Interview with Anne from AnneArchy

I'm really excited to introduce everyone to one of my sponsors this month. I'd like you all to meet Anne who is 1/2 of the super duo making items over at AnneArchy.



Anne and Susan make cute knit items for Blythe as well as dresses, human sized items and fun goodies for you and your pets! Check out their Etsy ship AnneArchy or show them some love on Twitter and Facebook with a friendly Like and Follow!

I want you all to check out their logo too. Besides my own very awesome owl logo, this is one of the few logos that really amuses me. I love the play on words with "anarchy".

Hi Anne! It's awesome to have you here with us. Please introduce yourself to everyone.

Hi! I'm Anne, and with my sister Susan, I run the little etsy shop AnneArchy.

Tell us all about your shop!

My sister and I wanted to share the things we make with the world, so we started an etsy shop with handknit items and sparkly dog collars. Shortly after we got going, we both got into Blythe and started offering handknit and sewn clothing and accessories for Blythe. We also blog about our creations and the other Blythe-related activities we do.

Added note: You can find AnneArchy's Blog HERE.

Why do you think people enjoy AnneArchy so much?

I hope and like to think that we provide handmade creations that others will love as much as we do! We have a pretty steady group of regular customers who have been very pleased with our work. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and quality construction, and I think that people can see the love we put into our handmade creations. We hope that the blog is just fun to read!

How did you and Susan start your business?

We started our etsy shop in 2007, with just a few handknit hats and handmade hoodies for babies. As we are sisters, we have been crafting together for almost our whole lives!

What's your process like for coming up with your adorable creations?

Susan and I both like to make up our own original patterns for our handmade items. For example, when I'm making up a knitting pattern for a Blythe sweater, I usually cast on what seems like a good number of stitches and then see what happens! My knitting experience doing human-size projects comes in handy - I know what a certain technique will look like, and how to do increases and decreases to make the garment take on the shape I'm looking for. I write down what I do as I do it, and then change the pattern based on how the finished item ended up. I usually revise a pattern anywhere up to a dozen times before I'm really pleased with it enough to call it finished.

What sort of inspiration do you use to keep creating?

We are both inspired by Blythe, as well as by nature, our silly dogs, and the things that other artists and artisans create. I think we both feel compelled to make things, to have a tangible object that we've created that can be used and/or appreciated by someone when it's complete.

I hope you all enjoyed meeting Anne and seeing some of her and Susan's super cute creations! Please check out their pages and their shop when you have a chance!

ANNEARCHY: ETSY | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOG

I Made Shoes for Blythe

I spent a night working out the pattern and last night I put them together. They're like mini Toms. I need to change some things to the pattern and try some more samples but I think they're really cute. I made two pair in different sizes for Tangkou and Blythe/23cm Obitsu since those are the feet I have on hand. The uppers are cotton and the sole is a thin craft foam. Shoes take a ton of glue, especially when you get to shaping the toe area. They are still drying so where you see white in the pics near the soles is the glue. It will dry clear and tomorrow I will clean away any excess lumps with an xacto.

You should be able to click on the pics for a larger view on my Flickr page.

Please let me know what you think!

Here you can see all of the pattern pieces and I am starting to glue on the fabric for the foot beds.



Foot beds are done. Covering the 2 part toe caps and the heel/sides and letting them dry and shape a little.



Front of the shoes are done.



Ready for assembly.



Glue and shape. Glue and shape.



All assembled and gooey before the bands went on to hold the soles to the actual uppers. Those gaps in the front won't be there once they dry.



Better view.



More views.







Tangkou sized pair. Still a little big.





Blythe sized pair. She might need socks. I honestly don't think I can make these any smaller.





Tangkou in the Blythe sized pair. They actually fit pretty perfect.

Interview at BlytheLife.com

I have some big news! I was chosen as one of the people to be showcased for the 2013 March Talent Showcase from BlytheLife.com!

It's a big honor and I am so excited to be part of it.

AND there's a giveaway for a dress from one of my new patterns. So make sure you check it out! You can read about it HERE!

Product Review: Mon-Stors From Lu and Ed

Do you all remember Cody from this post? Of course you do! Are you still curious about these Mon-Stors that you heard so much about? I am about to give you some information that might make you wish you owned one or five.



