olive shoot makes stuff

devotional (scripture) cards

2009-05-27T06:07:00.001-07:00

some up close pics of the verses I'm using for Word-filled Wednesday

I just listed my first things at Etsy!!!

2009-05-19T12:40:00.001-07:00

I just listed my first items at Etsy. Please please please come see :) I'd love any feedback.

Oliveshoot@Etsy

im a papiery

2009-05-17T21:00:00.001-07:00

I love fonts, scripts, vectors, frames, images, layouts, and anything else that has to do with stationery, letters, whathaveyou. I have an odd gift of {to quote my mother} "really beautiful handwriting". People are always commenting on that. This is so funny to me because I remember all elementary school when I would try to copy some girl's handwriting that I liked. I guess that makes sense.

I've always had a typography fixation. One summer, when I was given the option of what souvenier to buy from the vacationspotofthemoment's gift store, I chose a typograhy book. And I loved that book. I'd be surprised if I couldn't find it in my parents' attic somewhere. I also insisted on purchasing a baby name book, one of those movie things that is snapped down by the stage hand person while he yells "action!", and a telephone on a trip to visit my cousins. I dislike talking on the telephone, and I have horrible stage fright, but I'm mama to three boys, the oldest when I was quite young, so maybe I haven't changed too much ;)

It's been a dream {one of many} to own a stationery company ;) a papiery. Maybe I can, I don't know. I have a hard time critiquing my own work {shocking, isn't it?}. My mother has always said, "you should sell those cards that you make", but she's the same woman that told me my drawings were "beautiful" when I was 6. My drawings aren't beautiful now, so I seriously doubt I can take her seriously. My art is pretty sad now, thus I envy anyone with the talent to draw, paint, and create that kind of art. Like my cousin, Andrew. Sheesh.

Anyways {me, going off on a tangent again} I digress. I cannot critique my own work. I know I like it, but I like a lot of things I do. Or I don't like it, but I am often self-deprecating {which is the same thing as pride, isn't it?} So, I cannot trust myself either. Herein lies the problem.

So, can you help? Please please please. Um, please. I'd love to know which ones you like and why, or dislike and why, or what colors you like together or if something should be rearranged, you get the point. There are so many talented talented bloggy friends out there, I would so greatly appreciate anyone's opinions before I completely put myself out there on etsy {see, stage fright.}

And, without further ado~ the stuff on which I have spent today working:

FINALLY- something for my etsy store

2009-05-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

I have been feverishly making cards for the past two days. I want something to put in my etsy shoppe {which is empty at the moment}- and this is the first set of cards I am actually really proud of. Tell me what ya think-- please, I can use all the feedback I can get.

oooh, clipart...

2009-05-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so if you know me, you know I am a print-a-holic craft-hoarding creator of things--I'm always searching for (and collecting) new patterns, articles, clipart, templates, whatever. Tonight was all about clip art (after visiting Martha Stewart Crafts and seeing all the fabulous projects that could be done--perhaps AFTER I complete all my current ufos (unfinished objects)!!

Use them however you feel like. BE CREATIVE. The possibilities are endless!!!

Do ily Templates ** Kids Labels ** Monogram Labels ** Blockprinting Templates

Magnetic Lunch Chart ** Lace Clutch ** Town House Gift Boxes ** Stickers!!

been cardmaking

2009-05-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden I have become obsessed with making cards. I totally forgot all the paper craft supplies I had (and I nearly fainted upon seeing Michael's Crafts collection :) So here is what I made in the wee hours:

the octopus is done!!!

2009-05-09T16:27:00.001-07:00

So, I finished sewing the legs onto Mr. Octopus last night (much to my childrens delight, as they all have items they now want me to make ;) I did not stuff the legs, like it called for in the pattern, because the yarn was very thick and held its shape without stuffing. {{{Okay, fine, actually I FORGOT and was just reminded by darling hubby, but still. . . it worked out best this way I think ;)}}}

Still, I was unhappy by the messy job I did of attaching the legs to the octopus's underside. Since I lost the directions during the leg-making stage--its a wonder I even finished, isn't it?--I did not read about attaching the legs in an orderly way, so I just stuck 'em on there in my best haphazard way. Hence the disaster you see below.

(Did you actually think I was going to let you see the finished product right away?)

The solution?? Well, I made myself a little round (after kind of following the directions by Andrew Burton (which I chose because they had pictures, not drawings) I ignored the instruction to (dc) that is, double crochet, because I just ain't that good at it ;) and instead made 2 sc (single crochets) in each of the sc in the previous round. I like my way better. I just did this 'til it fit, and then carefully, using the same yarn I used to make the round (a skinnier wool yarn) and a thick-eyed needle, sticked the round to the bottom.

