Announcing CraftStylish.com

You may be wondering where my creative energies have run off to lately, and  I’m pleased to finally announce part of the answer. Craft Stylish, a new website launched by the lovely people at Taunton Press. I’ve been posting over there, all about crochet, my other crafty love. Sometimes I wonder if anyone who reads this blog knows that I love to crochet, since I rarely post about it, but that’s just because it can be hard to make crochet exciting in a quick post.  I’ve actually found lots to post about at CS, and new cool crochet stuff continues to crop up the more I look for it. So far I’ve been writing lots of how-tos, tips, book reviews and roundups on cool crochet sites , projects, and designers. If you happen to know of anything that might be good for a future post, please feel free to drop me a line any time!

Here’s one of the photos from my Granny Square tutorial– my goal is to take close-up shots and clearly show my hands so you know what’s actually going on. Imagine me with my self timer, gorilla pod, akwardly dangling camera cord and yarn ends everywhere, doing everything half-bent over till my back starts to yell at me. What, you couldn’t tell from the photo? That’s good! I need a staff, I tell you!

Head on over and check out the site– there are lots of original posts on all things crafty, including beading, sewing, and embroidery. You can register and comment, too, and I’m told there’s more to come! What a nice way to pass the Friday.

Bead Simple is almost here!

I have been getting a lot of mail lately, but was especially excited to receive my contributor copies of Bead Simple yesterday. Susan has been working on this book for quite a while, and it came out so great! What I love about it is that each design is shown in 3 different renditions– each with different beads and findings, which can help you visualize a project that’s just your style. It also makes it easy to think about YOUR supplies and not necessarily having to buy the exact items used in the projects, which makes it a winner in my book! Plus it is lots of fun to see what all of the guest designers made. There’s also an extensive techniques section with illustrations and clearly written instructions, so even if you’re a beginner, you can follow along.

Here’s my filigree necklace on page 97. I wanted to do something totally different but still use the same basic technique (tiers, in this case).  At the time I didn’t think this was a necklace that I would personally wear (too fancy), but now that I have it back it’s actually quite nice with a slightly-dressy top. I could use a little more glamour in my life. I’ve been bored in general with my jewelry lately, so hopefully this book will isnpire me to craft some new pieces. The book will officially be released on March 25th, but you can pre-order on Amazon if you like.

I also got a copy of this new book from Chronicle: The Pillow Book by Shannon Okey. It’s a lovely book chock full of your pillow basics, but then there are also some really fun and useful projects like pet beds, ottomans, and seat covers, too. It’s definitely a good choice if you’re trying to do some redecorating or re-energize your couch. And the best part, which seems to be included with all of the new Chronicle books, is that the patterns are all included at full size in a separate envelope on the front of the book.

 

Paul and his friends have a running joke that the difference between the apartments of men and women is the amount of pillows on their couches. I hate to admit it, but it’s true! Of course, my couch is currently covered in projects. Some day, pillow book. Some day!

New Issue: Crochet Today

As promised, here it is: my blatantly self promotional post. Just to prove I’ve been working on some worky type things. Here are two little projects of mine from the new March/April issue of Crochet Today.

    

The crafty cuffs and spiral change purse are mine. They’re fun and quick, let me tell you. I think I started these shortly after I moved here– I was still trying to get my head on straight at the time. 

   

This issue has some really pretty home projects. This vintage runner redux is totally my speed (love to crochet those lace patterns in a larger scale….even if I’m not a table runner kind of girl), and I looove the color wheel pillow. As in, one day, when I have time again, I might even make it. 

And did you know that Crochet Today also has podcasts? I vaguely remember the staff working on one while I was still around in NYC, but then I read about them on Crochet By Faye and had an “ooooooh….yeaaaaah” moment of recollection. I proceeded to dork out and watch every last one of them. I miss working with a bunch of fun ladies. Hi Brett and Sara!

I feel much better today. I was up and at ‘em this morning, then I rode the bus downtown for my pottery class. I’m pretty excited about some pieces I made from molds last week. They have doily imprints and are painted to look sort of like old pyrex casserole dishes. I only have 2 more weeks of the class…. and then I’ll be posting some results. I think I’ll go in tomorrow and take one last shot on the wheel. The wheel is so different from handbuilding- it’s all about relinquishing control for me. Sometimes I end up with something pretty, other times, a pile of mud. Good practice for life, I say.

Link Roundup

Thanks to Modish for featuring me in her Handmade Spaces column. Check it out to see pics of my craft room/studio (in a clean state).

