Create, Restyle, Get Your Fashion On!

It's summer, and time for a little restyle with CraftStylish Magazine. You don't have to sew to love this mag - it's knit and crochet friendly, as well. There are plenty of projects to choose from that will help you reuse materials and restyle your wardrobe and/or home. Two of my favs are the Recycled Wrap Skirt which is a project made from strips of T-shirts and Knit Knack, a project to felt an old sweater and create a cropped vest. Do stop by Craftsylish.com and check out all the new crafting ideas, patterns and articles. There is something for every crafter here. You can also set up your own gallery and receive their newsletter.

Moving on to a little slice of life...as we know,needleworkers come in all shapes, sizes and genders. Over the weekend, I encountered an avid needleworker and employee in Home Depot while we were getting a refresher demo regarding leveling and tying off some blinds. Our demo guy - we'll call him Mr. J- said he used one of his many crochet hooks to catch and pull the cord through. My husband and I exchanged that "omg!" look and smiled. We knew where this was headed. Now I know more men are into needlearts - hooray! but this caught me off guard because he has been our go-to dude for two years (as he is also known as the Google of the store) and the subject never came up. We had a delightful conversation about how he began his needlework in the hospital as a small boy and moved on to when he was in college, he saved the day when a costume designer needed tatting for a dress. Way to go Mr. J!

Marg (never overlooking the potential to be pleasantly surprised again)

Molly & Marg at ObservatoryPark concert last weekend.

MEET Etsian LolaLynn!

DOTTY, the LUVBUG - Hand Embellished ACEO

EMERALD KITTY - Hand Embellished 5x7 Print

Kopper Kitty - Hand embellished 5x7 print

Today, we have a very special Etsian Interview! Lynn Hanousek's passion for art, animals, recycling, and charity are all combined to bring smiles to everyone who visit her shop LolaLynn on Etsy. There, you will find hand embellished prints. painting, and handmade jewelry made with colorful seaglass! There's another special element to her shop that really caught my eye...a 10% donation of designated items will go to one of the following: EFA's (Etsy for Animals)charity of the month, EFC's (Etsy for Charity)charity of the month or AWBAR (Abandoned Wildlife Babies Animal Rescue). Buckle up! Hold on tight to your needlework and pets as we head to LolaLynn Land!

Q. Welcome Lynn! Please tell us about your love for animals and how you’ve incorporated that passion in your shop.

A. Thank you Margaret for your great questions and an opportunity to share. Animals have always been a part of my life. Dogs when a child; cats as an adult. Once it was known that Bill and I were cat lovers, cats and kittens began to appear on our front porch. While living in Brooklyn, we estimate that we found homes for 36 cats and kittens. Of course, several joined our human family of 5 and when we moved to Manhattan, 7 cats came along. In recent years we've become the guardians of 5 adult cats whose humans have gone before them over the rainbow bridge. Our cat family has always been an inspiration to me and many of the artwork in my shop features our cats and those of our extended family. I write about how they inspire my works very often in my blog.

Q. I see that you donate a percentage of your profits to help animals and offer the ACEO Baker's Dozen Club to customers. How did you come up with these ideas?

A. In my early Etsy days, I found a post in the forums from a fellow artist asking for animal lovers to join her street team, Etsy for Animals (EFA). Michele (aka mvegan5) proposed we sponsor a different animal charity every month with a percentage of the sales from our shops. It was totally up to each of us how much we would donate. I joined and became an active particpant by donating 10%, sometimes more, of my sales to the charity of the month and by coordinating EFA's monthly challenges. In 2008 Etsy for Animals raised over $19,000 for a wide variety of animal causes and charities. I'm so glad I found Michele's post. I stated making ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) with some of my EFA friends . These minature works of art (always 2.5" by 3.5") sold quite well when I started to post them. A number of people bought more than one and I wanted to do something special for collectors, so I started the "ACEO Baker's Dozen Club." With the purchase of the 12th ACEO, the 13th will be free plus members will receive 20% off the purchase of other items in my shop. I named it the Baker's Dozen as a tribute to my grandparents, Arthur and Amelia Baker, who encouraged my creativity when I was a child.

Q. What an inspiring story, Lynn. One of my favorite things about your shop is that it offers affordable, artistic, colorful items and your feedback is incredible! How do you balance being a creative artist and innovative business owner?

