Friday, January 30, 2009

FREE Pop Goes Crochet Preview Pattern in CRAFT Magazine!

The latest issue of CRAFT Magazine (with Amy Sedaris on the cover) is out now--along with loads of other, inspiring projects of all shapes and sizes they were cool enough to include one of mine. The very first sneak preview inside my upcoming book Pop Goes Crochet (available for pre-order now), is offered in the issue!

Pick up your issue (or subscribe to the digital version) to check out the yarn-inspired fashion spread which includes my  "Erykah" jacket (seen on the left, below).


Then type over to the CRAFT website for downloadable pages from Pop Goes Crochet: the FREE "Erykah" pattern
Pop Goes Crochet Trivia Question: What neo-soul inspired this coat's design?

This jacket is crocheted with VHC Vegas yarn and a large hook, making it relatively quick to make.  Start yours now and have the perfect piece for both winter and spring.  Oh, and bonus, the pattern's written for sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2X & 3X--so Skinny Minnies and Curvalicious Misses, this one's for you!

Happy hooking!

xo,
Vickie




Tuesday, January 27, 2009

CHA, Day 2!

Hey, everyone!  A few pictures from yesterday at CHA, before I head out for my last day at the convention.

I stopped by the PLAID booth to make a necklace with Candie Cooper.

My finished necklace from Candie's Make & Take table.

Ladies and gent learning how to crochet at our Bangles & Beer Cozies Make & Take.

A student poses with her finished bangle.

Putting my feet up after a day of impractical shoes.

Hanging out in the hotel room after hours, with some of my designer friends (R-L, Traci Bautista, me, Traci's friend from Sakura, Candie Cooper, Margot Potter, Drew Emborsky, Stefanie Japel, Cathie Filian & Steve Piacenza).

We spent the evening swapping stories, filling each other in on new ways to teach and market ourselves, flipping through each other's new books and laughing a lot.  It was good times all around. :)  Later, the amazing Bernie Berlin stopped by and shared what's going on with her dog rescue in TN.   She's an amazing woman, that Bernie!


Ok, off to breakfast!

xo, 
Vickie

Monday, January 26, 2009

CHA, Day 1!

Greetings from Anaheim, CA!  I'm getting ready to head out for a day of meetings in demos but wanted to share with you some pictures from yesterday at CHA (Crafts & Hobbies Association convention).  Enjoy!

With Kathy Cano-Murillo, at the Duncan Craft booth where she's promoting her line Crafty Chica.

Promo poster in the Sterling/Lark Publishing booth for my May '09 book, Pop Goes Crochet.


With scrapbooking queen, Sandi Genovese.


Drew and I teaching how to crochet beer cozies & bangles, at the Sterling/Lark booth.

A student posing with her finished bangle.

Sterling publicist Leigh-Ann Ambrosi, making a bangle.

Leigh-Ann pleased as punch that she learned how to crochet.

I snuck out of the convention for a bit to avoid the Paris Hilton appearance (to promote her craft line) craziness, and do a little in-hotel crafting for Tuesday's Tulip paint demo.

Creative Juice's Steve Piacenza & Cathile Filian working at the Plaid booth.  They're Mod Podge's national spokes people!


With Knitty Gritty seasons 7 & 8's supervising producer, Kelly Erlich.

With Cathie Filian and Drew Emborsky (aka The Crochet Dude) at our publisher's party.

Publisher/author dinner at Buca Di Beppo in Anaheim.

Ok, off to Day 2 of CHA.  Check back here (RH column) for Twitter updates, throughout the convention!

xo,
Vickie

Saturday, January 24, 2009

CHA-Cha-Cha

I'm headed out later today to Anaheim, CA for the winter CHA (Crafts & Hobbies assoc.) convention and thought I'd post my event schedule for those of you who might also be attending.

Sunday 1/25: 
10am-12pm- "Bangles & Beer Cozies" Make & Take at the Sterling/Lark Booth
Drew Emborsky & I will be teaching quick and easy crochet projects for makers to take home with them!  Supplies provided.

Monday  1/26:
2-3pm- "Bangles & Beer Cozies" Make & Take at the Sterling/Lark Booth

Tuesday 1/27:
12:15-12:45pm- Duncan Crafts Onsie Decorating Demo/Duncan Stage
I'll be showing some of my favorite ways to quickly make plain ol' baby onsies have a little personality using Tulip iron-ons, paints and stencils.

2-3pm- "Bangles & Beer Cozies" Make & Take at the Sterling/Lark Booth

Come by the Sterling/Lark booth anytime to see an advanced copy of my upcoming book, Pop Goes Crochet!

Hope to see you there!

xo,
Vickie

P.S.  Whether or not your going to CHA, you can still click on over to the new "Craft Corps" page on my site to join the mailing list.  Be one of the firsts to be a part of Craft Corps Daily (coming soon--more on that later) and become eligible for discounts and prizes!  Join the Craft Corps today! 

