Friday Finds: All the happenings

Happy Friday, dear friends! This week's Friday Finds is actually a compilation of awesome things happening in June.

I've been frantically dyeing yarn all week in preparation for the Squam Art Workshops Spring Retreat. Next Tuesday I will be headed to Squam Lake in New Hampshire for a few days of rest, relaxation, and amazing classes. Then on Saturday, June 8th, is Squam Art Workshops' anniversary party, the Ravelry Revelry, which is open to the public. The day will end with the Squam Art Fair (also open to the public), at which I will be selling lots of yarn, alongside many other wonderfully talented makers.

The following week is Arts Fest Beverly, on Saturday June 15th. Cabot Street Studios will have its doors open from noon to 3 pm so folks can come by, see the raw space, and check out any studios that might still be available.

To finish off the month, Thursday, June 20th is Etsy Craft Party day! I am helping organize this year's Salem party, which will again be hosted at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn. Attendance is free, but please sign up on our event page so we can be sure to get enough snacks and supplies.

Phew! It's going to be a super busy and super fun month. Hope to see you at one of these events!

Friday Finds #18

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! If you're in Massachusetts, I hope you get Patriot's Day off on Monday, which I do. Yay!

1. I forgot to tell you that I am hosting a knit-along of Hannah Fetig's Breezy Cardigan. We've already started, but it's not too late to join in!

2. Purl Soho continues to make amazing projects, simple and yet so clever. Would you wear a knit t-shirt?

3. Pansy Maiden, cruelty-free handmade bags, is having an Indie Go-go campaign and offering amazing incentives.

4. Home-made buttermilk pizza crust. Yes.

5. Lucinda's adorable Laurel Dress

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Friday Finds #17

You guys, this month is totally kicking my butt. I remember looking forward in December and thinking March would be a rest-and-catch-up month for me, but it has been the complete opposite. Also, can we be done with the snow already?

1. Homemade deep dish pizza. Someone should make this for me.

2. Whitney has a flock of 26 chicks!. So cute, but so much work! Have you or would you ever keep livestock?

3. I obviously need a cat-shape return address stamp.

4. Purl Bee delivers another fantastic pattern - the Sweatershirt Sweater, knit in light worsted yarn. Could go well with a squishy DK!

5. Bark Decor is one of my biggest handmade crushes, and they just came out with these wolf totem leggings. Love!

Have a great weekend!

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Friday Finds #16

This has been such a strange week, as I've been running around trying to play catch-up and not getting nearly enough sleep. Today I find myself thinking both, "I'm so glad it's finally Friday!" and "I have no idea how this week ended so quickly!"

1. Cats and a bunch of colors. How can I not want this?

2. Tomorrow is my hand-dyed yarn trunk show at Seed Stitch as part of the North Shore Yarn Crawl. I'll have over 150 skeins, including brand new yarn bases and new colorways!

3. Loving this sweater pattern for sock yarn! I think using a semi solid and a variegated colorway would be beautiful rather than just plain solids!

4.Love this playful print!

5. How sweet is this vintage strawberry pin?

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Friday Finds #15

So I know it's technically not Friday anymore, but Nate and I were hit with a brutal virus on Thursday and were out of commission for a few days. We're still recovering and slowly catching up on everything. Here are a few lovelies that have been cheering me up!

1. Delicious Dutch babies

2. The beautiful photography of Myoung Ho Lee

3. A beautifully patterned quilt

4. Easy rosemary crackers - can't wait to make these!

5. A lovely bedroom in soft pastel colors

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Friday Finds #14

I cannot believe we are bracing for another snowstorm this weekend! I am supposed to be hosting a sewing meetup tomorrow, so I am crossing my fingers and hoping the snow holds off until Saturday night. Stay safe and warm, and enjoy some pretties:

1. Beautiful colorful chairs my husband would probably despise. Would you add these to your home?

2. Love the style of this fox. I can't wait for my next tattoo.

3. Mesmerizing paper sculptures.

4. Lovely flower arrangement by the brand new Boston-based Wild Folk Studio.

5. I wish this was in my back yard. I am definitely building a cozy fort on my patio this summer.

Bonus: A beautifully moving video about a woman living with cancer and accepting one's body. Seriously, watch it.

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Friday Finds #13

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! I get Monday off work, which is pretty exciting!

1. DIY Grommet Curtains! This will come in handy as I work on our house this year.

2. A lovely spring dress by Whitney Deal

3. DIY Soap Travel Tins. Honestly, I've never used soap in a tin. Is it convenient, or does the tin get in the way?

4. A beautiful loft with a clever use of attic space

5. Fig, balsamic and rosemary hand pies. I think hand pies are my new love.

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Friday Finds #1

The wish tree at Squam, photo by Abby

Have a great weekend, my dears!

This weekend is the Greater Boston Yarn Crawl! I'll be doing a trunk show over at Black Sheep Knitting in Needham.

If you want to experience some of the Squam Art Workshops magic from home, they offer online workshops!

It's undeniable, Hallowe'en is right around the corner. I love Hallowe'en but I am super picky about decorations - this Ghoul Art Doll is perfect!

If you've been thinking about joining my Yarn Club, now is the time! The Fall 2012 club closes on 9/30, and then you'll have to wait for the Spring 2013 club!

Whitney Deal over on Darling Dexter made another absolutely gorgeous dress.

I've been eying these beautiful handmade flats - have you ever worn handmade shoes? Did you like them?

