Loosing My Mind?

As I live and breathe I could have sworn I blogged about Crochet Dude's visit to Yarntopia. I even wrote to Drew and told him I had done it. I can't find this missing post anywhere - it doesn't seem to be on the Yarntopia blog nor is it on this blog. Hmmm, maybe I am loosing my mind.

Well, at the risk of repeating myself, Drew and his good friend came to see us at Yarntopia on Friday. We had a fun time visiting about yarn, crochet, design and some of the things he has in the works. One of which is his twinset "Sheri" due out soon. It is a great design and even better Drew will be coming to Yarntopia to do a workshop for Sheri! Details are pending, but stay tuned to Yarntopia for more information.

Silk Garden Part Deux

Nothing is ever done in vain if we learn from the experience. Crochet design is no exception. As I worked on Silk Garden I measured; I tried it one and I publicly declared that it fit. Once the skirt was flowing the way I wanted I just kept working. It came time for the trim and I just crocheted away. Alas - it looks fabulous but...it is too big. Some of the problem is that South Beach Diet is working and I have lost weight; but the bigger issue is that I didn't take into account the hang factor. In Lily Chin's "Couture Crochet" she advises to measure with the garment hanging because this is the way the fabric will be used. I now completely understand. I made the bodice with triangles in double crochet. Boy does that drape! The good news is that Silk Garden I has a home with a dear friend.

Silk Garden II is now being created and I have not only solved the drape problem but I have also come up with better construction solutions and a brilliant (if I do say so myself) and unique way of writing crochet patterns. No secrets to be revealed until Silk Garden is published. I hope to be able to self publish this pattern in the next couple of weeks. This version will still use Noro's Silk Garden accented with 1824 Cotton and a beautiful handmade ceramic button.

My application is on its way to the CGOA for associate professional membership. WooHoo!

Design Inspiration

I have just spent the past hour and a half looking at pictures of vintage 1950 clothing. I am inspired and have jotted down a rough draft of 6 garments and 2 accessory items. As you all know I love the 50's and am having fun taking the best of that era and applying them to the sillouettes of today. Now just to take things one step at a time and finish the vest that I have started and then move on to the next garment.

I finished a simple free form scarf this week. I had begun these scumbles many months ago and decided to piece them together into a summer scarf.

Here is my work to date on the blanket for SG. I washed and dried a swatch of Baby Cashmerino and found out that it can handle machine care if treated as a delicate item. This is VERY good news because I want to use it more often and the care issue has always gotten in the way.

Good news and bad news from yesterday. The good news - I can now button the bottom buttons on a blouse which was impossible 2 months ago and my vest design is working and it fits! Bad news - my shop sample knitting (Bella by Debbie Bliss in Pure Cotton) must be frogged. But, I realized a silver lining in this as well - now I can make a smaller size!

TGIF!

Freeform Rocks!

Myra Wood has done a fabulous job organizing and creating the online show for the International Freeform Group's 2007 Challenge. Follow the link and get inspired!

I do have some crochet to show off - but probably not today. I am working on a blanket for my new granddaughter who is due in about 6 weeks. All I can say is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino is so incredible!

Pick up a hook and crochet something today.

No Crochet Content

I have many exciting things coming up in the next few months - TNNA Summer Show in Columbus; CGOA/TKGA meeting in New Hampshire; and the French Girl Tour of Southern France in September. All this and the fact that I will be 50 on my next birthday have motivated me to do something about my physique and overall health. I am going public with this as another form of accountability. Today is day 2 of phase 1 of my South Beach diet plan. This is likely the only diet I haven't tried, but from previous experience know I do better without so many carbs in my diet. This first 2 weeks is the toughest because I am going through carb detox. Today is day 2 and I do love the fact that I can eat eggs for breakfast. I unofficially started the process last week, but really began in earnest yesterday. I also know I obcess over the scale and use plateaus as a reason to backslide. This time I am focusing on how my clothes (especially those things I can't currently wear) look and how I feel. I am out of the closet now.

I started a new baby blanket for my next granddaughter due in June. I didn't like the knitted one I started, so I bought some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino to crochet a beautiful lacey carrier cover. Pictures to follow.

Have an awesome day and be sure to crochet something hip today...got your hip on?

Crochet Rowan

We received the Rowan Spring/Summer Trunk show yesterday. I couldn't resist trying on one of the sweaters that was too big on our mannequin so I hoped it would fit me. I always get nervous trying these things on and never wear them longer than needed for a photo-op. This is made with RYC Cashsoft DK - truly soft and fabulous!

Crocheters, Rowan doesn't forget about us! Marie Wallin always has some gorgeous crochet designs. In this issue I want to make Periwinkle made with Calmer (one of my all time favorite yarns). It is beautiful lace tunic, and since it has long sleeves would be best for fall in Texas.

Esme is a sleeveless lace tunic made with Rowan 4 ply cotton and is perfect to wear over a tank or tee. I'm thinking this would be tres chic for my trip to France.

