Thursday, January 7, 2016

I've Been Feeling Creative, Lately

 Knitting a beanie in the round.

 Knitting a headband.

 Two-page scrapbook layout for Spring or Summer featuring bluebirds.


Two-page scrapbook layout for Spring featuring dragonflies that I drew and cut out.

I've been feeling very creative, lately. I love to knit in the wintertime. I've never knitted anything in the round before and the beanie is my first attempt. It certainly isn't going to be perfect, but good practice. The headband is a quick and easy project. After I finish knitting it, I think I'll add a crocheted flower.

I love to scrapbook! I keep my pages simple....with just a little decoration and colors to coordinate with my pictures. The journaling is the most important part. It tells the story......so,  I leave plenty of room to journal. 

I've been kicking around the idea of opening an Etsy shop to sell pre-made scrapbook pages similar to these. Potential customers matching their photos with the color of my pages could be a drawback. I may have to rethink the idea, but I believe with the right color combinations and pattern selections that someone out there might want one for themselves. And there's also the time thing. Wondering if it's very time consuming on the business end. I have blog friends with Etsy shops.....tell me, what do you think?

I'm very curious!

Laurie




24 comments:

  1. I have a mom (88) that uses 4 needles to create a knitted beanie. My sister crochets. Everyone avoids me because I am left handed! I scrapped for my kids as they grew up and loved it , but retired when they went to college. Etsy seems tricky... But interesting. A design friend from church does computer design only... Patrons pay for the PDF only which she pre colors. I wish you the best, your work is really nice!

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    1. Thanks for your feedback, Anita. There are so many facets to scrapbooking. I guess I'm old school because I prefer creating pages by hand. For sure, there would be lots of competition. I bet your mom's knitting is gorgeous. Using 4 needles.....bet that takes talent!

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  2. No experience with Etsy, but I think you should give it a try. You definitely have a good eye for design and color.

    Love the knitting you're doing. I think I enjoy knitting on two needles the most, round needles next and four needles last. So what have I been knitting? Mittens and socks on four needles!

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    1. Thanks Mama Pea! I do love to design the pages. I still have a lot of thinking to do before making the decision to sell them. Your feedback sure helps!

      I like knitting on two needles the most, too. This pattern looked easy, so I'm giving it a try. But, working on 4 needles....I think I would be all thumbs.

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  3. I enjoy your knitting! I have a sweater that looks very similar to the yard in the first photo! My arthritic hands would not allow me to learn that, though.

    You know I love etsy....my shop has been a great experience. Go for it!

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I love that yarn, too!

      I still have a lot of thinking to do about Etsy. I'm wondering how time consuming it is. I still travel a lot, so there would be an issue of shipping in a timely manner, also. It's also very possible I'm over thinking everything. I want it to be fun.

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  4. Laurie, Your scrapbook pages are pretty. I wish I could knit...I tried many year ago and knitted one cuff for a jacket I sewed,,but I never made the other cuff...so I made the jacket short sleeved. LOL. I like the yarn you chose for the hat. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thank you, Susie. I love to design the scrapbook pages. I knit very simple things...that's why I enjoy it and keep at it. One of my favorite things to knit is dishcloths.

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  5. I say "follow your gut feeling!" It's a great idea and I think you can do it! Everything is a learning experience so you have nothing to lose. I don't knit...maybe I need a learning experience too!

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    1. Very good advice, YaYa! It's so true that you can never lose when learning or trying something new. I love that! Now, go out and get yourself some knitting needles. You're going to need something to help fill your time, when you retire.

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  6. I'm a knitter, but have not ventured into the scrapbooking field. All your projects are lovely, my friend. Good luck with the Etsy shop, should you decide to go that route! Sounds like your 2016 is off to a roaring start!

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  7. Your knitting is going great, Laurie. So pretty! I tried knitting many, and I do mean, many years ago and didn't stick with it long enough to really get the swing of it. My sister-in-law has been knitting for a long time and makes some really gorgeous things. She recently joined a knitting guild. I have asked her to help me to try, once again, to learn. Now, it is a matter of just taking the time to get together long enough to get started. Those scrapbook pages are gorgeous. I haven't yet done any scrapbooking. I did, however, set up an Etsy shop years ago. Other things took priority and I never put the first thing in it. Back when I set mine up it seemed like it would be a pretty forthright thing and that you could close up shop for periods of time for vacations and so on. If you are careful to allow yourself plenty of time to get an order completed and delivered, it would probably be alright. If you are well organized, you will probably do very well. I've not checked in to the particulars for some time. As I said, it was years ago. Wishing you all the best if you decided to open shop!

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    1. Thank you, Lynn! I think you should take time to learn to knit, if you want to. It's so relaxing.

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  8. Sorry...no shop here. I don't knit either. Feeling a bit like a failure after reading this :(. I do have a knitted headband that a friend made. great for early morning walks when it's cold.

    Let us know if you open the shop!

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  9. HI Laurie...
    No scrapbooking here...
    I love your yarn...I picked up some needles at a thrift shop yesterday...
    I want to brush up on my knitting skills...I do love crochet....very relaxing...
    Just purchased a lot of yarn, to make an afghan for my oldest daughter, while I am away....
    I think ETSY is very cool...good luck if you go ahead...
    Enjoy your weekend...beach or lake?
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Thanks, Linda. Be sure to post a picture of the afghan when you're through.

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  10. I love knitting in the round - I hate sewing things up at the end.

    I saw a cable knit pillow on a blog and want to pick up some navy yarn to knit one. Knitting is perfect as we sit by the fire at night.

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    1. This is my first time knitting in the round. So far, it's not too complicated. I can't do the cable knit, yet. Just haven't tried. Post a picture when you're done.

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  11. Replies
    1. Yes, and I am so happy about it. Last year was such a busy year that I didn't have time to be creative.

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  12. What a way to relax especially in the winter evenings. I like your scrapbook pages as well. I want to start making journal pages but am trying to catch up with my favorite people and their blogs first.

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