Designing Issues...

Latest in Crochet and other Stuff...

Recently I've made a few interesting discoveries in crochet, aside from newspaper yarn mentioned in my previous post. For one, tapestry crochet. The technique is not new and I've also made a few projects and designs using tapestry crochet. But I'm not good with colors and prints, so I have been looking for nice designs to crochet. While browsing on Ravelry I found some wonderful bag designs using tapestry crochet technique.

These are from a talented artist in Australia, Anne Churches, who specializes in creating rugs and bags. I almost bought a bag, but it would be too expensive with the shipping cost. So I thought I should at least try out one of her patterns. I think it is on an introductory price at $2.50AUD.  I bought one bag pattern, and hope to start on that project soon...

Now for a look at some projects I finished this week. Since we revived the crochet livelihood program at Project Brave Kids, I got inspired to make small items we can possibly work on in the next few weeks.

I've made a couple new designs of small doilies (5 inches in diameter) that can also be used as topper for jar covers.

I also finished two sets of glass cozies using my pattern from a few years ago, Striped Shells Glass Cozy. I published the pattern here. One ball of Cannon or Monaco cotton thread, with partial balls for contrast color will make 4 cozies. This is one set of 4, in green color:

I hope to come up with samples of other small projects, including cellphone cases.

Last but not least, I finally finished the black tunic ordered from me!

Breathing in Some Inspiration

A design isn’t finished until somebody is using it.

— Brenda Laurel

 I found this quote online and thought it relevant. Not that I'm complaining, but I can't seem to move on to other new designs until I'm actually done with what is out there hanging. I have a tunic top design I've finished and submitted months ago. I'm still waiting to hear from them.
Then I have three wearable designs that have already been accepted, but its taking too long to process...its all fine by me, but right now I hardly have time to crochet or start on a new design. So I'm really hoping that some of my previous work will materialize so hopefully things will remain current and interesting.
Meanwhile, I have been breathing in some inspiration... Once in a while, I would browse my books and magazines, and I'd browse online and see many items that I like. However, since I couldn't sit for long periods to immerse myself in a new design, I still haven't started anything yet :p

Yesterday I was in the mood to go to a nearby mall...fortunately, there's a Booksale store there so I looked for knitting or crochet books and magazines. These were the only ones available at a bargain price, and I got them all for a total of P105. (about $2.50)!!!

And the winner is... and, some Blogger issues...

Or so I thought...Blogger made some changes in its features, and it appeared I lost access to my main blog. Turned out I only needed to uncheck a box, and the dashboard reverted to its old self :p

Now I can tell you that the winner of the Crochet! book giveaway is M of daperfectmix, congratulations! Please reply immediately to my Ravelry message so I can forward your address to Soho Publishing.
Thanks again to everyone who joined the contest :)

This is it!

Its now the middle of March, and I haven't had any new design featured yet for 2010 :( I need more inspiration...
I started a rectangular shawl a couple months back, but on the third ball of thread I realized I didn't like it. I ripped and changed part of the design...then I read about a call for thread design submission over at Ravelry, so I decided to submit it. Its a simple mesh shawl accented with little flowers...hopefully it gets accepted so I can make it using Nazli Gelin egyptian cotton thread ;)

While I was working on my shawl, I saw on Lily's post her gorgeous crochet shawl design!...its like one of those great-looking knitted lace shawls that we admire - and envy. At last, a lovely crocheted shawl made from thread!

This is it! My Garden Path Shawl in burgundy:

You'll just have to wait a bit more for the pattern to become available from Lily Go. More details on my project here on Ravelry.


And this I just wanted to share with you too...our youngest sister is getting married soon. She found her true love in Europe in 2005. I guess back then they already felt deep inside, "this is it!" :)

Crochet Pattern giveaway

If you're a member of our Ravelry group, Crochet in the Philippines, here's your chance to get two crochet patterns for free. See the details here, on how you can join the promo.

Crochet Liberation Front First Ever Book

The Crochet Liberation front first ever book is now $27.75 on Amazon and eligible for Super Saver Shipping. Sounds like a good deal to me...if I live in the U.S. ;)
Here are just some of the goodies you'll get in the book:




The most favorited Phoenix Mitts by Julia Vaconsin



Another popular design - Cabled Slouch Hat by Zuleika Lamb



Yogini Carryall by Yavanna Coulter Reynolds


So many more wonderful designs and interesting articles...

And also, here are two of my designs in there.
I couldn't get better pictures...but here they are:


Little Cotton Shrug


and...


Yin Yang Keychain Ball

See Ravelry for more details.

New Crochet Book!

It's now available!!!
Yes, the book by crocheters for crocheters is now out!


Oh, haven't you heard about it? Its the Crochet Liberation Front First Ever Book - and its the first ever book that I got published in! No wonder I'm excited, huh?... But more than that it is really something to look forward to with all the unique and lovely designs and informative articles in it - as unique and varied as the contributors.


