Esther pointed out an error on the Basketball chart and I corrected the DMC numbers. I have also added two new motifs since I originally posted the collection. A trio of golf balls and some hockey sticks will be suitable for fans of those sports. If you have other sports you'd like to see represented here, let me know. Photo © Connie G. BarwickMore Free Pattern Collections from About.com Cross Stitch: Pattern Tile Collection Floral Diamond Collection Small Saying Cross Stitch ChartsCorrections and Additions to the Sports-Themed Motifs originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on…
Needlecraft
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About.com Cross-Stitch
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Corrections and Additions to the Sports-Themed Motifs
8 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pm -
Craft Optics Telescopes
7 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pmI have officially become middle-aged. I can still see to read just fine, but suddenly my arms just weren't the right length where my stitching was concerned. My prescription is very strong as it is - now my up-close vision is iffy. What's a serious stitcher to do?In an effort to avoid going to using only 6-count Aida for my projects, I have tried all sorts of magnifiers. I am too fidgety for the ones that fit around the neck, but if I get in the zone, I can make them work. Free-standing magnifiers tend to give me motion-sickness, so while they offer a great view of my stitching, I can't use… -
Super Sunday Project - Rose Window Cross Stitch Pattern
6 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pmWhether you are for the Saints or the Jets, or are just watching the game for the commercials, like me, today is a great time to complete a Super Stitching Project! This year, I challenge you to stitch one of my favorite designs, the free Rose Window Cross Stitch Pattern on the fabric of your choice with the floss colors of your choice. This is a small simple design that will take less than 24-hours to stitch just as the experience of the stitcher who completed the beauty featured here shows. Photo © X_Woman In a post in the Cross Stitch Forum Member X_Woman explains why she choose… -
Bird of Paradise Needlepoint Pattern
5 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pmCross Stitch Forum members discussed a new source of great free patterns suitable for Cross Stitch recently. I soon realized that the site they referred to was About.com Needlepoint. I enjoy browsing through Cheryl's designs too, so I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of them. Especially since most Needlepoint designs are easily adapted for Cross Stitch since they are based on a grid too. © Cheryl FallOne of her recent designs, the free Bird of Pardise design is an example of Cheryl's use of color. She has designs for a wide range of topics and styles. If you have questions… -
Crafty Bloggers Update
5 Feb 2010 | 12:52 pmThis weekend, the weather is TERRIBLE where I live. Thank goodness we don't have snow, but it is cold and rainy. I am planning on staying inside near the gas logs as much as possible. If you are looking for crafty ideas to help you beat cabin fever, my favorite crafty bloggers have some great ideas for you. Cathie Filian Find out how to enter win Cathie's HUGE 101 Snappy Fashions Giveaway. Margot Potter The Impatient CrafterMake a romantic ribbon wristlet with The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate. Crafty Princess DiariesTammy is super excited because she has some new craft books to read.
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Stitches of Life
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giveaway
30 Jan 2010 | 8:28 amViv, blogging at Too Busy to Stitchhas a lovely giveaway.Details on her postFour Seasons Giveaway -
One World One Heart 2010
29 Jan 2010 | 2:14 pmOn January 25th, One World One Heart for 2010 started.It is a wonderful trip around blogs with giveaways, freebies on each site thru February 15thI am Participant 888See my book giveawayatStitches of Life III am offering With Violets by Elizabeth RobardsA wonderful book about artist Berthe MorisotYou are welcome to add in your link w/giveaway by Feb 8th --- Take the tour!!! Enjoy!!!Questions? comments? information available HERE -
stitching news
27 Jan 2010 | 3:49 pmNot much stitching going on -- I did put some x's in the corner motifs of my Tabletopper. I've been tatting, pictures on my other blog: Stitches of Life II Oh my oh my oh my .... did you see all the new stuff in Pat Winter's etsy shop? Goodness! How can you choose just ONE. I love her stuff! Awesome bliss packs --- beautiful ribbons. See pictures & find links in her post: Adding New Items to Shops.Did you get your copy??I wanted to see Ruth Ann Russell's new COVER!! Congrats Ruth Ann : )What a fun sampler - I love the alphabet(OK, all my friends can stop laughing now -- I have more alphabet… -
Two Patterns are ready to travel
18 Jan 2010 | 6:10 amAccording to Carol,She is ready to Travel!!!Swing by Carol's wonderful blog I Stitchfor details : )This opportunity ends on Friday (Jan 22nd)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -ALSO, check out Squazi & The Chickens blogas, a SECOND traveling pattern has been startedby SondaDetails:First Finishes for 2010 and the Travelling Pattern Giveaway post -
Afternoon w/Stitching Friends
17 Jan 2010 | 7:21 pmBristol Tabletopperc. 2007 Dutch Treat Designspresented by Claudia DutcherI have a good start on my 2nd squareMy first square pictured hereEnjoyed stitching this afternoon w/Karol and Beth (w/o blog).Don't miss Karol's canvas project pictured on her blogBeth also had a stunning canvas piece, we have to talk her into starting a blog of her own! I look forward to getting together soonI enjoyed stitching & chatting --- no better way to spend the afternoon : )
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Quilt or Stitch? How about both?
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The weekend... so nice
6 Feb 2010 | 4:55 pmSo far this weekend has been great! On Friday night I watched Julie and Julia, and it was fantastic! Have you all seen it? If not, please do, you will be glad you did. It really made me laugh. I stayed home with Jessie on Friday. She has been sick with a bad cough all week and by Friday she looked so exhausted. We had a nice day together playing the Wii and making these cards. I am not taking credit for the awesome-ness of them. I got the idea from Cluck Cluck Sew! Aren't they too cute? We made about a dozen of them for our teachers and family. Here is Jessie sewing her heart out.Today we… -
Spring Stars Quilt Top
4 Feb 2010 | 8:35 amAfter writing my post on Tuesday with the list of things to look forward to, I felt better. I also went and took some sunshine pills, AKA Vitamin D. You know what? I felt so much better after that. So, I am in a different frame of mind now, and I am glad. I just can’t stand it when I feel down. Yesterday after work, I sat down and started working on my spring star quilt. I needed to get the top done so I could put it out at church on Sunday and people could sign up to make it. I finished the top! It took about 3 hours to sew it all together, all of the blocks were already done. It felt good… -
Winter Doldrums
2 Feb 2010 | 1:01 pmI am glad that it is February, it means we are that much closer to March and spring. Winter in Portland is not very pleasant. It’s constantly overcast and raining. It kind of depresses me and so, I have been just feeling *blah* Do you ever get that way? I am in "feel sorry for myself mode." Here are the few things I’ve made progress on in the past week.First up: Shores of Hawk Run, the last block. The fishes are going to take awhile, but it’s getting there! I need to get more movies to watch so I can finish this up…Second up: The Spring Star quilt I am working on for quilt class. I… -
January Review
21 Jan 2010 | 9:41 amThe quilt class at church is wanting to make another quilt this year! I have started it so I can teach it at the end of the month. They are star blocks and my quilt is very springy and bright. The gray rainy skies of Oregon are beating me down, and I'm trying to fight it with color :)I didn’t make monthly goal lists in 2009, this year I think I’m going to try it again. It helps keep me focused.What I got done in January:Progress on my current WIP:Victorian Garden Quilt: *done*Blue Frost Quilt: *blocks were made* quilt & bindPicnic Schnibbles: *done*Pop Garden II quilt: *I basted it… -
I've been bobbing along at the bottom of the beautiful briney sea!
20 Jan 2010 | 9:21 pm{que Angela Lansbury} I've been bobbing along, bobbing along, on the bottom of the beautiful briney sea... can you all tell what movie I watched recently? That'd be Bedknobs and Broomsticks, it was great to see it again.I have been at the bottom of the sea with Shores this month! I finished another block. You know what that means?? One more block and this puppy is done. Oh yeah baby.
