Episode 21- Ghost of Christmas Crafting Past

Thanks again to Mom for joining me on this episode!

Knitting Patterns Discussed:


Basic Cuff Up Mitten pattern by Patti Pierce Stone

4 new headbands Bow Headband- free pattern by Erin Kate Archer

• Pichous for my nephew (made 2 pair because the first pair seemed to small)

• Parkspin Slippers pattern- basically the same slipper pattern I used for the adult sized slippers that I talked about in the last episode. I was going to modify that pattern myself to make them for the kiddos, but this pattern already had the math done for me.
• Vancouver Fog Mitts- free pattern by Jen Balfour

Sewing:
Drawstring bag using this tutorial.

Ball spinner to review from the Yarn Sellar in ME
To order call: 207-351-1987
I have the Large version.
A more thorough review to come, but this wood spinner is beautiful. Inquire with Carrie at the Yarn Sellar website.

Christmas Crafting- the good, the bad and the hideous!

• Remember the potholders, trivets, placemats and coasters you could make on these looms? You can still buy these from Love and Money Looms.

• Pipe cleaner, beads & lace ribbon ornaments- remember these?
• Mom did a lot with macrame. Both plant hangers and even wreaths-- pattern she used is shown here!
• Salt dough ornaments
• Fabric flowers
• Organza (burnt edge flowers)
• fabric folded flowers
• Iron On Transfers + Puffy Paint!

Decorations!

My Favorite Advent Calendar

(whose poor mouse never gets to move- unless I come to visit)

I forgot to mention this on the show, but don't forget about our Holiday KAL in progress!

Any holiday gifts you finish and post before 12/31/12 will be entered into the contest for a prize.


Prizes

• The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos by Heidi Adnum
• Oak Grove Mitts by Alana Dakos- includes a fingerless glove and a fingerless mitt option. Beautiful pattern with an oak leaf design on the top of the hand

Thanks again for listening! Wishing you much joy no matter which holiday you celebrate (or don't) this holiday season. I am truly grateful for each of you!

Episode 20- The iPad Episode

Thanks for tuning in this week! This was a quick recording before a busy weekend....

This Week’s Segments Included:
On the Needles
Off the Needles
Brainstorming
From the Armchair
Life in Focus
Events
Crafty Adventures
On a Happy Note
Knitting in Passing
Quote of the Week
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On the Needles
Basic Cuff up Mittens - free pattern by Patti Pierce Stone
Gray & Black version- still need thumbs

Vancouver Fog pattern by Jen Balfour

Off the Needles

Basic Cuff up Mittens - free pattern by Patti Pierce Stone
Hunter green Cascade 220 superwash version

My Grandmother’s Slippers Pattern- by Kathy North

Brainstorming

Kids pichous
Another bow headband

From the Armchair
Check out both of these amazing books!

Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf- by Alana DakosThe Hardcover Book is $18.95, but I recommend the Deluxe Gift Set for $26.95

Check out this episode of Alana's podcast Never Not Knitting to hear an excerpt read by her daughter.

Comfort Knitting and Crochet Babies and Toddlers by Norah Gaughan and the Berroco Design Team

Life in Focus

I highly recommend the Improve Photography podcast.


Are you interested in doing a photo challenge series? Let's chat. I've started a thread in the Ravelry group.

Events

Karrie, host of the Knit Purl Gurl Videocast passed away suddenly this week. Please consider participating in one of these events.

Snowflake Ornaments for Karrie’s Family

There’s also a KAL going on in Friends of Knit Purl Gurl Group on Ravelry. Folks are knitting along with any of Karrie’s pattern. Karrie has 5 beautiful shawl patterns- please note that the proceeds of the pay for patterns will go to her family, so that’s also a nice way to contribute if you’re so inclined.

Karrie started a project back in early October called Random Acts of Patterns Tuesday.
So again, if you’re interested in passing along some good in the midst of tragedy then please consider paying it forward on an upcoming Tuesday.

Don't forget about our Holiday Knit-a-long. Any holiday gifts you finish and post before 12/31/12 will be entered into the contest for a prize.

