I Need to Find Balance

For the past 6 years, my life has been about trying to get better (recover my mobility) and crafting.  The crafting has been very important for my sanity.  It gave me something constructive to do in my lift chair besides stare at a television and drool.  I am so grateful that so many of you have been here for my crafting endeavors and supported me in so many ways.  Thank you.

My mobility has improved drastically since I lost some weight and had both hips replaced.  I am far from agile or quick on my feet, but I can get around without assistance now.  Because of this I am working with a vocational rehab counselor and a job coach to try to get back to working.  This past week and the coming week I am doing a job assessment in the accounting department of a local non-profit for 20 hours per week to see if I can handle working again.  I am being observed.  This is only a temporary job to test me and if I stand up to the physical challenges and the stress well enough, then I will be going out on interviews for jobs.

So far, I am doing ok physically.  At the end of 5 hour work days, my back is aching, but I think that I just need to get used to things and over time I will have less pain (fingers crossed).  The other part of the issue is stress and anxiety.  I have an anxiety disorder that I am taking medication to keep under control.  I have only had mild episodes of anxiety while in the process of learning the multitude of data entry processes that are required for the job.  In comparison, at my last job my anxiety levels were so high that I would have panic attacks or, if I was able to hold in the out right panic, then internalizing it would result in physical symptoms, exacerbating my IBS-d and migraines.

Ok, so why am I telling you all of this?  Well, I have found that my knitting, crocheting, spinning, beading, and jewelry making have drastically decreased.  Actually, I have practically stopped doing any of it.  How do those of you who work find balance in your life between work, family, and crafting?  I have a multitude of WIPs that need attention, but I am suddenly not interested in most of them.  I have managed to spin at least 15 mins per day to keep up with the Tour de Fleece, but even just that 15 mins seems like I must force myself to do it.

Do any of you have advice for me?

Happy Creativity to you All!

Tuesday's Temptation

Lately I have crocheted a few fun toys and found that I enjoy them.  I find special joy when a child lights up from the toy.  So I have been browsing around for more toy patterns and thought I would share my finds with you.

First, there is EssHaych, which sells fun amigurumi creatures and patterns.  Isn't he freakin adorable?  Perhaps you don't crochet.  No problem.  She sells either the monster or the pattern!

Would you prefer to knit your toys?  Okay, then check out Cheezombie. Cheezombie offers both crochet and knit amigurumi patterns and this guy is so cute that I could start to like garden slugs...yeah right.







These little fellas justify all the tiny balls of left over yarn I have saved from years of projects, just so I can morph them into playful delights.   Won't you join me in a little knit and crochet play date?

Friday FOs

Beaded Chains Bracelet

Beaded Chains Bracelet

Tunisian Short Row Dishcloth

Tuesday's Temptation

Today I have 2 shops with to tempt you with.  Each of them have similar items with their own twist and I would love to test drive each of them, but it just isn't within my budget right now.  These yarn holders look ingenious to me.  Since I can't have them, I would like to share them with you.  

This first is from Sun Valley Fibers and it is called a Yarn Buddy.  It holds 2 skeins at a time!  How wonderful for 2 socks at a time or stranded knitting!

The second one simply called a portable yarn holder and it is sold by Ogle Design.  It comes apart for convenience.  

Both of these wonderful devices spin, ala lazy susan style, so that you can work from the outside of your yarn cake with ease.  If either appeal to you, just click on over to one of their Etsy shops. 

Happy Creativity to you All!

USOC Threatens Fiber Crafters

http://gawker.com/5920036/us-olympics-committee-is-mad-at-knitting-olympics-for-denigrating-real-athletes

For the love of Ravelry

In my opinion, this is all about money.  If we gave them enough money for use of "the word", they (you know who I mean) wouldn't have a problem.  This will be the first time in over 40 years that I will not be watching the games.  I will be boycotting the sponsors of the games.  I am not trying to encourage anyone else to follow suit, I am just expressing my opinion.

I am more sad, confused, frustrated, angry and just plain PO'd than I know how to express.  Okay, I know how to express it, but I don't want to be sued.

Happy Creativity to you all (if you can muster it).

Update 5:17 pm, June 21st, 2012:  USOC Apologizes for insulting knitters.

Tuesday's Temptation

I love this stuff!  What stuff you may ask?  Lavishea!

