Bijouxboutique

New kids cable knit wrist warmers

2011-11-27T04:56:00.000-08:00

This project has been a long time in the planning, I have done a lot of research finding out kids hand sizes, and they do vary greatly so I hope that you will find a pair to suit your child. I have used the softest aran weight yarn with a 50% wool content, so they will be very soft, very warm and very practical.

Toddler Age 2 - 4 years 5 - 5 1/2 inches (12 1/2 - 14 cms) across the widest part of the hand not including the thumb. 4 1/2 inches (11 1/2 cms) long Child Age 5 - 8 years 6 inches (15 cms) across the widest part of the hand not including the thumb. 5 inches (12 1/2 cms) long big kids Age 9 - 12 years 6 1/2 inches (16 1/2 cms) across the widest part of the hand not including the thumb. 6 inches (15 cms) long

New Cable Knit Wrist Warmers Knitting Pattern

2009-11-19T04:37:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to writing out my Cable knit wrist warmers pattern today, it took me over an hour to write it out, and then another hour to work out how to create a pdf!
I couldn't do it from works word processor, as every site I tried to use told me it didn't convert this type of document, I'm sure that's how I did it on my old pc! I had to use office word 2007 which is new to me and I didn't have a clue how to use it, I'm out of practice with word, I ended up copying and pasting the whole document from one to the other.
Anyway I managed to do it, but I don't know how I did it......!!!!!!!!!!!

I have neglected my blog

2009-11-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

so sorry but it's been forever since I had the time to visit my blog, poor neglacted blog......

Looks like it's going to be the pink ones!

2009-08-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

After a few more comments on my fan page, it's looks like it's going to be the pink wrist warmers!
So who wants to win them?

post your comments to enter!

So I've been thinking.......Blog Giveaway pt 1

2009-08-20T09:04:00.001-07:00

I was just wondering... what will get me back to my blog? which has been long forgotten since I moved house..... So I've been thinking of doing another giveaway, only this time I want you to tell me what the prize will be......... got it so far........now don't be getting all greedy and wanting the most expensive item in my shop......that just wouldn't be playing the game now would it? but you can pick something from my shop and whatever item gets the most requests will be the prize.

Are you all with me so far?

So this is going to run in two parts, the first part will be to pick one item from my shop which you would like to win, and post a comment with the link to the item at the end of this post, or on my facebook fan page

you don't have to post on both places, just one will do. One comment is one entry to my blog giveaway.
Then in about a week I will announce which item was the most popular choice, and that will be the giveaway, to win it you will have to post a comment on this post, my fan page, or part 2 of this blog giveaway.

I hope that is explained well enough. I will explain it again on the 2nd post, so watch out for my Blog Giveaway pt 2.

Let me just clarify a little, any comment on any post of this giveaway, or on my fan page will get your name in the hat, so to speak, if you comment once on this post, and once on my fan page and then again on the 2nd blog post, then you will have entered 3 times. Is that clear? If in doubt just ask me, because I've confused myself Ha Ha!
Have fun and good luck to everyone who enters.

moving house and moving on

2009-06-26T14:50:00.001-07:00

I've been abandoning my blog just lately as a lot has been going on in my life.
I am moving to a new house in a week and I have a ton of packing to do! Can you even guess how much yarn I have?
So I will be busy packing and moving, I will also be without an internet connection for a while, as here in France they don't rush anything, I'm hoping I will be connected again within a week of moving, but I'm not holding my breath.
When I return I will be back in full force, with lots of new goodies to list in my etsy shop, so look out for my return.
I will also be tweeting and catching up with all my friends on facebook.
I'll still be around for a week, but I won't have much time to be very active.
I'm gonna miss you all, so don't forget me.

I won a blog giveaway

2009-06-24T00:35:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe it!!! Kristina from Wash When Dirty just sent me an e-mail to tell me I just won 2 scrabble tile pendants in her blog giveaway!!! they are from the lovely jessejanes Etsy shop
I am so thrilled, I want to thank Kristina for running the giveaway, and I also want to thank Jesse for giving away 2 scrabble tile pendants:0)

This is my favorite item in her shop

....and the winner is.....

2009-06-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who entered my first blog giveaway, it has been fun reading all your comments, it's also been a great help to me, to see which items in my shop are everyones favorites, although the choices were so different, but that's a good thing.

Ok so now to the winner, congratulations Allie you have won a pair of my ribbed wrist warmers, just pick a colour out of the list on the post, don't worry if they are not in my shop as I've sold some since this giveaway was posted. They are also available in cream, but not pictured on my blog.
you can find Allie's etsy shop here and her blog here

I will be running another giveaway in a few weeks time, so please enter that too, just keep watching out for me to flood Twitter and FaceBook with the link, or keep a check on my blog.

cropped photographs

2009-06-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so these are finished pictures, and I will use some of them in my new listings, I'm quite happy how they turned out, but there is still room for improvement.
Not quite sure what to do about the pink ones, maybe I won't list them and I'll keep them for myself.

are they any better?

