Creativity is the fuel that drives the crafter. It is an expression of ideas that brew about in our heads. Sometimes the creativity well runs dry though, and a little help is necessary. Other times it is fun to see what other people have created and expand our own ideas. “The Creative Life,” is a television show, with a corresponding Web site, that features everything from traditional crafting to the new recycled art so popular today.  

‘The Creative Life’ is your new one-stop show for step-by-step how-to segments and tips and techniques for creating unique items for the home. From decorative painting to building, gardening to cooking, sewing to home decor and everything in between, Cheryl does it all, and takes you on location as she explores every nook and cranny of ‘The Creative Life.’
The Creative Life Web Site

“The Creative Life” presents not only ideas but free patterns on the Web site.  If you have been unaware of this show, you can also find the PBS scheduling so you can watch the production in your local area.  You can also see different clips from the show.  For the crafter, “The Creative Life” is a “creative” approach to crafting that will be become a useful resource.

The Creative Life 

Do you have sore hands from knitting or crocheting?  I sure do.  My hands get so tired and feel so painful from marathon hours of knitting.  Many crafters have this problem.  Some crafting days I feel like my finger joints are on fire and the rest of my hands are just plain worn out. 

There are some things you can do if you have this problem.  As I said, it is a common problem with crafters and also with computer users.  With those of us on the Internet doing knitting blogs - well, we have a double whammy. 

The 5 X 5 X 5 hand workout is something that should help you a great deal.  Exercising your hands in a way to relieve pain and stiffness, will help you avoid repetitive stress injuries. 

On this page, you will also find a product called Handeze Massage Gloves.  This is another thing that will help hand pain during crafting.  They can be ordered online in several places and Berroco has taken any risk of getting the wrong size away.  They have a hand sizer that works right on your monitor. Set your screen resolution to 640 X 480 to have the sizer work accurately.

Hand pain is a difficult problem for crafters and computer users.  We love what we do and even when it hurts, we keep doing it.  There is no point in telling a knitter to stop knitting because of hand problems.  Taking care of your hands and taking some steps to ease problems through prevention can extend the time you can spend on the needles.

I covered Katherine Lee’s “Fabulous & Flirty Crochet,” not too long ago.  It is a great book.  If you have a copy, you should get it signed.  And if you don’t, you have a chance to pick up a signed copy at two different trunk shows in the Los Angeles area.  And get one for a friend - this would make a wonderful gift.

Come to a Book Signing/Trunk Show at my local Barnes & Noble at the Grove/Farmer’s Market shopping center at 3rd & Fairfax!

Come meet me on Thursday, July 13th, at 7:30pm.

The booksigning will be held on the 3rd floor of this nice, big Barnes & Noble.

All of the samples will be available for you to see.

Children are welcome. Have a bite to eat at the Farmer’s Market (we love Moishe’s for Middle Eastern and the Loteria Grill has a fabulous mole sauce!) or one of the great restaurants at the Grove after the signing for a fun summer evening!

The Bonita Knitting Store is a beautiful shop offering fine yarns, classes, books, and free afternoon tea!

Come meet me on Saturday, July 15th, from noon to 4pm.

I’ll be signing books, showing all of the projects, and helping at the free crocheting (and knitting) clinic that they have every Saturday from 2-4pm. There will be light refreshments, a raffle, and more!

More On Fabulous & Flirty Trunk Shows

Review on Fabulous & Flirty

When you think of crochet, you probably think of a hook that is about the length of a pencil and a spool of thread, or possibly a ball of yarn, with repeated stitches forming a design.  That is one form of crochet.  But there are others and some of these other forms lend themselves to more creativity and a better “fabric” that the traditional form of crochet.  There is hairpin lace, Tunisian, crochenit, and camel crochet as examples.  I found a blog that explores some of the traditional but goes further into depth on alternative forms of crochet.  I think you will find it interesting

I have always enjoyed Tunisian Crochet, which is also known as afghan stitch crochet.  It can make a bit of a heavy fabric but that is nice for an afghan.  Different stitch techniques make a lighter weight fabric which then open the crafter up to other designs, such as sweaters.  One of the best things about Tunisian is that is creates a fabric perfect for counted cross stitch.  Take a pattern intended for counted cross stitch and make a very unique afghan or design on the back of a cardigan.

I think you will enjoy these sites about Tunisian crochet.  The equipment will cost you very little; the hook is a modified crochet hook, being long like a knitting needle but with the standard hook at the end.  These hooks can also be purchased with flexible cables, such as are found on double pointed needles.

Crochet Kim

Kimane Designs by Crochet Kim

Camel Crochet - Another technique to crochet