On my recent Quilt Shop Hop, I discovered Lavishea lotion bars.  The one I purchased is the lemon grass scent and it is wonderful.  I have been using it on my hands and elbows for 2 weeks now with fantastic results.  It doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy, it is long lasting on my skin, and the scent is light and refreshing.  Also, because it is a lotion bar, you never get too much out of container, so the product lasts a long time and it won't spill or leak in your purse or project bag.

The Lemon Grass scent that I purchased only has 3 ingredients: fair trade shea butter, pure soy, and fragrance.  Check out Lavishea.com to find a store near you that sells it or to buy it online.  Happy Creativity to you All!

Friday's FOs

Remember this post I made back on June 5th, raving about the possibilities of Inn-spire?  Well, recently I went on a quilt shop hop with my sister, niece and a friend, and I found the very same pattern that I had blogged about.  I purchased the pattern and the interfacing and here is my version of that cute little pod.  I love it!  

I am going to do some experimenting with the little scraps of Inn-spire that are left to see what else this stuff is capable of.  Try it out.  It sure added some fun to my crafty world!


Happy Creativity to you All!

Scholarship

Do you have child who will be graduating from high school in the near future?  Does this child knit or crochet?  Would this child like a $2500 scholarship?  Check out the one that Jimmy Beans is offering!

http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/scholarshipHome.asp

Eligibility 
To be eligible for a Beans for Brains Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Know how to knit or crochet
• Plan to attend an accredited and approved institution of higher education during the 2012-2013 academic school year

Good luck and Happy Creativity to you all!

Wednesday WIPs + a FO

I haven't accomplished much this past week, so you won't see a lot of progress from the last WIPs list.

WIPs (Works In Progress):

1. Moose Afghan (from Hell) - 75% done.  (no progress)
2. Long Cat Scarf - 50% done.  (no progress)
3. Skull Towel - 25% done.  (no progress...sensing a theme here?)
4. Ladies Top - 30% complete (no progress)
5. Semele - 20% complete (no progress)
6. La Vie de Bois Socks - about 25% done. Started these June 1st, so they are new to the list. The pattern is well written.  She gives you both the written instructions and a nice large, easy to read chart for my old eyes.  Loving knitting these!  Bonus, I am using yarn dyed by the designer!

Missing from the list:

    Sock Monkey Hat -  Finished!  But I didn't get a picture of it before I gave it to my sister to give to her granddaughter.  If I get a picture in the future, I will update with it.

So, what have you been working on?  Happy Creativity to you All!

Tuesday's Temptation

My friend, Monet, showed me an Etsy vendor this morning that she made a recent purchase from, and I ♥ the colorways.  Yarn vs Zombies is a new shop with great colorways and an interesting sense of humor.

Please click the the link above to check it out, pass it on to others, and share the love.

Happy Creativity to you ALL!

Tuesday's Temptation

I have been inspired by INN-SPIRE!  Inn-spire is a non-woven fusible, moldable interfacing that I first heard about a week or so ago from a wonderful fellow crafter, Tracy, aka Fiber Babble.  Then this past weekend I went on a quilt shop hop with my sister, niece, and their lovely friend Monica.  In one of the shops I saw the project below that was made with Inn-spire, and I was intrigued.

I purchased the pattern, but they were sold out of the Inn-spire. The owner assured me that one of the shops left on my list would have it.  Imagine my dismay when each subsequent shop informed me that they were sold out and it was on back order!  Fortunately, the final shop had some so I scooped it up.  Now, I hope I have the sewing skills (or develop them along the way) to put this project together.  

If you would like to find Inn-spire, good luck!  LOL.  Their website link above has a "where to buy" link or you can buy it online through them. CreateForLess sells it but is out of stock.  You can ask them to notify you when they get it in stock.  

The pattern I purchased is available through AuntiesTwo (scroll down the page to find it).  Other ideas of what to use it for are Leaf Bowls and Votive Holders.  I would love to see what  you can come up with to use this amazing new product!  

Happy Creativity to you All!

Friday FOs

First up:  Wavy Rib Socks (no pattern link because I just winged it)
Needle: US size 2 - 2.75mm
Yarn:  Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Socks in the Pansy colorway

Lastly:  My Heart Dishcloth
Hook:  US size I - 5.5 mm
Yarn:  Cotton Mill Ends

Happy Creativity to you All!

