This Week on My Talent Corner

I always look forward to see what my students are making. When they stick to the craft even though their time might be very limited. This student came to my class pregnant and then when she returned for another class the baby had safely arrived and growing. And she still wanted to save a little time here and there for her crochet.

At her baby shower someone gave her a gift of a sack with a hat to match to put the baby in. She said she uses it all the time. Wow, something else to make for a baby shower. Anyway, the baby was getting too big for that sack and she wanted to make a bigger sack. And she made it.

She is such a careful crocheter, I love how her items turn out.

(Miss Craft Diva)When did you first learn how to crochet?

(Marie) I first learned to crochet about 2 years ago. I am still learning and have a long way to go :)

(Miss Craft Diva)How did you learn? From a family member, friend or organization?

(Marie)I learned to crochet at the Sayreville Public Library in a "Introduction to Crochet for Beginners" Class they held. It was a 4 week class that met on Saturday mornings. I have taken this class two times and it was taught by you (Cheryl). Cheryl is an excellent teacher!

(Miss Craft Diva) Why do you enjoy crocheting so much?

(Marie)I enjoy Crochet because I like the sense of accomplishment I feel after I finish a project. Every crochet project for me is a "labor of love". I take my time and learn as I am going. I make tons of mistakes along the way but I pull those stitches out and try again. At the end of a project I feel so happy and proud of myself that I actually was able to make something! I am not that crafty in generally so this is a big accomplishment for me.

(Miss Craft Diva) Well you are an encouragement for all new crocheters. Not only do you want your project to look good you do that by taking out stitches that it took time to do out of your very busy schedule.

(Miss Craft Diva) What are some future projects you would like to make?

(Marie) Most of my projects are "baby" related as I have 3 small little girls: Molly - 5 years old, Lucy - 3 years old, and Emily- 7 months old. I am still a beginners level of crochet so most of my projects are basic like blankets and scarves. I would like to learn how to make my girls clothing. I love how my girls look in crochet sweaters and dresses. One day I want to make these items for them. It would bring me so much joy to see by kids wear something that I made from the heart.

(Miss Craft Diva) What benefits do you get from crochet?

(Marie) I find crochet very mind challenging which I LOVE! When I first started I was not reading patterns. I was just doing simple stitches and following instruction from others. Now I have some more confidence in my skill that I love to figure out how to read patterns. I study the whole pattern first and try to "decode it" and than get started. Most people say crochet is relaxing for them but for me it is not because I concentrate really hard and want to understand what I am doing. I have very limited time to crochet since I have 3 kids, a husband, a house, work, etc so when I actually get to sit down and crochet it is all business!

(Miss Craft Diva) What made you want to crochet?

(Marie) What made me want to crochet is my grandmother who I called "Nonna Teresa". My most fondest memories of Nonna Teresa is her sitting at the kitchen table crocheting. Nonna was amazing at crochet and she made a variety of items. Growing up all of the grand kids used to laugh because Nonna was always making a Doily. She must of had at least 50 Doilies in her home & I can not even count the number of Doilies she had given all of us thru the years! When I was younger I did not appreciate her skill and unfortunately she passed away before I had interest in learning from her. Nonna was so thoughtful that prior to her passing, without me knowing, she crocheted a bunch of baby items (both in pinks & blues) and gave them to my mother. Nonna told my mother to give them to me when I am pregnant in case she would not be around to give them to me herself. I had no idea my mother stored these items for a few years. At my baby shower my mother surprised me with all the items Nonna had made for my future kids to be born. Nonna was not physically there at my baby shower but I know she was watching over me from Heaven. It was so touching to have these gifts from her. From that day forward I told myself that I really want to learn in honor of Nonna Teresa. Although my kids never met Nonna, she has been present thru her crochet in their lives. Seeing my girls use the blankets and sweaters she left them brings tears to my eyes every time. I hope to keep this tradition alive that my grandmother started many years ago, although, I don't think I will be making Doilies anytime soon. I have enough to last a life time!!! :)

(Miss Craft Diva) What a wonderful touching story of love and talent. That labor of love was definitely passed down from your Nonna to you. I'm sure she was proud of you even though you didn't crochet at the time. Thank you for sharing and loving the craft enough to want to keep it alive.