Crafty Adventures
More monsters! 1 done. 1 in progress

Studio progress- the counter is finished! Just need to do some clean up and start moving in!

On a Happy Note

Thanksgiving traditions, a fun-fillled Thanksgiving weekend including Black Friday shopping, Dan's birthday party, crafting and Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker.

Knitting in Passing

Saw a lady on the train knitting a baby sweater in royal blue. Love seeing holiday knitting in action.

Quote of the Week

Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Howard Thurman

I’ll be back again in 2 weeks! Thanks for listening!
Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Ravelry Group: search Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Twitter: @BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.comFacebook: Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Pinterest: BostonJen

Episode 19- Accessories Overload

Thanks for tuning in for Episode 19


Check out Mom, Ryan and me on Episode 89 of the Savvy Girls Podcast


On the Needles
-Bow Headband #3 in turquoise with striped bow [knitting is done, need to block & sew up]

-Color Affection- knitting is done. Need to bind off and block.


Off the Needles
-Boot Toppers {of my own design}

-Basic Cuff up Mittens - free pattern by Patti Pierce Stone

On a related note- idea- trace kids hands- note size, save as file for future reference + its a fun memory.


In My Travels
This week I shared audio from Marie from Maruska Farms who we met at Rhinebeck.

Crafty Adventures
Making monsters!!!! Lucy (left) + Max (back) and Callie (front)

Helpful video tutorial on how to sew a monster
My inspiration monsters

Studio Update:
Oak Counter installed, sanded stained.
Oak backsplash- Dan custom routered at our friend’s house to give it some nice detail. sanded and stained this past weekend. Installed!
Needs resin and it will be done.

Brainstorming
I'd like to make something using different weights of yarn. Know of any good patterns? Please let me know.

Do you have any ideas for crafting for men? Share your ideas here.

From the Armchair
Step up Knits by Vickie Howell
Take your skills to the next level with 25 quick and stylish projects



Events
KAL in progress
If you started in Sept/Oct and finish by 12/31/12 you're eligible to win. Check out this thread for details and post your FOs.


The following prizes are up for grabs:

• The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos by Heidi Adnum
• Oak Grove Mitts by Alana Dakos

Knitting Brooklyn KAL/CAL Hurricane Sandy Relief is going on through 12/31/12


On a Happy Note

My new pink winter coat from Target!!


Quote of the Week
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.
-Corrie Ten Boom


I’ll be back again in 2 weeks- but in the meantime, feel free to reach out to me!

Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Ravelry Group: search Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Twitter: @BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Show Notes: Downcellarstudio.blogspot.com
Facebook: Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Pinterest: BostonJen

Episode 18- Rhinebeck Relived!

Thanks for tuning in for this non-traditional episode of The Down Cellar Studio Podcast, where Mom, Ryan and I recount our adventures at the NY Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. Hope you enjoyed the episode. This will be a long blog entry with lots of great photos and links to the beautiful things we purchased and contact details for people we met!

In my Travels:

Saturday at Rhinebeck

Noni Designs

 Mom, Jen & Nora Bellows from Noni Designs

The first thing Mom wanted me to knit for her

Mom bought Jen a sheep button from Koko Noelle. 

Mom is now on Ravelry. Find her as BostonJensMom and friend her!

We met the Sheep Girls! Check out their adorable matching skirts! Thanks Tammy (second from right in photo) for sending this to me. It was GREAT meeting you!

We met the Savvy Girls- check out their podcast if you haven’t already listened. Mom, Ryan and I recorded with Deborah so you may hear us on there too.

Melanie and Jen

Jen bought Melanie’s CD Knitting All the Day which Melanie signed. Thanks!

Ryan bought Cast On & Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor

Mom bought some children’s books by Nancy Shaw

Jen tried out spinning on a wheel at Mom’s encouragement.

We met Darren and Aimee from Knitting in Circles Podcast and Stephen from FL

Moo mini cards- source for my business cards

Mom fell in love {again} with a jacket from the Knit Swirl book. Strata Sphere was Mom’s personal favorite. Coat of Many Colors worked really well for Ryan.

