Day 6 of Sweet Summer Knitting

Well, today we are off to visit Miss Babs! I recently ordered some yarn from her, and I have to say – it arrived almost before I clicked SUBMIT, and it is YUMMY!!!!!! I’m so impressed with this yarn, I fully intent to order more.

I ordered some lace wt, which in my opinion is heavier than regular lace wt, but I don’t care! It’s so beautiful, and the subtlety of hues is just plain awesome. Here is a square I made with it, and you can’t tell the beautiful colors and subtle hue shifts, but trust me! Click on my picture to go to Miss Babs “Yet” lace yarn page, and see for yourself 🙂

I also ordered some worsted wt, single ply for a sweater – and it is also just as wonderful. I love single ply yarn, don’t you? The stitch definition is fabulous and this also has some very lovely, soft color variations and the best news – it’s on sale! half off!!!! Yes, it is, get some for YOU! 🙂

Yes I know, I’m an enabler, I’m sorry, I can’t help myself. 🙂

I hope you’ve enjoyed our Sweet Summer Knitting Blog Tour. I’ve heard from several of you that you LOVE these shops and plan to visit again soon! I know all these ladies via the wonderful internet and have conducted business with just about all of them. They are top notch, and very professional in their business dealings – and just a lot of fun otherwise! 🙂 Most of them have groups on Ravelry – join in the fun! There are KAL’s, show and tells, and some fun chatting going on.

Day 5 – Sweet Summer Knitting

Today we’re going over to visit with Sandra Singh! She has an awesome yarn shop – that’s where I buy my Malabrigo sock yarn 🙂 Talk about yummy! Visit her blog HERE and then head on over to her shop (she’ll tell you where it is) to stock up on some sock yarn! 🙂 She’s holding a drawing – someone who leaves a comment on her blog will win a pattern for some very pretty sock!

Day 4 and Happy 4th Everyone!

We’re going to celebrate the 4th with Desert Rose Design! The creation of Jean Clement, a yarn designer extraordinaire! I’m knitting some lace socks she designed, I’m about 2″ into the cuff and I have to say it’s SO easy! Even though I love to knit lace, somehow it seemed a little tricky knitting it in a sock.

So, you better head on over there, Jean has an awesome table runner for you to knit, and a YUMMY recipe to share. I’m not telling what it is – you have to go find it! 🙂

Have a wonderful (and safe) 4th!

Sweet Summer Knitting – Day 3

Hello everyone! I trust you’ve found some great yarn shops so far! This could also be labeled “Karen’s Favorite Yarn Places” 🙂

Well, today we are heading over to Scarves for All Reasons owned by Karen Austin. All of the really creative people are named Karen, have you noticed that? 🙂 Well, go on over and visit her blog – she’s got some awesome things going on!

Lucy, if you click on the last picture of the Flower Faire Shawl, it’ll take you to the page on Laura’s site where you can see it in really great detail 🙂

Sweet Summer Knitting – Day 2

Today we’ll be going to Fiber Dreams Laura has an awesome shop and blog. Oops – Here is her blog link She has such a creative mind, and a real talent for writting patterns you can understand! I have a couple favorite lace designers and Laura is right up there at the top of my list. She just got a great distributor for her patterns and they’ll be showing up in yarn shops all over the country! Remember this name!!! 🙂

Here’s a picture of a one of her shawls that’s I’m knitting.

This is called Flower Faire and is presented in 3 widths – scarf, wide scarf and shawl. I’m doing the shawl version and I’m working on side 2 now – this picture was taken a few months ago.

Happy Knitting! 🙂

Karen

Correction on the $100 drawing: I got my wires crossed – what’s new? The $100 drawing is on the Dodge Creations blog! 

Welcome to the Sweet Summer Knitting Blog Tour 09!

It’s time for Sweet Summer Knitting! Our first stop on our Tour is Dodge Creations. The owner of this online shop is Debbie Dodge and she has a fantastic yarn shop! I’ve ordered some yarn and a kit from her, and even though she is in Canada and I’m in Missouri – it got here lickety-split and for only $5!

Debbie will be holding a drawing on her blog  You must leave a comment on her blog to be entered into the drawing.

At the end of the Blog Tour, we hold a drawing for a Grand Prize Goodie Bag worth $100! It contains goodies donate by all the participating shops. We will draw a name from ALL the blog commenter’s to determine a winner for that Goodie Bag.

So, be sure to comment here and on the different blogs – you’ll LOVE this Grand Prize!

Here is our itinerary!

Please be sure to visit the other online stores that are part of this tour. I know they have surprises in store for you!

July 2nd – Laura – Fiber Dreams
July 3rd -Karen – Scarves for all reasons
July 4th -Jean – Desert Rose Designs
July 5th -Sandrasingh – Knittingwithsandrasingh.sandrasingh.com
July 6th -Miss Babs – Miss Babs.com

Sew What Guild Blog Tour – Amy Designs

.hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } I’d like to introduce you to Amy Cavaness of Amy Designs and her Artfire Shop