A Cold Does Not Equal No Working on Projects

I was sick this past week with a cold. When the weather starts changing I can tell if my immune system is low because if I am around someone with a cold I catch it and I did. Rats. So the sore throat started and I worked on that and then the stuffiness came on and I couldn't breath. But I rather that then that sore throat.

It's funny that there are alot of people when they are sick equals not so much eating. I on the other had am the opposite. I want to eat more when I have a cold. Especially if I have a sore throat. For some reason it is like the food makes it feel better. So I was always chomping on something. And some stop working on their projects when they are sick, I don't. Concentrating on a prject helps me not to think so much on being sick. Gut it has to be a project that I don't have to think at all. You know one of those projects that you keep just for going to a craft group when you know there is going to be a lot of noise and talking and you won't be able to concentrate. You don't want to bring a project that requires concentration because that is a sure way of bringing it back home with errors of some sort.

So I worked on starting my crocodile triangular shawl. I purchased a bag of the yarn mill ends at ACMoore and I loved the color because it reminded me of the color of a crocodile. it's hard to see the pattern because of the color in this picture.

I had the privilege of holding a baby Alligator when I volunteered at the Turtle Back Zoo. I was there for six years so I had the privilege of handling a lot of wonderful creatures. No lions and tiger or bears - oh no. Both alligators and crocodiles are powerful animals. And holding even a baby helps you to respect their strength and not take it for granted that it is just a baby.

This project for me was mindless and just enough for me to have something to work on that required almost no thought. Have you tried this crochet stitch yet? Well what are you waiting for? There are a variety of patterns out there now to try and several videos to help instruct you.

I love shawls because I can throw it on me as I am a hot and cold person. So using an item that is fast to put on and take off is great.

Well I am feeling much better now and my shawl is coming along and it's joining several of my other projects on the road of finishing.

Be happy de-stressing with your craft.

Time Well Spent

Ever since I was laid off my whole social life changed. I had to make adjustments because of the money situation. Because I've done so much it didn't bother me for a three years. But then not being able to get with my friends as I did before was an adjustment.

I had to stop any shopping so that I could survive through the month. So when my shopping friends wanted to go do their thang I always said no. The word 'No' became a staple in my life and I got use to it. Even when it came to yarn it was only a couple times a year that I would purchase for specific projects.

But I am trying to get back with a few of my friends that I haven't seen in a while. This past Friday I hung out with one of my shopping friends. Now she can stay in ACMoore or Michael's for a couple of hours in comparison to me that I am in and out. Even though I teach at Michael's I don't shop for yarn. I have enough projects in the unfinished (UFO) pile. I told my friend I know how she is and so as long as I am prepared I could stay as long as she wants in the stores. I stood there weaving in yarn ends which I hate to do all the while that she was doing her looking and we were able to catch up with lost time. And I finished this pot holder which is mitered squares and I-cord edging.

I am very bad with not doing those yarn ends as I go. I just don't know how to stop myself from knitting or crocheting and just do it. I am not liking that part of the process. I find that because I'm that way if I take it with me and I don't have any other choice to change to another project then I'm good to go to do the finishing. I felt so accomplished.

So my suggestion to you is if you have that shopper friend or family member in your life and you want to go with them but you are not a shopper or you don't take as long to shop, bring those small projects that need finishing. You can spend that time with family and friends and still feel like you are not wasting time and you will not mind waiting.

Until hopefully next week - have a fun time with your crafts.

I'm Back

Well I'm back. It has been a long time coming. But when you go through different stresses in life it can set you back. When you don't have a teenager or computer person to help you with your computer problems it sets you back. When you don't know what you want to write about it sets you back.

Get the picture.

But life is easing up and I figured out my computer issues with uploading pictures. I needed to use Google Chrome and now it works. Go figure - You have to keep upgrading with the times and if you don't know about that stuff you won't be able to figure it out. And when it comes to what to write about - well I think I will just write what comes and someone out there will want to read it.

I won't say how often I will post but I'm aiming for once a week. I'll leave it at that.

Have an awesome week.

