Happy news for Friday.... I got a phone call from the DuPont Country Club, confirming my space in their annual fall craft fair!
The fair is on Oct 5th, in the DuPont Country Club on Rockland Road. Five-six rooms of the club are used for the fair (it's a big show with lots of vendor variety); I was lucky enough to secure a spot in the Crystal Ballroom and Terrace (the largest room). Look for me in one of the wall spaces.
I will be selling knit toys (pumpkins, bears, and snowpeople), knit clothing (scarves, hats, gloves, shawls), and some seasonal pinecone door wreaths.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thanks for making my day!
Wow, what an honor! I woke up this morning and was reading my fav blogs, and found that ReluctantMango has nominated me for the "You Make My Day" award!!! Talk about making my day....!!! It puts a smile on my face to know that my musings, ramblings, and ideas are things that someone else looks forward to reading. Thanks, Mango!For anyone who hasn't yet seen a blog tagged with this award, it's given to blogs that bring you happiness, inspiration, and generally keep you coming back to read more, and more, and more. The recipient's only task is to pass along the good vibes by selecting blogs that make his or her day.
Before I list my "You Make My Day" award winners, I want to say that the blogs I have listed in my "I read, I recommend" section are the ones I always look forward to reading. Some have already been awarded the "You Make My Day" award by other bloggers, and all of them have earned my blog love! Here are five more blogs I check frequently.... thanks to all of them for making my day!!
SouleMama - She just has a way about her that soothes me whenever I'm upset, grounds me in reality, but a reality full of love and sunshine. I especially love the way she shares her children, and finds fun ways to involve and stimulate them creatively.
The Daily Coyote - Amazing pictures and stories about a coyote living with a woman in Wyoming.
The Wooster Collective - Funky street art from around the globe.
The Heathen Housewife - She's been knitting a huge incredible blankie for a year and a half (she just finished it), and documenting it's progress every "Blankie Friday." I'm inspired to begin a project this large (and actually see it through to completion!)
CraftLeftovers - A variety of neat crafty patterns and ideas -- good to get the creative juices flowing.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Show Schedule 2008
Well, it's that time of year, and I'm starting to apply to art and craft shows in the tri-state area. Based on last year's show successes, I'm focusing on the summer/fall months. Which means once taxes are done (ick!) and my show applications are in, my focus will be on building up inventory to get me through the season.
Of course, as soon as I know which shows I've been accepted into, I'll post them in my show schedule on the right. Hope you'll plan to come out to one, or several, and say hello!
Of course, as soon as I know which shows I've been accepted into, I'll post them in my show schedule on the right. Hope you'll plan to come out to one, or several, and say hello!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
What's the number one reason I love knitting so much??
There is never a bad time to knit (well, except church services and parent/teacher conferences... there have been many discussions among knitters on this topic)!
But there really is no other hobby that seems quite so productive (yes handheld video games are portable, but you can't wear them when you complete a level), that can go quite so many places. I learned to knit because I had a long train commute to work -- it was perfect! Once I learned to knit, I simply chose projects that required only one ball of yarn at a time and used short needles to avoid poking the commuter next to me. Many knitters keep a sock project on hand especially for waiting in line at the post office (not much is smaller than a sock project). I keep one in my car so that when construction brings traffic to a halt, everyone around me is cursing in their cars while I calmly knit away on my current project.
Not only is it portable, but knitting is also a form of meditation. Choosing a simple, repetitive pattern can be like repeating a soothing mantra, while choosing something more complicated can refocus all your attention on the task at hand and force your mind to release whatever has been causing it to jump around through hoops.
Knitting offers a wide range of flexibility as well. If you like a challenge, there are many many stitches, techniques, and pattern types that you can try out. If you like to be productive and don't feel like struggling, there are plenty of beautiful items that can be knit using only the most basic knit/purl stitches.
Best of all, I find that knitters (and crocheters; I do both and am not prejudiced against either one!) are some of the nicest people in the world! I had a stranger on the train offer to help me when I was struggling to make an i-cord for the first time, and never until I knit was I able to walk into a group of people and instantly join the conversation. Knitters love to share... share yarn, stories, projects, successes.... you know you've found a knitter when someone comes up to you and touches your hand-knit scarf and comments on the fiber, or colors, or incredible workmanship.
Now that I knit, I find it difficult to comprehend someone not wanting to knit! :) Once you learn (lucky you--- I have a beginner's class starting on March 12th that you could take!), you have an ultimately-portable, productive, and varied hobby. There is always something new to learn, and there are dozens upon dozens of books, magazines, web sites, and yarn stores with patterns and resources and smiling faces ready to help you with your next project.
But there really is no other hobby that seems quite so productive (yes handheld video games are portable, but you can't wear them when you complete a level), that can go quite so many places. I learned to knit because I had a long train commute to work -- it was perfect! Once I learned to knit, I simply chose projects that required only one ball of yarn at a time and used short needles to avoid poking the commuter next to me. Many knitters keep a sock project on hand especially for waiting in line at the post office (not much is smaller than a sock project). I keep one in my car so that when construction brings traffic to a halt, everyone around me is cursing in their cars while I calmly knit away on my current project.
