Hooking up to Crochet - December

BusyLizzy

In chatting with a fellow crochet enthusiast at one of the craft fairs this year (a slow event that lent itself to  vendor chat) we were both lamenting that there are not a lot of young people taking up the fine art of Crochet anymore. At least, neither of us could think of any!

I'd been thinking about that very thing of late and we hatched a plan! Bringing crochet out in the open with acts of public "hooking" might just be the ticket! We decided to meet in a local coffee shop with our latest WIP (work in progress) to boldly perform our craft with the eyes of the public upon us! I know what you are thinking: "What brazen hussies!"

November Meeting:

Beckie M

The first gathering happened Monday November 14th, and was very casual with only 3 of us in attendance: Sarah of Sarah's Knit Bits (she does crochet too!) and Basia (my cohort from the quiet craft show) and myself. It was last minute, so we were happy to start with a few of us. We met at a lovely local coffee shop (Mochaberry) in Orangeville, grabbed some coffee, and sat on the couches with our yarn and hooks flying! Quite a few people stopped to chat with us about our projects and commented how lovely it was to see us crocheting.  We decided to gather each month on the 2nd Monday -- a random choice, but something to start with! Our crochet group was born!

December meeting: Entitled "Hooking up to Crochet"
So that brings us to today! This time I set up a Facebook event, and while the original group had some things to attend to this week, there were 4 new participants, including a fledgling Crocheter in her early 20's (we're guessing, we didn't ask!) who heard we'd be there and stopped by for advice on getting started. Success! It was incredible to have this mandate (bringing crochet to the next gen) already showing some promise of being fulfilled!

Dale L

Here is a bit about each participant, and what we got up to:
Beckie M- Has been crocheting about a year. All her housemates are hand-crafting their holiday gifts this year! I can't reveal her project, or who it's for, but I'm hoping she'll send pics when it is done and delivered Christmas morning. Trust me, the recipient won't find one of these at WalMart any time soon!
Dale L - Very experienced in both crochet and knitting, and a sock monkey maker (sewn, not knit/crocheted, but they're oh so cute!). My favourite quote from today's meeting was Dale's: "Anyone have scissors? I left mine in my monkey box."
Paula S - Taught to crochet by Beckie this year. She's working on a glove to match the one she lost! Apparently she's remade herself this lost glove before... so Dale suggested she crochet a long chain that she can string through her coat and attach to each glove to avoid further MIA mitts!

Paula S

Liz G (Me) - Crocheting since I was a teen. Also working on matching a mitt today! I made a real "novice mistake" a few weeks back: I ran out of yarn bought more to whip up a second glove, but only weeks later (in a good light) did I notice the brown was off! I had to make another glove with the new yarn. I still have ONE mismatched glove... so I have the perfect Christmas gift for any one-armed people on your Christmas list!

Candice

Candice - Our newbie, working on her first projects: A single crochet dish cloth, and a Granny Square dish cloth. We were able to help her solve two issues. A misprinted bracket in the pattern was causing confusion in getting the 2nd dish cloth started, and Dale caught that she was wrapping her yarn in the wrong direction, making all the stitches really tight and twisted. Good catch, Dale!

Topics of discussion included:

• Best ways to do "ribbing" in crochet: Liz likes the crochet in the back loop method (Here is a YouTube video I found using my fav technique).
• The business of Crochet/Handcrafting... how to set prices when you sell your stuff? By how long it takes to make? Materials used? Obviously this have to be accounted for in some way. Nobody came up with a definitive answer, so I'm thinking this will be an ongoing discussion!
• Use of patterns vs making it up as you go along! Most of us "just crochet" out of our heads, but admit we started with patterns, and that they are a great way to learn new techniques, and essential for beginners! Liz equates a pattern with a recipe in cooking. A new cook needs to work with a recipe until he or she learns what flavours, combinations and techniques go together well. Then the pantry and the skills are just "let loose" to create new dishes. It is the same with crocheting. Use a pattern as a guide and an inspiration, but not always to the letter! Liz has started writing out her own patterns and just sold her first one for fingerless gloves on ETSY last week!

If you are a "Happy Hooker" and live in the Orangeville area, please look us up on the 2nd Monday of the month for our Hooking up to Crochet group... we'd love to see you!

Cheers,

BusyLizzy

Elizabeth Glenday

BusyLizzy Boutique - NEWS

BusyLizzy Boutique

This is a little introduction to BusyLizzy Boutique. It's my little virtual shop, that sells internationally and makes local appearances! 

Barefoot Sandals By BusyLizzy

It all began with Barefoot Sandals... someone saw a pair of these neat things and asked whether I could make a pair. Here is the story of The Beginning of Barefoot Sandals by Elizabeth, on my Facebook Page. Over the years I wore them in yoga, at the beach and just about everywhere, and filled quite a few orders without ever advertising at all! All the while, people kept saying "you need a website" or "you have to sell these things in stores" and even suggested I go on Dragon's Den with them... well, I don't think I'm ready for that. 

BusyLizzy Boutique on Etsy...

