Monday, October 15, 2007

HAPPILY HOOKED ON CROCHET 6TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING

Happy Monday Morning Everyone,

Yesterday was a special day, the Happily Hooked on Crochet, CT chapter of CGOA, celebrated our 6th anniversary.  I joined the group shortly after they started, and it has been a fun time. 

The meeting was held at my home, and we had a mini workshop learning how to make cut felted flowers.  I learned the method from Nicky Epstein, who so graciously allows you to teach her method to others.  Nicky's books on trims, felted bags, and knitted and crochet embellishments, are such wonderful resources for every knitter and crocheter.

In addition to learning how to make the flowers, and lots food, Grace Gardiner, our president, arranged for a wonderful anniversary cake, and several door prizes.  We had a gift exchange and lots say fun and laughter.  What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful fall day.

Dee http://crochetwithdee.com
stayed after the meeting to help me with some computer stuff.  Dee is responsible for me becoming a blogger, sometimes I wonder if she is happy or sad to have created this monster :-)


Me and Ruth admiring the cake.





I have more photos, but no more time now,
more later, have a great day.

Margaret

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Coat of Many Scrumbles Book

Good Morning Everyone,

A few weeks ago, I told you about the COAT OF MANY SCRUMBLES.  This is a book, put together and published by Prudence Mapstone of Australia http://knotjustknitting.com
Last year our International Free Form group answered a challenge and  about 60 of us made a small scrumble or two, sent them to Prudence, and she put them together, creating the wonderful coat, plus several other garments.

The garments were shown recently at the TKGA/CGOA conference in Oakland, Ca. and caused quite a stir.  The book
has been reviewed for the CGOA newsletter and this is what the reviewer wrote;

Book Review by Lyn Robinson
 
 Coat of Many Scrumbles (or just stop worrying and sew the dang
things together)
 By Prudence Mapstone and 64 members of the International Freeform
Crochet Guild
 Published by Prudence Mapstone, Australia, 2007
 Distributed by Unicorn Books and Crafts, Inc
98 pages, $29.95, ISBN # 978-0-9580443-49

 I have never been much of a freeform crocheter. I usually rely on
 having my crochet lined up in nice neat rows – a place for every
stitch and a stitch in every place. That does not mean, however,
 that I don't appreciate the unique beauty of freeform, a beauty
which
 shows forth in this delightful little volume.
 
 The coat of many scrumbles is not a `how to' book for freeform
 crochet, nor is it a pattern book. Rather, the book chronicles the
 story of how an amazing freeform coat, shawl, scarf and umbrella
came
 to be -- from challenge to vision to construction process to final
 products. Created by freeformers from around the globe for Chain
Link
 2006, this project was a response from the International Freeform
 Crochet Guild to a challenge for local guilds to create something
 together as a group. Participants ranged from young children to
 retired school teachers, from sculptors and fiber artists and
freeform
 devotees to crocheters who had never tried freeform before.
 Photographs of the finished garments show off the richness of fiber,
 stitch, and color.
 
 As interesting as the story of the coat of many scrumbles is, there
 are two things which make this book truly special. First, the book
 highlights the contributions of those who participated in the
project
 with photographs of individual crocheter's scrumbles accompanied by
 their own words. Every crocheter has their own story to tell
about
 their crochet, how they learned it, what it means to them, their
 stumbling blocks, and their points of inspiration. I was given food
 for thought about my own crochet experiences through reading about
the
 meaning of this project, of crochet, and of freeform to the
 participants. I was struck by how poetic so many crocheters are –
 their words and art go hand in hand.
 
 Second, the theme of connection runs prominently throughout the
book
 -- the connection of crocheter to yarn, hook, and craft, of
 contributor to the project, of guild member to guild member, and
even
 of generation to generation. It is a testament to the creative
 process that we all share as part of the human family, well
 articulated and beautifully photographed.
 
 I found this book to be a gem. I have now read it five times.
Every
 page is a feast for the eye. Each time I read it, I find something
new and refreshing. It captivates me and inspires me to put my
neat
 little rows aside, to pick up hook and sumptuous yarn, and to allow
 spontaneity to take over.