A. I believe that God has endowed each one of us with gifts and talents. When we don't use them its wasteful and to our own detriment. For years I always felt that something was missing from my life. I had everything I needed and was generally a very happy person, but something kept nagging at me. In an epiphany I realized it had been a long time since I had enabled the spirit of creativity to flow through me. I redirected my life to include times devoted to the creative arts and I felt energized. It's not a balancing act for me - I must create to be true to myself and the gifts I've been given. It doesn't seem logical but becoming a "business owner" was just the next step. When I started making wire wrapped rings, my daughter would wear them to work and sell them off her fingers. After I had several bags filled with rings, my kids told me I should open an Etsy shop. Its actually a great arrangement. Others like my work and are willing to pay for it and I get to donate to animal charities and buy more supplies.

Q. Lynn, I have to say, since you are the proud human of fabulous cats, your hand embellished cat prints are noticeably wonderful and whimsical…and we all want to know what’s next for LolaLynn’s shop?

A. Over the years, many fabulous cats have been a part of our lives. We recently lost, Dotty, our beautiful white, fluffy kitty with expressive blue eyes. She inspired one of my first ACEOs. It turned out to be so much fun that I started featuring our other cats. My best selling cat image, however, is "Emerald Kitty" which is an abstract line drawing. Sophia, our "orange girl", inspired "Emerald Kitty's" companion piece "Kopper Kitty." Sophia is always in my face when I sit down to create, so I declared her my "assistant" and she has appeared as my Etsy avatar from time to time. Its been such a busy year for me that I haven't painted any new ACEOs for a while. I dearly hope to add to the collection over the summer. I also have plans to expand and upgrade my "Urban Sea Glass" line to include items made with sterling silver. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because we're expecting a new grandchild within the next few weeks and as my regular blog followers know, I'm as much into our grandkiddiess as we are into our grand kitties!

Thanks again Lynn for sharing your inspiring story and creative process with us. We look forward to seeing more artwork, jewelry and inspiration from you and your shop, LolaLynn.

Please visit these sites for more information.

http://lolalynn.etsy.com/

http://lolalynn.blogspot.com/ http://efaartistshelpinganimals.org/charities.htm http://efaartistshelpinganimals.blogspot.com/

Knitwear Adventures Ahead!

We just returned from seeing the movie UP and I was thrilled to see knitwear on some of the characters. You will see knitwear on young Ellie and Carl, and the adventurer Charles Muntz. This movie is great for big kids as well as the little ones, so I hope you go see this one and soak up the knitty adventure.

Need a quick parental review? Check it here.

Have a wonderful adventure this weekend.

Marg (I'll be dreaming in 3D miniature tonight)

Looking for the unusual?

Often I bring you the knitty, the knitworthy, and the fiberlicious. Today, my indie side brings you the unusual, the odd, and the whimsical. If you're looking for the same...




Boy do I have a magazine for you! The Odd Mind Magazine Spring/Summer 2009 Edition , The Voice of the Independent Author/Artists,

is now available on Amazon! In this edition, you'll discover talented authors, articles, poetry, photography and more by incredibly inspiring indie artists and writers. If you're looking for summer reading, this is a great place to start. This issue is jampacked - 136 pages! Look for Knit 1 for the Road on page 5.

Congrats to:

Editor In Chief Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc

Lead Editor, Ann B. Keller

Editor and Promotions, Yvonne Mason

Lesa Trapp, Founder and CEO

TG Reaper, BookReviews

Alan Draven,Book Reviews

Mark Lewis, Photography

Melissa Greene, Graphics and Logos

Bravo!

Marg (embracing the odd and celebrating the indie)

Ripple effect of charity knitting and crocheting

Caps made with double strand of KnitPicks Crayon pima cotton.

Hearts of Love is still going strong on Ravelry.com. The act of creating a beautiful cap or any other charity project for someone in need comes directly from your hearts and hands and touches another person's life in ways we may never know. It also helps us in ways we may not realize. When we open our hearts with love, our whole lives change. Difficult tasks become easier, problems seem to resolve themselves, and we inspire others with our open hearts.

It's midweek and a great time to feel, see, and create the ripple of love and gratitude.

If you would like to learn more about Hearts of Love, their projects and founder, Teresita Valadez, you can click here. On Ravelry? Join us for some gratitude knitting and crocheting.

Marg (feeling the ripples of love and gratitude)

Yarnie Sighting!

Knitters Connection was filled with fun, fibers, and information for all those who seek knitty knowledge and a yarnie community. This is event is sponsored by Knitters Mercantile and is one of my favorite events because it's indoors and well organized. There are also fabulous restuarants for every budget in walking distance in downtown Columbus OH.

