Optional Opportunities Abound...

Your knit and crochet patterns for Spring don't have to limit you or your wardrobe options.  Remember to consider the weight and color of your yarn, embellishments like buttons, or any trim that you might add whenever you start a new project.  Look at what is already in your closet and the items that you will be using in the coming months for inspiration.  Think of ways you can incorporate your projects into Autumn and possibly Winter, depending on your climate. 

I recently finished a project called Sea Breeze Top (crochet pattern available as a free download from LionBrand) that I had put on hold for a few months. It gave me time to think about possibilities for this top beyond the beach and hot summer days.  The Sea Breeze top is made with durable, yet comfortable, Cotton Ease in Violet (color 191).  I considered adding a lightweight shrug or longsleeved wrap  to change it up a bit and allow for some flexibility on when and where this top could be worn.  It would also look cute over a lightweight longsleeved tee or turtleneck for cooler days.

Hopefully, today's blog will spark an idea or two and help you stay creative, consider all of your options and enjoy each and every project you make.

Margaret (anticipating a rain shower and the fresh air it will bring)

©MargaretNock, All rights reserved.

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Grab Your Bag and Go!

Kid pouches from Envirosax

Spring has sprung, well almost. It's time to think about changing project bags and utilizing those wonderful and luscious spring colors to brighten your  mood and make your new vibrant tude hum.

Here come the bags!

Envirosax has a bag for everyone in your family!.  Grab a few and go.

madbird on Etsy.com has beautiful handmade project bags and fun colorful organizers. Crochet Today featured the crochet organizers in the Jan 2010 issue. Take a look.  You're going to love what you see.

Knitter's Carry All Bag is just right for projects or everyday use and is currently on sale at KnitPicks at a super price.  Choose from pattern choices Soothing Dots or Red Floral.

I like to donate my project bags from seasons past.  If you aren't using them, it's time to send them out into the world.  You can also opt for recycling the material to make your next crafty project for the home.  Think of the possibilities...a new project bag, perhaps?  Visit sites like CraftStylish for ideas and tips on restyling, reusing and recycling items.

Put a spring in your step, projects on your hooks and needles and you'll look and feel so much better.

Spring on!

Marg (getting ready for a pattern roundup, coming soon)

Gifts to Make Magazine 2008 from Craftstylish

Craftstylish Home Decorating Ideas Volume III


Craftstylish - Quick Stuff To Make, Summer 2008 Issue

It Takes a Village of Etsians!

Packages wrapped with vintage, recycled and reusable paper, fabric and crafty pendants, buttons and other items that can be reused.

Presents are gettnig wrapped today to send in the mail. Everything was wrapped in vintage, recycled, upcycled, reused items from Etsy or crafty things that I had on hand. Most of the presents were purchased on Etsy or handmade from patterns in my own Etsy shop, margknittinaround making this one of the most handmade, eco-friendly holidays so far. I chose non-traditional colors rather than the usual green and red and incorparated the handmade theme with owls and butterflies for a more hipster.

Here's a list of Etsy artists who contributed to my wrapping party and wonderful holiday gifts for my two lovely stepdaughters.

Tinker & Crab

Margknittinaround

snowy652

smockpaper

thecraftpantry

fongstudio

Have a happy hipster, indie and earth friendly holiday!

Marg (living in the fast craft zone today)

Weave your yarn stash away!

Hello all those who seek stash solutions...consider this option.

Loom in a Tube

Loom in a Tube books and kits will have you up and weaving your stash away into interesting projects for you and your home. Weave your yarn or yarn and beads and expand your talents. Either way, it's a win, win for you. The folks at Loom in a Tube help you with instructions for begginning weavers and include the materials to get you going. The loom can be put away mid-project in the tube for safe keeping no matter where you are. Portable and easily used in your lap or if you need to stand it up, there is a stand available. Storage is a breeze. As always, compare the price of this loom with others and choose the best for your needs. I have found many to be bulkier with less info and materials to provide.

Tight warps ahead! Ok, at least I didn't say warp speed ahead, although I was tempted.

Marg (totally obsessed with birthday cake today)

Buy a bag, save the world...

Three bag options to consider, today, that will help you help others and the environment.

The first option is Purse of Hope brought to you by Juxtaposie The mission is to help victims of human trafficking and forced prostitution. One feature of these bags, that I really like, is the Acholi Beads which are incorporated into each handle and embellished by Northern Ugandan refugees. The shop also offers a Purse of Hope mug if you aren't into bags and you can still show your support for the wonderful work that is being done. The goal of Kristen Hendricks, the founder of Purse of Hope, is to create awareness and show that "Ordinary people can and do change the world everyday".

Plug in with the Juice Bag from Reware. It's a solar bag for the busy business person, student, and basically anyone on the go! Knitters included. It's easy to use and created in the US. Hooray! Basically, the panel on the bag is solar and there's a handy built in car lighter adapter socket that is universal so you can use it with your phone, PDA, or MP3. Sunlight on the bag equals electricity while you go about your busy day.

Envirosax, one of my "go to" bag options, has a new line of bags for Fall called La Boheme that I know you're going to like. Still the durable, soft and fun bag that you love with a new look for the season that is a tribute to the Art Nouveau movement It's a wonderful market bag, knitting bag, and travel bag. I keep one or two in the car for bag emergencies.