Voulez-vous crochet avec moi?

Blogging Maniac

Lately I have been called a blogging maniac. I'm trying to get back in the habit of reading and writing on a regular basis again. I have missed those folks I have gotten to know in the blog world.

In an effort to stimulate crochet interest at the shop, so I have set up some patterns, yarn and books on the front shelves. Our Happy Hooker CAL is going well, we are working on our 4th project. Next with be our first garment.

Amy and I are doing our own little crochet a long. We are making Candice designed by French Girl. Amy is really getting into the crochet, and when I come into work she says, "I just want to crochet." I love it!

Also, check out the new Interweave Crochet, it is AMAZING! The patterns are exactly what crochet can and should be. They are modern, stylish and flattering. Choosing what to make is going to be tough!

Creating but not Finishing

I am among the world's worst at coming up with sketches, swatches, and samples but never completing projects. I have been described as having the attention span of a gnat. I want to change, I really do.

Currently I am working on a vest made with Noro's Silk Garden Lite. Since taking this picture I have taken the back apart and reconstructed it. This is going to be my first Hip Cat garment.

I realized this week that I will be attending 3 major events this year where I want to wear crocheted or knitted garments - TNNA in June, Chain Link in July and (woohoo!) France in September. I must be focused and get things finished! Amy is the queen of FO's - she made 11 sweaters last year! Since she will be going to 2 of the 3 places with me I must get something done. I know that my wardrobe palette for France will be pinks & browns. I know that I want to make a freeform top of some kind to wear to Chain Link - maybe a wrap, I don't know yet. Everything I wear there will be crocheted and preferably of my own design. I have lots of planning and work to do...I'll keep you posted.

I used this purse as the inspiration to create scumbles for a freeform bag. I thought it could be cool to attach the freeform to the existing purse.

These scumbles are part of what will cover the purse. When I get the details worked out and the purse finished, I'll post the results.

If I don't get off this computer I won't get anything done today.

Crochet something hip today!

H*** Might Freeze Over

Two posts in one day? What's next, snow in Texas in April? Well, since both of those have happened in the last 24 hours, who knows what will be next?

If you are reading this and didn't read the earlier post - go read it and hit the link to bring Kim Werker to Yarntopia!

Today is Easter Sunday and the perfect day to reflect on new life. We have a dove nesting outside our window. The nest has been there 3 years and every year a determined pair of doves have attempted to raise a family. I don't know if doves mate for life or that these are the same two doves, but I choose to think that both are true. Call me romantic, but I like to imagine that this dedicated duo has fought the odds and the elements to raise a family.

Momma dove is now used to us opening our back door and knows the cat can look but not get to her. She sits day in and day out providing her eggs with the warmth necessary to survive. Ahhh, Spring has truly arrived.

Also on Easter, a picture of Shorts in the outfit Mimi bought her and the shrug I quickly crocheted for her using Rowan's Romance. She loves twirling in dresses...such a girlie girl.

Yesterday I got some "new" furniture. These pieces actually date back to the 40's and are the perfect size to complete my retro fiberarts studio. This room is actually supposed to be the dining room but it has rarely functioned as that. In addition to the chair & sofa I have a sewing table, a treddle sewing maching, a spinning wheel, and a Hoosier cabinet full of yarn. I plan on recovering the chair & sofa, but until then they work just fine.

I have designated Sundays as Sheryl days. I only knit or crochet on non Yarntopia related items. So, today I am working on a crocheted top made from Noro Silk Garden. It is my own design so it is not mindless work, but I hope it will be a pattern worthy of being a Hip Cat original design.

Happy Easter to all.

Demand It!

Kim Werker is a name to know in the world of crochet. She is the founder and vision behind crochetme.com; she is the new editor of Interweave Crochet; she has written a book called Get Hooked which is a great book for young crocheters or those who are young at heart; and now there is a new book coming out called Crochet Me The Book. Kim would like to tour and do book signings and I want her to come to the Houston area. Click on the link below and vote for Houston to be the Texas stop for Kim!

Nicest Folks in the World

You all have earned the title of Nicest Folks in the World because no one pointed out that I posted a picture of the Fat Bottom Bag twice - a sad but true testimony of how overwhelmed I had been. I have also discovered this truth because Yarntopia just celebrated its first birthday and we are once again reminded that fiber folks are the best.

The "Yarntopians" Sheryl, Patti, Amy & Mary Ann (Amy's mom). Patti is the newest member of the Yarntopia team. She is our #1 yarn seller and official Yarntopia mascot; she is raucous, funny and totally lovable.

These are our t-shirts from the back. They say "Relax, Create and Connect at Yarntopia, Katy, TX." We are going to make annual t-shirts for our birthday celebrations. Clever, huh? Patti & I worked on the shirt idea together and were very pleased with the results.

The birthday sale is now behind us and we are moving on towards year 2 - watch out world!