8 posts tagged “craft”

So F is for free yarn. Vickie Howell, Craftitrix extraordinaire and host of Knitty Gritty is starting new podcast, Craft, Rock, Listen. (or CRL: with Vickie Howell) Hurray! And to promote it she's giving away some of her luscious yarn (while supplies last). So hopefully, I'm not the last on the wagon, although I probably am.

See here for info on my Encyclopedia of Me.

She's also got a great giveaway going on over at her blog for some cool craft books. Check it out!

F is also for fantasies and not of me and Fabio (shudder) lying on some white sugar sand beach somewhere. I have this ridiculous fantasy and it goes something like this:

I'm sitting on my loveseat in my office/studio, knitting/crocheting along on some project. Lovely soft classical music plays in the background. My youngest daughter is playing at my feet on my immaculately clean floor. My older daughter is absorbed in her book, homework all finished and neatly put away. I get up from my project to make my way across my completely clutter-free and spotless home to the kitchen where I have a pot of something yummy-smelling on the stove. (probably some sort of beef goulash and homemade noodles) I make myself a pot of tea. DH comes up from the basement with a load of laundry and proceeds to fold it. We eat dinner. Kids go to bed on time. (in their freakishly clean room) and DH and I run out to the bookstore for coffee and some magazine browsing while Grandma stays at home with the kids and reads.

Honestly, I don't think my fantasy is actually that far off. I think the only thing standing between me and this fantasy is about 2 tons of crap that I can't seem to part with and let go to other homes/recycle/throw away. I've done a lot in the past, but just can't seem to go that final 2 miles.  Don't get me wrong, it's not so bad that there are pathways to wend your way around the crap (at least most of the time!) and all the piles of laundry in the laundry basket are actually clean, but need to be put away.

Does anyone else have this problem? How do you find the inspiration/motivation/perspiration for that final push through the last pile of junk?

In case you were wondering, I am still crafting away like a madwoman. It's just that most of my projects right now are top secret. I've got a good friend's baby to make goodies for and since she intermittently reads my blog, I don't want to post anything. One of the projects is up on Ravelry, so if you're so inclined, look me up over there and check out what's going down.

Luckily, she's pretty much about to pop probably tomorrow and then, I'll be able to show you. I could show you an extreme-close-up-artsy-teaser-type photo, but remember, my camera is dead. So I won't.

More crafty fun stuff will follow shortly. I keep forgetting to snap photos of my swap packages before I send them out. They're most of the stuff that I've been crafting lately.

 Nothing on mine yet...despite the fact that it's next weekend. But I do have a project planned and will just tell the Ice about it on Sunday. I am dreading the lace panels, but I will soldier on.

I plan to knit him this from the summer Knit.1 Green Issue. There's lots of really cute patterns in this issue. I've never looked at a Knit.1 magazine before, considering I've only been knitting really for a month. Am I ambitious? Yes. Will I finish it? Maybe, maybe not, but it's so cute! And I think it'll look really good on him. He's such a cutie and can carry this style off well.

I don't know about you, but the colors of yarn they used on the shirt on my computer look a bit like baby poo! It looks much better in the magazine. I've never used the Euroflax before, but was thinking of subbing for some hemp yarn. I think both would be light and airy. Are they comparable in weight? Guess it looks like time for another trip to the LYS to fondle, er, I mean analyze the two yarns. I've been wanting to roadtrip to go to Loopy Yarns and Vogue Fabrics. It's a roadtrip of only about 7 miles, but I must admit, I'm lazy to drive from one end of downtown to the other!

Anyway, what're you making for Dad's Day? The Iceman never reads my blog and anyway, it's not much a surprise since he probably won't receive it until next summer with my knitting speed!

UPDATED 6/04/2007 More links, some of which have been taken from the Happy Hookers discussion over at the flickr group.

Long, long ago, I promised my ever-so-voxy! neighbor, Simone, that I'd put up some of my frequently used links for crocheting. Of course, being the lazy slacker that I am, I have yet to do it (sorry Simone!) So I'm going to go ahead and post some links for her. This is by no means a complete list because I find new ones every day, but for sure, I like these for one reason or another. I threw in a couple of knitting ones because I figure, "what the hey, why not! I'm a knitter now too!" And like I said, this list is totally incomplete. When I remember more, I'll just update the list and move to the top, so don't forget to check back.

So enjoy! Oh, and use some of these to get some groovy dishcloth/scrubbie patterns and join my swap, why dontcha?! Sorry! Swap is now closed!

