So according to this email, myself and Carried Away Team Mates, CeeJay Bags and Bags and Buds are all in the top 7 for exhibitor referral sites. Apparently our constant twittering of the sale is working well.

They've also featured my Zorya bag on the front page for the festival. Nice. What's even cooler is that the bag is ON SALE until 12/1 .. so yeah.. go make it yours already :)

My photoshop students are always amazed by this technique.. so I thought I'd share. Photoshop is quite possibly the reason the expression "there's more than one right way " exists. Although there is a red eye tool in Photoshop, I've never been happy with how it works, so I've always done it this way... with a very natural result.

Here's the picture from our Solsisters Service Sew-in yesterday. I've got the old devil eye on the right hand eye.

Here's what it looks like if I fix it with the red-eye tool. See how my eye looks unnaturally black and too dark?
To combat the demon eyes, first find the desaturate tool under the burn tool. Set the brush size to the same size as the eyeball using the [ ] bracket keys to enlarge or shrink the tip until it's the size you want. Now look up in the options bar and reduce the flow to about 40%. Click repeatedly on the iris until the red is sucked out.

Now that's a mouthful! My sister Norah, myself and my mom got together yesterday afternoon to sew cat hammocks for Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary. The cats waiting for adoption are frequently kept in kennels. These little hammocks are slung in the kennels with carbiner clips and the cats think they are THE MOST AWESOME NAP place.



The ones we made for them about a year ago have worn out from the frequent washing (HCWS is very fastidious about keeping their animal adoption centers spotless). Elaine, who coordinates cat rescues, asked us to make her up a few new ones to brighten up the adoption center for the holidays. We decided to make it a family project and go one better. We made up 20 hammocks that HCWS will be able to sell for $10 each at the Rainbow and Lake Mead PetSmart during December. $8 goes right to HCWS to support their ongoing prevention efforts. The other $2 will go to pay for the supplies we used. I am also sending over all my in-stock Double Doody Bark Bags to raise funds for HCWS. If you're in the market for a great gift for a dog walker, please check by THE HCWS cat Adoption Center on the south side of the store anytime after tomorrow afternoon.

I snagged a treasury last night and decided to make one celebrating lovely amber/orange jewels ... a sunset you can wear. Some of the lovelies:

Sunset in Tijuana Necklace by Venbead. I don't know this artisan personally, but her work JUMPED out at me in in a search. The lovely creamy tones of that focal lampwork bead are set off so beautifully by the accents she choose. Pair this up with Silver Canyon's bracelet and you'd light up a room.

Fellow entrecard blogger Silver Canyon's glorious Golden Sunset Bangle. I've been admiring the lovely detail on this piece ever since she posted it. The warm glow and rich detail of the beads just sets your heart singing.


My dear friend Debbie at Santiam Designs Autumn Fantasy Earrings. My sister in law is getting a gold and green prehenite necklace made by Debbie's hands. I know she will be knocked back on her feet when she sees how lovely it is. I personally own many of Debbie's pieces and they have quickly become favorites because of the exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

Orbital by Idyll Hands. This piece is simple, but drop-dead stunning. The molten copper bead glows in it's circle of an unlikely copper spark plug ring and the gold big link chain gives it kind of a steampunk sort of feel.

Friend and local graphic designer/jewelry smith Jennifer Quinton's Spinel Luxe Earrings. My mom is getting a pair of ravishingly stunning amethyst and silver earrings that Jennifer made and I can't wait to see her face. If the reaction from sister in law Lisa to her birthday gift made by Jennifer is any indicator, I better be ready to be bear-hugged on christmas morning.

Natural Hue Earrings by Luchi. Another simple, but stunning piece. The caramel mother of pearl beads with the small crystals on the gunmetal hooks are perfect for everyday elegance.

Hessonite Garnet Autumn Fairy Wire Wrap Bracelet by Tangocatgems. No better homage to the fairy queen of autumn than this delightful bangle with my birthstone, garnets in a bounty of hues from rich red to citrine.

