The NorthWesternBelle

March has been keeping me busy! We're still working on the Custom Sigil Cape order, which should be complete this week. I really lucked out finding a crafty friend to cut the vinyl and give me pointers for ironing it on (parchment paper is apparently better than the expensive Teflon sheets that are sold specifically for this purpose). I'll be going at the first one tonight; it will be my first attempt at applying heat-transfer vinyl, so wish me luck! Speaking of capes, we've been getting a lot of hits on Etsy for "white cape," so I implored the lovely and talented Taiza P. to create one. Unsurprisingly, she did not disappoint: My friends are so beautiful :) This is the wonderful and amazing Dia, who was kind enough to let us use her beauty to market our handmade goods. Pretty sure she could pull anything and everything off.  This particular cape has an extra-large hood and is very flowy! It's perfect for a ghost or a spirit of any sort. I suspect it ...

So, round about the 10th of last month I started writing a post that never got completed. That's NOT going to happen this time! At least, you know, I hope not. It's the busy season at my full-time gig, so down time available for blogging is hard to come by. You will be happy to hear that we've only been neglecting the blog so far in 2015. We've been keeping plenty busy with custom cape orders and a couple of custom afghans. I've also resumed my weekly appointment to play in the mud thanks to my amazing hubby. More on that later! First, custom order recap. Early in January I received a message through Facebook asking about making custom capelets for some professional cosplayers. We had black fabric on hand, so the construction was inexpensive and quick! They ordered three elbow length black capelets with oversized hoods, and the always-amazing Taiza P. was actually able to create two extra! They need to be photographed and listed for sale...I'll get around to...

In early February I started seeing this picture on Facebook (their algorithms are obviously on point). Pretty quickly after I saw it (like, literally the next day), my mom's best friend posted it to my wall and asked if I could do it. She wanted two for a pair of sisters. After some research and back and forth, she settled on Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable yarn in three color combinations, which is seriously gorgeous. It was like Christmas all over again when it showed up! Dragonfly, Stained Glass and Tidal. I most likely overbought, but hey, that's perfectly okay because I really want to make myself something out of it. I bought the pattern from  Felted Button  on Etsy. Turns out the blanket is built from individual motifs that are joined as you go.  Building the blanket each scale at a time was actually not as time consuming as I thought it would be, though it still took me most of February to do it.  The color combination is really beau...

After I played it once a few weeks ago, my toddler has decided that Nightmare Before Christmas should be played on repeat as often as possible. Granted, he's detoured a little bit now to Finding Nemo, but he's still asking for NBC at least a few times a week. He's three, and I love it, so of course I can't ever deny it. I thought I'd get sick of it, as it so happens with many other movies that he wants to watch over and over again, but after what seems like the millionth viewing, my love for NBC is as strong as ever. What can I say? I've always been a Burton fan, even after having been exposed to Edward Scissorhands much too young (hey, it's scary to a five year old!), and regardless of what my mother did to keep me from watching his movies. She did keep me from seeing NBC until I was a teenager, though, and James & The Giant Peach, because reasons (I'm assuming...). But I was hooked on Burton from the first time. So, naturally I'm passing that...

Received payment for a made-to-order one of my most favorite things ever this morning! Yup, that's right; one of these: I'm really excited to be making a new one (you thought I was kidding about keeping the first one, didn't you? Well I wasn't!), and should have it finished by tomorrow. I'm so glad that I get the chance to make crochet goodies for complete strangers! Until today, sales on Etsy have been limited to vintage items (afghans & buttons). So, getting an order for one of my handmade crochet items is probably more exciting to me than it should be. I have a feeling that the 2014 Holiday Season is going to be profitable for The NWB. Keep those custom orders coming!! Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB

After I posted the link for our Jack Skellington beanie, an old friend of mine contacted me on Facebook to find out if I could make one for her Boston Terrier. The pic above is the reference she sent me. I've never made one before, but it doesn't look too complicated. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a free pattern for a doggie beanie, but I figure it can't be too difficult. I'm excited to get started on it! I will keep you all posted on the progress. Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB

The NWB received its first custom order request this weekend! We received a message on Friday afternoon about creating a custom cape in purple burlap. It's going to be for a Skeletor costume, which makes me ridiculously happy! I knew my nerdy people would find us eventually! The customer sent me two photos for reference (as if I needed them!) Without any on hand, Taiza P. and I headed out in search of purple burlap at our local fabric stores. Unfortunately, we had no luck. Fortunately, though, Taiza did have a perfectly purple polyester on hand, which she turned into this cape in record time: My hubby was kind enough to be our Tough Guy model :) This cape is much lighter than a burlap one would be, and is going to be easier to wear. We figured that even if our Skeletor client didn't want it, someone would, but the consensus opinion is that this is perfect for Skeletor! As luck would have it, the client likes this one! It is definitely going to be less scratchy...

While I was on vacation recently, the hubby and I were able to ditch the young one for a while courtesy of Grandma's Babysitting Service. First order of business was a new cell phone for him, a process that didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. The cell phone store happened to share a parking lot with one of my most favorite retail establishments: Tuesday Morning. And it's like they knew I was coming! Their yarn was right up front....unlike the one nearest me that puts it in the back.  Naturally, I wasn't able to resist this Martha Stewart Cotton Hemp in Coral. Though, in my defense, I DIDN'T buy the entire lot of them. I limited myself to four balls at $2.50 a piece. I have crocheted in straight hemp twine; it's not my favorite. Cotton , on the other hand, is pretty much my favorite . This stuff is 65/35 cotton to hemp, so it's softer than pure hemp but sturdier & less stretchy than straight cotton. It's perfect for making bag...

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

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'...

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 ...

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...

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!

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 ...

Seriously. I don't know why I love cotton yarn so much. Probably because it is USEFUL! And beautiful. Two of the pieces from the Hot & Spicy collection have been acquired by my kitchen. The rest have been listed now on etsy so that it won't acquire any more!  Hot & Spicy Stars: Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in Citrus, Cayenne and Pumpkin. 7" across, each is unique and has a loop for hanging. Set of 5 available here . Mix and match them with the 7" flowers and squares (pictured below) of the same colors here . $1 discount per piece when purchased as a set.  The log-cabin technique is perfect for building a perfect square. These are both finished in a reverse single crochet. Sponge/Soap Savers - Multipurpose Crochet Bags: These 4 inch by 6 inch drawstring bags are so versatile! Pictured here with a sponge and a wrapped bar of soap, they can be used to extend the lifetime of your sponge or as a self-foaming scrubbie in the shower! 100% cotton, ...