2009-06-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have taken a load more pictures of the washcloths and scrubbies, I think they are better, but are they good enough?
Now I know the pink one's are horrible and I still can't get them to look right, they seem to glare the camera, so I am going to try and take some more on a grey background as advised by an etsy friend who is helping me out, she is photographer and you can find her here she also suggested I read the instruction manual for the camera and it really helped, I had no clue what the camera could do let alone how to do it, so after reading the instructions for it I found loads of useful advice and instructions.
These are untouched images, I have yet to take them to Picasa3 and play around with them, and crop them, which I will do now and show you the difference.The brown and cream are quite good I think, I don't think they will take much tweeking, but the blue and purple might need a bit of work. Although I'm really pleased with this first one and I will probably leave that one alone

wash cloths, scrubbies and getting the pictures right!

2009-06-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some new items, but they are proving to be quite a problem to get an accurate picture of the colour, and I don't quite know what to do about it.
I have tried in the sunlight, out of the sunlight but still in natural light, indoors, even in the bath! The colour just never seems right, in fact it is really not like the colour at all.

The items in question are wash cloths and face scrubbies, the chocolate and cream ones are not a problem (they are not pictured here), but the more vibrant colours are, they are aubergine, bright pink and a mid blue. The aubergine comes out far too light but I did manage to get a couple that are not too far off the colour, the blue comes too dull and the pink is a bit dazzling, it is really bright, but it seems to glare. What am I doing wrong????

So over the weekend that is what I will be trying to do, get an acurate colour likeness, and hopefully I won't lose too much hair in the process.

So watch this space for some better pictures, hopefully..........

It's a lovely day today

2009-06-03T02:31:00.000-07:00

I'm having a lovely day today!
My day started with 3 sales overnight, I love it when that happens, I sold 3 pairs of wrist warmers!!!! I wasn't going to list or re-list anymore but now I've changed my mind.

My French Lavender is looking lovely.

I decided to take my little boy for a walk because it's such a beautiful day, but my son decided to have a bit of a strop because I wouldn't let him take his racing car track with him!!!!
Kids hey, so I had to carry him outside and he proceeded to stand and scream in the middle of the street! Yikes, I just stood there smiling with a bit of a grimace on my face LOL, pretending that everything was normal. Well we had a few things to buy from the local supermarket, so I walked ahead and ignored him the best I could, why is it that people stare at me as if I should do something, my policy is that it's best to ignore behavior like that. So I just smile and say Bonjour! and carry on my way, with Sébastien the terrible walking 10 paces behind! We make it to the supermarket, him screaming me smiling all the way around, although I am beginning to lose patience by this time, but not long until we are out of there, and just the same performance coming home again.

But it hasn't spoilt my day, and I'm going to see my new house this afternoon, so I can't wait.

These are pictures of the view from my balcony overlooking the center of my town.

my 1st blog giveaway

2009-05-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

My very first blog giveaway!
I am giving away to one lucky winner, who will be chosen at random, a pair of my $16 rib wrist warmers in any colour of your choice available in my shop.

The pictures of each are below, you will receive one pair free.

All you need to do to enter is go to my Etsy shop and choose your favorite item, then post a comment here telling me what your favorite item is in my shop, and then go to my fan page , click on the discussions tab and you will see a topic called Blog Giveaway, post your favorite item there also. You may also like to become a fan while you are there too.
The more times you enter them more chance you have of winning.

******You must post your comment here on my blog and also on my fan page to qualify entry, if you do not post in both places then you won't be entered to win.

So good luck everyone, the draw will take place on Sunday 14th June, when the winner will be notified.

Tuesday Treasures

2009-05-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

My Tuesday Treasures, here are just a few of my favorite items from my friends at Etsy Secrets.
My first Tuesday Treasure pick number 1 is CanadianRockies and her beautiful hammered earrings called Xarida
Second up is kelly livingston with her Loop d Loop Necklace Next we have studio618 with a lovely silver All You Need - Anklet I love this next one madmaggiedesigns and her colourful family 4 birthstone pendant,This lovely scrabble tile pendant is created by Houseof SixCats with a lovely Dandelion image.

My final pick is timothyAdamDesigns and one of his steel pendants which you can see in more detail here

I hope you like my choices.

Blocking my shawl/wrap

2009-05-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have never blocked anything before...... but I have knitted a lovely shawl wrap with a feather and fan pattern and it has to be done!
I didn't know how to do it, so I did a bit of research and found out a bit about it.