We bought Melissa Jean Designs porcelain buttons.

Mom is taking up a new hobby called Shirret.

One of our favorite vendors was a lovely lady named Crispina who sells recycled, hand-made clothing that she pieces together. She also sells pot-holder style looms to make rugs.

Crispina with The Traveling Underpants!

In Crispina’s booth we met Leslie from the Wake Up Your Weird Videocast.

Ryan bought yarn from Spirit Trail Works yarn company.

Jen bought some charcoal yarn in fingering and worsted weight from Brooks Farm Yarn company

Some other fun photos from Saturday.

These sheep are from Maruska Farm. I interviewed Marie who owns this farm and will play this audio on an upcoming episode. Her sheep loved Mom.

Podcaster Meet-up!

Allison [Hollywood Knitter Podcast], Ryan, Jen & Emily [Whatcha Swatchin Podcast]

------

Sunday at Rhinebeck

We went to The Palace Diner for breakfast- one of my old college haunts!

Traveling Underpants Day 2

The three of us have a pretty strong Vera Bradley obsession!

Then we went across the street to Marist College where I went to school.

Mom and I got out quickly to take a picture of me in the Traveling Underpants in front of the Student Center.

At the fair:

First goal for Sunday was to get one of these baskets, but they were sold out. (link coming soon)

Jen bought Jennie the Potter earrings.

We watched a demo of these ladies naturally dyeing yarns.

The sheep who loved Mom

Mom bought a rabbit puppet

Puppet from Sharon Lafera's booth 

slafera@gmail.com (no website listed on tag)

Around lunchtime we met up with my best friend from college, and her husband and son.

 Jessica, Jen, Mom and baby Brayden

Jen's Sunday yarn purchases were from

Holiday Yarns- Super Sheep (dk weight) in Badger Black Colorway
Brooks Farm Yarn- Fingering Weight- in charcoal gray (didn't realize until I got home that these are both from the same vendor in different weights!)

A Contest

Two winners in the September/October Section of the Holiday KAL were announced. Tune in to see if you've won!

Check out our awesome prize sponsors:

OhLoops Yarn and Urban Forest Knits eBook

Please check out a contest sponsored by Maria of the Subway Knits Podcast and consider donating $5 to help with Hurricane Sandy relief and be entered to win one of many awesome prizes!

Click here for all of the details.

Quote of the Week

Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.

Thanks for listening! Talk to you in 2 weeks!

Calendar of Hope

With so many fun things to discuss on the podcast, I haven't had a chance to tell you about this great opportunity to raise money to help eliminate breast cancer and since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to share this with you via the blog.

The Calendar of Hope is a collection of great knitting patterns and they are in their 5th year of publication and has raised over $5000 for Breast Cancer. 


The calendar contains 14 never-before-published knitting patterns.
You can download one of the for FREE patterns at www.fitterknitter.com to judge for yourself the quality of patterns.

All proceeds of the sale of these calendars (except of PayPal fees) go to www.ArmyOfWomen.org whose goals are

• To recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease.
• To partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all.
• To challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women.

We’ve come a long way in finding a cure for breast cancer. Now let's find the cause.

Episode 17

Episode 17

This Week’s Segments Included:
On the Needles
Off the Needles
Brainstorming
From the Armchair
Events
Crafty Adventures
On a Happy Note
Knitting in Passing
Quote of the Week
----

On the Needles
Color Affection Shawl

Off the Needles
Basic Cuff up Mittens - free pattern by Patti Pierce Stone

Brainstorming

Peeta: free garter stitch, short row shawl pattern- mixes worsted and fingering weight yarns on size 8s

Tony the monster from the book More KnitWits which I got from the library. The pattern is by Katie Boyette. Shown in blue and black stripes. Super cute. I can see my nephews liking him.

Boot Toppers- I’m contemplating just creating my own pattern. I figure I’ll measure the circumference of my upper calf, do a gauge swatch, and then just whip together a very basic ribbed and cabled pattern.

