Crafty, Spooky and Fun Roundup!

Halloween Mummy Pail from KidsCraftZone





Are you a Halloween geek? It'a ok, I love this time too. You're safe here. Embrace your spooky side and visit these sites chocked full of Halloween fun and celebration.

Party Down at Celebrations and let them help you create an spooktacular Halloween bash. (I know- I probably shouldn't have said spooktacular, but I couldn't resist). You'll find tips on costumes, haunted houses for adults, food & drinks, music and more. Check out PopCulture tab for what's hot on the Halloween Red Carpet.

Etsy, Etsy! Start here for all the season's most wonderful handmade items. Search by name, item, and discover sellers in your area!

Do you live in the kid zone? Check fun ideas for the kiddies at KidsCraftZone.



Need free Halloween knitting patterns? Check KnittingPatternCentral and LionBrand.






Crochet Crazy-Fun ahead at Crochet Pattern Central

AND

the motherload of various crafts for Hallween is at AllCrafts.net

Spook out!

Marg (enjoying the geekery of all things Halloweenie)




Boolicious Molly and me getting ready for trick or treaters last year.

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!

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)

KEEPING YOUR KNITTY ON THIS SUMMER WITH KNIT 1 FOR THE ROAD!

Many of us take a little break from knitting or crocheting...especially you busy Moms out there. During the summer, we tend to spend more time with the family and take vacations. Not to worry! You can listen to some fun and inspiring knit/crochet and crafting podcasts on your computer or ipod when you have the kids settled into an activity or if you are traveling (but please no earphones while driving!). They're great because they can be paused or replayed so you don't miss anything once peace returns. I listen to Knit Picks, Lion Brand, CRL (first series) and the Crafty Chica. There are many - your favorite yarn supplier online probably offers a podcast - check their sites for the podcast buttons. You can go online to a store like iTunes and click on the category (like knitting or hobbies) OR type in a specific name and download the free podcasts to your media player or ipod. Keep your ipod in a Knit 1 for the Road tote, ;) charged and ready to roll.

Another great way to stay knitty is to share your fabulous know how with others. Get a little one, tween or teen started on crochet or knitting. Check with local community centers, local yarn/craft stores or churches for a class for Mommy & Me or work on a project as a family. There are some great beginner kits and websites that have tips and ideas for teaching the ones you love. Keep it simple and fun! Include the kids in the creative process of choosing yarn colors (with your guidance of course). Use up that stash and make colorful scarves or coasters...the kids know what's cool and will have their own ideas! Keep it small ... Big needles are fun and colorful but can be hard for smaller children or beginners to use so keep the size to an US 8 or 10...bamboo keeps the yarn from slipping around and you can add their favorite pencil eraser to the top! Perhaps, with a little supervision, they could also bake them in colorful clay. ;) You may have a budding designer in your family!

GO POOLSIDE with your knitting. Check out portable, easy patterns in Knit 1 for the Road, perhaps? Check out my Etsy shop margknittinaround the book and additional patterns that are created with 100% cotton. I am working away on some more so stay tuned for new additions all summer! You can also go to my store on Cafe Press for fabulous apparel, totes, bags & more from Knit 1 for the Road!

Knit-Share-Go and enjoy your family time.

Marg

Now on Amazon, Etsy and Target!
Do You Twitter? Follow Knit 1 for the Road with daily updates.
or Go To the official book site for the scoop Knit1fortheRoad