Lots of new vendors this year - with product demos and the Rowan 30th Anniversary Exhibition debut - great classes and speakers - the works! Visit their site for a list of the vendors that attended.

Some of the vendors I had a chance to speak with and visit were Charlie Cirigliano of The Nantucket Bagg Company (and you know I luv their bags from previous blogs), Lisa Gilman of Frontier Fiber Mill, Jennie Lanners (fabulous yarnie pottery), Lesley Weller of Fantail Fibres, Deb & Lynda Gemmell of Cabin Fever (love that name!) and the fabulous Chris Roosien of Briar Rose Fibers who is celebrating 5 years of business, and offered a discount if you brought a handmade hat to be given to charity. Very cool idea.

Congratulations to all who participated and attended for another fiberfestivus of an event.

Mark your calendars for next year!

Marg (actually stuck to my budget this year)

Monk Moment Monday

I know I promised to blog about the KnittersConnection today but I'm writing this with an icepack in one hand and a hefty dose of Benadryl in my system.

We had to go to the hospital to visit a friend, and I had a total allergy attack or blow up, if you prefer, walking through the parking lot - probably one of the trees or shrubs and the wind was blowing. Naturally, I whipped out the emergency Benadryl in my purse as soon as I realized the whole side of my face was swelling up. Always inconvenient, but especially when you're out in public.

What I didn't realize was what a germaphobe I'm becoming. There was construction so we had to take staff elevators which also double as - you guessed it - biohazard material container transport. We waited and waited and finally the elevator arrived with one of those containers, so of course I was like WHAAT? DANGER WILL ROBINSON... I don't think so, and fled for the stairs (which I probably should have done in the first place) ...and that my friends, was my first official Monk moment.

Regular knitty blogging will commence on Tuesday...Please press the G button to return to germaphobe.

Marg (wondering if you ever have Monk Mondays)

Daddy'o Day is here!

Celebrate!

Let's click our needles and hooks together for a crafty salute to Dad! Today is a great way to honor Dad in your own special way.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there. Enjoy your day.

Marg :) (remembering Dad's quirky sense of humor)

Creative vibes emanating from your screen in 3,2,1

Here's a site I know you will enjoy if you're crafty, know a crafty or want to be a crafty! Join in the fun with ILovetoCreate.com and discover crafting adventures for you and the family. There are tips, how-to classes, community, and crafting for every budget to inspire and share with your friends and family. Join in the monthly projects and learn about new products and trends from leaders in the crafting industry. You will also want to stop by AboutUs and learn about Erma Duncan, the creative talent that inspired the family business.

There's so much to this site that you will have to put aside your knitting and crochet and soak in the creative vibes emanating from your screen. Oh, and did I mention very user friendly?

That's right - it's ok to soak it up crafties - it's all about you! Go on with your creative selves and ride the wave of glitter, paint, and hours of fun. Need more? Grab your crafty fix on Twitter with updates, insights, and projects.

Marg (looking forward to a weekend of clicking on ILovetoCreate.com tabs)

Relaxing on the yarnie side of the moon...

Greets Knitty Peeps! We just returned from the Knitters Connection (more juicey details on Monday's blog)sat down to recover,and I saw that the Gillmore Girls Knitathon re-run was on, so of course I had to stop what I was doing to catch a few shots of knitted items, peppy and preppy knitting and that giaganitc ball of yarn at the entrance to the Knitathon. I just couldn't resist! A fitting yarnie end to a yarnfest of a day.

Enjoy the array of textures and warm colors from the fabulous folks in TV lands' StarsHollow on the Knitathon rerun.

Knit-Share-Go look for the gigantic yarnballs just waiting for you around the corner...yeah - over there at the corner of Stix Avenue and In the Round Blvd.

Marg (relaxing on the yarnie side of the moon)

Updates, Knitting Adventures and Going Square!

Update! Work in progress - Doris scarf from Vickie Howell (PopGoesCrochet) Scarf in the book is made with Tilli Tomas Rock Star. The one I'm making is with Yang-Joy from SWTC, also beaded.

DreamWeaver has the Kollage square metal straight AND circular needles. Buy them in sets or separately and be amazed by these easy on your hands knitting needles. Ergonomics is the name of the game with this product. I use the circular needles often and have really enjoyed the look, feel and ease of these needles. The Kollage site offers information (including gauge suggestions)and a full description for you on these amazing needles and I advise you to visit Way to go Kollage!

