Monday, April 27, 2009

Etsy - A Little Piece of Heaven


Today I just want to say a few words about one of the best places to visit if you are a creative little soul or if you want to find an original handmade treasure. I found this place last fall as I searched for raggedy dolls. More and more websites were mentioning their Etsy site as well as their web site and so I checked it out.



Well now I am a faithful follower and have even started my own Etsy shop. It is an amazing place filled with all kinds of handmade items, from dolls, knitted clothing, mixed media prints to wooden items and everything in between . I consider this a place filled with original works of art and everyone is so nice. The first person I received a heart from has become a friend and I always look forward to hearing from her. She has a wonderful shop on Etsy called yoyocottage and her site is a treat for the eyes. She is also a very wise business lady and knows how to make a living doing what she loves, therefore she is an inspiration.
There are many other people on here who have helped me and I so appreciate it. Check out WanderingWhimsies and BellaBubblesShop. Then there are shops that just make me happy to visit over and over again, like fellow Quebecer ptitebaloue. I love her knitted bears, and then there is Danita whose art is unbelievable, Fuzzymittens has such a nice shop and Primgal and CupcakeDolls just make me smile. Cocoondesigns are truly different and NovaScotiaBeachGlass makes beautiful and unique pieces of jewelery.
I could go on and on, but I just wanted you to take the time to join Etsy and see for yourself what it is all about. It is a little piece of heaven for all of us who want to find something original that has been created by a real person. Join the forums and spread the word so that we can help this community grow. It is inspiring, creative and encourages us to pick up a paint brush, knitting needles or a needle and thread. We can all be a part of this and believe me it is good for the soul.
Have a great day....

Friday, April 24, 2009

Maggie's Knitted Cats


I grew up on a farm and there were always a lot of cats everywhere. I remember exploring our big barn and finding them in special places. One time I opened a tiny door that had a purpose I am sure, but I never did figure it out.. anyway there lying snuggled up in the hay were four tiny kittens. I was really young and never had I seen such little things with their tiny eyes hardly opened. I ran back to the house to tell my mother and she told me to stay away from them because they had just been born and if I went near them, their mother would take them away and hide them elsewhere to protect them. And so I listened and never went back because I did not want to give the mother cat more work. I knew how hard my Mom worked, so I guess I did not want to make her carry all those kittens one at a time to some other mysterious place in the barn.


And so my love of cats has always been a part of my life. At one time I had five of them and would actually take them for walks up in the woods with my dog. As I climbed the hills, I would look back to see the five of them following each other in a straight row , one behind the other with their tails straight up in the air. The dog of course never followed the line and I am sure the cats thought she was a silly misbehaved creature.


Everyone has an opinion about cats... you either love them or you don`t. Many people have their own reasons for disliking them which includes..... they were sccratched by one when they were young or, or they leave their fur everywhere, or they scratch the furniture. I can understand their reasons and yet I feel sorry for them missing out on the chance to enjoy this wise and sensible pet who brings a special comfort to a home. They are also fun to watch because each has their own character. Yes they can be stubborn and yes they can even be unpredictable but they are worth the effort. And so because of my love for cats, I have decided to knit a few and add them to my Etsy shop.


I promise they will not scratch the furniture, won't shed and will have you purring as you share your space with them...


And remember animals have feeling too..... so pass on a little kindness to a these creatures that share our world. Thanks