Happy Holidays!

it had to be done.

happy holidays folks!
xoxo, danamarie

cool moms know...

(colored by the littlest bean herself! image courtesy of mama to the bean, jenmenkhaus)

Say Thanks the handmade way! my blank winter themed Knitimal greeting cards were spotted on CoolMomPicks! These super sweet cards are a great way to reflect on the bounty of the holidays & get kids involved in the act of saying "THANKS!".

many thanks, shop update & giveaway!

How could I possibly wrap up EVERY show I've been to in the past month? I couldn't... Suffice to say, I am SO thankful for all of you, who make a real effort to shop local and spread love throughout your communities, by buying art and gifting the handmade. I couldn't do what I do without your constant and generous support.

This year has been jam packed with wonderful opportunities, press, praise & warm feedback. And, as soon as I have a chance to do so, I will share some of those wonderful stories with you!

The constant "packing up, setting up, breaking down, repeat" of the past few weeks has really afforded me some good exercise and a lot of time to reflect on the work I do. It's tedious, time consuming & often difficult, but always totally worth it. So thank you!

I managed to move most of my stock (a good and bad thing as I look ahead to what promises to be a VERY busy spring) but...now that the show season is behind us, i'm stocking up the shop like crazy! There's something for everyone in there ( i promise). Now's a great time to relax and take advantage of all sales & special offers floating around out there in cyber space, and greenstarstudio is no exception!

Looking for a last minute gift, or just the opportunity to shop from the comfort of your own home? maybe you saw some things you liked at a show, but didn't snatch them up right away... well, have no fear!

I'll be shipping (via first class mail for small items & priority mail for knitimals & large orders) EVERYDAY thru 12/24, so it's not too late to get something great!

AND, as a special thanks, for all your support this season, if you mention the code: "FREETREE" in your message to seller at checkout, you'll get a FREE knitimal ornament thrown in too! This is an offer available only to blog & newsletter readers, so do make sure you include the code when you check out, in order to take advantage of the giveaway. (Orders must be placed by 12/24 to take advantage of the ornament giveaway).

Happy Holidays!

xoxo, danamarie

More Shows this weekend!

I can't believe I still have two more shows on my holiday calendar!

it's been a very busy season. Lucky for all of us, though, there's still plenty of good stuff to be found!

"Yes, there's another chance to shop handmade for the holidays in the Baltimore area. The Squidfire Art Mart moves from its original location at the Lyric Theater to a larger arena, the DuBurns Arena on Boston Street in Canton.This event is this Saturday, December 12 from 11 - 6. This new space not only has parking but guarantees more vendors that get to have a 10 ' X 10' space! Look for more mini- boutiques instead of just table top stores! Members from BEST that will be participating in this show include greenstarstudio, dandelion blu, thebrokenplate,sugar paperie, sweetpepita, jennyjen42, Yummy & Company,worndress, jenmenkhaus, Lana Bella, JerseyGirlDesign, CEK Custom Designs, & Tlane."

(thanks JennyJen42 for the post!)

And if that's still not enough-- your last chance to get greenstargoods (in person) is Sunday, December 13th at Last Minute Maul, at School 33! 10-5pm, 1427 Light Street. Phew!

Cloning & time travel...

So, this weekend I will splitting myself in thirds and spreading out all over the state. OUCH. Luckily, I have wonderful crafty friends in the BEST ladies and we'll all be pitching in to help each other out. So, while I may not be there, you'll be able to find my work at three different shows over two days.

On Saturday, you can find my work at the BEST table at the Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap-- at St. Johns church on St Paul Street. I wont be there, because I will be running the BEST booth over in Greenbelt, MD, at the Greenbelt Festival of Lights.

Join greenstarstudio, Jen Menkhaus, Sweet Pepita, TigerlillyShop, Jersey Girl Design, Yummy & Company, and DandelionBlu for two days of shopping and demonstrations, workshops and presentations, by dozens of artists.
The Festival takes place indoors at the Greenbelt Community Center, Saturday, December 5th from 10-5 and Sunday, December 6th from 11-4pm.

