A Big Ole Brain Dump (for anyone who cares to read it!)

We love the Indiana State Fair (and elephant ears)
almost as much as we love crocheting!

When Andrea and I started this thing called MotherDaughter Creations nearly 3 1/2 years ago, we didn't really have a plan. Well, ok, we sort of had a plan: let's make cute baby things, sell them on Etsy, make some serious extra cash (college bills!), and give 10 percent of our proceeds to HOPE61. We did make baby things--some incredibly cute, some just so-so--and we sold some on Etsy, but as for the serious extra cash, well, let's just say college bills are still rolling in, even though we no longer have any college students in the family! We even dabbled in a little pattern designing. But, the most important part was the fact that it was a team effort and we enjoyed coming up with new ideas, trying different patterns out, and finding amazing pattern designers online, in addition to giving to HOPE61. 


But in the last several months, we've let things dwindle down in the Etsy shop (it's still open, just no new products recently), and we've been completely quiet on Facebook. I've been working hard to finish a personal project (can't tell what it is in case the person it's for happens to read this!), and we've been working like crazy in recent weeks, gearing up for a couple of craft fairs we're doing this fall. Basically, I think we may have gone through some crochet burnout. Crazy, I know. 

Made this fun apple basket in a crochet
challenge sponsored by The Crochet Crowd.
The challenge is closed now, but be sure
to check them out ... they're
always doing something fun!

So. During these past few months, we've talked off and on about what to do with MDC. If you crochet or knit for fun, if you sell your creations, if you design patterns, if you create beautiful handspun yarn, if you just try to stay current with the online community of knitters and crocheters, then you know what we know ... the premium that we all pay is time! And I have been trying to work through just how do I want to spend my extra time. Andrea and I both work full-time jobs, so MDC is a second job for both of us, but we don't want it to be a burden; we want it to continue to be fun!

And here's what we envision. We would love to expand MotherDaughter Creations to become more of a community rather than just an Etsy shop and a Facebook page and a couple of patterns on Ravelry and Craftsy. Yes, we'll keep those things going ... might even get motivated to add something new once in a while! But mostly, we love all of the sharing that we've seen lately: free patterns, give-aways, encouraging words. Rather than spinning our wheels trying to come up with new ideas, we want to promote others and encourage others, and possibly even get off-topic here on the blog sometimes, sharing whatever might be tumbling around in our minds. We want to share ideas and opportunities and projects. We want to not feel the pressure of trying to run a business, rather, we just want to be encouragers.

I know, I know. Facebook and blogs in all corners of cyberspace have filled up with just such communities. And maybe we've hit a saturation point. But maybe we haven't. Maybe someone needs an encouraging word today, needs to show off their first crochet project, needs to ask a question about what directions in a pattern mean. And maybe, just maybe, this is the first time they've come across the opportunity to ask or to share. 

Another basket for the crochet
challenge. We do love the Colts
around our house!

Okay, this has now become one of those blog posts that I often look at and say, "Uh, toooo long! No time to read it!" But if you've stayed with me this far, I have a fun little announcement to kick off this new community. (Btw, we may talk about a slight name change. Maybe.) We have a grand whopping total of three crochet patterns on Ravelry and Craftsy. One is a freebie, and two are for sale. You, dear reader, are lucky enough to be the first to learn we are slashing the prices on the two "for sale" patterns. And by slashing, I mean offering them for free from here on out. They aren't doing anyone any good if they aren't being used! We'll do something fun (though probably not free!) in the Etsy shop, but that will have to wait, because right now, I'm getting ready to head to Haiti for a week, and Andrea has a big move coming, along with a week at a conference.

Please feel free to share your thoughts here or on our Facebook post. And watch for lots of fun things coming on the FB page; we'll be sharing, sharing, sharing!

Counting Our Blessings!

We're truly thankful for all who support us and encourage us. To show our thanks, we're offering 20% off in our Etsy shop now through Dec. 2. Just use coupon code THANKYOU20 at check out to get your discount!