If you have read my blog on a regular basis, you know by now that I'm a big fan of the Knitter's Connection event. Well it's on! June 17-20.

Do go if you are in the Columbus OH area or want to take the journey there. Last year, I met so many wonderful vendors and blogged about them for months, I was so inspired. The event is indoors, great classes, well organized, a market to die for, friendly people and this year the featuire guestsVisit the site for the full blown scoop a roo on this classy event. The Rowan 30th Anniversary Exhibition of hand knitted garments will be there which will be the first time seen in North America. Preeetty cool and there's more! Sandi Wiseheart, editor of Knitting Daily will be there tonight for a special event. Visit the site for location, information, and vendors.

On Ravelry? You can visit the forum on KC2009.

Wherever you roam, try to incorporate a little knitting or crochet to your day.

Marg (on to the next knitting adventure!)

Shake, Stomp and Roll aha aha!

Today I'd like to share with you what's on my needles and hooks and my projects for the future.

Here are some crocheted caps I'm getting ready to send to

Knots-of-love.org made with KnitPicks Crayon and Caron Simply Soft yarn. These are very soft yarns that are great sleep caps for chemo patients and part of a stash of long forgotten projects.

Next, is my Doris scarf from Pop Goes Crochet by Vickie Howell. I'm using another yarn that I already had but is similar to what the project calls for. VickieHowell Blog. This project is new, yarn is fairly new, and this will definitely get made, probably more than once.

I also have a couple of LionBrand patterns that I will be working on when I can.

The Moderne Jacket

and the

Shaded Triangles Wrap.

Both are free patterns.

Most of us have projects hanging around waiting to be made. Hope this blog inspires you to reorganize, evaluate and jump on the time management train to happy knitting and crocheting this summer. Can't quite jump on that train yet? Try donating yarn and project sheets (a copy of course) that you've had forever and probably won't make. Try a swap with fellow crafters and discover a project that you will make right away.

Shake your knitty life up a little! Opportunities abound to make room for new creative adventures and share your love of crafting with others.

Marg(finally learning to shake it, stomp it and roll with the projects)

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.

What's in a color?

Today, I'm going to share with you some info I found on the psychology of color and some of the uses, experiments, and emotions connected to the colors we love and use every day. Don't you ever wonder what draws you to a certain colorway or wonder why people choose the colors they wear and surround themselves with? You may be responding to colors in your environment and not even be aware...or picking an outfit solely on your emotional need to absorb a certain color. Ever wonder about your yarn choices when you are mysteriously drawn across a crowded knitting store to one particular skein? - or maybe that's just me.

Check out this article from About.com and be sure to click on the different tabs on basics, theories and experiments - very insightful!
Color Psychology
How Colors Impact Moods, Feelings, and Behaviors
By Kendra Van Wagner, About.com

If you love gemstones and using color for healing than you will want to visit this site Crystal-Cure.com

I hope this colorful info gives you a fresh perspective on your color choices for life, yarn, and happiness.

Marg (Color me indigo!)

I've lost my comfort zone and I can't get up!

Every once in awhile I'm inspired to share a pep talk on this blog, so stay with me on this one.

Nothing ventured nothing gained, the old saying goes. Sometimes you just have to get out of your knitting, crocheting and crafting safety zone. Today, I'm encouraging you to leap out of your comfort zone and step into a new life, direction or technique with your creative process. This year I've been working on new directions for knit1fortheroad.com, writing, creating and exploring new materials and definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. So many of you have become my wonderful friends, inspiring voices in the dark and courageous examples of strong creative and giving crafters, readers, and indie artists.

We're half way through the year people, and it's time to check those resolutions, and check off all the "chicken" items on your list.

Keep on steppin' out, I'm right there with you!

Marg (got your back sister and mister knitsters!)

A Vote of Gratitude...

Christine Shively, the dynamic founder of Knots-of-Love.org has been nominated for Major League Baseball and People Magazine's “All Stars Among Us”. She needs our vote! Please click on the link to read about Christine and her incredible efforts to inspire knitters and crocheters to gather together in KOL community to bring joy to cancer patients across the country. Cast your vote for one of the most hardworking women in charity.

VOTE HERE! and Click on the "A" for Los Angeles Angels

Visit the website, and learn how you can get involved!

Vote On!

Marg

SweetPeaTotes is HERE today!

GRAB YOUR MOCHAS, DOUBLE LATTES AND HERBAL TEA CUPS...


sit back and relax...here comes some inspiration!

