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.

Spin your own Art Yarn

We had a nice class today at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.  The ladies learned to spin their own Art Yarn.  They caught on quickly and they created beautiful handspun yarn.

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.'

Click Business Retreat

Clickster's, Hipsters and my creative Sisters! We are ready to Uplevel

I am having such a great time with my business peeps at Uplevel You 'Click' event sponsored by Christine Kane, Inc. in Asheville. We are networking with other business owners and focusing on growing our businesses in a way that is in alignment with our Souls. I'm wearing @arttowearhouse designed by my favorite art to wear designer Suzanne Armstrong. My jewelry I'm wearing is made by my friend and gallery owner/artist Jennifer Johnson @obxbluepelican. Check out their websites for more gorgeous whimsical wearable art. ‪#‎arttowearhouse‬ ‪#‎obxbluepelican‬ ‪#‎clickasheville‬ ‪#‎christinekane‬‪#‎Craftydivacottage‬

old negative mindsets in the trash and replacing them with positive empowered ones.  ‪#‎clickasheville‬ ‪#‎christinekane‬

Last day in Asheville. Here is a photo of the Dream wall where people put their bucket list. Very creative

Crafting a Business

I've finally gotten down to business.  Ready to work on my #shininglife #leoniedawson Biz workbook.  I was waiting for Mercury to get out of retrograde and for me to calm down from the end of year holiday chaotic energy.  I have on my flute music in the background and my pink slippers on, still in my pj's.  I've been working with Leonie's workbooks since 2008.  Last year I didn't want to mess up my bound workbook (it was soo pretty). I worked on my wall calendar though.  This year I'm ready to dive in and bling it all out!  Dream Big! No more being small.  Love Leonie's work and her Shining Academy.

I also decided to go with the Erin Condron notebook system, I added a calendar and could personalize my dividers.  I also used various scrapbooking stickers and planner embellishments.  So much fun to create a colorful and fun life and biz.  It was fun to set up my space with my inspirational items, yarn, pottery, candles, crystals, music and my 'Goddess on the Go' cards.  I enjoyed the process and feel like I am preparing for a successful year.

Invitation to create

The not blizzard

It was a cold and windy weekend here on Hatteras Island.  The rest of the east coast was battling the blizzard.  I miss lots of snow and the frantic energy of the Washington DC area when the snow storms come.  I participated in my own way talking to friends and relatives in the path of Jonas, following all the snow pictures and posts on Facebook and Instagram.  I decided to scrap my other 4 knitting UFO's and use up some excess yarn I had in my studio.  My intent was to make a quick and easy crochet bulky chevron patterned throw.  It has turned into a heavy, heavy rug, but I love it.  The colors are vibrant and the chevron pattern makes it unique. It's warm and scushy under foot. Nala will probably take over it.

Celebrate You 2016 Workshop

We had a wonderful time creating vision boards at our Celebrate You 2016 creative arts workshop.  Let's see what fantastic creations unfold for the ladies this year.  Come join us for more creativity at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn every Saturday beginning in February. Stay posted.


The process of creating our visions.

Living the dream teaching creativity and healing on the beach!

Dream catcher

January is the month of Dreams.  Focusing on your goals, dreams and desires with great intention is a wonderful way to start off the new year.  Remember dreams do come true.😍

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.

Create Your Dreams Workshop 2016

Do you want to create your best year yet?  Come have fun crafting your 2016 vision board with local artist and dream coach Michelle Spaulding at Blue Pelican Gallery and Gifts from 10:00am-1:00pm on Saturday, January 16, 2016.  Cost is $20 includes all materials.  To sign up email:  Craftydivacottage@gmail.com

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.

Doggie Knits

My friend Laurell asked me if I could knit her new puppy a sweater.  I hiccuped because I don't like to follow written patterns and her puppy was a little chihuahua named Bambi who is smaller than my hand.  Over the holidays I finally settled down and focused enough to make it.  I made five in my attempt to find the perfect size for such a wee pup and delivered three.   I had fun creating them and since Laurell loves color as much as I do it made it all the more fun.  I'm glad that Bambi and her family are enjoying them.  It finally has gotten cold enough on Hatteras to use them.  Doesn't she look adorable!