Saturday, September 3, 2011

Board Games Make Me Happy!

Day 3 Blog Challenge Topic: Top 5 Favorite Board Games

My brothers and I LOVE to play board games! We have game nights as often as we can. When we were all local to each other, we'd usually get together once a month or so to play. We all especially seem to be fond of card games.

Rummikub
Monopoly Deal
Texas Hold'em Poker
Trivia Games
Scrabble

Friday, September 2, 2011

Day 2 Blog Challenge

How many languages do you speak?

Californian, West Coast, Cajun, and New York (when I say coffee or bagel) English.

And 2 years in HS and 2 more terms of Spanish in college. I usually listen to comprehend more often than I attempt to speak it. Working in a kitchen in Oregon, many of the crew were Hispanic. The funnest word we said to each other? Vanilla! VaniLa in English is vanEEYa in Spanish. We used to go back and forth until we were both giggling. "Read this word," ~pointing at a jar label~ "Vaneeya" Still makes me smile. That was a fun crew.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Sept 1 - Me and My Day



A photo of myself: I got my hair cut back to short just last week.

Today was my second day of 'training' at the new Wheat Montana Bakery and Deli that's opening at the travel plaza I work at! I bartend on the weekends, and will be adding another shift or two in the deli on campus. It should be fun. We didn't do much learning; we did lots of cleaning, and getting the building ready for final inspection before opening. Tomorrow we start up coffee training (hopefully I can learn Something. I've been through all the the Starbucks training, so I suspect I'll be helping more than learning).

I also got drafts for my new business cards! I recently opened handmadehealth.etsy.com where I've been moving all of my health and fitness items from samscrochet.etsy.com. One side of the card will be dedicated to SC and the other to HH. Here's the draft. Near final. Comments and feedback would be greatly appreciated!




Wednesday, August 31, 2011

September 30 Day Challenge Topics


So, I'm going to give this a shot. Give me something to write about at least once a week with a few things, or a quick jump on and off more regularly. I'm joining Lily of MyHobbyShop (and a fellow crocheter) in a 30 day blog challenge! 
http://myhobbyshopblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/september-30-day-blog-challenge.html


Some things I have going on in September include:
*Starting a 2nd job (well started today officially, but the restaurant will be opening in the coming weeks, so we're cleaning and stocking and training for now)
*Turning 27 (on the 24th) the same day that one of my best friends turns 25
*Traveling to Oregon from Montana with my sweetheart to visit my nephew (born July 21) and niece (born June 30) and celebrate my birthday with my family and friends.


Reading over these questions, I look forward to sharing more with you! Come back often this month; it's gonna be a good one. September's my favorite month!


SEPTEMBER 30 DAY CHALLENGE TOPICS

1 A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was
2 How many languages can you speak?
3 Top 5 favorite Board Games
4 Do you believe in soul mates?
5 What is the best piece of advice you've received?
6 Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
7 Summer or Winter?
8 Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
9 What would you do if you only had 24 hours left to live?
10 What is the first thing you notice about people?
11 Top 5 favorite bloggers you like to read
12 What is your favorite food?
13 Tattoos. If you have one, post it and it’s story. If not, what do you want?
14 What type of music do you like to listen to?
15 Top 5 favorite Sports players (male or female)
16 What is the first think you notice about a guy or girl?
17 What was the last movie you've seen?
18 What was your most recent trip of more than 50 miles?
19 What is your favorite pizza topping?
20 What is the worst thing that happened to you during the past week?
21 What's your favorite Broadway musical?
22 If you only had 24 hours to live, what would you want to do?
23 Who's your favorite Care Bear?
24 What do your parents do for a living?
25 Computer or television?
26 If you could go to Disney World with any celebrity alive today, who would it be?
27 Post one confession/secret
28 Mountain hideaway or beach house?
29 What is on your mouse pad?
30 Hugs or Kisses?