On Sunday, my work will still be for sale at Greenbelt, but I will have moseyed over to Out of Hand; Sunday Dec.6, 10am - 5 pm; Knights of Columbus Hall
201 Homeland Avenue (on the edge of the Notre Dame campus just off Charles Street)
Baltimore, 21212

Should be fun. And insane. Come out and help me not lose my flippin mind. Thanks.

Shop Handmade & help put food on some tables...

It has been a difficult year for many Marylanders because of the tough economy. Many are without jobs and without food. In an effort to help those in need this holiday season, several BEST members will be donating a percentage of money from the the sales of their handmade items from December 1-14. Buyers will have a unique opportunity to support handmade and help feed hungry Marylanders.

The Maryland Food Bank provides nearly 14 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 Network Partners - including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, low-income day care centers, after-school programs, senior centers, rehabilitation centers, and other feeding programs. They supply food for over 50,000 Marylanders each week who otherwise would go hungry or not eat enough, including families with children, the elderly, the homeless, the homebound, low-income workers, the recently unemployed, and people with AIDS and other health problems. For every $1 contributed to the Maryland Food Bank, they are able to provide 3 meals to Maryland’s needy families and individuals.

From December 1st through 14th, the following participating BEST members will be donating a percentage of their sales:

blockpartypress- 10% of Etsy sales
sweetpepita- 10% of all Etsy sales
jenmenkhaus- 10% of all Etsy sales
glowgirl - 10% of all Etsy sales
yummyandcompany- 10% of all Etsy sales
atelieradornments - 10% of all Etsy sales
lanabella - 10% of all Etsy sales
lolamiren - 10% of all Etsy sales
thebrokenplate - 10% of all Etsy sales
tigerlillyshop - 10% of all Etsy ring sales
greenstarstudio - 10% of all Etsy sales

Take some time to visit these Etsy shops, support handmade and know that when you make a purchase between Dec. 1 - 14, you will be helping to provide food and services to someone in need this holiday season. Here are some other ways to support the MD Food Bank:

* Make a direct monetary donation

* Purchase and donate food through the Food Bank's “Virtual Food Drive”

* Deliver the food directly to the Maryland Food Bank at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road. Please call 410-737-8282 to arrange your delivery.

* Volunteer Opportunities

(Thanks Tamara, of BlockPartyPress, for organizing this drive & writing this lovely post).

Cyber Monday! Free Shipping all day!

Well, it's Cyber Monday... which is the new "Black Friday" and to celebrate, you can get a whole lot of stuff and save money on shipping...

Yes, all day long, anything you pick up in the shop will ship for FREE! Just load up your cart, checkout and pay, then I will refund your shipping costs. Its very easy. You don't even need a code!

And, since we are in the midst of crazy show season, if you attended a show and are looking to pick up something you saw there or if you're searching for something you just don't see listed in my shop, just email me and ask--- if I have it, it's yours and the shipping will STILL be free!

Plus, keep an eye on the shop all day for updates and new listings... recycled plastic ornaments, greeting cards, masks, wallets and a whole lot more.

xoxo, danamarie

BAZAART preview party tonight (and free shipping thru Monday!)

Why spend Black Friday battling at the Mall?
Why not try a GREEN Friday? Free Shipping in my shop all weekend. Just fill your cart and check out. I'll send you a revised invoice within a day, then you pay. Much easier than driving all over town, right?

Local? Why not come out to Bazaart at the American Visionary Art Museum? Friday is a special preview party- for a nominal ticket price, you'll get first dibs on all the good stuff AND free open bar and lite fare.

Or, come on out on Saturday (10 to 5) for free!

Wanna know what's in store for ya?
I've got *brand new color your own holiday card sets* recycled plastic ornaments* slim profile felt wallets* coffee cozies* Color your own OoAkie kits* organic cotton onesies* baby hats* bibs* coloring books* Recyclimals* gift tags* postcards* keychains* soap* tshirts* brooches* magnets* stickers and more... And of course, brand new Knitimals!

