little monster

This little monster....yeah, she's mine!!!  ....and who doesn't love a monsterous hat?? 

I got this cute little monster hat pattern from a wonderful ETSY retailer.... the instructions are sooooo detailed, which I must say I LOVE!!!  ...honestly the pattern has got to be one of the most visually pleasing ones I've had the pleasure of purchasing!  Full color pages, lots of detail and great images.

I've got to try out this guy in lime green, think "Monsters, Inc."  That would be so adorable!!!

...Miss P, she's in love with her monster hat, I can tell you that much :)

Who Wants a Cyber Monday Discount????

I do, I do..... 

Enjoy a 10% Discount for Cyber Monday in my ETSY shop (www.etsy.com/shop/PaperRaisins) on November 26, 2012 by entering the coupon code "CYBERMON2012" at the time of checkout. Orders must be placed on Monday, November 26, 2012 to obtain the discount. Please note: shipping charges will not be discounted. 

Happy Shopping :)

Crochet Hook Catharsis

ca·thar·sis -  release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.

I've gotta say....anyone that knows me, knows how tightly wound I am!  ...I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing...it just IS.  I also happen to be an exercise in contradiction.... for every "rule" I have for myself there's likely an exception... think food....  I hate mushrooms, but love mushroom soup.... I hate sour cream but love beef stroganoff, in which you will find sour cream.... that's just me, one giant oxymoron.

I love to create... I LOVE creativity... but for me, creating usually looks more like a mathematical equation.  When I use a patternmaker's design, I take notes, lots of notes... and I can never just make things the way I'm supposed to...I adjust things...sometimes little things, sometimes big things.  I almost always re-write purchased patterns in a way that is more user friendly for me, incorporating my "improvements"...  I'm a bit of a perfectionist (not surprised are you??)... some days I wonder if I could make a business just re-writing other people's patterns for those out there who are equally as anal as me! 

When I design, I begin with an idea, sometimes I've sketched it out, sometimes it's in my head....  then I choose a yarn (although sometimes the yarn comes first...then the idea), I make test swatches, figure out what yarn & needles or hooks are best for the job.... I write notes, I change what I've done, I erase notes, I cross out notes with large slashes ....I make & remake, I make more notes.... very, detailed, notes... I rip things out a lot... and start over... when I'm done, I type up the pattern ...it's a process.... 

I've got this friend... she happily makes many things with creative abandon, I often see pictures of her happy accidents... or items that didn't quite turn out right but she's soooo happy anyway... yeah, that is not me... I wish I could be more relaxed but I'm not...   except.....

I had a moment.... 2 balls of beautiful yarn with nothing but a vision.... there were NO notes, NO ripping out... and pure & utter happiness as I put together this cowl!  ...I can't explain in words the elation as it all came together, standing on a stool, making the final crocheted joins with it draped on my dress form...  It was creating with full abandon...and let me tell you...it felt AMAZING!!!  I'm so tempted to keep this for myself...but alas, I shall probably post it in my ETSY shop  ....here's the result...

i have a sssnaking sssuspicion...

that you're gonna love this guy....  he's verry sssweet!

I got this fantasitc pattern from bee's knees knitting on ETSY.  I've found some awesome pattern-makers on ETSY and this is one of them.  Their animal scarves are soooo cute...I bought several patterns and this sssweet sssnake is the first one I've tried!  I LOVE it!!!!

I'm sure you won't mind at all if this sweet boy wraps himself around you... his face is so innocent... he just wants to keep you warm.  He won't squeeze, he promises!!!  :)

I love this snake so much that I'm working on some sssnake mittens... they are so fun!  :) 

The Sssnake Ssscarf is listed in my ETSY shop!  ....there are a couple color options... check out my ETSY shop @ www.etsy.com/shop/PaperRaisins

...back into the groove

It's been a while, a LOOOOOONG time, too long..... but I've got some great news!  I've re-opened Paper Raisins!!!  Some things have changed so please bear with me while I work out some of the kinks.  I'm directing sales through my ETSY site now, it's much more straightforward than sales through my website were in the past, so easier to use for you & streamlines some of the processes for me too so it's a win-win as far as I'm concerned! 

