etsy — Page 16

Gifts, Shop Update & a Rose

May 31, 2012 at 8:03 am by Claudia

The heat and humidity have broken and it’s a glorious, sunny morning here at MHC. The grass has had the temerity to grow and I see a few days of mowing in the near future. (Sssh – don’t tell anyone, but I sort of like mowing.)

I have to share something with you that I received from my friend, Judy Clark. Judy has a wonderful Etsy shop that is wildly popular, 20 North Ora. Her pillows, banners and other creations are simply beautiful. Judy and were talking a while back and she mentioned that she’d like an Obsession Scarf. I knew that she had made a Nisse doll for Brenda, so I boldly asked if we could do a swap. (I wrote all about my obsession for these sweet dolls here.)

She agreed. I sent her the scarf and here’s what arrived on my doorstep the other day:

I think I got the better end of the deal. Oh. my. goodness. Isn’t she sweet? I am thrilled. I love the fabrics Judy chose, don’t you? Judy also sent along those cute pinwheels and a banner/bunting/garland (I’m never sure what to call these) that I found the perfect place for:

The dollhouse looks rather festive now, don’t you think? Just in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Thank you, Judy. Your work is exquisite and I will treasure your creations. Make sure you stop by Judy’s shop and see what she’s been creating.

I suppose it will be my Diamond Jubilee later this year, too. Yikes. Perhaps someone will design a bunting/garland in honor of that occasion? (I’m going to try to ignore it.)

Speaking of Etsy, I have a little update for you. I’ve listed my Crochet Flower Garland.

Initially, I’m listing the garland in the same colors I used in my own garland. I’m making them as they are ordered, so allow a few days before shipping. Each garland will have 12 flowers – 6 in aqua and 6 in the pale aqua. I’ll also include a length of ribbon.

I use Peaches & Creme yarn for these because it has a slightly stiffer quality that works well for the flowers. I ordered it in other colors, as well, so if you’re interested in the garland in another color combination, email me or convo me on Etsy and we’ll talk.

And it wouldn’t be my blog in the spring without a flower photo:

This is the New Dawn Rose that I planted last year. I’m training it to climb up the porch railing. I think this is my favorite rose (don’t tell the others) because that soft, blush pink is so beautiful.

I have to store up all the gloriousness (is that a word?) of the garden in my heart and mind. Its time is so fleeting. I’m so glad I’m home this spring to enjoy every moment of it.

Happy Thursday.

Life On the Road

April 26, 2012 at 8:32 am by Claudia

Day 20 of hotel living, albeit a suite.

The view from my current perch on the sofa. I move back and forth between the sofa and the chair. Neither are back-friendly. After a period of feeling achy in one, I move to the other, ever hopeful that somehow it will have magically become more comfortable.

Right now, as I write this, I’m listening to the slamming of doors out in the corridor. Hotel room doors are loud.

I have a stack of NY Times Crossword Puzzles in that pile on the left. I recently subscribed to them online. They keep my brain sharp.

We went to Target and, you guessed it, Trader Joe’s on our day off. I forked out for new slippers as my old ones were full of holes.

The bedroom. I often write notes to the cleaning crew here telling them not to change the sheets. It seems like such a waste of resources and time for them to change the sheets every day. I make the bed on those days and leave a note on the duvet. Sometimes I just hang the Privacy tag on the doorknob and save them from having to clean the room. Last night, I broke a glass and had to have someone come up and vacuum up the mess. I wanted to grab the vacuum and do it myself. Oh right, this isn’t my home and that wasn’t my vacuum.

Cluttery desk. Books to read, stapler, various thingies needed for my work. Chargers. Sunglasses. My trusty canvas bag with script, umbrella and wallet.

Morning view outside the living room window.

Must have Peets French Roast Coffee. Must.

I’ve been crocheting flowers for the garlands I plan to sell in the Etsy Shop. But it’s slow going. I’m usually so tired at night that I can’t even contemplate crocheting.

The cable channels choices are terrible. If I constantly wanted to watch ESPN, I’d be in heaven. Last night, thank goodness, Modern Family was on. One of my former students, Abraham Higginbotham, is a producer and writer on MF. Then I watched The B in Apartment 23, which is not my cup of tea, but another former student, Ray Ford, has a recurring role in it and I’m thrilled for him. (They’re both earning more money than I am.)

It’s a nice room as hotel rooms go. But it’s still a hotel room.

Tonight I’m going to watch a performance of Bell, Book and Candle which is currently running at the theater. Two of my friends are in it and it will be fun to see them again. I was supposed to go last week but then we had the Riley emergency and I wanted to stay close to my phone.

Happy Thursday.

Scenes from the Great Outdoors

April 5, 2012 at 8:00 am by Claudia

ell, I changed my mind. I did mulch yesterday, though I have more to do today. The largest garden bed and two others are done – just 4 more to go. It was a beautiful day here in the Northeast, breezy, sunny and warm. Besides mulching, I’ll do some mowing today and then I have to go into Manhattan on Friday. It turns out I am leaving for Hartford on Sunday morning. As always, my friends, I will share my time on the road with you via daily posts.

In the midst of mulching the bed, I took a shot with the iPhone. Lots of sedum and catmint, day lilies, black-eyed susan and phlox are emerging from the ground. I really love having a perennial garden and most of these plants are well established by now. Sometimes, I’ll add an annual or two, but for the most part, these are all perennials.

The wiegela bush is in full bloom. I love seeing these orange-red blossoms on the far side of the front yard. The wiegela and the hyacinth are the first things to bloom. The daffodils will be right behind them.

Speaking of beauties…