MegansMenagerie Feature!

I picked this because it represents me and my shop perfectly! I can't stick to just one thing which is why my shop name is MegansMenagerie...lol. This cowl is of many colors and its fun and playful!

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to let you all know how excited I am that we have grown and built relationships with one another in a months time. Each one of you have made this team well worth the effort.

Since September is around the corner I wanted to remind those who are new or have not taken the survey to please do so. I want to send out a monthly newsletter for this coming month. If you'd prefer you can send me your e-mail address in a convo. I'll be annoucing the next contest and all the new info in the newsletter so you're not going to want to miss out!

A special thanks to Crochetgal for volunteering to be our coordinator for the Project Linus Charity Event!

If anyone has any thoughts, comments, or suggestion my mail box is always open so feel free to send me a line. I always want to hear what you all would like to see this team become!

Thanks again to everyone!

Melisssa (FreemanCraftsFabrics)

AnythingCrochet Feature!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54736912/crocheted-childrens-pullover-hoodie
Hi! I'm Jennifer. I am a self-taught crocheter and have been at it now for almost 7 years. I'm a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. That's my full-time job. Crocheting is just a hobby that I hope will help pay a few bills along the way. :) I live in Delaware with my hubby and 4 sons (that's right, I said 4!) and of course, our dog. Our oldest son is 4 years old and our youngest is 2 months old; so needless to say, I have my hands full - and I LOVE (practically) every minute of it. ;) And how DO I find the time to crochet, you ask? Frankly, I'm not sure! LOL! When I was in college, I actually majored in fashion design, and although I usually work from written crochet patterns, I am now discovering the joy of designing my own pieces.

The reason I chose this sweatshirt as my "signature piece" is that it really fits my personality. I love being creative, and I am a little on the crazy side. I hate making decisions, so there is no sweatshirt more perfect for me than one that uses as many colors as I can dig out of my stash! And my favorite color shades are the bright ones - which also describes my bubbly personality to a "T".

Lolagets1980 Feature!

This little turtle just seemed to express exactly how I feel about my crochet work and myself. He's cuddly and fun which is exactly why I love to crochet. Crochet is a creative outlet for me. I work in a high stress job as a Social Worker and love to come home and create something fun that I can share with the world.

I choose to give him the option of changing his shell because it seems that I change when I get to crochet. When I crochet I get to use my imagination and create useful and playful items. I'm also changing my mind on a regular basis and always moving on to the next project.

MidnightSunArt Feature!

Hi everyone! My name is Davy and my shop is MidnightSunArt. My grandmother tried to teach me to crochet when I was a young boy, but I could never get the hang of it. In my freshman year of college I decided to pick up some yarn and a few hooks and try to remember the basics she had taught me and then teach myself the rest. I did that as a way to pass time at the job I had at the time, sitting behind a desk at the campus Residence Halls late at night and early in the mornings. That was four years ago and I've been in love with crochet ever since! I've now all but graduated college and moved to Alaska to start a new life and career.

This set represents me as a crochet artist pretty well. I tend to lean toward muted colors and earth tones, though I use bright colors on occassion. Mostly I love things that garner a sense of wearability and class. I prefer to work in simple stitches, nothing too complicated. While my stitches are usually simple, I do love to experiment with complex patterns and create my own patterns. I love colors that remind me of the woods, the sky, and natural foods.

Thanks for looking and reading my feature! I look forward to seeing more from the rest of our talented team! :-)

Project Linus Charity Event

Crochetgal has kindly stepped forward and will be our coordinator for our first charity event with Project Linus! Below is the information you may need involving this charity and how we intend to help.

Crochetgal said:

"I do quite a bit of work for Project Linus http://projectlinus.org/  , making blankets for kids in crises. However, with the cost of shipping heavy items it may be difficult $$ wise for individuals to ship to a central point for donation.
So what about if team members who wanted to contribute would donate a blanket to the center nearest them? Of course, if there wasn't a center, I can always take them here as well.
Or instead of doing full blankets each, we could do larger (24" x 24") granny squares and I'll collect and assemble them and get them my local chapter.
I don't want to go with the really tiny squares as they are a nightmare to put together.
My partner (also an Etsian) is a Project Linus Blanketeer here in Phoenix as well. He delivers over 100 blankets each month to various locations.
 
Ok, here's the rundown. We will make Squares (they don't have to be granny squares) but they DO have to be 24" x 24" and they MUST be made from acrylic yarns. NO cottons or wool or wool blend.

I will look after the assembly of the squares and getting them to the local Project Linus chapter.

The squares do NOT have to be any specific colour, but black is NOT recommended. Remember that these are for kids!"

If you do decide to make a blanket to donate locally or a granny square and ask that you take a picture before mailing it off that way we can show our progress on here. This charity event will run from September through the end of November right before the Holidays. This should allow everyone enough time to either get a blanket for square constructed and Crochetgal enough time to assemble.

You are not required to participate but do remember it is for the children.

BeatriceCLaNore Feature!

