betz white

Holiday Hints: Hats

2009-11-24T11:44:00.005-05:00

I've got more Holiday Hints for Handmade Gifts for you! Today it's all about hats!

This Bomber Hat is one of my all-time favorite projects from Warm Fuzzies. It's made with 2 layers of soft squishy felted wool so it is super warm and comfy! If you sensitive types are worried about the potential itch factor, try lining it with cashmere or even polar fleece.

Also from Warm Fuzzies is the super-fast-to-make Pillbox Hat. Make it simple or embellish with appliqué. (hey, look, I finally figured out how to put the accent over the "e" in the word appliqué!)

The Reversible Bucket Hat pattern is available in my etsy shop as a pdf pattern. I've had this in my sights to make in corduroy for fall/winter and oilcloth for spring! This particular version is made from a pair of my son's outgrown cargo pants!

And this little schmoopy is wearing the repurposed cashmere Luxe Baby Hat from Sewing Green. Such fun and personality!

Stop back for more Holiday Hints later this week!

palette cleansing

2009-11-23T09:34:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a family hike. The woods have become a monochromatic palette of dried leaves, fallen trees and fungus...

...it's like nature is cleansing it's palette after the brilliant fall foliage, getting ready for a fresh crisp winter. Sometimes it's easy to forget that a change of scenery can be refreshing to your creativity, too.

I have less than two weeks to get ready for Holiday Heap, a craft show I am participating in in Baltimore, December 5th. I could've spent the entire weekend slaving away in my studio, but I am so glad I got out for some fresh air and family time. Such a wise and necessary investment. Now I'm feeling recharged and ready to create!

What do you do to refresh your mind and creativity?

Holiday Hints: Scarves

2009-11-19T22:45:00.010-05:00

Announcing a new feature on my blog: Holiday Hints for Handmade Gifts!

Throughout the next month, I will be posting a selection of projects to make for the people on your list. Giving a handmade gift is like sharing a little bit of yourself with the ones you love. :)

Today's Holiday Hint theme: Scarves! So easy to personalize, and they always fit!

Don't let the name of this fool you, the Boyfriend Scarf is great for anyone. It is simply constructed by stitching long strips of felted wool sweaters together. Pattern available in my book, Warm Fuzzies.

The Tween Hooded Scarf, also from Warm Fuzzies, is for those big kids that are "too cool for school" or maybe "too stubborn to wear a coat". It's basically a felted wool hood with an attached scarf. I would've loved this to wear ice skating when I was a kid!

One last Warm Fuzzies scarf: the Shibori Scarf. Are you familiar with Shibori Felting? It's a really fun technique that adds amazing bobbly texture to an otherwise flat felted knit.

The Foliage Scarf, from Sewing Green cover fame, is a great felted wool scrap user-upper. Making a brown, orange and red autumn version is on my list!

Last year I whipped up this Scarflette when I found myself wearing a scarf in our chilly house and was tired of it dragging in my soup. :) The simple how-tos are in this post from last January. (free!)

My Felted Heart Scarf, originally made for a Martha Stewart Show valentine feature, is still a favorite of mine. And, lucky for you, the free video instructions are still available on her website!

I mentioned the Spot-On scarf last month when it was featured in the Fall '09 issue of Stitch Magazine complete with instructions!

And finally, an oldie but goodie and freebie: The Winter Floral Shibori Scarf. I designed this for Knitty.com way back in Winter '06 for a feature called Frankenknits.

Phew! Eight scarves...is that enough variety to give you some ideas? I hope so! Stayed tuned for more Holiday Hints coming your way next week!

Luv and Hug

2009-11-18T10:20:00.004-05:00

Thank you so much for your luvs and hugs on my last pos t. Your words mean a lot to me, and I'm grateful that you take the time to share them. I'm feeling better about things and I'm ready to move on...

