Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Good Morning Everyone,

I want to wish everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas, and everyone a healthy and happy New Year.

Made all my deadlines, just firming up some instructions, so I will be able to have a great Christmas with my family. Even managed to get some baking done. In addition to my traditional treats, I tried making "melted snowman cookies". I saw them on line and thought the kids would enjoy them, it was fun but time consuming.

I have had a very busy year and a productive one, not much time for blogging, but it is so good to be busy. I will be teaching at the CGOA conference in MN and I will be part of Professional Development day at both conferences. I will also be teaching at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival this year.

I always resolve to try to blog more in the new year, and the time always goes flying by, so no more promises. I'll blog when I can, and when I have something interesting to say about knitting and crocheting, meanwhile thank you all for your support and friendship, I cherish it.

Happy Holidays

Margaret

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,

I had a very eventful week, my jacket made the cover of CROCHET! magazine and also editors choice, I also received my copy of my newest book Learn to Free-Form crochet from Annie's Attic.

As if that was not enough, I was asked to submit proposals to teach at The New York Sheep and Wool Festival next year.

I'm in the midst of baking for Thanksgiving, just wanted to take a moment to wish you all many blessings. My cup runneth over.

Have a great day

Margaret

Cowls, and More Cowls

Good Morning Everyone,

My blog has been playing tricks on me. I have been invited to post on the blog that Vashti Braha has set up just for Cowls. For some reason, every time that I post on my blog, it goes over to Vashti's blog. We are trying to resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, if you would like to check out that blog and see all the beautiful cowls, go to

http://www.crochetcowls.blogspot.com

Have a great day

Margaret

STITCHES EAST HARTFORD, CT

Good Morning Everyone,

I had a fantastic day yesterday. Spent the beautiful, crisp fall day, driving to Connecticut to attend the fantastic Stitches East event. My friend Carol (who also volunteered at the Warm Up America Booth), drove, so I was able to relax and enjoy the ride.

So many people, huge variety of vendors, yarn, yarn and more yarn. I went to do a book signing and to volunteer at the Warm Up America booth, so my time was limited. Meeting so many old friends, and making lots of new friends is always so special (hugs, hugs and more hugs). I was able to have a few hours and a quick lunch with my dear friend Myra Wood. Myra is a walking inspiration to knitters and crocheters. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me when I met Myra, but Myra looked sensational in one of her embellished knit tops. They do not encourage photo taking at Stitches, but I was able to take a few at The Elegant Ewe Booth (with Marci's permission). I had the delightful experience of meeting Stitchy McYarnpants a.k.a Debbie Brisson and her co-author, Caro Sheridan www.McYarnpants.com www.splityarn.com

They were there signing their new book KNITTING IT OLD SCHOOL. Such fun meeting both of them (first photo, that's Debbie on the left, me and Caro).

Met so many old friends, too numerous to name everyone, met some friends previously known only on the internet, re-connected with friends recently made in NH at Chain Link, such a great day, my face hurt from smiling and laughing so much.

I was so tired by day's end, and really started to wilt by the time we got home, but what a great day, I loved every minute of it.

Enjoy Halloween Everyone

Margaret

Good Morning Everyone,

Finally beginning to see the light after a very busy month. Mailed out two projects on Friday, one more yesterday, and one going in the mail today. One more (almost done) hopefully out tomorrow. I will then be able to concentrate totally on the new book. I love being busy, but the past two weeks have been a little over the top of "busy", and I am glad that they are behind me.

On Sat, Oct 30, I will be at Stitches East in Hartford, CT doing a book signing at the Elegant Ewe booth. If you are in the area, stop by and say "hi".

Two weeks ago, I attended a family gathering and one of my nieces told me that she would really like to get back into crocheting (she had learned many years ago). She needed something to do, to help her relax. I happened to have a scarf with me, that I had just started on the drive to the gathering. I went out to the car and brought it in. Right in the middle of all the fun going on around us, I gave Mary Anne a brush up lesson. Before long her sister, Anita, was looking over our shoulder, becoming very fascinated with the whole thing. I sent Mary Anne home with my hook and yarn, next day mailed her another skein, and about a week later she sent me photos of herself wearing the scarf AND a matching hat. "Way to go" Mary Anne. A few days later Anita called to thank me, Mary Anne was teaching her also. Any day now I expect to get photos from Anita too. Each one teach two, that's the motto of The Crochet Guild of America. So proud of my nieces.

Have a great day

Margaret

Big Apple Knitters Guild

Happy Sunday Everyone.,

I had a lovely day yesterday, attending the Big Apple Knitting Guild's annual luncheon in NYC.
What a great event it was. A huge crowd gathered in a lovely restaurant right in midtown Manhattan for lots of fiber fun, greeting friends, great food and wonderful guest speakers.

