Sock Monkey!

So little, so cute - so socky!

I'm having far too much fun coming up with new block prints and little stamps - here's my latest, a sock monkey.

Pandas!

Baby pandas, to be exact. You will definately see these in the store soon - so keep an eye out!

Item of the Day!

One of my favorite "time wasters" is to punch in random words to search on Etsy. Tonight I tried the combination: Moose Booger, but alas, nothing came up. So the second item that popped into my head was Caviar - and on page 2 of the search results, these beautiful earrings appeared by LoopsDesigns.

Very nice!

Current Craft Challenges!

This month features some interesting craft challenges around the net!

Crafster is featuring a "Super Ugly to Super Awesome" challenge that involves revamping a thrift store/flea market item and taking it from awful to brilliant! The prizes are great and the scope is pretty broad - just about anyone could think of a good entry for this one.
Entries are due December 1st through 5th, so there's plenty of time!

The EtsyMN Street Team is challenging members to submit an entry for their December challenge with a snow/ice theme. I've gotten my entry in, can't wait to see the others!
Posted items are due by November 30th - the details aren't posted on the blog yet, but their on the Yahoo Group pages.

New holiday/winter cards are in, after a long night of carving this stamp, I inked it with a delicate mixed blue and printed up a batch of lovely cards.

I've actually posted a tutorial or "how-to" on Crafster.org if you're interested in viewing the process.

I also used it as my December, 2007 challenge entry with my Street Team group!

Am I all swallowed out yet?

Apparently not!

I'm bordering on mass production here, but in the meantime, my brain is working overtime trying to develop a truly unique set of holiday cards. Some of the ideas I'm tossing around are a block cut snowflake or animal in the snow, or perhaps a leaf print, I don't know.

I'd welcome your creative suggestions - and if I pick one of them, you'll get a set of holiday cards of your very own as a thank-you gift!

Quinessential Minnesotan Imagery

I pine for a wonderful camera, but I do what I can with the little Canon PowerShot I do have.

I've been working hard on new cards, and I've been filling orders at the rate of a couple per day for a few days now, it's nothing short of wonderful. I've also got submissions to The Sampler Project under way, pending acceptance of my inquiry.

Be sure and click the cattail to see my Flickr account in action - lots of detail of new items mingle with my everyday life. Enjoy!

Hey! Guys! Add RustedDesigns on Flickr - you won't regret it. :)

Washi Paper Swallows are BACK!

The hand-cramping pays off in the end... each swallow, painstakingly cut by hand and applied to bright white cardstock. I love these suckers!

Sea Turtles are HERE!

The newest edition of cards is here and features a hand-carved, hand-inked sea turtle in a luscious green color.

I'm really having a blast creating the carvings, so there will be many new ones forthcoming.