And speaking of Luv & Hugs, it's getting to be that time of year again. Isn't this a sweet image? It's the invitation to the 3rd Annual Luv-able and Hug-able handmade plush show at gallery Hanahou in SoHo. I'm thrilled to be participating again this year.

Here are the deets:

Luv-able and Hug-able
New 2009 theme: medium and mini!

December 3 - January 9
Opening party: Dec 3, 6-9 pm RSVP info@galleryhanahou.com

gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC / galleryhanahou.com
extended holiday hours Mon-Sat: 12 - 6 pm

The popular NY holiday plush show is returning to gallery hanahou with oodles of handmade plushes for you and yours! Spread warm holiday cheer with adorable, strange, and funny unique plush toys made by more than 50 top plush artists from around the world.

The plushes will be even cuter and more affordable at this year's 3rd annual "Luv-able and Hug-able," with the special theme of "Medium and Mini!": toys that are either just the right size for hugging or small enough to fit in your pocket, swing from a keychain, or be worn on a pin.

Many favorite artists from the past two years are returning with cuter-than-ever plushes, and gallery hanahou is thrilled to present plushes from a bunch of hug-able new artists too! As in previous years, the gallery will also exhibit plushes by Japanese artists whose original works are rarely available in the US - this year, that also includes designer toy giants Devil Robots and noriya takeyama!

Plushes will be available for immediate take-home, so come early to the December 3rd opening to nab your favorites! Items in the show will also be available online via galleryhanahou.com starting the week following the opening.

Aren't these sweet? I love the "mini" theme this year. Guess even cute little plushes are affected by down-sizing. :)

be good to you

2009-11-16T12:20:00.002-05:00

Last week was a not-so-good week for me. Nothing tragic, mind you. Just things like major car repairs, intellectual property theft and a big fat dose of heart-breaking rejection. That hurt.

Now, I know that in life, happiness can often be determined by how you look at a situation. Finding the silver lining. Looking on the bright side. Being able to put a positive spin on things can serve you well. But man, it is not easy. Yesterday, when I was feeling particularly low, I listened to my friend Marisa's podcast on dealing with adversity. She's a smart cookie, that one. I do believe that everything that has happened in my life, good along with the bad, has lead me to be the person that I am today. And I like me. So does that mean that those "bad things" were actually good because they made me me? Does hardship make you "better"? Does suffering a loss make the next loss easier to take?

People say "Everything happens for a reason". I don't know if I believe that. What about senseless crime? And cancer? For some things in life, there are no reasons. And that is difficult to swallow.

My worries are minimal, in the grand scheme. Today I am counting my blessings, for certainly I have many. My goal is to remember to be good to myself. Why do I have to remind myself? I don't know. But I need to be good to me.

You be good to you too, ok?

AwareKnits: book review

2009-11-12T10:47:00.004-05:00

Last month when I was relating some of my knitting escapades to you, I realized that quite a few of you readers are also knitters. I thought you might enjoy a little peek at this new book I received called Awareknits : Knit and Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher by Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong.

Conceptually, it's a little bit like a knitting/crocheting version of my book Sewing Green. All of the projects use sustainable yarns and the authors sprinkle eco-friendly tips and info throughout the book. It's very upbeat and not at all preachy.

I like the look of these clean and classic alpaca wrist warmers. In the winter I get cold "mouse hand" while working on the computer and these would be just the ticket to help me stay cozy while keeping the thermostat turned down.

The yarn used for this Buy-Locally Bag is made from organic cotton and milk! How cool is that? And you could carry your milk home from the store in it. I mean, if you wanted to .

This just in: a funky frame knit out of yarn made from newspapers. Seriously. Read all about it, folks. I love learning about all of the great strides happening in the development of eco-friendly/sustainable yarns.

