Bernat Show Us Your Pompoms Contest

Put a pompom on it – share your favorite pompom creation for the chance to win $75 of Bernat On the Fringe!

To Enter

Take a photo of a project you’ve made that uses pompoms – knit, crochet, or other crafts.
Like the Bernat facebook page.
Upload your photo on Bernat facebook page by midnight EST on November 8, 2012.
http://apps.facebook.com/offerpop/Contest.psp?c=226446&u=59996&a=254553244581393&p=187159738082&rest=0&v=Submit

Open to 18 years of age and resident of the U.S. (contiguous states only) or Canada.

To Win

Voting opens 1 am on November 8 and closes at 11:59 pm November 14.
Anybody who has liked the Bernat facebook page is eligible to vote.

The Prize

You could win 12 balls of Bernat On The Fringe, the ideal yarn to keep you chic in today’s faux fur trend!

Voting

Voting ends 11:59 pm EST on November 14, 2012.
You may vote once a day for each entry.
Voting for multiple entries is allowed.

Enjoy!

Let’s create something!

I Love Yarn Day 2012

October 12th, 2012

I Love Yarn Day

Is national day to declare your LOVE for yarn!

You can Knit it, crochet it, wear it, post it, tweet it, carry it, share it, give it, or bomb it!
Are you loving on your yarn?
Can you find yarn items throughout your house?
Do you shop for yard more often then you really need?
Even if you just Knit / Crochet / Craft / spin / weave / love fiber every now and then, it’s ok!

Help spread the word about I Love Yarn Day!
This day is all about spreading that good feeling people have about yarn and yarn-related crafts.
It’s for you to affirm your passion for yarn.
This year will be the second annual I Love Yarn Day.
To participate all you need is your yarn and maybe a couple of friends.

Get Involved

  • Create an I Love Yarn Day badge
  • Teach someone to knit or crochet
  • Do something for charity
  • Wear a knitted or crocheted item
  • Give a gift of yarn
  • Take your yarn to work day
  • Host a yarn-a-bration party
  • Knit, crochet and craft in public

 

Any money generated from gear sales will be donated to the Warm Up America Foundation.
A 501C3 charity that has been providing warm clothing and afghans to people in need for more than 20 years.

Knitting abbreviations

You can find knitting abbreviations here.

Crochet abbreviations

You can find Crochet abbreviations here.

Need more incentive to love on your yarn?
Why don’t you try and win some yarn!

WIN Show us your love of yarn!

Go on the facebook page
www.facebook.com/iloveyarnday
There are three ways to enter: on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
Take a photo showing your love of yarn!
‘Like’ the facebook page and fill out the form to submit an entry.
You can find the entry form here.
Or enter from your mobile phones via Twitter and Instagram using hashtag #YarnDayContest.
Have all your friends vote on your photo.

Prizes

The Grand Prize winner will receive 365 skeins of yarn from prize sponsors: Bernat, Patons and Caron Yarns; Lion Brand Yarn; and Red Heart Yarns.
10 Runners-up will receive an I Love Yarn Day tote bag with a yarn-lovers’ collection of prizes valued at $300 each. Runners-up prizes are sponsored by All American Crafts (Knit ‘N Style, Knit 1•2•3 and Crochet 1•2•3), Annie’s (Creative Knitting and Crochet Magazine), Boye accessories, Clover Needlecraft accessories, Creative Partners’ books, Future US (Crochet Today magazine), Interweave (Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Knitscene, and Knitting Daily TV), Leisure Arts (The Knook), Soho Publishing (Vogue Knitting, Knit Simple, Debbie Bliss magazine, Noro magazine), and TMA yarns.

How to Win

The 10 photo entries with the highest number of votes at the end of the contest period will each win the yarn-lover’s tote bag and prizes, and one photo entry will be selected from the Top 10 by a panel of Sponsor’s employees to win the Grand Prize, according to the following criteria: personality (33%), quality (33%), and representation of the I Love Yarn Day theme (33%).

Winners Announcement

Winners will be announced on October 26, 2012.

www.ILoveYarnDay.org

Enjoy!

Let’s create something!

Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder by Simplicity

Love to Knit and Crochet?
Always left with loose yarn?
You are going to love Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder by Simplicity!
Looking to buy it? You can find Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder

As you start to unbox, you will come across the instruction page.

Take Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder out of the box.
Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder will fit back nicely should you chose to store it in the box.

First look!

Use handle to place Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder on the table.

Lower the handle

Push down latch to secure section cup.
At this point Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder is as good as glued to the table.

Take your yarn and make sure it isn’t tangled.
It’s important so you’ll have even tension.

Let’s get started.

Thread yarn through the eye loop.

Zigzag across tension rod.
Behind first post, over second post and behind third post.

Thread though loop at the end of the guide bar.