     I’m Amy Cavaness of Amy Designs.  I live in (or just outside of) Marseilles, IL.  It’s like Mayberry RFD, but in Illinois on the Illinois River.  I’ve lived in lots of big towns and cities, and I’m loving the rural lifestyle now.  My husband and I live in a large house in the woods, overlooking a ravine.  Lots of wildlife–when our 4 dogs aren’t chasing them away!  Besides the dogs, we share our home with 2 of my 4 sons.  One just graduated from high school, the other will graduate next year.  Then both want to go off to college together.  I’ve also had 3 foreign exchange students who each stayed a year with us.  My older 2 sons share an apartment in a town about 20 min. away, and 1 of them spends weekends here.  So with the boys and all their friends coming and going, it’s a pretty busy household.
We have 2 horses boarded at a farm about a mile away.  My husband and I love trail riding and hope to start taking the horses and doing a little bit of primitive camping with them this summer.  (We just found out last summer how well they do overnight on the trail!)
My mom was extremely artistic and did all kinds of things from oil painting to making cards with pressed flowers under rice paper.  So creative adventures were supported at home.  I started sewing in about 6th grade, I’m 52 now….well, you can figure out how long that’s been!  I never liked math!
When my sons were very young I finally got a new sewing machine to replace the Kenmore I got when I was 14.  I loved doing machine embroidery and taking classes at my local Pfaff dealer.  She was extremely artistic and creative, too, so she really inspired me to explore.  I started doing silk ribbon embroidery by machine (she was writing a book) and all kinds of fun techniques.  I have a HUGE shelf of books that I peruse for ideas.  I also keep binders of things I tear out of magazines, and little journals of drawings and ideas.
Last year I started designing purses for a custom fabric handbag store–I really enjoyed doing that, but the economy has forced the recent closing of that store.  I have Wild Ginger Software (Pattern Master Boutique) that I use to design clothes that actually fit.
Occasionally over the years I’ve taught some classes, something I really love doing.  But with all the small fabric stores going out of business, it’s getting harder to find those opportunities.
My Artfire shop is my first really serious attempt to sell things and get a business going.  I’ve always wished I had more commissions, but not working outside the home, having no female relatives, and moving have all hindered me.  So this time I’m REALLY trying (picked a heck of a time to do so, tho, with the economy the way it is!!)  And starting next month I will be a vendor at a monthly French Country Market that’s starting up near here.  So I’m trying to increase my inventory, but haven’t gotten much of my new things posted in my studio yet.
If you actually read this all the way to the end, and post a comment, you could win a crazy patch handbag I created just for this tour! (Yes, it’s pink and green)  The 7th post wins it!  And thank all of you for visiting!

This is one of Amy’s quilts – just lovely! Amy’s blog has some great tutorials, check them out. And her Artfire Shop is just full of fun things for crafters.

See you tomorrow!

Sew What Guild Blog Tour – The Quilting Attic

I’d like to introduce you to Susan Peterman, the creative mind behind The Quilting Attic and her Artfire Shop – Handmade with Love

 “Hello, my name is Susan Peterman and I love to quilt.”

I’ve taken a few quilting classes over the years but am for the most part self-taught. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. However, working at a quilt store gives me the best of both worlds. I am fortunate in that I work with many very talented quilters and get to ask questions and have my work critiqued whenever needed.

I am the re-buyer at my local quilt store. When people ask me what a re-buyer does I like to say…”my boss PAYS me to spend their money!”  I shop on the Internet all day long! I love what I do.

I’ve owned my own brick and mortar store for about 5 years then decided it would be less expensive to have on online venue. After many attempts at different venues I finally discovered Etsy. When a friend told me about Art Fire I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve not given up my Etsy store. You can find me there at www.GrandpaGrandmasAttic.com.
I am a wife of 39 years…a mother of 5 (1 birth daughter, 3 adopted sons and 1 adopted daughter)…

a grandmother of 3 (2 grandaughter and 1 grandson).

FLORAL YO YO LOT WITH HAND STITCHING USING PERLE COTTON

Susan is having a giveaway on her blog, you could win this lovely apron –

Go check it out and maybe you could be the lucky winner! 🙂 Susan’s Artfire Shop is full of fabric related things – vintage magazines and patterns, yo-yo’s and more aprons. If you love fabric – gotta go visit!

See you tomorrow!

Sew What Guild Blog Tour – Jazzy Jemz!!

I’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Miller – creator of Jazzy Jemz and her Artfire Shop

I’m a mom to a wonderful daughter. Army wife. Working on a fruitful business. My blog is about my life, giving tips for the handmade community and parenting.

Splat Mats are a stylish perfect way to prevent splatters, messes and flung food. Use under a high chair to prevent food splatter all over your floor. A must have for any mom with an infant or toddler.

This double layer fleece blanket has a satin trim lining. Perfect for blocking out the cold weather.
Generously sized to keep baby warm into his/her toddler years. Measures approx 36 x36 inches.

Jenn’s shop is full of trendy, pretty things for baby and Mom. Be sure and visit her!

See you tomorrow!

Sew What Guild Blog Tour – Flamingo K’s

I’d like to introduce you to Karen, creator of Flamingo K’s! Your source for Customized Athletic wear. And her Artfire shop

 I was born and raised in central Ohio, and have been married for 32 years. We’ve lived in several places in the US through the years, and now we’re back “home”. My husband and I have four grown children; two are still in college. Since the kids have left high school, all the sports events have ended for us,and we have more time for traveling and hobbies. It was during a camping trip in June of 2008 I was diagnosed with Stage III Kidney Cancer. I was lucky to have found it before it metastasized too far. Please consider learning more about Kidney Cancer and supporting the good folks trying to find a cure.

Karen has the cutest Lil Spanks… for children. Her Spankies are great for workouts at the gym, and you can custom order a pair for yourself!

Lil Spanks

Karen has grown up Spanks too, but these Lil Spanks are just too cute not to show off!

See you tomorrow! 🙂