Pattern Testers Needed | New in the Shop

Hello lovelies!

After tossing the idea around for a while, and getting a request, I've decided to start selling the crochet pattern for my granny square laptop sleeves in my shop.  I'm really excited about this, but I need your help.

I need you to test my pattern!

The Granny Square Laptop Sleeve pattern is for a 13" computer.

The testers should have at least a basic knowledge of crochet and pattern reading.  The pattern is in basic US crochet terms.

It's an easy pattern, no fancy stitches.  You don't necessarily have to own a 13" computer for testing purposes - after selling a lot of these puppies, I know they're the right size. ;)

The first four ladies to comment and ask to be testers will receive the pattern for free.

I'll email it to you and you'll have two weeks to review and test the pattern.

I know that I can understand the pattern, but it's important that others can, too.

Once the two weeks are up, you'll send me your critiques and, if you like, pictures of your finished sleeves which I will share on the blog!

So, who's interested?

If you have any questions or want to test the pattern, leave me a comment below!

Also, and I wish I'd thought of this before, send me an email at:
edithmacalpine(at)gmail(dot).com

Tester 1: Emily

Tester 2: Cassie & Rebekah
Tester 3: Francesca
Tester 4: Lauren
Thank you ladies!  I'll contact you with details soon!

Good-bye Bow Hat | Coupon Code

Only a few days left to snag a bow hat before they're gone!

Use coupon code CLOSEOUT during checkout to receive an additional $5 off your order!

This means you could get a bow hat for only $12.19 + shipping!

> > go shopping < <

It's Awesome + Shop Sale

It's awesome doing an "It's awesome" post!  It's been a while!

It's awesome talking to my nieces on the phone.  I can't always understand what they're saying, but they seem happy as long as I'm excited to listen to them.

It's awesome coming home from Open Arms and find that Hank has used his day off to do 4 loads of laundry and do all of the dishes and bake chocolate chip cookies!

It's awesome having a husband that awesome.  He blesses and encourages me every day and I'm so thankful for him.

It's awesome having time to revamp the blog, which is what I'll be working on soon. Stay tuned!

It's awesome that I also have time to work on new products for the shop - stay tuned for that as well!

It's awesome just being alive.  Having eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to love others as Christ loves me.  Taking time to appreciate the little things in life.

It's awesome that my ducks are laying again.  Seriously awesome...and yummy!

It's awesome that I'm going to crochet day at Jenny's again!  Today is our first one since...June?  Yikes!  I'm so excited!  It's even more fun now that Jenny is my sister and Heather is my cousin. :)

: ;

So, after all that awesome, I have a quick shop announcement...

Yes, this is your last chance to own a Wool & Whatnot bow slouch hat!

30% off from Jan 24th - Feb 14th, and then they're gone.

During the closeout sale, you'll save on the rest of my winter inventory - embroidered gloves and ruffle scarves!  I'm discontinuing most of the ruffle scarf colors, so this will be your last chance for those, too.

: :

I'd better hurry up and get ready to go to crochet day.  Have a lovely day, everyone!

What's awesome in your life?  I want to know!

New in the Shop | Thanksgiving Sale 2014

Stay tuned for sale details on the blog, twitter, and G+.

Well, you all might be ready, but I'm still working to get some new goodies in the shop before the sale starts!  Moving to a new house can cause complete chaos and confusion, especially in the crafting department.  I cannot find my crochet thread and snowflake patterns, which is still puzzling and frustrating me. 

 Despite the temporary setback, my crocheted snowflake ornaments are back in the shop.  Hooray!

So, what's new in the shop?  Embellished gloves!

Snowflake Motif // Embellished Knit Gloves // Brown & Cream 

Cute, unique (all designs are one-of-a-kind), and fabulously affordable.

Bright Flora // Embellished Knit Gloves // Green, Purple, and Coral

.....

And now, I need to get busy baking an apple pie for the Thanksgiving get together with our Bible study group tonight.  I'm also looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with Hank's family this year.  It's going to be fantastic!