So, why not save yourself the running around today, eh?

See you soon!
xo, danamarie
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Black Friday & "Something" Saturday at Bazaart!

I'm not sure what you call the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but I know where I'll be when it rolls around... For the past 5 years I have been fortunate enough to juried into the MOST amazing show of the Holiday Season, and this year I'll be introducing some BRAND NEW GOODIES too! So, if you're looking for a great Mall-ternative for Black Friday, this year? You can find me and 2 of my good buddies from BEST; (your's truly- Greenstarstudio, my very talented bird loving friend- JennyJen42 & and maker of a million cool things- Tigerlillyshop) at Bazaart at the American Visionary Art Museum!

Friday Evening • November 27 • 5:30–8:00PM:BAZAART Preview Party & Sale Beat the crowds! An opportunity to get the first shot at the original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople prior to the Saturday Bazaart extravaganza (see 11/28 listing). Spend a relaxing evening strolling among Bazaart artisans and their wares while nibbling light fare and enjoying a special beverage. Location: American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 3rd Floor. Admission to Preview Party & Sale: $20 at the door.

Saturday • November 28 • 10AM-5PM • FREE ENTRY: BAZAART: Artful Holiday ShoppingAmerican Visionary Art Museum's Annual Holiday Marketplace of original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople. Painting, sculpture, papercrafts, metalwork, jewelry, textiles, mixed media, and other work that simply defies categorization! FREE ENTRY. Location: American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center 3rd Floor. Note: Bazaart shoppers are welcome to tour the entire Jim Rouse Visionary Center for Free! Ongoing exhibitions include the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre automata, Baltimore Screen Painters, Emily Duffy's Bra Ball and more.
***********I'll be posting some "sneak peeks" at what you can expect to find in the Greenstarstudio booth, over the course of the week. Mark your calendars now; crack open that piggy bank; and get ready for the best darn show around!

the most awesome things ever...

you know what the BEST possible gift would be for a gal who loves plush (almost) as much as she loves her dog, whom she loves (almost) as much as she loves her husband, on their first wedding anniversary?

you dont?

i do. this....
that's us... as Plush.

HOLY CRINKLE CUT FRIES!

this beautiful awesomeness is the work of my dear internet friend, Leeanna (only recently did she become my dear "in real life" friend too, when we were able to hang at PlushYou in Seattle). What seems like a million years ago, I started emailing with dear Leeanna (whose shop name is Plush Goodness... and boy is it ever); i honestly don't remember what precipitated the emails, or who did the writing first. What i DO remember is that right away i felt a kindred spirit thing going on on the other end of the wireless waves. I felt like I'd known her for years, and i really liked her work, to boot! Not too long after, Leeanna commissioned me to make a Knitimal version of their dog, Waffle (whose photo is below because i just love her to pieces and she's Mason's internet-girlfriend, and we're pretty sure Waffle is part wirehaired dachshund).


But i digress..
Anyway, I feel like it was somewhere around there that she told me she'd made a plush version of her husband and herself for her niece, and when i saw the pictures of them, i was totally sold (i was pretty sold before the pictures anyway). I asked Leeanna if she'd consider doing Plush-Catures (has her hubby coined them... oh, shout out to Ben; "hi ben!"... he's pretty cool himself) of AJ & i. She said yes. I did a back flip. I said, what about Mason? of course. Double back flip. For our anniversary? You got it. Triple Backflip.

Then came the waiting.
How would I wait for our anniversary to come around? I was excited enough already, plus the promise of awesome new plush? i didnt think i could make it. OR, keep it a secret from AJ!

Luckily... that time finally came, and well, I think the surprise went well...

I sent along photos, and invited her to check out our private wedding blog (for pics dating back over a decade); Leeanna asked some very good questions, designed to get the most out of her subjects. I provided her with nuggets of info and color preferences and little things that would make the pieces REALLY ring true.

