Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I wish each of you a very happy holiday season and new year! I'm still healing from surgery but hope to be back shortly after the first of the year. May you and yours be blessed with peace, wholeness, health and all good things.

Diane xoxox

As Promised: The Recording of the Webinar from Handmadeology

If you are running a business on the internet and have yet to figure out how Twitter and Facebook  help to market your products, this webinar will help you to further understand how to use it for viral marketing. It will be available for only a limited amount of time so don't wait to view and listen. It's from Handmadeology University. Enjoy!


11/10 Webinar


Okay, back to resting and recuperating :)

Sale For You -- SALE -- Save When Using Google Checkout

Surgery yesterday went very well. This morning, I'm feeling sore but not too bad at all!!

Here's something specificlly for my Google Checkout customers. If you purchase using another source (PayPal or Amazon Payments), contact me by email (or convo on Etsy) to receive the same discount in the form of a refund.

Get $5.00 (discount) off purchases of $30.00 (cart minimum) or more before shipping and tax with Google Checkout. Limit 1 per person. Offer available November 24, 2009 -- December 17, 2009).

To use Google Checkout, visit my shop at: eCrater.


Diane  xoxoxo
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com
Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign
Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

Monday Miscellany -- Taking some time off

I'm having surgery this week so will not be blogging for a week or three.

Until then,

Diane  xoxoxo
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com
Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign
Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

Vintage on Thursday -- My Grandmother's Jewelry

These aren't precious, in stones anyway, but certainly are to me. Among my most kitschy items from my maternal grandmother over the years are two sets of the same beaded earrings: one in hot pink and the other in hot aqua. Both are clip on and still have the original backing. Even though these were most probably bought sometime in the late 50s, I thought they were very cool in the late 60s and wore them with my self-made shift of many colors a la Twiggy.

 

Then there were pins! Oh yes, what was a sweater without a pin on the lapel?? For some, the glitzier the better!

Even though this pin was a bit glitzy, it also has cream or vanilla enamel and a goldtone tree. I'm surprised that I didn't wear the gold off but then plating used to be plating and today it's like new.

Last, but truly one of my favorites -- so much so, I rarely wear it. I enjoy taking it out and looking at it. I should most probably put this in a small shadow box, but I enjoy touching it too much. That's the tactile me....

Yes, it's a pin that becomes earrings in total pave crystals. My pictures do not do these pieces justice but I hope you can see and appreciate their beauty if you're a vintage lover.

More tomorrow,

Diane  xoxoxo
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com
Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign
Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

What is New Wednesday? Holiday Season Forecast for Etsy, etc.

Today's article is going to be a bit short. It does look like there's some good news out there for Etsians. Today's "e-Marketing News" carries an article entitled "eBay and Etsy Will Be Popular Destinations This Holiday Shopping Season". The final paragraph is particularly hopeful:

Etsy, a source for handmade items, will also attract affluent shoppers. “Some of the better items on Etsy are really high quality and speak to the same values of craftsmanship and creativity that people usually look for in a luxury good,” Hader said. Etsy, founded in 2005, has more than doubled the value of goods sold on its site to $17.7 million in October 2009, up from $8.4 million a year earlier.

KenziePoo, a very adorable blog about "everything baby", is having a giveaway. To see what is required to enter, check yesterday's article out, "Etsy Giveaway: Bird in Flight".

More tomorrow,

Diane  xoxoxo
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com
Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign
Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday Tools -- Great HMU Webinar & A "Breaking Down Your Costs" Worksheet

I attended Tim Adam's webinar this evening sponsored by Handmadeology University. The webinar focused on the changes occurring on Facebook and Twitter and how each can be applied to help focus on marketing. I believe the transcript should be available to us in the next few days. If it is free, I will share the link when it is ready.

Facebook's interface has changed in the past couple of weeks and for some (including me at first) it seems like it's more confusing than ever to figure out. There's now a "Live Feed" feature which I've found needs to be selected to see your friends' latest postings. What is exciting is the new Lists feature. Select "More" under the list of "stuff" on the lefthand side of the screen and one of the links is the ability to make a new list. One can separate out family from friends from fan pages and set up multiple lists from the "friends" list organized just the way that works for you. Depending on how large your friends' list is, it can take a bit to set up each list but I believe it is worth it.