This Week On "My Talent Corner"

Every student holds a different place in my heart. As for Rose, it is like enjoying time with your grandmother. She is multi-talented. She is a wonderful baker. No we're not talking sugar cookies. She bakes as if they came from a bakery. Fancy looking and rich tasting.

So when I come over for the class she ask if I want a cup of coffee. My thoughts are - Is there some baked goods that go with that cup of coffee? Yum, yum I can't wait until our next class.

But she also has a love for her knitting. I just have to praise her for a job well done. She is a return knitter that has been excited to learn what is new in the knitting world.

Now I usually don't ask age, but in Rose's case I want to stress the point that it is never too late to return back to something you enjoyed doing. Rose is 80 years old.

Rose made this beautiful sweater that has a touch of fair isle and this adorable hat with a fun topper for her grandchild. She made it with such care and much love.

Thank you Rose for taking out the time to share.

My interview with Rose.

Miss Craft Diva: When did you first learn to crochet?

Rose: My husband was in the service so I must have been about 22 or 23 and that's about 50 some odd years ago.

Miss Craft Diva: How did you learn? From a family member, friend, or organization?

Rose: I learned from a book so I was self taught.

Miss Craft Diva: Why do you enjoy knitting so much?

Rose: It's a form of relaxation and seeing the end product and a sense of accomplisment.

Miss Craft Diva: What are some future projects you would like to make?

Rose: I would like to make a shawl, pot holders and I want to make a sweater coat for myself.

Miss Craft Diva: What benefits do you get from knitting?

Rose: Accomplishment, relaxation, crativity and the challenge of doing something new with working on different projects.

Miss Craft Diva: What are other goals that you want to achieve with your knitting?

Rose: I want to learn how to interprete patterns and learn different stitch patterns.

I look forward to seeing those other projects from Rose, especially the sweater coat.

Snow Visit

Snow, snow go away, please don't come back another day. Well, I should rephrase that. If I am inside with a hot cup of cocoa with whip cream on top looking out my window at the snow coming down I am fine. Snow is beautiful until you have to shovel your car out and drive in it.

But what a wonderful day to stay home and work on your needle art projects. That's what I did and I truly enjoyed myself. Of course, I got all excited about starting a new project and I did. Well a couple of new projects.

People are always asking me how long did it take to make such and such. I say I don't know. The truth of the matter is that I have several projects going on at the same time and so I do them in my time. Come on, admit it. I know I have company out there that do the same thing.

When I use to be all into sewing, I use to love to hand sew and didn't mind sewing on buttons and I did other hand work. Now not so much. So I usually enjoy the process of knitting and crocheting and then put it down for a rest until that day comes when I want to do the hand work like seaming, sewing on buttons or picking up stitches.

You do have to know yourself and what you enjoy. You also have to add into the mix the things that are not on the top of your list and work them in. I like breaking down my projects and I find that I enjoy the process so much better.

So what are a couple of projects I worked on in this crazy weather of ours?

This is a scarf. Just using stockenette stitch and garter stitch with alternating two different size needles for each stitch you get this very textured design and I like that.

These are adorable baby booties but I am at that part of the process I don't enjoy - picking up stitches. So we will see how long it takes me to get into the mood to finish these. I have until May because that is when our guild will have their baby shower for charity.

And last but not least you have to make time to make a baby shower gift. There is a guy where I work temporary, him and his wife are expecting their first baby. He is such a nice person and so this picture is showing the start of a baby blanket.

Well that is it for now and I'm sure you have some wonderful projects that you enjoyed especially if you live on the east coast where this weather is giving us a taste of winter.

Enjoy.

This Week On "My Talent Corner"

One of the areas on my blog that I would like to do more of is talk about what my students are doing with what they are learning and their love of the needle arts. I'm proud of my students and want to show off their projects.

One of those students is Susan. She came to my crochet class already knowing how to crochet and in the round at that. She makes wonderful stuffed objects as you can see below. This is just a small sample of the wonderful crochet items she has enjoyed making.

But she wanted to improve on her crochet skills and techniques. Susan is energetic for crochet and she would hang on to every word that I said to see what she could learn next. I enjoy her drive for learning more and I know she will continue to make beautiful pieces for years to come.

Thank you Susan for taking out the time to share.

My interview with Susan.

Miss Craft Diva: When did you first learn to crochet?

