Crazy January Challenge 2011

So I've decided to participate in the Crazy January Challenge 2011 that I found on another stitcher's blog. With the fact I'm no longer just stitching for myself and need to keep up with orders & new patterns in my shop, I'm going to tweak the way I do the challenge a little bit.

The original challenge calls for you to pick 15 different cross stitch patterns/kits and start one of those each day for the first 15 days of January. You will then have 15 different WIPs (work in progress) to stitch and to try and get them ALL completed by the end of 2011.
This is the way I'm going to do the challenge...

• I will pick 12 different pieces.

• I'll start one piece on the 1st of each month and work on that piece consistently for a minimum of the first week.
  
• After that 1st week I will go back to orders or the next pattern that is closest to being finished and released for purchase in my shop.
  
• Sometime between the 8th & 15th of the month I'll post a pic of the progress I've made on each one of my challenge pieces (unfortunately with it being winter it is dark when I leave for work & dark when I get home so I generally have to wait for weekends to take pics during the daylight).

This is the list of the projects I'll be stitching and who the designer is:

1. Winter Freeze by Stitchnmomma
2. Celtic Cross by Stitchnmomma
3. Steps of Santorini by Stitchnmomma
4. Sunset Stroll by Stitchnmomma
   
5. Ironwork Gate by Barbara & Cheryl
   
6. The Red Cart by Stitchnmomma
7. Birch Allee by Stitchnmomma
8. Crashing Wave by Stitchnmomma
9. South Battery View by Barbara & Cheryl
10. Friends are Flowers by Stitchnmomma
11. The Great Wilderness Afghan by Miranda's Needle
12. The Long Road Home by Stitchnmomma

You may have noticed that most of the designs are my own. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone and participate in the challenge as well as work on some of the new patterns I'd like to release.

I'm looking forward to the challenge and hope you all enjoy the pictures I'll be sharing along the way.

Happy New Year to all of you!!
:)

Vote 4 Me...PLEASE!! :)

I'm hoping for some help from all of my great followers.

I've entered for the chance to win 1 month of free advertising on The Handmade Gift Guide.

I'm #30 of the 32 entrants. It's very simple, just click this link, scroll down to you find my Radiant Rose piece (#30) and click the vote button directly above the picture. Voting ends at 11:59pm on Sunday night 1/2/2011.

Thanks for your help!!!
:)

ENTER TO WIN....

With the ever changing and expanding world of social networking, I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the various forms, so based upon popular demand I've decided to start a monthly newsletter.

If you'd like to receive this newsletter, simply email me your first & last name and your email address to Stitchnmomma@hotmail.com Your email address will be kept private and I'll never sell or share my list.

In addition to having a new newsletter to announce my new patterns, categories, share works in progress, etc. I thought I'd have a NAME THE NEWSLETTER CONTEST. The winner will receive a gift certificate to my ArtFire shop. If you'd like to enter, just post a comment here or on my Facebook fan page with your newsletter name. Make sure I know how to get in touch with you in case you're the winner. The winner will be announced in the first premier issue the first week in January.

Can't wait to see the names you all come up with and good luck to everyone!

Looking forward

New LOWER Pricing!!!

As I'm spending more time focusing on my Stitchnmomma shop(s) I'm finding new pros & cons of different websites.

Today I'm excited to announce I will have LOWER PRICING at my ArtFire shop than my Etsy shop. Why you may ask am I doing this? Because unlike Etsy, ArtFire doesn't charge their sellers any fees so I'm passing this savings along to you!!

Stop by and check out my ArtFire shop as I'm adding new items every few days that will make great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.

Etsy vs. ArtFire - A Buyer's Opinion????

We all have our personal preferences when it comes to where we shop. I'm looking for the opinion of buyers out there. Do you have preference between Etsy and ArtFire?

I have accounts on both sites, and I feel there are pros and cons to both of them:

Etsy - I've had my Stitchnmomma account for about 18 months now and have had the privilege of 135 sales to date. Granted many of them have been custom or reserved listings, but they are sales none the less.

ArtFire - I've also had my account about 18 months and am still waiting for my first sale. I do have some items listed on ArtFire that aren't available on Etsy.



Etsy - the buyer must have an Etsy account to be able to purchase

ArtFire - as long as you have a PayPal account or a credit card, you can buy whatever you want without having to set up an account with them.


Etsy - is becoming over-saturated in many categories and the choices can be overwhelming

ArtFire - is the new up & coming site for Handmade items with a smaller selection but crafters that are just as dedicated.


I could go on & on with pros & cons from the SELLER'S point of view, but I won't get on my soap box.

If you have an opinion as a BUYER please share, I'd love to hear it.
:)