P.P.S.  Check here (on the RH side if this blog) daily for Twitter updates from the convention floor!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

PROJECT: Recycled Sock Love Bug!

The February issue of Kiwi is out, which means another Eco-Craft column!  This issue also marks my 2 year anniversary with the magazine.  Yay!

Grab your copy from stands this week, for the scoop on tons of adorable, eco-friendly baby fashions, yummy gourmet recipes, parenting advice and of course, some crafty how-to!


Make you're lil' sweetie his/her own love bug with nothing more than a recycled sock (you know you have a million unmatched socks stashed in a drawer somewhere), glue and some craft felt! 

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

PROJECT VIDEO--Knitted, Mitered Hearts!

V-day is soon approaching and with another holiday comes another batch of Lifetime's CRAFTED videos!

Check out my quick and easy tutorial on making knitted, mitered hearts--perfect to embellish with or string together to make a LOVEly neck garland!  Doesn't this project just tug at your heart strings?  Har, har, har.

Credits:
Vickie Howell Collection's  "Craft" Yarn in colors Carol (white) & Chica (red) provided by SWTC.
Heart & Lip Jewelry, courtesy of Naughty Secretary Club.

If knitting's not your gig but you still wanna show a little love this season; not to worry.  My CRAFTED cohorts have more, great ideas that you're sure to *heart!   Type on over to myLifetime.com to see more helpful Valentine's Day videos including projects like Crafty Chica's lighted jewelry box, Lisa Fung's greeting cards and Patti Wack's heart-shaped sun catcher!

Happy Love Day crafting!

xo, Vickie

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Crafts

Happy inauguration day, everyone!  I spent my morning commemorating the event by watching CNN coverage and trolling the internet for related crafts.  Here are just a handful of what I found.  Enjoy!

Patriotic Fused Glass Pendant by Glass Elements

From Quilts for Obama Opening (Photo by Sankofa Beads on Flickr)

Embroidered Lincoln & Obama Hand Towels by DownZipper.com





"Hope" Collage print by JeanCody on Etsy

Patriotic Sweater Blanket from me for myLifetime.com


Obama Crochet Tapestry by Teresa




Obama Craft Project's Free Obama Logo Download


On a personal note: As I sit here on this historical day, 5 months pregnant with our daughter, it's hard not to think about the event that occurred the last time I was 5 months pregnant--that time, with my youngest son Tristan.  It was another day that would forever go down in history. It was September 11, 2001.
I remember feeling terrified at the thought of the world I was bringing another child into, determined to protect my babies from the disgust and despair.  Now, almost 7 1/2 years later, I find myself in a similar state of contemplation only this time, with hope and happiness at my side.  Although arguably our earth is in an even greater state of disarray than it was nearly a decade ago, one cannot ignore that January 20, 2009 symbolizes a huge move away from the underlying hate that's poisoned our grand society for so long.  Yes, we have a long way to go... but as a parent I've learned that baby steps are often the most momentous. 

xo,
Vickie

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Repost: Save Handmade Toys!


This is a repost from Naughty Secretary Club's blog.  Important info for all of us who make handmade toys!  xo, Vickie

Have you heard the controversy about the CPSIA trying to close down handmade toy makers? Not intentionally maybe but with some broad laws in the works your selection of vintage and handmade in the child’s toy and clothing department is about to be impacted. Just listen to this email I got yesterday from Matt at Etsy and Buy Handmade to describe the situation a bit better….



As I am sure you are all aware, the handmade world is abuzz about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This act, which will go into effect on February 10th, 2009, puts forth much more stringent safety measures for products intended for children under the age of 12. Under the very important auspices of child safety, the Act may have grave unintended consequences: fewer choices for families who are looking for handcrafted alternatives. Many artists and craftspeople have expressed fears that they won't be able stay in business due to the burdensome cost of testing and certification pursuant to the proposed legislation. At Etsy, we have been urging our members to get informed and contact their representatives. Discussion is ongoing, but we've already seen effective movement from the CPSC. They are listening to the micro-business community! That said, there is still much to be done, and a great deal of misinformation and confusion is running rampant on the web right now

In light of this need for clarity, discussion, and feedback hinging on this important CPSIA issue, I would like to refer folks who are involved or concerned about the CPSIA issue to a new blog I have set up at BuyHandmade.org. I am hoping we can make this a place where we can report the facts and help the friends, colleagues, and customers who will be so greatly affected by this.

That being said scoot over to the Buy Handmade blog and get all the latest info about this issue. Be sure to take the Handmade Pledge while you are there if you have not already and thanks Glee for the amazing amigurumi Nut Sack picture and Goose Grease for the rad Who Can Tell Wooden Ninjas.



Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sasquatch, Wishful Drinking and Procrastinated Crafting

How in the world is it already the 2nd week of January?  This is a busy month in the craft world so clearly, I should be hustling up career plans for 2009 and prepping for existing ventures.
I've been otherwise occupied though, by the extremely  important tasks of shopping for baby girl kimonos and embroidering Sasquatch for Fanboy (which Dave if you're reading this, should definitely be the name of your next band), Lucky Shamrock, and Yarn Tree doodles on onsies. Priorities people.




I also apparently needed a little mental vacation from the holidays and their surrounding festivities, and spent the last week reading two comedic memoirs:  Wishful Drinking, by Carrie Fisher, and My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler. 

Carrie Fisher is wickedly sarcastic which of course, immediately makes her feel like a kindred spirit to me.  That, coupled with the fact that one of my fellow Austin Craft Mafiosa has been to her house, peed in her toilet and eaten a sandwich made by her--makes me feel like I practically know her.  Since I always like to support my friends, I of course bought her book.  ;)  
I cackled the whole way through it.   I also really respect when someone openly admits that they're crazy. It says something about a person (draw your own conclusions).
Not to mention that while reading it, I could periodically quote Star Wars inside scoop to my (aforementioned) fanboy husband which undoubtedly gained me a few wifey bonus points.   "Hey Dave.  Did you know that the reason that Princess Leia isn't wearing a bra in the 1st movie, is because George Lucas told Carrie that there was no such thing as underwire in space?" *insert music swelling and Dave's eyes twinkling while he thanks Skywalker that he's married such an exquisite creature*

My Horizontal Life, was recommended by my best friend Tammy who, through tearful laughing fits that rendered her unable to breath, recounted a chapter in which Chelsea described having to crawl in through the window of her own house in the wee hours of the morning, wearing only a M&M costume and green tights (sans underwear).  Hijinx ensued.
This book was entertaining too, but in more of a "I'm- going-to-rock-myself-in-a-corner-with-a -bottle-of-Grey-Goose-and-hope-to-God-through-the-drunken-fog-that-I-can-remember-my-therapist's-24-hour-hotline-number" kind of way.  You know, a feel good read.  But I digress.

So here it is time to stop procrastinating.  I have a magazine project due in *cough* two days, transcription for my next book to get started on, samples & a presentation (for a non-knitting related pitch) to put together and, cheap plastic bracelets to hunt down for the "Bangles & Beer Cozies" make & take (people sit and make something, then take the item with them) table Drew Emborsky and I are doing at our publisher's booth at CHA (a craft industry convention in Anaheim, CA) this month.  I'm wondering which, if any, of these tasks will require me getting out of my bathrobe.  Anyway...

Lest the people who I "work" for think that I've completely drifted off into slacker mode, I have photographic proof of my multi-tasking.  Here I am simultaneously editing Craft Corps profiles and hopefully, also creating a mini-music lover.  Oh, and lest (I'm going to start using that word more often--it sounds distinguished, like it should be spoken while wearing an ascot) the rest of you think that I have any sense of vanity left since my show was cancelled, the product-less, pitiful hair and exposed pregnancy panel in this shot should rid you of any worries.

Note:  That's a marker, NOT A CIGARETTE in my hand.  Thank you.

And with that, I bid you adieu.  

xo,
Vickie

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Happy Birthday, Tristan!!

Our thoughtful, artistic, independent, incredibly smart little man, Mr. Tristan Riley Howell, turns 7 today!

My little cutie-pie, I wish for you a year of wonderment, delight, and the knowledge of how much this world treasures you.

To quote you back to you, "I love you all the way until we're bones and even longer."

Big squeezes,
Mom

TV Rings in the New Year with Knitwear


Happy New Year, party peeps!  I'm still recovering from a whirlwind of holidays, family and house guests.  Just wanted to take a minute for a quick post though, to wish you a 2009 filled with the promise of hope and the actuality of change.  Peace and love to you all!

We kept it mellow here for New Years eve, watching various TV specials with the kids and counting down with a sparkling grape juice toast (pregnant ladies know how to live it up, eh?)
It was exceptionally cold in New York where most NYE programming seemed to be shot, which is good news for the stitch geeks among us.  Why, you ask?  Well my friends, because cold weather = lots o' knitwear!  I entertained myself much of the evening by spotting yarn-gear worn by hosts and other TV personalities.  Oh, and because of the aforementioned geekage, I took a few pictures of said be-knitted (and be-crocheted) persons.

CNN's Erica Hill, wearing a knit beanie and fringed scarf.

CNN's Don Lemon wearing a crocheted Trojan-style hat.  They made him take it off though before I could get a profile shot of the yarn-hawk.  Blast!  CNN producers, why you gotta be crochet haters?

One of the interviewees on PBS's New York Philharmonic special wore what appeared to be a crochet & gemstone necklace.

Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie