Making Some Tangible Progress

Life is awesome! I am finally up and running on etsy! I have 4 things posted, and I could not be more thrilled.

On Friday I met up with a friend, Tori, and took pictures so that I could post some things on etsy.. Tori and I met through my wonderful brother, Travis (she is his girlfriend.) So, a week-ish ago I posted a status on facebook saying I needed a model and a better camera (see my last update.) She was one of the people that responded saying that she would like to help out. Well, I was naturally thrilled (she is gorgeous and simply a really fun person to be around.) I knew that she would look great in my things, and that it would be a blast to get out and take some pictures with her. So on Friday she came over to my apartment and we walked down by the lake and took some pictures. I have them posted on etsy and facebook, and the top of this post. It is awesome how kind and willing people can be, and she was just such an amazing help in the etsy process.

So yes, stuff is posted on etsy! Check it out at www.creationsbykc.etsy.com

Thanks to another great friend, Ruth, for telling about an opportunity in Athens this Sunday. It is a sustainability event that is hosted by a couple in Oconee County. Ruth will have some of her wonderful paintings and I will have some of my recycled bag bags and a scarf or two made from yarn I recycled from sweaters. It’s a somewhat political event, but I am going to steer clear of that aspect of things…However, I am all for sustainability, and look forward to seeing how other people are talking steps to help the environment. I also look really forward to getting my name out there and possibly selling a thing or two.

Check Ruth out here: http://www.facebook.com/100tinybluebirds (Check out her photo albums—she has some stunning paintings)

Check out information about the event here: Oconee County, GA Politics: A second Sustainability Showcase sponsored by Ocon...: "The Priests house is in the narrow area of an Athens mailing address in Oconee County, this near the newer shopping centers near the border ..."

And finally, one more shout-out goes to Holly Hess for featuring me on her blog. We met up last Thursday and she took some pictures of me for a photojournalism project. You can see some of those and read more about it on her blog: http://hollyshess.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/uga-knitwhits/#comments

Okay, well now I need to go recycle some yarn from a sweater. Thanks for reading!

Fall Festivals, Football, and Frustrations

I think I have reached a point in my life where I am actually doing too much. I know that college is supposed to be this way, but I don’t think my body was made for it. I miss relaxing. One day. And until that day, Coffee!

Knitting has been going well. Oktoberfest wasn’t a huge success, but it was a great learning experience, and I did sell some things. I think the greatest lesson I learned is that people are not ready for knit garments in the beginning of October. That figures! I guess maybe the common sense things are easily overlooked. Another lesson: while a fall festival can be a great time to have a craft sale, it is difficult to have tons of success when the craft sale is the only thing inside. And the last lesson: knit for the market! In other words, who are the people shopping in a lovely fall Saturday at a church fall festival? Probably not trendy, slouchy-hat-wearing college students. Hey, at least I learned some things and had some thoughts before the next one.

So this Saturday is the Watkinsville Fall Festival. There are all things that a usual fall festival would have as well as a craft sale of over 200 vendors. I can’t wait to go and see the different vendors… to go and get to shop and see what people have for sale and to see prices and just being outside on a lovely Fall day! The problem: Football game at 12:00. Football, could you BE more in the MIDDLE of the day? Ugh. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for football. However, I am not very happy that it is taking up my ENTIRE Saturday. Again. These 12:00 games have got to stop. The fair starts at 9:00 and goes to 6:00… and to get a good seat at the game I need to be at the stadium by 10:00. The game will last for lots of hours. Then I leave, make the trek back to the car, and battle traffic. Yes, it is definitely do-able to make it to both, but hooray for another hectic Saturday. Whatever the case, I am excited for a good Saturday.

And for the frustrations.. I need a better camera and a model/another person. No really, see the evidence. Until this happens, I will not be ready to compete. Thankfully, I have some great friends who have offered to help out, so something will get up there sometime soon. However, I know that if I plan on getting anywhere with selling on Etsy that I am going to need to buy a better camera. Time will tell. But to any really, really good friends/family who are reading this, I need a good camera for Christmas. Oh and a trip to Wizarding World would be great too…

Well, I need to go bet back on top of my ever looming pile of work. Thanks for reading!

Business Cards

As the time for selling things gets closer, every bit of my spare time is filled with knitting random projects. I have made quite a few scarves, washcloths, electronic cozies, and little things so far... I have so many ideas but not nearly enough time.

I went to Mainstreet Yarns and Fibers in Watkinsville last week and bought a few skeins of Ella Rae Classic. I made a bag out of this yarn for one of my sisters last year. It was the first yarn that I every felted, but I loved how it turned out. So when I was thinking about making a few felting things for the craft show, this yarn immediately came to mind. So this afternoon I spent some time felting some of that, and then hopefully that will turn into something interesting later this week.

So I will leave you a picture of my new business cards. Yes, that is an etsy site on there, but I have nothing posted for sale YET. It will definitely be updated with some things asap.

Okay, well off to study developmental psych and do other random homework. Thanks for reading!

Busy, busy, busy.

Well, I’m back at school and everything else in my life is put on the back burner, including this blog. Don’t feel bad though, it’s far from the only thing in my life that I’ve been neglected..