Like for example, the extra careful attention paid to Mason's double coat. You can't really see it here, but the legs have two layers of fleece "fur" that actually move and wisp like Mason's hair. She captured his two tone ears and really got his majestic tail. And there's gorgeous stitching on the body to accent his blond highlights and dark brown lowlights. (he's not a diva... i just diva-fy him).

AJ's wearing his favorite colors & cool stripy socks (a must have in my boy's collection!). She totally captured his giant, wonderful smile. We both love his ears. Again, you cant see the detail here, but the jeans look SO real. The gold stitching on the pockets and fly front are impeccable. And, i'm told, Leeanna used reclaimed denim & other materials because she knew we'd want it that way. That's how we roll.

me? well, i'm easy. All i need is a t-shirt with the neck cut out (check), a comfy pair of jeans (check) and a pair of crocs (double check.. how flippin cute are they!?). She got my two tone hair & my favorite colors... and notice my smile is more of a smirk than a big full on smile?

yep. that's good detail.

So, know that we were the first ones to set this trend, but if you're interested in being Plushed, visit her shop and drop her a line. We've already decided she's going to make a new set of Us's for our anniversary every, oh, 10 years or so.

****Leeanna, we love ya. These are AMAZING****

Come & get em! Knitimal ornaments at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation today! 9:30 - 5pm

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year one: a lot like day one, but with different colored scarves

I'm not one for tradition. I mean, traditions I believe in, maybe, but anything else is just silly. I've heard of brides saving the top of their wedding cake to eat on their anniversary--- we had donuts and bagels, and while their ARE things in our freezer that are over a year old, a Dunkin Donuts double chocolate and an Einstein Brothers potato bagel would never have lasted that long. Not in this carb-loving house.

I know some brides save their bouquet to make potpourri with--- my bouquet was a stack of lovingly cut tracings of my favorite people's hands. And it has lived in a vase in our living room for a year.

I know some brides rush to the cleaners to get their dresses out of storage, to see if they still fit in them--- I didn't have a dress. I dont really "do" dresses. I wore a grey sweater... in fact, we both wore grey sweaters. With matching orange scarves. Our wedding was sweet and simple, and afterward, we went for a long stroll around Annapolis... in November. We were thinking practicality.

*********

our one year anniversary was this past tuesday.

I teach Tuesday nights, and while i flirted with the idea of canceling class so that we could go out on our actual anniversary, it didn't feel right... i really like my students.

So, we decided we'd celebrate on Wednesday night instead, which was fine with me... it'd give me the whole day to "primp" (which, I'm sure you realize, i didnt do. I spent the day making Knitimal Ornaments). We knew we were going Pazo for our dinner (thanks to AJ's placing in the City Paper Comics Contest... fat ol' gift certificate to the amazing Pazo tapas restaurant in Fells Point... if you haven't gone, go); AJ made the reservation and told them it was our anniversary, because it was and because they asked. We semi-secretly wondered if it would amount to anything. We're both artists. Free stuff is always good stuff.

We'd only been to Pazo once before, and it was on someone else's very generous dime. I remembered it being super swanky, and with a dress code.

Anyway, I lamented the "dress" code, because honestly, it takes a lot to get me in a dress. And if you follow me on Twitter, you know I also spent the day lamenting about having to put on a dress. I'm not really a dress person, but it was our anniversary and you know, you have to look nice if you're gonna go out and be all fancy (especially if you only do it once a year!).

I had just showered and pulled the dress in question out of a ball of previously rejected and not ever hung back up clothes in the corner of my closet (Ugh. Now i have iron too), when AJ got home and said "Is there a dress code for tonight?". I said "i was going to wear the black dress" and he said "oh, i was thinking we could wear our sweaters".

o. m. g.

the sweaters!

YES, of COURSE we'd wear our sweaters.

THIS is why I married this man.

