The CGOA 2008 Fashion Show

OK...this is really a "you had to be there" moment. Brian got to model the freeform vest at the CGOA fashion show. He's not as pretty as the other models and there were lovely designs being shown. I don't know what happened behing that curtain but he lost his Tshirt somewhere (I think Vashti and Myra had something to do with it...) I took these pics after his strut down the catwalk as I couldn't get near it. I suppose that's a good thing as I would have been stuffing $$ bills in his chaps and I was laughing so hard. Where did he learn to strut that way ??!!

At least CrochetWithDee got a video of the bedlam...ROFLMAO!!!!

NOTE: The vest has since been taken by Mel to the CGOA Conference in Portland where it was shown to the West coast contributors. The vest was not completely finished in Manchester but it is now. It will eventually arrive at BrainsBarn in the near future... What a gift! Thanks to all!!

A Special Dinner at the Conference...

The International FreeFormers Friday night dinner at Piccolo's in NH. A fun night was had by all (not all attending are in the above picture).

It was special because Brian was presented with a wonderful gift...a freeform vest made by a total of 31 fiber artists from all over the globe.

Brian in his "surprise" freeform vest...the brainchild of Mel who brought this all together. We had a very fun night... :)

The International FreeForm Guild always has lots of proects going on. Brian presented to Mel, for the group, the below hook as one donation for a future auction the group will be having; all proceeds will go to Women for Women International The auction date will be announced.

Ebony Gabon w/Captive Ring and Kazuri Bead enclosed by 2 SSilver spheres.

CGOA Classes... and Autographs

I had a great time at the conference this year, especially meeting up with friends.
I also had four classes: Crochet Illlusions with Darla Fanton; Eclectic Bead Necklace with Jenny King; Paisleys that Pop with Joan Davis; and Crochet Intermeshing with Margaret Hubert.

That's me in between Saundra and Pam in Margaret's class. If not for Pam I may never have gotten through the class...it was confusing for left-handed me! And I met up with fellow New Jerseyan, Shari White, a fiber artist, freeformer and designer! She had designs in the contest and the fashion show and was one of 31 contributors of scrumbles for Brian's freeform vest. Shari graciously signed my newly acquired book, Afghans for All Reasons & All Seasons (by Jean and Rita, of course!) I was a real groupie with that book and hunted down many more autographs...Am I late on these CGOA posts or what??...........

Beware of Texans bearing gifts...

Wow...our Texas friends, Saundra and Carole, brought gifts...Sweet! And those Texas size jellybeans were! You'll be glad to know Brian wears his Texas cap out in the barn; the armadillo is on my puter and the other items are in use. Can't forget anyone now!!
Bobbie from the CGOA Crochet Texas! group in Dallas and Saundra and Carole from the CGOA Houston Crochet group at the Fashion Show and dinner.
Sharon and Bobbie from the Crochet Texas! group with items I am glad I brought along to pass out to all...gift bags, lip balm in crocheted holders...

Straight from Ohio...

On Saturday, July 19th, I headed to Newark International Airport to pick up the first BrainsBarn student...:)...our friend and crochet designer, Christy!
She's in to learn the lathe and to ride up with us to the Crochet Conference in Manchester, NH.

Christy- all cleaned up and relaxing with the Princess Layla after a day in "the barn". :)
Earlier in the day and during all the days spent in the barn...learning, turning, sanding, sanding, sanding...
Christy did very well in being the first "student" at BrainsBarn. She just HAD TO KNOW how those hooks are created. After finding out...she decided to leave the decorated hooks up to Brian...but she gained much knowledge on the lathe and will surely have her own turning style in the near future. Right now, Christy makes handcarved hooks and is the creator of the "Hookzilla". See this link for her hooks for sale: http://hooksbybumbles.tripod.com/id1.html

The above is the only know photo of Christy in the barn and creating on the lathe. LOLOL...cameras were checked at the door and a confidentiality statement was signed as to "what happens in the barn, stays in the barn". (LOL...only kidding! but we all really had lots of fun and laughs!)

Christy's crochet designs can be seen in various publications this year and she is one of the SFTD- "Straight From Today's Designers" with items in their first 2 publications that can be bought and downloaded directly from the site.

