#winterdeathstorm09 + gem sweaters

Iowans everywhere are tweeting and FB-ing and talking and complaining about this huge snowstorm that we're weathering. We might boast about how tough we are, how good/bad we are at driving in it, and how it's ruined our plans (or made them better ... because the next day or so has a chance of being a snow day.) No matter what, no matter how much you hate it, you know you kind of love it.

Mostly unrelated ... these bearded Icelandic caps are all kinds of awesome (from Birkiland.) If you want to make your own, here's a free pattern on Ravelry. I might have to bust one of these out for Bo.

And this Saturday, I'll be vending at What A Load of Craft in Iowa City. I'm extremely excited. There's going to be a Craft Death Match, which pits crafters and audience members against each other in a brutal tour-de-force craft battle. Participants create a pre-determined craft project within the time limit, set to a metal soundtrack provided by local dj Killed by Death (and other bands throughout the day.) Death Match rounds include speed knitting, gingerbread house construction, play-doh meal, and human gift wrapping. Do you see why I'm giddy about this weekend? Could there be a cooler craft show?
So in preparation, I've been knitting my face off, per usual, and then I saw something on What A Load of Craft's Facebook page that said 'special guest emcee ... Leslie Hall, plus a performance by Leslie and the LYs!!!' Right, like that Leslie! We first became a fan when she was a guest on Lo's fave show, Yo Gabba Gabba. But then we discovered Leslie's craft-tastical music, found out that she's from Ames and the rest is just craft talk. Anyway, I could not be any more stoked.

I must be dreaming. (Make it make it make it make it faster faster faster faster ... work through the pain, work it through the pain.)

dareness

Dare #153 is up today. I took a break on the last two rounds and really missed it. But wow, the girls have been rocking it. Hard. This week's topic: don't stop ______. I love the different directions you can take this. And can I just say one thing? You know you're part of something kind of perfect and awesome when if feels right. Every time I've done a Dare, it's been easy. Even if it was something difficult to express or if I had no idea what direction I was heading when I started putting the pieces together. When other people see it and it doesn't make sense, it's often something I needed to say even if it's just to myself. It's good, it comes naturally, and that's how you know you're supposed to be doing something and you're in the right place. Some things can't be forced.

I made this last night.

I had been searching and searching for a knitting pattern for a coffee cup sleeve that used my beloved Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick, but never had any luck. It was driving me nuts. Surely such a thing exists. I have a huge pile of leftovers that I've been dying to use up, so I finally just sat down last night and made one on my own. I'm not a pattern writer by any means, but this is so simple that even I can spell it out. So here you go (you can find this here on Ravelry, too.) These are insanely quick to make, are great for stash-busting and would make perfect last-minute gifts.

thick and quick starbucks sweater

yarn: lion brand wool-ease thick and quick (less than .25 skein)
needles: US 13 / 9.0 mm DPNs

c/o 20 sts, join and PM

1. k1 p1 rib
2. k1 p1 rib
3. k
4. k1, k2 tog, k to last st
   (repeat rounds 3 & 4 four times = 16 sts)
5. k1 p1 rib
6. k1 p1 rib
7. b/o loosely in pattern + weave in ends

That is it! Yup, 20 stitches, 12 rounds ... um, this could be the easiest fastest project in the world. Go forth and make coffee cup sleeves. It's December, people. Go, now!

shopping local

Just wanted to share a few rad photos by the talented Cat Rocketship from Market Day. (Cat is an amazing artist, by the way. See her work here and check back every Friday for her One Day Friday Payday Sale.) Anyway, yes – Market Day's Black Friday Sale was a huge success! You might have seen us on KCCI or ABC5 on Thanksgiving night. Or check out the story on Market Day on CNN Money.

One of the best parts of hanging at local craft fairs is meeting cool people, like Dan Welk of Click Photography. I picked up one of his Travelers prints. Check out his brilliant perspective on the day here.

I'm also a new fan of Kevin House's original collages and prints. I had to snag one of his small collages.

There was also tons of handmade jewelery.

And fun holiday garlands and decorations, like these from Disco Lemonade. (She made me a cool custom garland made from cut-up circular sweater pieces.)

And here's the view of my booth, while I still had a rainbow-colored pile of hand-knit goods on the table. Thanks again to Cat Rocketship and all the MSMF peeps for a fantastic holiday show and super successful first year of Market Day. See you again in the spring. :)

black friday ...

Want to get some holiday shopping done, but don't want to subject yourself to the crazy big-box store crowds? Come out to Market Day instead (and bring the whole family!) Go here to see the lovely Cat Rocketship's top five reasons to come to Market Day. (Including Mooncheez tomato soup/grilled cheese sandwiches and free papercrafts for kids.) Hope to see you there – be sure to stop and say hi!

yes, i am. (thankful)

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. – Thornton Wilder

As I'm making pie and cookies and vegetarian lasagna today (with my little helper,) I'm feeling pretty grateful for our little family and the little spot we've made for ourselves in this big world. I have to remember that each day we spend together and every little thing we do is pretty awesome.