Twitter now has lists too. Do you find it confusing to use the interface and figure out what you are ready and from whom? Don't feel alone! At times I'm bewildered too. In Twitter, I'm still working out an understanding of the Lists feature. I've used it to set up a couple of lists but until I figure out what it does for me, I won't bore you with how to set it up. What is really cool in Twitter is that there is currently a beta going on to add Retweet to the Reply and Trash selections next to each tweet. I'm fortunate to have been selected to use this beta and if you have,  I hope you experiment with it and send feedback on what you find.

There is more but I'm a bit tired this evening. I will tell you there's something terrific being developed by Tim that should be announced within the next few days. I will announce it on Twitter and my Facebook Fan Page. So if you're not following me or would rather subscribe as a fan, please do so you don't miss the news!

Finally the really super tool I found this week so far is an excel worksheet provided free by NoadiArt who writes "The Handmade Business Blog". Her article today, "Breaking Down the Costs", includes all the math to figure these important numbers out. Don't let that scare you away, however, because she includes a very cool spreadsheet template and if you don't own excel or know any spreadsheet programs, you can still use it. It is available on Google Docs which is available free to everyone. If you don't have a Google account, set one up. There are some really good tools for everyone. Use what you find to work for you and disregard the rest.

Have you found a tool you can't live without that helps you in your personal and/or  business life? If so, please share it with me in the comments below. If you've developed a tool you believe others should know about, write me too. I may feature you in a future Tuesday Tools article.

More tomorrow,

Diane xoxoxo

http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com
Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign
Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

Monday Miscellany -- Update & Pix of My GrandBaby

He is just about 6 weeks old and a handsome boy (I'm not partial or anything...) so I thought I would share a couple of photos with you:

This sure looks like a smile!

My DIL's kitty seems to want to have a diaper change too!!

Luv dem sweet feets!!!

Last week, a DVD I reserved arrived at my library. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Season 1, is very enjoyable. It is a series on HBO starring Jill Scott (the poet, singer -- love both and own books and CDs) and is located in Botswana, a small country in the southern part of Africa. If you have not viewed this series, I recommend it.

With the economy still struggling to recover, if you don't already use your local library facilities to check out books, music, videos, etc., I also suggest you check into it. A library card is still free as are the checkouts -- the very best value that I know of for quality entertainment. Many may already know but if you live outside of a city and can only check out in a county or parish library, check other close community libraries and the availability of a library card free from them also. Many local libraries have reciprocal agreements between them. For example, I live in Pierce County and have a card for this system here but I also have a free card from the King County library system which allows me to check out material at any of their libraries as well.

That way if I find something of interest not available here, I can search it, reserve it and check it out from the neighboring system. Hope this helps someone save some money and still have an almost unlimited entertainment budget for movies, music, television shows and reading.

Hope this note finds you having a marvelous Monday!

Diane xoxoxo
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com
Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign
Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

Fab Friday -- SewZanne's Fabrics

 

A Salt and Battery

I was visiting Jo-Ann Fabrics yesterday looking at the flannel on sale, thinking of a gift to make for my daughter-in-law for Christmas. I found the cutest, ugliest, most perfect fabric to make her a custom quillow (I shared the tutorial for these in a previous article). Because I'm teaching myself to digitize embroidery patterns and don't own an embroidery machine, I wandered over to the sewing machine area and began browsing. As I looked at the prices, I realized for me and my budget, owning any one of these beauties is currently a mere dream. Ahh, if there were only layaway at Jo-Ann!! It is probably a good thing for most of us that there isn't .

The manager of that area of the store was in and we introduced ourselves and began talking. I still have and use my now vintage Singer Futura I purchased new in the early 1970s (pictures to be shared on a Vintage Thursday article soon). My serger is a Singer. I learned on a Singer. So throughout the past 40 or so years, I have become very partial to Singer machines. The manager, Diane (like me), showed me the CE150 which is very reasonably priced and exactly what I wish I could buy at the moment.