I was listening however, and early in 2011, I discovered ETSY. Etsy is a marketplace for all things vintage and handmade. This is my shop: BusyLizzyBoutique  

BusyLizzy Boutique's first appearance at the
Arts on Main in Alliston, Ontario June 11, 2011

I also made plans to start visiting local craft fairs, artisan's markets and other venues where I could display my creations... so there had to be more than just Barefoot Sandals on display!  I knew that I wanted to use a variety of crafty, creative skills to bring things that were unique and special... and fun, it had to be fun! But the practical side of me also wanted to be sure that active, busy people could get some good use from the items featured, so the motto "FUN ~ FUNKY ~ FUNCTIONAL ~ HANDCRAFTED" was born!

Crochet Creations: 

A long-time crochet and knit enthusiast... creating things that are a bit out of the mainstream is my specialty. I use a variety of materials but specialize in fine crochet cottons, using tiny steel crochet hooks that I inherited from my grandmother and her mother before her! Barefoot Sandals are my 'signature item' of course, but I also create jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, anklets) housewares and gifts (coaster sets, wine cozies, cell phone cases, lanyards, cup cuffs).

T-shirt Transformations: 

 I decided to take my passion for tearing up T-shirts and put that to good use. Upcycled T-shirts (pre-loved, used, thrift store... you get the idea) are laundered and then cut up and given new life. T-shirts make great apparel (t-shirts, shrugs, halters, tanks, dresses, skirts..) accessories (hats, scarves, crazy cowls...) housewares (rugs, bowls and baskets, shopping bags, stuff-sacs) and even things for baby and you pets! No two creations are ever exactly alike, and I love the process (see the previous blog post for a T-Transformation in progress). 

The result is a traveling boutique with "Fun, funky, functional active accessories for your busy lifestyle!" If you are local to the GTA or areas just north, please consider popping by for these local appearances of BusyLizzy Boutique:

SAT NOV 5 - 9AM to 4PM - SPCA Paws for a Cause Craft Show, Orangeville Christian School, Orangeville

SAT NOV 12 - 10AM to 2PM - Women's Christmas Showcase of South Simcoe, Community & Fitness Centre, Tottenham

SAT NOV 19 - 10AM to 4PM - Orangeville Mall Gift Show, Orangeville

SAT DEC 10 - 9AM to 2PM - Community Living Dufferin Craft Show, CLD building, Orangeville
VARIOUS DATES: Access Fitness, Lobby and during Liz's Zumba Fitness classes

Now accepting VISA for your shopping convenience!

And you are always welcome to shop the online store...

www.busylizzyboutique.etsy.com

With thanks,

Shirt-in-Progress

Wash and dry the T-shirt. Lay it flat.

Here is a peek into the process for a T-shirt transformation.

I picked up this T-shirt at a local thrift store and washed and dried it so it was ready to rip up! Here is a view from the back on my cutting board awaiting its transformation.

But let's rewind for a second. The first thing that attracted me to

Removing the collar makes a
T-shirt more feminine.

the shirt was the asymmetrical design, and the tattoo theme. I recently got "inked" so I'm open to exploring the culture and expression of this edgy style!

Back to the cutting board... Here it is minus the collar (usually the first thing to go, when making a shirt more feminine). Now you can see the asymmetrical design on the front. This was defin

itely going to be a theme for me in designing this T-shirt.

Next steps:

• Cut off Right sleeve
• Slits and braiding technique for 'shirred' effect up the Right side
• Try it on the mannequin to see how it drapes... so far so good!
• Slits and a braiding technique used to create a capped sleeve on the Left

Now for the back: Using the dagger idea from the front, I decided on a simplified motif for the back, to be carved in 1" strips. The chalk marks will come off with a damp cloth or next time it is washed. You can also see the detail on the Left shoulder here.

Draw your design with chalk.

The chalk wipes off with a damp cloth.

When viewing it on the mannequin again, I made a few more adjustments

• Made the armhole a bit smaller with a few tiny ties
• Added an off centre plunge to the neckline for more asymmetry

And here it is from Right, Back, Left and Front.... "Inked"

You can purchase this in my ETSY shop!

Thanks for listening,

BusyLizzy

Shout out to SHOUT!

SHOUT! The Mod Musical

Check out the Groovy girls behind the British flag umbrella! This was taken at rehearsal for SHOUT! The Mod Musical!

The Cast of Shout! The Mod Musical

Blue Girl - Samantha Russell

Green Girl - Cassandra Watsham

Orange Girl - Elizabeth Glenday

Yellow Girl - Abi Adekoya

Red Girl - Justine Christie

Gwendolyn Holmes - Danielle Gamache

Voice of the Magazine - Doug Stang

Here we are at our promotional preview at The Winchester Arms pub.

We did another promotional preview performance just this past Sunday at the Lord Dufferin Centre, and it was very well received. The residents were bopping along to the music. (Well, how can anyone NOT bop along... the tunes are definitely bop-worthy!)

Finally, we've had a bit of press..."Blue Girl" Sam Russell was interviewed live on Erin Radio, The Orangeville Citizen put us on the front page and we just appeared in the British Canadian (available at Blighty's in Orangeville) and hope to have a bit more before the show goes up on Mother's Day weekend!

