I Don't Just Tempt Fate, I Lure Her in With Chocolate

I have pink hair, and I know this is kind of an odd way to begin a blog, but stay with me. Since my hair is not naturally pink I periodically apply copious amounts of Manic Panic's Hot Hot Pink dye to my hair and for some reason, while my head was covered in a medium meant to stain, I decided to work on a sewing project. Not just any sewing project either, I decided to work on a sample for a class we're having at Stash in February. Yeah, not really the best idea I ever had, but the funny thing is that I worked on this project for nearly half an hour before the folly of my decision really occurred to me. I leaned into my sewing machine to look at some stitches and when I sat back there was a *BRIGHT* pink streak on my machine. I started having visions of a low level black hole opening up or some freak blip of gravity that would cause my Amy Butler quilt top to fly at my dye soaked head, causing the irrevocable destruction of said quilt top. Jeremy was great about not laughing right at me as I tried to explain my spontaneous black hole theory and thankfully there was no dye on my project. That also seemed like the best possible moment to put down the sewing and go rinse my hair. Lapse in judgment and poor timing aside, but the quilt top and my hair turned out great! We're going to be doing Amy's Lotus Brick Path Quilt at Stash beginning February 16. You can register by calling 303-660-YARN (9276). I'll also be teaching Anatomy of a Sock and a super cute (and quick!) pillow case class this February. There are going to be a ton of other great classes so don't forget

to check out the Stash website for more info or to register.

Tempting fate with hair dye aside, we've been really busy around the studio lately. Our knitting needle roll has been a surprising best seller, we've been filling out craft fair applications (with and without cold medicine), boosting inventory, and there has been a mad dash to complete an all inclusive sample case.

As if that didn't keep us busy enough we're starting to talk about dates for our very own Craftstravaganza! Keep an eye on our website for our call for vendors and other Craftstravaganza info. We've met so many great artists and crafters at shows and on Etsy that I can't wait to see who will join us this season!

I'm also really excited to tell you that our friend Megan has recently expanded her bead shop The Peacock Shop! Her grand re-opening is today, Tuesday, January 18, so if you are around the Denver area please stop by and congratulate Megan on her success, if you are not in the metro area check out her Etsy shops The Peacock Shop and Gypsy Beads.

Finally, don't forget to check out our latest Etsy Treasury. We selected beautiful knitting, crochet, handbags, jewelry and more in lovely and romantic shades of purple. What more could you want?

Have a great week everyone!
xo
Suzanne

Oh don't mind me....

...it's just the cold medicine talking.

I've got the crud this week. Headache, check. Sore throat, check. Irritability, (why the hell are you asking so many questions?!), check. I'm not so ill that I'm stuck in bed, but the symptoms are present enough to make getting through regular daily tasks difficult. Plus the blue cold liquid that I've been taking makes me feel weird. Really, really weird. o_O

So now I'm full of cold medicine and I'm using tools and filling in craft fair application forms, awesome. I haven't written in anything strange or embarrassing (so far), but the whole task has been somewhat difficult through the haze of blue cold liquid. I guess most tasks are made more difficult by the blue cold liquid...oh, and have no fear, I've been safely parked on my sofa since the onset of the crud. Not driving around full of cold medicine, not sharing my germs with strangers.

There's nothing like involuntary downtime to make one think about how much work there is and how that work is not getting done. As I stumble through applications I start to think about the number of pieces that need to be made (all styles and colors),  how I've only got two hands, and that it doesn't matter that things won't start until at least May I will never ever ever be ready in time (I will, it's just the meds talking). Then I start to wonder things like will I be able to convince/beg/bribe any of my friends and family to help, will a roast chicken do it or are they going to start wanting cash money soon. That is the point where I become so overwhelmed by things that are not actually going to fall apart if I spend a few days resting and recuperating, that I give up completely and have no other choice but to put Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy is fun and not too taxing on the brain, the perfect show when one is unable to focus.

Cold medicine related freak outs aside, I got some really good work done before the onset of the crud. Siouxsiequeue's had a super busy holiday season and I've spent the last week restocking our regular selections.

I also managed to finish my first personal project of the new year! They are these super cute tennis socks, I used to call them "bunny socks" when I was a kid because the pom pom on the back looked like a bunny tail. The name of the yarn escapes me now, but it is lovely cheerful shades of yellow, pink, and green, but it was the perfect yarn to use while snowbound and under the weather. These are the socks we're making in the "Anatomy of a Sock" class at Stash, and would be a great first sock project. I just need to add the bunny tails and they are all set.


Speaking of knitting, every knitter needs a great tote for their yarn stash or to take their projects on the go. I'm particularly fond of these totes by my friend Renee at Airship Printing. Make sure to check them out and get one or two dozen, in the mean time I'm going to succumb to my cold medicine haze.

See you next week, where hopefully I'll be over my crud and less full of N*Q****(we love you, you giant Q).

Etsy Showcase Listing

Our Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow knitting needle case/tool roll is a showcase listing on Etsy today. We have additional colors and prints available. We also have stitch markers, zippered pouches for your notions, and project totes. Don't forget that we *LOVE* custom orders, so don't hesitate to ask.

New Year's Resolutions & All of That

There's something about the start of a new year, it brings about the desire for change, the want to do better, the need to be a better blogger....

I know I talk about my inability to update the blog regularly, but I feel that this is my Achilles heel. So in the spirit of the new year I've resolved to blog more regularly, not talk about my failure at blogging anymore, and to send our monthly newsletter on a monthly basis. If you want to receive our newsletter but you're not already on our mailing list you can sign up here. We've also recently updated our website. We've got a new host, a new look, a link to our Etsy shop, and a shiny new Events calendar. If you haven't been by the new site please take a moment to check it out.

We have also been updating our Etsy shop since we got back from Christmas vacation. We've been adding more favorites and we're working on some great new projects. Look for new totes in various sizes, zipper pouches in great new fabrics, and fun pillowcases.

We'll also feature many of the new sewing projects in our display at Stash in Castle Rock.

Speaking of Stash I'm excited to say that I'll be teaching a great class called "Anatomy of a Sock" beginning Wednesday, January 5th. This will be a two part class where we'll cover all the in's and out's of knitting socks. Please call 303-660-YARN for more details or to register. I love knitting socks so I am really excited for the chance to teach this class. There are lots of great sock yarns at Stash, but if you're too far away to join us you can find some amazing sock yarn at Apothecary Yarns on Etsy.

So I think we're off to a good start this year. I'm back on the blog and the newsletter, we're getting the shop back in shape and adding some great new items, and I'll be teaching and knitting at Stash.

We hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday season with friends and family, and that you, Dear Friends, are looking forward to this shiny bright new year as much as we are.

See you next week!
Suzanne

It's Saturday Night...

...and I'm sitting at home updating the software on my phone and watching stupid movies on t.v. If 16-year-old Suzanne could see me now...

We've had a crazy last few weeks. Jeremy has started a new job (which he loves), Eric has started a new school (which he tolerates), and I've been recovering. Eric brought home the first cold/plague of the new school year and shared. He was down for one day, Jeremy and I were sick for a week, let's hear it for being 30+. I got over my cold just in time to really injure myself and earn a shiny new tetanus shot. It was amazing, you know you wish you were me.

Craftstravaganza was a great success and we'd been planning to do it all over again for September, but we've had to put those plans on hold for the time being. It was great to see what other local crafters have been up to and to see all the folks who came out to support us. Another very sincere thanks to Crystal and Stash for their hospitality, we couldn't have done it with out you guys!

We've only got two weeks until Horseshoe Craft & Flea Market, so we've been really swamped with preparations. We've participated in and now hosted a number of craft shows over the years, but this is by far the largest to date and I'm so excited! We've also got a number of new pieces just for the occasion.

Jeremy has decided to contribute to my knitting obsession by building me a yarn swift. It is really spiffy, and sits on the table rather than opening like an umbrella. That is an important distinction because this model is less likely to come apart and hit me in the face/neck during operation....(I know you are still laughing at me Heather.) Thanks to Jeremy's handy carpentry skills, the recent acquisition of a spinning wheel, my compulsion to knit, and the suggestion of a Stash customer Jeremy and I are now considering expanding Siouxsiequeue's. We're thinking about offering handmade knitting accessories, like the swift, and knitted items like socks and hats. It is still in the works, but stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.

Speaking of knitting (which I do a lot lately), I've been invited by Stash to host a Fall Knit-A-Long. We'll be doing the "Who Me?" cardigan featured in the Fall 2010 issue of Knitscene magazine. There are no fees for participating in the Knit-A-Long and more information is available on the Stash website. We're starting on Wednesday, September 29th so come on down and join the knitting fun!