Babycakes

I shared that I design cross stitch, quilt and other types of patterns and have shops on both Etsy and eCrater, as well as that I'm learning to digitize. It lead to sharing our websites, blogs and the like. I explored the samples Diane had on hand and she showed me a very cute Japanese Origami style tissue holder she made. The pattern came from SewZanne's Fabrics website. It can be made with a mere fat quarter and I know I will try it soon.

 Crossword Puzzle

When I arrived home, after a rest, I found SewZanne's website and besides some really great craft tutorials, I found the most interesting and fun interlock I've seen in years and it is very reasonably priced. The graphics here are but a few of the samples.

Mellow Out

I still have my original Stretch & Sew t-shirt pattern and can't wait until I can afford to buy a few of these and make some new shirts. At least I hope I can before they are sold out.

 

One Tough Cookie 

 

I couldn't resist sharing SewZanne's site with you. Aren't these fun? Just the right mix of cutesy with smart aleck/sarcasm to make me grin and chuckle. Have a great Friday evening. I sure hope I can equal or top these finds next Friday!!!

More on Monday,

Diane xoxoxo

http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com

http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com

Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign

Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

 

Vintage on Thursday -- My Custom Prom Dress (1967)

I was fortunate to have both a mother and grandmother who sewed. My grandmother could make anything from a drawing and loved to sew. So each early Spring while I was in high school, she would ask me what ball gown or prom dress I wanted. I drew up a picture of exactly what I wanted, told her the colors and a couple of weeks later, I had a custom made, fully lined gown for my special occasion. I wish I had kept copies of the drawings but I have no idea what happened to them and many of the gowns disappeared through the years. I had younger sisters -- enough said?

This dress is the only one I've kept and moved with me through each stage of life. My bust and waistlines are too big to wear it and even if I could reduce my waist enough to fit, the bust part would still be a problem. Here is a photo of me in 1967 wearing the formal:

 Don't you just love the short mod hairstyle and cat-eye glasses? Here is the dress today, in much the same condition as when I first wore it:

 

 

and here's the back view:

complete with  big bow and chiffon train. The peau de soie is a deep blue with emerald green threads running through. The embossing which is done in the weave is roses as you can see here.

 

 

The same chiffon used for the train embellishes the three-quarter sleeves.

The bow is large and snaps across the back to cover the zipper after it is closed.

As you can see at the neckline, the dress is lined. If you've been around as long as me, I hope this bring back good memories of the mid to late 1960s that you may have and I hope you share yours in the comments below.

A couple of times I thought I might sell this dress but each time I put it back into the closet. Maybe one day I will have a grand-daughter and the style will have returned. However, I won't hold my breath while waiting .

More of my vintage next Thursday (I seem to own more than I originally thought). When I love something and enjoy it, I take care and keep it for as long as possible.

More tomorrow,

Diane xoxoxo

http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com

http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com

Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign

Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

What is NEW Wednesday?

I found a new blog dedicated to Etsy sellers and products today and wondered how many more there are out there. Since Google is our friend, I decided to search "@etsy" to see what I could find. The blog that piqued my interest and curiosity is Eyes on Etsy. Each day Cameron features various products on Etsy according to theme, much like a Treasury (if you're familiar  -- if not, visit Etsy at the link above and select the "Treasury" link at the lower left hand part of the page).

Now to the "googly" results :)

Not so new but interesting and fun for those who are planning a unique, distinctive wedding or just love to browse and enjoy all the aspects of a well put together, non-kitschy celebration of commitment, Etsy Wedding, has taken the time to select some of the best of the real, funny and brazen pieces parts to make your or someone else's wedding as original as it should be.

Etsy-Love is another nice looking blog with the writer's favorites featured. Posts are indexed by subject matter so it is easy to find exactly those type of items you want to view. Contact is made easy with a fill in form.

Vegan Etsy features those items which fit the strict guidelines vegans look for when shopping. The blog is colorful and full of information to educate us non-vegans. The writers are all members of Team Etsy Vegan.

