Hello and a HUGE Thanks!

Since the Martha Stewart Crafts Dept competition started (I'm one of the finalists competing for a space at their Holiday Craft Sale) I've had a lot of new folks stopping by.

I just wanted to say hello, and thank you for visiting!

Also, I would like to give HUGE thanks too, to all those who casted a vote of support!

I've got a crazy, busy week, and it's been hard to stay focused on my tasks when my head is filled with dreams of going to New York, and selling my crafts along side all those fabulously talented crafters, many who are members of the Martha Stewart creative team.

If you would like to help make a crafty girl's wildest dream come true, please click here and cast a vote.

To find out a little bit more about this crafty contest, please click HERE.

Thanks a million!!

PS If you're having trouble voting,,,, there have been a few issues.... try THIS link instead.

A Few Blues

I'm trying to expand my holiday color palette and make pins that are a little less "Christmas" and a little more "festive".

I just some pretty aqua blue mushrooms this week, and they inspired this little collection.

I'm building up inventory for upcoming craft sales, and after the sales, I'll have time to list a few on Etsy. If you're interested in purchasing a piece, just send me an email and we can work something out!

Got a Second....

The fine folks at the Martha Stewart Crafts Department are hosting a little contest and are giving five lucky crafters a table at their Holiday Craft Sale at the Martha Stewart Creative HQ in NYC. Many of the vendors are the creative people working at Martha Stewart, so I'm sure it will be an incredible show.

I entered the contest, the Crafts Department reviewed everyone's work, and I just found out that I was a finalist! My heart skipped a beat (or two, at least) when I read the news.

Now, they've set up a poll, and the public will decide the winners. That's where you come in.

If you have a second, and would like to cast a vote of support, please click HERE. It really only takes a moment, and there's no registration required.

OH, my fingers are crossed for this chance of a lifetime opportunity!

Click HERE to find out more about the sale and see pictures of last year's event. If you're in the NYC area, you most definitely attend!

Here are the details:

Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale
Sat Dec 4th, 2010
Noon - Six PM

Starrett-Lehigh Building
601 West 26th Street (between Eleventh and Twelfth avenues)
9th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Click HERE to cast your vote!
Thanks a MILLION!

A Holiday Sampling

Here are a few samples of the holiday pins I've been making for the upcoming sales. I've been incorporating lots of little birds, tiny pinecones, spun cotton mushrooms and miniature bottlebrush trees. They are festive and fun, and perfect for your winter coat lapel. They also make great little package toppers.

The first sale is Nov 13th and 14th at Kings Books in Tacoma. Please click HERE for more details.

A Bouquet for Metropolitan Bride and Groom

Created for their summer/fall issue...







The bouquet was a mix of crepe paper and linen flowers.

Craft Sale Flash Back

I wanted to share a few images from this summer's Tacoma is for Lovers artist craft sale.

My booth was packed with new merchandise - pins, bird cages, garlands, and kitty cards, of course.

I plan to do the same for this month's show. I've been working around the clock so expect to see lots and LOTS of new things. Please see the previous post for a sampling of the new products and details on the sale.

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it is preparing for these shows. I LOVE making things. And it's so fun doing the sales too. It's always a treat to spend time with crafters and appreciators of hand made things!

Fa La La Laurie

I know, I know,, it seems so early, but the Holiday Season is quickly approaching and Tacoma is for Lovers is hosting another sale at Kings Books in Tacoma.

I'll be participating in the sale, and I've been cranking out the holiday crafts. I'll be bringing LOTS of new garlands, ornaments, gift tags and MUCH much more.

It's always an awesome sale, with lots of amazing artists, craftspeople, and products. Please stop by if you can!

Here are the details:

Saturday Nov 13th and Sunday Nov 14th
11 AM - 4 PM
Kings Books
218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma WA

For more info, visit the Tacoma is for Lovers Facebook page.

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been crafting for the show...

A Paper Flowers Class!! Join Us This Saturday!

