I've moved!

I have made the switch to Wordpress, and you can check out my new goings on over there! Thanks for reading! Hook 'N Stick Designs

Paper Bag Brag Books

I was asked to make some paper bag brag books for the shop, and after doing a little research online... I made my first one. I love it do much!! I started working on the second one already, they're fun.
I got so lucky today in that my mother in law, whom works at a print shop, let me have all their old paper sample books. I scored a full paper-box top! So many cutie papers!!
I was able to use not only the paper but some of the cardboard folders holding them. Yay for recycling and free!!!
Now pictures!

A new challenge

I have been making crochet, knit, and beaded things for an awesome local shop called Gumballs and Overalls. It has been wonderful for me to get my yarny goodness out there, and making some money isn't too bad either!!
I have been asked to create some greeting cards for the shop. I used to scrapbook a million years ago, but I have gotten rid of most of the tools and paper that I had.
I went to Joanns to get some paper, and they were having a sale - half off the solid paper packs do I got 3 in different rainbows of colors. I pretty much covered the spectrum, so now I am ready... Ish. I also picked up a job application since I saw their help wanted sign ( :) ).
I gave it a go, and came up with a nice springy card. It is plain, but it was my first shot. I had seen somewhere they used a crochet flower on a button on a card, and that inspired this.
Since I made this I have been cruising ETSY and Pinterest for new ideas, and I have a bunch... But they all require some more papers!!
So today when I bring back the app, I'll see what fancy pants papers and/or dies I can score for cheap. Wish me luck!

I'm mobile... Sort of.

I have an iPod and I have been using it for so many different things including taking project pics, organizing everything from my calendar to my freezer inventory, playing games and as a row counter (AWEsome!!).
Today I found a Blogger app. Now I can blog (slowly on a touch screen) on the go.
Project wise I have been working on a beautiful afghan for my sisters wedding on June 1. Let's see if this thing will let me show it... . Cool, it worked!!
More later but for now, this. Happy Monday y'all.

Movin' On Over

I've decided to put my design blog stuffs on my new actual real website. Go visit... www.hooknstick.com. Thanks!!

LBD

I've been working on the little black dress. I tried to swatch but because of the way that the increases are supposed to make a gental curve to the collar I had to make it full size. I like how it looks so far, and how the rest looks in my head. I can't wait to see done!

I also had a request for another submission to The Smart Knitter and I sent them my Stripey, Springy Socklets. Little half ped things to wear when you have blackess sneakers. It is so quick and easy and is a great way to use up left over sock yarn! If they publish it, I'll let you know!

Cooling Eye Mask :)

My Cooling Eye Mask pattern has been bought and will appear in the January 2011 Crochet! Magazine. I am SO excited! I really like the design and the concept and am actually pretty proud of myself for coming up with it. Many times I see something really cool or an interesting concept and see if I can crochet it or knit it but this time it was all mine!

I am also taking a couple classes from Shannon Okey (www.knitgrrl.com) one on Publishing and the other a Designers 101 course. Of course I have already been published and have already designed but these courses are a way to fine tune what I know and teach me what I Dont Know that I dont know. So far I have updated my pattern template from boring to awesome, written a pattern submission proposal (which I'd done a few times), a book proposal (which was pretty darn cool) and come up with a Designers Checklist. So many good ideas and awesome co-students. People that I have admired their work so much and now I get to "meet" them.

On that book proposal, I think I might really start working toward something like that. The idea, as I've mentioned before on the other blog, is teaching crocheters to knit continentally since it is so similar to crochet and to give patterns in both crafts to show the differences in action. For instance, my Quilty Babyghan (which is still almost done!) would look great, but different, knitted and crocheted. I want to highlight what works better in the other craft and help crocheters stop fearing the stick! I am positive that I am not the only one that can't crochet a sock to fit on my foot!

Here's an idea of what I'm working on design-wise:
a little black dress (also the niggling of another one in my head tyvm Teen Vogue)
said babyghan
a yolk sweater with fair isle (fancy schmancy!)
a cable front sweater
another cable front sweater
a little girls dance skirt
a series (purse, vest, jacket) based on a common coat type

Is that it? hrm. Well, I guess I'll get to it!