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Anita's Stitching
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Valentine Theme Button Pack, Sulky Blendable stitching and New Blackbird Loose Feather Winter Wonderland
5 Feb 2010 | 11:02 amNew Valentine Theme Button Pack:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/buttons.htmlThe Biscornu is stitched with Sulky 4045 12 wt Summer Nights one over 2 threads and the Mattress Pinkeep is stitched with Sulky 4042 30 wt Red work one over one on Quaker Cloth linen:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/sulkythreads.htmlNew Blackbird Loose Feather #39 Winter Wonderland:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/variousdesigners.html -
Heart shape and star shape Metal Rings, New Lizzie Kate charts, and A new Mother of pearl thread rings and more beadings
30 Jan 2010 | 10:54 amI just added these wonderful New Heart shaped and Star shaped metal rings, I will have some floss ring tags idea for Valentine day in a few days if time permits:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/flossringtag.htmlNew Lizzie Kate Green Flip it and Sampler Easter:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/lizziekate.htmlSwarovski Crystal Flower Sliders, vertical drop and tear drop pearl beads toadd the special touch to your crafts and stitching:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/beading.htmlA new Mother of Pearl Thread Rings:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/threadrings.html -
New Items are added on Anita's Little Stitches Web Site
24 Jan 2010 | 7:38 amThese items are added on the web site:Little House Needlworks March and April Sampler Kit at a discount $16.50, shipping date is January 30:http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/littlehouse.htmlJust Another Button Company "Just Pins":http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/justanotherbutton.htmlA new Needle Threader( 3 in a pack):http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/threadcutter.htmlYLI Wonder Clear Invisible Threads in 2 colors, clear and smoke. They are very strong with little stretch; 1500 yds per spool; can be used for beading and jewelry making, machine Quilting and decorative Sewing. 100%… -
Stitch Your Heart Out 2010 Encyclopedia Series (total of 12 designs)
21 Jan 2010 | 2:50 pmThere will be a total 12 designs starting February 2010. The retail price for each design is $4.00. You can buy the design individually, but if you purchase all 12 designs, you will receive a finishing instruction on how to make an Encyclopedia with the 12 designs. There is also a SAL group that you can participate. More info can be found at http://stitchyourheartout-lts.blogspot.com/. The participating designers are as follows:Glendon PlaceCherry WoodBlue Ribbon DesignsDesigns by LisaHomespun EleganceRosewood ManorInk CirclesCountry Garden StitcheryMonsterbubblesMytle Grace MotifsTrail Creek… -
New Items on my web site
17 Jan 2010 | 12:11 pmLife has been very busy this year so far. With the start of the school for my 6 years, he has not been feeling well due to the exceptional cold weather in the Houston area for the last 6 weeks. I have refined a few things on the web site, and trying to organize better this year. I have added a few new charts, new linen fabric, introducing 10 yards gentle art sampler threads, a few new Valdani threads, new Valdani 3 ball strand floss, and some new threadsworX. I am also carrying French Bohin Tapestry needles size 26 and 28 in bulk in additional to John John needles.New…
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Stitching Scientist
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Current WIP update
4 Feb 2010 | 10:11 amCurrent state of Grand Old Duke ( When i abbreviated it in Flickr as GOD, I thought coincidence? ) Mylene, he looks bigger in the model (i think it was 14 count) but I am doing him on 22 ct fabric...so he won't be much bigger than 5 x7. And yes he will be all filler once the black outlining/detailing is done...I am just trying not to burn out on it . so I alternate stitching on him and the baby sampler:It is not going as fast as I hoped, but i swear it will be done by Annabeth's 3rd birthday. The original pattern is found at Kissy-Cross, but it is no longer available unless… -
Does it look like anyhing yet?
29 Jan 2010 | 6:13 pmGrand old Duke WIP Originally uploaded by Stitching scientistThis guy will be a gift for my sister hopefully for her new house. She is currently navigating the wild world of home buying with a possible closing in mid feb. He is a challenge, he is completely outlined and detailed in black which makes it a kinda boring stitch with ALOT of counting, checking the pattern, highlighting the pattern, and counting again. I have finished my exchange piece and I think Grand Old Duke and the Baby sampler will be at the top of my list for the month of February. -
Um Yeah...so like i said..it's tomorrow ;)
22 Jan 2010 | 7:25 pmEGA make it take it Originally uploaded by Stitching scientistDon't you just love it when time gets away from you? I have been stitching, one item i am working on is a new HOE (Hooked on Exchanging blog) exchange, so i can't show you. And I completed this make-it-take-it from the EGA meeting (I am now an official member of the Piedmont chapter of the EGA). it is a bookmark that slips onto the corner of a page. I have been sorting thru my stitching/stash and deciding what I want to do here is my new list for 2010, you can click on some of the WIPs for the current pictures Baby Blocks JCS… -
Last year in review
14 Jan 2010 | 11:38 amRemember that for 2008 and 2009 I made year long lists for what I wanted to do? it worked pretty good in 2008 but for 2009...well....Let's take a gander at my 2009 goal list last January: Blue are WIPs Green are done.A is for Acorn, B is for butterfly, Erica Micheals (I am currently considering trashing this one, the idea was to do the whole alphabet as a book, but i do not want to use the called for RG threads (expensive!) and going thru all 26 patterns to find comparable colors is daunting, so unless you know of a conversion out there already done this one is going bye bye… -
First finish of 2010
13 Jan 2010 | 6:45 pmPhotobooth snowmenOriginally uploaded by Stitching scientist Photobooth Snowman, by Bent Creek. This is the kit I got at Pigeon Forge in Nov, and I have been working on it since off and on. I REALLY want the other 2 kits like this, Frankenboo and Ham and Eggs. I left off the beads that represented falling snow. It didn't look quite right to me.UPDATE: Look a new one! Northpole party!Note also how fabulous the photo is? My NEW camera, specifically picked out for me to take close up low light pics of my stitching...and the colors you see...totally accurate.Tomorrow, my goals for the new year.
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The Twisted Stitcher
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In the village...
1 Feb 2010 | 12:19 pmHello dear friends....well, I didn't meet my goal, but it wasn't without trying my darnedest! My final goal was to finish block #12 on the Village of Hawk Run Hallow by the end of January. Sadly, I didn't make it :(I gave it the old college try, but honestly all that night sky defeated me - really it did - my hand is cramping and I'm seriously thinking I don't want to stitch for a couple of days! However....on the 1st of February about 12 hours off my mark - victory was mine! And it tasted sweet! May I introduce Block #12 of The Village of Hawk Run Hallow:Now....before you get all excited, I… -
Happy Friday....
29 Jan 2010 | 12:01 pmDoes anyone...else feel like breaking out in Alleluia chorus with me? :)Today....I finished two floss tags which will be gifts for a couple of angels that have recently touched my heart and my life. Thankfully they stitch too ;) Here they are: Tiny House FreebieDesigner: Diane Williams ~ Little House Needleworksto receive the chart you must be part of the yahoo group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/littlehousecountrycottagestitchers/Stitched on: 32 ct. Sassy's Fabbys Creamy Cocoa with DMC Started: 1/27/10Finished: 1/29/10The Weekend....and this evening shall be filled with nothing but… -
Help would be appreciated....
26 Jan 2010 | 1:30 pm**Thank's to my stitching angel, or fairy godmother, or whatever you'd like to call them....my wishes have been granted. My appreciation to all of you who left notes or e-mailed me giving me kind words and encouragement in my quest. **I have two wishes that have been very, very ellusive in my quest to conquer and grasp in my hands. BUT I hope that maybe someone could do like an innerlibray loan? Maybe like a innerstitcher loan? I am looking for two charts by the Goode Huswife.The first is: Peaceable Kingdom and a picture of it can be seen here:… -
Creation...