Meet BeatriceCLaNore! Leave some love people!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54145372/crochet-embellished-monarch-butterfly

I chose to make a monarch butterfly b/c in third grade my class collected monarch caterpillars and kept watch until they hatched. I've, ever since, collected monarch caterpillars each year. I have a butterfly garden in my yard and butterfly boxes. I love how they grow and change into something beautiful. I think that this process is something we all go through in our own ways and that crocheting has been a very important part of my journey. I'm glad that I've brought my crocheting ability from childhood into my adult life as it has been a great discovery for me. I love to create things with seed beads and I'm addicted to vintage buttons so I used those things to embellish my crochet butterfly. All in all this item describes who I am and defines my shop in that the butterfly signifies my personal growth. Starting as a caterpillar and developing into a butterfly. :-)

~B
 

Yarrow1 Feature!

Meet Yarrow1! Leave some love!

The roses represent my three grown children that I had the delight to raise.

The oldest one is military man with a few thorns.

The next one, a daughter, is an award winning graphic artist, in full bloom.

Another daughter is a florist in LA, working on all the flowers for the Emmy awards. She has yet to reach her full bloom but is on her way. She is also on etsy.

I have reached my full bloom and have a few petals missing( quite a few).
I have done crochet since being down with Rheumatic Fever at seven. I didn't do much other than chain stitch necklaces for my friends. I was able to get really even stitches because of then.
I love doing many different types of art creations. I mix my art with my love for animals and gardening.

Motherofthree7515 Feature!

Motherofthree7515 Feature! Leave some love people!

I think these hand warmers represent who I am as a person and in my personal style. I enjoyed every moment I spent creating these and will be making a pair for myself to wear in the winter. I love living outside the box and try to express myself through my work in all mediums. I started crocheting about 10 years ago and have just now started to make my own patterns and designs. I love sharing my creations with my three beautiful children and my friends and family.



Becky
 

AAlexandra Feature!

Meet AAlexandra  and her red tote! Leave some love!

I made this last week and I believe this best represents me because I've never made a tote bag like this and just saw pictures and thought to myself.. "hey, I can do that" So I did it. That is definitely my philosophy when it comes to making all the items that I make. I can do anything or at least try.

Milliebelle Feature!

Welcome to the team! Leave some love!

Hello, My name is Sandy and I am Millie's Grammy. I have been actively crocheting for about 5 years making simple single crochet afghans out of Red Heart Light and Lofty for friends and neighbors. My grandaughter Amelia (aka Millie) is the namesake in Millie Moon's Menagerie. In July 2009 when I first found out I was going to be a Grandma I started making crocheted animals for Millie as her nursery was going to be primary colors and animals. I remember my first animal was a bunny and the instructions indicated it should be 7 inches and it ended up 2 feet long. Hey, I gave it my best shot as I had never read a pattern before and only knew single crochet! After that I just kept trying more and more animals with different stitches. They also served as great shower decorations for her baby shower! After she was born I began to try more and more new items such as hats and booties, and then I tried my hand at sweaters. Next thing you knew I became Millie's grandma who makes the sweaters! I've made her many sweater and hat sets with various appliques, strawberries, lollipops, watermelons, and most recently her mommy requested a cupcake which was the inspiration for this sweater and beret combo. I get a couple requests a month for sweaters, but I still love making animals the best and they still end up bigger than the instructions say, but at least now I have learned why!

Thanks for visiting my etsy store!

2CrochetHooks Feature!

Help me in welcoming another mother/daughter team! Leave some love!

We are a mother and daugther team from USA. We both crochet and work on the business together. This venture has helped us grow as crocheters and as a family. We have gotten closer and learned to better work together.

The item we have chosen is a Blue Poison Dart preemie hat. We have chosen this item because it best represents our more wild and daring side. This is the first project I have ever really done without a pattern in front of me and it was due to Mother's awesome inspiration. She likes frogs and thought it would be neat to do a poison dart frog hat instead of the typical hat. I chose preemie because it is a cause I care about. I feel terrible for the poor little babies and think they deserve something fun and exciting in their life. I filled the hat with love and prayers for healthfullness as I do with all the preemie hats we make.

Updates & Charity Event

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to let you all know what a wonderful job you are all doing! Our team is slowly but surely expanding a little everyday!

Keep sending in your August "Meet & Greet" item and convo to me with something about yourself and why you chose that item! So far we have gotten many entries and it has been great getting to know each and everyone of you!

From the surveys it is quite clear that everyone would like a newsletter! If you haven't taken the survey yet just click on the link to the right. If anyone would like to have patterns, techniques etc published in the monthly newsletter please feel free to convo me!

Also from the surveys taken many would be interested in doing a team charity event! This is one thing that I am very excited about! Most would like to be involved in a charity event that item made go to children or babies. I've been doing some research and there are SOOO many charities to choose from which is why I have come to you all. I would like to do something that will be a big help to others in the winter months and during the holidays. If possible, it would be nice to choose a charity that accepts all types of crocheted items: hats, blankets, mittens, dolls, etc. This way everyone in the team has a chance to participate and help in their own way by making something that is them.