Link: http://www.sftdonline.com/

Christy's website with patterns is here: http://bumbles102774.tripod.com/index.html

Be sure to check out this up and coming designer!

Back to Normal at BrainsBarn

Ivory and Violets

The Jade Lotus

Well...he's on a creative path again...and really needed to do something different. Someone was waiting for his specialty hooks. Both hooks will be hand delivered to a collector of the unique at the conference coming up...

Complete descriptions can be seen on the BrainsBarn website; hooks 4 page. :)

Both have been sold...

2008 Knit & Crochet Show

It's been a while since the last posting...but Spring has sprung and now summer is here. We've had such nice weather that a lot of time was spent outside and away from the puter.
The CGOA hooks were sent out in mid-June and have safely arrived for the conference. Brian considers it quite an honor that he was chosen as this year's hookmaker but is he glad that it's over. He's never made so many of one hook ever! So it's back to his OOAK creations...

CGOA 2008 Commemorative Hook by BrainsBarn

Chakte Kok/ 12mm Cloisonne Bead/ 2 SSilver accents/ size I-5.5mm

To be stamped CGOA 08.

It has been announced that the above hook is only available to CGOA members who are attending the July Conference. One hook per member; any hooks left after the conference will be by mail order on a first come, first served basis.

If anyone has any questions about this, please contact Amy Campbell, Customer Service Representative at acampbell@offinger.com

On another note, I have passed the CGOA Master Course in Basic Stitches!

BrainsBarn news...published again :)

This is our 6th time in a magazine but the 1st one for a Knitting issue. It seems custom eye candy is alive and well...as seen in Knit N Style- April, 2008 issue- out now.
We had a sellout on the website...but there is more on the way...

A sample of very fancy custom Knitting Needles... eye candy!

CGOA Masters in Basic Stitches...it's ready

OK...the above 2 notebooks represent a lot of work. I just finished printing off the questions/answers and it's all ready to be put in the mail on Tuesday. Wow! I really feel that I've accomplished something. Who knew I'd be interested in the proficiency of my crochet work? Well, it seems I am AND someone else wants to know about it. Wish me luck! I'm keeping fingers crossed XXXXXXX.
For more about what is expected for the Master in Basic Stitches and for more correspondence courses offered to CGOA members, go here: http://www.crochet.org/

BrainsBarn news...

No matter how many times it happens, it's always a thrill to see one's work showcased in a magazine. :) We know how pattern designers feel!

This is the 5th time we've been asked for pictures, but the first time we're in a non-crochet issue... At Home Tennessee, February 2008. Picture can be seen on page 46 in the Style section.

Display Stand is in use already...

This is what I really wanted this second stand for...a hat display. Now that I see it I'll have to seek out another "head". This one has been "pugged" at the neck. The camouflage skullys sell out at the fairs. The above is one of many I've finished since January!

The stand also doubles as a thread holder. Can't beat that!

Happy Valentine Day!!

What a nice surprise!

A beautiful heart box of red suede with swirled ribbon flowers- filled with Godiva chocolates...well, there's still SOME of it in there. Don't you think chocolate should be a food group?? I do!...and I treat it as such.

Then there is a fish head coffee cup with chocolates for Brian. Why? when he doesn't even have time to fish?? Because it says on the side "I'm Hooked on You". I had to laugh when I saw that because it doesn't mean fishing to me. No...hooked on you means crochet hooks of course. So there's a new display item for some BB crochet hooks!

And last is the real surprise. I had "ordered" a thread holder/display stand (for my hats) from BB and received more than I thought...engraved from him and our grandaughter. Yes, she helped in making this (she loves to work with him out in the barn).

Stitch of the Week at the CGOA Message Board...part 3

I'm not doing so good in keeping up the blog...but of course I have excuses! :)

Life happens; holidays came up; but most of all it was showtime. Hubby, (aka BrainsBarn) and I did a show a month from September through December. That may not seem like much but, as you know, for handcrafted items it is...

I was also busy with my local KnitWit group and the last quarter of the year we are the busiest in getting items made and ready for donation.

