Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Krochet Kids International

I'd like to introduce you to this great group of guys that crochet. They put together this non-profit organization that is empowering people in Uganda to make a living with one of my favorite pasttimes. If you are looking for a crocheted hat, consider buying one from them. As they say, "buy a hat, change a life".


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Wish

Many of us are rushing around with the last of the preparation of festivities of this great holiday. 

For me it's not only the cooking, cleaning, it's the frenzy that will happen the day after as we rush to the next holiday.  Each year I wonder, is it the deadline, is it the change of the weather or what is it?  You fill in the blank.

I wish everyone to take a moment, spend some time with your lace, your fiber, your craft.  Not the item you are making for the gift to Aunt Tilly; spend time on your gift to you - your craft. 

Take time to k2p2 another row, find the special yarn, CTCTT a few bobbins, ds with the tatting shuttle, even just browse a book of ideas for some inspirations for projects to come.

However you spend your holiday - may you have Health, Joy and Peace.

Photo courtsey of Mystik Productions @flicker

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Festival of Trees & Traditions

Is it officially the Holiday season?  Now we can get to the traditions of the holidays.  It's the traditions that can make the holiday time warm and lovely.  Whether its the annual office party, good food and drink shared with love ones, or a stroll in the nippy cold (up here in Connecticut) to see the lights - its a season to enjoy.

There's one tradition at the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art celebrated each year - now in its 37th! year.  The Festival of Trees and Traditions will open on Thursday, December 2nd, at 5:00 pm in conjunction with First Thursdays

What an evening this First Thursday will be.  NELG's tree will make its debut for the first time.  Some lucky person will be going home with a tree filled with hand made lace fans.  The picture above was our tree from last year.  There are 40 fans, each one with hand made lace on them.  There's bobbin lace, tatted lace and crochet lace.  The fans are different colors and so are the pieces of lace.  Thanks to all the members of NELG for taking the time to produce the lace and to Mary L. for putting all the fans together.

Back to the celebration.  First Thursday - it's going to be a WOW of a night, with music, food, and all the decorations.  There are over 200 artists entering their holiday decorations into this event.  The museum will be looking rather festive and grand.  The decorations will be for sale that evening and throughout the event.  I wouldn't wait if you see a tree, wreather, or other holiday bauble that takes your fancy.  They go quickly.

I urge you to attend as it will be a great night.  If you can not make it then, come on by - the Festival will be open through December 13th. 

See you First Thurday!

PS  all decorations stay on display during the festival.  You can pick up your's once the festival is over.






Friday, November 19, 2010

Studio Time at Jill's

This past week we had studio time again at Jill's.  Nancy, Jeanne, and myself visited at Jill's and made some lace.  I was working on Shelby's blanket.  It's getting closer to done now and a bit exciting.

Studio time is great for me.  It's chance to share events, patterns, books, the famous UnDo's, news in each of our lives. 

We all discussed our great success at the New England Fiber Festival held at the Big E in Springfield, MA two weeks ago.  It was a great time.  Jill noticed that the festival arranged to have 'four hour workshops' available to those attending the event.  She had emailed me on this earlier and said ... 'think about it'. 

We discussed it a bit, we could set up a small project, like a pin that could be completed in the time allotment.  Those of us that demonstrate often times bring a 'try-me' pillow so that event attendees can actually handle the bobbins and make some lace.  I bring along my snake pattern pillow - it's multi-colored and kids really enjoy making lace.

Thanks to Jill for Studio time.  I'm considering taking a lesson or two on some really interesting point ground laces.  (yes I know - not till next year !)

Friday, November 12, 2010

Kascare.org - Squares for Children

Hi all,

It's been a couple of crazy weeks and it's been fun.  I've completed a couple more square myself inbetween all of the crazies.

I wanted to thank Kristy - she has been crocheting non-stop and loving life.  This past weekend her husband, Scott, dropped off her batch of squares.  Oh my goodness - there were 107!!! 

Congragulations Kristy my most heart felt thanks! 

Today I just received another email.  Carol wrote "Any way, my squares are done!!! My goal was 50 squares and to finish my yarn, I got to 51!!!!   Yippie to Carol!  You've done beyond great!  There will be warmer children because of you.

