Creative Energy Zine :: Volume 2

I have finished another volume of my Creative Energy zine!

This one is devoted to women writers... of course, I can't fit all the writers I love into one zine so I just went through my bookshelves and tried to select a few particular favorites.

The zine has 16 pages that include a hand drawn portrait of each author and favorite quotes, too.  The writers I included in this volume are Emily Dickinson, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Charlotte Bronte, Colette, Sylvia Plath, and Jane Austen.

It was really fun and challenging to draw a portrait of each woman!  I think my favorite one ended up being Colette - she had such a big personality and a unique style.

I plan to make another zine like this in the future so I can include more amazing writers!  If you have any suggestions for authors you like to see included (women or men) please leave me comment - I'd love to hear your suggestions!

You can find copies of this zine (and volume 1) in the shop.

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{acquisitions}

I found a few great items on my trip to Chicago including some awesome books at Powell's (and one given to me by my brother)!

The Gertrude Stein Reader edited by Richard Kostelanetz

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath edited by Karen Kukil

Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up by Bob Colacello

I also picked up these cute rolls of printed tape at P.O.S.H. (as well as some of my favorite French sea salt!).

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{beautiful neutrals}

new in the shop!

clean, contemporary neutrals in a vintage wooden bowl.

(really pretty as a table display!)

I played around a little more with varying the heights of pieces in this one and I love

 the way it turned out.

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Pattern Shop

I have added a little "pattern shop" section to the blog so you can easily purchase my knit and crochet patterns without signing up for an account with Etsy or Ravelry!  

You can pay through PayPal and receive your pattern as a PDF file.

Just click on the button in the sidebar or here to check it out!

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little love notes!

I got back from Chicago last night and today I've been having fun getting my shop back in order and listing some new little love notes!  

These will be great for Valentine's Day, but they're also appropriate for other occasions (or just because!), too.  So cute for anniversaries, birthdays, or just to stick in your honey's lunchbox for them find as a surprise.

This one is more specific to Valentine's Day (for all of you romantic couples out there):

All of these sweet little love letters can be found in my shop : )

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happy xmas

****I'm heading to Chicago for a holiday vacation until Dec. 27th!  See you then!****

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just because

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Free Crochet Pattern :: Organic Cotton Arm Warmers

This weekend I wanted to whip up a quick crochet project using my *favorite* yarn and I've been needing a new pair of  long arm warmers to wear with shorter sleeves or to layer under jackets.  These arm warmers reach up to my elbows and are a really fast project because the bulky yarn works them up in no time!  

I used two skeins (100 grams each) of Sprout organic cotton yarn in color 4350 and a  size J/6.0 mm crochet hook.  I love Sprout yarn but you can substitute another bulky weight yarn if you prefer.

Here are the simple steps!

Chain 35.  Work in Double Crochet for 12 rows to make a rectangle.  Knot off your yarn and weave in both loose ends.  Your work will look like this (except my ends haven't been woven in yet!):

Join your yarn on one of the short ends and work one row of single crochet.  Repeat on the second short end.  This just gives each end a smoother, more finished look.

Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and use single crochet or yarn on a tapestry needle to sew up the long side.  You now have a long tube and that is your arm warmer!  Repeat all of these steps for the second arm warmer.

These would also make really easy last-minute holiday gifts!

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*how to crochet a brain*

Oh, hello.  Would you like to crochet a brain?  

Well you're in luck!  I have just written up a pattern to help you crochet a cute, fluffy, little brain of your very own!

It's a fun thing to put on your shelf, use a prop with your "mad scientist" costume, or make for a kid.  Kids love brains!

You can check out all the brain pattern details in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry.

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finished :: object

I just finished this piece yesterday... I had to make it after I found this beautiful wooden bowl at the thrift store.  It has such a pretty shape and I knew it would be stunning once I painted it turquoise!  I grabbed my favorite type of cotton yarn (so soft, not too chunky, and it comes in a wonderful selection of colors), my crochet hook, and got to work.

Each of the crochet pieces is arranged and glued into the bowl so it's securely nestled in place.

You can see more photos and information on this particular piece in my shop!

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*flickr favorites*

This morning I was browsing through Flickr looking for pretty photos!  It's always a good way to find inspiration for prettying up the apartment or starting a  new knitting project.

1. scarves, 2. Quick Study., 3. a 'rippley' blanket..., 4. Simple Baby Blanket II,

 5. My Dresser, 6. Hand painted pine cones, 7. Shop Update soon?, 8. peach fizz,

 9. Gift wrapping on a budget, 10. Smock Knitting, 11. every year, 12. Bedroom, 

13. on the 11th day of joyfulness...

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(work in progress)

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fresh off the hook!

I'd like to share a new piece that I finished over the weekend (you may remember catching a peek of it here).

This is a great reproduction portrait that I found at a secondhand store and just couldn't resist.

I crocheted the tiny embellishments with DMC Perle Cotton in some of my favorite colors (DMC has the most gorgeous selection!) and also added pieces from an antique lace collar.

I'm so pleased with the way it turned out, and even more pleased that it has already found a lovely new home (shipped out yesterday!).

Today I am finishing a few more orders for the shop, then hoping to do some organizing and some much needed yoga (I neeeeed to stretch!).

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*new knitting zine*

This weekend I managed to sneak in some time to make a fun new project! I assembled a fun little zine called "The Busy Knitter" that includes quick and easy projects to make for yourself or give as gifts - and they are great for all levels of knitters, even those just starting out! Each pattern is one that I have featured here on the blog and they are illustrated with my own drawings.

Each zine arrives in a little plastic sleeve with a granny square or other crochet goody tucked inside.

Click here to see The Busy Knitter Zine in my shop : )

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Elysium Hat :: Knitting Pattern

I have just added a new knitting pattern to the shop & Ravelry, too!

I am so pleased with the way the Elysium Hat turned out - super comfortable, slouchy, textured, and suitable for either a lady or a gent.

It is knit on US 8/5.0 mm needles and is a simple project for anyone who can knit in the round.

The yarn is an expensive craft store type, but you could easily substitute something more luxurious if you like!

It's also a great project when you want to do some winter knitting but don't want to get into something complicated like a sweater or lacy shawl...great to work on while watching a movie!

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{quote}

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h e l l o

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wip :: slouchy hat

I'm working on a new slouchy hat project based on some cute hats I've seen in the shops this autumn. I think I can make one that much nicer than the ones I've seen for sale... more texture and personality! I'm writing up the pattern, too!

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new projects on the horizon

Today I am sending out a big batch of orders for the shop and then I hope to set aside a little time each day for some exciting new projects while keeping up with normal shop business. This weekend I wrote out a list things I'd like to accomplish in the coming months and I can't wait to get started! I have a lot of ideas including some new knitting & crochet patterns, zines, a big crochet tutorial, and perhaps a little pattern booklet, too. It's so much fun to plan ahead for interesting new endeavors!

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the world of fiction

love this!

via sallyintheskywithdiamonds

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{sketch}

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