A bunch of quick notes

Busy, busy day today. So, just a few quick notes.

My computer had a nasty virus that has been dealt with. I hope.

The skull and crossbones towel has been sold. I will be making more next week.

Many people have commented on my paintings, but cannot currently afford the price. I am planning a few new ones on flat canvas, in a slightly different style. The flat canvas is less expensive, and easier to ship, so these can be sold for less money than the stretch canvas.

Also in the works is another square quilt, similar to the Tree Quilt. This design is of two mountains overlooking a lake.

And finally, I have a new knotwork quilt that I am designing. It should be completed by Fall.

I will also be making more of the Wheelchair Lap Robes in different colors. I have a custom order for 4 right now.

We do take custom requests. If we have something you like, but want a different color or something, just drop us a line and let us know!

Happy Monday everyone!

Glad to be home!

Hello again everyone! I am so glad to be home. It was a very long week at convention.

Convention this year was...interesting. To was not as organized as previous years; it was too hot with no A/C going and most of us in dark suits! But the biggest thing I noticed is that the people, in general, were not as positive and energectic than previous occassions.

As always, there were many more positives than negatives. I met some really great people, such as the National Vice Commander of the Western Division, Peggy, along with the leading candidate for National Commander. Then there are my Legion friends that I only get to see during state-wide events because they live on the other side of Oregon from where I am at. In fact, it was one of those friends that purchased Reflections.

The down side is that I came home to a dead computer. My computer has *something* wrong with it. We will take it to the expert tomorrow, but in the mean time, I am using hubbys, but all my files are on MY computer! I'm hoping that we can get it fixed quickly and inexpensively!

So, if I am sporatic in posting the next few days, you know why!

Out of town

As I mentioned yesterday, I leave tomorrow for Convention. Which means I have tons of stuff to do today!


It also means that there will not be a new post until Saturday afternoon at the earliest.



On that note, I will leave you with my latest painting, Reflections.

(Reflections has been sold. Please check our etsy store for other paintings. http://www.fullhousrcrafts.etsy.com))

Stars & Stripes Charity Quilt

The American Legion, Department of Oregon annual convention is this week. I am a memer of the Department Children & Youth Committee. Last fall, when we were discussing fundraisers for our programs, I offered to make a patriotic quilt for raffle at our convention.

I am happy to say that it has been completed, and it turned out better than I thought it would.

I used the traditional log cabin pattern to reflect the Americana feel to the quilt. The fleece back has a similar feel.

So, here's some pics. Hopefully, we will raise a lot of money for our programs with the raffle.

Sweet people on Etsy

I have met some very wonderful people on Etsy.

First up are the numerous sellers that have offered advice, critiques and answered my questions. They have been incredibly helpful, and I cannot even remember who they are.

CelticKnot.etsy.com and JsJewelry.etsy.com both have been wonderfully supportive in helping me create the perfect birthday gifts for my mother.

Another seller who has gone out of their way to assist me is cardwear.etsy.com. She is helping me design personal sypathy cards that I use in my role as an American Legion Chaplain. She also is part of the Mission: Soldier Support program!

Then there is teaman.etsy.com. Teaman also has gone out of his way to help me, and I cannot watch to get my order of Peppermint Tea!

magickalrealism.etsy.com jmkoontz.etsy.com LaughingDaisy.etsy.com and kuteklipboardsbyamy.etsy.com have all been so nice, pulling threads off-topic with me many times. Helpful, fun and supportive.

littlesunny.etsy.com is super nice. She appreciated something I do so much, she wrote about it on her blog today (blog link is in the blog roll to the right - Drawing by Renee). She really is as warm as Sunshine!

Finally, but by no means least, is Designgal.etsy.com I absolutely fell in love with one of her items. It was so unique, I could not find the words to describe it to my hubby. We chatted back and forth about it, and I explained that money is tight, and I just cannot spend it on something for me that was not a *need* item. She would not stand for it, and made me an offer I could not refuse, because she wanted to make someone else smile.

For everyone I missed, I'm sorry! There have just been so many helpful people that I cannot remember them all!

Please check out these stores, shop from them if you can, and let them know that being nice pays off!

Colors

There are many different ways to have more than one color in your yarn project. You can use varigated yarns. You can make color blocks, stripes or intarsica. But there is another way also.

I will often make items on larger needles because of my arthritis. When you use larger needles, but do not want holes, you either have to use a thicker yarn, or work several strands together.

I wanted a full length knit coat. I wanted it to go with all the brown clothing I have. But the thought of all tan/brown just seemed boring. I found this tan yarn that had speckles of blues and greens, but working three strands of that had too much color.

Solution? Two strands of tan worked with one strand of the speckled tan.

I done this for several different coats to create visually interesting color patterns.

These are shorter versions of the same coat. My coat is two strands of grey and one strand of black worked together. My daughter's is two strands of light lavender worked with one strand of medium lavender.

It's a fun way to create an item that is unique to you!

Knotwork

When people hear the word "knotwork" and know what it means, most people think Celtic. That is not entirely true. Knotwork has been found all over the European countries, covering more than just the Celtic areas. Back in the day of the vikings, they did some beautiful knotwork.

So, I wanted to take a moment and share some beautiful knotwork being done today.

Jewelry with knotwork is very popular. CelicKnot sells some beautiful pieces on Etsy. ( http://www.celticknot.etsy.com/ ) They also have painted boxes and other items. I invite you to check out the store!

For knitting, you can recreate many knotwork patterns. The problem is that if you use a standard cablign technique, you'll have holes. It takes some special revisions to get it to look right.

This piece is called Blue Braids. It is named such because of the names of the petterns used in it. The side pieces are called Saxon Braids, and the center pattern is titled Freya's Braids. This lapghan took roughly 70 hours to make.

This is the center piece of another afghan I made as a gift. There are mirrored designs on the sides with a center panel. This off-white center pieces is borded by purple, also with knotwork designs.

Not all pieces have to be so intricate. Sometimes simple designs are the best.

This two-tones piece, done in dusty rose, is a good example. The center portion has a simple zigzag boarder. The darker rose side pieces have a running knotwork pattern. Very simple, yet very striking.

Look for these types of knitted pieces at our Etsy store this fall!