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Thanks to some heavy lifting help from my husband, I've made good progress on moving my studio into our back family room. The drafting table actually feels very cheery and bright next to a big window. Our son is old enough to (mostly) behave back here so I've even been able to sit there without much interference. One of my tasks has been to plow through a few years of Martha Stewart (and a few other) magazines. It's been awhile, but I go through them and cut out inspiration pictures, 'good things', crafts, recipes, and other fun articles. I file them in big binders to flip through later on. I've been a loyal subscriber for at least 9 years and those magazines can pile up FAST!

The computer area still needs peripherals set-up, but it functions and it's nice to type loudly at nap-time again!

Other than that, I've been hindered by a giant belly and not a lot of creative motivation. The biggest creative endeavor I've taken on is this crocheted blanket for baby girl. I hope I can finish it (and the nursery which is still half-a-studio) before she arrives. The best news is that I actually feel at peace with not getting any illustration work done. I know it'll be there for me when I'm ready. And in the meantime I'm still reading and loving picture books on a daily basis!

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I made this little amigurumi bird for my Nana. At 91, she no longer crochets. But her many years of crocheting blankets and lovelies for me and her own love of birds had me whip this little yellow guy up. That's about what I've been up this week. And for those of you you haven't seen this gem, a little Portlandia 'Put a Bird on It' should give you a chuckle.

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I get Artizen Magazine in my inbox.  It is very artsy.  I found some conical knit alien thingies in one of the recent issues and they reminded me of my rectangles.  Remember those crocheted rectangles?  The ones that I don't know what to do with?

Today I did something with three of them - something so simple and so commonplace that I am embarassed it took me so long to come up with this plan.

Thing #1:
My son called me today to tell me that I kept calling him.  I was purse calling him, it appears.  That happens when the outside pocket of my purse - where I put my cell phone - bumps against my hip as I walk and my phone calls someone.  So, I decided to move everything to my Fall/Winter purse and I decided to make a cell phone cozy to protect my phone!  So simple!  Here it is.

That only used up ONE rectangle.  The blue stripe was already on the rectangle.  But it looks like I did it on purpose.  Just a bonus.

Thing #2
My Fall/Winter purse is big.  Actually, it is capacious!  So capacious is this purse that more than once I thought I lost my wallet because it slid to the very bottom of the purse.  I wanted to get something to  hold my wallet and pens and my calendar and change purse - those things I need to find in a hurry.  Rectangles to the Rescue!!
This little purse-in-a-purse used up two rectangles, one of which was two-toned, sort of.

Those knit conical aliens were so cute, I wish I could make something like that with my rectangles.  Hmmm, I must work on that.

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If you enjoy crochet and haven't visited this  blog - attic24 , head on over there right now. Lucy works in such vibrant and joyful colors! SO inspiring. I must start a blanket like this (the one with the raised flowers) for myself. Just looking at it makes me smile. Everything on Lucy's blog makes me smile, actually. Especially since Spring has sprung a leak and is looking more like winter again.

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I'm doing it again. I'm sipping a latte and thumbing through gorgeous little books at Barnes & Noble, daydreaming about making these cuties through the winter. I did the same thing last year. Bought lovely craft books and guess what ? I never did a single project. So, I'm trying very hard not to get this. But on the other hand, is it so wrong to have books around  simply for the pleasure of looking at them? Decidedly no!  But not today. If I receive a bookstore gift card for Christmas this is on the top of my list. And so is this one. Another amigurumi book that I won't use. =o)

 

 

 

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This is what i do when i get hit by a car and have to rest and not move around:
I crochet a huge decorative throw for the couch!

I found the pattern in a Dutch vintage crochet magazine and it was meant to be a large round tablecloth.
But who says you cannot place a tablecloth on the couch and call it a throw?

The final piece measures almost 35" in diameter, so you know i've spent quit a few hours working on it! When i start a project like this, at first i think i will never get to the end, but then when its finished i know i'll miss working on it.
Stitch found his way into the picture. He likes to have his picture taken. Still wearing his NY Yankee shirt. Did you see him celebrating when they won the world series?

PS I got my MRI scan results and there are fractures in my pelvis and from my pelvis to my hip. That explains why my recovery is taking such a long time! Not fun.

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1. Pin Cushion Swap - Spring, 2. Viva a Primavera!, 3. Turquoise and Lime Crochet Applique, 4. crochet pillows...



1. Calor, um projeto colorido, 2. half blanket...., 3. Granny A Day blanket, 4. 073 - Finished sunburst afghan


1. Cupcakes, 2. Fuzzy Sundae, 3. MINI TORTINHA, 4. sushi_front_small_unmarked


Anche se non ho la minima possibilità di sferruzzare un po' in questo periodo, posso sempre ammirare queste meraviglie! ♥
E resistere alla tentazione!!!

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Along with the fairy paintings currently on display at Sovereign House are other fairy finds. There are the fairy purses of course, and now another one of Avril's crochet inventions, a little blue-finned mermaid with cascading golden hair. Like the fairy purses she is made of the finest, silkiest cotton thread, very beguiling to the touch. She fits charmingly into the palm of one's hand.

Some weeks ago I found a pair of child-sized chairs in my favourite charity shop and brought them home to sand down and repaint with a fairy motif. The weeks have slipped by with so many things to have ready in time for the show, but this weekend I finally finished the chairs and brought them into the gallery.

One of our young visitors pulled up a chair to sit and paint with me for a while. Working on scraps of watercolour paper we came up with these (fairy with a flower vine, fairy flying over a golden ship) and other miniatures, making up stories to go with each one.

On a table in the middle of the room are books, cards and ornaments.

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Today’s poem is brought to you by Random.

