Clean Sweep

My Etsy showcase over the weekend was a great success. I had a lot of shoppers stop by my store and my Fall Colors Cotton Sampler made it into a treasury. Many thanks to Miriam of Australia for having faith in my products even though I do not yet have any customer feedback to go on.

I am continuing to expand my kitchen and bath line. I just ordered eight shades of yarn in a nice thick organic cotton. I should be able to have a few organic products up this weekend. In the mean time, I have discovered this floor cleaning tool cover. What fun, it looks and feels like a sweater!

I Heart You

I am very excited that my Etsy store is getting some traffic. Ollie's Boutique now has ten people that heart it and nearly a hundred views on most products (some of which have their own hearts). I am having so much fun developing Ollie's Boutique


While people browse I am busy building inventory. My biggest problem is sticking with one project. I picked up some wonderful shades of cotton yarn last weekend and I find myself bouncing around from skein to skein making dishcloths, washcloths and scrubbies, all of different sizes and textures. Some are done in straight rows, others with a more puffy texture, and still others have a finished edge.


In the mean time, I have continued using a crocheted cotton washcloth in the shower and a scrubbie to wash my face and I can't rave enough about what they do for my skin! I will never buy another washcloth or scrubber at the store again! Only crocheted cotton in this house from now on.

Autumn Scrubbie

These are neat sets that happened by accident, actually. I set out to make some dishcloths with the copper mesh scrubber attached in the center. I quit trying when I contemplated marking the scrubber into 40 even sections to make exactly 40 evenly spaced beginning stitches. I figured there must be another way to mix crochet and kitchen scrubbies, and then I found the pattern for this scrubbie cover. It's a great way to perk up your dishwashing experience while also being more effective.


The washcloths and the scrubbie cover are made of 100% cotton. The cloths are 6 1/2" square. I am really loving crocheted cotton cloths. I have been using my face scrubbies consistently and my skin is glowing again after a very long time. My dishwashing cloth impresses me whenever I use it. I'm so happy that something I made works so well.

Autumn Colors In The Kitchen And Bathroom

More Autumn color! I picked up some great cotton over the weekend in Autumn red, orange and yellow. Cotton is perfect for the kitchen and I have made dishcloths, scrubbers, hotpads. For the bathroom I've made 3" round face scrubbies. I tried one myself and I am amazed how well it cleaned and exfoliated without being abrasive. My skin was smooth and bright and the scrubbie was easy to hold.



Using 100% cotton as a washcloth takes a little getting used to. They are definitely not like those rags the stores sell. I am replacing all of my washcloths and dishcloths with these crocheted cotton alternatives.

Autumn is around the corner

Nearly everywhere but here in Southern Arizona, Autumn weather is right around the corner. Last night we had one of our summer rains, and this time it lasted all night and into the morning. The biggest surprise was the cool breeze that came with it. Usually the rains mean the same 'ol heat with added humidity.

On of my favorite things to do when the rains come is to sit out on the back porch and read a book or crochet. Last night I pulled a couple of balls of this gorgeous brick colored yarn and made a long, lush seed stitch scarf. With a really big hook and two strands held together I created a super thick but very soft unisex scarf.

I love this scarf. It is gorgeous, understated and classic. It goes with nearly anything and it looked great on my husband too.

Find this scarf in my store on Etsy

Grand Opening of Ollie's Boutique

Welcome to Ollie's Boutique, where I sell my handmade crafts.

Most women have a craft or hobby that they do well. I learned to crochet and knit from my mother who needed something to do when the weather was harsh and she was forced to stay indoors. Here in Tucson, the weather is rarely calls me outdoors for anything other than a swim in the pool. What to do in 113 degree heat? I sit in a comfy chair and create "fiber art".

I spend a lot of time hunting for patterns to try. I would love contributions! I am always amazed what a flick of a hook or a twirl of needle can do with a strand of yarn.

I used to make things for friends and family, but my favorites, scarves, are not very useful here in Tucson. So I decided to open a shop and hopefully pass on my completed projects to people who have use for them. I'm not in it for the money; my prices are cost based. If I spend a week on a scarf I won't charge any more for it than a one-day scarf made of the same materials. The higher priced items use either more costly materials or more in quantity than the lower priced items.

Everything is available for purchase at Ollies Boutique on Etsy.com, which I have attempted to link every which way all over all of my sites that are hopefully connected.