Jacket day 2

Good Morning Everyone,

My yarn just arrived for my new project, so jacket may have to wait awhile. UPS apologized for the late delivery, he could not get up my hill. I understood perfectly, as I have not been able to get down my hill. Planning to venture out today for the first time.

Yesterday I worked on the sleeves of the jacket. I took pics of the sleeves in the works and I will go into more detail about using the Mokuba Free Lace. It is easier than other water solubles that I have used, but the sewing part is just about the same.

The first photo is the sleeves just pinned into body, as I have not finished sewing the body as yet. Second photo shows sleeves with the top covering over the whole project and sewn with sewing machine. I noticed that my sewing seemed to shrink the project, but once I immersed in water, rinsed out all the product, it was restored to original size. Third photo is both finished sleeves, they are just about identical in size. When I am all done, I plan on giving the whole project a dye bath. Right now I'm thinking on staying with the ecru color, but just want to even out the difference in all the doilies. May change my mind on this as I am also thinking a color may be nice.

More on this as jacket progresses.

Have a good day,

Margaret

What to do on a Snow Day

Good Morning Everyone,

More Snow today, projects finished, waiting for yarn for new project, what do I do with a "free day"? Tax prep, blog, maybe start a new project or perhaps finish an old one, suddenly an idea takes shape.

I have to start at the beginning because this project is truly 2 years in the making. In 2008, I went to New Zealand on a fabulous fiber trek, with Prudence Mapstone. While we were shopping in a funky little shop, Prudence found a bin full of old, lovely doilies and started scooping them up. When I asked Prudence what she planned to do with them, she said that one day she planned on making a skirt. I thought it was a fabulous idea, but thought that I would probably never wear a lace skirt. Then I though maybe a jacket would be a possibility, so I bought some too. I have been collecting doilies in a big shopping bag for two years.

Shortly after my NZ trip (Jan 2009), I attended a TNNA show, and fell in love with jackets shown in the Mokuba Booth. So I bought books (Japanese), tons of very expensive ribbon and their Free Lace Sheets. I came home prepared to make the most wonderful stuff. Until this morning, all this stuff was still in its original packaging, sitting on a shelf in my work room.

I tell you this, because this morning, there was the brilliant (if I do say so myself) merging of the two ideas.

I started by taking out my tried and true pattern that I use for all my jackets, and I cut the pattern pieces from the Mokuba Free Lace Sheets, then I started placing the doilies on the pattern. The Free Lace is adhesive, so the doilies stick on, but they can be easily moved and replaced. Must write and ask Prudence if she ever made her skirt.

After 2 hours of work, this is my progress so far. Going to make myself some lunch, and have some more fun with this. Tax prep can wait!

Have a great day,

Margaret

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