Eco-Baby Alert!

This is my modified Rainforest Wrapper from

AwareKnits by VickieHowell and AdrienneArmstrong

Last week I was able to finish knitting and prepping a few baby projects for a friend.  It's a girl!!!  The picture above is the cute Rainforest Wrapper that I modified with a leaf motif and velcro dots on the straps instead of buttons which I secured with a basic sewing stitch. I am currently making the original pattern which is in the book, and is basically the same except the pattern on the bodice is different.  There are so many fun and eco-friendly projects in Aware Knits that you'll just have to make them all.

Puffalump Hat on VickieHowell.com and Ravelry.com

I also included the Puffalump hat from Vickie Howell  

and Owl embroidered baby bib from Jenny Hart.

Owl Bib from Jenny Hart

Everything is wrapped and ready to go to the new eco-friendly baby.  Name to be determined.  I included care instructions, info of why the wrap is a great and safe way for new baby to sleep (info from the book), extra yarn and thread for any repairs for the new mommy. 

Have a productive week!

Marg (waiting for the next wave of snow)

You may also enjoy reading:

Monday Free Pattern Mania

I SPY A QUICKIE KNITTY

 

Crafty Inspiration!

Cover Image is by Natalie Jeffcott
nataliejeffcott.com
arthurscircus.com



It's crafty time!  Issue #12 of Mix Tape is pre-selling now.  This color issue is another jumbo edition and I'm thrilled to tell you, my article, Crafting In The Animal Kingdom of Personality, is included in all the crafty, eco-friendly fun.  (Doin' a dance while typing, here)  Read this fun personality roundup and find out what your crafting personality is.

Every issue is jam packed, people.  You'll also find reviews, expert crafters sharing their tips, insights into the world of crafting, and how they balance it all.  Toss in beautiful illustrations and graphics and mix with easy and fun ways to make your life more eco-friendly.
 
You will find MixTape is full of heart. It's the perfect magazine to keep you inspired year round.  What are you waiting for?  Your copy awaits!

Mix it up a little today and let your crafty side out.

Marg (walking down Craft Ave with a smile)

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)

Eco Kids!

Flower Power from Envirosax Kid Series

Here's a way to keep the kid (s) in your life interested in the environment and have fun all in one! Envirosax now has a build your own kid pouch...and no, I don't get paid or a bag for sharing - just spreading the word on a great bag. There's also a kid series! While you're there, pick out something for you. I keep a bag in the car, by the door, and use them for knitting/crochet projects. They're durable and fun, my favorite combo.

Bag It!

Marg(wishing I had had a build your own kid pouch as a kid)

TUESDAY TOTE ALERT!

In the knitting/crochet world, nothing is better than a really cool (or sick!) bag for all of your goodies. There's just something earthy and super functional about a market bag that appeals to my Virgo nature. Market Totes are a great way to keep it all together whether you're knitting/ crocheting or going to the market or beach.

KnitPicks has the Montavilla Market Tote Kit to knit. These gorgeous bags are made with eco-friendly 100%Organic Cotton. You can make two with the kit - one for you and one for your friend or family member that absolutely has to have one when they see yours. It's part of KnitPicks "Give One Away Campaign" filled with freebies, prizes and a great way to share your stories and ideas regarding knitting. Sounds like a plan! Click on the Inspiration tab to see how you can join in the fun. See what other knitters are saying about the knit along.

Want to be a KnitPicks fan? You can join them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Summer knitting days are here!

Marg (drinking herbal tea and looking forward to the next market day)

Follow along on Twitter!

Cup from Ateliermarla on Etsy.com

HOGANFE IS IN DA HOUSE, YA'LL

Grab your coffee, triple mochas, and green tea mugs, and settle in for another in a series of Summer Etsy Shop Interviews. Today's featured shop is Hoganfe, a wonderful place to find bags, wonderful bags! You all know I'm obsessed with bags for knitting and shopping and if they're eco-friendly then I'm definitely on it! Hold on to your hooks and needles - here comes Mary Hogan of Hoganfe.

Q. Mary, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview.

A. Hello Margaret -What a honor to be interviewed by such a renown author, business woman, knitter, crocheter, & crafter!

Q. Ok, now I'm just blushing... thank you...on with the interview.

You have such a customer friendly shop, offering custom orders, gift certificates and a layaway payment option for ready- to- ship bags and Twitter updates. Your feedback from customers raves about the quality and service. How did you come by your savvy craft and business skills?

A. So glad you thought my shop is customer friendly this is so important to me! My business skills come from years of individual & corporate sales experience as well as knowing what I love when I visit a boutique. If I could offer tea & cookies when you stop by I would LOL!

Q. Great idea -cyber cookies could be an option - 0 calorie!

Mary, visitors to your shop can't help noticing that there is such wonderful variety in your designs and they really resonate with people. Your theme of reuse, recycle and creating reversible bags is very inspiring. Where do you get the most inspiration for your designs?

A. Ideas pop into my head, my daughter inspires me with ideas & of course the fabric inspires ! I am a fabricholic!

Q. Love that! Do you have any dreams, aspirations, products or events you would like to share with us?

A. This past month I have been working towards expanding my market and offering a wider range of bags and materials. My most recent addition; CottonCandyBags, were just introduced two weeks ago & they are a hit on Etsy and elsewhere-this is so encouraging! In the near future I will be adding a giveaway or two at my blog Hoganfe on Wordpress bringing attention to the newest additions coming soon at hoganfe.
So add Hoganfe to your twitter follows for my newest arrivals and

visit Hoganfe on Flckr.

