They're Here!

With snow piling up outside my window I feel much like 
one of Santa's elves busily sewing, snipping and pressing 
in time for the holidays...and I love it!

  

I'm so excited to tell you that one batch of 

stylish (project) bags is available locally at Cinch Art Space 

  and another batch will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

Perfect for holding your projects on the go, 

these roomy bags are among my favorite to make. 

By easily undoing the button loop closure, this fairly compact bag 

instantly turns spacious, and has seven roomy pockets!

Any project can quickly be made portable and at the ready 

during your lunch break or while traveling for the holidays. 

All bags are sewn by me and have a (carefully chosen) button closure.

It will cheerfully hold your knitting, crochet, hand sewing, embroidery, 

creative writing, journaling, scrap booking, card making...

and just imagine how much more you'll get done!

Be stylish and productive. 

You and your work deserve it. :)

 I couldn't resist sharing "Kid President's" 
hysterical 3 minute message to moms. 
And if you enjoy that video, don't miss this one
where he briefly shares his inspiring story.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Make Every Day a Picnic

I'm thrilled to announce the forthcoming release

of my first quilt pattern, "Ladies Who Lunch"!

I originally designed and made this quilt for my 

spunky, energetic and fun-loving niece, Fabrizia, 

and I'm excited to now share it with all of you!

The pattern, complete with templates and step-by-step photos,

will be available for sale after December 2nd

in my Etsy shop and at Quilters Corner in Ithaca,

where this quilt will also be on display.

How about a workshop?

Mark you calendar now for my 2-day workshop 

April 12-13, 2014 at Quilters Corner, 

where you can make this sweet decorative quilt top 

which will then be ready for quilting and binding at home. 

We'll use simple fusing and machine sewing techniques, as well as 

a tiny bit of simple embroidery for the most charming detail.

Invite these charming Ladies into your little loved-one's 

nursery or bedroom and make every day a picnic. :)

As the workshop gets closer, more information will be provided. 

I hope you'll join the fun!

 On the hunt for holiday dessert ideas?
Look no further, Apple Clafouti is both impressive and easy!
(Click the link for the recipe)

This French batter cake entertains as it 

puffs up high beyond the sides of the dish, and 

 soft, sweet apples balance the popover-like cake texture. 
Quick to put together, it's best served straight from the oven, 
or shortly thereafter, and I can personally recommend 
adding a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream 
to make it a home run. Enjoy!

One last thing - 

shop owners and shoppers alike, mark your calendars:

Small Business Saturday is November 30th

...a day to celebrate and support small businesses 
and all they do for their communities.  Please join the SBA and 
organizations across the country in supporting your local 
small business by shopping at a small business. 
- US Small Business Administration

Craftivism

"Craftivism is a way of looking at life where voicing
opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, 
your compassion deeper & your quest for
justice more infinite."

-Craftivist, Betsy Greer


I had the good fortune of being invited by my
dear friend Cheri to attend the opening 
of this powerful show. 
If you're in the Syracuse area, it's truly a moving  
collection of work not to be missed. 

An excerpt from ArtRage Gallery's postcard:

Spoken Threads is a collection of fiber art
that takes its inspiration from the traditional
women-made crafts such as quilting, 
knitting, weaving, sewing and cross-stitch.
It features women artists from across the USA, 
including Central New York,
as well as those from Canada and the UK who use 
their art to speak wisdom on a variety of social and 
environmental issues. During the time of year 
that many consumers reach for something mass-produced
off an end-cap display, this exhibition is a celebration
of the handmade. 

November 9 - December 21, 2013

ArtRage Gallery hours: 
W, Th, F 2-7pm
Sat 12-4pm
505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse
315-218-5711

Knitting From the Heart

Each year, the chilly arrival of Fall triggers  

my desire to knit hats and scarves for some of my 

most favorite charities (scroll down for links.)  

 While I've knit scarves, I admittedly have a penchant for hats. 
Afterall, they're always in need 
and let's be honest, they're fast! 

They're great canvases for handspun and hand dyed yarns -
both of which occupy a fair amount of real estate in the studio.  

Hats for kids can be playful and colorful, 

while hats for adults can show off cool patterns. 

Sometimes the two collide with decent results:

Here are 3 hat patterns most often on my needles: 

Little Scallops (above) free pattern by Maria Carlander 

Kim Hamlin's hat patterns in Last Minute Knitted Gifts

And my brand new favorite,
Barley hat pattern by Tin Can Knits (8 free patterns)

Each year, as a new stack of knitting grows beside my chair 

I feel such happiness and love sending out 

a little bit of comfort into the world,

whether to a nearby hospital or the streets of NYC, 

to a Native American Reservation or to orphans.

If you knit for a charity, please share it in Comments. 

Like so many of us, I'm always looking for another 

great reason to pick up sticks and string. :)