Flower for a Friend Necklace

Have you seen the August issue of Crochet World?

I am very proud to say that my daughter, Catherine, has her first published design inside!

It is the Flower for a Friend Necklace.

 

Catherine came up with this necklace idea last summer.  She has been crocheting several years now and loves to use crochet in very creative ways. Catherine is also great at making all kinds of jewelry so including beads in her design made sense.  She used Nazli Gelin Garden 3 thread in a pretty purple and dark green.  Inside this necklace is a very unusual addition that you wouldn't normally use in jewelry but you'll have to read the magazine to find out what it is! (www.crochet-world.com)

 

 

Carol Alexander, the Editor of Crochet World, was very kind to include a photo of Catherine and I next to the instructions along with a paragraph about us.

 

You can read more about our crochet endeavors with children in our interview with Carol on the Crochet World blog here.

 

 



CRAFTOURS and Annie's

I was sitting at my local Barnes & Noble sipping on a hot cocoa and thumbing through a bunch of crochet magazines when a particular add caught my eye . . . "Craftours" . . . a vacation tour where you get to explore another country and take classes in your favorite craft. Sounded like a great idea and one to keep on the 'back of my mind.' . . .

Well, wouldn't you know, that just a few weeks later Annie's Publishing Inc. contacted me. (They sell all sorts of great craft supplies and publish a wealth of magazines, books and DVD's - such as: Crochet! magazine and Crochet World - www.anniescatalog.com) They invited me to go on their very first partnership with Craftours!

I will be touring and vacationing with all the other crocheters but will also be giving 3 special workshops on how to incorporate Celtic Knots into crochet (more on those later).

And guess where we will be going?

Here's a hint:

Yes, you guessed it - IRELAND!!



I have always dreamed of going there - it is such a beautiful country with so much that inspires my Celtic Knot crochet projects.

I have been there once before a loooooong time ago for just a few days but it made a big impression on me.  The photo above is of  me with my brother and sister in front of Bunratty Castle.

Have you longed to visit Ireland? Would you like to learn how to work Celtic Knots into your crochet? Would you like to see the beauty of Ireland face-to-face and share your love of crochet with other vacationers?

Then now is the time to sign up!  Visit www.craftours.com
for more info and to see how to join the tour.

(Here is a direct link to this trip's page: http://www.craftours.com/trips/?page=ireland_crochet_0616 )

DIY Wedding Projects - Interweave Post #2

Here are 3 more DIY projects for a wedding (or an anniversary party) using a lacy heart and simple mesh stitch:

I love mason jars - their classic look and simple glass element can be used in a variety of party and home décor.  This mesh stitch works up quickly to make an elegant table centerpiece.

This simple heart crocheted with contrasting colors and in various sizes makes for special lapel pins for every guest.

 

 

 

The same heart here has a lacy edging and pearl bead accent for the cake topper.  These could also be used with shorter skewers and decorate cupcakes.

 

Remember, all of these project are inside the Summer issue of Interweave Crochet magazine available on a newsstand near you or on-line at www.crochetme.com.

DIY Wedding Projects - Interweave Crochet

 

Inside this summer issue of Interweave Crochet are SIX DIY wedding projects that I designed.  In addition to the instructions for each project, I also wrote an article detailing how to incorporate these projects into your wedding and how to get them finished in time for the big day.

 

You can find this magazine in bookstores and craft stores now or on-line here.

 

Here are 3 of the designs (Check back in a couple of days to see the other 3 designs):

 

 

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A bridal bouquet made of crocheted roses, silk leaves, ribbon and glass pearl beads

 

A wrist corsage made with coordinating flowers and embellishments.

 

 

And a boutonniere for the men made with similar roses, flowers, beads and leaves.

 

 

When I got married there were many DIY elements in our day. I thought you would like to see some of them: 

 

My mother and grandmother made all of the flower arrangements for the church decorations and each bridesmaid wore their corsage-like accessory in their hair.

 

 

 

 The men wore handmade boutonnieres as you can see here in this photo of my mom and dad.

 

 

 

Similar fabric and silk flowers were also used in the bridal bouquet along with some real coral roses.

 

 

 

My mother also re-designed her wedding gown to fit me and include the features I liked.

 

 As I look back on all of my wedding photos, I am reminded of how beautiful all of the flower arrangements and decorations looked. 

All of these special DIY projects are still around today and have become treasured keepsakes of our wedding and the people that shared in it with us.

 

 

My grandmother and grandfather at our ceremony