My website will still be around for viewing access for a limited time only (which sounds so infomertial).  So soak in the sights while you can!! 

I'm working in a bot of a limited capacity, many of my supplies are still in storage and can't some out just yet.  Remember that obscecely large stash of yarn I told you about...well, most of it is boxed up and inaccessablle along with my sewing machine, buttons, ribbons, fabric etc  ...but I've stashed some of my favorites on site & I'm posting new items to my ETSY shop every few days!!! 

I've got a couple great new scarves that I'm offering, they're super veratile!  ...and since there's been a bit of a chill in the air the timing is perfect - great as a gift for mom, wife, friend, sister, girlfriend....yourself....  there's some great colors in fantastic yarn, you'll have to check them out!   Oh, and I got new patterns for adorable animal scarves.... working on the Ssssnake right now, he's soooooo cute!  I'll post some pics as soon as I have them!

As always, if you don't see what you're looking for, would like a different color, size etc, let me know.  I try my best to accomodate special requests!  ...if you're ordering locally (Winnipeg, MB) please shoot me a message before making a purhcase through ETSY so I can set up a special listing for you in Canadian funds & with a reduced or eliminated shipping/delivery charge (free Winnipeg delivery for orders over $50).

It feels great to be back behind the hook/needles again!  ....hope you enjoy the ride with me! 

Shop - www.etsy.com/shop/PaperRaisins
Email - info.paperraisins@gmail.com

Ps... I suppose I should proabaly share a picture... what's a post without a picture??  ...here is the new Window Pane Scarf....  it can be worn at least 6 different ways, comes in this delightful yarn (many colors) and another yarn type which is equally delightful!!!! 

Closure

Paper Raisins is going to be closed until further notice.  I do plan to re-open, I'm just unsure of the time frame.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

For the love of...

...The Manitoba Children's Museum!!!

As you probably know, the Manitoba Children's Museum is undergoing a huge renovation project.  They'll be closed for quite some time... sniff...sniff... but will be re-opening with new galleries and experiences for our children...  I think I may be more sad than P about the huge tree slide being removed...

Well... Paper Raisins has donated a hat, scarf & mitty set for their fundraising efforts!  ...the set will be auctioned off to the highest bidder - check it out here!  There are many great items there to bid on and the auctions will be up until November 24, 2010.

Go now... check it out and support this great facility!!!   Go....

the thing about Annie...

Hey guys! ...a tiny bit of down-time ...a moment to breathe and a little time for a new post! :)

So it's been insane in my world. I had a retirement party for a co-worker to plan and execute...which took place today... whew... despite being stressed about making it a success it went off without a hitch! yay! ...I like a good theme for a party so this one was a Country-fair, Farmer's Market type feel, complete with straw bails, a scarecrow, big bunches of balloons, 1/2 barrel full of flowers and veggies (I even got carrots with leafy tops!!) and a red and white gingham table runner! ...not to mention all the "in theme" signage...

Watering hole for the drink table... bake sale for the dainty table... farmer's market banners for the banquet table... photo op with the scarecrow... kissin' booth (goodbye hugs - free) by the honored retiree! ...and it was all named Annieville...

So my personal gift to our dear Annie was the gift of memories. I took pictures of each of the staff in our department and a few extras, retirees and others who asked to be included. About 30-35 staff in total. I also asked for a writing submission beginning with "The thing about Annie..." from each person participating. Once the pics were done and edited and writing submissions collected and proofed I did some fancy digital scrapbooking and had the whole project printed into an 8x8 hard-cover book! I am so in love with the finished project.... although I had to part with it rather quickly and didn't even get a chance to photograph the final result.

I'm sure you can image the "man" hours that went into this labor of love! But it was all worth it! ...I know she will treasure it for a lifetime!

Wanna see a couple sample pages??

And me - incidentally I hate pictures of myself... this one I didn't mind so much though!

Hope you enjoyed! I'm off to put up my feet for a few minutes... watch some Biggest Loser!

Stay tuned for my next post... I will have some new hats to share! ...and they are modeled by the sweetest little one, she's the gorgeous daughter of a co-worker...I got to play with her a couple weeks ago! :)

Monday Musing - Have a Nice Trip???!!!