Here's a picture of the full cover of the book, which gives you a glimpse into some of the patterns in it:

This book is 194 pages of full color patterns and articles. You will find 36 patterns and 13 useful and touching articles. There is not a "how to crochet" section in this book. It was written by crocheters for crocheters who have been itching for something more.

Laurie Wheeler has a sneak peek here in the CLF Official Blog. Hope you check it out and you'll see a few of the designs....including one of mine ;)

I'll show some more pics here soon...just haven't gotten to it yet (...and I'm out of batteries too :p)


So, don't miss having a copy of this historic book :)

You can go to this site to order a copy at $34.99. Please note, that's less than $1 per pattern plus articles! To see more designs in the book check it out here on Ravelry. I've already queued some patterns...really hoping I would be able to make it. I can't wait to get my copy!

Wait, there's more! If you are on Ravelry, you can go to the Crochet Liberation Front group, and get the discount code, so you can buy the book for $29.99. Or go to Amazon to avail of Super Saver Shipping.

Got my Crochet Calendar 2009!

Yay!! I received my crochet calendar today. Not one, but two copies :D
It was such a wonderful surprise - and promptly delivered by DHL! Last year in October, I was dismayed with the DHL delivery, and wrote about it on this post. This year, they surely made up for it ;)

I would like to thank Susan Ripley again, for being very helpful. I also think she did such a good job of compiling the patterns for this edition.

A careful look inside the calendar and I see these:
My designs, of course:
Multicolor sling purse, May 23-24
Poinsettia Coaster, December 7

My friends' designs:
Tina's Yo-yo key-ring critters, January 28
Tina's Piggy Bank, February 18-20
Deneen's Chunky-Brimmed Chapeau, February 28-March 1
Deneen's Mom's Favorite Scrubby Dishcloth, May 4
Deneen'sPerfectly Pretty Cotton Washcloth, December 1

Other designs that interest me:
Pamela Romeo's Baba Yaga's Bag, February 27
Paloma Parra's Lucky Lamb, March 4-5
Mette Buchreitz' Fancy Dishcloths, April 6
Jennie Lute's Bowling Set, April 9-10
Bernat's Tufted Floor Pillow , April 27
Mette Buchreitz' Friendship Bag, May 1-3
Tracie Barrett's Lanyard for ID or Keys, July 14-15
Bernat's Cool Poncho, August 17
Dorothy Hardy's Simple Ribbed Scarf, September 7
Paton's Brilliant Shawl, September 16
Bernat's Rib Bag, September 23-24
Mette Buchreitz' Santa, December 16-17

I noticed that the filler patterns in this calendar are from Lily, Bernat, Patons and Maggie's Crochet. I think I've seen most of it as free online patterns, except the ones from Bernat which look new.
All in all, I like this calendar more than the previous (2008) calendar.

For more information, to contribute designs or to purchase the calendar, please visit their website:
http://www.knittingpatternaday.com/crochet.htm

Crochet Updates

At last, I have an update on my website! Its been a year since I last showed my projects there. You've already seen most of it, but might have missed something too ;)

For a WIP update, here's the latest. Its another one of my previous bag design. I want it in a light beige color, and I'm going to combine Catania yarn and Cannon thread.
I signed this up for the Ravelympics, so I'd have to finish it within the time frame. The challenge for me with this bag, is that all the hdc sts are much harder on the hand and take longer to finish. I chose the hdc only because it looks a lot better than dc stitches.

Then...I didn't have anything else in mind to start on, till I saw this:



Its a free pattern from a talented designer, Martina from Czech Republic. It is so pretty, and I can use my Cannon threads :)
Well I haven't started on it yet - I'm still frogging a discarded bag project so I can use the brown thread. Its a slow process - since I've crocheted 3 strands of thread together :p

Still on Crochet....

Hi! Hope everyone's well, and thanks to all who left comments on my recent posts :)
I've been very slow lately, no FO to show yet. I also caught the flu, which I seldom do, and only because I went out in the rain for a few seconds to get to the car :p
Anyways, I don't feel sick anymore and I wanted to find something to blog about today so I went browsing a little. I did find a couple of big time people in crochet:

Todd Paschall who does portraits in crochet. He also teaches and sells patterns. I am considering embarking on this kind of crochet.

To have something like this in my bedroom:




Or maybe a portrait of my dear ones...like this kids' portrait, so adorable:


How about being able to knit and crochet garments that can sell by as much as $10,000 like Mihaela Manitiu?
I looked at every item on her catalog and found so many AWESOME creations:
This one's my favorite:
Silk Top, $900.


Her other creations in crochet include:
Green poncho, $650.


Black Shawl, $900.


This stunning dress at $4,000!


This pricey vest at $350.


...I'll leave you drooling on those for now ;)

Congrats to the 2009 Crochet Calendar Contest Winners!

