Emily's Book Club

"Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet and Simple Project to Sew & Embellish" - paperback $21.95.

"Sew Darn Cute is more like Sew Darn Clever! Jenn Ryan has whipped up a collection of projects that pop with personality! Easy-to-follow directions matched with her happy tone make for a must-have book. The juicy photos prove she put a lot of thought into every pattern, seam, and stitch. From a cupcake tote to a sassy sewing machine cover, these ideas will send any fabric hound straight to rickrack heaven!" --Kathy Cano-Murillo, founder of CraftyChica.com "The brilliant fabric combinations Jenny Ryan creates are the icing on the cake of her projects. I just want to make and wear the whole book!" --Jenny Hart, founder of Sublime Stitching

Sought after for her one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, Jenny Ryan has created a collection of adorable projects in Sew Darn Cute that anyone can complete in a jiffy. Simple sewing techniques and quick yet stylish projects combine in this appealing book that teaches readers basic sewing skills while they create adorable yet useful items to keep for themselves or give as thoughtful presents. Use surface embellishment techniques including applique and embroidery to transform plain tees or old linens into pretty and unique signature items like a pillowcase purse or a skinny summer scarf; create lovable critters or a set of crafty coasters from scrap fabric and felted sweaters; or clean up the clutter in your craft room with easy-to-sew organizers for your crochet hooks, knitting needles, pins, and more. A focus on using vintage and thrifted, repurposed fabrics shows readers how they can whip up unique sewing projects that are also easy on the planet (and on your pocketbook). Colorful photographs reveal the projects and fabric selections up-close; step-by-step instructions, plus Jenny's tricks and tips, make it easy for home sewers to re-create these sew darn cute items for themselves.

Grandmothers

I just bought these earring for myself. Not only do I love the earrings, but I love the inspiration behind them. Let me share the story from the seller:

I hope you'll have patience for a moment before I describe these earrings. I am listing a few things today, July 3rd, in honor of my grandmother who died one year ago today at the age of 93. She was an early feminist and environmentalist. She was svelte and stylish and smart. She designed and made most of her own clothes. She was also an old-time cattle-woman and rancher. She mended fences and doctored cattle in the Neiman Marcus fur coat my grandad bought her every couple of years. She was generous, quiet, stoic and kind & taught me anything of any real importance that I know. The jewelry I'm listing today was made during the many days I sat & laughed & reminisced with her during her last year of life. ~in memory of Lois Pruett, April 3, 1914 - July 3, 2007

Grandmothers are extra special aren't they! Both of my grandmothers have passed away, but left me with the most wonderful memories! Part of the pleasure of buying handmade items is the inspiration and story behind the product. These earrings will bring a ray of sunshine each time I wear them and think of the grandmother who inspired them! Looking forward to more earrings with inspiring stories from http://www.kchulita.etsy.com/

Isn't This Lovely?

My mom forgot to post this earlier, but here is a Valentine my brother made in school and gave to me. Isn't this lovely?! Every year my mom helps at school with the Valentine Party (she's a room mom.) I'd love to go, but they don't allow cats, athough when I was a baby kitten my brother was allowed to bring me to preschool to show me off to his friends. -XOXO, Emily

The Four Seasons

I was so excited when I found this Etsy shop. It carries beautiful glass flower and leaf beads I can't find in my local bead shop; and the colors are stunning! Please make sure you visit this shop to check out the floral glass beads she has to offer--fabulous and inspiring colors! --by mom

http://www.kchueca.etsy.com/

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Emily here with my Friday favorite. Have you ever seen anything so adorable. What a great cake topper or keepsake--they also have alternatives to greeting cards--mini theatres!

Looking for something a little bit different, a little unusual and original! What better way of celebrating a special occasion then with a little Paper Circus. They have been designed, illustrated and hand cut by and even spin round by turning the little flag on the top of each one. Text can be easily added to the flag on the top of the circus so they can be personalized for that special someone! This one features dancing cat (of course), but they have dancing dogs, bunnies and more.

http://www.underthestairstudios.etsy.com/

Imagination

Use your imagination on this one; aluminum spools on a stack of glass Milifiore cube "fat quarters." Just one of our newest earrings. Like many Etsy jewelry shops we will be featuring affordable earrings for the same quality you always expect. The earrings pictured here, and others are $10.00, including shipping!

To: Etsy Family & Friends

Good morning from Emily. Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day from me, my mom and brother, Jake.

This wish goes out to our Etsy Family and Friends and Etsy Bloggers!