My first problem was where I was going to pin it out????? I had no idea, I could pin it out on the mattress, but then where would I sleep if it wasn't dry?????
I finally found out a mat that was bought for camping, the foam sheet that you put under your sleeping bag, or that can be used as a yoga mat, you know the sort.

Well it's perfect and just the right length and width, I just hope I've done it right.
Here is a little peek to so you can see what it looks like.

Drawstring Pouch for your sunglasses

2009-05-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is a brand new item for me, I just sat down with my knitting needles and some yarn and started to knit, I wanted something not too big that wouldn't take me too long to make from start to finish, and would be useful during the summer months, and this is what I came up with.

Simple, practical and a must have accessory for the summer, now it's getting to that time of year when the temperature is beginning to rise and the sun is out, we all need our sunglasses, and we also need something to put them in.

This handy little sunglasses case is knitted in acrylic yarn so it can be thrown in the washing machine at 40 degrees, so it's easy to keep looking new.
A lovely pale baby blue yarn knitted in moss stitch, (or seed stitch) with a drawstring cord and a wooden bead for closing it up.
see more details here

Thursday Feature

2009-05-21T08:58:00.001-07:00

I've decided to do a Thursday feature, and this week I have chosen T K Designs nature inspired handcrafted jewelery and accessories.
here is a little bit about her

I have loved nature, animals and creating with a variety of materials ever since I can remember! I grew up with many different pets, (including a pigeon!) exploring the woods around our home, and playing in my grandmother’s garden. Inspired by the nature around me, I learned to draw, oil paint, work with clay, garden, sew, and knit.

In college, I started out as a Fine Arts Student and later switched into Landscape Architecture. Summers, I worked in Cape Cod, MA, stringing beaded jewelry, tooling leather belts, and being a waitress at the Irish Pub (Fun!) I also picked up a love for floral design and photography.

Once I graduated, I started my own successful Landscape Design Company until I had my first child ten years later. I decided to temporarily give up my business to raise my family. This has been a wonderful time in my life. While my three children were small we enjoyed creating with all types of art mediums together. I had the opportunity to experiment with many crafts, but really love making jewelry.

As my children grow, my interests change, but my love of art and teaching children and adults about nature has always been a consistent theme in my life. I volunteered my time as a 4-H Leader focusing on nature found in their backyards and using natural elements to create art. I also have donated my time to design several children’s playgrounds, one being in our own town. But my favorite project I have donated my time to is the creation of a Wildlife Habitat located in the courtyard of my children’s elementary school! My birdhouses have become a passion of mine after helping my daughter with a recycling project for our Courtyard Wildlife Habitat!

I don’t know if I will ever go back to my landscape design business, I have been fighting chronic Lyme’s disease for the past 13 years. While it’s been quite a challenge to live with, I am thankful to God for blessing me with a wonderful family and talents I can share.

I will always be learning, loving and creating something!

daisy chain scarf

2009-05-12T03:40:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love crocheting flowers and I have made many of them, so what do I do with all these flowers?
Well I came up with this lovely accessory which you can see in more detail here, it's more of a decoroation than a scarf really, it looks lovely just draped around, with the flowers trailing down, it can be wrapped around your waist, or around your neck, I think it makes a lovely accessory for spring and summer.

This is a one off item that I probably won't repeat very often as it was so time consuming, but I did love making it.
It's a real whimsy accessory that trails around your body.

There are a lot of varying colours in this scarf ranging from yellow, pale peach, to an orange, blue, brown, grey, rust.

It measures 69 inches (176cm's) long
The flowers measure 2 1/2 inches (6cm's) across
there are 11 flowers in total and 2 little circles to finish the ends off.

New Pictures

2009-05-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

I have started to take a different approach when taking pictures, I'm trying to achieve a more natural look, and I think that I have vastly improved from when I first started. I love using picasa3 it's great for cropping and editing, and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, I even made my Etsy shop banner using it, it was so easy.

Anyway now for a look at the pictures.This first one I love, it's been sitting in my Etsy shop for well over 6 months, so we'll see if the image change makes a difference, you can take a look at it here
This one has had the most interest you can see the full description for it here

I also listed a new pair of Long Cable knit wrist/arm warmers - fingerless gloves.
In varying shades of pink, in a self striping yarn, making them unique, if you look at the pictures hereyou will see that although they look alike, they are quite different in a subtle way.

So do you think I have made improvements to the way I take pictures? I would love some feedback as to what you think.

Baby Sloppy Joe Sweater

2009-05-03T10:47:00.001-07:00

I thought I would show you what else I've been making besides flowers!

I fell in love with this sweater as soon as I saw it, it reminds me of the most expensive sweater that I knitted for my little boy last year, and I was thinking of doing a moss stitch version of it too.

