tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202808532009-11-06T19:32:33.125-06:00This is Vickie Howell's BlogVickie Howellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376004129535910853noreply@blogger.comBlogger534125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20280853.post-64870709992793193592009-11-05T10:44:00.005-06:002009-11-05T14:15:11.682-06:002009-11-05T14:15:11.682-06:00

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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Over the weekend I stumbled upon Nights in Rodanthe playing on HBO.  It probably isn't a movie I would've sought out otherwise but once I started watching, I was pleasantly surprised at how well-written and acted it was.  Oh, and bonus: I spotted some knitwear in a few scenes!Diane Lane as "Adrienne" in a white, V-Neck Pullover"Adrienne" in Bobble Turtleneck PulloverRecommended Knitting:Karabella

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As I mentioned in my Cute As a Button tutorial, I'm a big fan of customizing frames to coordinate with the colors found in the photographs they display.  Recently I decided to turn several family photos taken at our local pumpkin patch, into a hallway focal point by covering each frame mat with vintage fabric and grouping the frames on the wall.  Fortunately, I already had a great piece of '60's

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Come see me this Sunday November 1st at the Texas Book Festival!  I'll be there teaching how to make yarn out of recycled newspaper; the type used for my Extra! Eco! frame project.  I'll have spindles to borrow and a bunch of Austin Chronicles to spin--make sure to come on time though, because we only get 45 minutes.  When: Sunday, November 1st @ 12:00-12:45pmWhere: Lifestyles Tent (10th &

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It's Halloween week, so I thought it appropriate to pay homage to the knitwear in a classic, horror flick: A Nightmare on Elm Street.  One, two, Freddy's knitting for you...Freddie Krueger in the now iconic, Striped Pull-OverNancy in a Knitted RaglanNancy in a Cabled VestHappy stitching; happy haunting!xo,Vickie

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There's less than a week left until Halloween but don't worry, it's not too late to make a few, creepy crafts!Wicked Stitch Totes (from my PBS Parent's Craft Apparent Column)Boo-treelicious OrnamentsFrankenrumi Plushie(for my KIWI Magazine Eco-Craft Column)Skully Appliques(for myLifetime.com's CRAFTED series)Quick, Baby CostumesDoodle Embroidery on Tees, Totes or Onesies(for Craftzine.com)

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There's something magical about being able to dye your own yarn to any shade you wish, especially when that yarn is intended for a simple project that's perfect for showing that color off.  Today on I Love to Create, I show how easy it can be to be the designer of your own palette, with the help of a craft store dye kit.  Bonus, once you've customized your yarn, you can knit it up into a modern "

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Here's what a few of my friends are up to this week.  Have a lovely Sunday! xo, VickieAbout Family Crafts Follow these directions and disscover how easy it is to sew a felt tote bag that is perfect for trick-or-treating! Aileen's Musings Come meet Aileen's friends Herm & Ethel (they're baccck!). Download a couple of freebie e-postcards and send Halloween greetings to your friends! Cathie

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Here are the 10 winners of the 1st, AwareKnits giveaway.  If you weren't chosen this time don't fret, I've got more free copies to give away again soon!  KBHGalCourtenayTriciaKim Ledford-HauserJessicaBugsparrowDiane Winkleman WeldySheilaBelenLa MaestraWinners, please e-mail your mailing address to: contests@vickiehowell.com by October 22nd!  Books not claimed will be given away to runners

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With my Halloween Doodle Embroidery Patterns on CRAFT and Snapsuit Costumes on PBS Parents, this past week has clearly been all about creating things for baby in celebration of Halloween.  I thought today though, I'd cap-off the tike-trifecta with a project you can do with baby!  Turn those pint-sized paws into haunted handprints on a keepsake bib that's totally "boo" worthy!MATERIALSPlain Bib (

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As a parent of 3, infusing creativity into childrens' lives is a passion of mine--a topic that I love to chat about anywhere possible.  There's no other outlet I trust more however, than PBS.  I'm thrilled to announce my new PBS Parents blog column, Craft Apparent!   Starting today, look for bi-monthly articles on crafting with and for your kids.  First off is complete how-to instructions for