.....

What's one thing (or person, or event) that you're really, really thankful for this year?

Any fun Thanksgiving traditions in your family?  I want to know!

Beautifully Bound | New in the Shop

Last fall, my Grammy Carole called me to ask if I'd like several sets of encyclopedias that they had and a few that had belonged to my Great Grandma.  She said I could keep them, sell them, or give them away - whatever I wanted.  Of course I said, "Bring them over!!"  A few weeks later, they drove up, and I opened the back door of their car to find it and the floor completely covered in books.  I started to feel giddy, looking at all of those books!

There were four sets total, two of which I will be keeping.  One is a 1940s A-Z encyclopedia set which belonged to my Great Grandmother and which I am beyond thrilled to have for my own.  I can't wait for my future children to thumb through them, drinking it all in like I did when I was a kid.  The other set I'm keeping is a collection of literary and historical classics.  It's an incomplete set, but still quite impressive.

The set currently listed in my Etsy shop is this 30 volume set of The Harvard Classics literary encyclopedias from 1980.  They're beautifully bound, and I would love to have them on my shelf too, but how many encyclopedia sets does one person need?  They're in excellent condition, and if any of the sets will sell, this one will.

Harvard Classics - 1980 // 30 Volumes | by Wool & Whatnot

I had so much fun taking pictures of these beautiful volumes.  They're quite photogenic, aren't they?

p.s.
Wool & Whatnot's Anniversary Sale is getting closer!

Inspired | New in the Shop

Sometimes, I find myself in a creative slump.  New laptop sleeves and iPad cozies to make, but lacking the inspiration to get the job done.  It's like writer's block for craft-y people.   Unfortunately, you can't force creativity.

Sometimes, I just need some COLOR!! 

That's when I get on my Pinterest and browse through my shop's inspiration board.  You wouldn't believe the difference it makes, just seeing all those different colors together, whether they be in nature, fashion, or the creative work of someone else.  This is a perfect example... 

That rich red coupled with the sparkling aqua blue in those three pictures inspired this laptop sleeve.

Is it creepy that I've been sitting here for several minutes, paused in my typing, just admiring those gorgeous colors?  I'm kind of loving this color combo, and especially the aqua blue, right now.

13 inch Laptop Sleeve // Retro Red & Aqua Blue | Wool & Whatnot

What inspires your creativity?  I want to know!

New in the Shop // Christmas Sale!

That's right folks, the sales continue at Wool & Whatnot!

Use coupon code WHITECHRISTMAS to receive 20% off shop wide!

Offer good December 11th - 17th.

p.s.

No pressure on my blog readers to purchase anything.  This blog's main purpose is to share the many things I enjoy in life.  However, it's also a good way to promote my shop and let those who are interested know about sales and new products.  Don't despair, there will be some fun non shop related posts coming up soon!  *smile*

p.p.s.

I may or may not be announcing a fabulous giveaway this week...stay tuned! *grin*

Frosty Violet // New in the Shop

o u t f i t 

Bow Slouch Hat in Violet // by Wool & Whatnot

grey shirtdress w/ purple flowers // eShakti {check the bottom of this post for a referral code!}

grey sweater // thrifted {Dazzle}

grey undershirt // thrifted

plum tights // Fred Meyer

black flats // Fred Meyer

I saw this adorable dress in the overstock section at eShakti, and it kept begging me to make it mine.  Soft heather grey knit with purple flowers...it has my name on it.  Well not really, but give me time and a crayon. *grin*  I managed to resist the temptation and had decided not to buy it, when eShakti sent me a $25 gift coupon.  Whack me over the head and say "buy it", why doncha?  So, I bought it.  And I'm so glad I did.  This is the most comfortable, snugly dress ever!  And eShakti is wonderful.