In the short breakdown, Mon-Stors are fun options for storage. Boom. I could totally stop there. But I won't. I'm going to tell you more.

Several months ago I got a random tweet from this Cody person telling me about a great alternative to Etsy called Storenvy. And from there we struck up an online friendship which obviously lead me to her shop at Storenvy called Lu and Ed. The first thing that hits you is a super cute little cartoon Mon-Stor that looks just like that little yellow guy in that banner. See right up there? If that's not cute enough imagine that you can actually own something that looks just as adorable.

Interesting side note - that artwork was created from an actual Mon-Stor that was sold in the shop.

I thought they were really adorable and needed to own some so I ordered two special custom Mon-Stors with special fabric lining. These two guys are now in the Navy and go to the ship with my husband.I personally own two myself and you'll see those in a minute.

Ordering from the Lu and Ed site is an entire experience all it's own. Each Mon-Stor is adorably photographed, named and has a story. The names are pretty original and their stories are hilarious. From your basic ones that love to eat legos and socks to some who's favorite foods are anchovies and ketchup. Ew. From what I know, Cody's super imaginative son helps her with these personas.

Your Mon-Stor will ship pretty quickly. Lu and Ed doesn't list anything as a made-to-order or pre-order so what you see is what you get. And the Mon-Stors are all one-of-a-kind.

From the site you will also learn that Mon-Stors are eco-friendly. How so? Well they are made from upcycled fabrics that have been repurposed from thrift store finds or from fabric swaps that she does with other people. You will also learn that Mon-Stors come in two sizes. There are Big Mon-Stors and Little Mon-Stors.

When they arrived my first thought was, "This is way smaller than I thought it was going to be." But that was because Cody has this adorable method of folding up the Mon-Stors so that they take up as little space as possible. This enables her to re-use the chipboard packaging from boxes of things like Pop-Tarts and TV dinners. She deconstructs the box and flips it inside out so that the brown part of the box is now the outside. So don't be surprised when you see it. Smile and appreciate how someone is doing their part to recycle.

As I opened the box I just see eyes staring up at me. You pretty much have a 50/50 shot of getting this view depending on which end of the box you open. And I take out this lump of fabric. Honestly, that's how it feels when you get it out of the box. It's just compacted that well. And as you start unfolding it out pops solid pairs of arms and legs. It's really like the Mon-Stor is stretching and ready to get down and get to work.

I remember being very impressed with the quality and construction of them. The outside is typically made of fleece. I'm not sure if she's ever used any other material but I have only ever received fleece for the bodies. It's sturdy. And to give it even more creativity as well as stability and durability, it's lined in some fun fabric that helps add to it's personality. They are also affixed with some combination of eyes and fuzzy hair.

The size difference from the big Mon-Stor and the little one are pretty significant. But don't let that diminish you from getting a little one. They're pretty huge all on their own, which should tell you just how enormous a big Mon-Stor is going to be. Big Mon-Stors are approximately 2' tall and 18" wide. Yes, TWO FEET TALL. It looks like an oversized pillowcase with arms and legs. The little guys measure in at around 18" tall and 10" wide. A big Mon-Stor can hold an entire load of laundry or a heck of a lot of toys. In my case, lots of fabric. And the small guy is no slouch and gobbles up more than his share of scraps and miscellaneous pieces to keep handy.

A big Mon-Stor comes with a hole on top of the head. All you do is insert any standard hanger into its head and viola! They hang anywhere you want to put it! I prefer the back of the door but for kids it would work on a doorknob.

This lady was made to match the new color scheme of gray and yellow in my studio.

The little guys come with a pre-attached strap. You can basically hang this one anywhere that can take a loop of fabric. The strap is even big enough that you can use it in your car on the back of seat as storage for cars and toys for drives around town or for garbage to keep everything neat and tidy. The strap will fit right around your headrest.

Boom! Pow! It's a super hero! Sometimes there are theme Mon-Stors like pirates and mermaids.

I haven't yet tried to put on in the wash, but based on the feel of their construction and the materials used I think it will wash up just fine in cold water and a low tumble dry.

