What I have been doing while away from here.

As you know I have been absent for a while and I thought I would fill you in on what I have been doing so secretly! I have been working on a few crocheted hot pads for Michele Maks for her new online magazine Mainly Crochet, which should be up and running in just a few days! So exciting!! I could show you each in a seperate picture but that would take a while! I did a few tapestry ones and a few filet ones. I also did a purse for her too. All these patterns will be found on the magazine website once it is running.

Above are the Filet Triple Thick Hot Pads, Left; and the Double Thick Tapestry Hot Pads, Right.

Here is my purse design, Anchors Away Purse

For more information about these and other designs that will be in the online magazine, Mainly Crochet, check out Michele Maks’ blog at http://msmaks.blogspot.com .

Talk to you all soon!

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine Preview #8

Meet the newest model in Michele Maks’ lineup – little Miss Emma!

Susan Tobia’s Mr. Loopy toy and Michele Maks’ striped blanket.

Kathryn White’s Lullaby Serenade Babyghan with matching hat and toy.

Michele Maks’ Round Rippled Blanket.

Michele Maks’ Ruffled Squares Blanket with accompanying hat and sweatsuit.

Is little Miss Emma adorable or what!

For more information about these and other designs, or for more information about the up and coming online magazine site, check out Michele Maks’ blog at http://msmaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-i-did-today.html

Til next time, let Miss Emma’s smile and joy of life bring a little sunshine to your day.

Erin

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine Preview #7

Feeling Blue? So are the designers of these fabulous designs!

Sue Solakian’s Grannies by the Sea

Susan Tobia’s Circle Game

Christy Schaffer McMahon’s Nautical Collar

And Michele Maks’ Baby Star which looks like a starfish!

For more information check out Michele Maks’ blog at http://msmaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/persistence-of-crochet.html

Til next time, have a GREAT day!

Erin

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine Preview #5

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine will be up and running in late June. The yearly subscription will be $24.95 which will get you TONS of wonderful and delicious crochet designs and patterns. I personally can’t wait! The first issue is Summertime which includes many nautical designs, a few of which will be mine (Shhhhh!).

Sue Solakian, I know you have seen here mentioned here a lot. But she is such a talented designer that you are going to see her a lot! Here is her Maritime Granny afghan, which is big enough for 3 people!

For more pictures of this or for more information, check out Michele Maks’ blog at http://msmaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/solakians-abc.html

Til next time, happy hooking!

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine Preview #3

The third designer on my parade of previews for the up and coming online magazine, Mainly Crochet, is Kathryn White, who is simply amazing in her thread work. Arcade is the name of this beautiful design.

If you love this design, more can be found at Kathryn’s own website www.crochetnbeads.com

And as always, here is the link to Michele Maks’ blog for more information. http://msmaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/garden-party-time.html

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine Preview #2

I love working with Michele Maks. She both inspires me to do my best in my design work, but as a person. She has gone through a lot to get here as her own editor of her own magazine, Mainly Crochet. Which will be out in late June people! Which is why today I want to share her Infinitely Edged Cowl. I believe this will be a free pattern on the website once it opens. But don’t quote me on that folks!! Anyways, here is a picture of here design followed by a link to her blog for more information.

http://msmaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/photo-opp.html

Check it out you all!

Mainly Crochet Online Magazine Preview #1

Ok, so I previously wrote about an editor contacting me and purchasing some designs. Well, the editor is Michele Maks, former editor of Crochet World Magazine with many other crochet related things under her belt! While I can’t talk about my designs, I can give you a preview of some of the designs and patterns that will be in the Mainly Crochet Online Magazine, the website should be ready sometime in June. A yearly subscription will be, if I remembered correctly, $24.95. There will be TONS of patterns and lots of new and exciting designs by talented designers.

One of those very talented designers is Sue Solakian. Her design, Ebb Tide afghan is first on the list of previews.

People, it is simply a work of art! For more info check it out at http://msmaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/ebb-tide-at-alliquippa.html

I shall post more previews soon!

Design Competition held by the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

The CGOA’s annual Design Competition for 2013 will be accepting electronic entries starting August 1, 2013 with deadline of entries to be received Sept. 6, 2013. You must be a member of the CGOA to participate. To join or for more information go to http://www.crochet.org

1 year’s membership in the CGOA is $35 and comes with a free subscription to Crochet! Magazine.

The Competition judging and awards ceremony will take place in Charlotte, NC at the CGOA Conference, Oct. 2-6, 2013. You do not have to attend the conference to participate or win.

Prizes are: Grand Prize – $1,000; 1st – $300, 2nd – $200, 3rd – $100 in each of the 6 categories.

Categories:

1.Fashion: garments fitted to the body, including sweaters, tops, jackets, skirts, gowns and dresses.

2. Accessories: larger fashion accessories not fitted to the body, including wraps, shawls, and capes.

3. Small Accessories: anything small scale, socks, scarves, cowls, hats, bags, belts and jewelry.

4. Afghans and Home Decor: any and all afghans, throws, blankets and bed or sofa covers and any décor items not in thread.

5. Thread Crochet: anything made with crochet thread or lace/fine weight yarns, including doilies, baby items, garments and accessories.

6. Artistic Expressions: designs more artistic rather than functional in nature, including free-form and mixed media pieces, hangings, sculpture, wearable art, amigurumi and novelty items.

If you are unsure of the category, do not worry, entries may be shifted to the most appropriate category at the discretion of the committee/judges. If your entry is an ensemble or grouping, please include no more than three individual elements or pieces per single entry. You may submit as many entries in as many categories as you like.

Fees:  A $15 fee is required for the first entry plus $10 for each additional separate entry (make one check for all entries payable to CGOA). Entry fees cover return shipping, but you are responsible for the cost of shipping your design to the receiving location by the deadline, September 6, 2013.

I plan to enter some things this year. I hope you will take a look at the CGOA and see for yourself what it is all about!

 

 

Tour Through Crochet Country! A Mention

On March 22, 2013, I was mentioned in the Crochetville’s A Tour Thru Crochet Country Blog Tour. Here is the post:

March 22: A Tour through Crochet Country

Posted by Amy Shelton on March 22, 2013 at 6:52 am

You’ve arrived at A Tour Through Crochet Country! During March 2013, Crochetville is hosting a daily designer blog tour in celebration of National Crochet Month. Each day, we visit the blogs of one or two crochet designers, who share something with us — a free crochet pattern or tutorial, a peek into their studio or a-day-in-the-life, a coupon code, or something else special. Join us each day for a new surprise!On our 22nd day of A Tour through Crochet Country, we’re visiting Erin Boland and Jenny King.Today’s Stop 1: Visit Erin BolandJ. Erin Boland is a crochet designer who likes to use a mix of simple stitches and uncomplicated construction, yet produce an exquisite item. Her patterns have been published in crochet magazines and Mary Maxim catalog. She learned to crochet from her grandmother, and the tradition of crochet spans many generations in her family.

Erin’s Triple-Thick Potholder looks lacy and beautiful, yet is very thick, made from three separate layers.

Triple-Thick Potholder
Published in Crochet! Magazine, July 2011

Erin’s Non-Stop Cowl looks perfect for the unpredictable spring weather we’re having!

Non-Stop Cowl
Available on Ravelry

Please check in at the Tour of Crochet Country Link above to find out more about the other wonderful designers in the Tour. They have some of the most beautiful crochet designs I have seen. Then check out their pages!

Thanks for checking in! Chat soon!