Monday, August 22, 2011

Color Options

These are all of the options I keep in stock.
Most of my listings are in Red Heart Super Saver acrylic,
and the bath items are in Peaches & Cream USA Grown cotton.
Equivalents in color shown at the very bottom.


Last update 07/15/2012


ACRYLICS, AVAILABLE:
Cherry red
Burgundy
Ranch red
Claret/Maroon
Carrot (dark)
Pumpkin (bright)
Gold
Bright yellow
Cornmeal
Pastel yellow
Spring green
Medium thyme
Tea leaf
Hunter
Frosty green
Honeydew
Paddy green
Teal
Light blue
Windsor blue
Turqua
Medium blue
Blue
Royal blue
Navy
Medium Purple
Dark orchid
Orchid
Lavender
Light raspberry
Shocking pink
Baby pink
Pretty-n-pink
Heather grey
Light grey
Black
White
Aran (off white)
Buff
Cafe
Coffee
Warm Brown

Green tones
Purple tones
Blue tones
Pink tones
Bikini
Camoflauge
Fall
Marrakesh
Melonberry
Candy print
Bay print



ACRYLICS, OUT OF STOCK:
I do not stock these colors, and can only find them seasonally.

Dark Sage
Sunshine



ACRYLICS, LIMITED EDITION:
Once I run out of these, I don't plan to restock them at this time except for special orders as available:

Amazon print
Aruba sea
Aspen print
Banana berry
Cherry chip
Cherry cola
French country
Holly & Ivy (VERY limited, out soon!)
Light sage
Mirage
Monet
Ocean
Painted desert
Peruvian print
Pink camo
Plum pudding
Primary
Sandy print
Seagrass
Shaded browns
Shaded dusk
Starbrights
Urban camo
Watercolor
Burgundy, Claret, Ranch Red, Cherry, Carrot, Cornmeal, Bright Yellow
Frosted Green, Tea Leaf, Med Thyme, Dark Sage, Paddy Green, Country Blue, Med Blue, Royal, Teal
Dk Orchid, Shocking Pink, Buff, Cafe, Coffee

A) aruba sea, med blue, bon bon print
B) med purple, white, dark orchid
C) shocking pink, baby pink, light raspberry
D) sunshine, cornmeal (or bright yellow if out of season), pumpkin
E) med purple, lt raspberry, med blue
F) white, dark orchid, shocking pink
G) cornmeal, baby pink, aruba sea




Bright Yellow, Spring Green, Pretty N Pink, Light Blue,
Cherry Red, Turqua, Pumpkin Orange
Aruba Sea, Aran, Dk Orchid, Lt Raspberry,
Windsor Blue, Carrot Orange, Tea Leaf, Teal
Bay Print, Watercolor, Fall, Sandy Print,
Bay Print, Bikini, Candy Print, Marrakesh
Carrot Orange, Frosted Green Fleck, Claret, Ranch Red, Amazon, Burgundy

Melonberry, Baby Pink, Lt Raspberry

Tea Leaf with Hunter, Fall and Coffee Leaves
Marrakesh and Candy Print with Tea Leaf Green

Melonberry with Spring Green, Dk Orchid with Frosted Green Fleck, Amazon with Cafe, Claret with Grey,
Artist Print with Spring Green, Burgundy with Fall, Claret with Frosted Green Fleck
Medium Purple with Hunter, Carrot Orange with Paddy, Cornmeal with Spring Green

    Cool Breeze, Earth Ombre, Green Twists
    Guacamole, Countryside Ombre, Lava Lamp
    Shown best here:
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/SamsCrochet?section_id=5970848

    COTTONS, AVAILABLE:
    Bright Pink
    Rose
    Country red
    Burgundy
    Red

    Orange
    Golden yellow
    Lime
    Pine
    Sage
    Light blue
    Hot blue
    Indigo
    Scented lavender
    Lavender
    Taupe
    Warm brown
    White
    Black


