hugs across the universe™

Parting is such sweet sorrow

These guys are on their way to new homes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we didn't get to spend too much time together, I shall miss them...but it's wonderful to know that I am creating something that people will cherish for years to come--becoming part of their traditions, part of their memories. That's priceless.

I am honored. Thanks for the support.

I hope to get a few more things in the shop before the Christmas Buzz is over but time is so hard to come by these days. I've been spending a lot of time in my son's school volunteering and doing book presentations, bonding with the kids. It's kinda nice.

;-)

I read them my SNOWBEAR sequel and realized it still needs a little work.
Amazing what happens when you read something in front of an audience. You can see where it just doesn't flow. I'm glad I didn't send it out yet.

Back to the think tank on that one. Come January, I'll also be working on some *hatu* art for the Panda Books. I'm working on a plan.

Enjoy the weekend! Tomorrow I go to the flea market! I know, I'm such a fickle beast. What are you going to do? I enjoy my time away on the hunt.

Thankful

I finished up my Thanksgiving Centerpiece~really liked the way it came out too.

And there's 24 more to come if I want! YOWZA! This one is in the shoppe as I type and I wonder if I'll make another one this year. It's hard for me to repeat--I like to keep exploring the possibilities--although I would certainly save time if I repeated. I already worked out all the details and that is part of what takes up so much time. Hmmmmmmmmmm...

There's one more fall thingie I want to make before I go full force into Christmas though. I hope to start it today but I have a little boy who is having a birthday party this weekend here at our house. I've got goodie bags to make as well as finish my favors. I'll show those later...like when I'm done with them!!!

Did I already tell you how much I'm having fun with all this? Feeling very thankful at the moment that things seem to be going in the right direction.

Mini Halloween Update

Sorry I've been missing in action for about a week. Been so busy!!! This September has put everything into high gear here and I haven't stopped for a moment to catch my breath or so it would seem. I feel like everything is falling into place though and that's very exciting. In a couple of weeks, I might have some very good news to share too.

But--Hey, I actually got it together and have a mini Halloween Update for the Shoppe today! I've even started on Thanksgiving believe it or not, and hope to get the Christmas vibe going again before life gets too crazy.

I'm really loving these spun cotton and chenille creations and it's so much fun for me to create them. I feel like I found my calling (again~you know how I am) Anyhow, I Hope you enjoy them too. Today it actually feels like fall here on account of no sun out today and the threat of some badly needed rain is predicted for today and tomorrow. I've even got the heat on today and I feel like cuddling up in front of the fireplace now that I've got these all listed in the shoppe. Anyhow, that's why the pictures are not the greatest--too dark inside.

Here is my little ghostly trio---inspired by those vintage crepe paper favors I got at the Rose Bowl last month.

And I made two new Skeleton Boxes--really made to go together and I hope they stay that way. It's a "His and Hers" sort of thing with candy boxes.

I got the skeleton for his wand at the flea market I went to last week. You know, the one I still need to take Close-up pictures of to show you? I'm not sure if the little skeleton is vintage or not--but whatever it is, it's way cool. I walked away from them at first though, unsure what I would do with them and then came back several hours later when I thought of the wand idea. Lucky for me, they (yes, there is a couple more) were still there!

 

Then I got a little adventurous and made this guy...

 

Who is now my current fav.

What can I say but the devil made me do it!

Some of My Favorite Things

The *hatu* shoppe has gone a bit commercial~only to allow me some crafting time in the studio--because more Halloween is on the way--all in due time!

I'm pleased to offer these Brand Spanking New in the Package Crafting Kits from Martha Stewart for you and your wee ones. Only my favorite kits are available in my shoppe. If you like pom-poms, pipecleaners and crepe paper than hop on over!

There are the sweetest birdies:

The cutest forest creatures:

The most fearsome jungle creatures:

The most endearing woodland creatures:

and your basic barnyard menagerie:

That's all for the kids and you when they get home from school. Keep them creative!

And for you dear one:

Some wonderful crepe paper flower kits:

I, for one, want to learn how to make things my critter's can hold in their hands.