That's the bag alert for today. Celebrate the power of a great bag, reuse, recycle and give others a helping hand. Voila, you are now a crafty, stylish and eco-friendly diva.

Now it's time to knit-share-go grab a bag!

Marg (probably setting a world record w/ how much I can get into an Envirosax bag)

I'll take a bag with that art, please...

It's apparent, by now, to all of you who read my blog, that I've been obsessed with bags, art, crafts, reusing and recycling since my art school days and the obsession is growing. I thought you might like to share in my love of art and really cool bags today. I came across The Limited Art Edition from Freitag. Their bags are recycled exhibition banners from the finest contemporary art museums.

The Messenger Bags are also worth a peek.

Be sure and go by their Concept page to read a brief explanation of what and how their products are made - you will be empressed by this Swiss company. They make their bags from sturdy and used truck tarpaulins, car seat belts, airbags, and bicycle inner tubes.

Quality, art, and recycling all in one bag!

Hope you've enjoyed this brief look in to my version of bag heaven.

Marg (car parts have a whole new meaning for me now)

BIRTHDAY BRIGHT AND ECO RIGHT!

Birthday Basket for Dave





Today is all about using what you have. We're having a birthday soon at our house and we're keeping it simple. This year, due to the move, a lot of items that I kept on had for wrapping were recycled or given away. I managed to pull some things together to brighten packages and use up every day items. Wrapping was quick and easy with smoothed out tissue of varying colors and decorated with a swatch of bulky yarn and a decorative cardboard top that said Happy Birthday which survived the move.










For cards, the dogs and I made one together - with a hodge podge of stickers, paint, small left over stock paper glued together and of course yarn and a tiny dog bone to tie it all together. Brown being the predominant color - the dog's favorite of course!





all the dogs favorite things + smooches for Dave

and a messy paw print for authenticity!
















punch hole/yarn and doggie biscuit keep it all together







This year I decided to collect some funny quotes about aging that fits Dave's personality and sense of humor. This one was made with computer birthday paper that I've had for awhile. You can also use plain paper and decorate it with whatever computer programs you have.













Next, I collected all the items and put a nice scarf in the bottom of a basket that was part of a craft show exhibit, added a remnant bow and there you have it!


Fun, easy and inexpensive to pull together. Birthday wrapping sessions are a great way to practice reusing very usable items, saving your money, and still have a great looking package. Include friends and family. Pool your resources and have more choices - swap ideas and enjoy the community of creativity. Teach your children about reusing and recycling and you can share it together. Some very ordinary things look extraordinary with a little color, embellishment, and a dash of glee - so give it a try...you'll be plesantly surprised.



Enjoy you new adventures in recycling, re-using, and making some fabulous fun!



Marg (considering new gleeful adventures!)

BIG SALE ON MARGKNITTINAROUND ON ETSY!

SIGNED COPY OF KNIT 1 FOR THE ROAD IS ONLY $5 + shipping

ALL PATTERNS ON SALE!

March on in to Monday with your crafty self.

Leave it to CraftStylish to give you fresh ideas, patterns, and get your creative mojo going. It's March. It's Monday. Let's get going.


Here's an article by Mary Ray called Do You Need a Little Extra Creative Support? on Craftstylish (Sewing/Quilting)that you might find interesting.

Another from the recycle, reuse dept. from Jennifer Stern (fashion), The 2009 Prom Dress Recycle that will definitely get you motivated on a Monday to check your closet for items to donate.

A pet favorite! Knit a Mutt Mitt: Dog Washing Made Easy by Tina Hilton (knitting) and Craft for Cats: Two Yarn-Scrap Toys for Your Feline Friends , also contributed by Tina Hilton.



You can also add your own gallery of projects - just create an account. How cool is that?

These are just a few projects to ponder. There are plenty more on the site, so do add it to your favs and get crazy crafty. Reuse, recycle and get ready for spring.

See you on CraftStylish!



Marg (margknittinaround on CraftStylish)

ECO-WRAPPING TREASURE HUNT!

tissue, fabric paint, yarn, clear glitter

felt, beads, fabric paint, cloth wrapping, combined yarn and cloth strips in bow

Trader Joe's bag and handle(the kids favorite place to shop) collage of characters, and cartoons geared for their kid humor, and yarn

Scarves wrapped with yarn and metallic (wired) bow and stitch marker atttached - hand made note. What better wrapping than the colorful scarf itself?!

Handmade notes on inspiration for scarves. It's been my experience that people like a little story or blurb to go with their knitted item.

ADVENTURES from my eco-wrapping treasure hunt...Yesterday, I was totally caught up in eco-wrapping presents for friends and family I didn't have the mental strength to blog - I know - can you believe it? I'm making up for it today and sharing my crafty recycle, reuse wrapalicious creations. so there - i confess - i got totally swept away by holiday craziness. keep in mind that these were created for each personality - witty and hip tweens n' teens to 50 is the new 30 crowd.

I hope you'll consider recycling and reusing items on your packages this year. It's a great way to spread awareness and teach kids about the importance of recycling. You can even make it a family project! Use kid energy, imagination and make amazing holiday gift wrapping. Send them on a hunting expedition for useable items and share in the creation.

Happy Holiday Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!

Marg (enjoying all the cards and messages from Knitters for Obama cardswap on Ravelry)