sweetpeatoad

Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Is it too early to fall in love yet?

I was scouring ideas for hats this Valentine. I found a bunch. Thanks to Google Images. Although none of them I really liked or I wanted to make or simply because someone else is making them.

So I picked up my knitting needle over the weekend and started making a simple bonnet. Once it was finished, I stitched a heart on to the hat to complete the look. It is very simple and was about it.

"My children are my inspirations. My husband is my anchor. My customers are my fuel. My designs are my soul." ~sweetpeatoad

New Item

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:19:00 +0000

I'm always on the hunt for new items in my shop. As they always say, change is the only constant in this world. Although there may be a thousand inspirations out there, I always like to create things that I can call my own.

Ravelry is one of the few stops I go for inspirations. A fresh idea is always a good start. Since I have been asked too many times before, I finally decided to offer some earwarmers/headbands in the shop. I’m happy with the outcome design so far.

I met a good fried of mine and her daughter last Saturday for a few shots. She is such a gorgeous girl. I also thought I would put some fresh face in the shop.

I hope you like it as well.

"My children are my inspiration. My husband is my anchor. My customers are my fuel. My designs are my soul." ~sweetpeatoad

Fence Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:51:00 +0000

Yey! Friday is here!

Aside from a beautiful weather, there are few things to look forward to this weekend. One, an extra day off! Year end is such a wonderful time… holidays, gift giving, family get together, cooler weather, caroling, shopping (*wink, *wink) and good food with good friends.

Second, it’s the New Year! Amazing how another year has gone by in a flash. So much has happened to me and my family this year. Also, I have learned and enjoyed photography so much!

I needed a theme to give me some ideas on what to take instead of just chasing my children around with my camera or taking photographs of my hats. Two weeks after my acceptance in the group, I finally took some shots this afternoon for submission.

Fence Friday…

"My children are my inspiration. My husband is my anchor. My customers are my fuel. My designs are my soul." ~sweetpeatoad

New Year, Newborn...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:01:00 +0000

Newborn hats, that is. I am working on a few goals this year. Breaking them down to this list…

1. Avoiding the yarn shop – do you know how hard that is? I just have way too much. I’ve collected about 40 Ikea bins over the past 3 years since I started my business. I have an addiction. Admittance is the first step right?
2. Destash – although not difficult to accomplish, it’s finishing all of the other projects I’ve already started is the biggest challenge. How many I have? Don’t get me started, lol! I should stop looking at those inspiring projects on my knitting magazines. I tend to start way too much projects at a time. Although, it has crossed my mind few times to start selling my stash. Hubby would be delighted.
3. Faster shipping – cutting down shipping time. I’ve been asking my customers for a 2-week time frame. And now that I am finally caught up, I hope to be able to ship orders earlier than the said time frame.
4. Build Inventory – not the whole hat alone but the parts that go with it. Ears, flowers, etc… The ear itself has four pieces.
5. Last one is for me… Lose some weight. After having little buckaroos, my body is never the same. So cross my fingers...

:: "My children are my inspiration. My husband is my anchor. My customers are my fuel. My designs are my soul." ~sweetpeatoad ::

Well, hello there!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:56:00 +0000

Phew!

Holidays… As much I enjoyed spending them with family and friends, I’m sure glad for it to be over. There’s always that constant chase of time and felt like each time you scratch one or two off your list, two or three more gets listed. It’s never ending!

Where have I been? Nowhere, exactly.

Just here. And still here. I’m working a full-time job and always knitting along the way. My hands are never idle. With two little children and a household to run, I barely have time for anything else in between my day. I’m not complaining. I’m actually thankful for everything and everyone around me. I’m truly thankful for the amazing customers, friends and family who’s always been there when I’m about to fall.

I hope you had an amazing holiday with your friends and family as well.

Cathy
:: My children are my inspiration. My husband is my anchor. My customers are my fuel. My designs are my soul. ~sweetpeatoad ::

Still Knitting...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:40:00 +0000

... on this side of the globe :) What's new ha?

