getting your needles all in a row

I just can’t rave enough about my newest purchase on Etsy — Sarah Kincheloe’s Knitting Needle Organizer. Being relatively new to knitting, I was coming to realize what a chore it was to hunt down and keep track of all my knitting needles, and keep them organized in one spot. This needle organizer was exactly what I needed! And not only is it super handy and sturdily made, but it’s also very easy on the eyes (look at this awesome fabric)!

At Sarah’s etsy shop, you can get a variety of knitting needle organizers, crochet hook rolls, and knitting accessories. They’re all made in the most gorgeous fabrics. Who would have thought something so simple, could be so satisfying! Thank you for such a great product, Sarah. I’m a very happy camper knitter!

more leather journals

I’ve been busy increasing the shop’s inventory, since the holidays depleted most of my stock. It’s taking a while but it’s getting there. January has already seen quite a few snow days, which are perfect for getting caught up!

Folks have asked me how long it takes to make one journal. To be honest, I’ve never really made just one journal at a time. I cut enough leather for about 6-10 journals, hand tear enough paper for them, and then prep them all for binding (punching holes in the leather, piercing the paper, getting out the thread). Only then do I sit and bind them, one after the other. It may not be how a lot of binders work, but it’s a process that I find works perfectly for me. So why mess with a good thing?

I’m really loving the new lightbox hubby made me, as it takes a lot of time off of editing photos. Before I would really have to adjust the brightness and contrast, and now, little if anything needs to be done. lighting is concerned. Here are a few new journals I made yesterday, with photos taken in the lightbox.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether
that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”
—David Copperfield (1850), Charles Dickens

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty,
but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” ―Vincent Van Gogh

“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palms of your hand, and eternity in an hour.”
— Auguries of Innocence (1863), William Blake

Putting the “cozy” back into La Paperie & Cozy

When I’m not binding journals, I like to keep my hands busy. So I’ve embarked on a little side venture of knitting simple ballet-flat style slippers.

I am by no means a skilled knitter and have a difficult time following patterns. So my cowardice in following other people’s patterns has enabled me to avoid anything I can’t do, by coming up with my own pattern for these little cozies.

They are just simple and basic, but also cute, practical and oh-so cozy and warm! I am thinking of offering them on my Etsy shop sometime soon, in various sizes and colors (and perhaps even some felted pairs), so keep your eyes peeled! I’m thinking of calling them “Les Cozy Toezies” – a terrific suggestion by my buddy, Scott Smith, along with a collaborative effort of other friends! I don’t even know how much time I’m going to have, to make pairs for my shop, but we’ll see. I’ll probably only be able to list a pair or two, once in a blue moon. LOL!

The ribbon incorporated into the slipper is not only pretty but handy, as you can cinch the ribbon for a tighter fit around your foot. And voila! Pretty yet practical footwear for around the house!

This entry has been submitted to Make Your Monday over at The Twice Remembered Cottage. Take a look and submit your own crafty creations!

Lightbox! Yay!

Here’s the wooden lightbox that hubby built for me. I need to get brighter daylight bulbs for the lamps, but I see a marked improvement in photos already. Niiiice! I love having a handy hubby!

And the winner is…

I put all the entries in a bowl and I thought I would do the draw for the winner on camera. And the winner is…… *drumroll*

WATCH as I draw the name of the winner!

Thanks to everyone for participating!

Grand Re-opening Giveaway Draw – Win a Mini Journal!

La Paperie & Cozy has dusted off the snow and is opening its “doors” today, after a short break. To celebrate the grand re-opening, I’m holding a giveaway draw for an adorable red mini journal. This little cutie measures approximately 3″x3″ and is 1¼” thick, and has 280 pages (counting front & back) of 50lb. sketch paper.

To enter the draw, here is what you have to do…

1.) Leave a comment on this entry.
2.) Choose a favorite item in my shop and why you like it, in your comment.
3.) Make sure you leave your name and email address, so I can contact you if you win the journal. I will email you for your mailing address and send your cute mini journal on its way to you!

The deadline for entries ends after Wednesday, Jan. 6. The draw will be made Thursday, Jan. 7th and the winner announced here. Have fun!

Shop is closed for a brief respite

It will re-open Jan. 4, 2010 with new stock.

Thank you for making 2009 a wonderful year! See you in 2010! ♥

Keep an eye open for a “Grand Reopening Giveaway” Draw for a mini-leather journal!

My journal won the Autumn Challenge!

Yes, my book won the first ever monthly challenge, over at Trans-Canada Etsy Team, receiving 104 votes out of 237 total votes! Yay! Thanks so much to all of you who placed your votes. Kudos also goes to those talented Canadian artisans who participated. Good show!

Autumn Challenge

Apple cider, autumn camping trips, bonfires, beautifully coloured trees, crisp breezes and chilly evenings …yes, it’s AUTUMN! The Trans-Canada Etsy Team is featuring an Autumn Challenge for it’s members…to create something that fits in with the theme of autumn.

Visit the blog to vote for your favorite submissions!

For my entry, I submitted a journal hand-engraved with an oak leaf; it has 320 pages of beautiful treeless banana paper. It’s now listed on my Etsy shop.

Ten random things about me…

I was tagged by Sharon at Secret Leaves Paperworks to share 10 random facts about myself. Here we go:

1. The effervescent smell of spit in the air after someone sneezes makes me want to hurl.

2. I refuse to walk barefoot on floors, no matter how clean they are, as I hate the idea of getting anything on my feet.

3. I’m not a big fan of chocolate.

4. I cringe at needles going into skin, and yet could watch a corpse being dissected without wincing.

5. I’m *extremely* introverted (even though I fool most people that I meet).

6. I loathe talking on the phone – if it rings I usually hope hubby will get it or let it go to voicemail.

7. I correct other people’s grammar in their emails before replying to them. (Only for my peace of mind.) Yup. I’m anal-retentive about almost everything.

8. I spent most of my childhood up in a tree with my nose in a book.

9. I am addicted to lists, hubby’s kisses, books, plain steamed rice, cat’s paws, and really good tea.

10. I talk to my cats far too much.

I won’t tag anyone, but feel free to join in the fun!