Busy in the New Year!

     Time really gets away from me. I come up with blog ideas then run out of time to put them together. I really want to keep a better track of blogging. I feel like it's a history of Jenny Lin Creations and down the road it would be nice to look back on it to see where we've been.

     What have we been up to? Well quit a bit. My mom has an Etsy shop, Lil Bit of Heaven Fibers. Her shop carries roving and hand dyed yarn. She took about a year off and is now back. Lil Bit of Heaven Fibers is now an Ashland Bay dealer. My mom and I are reworking her shop and plan to reopen it in February.




     Also my mom and I have opened a second shop for Jenny Lin Creations. You can not only find our creations on Etsy but also at jenny-lin-creations.madefreshly.com. We are excited about having a shop with Made Freshly and new opportunities for Jenny Lin Creations. Neither shop will carry the same creations, so check them both out.

     As for me, I have a few projects in the works. I don't want to say too much about these projects because they are still in the planning phase. In the mean time I've been working on Christmas ornaments. Yes, I know it's January and I'm mentioning Christmas. I'm trying to get a head start during down time while I plan new projects and wait for supplies. I'm trying to be organized and a head of the game. We will see how long it lasts.

     I believe that's everything for now. I'm going to try to post more often. I have some tutorial ideas I'm thinking about along with other post ideas. So, keep warm and thanks for stopping by!

                                                - Jennifer
     

             

Stocking Update!

     I did manage to finish my daughter's stocking before Christmas. Well, most of it. I finished the stocking itself in the nick-of-time Christmas Eve. The cupcake with her name on it was a few days later. The stocking was a kit I put together but it is all hand detailed from cutting out and appliqueing pieces, to stitching the face, making the hair, even the cording was hand detailed. I will say this is the hardest kit I've done. I love the way it turned out and my daughter couldn't be more pleased! Here are a few pics, sort of start to finish.

         

                          Now it's time to start some new projects. I'm thinking Valentine's day!

                                                                                     -Jennifer
         

Top Favorites of the Week!

     These creations had the most favorites in our shop this week.

Set Of 3 Holiday Ornaments

Quilted Tote Handbag

Felt Embroidered Wristlet Handbag

                      Thanks to everyone who visited our shop!

Wordless Wednesday!

Current Project

Future Project

Holiday Season - Lesson Learned

     This holiday season is Jenny Lin Creations's first holiday season and it's been a lesson learned. I felt rushed in my crafting to get items on Etsy. I never really thought of the season and needing to make crafts before the holiday. Now I think I'm going to holiday craft all year around. If I have an idea I need to make it. So, I need to think Christmas whether it's December or July.

      There is a lot less free time during the holidays. With homeschooling 2 kids, a husband working full time and going to college, running a house-hold, free time is already limited. When you add multiple holiday dinners, buying gifts, and all the other activities, it's even more difficult to find a moment. When I find that moment it's nice to just craft and not worry about rushing to get something on Etsy.

     I know the same is true for my mom.  She has 6 grandchildren and she makes all of their Christmas presents.  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas it's crunch time for her. I know she is spending every free moment trying to get that special gift finished by Christmas Day, So thinking of making creations for Etsy is not in the fore front of her thoughts.

   

     So, lesson learned. Think holiday crafts all year long. Make them, do the write ups for them, then save them for the holidays. Then when the holidays come around we can spend that special free time for crafting gifts or for pleasure and not feel rushed or overwhelmed.

                                                                                     -Jennifer



   

New Projects!

     I love the Holidays.  It is so easy to find inspiration.  From Halloween to New Years there are so many fun things all around us.  The project ideas just pour out of us and it's hard to pick one creation at a time to craft.

Cozy Socks Medium Size 8

     I know my mom is working on a cute stuffed bunny and she always has socks on her knitting needles.  With the recent cold blast I've gotten out a pair my mom has knitted for me and I love them.  They are great to slip on while I'm stitching or reading a book with the kids.  I love how comfy and cozy her socks are!