I got myself a tablet a couple of weeks ago. The purpose really was to show my designs on something a bit bigger than just my phone but not wanting to carry my laptop all the time. Table was the answer. Light. Convenient. Easy to stash. And if you are at a place where there's wireless, you can get connected to practically anything - Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Ravelry and more... did I say anything?

With my knitting addiction and trying to get rid some of my stash (probably just used .0001 percent of what I have), I decided to knit a case/sleeve for the tab.

Here's what I came up with.

You can find more details of the pattern on Ravelry.

Curly Sue

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:08:00 +0000

After putting it off for a long time, I finally introduced Curly Sue to the shop. I meant to introduced her to the world back in January for my Valentine's Day item. But due to millions and millions of excuses which I prefer not to start whining about and am sure you don't want to really hear about it as well, I thought maybe sometime in spring I'll introduce her. Her she is. She's made of wool blend. I also included a little knitted red bow to complete the look.

I hope you like her.

Snap, snap...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 03:30:00 +0000

Still taking photos every chance I get. Now that spring is here, colors are everywhere and photo opportunities are within reach.

On the other hand, orders are still piling up on me. I'm working on them... day and night... non-stop. I'm so thankful my customers are so considerate and patient.

Here's a photo of little bro. He was still half asleep when he walked out of our bedroom yesterday aftertoon napping. He climbed on my chair while I was knitting and fell back asleep... poor little guy.

I didn't apply any preset on this one. Just adjusted the exposure, brightness and vibrance. Sharpened in Picnik.

Getting Back on Track... at least...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:35:00 +0000

I've been gone from the blogging world for a while...

Keeping up with the world... my children, my job, my shop...

Trying to fulfill promises, getting a full night sleep, keeping myself from buying more yarns.

Here's my latest craft room arrangement...

I admit, I need an intervention... help me?

Contest Closed and The BIG Winner is..

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:20:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS!

I am thankful for everyone who entered and mentioned about the giveaway. I'm truly honored.

~Cathy

Project 52: Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:02:00 +0000

Another week passed by and here we are, Monday again. In a few hours, it will Tuesday.
I was a very cold week… muggy… rainy. We hardly did anything but ran a couple of errands and stayed home the entire weekend. I initially planned to clean my garden and get it ready for spring. But how could I, the ground was too wet and muddy. Only took few steps around the yard and my shoes were instantly covered in mud. I also wanted to rake the fallen leaves from last year. There was no way I could either. 80% of the leaves looked like compost. No outside chores got done at all.

Anyway, here’s last week’s entry to my Project 52. Little bro feel asleep right away after a bottle of milk. I swear it wasn’t drugged :)

Lamb Hat - Win This!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 06:17:00 +0000

I've been approached many times to sponsor one of my hats. So I thought why not host my own giveaway?

Here it is! You'll win either one. I have posted two photos in case the winner wants a hat for a boy or a girl.

All you have to do is blog, tweet or facebook the giveaway. No need to follow (but appreciate if you do). Then comment only once that you've mentioned about the giveaway. Simple as that.

International fans are welcome!

Oh, thank you for taking the time to stop and for mentioning the giveway.

Contest ends on January 26th, midnight.

~Cathy

Project 52

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:04:00 +0000

I am going to attempt to accomplish this project this year. The 365 might be too much for me achieve not just because I don't have time but because I'd rather get some sleep than spend another hour in Photoshop.

This photo above was taken yesterday. North Dallas officially got their first snow of the season. 5 or 6 inches was the predicted accumulation but I think it was more than that. Here's big sis, determined to make some snow angel. We finally gave in after hours and hours of constant query of when she could get out and play in the snow.

18 months...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:45:00 +0000

...it has been and now he's growing like a weed. It was just yesterday that he would willingly sit in his bebe pod and would put a hat on his head and won't hear a complain, not even an eek. He was in this Little Lamb Hat. But not anymore. A sight of camera would send him running.

I need a new baby to torture with hats and photography...