Awareknits has 31 projects in all for the home as well as for women, men and kids. In addition there's a chapter on Basic Techniques and a small section on Community Awareness. I haven't made any of the projects from the book yet (must. finish. Shalom Cardi.) but I have my eye on a few! Take a look at this book next time your hanging out at the bookstore, I think you'll like it.

acorn-acopia

2009-11-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

In the aftermath of my first online workshop, I cleaned my studio this weekend. In doing so I came across a bag full of acorn caps, felt balls and an assortment of lovely autumn-colored felted sweater scraps. We're staying home for Thanksgiving this year and I thought it would be nice to make up a few napkins and napkin rings for the occasion. (Hmm, so much for cleaning the studio, eh?)

For the napkins I cut 18"x18" pieces of print cotton. (I don't remember buying this fabric or where it came from!) Then I used my special hemmer foot that makes a double turned hem. Weeee! The corners are a bit fidgety but otherwise they came together quickly. Wish I had had orange thread on hand. That would've been ideal.

For the napkin *ring*, I used a part of a sleeve cuff from a felted wool sweater. I sewed it into a loop (about 4" in circumference). Then I cut a few oak leaf shapes freehand out of my felted scraps and sewed them to the cuff. The acorns are my old stand-by made with pre-made felt balls glued into found acorn caps. These can be stitched or glued to the leaves.

If you'd like to make your own acorns, you can follow my acorn tutorial. You can either buy feltballs or try making feltballs yourself! If you'd rather just buy some pre-made acorns, visit Lil Fish Studios for some beauties!

The holidays are coming up fast, aren't they? The second session of Felt and Stitch Holiday, my online workshop begins today, yippee! I've a few holiday shows, both my kids birthdays next month, family visiting, etc.

Hold on tight, it's going to be a fast, busy ride!

in the cards

2009-11-04T12:09:00.009-05:00

Thank you so much for your kind comments about the felt illustrations I did for the holiday Kleenex box es from a few posts back. I really feel fortunate these days to be able to hang onto some of my former freelance connections. By the way, I have heard about many sightings at Target from you! I went back to mine and they were cleaned out of the holiday boxes already! Rats, that's what I planned to give everyone for Christmas this year! (By the way, if you do buy some of the holiday Kleenex boxes, be sure to hang on to them. They make great gift boxes! I know, it's kind of weird, but that's how I roll.)

Speaking of felt illustration...do you remember these coupl'a birds?

I created these two felted designs ages ago to photograph for a set of holiday cards. They were fairly popular last year, so I decided it was time to offer them again!

I went with a new printer this year and I am very happy with the results. The felted images reproduced well on the cards. However, the cards themselves are a bit challenging to photograph. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it. :)

Each set of 4 has 2 nest designs and 2 partridge/pear designs. They are available now in my etsy shop.

New this year is a set of 4 cards with 4 different photographs of my favorite wooly cupcakes!

Each set has one card each of: the Cupcake Pincushion, the Cupcake Tapemeasure, the Cupcake Ornament, and the bird's eye view of the Cupcake Pincushions. These would be fun for your own correspondence or you could give the set to a friend as a gift. These are ready over at etsy as well.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to step away from this computer. I hear there's a beautiful fall day outside and I don't want to miss it!

Crafty Tree Trimmings: eBook

2009-11-01T21:31:00.014-05:00

I'm excited to share with you a new ebook I was asked to contribute to:

Crafty Tree Trimmings is a beautiful ebook collection of ornament projects, designed by a talented group of crafters. Inside, you'll find step-by-step photo instructions and templates to make:

Crocheted Flower Ornament, by Linda Permann
Felted Gingerbread House Ornament, by Betz White
Bead and Button Sparkle Ornament, by Susan Beal
Vintage Treasure Ornament, by Kayte Terry
Gossamer Thread Three Ornament, by Diane Gilleland
Paper Globe Ornament, by Patricia Zapata, who is also the book's designer

These projects range from beginner to intermediate level, and use a fun variety of readily-available materials. The ornaments themselves are perfect as small gifts, gift toppers, or to adorn a wreath or tree.

This is my ornament design, a little Felted Gingerbread House.