Haikus are easy

But sometimes they don’t make sense

Refrigerator

Here are some other things that amused me.

Last week at Comic Con, Michelle and I met the guy who made this winning Steampunk Iron Man costume! [Agent M]

Hey Philadelphia! Hollerado’s single-take music video for “Americanarama.” [YouTube]

Have books? Then you need bookshelves. 35 of them. 35 awesome, incredible bookshelves. [Francesco Mugnai]

Your Ad Here. (Hopefully not.) [eConsultancy]

Gritty, gorgeous photos of broken neon signs. [Slate]

Crochet animal sculptures. Heck yes I said it! [My Modern Met]

If you’re an unknown band trying to gain popularity, this is not the way to do it. [AV Club]

You know what’s cool?

How far will your dollar go? These photos will show you. [Jonathan Blaustein]

Phonebook art! [Inventor Spot]

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Alice Walker's poetry, illustrated. Actually, in all fairness, this is one of the better examples of Stefano Vitale's artwork for Why War Is Never a... Read the rest of this post

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Here's news from my local yarn store, That Yarn Store. If you don't live in the area, they have a website and amazing yarns. Be a pal, help them stay in business. Sign up for their newsletter, visit them in the store and one the web, read my recommendation of them on LinkedIn.com. That Yarn Store customers are big readers and support the local bookstores. Let's return the favor.

AmoXcalli supports local and independent businesses. The economy isn't too great right now and we all need to pitch in and help small businesses stay in business. Buy local, by often. That's my preachy soapbox for the day. On to the news...


Now you have two flavors of sock classes, and a few sock
yarns to choose.

Frannie teaches her sock class on Saturdays at 1:30

Julia Hiser will be teaching a two-part class covering all your
sock-knitting basics - Heels, toes, the whole-shebang!
First-timers and the newly sock-conscious all welcome.
Learn to make a pair of lovely foot-coverings or improve upon
your techniques.
Items required: Set of size #3 douple-pointed needles and
Sport weight yarn.
Bring them, or buy them here.
Thursdays at 7 pm $45
You have to pre-register for this class.

,,,,,,,,,,,,

Learn to Knit Lace, Tuesday nights at 6. $30

***************
Atelier Zero is an email newsletter that lists cool Los Angeles
events and shops. Even if they hadn't listed That Yarn Store
events we would still love the list.
Check them out at http://atelierzero.com/

Here is the link for our Ravelry group:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/that-yarn-store

………………………
Knit in Public Day, June 14th
Knitting in public is a wonderful way to spread the craft and
inspire all those would be knitters and crocheters to join in.

Beverly, Suzanne, and Deborah have been kind enough to
make suggestions on what we can do to celebrate the
World Wide Knit in Public Day on June 14th
Help us make this a memorable event please send us your ideas!

We're thinking about sitting outside at SWORKS,
and a Pic-Knit under the trees at Eagle Rock or Yosemite Rec Centers


………..
Spring Craftaganza. May 10, 1 to 5 pm
Thea from across the pond, and Mila, one of the 15 or so vendors,
have been planning this year's biannual event. Please come!
We've made an Evite,
http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/WWDXGNFVRLFMMUSXADVM/yarn
so you can send it to friends.

What: Spring Craftaganza, a hand-made craft fair
When: May 10, 1-5pm
Where: That Yarn Store - 5028 Eagle Rock Blvd
Why: Handmade is better! Plus free refreshments.

Spring Craftaganza is our yearly arts and crafts event where you
can purchase funky and unique handmade products created by
local artisans and crafters.
They offer everything from jewelry to clothes to handspun yarn.
Pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for your Mom (the next day is Mother's Day),
start your holiday shopping early, or snag something cool for yourself.
We’ll have free refreshments.

…………………….

We have a space at the Los Angeles County Fair in September.
We can't sell our goods, apparently, but we can show them off,
including our knitting and crocheting samples and even give lessons
and demonstrations. You are invited to help us hang out and show
stuff and answer knitting questions.
Other things where you can participate – submitting your projects for a
blue ribbon, and a fashion show.
Free admission to volunteers, a hefty perk for participating.

*******************************

You've asked for them….
Sewing Classes

Beginning Sewing *
Learn use a sewing machine and sew in straight lines
and curves. Bring home a pillowcase you’ll make yourself.
Materials provided.
~~Thursday, May 6, at 7pm~~ $30

Beginning Sewing, Part 2: pattern reading*
bring a simple pattern and your own material and supplies.
~~Thursday, May 29, at 7pm~~ $30
~~Saturday, May 31, at 11:30 am~~

Skirts Without Patterns*
Bring in measurements,
and your own fabric, thread and tools.
~~Thursday, May 1, at 7pm~~ $30
~~Saturday, May 3, at 11:30 am~~

*Please note that we have limited space and limited
sewing machines available for these classes.
When registering, please tell us if you will
need to borrow one of our sewing machines.
And please sign up early.


Since we keep eccentric hours, we'll always include..

Hour Ours

Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm

Monday closed

Tuesday 11:07 to 7:35
Closed 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Wednesday 11:30 to 8:30 ish
Closed 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Thursday 11:00 to 7:00 pm
(we will often be open evenings)

Friday 11:30 to 8:00 ish
Closed 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Saturday 11:00 to 6:00 pm

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The urge to craft has come back with a vengeance.  I am totally besotted with amigurumi right now and have been itching to create a design of my own. So here's my first one which was inspired by the birds from my blog banner.

Introducing my chubby little bird, Tweedle.

 

 

He was created in the traditional ami method of single crochets worked in rounds. His wings were a little more complicated, using half, single and double crochets. Mum helped me design them while she was here at Christmas.

Emily is asking for one in pink so I'm going to be make one for her room that is scented.

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