Here is the info you need to get YOUR tickets! Call 519-925-2600

May 5th -8th... one weekend only ...

Thursday May 5th 8pm

Friday May 6th 8pm

Saturday May 7th 2pm and *8pm

Sunday May 8th **2pm

All performances are at Grace Tipling Hall in Shelburne

213 Main St, Shelburne, ON L0N 1J0, Canada

*GROOVY people dress up on Saturday night in your favourite 60's or 70's fashions

**Treat your Mom to the best Mother's Day ever... prizes to be won for Moms on the 8th!

AND $1.00 from every ticket purchase goes to The Alzheimer Society

...what a FAB weekend..call 519-925-2600...PEACE!!

The 3 R's Plus One: Recreating

The Three R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One thing that I've always been "into" is the adage: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Way back when I was a teen, (well before the days of gift-bags) I attempted to set a family rule: we had to use reused paper or alternate wrappings. While not everyone complied, the majority of gifts that first Christmas were wrapped with saved stashes of wrapping paper, newspaper, or decorated

boxes. There were even a few tea towels and other useful items that hid the contents effectively, and became part of the gift. I was very proud, and continue to encourage re-use of bows and ribbons, wrappings and bags, year after year for all gift-giving events! In fact I get teased about it, because I take great care to fold tissue and paper into neat little squares as everyone unwraps.

Toilet Roll Cord Keeper

Neat and easy use of a paper towel or toilet paper roll.

My mom has always been a good influence in this regard! She has a knack for re-purposing things that most people toss out. Take toilet rolls for example. She cuts them in half to make them shorter, and then uses them to secure electric cords on appliances that are stored in the cupboard. Try it: just fold the cord up accordion style and stuff it in the toilet roll.

Benefits:

• tames tangled cords in the cupboard or on the counter
• easy remove when you need the appliance (much less fiddly than a twist tie)
• greasy or crushed or damaged ones are easily replaced
• easy to find when putting the appliance away (not like that dang twist-tie!)

Plastic Pull Tab Cord Keeper

A variation of this: use the little white plastic pull-ring tab from the milk carton spout to tame your earphones in your purse or briefcase! Here's a real-life image:

Neat cord in pull tab ring (left, white); messy cord that would get tangled in your purse or pocket (right)

I literally pulled these headphones out of the pocket of my purse: the white ones are neat and tidy, the black set were tangled in the pocket... I must buy more milk so I can fix it, as shown!

Tabs are easily collected from milk, juice and other cartons. Rinse and save!

One further re-purposing... mom uses the tab, held as shown in the photo above, to protect her finger as she gets the last bit of cheese through the grater, and as a quick thimble when quilting. Told you mom thinks out of the box!

The 4th"R" is ReCreate!

My craftiness has been influenced by my love of reusing... but in this case I like to call it "re-creating" and some of my favourite materials to work with are:

T-shirts (new, hardly worn, or worn-out)

• transform into new garments (halters, tanks, dresses, shrugs)
• transform into useful accessories and gifts (pet scarves, baby hats, headbands, belts)
• rip up and crochet or braid or weave into new stuff (rugs, bags)

Inspiration for this is a book called Generation T: 108 ways to transform a t-shirt, and it's sequel, Generation T:Beyond Fashion... 120 NEW ways to transform a t-shirt. And I just discovered the website...sweet! http://www.generation-t.com/

Cottons and Yarns (Reclaimed from a crafter's neglected "stash" or unraveled sweaters)

• Almost anything I can knit or crochet with NEW yarn!

Here is a great resource for keeping things out of landfill:

Freecycle is a group that encourages local people to connect and GIVE their un-needed stuff to other freecyclers on the network. I joined our local group in Orangeville and have both given and received lots of items that will continue to be useful!

Cheers for now!

BusyLizzy

Hello! Meet BusyLizzy!

Barefoot Sandals with a musical theme. Designed and created by BusyLizzy.

Hi from BusyLizzy!

BusyLizzy here! I wear a lot of hats these days, in fact, I always have! After attending a workshop on blogging recently, I decided it might be a good idea to blog for BusyLizzy.

Speaking of hats, these are not hats, these are Barefoot Sandals. They are my most recent design, and are being modeled by my lovely daughter! These are one of 6 pairs (all a bit different, but with musical themed charms) that I created for Weait Music, to sell at an upcoming trade show. If anyone likes them, I can make some similar ones to order. Just ask!

I do a lot of things, and love them all. They are all a part of what makes me the woman I am:

Teacher, Singer, Actress, Fitness professional, Mother, Sister, Wife, Daughter, Friend, Zumba® instructor, gym owner, business woman, knitter, crocheter, maker of funky cut up T-shirts, theatre goer, music lover, musician, clown, face-painter, director, blogger...

Recent fun stuff I'm up to:

Rehearsals for SHOUT!:The Mod Musical - actress, singer

Plans for next season's Creative Partners on Stage production - director, drama coach

Visiting with family - daughter, mother

Choreographing some great Zumba® cuts - fitness instructor

Creating musical themed Barefoot Sandals to sell at an upcoming trade show - crocheter

That may be all there is time for now... yep... look at the time!

Cheers!