You know how sometimes you're having a hard day, and the smallest thing turns it around and whispers the Father's love to you?  Sometimes it's spiritual - the encouraging words of a sister in Christ - and sometimes it's not.  Sometimes it's as small and insignificant as a new dress.  He truly does care about the little details, and He delights in proving it to me over and over again.

p.s.
Use referral code NATASHA48ZT and your new customer gift coupon will be worth $30 {instead of $25}!!  Promo code valid through 11/30/2013.

p.p.s
Wool & Whatnot is busy preparing for our Thanksgiving Sale this weekend!
Black Friday through Cyber Monday.  Stay tuned for details!
Get a head start on your shopping and use coupon code THANKSPREVIEW to get 15% off on items over $5.00!  Offer expires 11/27/2013.

Snowflakes // New in the Shop

7 Snowflake Ornaments // by Wool & Whatnot

Christmas has arrived at the shop!  These snowflakes are so much fun to make, and I love the way they look on the tree.  Not that we actually have our tree up yet.  I may already be listening to Christmas music, but the tree doesn't go up until after Thanksgiving.  Why not? Ninjas*...  I meant to say, tradition!  But that doesn't stop me from getting super psyched as I finish up my Christmas shopping.  I love finding just the right present for each person on my list, and it's almost more than I can handle, waiting until Christmas for them to find out what I got/made them.  Yes, I love this time of year.

Are you all ready to skip Thanksgiving and get to Christmas?  I want to know!

: :

*An inside joke.  "Ninjas" is our answer to any and every question.
Why are you late?  Ninjas.
What time is it?  Ninjas.
Who the heck came up with Daylight Savings?  Ninjas.
Doth mummy know you weareth her drapes?  Ninjas.
Why haven't I seen Thor 2 yet?  Ninjas.
Doctor who?  Ninjas.
Give it a try!

Mossy Green | New in the Shop

o u t f i t

Bow Slouch Hat in Green // Wool & Whatnot

grey lace shirt // thrifted {Dazzle}

grey plaid skirt // thrifted {Dazzle}

black flats // Fred Meyer

celtic cross necklace // gifted

Okay, I confess.  I love this hat, in this color.  And I've been wearing it a lot.  {see it here and here}  It's just the perfect green, at least for me, and I just love it.  Love it.  Especially with this plaid skirt.  I wish you could feel how soft it is.  The plaid caught my eye and touching it sold me.  I'm a sucker for plaid anyway, plus it's thrift store.  There is a green stripe running through the pattern, and sadly it didn't show up in these photos.  But I know it is there, and that makes me happy. *smile*

These lovely yellow autumn leaves are now covered with snow.  I don't know if it will stay very long since the ground isn't frozen yet, but it's here for now.  But all of our outside winter clean-up is complete, so let the big snow come when it will!

: :

In other news, I just invested in something that will make both my blog and my Etsy more fantastic than ever!   At least, that's the idea.  Kellie owns one of its 'brothers'.  Focus your mental powers, and maybe you can guess what 'it' is... *wink*

: :

Have you had your first snow?  I want to know!

Treasured // Autumn Musings

Autumn Musings

Brilliant autumn colors, displayed to perfection in this beautiful treasury!

: : Featured Product : :

Bow Slouch Hat in Orange // by Wool & Whatnot

: :

I woke this morning to find our first dusting of snow on the ground!  It was so beautiful driving through the early morning sunshine to my horse feeding job with bits of snow at the side of the road.  In celebration, use coupon code SNOW1 to get 30% off in the shop!  Offer expires tomorrow {10/29/13}.

Burnt Orange | New in the Shop

o u t f i t

Bow Slouch Hat in Orange // by Wool & What-not

brown sweater // thrifted

lace blouse // thrifted

brown tank // thrifted

brown eyelet skirt // thrifted

cowgirl boots // Ariat

Orange.  It's not a color I normally like.  But this hat almost has me loving the color...that's saying a lot!  Also, are you starting to get the feeling that I do a lot of thrift store shopping??  Yeah...they're awesome!!

Mein brother und mein photographer, Alex.  Doesn't he do a fantastic job?!