I *heart* Books

I love surrounding myself with books and magazines especially, when I'm not feeling well. Yesterday, I went on a book-buying binge and came home with quite a haul which included (but  not limited to ;-)):

• "Many Masters, Many Lives" by Brian Weiss, MD  (Recommended by a friend.  I'm already several chapters in--it's really interesting!)
  
• "Triptych", by Karin Slaughter (I'm a sucker for a good detective thriller.  Hopefully this is one of 'em)
• "A Witch of Portobello", by Paulo Coelho (A red-head with dreads & the word "witch" in the title= I'm in!)
• "My So-Called Punk", by Matt Diehl (Picked this one up for Dave because it features some of his fave bands)
• "50 Years of Movie Posters", compiled by John Kobal (A total, vintage score from Half Price Books)
• The current issues of BUST, Interweave Knits and Knit 'n Style Magazines.

I spent a lovely, self-imposed afternoon off; on the couch perusing through my book heaven. 

Speaking of Knit 'n Style, they were kind enough to give my book, Knit Aid a really nice review.  Yay!

My last word on books today (well at least on this blog--i reserve the right to be able to bring them up again on Twitter), is a reminder about the Austin launch party for Jennifer Perkins' debut of "Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry".  She'll be at Craft-o-Rama from 3-5, signing copies, passing out cupcakes, and generally celebrating.  Hope to see you there!

xo, Vickie

Back to School for Knitting Tools!

While 11th hour, supply shopping for my sons it occurred to me; if ever there's a time for multi-tasking, it's during the back-to-school rush.  Take advantage of the souped-up aisles of the season, to score bargain solutions for crafty clutter!

Pencil Zippys

Oblong pencil bags are perfect for keeping double-pointed needles in place!

Compartment Cases

These cute little cases work like a charm, for collecting stitch markers & holders, buttons, t-pins, etc.

Binder Pouches

Larger, flat pouches work great for keeping track of circular needles or yarn swatches.  At under $1, they offer a cost-effective solution bringing order to tool-stash chaos.  Buy a bunch, clip 'em into a binder and store your goodies on a bookshelf!

But wait, there's more! Also look for locker caddies to keep yarn in, post-it notes for pattern reading and rulers for gauge checking.   Happy organizing!

xo, Vickie

Oh, and hey parents, congratulations on another school year! ;)

Knitty Gritty Dish

The underground railroad that is the Austin Craft Mafia's preferred method of communication (very similar to a game of telephone, except with texts), got word to me last night that Knitty Gritty was going to be mentioned on the Style Network's new show, The Dish.  Of course it was to make fun of the nerdiness of knitting but as I snorted and pushed up my proverbial glasses, I couldn't help but be thrilled.  After all as they say, there's no such thing as bad press! ;)  

Besides, I'm always thrilled when: a.) the show gets noticed (even if it's posthumously); b.) the brilliant Cat Bordhi (clip they used was from the Mobius show) gets a shout out; c.) Naughty Secretary Club jewelry gets screen time (the necklace and ring I'm wearing); and d.) clips are used of me from episodes shot during my "skinny stage".

 


Seriously though, if you're a fan of  E!'s The Soup (the likely muse for this show), you may dig The Dish, too.  The host, Danielle Fishel (who you might remember from her pre-teen days on Boy Meets World) adds a ton of sass to her sarcasm; a combo that makes her downright adorable.  I think as part of host to host relations, I should bring her over to the knitting dark side! ;)

The episode airs again I think, tonight @ 9 and several times throughout the week.  

xo, Vickie

A cardigan to LOVE!

Knitty Gritty guest (Kitchen Couture episode), project bag princess and fellow knitrepreneur Jordnana Paige, released a pattern this week for a killer cardi using the Vickie Howell Collection's LOVE!  Get yer yarn and download the instructions now, and you'll have this sassy sweater finished just in time for Fall!

