Tuesday, January 27, 2015

If you give a knitter some yarn!

My pal Erica has been home with sick kiddos for almost two weeks now. Talking to her one morning on facebook, I asked her if there was anything she needed.  I was going to be driving by her place on the way out in the morning and know what it's like to be trapped with sick kiddos.  She jokingly replied to me "yarn" and the crafter in me responded to her heart's cry.  I just happened to have the perfect "care package" to give to a friend in need of a yarn fix.

I recently attended the "Fave Crafts Blogger Event" at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade show. One of the perks for attending the event was a fabulous box of goodies to play with when we got home. My box contained a bag from yarnspirations.  Inside the bag was some of the new Bernat "mega bulky" yarn in the color of "new gold." 
  

 So grabbing the bag and the yarn, I made a mad dash for my friend's house, stopping only to get a quick "I LOVE YOU" from the weary mom, I quickly ran out the door not to be infected by the creeping crud. (Actually it was more like..."Oooo infinity scarf.." but I know "I Love you" was in her heart....ok who am I kidding..she saw YARN!)

You know how it goes"If you give a knitter some yarn...." it wasn't long before I had these pictures gracing my inbox.
Erica found something productive to do during the illness induced nap time of her children. I love the infinity scarf she made and can't wait to see her wearing it... but maybe after flu season ;) 

Thanks Bernat for sponsoring the Fave Crafts event and sponsoring a few creative minutes for a friend with sick kids!!!

To see more fabulous projects from Bernat visit their BLOG.















Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The Most Magical Place on Earth--CHA Show Recap



When you go to a magic show are you the type of person that wants to know "how did they do that?" I sure am. While I understand, a good magic show takes skill, technique and a whole lot of practice, I also realize you need to know "how the trick was done."

I recently returned from what I consider to be the "most magical place on earth." While I did go to Anaheim, California, my purpose there wasn't to visit a mouse, my purpose was to attend the Craft and Hobby Association trade show commonly referred to as CHA for short.


Art for me is magical. It transforms the creators thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, ideas-- into a tangible and visible form, able to be shared with others. Before you get into a big debate with me over the word "magic" consider the definition:

mag·ic/ˈmajik/
noun
1. the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
2. wonderful; exciting

Art for me is wonderful and exciting, I love how someone's work can take me on a mysterious journey into their inner thoughts, it can convey emotion, art shares a memory. Art can also be a form of self expression or a way to make "cool stuff" and bring beauty to the world around us. Yet sometimes that whole creative process can be a bit mysterious, therefore, art to me is magical. 


While I appreciate art and love creating, and I do not consider myself an artist, yet somehow, the creative industry has embraced me as one of their own, because of this, I am able to attend the Craft and Hobby Association trade show. The purpose of CHA is to bring together; creative professionals, businesses and manufacturers to further the creative industry. At the CHA show we learn about the latest products, learn new techniques, and connect with others in the industry. I like to think of it as my chance to learn the"how did they do that?!?!" to the magic of creating.


Sometimes the "how did they do that" comes from a fabulous new product designed to make something easier or create a cool effect. Other times the "how did they do that" comes from learning from other creative professionals that share their techniques, and skill with us. All the time it's a chance to connect with old friends and make news ones and celebrate the "magic" that is the creative industry.

So come with me to catch a glimpse of the 2015 Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show and see why I call it "The most magical place on earth!"




 

For those wanting to view via You Tube you can find it HERE



Monday, January 5, 2015

Quick Gift Set!

"Mom I need a birthday gift would you make a scarf and maybe a headband?..."

This question was posed to me in the middle of the store. So off we ran to the yarn aisle hoping to find colors suitable for her friend. Thankfully we found a lovely assortment of Lion Brand Yarns in yummy colors such as Oatmeal, and Little Rock Granite. Grabbing a skein of each we set off for home.

At home,  I was told her friend loved a bit of sparkle, thankfully I had some fun "Lion Brand Bonbons" the "party" collection, I had offered a whole rainbow of yummy sparkly colors including a gold that added the perfect touch of sparkle my daughter was looking for. After deciding she wanted a chunky infinity scarf, I went to work arm knitting a scarf, thankfully because of the size of the stitches, the scarfs are pretty quick to knit. I was able to finish it in about 1/2 an hour.

For the headband, I chose two of the three colors used in the scarf, I followed my "fast finger knit headband" pattern altering the ending a bit to keep it three rows throughout the entire headband. The finishing touch was a flower created using the flower loom by the Crochet Dude. We choose the Little Rock Granite and the Gold Bonbons to create the flower.


Naturally my daughter needed to model the finished product. I think the set turned out quite cute!


It's now safely wrapped up ready for her to take back to school and gift to her friend. 

*edited to add, her friend Rosalle loved it! She even sent me a photo of her wearing it as a thank you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSALLE!!