Sunday, March 28, 2010

Free Form Crochet


Hi Everyone,

In the past few weeks, there has been a real renewed interest in Free Form Crochet.
My receiving the nomination of Best Free Form Designer, has resulted in an amazing number of visitors to my web site and also renewed sales for my free form books and DVD's. The Flamie awards are given out each year by the CLF and are the brainchild of Laurie Wheeler. Each year, Laurie devotes hours and hours of her time organizing this event. I Hope that you voted, results will be out soon, and everyone is waiting to see who won in each category.

Last week someone asked me how I began free forming. I made my first free form piece at least 25 years ago, and did not even know then, that it had a name.

When my son dragged me kicking and screaming into the new century by gifting me with a computer, a whole new world opened for me. I found an on line forum called Crochet Partners, and met an amazing group of people. Bonnie Pierce elegantcrochet.com a member of the group, wrote and asked me if I did free form. I sent her a picture of my work and she said "you do free form Margaret". Bonnie invited me to join THE INTERNATIONAL FREE FORM group, and my world exploded. Thanks Bonnie. Both Bonnie and I are still members of Crochet Partners and The International Free Form Group.

I thought I would share a photo of that first piece, which I still wear today.

Have a great evening,

Margaret

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Happy Thursday


Happy Thursday Everyone,

I really love my job, and I do not know what I love more, teaching, designing, or writing books. Sometimes,like this past week, when I have been playing "beat the clock" for a deadline. Trying to get a design finished, instructions written and package in the mail, its not quite so much fun. I hate being late with a project, and always get a little frantic at the end, but this morning I am DONE. Only need to address the package and take it to the post office, actually a week early.

Back to the fun stuff. One of the things that I really love, is when readers share photos of their finished projects with me. I have been doing this for a very long time,
and the connection that I feel with people, when they make something that I have designed is very special and never grows old.

The latest photo to be shared arrived in my mail yesterday, and it really was a day brightener, so thank you, Paula, for sharing. I hope Jim has many happy gold days (oops typo, meant to write golf) but I am going to leave it, I like gold days much better.

Have a great day

Margaret

PS Sweater is Versatile Golf Sweater from my book KNITS FOR MEN

Thursday, March 18, 2010

More Crochet Projects










































































Good Morning everyone,

The Happily Hooked on Crochet meeting on Sunday was so busy, I took so many pictures,that I did not get to post them all. Everyone really enjoyed Dee's (crochetwithdee.com) blocking demo.

Joan is working on a great little hat, and she is showing Carol the special stitch that she is using.

The Little crochet hook case made by Hinda, is from my book KNIT OR CROCHET - HAVE IT YOUR WAY.

Joan's hat turned out really great, and she added a flower which really finished it off nicely.

Forgot to mention, that in addition to our meeting, we always have great desserts. Someone always walks in carrying goodies for all to share.

Have a great day!

Margaret

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day











Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone,

I had a few very busy crochet filled days. On Sunday, I attended the monthly meeting of the Happily Hooked on Crochet Chapter of CGOA. It was a very busy meeting. One of our Founding members Dee >sent out a call for help and so many of our members responded. Dee's daughter is appearing in her schools production of Fiddler on the Roof, and Dee, somehow got volunteered to supply shawls for the cast members to wear. When she found out that she would need some 30 shawls, she reached out to our members for help. You can see the response in the photos. Aren't crocheters the greatest!

We always have "show and tell" and here a just a few of the photos, I'll post more in a day or so. Irene is dwarfed by the sweater that she made for the favorite man in her life. Cathy had a great idea, she is making motifs from my newest book (THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO CROCHET)using wool and a larger hook, then she plans on felting them to be used as coasters.

There were so many things going on, every one busily working on projects, sharing ideas and helping each other.

Dee then gave a demonstration on blocking, using blocking rods and steam, the members loved this and were eager to learn.

All in all, a great day.

Enjoy your day,

Margaret

Monday, March 15, 2010

New Issue Interweave Crochet


You can see a preview of the new issue of Spring, Interweave Crochet at
http://interweavecrochet.com/

My classic Devon Cardigan is one of the patterns, easy cardigan in sizes up to 2X.
Check out all the great styles in the magazine.

Margaret

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sunday Morning


Happy Sunday Morning Everyone,

My daughter finally sent me a photo of my grand daughter knitting my scarf. Nicole would not let her send it before she gave me the scarf, she did not want to spoil the surprise. She is really concentrating on getting those stitches just right. Love my scarf.

We had some wild weather around here yesterday. Heard a huge noise in the night but I was too afraid to go out and look. This morning, I see a huge tree down across my neighbors drive. Looks like it missed everything though.

I'm off to church, then going to our monthly meeting of the Happily Hooked on Crochet Group.

Have a great day

Margaret

Friday, March 12, 2010

Happy Weekend coming up


Good Afternoon Everyone. I realize that the days just go flying by and no blog post yet again
.
My daughter sent me a photo of my grand daughter with a quilt that she made for a school project. She is really turning into a crafty little person, already knitting and crocheting, now quilting. When I asked her if the teacher thought her mom helped her, she said that she showed the teacher all the little holes in her fingers from sewing!


I just received notice that I am nominated for the Best Free Form Crochet Designer on the Flamie Awards. Being honored for the second year, is very, very nice. As a result of the nomination, there has been a flurry of activity on my website, and some new orders for my Free Form Books and my Free Form DVD's, so thank you Laura and the Flamie Awards. Vote at http://www.surveymonkey.com/2010Flamies

Sunday is our Happily Hooked on Crochet Guild meeting. I am so looking forward to going,
as I missed last month due to illness. We are supposed to be getting lots of rain, but as long as it does not snow, I will get there.



Have a great weekend!

Margaret