Welcome Back!!

Welcome Back to the Attic!

After taking a year or more off from this blog I decided to renew my efforts in this blogging "thing".  Why you may ask?  Did I suddenly become an incredible literary scribe?  Ahhh NO...I still find writing to be a challenge.  I am still wondering how I am going to make this Blog going to work.   Then why and I doing this?  Well, a few people have asked that I start it back up, to go more in depth about some of the items that I have on Dame Ashely's Attic.  See, not everything that I post on Dame Ashely's is for sale.  Sometimes I post something silly, or I find something from going through all of the boxes that I have in storage and I think that people will like.  That is why I always say:  You never know what you find in the Attic!

So with that being said, and with the foundation being laid to link this blog and my Facebook page together, I want to welcome you into the Attic once again as I undertake this new journey and explore more of the fun and interesting things that I find in and around me as I build Dame Ashely day by day.

As always stop over and see what is new, I am all ways happy to see old friend and meet new ones.
(Don't forget to hit that LIKE button!!!)

www.facebook.com/DameAshelysAttic

We MOVED!! Find me on FACEBOOK!!!

Hello!  Thanks for stopping in!

So much has happened in the last year that it is too much to tell.  The biggest thing is that we MOVED!! 

Yep that's right, we moved. 

So mosey over to FACEBOOK and see what all new and exciting is going on over there.  

I can not wait to meet you!!

Melissa

When in Facebook just search us out.  We pop right up!

Treasure and tragedies.

I am going to break a rule. Yes I'm a rule breaker. The rule is one of my own making for this Blog, however, I am breaking it.

Dame Ashely is my "business".  This BLOG is how I get the word out. (to all 3 of you that read this! LOL) It is how I show what the "Dame" is up too.  New Patterns, new items that are for sale, and her happenings.

The rules are pretty simple: Keep it to business. No referencing by name or image my children or my family. For their safety, and my sanity.

Good rules right? Yes they are, and for the most part I am able to stick to them.

Now here is where I smash them to bits:


I was ready for this Blog's subject to be about the newest craft product and Knitted items that are now available for sale at Dame Ashely's Attic.  Entice you to start buying for the holidays.  Start to really push my "Brand" and get my name out there.  I am new to the world of Internet Craft Sales and I need to really start showing something for all of the work that I am putting into this venture.

So here I am sitting at my desk starting to type when my phone rings and I find that my daughter is being rushed to Children's Hospital ER.  She was very ill and not doing well.

It has been many months since I had seen her in this level of discomfort. Many months since I had to sit in the very uncomfortable chairs and wait for tests, and watch a parade of Doctor's, Nurses, aides and other hospital personnel troupe through our little corner of medical drama, asking their repetitive questions and driving you a bit batty while doing it.

While we are waiting for this Drama to play out, I had brought my small bag of knitting with me, and a bag of completed NICU hats I had knitted in the past few months to be turned in to the Hospital.  Even though I was getting very bored and needed to do something with my hands, I didn't "feel" like knitting, or finding the Child Life Specialist to give these little hats too. I was not inspired. I wasn't thinking of the other, more serious cases going on around us.  I was totally focused on what a TRAGEDY this moment was.  How awful it was that, once again, here I sit, alone, with a little girl that didn't ask to be afflicted with this illness, be so strong and brave. I wanted to yell and scream. I was angry. More over I very scared. We have not had good experiences at the hospital. I was a mess and desperately wanted to run as far as I could as fast as I could with my daughter.

As each Doctor or Nurse walked into the room, I could feel my blood pressure rise and the panic set in.  I had to work hard so it was not that evident that I was in distress.   As luck would have it, a Child Life Specilist did come to our room.  She was a very cheerful woman and was very kind to us.  While she was there she noticed my knitting and we got to talking about the knitting and what I like to knit.  I gave her the hats and thought that was it.  Would not see her again for the rest of the visit.  How wrong was I!!!