LOVE yarn (bamboo/silk) in color: Joel & Clementine (I recommend  watching "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", while using this color!)

xo, Vic

P.S.  FYI, I was feeling spread a bit too thin, so I had to give up my knitting editor duties for Craft Gossip.  Please though, continue to send all knit-related scoop to the new editor,  Terrye Kinch.  Craft Gossip is a great resource and frankly, just fun to visit.  Make sure to give it a gander often, for the skinny on stitching!

I found my thrill, on Blueberry Hill

...And now for a brief break from my regularly scheduled work: I just wanted to show you all how the aforementioned blueberry-dyed yarn turned out. I let this batch soak overnight and awoke to some lovely, lilac wool!

Here's how to dye your own:

Pre-soak Yarn 

Fill a pot with 1 tablespoon of alum, yarn, and enough water for it to be fully immersed. Simmer for an hour.  Rinse with cool water and squeeze out excess.

Make Dye Bath

Fill a large pot about halfway with water.  Add 1 package of fresh blueberries (squishing them with your hands as you go), and a tablespoon or two of lemon juice to the water.  Bring to a boil.  Turn heat down and let simmer for an hour.

Dye Yarn

Use a strainer to remove blueberry remnants from the dye bath.  Place yarn in dye bath and push down with tongs or a chop stick, to make sure that it's fully covered by liquid.  Let simmer for an hour.  At this point if you're satisfied with the color, you can end the process here.   Another option is to turn the stove off and let the yarn soak overnight in the cool bath.  Your choice.

Rinse & Dry

Remove yarn from dye bath and rinse with cool water until it runs clear.  Wash with mild soap and warm water (making sure to prevent felting by not agitating too much).  Roll yarn in a towel to squeeze out water, then let dry on a hanger.

That's all there is too it!  Since this is still yarn from that same recycled sweater (and my scale's not working), I can't give you an exact yardage recommendation.  My guess though, is that I used about 1oo yds for this batch.  

If you try and give it a go yourself, I'd love to see pictures of your results!  Feel free to post photo links here.   Alright, back to business.  Enjoy!

xo, Vickie

Beet-le Juice

Is it weird that looking at this stack of yarn cakes, makes me really happy?

From top to bottom, these were dyed with: coffee, roses, beets and tumeric.

Those of you who followed me on Twitter (or paid attention to the scroll on the RH column of this blog) over the weekend, know that I spent the majority of it, elbow deep in natural dye baths.  I think it's fair to say, that I'm currently obsessed.  I had so much fun experimenting that now, no color-bearing plant, fruit or vegetable is safe in my presence! ;)

I had varying degrees of success with different ingredients (tumeric=awesome, spinach=bomb).  I'm assuming that the failures can be credited in part, to my ratios sometimes being off.  It's likely though, that the quality of wool I was working will played a small part as well.  All of the yarn you see pictured is from 1, thrifted sweater that I unraveled and washed.  In it's former life, it was a mass-produced GAP number but in Eco-Stitch (due out Fall '09), it will be 3, unique baby items.  I'm excited about the added element of stretching yardage in a creative way, that the dyeing/repurposing aspect will bring to the book.  It makes creating beautiful, non-toxic garments for their children, accessible to mothers on a budget (and frankly during these times, who of us isn't?)

Speaking of children, I convinced my oldest to help with the process.  THis is Tanner, prepping beets for steeping.

Here are the 4 phases of the dye process of the antique-looking peach color.  From L-R: Yarn Ramen (post-unraveling, pre-soak), Simmer Down Now! (making the dye bath), Beet-le Juice (dyeing in progress) and, Ol' Softie (lovely, color has set in and it's ready to dry!)

We'll include at least one dye recipe in the book but in the meantime if you get the bug yourself, there are a ton of resources on the internet.  

Alright, I still have a little bit of the plain wool left and a container of blueberries in my fridge.   I'm off to perform my own version of the old Reese's commercial.  It will go something like this: 

"Your blueberries got on my yarn!"

"Your yarn got in my blueberries!"

;)

Nightie night!

xo, Vickie

Poncho, Paper Plea and Profiles

Afternoon, Sunshines!  Just a quick reminder that today is the deadline for submitting a crafter's profile for Craft Corps.  If you haven't already, send 'em in, s'il vous plait.

