Awesome Thursday: September 27, 2012

The work week is almost through! I have tomorrow off, so I'm pretty happy. This past week has been pretty good to me.

In case you're a new reader, every Thursday, I post about the awesome things that have happened in the week prior. There have been studies done that say showing gratitude leads to one having a happier life. I'm not one to doubt science!

• I had my mediocre craft show. It wasn't awesome, that's for sure, but it was definitely an experience. I can't wait to work with those ladies again.
• I went out with my coworkers Saturday night for some drinks. We all had a great time. It was nice seeing them outside of work.
• The owner of the store I consign at in Wisconsin is sending me mail! I can't wait to see what she has for me!
• I watched the season premiere of 2 Broke Girls. I absolutely LOVE that show!
• I named a wild mouse Dragonfruit. There is a whole story around this, that I won't go into, haha.
• I got loads of entries into my giveaway! I drew the winners yesterday. I can't wait to send them their prizes!
• I've entered a whole bunch of giveaways on other blogs, and I'm hoping to have another one of those winning sprees I had a little while back.
• I put a few more listings up in my Shop yesterday. I really want to sell some items to make room in my storage area for the new items I've been making.

Tomorrow, I will hopefully be getting some photographs of my recently made items. Hopefully the weather cooperates! I'm crossing my fingers.

Currently Listening To: Living Room ~ Tegan & Sara

Congratulations, Winners!

Drumroll please! It took a little time to find these winners, because a few people who entered didn't actually do all the required entries. Kind of a bummer that they missed out!

Congratulations Anna, Brittany and Sam! I've emailed you all, and will mail your prizes within 24 hours of receiving all the responses.
Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway, I can't wait to hold another one!

Still Six Hours To Go, and a Craft Show Recap

There are still about 6 hours to go in the giveaway! Hurry and get your entries in!

This past weekend I had my craft show. I didn't do well at all, but I will definitely do a show organized by these ladies again. The show was very, very well run, it just lacked audience. They made sure to only have one vendor of each type, which was fantastic. I don't know how many shows I've done where there are two or even three people selling identical items. Usually, it's the resellers (like Tupperware, Scentsy, Konad and Avon) that are duplicated, but sometimes, there are several hand-makers that are selling incredibly similar items.
This is the first show I've brought my mannequin to, and I will definitely be bringing her to more. (I decided to name her Olenka) She helped add another dimension to my table, bringing a couple items up form laying down so people could see how some of the items looked while being worn.
I can't wait till my next show!

Awesome Thursday: September 20, 2012

The work week is almost through for most, whereas mine is pretty much just starting. This past week has been pretty great. Here are a few of the things that have made it so

• I signed up for an awesome craft show, happening not far from home. I'm really looking forward to it.
• The cooler weather has begun to set in, and I have started wearing sweaters. I love autumn weather.
• I watched this video about 4 times, and laughed even harder every single time.
• I picked up some awesome seasonal beer from the LCBO. Pumpkin ale? Yes please!!
• Phog Phest happened! This was one of the best days I've had recently. I got to hang out with my cousin, see loads of people I haven't seen in a long time, and watch a bunch of amazing bands. It was phantastic!
• I won a t-shirt, and a brewery voucher for a half case of beer at Phog Phest. I was super stoked for this. The beer is currently waiting in line to get into my fridge. Working at The Beer Store means I try loads of different beers, and a whole shelf is full of them. I think I'm up to 12 different kinds in the fridge right now.
• I continued listing some new items in the shop. I'm currently taking a short break, because I have a craft show this weekend. After it's done, I'll certainly add more stock to the shop.
• I packaged up some earrings. I'm starting to do more multi-packs for a slightly lowered price. The hardest part is deciding which colours look best together!
• I finished knitting a new style of neck warmer. I'm getting super excited about some of the projects I have in mind. I just need to knit faster so I can get them made, photographed, and listed before spring gets here!
• I started a giveaway! Lots of ways to enter, and three great prizes to be had!

This past week has been wonderful. How have things been for all of you?

A Knit, Nicole, Knit! Giveaway!

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Night Time Knitting

It's been a little while since I've posted any photos of myself. Here's one of me knitting tonight.

I'm working on building up more stock for my two upcoming craft shows, and Etsy shop. I'm trying a new style of neck warmer, hopefully it goes well!
Also, make sure you check the blog at 12:01! I'm doing another giveaway, and there are three prizes!

Monday Magic: September 17, 2012

Hello Monday! Just a quick update today.
This past weekend was a fun one. I spent some time in Windsor, with my cousin Jake, going to Phog Phest. Saturday was a really enjoyable day, the weather was great, and the music was phenomenal. My favourite band of the day was Cobra & Vulture (formerly Nightwood) I've been a big fan of them for a while, and this is the first time I got to see them in their new incarnation. I also really loved New Country Rehab. I chatted with the guys before they played, and I bought their CD after. Overall, I really had a good time.