There are a lot of blogs dedicated to Etsy following one subject or another. I will feature a few more next Wednesday. If you visit any of these writers, please leave a comment letting them know you've visited and what you like best as well and, if you don't mind, let them know where you found the link to their blog.

Tomorrow I will begin a weekly sharing of some of my vintage which I love and maybe some vintage finds from Etsy and eCrater. Until then, have a great evening and sleep well.

Blessings & More,

Diane xoxoxo

http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com

http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com

Tweet Me: @dpeagreendesign

Email Me: dpeagreendesigns@gmail.com

Muslin Angel Ornaments -- An Inexpensive Way to Trim Your Tree -- Free Tutorial

 
Instructions:

   1. Tear strips of muslin into pieces approximately 9" by 6". This doesn't have to be exact. The 6" (or so) measurement will be the height of your angel. You can use scissors but the finished angel looks better (in my humble opinion) if the fabric is torn.

   2. Taking the right and left corners of one 9" side, tie a knot in each of these two corners. This creates the arms of your angel as well as a pocket to make the head.

   3. Using a cottonball and some sewing thread or string, center the cotton ball in the fabric pocket between the two knots, pulling the fabric over the cottonball and then tying by wrapping the string around the base of the fabric stuffed with the cottonball to make the head and neck area.

   4. Using one of the 1/8 or 1/4 inch ribbon, tie a piece around your angel's neck and make a bow.

   5. Cut a piece of wide wired ribbon about 3 inches long and using your glue gun, affix it to the back of your angel for wings. I usually have some of that gold metallic open weave type wired ribbon on hand and I like it the best because I can stretch it out after gluing to form more lifelike wings, but do your own thing.

   6. For the halo, I use gold or copper colored small garland, the one that is wired and has stars attached, but any wire will do. Cut a small piece proportionate with the angel's head, wrap it around your finger to make a circle. Place glue on the part where your wire meets to form the circle and hold for a second or two to the top back of the angel's head.

   7. Your angel is complete! The only thing left to decide is how you want to use her. I've glued gold ribbon on her back looped to make a hanger, a pin fixing, and a piece of that magnet tape you can buy at an office supply or crafts store, but I'm sure there are other ways to use this cute symbol of peace and promise.

   8. An additional note: before you start tearing apart your muslin, it can be washed, dyed to a different color with either a commercial or tea dye.

Come Be My Friend -- Contest Where Everyone Wins!!!

Yes, that's right. Between today, Tuesday (October 20, 2009) and  Saturday (October 31,2009), become a fan of my FaceBook Fan Page,

and you will receive the full pattern of your choice listed currently in my Etsy shop FREE by email. Once you've become a Fan of DPeaGreen Designs FaceBook Fan Page, write a comment here under this article which includes your email address (make sure you type it long hand to avoid it being picked up by spammers), for example, dpeagreendesigns[at]gmail[dot]com. When you leave your comment, tell me which pattern in my shop you'd like to win and I will send it to you free of charge on November 1st.

How's this for a contest where everyone is a winner?

Happy Halloween --- no tricks, only treats!
Diane

Wowza!!! A New Tool for Etsy Sellers

I am a member of Team EtsyRain and was reading our member forum this morning (I don't read as often as I should) and read a posting by Laurie-LoudLife who is sharing a new tool she has created for other Etsians. It's called Tools for the Etsy Community - cre8tivity. Check this site out!! It is easy to use. Just type in your Etsy name and besides a beautiful interface for your stats and hearts, there are some wonderful, new helpers and widgets available.

Available under the Widgets tab right now is a Scrolling Side Bar Widget which can be added to your website, blog, anywhere you can add a custom widget. Mine looks like this:

I didn't have to type anything. The script is read to copy and paste. Not seen on my example is the widget's movement -- it moves through the items you have available in your shop, showing each for approximately 5 seconds before moving on to the next item. Very cool and professional look!

Coming soon are a Multi Product Scrolling Sidebar Ad and customizable widgets.

Under the Helper tab, there are currently three helpful ways to promote your shop and keep track of your inventory.  Product Flyer only needs you to select the product from your Etsy shop (via a dropdown menu) to be included in your flyer and click on the arrow button. A pdf file in full color is then created.

