My own damn fault

I have this bad habit of when someone comes in and buys something I hand them their change and say thank you. But after today I'm going to count every bill into their hand. Today this 6 foot tall man with a tattoo on his neck claimed I didn't give him the right change when I know what was in my drawer and what I gave him. It's my own fault for not counting the change into his hand as I gave it to him. Live and learn but karma will come back to him. Its just another reason to get my video camera's set up.

Where's the podcast?....

Well, sorry listeners. I haven't recorded a podcast in over a week but I do have a good excuse. My friend is pregnant with her second child. Well I was working when she had her first child so I never made her anything. Soooo, I've been feverishly making the toddler a poncho, matching hat and a blanket, plus I'm making a baby blanket for her her new addition.

I haven't forgot all of you and plan to be recording again this week. If you're on twitter you can always follow along with my day or you can see pictures of projects I've done or doing on either ravelry or flickr. User name is cookscrafts on all of them.

Thanks for all your supportive and concerned emails. Your feed back is what keeps the podcast going. If you have an idea or request for me to cover on the show email me.

Christmas in July...

Well, Christmas in July is coming to an end. Remember that now is the time to start your Christmas projects so they are done in time. Because of my ordering schedule with my distributors I am able to extend our sale to the first week of August.

Show notes updated:
I just updated show notes for Ep 43 and 44 so if you were looking for a link or picture of what I was talking about you can check it out at www.cookscrafts.com

I know I've been bad about updates here, but I've been trying to update stuff on Ravelry. If your a member please take a look at what we have made for the shoppe. Pictures of the items are also on our flicker site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookscrafts/

Glow in the Dark Yarn

I usually wouldn't blog about this type of yarn this early in the season but Bernet is taking pre-orders now from distributors. So if anyone wants this yarn you need to call your craft/yarn store right away and tell them you are interested in it!

Episode Postponed

Today episode will be postponed till later in the week. I have a very bad ear infection. I went to the doctor today and hope to be feeling better tomorrow.

Thank you all for understanding.

Episode 40 - Fathers Day Crafts

The show this week is short and sweet on some places to go and things to make for dear ol' Dad. Show note and links are on our site. www.cookscrafts.info.

Here is a free pattern I made last year and completely forgot about when I did the show.

Graduates & Veterans...

Show notes have been updated for Episodes 38 & 39. Videos mentioned in the show are still being worked on. iMovie 08 is different than 07 and I'm having more trouble with it than I thought I would.

http://www.cookscrafts.info/

Cyber-robbery....

Well, I missed out. Another Cook owned Cookscrafts.com. They were a woodworking place in PA and that was fine. I know Cook is a popular name, so I got cookscrafts.info for Grandma's store. Then yesterday I got an email from a company that bought the .com when the original owner didn't renew it. They want $557 to transfer it to me. WTF!! Thats crazy. So I emailed them and they asked.."What are you willing to pay and I'll bring it to my manager".. Yea, OK ya know what keep it! I went ahead and got the .biz and I'll just stick with what I have. I'll watch and maybe next year the company will let it expire and I can add it to my account. What I need is some low cost local advertising. And when I say low cost, I mean shoestring.

Show notes updated

I updated show notes for Ep. 35 & 36. Included are pictures for all the projects I talked about and pictures of the new products coming out. There are tons more shows I need to update, but I'm getting to it. :)
www.cookscrafts.info and click on shownotes.

Todays Show is Postponed

I'm sorry but today's live show will be postponed to next week. I'm just not feeling well and don't feel I could give the show my all tonight.

I am always available if you have any craft questions or problems so please don't hesitate to contact me.

Episode 34 - Craft Helpers

Today I'd like to talk about craft helpers. Things that help us either see our crafts better or craft more comfortably.

So lets talk about the right lighting. Its very important that the area you craft in is well lit. The type of light you use will determine if your colors are true and your eyes don't get strained. Especially if your doing needlework or painting. OttLight makes a wide range of True Color lights from floor lamps with adjustable arms to clip on lights ranging in price from 49.99 to over 200.00

Now that you have the right lights, let make sure you can see well. Some of these lights come with magnifiers attached, which is really great for fine needlework and embroidery. You can also get clip on magnifiers and sheet magnifiers that help with reading patterns. Just remember that the higher the magnification the smaller the magnifier will become. The Ultimate Armchair magnifying Lamp has light, a magnifier and a clip to hold your pattern for $259.99, a bit pricy but if you craft for profit you can make this back quickly by being able to craft longer more comfortably. Another magnifier option is the MagEyes. this fits on your head like a head band and you can adjust it to see your work. This is what my grandma has been using for years to be able to see her craft work. They are relatively inexpensive at 34.99. But if you really need to see fine detail work you might want to consider OptiVisor Optical Glass Binoculars. These start around $40 and are more powerful for the really fine detail work you might do with jewlery.

Your hands are a very important thing to a crafter so you need to make sure to take good care of them. But when your crafting you don't want to use a greasy hand cream that will dirty your work. Well there are a few places that make cream just for us. Thimbleberries inc has a Hand Care Lotion thats non-greasy which moisturizes your hands, not your projects. for about $18 for a large pump. Sew help me is another brand that come in smaller travel tubes.

But sometimes your hands get tired crocheting those 20 doilies you promised and you need a little support. HandEze are fingerless gloves that support your hand and wrist while you work and are very comfortable. I don't craft with out them. From their sale sheet. “HandEze therapeutic craft gloves provide non-restrictive support for both hands and wrists. HandEze retains body heat which will help improve circulation, massages hands with four way stretch lycra and is proven to produce relief from arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and continuous motion syndrome.”