What's Next in Store

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 20:02:00 +0000

I am in constant hunt for new idea, say 24 hours a day?
I would be sitting in our nook having breakfast and be asking myself what kind of creation I can get out of a banana or Cheerios or watching the children’s channel. Oh, there are plenty of ideas there.
I’m looking at creating something for tots older than 5 or even for pets. I’ve been asked a lot. As much as I’d like to make something for our furry friends, I’m trying to avoid mixing my hats with any animal hair. Allergy issues is something I take seriously. It’s one of the things to consider when your items are for children.
It will show up in my shop one day. If Owen is still willing to sit and have his picture taken. On the other hand, bribery is never out of the question.

There and Back again...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:25:00 +0000

I haven’t posted/blogged about something for a while now.

The truth is I haven’t slept since August of this year. I mean decent, 8-hour sleep. This is because people from all corners of the world finally found my humble shop.I was getting sales an average of one a day.

Crazy? You may say that. But really thankful for what is happening. Patience does pay off, if you are willing to do so.

…to be continued

Making the Cut

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:05:00 +0000

About a week ago, the best news of the year so far came in my inbox one fine morning. My Organic Wool Lamb Hat will be featured in Real Simple Magazine for their Holiday Gift Guide. Woot! Woot!

I am so thrilled and excited at the same time. Patience and hard work do pay off.

Craft Room: Updated!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:13:00 +0000

After dreading for weeks, I've decided that one more trip to Ikea should cure me of my obsession of getting my craft room the way I wanted it to be... organized, tidy and more efficient.

Ha! I could not be more happier of the result. Although I still want few things here and there, I'm quite satisfied right now.

Now, if I could only keep little hands from pulling the bins out of the shelf. Deep sigh...

The heat is on...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:50:00 +0000

It will in 100's the entire week. Hot, hot, hot!!!

And so are my hands. I have two orders of flowers. One for 1175 and the other 160. My hands had been crocheting non-stop. It's tiring but I feel blessed and I really love what I do.

Anyway, here's little guy in the swing. We went for a walk over the weekend despite the heat. He only lasted two minutes.

Have a great week everyone!

Craft Room

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:20:00 +0000

After a while Hubby realized that I could really use a good craft room where I can sit and work on my stuff without having to worry about my children stumbling on my needles and yarns. If you pay me a visit, it would hard not to notice that my materials are stored just about everywhere in the house. So this weekend, we decided on giving up the kids’ playroom and convert it to a nice, decent craft room.

Still after all that, keeping my kids off the room is quite impossible. At least I don’t have to worry as much on them getting on any of my materials.

Do you like my craft room?

Pin Wheel Hat

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:13:00 +0000

It took me few trial and error. The first few times, the stitches where messy and was all over the place and the yarns I was using end up like spaghetti in a bowl. The pattern (which I don't have, it's all in my head) sort of, is time consuming. But I'm quite happy with the result.

All I have to do now is try it with more colors instead of two... fingers crossed :)

Little Ones and I...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:04:00 +0000

To be continued...

Little M

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:40:00 +0000

I was so thrilled and honored when my good friend Loyna consider me to be her new baby girl's photogragher. She was a darling... so sweet and so delicate.

Congratulations dear Loyna. She is a beautiful baby!

Learning Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:31:00 +0000

Turning 31...

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Hawkins) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:04:00 +0000

I have not blog in a very, very long time. Where have I been?

Well, I’m holding on to the edge of my seat and trying not to fall off because the ideas I have in my head goes over it sometimes.

Over the past months I’ve created hats, yes, more hats. Just what the world needs, another hat. But who can resist?

Another thing, I got a good digital camera for my birthday last year. Wow, last year. Time flies. I have gotten interested in photography. Lately, my children would run away from the constant chase of their mother trying to take their photographs.

I turned 31 yesterday.

I’m happy.

I have four potential magazines that would like to feature my hats in their fall/winter issue.

I’m praying.

I’m hoping.

And I would like to thank all the people who liked my shop, my customers who trusted my products, my friends and my family who is always there. And to my dearest husband who puts up with me and loves me for eternity, thank you!