2010 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

It's hard to believe it's that time again.  The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is coming this weekend. 

The 37th Annual!!! Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
Saturday May 1, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and
Sunday 2, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 2010
at the Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Fairground Road
West Friendship, MD 21794-9604


Schedule for 2010


This is a wonderful event for the whole family.  Come early and stay late, visit over 250 vendors, demos, and more.  There's everything for yarn lovers, knitters, spinners, crocheters and all things fiberfantastic.


Stop by the website for the full scoop.  Carpool with some of your friends - take the family along and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.


Marg (wishing I had a yarn barn of my own)





Rowan Knitting Magazine 44


Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine Number 37

Pillow Anyone?

J&P Coats • Clark's O.N.T. Quick Crochet, Book 300, in 1953.

Get the free pattern for these pillows at Free Vintage Crochet.   Sign up for their email updates while you're there.

Handicrafter Cotton - Patio Pillows (crochet)

Bernat's Free Pattern Home Decor Page is loaded with free pillow patterns to crochet and knit.


Visit LionBrand's Pattern Finder for a variety of pillows.


Crochet Pattern Central is also a wonderful source for pillow patterns to crochet.


I think you have the idea - grab your hooks and needles - it's time for sprucing up your home, apartment or dorm room.


Marg (enjoying walking down Vintage meets Contemporary Pillow Avenue)





Pillows To Knit and Crochet (Leisure Arts, 632)

Checked your wow today?

Yesterday, I was walking Molly, my little Yorkie, on the trail and we encountered two teen dudes heading over to the skate park with their energy drinks and boards in tow.  They were super cool with super long bangs off to the side and were busy plotting their next adventure.  Molly spotted them immediately, and plopped down on the grass wagging her tail and disturbing the weeds, which we used to call wishing flowers when we were kids.  You know, you make a wish and blow hard kind. She had a fluffy weed covered face of wishing flowers that had blown up all around her.  The two teen dudes cracked a slight smile as they sauntered by in their super cool cloud.  I was stunned.  I love here and am inspired by Molly and Max every day, but who knew teens could be amused so easily?  Molly has the "cool" factor. There's hope for all of us. 

Wherever you go today, this week and through life, I hope you remember Molly and her simple, yet effective way of wowing with her own unique "cool" factor.

Try these links for some inspiration and discover a little wow of your own with your family, for Mother's Day and for yourself.

Kids Craft Weekly

Pendants - Crafty Craft Frame on CraftBits.com

Make a Family Cookbook for Mother's Day or a Wedding Shower! at CraftStylish.com

Mother's Day Knits at About.com

Free RedHeart E-Book

Wowee!
Marg (looking for the wow, right now, and feeling fine)

Loving Family® Sterling Silver Pendant - Mother and Two Children

Rethink, Reuse and Rejuvenate

South Beach Washcloth Set Free Crochet Pattern from LionBrand.com

Recently, there has been a trend for going back to basics, and handcrafted washcloths and kitchen mats are back big time.  I have to admit, I considered them beginner projects until I participated in a craft swap and a nice woman from TN made some beautiful and colorful kitchen cloths for me. You can create colorful and creative household items with cotton. Wrap a set in a beautiful ribbon that can be reused or recycled and you have an eco-friendly, functional and fun gift.  Cotton is cool - just sayin'.

Lily Dish Mats (Crochet)

Free Dishcloth Patterns: Knitting from Tipnut.com has a wonderful array of dishcloth patterns for you to knit.

Let's rethink, reuse and rejuvenate our surroundings this week and soak up the good vibes.

Marg (thinking way to much for a Monday)

Bright & Cheery Knit Dishcloths

Dishcloths In The Round - Crochet Patterns

Shrug your worries away.

Hello my knitting friends!  Here's a round up of some of my favorite free shrug patterns.  Shrugs are a necessary addition to your wardrobe during this in between weather and a break from your party cardi.  Check it!  Make one for Mother's Day (May 9th).

Caron International Free Patterns
Fringed Kimono Shrug 
Azani Shawl (NEW!)