A few minuets later, she returned and she had this great blanket with her.  She said that it was a gift.  It was a project Linus blanket.  Project Linus provides blankets to children that are in the hospital or are in a shelter.  There are PL chapters all of the country and they are always in the news because of their great works.

I never thought that we would EVER get a Project Linus blanket.  And I never thought I would have the feelings that I did when we got that blanket.  The CLS told me that she chose that blanket specifically for us due to the hats that I gave her.  She told me that those little hats that I knitted mean the world to the parents to these tiny babies.  And that she knew that I would compleatly understand why she chose the blanket she did.  It was a Crocheted patterned one.  Yes I understood it, and I really appericated all the more. 

I didn't really think on how my knitting effect others.  On how seeing one of these little hats on a baby would make a new Mom and Dad feel a little bit better that their little angle is being kept warm, by something that I was able to make, during a time that was trying and demanding.  That I made something that started out as a way to keep my hands busy and the panic at bay, now has become a way to give some hope and love to other moms and dads who's little ones need a bit of extra love and warmth. 

So here is where I make my plea.  If you can sew, knit, or corchet, please consider joining a Project Linus Chapter.  Even if you can't sew, knit or crochet, consider donating materials or funds to their cause.  It is very worth while!!

 Here is our Project Linus Blanket and a very happy little girl!!

These are the hats that I made to be given to the Child's Life Office.

If you are interested in learning more about Project Linus, please go to the following site for more information: http://www.projectlinus.org/

What to do with all of these treasures?!

Lately I have been finding many little lost treasures. One day it was a bag that had ribbon in it. Some my Grandmother had many years ago. Another box contained a few sheets a craft felt from some long ago project.

I have been finding so many treasures, that I jokingly say that our local craft and fabric store has exploded all over my work room!

So what can one do with all of these treasures? Make key chains! Yes make key chains.

These little gems make great gifts, or if your child has a no food policy at their school, send in these!

Felt craft sheets are very inexpensive. From $.99 to $1.99 depending on the style. Key rings can be had for about $2.00- $3.00. Use craft string to attach the ring to the fob.

Now you will need stabilizer to make your key chain durable. And I suggest that you back your fob with denim. It is very durable and if you have an old pair of jeans, you have a large amount of fabric to work with for no money!

I used a square cookie cutter to make my shapes and quilted them. Have fin with them. There is no limit to these!

I hope this helps gives a bit of inspiration when you find a box or bag of treasures.

Fall is here!

Today I awoke and saw that it was foggy. I went out and there was that crisp chill in the air. Fall is just about here.

Fall is my favorite time of year. It feels like life gets a new slate. I truly feel my most creative in the fall. I get inspired by the beauty that is around me and at time am awe struck at the wonders of G-ds handy work!

I so many projects underway that I get giddy! I am going to start showing more of them here soon I promise. 😄

For now, I am still seeking sewing perfection. And making tons of PB&J sandwiches. As always: Stay crafty my friends!

I've gone mobile!!!

Watch out everyone I have gone mobile. Now I can work anywhere on my Blog!

So many things are going on here at Dame Ashely's!

Orders are no longer being accepted for a Christmas delivery. Orders are being accepted for 2013 delivery dates.

Dame Ashely's Attic will be making rounds at a few select craft shows around the Pittsburgh area this Winter Season. Dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

I also want to give a HUGE shout out to the I Made It Market for their participation in this years End of Summer Fest. So many wonderful artists and their work was amazing!!

I am getting items ready to sell in my Etsy store. I hope to go live before the holiday season.

Keep coming back and posting comments. Love to hear from everyone!!

Keep crafting my friends!!

Summer Fun

Hello Crafties!!

Summer is here and there are TONS of things going on.  I know that I have been remiss in my Blogging, but I really have been busy with so many projects!  I am truly blessed.

I am currently setting my Etsy site and hope that I will be able to go "live" soon.  

I hope to have more pictures to share with you.