Fashion Friday: A Day at the Beach!

My friend Karen has been working her magic on some great new items! This fabulous No Droop Cotton Beach Bag is made of cotton yarn with a cd in the base for added stability. The perfect tote for all of your beach essentials: book, snack, water and a towel. When summer is over (and it doesn't take long around here) take it with you to the market for all of your harvest fresh veggies. It is always nice to dress up your day at the market with a stylish and practical accessory! Check out this and some of her other fun new creations at Duncancreative.

Fashion Fridays: Oh Baby!

Spring has sprung and along with it will be two baby girls in my family. In their honor I have chosen to feature this adorable baby sweater set from VioletUnderground. It just looks so soft and sweet!

My favorite gifts for my daughter were the handmade sweaters, hats and booties. They are always "the keepers", the heirlooms that we save for our future grandchildren and then maybe even great grandchildren. I just love the fact that clothing (something that we for the most part take for granted) can be a very significant part of family history.

This beautiful sweater, hat, and booty set would make the perfect gift for a Spring Baby!

Fashion Fridays: Week Two: Spring Green!

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I went on the lookout for something green that would work well in our current season of transition.

Spring has sprung at MaticStudio! You'll be the envy of everyone at the St.Patrick's Day parade in this gorgeous hand crocheted cowl by Leah Moerschel.

I have always had an affection for happy colors and this green is one of my favorites. Maybe it is the way it compliments my red hair but I feel like more and more people are confident in their love of color and I say go for it!

Who wouldn't feel good when they are wrapped in something bright and cheery!

Check out more by Leah @

MaticStudio and Sugarfoots

Jack's Pick: Hoot Owl Hat by Duncan Creative

Each Friday I select an item created by a member of the Rochester NY Etsy Street Team(RNEST). What criteria do I use? I look for great looking items that I think are well made offered for a great price!

The chill is now in the air in Rochester, and we all are starting to think about Fall, and that unthinkable word...winter. We start breaking out the warmer cloths, start drinking more warm beverages, and start settling in for the long dark nights.

Sound depressing? Well, just look at this hat and you won't want to wait for the cold weather! You will be begging for a cold day to wear it! Karen of Duncan Creative has crocheted this adorable "Nobody Gives a Hoot Owl" hat from acrylic yarn, and can be ordered in any size, for kids or adults.

I like this hat because I like owls, and birds. I like hats with ear flaps. I like the friggin' cute kids modeling these hats...I mean how big is that grin! I think this hat may have magical powers to make you smile.

Jack's Pick: Duncan Creative's Crochet Necklace

Each Friday I select an item created by a member of the Rochester NY Etsy Street Team(RNEST). What criteria do I use? I look for great looking items that I think are well made offered for a great price!

So I am used to crochet scarves. Hats and gloves, yup...got 'em. But I have to admit, crochet NECKLACES are a new thing to me. I'm sure they have been around, but I'm not usually following

the crochet scene. But the Lavender Fields Crochet Necklace that was handmade with love by karenswimmer of Duncan Creative

looks awesome and novel to me.

So I'm a dude, and probably wouldn't wear this one, but I still think this kicks rear end. Why? Function...that's

why. Maybe you are the kind of person who likes to wear scarves in the winter...hey...I do! But come summer, you got to put that stuff away...too hot. Well a gem like this crochet necklace is perfect...still get that soft look, but not all that heat. I dig that. Next is style...it looks sweet, and who else you know who is rocking this look! Also, you don't have to mine all the gold, silver, and rocks out of the earth to have this accessory.

Karen, if you make one of these for a dude, I might wear it myself. Oh yeah, and one more thing, in July Duncan Creative is having a buy one get one half off sale, so grab a couple of these yarn bombs.

Jack's Pick: Crochet Chocolate Truffles from Duncan Creative

Each Friday I select an item created by a member of the Rochester NY Etsy Street Team (RNEST). What criteria do I use? I look for great looking items that I think are well made offered for a great price!

This week I have selected Crochet Chocolate Truffles from RNEST member karenswimmer of Duncan Creative!

OK, first off, who doesn't like chocolate? Well, I do know a few people who don't, but they are in the minority. Secondly, who doesn't think these are soooo cute. I mean crocheted food just brings out the kid in you!

Karen Swimmer of Duncan Creative does an amazing job taking yarn and making it look appetizing. She has a wide variety of food items in her etsy shop, and I always love looking at it, like walking through a grocery store. Of coure, I love watching the Food Network, so maybe I'm a bit obsessed.

Now, I was never into "truffles" until my sisters opened up a chocolate shop in Potsdam, NY, called St. Lawrence Chocolates. They make lots of varieties of truffles, my favorite being the Dark Island Dark truffle, a dark chocolate ganache covered in dark chocolate. Karen's truffles here remind me of these wonderfully tasty creations.

I want to point out one other thing here. Can you believe the prices Karen has on her crocheted food! I mean, I can't buy the real food at these prices! What an incredible value!

Thank you Karen, can't wait to see what comes out of your "kitchen" next!