25 Jan 2010 | 9:17 amHello my dear friends and stitchy buddies!I hope this Monday finds you all well and blissfully starting the new week! It is a dreary, gray day here in Indiana with spitting snow and plummeting temperatures, but inside "das Sampler Haus" it is bright and cheery! Especially with the finish of this beauty: "Creation"by Diane WilliamsStitched on: 28 ct. Vintage ExamplarFibers: DMC as chartedTo be framed for my Adam and Eve Wall**(this design is an oldie that may found in the Praying Hands booklet (Leisure Arts) entitled: Beloved Bible Story Samplers")Nope....this isn't a school girl sampler, or a… -
Floor Stands and Q-snaps
24 Jan 2010 | 6:19 amWell the votes are in....and I've officially created a bru-ha-ha. So to answer a plethora of e-mails and questions in one fatal swoop (which I enjoy the opportunity to point others in the direction of good products), I ask you to take a really close look at this picture. To refresh your memory. Point 1: The 15 drawer organizer is from Office Depot. It cost $79.99. Yes, they did have smaller sizes there and I believe the price range was something from maybe $49.99 to the largest organizer which was the one I purchased at $79.99. It was very easy to put together, in fact I did it myself. Living…
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BeckyBee's Stitching Hive
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March Giveaway :)
8 Feb 2010 | 3:08 pmI told you 2010 was going to be my year for giving back-I'll be doing RAK's and Just Because gifts and giveaways...For March my Giveaway will be for The Victoria Sampler-Where Stitchers Gather (Stitchers Pocket, Scissor Fob, Scissor Case and Needlebook). It DOES include the accessory pack (the accessory pack includes all fibers (gloriana, Caron Waterlilies, Gentle Art, Au ver a Soie, Kreinik Mori, Kreinik Braid, Needlepoint Silks) trims, ribbon and beads you need to stitch the design. Again, this is for my REGULAR readers :) If you wish to add your name to the draw-please leave a comment on… -
Progress and STASH :)
8 Feb 2010 | 10:52 amHere is my progress while watching the Superbowl last night :) I just love stitching this project and it "feels" different this time around on 32ct as I stitched it on 40ct last year :) A friend "gently" reminded me I failed to share my latest stash- PLEASE forgive me :) ROFL! This is the latest and will be the last until after Nashville and my B-day :)Thanks so much for visiting :) Thank you for your sweet comments and your emails-I still need to answer a few email and will get right on that :)Wishing you a lovely week ahead dear friends :)Love and hugs from SC :)BeckySC -
Super Bowl Giveaway Winner.......
7 Feb 2010 | 7:11 pmThe winner of Quaker Diamonds is Catherine! Catherine please send me your mailing informationThank you all for taking a chance and adding your name :) I am sorry I couldn't send to everyone :) It took my forever to cut out all the comments for drawing :)I will mail out to you later this week, Catherine! I had hoped to go to the PO tomorrow to mail several packages to friends-HOWEVER this afternoon while we were running a few errands something "broke" on my vehicle (on Friday-we hit one of the thousands of potholes that the weather has caused in our roads over the past few weeks-I mean they… -
Wabbits and Blooms :) :) :) **EDITED FOR CONVERSIONS FOR LISA**
6 Feb 2010 | 4:34 pmHello everyone :) I did the finishing on Wabbit today :) Carolyn's is smaller than mine. I used 32ct for hers and must have stitched mine on 28ct. It's so adorable being a bit smaller :) Carolyn...I hope you get your Internet back SOON :) It'll be hoppin' your way on Monday :)Design: WabbitDesigner: Sheepish DesignsFabric Tartan GreenFibers: DMCStart Date: 2-4-2010Finish Date: 2-5-2010My next project is going to be Bloom. This one is for Miss Annie as I am making her a stitching box :) She has been waiting patiently for it as I wanted to stitch one for her-but then I had the issues with my… -
Pin Pillow Names have been assigned...
6 Feb 2010 | 11:33 amPLEASE comment on this post only to let me know you have or have not received your name :)Please do not reveal your name until your partner has received their exchange :)The details are in my sidebar if you need a reminder :)Thank you all for participating! I am looking forward to seeing all your lovely creations!hugs,BeckySC
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Needlepoint News
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Needlepoint from Photos
2 Feb 2010 | 1:00 pmI've spent a lot of time this week going through past postings on the Needlepoint Forum , and noticed that several people have asked about transforming a photograph into a needlepoint canvas. -
Camper van needlepoint kit
1 Feb 2010 | 11:27 amLong gone are the days when craft sets focused on reproducing only twee images of kittens or flowers. -
Pre-Columbian Art in Needlepoint
20 Jan 2010 | 9:15 amTwo companion charts have been added over the past two days for your stitching pleasure. -
Project Idea
18 Jan 2010 | 11:35 amI just popped over the the About.com Cross Stitch site, and noticed that Connie has featured a pattern that is perfect for needlepoint! Her Free Square Cross Stitch Patterns features assorted square motifs resembling glyphs that are interchangable and can be used to form a beautiful square pattern. -
Gettin' crafty with it
6 Jan 2010 | 12:49 amBy Mary Garrison Tribune-Courier Features Editor mgarrison@tribunecourier.com BENTON - Mary Phillips has her hands in "a little dab of everything." However, the 86-year-old Benton local has a special talent for needlepoint.
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Needlework News
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Win at JMD Designs
9 Feb 2010 | 7:43 amJanet M. Davies of JMD Designs reminds us, Each week there is a chance for you to win at least one free design/pattern from JMD Designs. Leave a comment in the currents week draw in this blog and you are entered into this week’s free draw. http://www.weekendwinner.blogspot.com/ The winner who can live in any part of the world will be randomly chosen from the blog comments… Check out the JMD Design website to see what individual Quilting or Needlework designs you would like to choose/win free. http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/ -
A gift from SharonB
9 Feb 2010 | 7:26 amNeedle artist Sharon Boggon has been blogging for six years! You’ll enjoy her anniversary post. It’s full of juicy information and includes a gift for readers: a free stitch guide! SharonB says, 12 Surface Stitches for Beginners is the 12 basic stitches that new hands to surface embroidery need to know. These same stitches, are also the basic stitches that crazy quilters use and build on. So anyone new to crazy quilting should find the file handy too. If you’re not yet a fan of SharonB, it’s time to add Pin Tangle blog to your reader! And be sure to grab the free… -
DMC has a blog!
9 Feb 2010 | 7:14 amI just found out about the DMC Threads blog, and it knocks me out! It’s full of news, patterns, ideas, tips — juicy reading for any embroidery enthusiast. DMC staffer Allison Burg tells us, DMC believes in the wonderful art of needlework and are trying to support the category by publishing a blog where stitchers can gain great tips, and connect with one another. I’m definitely adding this blog to my reader. You should, too! Go to the blog. -
Free Valentine’s Day treats from SWAK
9 Feb 2010 | 6:55 amHere’s a great heads-up from SWAKembroidery.com: If you loved making the peppermint sucker wrappers at Christmastime, you’re sure to love this one just as much! Easy to make and step by step instructions are included. Great for class parties, grandchildren treats, or that special friend. And it’s YOURS this week for FREE! Get the free designs. -
Free patterns and charts
7 Feb 2010 | 4:01 am(1) Moustaches from Jenny Hart (via whip up) (2) Puppy & kitty have a chat from Nini Makes (3) Crafty Buddies from Craft Leftovers (4) Articulate Mushroom from Wild Olive (5) Heart o’ Flowers from Needle ‘n’ Thread (6) Under the Sea Block 2 from Willowberry Designs (7) Vintage lady from LE TRIC,LE CROC,LA BROD D ISAZABELLE (8) Little Jumping Joan from Joey’s Dream Garden (9) i heart hearts from stitchado (10) Grille Indien from Le blog de kali (11) Winter Tree in the Big Apple from Happy Threads
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Bristly Thistle Needlepoint News
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Charley Harper needlepoint trunk show
7 Feb 2010 | 3:23 pmWe have over 160 designs by Charley Harper in the Florida store this month. Many of these designs are pretty rare – we have never seen them at market or in other stores. All these canvases including Charley’s birds are 20% off during the show. We only have one of each design so if you have one in mind, now is the time! -
New Kreinik needlepoint threads!
