I’m feeling a little giddy this morning because I finally finished up my little swan that I have been working on for AGES.  And when I say that, I’m not exaggerating.  For those of you that read my olde blog, do you remember this?:

I went back to the post to find the photo to show you and I reread it.  I totally forgot that this original version was 2 YEARS in the making, and that post is dated almost 1 year ago, to the date.  So, what, that makes this a 3-year craft project?!

Ha, I’m actually a little embarrassed to admit that it would take me that long to finish.   But I’ve become aware that may happen; I mean, just the other day I was saying I won’t commit to any sewing project on this blog because I know that it might take forever to finish (if at all).  But 3 years?  Sheesh.

Anyhow, back to the felt-y one.  Yay!  I’m glad she’s done.  I cut these pieces out a month ago and since I decided this new version was going to be stitched by hand, I figured that it would take me a long time to do it, so then I just didn’t feel like it.  You know, it’s very satisfying to post a project on this blog.  I feel like a little kid coming home from school, “Mom!  Look what I made!”

Ok, it’s not 100% finished finished. (Scandal!)  The crown is not stitched on yet, just kinda floats there for the picture.  Oh, I’ve decided that I love making silver pipe cleaner crowns.  Just bend bend bend.  Maybe I need metallic gold pipe cleaners too.  You know, for gold crowns.   And the wee scarf was a last minute thing as I still like my scalloped capelet from the first one.  But this scarfie is cute too.   I love the vintage foil-backed buttons attaching the wings but wouldn’t covered buttons be sweet as well?  And I’ve got some other ideas for the head dressing.  Oh!  Why don’t’ I just make felt critters all day?

Yay!  I’m super excited about these!  I’m totally thrilled with how they turned out; I hope you like them.

“Our Tree Dresses” is my latest hand-drawn illustration, set on lovely light blue-gray Canson paper.   Pretty gold glitter toppers too.  I would love a hat like that!

The size A1 (3.5×5″) cards are professionally printed on 100% recycled card stock with soy inks.  Each card has a matching kraft envelope which is also 100% recycled.  I guess you could say I was going for a “green” Christmas, hee hee.

Oh!  And included in each set are red & white candy button seals to pretty up your envelopes.

I have sets in 2 sizes: 5 card and 10 card sets.  The 5 card sets come specially wrapped like a sweet treat:

Quantities are limited this year.  Ah, here’s the back view:

If you want 3 or more of the 5 card sets, please let me know, and I can give you a fabled needle discount.  Just email me or contact me through le form.

» See “Our Tree Dresses” 5 Card Sets here.

» And see the 10 Card Sets here.

I was looking for some photos in my folders which apparently don’t exist – have you ever thought you took photos of something but as it turns out, you didn’t?  Well, I’ll have to remedy that soon.  Anyway, I found some photos of a quilt I made for my friend Susan that I meant to show you last year but completely forgot!  I should probably share this with you know lest I want to wait until next fall.

Susan is distinctly an autumn person, at least in my mind anyway.  Anything maple-y/pumpkin-y/autumn-y makes me think of her and the cozy Arts and Crafts-inspired home she and her significant other have carved out for themselves.  (And I mean that almost literally – her boyfriend is quite skilled in wood-working and did most of the remodeling himself.)  For a long time I had been collecting fall-ish prints — acorns and autumn leaves, mostly — to make them a quilt, including some pieces found at a quilt shop on Bainbridge Island on a trip we took with her sister many years ago.

I think this pattern is called a Roman quilt although I’m not 100% sure of that.   It’s pretty easy to do but looks fairly intricate.  As you can see, 3 long rectangles to make a square; then each square turned 90 degrees from the one next to it to create the zigzag design.  The layers are held together with a variety of brownish buttons (ones that are smooth and flat so they don’t scratch or poke).

It’s a small thing, the right size for your lap, as you’re curled up with a book and a mug of tea.  I wish I had taken better photos of it but oh well, what can you do.  I’m happy with how it turned out and now it’s with Susan, where it belongs!

Speaking of tea, it’s time for mine.

Thank you for your comments and sales!  I admit, launching the new shop is a little nerve-racking, hee hee.  Anyway, I’m glad to have put the shop up because I can focus more on making things, the best part.

There are many new treats in the shop, including these vintage digital kits!  I’m really happy about them, actually.  I love vintage postcards, particularly Victorian and Edwardian ones, and I’m so stingy about them – I can’t seem to part with them!  So, along with vintage buttons, millinery, calling cards and even an old saucer, I made a digital few kits to share.  Violets & Violas, above, has a ton of high resolution PNG files which are really nice because they have transparent backgrounds which are good for layering in blog headers and scrapbooks.  (And since they are 300 dpi, you can print them out too!)

There’s also a kit with pretty blue vintage buttons, ranging from the 1920s through the 1950s, in PNG format and in a handy collage sheet (JPG) to print out (both 300 dpi).

And red & pink vintage buttons too!  Love those swirly ones.  Oh!, what projects can be made with these…

I’m so thoroughly enjoying the little rain we are having.  Staying in, snug and cozy.  For dinner tonight we’re having tacos with blue corn torillas  (I just love the novelty of them) which I need to make ready right now.

Happy Wednesday, my dears!

(P.S. Images are watermarked and degraded for posting purposes – digital files do not contain these watermarks and are high quality, of course!)