Artemis Bracelet by Destiny's Creations. The rich elegance of topaz heaped upon itself to circle your wrist in sunset's glow finished off with a delicate silver clasp. I have this brown cocktail dresss that wants this bracelet.

Cognac Bombs by AdornYou. These are what I imagine the Eye of Rom ruby described in Katherin Kurtz's Deryni books might look like if it was topaz. Surely fit for royalty and full of firey power.

Mandarin Garnet Hugger earrings by RaesCreations. I loves mandarin oranges, to eat and to wear. These cheerful little bobbles would set off any outfit from casual to formal with their cluster of sunshine.

Beaded Dangle Choker by IvyDee. Elegant and almost fey, this chocker drips the colors of a fall afternoon with delicate glass leaves and warm beads.

Elven Pod Necklace by Plumvine. Oh, isn't her work just heartstopping with the intricate detail and power to transport you to an eleven haven deep in the green forest of your fantasies? She's been featured in many treasuries, and one look is all you need to know why. This piece captures a sunset perfectly. Check out the nice things she said on her blog.

Last year, my good friends Donald and Susan of Sin City Fudge agreed to try out my crazy idea for a fudge flavor. It's called Winterfrost and it's RIDICULOUSLY GOOD! White fudge with a bit of mint and citrus flavors, swirled with delicate pastels and dusted with edible silver glitter. I was trying to think of what snow would taste like if it was fudge. It looks like a fairy princess gown and tastes like.. well... adults please fill in the name for that special activity we engage in with someone we like a whole, whole bunch. Donald makes every batch of fudge and every apple by hand using things like real Belgium chocolate.

You can get some of this and the rest of their fantastic products at their online store. I promise on 12 holy books that it is the very best fudge you will ever taste!

Now isn't this an awesome!!!!! way to start a rainy Wednesday? Going through the morning mail, I opened the Threadbanger newsletter, and there is one of my bags! I put a post in the forum after last week's episode on quilting showing off some of the various quilt techniques I use in making my bags. I've gotten some great compliments, my favorite being :

Mean Miss C Apparel Apprentice

Posts: 78 Join Date: Oct 2008

I feel like I'm on a game show. This thing keeps coming back to haunt me. Today, I'm changing the prize distribution on this wheel for The Western Casino down on Fremont Street. (Yep, you can't get more "Vegas Dive" then this joint.)

It's a good design, but I wish I has used less inner glows. Makes the file a pain to work on.

Zylian has been marked down 25% from $35 to $26.25 as a preview of my Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale. I have to go to the post office later today and would like to ship this bag out, too!

Take advantage of this awesome bag, already marked down 25%, plus FREE SHIPPING today if you put "PO RUN" in the notes to seller.

Look what I found on my sewing table. Sometimes they really catch you by surprise, don't they?

Artisans for the Holidays/Holiday Etsy Fest Sale:
November 27 - December 1
Items marked with "Thanksgiving Sale" in the title will be discounted 25% during the sale. So click on over and mark your favorites right now.

I've been working away on Christmas sewing this weekend. A ton of zip pouches for my sister Kim at Overall Beauty to package her holiday makeup assortments in, more Double Doody Bark Bags to stock up the store (If you want one, snap them up because any I have on hand after Thanksgiving are going to raise donations for HCWS during December Pet Photos with Santa at my other sister Norah's PetSmart store) and oven mitts and fingertip mitts for various family members.

On top of all that, I did manage to fit in these two new things for my shop today. Coraline, a little sube sweet sac with a bonus matching zippered wristlet and Rose Quartz, another zippered wristlet that would make an awesome wrapping for a gift card.

My sister inspired this design, called the Double Doody Bark Bag. She wanted something to take with her when she went to the dog park . These small purses carry a cell phone, keys, chapstick and an iPod. On the bottom is a small sleeve with an opening that fits those rolls of biodegradable doggie clean up bags you can buy at any PetsMart or other pet store. You could also stuff in some of those plastic bags under your kitchen sink. The bags just pull right out for on-the-go clean up.