I love this little sweater, it's so simple to make and looks so cute, it's a garter stitch sweater for a baby which is a little oversized, that's why I've called it a Sloppy Joe Sweater.

It has a roll neck large enough to fit over a baby's head easily and roll up sleeves, making it a lose fitting comfortable sweater, just like a Sloppy Joe.

This is not the only one I've made, but it's the only one that is complete and sewn up! One is finished but needs sewing up, and I have another one on the needles.

a basket to crochet

2009-05-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to crochet some coasters for a little while now, but wanted a basket or box of some sort to put them in.... well today I found a pattern for a cute little basket..... so I have started this one http://www.sugarncream.com/pattern.php?PID=3759 I will post some pictures of the basket and coasters when I've finished.

Making use of all those crocheted flowers

2009-04-18T08:39:00.001-07:00

I have come up with a lovely little spring and summer scarf, it's like a daisy chain, I'm just doing a test one now and I will post pictures of the finished item, hopefully modelled by my lovely daughter.
I'm quite excited about it because I so love making the flowers, just need to decide whether to keep it all one colour or to do contrast colour centres to the flowers.
I will keep it all one colour for now, but I would appreciate some input as to whether people think it would look better with a contrast colour in the centre of the flower.

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

2009-04-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some crochet flowers, I'm really pleased how they turned out, but I now have a problem.......I have made so many!
I just love making them, and don't know when to stop, you can see them all here .
I'm thinking of doing some solid colours next, but I'm going to practice joining them to a skinny scarf so it will look like flowers trailing around your neck and draping down your body, so watch this space!

IndieSpotting

2009-02-17T01:50:00.000-08:00

I've been spotted here my blue cable knit wrist warmers. Don't know if it will bring me any more sales but it's lovely being spotted.
If you want to submit a listing to the site:
Your pictures have to be good, clear crisp pictures and the item has to fit into one of the following.
and you need to link the picture to where people can buy the item, and that's it.
So why not have your handmade items spotted, what are you waiting for?

Trip to the UK

2009-02-14T01:50:00.000-08:00

I will be going to visit my parents and son in the UK in a few weeks, my son will be 18 years old on the 11th March, where did all that time go?
I can't wait to see him again, and I can't wait to see my mum and dad too, and I have a new great nephew to see named Oliver Boo.

I'm trying to limit the amount of people I see this time, as I never get time to spend time with the people I want to see.
In one week these are the people who I will be seeing,
My son
My parents
My sister and neices and great nephew and neice
my in laws
my in laws parents
my best friend Julie
my ex mother in law (this is where my son lives)
My other best friend Linda (who is also my ex sister in law)
hopefully that's it!

How on earth will I find time to go yarn shopping? As whilst I'm there I will be doing some yarn shopping of course, although I will have to post my yarn back here as I'm travelling light!
I will be looking for some cotton yarn in Spring colours, and of course any bargins that I can find.

Thinking about spring

2009-02-14T01:28:00.000-08:00

It's come to that time when I must start thinking about creating things for Spring. I am working on some new items, and need ideas for more, the wrist warmer sales are slowing down now and I need something to replace them with for Spring.

I have been doing a little crochet and made this cute little newsboy cap, I'm really pleased with it for my first effort. Just need a better model, I have to sack that lamp!

I need to buy some cotton yarn to make some more hats for spring and summer, which means another trip to buy yarn, which luckily is my favorite thing to do.
I am also thinking about making some reusable cotton make up remover cloths, and some dish cloths, not sure if they are in demand enough though, I need to do some more research on that one.
I may even knit some more bags, but I'm trying to avoid that until I've sold the ones in my etsy shop

more wrist warmers

2009-02-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

All I seem to do just lately is knit wrist warmers, and I never seem to get bored of knitting them. I love this cable pattern and I love making them in different colours, maybe that's why I never get bored.
If I didn't like what I was making then I wouldn't make them.....
.........unlike mens socks in dull brown! I was really unhappy the whole time I was knitting them, and I have another pair to knit in a boring beige colour too, which I'm not looking forward to, but I have promised that they will be done next week. I prefer to use self patterning yarn as you always want to see how they are going to turn out, makes it much more interesting. Maybe I won't agree to do any more mens socks in boring colours.

Etsy site is down for a while:(

2009-01-26T00:46:00.000-08:00

I'm a little fraustrated as Etsy is down, and I wanted to list a few more things, oh well.
I have been doing pretty well selling lot's of wrist warmers like these.Grey and cream seem to be selling the best.
You can take a look at my shop to see more http://bijouxboutique.etsy.com

I only wish I could knit them faster, they take around 6 hours to knit a pair, and I have been getting sore, stiff fingers that feel like a bunch of banana's!