If you are looking for a creative and cute storage idea I would (and do) definitely recommend the Mon-Stors from Lu and Ed. It's a creative product, with multiple size and color options, good durability and eco-friendly. I don't really know what more you would want from a product. Oh wait! I do. They are also affordable. A big Mon-Stor is going to run between $25-$28 while a little one will be between $16-$18. And while you're there check out the stuffed Monsters as an added bonus.

Shop Pretty: Keepsakes By Katherine

I know some of your are planning weddings or helping someone plan weddings. How do I know? Pinterest tells me.

Hopefully you all remember Katherine from her super interview: here. Well guess what? She's even more awesome than blogging, book reviewing and recipe writing. She also has shops. One of them is Keepsakes By Katherine. As a special occasion boutique she specializes in affordable gifts and accessories. And these days we are all on a budget so getting something beautiful at a great price is just smart.



Hi Katherine! For anyone who may not have seen you other interview please introduce yourself.

Hello, my name is Katherine and I am the artist and designer at Keepsakes By Katherine. I am happily married to the true keeper of my heart. I am a proud grandmother of five beautiful children. I give an endless supply of unconditional love to my family and friends. I blog at Katherines Corner.

Tell us a little about the beautiful pieces at your shop.

Keepsakes By Katherine has been referred to as the brides good luck charm. I believe that every day is a special occasion. I create for your wedding, your home and your style.

How do you feel that your shop, over others, is a benefit to your customers?

Creating for others brings me joy and every order is treated as if it is the most important one. I keep the buyers budget in mind when creating and provide a stress free purchase.
I have been creating and selling things for over 30 years.

What do you think are your biggest inspirations for your keepsakes?

When I make something for my shop I think of it as if I were creating a gift for a friend.

Happy customers are my greatest inspiration.

Anything else for the readers?Please use coupon code rainbow for a discount in my shop.

Beautiful items and a discount! I urge you all to check out Keepsakes By Katherine today and find those perfect items for your next special occasion or a gift for someone!

Read Something Great Today: Meet Katherine From Katherine's Corner

One of the great things about the blogging community is that you get to meet some really awesome people. And you get to share in their lives because they blog about everything from crafts, recipes, decorating to reviews on books, music, movies and things on their everyday life. They include pictures. Sometimes of random everyday things and sometimes of what can be considered a pretty intimate look into their lives. There are some blogs where I've seen the writer's children literally grow up from babies and toddlers into beautiful children and teenagers. Some bloggers share their sadness and pain when something tragic happens in their life. And some always keep it up beat. You can always find a mix of reads that will give you the feels or take your mind off of your own crazy world for a while.

I'd like you all to meet one of my February blog sponsors Katherine from Katherine's Corner.



Katherine writes about a lot. She runs the range of everything on her blog from some yummy recipes like my favorite dessert, carrot cake, many book reviews, to just what is going on with her. It's a great blog and I really enjoy reading it. And unlike some of us....ahem, me....she usually has some sort of update for you almost daily.

So to introduce you to a little more of Katherine's world and how her brain ticks...here's a great interview.

Hi Katherine! Tell us a little about you.

Hello, I’m Katherine (some call me Katie). I was born in England on Nov 1st 1960 and I have been living in the US on and off for 32 years. I currently live in a state where I can see the beautiful mountains from my kitchen window and a lake from my upstairs bedroom window. I am happily married to a wonderful man, we have five beautiful grandchildren. We also have a sweet fur baby named Izzy he is a wonderful part of our family and we are happy pet parents. I hold a rare dual citizenship with the UK and the USA and I am a proud citizen of both. I am an open minded and spiritual person who strives to always maintain a positive attitude and greet each new day with grace, dignity and gratitude. I am a self-employed artist and designer.

So what goes on over at Katherine's Corner?

At Katherines Corner I share recipes, photography, life stories and much more. You can join in the fun at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop and participate in the monthly giveaways too. I welcome your friendship.

I love my bloggy friends. I hope that Katherines Corner brings a sincere feeling of friendship.

What made you start blogging?

I was inspired to start blogging after I received a rejection letter from a publisher.

It was a nice rejection though, not your standard fill in the blank with the authors name ( I have a few of those too) It read something like this-, “ loved your writing, the photographs are beautiful, but…we are not taking on any unknown authors at this time.”

So Katherines Corner (originally known as Go Ask Katie) was born.I have been blogging for almost three years. Each year is better than the one before.