From the same company that brings us magEyes they have The Body Rite Posture Pleaser It's an ergonomic posture aid that reduces neck and upper back pain. At around $40 its a steal to help us with our postures.

Remember when you're crafting, get up, stretch. Make sure you have a comfortable chair in a well lit area. You will be crafting for a long time as long as you take care of your body.

Craft Recall alert!

Safety Recall
Quincraft's Inc.
Makit & Bakit 5 piece Jewelery Set

Each of these kits contains a metal bracelet with a clasp closure. The clasp tested positive for excessive lead content and effects all product purchased between July 1, 2007 to April 1, 2008.

Consumers should stop using these products immediately. For detailed instructions on how to receive free replacement product please call the Quincraft's Recall Hotline at 800-366-4660 8am-5pm ET Mon-Fri

New Crochet World

The new issue of Crochet World just came in the store. It's bigger than earlier issues and has more projects. Visit their website for a free trial issue and free patterns. http://www.crochet-world.com/

If you or someone you know is getting married soon, this is the issue for you. They have a beautiful Intertwined Ring Pillow pattern, a wedding shawl, even white crochet gloves!

The reason that I like this and many of Crochet Worlds issues is that it has a little something for every skill level along with a lot of different types of projects to get you excited. I have found a mistake or 2 over the years and they always have posted a correction in the following issue. Crochet World readers always seem to be very active participants in the issues.

This issue is $4.99 and is available now at our store as well as other craft & book stores.

This post is in no way sponsored by Crochet World this is just my personal opinion of this issue. Though if Crochet World would like to sponsor my podcast they can contact me. :)

Episode 33 we talked about Summer Crafts

Now that summer is coming i thought I would talk about some crafty things to make that make me think of summer.

First off, I have long hair, so when the hot weather strikes I love to have fancy handmade pony tail holders.

There are 2 Books out with lots of crocheted ideas:
✦ Two Dozen and One Scrunchies Needle Craft Shoppe $4.95
✦ Annies Attic Hair Accessories $5.95

But you don't always have to pay for good patterns these are some Free Sites I found:
✦ http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/scrunchies.php

And for the knitters:
✦ http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/hair/scrunchi.htm

Then if you really want your hair out of the way there is A crochet bun cover at http://www.fjsmjs.com/Mary/basicbun.htm

Now for the kids:

"Making Friends" comes threw with some great hair accessory ideas for small kids http://www.makingfriends.com/ponybead/hair_accessories.htm

along with How stuff works with stuff a little more suitable for teen and tweens http://home.howstuffworks.com/beaded-hair-barrette.htm

Remember, you can take Blank Hair clips and combs which can be easily beaded and wired to match any outfit. A great use for for those few little extra beads and old hair clips that may have gone out of style.

Now when your walking around the board walk or amusement park a Fanny pack is a must.

Sewing Pattern:
✦ http://www.ehow.com/how_2085917_sew-fanny-pack.html

Knit:
✦ http://www.knitty.com/issuefall05/PATThipster.html

I didn't have any luck finding a crochet pattern but I don't think it would be hard to design for us experienced crocheters. If you need help, let me know.

Beach bags and totes:
✦ http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/bags_totes_purses.php

And of course if its hot you want to carry your water.

Water bottle holders:

Four Friends & A Blog has a free knitted water bottle holder:
✦ http://fourfriendsandablog.blogspot.com/2007/07/more-knitting.html

Crochet:
✦ http://www.allfiberarts.com/library/patterns/cr-h20bottle.htm

and over at The Chronicles of Mommia blog is a great pattern for my favorite new tool, the knifty knitter.
✦ http://thechroniclesofmommia.blogspot.com/2006/04/water-bottle-holder-pattern_09.html

Bike Tassels: take Plastic lacing and pony beads to make great custom Bike Tassels. .

Now lets go to the beach or pool to cool off:

Beach blankets are easy to knit and crochet I just use a breathable cotton blend for comfort, but how about a bathing suit. Here are a couple of free patterns to get you started:

2 Crochet patterns:
✦ http://crochic.tripod.com/bikini.htm
✦ http://www.knitting321.com/bikini.htm

and not to be out done 2 Knit patterns:
✦ http://vintagepurls.net.nz/womenspatterns.html
✦ http://www.knittinghelp.com/patterns/free-knitting-patterns-womens-misc.-knit-clothing

Now lets have some fun with the kids making Sandcastle:

http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/ has some great tips and tricks on making a sand castle and sand sculptures just make sure you don’t leave any holes for someone to fall into. I just heard that some beaches have been reporting problems in the past and have been giving fines to people who leave hazardous holes in the beach.

And while you're at the beach and kids are making sand castles you can catch up on your reading, here are some free patterns for book holders and book marks.


✦ Plastic canvas - The Carol Duval show on HDTV showed a pattern using colored 10 mesh plastic canvas. This has been discontinued by darice but I still have some in stock. Or you can use clear or use 7 mesh plastic http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_needlework_other/article/0,,HGTV_3265_3857625,00.html


✦ Crochet http://crochetnmore.com/biblecoverpattern.htm

BookMarks that didnt make it into the recording:

Crochet
✦ http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/bookmarks.php

Cross Stitch
✦ http://crossstitch.about.com/od/featuredfreepatterns/tp/free_bookmark_patterns_charts.htm

Plastic Canvas Bookmark
✦ http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/product.php?productid=16260&cat=119&page=1

Shownotes updated

I've just updated the shownotes for Episode 31 about quilting and Episode 32 about the bead show. If ever you have a question about a show and notes are not up yet, please email me and I will answer you ASAP.