Iris and Elliot Schreier of Artyarns artyarns.com, gave a wonderful presentation of their yarns and a fashion show of some of their items. All volunteers for the fashion show got a fabulous skein of yarn as thanks, mine was a scrumptious skein of Silk Rhapsody, 50% silk, 50% kid mohair, and it is so very soft, cannot wait to try it. Every item that Iris presented was greeted with such enthusiasm, each one more beautiful than the one before it.

In addition to the Artyarns fashion show, members had the opportunity to have their own fashion show. The fashions were so outstanding that Iris had a hard job picking a winner. She first narrowed it down to 7, then could not decide between the top 3, so lots of prizes were given out. My camera is not the best at distance at all, but I managed to get some photos.
The first one is of me, modeling one of Artyarns popular "little" pieces, easy to make and fun to wear. The next 3 photos are from the members fashion show, next is a photo of Marie Stewart, owner of the Yarn Box, in Pawling, NY and her sister Frances, who often helps out in the shop. (my local yarn shop, and many of the Big Apple Knitters visit the shop often). In the last photo, you can see Iris, to the left in back, trying to organize the fashion show. Sorry I did not get a better photo of Iris and Elliot, but the ones I took were so dark, they just didn't work.

There was a huge list of vendors who contributed gifts for the event, and every attendee got a door prize. Mine was a whole bag of Ethno Yarn, 85% wool, 15% Nylon, and a pair of Tulip bamboo knitting needles. This is a cuddly, poodle type yarn that will make a great jacket. In addition there was a goody bag at each seat, that contained more yarn and books. Sure did feel like Christmas. Thanks Raye Schwartz, president of BAKG. Special accolades to Helene Young, chairperson, and her committee, Gladys Melchior,Rosa Gentile and Janet Kelly! Brilliant job Big Apple Knitters.

Have a wonderful day

Margaret

New Books, designs etc

Happy Saturday Everyone,

Candy P, sent me a photo of her bag weeks ago, but I am just getting around to posting it. Candy took my Free Form Knitting/Crochet class, in NH, and is fast becoming a great free former. Candy is working very hard starting up a new CGOA chapter in Poughkeepsie, NY, if you are anywhere in the area, you can contact Candy here; dochevita@gonowmail.com

Weeks go flying by, but things are getting done. I submitted my class proposals for both upcoming conferences in 2011. I've submitted classes in both knitting and crochet, so hopefully I will be there teaching. If not teaching, I plan on attending any way, because conference are such great fun.

I am well into my new book, constantly creating, sketching, ordering yarn, oh, and doing a lot of crocheting too. This week I also finished a project due Oct 15th, well finished the project, not the instructions, that's the hard part. Yesterday I had news of another design acceptance for a great magazine, love that a lot. Yarn arriving daily for new projects, such fun.

This very interesting article was posted on the international freeform group this morning, thought I'd share it with you, http://magazine.wsj.com/features/phenomenon-features/a-gripping-yarn/

Don't forget to check out the new book Crochet Master Class by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss, that I told you about last week. Due out December 7th, it is available for pre order on amazon, and it is fast climbing up the list of the top 100 crochet books. It was number 3 when I checked a few minutes ago.

Forgot to add, check out both my new books, The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting and the Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, both available on amazon.com

Have a great weekend everyone

Margaret

Great New Book

Hi Everyone,

I hope that you had a great weekend. I had a great time, beautiful weather, family and friends, what could be better. Sorry to see summer coming to an end, I love the warm weather.

I was searching amazon for new book titles and I was really excited to see this book on the list. CROCHET MASTER CLASS, is the creation of Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss, and I cannot wait to see it. Jean and Rita have been working on this book for awhile and I know that it will be worth the wait.

It is available for pre-order on amazon.com, but will not be out till around December 7th. Just in time to add it to your wish list or for gift giving. Jean and Rita have brought together the most amazing list of crocheters and I am honored to be included. I will be getting an advance copy to review and as soon as it appears I will be telling you more about it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Margaret

Happy Labor Day Weekend

Good Morning Everyone,

Best intentions and all that good stuff. I find it so hard to find the time to blog, but last night I finished a project that did not go well (ended up well though), so I decided to celebrate by wishing everyone a great holiday weekend.

I had an interesting, happy week. I was able to do a really nice thing for someone who I really like a lot, and who is really a very nice person AND I was able to complete the design that was giving me grief because I ran out of yarn, causing me to miss my deadline. If that was not enough, I received great compliments about my new Free Form book from Annie's Attic, that will be out soon.

