Better Know A Crafter: Sue Brooks

Sue is an adorable lady who always brightens our day when she comes in the shop. She blew us away when she came in with this amazing bag using one of our favorite Megumi Sakakibara fabrics.

Sue Brooks

What makes you want to be crafty?

I love making crazy purses--it is just so much fun! I love to slice and dice fabric, then put it together into something fun. I love to sew. I'm learning how to knit now.

How did you create your sweet bag?
I used great fabric from Fancy Tiger. I made up my own pattern for the purse.


How did you learn to sew?
I've been sewing since I was 16. Now I'm 61!!! I'm always learning something new. Fancy Tiger is a great place to go for fabric, buttons and roving.

What is your favorite animal?
Dogs and giraffes

Thanks Sue! Happy crafting!

Seriously Folks, We've Got a Ton of New Fabric

Ok, not literally a ton, but we've got a whole heck of a lot of new fabrics right now! Here are three new collections that we just put out today!

Woodland Delight by Paula Prass

Meadowsweet by Sandi Henderson

Flora & Fauna by Patti Young

We also have Alexander Henry's Spotted Owls and new colors of 2-D Zoo, Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane, new collections from Tanya Whelan, Dena Designs, new Japanese fabrics and more!

Emily's Entrelac Hat

Entrelac is so superfun. The technique is based on picking up stitches from the side of one square and then knitting a new square. Have you heard the expression, "let me finish this row" or "just one more round"? You will be saying the same thing, "just one more square". These little squares are so addictive, they definitely kept me up at night. So fun!



I learned entrelac using the instructions found at KnittyOtter's blog (pdf link) and then made the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole found in Scarf Style by Pam Allen. But that got me thinking... wouldn't entrelac in the round be fun? What about a super-cute entrelac tam? Inspired by KnitterNutter's Entrelac Cap, I decided to try the tubular cast on... with black yarn and poor lighting. May I again suggest: when learning a new technique, use light colored yarn! There was quite a bit of cussing and frogging, but the tubular cast on is so very beautiful, and makes a piece that much more professional.


I used the Malabrigo Silky Merino in two colors and my hat is so soft and satin-y! You can see me sporting this hat at Fancy Tiger Crafts and maybe teaching an enterlac class this spring?!

New! Ozark Handspun Yarn!

We were shivering with delight when the UPS man delivered a giant box of Ozark Handspun today! Each skein is a one-of-a-kind, silky soft, textural delight of hand-dyed kid mohair locks and wool embellished with a healthy dose of sparkles.


Adorable!

Yarn Market Report: TNNA Long Beach 2010

We just got back from Long Beach and the 2010 TNNA Market! We were totally inspired by all the fun and exciting yarn, fiber and accoutrements!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the fun new things coming to the store soon!




...plus, coming soon: spinning wheels, silk and stainless steel yarn, naturally-dyed sock yarns (which includes a Stumptown Coffee colorway!), Japanese paper yarn, Utah raised and milled alpaca yarn in 22 natural colorways, sustainable wool yarn and roving from Oregon, recycled silk ribbon yarn, hand-dyed Blue-Faced Leicester rovings, and lots more exciting stuff!

Better Know A Crafter: Joan Walker

Joan came in to the store and was inspired by our cute new Megumi Sakakibara fabric. Can it get any more adorable than hand-drawn kittens playing in the garden? We loved Joan's idea of sewing up a Schoolhouse Tunic in this lovely linen fabric. She's a mighty speedy seamstress--she came in a short time later wearing her adorable tunic!

Joan Walker

What types of crafts do you do?

I am a seamstress, quilter, potter, living the dream, textile lover.

Tell us about your tunic.
I used a Japanese fabric and the Schoolhouse Tunic sewing pattern by Sew Liberated. I used my Bernina 1230 sewing machine that I love.

How did you learn to sew?
Granny Hornby from England taught me to sew. I still have her handmade cutting table.

What is your favorite animal?
My Welsh Corgi, O.D.

Thanks Joan! Happy sewing!

New Super-Cute Japanese Fabrics!

These pictures speak for themselves! And finally...something for the boys!