Down through slits at end of the tube.

Plug your Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder into an electric wall outlet.

Turn Red dial slowly towards the bigger end of the triangle.

You can control the speed by turning the Red dial once the machine is winding the yarn.

Watch a ball of yarn form.

Ball of yarn will grow quickly.

Once it is done, turn Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder off by turning the Red dial.

Move guide bar.
Remove yarn from slit on tube.
Slide ball of yarn off.

Repeat for as many times as you need.
Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder will save you a lot of time.

Enjoy!

Let’s create something!

Knit a square… and make a cold child warm

Knit a square… and make a cold child warm

Please join KasCare’s knit-a-square project, where you can crochet or knit 8″/20 cm squares that are then put together to make blankets, hats, and other garments.  Started by two families in October 2008, one in Australia, the McDonalds and one in South Africa, the Lowries, this organization now has 5,000 committed members in over 40 countries with the goal of collecting 175,000 squares in 2011 and double that number in 2012!NOw, a registered charity under the name of KasCare
In early 2011 contributions are at 170,000 squares, representing over 7,000 blankets and more than 11,000 garments!

They need your help more than ever! The goal for 2011 is 175,000 (5,000 blankets), 5,000 hats and 2,000 knitted garments.

 

They are also accepting donations.

Like on facebook: www.facebook.com/Knitasquare

Join square-circle-forum.ning.com where you can find fabulous ideas, free crochet and knitting patterns

Are you a teacher interested in getting your class involved? Check out the  teacher resource page www.knit-a-square.com/teacher-resource.html

Visit www.knit-a-square.com for additional information.

Contribute to this knitting project for the AIDS orphans of southern Africa and help the children keep warm and comfort.

Celebration of Craftswomen San Francisco

Celebration of Craftswomen took place in November 11-13, 2011, San Francisco.
Bask in the view of San Francisco when you come to this festival.

It began in 1976 as a small crafts show.
For the past three decades, The Women’s Building Celebration of Craftswomen has allowed Bay Area residents, along with visitors of San Francisco from throughout the world, to discover the work of the nation’s best female artisans and fine artists.
Celebration of Craftswomen is the largest event celebrating the craft of women in the nation.
www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org

To follow on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/celebration.craftswomen
Among the contemporary and traditional handcrafted items you can fine:
Functional and decorative ceramic and glass vessels.
Sculpted wood and works of metal.
Polymer  clay, beaded, stone and precious metal jewelry.
Women, painted silk, leather clothing and wearable.
Home Furniture and accessories.
Fine art sculpture.
Photography.
Watercolor and oil paintings.

Don’t miss the hidden treasures as you walk by them, such as, Greens Restaurant, Fort Mason in San Francisco for some beautiful bayside vegetarian dining.
www.greensrestaurant.com
The Oatmeal raisin cookie was to die for!

THE WOMENS BUILDING (TWB) is a multi-service community center whose mission is to provide women and girls with the tools and resources they need to achieve full and participation is society.
The Women’s Building is located at 3543 18th Street in San Francisco.
For information call 415-431-1180 or visit www.womensbuilding.org

Always ask the artist permission to take a picture of their booth and/or individual item.

A recap of select booths:

Rene Almon Woodworks, her inspiration comes from organic shapes and the wood itself. Building long lasting quality furniture, pleasing to the eye and inviting to touch.
www.renealmonwoodworks.com

Alexandra Von Burg, creating Fairy Tale imagery with soft sculptured dolls and fiber paintings
Look for her workshops to hone the art-making skills that enhance anyone’s natural talent.
www.alexandravonburg.com

Anne Klocko, produces different types of artwork, Vinyl Clay Artwork, Figurative Sculpture and Ceramic Sculpture are whimsy original works of art.
www.anneklocko.com

Margaret Grisz-Dow, passionate about art, her ceramic work & drawing she is integrating these by making incised drawings on the surface of her clay pieces.
Teaching  in a relaxed aesthetic environment, which is often in her own beautiful home studio.
Contact: mgriszdow@yahoo.com

Tess McGuire, hats are knitted on a knitting loom out of wool yarn and then felted using hot water, soap and friction to turn a loosely knitted fabric into a warm, solid, and virtually waterproof garment.
www.tessmcguire.com

Mountain Exotics, taking the beauty, texture of wood to form our unique products.
We create heirlooms from ‘Tree to Street.
www.mountainexotics.com

Monterey Fiber and Design by Margaret Thompson

Naoko, Creating botanically themed felt and glass Jewelry.
10% of sales are donated to humanitarian non profit organizations.
www.naokonojiri.com

Alchemy, Fine chocolate, pastry, & baked delicacies, Savory catering, Classes.
www.facebook.com/pages/Alchemy/130946720282942

