What's Up??

I can't help but notice that people have been visiting my blog in droves over the past 12+ hours and enjoying my free pattern downloads. Anyone care to tell me what's up and how you're hearing about my site?? Please...the curiosity is killing me! :)

Milestone

What a year it has been!
Yesterday I had my 2,000th sale on Etsy, just a little over a year after opening my shop. :) Quite a nice little milestone!
Thank you to everyone who has visited my shop and encouraged me to keep designing. I've enjoyed making many new crafty, "crochet friends" through the site. Especially my good friend, Janis! :)
Janis sent me a gift the other week...a crochet hook in a size I didn't have and also an Edmond's Cookbook. Apparently, you're not a real Kiwi until you own one! I have used it several times already and last night baked my very 1st batch of yummy scones! Holland and I shared some with strawberry jam this morning. Thanks, Janis! :)

Work in Progress

An older lady we know recently asked me, "And is Holland a good little girl?" I smiled and replied, "She's a 'work in progress'." :) Over all she's pretty good, but of course she needs to be taught and trained. She recently learned to say "thank you!" just because I say it to her all the time. :)

Here is another work in progress...
I started making a sweater for Holland a few weeks ago and am hoping to finish it up this week. I just need to add sleeves and buttons at the front. Once I get the pattern typed up and edited, this will be my "Sydnee Rose Cardigan" to fit sizes newborn to toddler. The one I'm making for Holland is in a size 2. Will post more pics when it's finished...:)

Little Kiwi's Nest

Check out this new online baby boutique, started by two New Zealand mums.
I've joined their site and am selling a few handmade baby items. It'll be a nice way to clear out some of the yarn I've been collecting lately!
Click here to view...Holland Designs Shop
I'll be listing more handmade items as I have time to make them.

Mommy & Me

I finished the adult knit-look crocheted cloche hat today. I grabbed the digital camera and tried to get a few good shots of Holland and me
together...I took these myself. :)

It was quite cute! I put Holland's hat on her, had mine on and asked if she wanted to help mommy. She instantly ran and tried to climb up on the couch for our photo shoot. She did really well, though she tried to take mommy's hat off a few times. :)

Featured Pattern

My Lil' Cupcake Baby Shoes pattern is currently featured here.
Check it out!

I've also joined a New Zealand website that features handmade items for newborn to 5 years. I'll be selling some of my handmade baby shoes & hats via their website which makes its Internet debut tomorrow. More details coming soon!

Knit-Look Crocheted Cloche

Designed once again by special request for an etsy customer...here is my Knit-look Crocheted Cloche.

This pattern is written for sizes newborn up to adult womens. Here is Holland modeling the 1-3 year size hat for me. Crocheted in worsted weight pink cotton and accented with a pretty dark pink button. The gathered brim really adds a special touch!

The grey hat is another sample I made which fits newborn (size 0-3 mos). Next I need to make an adult size and model it myself...maybe one to match Hollands. :)

Something New - Spats!

I learned something new this week. :) I learned what "spats" are. A lady asked me to design some custom spats for her and I had no idea what that was, so I did a little research, confirmed what she wanted and then got busy with my crochet hook and came up with these knit-look crocheted spats.
I used to think it was only a disagreement! As you can see, they are a shoe accessory that are worn over the ankle and instep - worn most commonly during the late 19th & early 20th century (Victorian Era). They work best with heels; I modeled these using my wedding shoes. :)
(Note to self: I need some new black heels!)
The cuff may be made to any length. A great substitute for dress boots, these will keep your legs fabulously warm this fall/winter.

Greetings from Italy

I received a little "postcard" from my baby hedgehog today. In an earlier post I mentioned how I'd sold him to a man from Italy whose wife collects them. This is what was written on my Etsy feedback today along with this appreciation photo:

"Coming from very far away this baby hedgie has found a new home in Italy where he will be much loved!"

What a gorgeous view! :) I think he will enjoy his new home. :)

Crocheted Peasant Dress

It's such a thrill to see what other people create using my patterns! I want to proudly show off this gorgeous dress crocheted by Gina (elizabethandemma on Ravelry). She created it using my Crocheted Peasant Dress for Baby or Toddler Pattern.

I love her choice of colors! Gina has graciously allowed me to use the photo (copyright Freebairn Photography) on my pattern listings on Etsy & Ravelry.

You may also see an adorable version of this dress, handmade by Debra, on her blog. Check it out!