Tree Hunting In LBL

So, I am still on cloud nine from my Etsy featured seller last week! Not to mention all the "made to order" stuff I am working on too! I feel kinda like a little elf......but, at the same time I have not been able to get any Christmas-ness going on in the Duffy house. This weekend we (I) finally made time to go get our tree! We live near Land Between the Lakes (it's a National Park) and drove out to the Welcome Center to get a permit to cut down a cedar tree. This is a program they offer free to the public! Santa just happened to be there....my daughter told him she wanted a "movie theater" popcorn popper and my son told him he wanted to be surprised. He has decided this year not to ask for anything and just see what he gets! The weather was beautiful that day..... as we were driving we saw deer grazing in the forest, red tail hawks swooping over head....pretty amazing! We eventually found several up on a hill near the lake. Amongst those trees was the perfect tree! A little big but we trimmed until it fit. I'll let the pictures tell the story..........

I'm the FEATURED SELLER ON ETSY!!!!!

I am so excited today! I have been working like a little elf these days trying to get my shop stocked up for this featured seller day! It has arrived! Go check out my interview..........I tried to keep it short and sweet, because I am known to be a talker! Thank you so much Etsy, I heart you!

Campfire Tote featured on Sew Mama Sew Blog

Thank you so much for featuring my work on your wonderful blog.........seriously, if you have never visited sewmamasew.com you need to check it out! They have tons of fabulous fabric, patterns, features and free tutorials! Lucky me!

Winters Land Tote in the Etsy Gift Guide

Halloween 2009

Here we have one Luke Skywalker.......specifically from the movie "Return of the Jedi". Which I believe is the only movie he wears all black. Then we have little miss "Snow Princess" or "White Kitty" or "Lamb"......she kinda morphed from one to the other. I like a versatile costume that can be worn for years to come! It was so nice having it on Saturday and the help of a bright sky with the full moon. Although, I noticed that L scored much more candy than K.......I guess the "cute" factor is an advantage when it comes to portions on Halloween. Last year K told everyone he was allergic to nuts and made out pretty good.....receiving money at some houses. This year he had a different strategy, he traded his "contaminated" candy with is friend for stuff he could eat. Clever Kid. Hope you all had a good one too!

Hand Felted Acorns

After all the hikes we have taken the last month.....well, lets just say I have at least 5 pockets worth of acorn hats. So, I decided to teach my kids how to hand felt wool roving. I tried this last year but, it seemed their attention and hand strength just wasn't there yet. This year we had a blast working on this project together! Of course, they had a hard time giving up the felted ball to the acorn hat. We used them on our fall nature table so they can visit them when ever they like.

I am teaching myself how to needle felt for some of my toys that I make. With the help of Youtube and blogs I think I got it! For this project I am using black wool and was able to find some from an etsy seller that lives here in KY. The wool came yesterday.......sheared from a black sheep but has some white strands mixed in because of the sheep's age. Much better than dyed wool. Can't wait to get started!!!

WOW.....

I was a little confused when I received a number of "convos" today in my etsy store. I was getting these really awesome compliments and wasn't sure how they found me? After some checking a craftcult.com I found that I was on the front page of etsy today. It has been a while since I have been there so it was a nice surprise!! The treasury was really beautiful.....fall colors perfect for this amazing fall day! Thanks for all the thoughtful compliments!

Fall Break at Cumberland Falls : Kentucky

Loving the spectacular EARTH!!!

Hematite Lake : LBL Kentucky

These are some shots from a recent visit we had with my friends Patrick and Tonia plus Adrian their sweet boy. We spent a day out at Land Between the Lakes, which happens to be in our backyard! Before our hike at Hematite Lake we spent some time driving around the elk and bison range. It was so nice to catch up with old friends........we went to grad. school together in AZ and have not seen them in about five years. Can't wait to visit them in Alabama!!

Update on the Crafty Bastards Show

Week late but, I have tons of excuses.....I will get to them in the coming days. For now, I should say that I (we) had an amazing time in Washington, DC at the Crafty Bastards Show and more! Couldn't have asked for a better day! There were clouds in the sky and the sun was shining in and out through the day. The show was very very busy.......I was excited to meet Jen from indiefixx.com and Daniellexo from the Etsy Admin. plus all the great customers and admirers of little ol' me. It was actually very amazing to meet so many people who had already checked out my work on etsy! Everyone helping out the vendors were so nice and helpful and made my day when they brought me lunch by Whole Foods, delicious! My only regret.......since I was working solo all day I didn't have a chance to walk around and met other vendors or check out all the cool stuff--bummer.