Normally here is where I would share a really cool Etsy shop that I'd found during the week, but this time I'd like to hear what shops you find interesting and inspiring. Don't be shy, leave a comment, we love to hear from you.

xo
Suzanne

Now Featuring Siouxsiequeue's....

We've had a few features lately, and we're so grateful to our friends for all of their support!

First, our sterling silver Dragonscale bracelet has been featured in The Magic is in the Metal Treasury over at Etsy and we're so excited to have been included with such amazing artists!

Second, we're a Featured Vendor with the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market. Siouxsiequeue's has a feature on their website and I'm really looking forward to the show. We won't be at Horseshoe alone though, we'll be there with good friends Ashley from Hot Butter and Brice from Duende Forge.

There are just a few more days until Craftstravaganza! I'm really nervous because this is the first time I've hosted a craft show, but we have so many talented vendors and so many many great friends I know it will be a great success.

On Wednesdays I've been over at Stash holding down the fort. It's been a really fantastic opportunity to meet the amazing folks who are part of the crafting community here. They have a number of great classes on the schedule, including learning to knit/crochet/sew, and beginning in September I'll be heading up two really great groups. We'll be working on the Amy Butler Gum Drop Pillow and a super fun knit-along cardigan! All the details on on the Stash website and I'm really looking forward to this opportunity and I hope to see you there!

The rest of this week is going to be devoted to getting some photos edited, new listings up and buttoning up the last details for Craftstravaganza! Busy busy busy! We're also planning a field trip to see my friend Renee's shop, Airship Printing. I've been really inspired in my own work by seeing how and where my friends work. I'm thinking about making a regular feature out of my field trips so we can explore the creative process and celebrate the creativity of these amazing folks. Good stuff. :)

The voting has closed for the t-shirt Indecisive Device was promoting at Threadless.com, (we're so proud of you guys!) but there is still time to vote for Stash for A-List. 

Let's talk about this week's featured Etsy shop and how much we love it! SandyGrafik offers a variety of amazing and cute art prints, bookmarks, cards, pins...all kinds of stuff.  This is one of the best shops I've seen and I hope you guys like it too.

Have a great week and we'll see you all at Craftstravaganza on Saturday!!!!

xo
Suzanne

This Week at Siouxsiequeue's

We've been so busy around here lately. Craftstravaganza is less than two weeks away and we've been putting the final touches on the preparations.

Craftstravaganza was started to showcase and promote local artists and crafters and to celebrate all things handmade. We're so lucky to have amazing friends at Stash, (where we're hosting Craftstravaganza), who have been so supportive of the show, and we're really looking forward to seeing everyone. Come by and see us on Saturday, August 28th from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. A list of vendors and a map of the location can be found on the Siouxsiequeue's website

In other craft fair news, if you are free on August 21st you should stop in and see the folks at Jonsey's Art Bazaar at Jonsey's Eat Bar from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. We've done the show at Jonsey's a couple of times but won't be there this time because we'll be celebrating Eric's birthday. We are already starting to think about doing Craftstravaganza in September and we've booked a space for the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market (Saturday, October 2). We've also put in applications for two more shows, one for the end of October and one during the holiday season, I'll update information about those shows once the application process is complete.

Around the shop we've been working on some new earring designs (the "Tonnie" upper left, "Felina" lower right) as well as new bracelet weaves that you haven't seen at Siouxsiequeue's before. I'll be working on photos and new listings this week, so make sure to check out our Etsy shop for new items.

We've also finished up some new stitch markers for our knitting friends, we've got several different fabrics for the new zippered pouches, and we've got a few new totes in the works. See, I told you we'd been busy around here. ;)

Here at Siouxsiequeue's we're lucky enough to be friends with some truly amazing people. Case in point, Stash has been nominated for Best Arts and Crafts in the 2010 Denver 7 A-List Awards and our friends at Indecisive Device are competing on Threadless.com to have artwork turned into a (really awesome) t-shirt. You will have to log in at both places to cast your votes, they both really deserve these awards.

Finally, (but certainly not least) our Etsy shop of the week! I am a huge fan of both Star Wars and Hello Kitty...okay, huge isn't quite the right word...it would be more accurate to say that you would be hard pressed to find a space in our home or shop that doesn't contain some type of Star Wars and/or Hello Kitty merchandise. Et voilá, Hello Wars, super super cute stickers and jewelry that combine Star Wars *AND* Hello Kitty. Love!

Happy Elvis Day! Have a peanut butter and banana sandwich and put on your favorite Elvis movie.
xo
Suzanne