HAPPY NEW YEAR ETC

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE,

Its been a really great year for me. The release of two new books, HOOKED FOR TODDLERS and PLUS SIZE CROCHET, and several designs appearing in other publications, one even made a cover, WOW! 

PLUS SIZE CROCHET, only released on November 1st, is already in a second printing.  As if this were not enough, I recently completed a knitting  book, and have already started another (contents of these 2 still under wraps).  The latest two will be number 7 and 8 for Creative Publishing International, and all in a little under 3 years. 





All of this has come about through the amazing tool in our life called The Internet.  Six or Seven years ago my son dragged me kicking and screaming into the new century (his words).  He bought me a computer as a Christmas Gift, made a web page for me, patiently walked me through the learning stage and soon I was off and running (well maybe not running, I still stumble a lot).

 An editor from CPI found me through my web page, a fact which I still find unbelievable. 

Having my work recognized is only a part of the Internet experience.  The network of friends that I have made all over the world is priceless.  Even more amazing is that I have had the privilege of meeting so many of them in person.  Not only in several different states but in Australia and England.  My knitting and crocheting have taken me on many amazing journeys.

Through the International Free Form Group, which is a group of the most talented fiber artists,  from at least 14 countries and maybe more, I have made so many friends.  One of my friends, Mayra Nieves-Bekele, is a most gifted free former and makes the most wonderful jewelry.  I met Mayra about 2 years ago on a trip to California, and I felt as if I had known her forever.  Last September, we met again while attending the Knit/Crochet conference in Oakland, and every night, Mayra was wearing a different one of her very unusual,  magnificent creations.

One of her pieces was just accepted into the Palos Verdes Art Center Show
and we received this e-mail from Mayra.  If you want to give yourself a treat visit Mayra's flickr page.  Mayra, we'll all join in that HAPPY DANCE, congratulations to you.

Hello everyone,
I am soooooooooo excited because one of my jewelry pieces was just accepted
into the Palos Verdes Art Center Show.

You can see a photo of the piece that was accepted (Caramel and
Butterscotch) on my flicker page:
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/15617834@N04/

*I hope you will join me in doing the HAPPY
DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Keep Safe  Everyone

Margaret

Happy Holidays etc

Good Morning Everyone,

I love Holidays and all the hustle and bustle that goes with them, but
I am tired this morning.  I spent Christmas day with half my family.  As
the family grows,  it does get harder and harder to get everyone
together under one roof, but it will happen on Thursday, all my children
and grandchildren will be here, and for me, that will be my best gift
of all.

When I went on line this morning, Eve, a member of the free form list
posted a link to a blog entry, that in turn posted two interesting links .
 I had such fun going through the doily  one, but they are both great links.   

Enjoy, and have a great day.

Margaret
 
http://whipup.net/2007/12/26/doily-fun/

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE,

ENJOY THE DAY!

margaret

Nicky Epstein's New Book

Happy Hectic Holiday Week Everyone,

I am trying to wind up so many loose ends at the same time, that I am
becoming hopelessly entangled.  Yarn or partially finished garments
are covering every available space in my house. 

We have had so much snow, that my shopping time was seriously curtailed, so you would think that I had time to finish all this stuff.

I did make some inroads, I finished going over my latest manuscript with my eagle eyed editor (thank goodness, she catches so many little errors). I delivered the first projects for my newest book, even managed to wrap the few gifts that I bought already, but still so much to do. 

In the midst of all this activity, I got a wonderful surprise in the mail.  Nicky Epstein's newest book, CROCHETED FLOWERS.  Nicky and I found ourselves sitting right across the aisle from each other on a trip home from CA.  Nicky was trying out a new yarn making flowers for the new book.  She handed me some of the yarn and asked me to "play" with her.  She really liked what I did and asked if she could use it in
the book, so of course I said yes.  Nicky promised to send me a book.
When I opened the package, not only did I get the flower book, but Nicky also sent me a copy of COVER UP WITH NICKY EPSTEIN.  This is a collection of the most beautiful afghans that I have ever seen.  They are truly magnificent works of art. Thank you Nicky.

As if this were not enough, Nicky named one of the flowers
St. Margaret's Flower and mentioned me in the acknowledgments.
What a day brightener.



Have a very Merry,

Margaret

Meeting of HHCC Dec 7th 2007

Good Morning Everyone,

Its been so long since I posted because aol has been giving me
problems about adding an entry to my journal.  In fact aol has
been giving me lots of problem with e-mail, their changes, etc.

At the last meeting of the Happily Hooked on Crochet Club, we
had the pleasure of hosting Lily Chin.  Lily is always fun and
very informative.  We got to see and model some fashions from
her newest book, Couture Crochet Workshop and it was wonderful. 

We had tasty refreshments, goody bags and door prizes for
all.  What a great meeting!



Here's Lily describing her work to a rapt audience.




Our youngest member busy at work.






Lily modeling her creations.





Wow, one size really does fit all!



Lily explaining the fine points of design.




Mini Dee, Dee, Lily and Me.





 Lily and Me.

Have a great day!

Margaret

NEW BOOK BY JEAN LEINHAUSER

Good Evening Everyone,

It is icy and cold here tonight and a freezing rain is falling, the surrounding woods look like a fairy land.  Every tree branch is coated with ice.  It is beautiful to look at, but treacherous for walking or driving.  Its the kind of night to light the fire and stay indoors, at least until the ice melts, if you can. 

On Friday, I received a copy of a new book by Jean Leinhauser, which I think will become a classic for every needleworker's library.  I did not get a chance to look at it till last night but the book is a complete collection of crocheted embellishments that are sure to add a special touch to crocheted or knitted projects.  There is a wide variety of colorful borders and decorative bands, dimensional flowers, from life-like roses to dainty daisies, elegant tassels, all types of fringes, versatile cords and braids, ruffles and curls, and more.  The life size photos of each piece are terrific. 

I love embellishing crochet and knit, and I have done several workshops and designs using this method.  Any one who likes to add special touches to their work will love this book.  It is available in local yarn shops, leisurearts.com or amazon.com



I'm not terrific at photographing books, but I wanted to show you the beautiful cover.  I love flowers, and any one who knows my work, already knows this.  Just looking at the cover makes me happy. 

Have a good evening

Margaret

ps, I wrote this entry last night and for some reason, it did not appear till this morning, I don't know what I did wrong and I don't want to do it all over again, so I am adding this ps.

Felted Bags

Good Morning Everyone,

Remember a few weeks ago, THE HAPPILY HOOKED ON CROCHET CHAPTER of CGOA, celebrated our 6th anniversary, with a party and a mini workshop on felted bags.

Dee http://crochetwithdee.com sent me some photos of finished bags that members brought to the next meeting.  I put those photos on hold and totally forgot about them, so I would like to share them with you now.

The purple one was done by Ann, the multi pink by Karen, and the single rose by Dee.  Don't they look great?



I missed the meeting, so I really appreciated Dee sending me the photos.  I did get to attend the Christmas luncheon, and hope to attend the meeting this coming Sunday.

Have a great day!

Margaret

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