The NorthWesternBelle

Today is the last day to take advantage of Coupon Code VINTAGE0617 for 25% off all vintage afghans on Etsy! Act fast to get any of these great afghans at ridiculously low prices! Thanks for looking, loves! Always Yours, TheNWB

Anybody else feel a little (or a lot) anti social before the morning's first hot beverage has been consumed? I've never really been addicted to anything, but on the days that I don't get at least one cup of coffee I'm bound to be a little edgy. It's science, folks. So, when I decided to make custom hand-lettered mugs, these were the first two things that came to my head: This about sums up how I feel about mornings.  Classic Mean Girls reference: You Can't Sit With Us! These great glass markers have been cured in an oven so both mugs are completely dishwasher safe! You can get them now on Etsy! Thanks for looking, loves! Always Yours, TheNWB

A while back my cousin asked me to create some crochet tutorials, so I did! They've been on YouTube for a while now, and they've gotten a few views. I definitely want to make some more, but time is a precious commodity these days. I'm going to make it a point to get some completed before September. Late July and early August should be relatively slow as far as work and family obligations go, so I feel like that's a realistic goal. In the mean time, you can check out the two that are available here and here . They are both for absolute beginners. Thanks for looking, loves! Always Yours, TheNWB

I love to buy craft supplies. Yes, it sounds like a confession because it is a confession. I seriously might have an addiction to yarn, not to mention my affinity for pens & markers, and my love for quality paper knows no bounds. And yet, years and years of conservative upbringing means that I'm a bargain-shopper extraordinare! The resistance to paying full price for anything is strong with this one. My inability to resist a good deal for craft supplies is probably genetic. That's why places like Tuesday Morning are so dangerous for me. There's been one less than 20 feet from my office building for a few years now, but I only just went in for the first time early this year. On my very first visit I found bamboo/wool and Peruvian Wool yarn for $2 a skein. So, naturally I bought out the entire inventory. I even went back several times to make sure I'd gotten it all. I go back at least once a week now, just to see if anything else like that pops up. Currently they'...

UPDATE: So, Taiz loved this bag so much that she refused my attempts to convince her that she needs a bigger one. So, this item is currently out of stock. I'm getting started on more ASAP. June/July are traditionally busy months for my family, so I'm working on more inventory as I can. Message me through ETSY if you just can't stand to wait...these things work up relatively quickly and I'll stay up all night if I have to ;-) I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the Crocodile stitch so much! My BFF, the lovely Taiza P. , fell in love with the clutch design and asked me to make her one in green and pink. So, of course I bought copious amounts of the colors because I suspect everyone is going to want one! Also, I added the eggshell (off white), because I think that the crocodile stitch is really wasted unless you use as many different colors as possible. This particular bag turned out a bit smaller than any of the previous ones, so I opted to sell it and make a bigger one for Taiza. I...

While fiber and clay are my main mediums of choice, every now and then I'm inspired to paint. I haven't had any formal training, which bothers me, but I can't seem to resist the urge to put pigment to paper when the inspiration hits. I've worked a lot with acrylics in the past, and some oils (they require a lot of clean up that I don't particularly care for), but my experience with watercolor is pretty limited. I've been obsessing over watercolor tattoos, of late, and I really think the medium is ripe for exploration. So, I gave it a shot while the boys were still sleeping last weekend. This is probably my favorite of the bunch. The splatter effect probably should have been put down first, but whatever. This is not my first painted jelly fish; I did one in acrylic paint for my son's room before he was born. It is, however, the first watercolor jellyfish I've ever attempted. And it turned out okay. Certainly there will be more to come. This is ...

Did I mention I love my ArtRage drawing app? Get 25% off all vintage afghans on Etsy now through June 30, 2014 using the coupon code above! The prices on most items have been drastically reduced for quick sale! Mostly, I want to get them out of inventory so that I can start buying more LOL Take a look at the entire selection by clicking on the "Vintage Crochet Afghans" tab above. You can also find most of them up for auction on eBay for the next week. When I go hunting for vintage crochet items, I only select pieces that are well finished and in excellent condition. All of the ones currently available are clean with no tears, holes, rips or pulls, and all loose ends are sewn in (either originally or by me when necessary). Little to no pilling, and all are machine washable. To think of the hours spent by the anonymous hooker on each is mind boggling. It's actually kind of difficult for me to part with some of them; the seafoam green chevron afghan with tassels...

Now you can wrap yourself or your baby up in the warmth and protection of the Goddess. The beautiful & talented Taiza P. has opted to list her gorgeous handmade goddess quilts exclusively with the NorthWesternBelle! Two currently available, pictured below. Both are fully washable and totally unique. Custom orders are also be accepted! Message TheNWB on ETSY to discuss a custom-designed and built Goddess quilt of your own. Any size can be made in any colors! Processing time for baby-sized quilts is usually five to seven business days, depending on availability of desired colors/fabrics. Price and processing time will increase with size. This gorgeous pink & green number measures about 31 inches square, and features a collage of vintage and new fabrics on the back. It is hand tied with bamboo wool yarn, and the goddess image on the front is top stitched to a solid green cotton. Perfect for the newest baby goddess in your world. This great Mermaid Goddess quilt might be...

I downloaded a new drawing app last night...actually, I should I paid for it, since I'm most in the custom of downloading free apps. This one, ArtRage , is apparently the best when it comes to drawing apps. The Hubby Hubs has been obsessing over pricey drawing tablets of late, and stumbled across review for this particular app. We went ahead and sprung for the $5 it cost. So far, I'd say that was a total steal. Here's my first official ArtRage doodle: The different tools and mediums available in this app are incredible! So many options, and they interact with each other on the "page" the same way they would IRL. So far my only gripe with it is that I can't get it to create a canvas that is shorter than 400 pixels: I'm trying to re-do the banner on my Etsy page, which has to be no bigger than 760 X 100 pixels, but the app will only let me create something that is 760 X 400. So, it's not perfect, but if you're serious about drawing, spend the $5...