If you're interested in submitting to the 2010 calendar, go to the website for details.
If you want to know what patterns are in the 2009 calendar, there is a link there to the Table of Contents.
And yay, I have two patterns in the 2009 calendar:

Multicolor Sling Purse

Poinsettia Coaster

A new, old crochet book

I bought a crochet book today...I saw it on a used book sale and it was only P190. ($4.40)... I asked myself, do I really need another book, especially one from 1975? Oh, but this is Anne Halliday's book - the projects and photos look wonderful! And when was the last time I posted about buying a book? Must have been a long while ago since I can't remember...so this isn't a syndrome or anything bad at all now, is it??
Anyway, what I like about this book is, not only does it encourage the crocheter to be creative on one's own, but the patterns in it are still current. I might not be making a project from it soon, but I feel lucky to have found it to add to my collection :)

My favorite designers

Are here on Ravelry. In case you haven't noticed, you can also pick your favorite designers, patterns and yarns. I included myself (why not?) and also picked some of my own favorite patterns ;)

Dahlia crochet top and some update on my design

Isn't this so lovely?
This is Lily Go's latest crochet design called Dahlia. She used Cannon threads which she got from me ;)
Her pattern has complete instructions from swatching, yarn substitution, customizing size, etc., and with all the necessary diagrams. I'm so eager to try out her pattern, since I have never made any raglan-type of garment. I've already made a swatch, but I still have to order the thread I want for this.

Meanwhile, I have to draw up the diagrams and crochet the shorter top version for my latest design tunic, which was already approved by Coats. This is the third design, which I will be finishing for this year. They expected more from me, but I wasn't able to focus enough. Besides, those were the only ones that came out original and creative, after many attempts :p
Please watch out for my latest designs for Coats Manila Bay, coming soon (hopefully, this year)...

Teaching crochet

I just scanned this picture given to me by one of our visiting donor and friend. I hope I can get the other pics by email, so I can show them too ;)


This is what I do once a week, teaching some moms to crochet. In the picture are just a few of them. Actually, I have been teaching them for more than a month now, and several of these moms are already producing some items for selling. Most of them came as beginners, and some are already teaching the new members. We have progressed too, from coasters to glass cozies and cell phone totes. I hope to come up with new patterns for them, but I need more time and inspiration...

Meanwhile, I have asked one of our forum members, who is well-known for her crochet toy designs, Kristen of Kristie's Kreations, if I could use her patterns to teach the moms, so they could also produce the toy animals. Not only did she allow me to use her free patterns, but she also gave me several of her for-sale patterns. She understands so well the plight of the moms, as she herself has a sick child. More about this, and Kristen's toy drive for the hospital kids in Minnesota are on this post.

These are some of the kids who are being treated here. More about them on the Project Brave Kids website.

Mother's Day

ETA: Oops, I just realized it isnt the 2nd Sunday of May yet and mother's day is on next Sunday. No wonder I wasnt thinking about it, until my son greeted me and presented me a gift. Oh well, I already wrote this post, so its nice anyway I'm the first to greet everyone :p

I forgot its Mother's Day today (so my son made me think), and I really dont have any plans for this day. I did greet my Mom and wish I had made something for her...but she already has a cell phone tote and several scrunchies I made. Anyway, Mom knows I'm just here when she needs me and if she likes any of the stuff I make, she can easily request it ;)
To all the mothers out there, especially the crocheting moms I know: Happy Mother's Day!

Now I really wasnt going to post about mother's day, but my dear son together with his g.f. picked a special gift for me: (I realized later that it was an advance gift coz dear g.f. will be going abroad on vacation)



It's awesome! I told my son, it is a great inspiration and a lovely addition to my collection...But I pointed out, I've had some of those same ideas used in my creations before. And our crochet here has always been lacy, since thread is mostly used. My son agrees and said we should look at the possibility of publishing my own book of designs...hehe...who knows?
First, I must learn more about Doris Chan and try to emulate her :)

Get to know Pam

designer and model: Pam Gillette

I've always admired Pam, not just for her talent, but for her personality. She's someone I could look up to as a model in a lot of aspects.

If you want to know more about Pam go to BellaOnline: An Interview with Crochet Designer Pam Gillette

Crochet Insider

I followed the link from Cathy to Crochet Insider, an online magazine that is very informative and features great crochet artists. For the current issue, dont miss Dora Ohrenstein's interview with Lily Chin!

Cathy's curtains were also featured in the gallery, she has more of it shown on her blog - I really admire those curtains!

(photo borrowed from http://catena.typepad.com/)

Crochet! magazines!

I almost forgot to mention this magazine that I found at the mall two weeks ago. I bought it for about the equivalent of $2.50 :D

_____________________________________________

Joann in CT sent me these two months ago, I'm so happy it finally made it to my door.

I'm thrilled to have it, thanks again Joann!
Btw, Chie's pattern is in there. Its the Snowflake Bag in the January issue :)