Year In Etsy 2010

'Tis the season for year-end retrospectives, so here is my first-annual Year In Etsy.  Although I still do most of my sales directly, I think Etsy is a fabulous way to reach new customers and find amazing, talented artists (and some wonderful vintage pieces as well).  This is not stuff you'll find at the mall.  Much of what I bought on Etsy I've given as a gift, and the recipients are always so impressed with the uniqueness of their present.  I think the fact that I've returned to a number of sellers is testament to the quality of character of my purchases. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the fantastic resource that is Etsy.

Here's what I bought this year:*

Clockwise from top left:
Personalized Inital Cards from Oodles of Color
Personalized Big Sister Tee from Smitten and Company
Peasant Shirt and Capri Set from Lil Miss Muffin
Bella Knot Dress from Sarah Rose
Personalized Cupcake Tee from Smitten and Company
Reversible A Line Dress from Groovy Gurlz
Personalized Baby Shower Invitations from Ink Obsession Designs
Evening Bag with Feathers and Pearls from Sherri Weese Designs
Vintage Milk Glass Platter from Tessie May
Brown Corduroy Overalls from Overall Baby
Peasant Shirt and Denim Ruffle Pants from Sarah Rose
Vintage Style Beaded Evening Bag from Sherri Weese Designs

Center:
Custom Cookies from TS Cookies

*I've listed only those items that I bought personally.  Etsy has also been a great resource for Yellow House Knits. 

Blogiversary . . . A Day Late

I meant to do something fun and extravagant to celebrate the first anniversary of Inside the Yellow House, and I got the flu instead.  Bummer. 

Here's where it all started, one year and one day ago.

Since I missed the chance to do something flashy on the blog, how about an extravagant special offer?  Now through New Year's Day (midnight EST on January 1, 2011), take 50 percent off any order placed for a sweater up to size 2.  Mention this offer in your email or convo. 

Happy Blogiversary Inside the Yellow House!

My Baby Is Yummy Treasury

I'm a little late in posting this sweet little treasury featuring a bunch of adorable babies, including little Nora in the Spring Road sweater.  They're all yummy! 

The treasury was curated by ancienesthetique, a couple in France who sell vintage French pieces, including some beautiful china.  Check out their shop here.

Pink for 2011

I've just learned (late to the party as usual) that Pantone's 2011 color of the year is Honeysuckle 18-2120. Pantone describes Honeysuckle as a "dynamic reddish pink."

Those of you who read this blog regularly may have guessed--if I haven't already announced it--that I love pink!  So I was super excited to see that honeysuckle is the new turquoise (Pantone's color of the year for 2010).  Don't get me wrong--I think turquoise is a truly great color, but it's just not pink.

In honor of honeysuckle as color of the year, I will offer 10 percent off any custom sweater order placed in 2011 if honeysuckle is one of the colors in the sweater.  Email me (yellowhouseknits@gmail.com) for details, and mention this offer.

The Halls of the Yellow House Are Decked!

I just love the sparkle and warm glow of the holiday season! 



Santa is Back From the Finisher

My dad collects Santa Clauses, so I try to make him a needlepoint Santa for Christmas each year.  This year's Santa is back from the finisher, and I'm so pleased with how he turned out!

The canvas is by Amanda Lawford, who designs a ton of Santas.  I think I made him more complicated than he needs to be by doing all of the fur in French knots, but I love how soft and fuzzy it turned out. 

I'm hoping to take a picture of all of the Santas while I'm visiting with my parents at Christmas, so stay tuned.

Holiday Cards Went Out Today!

Back-to-Back Treasuries for Belmont Street

The Belmont Street sweater was just featured in another treasury, this one titled "Cranberry, Oatmeal, with a Touch of Honey."  I just love the bright, bold red and honey colors highlighted in this treasury. 

The treasury was curated by Megan of Flow Yoga Mats.  Megan sells everything you might need for your yoga practice, including some awesome handpainted yoga mats.  Stumbling on Megan's shop is particularly timely for me because getting back into yoga is one of the things on my 35 Before 36 List.  I'm thinking that yoga would be a lot more fun if I had Megan's mat with the tulips and butterflies (check it out here!).