2 Feb 2010 | 11:37 amI’ve ordered all the new Kreinik holographic colors in #12 braid and I ordered all the Silk Lame’ braid colors for 18 mesh. The luscious and wonderful to work with Silk Lame’ is in. I can order any color for 13—if you don’t have a color number in mind, tell me what color/thread you would like to match. I can also order any of the new holographic Kreiniks in the other formats—blending filament, # 8 braid, 1/16” and 1/8” ribbon—with no minimum quantities. Here’s to canvas embellishment—have fun stitching! -
New Silk & Ivory Colors
21 Jan 2010 | 1:28 pmBrown Paper Packages has just released 4 new colors in Silk & Ivory (and Trio). There are 3 new warm grays (not green-gray, not blue-gray) in the new Pearl Gray family. Pewter is the lightest, Smoky Quartz is the medium gray and Onyx is the darkest. These grays remind me of the finest menswear pinstriped wools. The fourth color is Straw—it shades lighter than Saffron. It’s a good blond color and Straw describes it perfectly. All four are in stock in both our stores and on our website. -
Melissa Shirley Needlepoint Trunk Show Sale
1 Jan 2010 | 12:01 pmWhile unpacking Melissa Shirley’s trunk show, I came upon these mini-socks. Here’s my thought—stitch these, finish them open and use them to hold the place settings for your holiday table. If you are feeling really generous, set your Christmas Eve or Christmas table with these ornaments and let your guests take them home. Just a thought! We have over 360 Melissa Shirley designs in our Florida store and many on our web site until January 23 2010 and all are 20% off – Happy New Year! -
Hot new needlepoint tool!
19 Dec 2009 | 10:09 amI had been hearing rumors of a tool used by fly fishermen and beaders that melts synthetic threads to cut them. I found them and gave one a try on Neon Rays, Shimmer Blend ribbon floss and Shimmer. I was skeptical, but I have to say the Zapper really does the trick. Working on the blanket on my elephant, I was using Neon Rays and Shimmer Blend floss. The Zapper cut the thread like a hot knife through butter and the threads did not shred! I actually enjoyed using these threads. It even makes Renaissance threads behave! This is a great little gift and a wonderful addition to a stitcher’s tool…
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That Yarn Store
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From pieces into a whole
9 Feb 2010 | 8:51 amMy latest sewing project started off life asThe interfacing (my first time using it) and the fabric became thisThe embroidery thread, with the help of the bobbins, becameA little bit of thread became this strange embroideryThen I combined them together to make a very amusing project.I've already washed some dishes with the now clothed (and I'm sure much warmer now as well) dishwashing liquid. And it really did make washing dishes a lot more amusing. I used these instructions for making the apron. -
In Tune
5 Feb 2010 | 12:16 pmI finally bought a tuner for the ukulele! I am very happy about my purchase because I was having to tune the uke using a YouTube tuning video about once a week, really annoying and time consuming and probably not very accurate. I've been trying to learn my first non-folk song, the ukelized version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, though I think I'm several weeks away from a sharable video.Only one finished project this week - a lunch box for J. I still can't sew straight, but it didn't really matter for this project.Almost finished that sock I started last month, in fact I would have finished… -
Organic
1 Feb 2010 | 8:56 amWe had beautiful weather this weekend. Cold, of course, but sharp and clear and lovely.Perfect weather to finally visit the Edinburgh Farmers Market. It was actually bigger than I thought it would be, though different from outdoor markets that I'm used too - a large portion of stalls being meat-related. Game, venison, boar. And although I'm cooking meat in my new cooking class (today's meat was bacon), I'm still not ready to buy from a specialist meat monger.For the complete opposite reason (knowing I'd go buying crazy) I also wouldn't let myself get close to the cheese stall. We did however… -
Drawing, lace, and and a weird looking thing
29 Jan 2010 | 9:20 amHappy Friday!No classes today, so I spent a good chunk of the day crafting (it helped that I didn't turn the computer on until 2pm). The first thing I did today was make a cell phone caddy. Basically I wanted to make something that would give a little padding between the phone and the floor in case the wake-up alarm wakes up the neighbors.It's one of the least attractive things I've made in a while. But, at least I have a few excuses.1. I haven't done Tunisian Crochet in about two years 2. I didn't have instructions on how to do Tunisian Crochet in front of me, hence not realizing that… -
It Burns!
26 Jan 2010 | 5:55 amYesterday was Burns Night. We celebrated by eating some piping hot (it burns ...) vegetarian haggis, which was very good, and reciting, and listening to, some of Burns' poetry in the comfort our home.Yesterday was also the first session of a cooking class I'm taking, and also the first time I've cooked chicken in my adult life. It was a very informal class, essentially a bunch of people in front of stoves making the "same" dish. Yesterday's dish was a fruity-lentil- chicken curry. I think the teacher felt a little sorry for me when I told her it was the first time I've cooked chicken, and…
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being crafty
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Swaps and Inspiration
20 Jan 2010 | 11:28 pmI’ve been joining one swap after the other on Swap-bot, and just started getting into some more creative ones. Store-bought postcards are nice and all, and definitely easy to send, but I wanted to go a bit further. Further than even handmade envelopes (those are too easy for me). The first big one for me was a swap about hand-carved stamps; you make one, you get one. I’ve made my own rubber stamps before, though usually of images from Japanese rubber stamp books, but, for some reason, it was a challenge to do it this time around. It’s just been so long since I’ve made… -
Notebook Revamp
20 Dec 2009 | 9:19 pmA few months ago, I found this gorgeous paper at Paper Source (this image from the manufacturer doesn’t do it justice), and didn’t want to pass it up. I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d do with it, but I bought 2 sheets, with the intention of covering a notebook or something. Finally, this week, I got around to using this lovely paper, and I did in fact cover a notebook with it. Just a cheap notebook from Daiso, with smooth, white pages, so it was a sort of upgrade. I added a label from Paper Source and some white vinyl tape over the binding, and it was done! It was super… -
More Postcards
20 Dec 2009 | 8:43 pmHere are 4 more nengajo, and what may be the final ones in the batch. I’m losing a bit of momentum and kind of want to move onto something else. We’ll see if I have any left in me though. -
Postcards, Continued
14 Dec 2009 | 7:41 pmI’ve been working along on my “nengajo,” or New Year’s Day postcards, and have scanned them in batches. I would have made more, but I haven’t been feeling entirely well over the last few days, so I had to take it easy. Here’s the first batch, finished on Friday: And the second batch, finished last night: I want to mix up the colors more, but this is how they’ve worked out so far. I really like the textured cardstock I have, especially the Japanese “tsumugi” style (I think I got these from Hanko Designs or a local… -
Postcards
10 Dec 2009 | 12:32 amMy dining room table is covered in all sorts of paper and crafting supplies, and I’ve been trying my hand at making postcards again. I saw some lovely ones done by Dumpsterdiversanonymous and wanted to play around, but I’m not entirely happy with the results so far. Here’s the first one, a combination of an old Family Circle magazine from the 60s, as well as a bit of an ad from a Japanese booklet of local businesses. I wish I’d done the circle stickers vertically instead, but so it goes. I let that sit for a bit, and then came up with an idea to make postcards for New…
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The Crochet Dude
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Stitch Nation Yarns
5 Feb 2010 | 8:19 amAt the time that Debbie Stoller was preparing her famous Stitch 'n Bitch Nation book and the fantastic follow up books Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet and Son of Stitch 'n Bitch I was just finding my way around the industry, knocking on doors, acting like a rat terrier attached to the pizza dude's pant leg. Unfortunately I never ran into HER pant leg and so didn't even know about submitting a design idea to her to be included (let alone HOW to submit a design idea to anyone). So you won't find The Dude in her books, ... -
I Missed The Ground Hog
3 Feb 2010 | 9:42 amYesterday was apparently the big day when a ground hog comes out of his den and tells us if there will be more winter or if winter is over. I missed the memo. I kept hearing Tweets about ground hogs and spring this and six more weeks of that before it dawned on me what the heck was going on! I guess giving up watching the news on TV has really started to pay off - I haven't a clue what is going on most of the time.However I was celebrating subconsciously when I was fooling around with ... -
Announcement At Long Last
21 Jan 2010 | 7:00 amAvailable June 2010At long last I can reveal what The Big Secret has been for the last several months, all the traveling and secret meetings, etc! That's right I have teamed up with Boye, a division of Simplicity Creative Group to bring you an entire line of crochet hooks, tools, kits, bags, pretty much everything you need for any crochet project!!As many of you know, my history with Boye brand hooks goes back generations. I learned to crochet with Boye hooks that were not only my mom's, but also her mom's! It's been my go to hook ... -
Dizzy and Crochet Can Go Hand In Hand
15 Jan 2010 | 12:51 pmI was minding my own business when the new (March 2010) issue of Crochet! magazine arrived. Then I opened it and the first thing I saw was a full page ad for my books! I literally felt dizzy. What an incredible surprise!!Then I turned a few more pages, still minding my own business - I had even stopped feeling dizzy at that point - and what do I find? Another full page ad from Premier Yarns, and in case you didn't notice, that is Deborah Norville snuggling with an afghan that I designed last year! She ... -
Arctic Lace
14 Jan 2010 | 7:10 amDonna Druchunas, a fellow teacher of mine who does workshops with the same cruise company as I do (and of SheepToShawl fame) published a gorgeous book called Arctic Lace: Stories and Projects Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters which is an amazing collection of stories and knit projects. Now she is releasing the AUDIO version of the same book! I think that is just about the coolest thing evah! And what an honor that she asked me to participate in her blog tour to promote it. To get more info on the audio ...
