Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Craftin' Out #5 - No Sew Fleece Blankets

So, first...apologies...
We've been sort of bad about keeping the blog updated, but we're back and we intend to try to keep things fresh!

As far as Craftin' Out #4 - Embroidery...It was a small group and there weren't a lot of pics taken.
Sadly, the ones that were taken weren't great.
Still, when any of the ladies that were present get done with their projects...send us a pic and we'll show them here.

In another quick update, we've got a Facebook page and we'd love to see you on it!
Please visit, join, and keep up with the rad stuff that us ladies are up to!
Denver Craft Ninjas!

Alright, now...Here's the deets on our 5th meet up!

So, any good Craftin' Out starts with food!
Lots of food!
Mini pumpkin pies! Thanks Jen Wood!

We had apple cider!

And Darling Meg made mulled wine!

Michelle was our host again...and she's pretty much the best ever!
It's always so nice to have TJ present! She's a busy lady!

Miriam was full of piss and vinegar and it's never a good craftin' sesh without her!

There were piles of yummy delights - jalapeno poppers, boneless chicken wings, and spanikopita!

And mimosas! It's just not a get down without mimosas!

But once bellies are full and drinks have been procured...it's time to get down to the business of craftin'!
Andrea found a spot and spread out!

Our new friend Betsy was there!
Betsy was a blanket making speed demon! We hope she comes back...she's clearly got skills to share!

This meet up we gave our ninjas the option to do the project proposed...or to bring their own project.
Miriam is still cranking on her embroidery - her patterns are adorable and she's a diligent stitcher!

The incomparable Jen Wood brought some broach makin's and settled into a spot...maybe she'll teach us how to make them at another crafty gathering? Maybe, Jen Wood?

First timer, but always a fave, Kristin showed up ready to craft and cracked everyone up!
We love her!

Steph is always the first ready to jump in and she did! She took the risk and started her blankie!

So did Betsy and Andrea! We've got some brave & talented mamas in the mix!

But once one lady kicked it into gear...we all got motivated and we all spread out our blankets, did some measuring, and started cutting!

Christi observed approvingly!

There's always a little dancing involved...Andrea showed us some of her tried and true moves taught to her by her mom!

If you'd like to learn how to make these blankets...

hit us up!
We've got directions that we're happy to share!


With the larger blankets, you really have to use up a lot of space!

But once you get the hang of it, it's easy peasy!

Everyone ended up doing a lot of tying...

tying and cutting and tying...


Christi encouraged us!

Jen working her tail off!


One crafter had to take her blankie elsewhere to cut it - we ran out of room!

TJ facilitated...she promises she'll finish her blanket at home!

And, as usual, Michelle monitored our progress, kept our glasses full of warm toddies, and brought us delicious cookies! She's absolutely the best hostess!

Things always have to wind down though, but the best part of it...is that every lady had a blanket to take home.
Or at least the start of a blanket!

Steph's turned out great!

Meg's pattern ruled!

This secret member is gifting her blankie to someone!


And Andrea made her blanket for her handsome son!

Oh, we laughed, we ate, we gabbed the afternoon away and we've planned to do it again!
So, join us...if you think you can handle it!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

It's Official!

The AMAZING Andrew Robbins, long time friend and insanely talented artist, let me sweet talk him into doing a logo for our craftin' out crew...
I couldn't be more excited about how it turned out or appreciate more his talent and willingness to indulge me!

This sweet lookin' logo is just the beginning and solidifies our presence as a craftin' crew to be reckoned with!

Please click on the link to Andy's website above and hire him to do something amazing for you!
OR buy some of his beautiful art pieces and tell your friends about him!

Also, keep connected - I'll be posting pics from our stitch & bitch!
xox

Friday, September 11, 2009

CRAFTIN' OUT #4 - Details!

Hey, craftsters...Did you miss us?!
Well, we'd be lying if we said we didn't miss you!

A whole month has passed without a get together and it's high time we rectified that with some serious crafty lady hangouts!