Baby's Handmade Holiday Treasury

The Belmont Street sweater was featured today in this beautiful Treasury, curated by Funky Wunder.  For those of you who are--like me!--still looking for gift ideas, there are some great ones here for the littlest ones on your shopping list.  Love those candy-cane striped leg warmers and the onesie with the "tie" on it. 

In your shopping e-travels, be sure to wander past Funky Wunder's shop, which has a ton of gorgeous knit hats (I'm partial to the pumpkin hat for toddlers) and some lovely jewelry. 

December Special Offer

Now through Friday, purchase a $25 Yellow House Knits gift certificate for a friend and receive a $10 gift certificate for yourself.  Gift certficates can be sent electronically or via U.S. mail with the Yellow House Knits holiday card. 

Gift certificates may also be purchased in higher amounts (e.g., a $100 gift card purchase for a friend receives a $40 gift card for the purchaser), but the two gift certificates cannot be combined and redeemed together. 

Mention coupon code ITHY-DEC in your convo or email (yellowhouseknits@gmail.com) to take advantage of this offer. Orders/emails must be received by midnight EST on December 10.

Have fun!

Pictures with Santa

Look who had his picture taken with Santa yesterday!  I'm not normally that dog owner, but the Santa pictures were a fundraiser for one of the Montgomery County animal shelters, and a good friend of mine was staffing the photo booth, so I couldn't help but make an appearance with my best friend.  I can't say Bullet was particularly cooperative, but he tolerated the whole adventure and left in moderately good cheer.  Special thanks to Santa for being such a good sport!

Words to Live By

I saw this on Holstee's website this morning, and I love it.  Sometimes I get so caught up in the day-to-day madness of life that I forget about what's really important. 

New Pictures

I had something of a rough day yesterday, so I was excited to get home and find a CD of pictures of the Prospect Street sweater from photograher Jennifer Tibbetts (from the other Washington).  They're so fun and whimsical--exactly the attitude I like my sweaters to have!  They're all gorgeous, but here are a couple of my favorites.  You can see more of Jennifer's work on her website.

Halfway Mark

It's hard to believe I'm halfway through year 35 (Happy Half Birthday to me!).  I think I'm making good progress!  Thanks for sticking with me!

35 Before 36 Update

1. Read 12 books.  8/12 complete.  Finished in November: "That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo
2. Go to New York City for a Broadway weekend.  Had a great trip in November!
3. Start saving regularly—even if modestly—for the addition to my house.  Still on track. 
4. Clean out my closet and give a lot to Goodwill.
5. Finish my state streets project.
6. Donate to: Washington Humane Society, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, and my various alma maters: Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Michigan Law School, the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
7. Go to the U.S. Botanic Garden.
8. Get a massage and/or a facial each month.  6/12 complete.
9. Purge and replenish my underwear drawer.
10. See 12 movies in the theater.  8/12 complete.  Saw in November: "Morning Glory," "The Next Three Days," and "Love & Other Drugs"
11. Spend a weekend the Omni Bedford Springs (my favorite).
12. Keep an inventory of food in the freezer.  Falling down on this one some.  I need to work harder to get a system in place.
13. Run three half marathons. 1/3 complete. 
14. Try yoga again.
15. Start to research the history of my house.
16. Reorganize my pantry.
17. Buy a nice piece of jewelry (pearls?).
18. Try 12 new (to me), local restaurants.  8/12 complete. Tried in November: Zest Bistro, The Heights, and Oya
19. Improve my bread-baking skills.
20. Take Bullet on a weekend trip.
21. Get a new camera.
22. Take more pictures.I think I'm finally starting to do a better job on this one.  Poor Bullet is paying the price!

23. Pay off my car.
24. Master real push-ups.
25. Make at least two meals per month to freeze for later.  Still on track.
26. Organize my knitting and needlepoint supplies.
27. Send more postcards when I travel with notes telling people I’m thinking of them.
28. Make a star tree-topper for my Christmas tree.  Canvas is purchased--need to start needlepointing.
29. Have a party. 

30. Go to the renovated National Museum of American History.
31. Go to the beach.
32. Buy fresh flowers more often.  I'm working on this one, but it's getting harder as the weather gets cooler.
33. Paint my old patio furniture (or have it painted).

34. Take a crafting class.

35. Walk home from work at least once a week, weather permitting.  I haven't done a great job on this one especially since it's gotten colder, but I have been running a lot, so I'm going to give myself something of a pass.