I had to buy some arnica cream and that seems to be doing the trick, thanks goodness.
I don't know what I would do if I couldn't knit, although I did have to take one day off to rest them, which I spent doing nothing at all, as what else is there?

I also have an order for 2 pairs of socks, I'm just waiting for the yarn to arrive so I can start them, maybe it will come today, and I can take it with me to the knitting group this afternoon.

Exhibition in Limoges

2008-12-05T02:15:00.000-08:00

I had a telephone call yesterday afternoon that really surprised me.
Well the story is, we have an exhibition at the Chambre des metiérs in Limoges, at the gallery which is next door, it runs from the 2nd December through to the end of the month, so it had been open to the public for just 2 days.
The telephone call was to ask for more stock, they had already sold 13 of the 20 angel bookmarks I had made for the event, and they needed more Christmas cards, they had a stock of 130 cards, and they need more and that is in only 2 days!!!! I couldn't believe it, I am so excited.
So I made 10 last night and I still have another 10 to make before tomorrow morning, when my husband will deliver them.We also have an open day at home tomorrow, and then on Sunday we are doing a Christmas market in Le Dorat, so we are going to be so busy.

craft fair

2008-11-20T05:32:00.000-08:00

Well after having thrown my dummy out of the pram, I am now doing a craft fair this Saturday at La Maison Bleu!
It's a long story but now I have to knit my fingers to the bone and make some more wrist warmers, they are quite long with a cable up the front, and come up to just below the elbow and look lovely, I would put some pics on, only my camera died and we are in the process of finding another one.
I have 4 pairs completed and would like to do at least another 2 pairs. (I had already taken 2 pairs to another shop just yesterday).
I will also be taking some scarves, hats, angel bookmarks, Christmas decorations, and of cours Christmas cards, and anything else I can fit on a 1 meter square table! Not much room but I will artfully arrange it all and hopefully it won't look too squashed.

I am also doing some shorter fingerless gloves so hopefully they will be quicker to make, and I'm hoping I can get a couple of pairs of them done too, well I can always take them with me and knit whilst I'm there, it makes for interesting conversations and people seem more interested if you are doing something instead of just sitting there looking hopeful!

The window display is doing well, and already we have had to send more packs of Christmas cards round to Jim and Jill at Vettriano's and there has been a lot of interest in the other things displayed there.

run up to Christmas

2008-11-18T05:10:00.001-08:00

I have been so busy with the run up to Christmas, we have so many events on I can't keep up.
I have been knitting wrist warmers, hats and scarves and I still have loads to do.

We have an exhibition for the whole of December at the Chambre des Metiers in Limoges, a shop window display, which we did at the beginning of November and will be running until January, in Bellac, as well as all the craft fairs and Christmas markets we are doing.
I am just about knitted out, well..... not quite, I do love knitting.
I am no longer doing key rings because I made so many I am sick of the sight of them, so hopefully they will all sell.

I just have one major problem, my camera died and I need to invest in a new one that will take the picture without me having to be a photographer, I am a bit of an ameture where pictures are concerned, basically I'm rubbish at taking photo's!!!!!!!!
I have loads of stock to list in my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5536123 and I can't because I don't have any pictures, so I'm a little fraustrated to say the least.

I really must learn how to add links underneath little words, I have it in an email somewhere which someone kindly sent me, but it's lost and I can't find it. Oh well.

great find

2008-08-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend Penny I found this great site http://www.yarndex.com/
if you need to find a certain yarn it's fantastic!
I spent ages on the site it's amazing, it lists all the yarns by brand, name, weight, fiber, texture and more. I only wish I had found it years ago.

Still working on it

2008-08-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

I have managed to find out how to create a pdf, adobe reader has a wonderful program that turns files into pdf automatically, so I am working on 5 patterns for now to see how they look, and I will try and put some on here as soon as I can.

Other than that we have a delivery of 1,500 pairs of shoes coming this afternoon, which we have to carry up 3 flights of stairs, so I won't be doing anything else today. This is another new venture.

I am also sock mad, I started knitting socks less than a year ago and I love making them, everybody will be getting a pair for Christmas!
I am in the process of designing a pair, but it's still work in progress, so watch this space for the finished article.

Time for a change

2008-08-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

OK I have been away forever and it's now time to revamp my blog, I have really neglected it.

I fully intend to add some of my knitting patterns at some point so it will be more of a knitting blog than anything else, I will throw in a little jewelry from time to time, trouble is my little one won't let me make much at the moment, but he will let me knit Yay!