Lion Brand Yarn Free Patterns
Textured Circle Shrug (originally from GlamKnits)
Stockinette Stitch Shrug
Speckled Shrug
Acorn Shrug (crochet)
Cocoon Shrug

Get busy!  There's a shrug pattern waiting to be made.

Marg (knitting my worries away)
You might also enjoy:
mommielicious mother's day!
Three Feathers of Charity, Hope and Faith
 mother's day ideas

The New Yorker Book of Mom Cartoons

Drum Roll Please.

Yarn Drum Tm at Patternworks

The Yarn Drum Tm at Patternworks is an affordable way to keep your yarn and accessories organized at home or on the run.  It's perfect for vacations and concerts in the park or any other places you take your knit and crochet projects.  The Yarn Drum will hold up to eight full-sized balls of yarn - Wowee!- and your accessories for a project.  It's durable, and the round design makes it easy to pack in the car.  There's a zipper around the top for easy access, an accessory pouch,  and a comfortable shoulder strap. The bag is made out of woven poly and has a PVC base.  This yarnie gem's measurements are 12" around and 12 3/4" high.  It's currently on backorder, but more are expected by May 10th, which is just around the corner and well worth waiting for.  Yay!

Grab you projects and take them along!

See you on the run.

Marg (so many places to knit, so little time)

Earth Day is April 22nd

Do you need some Earth Day projects?  Check out the Earth Day links that I've rounded up for you. 



Earth Day Crafts on Kaboose has projects to help you introduce Earth Day to your children.



Skip on over to CraftStylish for Earth Day crafting with style.



Knitting Green: Conversations and Planet Friendly Projects by Ann Budd.  Twenty-two projects from top designers to help you stay green all year round.

Enjoy this month's free pattern, Jiffy Jute Plater Wrap, knit1fortheroad.com, knitted with simple materials.


Reuse, Recycle, Rejuvenate!


Marg (loving life on the blue planet)

You might also enjoy reading:
EARTH DAY FREE PATTERN ROUNDUP  And  CELEBRATE EARTH DAY!

Knitting Miracles

Caps made with LionBrand Cotton Ease

This weekend, we traveled around the area and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Along the way, I managed to crochet a few chemo caps.  It has been a difficult week for us.  A very good friend and mentor has become very ill and is struggling every day with his health.  The last time I spoke with him, he sounded very weak and fearful.  I'm unable to really help him, but I can think good thoughts or say a little prayer when I knit or crochet each stitch against sickness, fear, and depression. 

I know many of you will use your knitting and crochet to help others when you can.  Your loving stitches and thoughts become a beacon of light to someone in need.  I like to think that we can make a huge difference by doing the little things for someone.  If there is great distance between us, I believe there is still a chance for small miracles with our thoughts, prayers and meditations.

This blog is dedicated to John and his family.  Please find a little time to knit or crochet in their memory this week.  If you have anyone you would like us to do the same for, please leave a comment and it will be done.

Give it a try for your loved ones, and I know you'll see big miracles in surprising places.

Marg (thankful for life, friends, and love)

Angel Meditation: 64 Illustrated Cards Containing Affirmations & Meditations

If you love it, put a sig'nit on it...

Morning bloggies!  Today, it's all about the sig'nits.  The sig'nit is a perfect way to personalize your knitting project for yourself or for a gift.  Put you sig'nit on it, and everyone will know your handy work. Hooray!  I have to warn you though, you're going to have a tough time choosing which sig'nit to go with - they're all enticing. 

Each sig'nit is a high quality die-cast bead and made from pewter that won't rust or tarnish.  Do I hear another Hooray and perhaps some needle waving?  Just knit it into your project and you've established your own brand. Your kit includes enough beads for six projects, a fine gauge crochet hook and instructions. 

Thanks for the messages yesterday...I'm feeling better and ready to get my knit on.   You shop, you knit, you brand.

Marg (so wishing I had come up with the sig'nit)

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting

"Learn to Knit" 3DVD SUPER SET - American Knitter