bubbledog blog

almost done

I am almost done with a project that has been weighing me down for a while.  It seems that I can get some craft projects done quickly, but others take me forever.   Whenever I am sewing something that gets stuffed... well, that takes even longer than forever!   As of this morning, I can say that I am just about done with sixteen large happy fruit pillows that I have been working on.  These are sold over at Shanalogic and she has been sold out of them for quite some time.  The apple is about 15" wide and the pear stands about 20" tall - I have used about 15 pounds of stuffing to fill them all! 

On a side note, I took a picture of the pillows in my newly painted bedroom.  The jury is still out on the wall color... too blue or not enough blue seems to be the main comment when someone sees the room.  I think I am happy with it, I just wanted a calming sky blue that doesn't overwhelm the room.  What do you think?

for the birds

My latest project/obsession has been finishing the three bird prints you see above.  I found the frames at IKEA and they just worked out perfectly with the three prints... though I think they might be better in a larger frame with a white matte.  I am planning on eventually offering these primary color birds in my etsy shop as prints, note cards, and printed on tote bags.  Check back soon to see!

free stuff!

I am sponsoring a giveaway contest over at Rare Bird Finds.  If you have never been there before, Rare Bird Finds is a great source for finding unique items on the net.  Check out this post and follow the instructions and you can be included in the drawing.  Here is what is up for grabs:

 

catch up

Just a few weeks ago, I was so busy with my job that I am still playing catch up in the crafting department.  I finally feel that I am starting to get back into the creative groove and able to produce some of my items again.  I am sending out packages of items to the shops that I consign with and that is a huge weight off my shoulders.  

In addition to catching up, I am also working on several new items... I'm really excited about them because it feels like a long time since I have had new design ideas.  I hope to get some of these things done in the next few weeks and I can't wait because I am really pleased with them!  Currently, I have a new cuckoo clock Gocco print note card set available in my etsy shop. 

More coming soon....

 

squirrel charm

Lately, I haven't had as much time as I would like to do crafting and sewing.  So, I have tried my best to use any down time to both rest and be creative.  These little squirrel charms are the result.  I made a few of these guys last year as well and the great thing is that I am able to work on them while also trying to relax a little and watch tv or just sit out on my deck.  I am going to have two varieties available in my etsy shop, one with and acorn and one with a strawberry.  I plan on offering them on a simple black cord necklace. 

hamster totes

I have been going through a creative crisis... lots of new ideas, but nothing that gets finalized.  It is very unlike me.  I think it is just a combination of having a lot on my plate at work, spring arriving (and with it - gardening), and a form of crafter's block (if there is such a thing). 

That being said, I have been able to get one new product in order... these screen printed hamster totes.  They are available in five different colors and can be found at Shanalogic.
   

gocco printing madness

Lately, I have been selling out of some of my notecard inventory, so I decided that I need to get out the old Gocco printer and do some printing.  I love my Gocco, but sometimes the clean-up can be a bear if you want to save and clean the screens.  I also try to save my ink in little paint tubs (like an inch wide) and that can be a real mess too.  Usually, you can tell what colors I have been using based on the various ink stains on my hands. 

Last summer, my tree notecards were a very popular item for me.  I am going to begin selling them in rainbow sets again - six color trees per set.  I got some nice boxes to package them in and I can't wait for them to be ready to put in my shop. 

Another design that has been popular lately is my little bird two color note cards.  It is always fun to print in two colors, but it is also provides two chances to mess up the printing!  I got enough good prints out of this batch, but I would have liked to have more.  I also printed another two color design of a sailing puppy - lining up the colors on this print is even harder, so I ended up with even less.  Overall though, I am happy with the work!

yo-yo what up?

I cannot believe it has been nearly a month since my last post... time is FLYING by!  It feels like it was just a few days ago that I posted last.

It's the same old news here - my time has pretty much been split between working and crafting.  I have a few new designs ready for my etsy shop and I am excited to get them together and up for all to see.  My biggest news is that I redesigned my entire website at www.bubbledog.com about two weeks ago.  I am very pleased with the way it turned out... my goal was for it to look kind of retro, kind of new, and completely innocent & care-free. 

In other craft project news, my grandmother has been working on a craft project with me (actually, she has done all of the work so far).  She is helping me make a yo-yo quilt.  She's been sewing all the yo-yo's and then we are going to assemble the quilt together.  She's amazing!  She is up to 700+ yo-yo's and that was in a couple of weeks... she just tears through them :) 

occupied shoppe

Earlier this week, I finished making a grouping of items that will be sold at the cutest shop located in Vancouver called Occupied.  There are some stuffed pear girls and a variety of notecards currenty en route from NJ.  I wish I could see this shop in person.  You have to check through the blog and try to find as many pictures of the window display as possible - it's awesome!  They also have a web shop that you can buy from and if you need to get your cute on, this is the place to go!

   

front page!

I was very excited to see one of my designs appear on the front page of Etsy about a half an hour ago.  It's been forever since I have had something up there.  Anyway, in case you missed it, here's a screen grab so that you can see my little pear nesting doll girls in action.