Susan: I learned basic stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet) as a child.

Miss Craft Diva: How did you learn? From a family member, friend, or organization?

Susan: I learned from my grandmother. I spent my afternoons and evenings with my grandmother, since both my parents worked. I would watch her crochet intricate designs as pillow and seat covers. One day, she showed me how to do basic stitches. Since I did not practice or have my own kit, I forgot it soon after. When I was 28, I went to my parents' apartment to celebrate my mom's birthday. I was moving out of state soon. When I got there, I asked my mom what she wanted to do and she replied, "How about I show you how to crochet?" I said, "Ok." We went to a local sewing supply store and picked up some yarn and a crochet hook. She showed me how to do a chain, single crochet, double crochet and treble. By dinner time, I already crocheted a scarf for my dad.

Miss Craft Diva: That is wonderful that the joy of crochet was passed down to you going through three generations; your grandmother, your mother and then you.

Why do you enjoy crocheting so much?

Susan: I find crocheting to be relaxing and a great stress reliever. I also enjoy it, because it was a bonding experience I shared with my grandmother and mother.

Miss Craft Diva: What are some future projects you would like to make?

Susan: I would like to make a couple of handbags, a skirt and shrug to get more practice with gauge. I would like to make some more stuffed animals for fun.

Miss Craft Diva: What benefits do you get from crocheting?

Susan: I find crocheting to be relaxing. I also get a sense of satisfaction when I see a finished project. When most people hear I crochet, they make fun of me and say "that's for old ladies." Then I show them pictures of stuff I've made and they are impressed and can't believe I made it by crocheting. Some even say they want to learn afterwards. I'm proud that I can alter some people's perspective of crocheting.

Miss Craft Diva: What made you want to crochet?

Susan: As a child, I admired the beautiful, intricate patterns my grandmother made for her pillow and seat covers. When I was older, I started crocheting because that's what my mother wanted to do on her birthday. It turned out to be fun, so it became a new hobby.

Susan I am so glad that you did not allow the opinions of others to stop you from being creative. Recently, Susan has enjoyed working with the V-stitch as she makes blankets for a couple of babies on the way. We look forward to seeing what else Susan will be making as she continues to release her creative spirit.

Color Continues To Amaze Me

The last thing you want to do when you are sick is to write. So I had to put my blog yet again on hold for a few days. Tis the season to share - GERMS! And when you are surrounded by them you are bound to pick up a few.

As I spoke in recent posts, I am working with my existing stash of yarns. I've been wanting to make an infinity scarf. I didn't want to figure out the number of stitches I needed so I looked for an easy knit pattern that I could use several colors with. Actually, a no brainer and a project that I could bring to knitting groups so I don't have to think. Well, I finished the scarf even before I went to any group because I enjoyed working with the colors I picked out.

As you can see from the picture, I had a varigated yarn with several colors to work with. I looked at all the colors in the yarn and then I had to find yarns that I had that could match with the blend of colors. So I picked out four solid light colors that blended and took those light colors and found four solid dark colors of the same color family.

I alternated between using a solid and then varigated and I repeated that throughout the scarf. I loved the flow of the colors.

Sometimes it might take a while to figure out what you will do with those one skeins of yarn or left over yarn balls. Don't rush it, just keep your eyes open to project ideas and it will happen. It did for me and I love my infinity scarf.

Third Annual Vogue Knitting Live Event

I talked to two of my students who went to the Vogue Knitting Live event this past weekend. It was one of their first large events in the needle arts world. Maybe you had a chance to go. If so I hope you had a great time.

They enjoyed the event. They had one complaint which was the crowds. I started thinking of what to write about and I thought this would be a good post to consider. Vogue and their event planners does a fantastic job in putting the event together.

When we go to any function or event we are focused on what is in front of us and not what is behind the scenes - naturally. If we did look at behind the scenes we would know that putting such an event together is no small task.

The event planners they use come from a company in New York, SoHo Publishing. The ones that I have dealt with are so nice and they do a fantastic job. I got to volunteer at both the first and second event so I saw them in action. And I also saw the behind the scenes first hand.

One of the hardest issues I think with any event and especially if it is the first time is trying to estimate the number of people that will attend. Then the next issue is where will the event be held.

