Color Too

I love neutrals. I guess I have an understated, somewhat quiet personality. But one can't fade completely into the woodwork and I abhor monotony. So I generally wear a pop of color somewhere and I knit colors too. Above are a couple of samples in flame stitch  .... I love the classic little granny square as well. Wouldn't the Zigzag Scarf  be pretty in Kid Silk Haze? The afghan would be a very lengthy project but you can find this pattern for free from Rowan. .... So for all you sassy bold types .... we love you too. And have a lovely day.

Working With Wool

I recently purchased this book of wonderful photos and history of the West Coast Salish Knitting tradition. I was disappointed that no patterns were included in the book, but you can go online to find some authentic items knitted by Coast Salish Indians at West Saanich Woolworks. I especially liked the items pictured above and have purchase some roving wool (Lions Alpine Wool or Tahki Montana) to design my own.

Beg, Barter & Sell

My neighbor Kim picked up a small but unfinished crocheted area rug. She asked me to finish it in exchange for a Loft silk floral dress ... I said, "yes"

I then found this fabulous cashmere/silk lace yarn and decided to make French Blue Sleeves (sort of an opera length fingerless glove). I figure in early spring it will add a warm and elegant look to my dress and I love the color combination. The sleeves are meant to be loose and slouchy, below the elbow. I'm using #1 needles so there are a zillion stitches. Look for the finished item on my Cotton Ginnie Studio on etsy.

Snow Days

Delaware declared a state of emergency from under 20 inches of snow dumped on us two weekends ago. These pictures were taken from the window of my house. We weren't going anywhere except outside to shovel which is what David & Jonathan did. I have been spending as much time as possible catching up on commissions for Cotton Ginnie Studio.

A pair of Celtic Harp Fingerless Gloves and portrait of Peyton done! Three more projects started! Click on the picture of Peyton if youy wish to enlarge.

Branding

This is my beautiful new Brand Name and Business Identity Set (BIS) put together by my talented daughter-in-law Samantha Marie. She also updated my Etsy site and I'd love to have you come see. Click on Cotton Ginnie Studio on the above right or go anytime to http://www.cottonginniestudio.com/ It is a work in progress so come back often!
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I really can't say enough about working with Samantha. She has impeccable taste and can work with the pickiest of customers (ie. her MommaMele!). To see more of her hip style go to http://nestinbloom.com/ .
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Read the following excerpts from an article by Samantha entitles Branding Efforts to see how branding can help your business:
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I wanted to talk to my lovely readers about branding efforts. I don't mean livestock marking. More like human heart impressions. What I mean is - the effort put into making your small business a recognizable brand, a memorable brand, and also a brand that emotionally connects to your clients.
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Wikipedia simply puts it, A brand is a name or trademark connected with a product or producer. Brands have become increasingly important components of culture and the economy, now being described as "cultural accessories and personal philosophies".
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There is an entire psychological aspect of having a brand, and how you use it. There are a lot of words you commonly hear (ie. advertising, subliminal messages, brand recognition, brand image, brand names ... lalala.)
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Even if you are a small business owner, you would be smart to do a little research on what a brand is, and how to use it correctly. You may want to start by reading the small info article on wikipedia: BRAND.
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Key thought: Don't trust your item to do all the work!

