May Update

May has been a very busy month.  Our Fiber Arts Workshop is now the Crafty Diva Knitting Circle for the summer we will meet on Mondays from 10-1.  Then for the vacationers we will have our Fiber Arts Open Studio on Wednesdays 10-1 and our Wine and Weave Thursday's from 5-7:30pm.

Summer Beach Crafts

Join us this summer for Beach Crafting at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn for our Fiber Arts Open Studio every Wednesday from 10-1 June -August 2016.  You can choose to knit, crochet, weave or macrame a craft project.  We have lots of traditional and trendy yarns and craft supplies.  Indulge your inner 'Hippie!'

Fiber Workshop

We had a very busy morning knitting today.  Our newcomer Chris completed her first knitted project a cowl, now on to the next one.

Fiber arts workshop

We had a great morning catching up with everyone.  I'm so proud of my student and birthday girl Jane.  She finished her first sweater knitted with Noro yarn.  Perfect fit and great colors.  She's graduating on to learning how to purl now.

We had a new member join our Knitting group this morning.  Welcome Chris, I can't wait to see what lovely projects you create.

Arm Knitting

We had a great time arm knitting today at the Fessenden Center.  The ladies had fun and created lovely infinity scarves.

Summer tunic

I so enjoyed knitting this tunic.  The yarn is beyond fabulous.  I love the feel and the drape.  In all my years of knitting this is the best project so far.  I'm going to make more.  Quick, Simple and Fabulous.

Fiber arts workshop

We had a wonderful morning at our Fiberarts workshop Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.  It was good to get the group together.  We are finishing up our projects and ready to start new summer ones.  P.S.  Jenn just got in some GORGEOUS new summer yarns today.  

Claudia finished her chevron scarf.

Lynn brought her GORGEOUS Yarntaster throw creation.  

Jane is finishing up her first cardigan.  Now she's working on the sleeves.

Cozy cottage coat

I was able to quickly finish my cozy cottage coat yesterday.  It really took me less than a week, but I dragged it out a little longer because I wasn't ready to be done.  I loved the colorful and the textures of the yarn.  I had to use duper bulky yarn and large size 17 needles to quickly finish a sweater in my size.  I enjoyed the process.  There was a lot going on in my house and life last week so I put all of that nervous energy into this wonderful sweater.

Fiberarts Workshop

We had a great time today at the Fiberarts Workshop at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn this morning. The ladies brought in their completed and almost completed projects.  I am so proud of the work they have created this winter.

 Lynn is modeling her sweater, now she is going to add sleeves.

This photo does not do the colors justice on Lynn's crochet yarn taster throw.

Jane is almost finished with  first cardigan knitted out of the wonderful Noro yarn.

Claudia is modeling her felted tote bag.

The ladies and I were catching up on everyone's and the latest news.

Lynn has started another throw for a gift.

Look at the detail of the yarn in Lynn's throw.

Valentine weekend knitting

I bought this wonderful vibrant yarn in Ashevillle at the Knitting Diva yarn shop.  I wanted to make something special out of it.  I've wanted to make lace shawls but they are so fine and detailed I wouldn't even try a complex pattern.  But, I found a kindred spirit in ravelry who designs simple lace shawls with bulky yarns and more importantly easy to follow patterns.  I'm obsessed and will be making more shawls.  My first shawl I made is called 'My Valentine', I loved making it and it's full of self-love energy.

I finished the 'Purple Heart' shawl this morning.  It needs to be blocked in order to really have the leaves stand out.  I ran out of yarn, so two leaves are missing.  I love it too.  These shawl patterns were designed by Taiga Hillard designs on Ravelry.

Fiberarts Workshop

The ladies and I had a good time catching up at the workshop today Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.  We talked about planning a road trip, discussing spring knitting projects, the coming snow and of course politics.  We won't be gathering next week check in later in the month.

Yarn Shop Hop

While we were on our business retreat we had to feed our yarn addiction.  We stop at several yarn shops and craft supply stores to fill up our stashes.  There are several between the beach and the mountains so we stopped at a few of them.

Our first stop was the yarn Mecca Friends and Fiberworks in Candler.  I was in overwhelm with all of my favorite yarns and accessories.  I found some great novelty yarn to make a summer shawl project from.  I am addicted to the polymer clay buttons they sale.  They are like candy.

Next I had to go to Earth Guild the craft supply store in downtown Asheville with all the unique products for handcrafted fiber projects.  Weaving, basketry, knitting, surface design, batik, etc.  I had to get supplies for my upcoming basket workshops I am teaching.

Next we went to the Knitting Diva yarn shop and teaching center in North Asheville.  The owner is a fellow UpLeveler and we got to chat about the healing properties of knitting and yarn. I got some wonderful bulky yarns and books and a handcrafted mug with my favorite phrase 'knitting is cheaper than therapy'.

  

Finally, on our layover in Chapel Hill due to the storm on super bowl Sunday we stopped at Downtown knits in Apex, NC.  Tad a 🎉  I was in heaven!  A yarn shop and a sewing center with all latest and trendy yarns and fabrics.  The owner and her teaching staff were warm and friendly.  A nice cozy place to take classes and just sit and stitch.

I am so happy that I was able to connect with other crafters as well as learn new business concepts at the retreat.  It was a perfect balance for me and I enjoyed getting out and about with my fellow 'Crafty Diva's.'

Fiberarts Workshop

We had a good time crafting and chatting this morning at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.  We chatted about current events, historical events and a plethora of other topics.  Everyone is moving right along nicely on their current projects. I can't wait to see the first finished 2016 knitwear projects.  Jane completed and modeled a final gift she started over the holidays.  Love, love the different shades of purple.

Fiberarts Workshop

This morning was awesome!  We all were ready to get back to our Fiberarts group.  Everyone was chatting about their holiday, showing off finished Xmas projects and planning new projects to work on.  It was a cold and snowy morning but Jenn had us all cozy and toasty in the new class/gallery room.  It was very inspiring to sit amongst so much creativity.  It felt new and different this January 2016 at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.

I finished my hand warmers just in time for the cold weather.  Thanks Lynn for modeling them.