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I'm a big M. Night Shyamalan fan, loving most of his movies.  My favorite though is still the one that made him famous, The Sixth Sense, the haunting tale of a boy who's cursed with the gift of seeing the walking dead.  We re-watched it last weekend and amongst the ghosts, spotted some knitwear.Toni Collette as "Lynn" wearing a multi-colored, Belted CardiganHaley Joel Osment as "Cole", wearing a

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Toasty AfghanMy granny square afghan is in the holiday issue of Crochet Today Magazine!  This picture cracks me up--when I made this blanket I was thinking more '50's kitsch than '80's catalog but, whatevs. ;-)If you've ever wanted to make a blanket but were intimidated, a granny square version is a great one to start with.  You crochet one square at a time which not only makes it a mobile

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Check out my Halloween Doodle Embroidery Patterns on the CRAFT website. There are 9, hand drawn designs perfect for your little pumpkin. Just download the pdfs, transfer to a onsie, tote or tee, and get stitchin'. See embroidered examples and get the free patterns today!Halloween Doodle Embroidery Patterns(Available at CRAFT) Craft.Rock.Boo!,Vickie

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There's no other season when I break out the Tacky Glue more, than Halloween. From paper crafts, to spooky treats, to cutsie costumes--my bottle always runneth dry by the end of October. I figured that I can't possibly be the only one, so I trolled the web for spooky projects that were touched by the glue Gods and picked my top 10 faves (I snuck in a couple of my own projects, too.) Here goes!

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AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher, is officially out on shelves today--I'm so excited about this book!  It's got tons of handy info on everything from dyeing yarn with beets, to where to recycle your computer, to what exactly makes a fiber organic.  The projects for home & body are all classic & comfy; made from alternative fibers, organic yarns or recycled

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The drool my baby girl produces has reached epic proportions--so much so that regular, cloth bibs don't do the trick at sopping up spit.  What are crafty, pop-culture enthusiast moms to do? The answer's clear, my sweets; make super-absorbent bibs backed by the infamous Shamwow cloths!  Yesterday my friend Noelle and I grabbed a box of "As Seen on TV" shammies, some fabric scraps, a basic bib

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Here are the winners of the book contests I've been running over the past few weeks. CROCHET ADORNED, by Linda Permann Sursi!AWAREKNITSErin MyrdahlMegan&MoonhanuPlease e-mail your mailing address to: contests@vickiehowell.com by MONDAY OCTOBER 5th!  If I don't hear from you by then, I'll choose another winner.  Thanks!I'm also honored to announce that I am this month's Red Heart Ambassador!  If

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Who says countdowns are just for Christmas?  Your little goblins will think it's a scream to keep track of Trick or Treat time, with this creepy calendar! Here's how to make your own.MATERIALS5/8 yd of Grey Felt1/2 yd of Black FeltScraps of Yellow & Orange FeltFabric FusionWhite Transfer PaperHaunted House PatternPrintable FabricText & Numbers pdfBat Ball Fringe (Optional)Sewing Machine/Thread (

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For this week's Movie Monday, I teamed up with CRAFT and Lion Brand to bring you not only a preview shot of knitwear from the 2nd installment of the Twilight movie series, New Moon--but also a FREE pattern for a pair of fingerless gloves inspired by vampire Alice and her love of fashion.  Enjoy! Set still of  Ashley Greene as Cullen Coven cutie, "Alice", wearing knitwear.Photo: Summit

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Me & Drew Back Stage at Knitty GrittyDrew Emborsky's new collection of crochet booklets are available now!  The patterns are great, they're easy to find at craft stores and at $3.95 each, you can't beat the price!  Check out my conversation with The Crochet Dude himself, and just a few of my favorite projects from the series!Q&A with Drew:VH: What made you decide to write a series of booklets

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There are many things in their lifetime that I hope to pass on to my children: compassion for humanity, a strong work ethic, the ability to love whole heartedly and, the unbridled appreciation for fabulous shoes.  As they say, "Every journey starts with the first step.",  and thanks to the Stardust Shoes' Cloth Shoe Pattern my daughter Clover's pathway to ped perfection has officially begun!  

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Morning, Knitshines!  For those of you who missed my appearances on The CW's The Daily Buzz last week, here are the videos for your viewing pleasure.  Each segment is a bit different from each other, so give 'em both a looksee.Enter to win a free copy of AwareKnits, by posting answers to:Q:  What shoes am I wearing in Segment #1?Q: What's great about Lands' End sizing (from Segment #2)?Update!  I

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