Thank You

Thank you to all those who serve, and have served, to protect this great land of ours... Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.

Black & White Sunday: Lola

There's nothing quite like lazy Sunday mornings, especially when the weather cools off.  Lola demonstrates....



#Craftsy - Save up to 50% off Online Classes!

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Don't miss Craftsy's Shop to Unlock Sale happening now! Get up to 50% off online classes for a limited time only! If you purchase a class during the flash sale, you will unlock a second set of classes on sale. For users that purchase, you will receive a subsequent email with a link "unlocking" the next set of classes. Hurry, this offer expires on November 9th, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop Craftsy's Shop to Unlock Sale now and save big.

After having my Cricket loom sit idle for nearly 3 years, I finally decided it was time to learn how to use it and signed up for the Rigid Heddle Weaving class with Angela Tong.  So far, I absolutely love it and can't believe I waited this long to get started.

Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, or brush up on something, check out all that Craftsy has to offer... the options truly are endless.... knitting, crochet, cooking, cake decorating, painting, jewelry, photography, weaving, sewing, quilting, paper crafts,  woodworking and so much more!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: How to Knit & How To Crochet

How to Knit

by Leslie Ann Bestor

Paperback: 112 pages

Publisher: Storey Publishing LLC (August 26, 2014)

How to Crochet

by Sara Delaney

Paperback: 128 pages

Publisher: Storey Publishing LLC (August 26, 2014)

"Crafting is unique in its ability to involve many different areas of the brain.  It can work your memory and attention span while involving your visuospatial processing, creative side, and problem-solving abilities." - Catherine Carey Levisay, a clinical neuropsychologist and wife of Craftsy.com CEO John Levisay

If you already knit or crochet, you've seen the craft have yet another surge of popularity in recent years.  It's no wonder.  Between recent studies linking crafting to brain function, and the tough economy that has so many hunkering down at home, fiber arts seem like a no brainer.  Instead of just being a consumer of goods, you become a manufacturer or goods - and have hours of fun while doing so! 

The popularity of handmade items has also soared in recent years. It's certainly more personal to create and give a special gift, versus a gift card to a mass merchant.  Knit and crochet items are even taking over the high-fashion runways. Gone are the days of the dreaded - yet now treasured (that is, if any of them survived) - "grandma knits."  Everyone wants handknits!

With so many newbies interested in fiber arts, Storey Publishing has added two new titles to the Storey Basics series; How to Knit and How To Crochet. Whether readers are complete newbies, or looking to expand their horizons from knit to crochet, or vice versa, these handy books are the perfect reference guides.

One of my favorite things about these books is their perfect little, handy size.  Each measures a mere 5" x 7", making them great for at home or on the go - they fit in most purses and project bags! Each features clearly written instructions, as well as helpful graphics and illustrations.

How to Knit is divided into 6 chapters:

1. When You're Ready to Cast On
2. The Basic Stitches: Knit, Purl, and ... Slip
3. Shaping Up Your Knitting: Increases & Decreases
4. We All Make Mistakes
5. Getting Down to the Tools and Materials
6. Learning to Decipher Patterns

How to Crochet is divided into 8 chapters:

1. Getting to Know Your Materials
2. Getting Started: Forget the Chain!
3. Chains: Your Foundation
4. Basic Crochet Stitches
5. Gauge
6. Working in the Round
7. Perfecting Techniques
8. Pattern Reading

If you're looking to learn to knit or crochet - or both - these are must have books for your library!  They also make great gifts for those friends who keep telling us how much they want to learn, but "just don't have the time" for classes.  In fact, a book, skein of yarn and some needles or hooks would make a perfect crafty holiday gift!  You could even package it all inside a hand knit (or crochet) stocking!

Whether you want these books for yourself or to give as a gift, don't miss out on your chance to win them below!

About the Authors:
Leslie Ann Bestor is the author of the best-seller Cast On, Bind Off and a knitting teacher and store manager at WEBS, America's Yarn Store. Many of her designs have been featured in books and magazines. Leslie currently lives and knits in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Sara Delaney has been crocheting since she was 7 years old. She studied clothing design and construction for 3 years. She's been teaching sold-out crochet classes at WEBS since 2007, where she also wrote the core curriculum for their crochet courses and workshops. Sara designs and publishes her patterns independently, as well as through Coats & Clark and WEBS. She lives and blogs in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

GIVEAWAY!

How would you like to win a copy of How to Knit or How to Crochet?  Thanks to the great folks over at Storey Publishing, I get to give away a copy of each!

 

To Enter: 

• Leave a comment below indicating which book you would like to win and why -- is it for you or to give as a gift?  (please be sure your comment includes a way to contact you in case you are a lucky winner)
  
• Get a bonus entry for tweeting about this giveaway. Leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet in it. (get 2 bonus entries if your Tweet is a little more creative than just a straight link to this post)
  
• Get a bonus entry for liking the Lapdog Creations page on Facebook and commenting on any post on the page. Leave a separate comment indicating you did so.

Contest is open through Saturday, November 15 at 11:59pm eastern time. Winner will be picked by random number generator.

Disclaimer: Storey Publishing LLC sent 2 copies each of How to Knit and How to Crochet to Lapdog Creations for review and give away purposes.  I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Thankful Thursday: Foster Family Update

It's been a few months since I last posted any foster family updates, so I figured why not use this first Thankful Thursday in November to share some cuteness...  After all, I'm incredibly thankful every time I get updates and see new photos of my babies thriving in their forever homes.  I could be having a terrible day, yet just one photo makes me smile from ear-to-ear!  Let's see if I can make you smile too... 

Two and a half years later, Little Maverick still loves his snuggie, which simply makes my heart melt.  If you knit, crochet, or sew, please keep your local shelters in mind and donate some snuggies.  They are a great way to use up leftovers, and Mavie is proof that not only do they help comfort during transition, but for many, many years to come!  

Rosie got into the Halloween spirit and was as cute as a pumpkin, don't ya think?

Booth recently got to go to work for the day with his Mom.  Doesn't he look so proud?

Harper celebrated Halloween with her little human sister, and showed her how much fun it is to hand out treats.

Speaking of little human siblings, Izzy took pumpkin decorating to a new level when she shared her exciting news with the world... she's going to be a big sister in 2015!

As I said, I just love watching my former foster babies grow, and now I get to watch their families grow as well! 

Wordless Wednesday: More Happy Things

Happy first Wordless Wednesday of November!



 

Tasty Tuesday: Got Lobster?

The humans know how tasty Maine lobster is... and now Zeus does too!  Just look at how it makes him smile.  

He even knows the tail is the best part!

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!  Remember to get out and vote... make your voice heard!  And, here's to tasty meals free from obnoxious robo-calls, unwanted knocks on the door, and everything else that crosses the line during election season.