    Clay - tangerine, tan, white
    Cool breeze - white, pastel green, pastel blue
    Countryside ombre- purple, sage
    Daffodil daze - white, yellow
    Damask ombre - tan, red, pink
    Denim - darker blues
    Earth ombre - browns
    Green twists - green, white throughout yarn
    Guacamole - dusty greens
    Ivy league - white, green, blue
    Mod ombre - white, teal, green
    Moondance- white, purple, blue
    Pink Camo - light pink with a greenish/grey
    Renegade - camo greens
    Shaded denim - light blue, white
    Sonoma print - tan with clay, brown flecks
    Sunshine - pink, orange, yellow
    Swimming pool - turquoise blues
    Violet veil ombre - white, pastel purple, pastel blue, pastel yellow




    COTTONS, LIMITED EDITION
    Once I run out of these, I don't plan to restock them at this time except for special orders as available
     
    Barnboard twists
    Field of dreams
    Landscape

    Rose twist
    Tangerine




    COTTONS, OUT OF STOCK:
    Lava lamp (they have changed the dyes in this color and it's not nearly so bright and pretty as it used to be)


    Pink, White, Black, Lime, Country Red

    Pink, Tangerine, Hot Blue, Lavander

    Cool Breeze, Lava Lamp, Moondance

    Guacamole, Earth Ombre, Field of Dreams, Barnboard Twist
    Violet Veil Ombre, Lava Lamp, Cool Breeze, Moondance 
    White, Lavender, Orange, Light Blue, Pink




    Tuesday, April 26, 2011

    Trades Make Me Happy

    I am a member of Etsy TradeAHolics and LOVE to trade on Etsy. As my best friend is having a baby girl this summer a few weeks before my brother and his wife are to have a little boy, most of my trades have been for all kinds of awesome baby and new Mom items. Here are some of my favorite items that I've traded for.

    Some of the most recent ones have been just for Me. I got this great little black skirt, that I have worn every day over 50 degrees since I got it. I created a custom yoga mat bag and she's pretty darn happy with it. This picture of her with her new bag made my day!  Troblin sells vintage items, and I got a couple of fun white jackets to wear this summer, too.



    Hopefully my brother and sister in law don't read my blog yet, b/c I've been doing a BIG bundle of felt food for their son to be, Ian. My brother is a chef, and so I thought they should have the best play food around. Being from the Northwest, and enjoying Swedish meatballs so much, I knew they'd appreciate these pieces from Tatestastees which include a fondue set, avocado, salmon steak, and sushi set. The last photo is of two of the scarves in the bundle she received. Mom and Son matching granny length set.







    Some more of my favorite trades included lotion candles from JazzyCustomCreations, and Awesome giant project/shoulder bag and infinity scarves from LoveKnots4Baby, (I've not had it farther than a few feet from me since I got it), and wonderful hibiscus passion body frosting from BubbleTub.


    Some other shops I'd like to mention for you to check out:
    Pugs2Persians: Wonderful shop with high quality leashes, collars, and poo bags.
    TheWeeShelf: Lolo, MT based vintage shop
    HoneyBeeHolistics: Offers lovely soaps, creams, and teas, including a gift set perfect for new Mothers
    LoobieLabels: Where I got these fun baby sock sushi sets
    BetterLifeBags: Customize in the style and fabrics of your choice. Below is most of my set.



    I have gotten many great items, but there are so many wonderful shops in our trading circle that I can't list them all. Please feel free to join us if you have an Etsy shop, and share your handmade items with the world, one shipment at a time.

    Saturday, April 2, 2011

    Appreciated Photos & Feedback

    I love the feedback I get from my wonderful customers! I've recently gotten some great feedback, and a couple of fun appreciation photos that I'd like to share. Two new SC scarf owners. 