• 15% of all proceeds from Crafty Tree Trimmings will be donated to Project Linus (www.projectlinus.org), a nationwide organization that collects handmade blankets and gives them to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

Crafty Tree Trimmings is available now in the Craftypod Shop until December 31, 2009, so hurry and order your copy!

Halloween 1977

2009-10-29T21:01:00.004-04:00

In 1977, Star Wars changed everything. It feels ironic that 32 years after my brothers and I dressed as the Star Wars trio you see above, my own sons are poised to be Anakin Skywaker and Jango Fett this Halloween.

My brothers made their costumes themselves. Back then, most people did. Or at least we always did. Middle brother (14) made his own paper maché Darth Vader mask and a chest plate with electronic parts and switches. Oldest brother (16) made his R2D2 costume out of a cardboard drum and weather balloon, also paper machéd. He had a little tinted panel to see out and rigged a light that he could light up by pushing a button from the inside! Very high-tech. And then there's me (12), Princess Leia in a sheet and a tin foil belt. I had a brown wig that my mom twisted up into the iconic cinnabon hair-do. :)

Every year we impress upon our boys how important it is to make your Halloween costume. We allow them $15 a piece for materials or any accessories they might need to complete their looks. Um...that may have back-fired a little this year! Their costumes are pretty complicated and took a LOT of time to make. In fact, I think my husband started the Jango Fett costume in July!

I will try to update this post later when I get a photo of them together. In the meantime, watch their favorite video if you like Star Wars and John Willians music!

Have a great Halloween and may the force be with you!

Post Halloween Update: The Star Wars saga continues...

...with a blurry lightsaber action shot!

sneezin's greetings

2009-10-28T15:42:00.006-04:00

I'd like you to meet a few friends of mine...

Hiya!
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*
*
*

Oh, Hello!
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*
*
*

Mind if we join you?
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*
*
*

The gang's all here!
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*
*
*

Last spring I was hired to design this lively group of Kleenex boxes for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. You might remember that I did a box for them last year. This group is being sold exclusively at Target! (Oh, like I need another reason to go to Target! I have to go stalk my Kleenex boxes now! lol!)

With their style direction, I drew and cut and stitched and appliqued these pieces in felt. They photographed my finished artwork and had it reproduced on the cartons. It was a lot of work on a short short deadline, but I loved doing it! This is the kind of project I never turn down. In fact, I'd love to illustrate a kids book someday with felt applique. It's been on my *someday* to do list!

I love the new wedge shaped packaging, don't you? So fun to arrange. And how do they get all that Kleenex in there?

I don't know the official in-store date on these. (This set came straight from the company) But if I know Target, they'll have their Christmas stuff out in full force November 1st! :) Please alert me of any sightings!

You Asked For It!

2009-10-26T09:14:00.010-04:00

Due to your requests, I’ve decided to squeeze in an encore session of my Felt and Stitch Holiday Workshop!

Announcing my Online Workshop: Felt + Stitch Holiday II
November 9 - December 4

Join me for a second session* of my first-ever online workshop! No matter where you live we can gather together online to make wonderful felted wool projects for your holiday décor and gift giving. I’ll be teaching and working with you along the way through a combination of blog posts, downloadable PDF’s, and videos posted weekly, where participants can communicate with each other and with me. Projects will include ornaments, home décor and small gifts, designed especially for this workshop and are not available in my books or anywhere else!

just a peek of a few projects: top right and bottom left made by workshop participants!

Felt & Stitch Holiday II is jam-packed with ideas, techniques and projects you can start making right away. Inspired my book, Warm Fuzzies, this workshop will focus on small projects made with felted wool sweaters and/or craft felt. You will learn the basics of working with felt, a variety of applique and embellishment techniques, experiment with needle felting methods and more. Each week I will post wonderful holiday projects for you to make applying these techniques. I will share with you tricks of the trade. Even if you have never worked with felted wool before, you'll complete this workshop feeling like a pro! You might also feel a bit like Santa with all of the gifts and décor you’ll create.