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Crochet News
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Mary Long: Crazy Quilter And Mad Hatter Of The Senior Center
8 Feb 2010 | 12:07 pmSome crazy quilts are crazier than others. Some are crazy only in a genteel, mildly eccentric, talking-to-themselves-quietly-in-the-corner kind of way unlikely to frighten children or attract the attention of the social services. -
Crochet for a feminine vintage appeal
6 Feb 2010 | 11:56 amWhen people think of crochet, they automatically think "granny squares" or afghans, but never seem to think of wearables. -
Yarn over: Win a book on crochet tricks and tips
5 Feb 2010 | 9:11 pmHooked on crochet, but feel you could use a few good pointers, such as how not to drop stitches on the ends? If so, toss your needle and yarn aside and pick up a copy of Lily Chin's 'Crochet Tips & Tricks, Shortcuts and Techniques Every Crocheter Should Know' . In this pocket-size, hardcover book, Chin covers all the basics of crocheting and ... -
Every blanket helps make community a little warmer
4 Feb 2010 | 8:52 pmI want to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude for the support The Mirror has provided to the Blankets for Canada Society's Midland chapter in letting the community know about our organization and our contributions to date. -
Pro Action Knitters Make Donation to Ronald McDonald House
3 Feb 2010 | 8:30 pmBath, NY A group of talented volunteers known as the "Pro Action Knitters" recently made a heartfelt contribution to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.
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Thistle Cove Farm
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Sabbath Keeping
7 Feb 2010 | 4:54 am"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." ~ Numbers 6:24-26 ~"If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day." ~ Alex Noble ~"Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses,… -
Heros
3 Feb 2010 | 4:56 amMy apologies - I'm experiencing camera difficulties and, currently, am unable to download photos. Please do read this post; the information is, more than, worthy of your time. Like the Good Book says, "for those with eyes to see and ears to hear"...heros are all around us. Oh, I know, in this day and age certain words are, dreadfully, over-used. Awesome, create, hero are a few.Yesterday I drove in one of the worst snowstorms of this winter to attend the wake of my friend's step-father. Mary Lois and I have been friends for almost thirty years and yesterday's journey, while not a test of that… -
Sabbath Keeping
31 Jan 2010 | 3:44 pm~ January 2010 Wolf Moon ~ "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."~ Psalm 51:7 ~"As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool." ~ Proverbs 26:1 ~ "Every one of our greatest national treasures, our liberty, enterprise, vitality, wealth, military power, global authority, flow from a surprising source: our ability to give thanks." ~ Tony Snow ~ "So comes snow after fire and even dragons have their ending." ~ J. R. R. Tolkien ~“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,… -
One World One Heart
25 Jan 2010 | 4:30 am~ OWOH 2010 ~ There are some things that simply make January and February better...chocolate, warmth, afternoon naps under toasty throws, a juicy orange. I'm sure you've got your own list and, probably, our lists overlap a tad.Lisa Swifka is hosting, for the fourth year, One World One Heart and that's something that makes January and February better. The OWOH location has changed to her wonderful blog, A Whimsical Bohemian, and that's a good change. I love wandering around her blog, seeing her art and what's she's doing; she's incredibly talented and there's always inspiration to be found. -
Sabbath Keeping
24 Jan 2010 | 7:00 am~ morning breaks at Thistle Cove Farm ~ "Cast your cares upon Him, for He careth for you." ~ I Peter5:7 ~"Love begins by taking care of the closest ones, the ones at home." ~ Mother Teresa ~"A great many people seem to embalm their troubles. I always feel like running away when I see them coming. They bring out their old mummy, and tell you in a sad voice: "You don't know the troubles I have!" My friends, if you go to the Lord with your troubles, He will take them away. Would you not rather be with the Lord and get rid of your troubles, than be with your troubles and without God? Let trouble…
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About.com Crochet
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Yarn Bargain Alert - Caron Rhapsody Yarn
3 Feb 2010 | 10:20 amNot-Quite-Wordless Weds I found this yarn at the Dollar Tree store today for $1.00 per 2 oz skein. The name of the yarn is "Rhapsody" and it bears the Caron label. It's a medium-weight yarn. Fiber content: 80% acrylic, 20% polyester.I just wanted to pass along the info, because I know many of you are Caron fans. I have no idea how widely this yarn is available, and I wouldn't advise going out too far out of your way to look for it. I am not sure if many stores have the yarn in stock. The store close to me didn't have all that much of it on the shelf when I arrived, and now they have even… -
Crochet Challenge - Decorate a Heart Shape
2 Feb 2010 | 7:10 amThink of this crocheted heart shape as not just a finished project, but also a crafty "building block." Sure, you can use it on its own, but you can artistically transform it into your own creation as well. Crocheted Heart Shape - Photo © Amy Solovay. This month, I'd like to challenge you to decorate a crocheted heart and make it into something useful. It could be either functional or decorative - art or craft, or somewhere in between. You could make it as simple or as complicated as you like. You are more than welcome to use my heart pattern, heart chart, or beaded heart, or you could use… -
A Brand New Look for About.com's Crochet Newsletter
29 Jan 2010 | 9:03 amStarting with Monday's upcoming edition, About.com's crochet newsletter will have a whole new look. If you've been subscribing to the needlecrafts newsletter for awhile, you've already seen the revamped layout by now; the crochet newsletter, along with all the other newsetters at About.com, will be formatted like that one from here on out. I'm really excited about the new look! I love the new layout - I think it looks clean and fresh and contemporary. I really hope you will share my enthusiasm for it, but I won't hold it against you if you don't. So, what do you think? Please don't be shy -… -
Crochet Colorwork Terminology - Wordless Weds Photo Post
27 Jan 2010 | 8:05 amThese unused strands of yarn have a name. Do you know what it is? If you don't already know the answer, find out here. See more "Wordless Wednesday" blog posts on other topics at About.com Discover more "Wordless Wednesday" posts from all over the Internet Photo © 2010 Amy Solovay, Licensed to About.com, Inc.Crochet Colorwork Terminology - Wordless Weds Photo Post originally appeared on About.com Crochet on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 16:05:17.Permalink | Comment | Email this -
How Crochet Enthusiasts Can Help Haiti's Earthquake Victims
22 Jan 2010 | 12:35 amRain Blanken, About.com's Guide to DIY fashion, blogged about innovative ways that crafters can help Haiti's earthquake victims. Crochet enthusiasts are invited to read about the handmade for Haiti efforts she described in her post, as some of you may be interested in participating. Many of us are already busy with various charity efforts. But if you're not, and you want to be, now is a great time to get started. Rain's got some fantastic suggestions. More About Haiti What happened in Haiti? Miles for Haiti - Donating frequent flier miles to help Haiti Ten important facts about Port au…
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crochet « WordPress.com Tag Feed
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Finished!!
