brand examples), some stranger than others:
possum (there were several, I just picked one)
milk (tell me, do your projects curdle if not refrigerated?)
newspaper (this one you can spin yourself, although it looks very time-consuming)
pre- & post-consumer recycled yarn (this yarn made from waste poly-fibers and post-consumer plastic bottles isn't available, as far as I can tell, for us hand-knitters, but is interesting nonetheless)
What odd yarns have you seen/heard about? Anyone know anything about "concrete" yarn? I swear I saw it in passing one day, but I can't find information on it anywhere.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
May I present.....
my first huge success of 2009 (and I don't mean because the sweater itself is large!).
Knit of Berocco Comfort Worsted Weight in fire engine red, it's sized to fit a dog 31" from base of neck to tail. It took nearly 4 full skeins of yarn.
It's all done in a simple rib, beginning with the collar in the round. There is a cute little hole at the base of the collar section to accommodate a leash. Then the rest is knit flat, though with lots of increases and decreases. The belly panel is knit on one side of the flat piece, and buttons around the dog.
Thanks to Terri Lee Royea, whose free pattern on Ravelry I adapted for this sweater.
Knit of Berocco Comfort Worsted Weight in fire engine red, it's sized to fit a dog 31" from base of neck to tail. It took nearly 4 full skeins of yarn.It's all done in a simple rib, beginning with the collar in the round. There is a cute little hole at the base of the collar section to accommodate a leash. Then the rest is knit flat, though with lots of increases and decreases. The belly panel is knit on one side of the flat piece, and buttons around the dog.
Thanks to Terri Lee Royea, whose free pattern on Ravelry I adapted for this sweater.
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