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Thankfully over the last few days I have managed to get a few of the things on my ongoing project list finished, or at least well on their way. Thanks to everyone that has been helping me to clear out my stash. I feel better about it already. I am going to be making a trip to the wondrous world of Ikea in a couple of weeks to get some storage stuff, with plans to do a bit of a shift around in the studio. I will be sure to show you how that goes.

Over the last couple of weeks I have made a number of little zippy pouches to help me get organized. I had a sad little old box bag for my notions, so I decided I needed a new one. And my sock in progress seemed to always be getting tangled up with stuff in my purse, so I decided I needed a bag for those too. And since I have been doing a lot of cross stitch this year, I made an addition hoop bag too.

One of the nice things about ordering fabric for a business, it that you can pick fabrics for your own projects from a bit wider range (of immediately available choices anyway). These three bags have been put into solid use since I made them last week.

Then, since it was my friend Lindsay’s birthday, I thought I would make her a little zippy for her cross stitch too.

I can’t get enough of that toaster fabric. (Actually, I am almost out of it now, at least in the blue colourway, so I am going to have to get over the love affair). This little bag will hold an 8″ hoop along with your threads, scissors, pattern, etc. I also made a little card to go with it.

White is a new ink colour for me, so I have been trying it out on a bunch of different cardstocks.

Later this week I am going to post an update to last week’s list, just to keep myself on track. For now though, I am off to warp my loom!

Yesterday was my very bestest of friend’s birthday. And since, as I have been for the last few years, I am too many miles away, I packaged up a present for her and sent it along.

Many months ago I saw this cute quote on Pinterest – “All you need is tea and warm socks”. Since Laura and I often have tea dates over the phone/facetime, and Laura is the person that taught me how to knit, I thought this would be the perfect theme for a gift. And besides, isn’t everything better with tea and handknit socks?

First up was knitting a pair of Monkey socks, in a pretty purple knitpicks yarn.

This is still a favourite sock pattern of mine, because it is easy to remember but really looks pretty on. These of course were done toe up, and I didn’t reverse the chart, so they are upside down I suppose. Luckily Laura and I have the same size feet, so I could model them before I sent them off.

Next up was a mug rug. I love making these! It’s the perfect way to try out a technique or a block without having to commit to a full quilt. (In fact I just finished another one yesterday, but it is for a guild swap, so no peaking yet).

I used some of Lizzy House’s 1001 Peeps from the stash and created an orange peel block. I used fusible web for the applique and then top stitched when I was doing the quilting.

The back is more 1001 Peeps and the border is a teeny white dot on black (not sure where that one was from – it was in the ever growing stash!)

And, if you are drinking tea you need to keep it warm and keep your hand cool, so a mug cozy was next.

This is exactly the same size a disposable cardboard sleeve from Starbucks, so I am hoping Laura can stick it in her purse and use it on her way to work. I lined it with batting so it will hopefully insulate well.

Next up was a little art for the wall – because you have to have it all tied together or the theme wouldn’t make sense, right?

I found a font I liked and printed it out along with a simple clip art cup. I transferred that design to the linen with a transfer pencil, and then added some details to the cup (like the face). It has been a very long time since I have done any embroidery so I really enjoyed this one. It has been a very stitchy 2012 so far.

Finally, I packed up the whole shebang with some tea! Caffeine free, since we are usually having our tea dates in the late evenings.

Topped off with a birthday card….

…and in the mail it went! Luckily I managed to get it to her before she went off on vacation. I was worried it was going to be late! You never know with the post office.

So Happy Happy Birthday to the best friend a girl could ever ask for. I can’t wait for our next tea date!

Card update time! I have made quite a number of them lately, and have been trying out some new techniques.

Birthday card: I used a monochromatic scheme for this one, along with my favourite stamp set.

Birthday Card: Also my favourite stamp set, along with a punch edger.

Wedding card: I used my dies in reverse on this one.

Sympathy card for a friend that lost a pet: I went with contrasting colours and a button style flower on this one.

Birthday Card: Black and white as a contrast in this one.

Anniversary card for my parents: I like the little pop from the copper leaf on this card. I thought it was appropriate for a September anniversary.

Get well card: Inside has “for a speedy recovery”. I used some of my watercolour pencil crayons here.

Baby gift card: I love this stamp!

As always, if you would like to see more of my cards you can check out the page at the top (or click here!)

You all know I mean the greeting type of card, but I do love a good game of Hearts with friends, or even Euchre, even though I need to be reminded how to play it every time. And there was even a rowdy game of Hand and Foot (?) at Jenn’s grandma’s once. Great game, but for the life of me I can’t remember how to play it.

However, onto the paper cards. An update, yes?

I have been quite enamoured with this set of stamps ever since I received them as a gift. It just seems to be the perfect set for so many occasions. One of these days I will buy the dies that go with it so that I can cut out more interesting shapes.

This one was a custom card I did for a wedding a friend was attending. The inside had a dog stamp as requested by my customer. I liked the colours in this background paper.

This one was for a co-worker of TJ’s (I knit her a little hat too, I need to show that to you someday).

Another birthday card, I think this one was for my Mom. I need to write these things down!

I had fun with the pin and the button on this one. Crafty?

And finally this little one was for a customer that bought one of my rolls as a gift for someone, and asked if I could throw in a little note to say who it was from.

Here you can see the roll all packaged up and ready to be mailed (this is how I package all of my items, not just the gift ones).

So gentle readers, what is your strategy for cards? Do you buy/make a bunch at once? Do you get them done one at a time? Are you crazy organized and have them in a labeled file folder? (I admire those that can do that – the best I can do is get a month’s worth done at a time).

Just because Mom’s are such a special group (honestly, I don’t know how you all do it. I would be a wreck) I thought it would be fitting to have a Mother’s Day Sale in the shop. All of my photo card sets are on sale until May 7th. No need for a coupon code or anything fancy, just check out my sale link in the the shop.

And as an aside? Our bedroom was featured on Shelterpop yesterday. Isn’t that neat? Thanks to those who are stopping by from there!