tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202808532009-12-19T15:19:38.130-06:00This is Vickie Howell's BlogVickie Howellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376004129535910853noreply@blogger.comBlogger556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20280853.post-26735832055624557872009-12-16T15:32:00.002-06:002009-12-16T16:09:21.098-06:002009-12-16T16:09:21.098-06:00

MaterialsWorsted Weight Sparkly YarnSize US G HookTapestry NeedleGlittered Holly Berries (cut from decorative floral bouquet)Aleene's Fabric StiffenerFabric FusionPearl Pin (optional)Abbreviationsch=chainsc=single crochetdc=double crochettr=triple crochethdc=half-double crochet DirectionsLarge Petals (Make 5):Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc. Tie off.Small Petals (Make 5):

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If you're committed to the hook or needles, there's still time to stitch-up a great gift for your guy. Here are a few ideas!"Ice Core Cap" Ribbed Beanie(Pattern Available in AwareKnits: Get it for almost $10 off list price in my Open Sky Shop!)"Greensleeves" Zippy Jacket(Pattern Available in AwareKnits)"Circumpolar" Scrap Scarf(Pattern Available in AwareKnits)"Tie-Phoon"(Pattern Available in

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While visiting family last month, I flipped through a copy of Elle Magazine and came across the Kate Spade Bow Necklace. It made me smile in all of it's kitschy glory; also inspiring me to create a less-blingy, more affordable, ribbon version. I think the result is an adorable, vintage-style bit of sparkle that makes the perfect accessory to wear to those holiday parties. Here's how to make

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Alright, sorry it took me so long, but here are the winners of the 36 for 36th Giveaway!I'll e-mail your addresses to the publisher today. With the holidays however, it may take a little longer for the books to be sent out. Thanks to everyone who entered!1. Tammy Lewis/Invasion of the Plush Monsters2. Lynn Slape/Pushing the Envelope3. Kelly Genet/Knit Aid4. Lauren Foster-Smart/Plush-O-Rama5.

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Got more holiday shopping to do? No? Wow, you're some kind of gift-buying super hero! Well, for the rest of you mere, shopping mortals; have I got a present for you! Open Sky (the retailer I've partnered up with for my online shop) has just given me the go-ahead to giveaway 50, $15 off coupons ($20 min. purchase).All you have to do is sign-up for savings by going here and entering "VICKIE" in

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The holidays are filled with movies that are collectively just one, big ode to knitwear. The Santa Clause Series itself, could fill-up the whole month's worth of Movie Monday posts! If yours is like my family though, you're watching ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas which recently aired the 3rd flick from the SC franchise. Here are just a few shots of hand-stitched garments featured in The

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Just a quick post to let you know that the latest Craft Apparent article is up, over on the PBS Parents' website. Click on over for two FREE patterns for crocheted washcloths.If you're looking for great gifts for co-workers, family members, teachers and party hosts; you can't go wrong with handmade washcloths paired with an organic or glycerin soap! Get the patterns here.Craft.Rock.Love,Vickie

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Growing up in Southern California then working in Hollywood, made having friends who went to temple almost as common as those who went to mass. When I moved to Austin however, I was surprised not only by the fact that there were so few Jewish people but also, by the lack of awareness about holidays like Hanukkah. I was thrilled years ago though when my youngest son came home from a Mother's Day

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This just in: thanks to Open Sky (the fuel behind so many cool, expert run e-shops), I have TWENTY, $25 Gift Coupons to give away right now! They can be used in any Open Sky shop with NO MINIMUM purchase! It's my holiday gift to you, my crafty peeps; because I dig you.Here's what to do:Blog, Tweet or post on Facebook a link to my Shop: http://vickiehowell.theopenskyproject.com/E-mail me with a

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Model: My Beautiful Sister-in-Law, Meredith SmithI have a new pattern available for download today just in time for a little, Thanksgiving weekend knitting:the Chain Gang Scarf! Eternity scarves are a big trend (check out A Mom in Red Heel's runway rundown of them )this season; this one giving nod to the necklace shape by incorporating over-sized chain link, knotted cables.The Chain Gang

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Recently on I Love to Create, I experimented with painting on knitwear. This got me to thinking; why not reverse the process and use the knitwear to paint with? It's that time of year when we all need wrapping paper and customizing your own is simple to do and with this method, also a great way to recycle those swatches us knitters have stashed away in boxes.Here's the holiday how!MaterialsBrown

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After just finishing with the final edits in the Craft Corps manuscript, I'm more excited about the book than ever! To top it all off though, Lark Books sent over the brand spankin' new cover for us to preview. Hooray! Oh, and in other exciting news, you can PRE-ORDER the book now!Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, Craft Corps Weekly to stay apprised of contests, events, updates on

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Over the weekend I finally got to see Up, delightful not only for it's touching storyline but also, because of its inclusion of stitched decor!Carl as a kid, wearing a Stockinette Stitch Vest.Triple Crochet DoilyBonus! For you quilters out there: a simple, pathwork blanket.Recommended Stitching:Daddy-O VestCrochet Today's Retro Doily Coasters, by Joyce NordstromHappy viewing; happy stitching!

