FLY on By!

Just to let you know,,, for you local Tacoma folks, you can find my paper ornaments at FLY, located inside Kings Books.

FLY will be open today (Thursday, Dec 23) until six, and noon to five on Christmas Eve. They have an awesome assortment of crafts made by local Tacoma artists.

Stop by and pick an ornament up,, $10 each, kitten not included.


FLY (inside Kings)
218 St. Helens Ave.
Tacoma, Washington 98402

Merry, Merry!!!

I just wanted to take a break between cookie batches to wish you all the best. I hope you have a joyous holiday season, filled with friends, family, food and fun.

Thanks so much for the kind words, love and support you've sent my way over this past year. I appreciate you.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

With love, from Laurie

DIY: Make A Paper Disco Ball!

My December DIY project for Hambly Screen Prints just got posted on their blog. Here's a sneak peek at the project.





Click HERE to visit the post and get the complete instructions to make your own!

One Sale Left this Season... and it's Saturday!

This Saturday (Dec 11th) I'll be selling my wares at the Second Saturdayz Market. It's a wonderful show - a mix of crafts and vintage goods - and it's organized by my friend crafty friend Linda (of LULUZ) and her craftin/junkin' pals.

I'll be selling pins, garlands, ornaments, gift tags, and a few other treasures, too.

The show's in Hanger 30 at Magnuson Park on Sandpoint Way in Seattle WA.

Show hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Come for early bird shopping (8:00 - 10:00 AM) and pay $10 to enter. Arrive after 10:00 AM and pay $4.00 general admission.

Click HERE for complete directions, more information on the show and a peek at a few of the vendors participating in the show.

Hope to see you there! It's going to be a good one!!

What a Day, What a Day... The Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale Recap

We just got home from the most amazing trip to NYC. The Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale was an incredible event and by far the finest craft sale I have ever participated in or attended. The caliber of craft was SO high.

It was very interesting getting a glimpse into the MS world. I also enjoyed being able to meet and mingle with so many creative and crafty folks.

The sale was held at the Martha Stewart HQ in Chelsea. "Martha" was there to meet us when we entered the sale space.

The real Martha came by and previewed the sale.



Giant wedding cake style chandeliers made of tinsel strands hung from the ceiling.



A couple of demo stations were set up and guests were able to make their own ornaments.





Before the show opened on Saturday, while everyone was still setting up, I took a moment to walk around and take a look at the other tables.



Handle and Spout had some adorable hair clips.



Vintage by Crystal had a sweet collection of spun cotton figures.



Maria Eife brought her lovely and bold felt jewelry.



Here's my table, all set up and ready to go.







The guests lined up around the block, and at noon, the doors opened and everyone flooded in. The sale was packed ALL day long.



Sales were great, and I had a chance to meet a lot of nice people who follow my craft blog, and my kitty blog too.



It was an amazing experience, and I am so grateful to have had this incredible opportunity! I'm hoping many good things will come from this day.

Thanks to all who came by and said hello. I am so happy to have met you and appreciate your support!

Today's the Day! Come on by!!

Last night we all set up our tables at the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale. Oh, my. There are some amazing crafters there. And Martha herself was there too, and she stopped by my table! EEEEEK!!!

I hope you all are coming down today because it's going to be an AWESOME show.

I've got lots of photos to share, but no time to upload them today. I'll post them once the show is done.

You can see a few pictures from the sale on the Crafts Dept Blog, and get details on the show too by clicking HERE.

OK,, I'm off to the show! Hope to see you there!

On the Way! Hooray!!

I am writing this post in the air, on my way to NYC for the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale! My jumbo suitcases are packed to the max with hundreds of ornaments, pins, tags, flowers, and all the craft sale necessities like bags, sales book, calculator, business cards, etc.

I have to say, it feels pretty good to be on my way. I've only had two and a half weeks to prepare for the sale, and have been spending every waking moment crafting and planning. It's been fun being so focused on making things, but pretty exhausting too. I'm ready to give my hands and eyes a break.

Here are a few last pics of all my wares packed up and ready to go.











My fingers are crossed there will be no lost luggage!

All you NYC peeps, please come by the sale this Saturday and say hello. You can find all the details here.

Getting Ready

It's hard to believe the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft sale is less than a week away! I think (I hope) I have enough inventory made, and now I'm focused on getting things packed.

Here's a peek at some of the crafties I'll be bringing in my bags.








If you're in the NCY are this Saturday, December 4th, please stop by and say hello.

For more info on the show,, click HERE.

Scrappy Cats

I've been crafting around the clock with the help of my two little studio mates, Nigel and Mimsey Frost.

They LOVE wresting in my paper scraps, so instead of throwing thing right into the recycling, I've been making a little paper nest for them.

It's fun for the kittens and it keeps them distracted, off my desk, and away from my finished work.

It's Officially Official!

Well, I just got the word this morning that I'm one of the lucky five who have won a space at the Holiday Craft Sale at the Martha Stewart Creative HQ! I can't even begin to tell you what a thrill and an honor this is. I am completely over the moon about it.

Thanks SO much to all who voted in the contest. I appreciate your support!!

As the results rolled in, and things started looking promising, I went ahead and ordered a few more supplies so I could jump right into production mode. I plan to spend the next two and half weeks glued to the chair in my craft room. I can hardly wait to begin!!

So how much should I bring? I've done plenty of craft sales, but not one with this volume of traffic. I guess I'll just keep on making and bring as much as I can complete in the time I have, and hope that's plenty.

Here's a sneak peek of some of the gems I'll be working into the new Holiday pins.





And speaking craft sales,, don't forget this weekend I'll be at the Tacoma is for Lovers artist craft sale. Details HERE .... please come by!

My Crafty Companion

I wanted to introduce you to Charlene Butterbean. If you follow my other blog, The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, you've already met her.

When you work from home, you can get a little starved for interaction. Having a little studio mate like Charlene, really does help.

Most of the time she's good. She loves to sit in the window, survey the yard, and chirp at the squirrels as they run along the top of the fence. She also likes to watch me work, especially if there are birds and ribbon involved.

She has been known to get into trouble, though. Sometimes she'll sneak into the room and steal my supplies (like ribbon and birds). Many craft supplies do resemble cat toys, so that's no surprise.

One day she jumped on my desk once and swiped her floofy tail in the glue. Then she swished it again, and knocked over the glitter. The noise startled her and she ran off leaving a sparkly trail behind her, and a big mess to clean up.

Now, there are rules. She's not allowed in the craft room alone, and she can't come in when certain things are in use. Like glitter and glue.

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...