Where can you find one-of-a-kind handbags and accessories with fabulous fabric and excellent hardware? Sweet Pea Totes of course. Mary Miele is the brains and talent behind this incredible Etsy shop. Her products are fashionable, durable, and down right beautiful - and there's also great prices. There's definitely something for everyone - AND custom orders are available Hooray! Today Mary, who has been sewing for many years, is going share with us how her passion for sewing led to the creation of a successful shop in our first 2009 Knit1fortheroad Summer Etsy Interview Series. Take it away Mary!

Q. Mary, thanks so much for taking time out for today’s interview. I see that you’ve been sewing for many years. Who gave you that first lesson and how did your passion for sewing and construction grow into your Etsy business?

A. I took home economics in high school and we were able to make anything we wanted for our first project. I chose to make a jacket, and my teacher was really impressed with my sewing. For me, that class opened my eyes to the sewing world. I’ve made several quilts, dolls, curtains, girls’ clothes, and so much more between my teen years up until now.

I started making tote bags 5 ½ years ago because my daughters had grown up and no longer wanted handmade clothes. I am pretty proud of myself for going from making my first jacket to having my own handbag and pattern business.

I sold on ebay at first and did quite well. Then last year ebay’s fees went up and most of the designers and I left to sell on Etsy. I also have a website SweetPeaTotes.com .


Q. Your fabric choices are wonderful! Which comes first in your creative process, fabric or the design?

A. It’s either way. If I see fabric that I love then my design comes second, but most of the time I think of a new design first and I will venture out or go online and do a little fabric shopping.

Q. If you had one piece of advice for those out there thinking of starting a business on Etsy, what would it be?

A. My advice would be to look at what Etsy already has to offer and see if your craft would sell well. Also, make sure you have good photographs that do your products justice.

Q. Do you have any upcoming events, sales or information about yourself or the shop you’d like our readers to know?

A. Be on the lookout for new ebook patterns. I really enjoy making new designs and sharing the patterns with my customers so they have the chance to make it themselves. If I ever have anything new, you’ll be the first to know by keeping up with my blog SweatPeaTotes .

Thank you so much Mary for taking time out today to share with the readers your story and share you tips.

Visit these links for more on Mary and her designs:

SweetPeaTotes on Etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5418330

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS HERE! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetpea-totes-handbags

FOLLOW Mary's BLOG! http://www.sweetpeatotes.blogspot.com/

SPLASH of color for your knitwear!

Here's a chance to spruce up your summer wardrobe and knitwear with JUL Colors Shawl Pins with Rosewood Sticks. Wise fashionistas can choose from so many colors -Maroon, Crimson, Red, Banana, Green, Turquoise, Royal Blue, Black and Clear.

Ageless, fun and colorful!

Enjoy your Sunday and spread a splash of color through your world.

Marg (remembering the giant box of Crayola crayons from childhood)

IF YOU'RE ON ETSY...you may be an interview!

Hello Crafties...

Today, it's all about the Etsies! Summer wouldn't be complete without Etsy features on Knit1fortheroad. If you would like to feature your Etsy shop or know of an Etsy shop that is amazingly wonderful (and there are many!) please email me at knit1fortheroad@gmail.com. (you may have to copy and paste the email link) The features will include a picture of a product (your pick) shop info and 4 interview questions. Short and sweet but wonderfully received.

And as always, spammers, don't make me sorry I'm doing this and give me a big fat headache...I'm seriously not in the mood.

It's important to support our fellow crafties and spread the word about the handmade evolution and revolution that has spread worldwide, like hot cakes, Twitter and the Jonas Brothers. Kind of cool, don't you think?

Craft On and shoot me an email won't you? Let's spread some Etsy glitter and glam far and wide. Marg at large here, always searching for blog interviews that will rock your crafty world.

( Molly knows - No wallflower here)

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)

LOOKING FOR YOUR KNITCH?

Are you in a knitting rut? Looking for ideas and new trends in knitting? Try Knitch Magazine, the online fashion magazine for knitters....they offer free patterns...I thought that might grab your attention. It's a user friendly site and doesn't have so much advertising that you miss the articles. There's also a blog,Shear Bagatelle, that you can follow with the scoop on what's happening at YarnMarket, tips, info on yarn and a whole lot more knitting news.

This week, I hope you think knitting, read about knitting, and take your knitting with you wherever you roam.

Knit-Share-Go download a free pattern from Knitch!

Marg (always seeking the knitty)

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)