Not only is it a mighty unpleasant experience to step in dog doody, pet waste can be an environmental hazard in other ways by introducing bacteria into an environment. So ladies, sling on your bags and walk your dog with clean up bags in easy reach.

The poop bags are NOT included, but any pet store sells them. PetSmart even offers these neat rainbow ones.

The Double Doody Bark Bag measures about 5.5"x 7".

Visit the DDBB section in my shop. Feel free to convo me if you'd like one made up in a different print.

So I'm browsing the other sellers at the I heart Handmade Holiday Craft festival because hey, I have my own holiday shopping to do. These gorgeous Light Sculptures stopped me in my tracks. Visit LifeDance on etsy to see more.

Look up there.. see that big red banner? Yeah? Go click it and visit me at the I Heart Handmade Holiday Craft Festival. $5 off any bag over $25 during the show.

You can also visit my team mate shops, too!

Participating CAB TEAM shops are:
SolSisters
Bags N Buds
CeeJayBags
and
Karen Meyers

I recently designed the full table drape for Comic Oasis. They were kind enough to send over pics of it on display at the recent Vegas Valley Book festival.

My daughter has been learning to crochet from this little kit I got her. Of course, that means mom has to relearn how to do this as well. She's got the chain stitch down and the double crochet. I just got her a "real" metal hook and some more yarn for Christmas... so I thought we'd learn some new stitches last night. A quick Youtube search brought up our favorite HOW-TO friends over at Threadbanger with Corinne's Aunt Net (Nat?), who taught us to make flowers. Pictures tutorial. Video Tutorial.

It took a few starts and we had to rewind the movie a bunch of times, plus deal with 10-year old's conviction that she COULD NOT DO THIS!, but finally we have success!

Today, I'd like to introduce everyone to Sharla from The Beaded Tail. Her blog is one I frequently visit during my entrecard dropping and it always has something interesting to read. Like me, she believes in animal adoption and responsible pet ownership. Sharla also makes great jewels for the pet-minded on your gift list. Here's three wonderful pieces you might consider.

Pawsitive - White with Black Pawprints Ceramic and Onyx Beaded Pendant on Sterling Silver Chain

Blue Jean Kitty - Vintage Lucite Handpainted
Cat Bead Sterling Silver Earrings

Silverleaf Jasper Bracelet with CHOICE of Love My Dog or My Cat Charm

New in my shop this week is the Naida Clutch. I was cutting out a quilt and cut 3" strips instead of 3.5" ... so decided to try out an idea that has been knocking around in my head for a while ... a swooping swirl patchwork version of a chinese coin quilt design. I think it turned out quite nice.

Shelters around the country have lots of loving and "helpful" kittens just like our Shiara Samurai, who need homes this holiday season. If you're thinking of adding a pet to your family this holiday season, DON'T SHOP, ADOPT! Make sure you select a responsible shelter as well, one that only adopts out animals that have been spayed/neutered. Also, if you're going to be giving this kitten or puppy as a gift, PLEASE ask first. Many people forget that animals are a lifetime commitment. They give them as "gifts" without considering the long term needs of the animal or family that it is going to.

My friend of many years just had this happen to her. Her mother "gifted" her daughter with a non-housebroken, non-spayed female dog as a late birthday present. My friend barely has the income to keep her own family fed, let alone see to the needs of a dog or get it fixed. To make matters worse, the dog's brother was then given to them, also un-neutered. (Dogs have no qualms about reproducing with family members.) Although her mother had the best of intentions, now she has $300 in costs just to make sure there are no puppies, not to mention vet bills for two chiuauas, a notoriously delicate breed prone to genetic problems. She also has no way to pay for training and her 12-year old daughter certainly doesn't know how to train a dog! This is all on top of the fact that their apartment doesn't not allow pets and she may get evicted because of these "gifts" from her mother.

