H.........oliday Sale!

From Friday, November 28, through Monday, December first, I will be joining many fellow Etsy Bloggers in the Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale. Each of us has special offers which you can find by clicking on the above logo . I'll be offering 10% off the entire shop, plus free shipping on any total purchase of $35.00 or more. As an added bonus, a free gift bag will be included for every pine needle basket purchased. This would be the best time to do your holiday ordering as well as be sure to have your gifts delivered on time! Happy shopping!

Christmas scrubbies

Just in time for the holidays, we're premiering our version of dish scrubbies in a wreath shape! Especially in these economic times, these cute, practical scrubbies that can be stuffed in stockings, tied on packages, and even hung on the tree are reasonable to buy or make yourself! All you have to do is remove the ribbon and plop these tough, yet gentle 3" scrubbies in the dishpan or use them to get dishes ready for the dishwasher. they wash easily in the dishwasher basket or in a bag in the washer and they air dry in a snap. if you crochet and want the easy pattern, just contact me. If you wish to purchase a couple or a set of six, please check my Etsy shop on the right!

I.........t's all about family

As most of us, I've attended my share of 50th wedding anniversaries, and for so long, they were always for what I would call folks in their golden years. For some strange reason, that is no longer true and those celebrating this remarkable time are now younger than ever. 50 years ago, I had the honor of being in my cousin's wedding party, and we were honored to be there to celebrate this happy occasion with them. The surprise party, hosted by their five children, was held last Saturday evening. Here you see the "bride and groom" cutting their anniversary cake (which was delicious). For the first time in many years, my sister and I were able to be with our three cousins at the same time. The second picture is of the "Evans girls", including my mother. What a joy it was to be with our family and relive such wonderful memories from long ago. Happy anniversary, Dick and Sue; and wish you many more!

F.........irst Christmas on Etsy

I've been excited to see how the Christmas season goes on Etsy. My sales have been rather steady, and I don't know if they will go up, down, or stay the same. Already, I've had folks stock up on scrubbies for stocking stuffers. One person told me she was adding an apple scrubbie to some apple scented soaps as gifts this year. How cute would that be?

The one special thing I'm trying for the holidays are raffia Christmas ornaments which can also be used as package tie-ons. Most of them make use of the delicate teneriffe designs from the pine needle basket art. They are either two or three inches in diameter, have a small crocheted loop for hanging, and are accented with a bow. The stars are also raffia ornaments worked around a 3" star shape. I'm especially pleased with the mini baskets that are only about one and 1/2" in diameter. I think they'd be adorable on an Easter tree as well with different colored ribbons.

No matter what, I'll have plenty of small gifts to give with my presents as well.

Hope you're all looking forward to the holidays as much as I am!

A.........natomy of a pine needle soap dish

The newest project on my plate is to make soap dishes from pine needles around a cane base. The pattern comes form pine needle guru Jeanie McFarland in Alsaska. First, two rows of pine needles are coiled around the back of the cane to form a base. Then eight rows of pine needles form the dish. All the coils are hand sewn with natural raffia. You can see it from the top and the bottom, as well as holding some of my scrubbies. Hope they'll be in my shop soon and they'll definitely be part of my gift giving this Christmas!

J.........ewel of a poet!

Isn't this "tipi treasure" necklace fantastic? It is just one of the wonderful pieces of jewelry created by storybeader. And, every item of jewelry she creates comes with its own original haiku! The haiku for this piece is called "Doves Rising". You can read it and see all the gorgeous jewelry on her site at http://storybeader.etsy.com She is the Etsy Blogger of the Month, so please also visit her blog at http://storybeader.blogspot.com

T.........iny pine needle basket ornaments!

Each year, I try to make a new and different set of Christmas tree ornaments. The 2008 ornament comes from an idea by one of my wonderful sons-in law. It's a tiny basket that measures less than 1 1/2" in diameter and 1 1/2" high including the handle. They're made in the same style as the large pine needle baskets and because of their size, are somewhat challenging. The materials are the long leaf pine needles, natural raffia, and a small red satin ribbon. The basket is coiled and the handle is actually crocheted with the raffia. After the holidays they can be used for tiny trinkets and with a different colored ribbon would also be appropriate as Easter decorations! They're available in my Etsy shop (you can click on the right). Thank you for the great idea, James!