A Fun Collaboration

As reported yesterday, Buttonwillow and I are VERY excited and hopping up and down with joy that this beautiful needlework and craft magazine landed in our mailbox, having flown all the way from an entirely different hemisphere and across the Pacific Ocean from the faraway continent of Australia. Why?

It all started with an unexpected proposal for a fun collaboration a little over two years ago.

On January 1, 2010, I had just completed my 365 Cat Ladies project of 2009 with a happy dance and a sigh of relief, having posted my artwork of 365 different Cat Ladies and Lads over the period of a year.  I also received an email on that day from Cat Lady Megan Fisher in Australia.

Megan had enjoyed seeing my artwork and had a proposal for me.  She wanted to adapt one of my Cat Ladies into a needlecraft project for possible publication in Australian Homespun magazine. Lucky for us, it just so happens that Megan is a Technical Editor of the magazine!

copyright 2009 Susan Faye

copyright 2009 Susan Faye

In case you don't know, anything to do with sheep, wool,spinning and knitting are a big deal in The Land Down Under, and Megan liked my knitting cat ladies...

...and in particular, this one that was a custom portrait of avid knitter Cat Lady Teri and her twins, LeeLou and Zuzu, and her departed angels, Red and CC :

copyright 2009 Susan Faye

Unfortunately, Megan had an illness in the family and needed to put the project on a back shelf for the better part of 2010, but eventually she was able to put together a schematic of an applique, embroidery and patchwork wall hanging:

copyright 2012 Megan Fisher

In early 2011, she presented it to the magazine's Editor Catherine Sanchez who said "yes"! As with most magazines of this type, projects like this are planned up to a year in advance (or more) and Ms. Sanchez thought this would be great for their winter issue in 2012 (their seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere). 

Then the real work began for Megan.  Not only would she have to create the actual wall hanging, she also had to write step-by-step instructions and draw an accurate, full-size pattern to be included as an insert in the magazine. Once all that was accomplished, she and I both signed contracts, provided photos and contact information, and...

Voila!  Here is the beautiful finished product that Megan created:

And here is the actual article as it appears in Volume 13 No. 5, Issue #108, the May 2012 issue of Australian Homespun magazine!!!!

 

 Buttonwillow is particularly pleased that her name now appears in print in an international magazine, highlighting her very special calisthenics routine which can be seen here: Physical Phitness with Buttonwillow

And I'm particularly delighted that there is a full page profile on yours truly and my art... quite a surprise, as I was expecting a very small "blurb"! Buttonwillow and I are feeling pretty big for our britches, pleased as punch, and tickled pink right about now...

To find out more about Australian Homespun (it is a visually beautiful magazine, chock-full of needlework projects of all kinds) click here for their website and blog: Complete Craft/ Homespun

You can order e-zine versions of the magazine for your electronic devices at www.Zinio.com

In the U.S. you can order actual paper copies online here (at some sites you may have to wait a few weeks until they become "back issues"):

http://www.ericas.com/magazines/homespun.htm

http://store.stonehouse-publications.com/default.php?cPath=42005_42539 

[Note from Megan: "We do not recommend Amazon – they only sell subscriptions and the amount they charge is ridiculous!" ]

In Europe, the distributors are two UK-based firms: 

Manor House Magazines: http://www.manorhousemagazines.co.uk/  

Cotton Patch: http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Magazine_Back_Issues.html

THE GIVEAWAY

[Update: Giveaway has ended...Thanks to everyone for participating!]

In the meantime, I have one extra copy of the magazine to give away to a lucky reader.  Just leave your name in the comments section of this post and tell us what your favorite thing is about Australia (you know, kangaroos, koalas, Hugh Jackman, etc.)

On Friday, May 11, at 8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time, I will draw one name at random to receive the copy of the magazine (a $9.95 value in Australian Dollars!)

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if you are the winner, such as a link to your blog or e-mail address included in the comment. You may send the info directly to my email if you don't want to make your contact info public.

Also, if you encounter trouble with the Comments feature, please contact me by e-mail. If you visit www.susanfaye.net , you will find an email link.

Thanks for visiting!

March is National Craft Month

How are YOU celebrating National Craft Month? This special observation was created by the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) in 1994, and according to CHA, "has grown into an international celebration of creativity and innovation" with millions of participants starting special craft projects during the month.