Snowman Hoop

     I am crafting a new Snowman Hoop for our Etsy shop.  I am so excited about this hoop.  I can't wait to see his button eyes and nose on him.  I loved drawing him and picking the colors for him.  I felt a light blue floss for the scarf would look great with the snow.  I hope to have him finished in the next few days.

           
                   



       We hope all of you are getting ready for the holidays too.  Leave a comment and let us know what exciting craft you are working on.  We look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks for stopping by!
     

                                             

In Holiday Mode

New colors for new hoops.

     We are officially in Holiday Mode.  My mom and I have some great ideas for our Holiday Creations.  I'm working on festive, decorative hoops and a set of Christmas Tree Ornaments.  I'll be adding an Autumn Hoop and a Winter Hoop to our shop soon.  I also have plans for a snowman hoop.  I know my mom is planning some stuffed animals, possibly a cuddly bunny.  I have felt the material for the stuffed animals and it's amazingly soft. We are so excited and happy to be helping out gift givers everywhere with fun creations!

     To kick off the Holiday Season Bowling Green, VA is having it's 24th Annual Harvest Festival this Saturday, October 19th, starting at 9:00 a.m.  There will be fun activities and a chance to get started on your holiday shopping.  We hope you will stop by Cindy's Corner and check out the local crafters including creations from us, Jenny Lin Creations.  We have beautiful hand dyed yarn, one of a kind handbags, a Halloween tote, and so much more!

      Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Cindy's Corner

     Yesterday my mom and I took a few of our creations to Cindy's Corner located in Bowling Green, VA.   Cindy's Corner is a beautiful little shop that sells crafts made by local crafters.  The shop is located on Main Street in historic Bowling Green.  This quaint little town is a great place to get out of your car and walk to see the many different shops.  On October 19th, 2013 Bowling Green will hold it's 24th Annual Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This is a great time to walk the streets, see the vendors, and check out Cindy's Corner to get some holiday shopping done.

Here are just a few of our creations you can find at Cindy's Corner.

Autumn Hoop and Holidays

Autumn Hoop

     I finished the Autumn Hoop.  I love how it turned out.  The backing was a bit difficult.  I had a few ideas on how I wanted the back to look.  After a lot of trial and error I settled on using matting board and covering it with material, then fitting it in place.  I am happy with how it looks.  It was important to me that it looked nice and not just thrown together because it was the back.  I am excited that I found a way to do the back of hoops because I was fretting over it quit a bit.  I also stained the hoop.  I like the way stain brings out the wood and makes it more then a hoop.  The Autumn Hoop is going to Cindy's Corner in Bowling Green, VA.  I am planning an Autumn Hoop for Etsy too.

Autumn Hoop Back

               I spent today drawing designs for Holiday Creations.  I have ideas for a snowman hoop, a winter tree, a set of three ornaments, a Christmas tree hoop, and a stocking.  I know my mom was thinking of making bears for Etsy.  We both have tons of ideas and are very excited about the upcoming Holidays.  Check back soon for more updates.

      Thanks for stopping by and we hope you will visit us at Jenny Lin Creations.

                                          - Jennifer            

Thinking Christmas!

     It's the end of July and I'm already thinking about Christmas.  I've come across craft stores that are having Christmas in July sales.  I couldn't help myself and just had to take part in the sales.  I picked up a few things and have started to jot down ideas.  I'm thinking ornaments and stockings, Santa Claus, snowmen, trees, gingerbread men, and all the other wonderful things that go with the holiday season.  Not to worry, I haven't left out other holidays.  I have been thinking about a trick-or-treat bag for Halloween and some possible Thanksgiving ideas.  I know it's just July, but back to school supplies are in the stores and before we know it that chill will come and the leaves will start to change.  The feel of fall will be in the air.  Time to get crafting!

Jenny