I came across Megan Ta Da recently. I'm loving her blog. Really cool photography, and she's super cute. You should definitely take a look. I've chosen this blog as my "read from the beginning" blog for the week.
I hope all of you are doing well! I have a craft show to prepare for. I can't wait!

Upcoming Craft Shows!

This year, I initially thought I wasn't going to do any craft shows. With the job, I'm working just about every weekend, I didn't think it was wise booking weekends off. Losing guaranteed money, for potentially making money at a craft show didn't seem like a good idea. Well, things changed! There were a couple shows that I stumbled across, that worked out perfectly with my work schedule!

The first one is the September Sale-A-Bration, in Cottam, Ontario. I just found this one on Facebook the other day. It's next Saturday, September 22 from 9:00-2:00 at Ridgeview Pavilion 124 Fox St, Cottam, Ont.

The second show is the Kingsville Migration Festival. I did this two day sale last year, and did alright. I initially said I wouldn't do it again, but I am going to give it another shot. It is Saturday and Sunday, October 20+21, from 10:00-4:00 both days, at Kingsville District High School, 170 Main St. E, Kingsville Ont.

I hope anyone who is local can make it out!

Awesome Thursday: September 13, 2012

This past week has been pretty great. Lots of fun things going on.

• On Saturday, Cindy and I went to Shoppers Drug Mart (Like CVS or Walgreens, for the American readers) because they had a special point redemption day. I got $110 worth of free stuff, instead of $85. I have been accumulating the points for quite a while, waiting for a special like this.
• We also got our makeup done for free! (I am such a ditz/bad blogger, I totally forgot to take a picture) .Just like a lot of places, they will give you a make over in hopes that you'll buy some of the product. I ended up with a powder that I really like. I don't wear much make up ever, but this is such a light powder, it just smooths things out, and still looks natural.
• I finished another neck warmer! I'm trying to get a bunch made for my upcoming craft show, and the stores that want my stuff. I started on another one, and then restarted it a little while later. I was about a foot and a half in, and then I noticed I dropped a stitch about 2 inches from the cast on edge. So I restarted it with a drop stitch pattern, on purpose, haha.
• I'm working on sort of mass producing some of my items. Rather than having a bunch of different items, I'm planning on making a few of each design, in one yarn type, to facilitate Etsy listings and future stock at different shops
• I sold a couple pairs of earrings at rEvolution. I'm going to bring more in there soon.
• I picked up some new tags for my items. I came across some really neat ideas online, and I'm going to make them my own.
• Rick and I watched God Bless America. At first, I was a little hesitant to watch a movie with such a title, but I got into it in the first few scenes. It's pretty hilarious. You should definitely see it.
• I've been listing earrings in my Etsy shop. They're definitely my big seller, so I want to get more of them in there. I'm trying to be much more organized with them, so we'll see how that goes.

What sorts of awesome things have you been up to?

Currently Listening To:  Your Bones ~ Of Monsters and Men

Monday Magic: September 10, 2012

Before I start, I just wanted to note that exactly one year ago today, Rick and I were enjoying our final day in Iceland, at the Blue Lagoon. I miss that country terribly, and I can't wait till we have the opportunity to go back.

First up on this fine Monday afternoon, is something from good night, day. I've come across one of Tara-Lynn's past blog/shop incarnations as YarnOverMovement, and stumbled across her blog via a sweater Rick shared with me. Since then, I've been reading her blog in it's entirety. I've mentioned that I have done this several times before, and this is definitely in my top three blogs out of all of them. It's incredibly inspiring. She screen caps vintage films, posts photos of ballets, and lots of in progress photos of her projects.
As soon as I have money in my Paypal account, I am planning on buying this pattern book. I love everything she has available for sale, and I would love to knit about half of them for myself. Not to mention, she has instructions for seamless knitting techniques, that I just haven't been able to figure out thus far.

Second up is a knitting pattern from Brenda Lavell. It's both a cowl and a scarf, depending on whether you button it or not, and how you wrap it. It's made out of one of my most favourite yarns on the planet: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. It seems like a fairly simple pattern, which is made with a herringbone stitch. I haven't a clue how to knit like that, so this pattern at $5.50 USD would be a great investment. How to knit a textured pattern, and a project to use it on? Yes please! You should definitely take a look at this, as well as Brenda's other patterns. They're all striking.


Last but most certainly not least, is this hand dyed AND hand spun yarn from SpincycleYarns. It's called Wrath, and is part of a series called Seven Deadly Solids. It's such a pretty colour, and seems to be a very even worsted weight. Not to mention, the price is phenomenal considering it's done by hand from beginning to end. You should also check out their yarn called Sloth. That colorway is pretty amazing, too.