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The "Alice" Wrist Warmer Loom-Along officially begins today! Type on over to the CRAFT site for the pattern and full, how-to scoop. Oh, and once you get started, don't forget to share your progress via the Knifty Knitter Loom-Along Flickr Group!Craft.Rock.Loom,Vickie(Who has an infant at home and a son in a soccer tournament, so won't be seeing the big movie this weekend.)

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25 Signs That You Love to Create for the Holidays1. Red & Green, Blue & Silver or Turquoise & Hot Pink (if you're feeling retro), are suddenly your favorite colors.2. You think "Black Friday" sales at the mall are for losers; you started shopping for gift-making supplies in July.3. Your secret love of packaged jingle bells can now be unleashed without embarrassment.4. You sacrifice your mani/

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It's my birthday again and since last year's HUGE book giveaway seemed to be so enjoyed by all you crafty types out there, I decided to make it an annual thing. Thanks to the generosity of Lark Books, I'm pleased to announce the "36 for my 36th" gift-for-you, bookstravaganza!All you need to do is e-mail contests@vickiehowell.com by NOVEMBER 28th with the following info: YOUR NAME, MAILING

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Hey all! I've teamed up with Provo Craft and CRAFT Magazine to do a Knifty Knitter version of my Alice wrist warmers, via Loom-A-Long in celebration of the debut of the New Moon Movie.Join us, won'tcha? Read more about it here!Craft.Rock.Love,Vickie

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My very last Eco-Craft column for Kiwi Magazine is in the December 2009 Issue, on stands now. This article's projects are colorful ornaments made using recycled greeting cards. They're simple, beautiful and eco-friendly. That my friends, is a trifecta of holiday goodness!It was a pleasure writing the Eco-Craft column for almost three years. Kiwi is a wonderful magazine for all of us

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Feast your eyes this week on the yarnstravaganza that is, City of Ember! Here are just a few of the knit and crocheted treasures, featured in this movie.Garter Stripe PulloverAmazing Thick & Thin Knitted Jacket and Patchwork BlanketAdorable, Short-sleeved Garter Stitch Pull-OverExposed Seam Cardi with Blanket Stitch BorderRecommended Stitching:Scrap Cardigan, by Tracy HudsonJust Enough Blanket,

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Here's what's going on with some of my crafty blogger friends! xo, VickieAbout Family Crafts Come play along with this Make-It-Over craft challenge! What can you make out of candy? This is a great way to use up any left over Halloween candy. About.com Cross Stitch Connie's added a new pattern collection - Four Ways to Say Peace. These designs will make great holiday ornaments.Aileen's Musings

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Happy Friday, everyone! You may have read my Tweets and posts about working on my new online shop over the past couple of weeks--well, I'm proud to announce that it is now officially open for business!I've teamed up with Open Sky, this great new company that connects shoppers with experts (in pretty much every genre imaginable) to offer up the scoop on what products we really use to do the jobs

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I'm a big fan of Ed Roth--and not just because he's one of the featured designers whose story's included in my upcoming book, Craft Corps (which incidentally, is now available for pre-order in my shop). His stencils are modern, sleek and often, have a sense of humor about them. I like them so much, I used many from his first book (Stencil 101) to decorate bibs with at my baby shower ! Now Ed's

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I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my new and improved, website!  It'd been a few years since I really paid attention to much of my site other than the blog. Web media has obviously changed enormously since then and although I've been all over using the latest media tools, they weren't necessarily incorporated as effectively as possible within my website. I'm happy to say that's no longer

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I'm a big-time fan of graphic art and block printing, especially as applied to textiles.  Simple, clean, yet often kitschy shapes work amazingly well to create images--that can range from subtle to subversive--on fashion and home decor pieces.  There aren't many who do it better than textile artist Lotta Jansdotter, so I was thrilled when I got my hands on her new kit, Lotta's Printing Studio.The

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The latest article for my PBS Parents blog column, Craft Apparent, is up!  This Thanksgiving make the kids' table at your holiday dinner extra special by personalizing each place setting.  I show you how to leaf print on pint-sized place mats and create glittered, pumpkin place cards. Read more, here!Craft.Rock.Love,Vickie

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