Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Black Friday Coupon Codes

Here it is! Your coupon codes to save!

Shop Friday through Saturday and you will save 15%: November 26 and 27, 2010

Shop Sunday through Monday and you will save 10%:  November 28 and 29,2010

Enter your code as you check out at my store: www.etsy.com/shop/amykempf

*Browse my store later this evening for new items that will be added later today.

*If you are a local customer, I will not charge you shipping
so email me at amysamazingbooks {at} gmail.com to arrange payment and delivery.

*All items will be mailed out to you the following week on Tuesday or Thursday.

Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
God is so good to us!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Princess Tote

For the little girl who is your Princess...


I was digging through some of my material I had,
and I found this Princess Fabric I had used at a book fair.


Ruffled Ribbon is securely hand stitched to bag.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Black Friday Weekend Sale

Looking for ways to save?

Check back here on Wednesday
 to see your discounts on
all products in my store!

More products to be added
later this week.
Be sure and check back!

Discount does not apply to
custom orders.

Sale Dates:
Friday through Monday,
November 26th through 29th, 2010.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Tote Bag Material Options

Below are the material options for a tote bag or reusable gift bag.

1.  Red Floral

2.  Black and White Floral

3.  Princess Pattern

Incredible Totes

Butterfly Kisses Tote


Beautiful Blue Floral Tote {Sold 11/22/10}

I can't think of a young girl who doesn't like to have a purse or bag to keep their precious items in. 
I was inspired this week to make a gift for a special little girl.   This bag is great for bringing fun things along for traveling or just use it as a reusable gift bag.  I love the idea of reusable gift bags!  It's such a neat way to give a gift to someone and they can in turn reuse it for many things.

The tote was so easy to do.  I created my own pattern by cutting a swatch 10 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.  I also cut the interfacing and a complimentary liner the same size.  Next, sew up the sides of the outside liner along with the interfacing.  Then, sew up your inside liner and slide it inside your outside liner.  Covering up the top unsewn edge is probably the easiest thing to do either with bias tape or a ribbon.  You can also use part of your inside liner and fold over the top edge to cover up any unsewn edges.  Decorate your bag with ribbons, flowers, bow or buttons.  I also attached 2 ribbon straps to the bag.  Then again, you can use what ever material you want to make the straps out of.  The possiblities are limitless!

If you are looking for a great gift for someone, I am offering a book, for a limited time, with the tote bags in my Etsy Store.  If you opt. out of the book purchase, I will lower the bag price to $15 each.  Shipping and handling will also be less for a tote purchase.

Will be posting upcoming fabric choices soon for my girls tote bags.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Have You Been There?

Have you ever been to a craft fair and as you are looking around you look at the competition to see how your products stack up?  This last summer I was browsing around a local craft fair and was immediately drawn to a booth that crocheted baby hats.  I was really interested in looking them over to get ideas to spark my creativity, but when I browsed through the items, I was really disappointed. 
Why was I disappointed?  I guess when I create an item, I really want to make something that is not just functional, but fashionable as well.  I want people to say, "You made that?" all the while smiling and tell them "Yes, I did."  It's not that I want to be prideful, but I want people know that I CARE what I make and what they look like.  I want people to fall in love with what they buy and continue to be satisfied months down the road.  What I found at the booth made me cringe because it made me feel like they were just knocking out another product and didn't care if it looked good or not.

So... Have you been there?  or am I the only one?  My finished product is important to me.  Call me a perfectionist, but I still believe there are others out there like me me that want things to look just so.  If it doesn't come up to my standards, then I will not sell it.  I want to sell things I would want for myself.  I always make it a policy when buying a gift to buy something I would love to have in the off chance it was given back to me.  Usually with that mind set you can't go wrong in gift giving so I apply it to my creations as well.

So how do I make sure I have products people want?
  • Browse the Internet, magazines, or stores to see what color trends there are.
  • Ask myself, 'what are people buying?'
  • Walk around craft stores to see what cool things are on the self.
  • Experiment with different things.
  • See how much people are paying for similar items you are making and price it competitively.
  • Try, Try, Try again.
  • Most importantly DO what you LOVE Doing!  Your love for it will show in your finished product.
Some of my favorite creations, but not limited to what is shown here:





Thursday, November 11, 2010

Color Options For Baby Booties


I wanted to post my color options for my bows that go on my Baby Booties/Slippers.

Top, left to right:  Light Blue, Red, Chocolate Velvet
Bottom, left to right:  Pink Velvet, White, Hot Pink

Please refer to those color names when ordering.  I can also get other color options upon request.

Rag Potholder Options

Price of Rag Pot Holder= $8.50
Approximate size will vary 9" X 7"
Discount will apply to quantity of 4 purchased.

What are the Best Color combinations?
Lighter back ground with color added through the use of larger prints.
Smaller and darker prints make it muddied looking.
See below prints for example.

Option 1.  Blue Floral Pattern
Remaining fabric is set aside for a ministry project.

 Option 2.  Red Flower Pattern 

Option 3.  Red
Cotton Fabric

Option 4.  Yellow with Red Flowers 
Cotton Fabric 

Option 5.  Blue
Cotton Fabric 

Option 6.  Pale Yellow with Delicate Blue Flowers
Cotton Fabric

Americana Rag Potholder

Gift wrap your gift. 
Tie from rag potholder is included in your purchase.