Now New York City is not the easiest place to find somewhere to accommodate over 3,000 people. Then you have to think of the spacing and how many vendors and their setup in the space. Then it is all the stuff in between like the mass production of programs, tickets, packages for classes, emails, teachers and classroom set ups, demo and fashion show organizing, and don't forget the volunteers needed both scheduling and determining where and when they will be needed.

The whole event needs to be set up and after the event it needs to be broken down. There are questions to be answered from the vendors, there are so many supplies needed. Also they have to think of people with disabilities and others that need special assistance. And this is just part of the whole to-do list.

So the next time you go to an event and something doesn't go the way it should or there is an inconvenience, remember that they did a lot of things right to help the event to go as smooth as possible but perfection just does not exist.

Hurray to Vogue and SoHo Publishing for another successful event. I know with each coming year it will get better and better. I wish I could have been there.

Reflection

When I think of last year, which is only a couple of weeks behind us, I can't but help to think of knitting and crochet projects that were left behind unfinished. I think I did quite well. I set a goal to do more finishing of projects and I did just that. How did you do?

I am a pattern starter junky. I mean I am always seeing another pattern I just gotta start. So that means there are still projects that are crying out 'when will you finish me'. But we won't go into those now.

As I said in one of my previous posts because of life's situation I hardly purchased any new yarn. So thank goodness my stash is not too big. If it was I would have more unfinished projects on the list to finish. But for me, especially now, my knitting and crochet is my big-time stress reliever. It doesn't matter how many projects I have as long as I am still enjoying my craft.

So what is on my needles that I can share?

For a new learn and new project, I knitted one of those ruffled scarves using the Starbella lace because a student wanted to know how to make one. Now I am crocheting one because another student wanted to know how to make it in crochet. I don't like the crochet one because it is harder to keep track of your stitches and as we know crochet is usually faster, but this is slower for me to make. It might also be when you don't truly have an interest in something that can slow you down.

I am making an adorable bolero for a baby from a Debbie Bliss book, Simply Baby.

I need to finish sewing up the other side and then picking up the outside stitches to make the edging.

Then I started my quest to prepare early for a baby shower that one of the guilds I had belonged to gives every year. You can read about a past event on Friday, May 13, 2011. So I have a couple of booties and preemie hats finished.

There are other projects I made and (believe it or not) finished throughout the year that you can see on the left hand side through my flickr account. Just click on the link.

So what's your story? Are you starting new goals to complete earlier projects? Are you looking at the number of projects you still haven't finished? Set goals as to keep your craft fun, relaxing and a stress reliever not a stress builder.

Excited To Learn How To Knit and Crochet

I've been knitting and crocheting since I was 10 years old. I think when you are a seasoned knitter or crocheter you take it for granted and that excitement you use to have has shifted. I think we forgot the thrill and excitement we felt when we first had a pair of knitting needles or crochet hook in our hands for the very first time. I know I can't remember. Oh, we are still excited but not because we are starting to learn how to knit or crochet but over that new issue of a knit or crochet magazine with just the pattern we want to make, or meeting up with friends at a fiber festival, knit and crochet group or sharing what we have added to our already large stash of yarn.

These days have been a little glum given my job situation so sometimes I didn't feel like teaching. But when I looked at the excitement of my students, their smiles and joy they show and the thrill they express when starting to learn how to knit or crochet my excitment starts all over again. It especially shows when they express those words, "I can knit/crochet" and when they complete their first project.

Teaching has brought such a wonderful joy to me and meeting so many that want to learn has expanded my love for the craft and I get excited to learn more and do more so that I could share with my students. So thank you for bringing so much joy to my life and making me proud to have been the one to get you started on your craft journey.

I want to give a big round of applause to all my students for learning something new, for returning to something old, and to sticking to it. Even though I told you that it was a stress reliever, at first nothing new destresses, it usually adds just a tad bit of stress until you find your comfort. That has not stopped your desire to learn more. Hurray for all of you and I hope many more years of enjoyment as you continue to step out of your comfort zone, create and have lots of fun.

Keep having fun and learning more with your craft in this New Year and beyond.

