Crochet on the Calendar

I am knee deep in fiber -- I've gone in to explore what's in my yarn stash in order to find more yarn to use for the "60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge."  Please ... keep hooking, and I'll update the count possibly tomorrow.

In the meantime, while I see if there is a way for me to come out of my stash without another WIP or WIM (work in progress or work in mind) to sidetrack me, check out these crochet calendars  -- the calendars don't feature patterns but for those that work in an office or cubicle they're a great way to show off your crochet addiction for the entire year!  ((grins))

   

   

Crochet Brings out the Character in Us

Hey, check it out!  Pictured with me is Iris, a character from the comic strip "For Better or Worse."  I took the liberty to dress her in a "modular poncho" because -- thanks to Patti -- we now know that Iris is a crocheter just like us because it's listed on Iris' bio page!  (Hmmm, looks like I sure could have used a pair of sunglasses!  Got an extra pair, Iris?)

Being naturally curious, I decided to write to the staff of the comic strip and find out where Iris gets her crochet hobby.  It seems that Allison Zadorozny, the Executive Associate, is the crocheter and when they were developing Iris for the strip she gave her passion for crochet to Iris!  So how cool is that?!!  :)

Moving on with the topic of characters that crochet, have you heard about Barbie?  Yeah, it looks like Ken wants to get back with her; apparently it's hard to move on when you've been with someone for 40 years.  Ken will be going through an extreme make-over, or so I've heard.  What does that really mean?  Well, Mattel did issue an official press release that included Phillip Bloch, stylist to the stars, as saying, "Ken is one of those guys that has too much of one style. You have to be able to change it up these days – be able to go to from Oscars to Emmys to hanging out with the homeys. Be versatile like J. Lo."  Maybe, and this is me thinking here, that this means that while Barbie and Ken were apart he figured out, like many other men before him, that crochet is cool and should be embraced regardless of gender!  (Or even if he's knitting now; I mean if football greats can do it then surely "America's favorite 'arm candy'" can give it a try, right?)

Apparently, according to the Official Press Release, Barbie's reps would not confirm or deny any rumors -- but personally, I don't think Blaine ever had a chance for a long term relationship with Barbie.  Her heart is with Ken -- and crocheting for him, if not with him.  (She does have the Wonder Knitter, but really, I have to wonder about that contraption myself.  I've yet to be able to keep the tension even on that thing!) 

Awhile ago, at the height of their break-up, I posted about this blog that really dives into the depths of Barbie's crochet passion, so it's always worthy of another visit ... go ahead, you know you want to ... A Threadbared Epic: "Barbie & Ken - Living In A Crocheted Paradise -- it really explains what happens behind closed doors once one becomes a crochet addict.

Will they, could they, ever return to their beloved "Crocheted Paradise?"  Only time, and Ken's make-over will tell.

 ... Ken, my advice to you is to try crochet.  Learn some new stitches and techniques and share them with Barbie.  Then she'll really know why you look so much "more relaxed and refreshed lately."  Go win her heart back Ken!!  I'm rooting for you!!  ((grins))

Be Careful With What You Order ...

The food yesterday was just divine -- I had everything from stuffed shells, roast beef, fruit, sausage, eggs, homefries ... oh! the list just goes on & on!  Three and a half hours we enjoyed each other's company at the Avon Old Farms Inn -- and what a gloriously good time we had!!

In attendance was Melanie Gill (she's the one that coordinated the Lacis Freeform Exhibit this past summer and requested I submit my Irish Clones Lace piece seen on the right; you want to see pictures of the whole exhibit?  Click onto the Lacis link above & enjoy!); Susie who's visiting from OZ; and my good friend Grace (who's known for kidnapping me and whisking me away to various fiber havens -- only this time I kidnapped her!  Wha ha hah hah ha! ).

In the second image you can see Susie is having quite a good time with my "Dunkin Donuts" inspired hat that's still on the hook ... it all goes back to seeing the most beautiful dreadlocks during a stop for coffee ... ah! but that's another story for another day, you'll have to wait for that one ... still though, Susie had fun modeling my WIP!!  ((chuckles))

In the third image is Mel -- look at that beautiful purse!  It's freeform crochet in a variety of colors that range from eggplant to purple ... yum!