And this week, I was reminded how grateful I am for friends like these. This gang goes way back. Now we're watching each others' kids grow taller, year after year.

And I've gotta admit that I'm also a little bit thankful that I'll have a fun way to spend Black Friday – hanging out at Market Day with other crafty peeps. It sure beats camping outside of Best Buy. :)

Here's what I'll have on hand if you stop by on Friday ... (well, and other stuff that I didn't have time to take photos of.)

And here are some lovely pics from last weekend's Craft Saturday – what a fun day spent drinking coffee and chatting with my pal Erin. Thank you to everyone who came out to see us!

(And a big thanks to Joe and Danelle for another super fun event.)

Market Day's Black Friday Sale is sure to be another great opportunity to buy local, buy creative (and save some cash, too.) Come out to see dozens of vendors with handmade, art and vintage wares. You can find us at 118 SE 4th Street in the Market Building (two blocks off Court Ave) from 10am-4pm ... this Friday! Ditch the mall + big box stores and come hang with us instead. (Bring the whole family!)

knitknitknitknitsleepknitknit

Knitting projects ...













See all of these and more in person – just come out to Craft Saturday tomorrow.

I'm bringing some new paintings, too. I've had a bunch of requests for of batman and the sandwich guy, so here you go.

In honor of all you New Moon fans, I attempted to knit Bella's La Push hat last night.

(This could make the perfect gift!) photo of my hat coming soon ...

And I finished this lovely thing last week.

The Chorley Wrap from Rowan Magazine 46.

I'm in love (and it took under four days to knit!) It's extremely thick and warm and cozy. (Yeah, this is not for sale.) ;)

Just a little reminder of a few local events you should definitely be checking out, especially if you've got some holiday shopping to do. Tonight is the Holiday Promenade in the East Village (and the weather is going to be fantastic.)

While you're there, be sure to stop by SMASH (now Raygun) for their big name-change party.

And you must also check out the new Ephemera location to say hi to my pals Arin and Karen. Their new digs are pretty amazing! You can also find a new colorful pile of my hand-knits there.

Tomorrow marks Craft Saturday's 4th Annual holiday show – you don't want to miss it! Get a most excellent start on your holiday shopping adventure. We'll be there from noon to six.

And Market Day is next Friday, Black Friday. Shopping local has never looked so good.

Oh yeah – I'm also guest blogging one more time at Smile and Wave today! Jump over to check out what's going on over there (I've loved all the guest posters this month) and see who won the giveaway. (Happy Friday!)

truly creative type

I know you've seen this book by Rob Ryan, right? His work is everywhere, and I actually picked up an extra copy of This is For You last summer at UOs while I was in Kansas City. And I'm giving it away this week at The Creative Type.

This week's challenge is an ode to Rob Ryan's papercuts (stop over to see what our lovely guest Kara Haupt made!) And here's my page. Some of it is cut paper, and the rest is a mix of paint, Sharpie and good old Hambly. Here are some of my favorite Rob Ryan pieces, which served as inspiration. These are all cut from paper, by the way. See more in his shop and on his blog.





So what else is going on around here?

D.I.Y. Night at Mars Cafe is back. More info here.


Excited to get my hands on the Handmade Nation documentary DVD. (Get it here.)

And Kim, my pal from across the pond, has added some fun things to her shop, Art=Happy. See more here.

I'm teaching my first class at Ephemera tonight. I'm really excited!

And this Saturday is Craft Saturday's 4th Annual Holiday Show. It's the perfect time to start your holiday shopping – you'll be sure to find lots of one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Come out to see us at the Fourth Street Theatre, downtown next to Java Joe's from noon to six. (Check back this week to see lots of new hand-knits that I'll be bringing!)

guest blogging

Today you can find me guest blogging over at my pal Rachel's blog, Smile and Wave. With the arrival of new baby Ruby, she has wisely scheduled some time off to spend with the kiddos and asked a few of us internet pals to fill in here and there.

I'm so honored and excited that she asked! Did you know that Rachel has been featured on The Knot, Creature Comforts, Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, ohdeeoh, sfgirlbybay, Poppy Talk, Design Sponge, Modish, Scrap Scene and Design for Mankind? If you don't already follow her blog, you should. (photo from Smile and Wave)

[photo credit ... via freckled nest]
So hop on over to see some serious eye candy ... there just might be a giveaway, too.

shopping local for the holidays

I'm knitting as fast as I can to get ready for two local craft shows in November. I'm super excited for the return of Craft Saturday, November 21st from noon-6pm. We'll be hanging out at the Fourth Street Theatre, next to Java Joe's. Grab some coffee and shop for one-of-a-kind handmade holiday gifts.

And what better way to spend Black Friday than to come out to Market Day! You know you didn't want to be part of the insanity at the big box stores or the mall anyway. Bring the fam out to the East Village to see dozens of vendors at the Market Building on 118 SE 4th Street, November 27 from 10am-4pm. Mark those calendars.