Yarn Bombing: What is it?

Yarn Bombing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yarn Bombing, Yarn Storming, Guerrilla Knitting, or Graffiti Knitting, is all a type of street art or fiber graffiti that employs colorful displays of knit or crochet cloth rather than paint or chalk. The practice is believed to have originated in the U.S. with Texas knitters trying to find a creative way to use their leftover and unfinished knitting projects, but it has since spread worldwide. The start of this movement has been attributed to Magda Sayeg, 37, from Houston, who says she first got the idea in 2005 when she covered the door handle of her boutique with a custom made cozy. The movement has been said to be "changing the face of craft" as stitchers are more and more frequently being viewed as fibre artists rather than amateurs or vandals. Joann Matvichuk of Lethbridge, Alberta invented International Yarnbombing Day, which was first observed on June 11, 2011

Now I know what it is; why do I care?

Let’s put Yarn Harbor in Duluth MN on the yarn bombing map!!

Yarn Harbor wants your help to yarn bomb the blue fence that runs the length of the sidewalk outside our window. We need people to knit and crochet “sleeves” to fit over the spokes and rails of the fence, as well as flowers, bugs, leaves, vines, etc, to decorate the entire length of the fence. We will have yarn available for you to use or this is a great way for you to use up all those its and bits of your stash. We will also have some easy patterns available.

We will collect pieces the months of September and October. We will begin assembling everything on the fence at the October, Friday night PJ Party and continue all weekend. If you are able to help by making a few sleeves for us or some bugs and flowers we would be very grateful. If you have no interest in doing one of those but would still like to participate please stop in during that weekend and help us sew some of the pieces on to the fence.

"ME" DAY!!

Yesterday I had 7 massage clients.  It was a great day but a rather long one.  I started at 10 am and ended at 10 pm.  So today I am deeming today a "ME" day.  I have a hour long massage, manicure and pedicure scheduled for myself.  I am not ashamed to tell you I am taking this day for myself.  People who are in the care giving field have to maintain their own health or they will have nothing to give to others. When was the last time you took some time to take care of yourself?  No this will not turn into an ad for Dynamic Massage.  We all need to take a few minutes to ourselves once in a while. Go for a walk, read a book, dance, sing, draw, write, get a massage, do what ever you like to do and do not feel guilty about taking the time or money to do it!! My biggest question of the day will be, what color do I choose for my nails????

Fall Changes.......

Fall brings about many changes.  In our household, it means school is starting again for Michael.  For those who need a brief updating I will give you the Readers Digest version of the last year. Michael (darling husband) worked in the transportation industry for just over 20 years and last September his company downsized and he was layed-off.  He started back to school at a local Technical College in January of this year.  He is going to be the computer geek he was always meant to be!! I knew at some point he would.  He had a few reservations about going back but he has been top of his class. The kids think it is great he is going back, Chris, (the boy child) really enjoys asking him, "Dad, before you turn on the Xbox, is all your homework done?" Not so sure how long that will last however.  Cassie, (the girl child) bought him a bottle of top shelf scotch to celebrate.  She also told him no drinking it on a school night.  When I tell people I am sleeping with a college student, she does however look at me and roll her eye and say "MOM! Really?" in that tone that only an offended 22 year old can get.
I think we got him all set up for school, new pens and notebooks, even though I found this really great pink glittery one he refused to take. HMMPH.  If you have seen the new back to school Target ads, and I suggest you do, they are great! One of them says you will need lots of glitter, I was only trying to help. I would not want him to stand out and the other kids make fun of him. I also suggested I get him some juice boxes and fruit cups, he also declined. I'm just trying to be helpful!!  He has a pretty heavy class schedule and it has only been one day but, it seems he will have quite a bit of homework to do as well.  I know he will handle the pressure just fine but my main concern; does this means I will have to cook more often???  I got quite spoiled over the summer when he was home everyday.
Michael's favorite Target ad
My Favorite Target ad
Chris's Favorite Target ad

New Calendar!

Interweave Crochet 2011 Calendar

I just got a great deal on a calendar, yes I do know it is August and the year is more than half over. But the calendar I got has information I will use for a long time.  I got the 2011 Interweave Crochet Calendar!! It has 12 fantastic motif patterns in it. I already have an idea what I want to do with one of them!  As I develop the idea and it becomes more of a reality I will "keep you posted". (ahh, yes that was a bad pun!)

BTW: I mailed out my entry for the CGOA design contest today.  I can't tell you what it is till after the contest but I will post photos then. The judging of the competition will take place in Greensboro NC at the next ChainLink event in September. I unfortunately can not attend this event but I will be represented.

As I write this post I have one eye glued to CNN watching the updates about the earthquake in Virginia.  My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone injured or affected by this event.

The package came!!

I got my package from the yarn company; who shall not be named yet.  It arrived via UPS on Wednesday, when the driver was leaving, I told him I had   to tweet that it came and he just laughed at me, oh well.  So I ripped opened my box, I had a little trouble with the tape and I thought I was going to have to chew through it but finally I got to the contents and it was beautiful yarn! I was very excited to start working on my project immediately, the only problem was I still had several massage clients scheduled. Like a good girl I out it away and  I waited till I got home that evening and after dinner I started working on it. I finally forced myself to put it down at midnight, I only had a few rows to go to complete it but I really had to go to bed.  I finished it last night and have it ready to ship back.  I can show you the box but that is all till later. Stay tuned.......................................

CGOA Saturday cont....

Saturday after I got done with my fabulous class with Lily I went to present my designs. I met with Bobbie Matela, Design Production Manager at Coats & Clark.  She looked over my designs and like a few of them.  I cannot say what until I know if she will actually purchase them or pass on them.  It is kind of a waiting game.  I then met with Carol Alexander, Executive Editor for Crochet! and Crochet World Magazines.  she also liked some of my designs and they will go for further review.  I presented 8 designs and currently have 1 sold and 7 still under review. Not bad for my first time out!!  I did not have the opportunity to talk at that time, but later I spoke with Cari Clement, director of fashion and design at Caron Yarn.

 After banquet was the fashion show. It was great to see some of the designs in person. Photos are wonderful but they often do not do a piece justice.

These are the last of my photos from the conference.

 

CGOA Saturday

Jo'Elle with Lily Chin at the banquet

My weekend of blues was great but now I have to get back to crochet work! Saturday morning of the conference I had a fantastic class with Lily Chin.  It was called Tips & tricks for crochet.  I learned lots of little things that will help me be a better crocheter.  She also has a book by the same name, we just happen to carry it at Yarn Harbor.  We also carry her book Tips and Tricks for knitters.  She was lots of fun to learn from.  I also had the opportunity to sit next to her at the banquet dinner on Saturday night. She remembered my name, and told me the blue hair helped!  See it pays to be unique!  Lily's earrings in this photo are great big buttons.

Lily's Book