New Year's Eve!

As a part of one of my New Years improvements, I am going to be writing more blog posts! This year, I would like to have more posts showing you the (sneak peek!) behind-the-scenes at Perfectly Handmade and also things that go on creatively outside of the shoppe. It would be fun to post a recipe every once in awhile since I love to cook and maybe include some gardening as well.

This year has been very exciting for me! I have enjoyed a wonderful clientele since my shoppe's inception on May 30th, 2009 and I look forward to expanding my shoppe over the next coming year. Today I hit my 27th sale in my shoppe!

Over this past year, I have...

-grown countless plants,
-learned to spin wool on a drop spindle and then invested in my own wheel,
-expanded my knitting and crocheting abilities,
-become obsessed with vintage patterns, buttons, and lace,
-made wonderful friends on Etsy whose kindness I will never forget,
-honed my abilities at taking photos for my Etsy shoppe,
-and even improved my sewing abilities!

Without further ado...

~*BEHIND THE SCENES -- PART I*~

Here's a picture of the beginning of one of my most recent projects! I had this wonderful Bouclé yarn (on the right) and I was trying to figure out what would be the best way to use it. I played around with different stitches and different combinations of yarns... until I had a EUREKA! moment. I had these 3 wonderful balls of yarn -- one light green, one dark green, and one sky blue-- left over from other knitting projects! To my amazement, they ALL MATCHED the shades in the Bouclé! It was a match made in heaven.


Here's a sneak peek at the finished project:


I am very pleased with how it turned out. It's so exciting! I can't wait to try knitting "outside of the lines" more in the future! I'll be posting it in the shoppe sometime soon.

*Note: In case you're curious, the book in the picture is Speed Knitting! I certainly didn't need a pattern for the scarf I was knitting but I love a little eye candy, don't you? The book has many other (more exciting) patterns as well. One of my favorites is the cute baby hat, booties, and (adult) halterneck. Check out the book sometime! You might find something that you like as well.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that this year is better than the last for you! I wish only the best for you. I look forward to getting to know you all better in the future as customers, sellers, and as friends as well.

Best wishes always,

xoxo PH

Happy Cyber Monday!

WOW! I was featured in ANOTHER Etsy Gift Guide! Yaaaaaay! Happy Cyber Monday, everyone! :) Thank you to all the wonderful Etsy staff members!

I was featured in an Etsy Gift Guide!

I was SO ecstatic yesterday when I clicked on the Etsy Holiday Gift Guide and I was featured in it! This was most definitely the highlight of my day yesterday. Thank you, Etsy!

Introduction

Handdyed, Handspun yarn is unique. It is an artist's treasure. Soft, fluffy, and painted to one of a kind perfection. The gauge of handspun yarn can vary from being very consistent to the ever-loved 'Thick and Thin' variety of handspun yarns. Inconsistencies in handspun yarn are not seen as defects. They are seen as something that adds to the beauty and uniqueness of the creation. You can obtain handspun in a variety of quantities, but for many, it is ideal for small projects. No matter what variety of handspun yarn you choose, it will aid you in creating a one of a kind gift that will be loved for many years to come.

It is time-intensive but it is worth the end results. Handspuns run on their own time. Here's an example of my step-by-step creative process involved:

~* C R E A T I V E P R O C E S S*~
First, I hand painted the best quality roving in beautiful, colorful shades with professional acid dyes. After the color set, it was gently washed to remove excess bleeding. Then it was dried and lovingly handspun on my spinning wheel. When you receive it, the spin will be set.

Please check out my website to view my creations. I would be happy to work with you.

http://www.perfectlyhandmade.etsy.com