Presque Isle has launched!

Finally! After months of crocheting, writing, organizing, and picture taking the Presque Isle shop on Etsy.com is open for business.

I'm sure some people expect a ton of responses and loads of orders the moment their store opens, but honestly, I'm happy to have a slow start. I need to work out the kinks before people start ordering things.

The CIRRUS beanie in gray and teal.

My friend Andi ordered a CIRRUS beanie from me and I still need to sew the label in, make the hang tag, and craft my follow up emails. She also requested a pair of gloves to match the beanie, and gave me some great advice on promoting custom orders in my receipts and thank you messages.

I have so much to learn!

For example, I didn't think I'd really need a logo, but as I create the hang tags I realize a logo would be a nice sign-off. So now I'm figuring out if I want to design one on my own or get my designer BF to do it for me :)

Anyway, check out Presque Isle when you have a chance and let me know what you think!

A good gift pattern

What qualifies as a good gift pattern? For me it depends on how many different versions of the same pattern can I make by changing colors. Also, how many different people do I know will actually enjoy getting the finished product for a gift?

My work so far on the Granny Square Blanket

For example, scarves and beanies are great go-to's because guys and girls of every age and inclination can wear scarves and beanies--as long as they don't live in a tropical climate year-round.

In my search for gift projects this year, I've stumbled across a couple patterns that may work depending on how long they take to complete. I'm doing tests now.

The first is a Giant Granny Square blanket that The Purl Bee posted. It's one giant granny square that is just an ever increasing rainbow of fuzzy goodness. I can watch my favorite SyFy shows and work this blanket at the same time.

Everyone needs an extra blanket: to curl up on the sofa with, take to a picnic in the park or at the beach, add an extra layer to the bed, or even use when company comes to stay the night.

So far I'm estimating 18 hours or less to finish one blanket. I may not make blankets for everyone, but I think I can crank a few out by Christmas :)

Planning for the holidays—in September

I can't remember a time when I didn't try to give at least SOME personally handmade gifts to my friends and family for the holidays.

One year it was cross-stitched tree ornaments. Another year it was fleece melting snowman decorations. Another it was decorative containers full of peanut butter blossom cookies. The year after that it was personalized oven mitts and potholders. Last year it was crocheted beanies and scarves.

I also can't remember a time when I actually got all the crafting done that I wanted to get done in time to give all the gifts I wanted to give.

Thus a holiday gift-giving post in the middle of September: because if I don't start thinking about it now I'm going to be holed-up in my parent's guest room on Christmas Eve frantically putting the finishing touches on a scarf for my mom... like last year...

Now to find this year's theme. I think cookies are a given. They're kind of becoming a tradition. But what should I make for my main project? This is obviously something I'll have to revisit in the coming weeks as I research the possibilities.

P.S. I'm still trying to figure out the Cumulus beanie pattern from the last post :(