I also attended our chapter's Coffee and Chat on Wednesday morning, and had lots of laughs.

http://thehhcc.blogspot.com/2010/09/most-expensive-ball-of-yarn.html

If I am sounding a little rambling this morning, blame it on the heat, it is already 85 and climbing.

Weeks ago, one of my students sent me a photo of her free form bag, that she completed after attending my workshop. I always love posting photos that I receive from students, so here is Joyce B's bag. Bag looks gorgeous back and front, great job Joyce. I love the way each student's bag looks so different, even though they all receive the same instructions.

Have a great weekend

Margaret

Crochet Fun

Good Morning Everyone,

About 2 weeks ago, I walked into my local yarn shop, The Yarn Box in Pawling, NY, and Marie introduced me to two women who had driven over to the shop from Newburgh, NY. They had heard about the shop through an article in Interweave Crochet. Gwen Blakely Kinsler, founder of The Crochet Guild of America, had interviewed me for the article, and I happened to mention my local shop. We had such a lovely visit, and in the course of the afternoon the women invited me to visit their crochet group. They meet on a Wednesday night in a Barnes and Noble in Newburgh, and on this past Wednesday I did take them up on their invitation.

We had such a delightful time, lots of show and tell, lots of laughs, and lots of book signings. Talk about loyal fans, just look at all my books that they own, they really made me feel welcome. My daughter and grand daughter were with me and my grand daughter commented to her mom, that she didn't know that I was so "famous" :-)

Have a great day

Margaret

HANDS

Good Morning Everyone,

In spite of all my promises to post more often, somehow weeks go by before I can find the time to post here.

I get lovely letters from readers, I get pictures of projects, which I promise to blog about, and they sit in a folder for weeks.

This week, I have been thinking about hands, and I thought this is definitely food for a blog post.

In my very first book, on the inside cover page, I wrote "God gave me my hands, they are my life". When you think about all the things our hands can do, it is truly remarkable.

Doing that first book was awesome for me, and I could not believe that my Mother and I, made all the projects in the book with our own two hands. My mother taught me to knit, yet she was always telling me that I went far beyond what she taught me. She was the first person who told me that I had "golden hands" and that it was a gift. I have always appreciated the gift and never take it for granted. I never tire of seeing one of my designs in a magazine, or a new book released. It is always exciting for me.

I have been teaching a lot of crochet in the past few weeks, at the conference and in my classes. As I watch people's hands, how some find it so easy to master the stitches, how some struggle but finally make their fingers work. Every one holds the hook in a slightly different way, but the end result is the same. I love teaching others to knit and crochet, its my favorite thing to do. I love the look on their faces when they "get it".

My book THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO CROCHET, has been very well received, so thank you all.




THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO KNITTING is out now also, being released at the beginning of July.

The first 2 photos are photos of a sweater that Donna sent. Donna made the sweater for her daughters pre school graduation, designing the sweater herself using the Complete Photo Guide.
Third is bag that Lynn sent. Lynn made the bag from one free form motif, repeated over and over, great job Lynn. More photos from the auction, my Adam and Eve hat, donated for auction at the conference, with the winner (any one know her name?). Other photo is Auction Winner, my friend and fellow author, Phyllis Sandford, last years Grand Prize Winner, Renee Barnes, wearing her fantastic dress, and me.

Have a great day, take care of your hands!

Margaret

MORE ON KNIT/CROCHET CONFERENCE

Good Morning Everyone,

I just found a whole bunch of photos from the conference that I had downloaded to the computer, forgot to label, and totally forgot about. I took photos in all my classes, at the Caron after hours party and more at the banquet. I cannot give you all the names but I hope that you enjoy the photos. I am sure that you will recognize a lot of familiar faces.

The first photo is the Offinger crew, working hard to make sure all goes smoothly. The Caron Dance Party photos speak for themselves, everyone having fun. The photos of my happy, energetic, inspiring students, I love teaching best of all.

Have a great day,

Margart

Trying Again

Hi again, I am trying to add conference photos, blogger not cooperating this morning. Wouldn't you know it, the one day that I have time to do this :-)

I think its working now. The first photo is a photo of my hat, titled Adam and Eve, that was donated for the auction. My photo is not that great so you have to look carefully to see Adam, Eve, (with an apple in her hand) and the serpent, far left you can see the forked tongue.

Next photos are, Me with Maire Treanor, from Ireland, author of Clones Lace, and Vashti Braha, another great designer. There's me again with Susan Huxley. I met Susan at my very first CGOA conference and took a class with Susan and her husband Bob, on photographing your work. Great Class. If you look to the right that's my friend Phyllis Sandford, another author and designer. More banquet photos, me and Irene Ianelli, more banquet.

I think that's all the photos that I have to share.

Have a great day

Margaret