Not only is it portable, but knitting is also a form of meditation. Choosing a simple, repetitive pattern can be like repeating a soothing mantra, while choosing something more complicated can refocus all your attention on the task at hand and force your mind to release whatever has been causing it to jump around through hoops.
Knitting offers a wide range of flexibility as well. If you like a challenge, there are many many stitches, techniques, and pattern types that you can try out. If you like to be productive and don't feel like struggling, there are plenty of beautiful items that can be knit using only the most basic knit/purl stitches.
Best of all, I find that knitters (and crocheters; I do both and am not prejudiced against either one!) are some of the nicest people in the world! I had a stranger on the train offer to help me when I was struggling to make an i-cord for the first time, and never until I knit was I able to walk into a group of people and instantly join the conversation. Knitters love to share... share yarn, stories, projects, successes.... you know you've found a knitter when someone comes up to you and touches your hand-knit scarf and comments on the fiber, or colors, or incredible workmanship.
Now that I knit, I find it difficult to comprehend someone not wanting to knit! :) Once you learn (lucky you--- I have a beginner's class starting on March 12th that you could take!), you have an ultimately-portable, productive, and varied hobby. There is always something new to learn, and there are dozens upon dozens of books, magazines, web sites, and yarn stores with patterns and resources and smiling faces ready to help you with your next project.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope that you take time to celebrate with someone special today... hug a friend, call your mom, take some serious play time with your kids, snuggle with your partner. Make sure the people closest to your heart know how important they are in your life.
I wish you and all the important people in your life a great Valentine's Day!
PS... if you're one of those who feels that Valentine's Day is just a "Hallmark holiday," I found you a link to the legend of St. Valentine.
I wish you and all the important people in your life a great Valentine's Day!
PS... if you're one of those who feels that Valentine's Day is just a "Hallmark holiday," I found you a link to the legend of St. Valentine.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Well-traveled bears living in Smileville....
Well, the rumors are true. There are bears from far and wide traveling to live in Smileville!
Mac and Lani hail from distant places in the western US. These two adorable bears have become fast friends as they share their exotic experiences, and their nostalgia for friends back home.
Mac, a deep blue bear, sports a winter white scarf all year round. It reminds him of the cold Alaskan days, living in a land covered in snow year-round. Until he moved to Smileville, he never jumped in the ocean without feeling very very cold! Now he swims as much as his Momma and Poppa bear will let him, in the lake at Smileville.
Lani, whose "fur" is a turquoise blue with hints of yellow, misses the warm sunny days in Hawaii. Her lei of white flowers was given to her by friends before she left the oceanic island paradise. She misses Hawaii, but is a very adventurous bear and is enjoying all her new experiences in Smileville. She was very excited when a few weeks ago she got to see (and taste) her first snow!
Both these bears would love to go home with a new forever-friend. If you'd like Mac, Lani, or one of their new-found friends at Bear Bash to come home with you or someone special, visit the Smileville Bear section of my website, or send me a bear request via email.
Mac and Lani hail from distant places in the western US. These two adorable bears have become fast friends as they share their exotic experiences, and their nostalgia for friends back home.
Mac, a deep blue bear, sports a winter white scarf all year round. It reminds him of the cold Alaskan days, living in a land covered in snow year-round. Until he moved to Smileville, he never jumped in the ocean without feeling very very cold! Now he swims as much as his Momma and Poppa bear will let him, in the lake at Smileville.
Lani, whose "fur" is a turquoise blue with hints of yellow, misses the warm sunny days in Hawaii. Her lei of white flowers was given to her by friends before she left the oceanic island paradise. She misses Hawaii, but is a very adventurous bear and is enjoying all her new experiences in Smileville. She was very excited when a few weeks ago she got to see (and taste) her first snow!Both these bears would love to go home with a new forever-friend. If you'd like Mac, Lani, or one of their new-found friends at Bear Bash to come home with you or someone special, visit the Smileville Bear section of my website, or send me a bear request via email.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Beginner's Knitting Class
Here's a flyer for the beginner's knitting class I'll be offering. beginning March 12th. Please read the flyer for all pertinent information.
Class size is limited so that I can concentrate on every single person, so sign up now!!
If you have your own group of 5 or more people, contact me about the possibility of scheduling a special class for your group.
PS -- To see the flyer in detail, simply click on it; it will open a larger version in a new window.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Thank you
Just wanted to say thank you to the people who went back and took my knitting class survey. I got great feedback and some additional ideas that I'm working to incorporate into my plan.
Congrats also to Jen who was randomly chosen from among the respondents to receive the 15% off coupon to Smile Creations Crafts!
I've decided to schedule the first knitting class for sometime early in March. I'll be designing a flyer (with my Mom's help -- she's great at that stuff!) and will post it here next week at the latest.
Congrats also to Jen who was randomly chosen from among the respondents to receive the 15% off coupon to Smile Creations Crafts!
I've decided to schedule the first knitting class for sometime early in March. I'll be designing a flyer (with my Mom's help -- she's great at that stuff!) and will post it here next week at the latest.
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