Anyone who reads this blogs knows that I knit.

I bought this needle case 

from Martha By Mail years ago. 

(by the way, I miss that catalogue; it had great products.)

I love the needle case - I would never know what needles I owned without it.

Regular readers also know how I like to use up everything.

I made a few needle cases a couple of years ago

with some of my extra fabric

and sold them at Sea Beans Studio.

The needle cases sold quickly each time I brought them to the shop.

I kept meaning to make more, but not being a speedy seamstress...

I procrastinated.

Out of the blue, I was inspired to make more needle cases

for the upcoming Sis Boom show.

I guess I wanted to change it up a bit.

I patched a lot of my scraps together...

and used this great ribbon that I bought a few seasons ago;

one ribbon illustrates how to knit in 3 easy steps

and another has the words:

I wonder who is knitting for me? 

How much fun to use this ribbon for the ties.

So here are the knitting needle cases.

Each one is one of a kind.

I sewed in the studio all weekend long 

listening to my book on tape.

It was a perfect weekend.

I hated to stop.

These will all be for sale at the Sis Boom show

on June 11th, 12th and 13th

A created a few more goodies. 

Come back tomorrow to see those...

My friend Robin's store,

Sea Beans Studio,

was featured on the Coastal Living blog!

check it out here

Robin was the first retail establishment to showcase my

frames and memento boards.

Thanks Robin for the great start.

Robin's specialty is the 

hand-painted, charming, fun and functional LL Bean canvas bag.  

Each bag is a beautiful custom creation.

See an example on the adirondack chair pictured above.

my favorite store in wilton

owned by friend and artist Robin

who just started her blog

there are my frames in the window

and a couple of Robin's painted canvas tote bags.

Sea Bean - a symbol of luck and longevity

we all need a little bit of both

Sea Beans - interior 

Sizzlin' hot and the livin' is easy - July jumped June - 

studio, aka garage, is an oven tonight  

but got a little done.

I have a couple of special orders from one of my favorite shops,

sea beans in wilton, connecticut

This year my business has grown bigger and better 

and it would not have happened without the help of lots of people.

I told you all about Jennifer of Sis Boom fame yesterday.

Thanks again Jennifer for your boost. 

I was thrilled to participate in your show.

Today 

I want to introduce you to another person 

who has been instrumental to the growth of my business:

Robin Sherman of Sea Beans fame. 

Robin is tucked into the back corner of the picture below.

Robin is a lovely person and a brilliant artist.

She has a wonderful style and can paint anything your heart desires.

Robin will do custom painting for you on

a bean bag

a picture frame

a picnic basket

a mirror

a treasure box

check out the Sea Bean's website to see Robin's work.

Robin is painting two bean bags for me now.

I will post pictures when they are done.

They are going to look something like the bags pictured below

How nice is this for a beach bag!

or a bag for the lake.

I have been selling my work at Sea Beans since the shop  opened in 2005. 

Prior to selling at Sea Beans I sold my work exclusively at charitable boutiques

and the sales were usually confined to the months leading up to the holidays.

Now I have sales all year long - 

this has not only filled the coffers but forced me to be

more organized and efficient.

Selling wholesale also prompted me to make some 

improvements to the product, which, 

in turn, helped to grow the sales even more.

Now I am proud to say that I am in six different boutiques 

in the Northeast and in Chicago,

with plans to be in more stores this summer.

Thanks Robin for getting me started.

Robin's shop showcases lots of other local talent.

You can always find something fun, unique, and cheerful in this 

wonderful shop.