It's great that you were able to take the rejection letter and work from it and start something positive. How does the creative process of writing work for you?

My blogging style is comfortable, like sharing with a friend. I think it feels natural to want to share what you know and learn.

What is your inspiration to keep writing everyday?

I find joy in sharing with others.

Anything else you'd like to say to the reader?

Thank you for the opportunity to share with your readers!

I hope you will all take the time to pop on over to Katherine's Corner and check out her blog, leave a comment or make one of her yummy dessert recipes. Anyone is welcome to bring the blueberry tarts to my house.

Meet Cute: Cody From Lu & Ed Talks Mon-Stors

I know what you're thinking. What's a Mon-Stor and who's Cody? Well, I'll tell you. Cody is the creator of the most adorable storage solution ever, the Mon-Stor. I'll get into more of the epic awesomeness of Mon-Stors later but for now here's all about Cody in her own words. In the meantime, if you want to check out her shop you can click here: Lu & Ed

Hi Cody! Please introduce yourself to the readers.

I'm Cody! I'm a indie toy storage solution designer and plush maker. I am also a mom, animal rescuer, art business resource blogger, and coffee addict who rarely changes out of my pajamas.

I am sure a lot of us can relate to that. I live in yoga pants. Tell us about what you do.

I make Mon-stors! They are storage solutions for kids in the form of monsters that you 'feed' laundry, toys, books - anything you need extra storage for!

Mon-stors are ecofriendly creations - NO waste from my monsters goes into landfills. I use recycled fabrics from thrift stores to make Mon-stors, and the larger scraps to make smaller Mon-stors, and the smaller pieces from those to make stuffed monsters, and the tiny bits from them I either dice up and blend with polyfil for stuffing, or I stuff dog beds with them to donate to local animal rescues.

{I also use recycled packaging to ship in!}

I personally own several Mon-Stors around my house. (Keep an eye out for an upcoming review post!) How do you feel everyone can benefit from owning their own Mon-Stor?

Everyone needs more storage, and Mon-stors save space as they can be hung in the closet to hold winter scarves, hats, and mittens, or they can hang at the bottom of the steps to collect toys over the day then they can easily be toted upstairs at the end of the day. They are great for toy storage in playrooms, kids rooms, or nurseries, or they can be used to hold laundry in a small bathroom that doesn't have room for a hamper.

The smaller ones are great in cars to hold diapers and wipes, a change of clothes for kids, snacks, maps, DVDs, books, small toys for car rides, a blanket or a ton of other things to keep car clutter under control!

I love the idea of hanging one at the bottom of the steps! How did you come up with such a cool idea for storage?

I started making them three years ago when I had first moved from South Carolina to Missouri to be with the love of my life. We were living in his mom's basement and space was tight to say the least. I looked for toy storage solutions for my son but given our small space, we didn't have much wall or floor space to spare. Then one night I was thinking and my artsy brain gave a leap and boom, there it was. This idea that I could make monsters to hang from a door my son could feed his toys to! Long story short, I drew up a pattern and made one, then another, and another. When I posted photos online they were an instant hit. I got so many requests for them that after some thought, I decided to drop my day job and make Mon-stors full time. Thus, Lu & Ed was born. I now offer different sized Mon-stors and also stuffed monsters!

It has to be hard to keep coming up with different designs. Tell us a little how your creative process works.

I am a really inspiration driven creative person - I just create. I don't really have a process for making Mon-stors, I just pair fabrics and when I get a kick of inspiration I kinda let my mind wander while I create. I rarely actually think about what I'm making, I just cut it out, and place face parts and hair, listen to music while I sew, and then boom, a Mon-stor is done and I'm usually really surprised and excited by it because even I don't have an idea what it will look like until it's finished!

Is there anything that inspires you while the Mon-Stors come to life?

My son. He is so funny and always has these crazy ideas. A lot of my monster descriptions are inspired by him and his crazy food combos, his love of video games, books and science and his over all just energetic and colorful personality!

I'm also really inspired by music. I can't really work without music, I get distracted easily without it. I turn up some jams and get lost in the music while I create!

Thanks you so much for taking the time to introduce yourself and your Mon-Stors!

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview! It was so fun! :)