Kind Regards,

Your Knit and Crochet Teacher

New Year 2013 - It's Event Time

Well, it is a New Year and with that comes the start of some terrific events throughout the whole year that we active knitters and crocheters look forward to. The first one that is near this area is Vogue Knitting Live held in New York City on January 18 - 20, 2013. This is the third year of the event. It is a great event with lots of vendors, wonderful fashion shows and classes featuring some of your favorite authors.

I have volunteered at the event for the last two years and have enjoyed the experience. It really showed me some of the work that goes into putting on a large event such as this and taking it down at the end. There are things that go right and things that go wrong but both years the event was a success.

If you get a chance try going even if it is for the market place. It is an event like all events that you can connect with like minds. You can see what people are making because it is like a walking fashion show as ones parade around wearing their finish garments. So you can say it is a continuous fashion show for the whole three days. And don't forget to wear something you made.

I have a post that I wrote after the first two events. You can go into my archives back to January 25, 2011 and January 24, 2012 and read about the past events and see a few pictures.

If you want to know about other events there is a website called Knitters Review that posts a list of all the events even in other countries for each year. Check it out and stay connected to your knitting and crochet world.

As always, have fun with your craft.

Having Fun With Color

For the past couple of years I have not purchased hardly any new yarn. I have strictly worked with what I had. I know for some you would probably say, 'Well I just might as well die if I can't buy yarn'. I'm still alive and kicking without more stash. I don't have a good stash but I had no choice but to work with it. I have yarn someone gave me - old and new yarn and scraps from my projects from the past and from the small stash I had.

It is one thing to work with color when you have a broad range of it, but it is another thing to work only with the existing colors you have. I would occasionally go and get one skein of yarn to use with what I had but for the most part I worked only with what was present in view.

With these two items for example, the mitered bag and the afghan was made all with scraps and I had one skein of yarn for the sides, bottom and straps for the bag. But I ran out of the grey so I had to work with another shade of grey to finish the straps but it all blended in.

Working with what you have is a challenge. I had to put colors side by side and rearrange them to see just what would go together. I had to visualize how often I wanted to use a color, how many different colors I would use and in what order the colors would be placed. Your vision is sharpened and your thought process is also. And wala you have your masterpiece.

There are different ways of being creative. One is opening up possibilities of working with what you have where that in a circumstance of buying to match color doesn't give the mind the same amount of creativity. So it forces your mind to be more creative and to see what you might normally not see if you just use your freedom to buy.

So the next time you feel you just need to go out and get more yarn, think first as to what you already have and sharpen your color skills and learn to work with what you have and challenge yourself and see if you can come up with your own color masterpiece.

Lilfe's Journey

You can compare life's journey to the weather. For some there is sunshine most of the time with patches of overcast. Then there is the shower that does not last too long and brings no damage but inconvenience. But then we get into the heavy thunder storms with lighting that strikes the ground that puts fear in you as they are so unpredictable as the weather itself is. And we can't forget the tornadoes, hurricanes and such much more. (friend from Germany would use 'such much' it became a habit for me so no I didn't write that wrong)

With the economic downturn it is like a lot of us were swooped up in a tornado and we were tossed around like salad in a bowl. Back and forth with unpredictable results as that lighting that strikes the ground. Now a tornado is very interesting because it could gather all that is in its path from one area and leave another area completely alone. That is what has been happening with layoffs and cutbacks in recent years. Some were affected and others were not just slightly missed. And still people are in fear that it could happen to them.

Well, that is what has happened to me. At first it was a shower because losing my job was like a blessing, I hated my job and all that came with it. But after a while of seeing how hard it was finding a job and trying to take care of bills and other essentials became hard. And I know unfortunately I have lots of company out there that truly understands. And trying to do something with my crafts to support me in this economic downturn was not working.

I had to switch my attention away from my blog and other things and onto the project of finding work. The hurricane did its damage and the weather has changed to a rain storm. But slowly picking up the pieces can be slow and taxing on the mind. It is called STRESS. Even my passion has suffered but I intend to get that drive back this year. The rain is still present but I am getting used to it enough to use that umbrella to shield me enough to keep going.

I want sunshine again. I want flowers blooming again. And I feel this is the year that will give me that.

What about you? Tomorrow is a new day and a new year. What will you do with it?