Even so I did manage to do 6 more Stitch of the Week items. Will I finish all 21? Don't know...but they are fun to do and I have 12 dishcloths/washcloths so far :)

Crochet Cases by Crippen Works

Just found time to take a picture of an item ordered at the 2007 CGOA convention from Crippen Works
Handmade by Katharyn Crippen Shapiro in NY.
Buy already made or made to order as Brian did above:
Each will hold at least 20 crochet hooks for safely transporting back and forth for the upcoming shows; the case has a flap to cover those decorated hooks and the case rolls up "stiffly" for protection.
We couldn't be happier with the crochet needle cases! Thanks Katharyn and it was a pleasure to meet you!

Stitch of the Week at the CGOA Message Board- part 2

Stitch of the Week from the CGOA Message Board.

Left: Week #4 - Spider stitch

Middle: Week #5 - Tulip stictch

Right: Week #6 - Waffle stitch

My grandaughter has already claimed the center one for her bath :)

Crafty Hair Sticks and/or Shawl Pins

Well...here's something new and different. I like different! These items can double as a hair stick or shawl pin. You will be noticed! Just like grandma's hat pin...this also acts as a weapon (!!??) African Porcupine Quills...who'd have thought! They sure grow them big there (and these aren't even the longest!); I hope I never run into one still wearing his quills...
The hairsticks/shawl pins will be for sale on BrainsBarn.com as they are made.
** Note: Porcupines are grown/raised for food in Africa; by- products are either used there or exported; nothing is wasted.

2007 New Jersey State Fair

2007 New Jersey State Fair....Wow...1st Place Blue Ribbon PLUS a Special Award Ribbon. Who'd have thought? Crochet class for Scarf or Shawl; special award for best in class...basketweave stitch done in a beautiful soft Colibri yarn from Austria. It has a slight shimmer to it with very muted coloring.

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An unexpected 1st Place Blue Ribbon...and first time I ever entered the Lacemaking class. Above is an Irish Crochet Heart Rose in size #30 thread and done with a steel hook #11 (also first attempt at using a thread smaller than #10). The item is also from the course I took at the 2007 CGOA convention with Kathie Earle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A 2nd Place Red Ribbon for the "once-a-year-let's-do-it-for-the-State-Fair-doily".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A 2nd Place Ribbon for the Crocheted Lisette Sweater Shawl; pattern by Carolyn Christmas of GourmetCrochet.com. I had this at the 2007 CGOA conference and wore it to the Fashion Show Dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now this really was a surprise...3rd Place Yellow Ribbon for Jewelry: Other (meaning that it is not Strung or Woven). I started making the above Hairstick/Shawl Pins just recently and thought I'd add it to the other items for the Fair. I'll be making more and they will be selling on the BrainsBarn website and our upcoming shows.

Judge's comments will be known this Sunday when I pick up all the items... :)

CGOA 2007 Convention...Fashion Show & Silent Auction

The highlight of the convention has arrived...the Chic Street Fashion Show and Silent Auction. This year's donations on monies collected for the "bag auction: will go to the Helping Hands Foundation . Brian bid on and won 3:
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Bag #6...donated by Nancy Nehring, author/designer/teacher/hook collector