In Eco-Stitch news: Our source for newpaper yarn fell through and we're not having any luck finding a new one.  If you or anyone else makes it, please post here and let me know.  We need very little yardage for the small project we're using it for, but time is running out.  Thanks in advance!  Ok, moving on...

The editor's of Crochet Today! magazine came to me with a very specific request for a chevron poncho based on a sketch they generated and yarn they wanted used.  The result, is featured in the Sept./Fall '08 issue, on sale now!  It's a little bit country, and little bit rock n' roll. ;)

 Original Sketch

Prairie Poncho Modeled 

The issue itself is seriously Southwestern--and oddly enough, when I recently interviewed Etsy's Matt Stinchcomb for an upcoming CRL podcast, he kept mentioning crochet cacti--and wouldn't you know it, there's a cutie-pie pattern for them in the mag!  Somebody's getting insider info. ;)

Ok, I'm going to the couch to crochet with grocery bags and wallow in self-pity over the writer's block I'm having.  Have a great weekend!

xo, Vickie

Naughty Book Love

Good afternoon, my pretties! I've uploaded a craft-load of pictures to my Flickr account including: projects of home decor past, magazine garments, previews of upcoming Lifetime Crafted segments, misc. sewing adventures AND, some sneak peek shots of my book, Pop Goes Crochet from Day 1 of the photo shoot.  

Bored? Listless? Looking for a way to put-off doing any actual work? Well please, let me enable you--check out my Flickr pool here.

I forgot how much I enjoy being a part of the creative process that takes place behind the camera.  I had so much fun working on this with the Lark people--shopping for styling elements, consulting on hair and make-up, creating characters.  The photography is just one layer of what we've got planned for the look though, so hopefully all of the pieces will come together the way myself, the editors and the art director have envisioned!

I know a book that already turned out amazingly, though!  My C/F/F (crafty friend forever), Jennifer Perkins' delightful baubles romp: The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry is now out on shelves!

This book is a hard copy embodiment of my favorite "Jen P." qualities: It's kitschy, cool, creative and totally unique.  I'm so proud of my girl!  

Here's a summary of what what's inside:

The Naughty Secretary Club is packed with more than 50 kitschy-secretary-themed jewelry projects, plus lots of quirky sidebars covering hot topics such as office romance and the best secretary theme songs to listen to on your lunch break. You’ll learn how to use your office supplies in a whole new way - did you know standard office fare, like binder folders and shredded junk mail, makes craftalicious jewelry? Plus, author Jennifer Perkins will teach you how to turn almost anything into a charm, including plastic gnome cake toppers, doll furniture and cast-off hotel keys.

Whatever your day job, you can be a Naughty Secretary in spirit - and in style. So cancel your afternoon meetings, take a break from watching the clock and send yourself a memo to whip up a new paperclip necklace just in time for happy hour!

...And speaking of happy hour, join Jen (and the rest of the Austin Craft Mafia) to celebrate the launch of the NSC book, at Craft-O-Rama on August 30th at 3pm.  CRAFT Magazine will be there too to kick off their 8th issue, so you definitely won't wanna miss it!

Can't make it to the party?  No worries--you can order your signed copy now from NaughtySecretaryClub.com.  Oh but wait, there's more!  If you snag your copy before the end of August, you get 25% off your entire NSC order (includes jewelry, people!)  Just enter the word BOOK in the coupon field.

Craft.  Rock.  Accessorize.

xo, Vickie

PROJECT: Personalized Seed Packet Favors

Dave and I were put in charge of making the favors for my best friend's son's garden-themed baby blessing.  After brainstorming, we settled on decorative packets containing his birth-flower seeds.  They turned out so cute, I thought I'd share!  Make them to celebrate a baby's birth or change up the image to make equally great favors for a bridal shower, birthday or plain, ol' garden party!

Personalized Seed Packet Favors

WHAT YOU NEED:

Birth flowers seeds (Depending where you live, these can be found at most nurseries or home improvement stores.  If it's off-season though, you can always search on-line)  Don't know the baby's birth flower?  See here.