Susie loves all colors and has no trouble "at'tall" in mixing the lot up -- she did so -- beautifully! -- with the shoulder wrap seen in image 4, and again in the larger version in image 5.  Image 6 is a close up of her work from Image 5 -- look at the colors, the beadwork ... how was it possible that I didn't come home with it????  One thing is for certain, I'll never look at Kilts quite the same way, and I have a deeper appreciation for color! (or is that the other way around??) Thank you Susie!!!

After our elongated brunch we headed to Mel's house.  Mel is amazing when it comes to various crochet/fiber arts books -- from her fantastic collection I got to leaf through the many she has on the topic of  "Irish Crochet."  Absolutely incredible!   ... hey Mel, when I grow up I want to be just like you!!  YOU ARE AMAZING!

So, in a nutshell, that was yesterday's fiber adventure.  It was just a most fantastic time, and I know those that will be hooking up in NYC tomorrow (from the FF group) will have an amazing time too!    :D

Off to an Adventure Today

I'm excited; I'm getting ready to head off and meet up with a few other crocheters for brunch.  We'll be headed to the restaurant known as "Avon Old Farms Inn" that is filled with a lot of character.  We'll be gathering to discuss and admire beautiful crochet works!  I can't wait; I plan on bringing my camera, so there should be pictures in the near future!!

In the meantime I've been receiving emails with inquiries of what magazines I enjoy and where I get my subscriptions from.  Since the holidays are coming, I thought it would be a good time to "go public" and share this information again.  So, here it goes:
    * Crochet!  (I get it as part of my CGOA Membership)
    * Hooked on Crochet
    * Crochet Fantasy  (this is the only magazine that must be subscribed through them!)
    * Bead & Buttons (have you seen this month's issue? crochet slider necklace & earrings!)
    * Piecework (I'm working on the crochet beret featured in the latest issue)
    * Spin-off

So where do I go to subscribe?  For most I go to magazinevalues (also known as shoppervalues) ... and right now they have a coupon for 10% off any magazine purchase ... TENOFF ... good until 11/10/05.  For those magazines not offered by magazinevalues I also visit bluedolphin.  

 Getting back to crochet adventures, check out the article here called "Sculptural hats make crochet contemporary" and see what fiberartist Lajla Nuhic is up to.  If you're in the Vancouver area ... plan on checking out her works next weekend!  Vancouver is a bit far for me, so if you go, be sure to share all the juicy details!  LOL ;)  

Taking a Breath ...

... and trying to catch up seems to be on my agenda today.  This includes cleaning out my automobile of all *hidden* yarn stash (gasp!  I had that much in there?); to helping prepare for winter around the house ("If we pack the yarn against the walls, dear, it will act as insulation and we won't need to run the heat as much). 

I went to the LYS today and struck *fiber gold!*  Yeah, fifty-percent off!  I had no clue of the sale prior to going -- gotta love, love, love!  when that happens!!!  (giggles & grins)  So this means I finally have all the fibers picked out for the three scarves I'll be designing/crocheting for my son to give his teachers as gifts this year.  The three color themes will be neutral, rainbow and mulberry, each with a hint of *sparkle* to it as my way of thanking them for sparking my children into wanting to learn more.  I'll post pictures when they're completed.  The image to the right is the three teacher scarves I created two years ago. (click onto it to enlarge) I'll have to see if I took pictures of last years. 