So here's a fact that those in my close circles already know... I am a complete klutz! This is especially true when it comes to walking... seriously, I suck at walking. Lately I've been doing sooooo good...despite my case history which includes:

• Falling in gym class as a child and not telling anyone that I'd hurt my bum...didn't get my back fixed until I went to a chiropractor in my 20's!
• Falling up the stairs (that's right, now down them but up them...in high school, in between classes, the halls teeming with students... needless to say I was mortified).
• Falling down a flight of stairs at my old work while carying about 20 patient charts... they went flying...I tumbled down about 10 stairs, landed at the bottom and smoked the back of my head on the metal edge of one of the concrete stairs, can you says seeing stars and nausea??
• Falling down while exiting my apartment while my husband (then boyfriend) was driving down my street to pick me up (think ...now you see me.... now you don't...real smooth).
• Falling at the same spot on the sidewalk on Ellice near my work three independent times. The two most memorable were once while walking with a co-worker, she couldn't stop laughing...and the time I fell walking to my car - my purse went flying...the contents of my purse went flying ...my lunch bag went flying... I went flying...and a couple homeless guys stopped and picked me up of the sidewalk, gathered my things and made sure I was okay.

This brings me to today! ...it's been a while so I was overdue for a good fall... in classic Lee-Ann style I was at my 5 minute morning exercise group...all psyched for stair climing... I took one flight and at the bottom of it rolled my ankle and met the landing with a thud. I was stair climbing roadkill... seriously...people had to step over me.... LOL...

So I waited it out, moved it around gently and then climbed stairs for the last 2ish minutes, then walked my coffee-break 20 and my lunch 40, although a tad slower than my usual pace ...needless to say I'm feelin' the pain now! ...my foot's up, and I'm hoping this one fulfills my quota for a while!

A Beautiful Disaster!

A few months ago I got a call from a lady I've known for most of my life. Her daughter is a few years older than me and has 3 little ones, 2 girls and a boy. In fact, when her daughter was pregnant with her first, I was pregnant with Pyper, we were due the same week!

Grandma was ordering two hats to accessorize the two black faux fur coats she made for the girls. She had ideas for style and a specific color in mind. Grandma came over and we looked at a few patterns that I'd pre-selected based on our discussion, and sure enough there was one there that she loved. The color palate was white with a black band and soft pink flowers with black leaves, simple but striking. Here's where the distaster begins!!!!!

The brand of cotton I usually use doesn't have a soft pink... seriously, hot pink, dusty rose, peachy pink....no soft pink. I whipped out the laptop and we looked at the color options from the brands that I could order in. We decided on a tone and I placed the order as soon as she left, and then I waited....

And waited...

And waited...

I received an email from the supplier indicting that they were undergoing a change in their postal delivery service and that although it would speed things in the future it would cause a delay on this order. I phoned Grandma and let her know.

And waited...

And waited...

And waited...

I sent the supplier an email... a rather unhappy email indicating that they usually have a slower than average in the delivery time and that I understood that they were undergoing a change but this was CRAZY!!! I am running a business and their wait time is reflecting badly on me and my business ....where's my stuff?? I soon found out that they sent the package to my old address...despite the fact that I've ordered since the move. Of course the new owner rejected the parcel and it was sent back to the supplier. It was that close...about 6 blocks away from home! They said once the package was received back they'd re-ship to the correct address... ugh......

I phoned Grandma and let her know where things were at...and waited...

And waited...

And waited...

It took aproximately 2 months for the yarn to show up...... holy poopers... I was soooooooo irritated... I finished the embellishments for the hats that night... and delivered ASAP. Despite my many phonecalls throughout updating Grandma, she though these hats just were not going to happen. I take pride in beating the deadlines I give people... so needless to say I was mortified... and of course did my best to "make it right".

I had Pyper model one of the hats...so here you go, you can see my beautiful disaster!

What have I learned?? ....uh....find a new supplier... triple check to make sure the shipping address is correct... stock more colors so I don't have to order to fill an order!!!

You can't see me....

Some time ago.... and when I say some... I mean a big some...LOL, a girlfriend of mine emailed me looking for a couple gifts for 2 of her pregnant co-workers... they were having boys!