Lately I have been knitting, but it is mostly random little things. I am focusing on making a variety of things so that I have a variety to sell. Since I have never sold at a craft show before, I don’t really know what to expect. I’m just trying to get lots of stuff made and then hope for the best! My first one is on October 3^rd at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Marietta. So I will just be knitting away for the next month in preparation for that.

Other than knitting for craft shows, my focus has been on Knitwits: The UGA Knitting Club! I started this club last February. Last year we did not advertise. Instead, we met weekly and talked about plans and our ideas. I wanted to feel good about what we were doing as well as stable with where I wanted to go with the club.

Last week, UGA held its Student Activity Fair where all of the student organizations are allowed to reserve a table to show off their club. The picture on here is of the table for Knitwits. I had no idea what to expect going in to the Student Activity Fair. I didn’t know whether to expect people to sign up or if people would just look and talk about it, but not go any further. The great news is that 65 people wrote down their e-mail for our e-mail list. That is 65 people that showed interest. Awesome! I just love that people are out there an interested. It is a great feeling :)

So, beyond knitting, I have just had lots of school and work. Work is same old same old, good old Ramsey. And then school has just been TONS of reading. And I mean TONS. But yeah... I should probably go get on all of that. Until next time—thanks for reading!

Let's stop scratching the surface and get a little deeper

Hey Everyone! See I am already updating again! Look at me go. One of these days, I’ll be one of those people that update daily with new information. Well, maybe, but that’s probably not true at all.

So since my last update, I have seriously looked into two different craft shows, and already signed up for one of them. Now that’s good stuff. Those two are both at churches at home (Marietta) that I attend. One is Holy Trinity Lutheran which is where I grew up and still attend regularly, and then the other is Due West Methodist which I occasionally attend with my family. I definitely plan on selling in the two craft sales those churches hold. Now I just have to figure out WHAT to sell.

As of last weekend, I am a proud owner of a Nook. Of course the second I bought it, I started knitting it a cover. I used the pattern posted by Vickie Howell for Caron. Here is the link. She calls it a Snookie, which I found quite comical. So I made one in green and I’ve now started making another with a modified pattern just for the heck of it.

So that’s the surface of what is going on, but recently I feel like there is a completely different layer that I am just beginning to surface. My life recently has just taken off. I was given this awesome opportunity with Lighthouse and it has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. Sometimes, I feel trapped, insignificant, inadequate, and insecure. I know all of these astounding people that are truly doing amazing things with their lives. They have an incredible belief in God and live their lives completely through him, following his plan. I know what I believe and I feel like I understand what God is calling me to do right now. I feel like he wants me to know him better and to feel so secure in my relationship with him that I can then share Him with others.

However, I am just plain struggling. I am struggling with some of my actions in the past and just my attachment to earthly things. I know that God forgives me for everything that I have ever done, and that he gave his only son for ME, for ALL of us. And yet I sit here, so inadequate, searching and trying to achieve so many meaningless things. Why do I try to achieve these things? No idea. I know what matters in the end, but how do I live a life here on Earth that would mean nothing to most of those around me but everything to God? For instance, selling things… That would make me happy. It would give my work worth, and it would make me money which is of course necessary to live on this Earth. However, does that matter at all to God? I mean what does my knitting and selling stuff do for him? Nothing. My knitting for the homeless, premature babies, families experiencing unimaginable pain… now that probably means a little more to Him.

But I guess that is my struggle… resolving the difference and the meaning behind why I am living my life here on Earth like I am. I want to show God in all that I do each day. That has been my prayer for years now. I just hope that I am, and I hope that I am not ignoring God’s true plan for me.

Well I better be going, let me know if you have any insights to what I am experiencing and the journey I am traveling. Thanks for reading!

Finally, a summer update

Sorry, I have been completely MIA recently. This summer has been amazing, but incredibly busy. Part of the reason that I didn’t update for all of July was because I was on 4 retreats with Lighthouse! So basically all that I brought with me to knit was baby yarn to make baby has to donate to a local hospital. I made about 5 while I was there—not a ton, but it works. I have a pattern that I use for those that I got from Knitty Gritty when it used to show on the DIY network . At this point I have it memorized, so I can always make those when I am lacking inspiration or I just don’t want to think about what I am knitting.

I will say though that recently I haven’t had any lacking inspiration, which is great, but I just wish that I had more time! I am currently working on a snookie, or a cover for my nook. I also just finished knitting the body of a new grocery bag bag, but I want to line it with some canvas. That’s not a big deal except for that my sewing machine is in Athens… great move, Casey! So I will have to get that before I can finish it. So yes, the inspiration is not lacking at all, just the time to put it to good use.

I am really hoping to have some more free time once school starts back. I would love to get some things made to put on Etsy and so that I can be in some craft sales this Fall. I say that almost every year, but I am really hoping to make it happen this year.

Alright, well I need to get going. The picture at the beginning is of a baby hat that I made. I often times vary the color and then the eyelets as well.. this is the link to the video of the show. Sadly, I can’t seem to find the pattern anywhere, but I have a copy on my computer if anyone wants it. Hope everything is going great for everyone. Thanks for reading!