All of my hats and earrings are on sale at Etsy- check it out! There’s still a good bit of winter left.

And check out this 2-part post on needlefelting over at ReproDepot where I show you how to make some cute felted owls, then give you ideas on how to use them.  Also exciting: All marimekko fabrics and products are on sale through January 15th! I loooove the print below.

And finally, check out my crochet-slash-art roundup on the Adorn blog.

Have a great weekend.

Yay for Luggage + Shop Sneak Peek

Yay, my luggage came home at 7:30 this morning, with all the contents safe and sound. 

Once I get a chance to take some good photos, I’ll be adding three more cake hats to my etsy shop. These three are special because they flew to Edmonton (Canada) and back just to be with you. Fun. I put the finishing pom-poms on this morning.

 

I added a few new button necklaces last night, in case you’re interested. I sold one to my high school history teacher while at a Christmas Eve party– that was pretty cool. She also owns the first (and only) painting I ever sold.

Last Minute Crafting

 

I was getting kind of fed up with my lack of holiday crafting (mainly due to work work work!) and a box of stuff from ReproDepot came just as I started making some fabric trees. I really loved the Full Moon Forest charm square set (a sweet deal at $6.95), so I went to task and made a patchwork tree. See how over at the ReproDepot blog.

This may be my last post for a bit- on Sunday I’m off for holiday travelling plus for about two weeks and want to actually not think about work for a while, during the moments when that’s possible. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Exciting Announcement!

 

I lied, I’m back already, to give you some exciting news that’s been in the works for weeks. I’m now also posting on the ReproDepot blog to give you lots of fun fabric-related inspiration. I first met Djerba, the store’s owner, at Renegade Craft Fair a few summers ago, but I’ve loved her store for years. Can you believe it’s been open 8 years already?! It’s full of fun fabrics and lots, lots more- I hadn’t full realized till I did a lengthy browse, but she’s now stocking all sorts of patterns, kits, books and notions, too!

I put my first post up today– go check it out!

Craft Fair Prep

 

Here it is, in all its glory, our joint project: a hat tree! Paul helped me make this from dowels, doll head knobs and a strange bun like  furniture piece that we found at home depot. It’s not the sturdiest thing ever, but it will help get my hats up off the table and hopefully attract some attention. I’ve been cranking out some new hats just in time for Saturday, and I’m excited about meeting more crafty people. If you happen to live in Bozeman, please stop by the Emerson Bazaar and say hello.  If you can’t make it, I’ll likely be placing most of the leftovers in my etsy shop, just in time to ship for the holidays.

 

I also went to a local craft fair as a shopper this weekend. The vendors were *very* traditional, but I was excited to find these hand crocheted snowflakes for $3 a pop. I know how long they take to make, and I’d much rather pay someone else to do it. Plus, they were starched so perfectly! I love that each one is different- this is kind of important to me as a shopper, because it makes me think the person at least had a little bit of fun figuring something out while making it. I scooped up six to hang in the windows, along with a gorgeous doily that I’ll have to photograph later. I also got a hand carved wooden ”Animals of Yellowstone” mobile with gorgeous pieces of oak, apricot, locust, cherry and black walnut dangling from it- in the form of moose, bears, and bison of course. I bought an ornament from the same guy last year, and I love his simple shapes.

Softie Awards: Vote for Me!

Yay– my fruitcake is a finalist in the softie awards.

Click here and follow the link to vote– and please vote for me (if you like mine the best, of course!).

 I’ve got nothing new to report. I was at a ceramics workshop all weekend with Lea Zoltowski (I made a teapot and two serving trays– and once I glaze and fire them I’ll show ‘em off!), and after that went to an art opening in Willow Creek, so I’m bemoaning the fact that it’s Monday.

Friday Decompression + Shop Update

This week has left me feeling tired, tired, tired. Working in the afternoons does this weird thing where I’m constantly thinking of how I have to go to work, and therefore don’t get a lot done. There has been lots of knitting torn out to be crocheted, and vice versa. But, I think some fun things have been created. I’m going to try to take them to the boutique next week once I’m done with some freelance work etc.

 

I also added some brooches to the shop. I really loved making these at one time in my life, and think I would like to start making them again. I just love wearing them on my coats and sweaters, and now I have an even better selection of fabric, buttons and yarns. I also put a few things on sale- the cake hats, scarf/muffler, etc.  It’s getting colder!

Hope everyone is having a lovely friday, and happy weekend for that matter.

And Erin, your swap package was sent yesterday (so, fingers crossed, it might get there tomorrow according to the post lady).