It's wedding season and I've been working on a few projects. I just love how these hair combs came out for one of my May Brides. I used the same wire tequnique that I've used for a while, but the stones were new to me and I just love how they came out!

Jamie

Oh Baby!!!

So its been a while since I posted because I've had baby on the brain. We found out a few weeks ago that we are going to be having a little boy! Our first child. He's due August 27th. Sooo... I've been pre-occupied knitting adorable little outfits like the one seen above (Though that particular one went to my friend who also had a little boy this year).
Anyway, happy spring, and more project pictures to follow.
Want a copy of my easy to knit raglan sleeve baby sweater? just ask!
-Jamie

Black Friday SALE!

Starting at midnight Friday morning I'm having a shop wide Black Friday SALE! All items will be 40% off (my biggest discount all year). The sale lasts all day and ends at midnight Friday night. I will then be running a 25% off SALE all weekend, ending Monday night at midnight. So if you miss the one, you can still catch the other!

Haute items to look for in my shop include my popular baby and kids Christmas elf striped hats, alpine ear flap hats and of course elbow length cabled mittens.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So the holidays are upon us... What crafty items will you be working on after dinner tomorrow? While the family bustles around the house, I'll surely be in a quite corner knitting my new cabled cowl. I also have a pile of hats and socks to finish for Christmas presents (that's right honey, you're getting handmade socks for Christmas)!
So happy crafting and happy holidays!
Jamie

New etsy feed... what do you think?

I know the sizing isn't the greatest on the blog, but I think if I added it to my regular site www.fboriginals.com it would look better!

New Blog, what do you think?

So last week I finished customizing and designing a new look for my blog. I decided to post it on a demo blog first before making it a permanent change. Take a look and let me know what you think and if you have any feedback or advice.
Thanks,
Jamie

new blog: http://www.flutter-knits.blogspot.com/

Say "goodbye" to summer

Here's my montage to summer. We had a really busy season at home this year. We moved, bought a new car, went on vacation and did LOTS of gardening!!!
Check it out:

This is our new house! A far cry from our three bedroom town house. We love all the extra space and the huge yard.
All of our friends were nice enough to come help us move. I was embraced to admit that half the truck was fboriginals supplies for my studio. The guys kept giving me looks cause the new space is on the third floor! Sorry guys:)
I love my new studio. The former owners had painted it a lovely shade of lavender, and it has a built in ceiling fan! yay, I hate a stuffy studio!
So our first order of business in the house was to start planting, we didn't want to miss the growing season. I new all along I wanted a cutting garden, so I built a raised bed behind the old shed in the back and turned the whole area into the picnic area.
We found some great garden lights at the home store, and strung them up the night before our big memorial day picnic. I was so excited that the shed has power. We were even able to hook up speakers and get music for the party!
Next day we had a great time, fired up the grill and ate way to much food!

A friend was nice enough to bring a Crockett set as a house warming gift. We all had fun taking a turn.

I just love how the whole area turned out. People had a great time, and we got to use our new picnic table. Though we did get a comment that our back yard looked more like a park... and that's why we love it here!

So... We took a vacation to Virginia beach and the outer banks for our June anniversary. We had a great time: here's a few snapshots...



"Happy 6th anniversary Doug!"

So I've been trying to redo the front walkway to the house and a few other odd jobs around the house. Here's my progress so far:
Our vegetable garden:Herbs and tomatoes in my kitchen window.Our strawberry patch:Our Apple tree:
"Goodbye summer!"

Spring!!!

I can't waite... my first bulbs are just starting to poke out of the ground and the last of the snow pack is melting away! It was a very long winter this year on the eastern US coast, and we got upwards of 3 feet at any given time throughout February. I'll post pictures of my garden as soon as it starts to grow.

New Products

Cute little stocking caps are made in a flexable rib stitch to fit even the smallest of heads, and so cute for baby's first "cuddly" new born pictures!

Sporting the new lables, this is the second of three new baby hat designs.

My Newest addition to my winter mitten collection is the winter white fingerless glove. Bring on the slopes, the coffee shopes or a great book by the fire!

Happy New Year!

As many people do this time of year, I'm contemplating what I want to do differently this year. 2009 turned into a very successful year, but I still have a lot of new ideas that I want to try for 2010. So here's a list of things I want to try or improve this year.
1. Fun, funky handknit baby hats
2. Cabled earflap Hats
3. Mens ski mittens
4. Womans Tube scarves
5. Wool socks
6. Baby sweaters
7. A teady bear
8. Re-design my website
9. A New spring Jewelry Line
10. integrate cloth and lace into my jewelry

So wish me luck! I better get to work as I've got a long list.
Jamie

New Moon Premier...

So my friend Alisa and I ventured out Thursday night to see the premier of New Moon. When we got there we decided to buy tickets to see Twilight as well in lue of waiting in line of 2 1/2 hours. We got great seats, had a blast re-watching the first movie, and got to keep our seats for New Moon while everyone else scrambled to find somewhere to squeeze in! I think I sat on the edge of my seat through the entire movie. I've always been Team Edward, and when I read the books, New Moon was the hardest for me to read. Even now, when I re-read them, I usually read the first 3 chapters then skip to the end were they get back together. So I didn't think I'd like having to sit through New Moon. But it was so well made, and Taylor Latner did such a good job as Jacob, that I really enjoyed the whole movie. It was happy, sad, emotional, action packed and full of suspense. They did a perfect job capturing Bella's numbness and desperation. I only wish that the end had been longer. My favorite part of the book was that it took Bella so long to figure out that Edward wasn't a dream and that she wasn't crazy. I wish they had done more with that scene in the movie. But I love how they ended it with suspense, and I'm sure I'll be back in June for the premier of Eclipse.