So it is no surprise that Rhonda Rabbit has chosen March to pursue a new hobby. It all started on March 1st, when she visited Lilly Cat and fell in love with her sweater-- hand-knitted in Rhonda's favorite shade of PINK!

ONE WEEK LATER...

What is YOUR favorite craft or hobby supply? Glitter, glass, clay, glue, YARN, cat fur? Let us know in the comments section of this post.

RHONDA RABBIT KNITS! I've just added these brand new lavender-scented items to my Etsy shop including a bookmark, magnet, sachet, and dream pillow. Great gift ideas for your favorite knitter (or to tuck into an Easter basket). Click image to see my entire selection for Spring:

Sweater Weather

Illustration Friday

(theme:"sweater")

Rhonda Rabbit has caught the knitting bug from Lilly Cat. Cook her a nice carrot stew and she'll knit a dandy sweater for you...

Thanks for visiting!

Evolution of a Knitty Kitty

Remember Lilly? She's the knitty kitty who never met a ball of yarn she didn't like. Among her other interests are history and anthropology and she discovered that Wikipedia says:

"The earliest known examples of knitting have been found in Egypt and cover a range of items, including complex colorful wool fragments and indigo blue and white cotton stockings, which have been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries CE." What they don't point out is that the Egyptians revered felines, and it's an obvious conclusion to Lilly that the first knitters were cats.

She thought you might enjoy seeing the evolution of a knitty kitty:

Start with a basic cat...

Add some knitting needles and the idea for a sweater...

Let her pick out a ball of yarn in a favorite color...

Then set her free to knit away to her heart's content.

(Just don't set her free in a yarn shop. Whatever you do.)

Need an extra-large tote for all of that yummy yarn you've acquired? This LILLY KNITTING TOTE is now available in my Cafepress online shop. Roomy, it features side panels for extra support and an inside lining for water resistance and simple cleaning. With durable straps (and pockets on the outside and inside), it's a great bag for all your knitting needs.

• 100% cotton (14 oz.) canvas
• Dimensions: 12" x 16" x 5¾"
• Outside pocket with Velcro® closure
• Inside pocket with flap
• Available in 3 colors

Resolute about Resolutions...Illustration Friday

Illustration Friday

(theme:"resolutions")

copyright 2011 Susan Faye

Knitter Lilly was not one to make New Years Resolutions, however, with the gentle encouragement of her husband Lou, she made an exception this year and resolved to not buy any new yarn until her stash was below whisker level. Lou heartily approved.

What resolutions are YOU resolute about this year?
Thanks for visiting!!

Something New for the Knitting Crowd

Do you love kitties AND knitties? Do you hear a purr when you purl?

Then you might enjoy the newest design from my "In Stitches" Series. It's now available on t-shirts, aprons, mugs, notecards, and totes for your summer knitting projects, like this one:





Extra roomy, this tote features side panels for extra support and an inside lining for water resistance and simple cleaning. With durable straps (and pockets on the outside and inside), it's the only bag you'll need for that fun-filled day trip.

• 100% cotton (14 oz.) canvas
• Dimensions: 12" x 16" x 5¾"
• Outside pocket with Velcro® closure
• Inside pocket with flap
• Also available in pink or blue!
  

It joins these popular designs already available in my Cafepress Shop in the Domestic Goddess Collection!

Happy Summer Knitting Daze!

Love Me, Love My Cat (And My Hobbies Too!)

Cat Ladies are a passionate lot. They are passionate about their pets, their pastimes, and their loved ones. Birthday Girl Jolene is one such feline fanatic, as reported by sister-in-law Alisha:

"Cat Lady Jolene lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her two kitties and her husband. Jolene rescued her grey tabby Monka when he was found as a kitten outside the movie theater where she was working. Monka was the name she called a favorite stuffed monkey that she had as a child.

"Jolene and her husband Paul met at that same movie theater, and although he was not too thrilled about cats, Jolene made it clear--love me, love my cat. It wasn't long before Monka had won Paul over.