Crochet
Crochet Pattern Central - a ginormous collection of links to patterns
CrochetPoet - a huge compendium of links of patterns
CrochetMe Magazine - an online magazine devoted to crochet with some of the funnest free patterns around.
Diane Langan Designs - some very nice patterns for sale and even some free ones too!
Marnie MacLean Inspirations - really adorable free patterns for both knit and crochet
StitchDiva Studio - Jennifer Hansen is an inspired fiber goddess, er, I mean diva!
Fable Handmade Goods - I am obsessed with these patterns. They are all just too cute, and some of the best ones are even free!
Little Projects Crafts - cute purse patterns and a tutorial on how to make your own hairpin lace loom!
Alison Beth - wonderful crochet inspiration, she's a terrific accessories designer
Knotted Mind - another huge compendium of links! fun!
Crochet Crafts - large link collection, including links to charity crocheting organizations and other crochet groups
Free Crochet Library - a collection of free patterns, including many funky, groovy retro vintagey type numbers
NexStitch - totally talented designer with patterns and the very, best, most helpful crochet video tutorials I have ever used.
CGOA - The Crochet Guild of America's website. For when you're completely addicted. Also, their membership gives you discounts at lots of LYSs. Cool!
Annie's Attic - the printer of all those ubiquitous little pattern booklets. also, has terrific stitch guide and a free pattern of the day everyday (thanks for reminding me, quornflour!)
Granny-a-long - c'mon! show those grannies some love! you, too, can join the a-long, or just check out some grannie pr0n (not that kind, get your mind out of the icky, icky gutter!)
Happy Hookers - the flickr photo group, not the celebrated ex-New York madam
Monster Crochet - such fun! needle-felted eyeballs anyone?
Crochet Carnival - cool! a compendium of crochet bloggers!
Crafty Daisies Crochet Lessons - don't know how to crochet? well go over there because they'll teach you how!
Craftbits Crochet Patterns - crochet patterns from the craftbits forum.
GarnStudio/Drops Design - terrific website with many, many free crochet and knitting patterns (over 1800!) in many languages
Groovy Crochet - C'mon get happeeeee! Remember those funkadelic patterns from the 60's and 70's? Well the patterns are right here! Marcia! Marcia! Marcia! (thanks Happy Hookers!)
Katrina's Crochet Creations - cute amigurumi patterns, free but don't forget to click on her sponsors! (Happy Hookers again!)

Knitting
Knitty - great knitting online magazine
Knitting Pattern Central - compendium of links for patterns and techniques
Knitting Help - forums and ever-so-helpful videos to help you knit. I use this one ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME!
Glampyre Knits - terrific knitwear designer with wonderful patterns, for sale and even some for free.
Knitta, Please! - graffiti knitters, taking back the streets! terrific knitting inspiration. I'd love to see the Bean sporting some knitwear! That'd be awesome! (submitted by laura-u-buggin, thanks!)
Knit On the Net - another knitting online magazine. cute patterns! (totally cribbed from Phisch, thanks!)
For the Love of Yarn - a newish knitting online magazine
Mind of Winter - mega-massive-ginormous list of knitting links. including blogs, podcasts, zines, techniques and resources
Craftbits Knitting Patterns - knitting patterns from the craftbits forum
MagKnits - an online knitting magazine with super-cute free patterns (thanks again, Phisch!)
GarnStudio/Drops Design - terrific website with many, many free knitting and crochet patterns (over 1800!) in many languages
Ambulatory Knitting @Everything2.com - Everything you need to know about ambulatory knitting. no, not knitknitting on the way to the hospital, but knitting while you're on the go.
TinkKnit - Gorgeous patterns. I'll be able to knit these...in like 20 years.
Zephyr Patterns - Cute patterns and sassy stitch markers. Nice!

Fiber Blogs - so many blogs, so little time!
The Hook and I - Amy O'Neill Houck, knitwear designer of some renown
Mind of Winter - lovely, inspiring knitwear blog
CrochetbyFaye - terrific crochet designer's blog

Fiber Books that I have personally fondled and given the lulubird6 seal of approval
Stitch N' Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker - how could I not include Debbie Stoller somewhere in this list?
The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask - cripes, I think the name says it all!
Loop-d-Loop Crochet - looks pretty dang good, but warning, this is art-crochet wearables. might be a little intimidating for beginners.
Scarf Style - yes, I only have eight gajillion scarfs, but still, one could always crochet or knit up another.
Knitting School: A Complete Course - currently on loan from library, making my knitting adventures much more manageable
Pretty much anything by Candi Jensen - because she freakin' rocks and her designs are so adorable. the baby stuff is just to-die-for...well, not really, one wouldn't want to get blood all over your precious yarn!
DomiKNITrix - whip your knitting into shape! ummm, saucy knits for the adventurous. Jennifer also has a book out.
KnitFix - good for beginning knitters, kind of a knitting 911