There is also the Multi Product Flyer which contains 4 of your products, selected the same way, and an Inventory Helper which will download all your currently listed items into a *.csv file which will open using most spreadsheet programs.

To learn more about Laurie, visit her blog, Living Out Loud. Thank you, Laurie! Without people like you willing to share your programming skills, life as an Etsy seller would be much more challenging!

Diane

http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com

P.S. After corresponding with Laurie, I found that  the programmer for this wonderful tool is tronaHUE. I apologize for this mistake :)

~dg

Featured in an Etsy Treasury -- Thank You :)

Thank you, Enchanted Hue (Susanne), for featuring one of my Twisted Thoughts cross stitch patterns (Love Sucks) in her Love Can Be Twisted Treasury.

 

Please check all of the beautiful and interesting items she has in her Treasury! Have a great Sunday.

Hugs,

Diane

DPeaGreenDesigns@gmail.com

http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com

http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com (for Google checkout users)

My First Grandson Has Arrived!!

Welcome to the world, Liam. It has been a world wind of activity for me the past few weeks. Going to physical therapy, doctor's appointments and spending a bit of time with the new parents during the last few hours before they were indeed parents. It has all been exciting and tiring. I'm working on healing and doing some reorganizing so that I post more often. I have lots to share in the near future and thank you for being so patient. I am now ShoSho (grandmother in Kikuyu as my significant other says).

Here is a photo. Isn't he just gorgeous??? (not that I'm partial in any way -- ha ha)



And here is ShoSho holding her first grandchild the day after he arrived:

Take the Strong Life Test by Marcus Buckingham

Available September 29, 2009.

Free E-Book on Building Your Blogger Template

It's been awhile since I've posted. Healing from surgery is taking time and while typing is not as difficult as I thought it would be, the pain in my re-worked elbow is slowing me down much more than I thought it would. Ouch, healing bones hurt! While unable to type a lot, I have been reading all the wonderful blogs I subscribe to and have found some really great items to share with you during my healing time. I also have some patterns and how to tutorials to share that I created several years ago.

One of the blogs to which I subscribe is Blogger Buster. This blog is full of helpful tutorials to create just the right template for you. Whether you're interested in working on customizing your personal or business blog or want to learn how to create templates for others, I believe you will find easy to understand and learn techniques.

"In this free eBook you can learn about:

• Different styles of layout and overall blog design
• How to install different types of Blogger templates
• How to maintain widgets when changing templates
  
• Where to download the best free templates
• How to speed up the loading time for your blog
• How to optimize your blog template to rank higher in search engines
• Useful resources to help you get the most from your Blogger template."
  

We're still waiting on the arrival of Liam, my first grandchild. He should make his appearance within the next week or so. I can't wait to share pictures with you. This weekend I'm finishing the Sunbonnet Sam quilt or at least going to try. It would be nice to have it done and ready for when Baby comes home.

Have a great weekend <3
Diane

♥♥ Some Great Deals & Contests To Share ♥♥

While I am not typing much, I am reading my daily dose of the variety of blogs I subscribe to. Here are a few good things I've found that might be of interest ☺☺.

From CraftStylish --Enter to Win a Simplicity Bias Tape Maker!

From FreePatterns -- Mix-and-Match Outfits -- "Soft and simple, these tiny garments will dress baby up in style! The mix-and-match pieces coordinate for a truly versatile gift."

From Dantearaujo --Photoplus - Free Premium Blogger Template -- "Photoplus is a great theme for photographers that want to use Blogger as a portfolio. . ." While no text can be used with this template, it is great free workaround for artists and photographers who can linkthis blog to their main blog to add a portfolio.

Surgery was a week ago yesterday and I am making progress. The spinal injection I received last month is still holding. So all in all I am satisfied with life and hope this note finds you well and feeling the same.