So, there we were in our sweaters & green scarves, this year. Semi recreating this photo, which we took before we left the house on our Wedding Day:

And for those wondering (because i totally would be): Dinner was amazing. So amazing that my hubby, who loathes (hunny, can i say "loathes"? how bout "is really not a fan of") fish, said the BEST part of dinner was the medium rare Tuna & the scallops. (the Tuna with Avocado Salsa Verde is AMAZING. go to Pazo and get it). Our server, Tara, was a sweetheart. There was a very loud table of some sort of business type people with a guy leading cheers right behind us (i should also note that we had the entire top section of the restaurant to ourselves, save for them), and everyone in the restaurant seemed annoyed and intrigued by him, to the point that the hostess, upon our leaving, asked us if we had done any cheering with him. It didn't really bother us much... it was more interesting than anything, but Tara came over at one point and apologized for them and said they'd be buying us dessert. She came back over a while later with two glasses of champagne and told us that she'd decided that since the loud guy had agreed to get us something, she thought it better to get him to give us champagne since it was worth more and that SHE would buy us dessert.

ah, free stuff.

happy anniversary, mr. greenstar!

*******
note: i couldn't decide on which picture i liked best... our "album cover", our "demure love" or our "holiday card", so i used em all. This is the combined result of a camera on self timer and a squirmy dachshund that insists on licking your mouth or nose whenever cameras are pointed his way.

Felt Frog & Pig: Love Story for the Decades

today is our one year wedding anniversary. of course, its hard for either of us to look at our relationship as only "one year old", especially because i know we both feel like we've known each other and loved one another our entire lives.

when i was younger (and even not so young) i was in love with Kermit the Frog.
No, really.
Seriously, truly in love with him.
Like, I wanted to marry him, in love.

I never understood why Kermit & Miss Piggy were an item. I didn't see how she could make him happy; she seemed really overbearing and loud; she was bossy and bold; she had tons of thick blonde hair and always seemed to storm off in a huff if she didn't get her way.

Kermit--- i would love you in a way Piggy couldn't.

Now, of course, i never married Kermit (though i think about it still...), but i also never stopped loving him. As I got older, i started to understand their relationship more. Piggy WAS bold, but she was a perfect catalyst for meek Kermit-- she pushed him to do things and take risks. She was loud, but it was only because Kermie was so quiet. She wanted things her way... but I saw her compromise too. Maybe they were made for each other, afterall.

***********

A year and some months ago, AJ & i took a trip to DC to see the Jim Henson exhibit at the Smithsonian. It was beautiful. I wept. I felt inspired. We both marveled at his genius--- at the love & passion and integrity Henson poured into everything he made. We were in awe of the work we knew had made us "different" and had helped to sculpt us as young artists and impassioned people.

At some point in the day I decided I didn't want to wait anymore for "the perfect moment", or until we had "enough money" or "enough time"; we'd been talking about getting married for years and we both knew we were supposed to be together; why wait any longer? We were walking in through mall, after the show, on our way to the DC Zoo, when I just said "will you marry me? Let's get married. Let's just do it". I knew I'd taken some of the "boy power" out of the whole proposal thing... but that's just how I am; i don't believe in convention--- i see something I want, and i get it. Call me overbearing or bossy, but I was tired of waiting, and I knew AJ was waiting for "the right time". I wanted him to know it WAS the right time... in fact, we'd waited too long already. Kermit & Piggy never worried about other people. Hell, they got married despite my belief that they belonged together!

***********

We put together this wedding blog as a way of sharing our adventure with our family & friends and picked November 10th as the day we'd have the ceremony performed, mostly because it was a day I already had off and AJ was able to get the day off. We wanted to have a night away, and the 10th was the most viable day for it. I liked the idea of sharing November with Thanksgiving and my parent's anniversary... but honestly, November is a very busy month for me and getting it done sooner than later just worked.