The result??

So, yeah, this morning, after finishing and securing the round and making an appropriately-covered {more modest ;)} octopus, I was feeling pretty smug thinking I had to throw a few buttons on for eyes, and VOILA! completed project #1. Uh, nope. . . It went a little more like this:

Okay, I'll use one of those opalescent charcoal ones for the pupils and find some 2 matching buttons in a lighter color for the bigger part of the eye.

Nope. I have about 10 opalescent charcoal buttons and none that match.

No sweat. I'll just use old boring black for the center, because wouldn't these yellow ones be great for the outer part of the eye?!

Nope. Only 1 yellow, 1 peach and 1 pink (apparently bought in a set of three, now why??)

Okay, whatever I'll just find two other matching dark buttons for the pupil, pick a different matching pair for the irises and then use a peach and a yellow for the outer part, no biggie. He's a weird orange octopus anyways.

OOH--and some great flowery blue ones for irises.

Oh, no matching buttons small enough or dark enough for the pupils? The blue and green ones look wrong mixed with the cooled flowered buttons I now have to use? That's just fine. I have tons of clothes in the closet with little buttons.

Okay, good shirt that won't miss the buttons too much. Everything is all ready to go. I sew on the big outer buttons, the peach and yellow buttons and get ready to glue on the other pieces, and it just gets better.

ME-"Honey, do you have the superglue??"
JOHN-"Yeah."
ME-"Honey, it's empty! Got any more?"
J-"Nope."
ME-"Honey, where is my craft glue? You know, I had TWO bottles of it because I forgot I had one and bought another. Oh, you have no idea? Oh.....uh...good...yeah, doin' fine, don't worry;)" {by this time wanting to throw the damn thing out with the trash}

So, I cut the superglue bottle in half and dripped enough out to secure those eyeballs, put ~~my favorite crocheting project ever~~ in a Spiderman gift bag, handed it to Dalton and sent him off to give it the birthday boy (who claimed it from the start). And, well, the rest is history.

My First Giveaway!!!

2009-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Guess what??

I'm having my. . .

I'm offering 350+ coupons, Glade Sense&Spray and Lasting Impressions units, and this awesome retro tin lunchbox thingie:

I would love it if you entered.
You can enter at Like A Merchant Ship.

**Next up... a CRAFT and CRAFT SUPPLY giveaway--come back Monday!!**

it's my almost-done-opus

2009-05-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Now, for the eyes, and I will have completed my first project from a pattern. Yeehaw!

FREE Lion Brand crochet patterns

2009-05-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

I just received the Lion Brand Yarn catalog, and it makes me want to crochet all day for weeks! There are far too many great FREE patterns, I am beside myself. I thought I'd share some of my favorites that are either beginner or intermediate level (because I am certainly not attempting the advanced ones. . .yet!)

Here ya go:

Some adorable critters (16 to be exact)

Short and Sweet Child's Cardigan (PDF)

Lace Necklace (PDF)

Pom-Pom Rug (PDF) (isn't this awesome??)

Happy Baby Blocks

Coastal Granny

Irish Lace Scarf (oh my goodness, I love, I love, I love!!)

Unsqu ared Bab y Throw

Cottontail Dishtowels (PDF)
Dorothea Dishtowels (PDF)

**other washcloth patterns

***Keep in mind, this is only a small collection of the FREE patterns on Lion Brand. I encourage you to browse for yourself as well :)***

HAPPY CROCHETING!

inspire: travel edition

2009-05-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some items from Etsy that would certainly be suitable for any trip. Hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed finding them.

Pictured items from:
dlk designs
Arete
Get Ready, Set, Go!!!

The Traveler's Crimson Necklace from The World In A Matchbox
one of my personal favorites :)
A Trip to Paris Pendant Necklace from little threads

Bus Trip Postcard and Traffic Notecard from cricicis design

crosspost-- this is far too much fun

2009-04-28T09:00:00.001-07:00

I've spent Monday Making things (like my alliteration?)

Well, okay, I've only worked on ONE of the items pictured today-- the round. I finally figured it out! Aren't you proud of me?? (Frankly, it doesn't matter- I am proud of me :)

And the other two I made over the weekend--so far the only thing I can make is bowl-like (but not completely since they are not round) creations. We'll see if the round turns into the octopus I'm attempting (while following a pattern-- another new one for me) That's all for now, folks. I fear my prolific writing days may have come to an end (or, more likely, a temporary pause).

In HIM~

a few ufos

2009-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the projects I am working on. Not sure where I'll go with them, but I sure do love needle felting into wool and felt :p

something for my mom

2009-04-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

I'm working on something for my mom's Mother's Day gift. Whatcha think??

stuff

2009-04-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

Let's see how this goes. . .