"Paul is a school teacher in Milwaukee, and one of his students honored him by naming their cat after him. When the cat gave birth to a single kitten, the student convinced Paul that he should adopt the kitten. Jolene had been wanting a friend for Monka, so she was thrilled when Paul brought Biscuits home. Biscuits and Monka are fast friends.

"When Jolene is not busy playing with the cats, she might be spotted knitting, making jewelry, or working in the garden."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOLENE!

Now available in my Cafepress Shop: Love me, Love my CAT
You'll find this design on tees, totes, aprons, mugs, note cards and more!

CCCCLC Member Spotlight...Meet Cat Lady Teri

CCCCL Club member Cat Lady Teri learned to knit and crochet as a girl, then got sidetracked for a few decades with raising a family and such. She recently took up knitting again and enjoys the company of her purrsonal assistants, past and present.

Current helpers are The Twins LeeLou and Zuzu. They arrived as teeny tiny kittens in a Pop-Tart box on Mothers Day 2006, courtesy of Teri's daughter. They had been found in a culvert after a rain storm and the mama was nowhere to be found.

Teri explains: "For being twin sisters, they couldn't be more different. ZuZu is probably 12 pounds of solid muscle and still afraid of her shadow but can be a sweetie when she is in the mood. She tends to be a watcher more than a lover though. LeeLou is maybe 8 or 9 pounds of pure sugar. Loves to sit in my lap or lay next to me in bed. She is my main knitting assistant." Teri's feline angels are Red and CC. You can read more about them in this post: Cat Lady No. 279

Teri has started a knitting group on Ravelry.com called the Amazing Flying Squirrel Karma Team. Projects have included an afghan for a grandmother's 100th birthday, making gators (kind of a cowl for men) for the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, making an afghan to be raffled to raise money for RAINN, and making lapghans and afghans for residents of LANDAHAM State Psychiatric Hospital. "I am very proud of this group and the work we are doing!! Members of Ravelry.com are welcome and encouraged to stop by (http://www.ravelry.com/groups/amazing-flying-squirrel-karma-team) and help with a project or offer moral support. "

Thanks for all your good works, CCCCCL Teri (that's Card-Carrying Crazy Crafty Cat Lady Teri)! You are an inspiration to knitters and cat ladies everywhere!

It's easy to join the Card-Carrying Crazy Cat Lady Club! The membership kit includes a personalized I.D. Card, a members-only pinback button, Club Guidelines, and Club Creed. Gift memberships may also be purchased--just provide name, city, and hair color of the recipient.

ABOUT THE CCCCLC

Cat Lady No. 341...Las Posadas

Cat Lady Consuela and her feline friend Amadeo are looking forward to the beginning of Las Posadas tomorrow night.

Las Posadas (Spanish for "lodging") is a traditional 9-day observance which re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for room at the inn. A processional , ususally carrying lighted candles, walks through the community streets each night. The processional stops at a previously selected home and asks for lodging for the night. The people are invited in to read scriptures and sing Christmas carols called villancicos. Refreshments are provided by the hosts and might include ponche navideno and bunuelos.

Amadeo's favorite part is the pinata, and chasing all of the little toys and candies that go skittering across the patio when the pinata is finally broken!

Feliz Navidad!

Cat Lady No.336...Handmade With Love

Cat Lady Roberta had to get a little creative this year when it came to ideas for gift-giving. She was laid off from her job a few months ago, and money is tight.

Luckily, being the avid knitter, she has a huge stockpile of yarn tucked away for just such an occasion. Tabby Tobias doesn't want to give away any secrets, but yarn leftovers make beautiful hat and scarf sets...

Here is an easy pattern to make a knitted hat courtesy of HJS Studio: Simple Knit Hat

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 335...Playing Favorites

Cat Lady Erika's three favorite things are knitting, crossword puzzles, and her snow white kitty Bitsy, but not necessarily in that order.

If you are like Erika and enjoy both knitting AND a good crossword puzzle, you will find the best of both worlds at these links:
Knitting Crossword Puzzle
Another Knitting Crossword Puzzle

Enjoy!





Give the gift of original art without breaking the bank! This ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop:
In Stitches Original Art

Cat Lady No. 279...Purrsonal Assistants

Cat Lady Teri learned to knit and crochet as a girl, then got sidetracked for a few decades. She recently took up knitting again and enjoys the company of her purrsonal assistants, past and present.