Wednesday WIPs

For the past few months, I have been very lazy about my blogging.  I would like to give you are good reason for this, but really...I just haven't felt like it.  The blogging mojo has been AWOL and as a result, so have I.  Since I haven't found a way to remedy that, I decided that just forcing myself to type something in this space might redevelop the habit for me.  I don't know if it will work, but here we go.

I promise you that I have been working on projects.  Lots of projects have been completed but not many have been photographed.  I think that the photography issue may be part of my blogging block.  I am very frustrated with the quality or lack of quality in my photography, so I don't want to take pictures of what I have done.  If I don't have pictures to show you, then I don't want to blog about what I can't show you.  It is time to get past all that.

Works In Progress (WIPs):

1. Moose Afghan (from hell) - about 75% complete, but it is too hot to work on a king size afghan.
2. Long Cat Scarf - about 50% complete. It is double-knit and the technique is new for me :)
3. Skull Towel - about 25% complete.  This started out as a dishcloth, but it is going to be to big for that.
4. Sock Monkey Hat - I just cast on this one.  My sister requested it for her granddaughter.
5. Ladies Top - about 30% complete.  I haven't worked on it in a month
6. Semele - about 20% complete.  I haven't worked on it in a month or more.

I think that is all of them.  Check back on Friday when I will post picks of some recent FOs.  Until then, Happy Creativity to you all !

Tuesday's Temptation

.4 oz of mulberry silk for $1.48 USD

I have found an interesting little Etsy shop to share with you today.  Happy Cetta is interesting to me because you can buy little bits of fiber to play with at nice low prices.  This way you can try out a new fiber without investing much or experiment with that new DIY hackle that you made and make your own custom blend of fiber and color.

Check out what she has to offer and Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation

Oops...I missed a Tuesday!  I guess I have been a little distracted lately.  I hope you will forgive me.

Today, I want to share with you Susan's Spinning Bunny on Etsy.  There you can find handspun yarns, drop spindles and lots of hand-dyed spinning fibers.

Don't you want to give this a spin with some lovely, fluffy bunny bits???

Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation

Would you like to see some pretty OOAK batts?  ME TOO!  Head on over to Uniquely Yours Design and check out the colorful and sparkly fiber batts that Jenna creates.  This lady is not afraid of color.  What a fabulous way to expand your color horizon and work with a wonderful mix of fibers.

I Dislike Blocking...

But I really like what it does for a shawl!  Watching the details open up and bloom before my eyes is a wondrous, yet back breaking, event.  Don't skip blocking your work, the effort is worth the end result.

This is the Bobble Shawl by Pia Linden.  I crocheted it in a cotton blend or unknown origins.  Pink is not my color, so I wonder who will get this?

Happy Creativitiy to you All!

Tuesday's Temptation

It's Tuesday so lets get tempted.  Today I want to point you in the direction of Yoola.  Yoola offers Unique Crochet Wire Jewelry Patterns kits in PDF and VIDEO!  As you may have noticed from my previous post, I am very interested in beading and jewelry making at the moment, so finding this site is very exciting for me.   Best of all, she has some on sale!

Happy Creativity to you all!

Beads!

Recently I have been having a blast with beads!  I have been making spiral crochet bead necklaces and bracelets and loving it.  It takes me quite a while to string all the beads so that I can make them, but it is so satisfying to create.

I think I will have to invest in a bead spinner to speed up the bead stringing process.  Also, I need to get some better display props for taking the photos of the pieces for this blog, Ravelry, and my Etsy shop.

Once I became proficient at this technique, I started looking for more beading challenges.  I found an ebook on Amazon that demonstrated a wonderful beading method for making rings:  Simple Seed Bead Rings You Can Make by Janis Websdale.  It is very easy to follow with good photos and it only cost $3.99 to download to my Kindle Cloud Reader (this is a free Kindle app from Amazon).  This pearl and blue ring is my first attempt at a project from the ebook.

Now, just in case you wonder where the yarn went in my life, have no fear.  I have several WIPs of yarny goodness in progress, so stay tuned for more.

Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation....a day late!

I'm so sorry that I forgot what day it was yesterday!  Especially since I have found a fabulous fiber artist that I want to share with you.