I was up late last night finishing the edging on my niece's crochet quilt! I'm calling it a quilt because it's blocks...and there's applique going on. It's pretty awesome. At this point I've just got finishing work to do, which I should be able to finish at work within the next couple days. The shower is next Friday! I guess I should be happy this post isn't happening on Thursday night lol!  My niece is going to be seriously spoiled. She's the first grand kid on my SIL's side, and she's the first granddaughter on our side (she's already got three older boy cousins). So, we are all pretty stoked. I'm just hoping everyone was smart enough to go with Dark Orchid instead of Amythest....our instructions were plum. The redder orchid is closer to plum, in my mind, than the blueish jewel tone. And my issue with the heather gray dye lots isn't actually that noticeable. The other afghan she's been given that I've seen is in these same c...

I hate waiting for shipping, but I just love being able to buy quality yarn in practically any color/fiber combination online. Amazon has been my online go-to place for yarn thus far because I'm a prime member and shipping is free on select items. I usually get my kitchen cotton from there as add-on items when they're less than $3 a piece. Having to spend $25 on other merchandise isn't always an option, though, so I went in search of an alternative yesterday. Lucky for me, I basically when straight to the solution. RedHeart.com had a 15% off sale yesterday, and I discovered that they do $3 shipping. Sooooooooooooo, naturally I purchased a large amount of Soft and Creme de la Creme Cotton yarn. You may already know that I'm totally obsessed with cotton yarn, and the Soft stuff is great for these Crocodile Clutches I've been making. My BFF wants one, in fact, in pink & green, so I picked up the following two colors: Leaf Rose Blush Also, Off White ...

This listing on Etsy used to be a made-to-order, but you can buy the hood pictured for 25% off list price today, June 9, 2014! It is one-size-fits most. Pictured below is my 3 year old, who has a 20" head circumference. The hood also fits my 23" circumference head comfortably (though, not as adorably).  Need a particular size? Send us a message on ETSY about a custom order! Processing is usually three to five business days. 

I just love the Crocodile Stitch. LOVE IT. The texture is so much fun and so beautifully unique. Basically, I can't stop making these adorable clutches.  This is another small one in Turquoise (which I just found out is actually "Teal") and Chocolate Red Heart Super Soft yarn, measuring about 7" wide by 6.5" tall.  Rose applique is securely attached for a little extra kick of class. The Super Soft yarn is subtly shiny! The bag is fully enclosed: this bag was made separately from the panel of crocodile scales, so it is brown except for on the handle.  You can get your hands on this great clutch now on Etsy!

Every now and then I make something that won't be available for sale through the NorthWesternBelle. Currently, my parents are expecting their first granddaughter, who will be my first niece! She's arriving sometime next month, so it's double time to get this blanket done before the baby shower in a few weeks. Her colors are gray, yellow and plum. Hence: I came across the star applique a while back and have been dying to use it. I started out using solid circles, but that got boring so I started adding some interest with the yellow. I seriously can't wait to meet her! I had to post the photos here because her parents don't know the specifics yet (so, shhhhhhhh don't tell!). Thanks for looking, loves! Always yours, TheNWB

From the 1960s and 70s, all of these zippers are in their original packaging and have not been used. Various lengths, colors and purposes. Get them individually on Etsy , or buy the whole lot of 20 now on eBay . 9 Inch (4): Talon for Dress Plackets Dark Green, style 222 Talon for Dress Plackets Turquoise, style 333 Talon Skirt or Neckline Black, style 25-1 Talon Skirt or Neckline Brown, style 25-1 11 Inch (1): Talon Metal Trouser Zipper White (col 020), style 335 12 Inch (3): 2x Talon Dress or Neckline Nylon Coil Navy, style 20-1  *Talon Dress Magic Tab White, style 20 14 Inch (5): Talon Dress or Neckline Nylon Coil White, style 20-1  *2x Talon Dress Magic Tab White, style 20 Talon Neckline Placket Smoke Grey, style 110 J & P Coats All Purpose Flex Zip 319-A Spanish Tile (reddish-brown), Art. F72 20 Inch (1): Talon Polyester Coil Zipper C-Berry, style P02 22 Inch (6): Talon Neckline Nylon Coil Black, style 110-1 Talon ...

This set of pretty purple vintage buttons is available now! Lot of four sets, 17 buttons in total. From the 60s, possibly early 70s. All are washable and can be ironed. Great for adding some vintage charm to any craft project or piece of clothing. Get the lot on Etsy now . Thanks for looking, loves! Yours always, TheNWB

So, I stumbled onto the crocodile stitch late last year when I wanted to make my MIL a great birthday present. She lives in NM, where it gets frigid cold, so when I came across the crocodile stitch I was sold. She got a scarf, and I got the crocodile stitch bug!  It is such a fun textured stitch to make and use. It adds great dimension and uniqueness to any crochet piece. My love for it has spawned into a set of Crochet Crocodile Clutches. Currently there are three available on Etsy. This turquoise and chocolate brown combination of Red Heart Super Soft yarn is so pretty and elegant! This is the smallest of the three, measuring 7" by 8". You can get it on Etsy here . This medium size clutch is made out of 100% Peruvian Wool. It is a great shade of fuscia called "Passion Fruit," and I'm sad that I'm out of this yarn. This one measures about 8" at the base and is 7" tall. Get this clutch on Etsy here . The largest of the bunch, this ...