Craft with a Capital C has moved to www.lboartstudio.com

I moved from Chicago to St. Louis 5 years ago, soon after I felt it was time for another

change.  I've moved all my blog content over to a new website I've built

to host my art. After 12 years of my blog being separate from my art website,

they are now finally hosted under one neat umbrella. To read all your favorite articles, podcast interviews and to find

your favorite patterns be sure to go to:

 

http://www.lboartstudio.com

 

Beadwork

Creativity takes courage. -- Henri Matisse

Well hi there. I am sorry to have been absent for so long.  I've been building a new business in social media while slowly making my art.  The only personal crafting I have completed have been a few hats for local cancer centers, Christmas presents and a few crocheted pillows for my couch. The above image is an ongoing series called "Medicine Man."  I take lots of medicine now, so I have this stash of empty bottles. Rather than have them end up in the landfill, I upcycle them into art using beads and the peyote stitch.  Fun!

Bare with me as I figure out which way I wish the blog to go.  My daughter has recently become a LemonGrass Spa consultant. So I've been considering supporting her by focusing this blog on "how-to" projects with essential oils and knitting and crochet for the bath. What do you think?  Would you be interested in this?

In the meantime, if you are interested in seeing more of my art, please visit my new website http://www.lboartstudio.com. It features my art from over the decades, including videos and podcasts. And if you are looking for help with your social media,  I'd love to hear from you, so please visit my new website http://www.lbostudio.com.  

And here is a sneak peek of the pillows I've been making which my dogs love.  Josie builds a fort and plays hide and seek with them. She is such a goof.  I will soon post the patterns for them.

 

 

Beadwork

Creativity takes courage. -- Henri Matisse

Well hi there. I am sorry to have been absent for so long.  I've been building a new business in social media while slowly making my art.  The only personal crafting I have completed have been a few hats for local cancer centers, Christmas presents and a few crocheted pillows for my couch. The above image is an ongoing series called "Medicine Man."  I take lots of medicine now, so I have this stash of empty bottles. Rather than have them end up in the landfill, I upcycle them into art using beads and the peyote stitch.  Fun!

Bare with me as I figure out which way I wish the blog to go.  My daughter has recently become a LemonGrass Spa consultant. So I've been considering supporting her by focusing this blog on "how-to" projects with essential oils and knitting and crochet for the bath. What do you think?  Would you be interested in this?

In the meantime, if you are interested in seeing more of my art, please visit my new website http://www.lboartstudio.com. It features my art from over the decades, including videos and podcasts. And if you are looking for help with your social media,  I'd love to hear from you, so please visit my new website http://www.lbostudio.com.  

And here is a sneak peek of the pillows I've been making which my dogs love.  Josie builds a fort and plays hide and seek with them. She is such a goof.  I will soon post the patterns for them.

 

 

Free Pattern :: Crochet Christmas Stocking

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

I don't know about you, but my favorite bit about opening Christmas presents was always the Christmas stocking.  Great things come in Little Packages -right?!!  I enjoy it even more now that I get to play Santa Claus to my daughter.  One needs a Christmas stocking to fill with all those fabulous tiny presents.   This is an easy crochet pattern and will take an average of two weekends to make.  

Christmas in July :: Inspiration

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

It is already the end of July. How are your Christmas preparations coming along?  Now don't laugh.  I am not kidding.  Christmas comes close on the heals of Thanksgiving, which gives one very little time to craft and prepare.  Rather than stress out, I am suggesting that we, meaning you and  me, learn from my mother who started her preparations in July.  Running a catering business as a single parent kept her extremely busy from the 1st of November though New Years, but she was not about to lose out on any of the fun.  She had a room she designated her wrapping room.  When Mom passed away in October, 2008, we found gifts for us already wrapped.  I couldn't' stop crying at the time, but I was so grateful to have that one last present to tuck under my tree.

Artist Crush : : Meredith Woolnough

2015 by Meredith Woolnough, 93 cm by 93cm

“Great art picks up where nature ends.”  Marc Chagall

I recently came across the work of Meredith Woolnough.  There are moments in every artist's career when they see another artist's work and think "Holy Crap!  That piece is perfect. Spot on to what I've been thinking and why didn't I think of it first?" Yes, I am slighlty jealous and in tremendous awe of her talent.

Free Patterns : : The Rainbow Collection

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Maya Angelou 

I love rainbows, don't you?  They are frequently a source of inspiration for my designs.  The Rainbow Faith Bracelet I created for Ehow.com.  As it is made with crystals, it is extra sparkly.

I also made this finger knit scarf or Blanket for Ehow.com.

 Easy to make and a perfect car trip project. 

And last but not least, my rainbow children's beanie, because aren't your children the gold at the end of the rainbow?!  I posted this pattern on my blog earlier this year.

Free Pattern: Beginner Baby Blanket

A baby is born with a need to be loved – and never outgrows it. – By Frank A. Clark

This is a simple, beginner's level baby blanket.  It falls in the category of tv knitting, you know, that project you can do while watching tv and not get too lost with what you are knitting.  This blanket was designed as a newborn receiving blanket, but could easily be adjusted to other sizes.

Free Pattern :: Crochet Christmas Coasters

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.--- Norman Vincent Peale

There are only 177 days until Christmas.  After years of being the family scrooge, I've decided to follow in  my mother's footsteps.  She started preparing for Christmas in July.  This was partly due to nostalgia.  Christmas was her favorite holiday and the one with the happiest memories.  She also started in July as she owned a catering company and she was working 12/7 from The week before Thanksgiving until the week after New Year's.  She didn't have time to go shopping or prepare the homemade crafts in December, so she got started in July when her business was slower.  

Knitwear Inspiration :: Chanel Fall / Winter 2016-17

 

 A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

 The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. -- Coco Chanel

 

Chanel has been a frequent source of inspiration.  In my college days, it was the suit fabrics I loved.  I'd go to the couture stores, study the fabrics and then try to replicate them on my loom.  But these days, I study the knitwear and beadwork.