I sang "Somebody's Getting Married" (from the Muppets Take Manhattan) and used that as our wedding day post on the blog. I couldn't help feel like the Muppets were responsible in a few different ways... I mean, Kermit & Piggy taught me about love, right? And I guess, if I'm being totally honest... AJ & I do kinda have a Kermit & Piggy thing going on.

************

A year has passed and I am reflecting on the day we said "I do". Remembering too, how much i loved the sentiment expressed in the song from Kermit & Piggy's wedding... "he makes her happy... she makes him happy... she makes me happy... he makes me happy, that's all I need to know". And he does. And it is.

I sat down to write this post and got a message from a friend; a tweet, actually, wishing us and Sesame Street a happy anniversary. I assumed it was a generalization, until I read this article. Turns out, 40 years ago today, Sesame Street premiered. Jim Henson's brilliance was launched into the mainstream, and 10 years later I would start watching it, learning from it. I would meet the Muppets too. And 16 years after that, I'd meet AJ. And at an exhibit celebrating his life and work, we'd decide to get married, for real, on November 10th, just because it fit in our schedules.

And a year later, to the day, we'd be sharing our anniversary with Sesame Street.

How cool is that?
About as cool as we are, that's how.

Making Peace with the formerly "offensive" yarn.

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I'm guessing this started off as a good idea.

As you can see, we're VERY engaged in our work here. Hope to see you tomorrow or Saturday at the Harford Day School Arts Festival!

Harford Day School: Festival of the Arts

Alright, here it is!
The first show of the Fall (read: earliest chance to get your paws on all the goods before anyone else can).
So, if you're looking for something to do this weekend, I suggest you come and see me here...

The 8th Annual Arts Festival, a juried exhibit and sale, will be held November 6 and 7, 2009 on the campus of Harford Day School. More than sixty artists will be at the show to present original, handcrafted work in a variety of media.

The festivities will begin with a Preview Party for adults on Friday, November 6. Guests that attend the Preview Party will be the first to preview and purchase artwork while enjoying the food from many of our best local restaurants. Some of the participating restaurants last year were: DuClaw Brewing Co., Bonefish Grill, Manor Tavern, Bill Bateman's Raw Bar and Grill, Damon's Grill, Scotto's, Sizzling Bombay, and Josef's. Consistent with this year's Caribbean theme, Lenny Rogers from Trinidad will entertain the party-goers on the steel drum. Maui Wowi will serve island drinks from a Tiki Bar, and a lucky raffle winner will go home with a Caribbean vacation. Preview Party tickets are $65 each. If you would like to receive an invitation to this exciting event or would like information on sponsorship opportunities, please visit the website.

Knitimal Holiday Cards!

I know it isn't even Halloween yet, but my hubby and i like to get our Holiday cards made, made out, and mailed out before December has gotten too much on us. And with that in mind, I figured I may as well see if i could help out any other Early Birds!

********
Make the Holidays just a little cuter with this set of Knitimal™ greeting cards.

Based on my original illustrations, these cards are reproduced in robust black on crisp, clean bright white card stock (made from 70% post consumer product). Each card has been carefully hand cut.

Cards can be given just as they are-- black and white-- OR you can color them! Its a great way to include the kids in the family gift giving! Or, of course, your recipient can color them themselves...

There are four designs, and the set includes 3 of each.
Set comes with 12 white envelopes & is packaged tied up with a sweet ribbon.

cards measure: 4.25 x 5.5" each

The insides of the cards are blank... So you can say exactly what YOU want to say!
Backs of the cards feature my name & business info.

Happy Holidays!

get your set here.

Plush You wrap up & photo album!

Well, I've been back from Seattle for over a week, but just haven't had the time to do what I thought would be a post good enough to do justice to the amazing trip & the equally amazing impetus for the trip: Plush You 2009! I decided I'd break the trip down into important "sections" and cover each one separately--- most important of all? Plush You of course!