Claw Tree Fibers has some amazing colorways that I just adore.  Her spinning fibers look yummy and the prices are right.  As an added bonus, if you don't spin, she sells her handspun for your knitting or crocheting pleasure!   Check out her shop and be prepared to pull out the plastic.

Happy Creativity to you all!

Do you wish you could chart?

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while probably know that I have written a few patterns.  I certainly don't consider myself a real designer.  I am just a person who will try creating stuff and share them if it accidentally works out.

Recently, the wonderful man in my life gave me a book, 400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns.  With all these stitch patterns at my finger tips, I was itching to put it to use.  Many of the stitch patterns are charted and I have been personally challenging myself to become more comfortable at working with charts by knitting a few shawls.  (I will share pictures of the shawls as soon as my blocking mats are delivered and I get my camera to work again.)

Sooooooooo........How do I take the charts from the page of the book, combine them in a cohesive manner, and make them usable?  ♫ Hello Google my old friend, I've come to search you once again. ♫  I found KnitChart.  This is an extremely basic, free online thing-a-ma-jig (I just don't know if it is an app, or software or just a customizable website or something completely unnamed) that will help you to chart whatever you can imagine. Scroll to the bottom of the page for instructions.  It will not save your work for you, but you can take a screenshot of your design and save it in Word or whatever your preferred word processor is.  

I was able to take 2 stitch charts from the book, combine, adjust, repeat, expand, and mirror image them into a pattern for a sock that I am now knitting.  I am using my favorite sock toe and after-thought heel with the charts.  Easy-peasy!  If you have knit a sock before, then you can do this too!  Please stretch your creative wings and try making your own charted design, then let me know how it went for you.

Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation!

Get ready, I am going to lead you to a bargain bonanza today!  I don't know how this Etsy seller makes money at these low prices.  The shop is In Stitches by memarcierenee.  She has stitch markers, row counters, needle holders and circular needle markers.  All are at amazing prices.


I love that the needle holders also show you what size the needles are!  Happy Creativity to you all :)

Tuesday's Temptation

I am going to be very selfish with this Tuesday's Temptation post.  The shop that I want to share with you is my sister's new Etsy shop, Gail's in Stitches.

Gail is an extremely talented crafter and I adore the bags that she makes.  I think you will too if you take a look.  Please see what she has to offer and pass the link on to others.  Here is a little example:


     



















Happy Creativity to you all !!!                                                                                                                                                  

AWOL...sorry.

Hello fellow fiber fanatics.  I'm sorry it has been so long since I last posted.  I have been frantically working on a multitude of projects to prepare to do my first craft sale.  The sale was today.  I sold a total of .......wait for it.......ONE HAT....ta da.

It was not a true craft fair, it was more like an indoor yard sale with a few crafters along for the ride.  As a result, most of the shoppers were looking for steals, not creations.  When someone mentioned that my $3.00 baby booties were over priced, I knew it was going to be a long day.  Fortunately for me, my sister was by my side with her wonderful creations, to keep me company.  Unfortunately for her, she was with me at the same dismal event.

My sister and I are planning to attempt selling at a true craft fair at the Airport Mall in Bangor, Maine on April 7rh, 2012.  On the bright side, since we didn't sell much of our inventory, we won't have to prepare much for this craft fair.  Hopefully, this will be a better market for our items and we will be more successful.

If I have any readers who are knitters and/or crocheters out there who do craft fairs, could you advise me about what sells well?  What should I be designing and creating?  What should I produce for the summer market?  I will greatly appreciate any advice you can share with me for a successful craft fair.

Happy Creativity to you all!

The Give-Away...Revisited.

Unfortunately, the previously chosen winner of my give-away didn't include any contact info as I stipulated in the entry instructions and she didn't get in touch with me by the Feb. 14, 2012 deadline after I announced the winner to let me know how to send her the prize.  I truly wish I had heard from craftycrafter so that I could have sent her the prize. 

So, I shall now draw another winner from the previous entrants.  Let's keep our fingers crossed that I have some way to contact the new winner.  Here we go....the original entrants are:

1. Cheryl
2.  rancidgirl3875
3.  craftycrafter
4.  serenova
5.  Theresa
6. eboni j.
7. Karin
8. Bev Love
9. stacie
10. Leslie
11. Mary
12. LaBean
13. Anonymous: bgudroe@yahoo.com
14. rectangularnomore
15. Carmen

 YES!  There is an e-mail addy!  Congratulations to Anonymous!  I will send an e-mail out to you today asking for the mailing address to send the give-away prize to.  Thank you to all who participated and who support my exploration of all things yarn. 

Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation

Lady Danio's shop is full of fun, imaginative and useful stitch markers.  Can we ever get enough of this little gems to designate and decorate our WIPs?  I love her creations and her prices are nice too.  Just take a look at a few of her items here or better yet, head on over to her shop and browse.

Happy Creativity to you all!!!

Busy Needles and Hooks

I know I haven't been posting everyday, but I assure you that I have been very busy with my yarn projects.  Here are some of what has been completed in the past week.

The first project that I completed this week is the Cotton Candy Haze Scarf/Wrap is knit with Berroco Mohair Classic.  I started this a couple years ago and it has been just sitting in a project bag.


It isn't from a pattern.  I just cast on 40 stitches on size 9 needle.  Knit 4 rows of garter stitch. Row 1: Slip 1st stitch purl wise, *yo, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of row. Repeat that row 1 until the scarf is as long as you desire. End with 4 rows of garter stitch and bind off loosely.


I like it worn as a wrap or folded in half lengthwise and worn as a scarf.  The mohair and wool makes it super warm.

The next photo is of a Spiral Scrubbie, crocheted in Peaches & Creme stripes Sail Away colorway, and pattern written by Judith Prindle.  It is a very quick crochet and works like a charm and I see many of these in my future :)

Next I made dishcloths from the pattern Dish Cloth on the Edge, written by Rita Maria.  I did change many things in the pattern, so I guess it is more inspired by the pattern.  Essentially, it is a mitered square that is crocheted in the back loop.  I have made several already and love them.  This one was made with the same skein that the Spiral Scrubbie, pictured above, used.







Finally, Ihave been crocheting some little pals!   This guy is so cute and fun to make (Pattern by Kj Hay).  I found him because I decided to start using more of the pattern resources that I already have on hand, so I did a pattern search of my library on Ravelry and he was in one of my Crochet! magazines.  You only need to know how to ch, sc, sl st, and work a magic ring, in order to be able to make one of these cute creatures.  


In the photo I don't have the ends of his hands finished off because it calls for a magnet to be placed inside so he can clasp the hands in a hug and I don't have the magnets at the moment.  I have decided to use hook & loop instead so that he will be more baby friendly.  I like him so much that I am already working on a buddy for him!  


I do have a few more finished objects to share, but they will be saved for another post.  Happy Creativity to you all!  

Tuesday's Temptation!

I love, love, love this shop:  KNITTING ACCESSORIES FROM SCARY TO MERRY by scarymerry.  She has the most adorable stitch markers and knitting needles that I have ever seen.  They just make me smile :)

Take a spin around her etsy shop and you will smile too.  Happy Creativity to you all!!!

Part 2 of the Afterthough Heel Adventure

For the past 2 weeks I have been spending a lot of time in a VKH.  A VKH is a Virtual Knitting Hangout.  We meet in a hangout on google+ every day and I love it!  They inspire me, motivate me and cheer me and I hope I do the same for them.

In the VKH this past week we have had a Week of WIPs, to inspire us to clean up some of the WIPs that have been sitting around for way too long in our project bags, baskets and closets.  I completed FIVE!!!  It was such a great way for us to clean up WIPs that we decided to have a WIP weekend in our VKH on the first weekend of every month.

One of my WIPs that was completed this past week in my Nanner Socks.  This pattern is by Wendy Johnson and was inspired by the dancing bananas on Plurk.  The yarn is Ripe Nanners by thechickswithsticks.  Unfortunately her shop is inactive at the moment.  I started these socks back in 2008, but only got the toe on one sock done before I set them aside and ignored them.


When I picked them up this week, I had just completed the socks from the last post with the afterthought heel.  I decided that I would do a "true" afterthought heel on this pair.  The difference being that with the previous pair of socks, I inserted a waste yarn as I knit the sock so I could go back to remove the waste yarn, pick up the stitches and knit the heel very easily.  This time, I didn't use a waste yarn.  I just knit a tube and then went back to snip the yarn (yes, I cut my knitting!!!), pick up the stitches and knit the afterthought heel.  It was liberating and the resulting heel is wonderful.  I am so happy that I tried this and I need to give props to my VKH ladies who advised me, and insisted that I could do it!  Thank you so much!

