i don't feel like i'm spoiling the surprise by sharing how my samples turned out. i'm pretty darn stoked over them, actually, and hope people find uses for them (i included several different ideas on a label on the back). it was a lot of fun doing these but a *ton* of work with all the waxing and dyeing and then boiling out wax and washing. not that i'm ruling out doing it again sometime, but not for awhile! :)



in other news, i'll be stocking a few things at the leaf shoppe tomorrow (yikes! late with previews as usual because i'm still working on everything!). my buddy foo (jennifer) is our special guest and has some of her really cool jewelry previewing already. ms. foo is the reason dh and i are together, she was my maid of honor, and we also went to the same college (uiuc graphic design program!), worked at the same office doing various multimedia, web (me) and video (foo) stuff for... gosh i dunno, like 5 years we overlapped there? foo rocks, as does her jewelry, so check it out!

in customs news, andrea's shirt is done and yarn is in-progress today. i should be contacting the next few people on the list if i haven't already, and am putting in a big ole order for blank shirts today (so those requesting bigger sizes or different styles will be very happy to hear i'm finally getting those instock in prep for your customs!).

my next stocking is wednesday, january 16th at wonderful world! here's a sneak peek at a few of the things i have in the works for that, as well as a spoiler for andrea's custom... i kind of played with the idea she had and hope she likes it!

i got all my spotted box samples done, packaged and in the mail yesterday -- a few days after i intended to wrap things up but i'm thrilled with the results. i've shown a few people a sneak peek and the feedback has been good... so now i'll just hold my breath till people buy the boxes and see what they think of them. i'm so excited, i can hardly wait for that part!

also starting to plan for my next stockings -- january 16th at wonderful world and another one at the leaf shoppe, date still tbd. and on the last day of the month i'll be stocking something for the mamas... stay tuned for details and sneak peeks!

here's the latest and greatest list from custom-land.

working on now:
andrea - car shirt and coordinating yarn... planning almost finished, batiking and dyeing this week!
kayleigh's shirt - working on extras
jenni - shirts being ordered this week
lystessa (rav) - winter wheat shirt planning in progress
sarah (rav) - jolly roger hoodie planning in progress, hoodie being ordered this week
steph - peace fleece and shirt planning in progress

and after that:
sarah -2 jolly rogers; starting over on s/s shirts? going to coordinate with terra's order (same colors)
terra - detail-figuring in progress
alison - contacted to work out details, waiting to hear back
jennifer - fairy or butterfly shirt (tbd) - contacted to work out details, waiting to hear back
janet
carina
julia
kim (wsk)
heather
sophie
stacee
kim (k+m)
jill

stocking at wonderful world for my first time on the 2nd at 8pm. woohoo! here's a peek at a few things that are ready to go, and there's still 1-2 more things in the works. ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS to those celebrating in a few days! our holiday is going to be filled with food, presents, and family. and a little batik wax i'm sure, while i have the opportunity when dh is home to help wrangle the kids. :) everyone have a great week and be safe!

working on now:
spotted box samples
andrea - car (or treeforg or lizard) shirt and coordinating yarn
-- car design chosen, yarn tbd, need to work out size, style, colors this week
kayleigh's shirt - working on extras
sarah - 2 blue/black jolly roger shirts, first color dyed
-- batiking tomorrow! dyeing this week

and after that:
terra - contacted to work out details
alison - contacted to work out details
jennifer - fairy or butterfly shirt (tbd) - contacted to work out details
steph - yarn tbd
janet
carina
julia
kim
heather
sophie
debi - postponing till spring/summer
melanie - custom shirt(s) - passing?

after this it's onto spotted box goodies, some instock, and still a few more customs to at least start on before the new year. but here's the eye candy -- pretty pictures of what was wrapped up and shipped off this week. i love how everything turned out and hope the recipients are thrilled with them!

"last leaves" on BFL -- around 11oz of yarn for this custom!


"just a pear" set -- batiked, dyed and painted shirt, plus coordinating BFL