I'm always a little stuck for boys...I know, bad me... it's hard to not spend most of my time making little girl stuff...since as you know I have a girl! ...lends itself naturally to having an in-house model and fit-tester!

Anyway J wanted a camo hat for each of the babies...and little mitties "if I had time". Since I love making tiny little newborn things and I didn't have a little newborn mitty in my repitoire I was totally excited to get this project done.

So, here's the result... sweet little camo hats with thumbless mitties... attached of course by a nice tightly crocheted string. I ususally call it a dummy string.... definitely got to think of something nicer to call it!!!

I've got lots of projects in the works... some that I'm waiting to have fit tested.... a sweet hat I finished for a custom order, the hooded mommy wrap that is a beautiful work in progress! ...I'll be posting those as soon as I can...

My time is divided as I'm working on a project for my husband... setting him up with an ETSY shop... he makes gorgeous pens...fantastic for gifts... graduations, bankers, lawyers, Father's day, Mothers day.... any other occasion you could think of! They're totally unique and extremely stylish! ...I've got 4 posted in his etsy shop and working on getting the other pics ready... check out what we've got so far!!!

Monday Musing - The Rule of My Body...

The #1 rule of my body...

If I'm going to be off work for longer than a weekend..... I GET SICK!!!

And true to "the rule" I'm off work this week and sick! ...it hit on Wednesday, lingered, incubated, progressed all weekend and then yesterday, no voice! ...which may have made my husband happy... remember, I tend to talk a lot!!! :)

I heart... returning customers & custom orders

I had to share this cute little hat with you!

I got an email a couple weeks back from a local photographer (so local she's actually on my way to work!!!), she's got one of my hats already. So this time she was looking for another hat, and a diaper cover. She sent a picture of a had she'd seen and was hoping for something similar, but with a flower in a soft tone.

Once I poured over the picture for a while I figured it was made using 2 yarns held together. Something for a base, maybe with a little texture and a novelty yarn for some fuzz. I'll have to be honest, I usually stear very clear of the novelty yarn, it's just not my genre, however, on this one I'm glad I picked it up. I think the result came out really cute!

It was funny thought, i crocheted the whole thing and realized that the inside was VERY furry.... I uh........... had to give it a haircut :)

Hope you like! :)

Birth Announcements!!!

So does anyone want to know what I've been up to lately?? Here goes...

I've been busy! Orders are coming in more regularly which is fantastic!! Then there's the custom stuff.

Custom Client Project #1 - Hooded mommy wrap - for maternity photography. This is a true labor of love... I'm lovin' it... although it is slow going with the rich cables & lacework!! I will be so happy when I can share the finished product with you!

Custom Client Project #2 - Hanging "bucket" for newborn photography... which I'm just about done, just waiting for the base material to be ready. I must say it was a challenge to figure out what he heck I can use to make a ridgid base that can withstand the "hazards of the industry" if you know what I mean. ;) Hopefully this little number should be finished up within the week, then I just have to send it out for fit testing!

Custom Client Project #3 - Vertical Sling for newborn photography... I whipped up a great upright sling made from this beautifully textured imported yarn, accented with either a pink, blue, or green fishnet style flowered band. This little number is getting fit tested this Friday... YAY, I love having connections!!!

Personal Project - I've been trying to get more photography practice when I can, I'm not a professional, that's for sure, but I'm making improvement and learning from my mistakes! ...and I'm really enjoying getting more practice!!! So I did newborn pictures for my co-worker's daughter... oh, she was such a sweet little one!! Well, once I finished up her pictures I asked her mom if she'd be into some birth announcements. She said yes... then I had some fun! ...I haven't scrapbooked in ages but thought I'd approach this project from a digital scrapbooking angle and I had so much fun! Plus I haven't noticed any styled like that for sale!

I liked doing it so much that I made a corresponding boy announcement, in the same layout... and I posted them to my ETSY shop tonight! I hope everyone likes them as much as I do! I'm planning to design some more layouts and post them to ETSY as well... in between client orders of course!!! :)

so.... wanna see my first two announcements??

Monday Musing - I Never Thought I'd Hear My Daughter Say...

"...daddy (excitedly) ... let's go watch the football game!!!"

oh boy..... now I'm in for it! Two of them like watching sports... ugh!

