It's that time of year again...

I won't be back to blogging for a bit, but I have to share that I'm walking for March of Dimes again this Sunday!  You may remember a couple years ago that my former co-worker's daughter was born 14 weeks early weighing less than 2 pound.  I have been raising money ever since for March of Dime (March for Babies in the US) for her team, Kayleigh's Krew.  I'm happy to report that Kayleigh is a very rambunctious almost 3 year old and has been growing into a beautiful little girl.

If you have anything to give, it would be much appreciated :o).  I'm very close to my goal so far and I hope to make it (not counting my own donation) this year and surpass last year's donations!

The following weekend, I'm also participating in a Knit-A-Thon at Village Knitter.  The proceeds from the Knit-A-Thon benefit YAI, local centers that help children and adults with disabilities.  You can use this link to donate to that cause as well.

Both causes are so worthwhile!  Thanks everyone in advance :o)

Etsy Shop Opening this Week!

So I'm finally buckling down and opening my Etsy shop.  I started developing it forever ago but really have not had the time to actually make anything to sell.  I've made stitch markers and just never photographed them.  Last week I started making some project bags.

It's been pretty cloudy here lately so my pictures are not exactly what I would have wanted, but they show the product well and the colors are pretty close.

For the shop, I'm going to offer products here first with a discount before listing them in the shop.  The following items will be listed in the shop on Friday, but if you purchase them by Thursday here- free shipping!  And who doesn't love free shipping? :o)

First, the project bags:

Kimono Flowers Project Bag

Pink Bunny Project Bag

 And now for the stitch markers

Blue Gems Entwined Stitch Markers

Green Gems Entwined Stitch Markers

Jade Dragons Stitch Markers

Pink Crystal Heart Stitch Markers

Purple Gems Entwined Stitch Markers

To save everyone some viewing time since pictures take quite a while to load on webpages, all of the items are listed in detail on the Products Page of the blog.  There are lots of photos of each of the items.  To see more information, pictures, prices, or to purchase anything, please visit the Products Page on the blog.  Items for sale are first come, first serve.

And remember, the donation incentives for Kayleigh's Krew will be going on until April 30th!

Kayleigh's Krew - Donations? Prizes?

After posting about Kayleigh's Krew and my March of Dimes efforts, I was thinking of ways to increase donations.  I know times are tough (remember that part where I'm a sub and only work when needed?) and that people are not necessarily as able to just give for the joy of giving.  So I'm thinking of doing some donation incentives.

I was brainstorming yesterday while I was knitting and came up with some ideas.  Here's what I've got so far:

• project bags- I've been working on these so I can get my etsy shop opened asap
• stitch markers I've made
• needles I have doubles of
• yarn...who doesn't love this??
• maybe a knitting book from my stash

I'm also thinking of making some jewelry, and whoring myself out as a knitter/crocheter.  I want to include things not just for fiber arts so that any non-fiber-a-holics family and friends can join in the giveaways.

Where I'm stuck is how to determine the winners.  I can do a random number generator or each dollar is one entry (to encourage bigger donations).  Any ideas?  Especially from anyone who's done giveaways on their blogs before!  I want to have this hashed out by the end of the week so I can post, publicize and get some donations! 

If there's anything you'd like to donate as a prize, that works for me too :o)