Are you challenging yourself with your knitting?  Do you take any challenges with your crafts?  I am determined that this year I will challenge myself to knit, crochet, spin or whatever, outside my comfort zone.  It is so rewarding when it works and educational when I fail.  I promise that I will let you know about my failures too.  My next challenge is to knit a shawl.  I have crocheted shawls, but never knit one.  Check back to see how it goes.

Happy Creativity to you all!!!

I Love Afterthought Heels!

I don't know where my head has been in the sock knitting universe, but until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of an afterthought heel.  When someone told me that I would have to cut the yarn in the sock, I decided I would never be making one! 

Then I recalled my resolutions for the year, one of which was to learn to steek, and I decided that this would be a small first step in cutting my knitting.  Be brave Beverly.  Take a deep breath.  Watch some youtube tutorials.

My first attempt at an afterthought heel wasn't a "true" afterthought heel.  I used the Knit Girlls tutorial  for  adding a waste yarn where I wanted the heel to be as I knit the sock, and then going back to insert the heel afterward.  I know what you are thinking... I didn't cut the yarn.  Hey, I'm taking baby steps.

This sock was knit from the top down, 2-at-a-time, on US size 1 circs.  I just cast on 80 stitches and worked a k2, p2 rib for about 6 inches, switched to half of the stitches ribbed and half stockinette stitch.  Added the waste yarn where I wanted the heel and knit on.  Super fast and super easy.  (The yarn is Regia Galaxy Saturn.)

Going back to work the afterthought heel was super easy and stressless.  I love this technique!  I don't ever want do work another short row heel in my life.

Ok, I had some success, but I didn't really cut my knitting, did I?  Time to be brave, take the next step, yada yada yada.   Tune in tomorrow for more adventures with afterthought heels.

Happy Creativity to you all!

And The Winner Is...

Fifteen people commented on the Give-Away post and I am very excited to see who will be the winner.  Since blogger doesn't number the comments, I have copied them in order and numbered them for the random number generator. 

1. Cheryl
2.  rancidgirl3875
3.  craftycrafter
4.  serenova
5.  Theresa
6. eboni j.
7. Karin
8. Bev Love
9. stacie
10. Leslie
11. Mary
12. LaBean
13. Anonymous: bgudroe@yahoo.com
14. rectangularnomore
15. Carmen

The winner is number 3, craftycrafter!!!  Congratulations!  Unfortunately, you did not leave your email for me to contact you so I will leave a message on your blog.  If I do not hear from you by February 14th , 2012 (2 weeks), I will let the random generator select a new winner. 

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and as always:  Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation & Final Chance At Give-Away

First, I want to remind everyone that the give-away ends today at noon US eastern time.  To enter you must leave a comment on the Give-Away post before noon, don't wait!  I will announce the winner on the February 1st, 2012 blog post.

Now for my Tuesday's Temptation:

Isn't it gorgeous???  I just love the greens in this skein! This Sock Garden Party Cake is by ArtByAna.  It is 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon; approximately 463 yards in 100 grams.  I can see a shawlette in this skeins future.

You can find several more colorful cakes for you to choose from, along with much more in her shop.  I have a zippered pouch by her in my cart at the moment.  I am trying not to let that pretty green cake jump in there too :)

Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation

Do you spin?  I do! Check out the spinning supplies at GrandmaVee's.  She has fiber, orifice hooks, and niddy noddys.  There are even some quilts to see.  The orifice hook pictured below is about to become mine!

Check her out and see what needs to come home to you.  If you haven't entered my give-away, you can still enter until Jan. 31, 2012:  Enter Here!  Happy Creativity to you all!

A Rose By Any Other Name...

This beautiful crocheted rose was delivered to me yesterday.  My Aunt Connie made it and sent it to me.  I am waiting (impatiently) for the pattern, so that I can make some too.  I think it is brilliant.  She is making them to sell as a fund raiser to benefit a local organization against domestic abuse.  My Aunt and my Grandmother were my crafting inspirations when I was a child and my Aunt still amazes me with the beautiful creations she makes.