Baby Frosting

Featured Handmade Seller: Baby Frosting

Looking for the perfect gift for the new little one in your life? or have a friend who's expecting? I got to meet the maker of these adorable burppies and bibs on a trip out to California last week. They are sooo cute. With literally dozens of designs to choose from, there is bound to be something you'll love. The fabric styles are so cute, and the backings are equally as nice. Definately worth the price.

New Flutterknits Coupon!

So I finally took the time to add a few things to my artfire studio page, and as a promo I am offering a $10 off coupon to my blog readers. So If you are a big fan of the twilight movies or books and have been waiting to get bella's mittens, now's you chance to save!

SAVE $ 10.00
On Order Total
(orders above $30.00)

Use Coupon Code:

NOVEMBER 20

during checkout.

Ghost Owls- Delux Banner Set by muskmallowdesigns on Etsy

I've had graphics on the brain the last few days, and just had to get this set out of my system. So here's the deluxe etsy shop banner set to match the graphic I posted last night. Hope you like it!

Get the whole set- delux banners and avitars halloween addition for your etsy shop. Features three lovable retro ghost owls standing guard over your shop.

Three Ghost Owls by muskmallowdesigns on Etsy

Spooky, fun retro Halloween graphic is perfect for you website or blog. Want to use it as a theme for you party? contact muskmallowdesigns.etsy.com for more details. (via Musk Mallow Designs)

Busy Fall is finally here...

So I'm starting to feel the pressure that always comes with fall. I got a great response to my Bella's Mitten Pre-order stint in my etsy shop. I'm also trying to get caught up with fall apparel orders for local consignment shops. And of course in the back of my mind I keep reminding myself that Christmas will be here before I know it. With all that in mind, you'd think I'd be busy trying to crank out as much as I can, but instead, as always, I've been designing. For some reason I always design my favorite work when I should be busy doing something else!
So, what I've been working on is a new fall cabled cowl, and invitation designs for my girlfriends bridal shower.
I'll post pictures of both when they're finished.

Bella's Mitten Pattern is Here!

So after a long weekend of math and fighting with the cable chart generater, I finished my pattern at the beginning of this week. Then it was off to my test knitters. I foolishly thought I had it working pretty well, and was sure they wouldn't come up with anything... But I was wrong. So I spent most of the lst few days revising the sizing and charts down to perfection. I am now quite confident that its all in working order! So I've posted it on etsy, ravelry and here for download. I've offered it on etsy of $6 since its not an instant download, or here on the blog for $10 which is an instant download.
I hope you enjoy it, and if you do, leave me a comment or two of how they turn out for you.

My First Blog Feature!!!

So yesterday I reached 35 sales in my etsy shop, and today I am excited to announce my first blog feature! Check out this great site, etsy by numbers, and the article that she posted on my popular Bella's Mittens.
http://etsybynumbers.blogspot.com/2009/08/unearthed_12.html

Today is knitting club at the library, so I'm off to share the wonderful news and see if I can't round up volunteers to test knit the pattern so I can post it as well!
Jamie

35 Sales on Etsy!!!

I am proud to announce that Today I reach 35 sales and 99 hearts for my knits shop on Esty! Thanks so much to everyone who has been supporting me this year. I've never made so many mittens in my life, and it's been so much fun; what a wild ride! I never thought it would be so exciting selling online, but I've sent my mittens all over the world now, and still get that peng of pride every time I go to the post office with my little brown box!

Thanks!

Jamie

Blog Banner Giveaway Winners!

To officially start off the opening of my graphics shop Musk Mallow Designs, I held a blog banner give away in the forums on etsy last wednesday night! Here are the winners:

Check them out, and make sure to visit the blogs and etsy stores of all the winners, they have some really great stores, and interesting reads!

Bare Moose:
www.baremoose.etsy.com for beautiful jewelry!
www.baremoose.blogspot.com for great how-to craft articles! (thanks for the mini etsy promo)!




Interesting Lee:
www.interestinglee.etsy.com shop opened this week, stop by and show some love!
www.interestinglee.blogspot.com her blog chronicles her journey selling on etsy. (thanks for the link)!

Lil' Miss Polkadot:

www.lilmisspolkadot.etsy.com cutest whimsical paintings and gifts

www.lilmisspolkadot.blogspot.com feature items, giveaways and her process

(Thanks for the mini etsy feature)!

Natties Place:

www.nattiesplace.etsy.com adorable little girls hair clips and accessories!

www.nattiesplace2008.blogspot.com great featured products from her shop and insperations from home. (Thanks for the Promo)!

Jwels of India:

www.jewelsofindia.etsy.com colorful, beautiful jewelry and accessories

www.callmestylista.blogspot.com great style articals and etsy shop features.

Pieces Of Me:

www.piecesofmependants.esty.com adorable scrabble tile pendants

www.indiecraftcorner.blogspot.com features and giveaways for etsy shops! (thanks for the add)!

If you would like a custom banner for you etsy shop, blog or website, please visit me at www.muskmallowdesigns.etsy.com for a variety of custom graphic options!