Mary, you are definitely on a roll with your creations and your business. We all look forward to seeing more of your work and creativity on Etsy and elsewhere. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story with us.

ECO DAD SIGHTINGS ARE GROWING!

Father's Day is June 21st and coming soon to households all over the US. I've come across some interesting and not so traditional gifts that will grab his attention.

I'm starting off with Envirosax which offers manly man sacks that he will love and a chance for you to win an Amazonia pouch for yourself! Don't think Dad will go for it? Let's talk...when I bought an EnviroSax tote last summer and kept it in the car for the market - who used it? - my husband, the dad at our house. When we went to the park for summer concerts, or to the beach - who carried the snacks in said tote? You got it. Who knew my tote would be his favorite GO TO item and the cause of Eco-Dad Sightings all over the state?

Etsy has a Father's Day Showcase available with many items for dad that will thrill and delight even the most conservative papa. Plus, you will be supporting the handmade movement - always a great way to shop.

Want to get crafty? Check out the LionBrand Patterns for Father's Day this year and whip up something clever and fun.

Cafe Press offers you the chance to design the SIGG bottle for your dad with a message or design. This bottle is green so no worries there and you may also chose a design already available. Dad can be stylin' and eco-friendly with this gift.

Need kid sized projects and ideas for your Father's Day celebration? No problem, DLTK's growing together has ideas, recipes, and plenty of fun for you and the family.

Planning Father's Day just got a whole lot easier!

Marg (there are going to be sooo many Eco-Dad sightings this year)

What's Crafty, JUMBOlicious & COLORific?

Time to get crafty with Issue 9 of Mix Tape ...

the hip, crafty, eco-friendly craft mag (zine) (in case you've been in the knitting cave a long time and missed this treasure) is NOW AVAILABLE and in COLOR and it's time to make a mad dash to order your issue today! Woohoo!

The cover image is by the fabulous Lisa Solomon and some contributors in this isssue (including myself, with an article called Crafting from the Heart) that you will enjoy are...
"Craftism Handmade Help Selvedge Queen: Jodie Carleton Crafty Lady: Kitty Speer (kittyskaboodle.blogspot.com) and a WICKED pull out poster designed by Black Pio." and there's more so...

Please don't miss out on this jam packed, jumbolicious COLORific issue...and if you haven't seen this wonderful zine before, you will be hooked on the crafty enthusiasm, tips, articles, reviews, and interviews. There's something for everyone- crafting of all kinds, and it's some serious eye candy for those of us who enjoy and admire graphics when we're sipping our double mochas...and I know you do.

Hats off to Justine Telfer (the heart, brain and all round wizard behind MixTape Zine) will be having some giveaways and blogging 3 times a week on the mixtape blog, "writing weekly posts for Living Creatively and Whip up." So check in often.

What a way to start the week...color, craft and creativity...feels sooo good.

Marg (soaring high today and loving the view)

PRE- ORDER CRAFTY GOODNESS!

Issue 9 of MixTape - the hip, crafty, eco-friendly craft mag. (in case you've been in the knitting cave a long time and missed the news) is out June 1,2009 folks and it's time to make a mad dash to pre-order your issue today!

Cover Image Lisa Solomon lisasolomon.com

Here are some of the contributors, including myself, (Crafting from the Heart) that you will enjoy in this issue.

"Craftism Handmade Help Selvedge Queen: Jodie Carleton Crafty Lady: Kitty Speer (kittyskaboodle.blogspot.com) and a WICKED pull out poster designed by Black Pio."

Please don't miss out on this COLOR issue. There's something for everyone- crafting of all kinds, and it's some serious eye candy for those of us who admire great graphics...and I know you do.

Back to your regularly scheduled creative activities...

Marg (daydreaming of crafting in COLOR)

GOT GREEN?

Tryin' to go green with your yarn and need the 411 scoop. Have I got a site for you! Visit GREEN KNITTER for info on fibers and resources to help a knitter or crocheter through the organic/eco-friendly maze. The Green Yarns by Fiber Chart was so helpful to me, so please be sure and check it out if you have a doubt about the fiber you're using.

NEW STUFF DEPARTMENT

The Knit 1 for the Road website fairy (me) has been working diligently on the FAQ page and Fun Sites for Knitters and the GALLERY for your Knit 1 for the Road creations and Charity Projects made by you for any of the charites on my Charity page, so please stop by.

Fall Savings Time on margknittinaround on Etsy!

Knit-Share-Go! frrrrrrm Tally Ho!

Marg

Farmer's Market Bag Rocks!

Happy Wed - Ghost Hunter's is on tonight - heehee.

Wanted to share what's been on my needle - I whipped up this cute modified Farmer's Market Bag #19 from VickieHowell.com. The yarn is Craft (Candi) from the Vickie Howell Collection, SWTC Soysilk. Very eco-friendly :)

Loved crocheting this pattern that I had to make another one-added some trim laying around that I've been dying to use on a project as embellishment & voila the scheherazade farmer's market bag! Guess I've been doing too many late night projects again - don't forget to embellish from time to time-it's good for the creative diva that lives in all of us!

Marg