    Yane Zwee Lovies





    Here are some of my favorite bits of feedback:
    *"SAM's items are FABULOUS! I have received multiple compliments on the leg warmers she made for me in the specific colors I asked for. She was timely and the stitching detail was intricate and durable. Sam's style is unique and her colors are really great. For example, the purse and yoga blanket she did custom and the amount of time and effort put in to make every detail was inspiring. Two weeks ago Sam made a wonderful baby hat with a snowflake detail on the front. The baby's parents were so pleased and I felt that I had a special "secret" for giving beautiful homemade gifts! If you haven't ordered from Sam's Crochet yet, you really should-you will be so pleased!"
    *"GREAT products here! I have 4-5 scarves, 3 purses and a hat. I have had NO problems with any of them wearing out, or stitches coming out. I LOVE HER WORK!" This one's from my best friend who's been getting my items for more than a decade now.
    *"LOVE my little phone cozy. It's even cuter in person. I loved that I could customize it with my favorite colors. The handiwork is exceptional!"
    *"THANK you so much! I can't wait to take this to the gym, it feels so natural and is just beautiful."
    *"LOVE the hat!!! I'm going to have to share this one with my husband."
    *"GREAT seller, very helpful when choosing your custom item. Nice and great follow up. Very informative with your custom options."
    *"MY bag is Amaaazing! and matching phone case to die for!. Beautifully crocheted. Gorgeous colors. Highly recommended." ~One SC Bag Owner in France
    *"EXCELLENT work, this looks even more beautiful in person with a intricate cable design. I asked for a special color and it shipped so fast! "
    *"THIS is one of the best purses ever! Sam is amazing to deal with. She goes above and beyond to make sure that you have the best experience possible in her shop. I love the large bubble stitch and the cell phone case keeps my phone from being scratched or banged around in my purse... you think of everything! t" This feedback was given by a gal who is soon to be doing a review on my shop and items. Think I'll do alright. :D Looking forward to reading her comments.






    *"I LOVE this item! I use it all the time, it's especially great for during exercise, keeps my unruly hair out of my eyes."
    *"PERFECT fit- looks great with my purple yoga mat. Very happy!"
    *"THIS camera bag is perfect...my camera is now stylin'"
    *"BEAUTIFUL yoga mat bag! I bought it for my sister (a yoga teacher) and it is perfect! I appreciated the willingness of Sam to arrange a local, in person exchange."
    *"THIS is a great bag, too! My water bottle and kids sippy cups fit perfectly in the compartments and it leaves the center opening a perfect size for snacks. I love the way it hangs comfortably from my shoulder, and the colors go well with everything. Oh, and its reversible, which is awesome."






    About Apple Cozies:
    *Love it! My daughters have stolen mine!
    *Squee!!! I can't wait to get my little apple cozy!
    *This apple is even better in person! I gave to my daughter who is in college to be a school teacher. She was very happy with it. (I almost kept it, it was sooooo well made & nice)
    *We put it on a pear - SO cute!
    *This is so cute! I put an apple in it and sent it in my fiancee's lunch for work today, just love it.
    *The photos don't do the items justice. The colors are so vibrant.
    *Adorable. I wanted to give it away, but I can't part with it. I'll be back for more.
    *these are so great! my kids love them and use them everyday!
    *I am absolutely thrilled with this little apply cozy. Great price, free shipping, super-fast service. I couldn’t be happier! You can’t help but smile when you see it. (Seriously, it’s so cute… it just makes you happy!)
    *Utterly wonderful and just perfectly made. I actually squealed with delight when this arrived! A wonderful and talented Etsy seller.
    *Transaction was FAST, EASY with good communication. Your work is exquisite. The picture doesn't do this Purse justice!!!






    Find some consistencies? All the things that I try my hardest to do best are noticed. Thank you SOOOO much for the support!
    I am Very Proud of the following piece of information. More than 2 years in business and 345 feedbacks as buyer and seller on Etsy, and I've received ZERO neutrals, and ZERO negatives. My 100% positive has no rounding involved. How exciting is that!