Sunday, February 16, 2014

Featured Crafter: Crochet By Jennifer

I am jumping up and down with excitement!  As many of you know, I've been collaborating with Crochet by Jennifer.
Last summer, she called for testers on her page and I filled out her form.  She is extremely talented and I love working with other designers.  Jennifer usually does not have other designers test for her and I can completely understand that, but lucky for me,  a few of the gals who know both of us talked her into letting me join.  We hit it off and get along great because we have respect for one another and will not cross boundaries when it comes to items to design.  We  have come to find out that we are a lot alike and I appreciate the opportunity to design dresses and other clothing to match her wonderful creativity!
Now that you know how we met,  it is my pleasure to introduce you to her. 

Lion & Lioness baby bonnet
What is your main business focus?  
Designing crochet patterns. I no longer sell custom orders as I found it took too much time away from designing. I just want to continually grow and improve. Lately I've been going back and re-writing all my older patterns because I've learned so much in the past couple of years. 
What is your greatest accomplishment or what are you most proud of? 

Kylie Baby Cocoon
I am most proud of the fact that I have turned something I love doing into a successful career and that I can stay home with my younger daughter. My job doesn't even feel like work to me because I love it so much. The fact that I can earn a living doing what I do is just a bonus to me. I love the fact that my husband is proud of me too, and tells people all about my work. 
  
What is something you struggle with?

Finding enough time in the day to do everything I want to do! My "list" of things to design is so long I'll never see the end of it. I also struggle with time management and making sure I work on all aspects of my business equally. My Facebook page, blog, website, etc are things that I would like to build up even more in the future so I can always be interacting with people and sharing my patterns.
 What advice would you give someone starting out?

Take the time to learn your craft thoroughly. I rushed into designing a little too quickly and I had no idea how it would snowball. I wish I'd gotten into it a little more slowly and tried more patterns before I started selling my own designs. My own personal ethic is that I don't view other designer's patterns because I don't want to be influenced or feel that I am copying, but I wish I had seen more of what was out there before I joined the designing crowd. There are several designers whose work I admire, but I have never tried their patterns.
 Is there someone in the craft community that you admire and why?
Vita of Mon Petit Violon. I think her designs are gorgeous and she's a lovely person. :)
Thank you Jennifer for taking your time to share a little about who you are. I've heard of Mon Petit Violon and I've even seen her designs floating around on different social media sights. I had to go check out her FaceBook page and sadly, I wasn't a fan - Until now :) I have to agree, she has some amazing designs!
Well, there you have it in a nutshell. She is such an amazing designer and I'm thrilled that we are working together. If you are not a fan of her's yet, check out her other shops and become a fan on Facebook.


You can find all Designer Collaborations on my site, but here are a few.
 Katrina Cloche    



Kate Baby Bonnet

Karma Baby Bonnet

Vintage Star Baby Bonnet

Ashlee Beanie

Primrose Baby Bonnet

Saturday, February 15, 2014

A Quick project to thank our Service Men and Women

Beanies for Bravery
Do you ever see the news and the things that our military have to go through and think... "I really wish I could do more to help those who put their lives on the line for our freedoms everyday" ???

I know I have.  It just doesn't feel like enough to say thank you to those we see on the street or in the store who have or are serving our wonderful country.  I have met an amazing woman who has set up a great way for us to help and it's so simple,  I am kicking my self in the behind that I have not jumped in to  help before now. 

Beanies for Bravery is a project that Heidi from Snappy Tots has put together.  She collects beanies (specific colors and sizes) along with thank you notes and sends them to the many men and women who are serving.  If you Crochet or Knit and even if you don't, you can still help out.  It is so simple and honestly a quick project and even 1 thing can make the world of difference.  Click on the photo to be taken to Snappy Tots project information page

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Ribbon Candy Afghan pattern coming soon!

I am absolutely THRILLED and very humbled at the response I have received to my latest design.  To wake up and see that so many of you have "Pinned" it, well, I was blown away! 
Here is it's Official Debut to my collection and it will be released next week.
Update:  this pattern is now available here: www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com

The Ribbon Candy Afghan
Ribbon Candy Afghan

Ribbon Candy Afghan
This is such a fun and warm design and I can't wait to give this afghan to my nephew who will be arriving this July.  This is worked C2C using Red Heart Soft Yarn and it is easily becoming one of my "Go-To" yarns.


As you know,  I have been designing a variety of items using this same stitch sequence.  My Ribbon Candy 18" Doll Dress was the first to be released and has been a fun addition to my doll sized dress collection also.
Ribbon Candy 18" Doll Dress
Then came the Ribbon Candy Infant Dress sizes and look how cute it is on a baby!
Ribbon Candy Infant Dress

Ribbon Candy Infant Dress
In addition to the Ribbon Candy Afghan pattern, I also have 2 Scarf designs and a Cowl that will all be released by the end of this month. 
Ribbon Candy V Scarf

Ribbon Candy Infinity Cowl

Ribbon Candy Scarf
There is so much more in the works right now and I hope you enjoy them all as much as I do!
To view more Crafting Friends Designs AND to enter Daily for your chance to win a free pattern during the month of February, please visit my website www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com