I have the book available for sale, but I never got it listed on
my site, so if you are interested in buying it, you can contact me
at MHDesigner1@aol.com, for ordering instructions.

Have a great day

Margaret

Friday, October 5, 2007

Hooked for Toddlers

Happy Friday Everyone,

I still have some more photos from
 the conference, but its taking time
to get them all in, so I wanted to address
another subject today.

Someone asked me if I ever designed
toys or doll clothes or other things
beside fashion, and the answer is yes.
I will, from time to time, put up some
photos of things that I have done.

In my recent book - HOOKED FOR TODDLERS -
I have included a "me and my dolly" outfit for little girls.
 I have asked my publishers permission and they
said it was okay to show the photos on my blog.

My little granddaughter loves American Girl
dolls and I have made several outfits for her.


Here's the book and below are
some of the projects featured
inside.


Cool Stripes Toddler Sun Dress


Little waves jumper.

 The books can be
purchased on my web site
http://margarethubertoriginals.com

Have a great weekend!

Margaret

Thursday, October 4, 2007

More Fun in Oakland

Good Morning Everyone,

I guess that I went a little crazy with the
camera this time because I still have lots
of photos to share. 



Jennifer and me, clowning at the Free Formers
party.  Jen loves to tease me, and I can give it
right back to her :-)



Jennifer using her Isabelt http://isabelt.com
in a very innovative way!  Look closely at
her neckline.  If you love to laugh, spend some
time with Jen and Myra, your sides will ache.
Jennifer is the force behind http://stitchdiva.com
For some really great patterns check out her site.



Mayra just had to try on this coat.



Lang Anh in her beautiful jacket.



Darla Fanton and Bobbie Matela joining us
at the Free Formers Party.  Darla is a designer
and teacher, Bobbie is editor of Creative Knitting
Magazine.



Vashti, Doris, Myra and Marty, following
tradition and exchanging clothing after
the fashion show.  Can you tell that we were
partying again?


Margaret Fisher, Bill, Bonnie, and Lang Anh
enjoying the lounge and having fun.



Marty, Marilyn and Margaret F.

Have a great day,

Margaret


Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Friday Night Free Formers Party at the conference

Hi Everyone,

Friday night was a gathering of the International
Free Formers Group.  A great time was had by all.




Rita wearing her beautiful vintage Irish Crochet
Coat



Marilyn chatting with Mr. Settle (Susan's husband)



Myra, Brianna, and Jorel



Jacqui, Rita, Doris and ?



Mayra and Jennifer choosing some yarn at
the yarn exchange




Laurie and Bonnie and lots of yarn



Joyce, Laurie and Myra



Jacqui, showing Rita, Doris and Marty her
magnificent doilies. They are exquisite!
 


All of us who were able to be at the gathering.

Have a great evening, still more photos to come.

Margaret

MORE OAKLAND CONFERENCE

Good Morning Everyone,

The days just go flying by too quickly. Here
are some more photos from the conference.
First day of class, everyone's so busy
working on their free form bags.






Rita showing off her first scrumble!



Everyone looks happy at the end of class.



I had to get into the act.




Yesterday, Pat sent me a photo of her completed bag.  I
love it!  I want everyone to send me photos when they
get their bags done.

More Photos at the Free Form Booth

Myra, Bonnie and Me



Susan's Fabulous Family



Jacqui, Jorel, Myra, Lang Anh, Marilyn, Me

Still lots more to come!

Have a great day,

Margaret



Tuesday, October 2, 2007

HOME FROM THE CONFERENCE

Good Morning Everyone,

I am back home after a week at the
Knit and Crochet Conference in
 Oakland CA. 

It was such a great time, and I took tons
 of pictures.  I will add a few today,
and then continue adding some new
ones each day till I get them all in.

Shhh! Crocheters go wild!




Myra and friend going head to head with zebra caps!



Jorel, our freeformiest free former :-)
Isn't she beautiful?





Booth Sitters

Karen, Laurie, Marilyn, Myra and Jacqui in back,
Lang Anh, and me up front.
We made a colorul picture



Bead Knitting and wine do not mix!!!

More tomorrow, have a great day!

Margaret