This is one of the sweaters that I have managed to knit for my son, (not one of mine), this pattern is available on Ravelry for free, it's the child's placket-neck pullover and here is the link
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/childs-placket-neck-pullover

If you haven't joined Ravelry yet then I strongly suggest that you do, it's full of great resources and helpful advice, as well as hundreds of patterns, it only takes a few days to get your invitation so go to the site and register http://www.ravelry.com/

I have been working on some new designs and I thought it was time to start sharing some of them, so watch this space for some of my patterns.

I would also like to learn how to make pdf's and how to link paypal to my blog, so if anyone can help me with resources that would be a great help to me.

Knitted Toys and missing camera!

2008-04-27T04:36:00.001-07:00

I have decided to have a go at some knitted toys, I have never really liked doing them in the past as they have so many little pieces, and then the dreaded sewing up bit, (which I really hate), but I wanted to try out some new things for selling on our market stall, aimed at kids with pocket money to spend, especially with the summer holidays coming up and tourists in their hundreds coming for a holiday in sunny France.

So I did a practice bunny for my 18 month old son and I really like the way it turned out, it's not perfect, and there's room for improvement, and I may have to make some alterations to the pattern, but it's really cute. I have just started on a teddy which will be bright orange.

I would post some pictures of them but the camera seems to have gone missing! It's not in any of the usual places and I don't know where else to look. Hmmm maybe my hubby took it with him to his market today, I hope so or else we have a camera thief in the house, maybe it was that stray cat we fed for a few days!

knitting socks

2008-04-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

I have been really busy knitting, I have become fascinated with making socks! So in between knitting all my bags I now have to make time to knit socks as well.
I made a pair for my daughter a couple of months ago, and have been meaning to make myself a pair the same. Well they are almost done, and now I have ordered some sock yarn with a new pattern, the wool is an opal sock yarn called crazy, which will look a little bit more interesting than the ones here, it makes a pattern all by itself and all I have to do is knit, how cool is that!. I am really enjoying it, it makes a nice change from bags.

I also managed to spend 150€ on wool for my bags this week, I bought a kilo of yarn and some!!!!! So I now have lots of colours to play around with, I just need to create a new pattern for a small bag and I'm away.

Other things going on the last couple of weeks, well yes quite a few, one of which is that I have been painting for a friend of mine, she has just had work completed on the upstairs of her house and I have been painting it for her, I have really enjoyed doing it, one room is completed and the other is still work in progress, she is going to the UK for 10 days, so I won't be doing any more until she comes back.
This is my youngest son Sébastien, and he's been poorly again, this is the 3rd time in 6 weeks that his glands have swollen up, he has an ear infection and a sore throat poor little fellow.

Free Shipping

2008-03-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Ok so I decided to jump on the self promotional band wagon and offer Free Shipping until the end of March......That's a $5 saving on most items in my store
So why not take a look and see if anything grabs your attention while the offer is on.

OK so that's the sale pitch over, I don't know if it will increase my sales or not, but it's worth a shot, it's been pretty slow since I opened my store in January and I'm hoping that the free shipping will pay off.

I am also knitting bags like crazy for spring and summer. Here in France we have the spring fairs starting at the end of March and I want to get as much stock together as I can manage, so I have 2 bags ready to sew up, 4 need the handles knitting, and another one on the go, so I have been really busy. My hands are paying for it though, boy do they ache!

A few of my favourites on Etsy

2008-03-10T02:31:00.000-07:00

This is something I've been meaning to do for ages, this is my first favorite item and it's by BeaG she does the most amazing key chain holders that are so useful, this one is a
keychain cell phone holder
She also does lip balm holders, shown in the picture, coin holders, even inhaler holders, they are so ingenious.
She sells pdf's of some of the items, if you want to have a go at making your own.

Bag for my niece

2008-03-05T05:48:00.001-08:00

Well I finally got some pictures done and after 3 attempts of downloading them into different folders, I actually found them! Woohoo!
I made this bag for my great niece who will be 6 next week, so I must hurry and get it in the mail so it arrives in time.
I had a little woven straw bag with flowers on it when I was little, so this bag was designed with that in mind.

I use 2 strands of yarn throughout to give the bag some strength, it then doesn't need lining as it is quite a tight weave, the handles are made by knitting i-cord which is a bit fiddly but well worth the effort, in fact the i-cord takes almost as long to knit as the bag!
The bag is knitted in the round so there are no seams to sew up, which is a bonus for me as it's my least favorite part of knitting. The top edge is made using a picot row and then folded over to get the nice effect around the rim, otherwise it looks a bit not finised off.
I added flowers to this one as it's for a little girl, but would still be suitable for an adult who likes fun accessories, the flowers are really easy and take about 3 minutes to make and I think they give it a finished off look.

The purple bag without the flowers, will be added to my store today, I also have done a larger version which is a shoulder bag with longer handles and is more practical for an everyday bag.