Please leave a comment on this blog or send me a convo with what you would suggest. As part of being on this team I really would like to see this be a great team effort!

Thanks a bunch!

Melissa (FreemanCraftsFabrics)

Jilliegbeanz Feature!

Help me in welcoming to our team jilliegbeanz! Leave some love!

I decided to go with the coffee wall art as my featured item. It best describes me because I love both fabric and yarn and this was a good combination for me. Why coffee? I'm a very busy mom of three boys who are very busy right now with sports! So it's either coffee or diet coke....lol...I had two grandmothers at a very young age....oh maybe around 7 or 8...teach me how to crochet. Over the past two years I have really gotten back into crocheting a lot! I absolutely love doing it. I tend to have about three projects going at once. I love doing a project and putting all different colors together. I love bright colors!

Amiamigos Feature!

Welcome Amiamigos to our team! Leave some Love!

He is playful, heart-warming, huggable and soft. He would make people smile and happy. I picked this guy because that's how I always want to be. I would like to make things that make people "awwwww"! Also, I'm always carrying a messenger bag like the one this bear is carrying except mine is full of baby diapers, wipes and stuff! lol

Thank you!



Kyoko

LetaTn Feature!

Our next feature is from LetaTn! Leave some love!

I chose the acorn treasure pots because I love to crochet small and diverse projects. I am currently a stay at home housewife because the job market is not so good where I live. I started crochet as a way to pass the time and then quickly became obsessed with it! I make sweaters and afgans but my favorites are tiny amigurumis and other small items. I started an etsy shop so I could continue to create without being overrun with projects around the house. And to make a little yarn money!!

DoilyMania Feature!

Two for one deal! Welcome our mother/daughter shop DoilyMania!

Show some love people!

We are mother/daughter team,we live in Boise Idaho.I am Gloria and mom's name is Zagorks. Our homeland is Croatia , I came here 10 years ago. I am only child and once my father past away I decide to take care of my Mom.She came to USA 2 years ago..she don't speak any English so I opened this shop and I am doing all sales related stuff..emails...facebook.... Mom is artist, she does crocheting and knitting last 40 years, she is amazing to me. She is always up for trying new ideas...new patterns that I find and sometimes she will come up with her own things. Table runner I send you..few weeks ago on Facebook lady from Egypt posted a pattern for it but nobody made doily at self so Mom decided that she is going to make it. After few days of work came out beautiful and I am very proud of it ...of course if you ask mom artist she will tell you could of be better...:P

That is our story ...:)
I am not much of artist ...I can cook but don't ask me to make you doily...:P

P.S. Sorry for any misused or misspelled words ...English is still work in progress. :)

AirportSushi Feature!

Let's all welcome AirportSushi to the team! Here is her challenge item!

Be sure to leave some love!

Okay, I started crocheting for fun about a year ago. I'm from Florida and used to work at a certain large theme park with my husband. When I finally became pregnant, we moved to Alabama and I've been on semi-bedrest the whole time because of my heart defect. So I started crocheting like mad to pass the time. When I'm not crocheting, I'm either out on the lake or farm, or hanging out playing video games. I opened my shop last month and my main inspiration is my baby girl.

Salutationscrochet Feature!

Today we are proud to feature salutationscrochet! Be sure to leave some love!

Hello! I'm Charlotte. I live in Northern Utah with my husband and our little girl.

I've been crocheting since I was about ten years old, which is when my mother taught me how. Years earlier, my mother learned the same set of skills from her mother. The funny thing is, when my grandmother was around 80 or so, she had me sit down with her and re-teach her. So, we came full circle.
Crocheting is one of my most enjoyable hobbies. I like the feel of the yarn between my fingers, and I love the way a hand-made blanket, scarf, hat, hairband, or whatever else has a different feel to it than something that is made with more automation. There's a feel of love in handmade articles. I'm grateful for that.
I chose to make this headband for my challenge piece because I absolutely love the color yellow. I love the look of it, I love the feel of it. For me, yellow symbolizes cheer, warmth, sunshine, and joy, all wrapped up into one bright happy color. It's been my favorite for years and years now, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
I've been selling on etsy since the summer of 2009, and have had just a marvelous experience here. I have two shops, one at salutationscrochet.etsy.com and another at charlottelaughs.etsy.com I also have a blog, where I write the adventures and occurrences that happen to me and my little family. That can be found at charlottelaughs.blogspot.com

Pipistrellecrochet Feature!

To kick off our August Challenge Features is pipistrellecrochet with a Broomstick crocheted scarf! She has written a blog with more details about her challenge piece which you can read here: http://pipistrellecrochetdesign.blogspot.com/2010/08/broomstick-crochet.html

Be sure to leave some love people!

Team Survey!

Team Vote

I applied for a team grants and also need imput as far as prizes.






This months challenge is under way and I can't wait to see what everyone makes! Now I would like some imput on future challenges. Please vote in the poll how often you would like to have a new challenge.