Current helpers are The Twins LeeLou and Zuzu. They arrived as teeny tiny kittens in a Pop-Tart box on Mothers Day 2006, courtesy of Teri's daughter. They had been found in a culvert after a rain storm and the mama was nowhere to be found.

Teri explains: "For being twin sisters, they couldn't be more different. ZuZu is probably 12 pounds of solid muscle and still afraid of her shadow but can be a sweetie when she is in the mood. She tends to be a watcher more than a lover though. LeeLou is maybe 8 or 9 pounds of pure sugar. Loves to sit in my lap or lay next to me in bed. She is my main knitting assistant."

Teri's angels are Red and CC. "Red was an old cat when he adopted us and ...towards the last month of his life, he suddenly started jumping into our bed - I even woke up one morning with him on my pillow. One night I sat up and was petting him in the bed. [Hubby] Brian asked me what I was doing and I said, 'petting Red' to which he informed me that there was no cat there. I swear, I could see and feel him as clearly as I see this computer screen. When we woke up in the morning he was not around - which wasn't unusual, he came and went on his own schedule. But we never saw him again. Brian and I believe that he went out into the woods and died. I strongly suspect, that it was at 2 or 3 in the morning, when he 'visited' me. I never have had an experience like this before or since."

"CC was the sweetest, smartest cat I ever owned. She liked to play fetch - she would bring us a fuzzy glove that she liked and we would throw it and she would run and get it. She loved to talk to you and I don't believe that she had any idea that we did not understand cat language - she obviously understood us. She did hate to travel though. We drove from Milwaukee to Tallahassee when we moved ... I had gotten her kitty downers ...she was completely stoned, couldn't really open her eyes, but never stopped meowing - for 20 hours. She was hoarse by the time we got here. When CC died at age 16 I was heartbroken..."

Teri has started a knitting group on Ravelry.com called the Amazing Flying Squirrel Karma Team. Current projects include an afghan for a grandmother's 100th birthday, making gators (kind of a cowl for men) for the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, making an afghan to be raffled to raise money for RAINN, making lapghans and afghans for residents of LANDAHAM State Psychiatric Hospital and making a support blanket for a friend that is going through some rough times. "I am very proud of this group and the work we are doing!! Members of Ravelry.com are welcome and encouraged to stop by (http://www.ravelry.com/groups/amazing-flying-s
quirrel-karma-team) and help with a project or offer moral support. "

Thanks for all your good works, CCL Teri (that's Crafty Cat Lady Teri)!

Cat Lady No. 268...Sweater Weather

Cat Lady Kyra and feline friend Delilah can't wait for fall weather to begin...

For Kyra, it means pulling all of her aran sweaters out of the cedar chest.

The Aran Sweater gets its name from the islands where it originated many generations ago, off the West coast of Ireland. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers and each family had their own particular pattern, a unique combination of stitches, which was closely guarded and passed down from mother to daughter, generation to generation.

Here is a sampling of Aran patterns and their meanings: Aran Patterns

As for Delilah, autumn weather means that there is a greatly increased chance that a soft, warm sweater might be forgotten in a nice warm spot where she might curl up for a long, warm nap...

Thanks for visiting!


Just one day left to enter the September Giveaway! For details, visit this post: ENTER NOW!

Cat Lady No. 253...Fluffy Fur Factories

Cat Lady Diedre is always delighted to see the beginning of fall color, because that means sweater season has arrived and her knitting needles will be flying.

Fur will be flying too. You see, Dierdre enjoys knitting things out of cat fur.

She is particularly excited about the arrival of new Himalayan kitten Buster, who joins fluffy fur factory Theadora. Because that means by next spring, there will be TWICE as much fur to spin and knit!


Thanks for visiting!



This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...add it to your collection by visiting Cat Mom No. 30 ACEO

Cat Lady No. 209...Kitty Stitches

Cat Lady Julie has recently graduated from the basic knit and purl to some more advanced knitted lace patterns. They require focus, concentration, and an occasional neck massage from her knitting buddy Miss Mirelda.

Two new patterns that Julie can't wait to try are the Cat's Paw/Crown of Glory and the Cat's Eye .


Miss Mirelda can't wait to have a sweater in each...