♥♥ Much love, ♥♥
Diane

New Cross Stitch Patterns for Pillow Covers

I just finished the first two cross stitch patterns for 14" and 16" square pillow covers. Included with the cross stitch chart is a detailed instructional sheet on how to complete the pillow cover once cross stitching is done. Here are photos of both new items. Surgery on my left hand and elbow is tomorrow so I will not be posting for a few weeks. I hope you like these :)

SHARING: A New Book Written By A Dear Online Friend

I have been honored to be a member of a group of wonderful people who have become family in so many ways over the past few years. Several of us have met face-to-face. We've weathered great times and tough times encouraging one another to not only press on but to victoriously overcome. One of our moderators is a wonderful writer and has published a mystery available by ebook. Here is the description in his own words:

Some stories just seem to tell themselves…

When Eddie Gideon, a midwest private investigator woke up to find the police standing over him, he wasn’t surprized. But the dead woman in bed next to him was another matter. Now Eddie must somehow clear his name, wrestle with the loss of the woman he loved and catch a killer before he can ever sleep sound again.

One For The Money: An Eddie Gideon Mystery is a gripping tale written by James Moorer.

Available now as an Ebook at www.jamesmoorer.com.

Will you solve the crime before you lay back down to sleep?

JM

To read more and/or purchase the ebook ($10 through PayPal), visit JamesMoorer.com today.

Enjoy!
Diane <3

Some Video on Using Digital Stamps

While these videos refer to the My Grafico website and tools, they also apply to any digital stamp you might purchase from an independent designer of digistamps or digital stamps with a shop at Etsy or eCrater.











I hope you enjoy these videos and that they help get your creative juices flowing.

Hugs and blessings,
Diane

How To Use Digital Stamps

I received a question from a "soon to be" customer the other day asking how digital stamps can be used. I responded to the question with what little I know about the various uses and added that I intend to research and prepare some detailed tutorials for this blog to share with you but that it would take some time to begin and complete each.

With surgery on my hands beginning August 26th (starting with my left and, yes, I'm a southpaw) and then the right side sometime around 6 weeks after the first surgery if healing goes well, I will be doing more reading and research on this during the next 3 or so months and begin to write individual tutorials on each use I discover after all is healed and my doctor gives me clearance.

Meanwhile, since Google is our friend, I spent a few hours researching, reading and compiling some links that I think will help anyone who wants to explore the various creative outlets and uses for digital stamps.

I hope you enjoy these and if you know of others that are easy to understand and follow as well as complete, please share them here with me and others by leaving a comment. I will check them out and comment back.

• Digital Stamps by Creations by Wendalyn
• Using Digital Stamps by Sugarplum Paperie (Nicole Seitler)
• A Beginner's Guide to Digital Stamps by whimsicalwendy
• How to Use Digital Stamps by The Frugal Crafter
• Inkjet Transfer Stamping by Craft Chi (Amy Ybarra Murphy)
• Make a T-Shirt Transfer with Keith Dunlop
• Inkjet Image Transfer Squidoo Lens by Intuitive
• Create Embroidered Patches from Digital Images
• Expand Your Image Options with Digital Stamps

There are lots more instructional and tutorial type websites out there but these are the ones I read and/or watched and found to be easy to follow and understand.

Have a great weekend! Blessings and peace to you,
Diane
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.ecrater.com

Making A Butcher Paper Stencil Tutorial -- Great Use for Chinese Symbols/Kanji and other Digital Stamps

I was browsing the web earlier this morning ... yep tooo early but I had a spinal injection yesterday and while I'm not in the pain I was I am uncomfortable and now dealing with the little and weird things steroids do to our body. Anyway, I've gotten off my subject (smile).

While Googling, I found this really terrific idea and "how to" on making stencils from butcher block paper. The sample used in this tutorial is an ampersand on a pencil skirt. Very unique and interesting and cool idea I thought.

Butcher paper is inexpensive as are my digital stamps and other sellers as well that are listed on Etsy. There is a tremendous amount of variety and you will probably find exactly the graphic to use to stencil and applique on one of your handmade or store-bought garments to embellish and update the look.

Viewing this tutorial got my brain daydreaming of all the items this particular idea can be instrumental in creating. Appliques on kitchen or bath towels to monogram or add to an Eastern theme, sweat or sweater sets with complimentary or continuing designs, and on and on.... I can't wait until my hands are in good enough shape again to experiment more with these ideas! I had to share this so I can come back and get the creative juices flowing again in a couple of months!

