Compliments Collection, by Kristin Omdahl!

I'm a big fan of Kristin Omdahl. Her patterns are feminine and flirty with a whisper of architectural design. Her latest booklet, Compliments Collection offers 10 knit and crochet projects which speak to her signature aesthetic while offering the perfect inspiration for summertime stitching.

My favorite design in the book is the Aster-tiered Knit Cowl (shown above) for its delicate leaves, stacked to create a precious pop of color. You can see the all of the lovely projects offered though, on Ravelry. Plus, enter to win a free digital copy of the Compliments Collection here on this blog! Just post your full name and what types of projects you prefer to knit or crochet during the warmer months. Winner will be picket at random and posted on June 3rd.

Can't wait to nab yours? I don't blame you. Buy both digital and hard copies of the booklet here.

Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

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Mothercraft: Super Hero Birthday Party!

Wonder Twin powers, activate. Form of: a Super Friends Birthday Party! Last weekend my daughter and her best buddy teamed up to celebrate their 3rd birthdays Super Hero-style. Fortunately for them, their mamas' happen to be crafty crusaders. Here's how my gal pal, Noelle and I joined forces to battle the b-day blahs by creating a party with all kinds of POW!

Kazaam, it's cupcakes!

• Plain, store-bought cupcakes turn thematic with handmade toppers. Design your own in Photoshop like we did (and when I say "we", I mean Noelle), or order customized versions from Etsy. Just do a search "for customizable cupcake toppers".

Comic Color Sheet Favors

• Repurpose second-hand comic books into crime-fighting favors! Pull the best pages out so there's a colorful image on front and back, and laminate. Attach a baggie containing a couple of dry-erase markers, and you've got reusable color sheets that are perfect for keeping kiddos busy at restaurants.

Kiddo Decorated Avengers Cookies

• Let the little ones get involved. Some pre-made dough, Marvel hero cookie cutters and a rainbow assortment of sprinkles make for a good evening of pre-party, family fun. My kids and I made these ahead of time and froze them. The week before the event became known as "Countdown to cookie eating!" Helping with these made a certain toddler feel even more excited about her upcoming soiree.

Brother & Sister Baking Team

Super-treat Station

• Set up a Super-treat Station to inspire guests when they arrive! We had ours filled with comic book favors, hero masks, vases filled with action figures, and some masked munchies.

Pillowcase Capes Waiting for Decoration

• Crime-fighters get crafty with a cape-decorating station! Upcycle thrifted pillow cases into no-sew capes. Cut the case in half to create two capes. Use pinking shears to shape, and thread ribbon or velcro pieces through the existing hem. Draw star, lightening bolt or other emblems onto fabric using a black pen. Have them hanging and ready for each wee *web-slinger to color in with fabric markers, and embellish with sticky-backed felt shapes. Each cape will run you less than $1!

 Customizing Capes for Future Crusades

Super Hero Rescue Station

• Oh no, Super Hero action figures have been frozen in time! Quick, save them so they don't have to pull a Captain America and miss out on 70 years of time.  We originally got the excavation station idea from our friend, Jennifer Perkins' Dino Dig. For our own Fro-zone though, we swapped out dinosaurs for action figures and surrounded the main glaciers with regular ice cubes so that even the baby guests would be able to play along (without that pesky digging). To freeze the fighters, layer small figures weighed down by ice cubes in plastic shoe boxes. Fill in the gaps with water and pop in the freezer. Our rescue station kept kids ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years old occupied for half of the party. If that's not a super feat, then I don't know what is!

Birthday Boy & Girl, Ready for Super-friends Action!

Mini-heroes Excavating Action Figures from Ice-y Capture!

All in all, I think Quinn & Clover's big 0-3 was a success. Super friends. Super easy. Super fun!

Check out more photos from the party on Flickr.

Craft.Rock.Crime-fight,

Vickie

P.S. I'm moving all The Mothercraft posts back to my regular blog. Stay tuned!

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*Note to our fanboy husbands: Yes, I know that Spider-man doesn't wear a cape, but I sacrificed accuracy for alliteration. It'll be fine; I promise.

My Next Book is Available for Pre-Order!

My 7th book, Step It Up Knits: Take Your Skills to the Next Level with 25 Quick and Stylish Projects hits shelves this Fall, but is already available for pre-order on Amazon. Nab your copy now, and be the first to get your hands on patterns for great accessories like slouchy beanies, shawls, baby ponchos, socks, purses and more! Step It Up Knits, also offers tutorials for skill-building techniques like knitting lace, cables, short rows, Fair Isle, and more! Reserve your copy today.


Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

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Pop Color Trend: Turquoise

Turquoise is hot right now. From nail polish and pillows to hats and haute couture, we're seeing shades of beautiful blue-green everywhere. I personally consider turquoise ,"my signature color" (said with a Southern accent a la Steel Magnolias) so there's no end to the glee I feel on a daily basis as I come across a plethora of aqua items! Here are just a few, dreamy things I've spotted on the inter-webs, plus FIFTEEN on-trend projects that you can make yourself! 

15 On-Trend Turquoise Projects 


1. Tuxita Baby Tunic (shown above)

2. Lacy Jacket by Doris Chan




3. Baby M Blanket 

4. Juniper Cardi, by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby




5. Lacy Bolster Cover (shown above)

6. Antigua Throw, by Darla Fanton




7. Urban Revival Beanie (shown above)

8. Bellflower Infinity Scarf, by Carrie Carpenter




9. Fairly Fair Isle Beanie (shown above)

10. Doris Scarflet 


11. Turquoise Tunic, by Rebecca Design Team

12. Fancy Mae, by Jesska Hoff


13. Terrific Turquoise Baby Shoes, by Katy Farrell

14. Turquoise Top, by Anna Kuduja

15. Peacock Shawlette, by Kitman Figueroa


Love turquoise, too? Follow my Pop Color Trend: Turquoise board on Pinterest!


xx,
Vickie

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Drive by Posting: FOs

I realized that it's been two weeks since I last posted. Unacceptable! ;-) I'm much better these days about posting on Facebook and Twitter than here. Anyway, just wanted to do a quick post about my upcoming project, a booklet of 10 crocheted hats that will be available in JoAnn stores in January. The turn around for this one is pretty fast -- I've had 3 weeks to design/make/write patterns for all 10 hats -- but I'm staying on track to meet the deadline! I'm actually digging this process more than writing a full-fledged book that takes a year to complete and be published. You know me, instant gratification and all of that. ;-) Here's a sneak peak of the first six caps.

Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

From me to you: Ultimate Sweat Machine Tips!

Stop! Wait! Don't drop that Ultimate Sweater Machine off at the thrift store. I know learning a new tool can be frustrating, but I'm here for you. I promise.

I'm a professional hand-knitter, but still relatively new to using a knitting machine. Using the Ultimate Sweater machine however, became crucial last fall as more and more companies began commissioning large, yarn-bombed pieces from me. Out of sheer necessity, I buckled down and got on board the USM train. Through trial-and-error, I picked up a few tricks that ultimately made my experience more successful. Now I'm sharing those tips, along with answering consumer questions, in 4 videos on the Bond America website. Give 'em a look, and put what you've learned to work on your own USM.

Oh, and don't forget, there are also traditional how-to videos and 24-hour help available, too! Learn more here.

xx,
Vickie