The 4-week workshop begins November 9 and runs through December 4. The cost of the workshop is $40. Once registered, participants will receive a password (via email) granting access to a special blog page created just for the workshop. Each Monday I will demonstrate a technique. On Wednesdays I will post a project for you to make using that technique. In addition to the workshop blog, there will be a private Flickr group where you can share your photos each week, ask questions and take part in discussions. Feel free to take the course at your own pace on your own time! All workshop content will be available to participants through January 15th.

Registration opens today! Visit my shop for more details and to sign up now!
*Please note, this is a repeat of my first Felt & Stitch Holiday Workshop that ran in October*

I'm really excited to be able to offer this to those of you that missed out the first time. (The first session gathered participants from 11 different countries! How cool is that?) If you have questions you'll most likely find the answers in the workshop listing info. If you think of something else, please feel free to ask!

***Now sold out, thank you!***

me and the boys

2009-10-21T09:17:00.006-04:00

Lately I've been feeling very sentimental about my boys. They are biggering and bettering every day. While I am loving each and every stage of their lives, I find myself replaying my baby and toddler memories of them. Oh those days! They were so challenging yet so so sweet. Which isn't to say that these school-age days aren't challenging and sweet...just in a different way.

Like most moms, I tend to focus on the kids more than I do myself. But one thing I've always wanted since I became a mom, was to have some kind of mommy necklace. I've never quite found any that suited me. Until now.

That's why I was thrilled when jewelry designer Lisa of Lisa Leonard Designs contacted me. We arranged a trade and now I have the perfect mom necklace, customized just for me.

Lisa's handmade jewelry is unique and perfect for everyday. Each piece is hand-cut, hammered, antiqued and polished sterling silver. The design I chose is called Open Circle. It has a nice weight to it without being too bold. I've been wearing it nearly every day and I am so happy with it! You can see more of Lisa's design at Lisa Leonard Designs.

It's not easy being a mom, but I can't imagine my life any other way. Best. Job. Ever.

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Oh, and I just wanted to add a little bloggy shout out to Amy at Progressive Pioneer. She's interviewed me this week as a part of her "Mama Views" series. Thanks, Amy!

Indian Summer

2009-10-15T06:26:00.022-04:00

Autumn. The sky shifts, the air becomes crisp, the leaves burst with color. Familiar landscapes are cast in new light. Everything feels refreshed.

Inspired by the season, I've recast the colors of my organic print line in a rich palette of Indian Summer. Brilliant Goldenrod, Bittersweet, Orchid and Moss are grounded by Mulberry, Peacock and Chocolate Brown.

I've printed my line on a new base fabric that I know you're going to love: 100% Organic Cotton Sateen. It's got a smooth hand, a lovely drape and a luxurious sheen to it! It's 4.5 oz and is ideal for apparel, home decor, craft projects and personal accessories. The line is available now in my shop!

The deets: All of my original fabric designs are professionally printed in the US using digital printing. The process utilizes water-based, non-toxic pigment dyes and minimizes waste and water consumption. Heat and pressure are used to finish the fabric instead of harsh chemicals. In addition, I have my fabrics printed on demand in an effort to eliminate fabric waste.

Seen here: Peacock Sprig, Indian Summer Floral and Stripe

The flowers really pop off of this chocolate brown background! I'm planning to make a skirt...

Sweet Mulberry Sprig, I see a blouse out of this. (also available in Peacock)

Deep Bright Stripes...so lively and mixable.

Oh, and Wood Pile revisited! Did you see the scarf made with it?

I'm thrilled with the new color range and this gorgeous sateen! Please visit my shop for more details. I've also got new designs in the pipeline, but I was too excited to hold onto these any longer. I will release the new prints as they come!

*yum*

Spot-on Reversible Scarf

2009-10-13T06:21:00.007-04:00

Fall has arrived and I have just the scarf for cool autumn weather: the Spot-on Reversible Scarf. It's got yummy repurposed cashmere with reverse applique on one side. The other: Luxurious organic cotton sateen...in one of my new print colorations for fall!