Friday Finds #2

This lovely shawl was crocheted by Amy in my Snow Flower sock yarn

I just recently learned about Pate (Pie inside a Cake) . Have you ever tried one? Sounds more appealing than Turducken.

Mystery Owl Grab Bag? Yes please!

I am really loving this cheerful yellow hand-printed pillow. Time for a home makeover?

This month's Makers in Business episode is with Sweet Lydia's. Best treats ever! Also, it was so interesting to learn she has a bachelor's degree in Psychology, like me!

Friday Finds #3

brand new colorway: Nematanthus

Thank goodness for Fridays! I am looking forward to getting some napping done in between the items on my monstrous to-do list this weekend.

I've mentioned this before, but in case you forgot, we're having a Craft Party here in Salem! Everyone is welcome, so please join us!

This month's episode of Makers in Business features Peter Zimmerman and is totally fabulous.

If the skein above is a little too scary for you, I also added a less intimidating colorway to my shop this week: Madame Semele

A fantastic knitting needle gauge shaped like Doctor Who's TARDIS.

An absolutely gorgeous Chalcedony Ring.

Friday Finds #4 - Party Time!

Photo by TheMacGirl

Well, well, Happy Friday! I missed the last couple of round-ups due to complete insanity, but this week I made it!

First of all, if you don't have plans for this weekend, why not check out the Lowell Folk Festival? Music, food, and a lovely group of handmade vendors. I won't be there as a vendor, but many of my wonderfully talented friends will!

Secondly, do you like parties and making things? If so, would you like to come to our Etsy Craft Party? A group of local North Shore makers is organizing a craft party to be hosted at Seed Stitch (21 Front Street in Salem), and it's open to everyone! RSVP so we can get a head count and buy enough food and crafty supplies!

A beautiful gradient batt for you spinners!

An adorable cross-stitch pendant with nerdy glasses.

This hand-printed t-shirt has a unique take on the Doctor Who TARDIS logo.

Friday Finds #5

Lovely garland (& photo) by Steph Loves Ben

I tend to be a creme brulee purist, but would you try this pistachio rosewater version?

This is old but brilliant: preserving fresh herbs to use all year!

Starting in August, we are having a little worsted-weight cardigan knit-along. Want to join?

I was featured on the Sage Yarn blog, along with other local yarnies!

And of course, the Boston Handmade Marketplace is tomorrow! It will be the only sunny day this weekend, so I hope you come out to join us!

Friday Finds #6

Set of Letterpress cards, image by Pressbound

This sad face cat demanding belly rubs.

An adorable wombat pillow.

A handmade cupcake pincushion gift set, perfect for sewers and quilters!

A radio interview about blogging with Danielle of Merriweather Council

On a less awesome note, did you see the US Olympic Committee's attack on Ravelry, knitters and crocheters? What do you think about this issue?

Friday Finds #7

Honey Badger Soft Sculpture by Royal Mint

Purl's Place, a brand new online shop specializing in hand-dyed yarn by indie dyers in New England.

A great video on small creative business marketing with Tara Swiger.

A gorgeous paper flower bouquet.

Lindsay put together a great collection of DIY cupcake stands.

I had forgotten about this adorable DIY Heart Elbow Patches tutorial, and fell in love with it all over again!

A gorgeous lace tattoo done in white.

Friday Finds #8

Check out Munin's chin hairs!

If you're local, The Bloggess is doing a book reading and signing tonight at the Brookline Booksmith.

Tomorrow is World Wide Knit in Public Day. I'll be knitting at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem. See you there?

Kim's behind-the-scenes look at her jewelry making.

Anxiously awaiting this Grey Twist Cardi pattern to be available so I can make it.

This simple Hippo Cutting Board is adorable.

Friday Finds #9

Image & embroidered hoop both by The Merriweather Council

This recipe for making your own candied ginger.

Liz Smith's second episode of Makers in Business, featuring Frank Casazza of Eyeformation.

If you liked the handspun I showed earlier this week, you'll love this beautiful creamy yarn by FiberOlio with colorful bits.

If you haven't seen this yet, here is a live webcam monitoring some kittens.

This dapper double-sided bow-tie. Father's day gift, perhaps?

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm spending Saturday at the studio, what are you up to?

Friday Finds #10

I treated myself to some OnTheRound handspun yarn this week!
Photo by me

The Yarn Exploder's beautiful Brownstone sweater makes me want to knit one for Nate

Liz Smith recently started her own TV show called Makers in Business, where she interviews handmade business owners

A beautiful handmade flower headband

These photos of the Tokyo Toy Museum. I really love the smooth, organically shaped wooden furniture!

A great podcast on getting started with wholesale for your crafty business (free only for the first 30 days)

This amazing graffiti artist!

Friday Finds #11

Photo taken in the South End

An adorable video on how frustration is essential to creativity.

These gorgeous Cherry Blossom Earrings are beautiful and perfect for spring.

My Super Mario loving self adores this handmade Toadstool Pincushion.

This minty green hand-spun yarn is gorgeous.

These handmade stoneware bowls are beautiful. Perfect for freshening up your kitchen!

Happy weekend everyone!

Friday Finds #12

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and happy Mother's Day!

Taliesin enjoying crafty time on our cutting mat

Here are some lovely things I came across on the web this week:

This awesome radio interview about Western Avenue Studios.

Some beautiful sock yarn by KnittinK.

A knitting pattern for a shawl with a TARDIS motif (Dr. Who fans rejoice!) on Ravelry

Kim's before and after: a thrifted bar cart turned turntable stand.

A touching and heartbreaking video about the importance of marriage equality.

This adorable tiny bunny photograph.