Ruxton Designs, mixed media art, vintage buttons, metal hardware, felt all combined in a unique way by Nicky Ruxton.
www.ruxtondesigns.com

Sharing a booth with Laube photography, a joyful rendition of California by Nancy Laube.
www.nancylaube.com

Large Leather is a beautiful store in Sonoma, California.
Choose from in house designs to custom orders, by Paul Terwilliger and Jessica Zoutendijk.
www.largeleather.biz

JYC Arts, Fine Arts painter, Illustrator, Fiber artist as well as Jeweler and quilter.
Working with non traditional fabrics in traditional ways.
www.janecorich.com

Janice Cormier, functional and non functional ceramic art, sculptural vessels, figurative sculpture, small series of functional pottery, and Jewelry.
www.janicecormier.ca
Sharing a booth with Judy Beebe Designs, Merino wool scarves and gloves.
Creating elegant, comfortable, neck pieces with rich texture & color.
www.etsy.com/shop/judybeebedesigns

Theresa Honeywell, provocative imagery and macho icons are rendered into delicate and beautiful pieces of art.
Her inspiration comes in the contrast between art and craft, macho and feminine.
www.theresahoneywell.com

Booths 421-422 is a collaborative mixture of a group of women, a web site is in the pipe line.

To contact the artists directly:
Wanda Fudge, wfudge@peoplepc.com
Colleen Ehle Patell, mixed media figurative art, www.wildwackywomendesigns.com
Suzanne Duran, artist, miblu3@yahoo.com
Mary Porter Vaughan, fine art dolls, www.mpvdolls.com
Donna Perry, art dolls, mixed media artist, dreamandplay.blogspot.com
Zanaib Nia, artist, zniagreen@yahoo.com
Stephanie Smith, doll maker, smitharts@yahoo.com
Bonnie Hoover, Whimsical cloth doll creations, bondonhoov@sbcglobal.net

Tree Stump, Master wood artisans Christine and Ron Sisco prove Fine Art can be functional.
In addition to custom furniture, their most popular pieces are spoons and bread boards.
www.treestump.biz

Santa Barbara Felted Fibers, wearables fiber Art, soft and billowy, exciting and sometimes just wild and crazy.
www.sbfeltedfibers.com

Enchanted Burl, Burls form as an outgrowth on the trunk of a tree and/or within the root system transformed to tables, chairs, lamps, clocks, vessels and serving platters.
www.enchantedburl.com

A close up look on this gorgeous crafted chair.
The vessels have been used as food servers, three-dimensional wall art, center conversational pieces, and even spiritual baptismal vessels.

Browse the list of the entertainment schedule that was offered at the rear stage
www.womensbuilding.org/craftsfair/Womens_Building_Craft_Fair/ENTERTAINMENT.html

Zola De Firmian, Fine Art Ceramics and tile design, one-of-a-kind porcelain and stoneware pieces are hand-built, or cast, then carved, using simple molds of own design.
Project Greenheart, First, 10% of sales go to support programs that connect youth with art and nature.
www.zinfusionz.com

Dawn Mountain LeatherArt, creating and designing original Leatherart pieces.
Decorative techniques such as trapunto, pleating, weaving, and beading are frequently used on one-of-a-kind pieces
www.dawnmountainleatherart.com

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOW CONTACT:
TEEVAN PRODUCTIONS
1557- 15TH AVE.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122
PHONE: (650) 615-6838
FAX: (415) 731-6794
EMAIL: CRAFTSWOMEN@GMAIL.COM

Hope you enjoyed Celebration of Craftswomen!
Didn’t make it this year? Try and make it to next year.

All pictures were taken after approval by the artist.

Let’s create something!

 

Free Craft and Crochet eBooks

Came across this blog post at http://www.manycreativegifts.blogspot.com, enjoy!
It’s a great blog with lots of ideas and information.
With the holiday season coming, you are sure to want to create something for your family and friends.

Free Craft and Crochet eBooks

I’m so glad to be able to pass along two new and free ebooks from the FaveCrafts folks!
The first one has 17 popular crochet items that are easy enough for a beginner to make, like a fun little caplet, a bottoms up hat, and a really neat 8-point ripple afghan.
You can find the free and instant download at:
http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Miscellaneous-Crochet/17-Popular-Free-Crochet-Patterns-eBook

The second book will start to get you in the mood for the holidays.

This ebook has 7 fun craft projects for Christmas time.
I think I’m going to give the Christmas Card Saver a try!
Also included are the Felt and Wire Angel (pg. 5), the Christmas Candy Jar Labels (pg. 11), and a Wine Cork Wreath (pg. 19).
You can get this eBook free at:

http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Christmas-Ornament-Crafts/7-Thrifty-Christmas-Craft-Ideas-eBook

Happy Crafting!!