I remember not too long ago how I thought that home made pot holders were just not as good.  I was dead wrong!  My husband's grandmother has given me some of the BEST crocheted pot holders I ever had.  Plus my mother gave me some pretty ones too when I got married 7 years ago.  She made a rag quilt pot holder out of sunflower material.  It still works great even 7 years later! 

This last week or so I got to thinking that I really wanted to make some pot holders.  Who couldn't use those?  It seems like the ones I have are looking old so I looked around to see if I had any material I could use.  I only had one piece that I thought would work.  It was a deep red Americana fabric with tan stars.  Since I didn't have an accent color to go with it, I researched making pot holders on-line.  What I found was a beautiful Rag Pot Holder that was just beautiful.

Here's all you need to do:

  • Step 1.  You'll need about 3/4 yard to 1 yard of cotton material.
  • Step 2  Cut 3/4" strips of fabric.  I recommend cutting them to make the longest strip you can.  You will be sewing a lot if you don't.
  • Step 3.  Take each strip and sew them together using a bias edge so that the fabric will lay flat.
  • Step 4  Crochet!  I can definitely do that!

I did not have a pattern, but based my measurements off a potholder I have.  Once I got the length I wanted, I just crocheted away.  The fun part....  Keeping my 4 month old from grabbing it as I crocheted.  I think he just wanted to play!



But who doesn't love Americana Decorations?  Such a wonderful way to brighten your kitchen.  Good potholders that last are hard to come by.  I think most of the ones I have are homemade and they last a long time!



Psst..... 
Great Gift idea for any Holiday, Birthday, Special Occasions, a Young Ladies Hope Chest, a teacher or for yourself!  Discounts given to customer who purchase in quantities of 4.  Email me for details!

See my store for more rag pot holders to come!  Let me know what colors your kitchen are and I will make them match!


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Peppermint Pink Hat

Last year I was the receiver of a wonderful gift.  A friend from church gave me some yarn that was given to her by another crocheter whose eye sight had gotten bad and could no longer crochet.  At the time I had no idea what I would do with some of the yarn, but this week I decided I needed to be creative and start throwing some ideas together.  White can be a challenge sometimes to work with when winter is approaching, but I decided I wanted to create a hat specifically with Christmas coming up.  {Yes, I celebrate Christmas!}  So I decided to use the white and pair it with a hot pink.  When I first started the hat, I did not realize how cute it would look when I was done.  Thus.... I have created my Peppermint Pink Hat!  It makes me think about the Christmas Candy and sparkly decorations hanging from my Christmas Tree.  I adore this hat!  Just wish I had my own little girl to put it on, but I am blessed with two boys!




See my Etsy Store for more creations for great gift ideas
for Christmas, Birthday, and Baby Showers!
Or email me, leave a comment if you would like to see
something different in my store. 
Your feed back is important to me.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Beautiful Blue Baby Hat



This beautiful hat will bring out the sparkly blue in your baby's eyes! Scalloped edge adds a dainty touch to the hat. Beautiful crocheted cream flower is attached to hat and centered in it is a velvety brown flower. What I love about this hat is the rich blue color paired with chocolate accents.

Pattern Size will fit 3 months up to 6 months, depending on baby's head size. Measurement of hat is approximately 17 3/4" around. Please measure your childs head to make sure it is the size you are looking for before purchasing.

Red Roses Designer Clutch




This beautiful designer clutch is versital for an evening out or just a designer clutch to carry a few diapers and wipes in. No one will know what you have inside!

Ribbed chocolate clutch is lined with Green flowered cloth. Red Flower is approximately 4" and is pinned to purse. Snap closure.
What I love about this clutch is it's fun red flower on the front. It adds a nice touch to the bag as well as the lining peaking through at the bottom of the flap as it is closed.

Deminsions are approximate 14" wide by 5 3/4" high.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

New at Etsy- Pretty In Pink!

Pretty pink and brown toned ballet slipper trimmed with hot pink ribbon and velvety pink bow. They are too cute!  Ballet shoe size is newborn to 2 months, approximately.  Size of actual shoe is 3 1/4" to 3 1/2" long. Bow and ribbon are stitched on shoe.





Like these ballet shoes, see http://www.etsy.com/listing/47827401/ballet-slippers-for-newborn-to-6-weeks

Hand wash with mild soap with cool water. Lay flat to dry.

Now taking International Orders. Please convo prior to purchase if you want priority mail. I will need to change shipping charges.
Thanks for stopping by! You can see more of my creations at www.etsy.com/shop/amykempf.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Newborn to 6 weeks-Chocolate and Red Ribbon, listing #47827401

For my Newborn to 6 weeks ballet slippers, I can make a custom order
with a light blue flower or a white flower. 
What color combinations do you like best?

Monday, November 1, 2010

Crochet Hook Holder Giveaway




The winner to the Crochet Holder is................  
#2 Mindy.
Please contact me so that I can get your prize to you!
Congratulations!
Amy

{results came from using random.org.}