Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

Crochet Kaleidoscope ~ Shifting Shapes and Shade Across 100 Motifs is a fantastic book.by well-known designer Sandra Eng. You may recall my recent post about the Violet Protest . I have now finished the five squares I committed to send to this exciting project; and I used Sandra's book as a reference for making each square. Along the way, I decided to review the book for you because I enjoyed it so much. Included in the 100 designs are not just run-of-the-mill designs, but unique squares and also chapters on Circles, Hexagons, Triangles and other shapes as well. Publshed by FW, Eng says the book was "born out of her love of crochet, color and geometry." Her readers love crochet and color; geometryis a fantastic bonus that contributes to her unique design abilities. Karen Manthey, named by Eng as " Technical Editor Extraordinaire , has provided her diagram creation skills for each motif." She has been well-known in the crochet industry for years for her amazing ...

No vacation is complete without finding a yarn store to explore. This happened for me yesterday; just in the nick of time! Casita de la Juera Esther Well-stocked & well-displayed This small shop is chock-full of colorful yarns and the owner is so welcoming. I had to add to the local economy, so I bought yarn. I wish Juera Esther much success! Oh, and I have been crocheting ALOT while here! Here is a sampling of the freeform motifs I have finished. I sat in the plaza relaxing with a strawberry fruit bar (paleta), this dog was laid out in the traffic path sound asleep. Someone came along and petted him, so he decided to move and came near me to lay down again with his head up against my shoe. Cute! This week I learned how to tell when a pineapple is ripe. Pull a leaf from the center top and if it is white and tender at the bottom, you can be sure to enjoy! I've eaten two whole pineapples this month. So delicious! I took...

For those of you who were not able to hear Suzann Thompson’s inspiring presentation at Evening of Excellence at the CGOA conference in Portland last July, I have an exciting update about her exhibit's sucess! Suzann Thompson, Fiber Artis t

Chapter Champs Interview by Gwen Blakley Kinser Fourth in a series of interviews with inspiring CGOA chapter members: Grace Aquila, President Happily Hooked on Crochet Chapter of CGOA GBK: Your chapter was started in 2001 by Dee Stanziano. Were you involved at that time in getting the chapter going also? Grace : I found the group through a co-worker about a year into its creation. Loved the people and getting together with them and crocheting. Dee : We were officially recognized as a Chapter in October 2001, right after 9/11. At that time, to start a Chapter, five CGOA members were required. The founders are: Hilda Nichols (deceased), Ruth Arbitelle (deceased), Ruth Young, Kay Perna, and myself.   While I have returned to college and am still recovering from an arm injury, I’m still involved with the Chapter and act as co-Vice President with Nancy Smith. Ruth Young, our oldest member (and forever ‘young’) is one of our most active members, crocheting many items fo...

Last week, when I was alerted about a new kind of "yarn bombing" taking place in Libertyville, Illinois, I was sure my good friend, Susan Lutz Kenyon and her Crocheters of the Lakes chapter of the Crochet Guild of America were behind it. Susan is a charter CGOA member and has been a loyal member since 1994. Her contributions, both nationally and locally, are too numerous to mention her but very much appreciated. I was right about Susan's involvement. She and several chapter members were involved in installing their crochet squares on the trees and other members contributed many squares. Proud as I am of everything CGOA and its members do; it is always exciting to me when outside entities decide to focus on crochet for for a good cause, recognizing its beauty and versatility! In this case the town of Libertyville wanted something eye-catching to promote their Fine Arts Month in March. Two women, both named Beth, were the coordinators. The two Beths

Recently I ordered a yard sign online that simply says, "Love More."  It can be interpreted in many ways  by whomever wishes to give it some thought as they pass my house. The sentiment is helpful to me as I work on trusting in my own thoughts and beliefs while at the same time accepting any and all differing attitudes as the right of those who have them.