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... 
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.
Chakte Kok/ 12mm Cloisonne Bead/ 2 SSilver accents/ size I-5.5mm
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.
A sample of very fancy custom Knitting Needles... eye candy!
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.
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 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!
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).
Just found time to take a picture of an item ordered at the 2007 CGOA convention from Crippen Works
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 :)
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...
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. 
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.
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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.
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
(Back L to R):Bobbi, Christy (Front): Tina, Carole, SaundraAfter a late start on Thursday catching up on needed sleep (already) Brian and I had brunch and bumped into more friends after we registered and received goody bags... yarns I had my first class scheduled with Lily Chin at 2pm in her soldout "Crocheted Tips, Tricks and Hints". Lily is a delight to meet...taking the class was well worth it just for hearing and watching her in action. I sat beside my friend Amie of NexStitch...see her blog for her conference reviews here .
Even though I have Lily's new book "Couture Crochet Workshop" ...some tips were helpful to see visually and questions could be asked right then and there to the designer herself. Lily also graciously signed my book at the end of class :)
Thursday night's Keynote speaker was Cari Clement of Caron International. She did a good job of talking about crochet as a fashion statement and showed pictures of outrageous retro designs from a favorite vintage magazine I happen to have in my collection...Ladies Home Journal, 1976.
After Cari's speech it was time for the preview opening of Market Street. Beautiful and luscious yarns to be seen. Being more an impulse shopper at something like this I would have really done some damage if crochet patterns were seen made out of the yarns. For next year, hoping to attend, I will have some patterns of things I want to make with me and will just match yarns needed to/for them...lesson learned...and no further comment.
At the CGOA Message Board there are member volunteers giving a "stitch of the week" that other members can try - or not. 
Time to celebrate the freedoms we have left...have a happy, safe 4th of July everyone! 
OK...so I have another WIP. At least the dress/pillow form is stuffed and done; the bra (smallest I've ever done!) is started...Pattern: "Annie's BrideDoll Gown"; copyright 1991, 1995, 1996 by Annie's Attic.