I really love making these bags as they are so easy to make, they just take a little time, but I spend most of my evenings knitting, and most of my mornings sewing them up and making the i-cord.

The small bags take around 4 hours to knit, and the larger bags take around 6 hours, so it's time well spent while I'm watching something on the tv.

Featured Seller TranquilityKnots

2008-03-04T06:15:00.000-08:00

Recently I bought a key chain, not just any old key chain, a really beautiful Red PanChang Knot Key Chain made by TranquilityKnots
This is made using the ancient art of Chinese knotting which dates back thousands of years, well it got my curiosity going and I wanted to know more so I have been doing a little research, Chinese knotted designs include symbolism, tradition and storytelling.

The two pictures are both designs of the Pan Chang Knot both made by TranquilityKnots, who joined Etsy in January 2008 and has been successfully selling ever since, I love her jewelry and decorative items, the colours are just beautiful and the work she does is simply stunning.

I will let her tell you the rest here is her bio, as she puts it better than I could.

"I always loved all types of chinese folk art while growing up, but chinese knotting is my true passion. It's all started several years ago when my mom bought me a wonderful birthday gift, a set of chinese knotting books and a bag of gorgeous cords and beads. I fell in love with it right then, and found myself making beautiful knots non-stop ever since. I love the fact that I can let my mind run freely and creatively, and then watch my new designs come to life. I have been sharing my creation with friends and family over the years, and now I am sharing it with you."

"Chinese knot is an ancient art form dating back to Tang and Song Dynasties, maybe even earlier. Culturally, they are expected to ward off evil spirits and act as good-luck charms. There are 12 basic knots, and by mixing them cleverly, you will get all the advanced knots and fabulous results. One major characteristic of this decorative knotwork is that all the knots are tied using one thread! Many types of thread can be used, however, satin or silk cord is the most common. Threads can come in a variety of colors, though the most commonly used is red, because red symbolizes good luck and prosperity."

"My designs are a combination of traditional and modern taste. Most beads or pendants used in my jewelry are chinese porcelain beads, however I do use gemstones, swarovski crystals, pearl, wood or metal or glass beads too. Every piece is designed and handmade by me, so it will be truly one-of-a-kind.
The reason I named my store “Tranquility Knots” is because that is how I feel when I making them or even staring at them. I hope my creation can bring you and your family good luck and peace too."

Photo hell

2008-02-29T08:21:00.001-08:00

I am having a real problem taking photo's of my bags, I just can't seem to get them right, I really wanted to put up some pictures, but every time I get out the camera and take some pics, they just look really flat and uninteresting, so I am making it my mission for tomorrow to be creative and take some really great pictures.

That's not my only problem, once I've taken my photo's and download them onto the pc, I can't find them again, and then I have to wait for my husband to come in and search for them!
I really do need to get a bit more technically minded.

One a day

2008-02-27T02:12:00.000-08:00

I failed already, I didn't get chance to post yesterday as I was ultra busy and didn't get a chance to get on the pc, except for to check my emails and shop!

I had a customer here to design her some wedding jewelery, we managed to get her bridesmaid bracelet sorted out which will be lovely and I will post pictures when it's done.
We didn't really decide exactly what she would be having as she was not quite sure, she wants something simple and elegant which doesn't distract the eye from the dress, I have something in mind but will wait until she has had a little more time to think about it first.

Also last night was the first night of getting my 16 month old to go to sleep by himself. It went surprisingly well, he was asleep within 25 minutes and went down for his nap this morning with no problem and he was asleep within 5 minutes, so fingers crossed it will continue. I have used the controlled crying method, where I go back and check on him every 10 minutes until he is asleep.

Just giving my blog some love

2008-02-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

I'm not really very good at keeping my blog up to date, I never seem to get the time, so I am going to try and post something everyday, even if it's just my ramblings, which I do quite often anyway, and sometimes get very carried away!

I have been really busy knitting, I have completed 4 bags all except the handles which I make in i-cord, which is pretty slow going as they need to be around 6 feet long.
One of the bags is for Jessica, my great neice, who will be 6 in a couple of weeks, so I really need to get it finished. I am also making some knitted flowers to sew on to the front of it, it looks really pretty so far so I hope she likes it.

I have also had my order of rings for making chainmaille jewelry, I have made a sterling silver Trizantine weave bracelet for my friends son, luckily he's only got a little wrist as it took 138 rings to make it to 6", but it looks wonderful, it's the first time I have done this weave, I found it a little tricky to start with and had to undo and redo it twice before I finally got it right.
I have also just started to do a stainless steel byzantine 3 weave for my husband, it's tough going and makes my hands ache, so I do a little at a time, can't afford to damage my hands as then I won't be able to do any knitting!