Currently Listening To: I Won't Try To Break Your Heart ~ Crissi Cochrane

Bringing Back Ad Swaps

A little while back, I decided to have paid ad space here on the blog. After a while, it became tedious to do all the updates, send the emails and other such things, so I decided to stop taking new advertisers. I recently decided to bring back the ads, but make them free this time around! I would love to swap ads with you, if you are interested. All of the information can be found here, but basically you will have at most a 250x125 space in the sidebar at the left for the duration of the month. Your ad can be any size, as long as it does not exceed 250x125. The ad must link to the blog where my ad will be found, not a shop, or any other site. The ad swap will last one calendar month, unless we decide on something else.
If you are interested, please send me an email at nicole@knitnicoleknit.com

Sawing Logs

Where we live now (with Rick's parents,) our living/working area and bedroom are all rolled into one. Because of this, and Rick's sleeping schedule being different from mine, I often find myself listening to him snore away in the morning. The other day, Winston was trying his hardest to get Rick to wake up. He hopped up onto the bed, and started his incredibly quiet whimpering. Unless Winston is protecting us/the house (where he will growl and occasionally bark) he is the quietest dog I have ever met. I have to get a video of him "speaking" so you can see how quiet he actually is.

Awesome Thursday: September 6, 2012

It's Thursday again, and the first Thursday of a new month. This past week has been a pretty good week.

• I've been working quite a bit. Which is good, because my hours are going to start to go down. After Labour Day, it's not as busy, so less staff are needed.
• I reopened my Etsy shop! I've been getting decent traffic, but no sales yet. I just have to keep working at it!
• I got my new purse from Baggu! I ordered a bag from them to replace my other one that came un-sewn. It's a beautiful dark-ish seafoam green.
• My "little" brother started college. I'm super happy for him. I know he's going to do great.
• I just mailed off my cheque for an upcoming craft show. I was a vendor at it last year, and did fairly well, so I'm hoping to do just as good, or better, this year.
• Went to my future sister in law's bridal shower with my mother in law. It was nice and small, the food was great, and it was enjoyable overall.
• I put another chunk of change on my credit card. I'm hoping to have at least a third of it paid off before the end of December. Crossing my fingers that I work enough to be able to afford to do that!
• Watched Cabin In The Woods with Rick this week. It's kind of hilarious, and I definitely recommend you see it.
• Got some progress done on the knitting front. I'm working on a new type of neck warmer. I want to have at least 10 done for my upcoming craft show.

What sorts of awesome things are going on in your lives?

Oh Hello, Etsy Shop! I've Missed You!

For the past couple weeks, I've been preparing my items and expired listings in my Etsy shop in preparation of a reopening. Since I started my new job, I haven't had time to promote the shop, so I let it fall dormant. With the holidays and colder weather coming, as well as an impending drop in hours at work due to the change of seasons, the timing is right to start restocking.
Please check out the shop, and let me know what you think! I'm going to be adding a few new items every day until I have it all listed. You can also use the code Blog10 to save 10% on your entire purchase!

Monday Magic: September 3, 2012

I cant believe it's already September! I know many people say that at the beginning of every month, but August definitely just zipped by. It's already been nearly a year since Rick and I went to Iceland, which is unbelievable. This week, I am sharing some tools that are pretty neat.

First up is the Keep Calm and Carry Yarn bag by JennieGee. I've been eyeing these bags for AGES. All the bags are hand dyed, and hand silk screened, which makes them all slightly different from one another, and I think that is pretty neat. I really like this bright turquoise blue colour. I have a couple project bags currently, but should I need another, I'm almost certain this will be it. Her shop started out selling the same print on posters, which I also loved. I wouldn't mind getting one of them to put in my future knitting room, should the make them available again.

Second is another project bag. This is an entirely different style from the first, but still very functional. Many of my projects are too large to put in a bag like this, but that doesn't stop me from liking them as much as I do. I could definitely find a project to fit in one of these. This bag in particular is made out of a really pretty fabric that I really enjoy. Overall, these boxy bags would be perfect to tuck into the corner of my purse, and be able to pull out easily when I want to knit in public.

Last but not least today, is The Knitter's Tool Tin. This one comes with scissors, darning needles, a tape measure and many other little tools that are indispensable for knitters and crocheters alike. It's in a tin similar to an Altoid's tin, which is a great size to throw into one of the aforementioned project bags. I definitely need to get one of these for myself.

I hope you've enjoyed the items I've shared today! Don't forget, if you want to see one of your knitting related items in one of these posts in the future, just leave a comment, or contact me on Etsy!