So, here's the deal:

September 27th, 2009 - A SUNDAY!
What are you doing? Because we're planning something really special for you!

EMBROIDERY!
Steph and I brainstormed the best way to do this...and we think that Jenny Hart
http://www.jennyhart.net/ , OG craft mafia mama, could give us a hand!

So, we're going to be ordering a couple of these little gems from Sublime Stitching:

http://www.sublimestitching.com/stitchinbeekit.html

These Stitchin' Bee Kits come with enough materials and instructions for 5 eager chicas!
And will cost about 10.00 + shipping - or about 12.00 per person!
When you leave, hopefully you'll have a head start on your embroidery project AND you'll have all the fundamental craftin' materials and learnin' you need to continue your work and expand your repetoire of craftiness!

But here's the deal - we don't want to order a grip load of stuff for all of you and then have a bunch of peeps bail!
So, we need DEFINITE RSVPS by September 18th!
We'll collect your dough when we see you on the 27th!

As far as deets are concerned, here's the run down:

Where: We haven't secured a place yet! Wanna host? Let us know!
When: September 27, 2009
What time: 1-5 PM ROCKY MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME
What are we doing: PILLOWCASE EMBROIDERY!
What you bring: YOU, YOUR FRIEND (Both of you will have RSVP'd, RIGHT?), YOUR NIMBLE STITCHIN' FINGERS, SOMETHING SNACKY, MULLED WINE, ETC.
We're pretty excited about this particular foray into stitchin' and we want you there to dive in with us!
If you have some embroidery experience, WE NEED YOU! Come show us what you got!
If you've always wanted to try embroidery but got hung up by embroidery floss and intimidated by a whip stitch - then let's learn together!

Get in touch - can't wait to see your faces!

Hearts,
Becky
releasethekrakenplease@gmail.com

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Craftin' Out - Meet Up #3 T-SHIRT SURGERY!

Mmm, notions, tools, the accoutrement of Craftin' Out!

So, a small, but really righteous crew of ladies got together this weekend for another installment of Craftin' Out...
And wonderful things happened!

This month's objective was T-Shirt Surgery...
An art for some - an intimidating project for others!
Steph and I had been practicing all week trying to perfect a couple of styles to show the group!

Michelle was a kind and gracious host!
The best kind of crafty facilitator you could ask for! Thank you, Michelle!

TJ showed her lovely face! She's a sweet presence!
And Steph is working her sample shirt that she cranked out before the actual get together! Looks good right!?

Ah, Miriam! Bless you for being so damn enthusiastic about Craftin' Out! I salute you, friend!

And Darling Meg - jack of all trades! She's got loads of talent and is always ready to dig in crafty style!

So, trepidatiously we started cutting and any doubts about what one can and can't do with a t-shirt started to slip away! There's no rules with T-Shirt Surgery!

We were inspired, excited, and having a blast!

Steph used an old Alcoholiday shirt - her old band...
And me, I chopped up my old Lopez shirt - I figured Lopez would understand.

It was a wonderful time!
You should have been there!

It feels good to creatively recycle!

And through risk...comes reward!

This kind of HOT ASS reward!

Yeah, I made that!

Um, HELLO!
Gorgeous!

All ladies should show a little back every now and then!

We were diligent, but still shot the shit...and discussed important issues!
Particularly, what we intend to call this Craftin' Out group.
More on that in another post!

TJ reworked a Swanks t-shirt into something really special...

And she managed to bedazzle her shirt with some red jewels in the skull's eye holes!
It looked smart!

Miriam felt so good about her accomplishments that she changed out of the shirt she came in and wore her new creation!

It doesn't work unless you stick your tongue out!

Meg took it to the next lev and made a cool skull and cross bones stencil and then sprayed over it with a half and half mixture of bleach and water!

The results were astounding!

And Steph, moved from amateur to profesh, and did a cool corseting tie on the back of her last shirt of the day!

All in all, good times! It's so fun to start and complete a project - walking away with something you're proud of!

We do this once a month - you'd be a fool not to join up!