9 Feb 2010 | 11:27 amRemember the peep from yesterday? Well today is the tah-dah!!!!! It is a little dark for which I am sorry, but I didn’t want to wait for tomorrow to show you this…. A little bag just right for a little hand. Something big enough to pack things in…. Something that a little hand could swing… And as I haven’t got a little hand to help me, I have gathered some bits and pieces together – all vintage of course! A little baby’s hair brush from 50 years ago! A hanky that went to infant school with me! And Mickey who had a lot of loving 20 years ago! -
Smiley's Yarn is Here
9 Feb 2010 | 11:15 amI’m thrilled that my order from Smiley’s Yarns came in yesterday. Actually it came in last week, but I wasn’t well enough to go to work & that’s where I had it shipped. I opened the box to find lots of wonderful yarn – sock yarn, bamboo wool, and acrylic. I’ve got tons of acrylic, but this acrylic came in fabulous colors – and it’s being discontinued! Moda Dea hasn’t always been my favorite yarn – some of them are too hard for me to work with – but the Cherish line that I ordered is a really good acrylic. It comes if… -
DIY Rugs
9 Feb 2010 | 10:13 amSpotted on Apartment Therapy Instructions Here Availiable Here OR… if you would like to DIY, find a vintage doily pattern that you love and buy oodles and oodles of cotton rope and get to work! I plan to DIY this and will offer up my pattern and detailed instructions if I can get it to work out. Spotted on Design Sponge Instructions Here -
Naperon De Sala
9 Feb 2010 | 8:26 amPara começar esta minha aventura aqui vou apresentar alguns trabalhos que fui realizando ao longo de vários anos e vou começar a partilhar com vocês. -
Dresses
9 Feb 2010 | 7:50 amThe dress is made from Blue and White Porcelain from the Ming and Qing Dynasties by Li Xiaofeng. The pieces are sewn together using (fiber) silver thread. Joy Kampia crochet sculpture Thought these were interesting.
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Knitting News
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Knitting for the Senses
9 Feb 2010 | 10:28 amA few days ago I reviewed Feminine Knits , a book that I found rather unabashedly girly in its ideas of what women like in their knits. -
Former Winter Texas use knitting to make friends, give back
8 Feb 2010 | 10:24 amAs customers hurried to escape the chill of the breeze outside of Hastings Entertainment on McAllen's 10th Street, the Chachalaca Knitters were already busy turning colorful balls of yarn into snuggly winter garments at the caf inside. -
'Child of the Sun' revived
7 Feb 2010 | 10:19 amThe water dome fountain, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., serves as the campus centerpiece. -
Knitting the Rings
6 Feb 2010 | 4:38 pmOlympic rings. Sarah E. White. If you'd like to commemorate the Winter Olympics in knitting, check out this pattern for an Olympic Rings block . -
Super Bowl scarf-knitting, green programs unveiled for 2012
5 Feb 2010 | 4:36 pmThe 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee on Friday morning unveiled two new initiatives to get more local people involved in hosting the National Football League's premiere event.
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Webs Yarn Store Blog
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Big Game Event
5 Feb 2010 | 3:54 pmJust a quick reminder. Our annual Big Game Event is happening this Sunday, February 7th from 12-4pm. Both WEBS Yarn and WEBS Beads will be open! Come join us for a relaxing afternoon of crafting. Work on your latest project, check out our new yarns and beads and catch up with friends. We’ll have snacks and giveaways to add to the festivities. Plus, you will be home in time to see the Big Game or at least all of the cool commercials!Enjoy!Kathy -
Winter Yumminess & Coziness
2 Feb 2010 | 5:43 pmI know my post from earlier today was a bit on the dry side, but it was a necessity. Fortunately before I left the office this afternoon, I wandered by Mary’s desk and discovered these:Can you say adorable? At first they just struck me as pretty colorwork mittens. Then I focused a bit more on them and THAT’s when the ah-hah moment happened. That isn’t just any ordinary colorwork – that is colorwork cupcakes:I was so smitten with these mittens. (Sorry ’bout that – I just couldn’t resist). I tried them on and I have to tell you – they… -
Full Disclosure
2 Feb 2010 | 1:19 pmThe Federal Trade Commission recently revised their “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials” to encourage bloggers who review products to discolose if they received the products for free when making a favorable review. Breaking these new rules could result in fines or other liability. These guidelines were developed specifically for bloggers who participate in pay-per-review programs. Given these new guidelines, I feel it’s important to clarify my stance on this topic.It is rare that I review or discuss a product that we don’t carry. I… -
KnitScene Winter/Spring 2010
1 Feb 2010 | 1:31 pmHi EveryoneThe latest issue of Knitscene magazine is out. I am pretty tickled with the projects in this issue. Of the 27 projects that are featured in this issue – we carry the yarn for just about half of them (13 actually). A few of my faves you ask? Well, sure, I can give you my personal highlights. First up is this bee-u-tiful cowl from the “Berroco Design Team” (hey Norah, hey Cirilia – great cowl!):The Ninebark Cowl is knit in Berroco Lustra. I opted to add the second photo as I think it’s truly the one that really shows how spectacular the… -
Ready, Set, Knit #162 – Interview with Susie & Mark Moraca of Kollage Yarns
30 Jan 2010 | 12:05 pmThis week on Ready, Set, Knit, Steve discussed some new yarns and new closeouts that have recently arrived at the shop. We continue to receive yarns at a frenetic pace.New YarnAya from Noro Furisode from Noro Amalfi from Debbie Bliss Eco Baby from Debbie BlissNew CloseoutsYuzen from Noro Cashmerino Chunky from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Super Chunky from Debbie BlissWe welcomed first time guests Susie & Mark Moraca, owners of Kollage Yarns to the show. Susie & Mark are the creators and distributors of those faboo square needles which we have carried for awhile. They also develop…
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Yarn Harlot
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Pictures of a rest
8 Feb 2010 | 2:34 pmYesterday though, two rare things happened. First, I took a day off. A whole day off. Not that self-employed kind of day off where you just work less than you usually do and call it a day off, but a... -
Packing
5 Feb 2010 | 1:48 pmThis here, would be the knitting-packing that I'm doing for leaving tomorrow. \The bag on the left would be the Bohus, which seems to me like it's perfect travel project... once I'm settled. (I have a sock for the plane,... -
January Socks
4 Feb 2010 | 12:51 pmThe first months combo of my self-imposed sock club. Yarn: Handkraft "The sock who loved me" in Mangrove (70% Merino, 30% silk. Yummy.) Pattern: Sleepy Hollow.Verdict: I love these socks. Love them. I love the stripes up the backs of the legs... -
Groundhog
3 Feb 2010 | 2:52 pmJust poking my head up to assure you all that I'm fine. I sort of like the way that if the blog goes dark for a few days, the emails start coming to make sure I'm okay. It makes me... -
Plans. Best. Laid. All that
29 Jan 2010 | 11:46 amA little while ago, I put together my own sock club. I still belong to a sock club, but I wanted to make a point of burning through some of the stash and finally getting to a few patterns I've...