You can find the instructions for making this scarf in the Fall 2009 issue of Stitch Magazine, on newsstands now. This is a great issue, packed with sewing projects featuring sheer fabrics, Japanaese crafts, accessories and my favorite, delicious wool.

It's such a kick to have a project featured in a magazine, but this time it's extra special for me. It's the first time one of my organic fabrics has made it into a magazine! This print, along with others, will be available in my shop later this week! Stay tuned for the full reveal...

Yay! and Boo!

2009-10-08T21:37:00.010-04:00

Thanks to all who entered the give-away for a spot in my online workshop. Let's hear a big YAY! for Christine who was randomly chosen as the lucky winner! I will be emailing her details asap as the workshop begins Monday October 12th.

Now let's hear a big BOO! for the rest of us...a nice Halloween *BOO* that is. I've had this pumpkin idea in my head for a bit and finally had a moment to whip one together. It's time for Halloween decor, Stat!

Do you remember Hoopie the Snowman that I made last year? Well Jack the Hoop-o-lantern is the new guy in town! He's made from a scrap of felted wool sweater placed in an embroidery hoop that I spray painted black. Then I pinned yellow felt to the back and reverse appliqued the features with black embroidery floss using a backstitch. After stitching, I cut away the orange to expose the yellow. The stem is a rolled piece of felted sweater ribbing, fringed, and glued on top of the hoop where the screw was. (see last year's snowman post for more details)

Wouldn't a whole row of these look adorable? That's my intention...to use different size and shaped hoops with a variety of "carved" faces. For now, though, he'll have to hang amongst the florals on my studio wall. He's a easy going guy, I don't think he'll mind.

Want more embroidery hoop ideas? My pal Maya recently posted her beautiful hoop dreams. She thought her doilies looked sweet and nostalgic. I thought they'd look great with a big black spider lurking on one of them. But that's just me. :)

Hope you have a chance to make a few of these this weekend. Oh boy next week is going to be a doozy. My online workshop begins Monday. (If you're a participant, look for your log-in email later today!) Also next week: my new organic fabrics for fall!

Give-away: Felt & Stitch Holiday Workshop

2009-10-06T08:28:00.005-04:00

As promised, this week I am giving away one free spot in my online workshop! (Please check my earlier post about the workshop details) I've had such an overwhelming response that I needed to close registration to keep it manageable. In appreciation of your enthusiasm, I thought the least I could do was to offer a give-away, yay!

To answer one of your questions: Yes, I will do more workshops in the future. Please sign up for my email newsletter in the little white box on my website homepage to stay informed. (I promise to send out the newsletter well in advance of registration!)

To enter the Give-away:
1) Comment on this post

2) Tell me what you'd be looking for in an upcoming online workshop. I want your ideas! More recycled felting? Easter projects for next spring? Repurposing projects? Needle felting? One specific type of project? Do tell...

3) Be sure to leave your email address or make sure your comment links back to your blog, etc. If you win I need to be able to contact you!

4) Give-away will close midnight EST October 8, 2009. One winner will be randomly selected and announced here on the blog Friday, October 9th.

Good luck!

**Contest and comments now closed, thank you!**

Happy Friday, Happy October!

2009-10-02T09:34:00.006-04:00

Quickly I want to mention that my workshop is now SOLD OUT! Wow, I am touched an honored by your response. Seriously, you guys, you knocked my socks clean off into the laundry hamper. If you signed up, thank you! If you missed out, stayed tuned...I will be giving away one free spot in the workshop next week!

OK, I have to tell you about this new knitting book! My sweet friend Susan B Anderson has done it again. (do you remember her booties?) Itty Bitty Toys is her 3rd book and I was lucky enough to get an advance copy. It's release date is not until November, but she is having a give-away right now! She's giving away 3 copies and the deadline is Oct 5th, so visit her blog for details!