Tuesday's Temptation

Let's take a look at the shop, Sheeps of Egyptian Cotton, home of Isis, Nile, Scrapsody and Sheeps Clothing yarns.  All Isis and Nile yarns are fingering weight cottons.  Yes, they are cottons!  Not everyone can wear wool, unfortunately, nor is it winter year round.

She also creates some lovely items for those who prefer to have others experience the joy of knitting while they get the joy of wearing.  Just look at this lovely, hand-knit, silk lace scarf.

So, head on over to her shop and see what else she has to tempt you.  

Happy Creativity to you all!

Give-Away!

I just realized the the number of followers for this blog has gone over 50!  This amazes me because I find myself to be one of the most boring people in the world.

When I started blogging, it was mostly as a creative journal for myself, as I had not heard of Ravelry and all the ways they provide for recording my creative exploits.  After joining Ravelry, I continued blogging because I found it cathartic in some ways and the occasional comments are so very nice.  Now, my blog has become even more, in that I am able to promote my Etsy site and I can promote other creative people with my Tuesday's Temptation posts.  I do hope that I make a difference.

In celebration of reaching over 50 followers on this blog, I am going to have a give away.  The prize:  a Beverly Is Yarn Crazy tote bag, a skein of Opal fingering weight yarn and a copy of Knitting Circles Around Socks!

How do you enter?  Leave a comment on this blog post before noon eastern time on January 31st, 2012.  Only one entry per person and please include your email for me to contact you.  I will use a random number generator to pick the winner and announce the winner on the February 1st, 2012 blog post.  This give-away is only open to residents of USA and Canada (I'm sorry, but I can't afford to ship elsewhere).  

I hope you will share the news about the give-away with your friends and family so that they can enter too.  Happy Creativity to you all!

Knit and Crochet Magazines...the decision!

Thank you for all the responses, here on the blog, on Facebook and on Plurk!  You have made some interesting suggestions and given a myriad of reasons.  I really do appreciate the time you took to respond!

After reading all of the comments, one in particular stood out to me.  Poppet, had mentioned that she doesn't subscribe to any magazines.  She flips through them before purchasing to make sure she will actually want to make something from the magazine.  Although I like the convenience of subscriptions, I do find that I get the occasional magazine that I don't want to make anything that is in it.  Now, I don't only buy the mags for the pictures (hehehe), I also like the articles.

What I have decided to do is to forego subscribing to anything for about 6 months and only purchase magazines after examining them, so that I can see which ones I tend to gravitate to most.  Then I will decide which 2 magazines to subscribe to, one knitting & one crochet.

Thank you all for taking a little time out of your day to read my blog and respond.  I love hearing from you and hope you will feel free to make suggestions of what you would like to see me post about here.

Happy Creativity to you all!

Tuesday's Temptation

Knitting Geisha is having a sale!  It is for a short time only so rush on over to her shop.  She has the cutest project bags and who doesn't need more of those?  Happy Creativity to you all!

Knit and Crochet Magazines

Suddenly, I realized that all of my magazine subscriptions have expired.  This left me wondering if I should renew what I had before or if I should try some new ones.

What magazines do you subscribe to or purchase on a regular basis?  Why do you like them?  What ones don't you like and why??  Please help me to decide how to best spend my subscription money.

Happy Creativity to you all!

Finally Finished

As some of you may recall, last spring I had 2 hip replacement surgeries and spent a significant amount of time rehabbing in a local nursing home.  My sister worked at the nursing home and helped to cheer me up, watch out for my best interests and wouldn't let me get away with anything.  She also spent a lot of her own money in making me feel as comfortable as possible. 

When I would offer to pay her back she would just shrug it off, but eventually, she told me that I could make her a pair of socks as repayment.  Well, I have been slow about it, but I have finally finished a pair of socks for her.  They are not perfect, but neither am I.  They do express my gratitude and love for her.  I hope she will like them.

The pattern is Be Mine, designed by Melissa Morgan-Oakes.  It is published in her  book, 2-at-a-time Socks.  The yarn is Knit Picks Gloss fingering weight in the Doe colorway.  I love this yarn!  It is 70% wool/30% silk and 100% lovely.

Now I need to get ready to leave as today is my family's belated Christmas party.  I hope you all have a great weekend!  Happy Creativity to you all!

Jan. 8, 2012 ETA:  My sister has informed me that the socks fit perfectly :)