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Unraveled
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Squam Art Workshops 2010
29 Jan 2010 | 1:39 pmI am so excited that we are able to attend Squam Art Workshops (SAW) again this June! Last year we had such a wonderful time at this lovely New Hampshire summer camp/ art retreat for adults. We took classes with amazing teachers, enjoyed the scenery and delicious food and we were so thrilled when Elizabeth said that she was holding another Spring session this year. Registration begins February 1st and we are busily trying to pick our classes- it is really hard since there are so many great ones! There are classes on so many subjects: spinning, knitting, writing, yoga, sewing,… -
TNNA and Unwind!
22 Jan 2010 | 3:13 pmThe Ravelry team had a great time last weekend as we headed to California for the Anniversary party at Unwind in Burbank and also for the TNNA trade show in Long Beach. I found it so hard to leave snowy and slushy New England but sometimes you just have to sacrifice for your job, you know? ;) First we headed to the event at Unwind- it is such a nice spacious shop and we always have a great time there! We got to see some new and old friends, see some beautiful yarn, and Casey found another crocheted guy to play with. Thank you to Stephanie, her wonderful staff and all the Ravelers who… -
coming soon: Los Angeles Ravelry event
22 Dec 2009 | 4:31 pmIf you’re a Raveler in Southern California, we’re going to be heading your way soon! Team Rav will be going to Long Beach for TNNA in January, and like last year we’ll be stopping by Unwind in Burbank and joining Kelly and Dawn from Namaste, Manos del Uruguay yarns, Dora Ohrenstein, and Kristi Porter for a party on Thursday night, January 7, from 7:00 - 10:00 pm! Last year’s party was so fun - it’s always great to get a chance to meet people, especially when we’re all surrounded by lovely yarn! The full details are up on the Unwind website’s events… -
pattern store news: gifting and more!
11 Dec 2009 | 12:02 pmBig things are happening in the Ravelry Pattern Store! • as of today, 191,000 patterns have been purchased on Ravelry, totalling sales of… $1,250,000 USD • 98.7% of the money from these sales has gone to the designers Those numbers are really incredible to us - that’s an amazing amount of support that the Ravelry community has given to the designers offering patterns using the service. During busy times of day, people buy 4 patterns every minute using the Ravelry pattern sales service, and with about 50 new patterns available as Ravelry downloads each day,… -
Exciting News!
4 Dec 2009 | 12:34 pmWe are so pleased to announce that Sarah will be working for Ravelry full-time after the new year! She will continue in her community support/ Hostess with the Mostest role and will then have time to work with Casey, Mary-Heather and me on other Ravelry improvement projects, large and small. Thank you to all Ravelers for supporting us through these tough economic times so that we can make this happen- we feel so very blessed! Thanks, Sarah! We can’t wait! Comments
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Quilting Gallery
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Quilt Haiti
9 Feb 2010 | 1:56 amBy: Tammy Gilley Quilts were meant for sharing. I’ve been noodling about quilts. Women who make them. Women who need them. Quilts, especially those that are handcrafted, are really just a giant hug for anyone who wraps one around herself. Perhaps by stitching quilts, we’re comforting ourselves, too, because the whole concept of what has happened in Haiti is overwhelming. And sending a check helped me for a day or so. Then I grew antsy. So, I stitched. And I thought. I’d like to do a "quilt drive", for lack of a better term, and get quilts to the women, children,… -
Weekly Quilt Contest: Valentine’s Day
8 Feb 2010 | 11:22 amCongratulations to Ingrid from the Netherlands for winning last week’s weekly themed quilt contest, Snow, Ice, Cold, with her very gorgeous Journey into the light quilt. Thanks to Geta Grama for donating a set of her Pockets with Love patterns. Love is in the air, with this week’s theme of Valentine’s Day. To enter, read the rules and guidelines, then submit your quilt photo. Voting will start on Friday and last until Sunday night. This week’s contest is sponsored by Tracey’s Country Cards. The winner of this week’s prize can have their own choice of 15… -
**NEW** Quilting Gallery Forums
5 Feb 2010 | 11:34 pmI’m so excited to announce the new Quilter’s Forum here at the Quilting Gallery. This was, by far, the most requested addition to the site in last year’s suggestions blog post. Of course, there’s quilter’s help, quilter’s chat, and a place to post your finished quilts too. I’ve also created forums specifically for promoting quilter’s give-aways, free quilting projects and tutorials and quilting shows and events. I hope you’ll join in the conversation, make new friends, help each other and be inspired. Register as a member to join in the… -
Vote Now: Snow, Ice, Cold … Brrrrr!
4 Feb 2010 | 9:14 pmThanks to all that entered their quilts in the Weekly Themed Quilt Contest. This week’s theme is Snow, Ice, Cold … Brrrrr!. Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!! The lucky winner with the most votes will receive a set of Geta Grama’s super cute Pockets with Love patterns. Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11 p.m. One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for your favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers) Winner announced Monday! Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the… -
Studio Envy!!
4 Feb 2010 | 6:21 amHi, I’m Barbara Wilson from the Thimble Pleasures (Chapel Hill, NC) blog "Hot Flashes". It’s great to be a Guest Blogger! Our shop’s blog gets lots of comments on anything to do with quilt studio design and organization. So, I thought I would share some of our ideas with you! After years of quilting on the kitchen table and having to clean up every night, I had studio envy! So, I took the plunge and decided to convert a bedroom into a quilting studio. It’s not a large space and I quickly realized that I needed a plan to be certain I could do all my quilting…
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Bunny Tales
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Good Bye and Hello!
20 Jan 2010 | 8:18 pmWe've moved! You can find us at: www.bunnyhillblog.com -
Linen
10 Jan 2010 | 2:02 pmI’ve got this “thing” with linen lately. Well, not lately, I guess I’ve always had it. But now that French General linen is available from Moda I’m a bit more obsessed than I was before. I love linen and I’ve spent the weekend with it! I made myself a linen heart sachet to hang in the studio. Something simple. Something linen. It’s hanging on a wall next to my computer, from an old window. And then I made a new prototype bunny from my pattern “Five For Brunch”. She’s linen of course and I gave her lop ears. I… -
I love a good start to a New Year!
5 Jan 2010 | 12:14 amIt’s January 5th and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it! Jumping for joy over here at Bunny Hill! It’s time to introduce my newest Free block of the month! It’s my way of saying THANK YOU to all of you wonderful blog readers, customers, quilters, friends, animal lovers, and just plain nice people out there! Thank you for reading my blog, buying my patterns, buying my fabrics, putting up with my attempts at being funny, listening to me go on and on about my pets, my life, and myself LOL! Thank you dear readers for being who you are! Each of you unique… -
Welcome 2010!