Ok, on to the book...I fell in love when I opened it to this page. Susan is that master of kid knitting, I tell ya. Look at these Christmas characters. Oh, I am having a cute-fest over here. Roly poly Santa!

All of the Itty Bitty books have a hard cover with a spiral binding so they open up flat. The babies are adorable and photography is top notch. These knit nesting boxes look like a great project for beginning knitters.

Susan is one inventive knitter. Itty Bitty Toys has 5 different reversible toys! This one is Cat to Mouse and it couldn't be more fun. There's also a nice boyish Bear to Elephant. I love the novelty of 2 toys in one.

Who wouldn't love a bowl full of felty bouncy balls? I can't wait to make some of these. They'll have to sit in my knitting queue for just a bit, though. I'm about a third of the way finished with my new Shalom Cardi. If I could just sit still long enough to knit! :)

Have a great weekend!

Felt + Stitch Holiday '09

2009-09-25T14:20:00.029-04:00

Announcing my NEW online workshop: October 12th to November 6th!

Join me this fall for my first-ever online workshop! No matter where you live we can gather together online to make wonderful felted wool projects for your holiday décor and gift giving. I’ll be teaching and working with you along the way through a combination of blog posts, downloadable PDF’s, and videos posted weekly, where participants can communicate with each other and with me. Projects will include ornaments, home décor and small gifts, designed especially for this workshop and are not available in my books or anywhere else!

Felt + Stitch Holiday is jam-packed with ideas, techniques and projects you can start making right away. Inspired by my book, Warm Fuzzies, this workshop will focus on small projects made with felted wool sweaters and/or craft felt. You will learn the basics of working with felt, a variety of applique and embellishment techniques, experiment with needle felting methods and more. Each week I will post wonderful holiday projects for you to make applying these techniques. I will share with you tricks of the trade. Even if you have never worked with felted wool before, you'll complete this workshop feeling like a pro! You might also feel a bit like Santa with all of the gifts and décor you’ll create.

The 4-week workshop begins October 12 and runs through November 6. The cost of the workshop is $40. Once registered, participants will receive a password (via email) granting access to a special blog page created just for the workshop. Each Monday I will demonstrate a technique. On Wednesdays I will post a project for you to make using that technique. In addition to the workshop blog, there will be a private Flickr group where you can share your photos each week, ask questions and take part in discussions. Feel free to take the course at your own pace on your own time! All workshop content will be available to participants through the end of the year.

Registration opens today! Visit my shop for more details and to sign up now!

I'm really excited about this and I hope you are too! If you have questions you'll most likely find the answers in the workshop listing info. If you think of something else, please feel free to ask!

***EDIT 10/2/09: The Workshop is now SOLD OUT! Thank you! To find out about future workshops, sign up for my email newsletter here.***

freebies

2009-09-24T06:44:00.007-04:00

Hey there crafty friends. My publisher, STC Craft, has put together a collection of 20 free patterns from their books. Plus, a craft book give-away if you comment on their blog by September 28th. Now is the time to get a jump on your holiday crafting!

The Produce Bags, are the freebie pattern from my book, Sewing Green. These would be a great gift tucked inside a shopping "tote trick" tote, don't you think?

And for you knitters, there's a free pattern for this felted scarf from Alterknits Felt by Leigh Radford...

The adorable Meathead pattern from Knitalong by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown...
Sweet stripe socks from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick...

And some kick-a** arm warmers from Punk Knits by Share Ross and Bam Ross...just to name a few!

Head on over to the STC Craft blog to download these (and 15 more!) free patterns. Don't forget to comment there for a chance to win a book as well. Go now, contest ends soon!

photos courtesy of STC Craft

knit-WIP

2009-09-22T13:09:00.003-04:00

Ok guys, after all of your super helpful and supportive knitting comments, I'm back at it. This is the start of my second (ok, third!) attempt at the Shalom Cardi. With some new yarn and the help of my new Squam pal, Laura, I am on my way.