Fiber Podcasts and other Media
CastOn - Brenda Daynes is just wonderful. No other words necessary.
Unwound - terrific podcast, she's terrific, and I'm so very sad that she's ending her podcasting career. however, all 12 episodes that she did are absolutely wonderful and easy on the ears.
Lime and Violet - to say that these two wacky ladies are yarn-obsessed (their words, not mine) is a bit of an understatement, but great fun to listen to while crafting.
CraftSanity - okay, so this is more a general craft podcast, but Jennifer has a lot of fiber artists interviewed. very in-depth, very fun and there's lots to inspire
Uncommon Threads - DIY Network's fiberarts show. Lots of nice patterns and tips here.
Knitty Gritty - "the hip knitting show", although they also cover other fiber arts.
PixiePurls - ack, the name itself it just cuteness! anyway, a really fun podcast/blog about knitting. she has the cutest little badges your can swipe for your blog, too!
StashandBurn - A little too much fiber in your diet? Jenny and Nicole will help you burn through it. Or just listen as they try to burn through theirs.


Fiber Forums
Crochetville - a HUMONGOUS forum dedicated to crochet, but they also discuss other topics. the hookers that frequent this board are very, very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. they even have a podcast!
Craftster - OMG, this board is HUGE! scroll down to get to the fiber arts stuff: there's knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, and on and on and on...go slowly because there's days and days worth of other crafty inspiration, ideas, craft-alongs, tutorials, FOs and other massively crafty goodness there for your perusal.
PixiePurls Spinning forum - because one must have spun yarn in order to do your fibercrafts! well, unless you felt, but I don't felt...yet! here's a forum for those questions. it's in beta now, but still, if you know of any other spinning boards besides this and craftster, LMK, because my spinning looks like a yak tried to eat a sheep and threw up on my spindle.

Spinning Stuff
Spindlicity - an online spinning magazine.
Windy City Handspinning Guild - meets once a month. I must attend the next meeting!
Spindle and Wheel - online spinning magazine. check out the cute pic on their latest issue
ISpindle.com - loads and loads of spinning videos. very helpful!
Spinderella's Handspun Yarn Chart - very useful wpi chart and ways to measure handspun yarns

Other Craft Sites That Have Fiber Goodness in Them
The AntiCraft - They have an antifest and everything! Fun patterns and tutes. I am strangely drawn to the knitted wire beaded areolas. Yes. You read that right.

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There's many, many more, but goodness, it takes a while to compile these things! I guess once I have them all compiled in one place, it'll be much easier. I have lots of links to specific patterns, but since my taste does not run to every one else's, I won't post those. In the meantime, have fun and keep on hooking/sticking/spinning. If you have any suggestions, feel free to put them in the comments and I will add them!

Our handy craftster-about-town Quornflower has posted the April craft challenge. I'm gonna try like heck to be better about updating, but let's be frank here...I do have a life, too!

So here's the 411 for the month of April:

·         find a craft that inspires you or others or is somehow new to you

·         try something new: technique, a craft you keep meaning to try

·         Spend a minimum of 3 hours per week of crafting, be it all in one day or spread over the week

·         turn your television off and spend time crafting that would otherwise be spent watching it

·         eat some chocolate

Well, let's see, I'm going to keep on sewing, that's relatively new to me. And I keep blathering on and on about embroidery, I haven't done much and quornflower posted a site with cool crewel/embroidery samplers. I especially like this one. Sounds like my mantra.

I also like the monsterbubbles collection and her cute little "read" between the lines sampler.

I've mentioned Jenny Hart and Sublime Stitching before and she now has featured artists contributing, like Kurt Halsey. His "forever and ever, hopelessly so" is just so damn cute!

But let us not forget Subversive Cross Stitch. Say what's really on your mind, in thread! I particularly like this sampler.

I definitely craft more than three hours a week. More like 1-2 hours a day, if I can. And I don't really watch TV except for late-nite and the occasional DVD and most of the time, I'm crafting while watching anyway. As for chocolate, well, that's a given! Tis the season! For Cadbury Mini-eggs, that is! I've been known to scarf an entire bag down myself without sharing.

So on the cusp of this holiday/holy-day weekend, I'm going on a road trip which usually allows me to craft in the car. If I get my butt in gear, I will actually be able to accomplish some embroidery over the weekend. Either that, or finish my chanson en crochet capelet that I've been working on the past couple of days. Here's a taste! Doesn't this blue look yummy? I can't help that I've been cheap and going with acrylic lately, but I figure these are like mock-ups or trial runs. When I go to do a good one, I'll splurge for the expensive stuff. Until then, I'm happy with the cheapies. This is TLC Baby yarn.