31 Dec 2009 | 9:47 pmI really thought 2009 would bring a new addition to the studio. It was such a good idea, adding on an extra 400 square ft. of working space. I began to doubt it several months ago, when plans failed to arrive, deadlines weren't met, and frustrations began to build. When the plans finally arrived, and the bids came in, the cost was outrageous. Seems California will never change. Things here cost more. We haven’t learned a thing. It’s a crazy business this one called construction. Crazy. So we’ve said no to the addition with… -
Christmas Day
27 Dec 2009 | 7:01 pmChristmas day brought turkey, stuffing and those oh so good mashed potatoes. My son Doug and his fiancé Elke arrived from Germany on Christmas Eve. Luggage was lost, but the Christmas spirit was not. Lufthansa delivered the lost luggage to our house 6PM Christmas day! They tried really hard to get it here, and we live a good hour 1/2 from the airport! The Christmas table was set by Doug and Elke. The table cloth is a gift made by my friend Barbara, who blanket stitched trees, reindeer and Santa's around the border! And, next…
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Salihan Crafts
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Purrfectly organising my WIPs
7 Feb 2010 | 12:44 pmSince Olly claimed my WIP* box as his a few weeks ago, he has settled right in and shows no sign of moving out. You will find his furry little chin hanging over the top of the box almost every single hour of every single day. He made it purrfectly clear to me that I had to find a new box for my knitting projects. This is Olly’s box now. While wondering through Kmart in search of a replacement, I chanced upon this. Look closely at the white tag on the box… Eureka! I’ve got my new knitting WIP box! I parted with my $10 far too quickly and excitedly for the under-enthusiastic… -
Donating to Doctors Without Borders
4 Feb 2010 | 2:00 pmThank you to those who purchased my crochet patterns in January. 50% of last month’s Ravelry sales was donated to MSF ‘Doctors without Borders’ to help provide care in devastated Haiti. I can only pray that my small contribution will help those who are still desperately waiting for medical attention. Photo by Inside Disaster I’m also gobsmacked to hear that knitters around the world has helped Yarn Harlot raise over $1,000,000 for MSF since she started ‘Knitters Without Borders’ in 2004. What an accomplishment! What a true inspiration! You can read more… -
One World, One Heart Giveaway
1 Feb 2010 | 9:14 pmI heard of Lisa’s One World, One Heart through my good friend, Cath. She told me of this great event where creative bloggers all around the world get to connect with each other, bloggers who may not normally meet. I jumped on the bandwagon like she did as it’s such a great opportunity to make new friends, don’t you think? So if this is your first time here, I welcome you to my little corner of the blogoshphere where I write about things I love. I hope to make you smile, hopefully laugh a little, even if it’s just a giggle. Let me also take this opportunity to tell you… -
“Forever” Blanket
31 Jan 2010 | 3:36 pmI’ve wanted to crochet a blanket for a few years now. I want this blanket to stay with us forever. I want it made of the softest of soft yarn in the prettiest of pretty colours. However there were things holding me back, mostly money and time commitment. I started a hexagon blanket with scratchy, squeeky acrylic yarn last year but I didn’t finish it. It just wasn’t what I wanted and it felt like a compromise. I didn’t love the hexagon blanket like I hoped I would with my forever blanket. In a twist of fate, I started working for Ecoyarns on a part-time basis a few… -
January’s Giveaway winner is…
25 Jan 2010 | 12:06 amCongratulations Sheila of Babymoon Boutique! We will email the $20 gift voucher from American Yarns to you shortly. Thank you everyone for taking part and using the form. Did everyone find the form easy to use? It sure made my life a whole lot easier! I closed the contest and shoot out this post in half an hour! If I don’t hear any feedback, I’m assuming you’re all good for me to use the forms again in the future. So speak now or forever hold your peace! I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment
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Jessiner's Home
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Teddy Bears with Heart by Deborah Chaddock Brown
6 Feb 2010 | 6:40 amToday's guest post is from Deborah Chaddock Brown. She has an incredible blog, Make or Break Moments. She is a freelance writer, speaker, and trainer. She provides her audience with real life solutions and examples that help to market their business, establish their expert status, and enhance the customer relationship. She also has a passion for crafting, and she has been gracious enough to share information on her most recent project. Thanks Deborah! Teddy Bears With Heart By Deborah Chaddock Brown I’ve found a way to keep the memory of my Dad as a visible presence in my life. A… -
Tips for Paper-Piecing Quilt Blocks
17 Jan 2010 | 6:18 pmI finished my Fall Swap wall hanging and will have it in the mail by the deadline. YEAH! I wanted to use a pattern that allowed me to incorporated all the great fall colors. I selected a paper-piecing pattern from Bright and Bold Paperpieced Blocks by Carol Doak because her patterns use - obviously - bright and bold colors. Perfect. The patterns also have a kaleidoscope look, which appealed to me. I have never had luck with paper-piecing because the instructions I had were not very clear. I wasted a lot of fabric guessing what size to cut my pieces, and I had various other issues trying to… -
Squiggle Crochet
14 Jan 2010 | 2:41 amSquiggle crochet Originally uploaded by sarah london textiles Have you heard of Squiggle Crochet? I hadn't either until I read my morning blogs. Sarah London featured this beautiful square she crocheted on her blog and Flickr. I have not been able to find instructions, but she does promise to have the pattern available in a Hip to Hook 2010 pattern. You can check out her blog at http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/squiggle-crochet/. -
Cute Patterns in Amigurumi Too! by Ana Paula Rimoli
9 Jan 2010 | 9:58 amI am still enthralled with amigurumi. For my niece’s third birthday, I crocheted more of the little critters in Ana Paula Rimoli’s book Amigurumi World and the birthday cake. I loved making up these patterns so much, that I purchased Rimoli’s second book Amigurumi Too! I crocheted this tea set from the second book over the holidays. I love how it turned out. The little spoons and chocolate chips really make the set. After today, however, I am getting back to my quilting. I joined the Fall Quilt Swap on Quiltinggallery.com. I decided to give paper piecing another try. My first attempt… -
Amigurumi World and Panda Crochet Along
13 Sep 2009 | 4:29 amI've been away in amigurumi-land again. Making these little crocheted animals is addictive. I just cannot get enough. I have wanted to make every critter in Ana Paula Rimoli's book Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet.I have a pretty good start, too. These guys are easy, quick, and I think the cutest out there. There are instructions for large amis, but I like the little guys. This book is well worth checking out.Also, I've joined a Crochet Along. This is a new experience for me. I know how to crochet, so I was not sure if I would get anything good out of crocheting with other people, but…
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It's not your Grandmother's Needlepoint
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The snow, oh the snow!
7 Feb 2010 | 4:18 pmWhat's a girl to do when it snows this much?For a state that doesn't usually get snow we got a crazy amount of snow Friday into Saturday. 30+ inches!!!! What were the weather gods thinking.The shop has been closed since Thursday night!I've been working on the next lesson of the Heart Mystery Class. It's starting to look like something! I think you are really going to like it. Check back next Sunday to see what I've done.I've also been packing crystals like a crazy person. In addition to the full line of 2mm round crystals we have started adding select colors in 4mm rounds and 3mm bicones and… -
What a difference a color makes
29 Jan 2010 | 5:42 amWow, what a difference. This summer a group of us stitched Melissa Shirley's Mellow Yellow canvas as the very first Mystery Class at Bedecked and Beadazzled.It was so much fun, and I love my finished purse.But wow, what a difference a color change can make! A friend of mine stitched the background of hers in black. That was the only color change. We did a different stitch in the background to cover the pink paint more thoroughly, but that's it. Everything else is exactly the same. It is stunning! She's seeing it here first as she was gracious enough to let me photograph and post before she… -
What a class
24 Jan 2010 | 5:40 pmToday was the first day of our Melissa Shirley Mystery Class. I think I surprised a few people with the choices I made for how to stitch this canvas.Here's the canvas before we began embellishing it.And here it is after lesson #1's stitching is complete.I hope you can see the subtle details, because it is really cool. Ultimately, I want this heart to be rich and dramatic —— a sparkling jewel of golds and roses.We began by attaching sequins in the background of the design area. The only challenge here is that we are using invisible thread and invisible thread really is invisible.Now for… -
If you don't love cute kitties come back in a few days
18 Jan 2010 | 8:17 amWhat can I say, sometimes the spirit just moves me to post kitty pictures. I try not to do it often but sometimes I just can't resist.Here's Richie, my youngest.Here's the canvas we designed from one of his baby pictures.Tigger who was the dearest cat I ever met. Boy did he love ice cream with mom :-)He too has a special canvas.And last for today is Hunter. He is by my side through every needlepoint project but he does wish I would stitch smaller pieces. Those big evertites are scary.He too has a canvas. Yes, he does have that wonderful spot on his side.Hugs from me and the boys. Happy… -
Sometimes Enough is not Enough
10 Jan 2010 | 5:37 pmOur Merry Christmas Mystery Class came to an end today. And while I will miss all of you dear friends and the fun we have had, I'm excited to be sending it off to the finisher. This piece is singularly the best time I have had stitching anything to date. How's that for a big statement. Today we tackled the center square. The background is a pretty open stitch and must be completed first before the letters.What to do with letters that are this thin? We could Tent Stitch them, but then we would have jagged edges on many of the curves. We could Cross Stitch them which would even everything out.
