Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-nine

Popular last week: Family Tree Locket at Lynxrus5

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-nine - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

How you all doing? I've haven't had a particularly creative week. I did get the post up about blocking knitting and why we bother, but I had to use a not very pretty photo cos something weird is going on with my camera...

So, what have you been up to this week?

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:

Link up your items to get more exposure for your shop. You might be featured in the Best of the Week or Best of the Month features (and then you'll be tweeted and pinned!). Vintage is welcome too!

You have 2 options:

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post so we can find your blog.

2. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:  
Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big.

If you have problems with linking up, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Everyone:
It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: If you enjoyed this, please share it with your twitter followers:         Tweet #etsystocktake


If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here and choose the latest Etsy Stock Take...

How to: Blocking Knitting.

Blocking Knitting - Why?

Blocking makes your work look professional by evening out the stitches. The process allows you to get a perfect fit if you have knitted up something you want to wear. It's also great where there are lace stitches involved as it gets them to lay open and show off their prettiness clearly. 

It's pretty cool. 

Marmee and I blocked her waistcoat while she was staying with me a couple of weeks ago. 

What we did:

-Put the knitted piece in some lukewarm water (not hot, risk of felting) with some wool detergent.
-Swirled it around a bit (don't agitate, felting alert!).
-Let it sit for 5 minutes or so.
-Drained the water and squeeze the item, rinse well a couple of times with cold water.
-Rolled it up in a big towel (laid out how it will be in the end) and squeezed out the extra water.
-We got another towel and laid out the piece again, getting it all into the final shape we wanted it to be, smoothing out lumpy bits, uneven stitches etc.
-We measured how wide and long we wanted the final version to be and manipulated it into these dimensions and then pinned down the waistcoat.
-Then we left it to dry flat. This took a day or so on the floor by the radiator.

What we learnt:

-On the whole we were really pleased with how this came out. It's a sweet piece. I'll do a tah dah very soon.
-Be careful not to create corners. You see the bottom side ends and how they are pinned? They were pulling a bit too much and now there are funny little corners sitting out when Marmee wears the waistcoat! She'll try and fix that next time she washes the piece.
-Pin the item on the flat surface where you intend to leave it dry, it's hard to move it without stretching it out of shape again.

More on this project:

-Ravelry stuff
-Trying to get gauge.
-Half way!

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Afternoon Tea at The George Hotel Hamburg.

Me and Mimi had a lovely posh spontaneous afternoon tea at The George Hotel in Hamburg a couple of weeks ago. It was GREAT. So much so that I decided it deserves a little spot on the blog. I don't wanna forget...

The George is a funky modern boutique (design) hotel and the bar is cosy, quite dark, with leather sofas and Moroccan details. There is a cool British 'living room' that you can use if it's open too, full of high back arm chairs and quirky details. Oh and an open fire :)

If you are in Hamburg and want a treat, it's worth a look...

Cheers Mimi *Big smile and a hug*



PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-eight

Clicked on a lot last week: Soap Butt Ends from DelicateByNature

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-eight - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

We had a great week last week, we enjoyed a couple of days in the Netherlands, seeing Delft, where the famous blue hand-painted pottery comes from and an afternoon in Amsterdam. I've loads of photos, but I have to work out how (and when!) to organise them for the blog...

I'm still granny squaring and I have been really good and already sewn in the ends of the 64 that I have crocheted so far (64! I just counted them and I can't believe that I've made so many and yet I'm still enjoying each one). Next is blocking and then I can get some pictures for the post I've written about the purpose of blocking...

So, what have you been up to this week?

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:

Link up your items to get more exposure for your shop. You might be featured in the Best of the Week or Best of the Month features (and then you'll be tweeted and pinned!). Vintage is welcome too!

You have 2 options:

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post so we can find your blog.

2. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:  
Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big.

Everyone:

It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

If you have problems with linking up, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Let's show our support for each other craftwise! I'm hoping that my goal of listing one item a week will be a powerful motivator and a source of exposure for us all.


Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: If you enjoyed this, please share it with your twitter followers:         Tweet #etsystocktake


If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here and choose the latest Etsy Stock Take...

Handknitted scarf in LifesJewels

I'm working on reviving LifesJewels on Etsy, slowly adding new items. I'm super excited about seeing the shop fill up!

 First up: A lavender and cream infinity cowl inspired by summer butterflies in Provence. Just in time to have a bit of summer in autumn! That will make the change of seasons easier :)

Special offer: Follow me on twitter @katezat and tweet me and I'll send you a 10% off coupon code. 




PS. Do you sell your creations on Etsy too? Then you must check out the Etsy Stock Take. You can share your items and I tweet and pin my favourites. If you like to buy handmade please go and have a look at what my readers are up to!

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-seven.

Clicked on lots last week: Designer Pillow Cover from ThePillowStudioShop

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-seven - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,


I've been steaming away with the little granny squares. I think I have about 40 now... I've used up 2 of the 6 balls of wool. I've had a busy creative week with my mum staying over and am now planning my next projects... Lot's of scheming going on :)

Re: weekly Etsy Stock Take reminder email, I had 4 people say 'yes please' and no one say 'yuck more spam' so I'm going to try it out! Please let me know what you think and if you want on or off the mailing list.

So, what have you been up to this week?

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:

Link up your items to get more exposure for your shop. You might be featured in the Best of the Week or Best of the Month features (and then you'll be tweeted and pinned!). Vintage is welcome too!

You have 2 options:

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post so we can find your blog.

2. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:  
Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big.

Everyone:

It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

If you have problems with linking up, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Let's show our support for each other craftwise! I'm hoping that my goal of listing one item a week will be a powerful motivator and a source of exposure for us all.


Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: If you enjoyed this, please share it with your twitter followers:         Tweet #etsystocktake


If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here and choose the latest Etsy Stock Take...

Classic Cars in Hamburg - Mystery Blue.

*Update* Leslie's man told her it's an 1954 Oldsmobile. On further research (googling and looking at images!) it looks like he is right. And there is an interesting controversy surrounding this model. It was supposed to be released in 1955, but was mysteriously brought forward... Mystery blue indeed!

Not sure what this pretty thing is... but it is ADORABLE! The white-rimmed tyres are so cool! I saw it near Osdorf in Hamburg.

While doing some online research to (unsuccessfully) identify this car, I found a fun Flickr group where people have pooled images of classic cars. Worth a butchers*. 

This is part of my photography project: Classic Cars. I now carry my camera wherever I go and I will collect pictures of vintage cars that I see while out and about. They just make me happy.

1. Mini Cooper in Hamburg
2. V.W. Beetle  in Hamburg
3. V.W. Beetle with vintage skis in Hamburg
4. Mini Cooper in Hamburg
5. Vintage cars in the UK Winter 2012  
6. Renault 5 in Hamburg
7. Classic cars in Sylt in Germany Spring 2012 
8. Classic American in Hamburg
9. Fiat 500 in Liguria in Italy Summer 2012
10. VW Beetle Convertible in Lausanne in Switzerland Summer 2012 
11. Mini Cooper in the Hafen City in Hamburg

LOVE classic cars!

*London Cockey rhyming slang: Worth a butcher's hook = worth a look ;)

PS. Like to buy handmade? Check out amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Beach Button Sewing.

Marmee's waistcoat's got buttons! We sat on the Wittenbergen Beach in Rissen just outside Hamburg yesterday in the sunshine and while mum embroidered I sewed the buttons on. It was the first time we had been to this beach on the river Elbe and there was real sand :)

These are temporary pearly buttons that we bought at Mylys last week. The real buttons are going to be leaf shaped and are being custom made by a lovely Etsy artist.

More details on this project can be found on Ravelry.

Officially that means it's finished, but I'm going to put the ta-dah photo's in their own post later... Oh and if you've ever wondered why and how to block your knitted piece that'll be up soon too.


PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-six

The most clicked on last week BY FAR! Mali Sock Monkey at Malidolls

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-six - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,


I've got Marmee staying over this week and we are having a nice time visiting Hamburg and doing creative things. We've blocked her waistcoat and we're waiting for it to finally be dry so we can sew the buttons on. We hung out in a knitting cafe. We've watched cool movies. Marmee's knitting a jumper and I'm crocheting little granny squares (and I finally blogged about them). Fun!

Re: weekly Etsy Stock Take reminder email, I had 4 people say 'yes please' and no one say 'yuck more spam' so I'm going to try it out! Please let me know what you think and if you want on or off the mailing list.

So, what have you been up to this week?

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:

Link up your items to get more exposure for your shop. You might be featured in the Best of the Week or Best of the Month features (and then you'll be tweeted and pinned!). Vintage is welcome too!

You have 2 options:

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post so we can find your blog.

2. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:  
Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big.

Everyone:

It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

If you have problems with linking up, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Let's show our support for each other craftwise! I'm hoping that my goal of listing one item a week will be a powerful motivator and a source of exposure for us all.


Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: If you enjoyed this, please share it with your twitter followers:         Tweet #etsystocktake


If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here and choose the latest Etsy Stock Take...

Granny Square Blanket.

Yum!

Oh yummy yum!

Sprial baby!

Solid, 3 round granny squares

 

I'm giving granny squaring another chance! This is a stash-busting exercise that should leave me with a sweet little blanket.

The wool is from my favourite LYS in Hamburg, MYLYS (you also get a great hot chocolate there. Marmee and me spent a couple of hours knitting, chatting and eating cake there yesterday!). It was meant for other projects: grey for a waistcoat and purple for a baby blanket, but I had leftovers, 3 balls of each colour.

I've gone with a solid granny square pattern, just doing 3 rounds. When I get sick of granny squaring, I'll sew in the ends and do some blocking and then when I'm sick of that I'll go back to granny squaring. So far I've made about 30 squares.

The squares are dinky and I love them. My hubby suggested sewing them together in a spiral which I think goes quite nicely with their simple colours and pattern... Watch this space for blanket updates :)




PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Dahlias in Hamburg

Last week we went walking in the Volkspark in the west of Hamburg and visited the Dahlias currently on display. There were so many different varieties all with different colours and shapes. They were stunning and brightened up a drizzly morning!


PS. Like to buy handmade? Check out amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-five - Best of August

Etsy Stock Take - Week Thirty-five - Sunday Linky Party - Best of August 

I've been a very lazy blogger recently. I seem to have got out of the routine of it during our long trip away this summer. I have plenty to say and many photos waiting, but somehow they don't make it to the blog...And the Sunday Etsy Stock Take is being written on a Monday morning! Oh well...

So I made the velvet cushion covers last week and let me tell you, velvet is a handful! I would post them straightaway, but I stupidly forgot to take pictures of them in their new home. They looked wonderful though, they have a leather chair each! I'll have to pop round to my friend's place to get pictures soon.

I'm granny squaring like crazy for a little stash-busting blanket. I have about 20 now and I should be able to get a post up about those this week!

What have you been up to lovely creative people? Please tell all... and link up your treasures below as normal.

And... don't you know this is the Best of August post of the Etsy Stock Take, get ready to gush!

Week Thirty-one:

Enamel Pendant from GestofCreation

Week Thirty-two:

Blue flower stud earrings at PiggleAndPop

Week Thirty-three:

Owl water colour painting at RoksGallery

Week Thirty-four:

Art Illustration Lasso the Moon from BatesMercantileCo

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:

Link up your items to get more exposure for your shop. You might be featured in the Best of the Week or Best of the Month features (and then you'll be tweeted and pinned!). Vintage is welcome too!

You have 2 options:

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. Then we can find your blog :)

2. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:  
Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big :)




It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

It seems that there have been some difficulties with the Linky widget. If you have problems, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Let's show our support for each other craftwise! I hope the Etsy Stock Take will be a powerful motivator and a source of exposure for us all.


Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: If you enjoyed this, please share it with your twitter followers:         Tweet #etsystocktake


If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here and choose the latest Etsy Stock Take...