Pinky Pink Birthday Party - A new variety just for the girls!

This new assortment of Ultimate Party Favors is just what every little girl wants to give to her guests at an over-the-top birthday party. The parents will thank you, too.  Psst: Don't forget to give your princess a  crown!

Treasury Tuesday: for teachers and for spring

It looks like buyers are beginning to think about spring!  We've been thinking about spring here in the workshop for weeks, and we are ready!  Today as I post this, there are 13 turkeys outside my window scratching around in the leftover snow. I think they are ready for spring, too.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you to our loyal customers, new and returning, for making 2010 a fabulous year :)

This farmhouse is where we, Those Greathouse Women, create. The studio is on the left, with the little stairway leading up to it. This is the house where I grew up, where my mother has always created, and where my children can now be inspired to create. Merry Christmas!

Sharing Awesome Collections just got a lot easier!

Etsy is cool. Yes, most of us know that, but really it cannot be said enough. One of those neat things that makes Etsy unique is a feature called the Treasuries. The creation and execution of a treasury has morphed over the years, but the anatomy remains the same: member-curated collections of awesomeness. Treasuries used to be hard to create, as there were only allowed to be a limited number at any given time. Back in those days, it was very exciting to learn that one of your items was featured - equaling free advertising and exposure. These days, there is an unlimited number of Treasuries (meaning your chances are improved of having an item chosen to share space in one), but I still get excited when it happens to me :)



A website called CraftCult has now made it easy for me to share with you every time I am featured in a treasury. They create a pretty little linkable widget that I can post in my blog to share with my readers! Thank you to CraftCult, an incredibly useful site for Etsy sellers.

CraftCult reports that Those Greathouse Women has an item featured in 81 treasuries at the moment. Enjoy the few I have shared with you here, and have a very Merry Christmas this weekend!

So many ideas, so little time!

I come up with about 10 new ideas every day, but only a few make it all the way to the end of the production line... Here are a few of the lucky ones:

A beautiful butterfly! Inspired by the fabric and beginning to think about spring, my mom and I collaborated to create this stunning 3D insect! The wings are sewn, turned, quilted, and securely sewn to the base of the window. Don't worry (safety first!), the window is a separate sewing stage, so the integrity of the window is intact (no matter how hard your child pulls on the wings). I love this new design! Check out the butterfly listing on Etsy to see more photos.

Bright eyed and bushy tailed! This cute little grey squirrel has been in my mind for weeks. He has an extra large viewing window and is really soft. I made the pattern awhile ago, but I couldn't find the right fabric. I'm not sure the grey is perfect (a little boring?), but I knew he needed to be fully realized whether I had it all figured out or not. I'll keep my eye out for the right fabric next time. Squirrels are very often brown where I come from (southern Indiana), but in Michigan (where I lived for many years until recently) they were often black. I know that grey squirrels are pretty common elsewhere.... maybe I should make mine pink or something just to cover all my bases? You can see more pictures of my little grey squirrel here on Etsy.

Sly cuddly fox! Isn't he cute? The tail is an appliqued piece of ivory fleece, and I free-styled with my machine the embroidery for his head and face. Perhaps I will make his nose a bit smaller on the next version, but I'm pretty happy overall. I've had this particular fabric for years - it took awhile to speak to me (thanks, mom!).

Hoot owls! One in brights, the other in naturals (well, if you consider plaid natural). I've sold a couple of pink owls so far, and have it listed again on Etsy. The original plaid owl sold, and I haven't yet remade it because I think the pattern needs some tweaking. Don't you think he would be cuter a little fatter? Oh yes. Fat is naturally cuter than skinny. Did I just say that? Hoot!

Last but not least - this clever little lady bug inspired by a dear friend's request for her ladybug birthday girl. The wings completely open to reveal the viewing window underneath. She even has little legs sewn into the seams. I have yet to make another one, but I'm sure I'll get around to it before spring is in full swing. Until then, you can see more pictures of it by viewing the sold listing on Etsy.

What is in the works, you ask? Well, I'm working out the kinks on a turtle for spring, and of course my pink and chocolate bunnies will be reappearing as we near Easter in just a few short months...