Have a lovely day! -Emily

Beige is Beautiful

Hi, Emily here—today our tabby topic is beige. As you can tell by our pictures, beige is more exciting than most people would imagine.

Vintage Picasso in Beige
I love the pairing in this earring. Beautiful vintage acrylic rounds with a Picasso finish are topped with various copper bead caps, solid copper spacers and Mocha Swarovski crystals. Find these beautiful earrings at http://www.wisperings.etsy.com/ a new shop with vintage jewelry made by the fabulous Sue of Blue Marble Beads; a well known Etsy shop for vintage beads. Beware, they are addictive. I would love to play with all the beautiful beads my mom buys from Sue, but we have family members with cat allergies, so beads are off limits.

Beige Universe
My mom loves Tummy Mountain and I sit in her lap when she browses their shop checking out new pictures at http://www.tummymountain.etsy.com/. They are so adorable, and we are looking forward to the cardboard box adventure, as we saw a sneak peek on their blog. I certainly hope the little ones like adorable tabbies. Did you know the little ones are nominated to be elected the "Cutest of All" To read their election pledges and catch up on news from the campaign trail go to http://tummymountain.blogspot.com/ we already voted placed our vote for the little ones. To vote: http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=30

Luscious and Lacy Scarf
Isn’t this the loveliest scarf you could imagine! I found it in my mom’s favorites. It’s made by http://www.lalleescottage.etsy.com/. Warm and cozy, yet elegant too. There is also a very pretty pink pouch purse in her sold section that she needs to bring back. Perfect for your daughter or niece—it’s ever so lovely!

The Baby Emily on Beige
As you can see I had to end my beige theme with my cute self on our beige slipcover when I was a kitten. This picture was taken shortly after I was adopted. I am the tabby in Tabbies and Trains, but you probably figured that out by now. -- Emily

Chemistry 101

These amazing beads are from Sue at BlueMarbleBeads. I'm addicted to her fabulous beads and flowers! She has an amazing selection and when new products come - they are gone instantly. I believe it's safe to say she has a very loyal following of repeat customers. Not only are her products fabulous, but so is Sue and her service. Getting to know Sue has been a huge blessing to me. -mom

www.bluemarblebeads.etsy.com

Artful Blogging by Stampington & Co.

I haven't looked at this issue yet, but based on previous issues I don't expect to be disappointed - always inspiring and visually stimulating. One newstands now! -by mom

Let Artful Blogging be your guide as you discover a world filled with visual delights from today's most inspirational artists. In their own words, read how blogging fits into the creative lives of artists.

Filled with full-color photography, illustration, mixed-media and assemblage, fabric and vintage artwork — whether or not you have a blog of your own, you will find no richer landscape to spark your own creative fires. -Stampington & Co.

Gyokuro (Jade Dew) Green Tea Earrings

The highest grade Japanese green tea cultivated in special way. Gyokuro's name refers to the pale green color of the infusion. The leaves are grown in the shade before harvest, which alters their flavor.

Our tea is vintage transparent lime green retangular beads with a slight twist and a white center. Topped with a brown Swarvoski crystal (4mm) and a glass Czech glass (matted on one side and shimmery on the other).

Where Women Create

Where Women Create invites you into the creative spaces of the most extraordinary women of our time. Through stunning photography and inspirational stories, each issue of this quarterly magazine will nourish souls and motivate creative processes. On newstands now! --by mom

Vintage Hollywood

New listing at our shop today. These earrings remind me of the glamour of movie stars from yesteryear – Natalie Wood, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and many more.Vintage-style matted finish beads in black Lucite with silver stars. Really fabulous beads! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20723921

National Wear Red Day - February 6

Join with millions of women, as well as companies, organizations and cities across America on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. By wearing red and making a donation, you'll help the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease.

Plan a Wear Red Day - It's easy to be a part of this special day. Consider organizing a National Wear Red Day at your workplace, with your faith-based organization, at your community center or in your home. We've made it simple with our free, downloadable tools. Use them anytime of the year to host your own Wear Red Day event. It's a great way to raise awareness and help us fight our No. 1 killer - heart disease. For more information please go to www.goredforwomen.org.

We are wearing Red on our blog today with beads from the fabulous Sue at www.bluemarblebeads.etsy.com. --by mom

We're in a Treasury

Please click on the photo under Etsy Treasury to see the "Eye Candy" treasury which features our Sweet Tart earrings. This is our first time in a Treasury - a big thank you to http://www.la01shelle.etsy.com/ for listing us in her yummy treasury! We wanted to post a picture of her treasury, but I need to find out how to do that - any help would be greatly appreciated if you have done that youself in the past. --mom