This bag is absolutely breathtaking!! My jaw dropped when I saw it...as I had just taken an Irish Crochet course that morning with Kathie Earle. I can appreciate the work and time that went into this piece. It also has tiny, real pearls worked into the stitches. It's a pleasure and a joy to look at...it deserves a display case so it can be seen and it will have one...

~~~~~~

Bag #13...donated by Diane Moyer of pawprint creations

Absolutely FUNKY! I love FUNKY OOAK creativeness and this IS it! Lining is a gorgeous royal purple with embroidered butterflies...actually this bag is perfect for a Red Hatter!
Diane was so gracious and thanked Brian for bidding and winning her creation.

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Bag #17...donated by Dee Stanziano, designer/teacher. Dee's Blog A clutch size bag done in freeform by Dee. Bag has a chain for shoulder use or it can be tucked inside and held as a clutch. It's lovely! Dee also won second place in the People's Choice Award. Here's a great picture of Brian and Dee; Brian gave Dee the ribbon; he kept the purse...LOL! Dee also has a pic of Brian on the runway just after he was announced high bidder. What a hoot!...he did get lots of whistles! That's MHubert on the other side of Dee holding up the Helping Hands placard for pics...and on the side of Margaret you can see a little of Prudence's freeform bag. Dee has many more pics of the auction on her site rather than duplicate them here...see link above for that entry.

I am more than interested to know what next year's silent auction will be?? Brian now has the Bra made by Dee from the 2006 convention; this year a bag...all in freeform. Could it be that he is going for a whole outfit by Dee?? As we expect to be at next year's convention...only time will tell! Stay tuned! Personally, I can't wait!

Here's a photo after the silent auction: our table won a total of 7 bags. Dee's blog has it all! She was really busy with her camera:
For Fashion Show pics see here .
For links to other convention pics see here . I'm still going through them!
Vashti Braha was a showstopper in her unforgettable creation. See the story here

CGOA 2007 Convention...Day 3...07/14/07

OK...last big day ending with this evening's Chic Street Fashion Show.

Should I admit that one (meaning me!) should not take an Irish Crochet thread class at 9am in the morning??!!

Kathie Earle's Irish Crochet Heart Rose. The woman is amazing...her samples prove it to me...no question about it. Also see this page for 2 samples of her work featured on the Guild of Irish Lacemakers site.

Good thing that I finished the homework- and Kathie was gracious enough to compliment my work...especially for a leftie. But she couldn't figure out why the roses were excellent and then the classwork was so-so. LOL...and more LOL!

I mentioned that I needed my tensor light and magnifier and that I never even tried to thread crochet this small--especially at this time of the day!! I was hyperventilating to get an even chain with a picot for the heart shape...with a steel size #11 hook and size #30 thread.

This threadie thought she was pretty good with #10 thread and a steel size #6 or #7 hook but this is another ballgame! I loved it though and am happy to report that I frogged the classwork and redid it. Will have to let Kathie know I didn't give up! The woman has the patience of a saint...

Kathie also gave each one in the class a rememberance...a pin so fine that I studied it at home under a magnifier! What beautiful work and something for this threadie to strive for...if my eyes and fingers hold out! Thank you Kathie!~~~~~~~~~~
I met up with Brian and we took off for the Market...

Natalie and Ann of DreamWeaver Yarns are 2 young, hip women and a pleasure to talk to...

Brian finally got to meet Tom Diak of Grafton Fibers . Knowing that the subject would be woodworking/turning, I chatted with his lovely wife, Linda. Did you see that creative Mermaid??

One couldn't go through the market without stopping to chat with Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss. What a hoot those 2 are together!! Made our day...Brian is still talking about how much he enjoyed them! You couldn't say enough about these 2 ladies and the contributions they've made to the art of crochet!

Onto the FreeForm booth to really study the art that was displayed. Myra Wood put the wallhanging together and has a stunning site showing off her creative works. It includes links to other sites and an invitation to join the FreeFormers group.

Katharyn Crippen Shapiro of CrippenWorks has the most luscious rollups for your crochet and knit supplies. We ordered 3 rollups from her great choice of fabrics and sent plenty of our friends her way...

I won a door prize! A tote bag and 2 skeins of Aran yarn from Irish sheep! It was donated by The Irish Ewe , a vendor from Maine. Brian wound one hank on a nostepinde and presented it to her as a "thank you for your donation". She loved it and yes, replaced my skein. LOL!

I then had it in my head that perhaps I should try knitting. Free classes were offered by Coats & Clark in the marketplace. But!- if I was going to do this then the lease Brian could do was to try the Learn to Crochet class. You had to have been there...good thing I or he didn't grab the camera.

I kept "hooking". This was worse than the first 2 times I ever tried to knit. I'm too far gone on crocheting to even get used to holding 2 sticks...let alone ever hoping to finish an item in this lifetime with any kind of speed.

Brian at least got to crochet a chain and the start of his first row. Don't know what happened then but he gave up too...LOL! Didn't look bad to me even though he needed to work on tension...

We have learned that I can't knit or make hooks; Brian can't crochet.
End of story...and an appreciation of what each other does...

Short rest and getting ready for the Chic Street Fashion Show...deserving of it's own post...