Well, hello there! Are you enjoying my shop’s Grand Opening Week as much as I am? I don’t know if that’s possible! ;)
Yesterday I took a bag full of packages to the Post Office.
And today my creative space is all about the shop. (More spaces at kootoyoo.) I’m stamping little note papers to send with packages and otherwise prepping my “shipping area,” something I wasn’t able to do as much as I wanted prior to the shop’s opening. My goal is to have lots of tags and cards and wrappings and everything all set up to make the shipping process more efficient next time ’round.
But, of course, the big deal for today is the next giveaway. It’s some more original june at noon embroidery. I’ve taken four blank cards and beautified them with some hand stitching. (They come with envelopes, too.)
You might recognize them from projects I’ve posted about before. Some were items I replicated because I like them so much, others were pieces I’d stitched up as samples or for practice and have had sitting around with no purpose for the last year. Inspiration struck, and now they have a reason to be!
I let the raw edges of the fabric remain as-is, so some fraying might occur, but I think that fits right in with the slightly wonky (organic?) nature of the design. At first the perfectionist in me wasn’t so sure about edges that weren’t perfectly straight, but the more I look at them, the more I like them just as they are.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment here telling me something you’d like to see in my shop in the future. Feel free to browse this website and my flickr page for ideas. That comment will get you one entry. (And feel free to enter even if you entered Monday’s giveaway too. If I get a repeat winner, I’ll redraw so everyone gets a turn!)
If you Twitter about this giveaway, come back and leave another comment letting me know you’ve done so, and you’ll get a second entry. If you link to this giveaway on your blog, leave yet another comment for a third entry. That’s all there is to it. International participants are welcome and encouraged!
Comments for the giveaway will be closed on Sunday, November 22, at 10 p.m. EST. I will use a random number generator to determine a winner, and the winner will be announced on Monday, November 23. I’ll be in touch with the winner at that time to get contact details. (If I don’t hear back from the winner within a reasonable time, I’ll randomly choose another winner.)
And that’s it for today. There’s still time to enter Monday’s giveaway, and check back tomorrow for another freebie. My creative space is a busy space today, and there is the matter of small children running around wanting my attention for some reason (!), so I suppose I’d best get back to it all!
These cards are darling, very nice! I would like to see more of those pin cushions in your shop, they make my heart skippy :)
written on November 18th, 2009, at 12:38 pmI’d love to be entered for this drawing :).
Things I would buy:
~ the fat quarter drawstring bags (great to “wrap” gifts in)
~ drawstring backpacks
~ either as cards or to be framed, watercolor + embroidery (but maybe without any words at all)
~ lavendar-filled sachets, the longer ones that would lay across someone’s eyes — embroidered or not
That was fun, going back through your flick photos :). I had forgotten you were the person who did the fantastic Frank Lloyd Wright embroidery!!! You really have made some great stuff.
written on November 18th, 2009, at 2:24 pmI am a fan of your stitching, so I am definitely in favor of seeing your gorgeous finished pieces in your shop.
The linen silhouette girls with button necklaces are my favorites (aside from the spectacular house).
Those cards are beautiful. I love the stitches in the snowflakes.
written on November 18th, 2009, at 4:19 pmoh, definitely more of the silhouette girls! You know, patterns for them would be cool. or maybe even kits with the buttons included. such cool pieces. Really hope I win this giveway so I can keep that sun card forever and ever! :)
written on November 18th, 2009, at 4:48 pmCongrats on the huge success of the shop on the first day!
written on November 18th, 2009, at 6:47 pmI would love to see more of your eiffel tower stuff!
I’d love to see more silhouettes. I’d love to see one with a boy and a girl.
P.S. Thanks for “hearting” me on Etsy. I returned the favor.:)
written on November 18th, 2009, at 8:16 pmGretchen congrats on the success of your amazing shop…I am loving the sold out silhouettes and will be waiting for more
written on November 18th, 2009, at 9:55 pmThose cards are gorgeous! I did like those pin cushions..
written on November 18th, 2009, at 10:32 pmWonderful stitching as always.
written on November 18th, 2009, at 10:42 pmI think the cards are beautiful and I too like the raw edges. It’s quite funny how often I’ve come across ‘perfectionist’ tendencies in craft blogs (and I’m right up too). Strange really because if we really liked things perfect and straight we probably wouldn’t be doing any kind of craft. I think it always looks different to the maker aswell because it’s right up there in front of your eyes so you see any of the, ahem, tiny blemishes, of course I’m not saying yours have any blemishes I’m talking about my own work here!!!! x
written on November 18th, 2009, at 10:50 pmI love this giveaway too! Count me in!
I really enjoyed looking at your pictures on Flickr. Everything is creative and so well made.
things I would like to have:
- address book cover. I liked the colour with embroidery and appliqué
-pincushion with Effect Tower!
-bag for my embroidery hoop. It’s really good when travelling.
I am off to your shop to look around:)
written on November 18th, 2009, at 11:03 pmI just love your stitching. One day I hope I am as good as you.
This is now one of my fav blogs!
Cheers
written on November 18th, 2009, at 11:30 pmLis
First I want to thank you for your nice comment! Got in touch with so many nice and inspiring people through my creative space!
Concerning the give-away and feedback on your shop I would like to see more floral patterns!
Many grretings, Kirsten
written on November 19th, 2009, at 3:59 amCongrats on your etsy sales!!!! Sounds like great fun such a great start =) and for many more!!
written on November 19th, 2009, at 4:29 amI really like your stamping notes very cute! Oh and the cards…are super fancy!!!!
have a great day
xo
Would love to see more of your ’snowflake’ design embroidery Gretchen – really pretty! I love your notepapaers and packaging details – very cute!
written on November 19th, 2009, at 6:04 amLove your shipping ideas, and the cards in your giveaway are delish. I love flowers, so more flowers for me woulf be great – along the lines of your card, but maybe in bunches – colourful!
written on November 19th, 2009, at 6:39 amI think more of these cards would be wonderful! And i love your pin cushions too(and i am totally addicted to dolls…)
written on November 19th, 2009, at 9:12 amI love those cards! especially the sun, it’s so cheery
written on November 19th, 2009, at 9:28 amI definitely want to see more of these cards. They’re great!
written on November 19th, 2009, at 1:31 pmI love your pincushions, and the fat pouch got me thinking. I saw a pin cuchion with a little scrap/trash/thread bag hanging from it once, the pin cushion was heavy enough to hold the bag on the edge of the sewing table. I think that would be a fun thing to add in your shop, I know I’d like one!
written on November 20th, 2009, at 2:09 pmThis week must have been über exciting. Congratulations on the grand opening and the first sales, it’s wonderful! I like your cards a lot. I thought I’d try embroidery on paper/thin cardboard for some of my Christmas cards this year, it’s such a great idea.
written on November 20th, 2009, at 4:02 pm