This is such a great way to finish up the "stash" of miscellaneous bits 'n pieces of yarn we all have.    I'll be picking up her squares over the weekend.

More later ,,,,,  This is getting really exciting!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Fiber Festival at the BIG E

It was a wow Festival!  Great job to the folks at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusettes. 

NELG was invited to have a gratis booth at the two-day show.  Thanks to our members and Jill's coordination with them, we staffed it  with demonstrators.  Extra thanks to Jill for the creating and printing of the new NELG banner.  (I need a better camera and remember to take pictures!)

I was there for the Sunday show. Since I did not change my clocks the night before, I was there an hour early!  I did appreicate the extra hour of sleep today.

There were lots of vendors with all sorts of roving and yarns and assorted items.  What was different here, is that the farms brought their critters so we had lots of sheep, alpacas, bunnies and goats in the north side of the building.  Once I figure out how to do sound here, I'll do a the alpaca humming I learned or maybe not.

Our booth was busy - lots of folks stopping by and wondering about what we were doing.  There was only a few exclaimations of  "oh that's tatting".  I had a simple Bruge lace pattern on my pillow and a try-me snake pillow.  Bryce had her beautiful Swedish pattern, Barbara K. brought ancient lace on her pillows and our newer member, Linda showed folks about tatting! 

We handed out our brochure, talked about the advantages of membership in the group.  I must say - without really any coordination among us, we were working great together with enough variety to show visitors what lace is about.  About half way through, we noticed that none of us had any English on a pillow and missed out showing spangled bobbins.

I'm looking forward to next year already - so mark your calendar - 1st weekend in November!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

NELG Website

It's coming along - not the one you can get to by clicking here but the new one that is being worked on as I type.

It is exciting.  NELG is a great organization that I've been a member of for some time.  Now that I have been 'involved' as opposed to just writting the check member, it's time to help us out and grow our group.

It seems just recently - last year or so - there are so many events that our organization can take part of and show off the making of lace.  Anyway, it is looking really nice.  Jill, who is our President, and I went to work on a new site about two weeks ago.  It is already taking shape.  Moving all the data over to this hosted site will make working with NELG on the web the place to get Lace information in New England!

Keep an eye open - I'll update you as progress continues.  We hope to launch it very soon.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Craft for a Cause - JoAnn Crafts

JoAnn's Craft for a Cause ended for entries on October 30th.  I'm sure there was a flurry of activity as crafters put up the last of their entires.  I got my square put up there for KasCare's Knit-a-Square.

The three winners are:  American Cancer Society; Operation Write Home; and Project Linus.  By clicking on the links, you can read more about each charity.

Beginning on the 7th of November you can return to JoAnn's, and may vote for your favorite of these three charities.  The first place charity will receive the $50,000 first prize, $25,000 for second place and $15,000 for the third place.

Who will you Vote for?

Stitches East 2010

What an event!  If you don't know of it, it is a long week-end conference sponsored by the The Knitting Universe.  It's about knitting and lots and lots of yarn!  I did feel a bit left out being a crocheter, though the yarn made up for it.

Lori and I had made a date to go to the event quite a time ago.  It's been so difficult to get together, family issues, and other items and before long, time has flew by. 

We met at the Convention center at about 10am and began the feast.  Talk about stimulus overload and all the great yarns you can't imagine. 

The yarn was amazing - hand spun skeins, amazing work from the big mills, lots of different types, alpaca, wools, silks and even some man-made fibers. The colors, hand dyed, oh my goodness, I think I'm still drueling over them.

While walking about, you get to meet many of the designers.  It was interesting to meet several and discuss with them for a moment or two about their journey to becoming a designer. 

I found a few new yarn shops - hmmmm.  I know I made a promise to finish what I have in process.  I did pick up a book on needle lace and some tatting needles and finally a magnifying lense that I can attach to my pillow when I work.

All in all it was a great event and a great day with Lori.  We finished it up with  burger from Max Burgers in West Hartford.    Thanks Lori for a fun day. 

PS Looking forward to Stitches East 2011 - it will be held at the Hartford Convention Center once again.