So have a terrific bunny day guys! I'm outtie to pack!

Well, I fell off the crafting face of the earth for the latter half of March, but that's not to say that I wasn't madly crafting away! I'd been working on a baby blanket for one of hubby's co-workers and finally, FINALLY, got it finished! It took me a while as single crochet never goes quite as quick as one would think. Regardless, I think it turned out too cute. The co-worker and spouse have elected not to find out the sex of their baby. This drives me absolutely bonkers. Being the type that can't keep secrets about gifts to save my life, the thought of going an entire nine months not knowing and preparing (and shopping!) would torture me beyond belief. And because of course, since I can't possibly wait that long, then no one else should, either! Especially if I am crafting/purchasing/contemplating gifts for the baby.

So here's the much bally-hooed blanket. I test-drove the tiramisu baby blanket crochet pattern for Alicia that I really should have done months and months ago. The pattern was easy-peasy and turned out so adorable, even with my choice of yarn. I used Bernat Satin as I wanted to make sure that blanket was easy-care and very, very warm as it is traveling to Minnesota where it is bitterly cold. I was unsure as I was making it, but after much stress about tension issues, it turned out rather cute!

I like Create A Connection's regular Wednesday feature. Yes. I know, it's Thursday, or rather, 12am on Friday, but better late than never! I'm still stumbling along on that baby blanket. 30 inches of single crochet takes a LOT longer than I thought. Hopefully, better update tomorrow with crafty goodness. I did host Crafty Girls today so got some stuff done and started a craft/art journal in addition to my regular sketchbook that I keep.

YOU choose what to tell me:

List 3 random facts about you, that we will be entertained by:

1. I have a list of secret occupations I wish I had pursued but never did for one reason or another, like being a bee-keeper (deathly afraid of bees), becoming a horse jockey (got too tall) or a librarian (this still might come true if I decide to go back to school)
2. I'm missing a set of ribs and a vertabrae. I coulda been taller!
3. I was named after Lynda Day George from Mission Impossible, the 1960's TV series.
   

List 2 things about you, that are important for us to know:

1. I suffer from Globophobia, aka, fear of balloons.
   
2. I cannot tolerate stupid drivers.
   

ME! My turn to ask questions!

Do you like board games? Yes, sometimes.

What are some favorites? Clue, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit. I don't know, I haven't played any grown-up board games in a while, but I'm pretty dang good at Pretty, Pretty Princess and the Ladybug Game!

What are your non-artistic hobbies? Reading, cooking, and playing with my kids.

Do you collect anything? Craft supplies, purses/bags and dustbunnies.

And now, our Creativity:

What types of art do you enjoy creating the most? It really depends on the mood. Lately, fiber-arts like knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidery, but also painting. I'm an interior designer, so I find that creativity is a way of life.

Do you have a type of art that you've always wanted to try, but never done? What is it? Sculpture, resin-casting and stained glass work.

Do you have any art "how to" sites that you would recommend to us? What are they? Oh shucks, nothing that's not been mentioned before. Craftster is terrific, as is Crochetville. My bloglines is filled chockablock with inspiration, tutorials and information. Check back. I may have more tomorrow.

Although I did sign up for the craft challenge, I have not been very good at keeping up, although I have been crafting pretty much everyday, a little bit here, a little bit there, so I thought I'd post some of my finished objects.

I'm totally addicted to embroidery. I used to do cross-stitch when I was younger, but something about the very precise nature of it left me a little cold. So now, I've taken up with embroidery. I started with a few things, like a couple of needle cases and as soon as I figured out french knots, boy, I was ready to have a good old time. This is the one I made for myself. It's already seen scads of action. I made another one for Jane of Art with a cute little skull and glittery red bow, but forgot to take a pic of it! I just love Jenny Hart's patterns, so kicky and cute! I ordered her Stitch-It Kit to get me started.

Next up, I finished up another Sweet Magnolia Scarflette. I just love these things. I've already made two and given them away as gifts for others. It's one of Jennifer's patterns from Fable Handmade Goods. She's freakin' brilliant! Have you seen her crocheted Marie Antoinette wig? Yes, it is crocheted! I also bought her poinsetta bunting pattern and she has some of the best free patterns. So cute and definitely not retro. I have my eye on the Might Oak Scarflette for autumn as my next purchase. I totally chintzed out and used Caron's Simply Soft for the neck part, and Bernat Softee Chunkee for the magnolia and some left-over Lion Brand Suede for the flower center.