Xmittens on Sale

FREE Recycled Fabric Scarf with ALL ORDERS thru December 1! Use it as a gift, as gift wrap or keep it for yourself
Plus other fabulous sales going on at Xmittens
So, get those Xmittens you have been coveting at a discount thru December 1!

Garbella Handmade Goods and Gear

Garbella is one of my dear friends and fellow Pittsburgh crafters. She makes the best silk screened T's and bags! This scarf is a favorite of mine along with several of the tote bags in her etsy shop: www.garbella.etsy.com
This scarf is currently featured in the gift guides on etsy. I squealed when I saw it on the front page this morning! Go check out her work!

For the Men

My lovely boyfriend finally said yes to posing for some pictures with Xmittens! Now, everybody can see how Xmittens gloves and scarves are great for the men in our lives. NEW- sets of Xmittens and scarves are discounted at www.xmittens.etsy.com!

Decadent Cashmere Cowls

I can't get enough of cowl scarves! I went a little crazy last week one night when I could not sleep and made some out of cashmere sweater remnants. when I tried them on, it was so so so hard to take them off- they felt so good! This one makes a great hood, too!
This is a great way for me to use leftovers from other projects, so I started to make some out of T-shirt remnants, too, like this:Some are for sale at my Xmittens shop on etsy!

Mavis Staples Concert

Every once in awhile, I have to do a little plug for my day job. It's a good one, so I gotta spread the word!
This Saturday, Calliope is hosting the legendary Mavis Staples at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Pittsburgh. Mavis Staples is one of my all-time favorite performers. Known for your gospel, her grace and civil rights efforts, Mavis is going to set the hall on fire with her energy!
I can't wait! It's a good time to have a day job!

Etsy Gift Guide- Seasonal Fashion

Upstate Fancy Blog Holiday Guide

Whoa! the Holiday Season is upon us! I spent 14 straight hours in my studio yesterday making Xmittens and jewelry all while trying to document it as I went.
All my hard work is paying off though...Xmittens are featured in 2 Holiday Guides! Both have other great items as well, so check them out! Just click on the pictures to see more.

East Otto: A Fiber Art Sculpture

I remember sitting in the back seat of my parents truck in the afternoon. I had moved away suddenly a year or two before and we had not spent much time together since. It was sunny, I read a magazine in the back and relaxed. We traveled to where my dad had grown up- East Otto, NY. We picked flowers on the side of the road, there was milkweed pods and cat tails near the ditch. My dad was happy and smiling. We all were.

This sculpture was created using this moment as inspiration. The bottle is an antique bottle my mom and I found that day nearby. The wire is crocheted, knitted and knotted in fine silver, gold-filled or gold plated. My lovely friend, Tara, found the lamp and it was perfect to highlight the semi-hidden knitted gold beads inside and to make the soft drama I wanted to create.

This is a precious piece for me and my family. I thought I would share.

Ambermayhem Textile Art Newsletter

SAVE 10% on any one order on my website www.ambermayhem.com when you sign up for the monthly Ambermayhem Textile Arts Newsletter! Special deals, Textile Art event updates and more sent to you about once a month. The coupon lasts thru December 31, 2008 and is sent to you email address.
It's easy to sign up- just click here: Ambermayhem Sign Up Form
It takes about 30 seconds or less to fill out!

Thanks!

Xmitten Bliss

Xmittens are on SALE! thru November 15, buy 2 pairs of Xmittens and save $5! Buy one for you, and a pair as a gift, or start your very own collection of Xmittens fingerless glove (mine is at about 12 pairs for this year).

Xmittens! are practical, yet fashionable fleece fingerless gloves. Each has it's own unique stitched design and machine embroidery around the thumbhole for increased durability. To be honest, I started making these cuz it is so darn COLD in my studio and I need to be able to use my fingers, but stay warm while I make stuff. These totally fixed that problem.

If you would rather buy Xmittens and a matching Xmittens scarf or Hoodie Scarf, there's a $5 discount on that, too!

Be Warm this Winter!

If you must choose, be brave...

My true blue bestest friend ever, my dear Cherish, once said "If you must choose, choose to do the bravest thing." This thought process has changed my life. It has helped me be a better person leading a happier life.

So, for my 30th birthday, I decided I needed to face another fear. One of my biggest is singing in front of people. I am terrified! Especially, on a stage and/or with a microphone. My fear cemented itself after a middle school talent show (eeeeeekkk!!!). I still continued to sing in my school chorus, but never could get the courage up to sing a solo, even after practicing for hours for the audition. I would chicken out.

At this point, not doing something at my best and letting a fear get in my way of doing something I love is equivalent to a sin.

So, i am in a voice class. Yep, took the plunge and joined up with several other fearful singers to try and just get over it, be brave and love it.

And, I do! It is one of the best things I have ever done. An investment in myself, a bit of love just for me, to help me bring my best to the world.

I am singing, appropriately, Amazing Grace and singing it well. It is in my soul, a little bird of grace, in the form of a song.