This original ACEO mini watercolor painting has just been listed for sale...Add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:
In Stitches No. 6

Cat Lady No. 208...Leftover Balls of Yarn

Cat Lady Nancy just found a new knitting pattern that she can't wait to try out, because she thinks it will be a good way to use up all of the leftover balls of yarn that are stashed away in the closet...

It's a pattern for colorful socks called "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" courtesy of the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, who learned how to knit at the age of 4 and has written several humorous books on the subject of knitting and knitters.

Nancy's feline friend Muppet happens to be an expert on leftover balls of yarn and just looks on in amusement. Muppet knows that no matter how hard Nancy tries to use up leftover balls of yarn, it's an exercise in futility. Because, as any expert knows, they simply multiply in the closet, late at night, and only cats can hear the soft rustling in the darkness...


This original ACEO mini watercolor painting has just been listed for sale...Add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:
In Stitches No. 7

Cat Lady No. 204...Knitting Bugs

Erica has the knitting bug. It begins to set in soon after you have cast on your first row successfully. The bug catches hold when your rows become even, and is fully engaged when you find out how pretty (and easy!) the seed stitch is.

Feline Friend Buster has the yarn bug. Which means whenever the yarn moves, he pretends it's a bug.

Erica often refers to this handy guide when learning a new pattern: Knitting Abbreviations

Happy stitching!


This original ACEO mini watercolor painting has just been listed for sale...Add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:
In Stitches No. 5

Cat Lady No. 200..Nuts for Knitting

Cat Lady Burke thinks her feline friend Moxie looks best in pink, but she has a sweater in every color of the rainbow...

Currently Burke is working on a soft, blue blanket for Moxie's bed, and then the next project will be a cute knitted bumblebee toy on a string.

Thanks to the generosity of knitter Christine Landry, the pattern for the "Bumble Cat Toy" is free on her website ChristineLandry.com.

Thanks for visiting!

Do you knit on the go? This extra-roomy 100% cotton canvas tote bag has plenty of room to carry all of your knitting projects and supplies. It features extra long handles for easy over-the-shoulder carrying.

• 10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
• Full side and bottom gusset
• 22" reinforced self-fabric handles
• Machine washable
• Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

You'll find this tote plus t-shirts, magnets, notecards and more in my Cafepress shop: In Stitches No. 4

Cat Lady No. 75...Vintage Purls

Cat Lady Jillie and her helper, Spinner, are maniacs for yarn and knitting. It could be hereditary: Jillie's grandmother knitted 74 pairs of woolen socks during World War II to send to the troops overseas; and Spinner's great-grandmother was sitting on Jillie's lap on the day that Jillie learned how to knit when she was nine years old...

Jillie is currently working on a pair of socks from a vintage pattern that she found on a wonderful website called Vintage Purls.

As much fun as she's having, she can't imagine knitting another 73 pairs...

Just listed in my Etsy shop: This original hand-painted miniature watercolor painting of Jillie and Spinner! Take a look at: www.SusanFaye.etsy.com. It is in ACEO format and these very affordable mini watercolor paintings are adorable when framed and arranged in a grouping!

This design is also available on t-shirts and giftware at www.cafepress.com/Susanfaye

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 54...In Stitches

Cat Lady Anna Lee keeps her feline friend Rex in stitches...literally. His current wardrobe includes 12 knitted sweaters in every color of the rainbow, three hats with pom-pom tassels, one set of booties and a striped scarf.

He has four different snuggly knitted blankets on top of a soft knitted pillow on his cat bed. Rex 's secret wish is that Anna Lee will soon find a knitting pattern for a toy mouse filled with catnip. Well, look no further, Anna Lee and Rex. Here is a link to a fun pattern for a knitted mouse toy! KNIT A MOUSE TOY

Enjoy!

Do you knit on the go? This extra-roomy 100% cotton canvas tote bag has plenty of room to carry all of your knitting projects and supplies. It features extra long handles for easy over-the-shoulder carrying. I have over 100 designs to choose from at: Susan Faye Tote Bags

• 10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
• Full side and bottom gusset
• 22" reinforced self-fabric handles
• Machine washable
• Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

Enter to win a free tote bag!! Details are in this post: CONTEST TIME!