Good golly this yarn is delicious. If I could eat it, I bet it would taste like cinnamon or nutmeg or curry or hazelnut or maybe all of them mixed together somehow. It is called Esperanza from Schaefer Yarn, color: Julia Child. Hmmm, no wonder the color reminds me of flavors! I'm knitting in the evenings while my husband and I catch up on old episodes of LOST on Hulu. That show is like a drug, I had no idea! Hope it doesn't screw up my gauge, sometimes those shows make me tense. We are only part way through season 2, so don't tell me anything! No spoilers, please!

P.S. Don't worry about the fate of the first attempt at this sweater. I have a tall friend I intend to gift it to!

playing with color

2009-09-18T12:02:00.003-04:00

I love color. I am working on my next print collection so I am pulling together all of the yummy fall colors that feel so good to me right now. Plum, magenta, orange, brown, a little tealy-turq...and of course lots of green.

Just a litttle sneak peek to get your mouth watering for my fall prints! I hope to have them ready and in the shop by the beginning of October!

Hope it's feelin' fall near you...happy weekend!

some knitting

2009-09-15T19:41:00.003-04:00

I got distracted from my honey comb hat and scarf and knit a few other things instead.

These are the sweet little baby booties by Susan B Anderso n I told you about. Super cinchy to make! I knit them out of soft soft alpaca and they are for a baby shower gift.

I love the blocky toes, so much like chubby baby feet. I added the felted I-cord for the bow. These are for a boy, but Susan shows little rosettes on hers for a baby girl.

And...here is my Shalom Cardi. I looooved this pattern when I found it on Ravelry. HAD to make it! I didn't have the right yarn in my stash and new yarn is not in my budget...so I compromised and bought Lyon Brand Wool-ease. Made this for under $20! The original pattern only had one button but I wanted three. I also shortened the length a bit.

The jury is still out on the finished result. I'm feeling a liiiittle like the yoke portion is too long on me. If I re-do this (argh) I may shorten each section by a few rows. It's looking a little too much like...I don't know, an Egyptian Cleopatra collar? The original just looks...better. Not liking the 3 buttons now either! Gah!

Oh well. Regardless of my inability to bond with my new sweater, this was a blast to knit and it went quickly due to the nice thick yarn. I wouldn't mind knitting this again. Kinda.

So, what do you do when your knitting goes awry? Rip it out and start over? Give it away?

weird + wonderful

2009-09-13T19:04:00.006-04:00

No, I'm not still talking about my hair. We went on a little nature walk this weekend. You never know what you'll discover.

Amber globs of sap, decorating a tree.

Something shed and left behind...

Mr. Toad, chillaxin' in his tree stump...

Bright and amazing looking fungi...

...the size of dinner plates!

I'm so looking forward to fall, my favorite season! Really, the jeans and sweaters just can't come fast enough in my opinion. Speaking of weird + wonderful, my boys are already ramping up for Halloween. Yes, we are well into the costume planning stages and have even started some assembly. And for me this fall? Knitting will take center stage. I've already made this cardigan but it needs buttons. These baby booties are on my needles for a shower coming up next weekend. I'll show you both when they are done.

What weird + wonderful things are happening with you?

friday silliness

2009-09-11T13:58:00.004-04:00

I got a badly needed haircut yesterday. Nothing drastic, just a good trim. Seems I have finally "figured out" my hair after 40-something years! Anyway, about 10 years ago I was having a hair identity crisis (one of many...) and decided to go to a salon that had hair-do imaging. They took a photo of me and then digitally mocked up any hair style I chose from the menu. I KNOW! So cool. I don't think it did much to help me make up my mind, but it sure was fun. I can't even believe I am sharing this with you:

Ha! Oh I get such a kick looking at this. It just illustrates why we obsess over our hair, doesn't it? It makes such a difference in how we feel about ourselves and how others view us. I can just imagine the different "personalities" each version of me up there might have.

Have a good weekend and do something silly! :)