With Love ...xoxo

Time to introduce you to a brand-new set... the "With Love" set...featuring the The With Love Hat and The I Heart Bottoms!!!

It all started with the bottoms... I whipped up the cute little diaper cover in a soft ivory yarn, accented with a richly colored red heart on the bum ...once I had those done up it hit me... I've seen a ladies hat somewhere in my travels that had hearts for ear flaps... and the lightbulb on ....paired up that would be one sweet little set!

The With Love Set is perfect for newborn photography... and is made of a super-easy care fibre. I'll be posting them to my blog and ETSY shop tonight!!!

Hope you love them as much as I do!!! :)

ps...special thanks to Baby I and her mommy and daddy for lending her to me for test fitting product and taking a few pics... I'll have the pics to you on the weekend!!

"um...I have an unusual request..."

I know it's going to be interesting when a conversation begins with that :)

One of P's daycare workers approached me a couple months ago telling me she'd seen and loved the baby wraps I make... I was wondering how this was going to tie in with the "unusual request", sincerely hoping she wasn't going to request an adult sized wrap!!! Could you imagine the quantity of yarn that would involve?? funny thing is...I'm sure I have much MORE than enough!!

...so she tells me about her cat Mügz. Now Mügz is a very cuddly fellow... he loves to snuggle with her in the evenings, usually with a blanket. C thought he would love some sort of kitty wrap to cuddle in. We talked a little more about him, what kind of cat he is, what color he is, his size, her expectations. She said there was no rush, whenever I get time.

Fortunately C is a patient woman! ...I was busy filling orders and just got to his wrap about a week ago... Here's a couple pics... Hamilton was my obliging model... in fact he was purring like an engine as soon as I put him in... it could have something to do with his obsession with natural, animal derived fibers... the Mügz wrap is a wool blend...mmmmmmmmm sheep.... I'm sure that's what he's thinking...

Monday Musing - 10 Things I Love About My Girl

1. The way she scrunches up her nose when she smiles!
2. How she says words like "pecause", "am-bull-ance", "plablo" (instead of pablo)
3. Her great manners!
4. She tells me I'm her best mommy!
5. That she won't pick a favorite hotel for vacationing because she wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of the hotel that she didn't choose :)
6. How she'll grab me a granola bar on the way out the door in the morning, in case I get hungry.
7. Baking together in the kitchen.
8. That she runs and jumps into my arms for the biggest hugs when I pick her up from daycare.
9. That she always wants to send hugs and kisses to my "work ladies".
10. How she likes to help me package up and deliver orders!

Monday musing ~ Volume 1

I like to talk...a lot...my report cards in school always said... Lee-Ann is a pleasure to have in class... but is very "social" ...in other words ummmmmmmm.... talks too much! :) so I blabber... about nothing... a lot ...so I thought I'd extend it to you! Really, it shouldn't just be my family and co-workers who have to listen to me!!!

So here goes... my very first Monday musing...

So a couple weeks ago I met Carol for lunch... nowhere special... just the local food court for a quick bite and to trade goodies (pictures and knits...yay), where I overhear the following conversation....

Girl - so yeah, look me up on facebook, we'll get together

Guy - uh.....I don't have Internet at home...

Girl - (said very emphatically, with a gasp of horror and an edge of disbelief) what???? HOW am I supposed to contact you??

.....uh....... ever hear of a phone... you know... they have numbers on them... you dial and oh heavens... actually talk to someone!!

...seriously??

oh my goodness I laughed all afternoon about that one!

a new look for Paper Raisins!!!

Hey all... so I've been working my tail off for weeks now on a new look for Paper Raisins. I got this adorable logo done by Marie. I found her on flickr, filled out a questionnaire, sent her my ideas and she put it all together. I'm really, really excited about my new branding and implementing my super cute logo.

I've still got a bunch of things to put together... it takes a lot of little labor-intensive elements to form one cohesive look... and since I know nothing about HTML it's a serious learning curve to make the adjustments!!! ...I was going to roll out the whole new look at once... but I think I changed my mind... I don't want to hide all this great new stuff anymore... I'm really excited to share! I'll be adding the new and replacing the old one or two things at a time... so hold onto your hats...cause within the next few weeks you can watch my transformation!!!! :)