My New Year's Resolution

Alright.. So with the new year fast approaching I have been looking back at all the things I have made and all the things I want to make next year. Sort of a New Year's Resolution for crafting!

This got me really excited!
So I made this made this mosaic of some of my favorite creations (I also added a pic of me and my husband).
To make your own mosaic visit www.bighugelabs.com

1. Pink Card Holder with Lining, 2. 083, 3. 014, 4. 007, 5. 012Hot Pink Facial scrubbies with washcloth, 6. baby loafers, 7. 002, 8. Outside on the deck, 9. Flower Beanie, 10. Alien Beanie, 11. tiny amigurumi friends, 12. recycled coasters, 13. ipod sock, 14. fish toy , 15. flower necklace, 16. Scrappy Bright Blanket

So after reviewing all the things I have made I have vowed these resolutions:

1. Make a garment of some kind
2. Learn how to knit... better
   
3. Tunisian crochet something (I just got an afghan hook!)
4. Go to more craft fairs
5. Always, Always, Always take pictures of everything I create!

What are your resolutions?

Almost over the Hill!

It is official. I am almost over the hill... in sales that is!

50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

I am so close to 50 sales I can hardly bare it! My sales have been slowly creeping up over the last few months. My shop is starting to take off! I find myself having less time to create new things because I have orders to fill! A great thing I think.

To celebrate I am going to give a special surprise to my 50th sale! It will be a 20 dollar value! YAY!
(sorry I can't help but use exclamation points)

I am not sure what I will send yet, but you can't complain if its free right?

I am really excited!
I don't even know what I'll do when I hit 100 sales... oh dear...

We Have a Winner!

Thank you everyone for your entries in my giveaway. I wish I could give card holders to everyone, but I would go out of business.

I ran everyone through randomizer.org and picked a winner!
PS. If you haven't used randomizer.org you must! It is a great tool for giveaways, and has lots of other uses. (My husband and I use it to pick where we are going to when we eat out.)

Halfmagic won this one!

Congratulations to Halfmagic.

Thank you everyone else who didn't win. You can always try again next time!

What do you want the giveaway to be next time?

Rolled Flower Pattern

Alright.. I got tired of showing you hat after hat so I am going to show you a simple pattern for a rolled flower that makes a great addition to anything!

This pattern is not very specific mainly because you can make it as big or as small as you want. I recommend the 25-35 chains, but I have made one with 15-20.

Rolled Flower

1. Chain 25-35 chains, sc in the 2nd chain from hook and each chain down the line
2. ch 1 turn, *1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch* Repeat * across
3. Leave long tail, roll the petals to make a flower and stitch together. I recommend stitching as you roll.

Thats it! A great little flower that look fantastic! Add beads or a button in the center to dress it up!

Win a Card Holder!

I haven't given away anything in a while so here goes!

You can win a card holder similar to this one
But you will get to pick the colors! This is a 5 dollar value and will help you keep your purse organized.
This giveaway will be a short one. It will end on December 12th, 2009. The winner will be chosen shortly after that.
The winner will have 2 weeks to get in contact with me so leaving your email is always a good idea.
If I cannot contact the winner within 2 weeks I will be forced to pick another winner.

To Enter:
All methods give you 1 entry

1. Visit my shop and chose your favorite item. Comment to this post telling me what item you like. (only do this once)
   
2. Sign up for my newsletter! It will have discounts and free patterns each month. (only do this once)
   
3. Tweet this:
   

@craftytortoise join the giveaway and win a card holder! http://thecraftytortoise.blogspot.com #contest #giveaway #blog #free

You can Tweet as many times as you want as long as it is the above phrase.

Good Luck Everyone!

More than one comment on any one post will not count towards multiple entries, but is welcomed. (only 1 entry per blog post)
I am not responsible for unrecorded entries due to computer or internet problems.
More entries does not guarantee you will win, it only ups your chances. Winner/Winners will be chosen at random.
Winner must live in the United States of America to qualify for this contest.
Prize will be mailed to the Postal Address received after contacting the winner/winners. I am not responsible for prizes not received due to postal problems.
If you wish you can add your email address in your comment to make it easier for me to contact you in the chance you win.
Following the Blog is also advised. This will keep you in the loop and show you my latest posts.

Larrys Tin Signs Discount

December is the most expensive time of year, so to make it a little bit better I have teamed up with a fellow etsy seller: Larrystinsigns

He sells Vintage Tin Signs that are absolutely awesome!
These signs make great Christmas Gifts and he is giving you (my blog followers) a special discount!

10 dollar Signs!

That's right! That's a 2 dollar discount!
To cash in on this great offer just tell him in the message to seller that you were sent by The Crafty Tortoise Blog!

Here are just a few of my favorite signs from his shop.

Surfer Girl

This Surfer Girl Pin Up Tin Sign is one of my favs.. I just love pin up girls!
Originally 12 dollars, but for my blog followers it would be just 10 dollars!



Red Victorian Coca-Cola Sign
This great Victorian Coke sign is just beautiful!
A fantastic gift for the collector in your life and at 10 dollars its a steal!

Take a look at his shop and take advantage of this discount!
Only available until January 1st 2010!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Larrystinsigns

Card Holder

So I got invited to another Craft Fair... this one is in the spring. So after realizing that winter hats are probably not going to sell well I switched gears. I just started experimenting with some different patterns that may sell well at a spring time Craft Fair.

• Nesting Bowls
• Summer Jackets
• Toys
• Summer Hats
• Card Holders/Wallets

Just a few of the many things on my list.... So I searched the web to see if I could find any designs to run with and I found some great card holders. Most of which were just your basic crocheted holders with a closure of some kind.

I started making one (just a basic rectangle shape) and decided to add a fabric lining. I have tons of fabric just lying around from a previous project. So I added a great lining and a button closure and came up with an awesome card holder that was super simple to make, but makes a big impression!

Already have this one up on etsy. I have enough fabric and buttons to make about 4 more of these for the Craft Fair... if they don't sell before hand. Already planning on making a bigger clutch purse out of the same concept!

December Is Here

December is upon us which means the Holidays are here, and if you are like me it means spending more time with family, spending lots of money on family, and crocheting gifts!

I usually start right around now and crochet my butt off til Christmas Eve.
Here is what I am planning on crocheting for my family:

• Nesting bowls for mother in law
• Hat and scarf sets for sisters in law
• Slouchy Hat/Tam for sister (she follows the blog so thank goodness she already knows about it)
• Vikings themed hat for Dad

My sister is even jumping on the handmade wagon and making a Blanket for my mother.

Does anyone else make handmade gifts for their family, or is it just me?
What are you making?