Pinkdoodle another place to sell

2008-02-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

I joined pinkdoodle, it's similar to Etsy only it's in the UK, another place to buy and sell all things handmade.
Listing is free until March 5th and after then it's only 5 pence per item with 6 picture slots and the listing is on there for 4 months, they take 3% when you sell an item, so overall it's another great place to promote yourselves.
It's still in the early days with little problems popping up now and again, which are solved pretty quickly, but it's worth taking a look.
Anybody, anywhere in the world can set up a shop, which is really easy, only it's in £££££ and not $$$$$, so it may take some of you some getting used to.
Anyway it's worth a shot so take a look and see what you think.

Oh no I've been tagged!!!!!!

2008-02-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

Sh** I've been tagged, I only just recently heard about tagging and now I'm it.
Thanks to Wax Dribbles & Melt Pools (thanks) I have to share 7 facts about myself

1. I am originally from the UK but I now live in France, have done for almost 4 years.
2. I had my son, now 16 months old, when I was 40.
3. I just love growing my own veggies.
4. I hate mustard.
5. I try my hardest to practice the principals of "The Secret".
6. A phrase I use often is, and my kids hate it "nobody ever said life was fair".
7. I go to bed really early and read.

Here are the 7 people I am tagging

The Banner Queen
A field Journal
Titled Unnecessarily
artgirx studio
timothy adam designs
Trainers in Nightclubs-ordinary beauty
Indie Finds on Etsy

Here’s the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

new bags

2008-02-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

Well I have been really busy knitting new bags, I have done 3 in the last 3 days, so I'm really pleased, although I have yet to sew them up!!!!
I love the knitting part but just hate the sewing up, so that's my job for today.
I really love doing these bags they are so quick to knit, I use 3 strands of yarn for thickness and strength, and the colors can be all the same or all different, giving them each a unique look.
I have taken a couple of pictures of work in progress and the finished bags will be put in my etsy store later today or tomorrow.I also received my copper toggles for the chainmaille bracelets that I made, I ordered them from hodgepodgerie she made them herself and they are lovely, I'm really pleased with them so thanks Stacy.
This bracelet will also be listed in my store.

Another sleepless night "sigh"

2008-02-05T04:55:00.000-08:00

My little one keeps waking up at the most outrageous hour, and frankly I'm getting too old for this, but don't tell anyone. So while I'm wide awake at 3.15am this morning, I start thinking about my blog of all things, and all the things I have to do today, and I nearly, I said nearly, got up when I realised how much I had to do. Well how much have I got done? Nada! Nothing! Rien! Zilch!

5.45am I got up.
First I had a cup of tea, then I had another, and then as I was still not quite awake I started on the coffee, so by this time it's getting on for 7am and Daniel 16 and Tasmin 14 are getting ready for school, my little one Sébastien who is 16 months old is happily playing and entertaining himself, why he can't do that while in his cot I don't know, I am just coming out of my zombie state, I must add at this point that the night time waking has been going on for about 2 weeks now so it's wearing thin!

7.30am wave kids off to school, wave hubby off to work, and turn on pc, mistake number 1, as we all know, once the pc is on I have to check etsy, my blog, and while I was at it signed up for Indiepublic, and had to spend a little time on there to find my way round didn't I????

Ok Ok now it's 9.30am and Sébastien needs a nap so I get showered and dressed and do a little rummaging around to make it look like I've actually done something, in fact what I actually did was wash the breakfast pots!!!!
I ran to the supermarket, came back and started dinner, hubby and Tasmin home for lunch, served lunch, hubby washed up, now it's 2pm and everyones gone again and I'm back on the pc!!!!
The day is almost over (OK so now I'm being paranoid) and I have still done nothing that I should have :( Oh dear I really must do something, but the way I look at it, I am doing something useful, I'm networking! So the day has not gone to waste at all, I have people who have looked at my Indiepublic and added a couple of friends, they have checked out my etsy store and I have checked out theirs, now I feel so much better.

I do really need to replace some jewelry though, as we have yet another new outlet and stock is going down, so I must go now and try and get something made.

Etsy

2008-02-04T06:21:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of Etsy? Etsy is a place to buy and sell all things handmade, there are some truly wonderful things, and some truly talented people, so it really is worth a look.
Come and see my etsy shop www.bijouxboutique.etsy.com

finally blogging

2008-02-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

Well I finally did it, I got myself a blog!!!
So where do I begin?
I am in the middle of my new craft, which is chainmaille, I just love making it and it looks so pretty. I have to be careful as it's so addictive.
This is my first piece and it will be a bracelet, I'm just waiting for my copper toggle and bail to arrive and then I will put it in my etsy shop.