One way to get started is to create a business name. After that, create an image or logo. After that, brand your ... everything. Everything your client will receive in their hands, and see online. It's an easy to understand concept. The point is to make your customers feel:
~As if your business is legitimate
~Like you have pride in your products
~Your items are quality
~The money was well spent
~They should buy again
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Let's try this experimental question.
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If you purchased an item online ... let's say it was a small handmade bracelet. You paid $40 for a beautiful item. When you received you item, you immediately knew where it cam from because the packaging had the store's name printed on the back (buy a stamp). When you opened it, you felt as if you were receiving a gift! Your bracelet was in a small gift box wrapped in pretty tissue paper, and dressed with a ribbon and a sticker with the shop's name. Your packaging also came with a thank you card, small invoice, maybe a coupon, and business cards. Hopefully you are feeling pleased with your purchase.
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How would you feel if you received your$40 bracelet simply tossed into a bubble envelope, closed, and stamped? I have had this happen, and in my experience I never went back. I was even tempted to leave neutral feedback due to the care negligence lol.
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Back up your branding with service! This includes opening communication the moment they purchase and completing communication when they are 100% satisfied.
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... I like to hand write personal love notes to my clients. OK, thank you notes with sincerity. I want my clients to know that I put my heart into what I do and that I appreciate them. For this I use my very own hand writing font which I can do for you too!
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A little nudge to get you started:
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Nest In Bloom is my business name. I design logos, business cards, pretty much anything you need printed (but I do not do the printing. VistaPrint is good for this). http://nestinbloom.com/
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Samantha charges $20 an hour for Business Identity Sets starting around $220. With this you get very personal, courteous and timely service. Compare and save!

Good Things #2 Art

This is some of my water colors & color pencil work. They are all pictures of my children except for the landscape which is a Wyeth reproduction. I charge $125 for portraits.


This is some of my Uncle Ed Kellogg's art that hangs in my home. He works in oils, block print and silk screen. Some of his larger pieces are sold to business offices or hospitals. A few years back I happened to be in Nashville, TN staying at The Grand Ol' Opry for a Longaberger Convention when I had one of those priceless moments of walking into a room with friends and coworkers and seeing one of my uncle's paintings on the wall. I did a little name dropping.

These two prints are original color etchings. The one on the left was part of a set complete with french mats and frames. They were $40 apiece ..... a fraction of what you would pay to frame it now. The one on the right was found at a yard sale in Virginia in a box of frames marked 10 cents apiece. I took etching in college and know what goes into it. These are amazing. You can learn more about the etching process on Wikipedia.


A lovely watercolor purchased from my neighbor Kim Kelley for $18. An artist will charge you much more but this piece has probably changed hands a number of times.

This is only a print of an oil painting and has little value but the carving on the frame was so beautiful that when I saw it nailed on a tree at a yard sale for $8 it was mine. Choosing a frame can make or break a piece of artwork. If you're going modern basic black, white or metal will do but in my home I generally choose wood or maybe gold leaf. Also when framing an original or signed piece of art work an acid free rag matting is best so that the work will not yellow over time.

These are signed prints by my friend Janet Dixon. She won the Flower Market Art Show in 1993 with the watercolor on the right. It launched her art career. On the left are her two daughters. She also has twin boys. Our kids were the same ages and often played together. Janet and I sometimes took art classes at the DE Art Museum. The Dixon's moved back to North Carolina a few years back. I miss her.

The photograph on the left hangs in the upper hall. It reminds me to pray every time I go upstairs. It was a wedding gift. The signed watercolor print on the right was the former home of Dave Longaberger which is now an inn. I have stayed there many times.

Good Things #10 The Rice Sock

I decided just the other day to post some simple ideas that work for me around the house. Like everyone I have a basket in my laundry room with stray socks. I believe this idea came from my brother -in-law Bryce but you can fill a sock with rice (a funnel is helpful with this process) and tie a knot in the end. The rice sock can then be heated in a clean microwave for 2 minutes and applied to achy back or shoulders for arthritis or muscle relief. It can even be used instead of a hot water bottle on a cold winter night. To purchase a heating pad at the drug store costs about $24.99. For this article I purchased a pair of socks for $3 on sale and bag of white Acme rice (also on sale) for $3.49.

The Bird Family Scrapbook

I began this scrapbook about a year ago because my wedding pictures were turning yellow. It has turned into a little historical overview of the Bird Family. I have completed up to three high school graduations. Next are the kids college and dating years then weddings and of course grandchildren.