Velvet Pumpkin Giveaway at Cupcake Mag

I almost don't want to share this contest link because I so selfishly love these pumpkins....but I want you to have a chance too. Enter to win these gorgeous velvet pumpkins today athttp://www.cupcakemag.com/2012/09/current-obsession-velvet-pumpkins-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-26893

Wedding Dog Giveaway! Enter here... before 9/21/12.

Enter to win a darling set of two handmade felt wedding dogs. They were crafted by me and sell at my Etsy shop for $35.

You can use them for wedding cake toppers or just as decor on your guest sign-in table. You can also use them afterwards as decor in your home to remember your wedding day. And there's always the opting of gifting them...they make cute shower gifts.

To enter: Join my blog here to the right or

Go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catnip-Toyworks/236590049796232?ref=hl to follow the Catnip Toyworks page on Facebook.
Or do both!

Leave me a comment either on the blog or on Facebook and you are automatically entered. Make sure you leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win. I will draw the winner on September 21, 2012. Hope you win!

Learn to Dye a Prim Doll! Tutorial Video on You Tube

Ever wondered how to dye a prim doll? I've seen so many cute ones in magazines and online and wondered myself. How do they age those dolls and get them to have that grunge look? Well, I learned how, so now I'll share it with you. Watch the You Tube video right here. And look for new prim cat toys and dog toys coming soon to my Etsy shop

Wedding Dogs Cake Toppers--A charming addition to the pet lovers' wedding

Bring your Pooches to the Wedding!

Today I created these wedding cake topper dogs for my cousin who just announced her engagement. They are too darling to keep to myself. I took a pattern for a jack russel felt dog and embellished each dog to look like a bride and groom. I used my grandmother's vintage lace for a veil and I made the top hat and bow tie out of felt. You can use these as a cake topper or just as a table decoration. Woof!

Visit my etsy store for more inspirations and creations: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatnipToyworks

Leave a comment...I love to read them!

Is anyone as in love with felt as I am?

If you are, you have to check out these darling felt projects. Happy making!

savedbylovecreations.com/2012/04/60-projects-you-can-make-with-felt.html

Find New Blog Readers, Discover Blogs You'll Love--Enter for a $100 Amazon Gift Card

Interested in finding more blogs to love? Cranky Gurl's blog is not only giving you an opportunity to find those like-minded bloggers, but to list yours as well in their blog hop. But, the best part? You can win a $100 Amazon gift card. Check it out: 

http://crankygurl.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/free-blogger-opportunity-100-amazon-gc/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CrankyGurlsCorner+%28Cranky+Gurl%27s+Corner%29

With St. Patty's Day coming up on March 17th, I figured why not make something for kitty? I hand made this shamrock and sprayed it with catnip. There are so many fun uses for felt. You could make these for your grandchild or kids. Or you could leave them one sided (not stuffed) and hang them as a garland of shamrocks. 

I'd love to hear what you do for St. Patty's Day crafting! Leave a comment here.

You can see the whole listing at http://www.etsy.com/listing/95063798/catnip-toy-shamrock-st-patricks-day

Are you having success selling your crafts? Sound off here!

If you're like me, you love making crafts. It's something you'd do even if no one ever saw a single one. The process is joyful even if there's no reward, monetary gain or applause from friends and family. But then the dreamer side comes in...what if...I could make a living doing just my crafts?...I could sell like the big guys on Etsy?...I could really feel like my crafts were noticed and cherished?

If you've ever felt like this, I'd love to hear from you. How are you doing on sites like Etsy? Are you on Twitter marketing your items? Do you prefer Facebook? What's worked for you? What hasn't worked? Leave a comment here and link to your shop or work. I will definitely check you out so I can follow you.

To the left here is the NY style cheesecake catnip toy I made last night. I Tweeted it out to the world last night after I listed it on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatnipToyworks What do you think of it? I'd love your thoughts.

Sallianne Norelli - Softies - Art Is...You - The East and West Coast Art Retreats

Sallianne Norelli - Softies - Art Is...You - The East and West Coast Art Retreats

Gather your needles and thread and head over to Stamford, CT on October 4, 2012. I'll be teaching how to make softie dolls. I'll include tips and tricks and pattern ideas. You'll hear lots more on this blog as the excitement builds for this 4-day event!! All arts. All fun. All wonderful people and an environment that sparks creativitiy. 

REPOST FOR TIP ME TUESDAY: Easter is coming...Is Your Kitty's Basket Ready?

Ok, so how many people out there actually make a basket for their pets for Easter? I know I do. And if you're like me, you're always on the prowl for cute goodies to include. So here's an idea...how about a chocolate bunny? What? Give an animal chocolate...you know that's bad...

Not real chocolate! Kitty will enjoy this catnip filled chocolate bunny on Easter morning. There's also a Peep bunny and a spring baby lamb. Come on over and check out my shop on Etsy. It's just getting going, but I'd love you to leave a comment. Come by and say Hi!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatnipToyworks






<a href="http://tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/images/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" alt="Tip Junkie handmade projects" border="0"/></a> 

Clara's Closet has become Catnip Toyworks!!

Catnip Toyworks: 'Cause When Kitty Ain't happy, Ain't Nobody Happy!

For all those who knew me from Clara's Closet on Etsy and in the blog, I welcome you now to CATNIP TOYWORKS! Yes, this is my new venture combining my love of soft dolls, art and pets.

Unique Catnip Toys
My son and I love playing with Jane, the darling above, and we know how much others love their kitties too. So, since I already make soft dolls, I thought about how much fun it would be to make dolls just for the spoiled kitties in our lives. And, to make it even better, they're all filled with catnip. Who doesn't love to see a drunken kitty sprawled on the carpet?

On Etsy...but building the shop slowly. Come over to http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatnipToyworks to have a look at the first item, a PEEP! Like us on Twitter, leave a comment...share in the excitement of a new launch. Much more to come.

Clara's Closet loves Claradolly...And so will you!

Clara Lieu of Claradolly on Etsy

With a shop name like Claradolly, how could we help but love these darling soft dolls? Vibrant and cheerful, these softies really give a lift to an otherwise grey day. Site owner Clara Lieu has this to say about her work, "I am a professor, visual artist, and children's book illustrator. I teach fine art at Wellesley College and at the Rhode Island School of Design. "Dollies" is a series of characters and children's book series that I've been developing for many years, it's my pet project." 

Head over to Etsy to take a closer look. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Claradolly

Tiny Owl Knits: Cutest Fairy Houses I've Ever Seen!

http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/fairy-castles/

Oh, so cute fairy houses abound at Tiny Owl Knits. There are also patterns, workshops and other things that celebrate the art of knitting. You'll fall in love with this site too as the owner describes herself as, "Stephanie Dosen, an American singer who lives in London with her unicorn, two cats & a hefty yarn stash riddled with gnome families." How cool is that?

My New Favorite Soft Dolls Site! Olive Grove Primitives

I found this wonderful site while blog hopping. If you love cutie dolls and soft animals you have to check out this shop that's located in Australia (but they also have online shopping for those of us who can't fly over to visit). I can't stand the cuteness!!! http://www.olivegroveprimitives.com/pages/Blog.htm

Anyone near CT? I'm teaching at ART IS YOU in October!!!

I am so very excited to learn that I am going to be teaching how to make soft animals at ART IS YOU EAST COAST ART RETREAT. It's going to be held in Stamford, CT in October. So stay tuned for details! For now you can browse through the ART IS YOU site at http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/events-eastcoast.htm. Come like the event on Facebook too and stay updated on details as they emerge! https://www.facebook.com/artretreats. So excited!!