Pens & Needles... & a shout out

Pens & Needles is my etsy shop. It was originally my brother's idea, oh, two years ago. He draws and paints and I knit, crochet, sew and make some jewelry.

Just a shout out for Mor Aframian and ReDress Raleigh :) I've donated several Pens & Needles knit and crochet items to the MorLove and Redress Raleigh booth at the Green Bazaar on the Bicentennial Plaza from 11am to 5pm this Saturday, April 17. Proceeds will benefit the Amani Baby Cottage, an orphanage in Jinja, Uganda. The Redress fashion show is Saturday night and is SOLD OUT! I'm missing it to go camping and help DH take some photos and video, but I'm sure it will be amazing!

More happy for Friday

because I love these rainy spring days that don't really require a jacket or an umbrella... after all, I won't melt.

















from etsy

Fun with textiles

I love making scarves, hats and things to give as gifts, but nothing beats Amigurumi in terms of being SO much fun and super rewarding... they're so darn cute! Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures.*
















I made a little piggie for our goddaughter, Sammie, for Christmas this year. Last year I made her a little yellow duck, so the farm animal theme is cute. The duck was a real success, given my novice crochet skills a year ago... and the fact that the pattern was for a fuzzy baby penguin! Basically, I figured that I could make it into any bird I wanted and then used a much smaller crochet hook than the pattern called for... it turned out well despite being completely 'wrong.' I still LOL about it.

Patterns are easy to find on the internet and many are free.** Instructables.com and crochetville.org are the sources for the two I've used and google finds all sorts of tutorials. The pig only took an evening in front of the tv to make! There are also patterns to buy on etsy and, if you're not the crafty type, there are shops like this one.



















*from Wikipedia
**to make for yourself or to give them as gifts, of course.

A hint of things to come

I'm. still. studying.

I motivate myself to get through this exam, and make the most of it, by browsing Etsy for ideas such as this and this.

Please do not think that I ever mean to (ever!) say I can make these types of things better. I just have a lot more time than cash. I also see the making of a thing as almost a hunter-gatherer endeavor... finding great fabric in a bargain bin or bringing a once-loved item back to life. I support artists and craftspeople when I can... handmade/well designed things made with care and love are wonderful. I also think they inspire care and love in all aspects of our lives.

Oh, and there is this one, too...

Oh! and the etsy shop!

Last summer Brother K suggested we start an etsy shop, offering some things from our different creative outlets. We set it up and it... sat... for a while. We finally got a much-needed nudge to list some items when my friend and coworker expressed interest in selling some of her jewelry creations there. I invited her to join us and now we have a lot of interesting stuff for sale.

Check it out! pensandneedles.etsy.com