Thank you to Malissa, OCD Overtly Crafty Designer, Diva, Damsel, etc... for sharing this at BurdaStyle, the Burda Pattern Company blog.

New Store on eCrater

I just opened a new store on eCrater. It's free to set up and list and easy to use. I still have my Etsy shop and will continue to sell from both shops. eCrater doesn't limit Google Base entries to 100 as the interface with Etsy does and offers Google Checkout which adds value to already accepting PayPal and other forms of payment. Here is a preview:





I hope you'll visit soon :) Meanwhile, I'm also looking at CafePress and a few others to upload my designs to be used on clothing, cups, hats and the like but that will take some time.

Have a great week. Spinal injection later today and then surgery in a week so I won't be typing much for the foreseeable month or two or three...we will see how all heals.

Hugs,
Diane

A Gift From Afar

I recently received this wonderful kiondo bag handmade in Kenya by a member of the Kikuyu tribe as a gift from the man in my life. It is a beautifully crafted piece which was woven and put together completely by hand in sisal and leather. The photos I include don't do it justice. I am honored to be the recipient and in love with the bright red and turquoise with the offset natural and black colors. In Swahili, the name is chondo. I wonder how much we miss of truly unique and beautiful crafts available from artisans working somewhere in the continent of Africa because of the lack of free availability of technology and education on how to use it ...




Continued Peace & Blessings,
Diane <3

♥ Some Shameless Promotion ♥

I just won an Alchemy bid on Etsy for 3 very different but wonderful charts/patterns for cross stitch and needlepoint. The customer is making pillows as gifts, doing the needlework first and then assembling the pillows. I can't wait to see photos of her finished projects and will share them with you as soon as I receive them.



I am proud of the way each turned out and am happy to have had the opportunity! Each pattern is between 17" to 19" square. The patterns are delivered in pdf format in 8.5" x 11" size with overlap placement lines when the pattern is larger than what will fit on one page. While the patterns I usually create are about 12 point in size on the page, a larger point size can be created just for you. So if you are beginning to think about stitching gifts for the holidays (oh yes, I did...) and would like one or more custom patterns, email or convo me at my Etsy Shop, DPeaGreenDesigns. I will work with you to create the pattern(s) you want in the sizing and coloration you want. I love custom work ♥♥♥.

Off to see my neurosurgeon for test results and prognosis today. Wish me well and if you're a praying person, add me to your list please. Have a Wonderful Wednesday!!

Creating Watermarked Images Using Freeware

Awhile ago, I promised a tutorial on how to easily create watermarked images for your Etsy or other indie shop or website. It has taken me awhile to create a thorough instructional guide and I hope this helps you. If you have questions or I missed something important that you find you need or want to know, please write me a comment here and I will find the information and post it as soon as possible. Happy Sunday!

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How to Watermark Images Using FreeWare
[click here to download tutorial]

How to Create A Quilt From Ready Made Blankets

I was visiting the MixxMade forums this morning and responded to a request for help on how to turn to "ready made" blankets into a quilt. Here is my answer. I figured if one person is asking, others might want an answer as well .

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Wash and dry the 2 new fleece or other fabric blankets. Do so to make sure you're not going to go to all this work and have them fall apart on you. It will also take care of any shrinkage so make sure you dry them as you will once the quilt is made.

You can use batting or not depending on how "fluffy" you want the quilt to be and the type(s) of blankets being used. If so, layer as follows:

1. Top right side up
2. Batting
3. Back right side down

Pin around 3 sides leaving one of the sides open (leave the shortest side open). Stitch around all 3 sides pinned (seam allowance will depend on what measurements you want the completed item to be). Trim the edges. I find with fabics this thick it helps to stagger the width of the seam allowance which means trimming each layer's selvage separately. Clip the corners diagonally but first double stitch the corners. Turn the quilt, ironing the seams if necessary. I find it also is good to iron the entire quilt to flatten to tie. Just be careful to not stretch the fabric. Steam and lift the iron to move rather than sliding it. Turn in the edges of the open end, press, pin and sew closed either by hand on or by machine.