For our crocheting friends, our patterns in Ravelry and Craftsy are 50% off now through Dec. 2! You don't need a coupon code for these.  And our fingerless glove pattern is free as always! 

Thanks so much to you all!

And the winners for the give away are ...

So, for our give away we had two fun baby hats like the one pictured above. Now, thanks to Rafflecopter (which we officially LOVE!) we have two winners!

0-3 month hat: Alona Romanow

3-6 month hat: Erin Warren

Congratulations, ladies, and thanks for stopping by! We'll email you also to get your mail address.

And a huge thank you to you who participated in anyway. You bless us tons with your kind words and encouragement! :) 

2nd anniversary celebration is up and running!

Yes, we've had some delays, but here we are...celebrating at last! We promised more details, and here they are...

What: A celebration (a wee bit belated) of our 2nd anniversary of business as MotherDaughter Creations

Why: Because we are so very thankful for all of the support and encouragement that so many have given us over the past two years!

When: August 2-9

All the good stuff: 

1. First of all, the coupon code in our Etsy shop is up and running. Use coupon code 2ANNIVERSARY at check out and you'll get 30% off your order!

2. Our patterns on Ravelry and Craftsy are both 50% off! Yes, you read that correctly...50%! And you don't need a coupon code. :)

3. We have relisted some of our favorites that we had, quite frankly, just been too busy to think about relisting. In addition, we have two brand new items, with one more coming on Saturday, August 3. And this leads us directly to #3, because...

3. We have a special offer for you that we have never done before! One of the new items in our Etsy shop is adorable baby booties. This weekend only, August 2-4, when you buy a pair of the booties (take note of item #1 here ;), you'll get a matching beanie, with a handmade wood button, absolutely free! You don't have to ask for it; it will just appear with your order!

4. And finally, we're giving away two hats, one 0-3 months and one 3-6 months. These are not going to be offered for sale in the shop. So you should try for one while they're around! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2nd Anniversary Celebration ... a little belated!

Due to unforeseen circumstances last month (i.e. life happens!), we had to postpone the celebration for our 2nd anniversary. At last, we've rescheduled and want to let you know what's coming up. 

Dates: August 2-9

Details: 

1. We're going to have a big 'ol sale in our Etsy shop and on the two patterns we have listed on Ravelry and Craftsy. The Etsy sale will be in the form of a coupon code that we'll post next Friday evening. The Ravelry and Craftsy sales won't need a coupon code.

2. We're going to release a few new items. (That number is vague because it depends on how busy this upcoming week is!) 

3. We're going to have a special offer on Etsy with one of our new releases that will be available ONLY next weekend. (Hint: Does the acronym BOGO make you happy??)

4. We're giving away two hats, one 0-3 months and one 3-6 months. (Don't miss them...they're not going to be offered for sale in the shop. And they're fun!) Sneak peek, anyone? 

This 3-6 month size baby hat will go to one lucky winner of our 2nd anniversary celebration give away!

Details will come later in the week about how to enter the give away. Be sure to check back!

Pattern giveaway winners!

We had a small turnout for the giveaway...so small, in fact, that everyone who entered won!

Congratulations to Eunice Robison and Michelle Wulf!

Let's give a pattern away!

Giveaway is closed!

That's right, friends, we finally have our new baby sun visor pattern ready and up for sale (4 sizes included) on Etsy, Craftsy and Ravelry! 

Photo by Cindy White Photography

We first published this pattern on Craftsy last year as a free download with only the 0-3 month size. It was so popular--more than 350 have now been downloaded!--that we decided to expand the number of sizes available and publish it as a full pattern. We have it listed for a special intro price on all three sites mentioned, but this week, you have a chance to get it for an even better price...free! Yep, we're going to give a copy of this pattern away to 4 lucky winners! You know we like to keep things simple around here, so here's what you do to enter:

1. Comment on this blog post with how you'll use the pattern if you win it.

2. That's all!!

Photo by Joyce Pinto Photographie

We would, of course, love it if  you would share this post with your friends. :) 

Contest will run now through Friday evening, May 17, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time. We'll select the 4 winners via random.com.