Crystals bag bag

Summer is starting up and it is already crazy! I have started my internship with The Lighthouse, and I am loving it! I never thought that I would have the opportunity to work for such an amazing organization, and it is just unbelievable. I love it.

So basically my past few days have been waking up at 6:00 and then going to Starbucks to journal and read my bible. Then working from 8:30 to 4:30 and then heading home. It is about an hour’s commute both ways which isn’t too terrible. At least I don’t mind driving I guess! And then I have my gym membership for the summer, but I was so tired yesterday after work and Pierce’s chorus concert that I didn’t quite get there. So yes, we will see how the knitting and the working out go this summer… :)

My most recent project was a grocery bag that I made for my cousin for her confirmation project. I basically took a ton of grocery bags and cut them up into strips and then knitted them together. So here it is. I’ll try to write a little more often… I haven’t forgotten that I haven’t posted a picture of the quilt/graduation present. I will post it soon!

Izzy Doll

Recently, the knitting club and I talked about making Izzy Dolls, so I made up one just to see what they looked like. Turned out pretty cool, but I think that next time I want to stuff the arms a little more. Read all about them at: http://www.isfeldbc.com/dolll/dolll.html. Its a pretty cool cause, and the dolls turn out cute!

Last week was a week with 4 tests, not fun. However, I am thankful for this week because there has been NOTHING going on. Its been a nice and well needed break! Hopefully I will be finishing up my most recent scrap yarn blanket soon, but the surprise graduation present is currently taking over all of my crafting time.

I hope everyone is having a great week! Thanks for reading!

Quilted Pillow

So recently I have been working on a blanket that I am going to probably wind up donating. That is why I haven’t updated more often. But I decided I could update and at least post a picture of something that I made in the past.

My summer plans are looking great, there are just too many of them. I was offered an internship through the psych infant lab at UGA. Awesome, awesome opportunity. However, there is also the possibility of interning for The Lighthouse Family Retreat. It is a summer retreat from families with children with cancer. I have volunteered with them for a few summers now, and they are starting an internship program. I just found out about this earlier this week, and it seems so amazing. So basically all of that is really exciting; I just have to decide what to do.

Life has been so good recently and so many things are falling into place. I have been interviewing for different things, and then I just got a manager position at work, so really it has been so great. I love it when things change just enough for my routine to vary. It is a good feeling.

I am really excited about some of my upcoming work. Let’s just say that I have really been getting into quilting. This is a pillow that I made in January one evening. It was a quick project, but it’s cute none the less. Thanks for reading!

February has been so crazy! Thank goodness for the knitting club, because my knitting has been seriously sparse otherwise.

Just wanted to update with a picture of the hat I finally finished. I have had the yarn and the idea for quite a while, but I just finally got around to making it. This is Zack and me in the snow that we had 2 weeks ago. I made his hat too.
Hopefully I will have some time in March to knit a little more than I have. Only time will tell <3

Rachel's Cowl

Above is Rachel’s Cowl, and I love it! I made this for a good friend who I met in what we like to call our “marriage promotion class.” Oh and what a class that was. While I struggled through the content and the conservative, black-and-white-ness of it all, Rachel, Sarah, and Virginia kept me sane. The thing about Rachel is that she is always so put together. She wears the most wonderful outfits that exude fashion, confidence, and originality. So when she asked me to make her something, I was stoaked. Sarah helped us with an idea and then I wound up with the above piece. I took a few attempts at it trying different ideas that I had in my head. In the end my decision was to go with a chunky cable stitch. I wrote down the pattern as I went, so if you are interested, let me know. :)

I had the first meeting with what will become the Knitwits: The Official UGA Knitting Club last night. It was a wonderful group of ladies and I honestly had such a great time. I really look forward to all that we are going to try and accomplish.

But I have got a lot to try and done before this supposed snow today! (Let’s not jinx it, but that would be awesome!)
Thanks for reading! :)

Welcome to Casey's Creations!

So for years I have said that I wanted to have some sort of record of all that I have knitted/sewed/created, but I never sat down and made it happen. So here I am trying to do just that. There are tons of things that I have made in the past that will never be on here, but you have to start somewhere, right?

This is probably going to wind up being the typical crafter's blog. I will show off my creations as I finish them and explain what my thought process was as I was creating them. I also want it to be a sort of advertisement for my pieces-- the type of work that I do, and what you would be supporting if you were ever to buy something that I have made. But more than anything, I just needed a place to start, a place to build up from.

I knit a lot, I have gotten back into sewing recently. In the past, most of my work has been for family, friends, and donation. However, by this fall I plan on entering a few craft sales. I have never taken this leap before, but I feel like it is about time. So I will be working up a stock of items to sell this fall for those. If all goes according to plan, you will begin to see some of those pieces before too terribly long.

But enough rambling. Hopefully this gives you an idea of who I am, and of some of the things you should see coming up soon. The picture I included in this post is of a blanket that I finished a few months ago. I made it for myself out of a bunch of scrap yarn that I had. It is incredibly warm and probably one of my favorite things I have made.