And speaking of scarves, we have a new count!  Woo-hoo!  Here's where we stand:

Sherri:  1 scarf  (with a pledge of more to come)
Jess:     1 scarf  (donated to a local family advocates group)
Dee:      3 scarves (I'll have another fresh on the hook in a few hours)
Sandi:    1 scarf (donated to Hurricane Katrina survivor)
Robin:   4 scarves with another to follow (being donated to homeless shelter)

Thats 10 scarves ... we still have 25 days of November left ... we can meet this challenge!  Need some inspiration?  Then click here to read this article about a woman crocheting by feel!  She says, "My fingers remember how to crochet"

(Note: the hat, mitten & scarf set pictured on the right was crocheted and donated by me in 2002.  I placed the image in this blog/journal entry to show what can be created to help others.  The hat & scarf are something I had "whipped" up at the time, and the mittens are from a pattern I had found on the Internet.  If I locate the website for the mittens again, I'll post the link)

Update: 60 Scarves in 60 Days

Dee,
I have been a fan of your website for a while now. I'm just emailing to let you know that I have made a scarf and donated it to the a local family advocates group. They help run-aways and abused women/families.
Thank you for all the informative and fun posts you do everyday!
Jess (a wisconsin crocheter)

This is music to my ears, Jess!!  Thank you for the lovely compliments, and more importantly for joining in this scarf drive!!  Here, my family refers to scarves as hugs.  So each time someone bundles up with a scarf you make it's like giving them a hug -- imagine how much nicer our world would be if everyone in need was given a warm hug!  Makes me a bit misty-eyed thinking about it  :)

Sherri left a comment yesterday that she's ready to crochet more scarves, and I whipped up two scarves yesterday. (well, alright, almost two -- I still have to weave in the ends).  But they count right?  LOL  Here's what I count for this week:

Sherri:  1 scarf  (with a pledge of more to come)
Jess:     1 scarf
Dee:      2 scarves (I'll have another fresh on the hook in a few hours)

How about you?  Want to join us and see if we can make 60 scarves by the end of the month?  Email me, leave a comment, or link to this blog entry.  Together, we can make a difference!  :D


And speaking of making a difference, it seems someone took some advice I had offered awhile ago: 

Dee,
You may not remember, but about a year and a half ago I wrote to you about being interested in a career in crochet, teaching and designing, and you encouraged me to apply for CGOA Associate Professional membership.

I did so, but didn't really begin to apply myself until January of this year. I got serious about my professional crochet goals, asked for a mentor, set some definite goals and now they are beginning to come to fruition!
You never know what a positive effect you'll have on others, so keep being your encouraging self!
Patricia

     Oh Patricia, I am absolutely beaming with joy in learning of this news!!  How wonderful!!

Readers, check out her blog and her website then hop on over and check out her first published crochet pattern!!  As I understand it, her pattern for a spiral hat and unique scarf is available for those that subscribe to the TahkiStacyCharles (Nov) newsletter.  Be sure to look for it!  (I just subscribed for their newsletter myself, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it!)  Once again, Patricia, Congratulations!!!! 

(5:26 PM UPDATE: Click here to see the pattern)
(6:10 PM UPDATE: Look to the left in the "About Me" section -- check out the cheerleader & the cheer Sheila sent to me after reading this blog entry!  Way cute! Thanks Sheila! )

From the Heart ... Challenge in Need of Your Help!

The holiday season is coming & here's the perfect gift!  A designer hat that helps aid the American Red Cross!  Your support is greatly appreciated!  Visit yesterday's blog entry for details.  When they're gone, they're gone!

I've decided to return to the 60 Scarves in 60 Days drive and I am in great need to meet this goal.  I need people like you and people like Sherri over there at CrochetR aka Sherri's NeedleArts to help me!  (Sherri gave me a beautiful scarf for the drive when she was out here a few weeks ago; click on the link to her blog and you can see me modeling it!  It was the first scarf she ever crocheted -- it's beautiful!)  All you need to do is crochet -- or even knit! -- a scarf and then donate it to a local homeless shelter or to your local Salvation Army office.  Then email me or leave a comment and we'll start adding up the numbers.  Simple, right?!!  You create it, you donate it.  Simple, and heartwarming for the receiver.  This drive actually started last month but with all the hurricanes and such I got a bit off track.  We did this last year and it worked out beautifully!  So join in and watch the count grow!!! 

Please keep in mind that if you wish to participate that a scarf for this drive does not need to be fancy ... so if you're new at crocheting (or knitting) then this is a perfect project to practice your stitches on!  We have until November 30th, so that's plenty of time if we combine our efforts. :)