You can bet me and the kiddo will be utilizing these --- he's been very inspired by all mama's crafting lately and talks about opening his own store. Hmmmmmmmm...I guess we have another entrepreneur on our hands. There is nothing sweeter than when he runs into the kitchen and places one of his drawings or what~have`you's in a sandwich bag and staples it shut on top with a flap of paper. So charming! Like mother, like son.
;-)

oh, and I added a new category--fun finds! You know, when I'm out and about and I see something that I just know someone else would like!

A Holiday I've come to know so well

I started this piece not really knowing where I was going with it, but then it all fell into place and I'm really pleased with the way it came out.

If it doesn't sell, I can find a place for it here at my house. I've certainly got that "shrine" thing going on here. Many hours were spent finding the right sequins for it and making a pattern that repeats on both sides. Just like my old ATC's.

It's very colorful~which is what day of the dead is all about. Color, love, celebrating life. And I had to add a butterfly in there too.

'cause that's the soul transformed. You can find it right here.

Blame it on the sun

Well, here we are on the first day of my goal setting and I did finish a new piece for the shoppe but the sun is going down and I can't get good pictures at the moment. So, Technically I'm still on course, but an all day playdate today for the kiddo and me didn't get me where I wanted to be work wise.

My day of the dead centerpiece will have to wait until tomorrow.

That means today's offering for the shoppe is a restock item--actually two of them. Little Baby Girl and Little Baby Boy sticker matchboxes. Perfect for those birth announcements or scrapbook pages.

Birth and death, makes sense to me.

New Goals & Direction

September has brought a lot of change to this household. Forget about New Year's--this is the time for renewal right now. With the kiddo in first grade and a new school and a new system to figure out and maneuver--it's been crazy around here adjusting to all the newness. My manuscripts feel like a distant memory. Waiting to hear from Publishers/agents takes an eternity. But so far, no news is good news. Meanwhile, I'm moving forward, and that means moving on.

Thankfully I feel very inspired lately, full of vintage Holiday madness it seems and I can't stop thinking about that. I wish I had more time, but letting go of the little one, and trusting in others more, is freeing me up more to get back on track with my creative pursuits.

I have a new goal--and that's to put something in the shoppe every weekday, whether it be a new handmade creation, a restock, a destash or a vintage find. Pretty tall order I know--and that means I'll be blogging every weekday as well. I miss the old blog and all the repoire I used to have with all you bloggers out there. Seems like all the old timers are either slowing down and/or taking breaks. After all, we've been at this for years! I've been doing it since July 2004.

So, today's shoppe offering is a restock. Remember the Little Cutie Pouches?

Here is Little Yellow Bear.
You know you want him.
;-)

These are Santa's Elves - Ho Ho

Meet Gus. He's in the shoppe.

A dose of cuteness for the weekend.

Halloween is in da house

It took all day ~ and I mean

all day!!!,

but the Shoppe is stocked with Halloween! I think in the future, I'll just load 'em in as I go along...

Anyhoos, here is Jules from Yesterday:

 

and his buddy Edward, fresh from the grave:

 

And then there is Fred:

who loves to wave that flag.

And Howard is ready for the 31st with that giant JOL...

 

and Miss Kitty strikes a familiar pose:

 

and everybody knows it soon will be the witching hour!

Gertrude can't wait.

Neither can her sister Winifred, so she's brushing up on her spells:

 

And then there's their cousin, Mildred:

who still likes tricks and treats. But then there's Ethel, and they've all decided she's positively batty.

 

And last but not least, there's the pumpkin man, who's come back this year looking a bit more vintagey than before:

 

And every one of them, gets the stamped hatu seal of approval--just like the way they did it in Japan.

Here's a helpful Link.

:-)

Halloween is Coming!

Trying like the dickens to get this guy and about 9 of his spooky friends in the shoppe by tonight hopefully but for sure by tomorrow. Just waiting for the sun to show up this morning so I can take some decent pictures!

And had a great day at the swap meet/Rose Bowl yesterday. Lots of goodies to show---stay tuned!

Update: I still had too many details to finish for the photo shoot; I'm afraid the shoppe opening will be tomorrow!