Hi Friends,, This Saturday (July 10th) from 2:00 PM to 4:30, I'm hosting a crepe paper flowers class in my home/studio in Tacoma, WA. We still have a few spaces left, and we would love to have you join us!

We'll be working with several styles of crepe paper, and will learn to make as many flowers as we possibly can during this time period. The fee is $25 and includes all materials. You just need to bring along a nice, sharp pair of scissors.

To register, please shoot me an email at kittywrangler@gmail.com

Thanks! I hope you can join us!

A Friendly Reminder

Today's the day! The Tacoma is for Lovers artist craft fair runs today (Sunday June 13th) from 11:00 AM - 4 PM at Kings Books, 218 St Helens, Tacoma, WA.

I'm bringing LOTS of new things, and my booth will be packed with garlands, bird cage lanterns, cake toppers, corsages, bouttonieres and paper flowers.

For more info,, visit HERE!

I hope to see you there!

The Birds

I'm still working hard to build up lots of new inventory for the sale this weekend. Yesterday, I cranked out a dozen or so of this paper bird cage lanterns.

I used nearly all screen-printed papers by Hambly on these pieces If you're not familiar with Hambly, you should check out their website. They create the most amazing papers. The patterns and colors are incredible.

If you would like a bird cage to call your own, please stop by here on Sunday. After the sale, I'll be listing these on Etsy too.

New Blooms

One of my favorite resources for paper just brought in some amazing new colors of crepe. I ordered a few rolls, and I've been having a blast playing with this new palette. There are lots of shades of pink, ranging from pale cotton candies to watermelon. Also, there's butter yellow, icy green, cream, ivory and white tones. There's even an amazing rusty brown.

The new colors have inspired me to try some new flower shapes and styles of blooms. Here's a little peek...



If you would like to see them up close, stop by the Tacoma is for Lovers craft fair this Sunday.

Craftin' Expansions

The Tacoma Is For Lovers craft sale is just around the corner and I've been super busy cranking out the crafts. In addition my bouttonieres and corsages that I usually sell at the shows, I'll be expanding the La La Laurie line to include garlands, cards and single stems of my paper flowers. My booth will be PACKED with lots of new things.

Here's a sneak peek at the garlands I've been making.





The show is Sunday, June 13th from 11 AM to 4 PM at Kings Books 218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, Wa. Please stop by if you're in the neighborhood! Click here or here for more info on the show. Hope to see you there!

Hooray for Hambly!

For a VERY long time, I've been a fan of the beautiful papers made at Hambly Studios. You'll find them in lots of the DIY projects I've created. Their colors and patterns are amazing and the quality is superior.

Recently, I was invited to be a guest member of their design team, and had the opportunity to play with all their lovely papers and come up with some new projects. It was a thrill, to say the least.

Here's a sneak peek of a few things I created. To see more, visit the Hambly Studios Blog. Thank you Allison for asking me to be a part of your team. And thank you Robin for introducing me to Allison!

A Paper Flowers Class!

As part of the Tacoma Is For Lovers Craft Night series, I'll be teaching a little paper flower crafting class. In one evening, you'll learn to create several blooms, and leave with a bouquet of paper flowers.

When: Thursday, April 8th 7 - 9

Where: Kings Books
218 St. Helens Ave.
Tacoma, Washington 98402
253.272.8801

Class Fee: $17 which includes your supplies (crepe paper, floral tape, wire)

What to bring; Nimble fingers and sharp pair of scissors

To register, or find out more info on the class please visit the Kings Books website.

Hope to see you there! Feel free to email me with any questions.

Buckets of Blooms... and a Book!

I've spent the past few months tucked away in my studio working on a HUGE project - a paper flowers book/kit for Barnes and Noble. Pictured above are some of the prototype flowers.

It's been an exciting and challenging project. There were many long days and late nights, and now the manuscript is done and revised. Whew. It's such a relief to have that behind me now!

Look for it on the shelves in Feb 2011. I'll keep you posted on the exact date.

Now it's time to play catch up... orders to fill... Etsy updates.... the list goes on.