(pictured: me, Jenni of SLC Studio, Leeanna of Plush Goodness & Marcy of MoonsCreations)
The show was amazing. I finally got to meet some of my fellow Etsy Plush Team members, who prior to the opening were just witty messages & photos of their work online. These are some KICK ASS women, let me tell ya. Not only is their work beautiful, and meticulously crafted, but they are fun, fun, fun. See, it DOES take cool people to make cool stuff. Here we are flashing our Plush Team Gang Sign. Aren't we tough?


(pictured: Plush Goodness, by Leeanna!)
There was just SO much work to be seen... on average, every one of the over 100 artists had 3 pieces in the 4 different venues for Plush You (which doesnt even include the Plush You Jewels over at Fancy). That's a lot of art, my friends. I took a million pictures, and wanted to buy it all.


I couldn't buy it all... but i could buy these two pieces, by Sewing Stars & Boo-Ba.

It's taken me eons, but I've finally gotten all my photos from Plush You 2009 up on my flickr... enjoy!

Blog Guilt

I've been quite absent.
I can explain.
I was in Seattle for 2 weeks.
I sprained my foot.
I am swamped with deadlines.
It takes SO long to resize all these pictures...

I want to resize them.
I will resize them.

I have so much to tell you about.

Please forgive me.
I will make it up to you.
soon.
Promise...

(here, have a baby lemur in the meantime)

Ali's birthday discount!

Remember, 15% of all purchases made today will go directly to The Cancer Research Institute! So shop hard and stay healthy.
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First peek at Plush You!

Just stopped in to get a sneak peek at the lovely and amazing work (and to get first dibs on the goodness, naturally). Was super psyched to find my OoAKies sharing a shelf with Cutesy but Not Cutesy's horned furry lovelies. I bought a few pieces (to be revealed later) and still haven't seen the other shops hosting work! I'm sure more shopping will happen. Oh yes.
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Plush You opens TODAY!!!

.... and here they are!

These three OoAKies are making their debut at Schmancy this evening. If you're in Seattle, be sure to come out for the party and get your hands on some AMAZING plush from all over the world (and Baltimore).

wink wink.

xoxo

I've got Balance!

My first trip to the grocery store (to get, primarily, allergy medicine) has proved fruitful. What fruit, you ask? Well, Cranberry and Grapefruit, of course! I only bought two. For now.
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Doesn't matter which Coast I'm on; I always end up crafting with a dog head on my lap.

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waiting in the airport...

i'm in atlanta (which any geography buff will recognize as the most logical halfway point between baltimore & seattle...) waiting for my next flight to leave. i have 3 hours. i wonder what i was thinking when i booked these tickets... surely there was a later flight leaving baltimore for atlanta... or one that bypassed the southeast altogether.

so far i've discovered some lovely things: wireless ON the plane now, on airtran. I didn't use it, but i liked knowing it was there. and more important, they now serve vitamin water as a complimentary beverage option. two flavors too! essential (the orange one) and revive (the fruit punch one... or "purple" as we call it). i went with orange.

my excitement over the vitamin water reminded me of another AWESOME thing i totally forgot about the last time i was in seattle--- they still sell Balance there! (that's the cran-grapefruit vitamin water, for those of you who joined the vitamin water craze a little late in the game.... now, for those of you who have been loving it from the beginning: remember FRUIT water? it was like vitamin water, but clear and not sweet and i was obsessed with it). Anyway, point being, i will be filling my suitcase with Balance for my return trip. Im bringing that sh-stuff back to baltimore or SURE.

so, i'm biding my time before take off. listening to Grizzly Bear (which reminds me of my brother, who i'll be seeing in a matter of hours) and doubling down on tylenol (which i thought i hadn't packed, but totally had). i can't wait to get to Seattle!

in the meantime, i will alternate between stitching up some new slim-line knitimal wallets & playing games on my phone. some work, some play, makes danamarie a happier traveller.

Crafting at 40,000 feet

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First hurdle of the trip:

... Resist urge to steal this sign from the bathroom. I passed.
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Plush You: Progress