Small, vellum envelopes 

Contrasting color, pearlized card stock (I only used one sheet to make 25 favors)

White card stock

White 1/4"-1/2" ribbon

Glue stick

Scissors or paper cutter

Decorative scissors (optional)

Hole punch

Sewing machine & contrasting thread (optional)

Digital image of baby

Computer & Printer

Photoshop (or, if you're old-school, a light-box, tracing paper and photo copier)

WHAT TO DO:

Face Time

1.  Open digital image in Photoshop. Use the Filter/Sketch/Photo Copy feature to alter image from regular photo, to line drawing.  You'll likely have to mess around a bit with the levels to get the best result.  If desired, add a text layer with the baby's name and date or an appropriate quote or your own words.  Our version said, "With light, love and nurturing, we become something beautiful."

2.  Once you're satisfied with the final image, size it for your envelopes and lay it out to fit as many as possible on one page.  Print out on white, card stock. 

3.  While you're at the computer, type print out a sheet of paper or card stock with the name of the seed's flower in your desired font.

Seedless to Say

1.  Cut out image cards, flower name labels and contrasting card stock tags (about 3/4"x 1 1/2").

Cut out ribbon pieces about 6-8" long.

2.  Using sewing machine and contrasting thread, sew image cards onto vellum envelopes.  I suggest using about an 1/8" seam allowance.   Note* Make sure that envelopes are open while you sew or else you won't be able to fill them.  If you don't want to sew, skip this step and use a glue like Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue (works well with vellum) to attache image cards. 

3. Fill envelopes with approx. 10-15 seeds.  Seal.

4.  Glue name labels onto contrasting card stock.  Place tags on envelope and hole punch through both tag and envelope.  Tie tags on using ribbon.

Display in a glass fish bowl or vase and set out for your guests to take home. As the flowers grow in their own gardens, they'll surely be thinking about how that special kiddo is blossoming, too!

xo,

Vickie

Six Things

The Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on the blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
__________

Justine tagged me a couple of weeks ago, but you know, still playing catch-up from all of the traveling. Better late than never, right?

Oh, and speaking of Justine, the latest issue of her (and partner Nichola's) AWESOME zine Mix Tape is now available.  Order a copy if you can, it's definitely a crafty reader's treat!

Ok, here goes...

1. When I was 22, I sat at a convention for 7-hours straight getting a smaller tattoo covered up by a much larger one.  I don't like the 2nd one, anymore than I liked the first...but I don't have to look at it because it's on my back, so no harm done! ;)
2. I can't stand to have my Achilles (ankle) touched.  It totally gives me the willies.  
3. I think Bac-os make a perfectly good snack.  They're neither bacon, nor "O"s. Discuss.
4. Right out of high school I waited tables at Marie Callenders.  Before I came in each week, my co-workers used to place bets on what color my hair would be when I walked through the door.
5.  I have a small collection of red headed art.  I hope eventually, it'll be a large collection.
6. The weekend trip I've most wanted to take since I was 19, is to Salem, Massachusetts. It's a hard sell to travel companions, though:  "Hey, wanna go to 'Witch Town' with me?" *insert blank stare response*

Jenny
Jennifer
Kim
Kathy
Dave L.
Cathie

xo,

Vic

Only 2 More Weeks!

Happy August, everyone! Just a quick reminder that there are only two more weeks to get your profile submissions in for my book, Craft Corps. The last day to send in your info is August 15th!

I'm absolutely THRILLED with the response so far (I've gotten over 370 e-mails so far!), but would love to hear from even more of you. I'd really like this book to represent the craft community, from wood workers to weavers, so the more diverse group I hear from, the better!

If you missed out on my original post with the details for this project, you can read it here.

Thanks to the following bloggers for helping spread the word this week!

Fiber Arts Calls
Indie Crafts on Craft Gossip
Baltimore Sun
Sedruola Marsuka
DIY City

Alright, I'm off to go swatch for a wrap while watching the X Games!

xo, Vickie