Finally find some colorful colorfast yard and using a yarn needle, tie the quilt using double square knots in several places to secure the batting and fabric together. You can create a design or follow the design on the quilt top. YouTube has several how to videos available to walk you through other types of knots and more specifics on how to hand tie a quilt. Voila!! You have a new quilt!!

Have a great Wednesday!
Hugs,
Diane

dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
dpeagreendesigns.blogspot.com

A Heartfelt Thank You for Featuring My Design

I recently joined MixxMade, a new indie community for all of us who handcraft and either sell our wares or like to share how to and what we create with others. One of my first "friends" is pepper2 who has 2 shops of handmade at Etsy (aka Kathy). She complimented me on my cross-stitch designs and we began a discussion and a new friendship writing back and forth about how I might be of help and what I would need to create using my existing Chinese symbols to allow non-cross stitchers to use them for embroidery and other interesting projects.

There was a lot of hit and miss on my part. As wonderful as this electronic way of communication, there are limitations at times that nothing like a face to face and being able to share first hand in real life can compare. Even so, I continued to edit and change and send samples to Kathy for her review and critique. I finally got it, I think, and yesterday Kathy posted a blog with a photo of the embroidery project she is working on using the freedom digital stamp I created just for her. A different style is available in my Etsy shop.

I hope you enjoy this article from Pepper's Lunch Hour Creations and Improvisations and will also peruse and read others and subscribe! You can also see a preview of her Etsy shops offerings and I hope you visit and spend some time enjoying her work.

New Affiliation -- Beautiful & Unique Photographic Blank Greeting Cards

I'm still not working at my day job and waiting to see a spine specialist for consultation and evaluation. I know what my MRI showed and things don't look good for me working at a desk for long periods of time again. So this is being put together a few minutes at a time. One has to keep busy either mentally or physically to stay calm and in the present -- at least that's what I have to do .

In speaking with my dear friend and mentor, Darla Woodworth, the other day, we began talking about her camera and computer work and the beautiful and unique greeting cards she created a few years ago. I've been honored to receive a set as a thank you in the past and am too selfish to send any of them to someone else. Darla used to have a website of her own but demands of work and life in general took their toll, as they often do for all of us and she eventually pulled the site.

I asked her if she had any of the greeting cards left. She laughed and said "scads!" So I asked her about allowing me to list them in my Etsy shop and share them with others. We discussed it a bit and came to an agreement and ... ta da!!! ... today I've listed the four different sets she offers, shipping included in the price!



So, in the spirit of self-promotion, I hope you will go take a look and let me know what you think (by a comment here, a convo on Etsy or an email to me at dpeagreendesigns at gmail dot com). As well, if you can't resist or immediately think of someone who would love a set, either point them here or maybe it's time to buy a gift .

I Tweeted last week about free software with a link to how to use it to watermark photos and graphics before uploading. The online guide I found is missing some of the steps and I am still working on creating one of my own to share. I'm also having to take my time with this but I haven't forgotten it and will have it posted soon.

Thanks for visiting and reading. If you're praying person, please put me on your list. I need all the strength, patience and peace I can glean about now. Have a great Tuesday!

Much love,
Diane
http://dpeagreendesigns.etsy.com
http://dpeagreendesigns.blogspot.com

Sharing -- Article about Social Networking & How It Can Help Your Small Business

I'm still pretty much out of commission for now. I can't sit for long enough periods of time to write a decent length blog without too much pain. I had an MRI earlier this week and the results are lumbar disc degenerative disease and arthritis. My doctor is referring me to a spine specialist. Thank goodness for successful children. My son is setting up a wireless network for me and bringing me a laptop. Once I figure out if I can type and lay down at the same time, I will get back to regular blogging .

While reading I found this article in Costco Connection about social networking sites and how to use them for marketing during these tough economic times. I use Twitter and am planning setting up a FaceBook fan page. While this article is not an "in depth" study, it does discuss a lot of sites I have yet to explore. I hope you find something here of value to help you keep your business not only afloat, but successful, until the tides once again turn.

Look Inside >>  June 2009