Pumpkin Passion

More Etsy goodness:

In part to having been raised Mormon, I have some skill in several different types of crafts including needlepoint, cross-stitch, sewing, quilting, jewelry making, appliqueing, macrame, and knitting. One method I have not fully learned is crocheting. I can make a decent granny square but that’s all I’ve ever made. Recently I’ve started finding some really cute crotchet patterns that may inspire me to pick back up a crotchet hook.

For instance, I found this pattern on Etsy today:

How freaking adorable! There’s also a cupcake pattern and a candy corn pattern. Check out Lilla Dolce’s etsy shop for more information on the Pumpkin Sugar Cookie Crochet Scarf Pattern.

I may be the only person who takes New Year’s Resolutions seriously. The big major resolution I made this year (truth be told, last year as well) was to have my own Etsy site up and running. If you don’t know about Etsy, click here immediately and check it out. For those of you no taking my advice I will tempt you more by explaining that Etsy is a site filled with handmade stuff off a wide variety. Different artisans have their own page where they sell anything from crocheted penis pillows to felted cupcake pin cushions that even your grandmother would love.

With everything being handmade, all the items are unique and the sellers are amazingly sweet. When was the last time you made a purchase from Amazon and they sent you a handwritten card saying thank you and if there are any problems with your purchase please contact them and they’ll make it right? I’ve even worked with one seller, Atlantis Designs, to make a one-of-a-kind birthday present for a friend. The gift was a melted glass replica of the cover from the book Stargirl and then I had her make two necklaces of the same cover. It was awesome and my friend loved it. Here’s another necklace I purchased on Etsy from MetalSugar that I absolutely love.

Currently, I’m working on creating some items for my own page. I want to have at least 9 items completed before I open. So far I have a purse, some zipper pouches, and some onesies completed. This weekend I’m working on some zipper pouches for Halloween. I just found the most amazing pumpkin ribbon at Jo-Ann’s Fabric Store that I’ll share once I finish the pouches.

This story was just for background purposes on this week’s Photo Friday. Heather saw some pumpkin chocolate truffles on Etsy and thought they might interest me. Not only do they look completely delectable, it’s also a beautiful photo and so I share it with you at the top of this entry.

Jane of All Trades tends to sell out of them but it seems like she restocks quickly. Yummy!

Yesterday was chilly here in Los Angeles. Walking from the train station to the office, the hair on my arms was standing straight up and I had goosebumps all over. It really felt like Fall. Typically, the weather will cool down for a short time in August to trick me into believing that Fall is here early and then September will be hotter than hell.

While the Fall temperature may not be here to stay, pumpkin products have already started showing up on the shelves of several retailers. The first pumpkin display I saw this year was at JoAnn’s Craft & Fabric store back in July. Even for a pumpkin fanatic like me, this seems way too early and lots more displays have crept up since.

Just this past weekend I saw Disneyland staff stocking shelves with pumpkin memorabilia and they even had a Fall window display. I think it was the sight of a Mickey Mouse hat decked out as a pumpkin that finally got me excited about the upcoming 2009 pumpkin season. I’m really looking forward to seeing Disneyland all pumpkin’d out and now that we just got out pass I’ll be able to take lots of pictures.

The 2009 Pumpkin Eatin’ Season is shaping up to be a good one. Only two more weeks until the official start! Woo Ho!!