From the Armchair

Urban Forest Knits

• 5 pattern collection in eBook by Judy Marples 
• Definitely take a look at this pattern collection! It would be a great addition to your library.
• Don’t forget that this eBook is one of the prizes available for the Sept/Oct section of our holiday KAL

Dishcloth Diva by Deb Buckingham

• This book features 20 patterns. I mentioned a few of my favorites. Well worth a look. Dishcloths are quick easy knit, would be great for some holiday gift sets, and are a great palette cleanser!
• This is available as an ebook through Cooperative Press for $9.95 US or you can get the book and ebook versions together for $15.95 plus shipping.

Events
The first ever Down Cellar Studio Knit-a-Long is in progress! We are up to 42 finished objects entered in Round 1 so far! Nearing the end of Round 1 so get those projects finished and entered before October 31st.

We have two Rounds of the KAL
1. Objects started on/after September 1st and finished by October 31st.
2. Objected started on/after November 1st and finished by December 31st.

Prizes be awarded by choosing using Random Number Generator at the end of each KAL.

Two prizes to announce so far for Round 1

• OhLoops Skein of Yarn- Prize http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ohloops
• Urban Forest Knits eBook provided by Judy Marples. 5 pattern ebook with gorgeous patterns, which I will review on next week’s show. Will link to the ebook in the show notes, so check it out before then! Great patterns. I’m already itching to cast one on!

For Round 2, I have the following prizes:

• The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos by Heidi Adnum
• Oak Grove Mitts by Alana Dakos

NY Sheep and Wool in Rhinebeck - October 20 & 21st
· Podcaster Meet-up: Saturday at 1p on the Hill near the entrance in the same spot as the Ravelry Meet-up which will be from 12p-1p.

Podcasters Attending:

Maria- Subway Knits Podcast 
Kristin- Yarngasm Podcast 
Sharon- TVKnitting Podcast 
Jen- Commuter Knitter Podcast 
Jen- Down Cellar Studio Podcast 
Karrie - Knit Purl Gurl Podcast 
Lori- Happy Crafter 207 Podcast 
Ellen and Jan from the TwinSet Design Podcast 
Tammy- The Proverbial Knitter 
Allison- Hollywood Knitter Podcast 
Laura- Apocalyptic Diner Podcast 
Emily from Watcha Swatchin Videocast 
Carin- Round the Twist Videocast 
Laura & Leslie- Knit Girllls Videocast 
Kim- Craft Stash Videocast 
Diane- Knitabulls Videocast 
Aimee and Darren- Knitting in Circles Videocast 
Amy & Megan- Stockinette Zombies Videocast 
Jadee- Twisted Strands Videocast 
Tina- Knitting Blooms Videocast 
Carolyn- Girlfriends Knitting Videocast 
Lisa- 90% Knitting Videocast 
Kari & Sue- Two Tangled Skeins Videocast 
Wendy & Sheila- Knit1HeartToo Videocast 
Vicki- DragonflySoars Videocast 
Kathryn & Michelle- 3 Stitches Videocast 
Julia- Sticks & Stones Videocast 
Melissa & Shawn- His & Hers Videocast 
Stephanie- Knitting Samurai Plus 1 Videocast 
Nicholette- 20 Minute Thrifty Knitter Videocast

My podcast buttons came in the mail. I ordered them from Tiny Peach Buttons on Etsy- super reasonably priced and I love how they came out, so check out that seller if you’re in the market for some pins.

Crafty Adventures

Last Saturday was woodchopping weekend at my house!
Boys- chop wood
Girls- made some food, sewing and knitting by the fire inside.

Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

On a Happy Note

Fitting into smaller jeans (2 sizes smaller!) Hooray!

Quote of the Week

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
-George Eliot


I’ll be back again in 2 weeks- but in the meantime, feel free to reach out to me!

Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Ravelry Group: search Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Twitter: @BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Show Notes: Downcellarstudio.blogspot.com
Facebook: Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Pinterest: BostonJen