This story goes to show, if you get wind of someone planning to give an animal as a gift this holiday season, remind them to ASK FIRST! Many well-intentioned animal "gifts" end up in shelters or abandoned. They need to ask the adults in the household if they are willing to accept the costs and responsibilities of a pet before it's presented to a grandchild, niece, godchild, nephew, neighbor kid or anyone else.

Well my daughter thinks this will be a neat bag. (It's is the same pattern as my Alea bag. It came from Stephblue's Awesome paisley D ring tutorial on craftster.) I have a lot of work still to do on the applique. Only those two flowers on the left are completely finished.

What should I call it?

These fantastic teapots from my Carried Away Team Mate, Uniquely Nancy are actually purses! How incredibly clever! Nancy is a quilter like me, and her superior skill really shows. Visit her shop for even more lovely creations. Don't miss the cool box bags.

Burda makes good patterns but even better, they have this great open source sewing community with even MORE free patterns. This week you can check out 10 quick and easy patterns for holiday gift ideas. Personally, I am going to make some new oven mittens as a gift for my OWN kitchen! Although I can't find them in their online store, my local Joann's has packs of Warm and Natural Insulbright batting (for oven mitts) as well as 3 other kinds in baby quilt size for about $20. Joann's website also has a coupon for 50% off any one item as well as 10% off your entire order on the homepage.

More oven mitt tutorials:
http://www.savvyseams.com/apt/mitts.php
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/oven_mitt/oven_mitt_pattern.html

Seriously, my new bag making team has grown beyond my every expectation. I think we just cracked 30 members in less than two weeks.

I started a Twitter feed and Team Member April is our new Team Twitter Maven. She blew the roof off and gained us over 100 followers in ONE DAY!

I also started a Twitter feed for this blog. Follow me!

Regular readers will know that I am a strong supporter of my local animal rescue group, Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary. Hey, why shouldn't I? They just gave me tickets to Disney Land a few weeks ago in the charity raffle.

Anyway, HCWS is a very proactive group that tackles the problem of animal overpopulation head on with aggressive spay and neuter programs. This week, they sterilized another 256 cats with the help of their many dedicated volunteers. Did you know that two breeding cats can produce over 300,000 offspring in as littel as 7 years? Seems crazy, but it's true. Every cat they fix is 300,000 who are not born to die.

So I just got a note from them asking me to vote for them on the animal rescue site. If they win, animals in Las Vegas have a lot to gain. Las Vegas is hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis and it's not just people losing their homes. HCWS has been overwhelmed by abandoned animals from foreclosed households. All the fosterage is full and they are turning adoptable pets away for lack of room.
_____________

Now you can help us choose which eligible animal rescue organizations will receive special funds to help animals! Participating is simple. You can cast one vote every day for your favorite rescue. Eligible organizations with the most votes could receive one of the grants below!

Grand Prize: One $25,000 grant!
Runner Up: One $10,000 grant!
State Winners*: Fifty-four $1,000 state grants
Weekly Winners**: Eleven $1,000 weekly grants

Voting begins on September 29th and ends at midnight (PST) on December 14th, 2008. The more friends you can rally to vote for your favorite rescue organization, the better its chances of winning. Get people involved! Your favorite rescue organization is counting on you!

Enter Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary, Las Vegas NV in the search bar or your local shelter. HCWS is number 1 in Nevada right now.

________

While you're off in an animal friendly mood, please consider voting for Sport, a HCWS rescue from a shelter's death row. He is now a therapy and children's litature dog. He's a finalist in Milk-Bone 100th anniversary Moments contest. Sport is one the last page of the gallery. Look for the black & white cutie wearing a red bandana sitting in the green kayak while his dad is paddling him around the lake. If Sport wins, he gets $100,000 contract to be the MilkBone spokesdog, but much more importantly a SHELTER dog wins!