Austin Craft Mafia » vickie

Craft Corps Signing at Renegade Craft Fair!

vickie — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:53:17 +0000

This just in! I’m going to be doing the very 1st Craft Corps book signing this weekend at the Renegade Craft Fair in Austin. Come on down and see me on Sunday at 1:00p at the Stitch Lab booth–don’t be late, because I’ll only have 25 copies to sell!

Oh but wait, there’s more! Everyone who buys Craft Corps there or brings me one to sign they’ve purchased elsewhere, will get a free ball of NaturallyCaron.com’s Country or Spa yarn and the scarf pattern seen below (while supplies last). I’ll also have “Proud Craft Corps Member” buttons to give out! Can’t beat that, eh?

There were several Austinites either featured or profiled in Craft Corps and I know that at least a few of them will be at the fair, too. Look for Naughty Secretary Club’s Jennifer Perkins, Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching and Average Jane Crafter, Rachel Hobson!

Don’t forget to swing by the Austin Craft Mafia booth, too! Hope to see you there!

Craft.Rock.Love,

Vickie

P.S. Please bring cash or check if you’re planning on buying a book from me as I won’t be able to run credit cards. Thanks!

Craft Corps Book Trailer

vickie — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:45:57 +0000

My latest book, Craft Corps: Celebrating the Creative Community One Story At a Time officially comes out on May 4th but is available NOW on Amazon and BN.com! Check out the book trailer for a little scoop about this project!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Craft.Rock.Love,
Vickie

Become a fan of Craft Corps on FaceBook!

Twitter Party!

vickie — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Join Me & Lands’ End for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kick-off the FeelGood Campaign! The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and my books to Lands’ End gift cards and FeelGood yarn. Here are the details:

Lands’ End FeelGood Twitter Party

Date: Wednesday, September 16th

Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST

Location: #landsend

What IS a Twitter Party?
A Twitter Party is where a group of people can discuss or “Tweet” about a specific topic in their own little chat room. To participate in the discussion you’ll need to sign up for a free Twitter account (instructions are listed below).

Why Attend?
Twitter parties are a great way to connect with other people while chatting about a specific topic. Lands’ End will be hosting a two-hour Twitter Party to kick-off the FeelGood campaign – complete with fun and giveaways.

Twitter Party Hosts
Twitter Party Hosts oversee the event, answer questions, and keep the flow of the party going.

How To Participate

1. Twitter Account – Go to www.twitter.com to sign up for a free Twitter account.

2. Find and Follow any or all of Lands’ End Hosts:
@LEPRMichele
@LandsEndPRKira
@LEPRAmanda
@LandsEndPRAdam
@VickieHowell

During the party if you want to address one of the hosts directly, be sure to use their entire Twitter handle (ie @VickieHowell).

Hashtag – The Twitter world calls a pound sign (#) a hashtag. A hashtag is a code used to mark a specific topic. The Lands’ End FeelGood Twitter Party is marked and happening at #landsend. You can search for #landsend to participate in the party and see the party tweets.

Set Up TweetGrid – On the day of the party, use TweetGrid.com or another Twitter application such as TweetDeck to follow all of the “tweets” marked #landsend and participate in the party.

On TweetGrid – You can comment, reply and read all at once in TweetGrid, and it even puts the hashtag in your comment for you.

Click here for a TweetGrid tutorial list. The Twitter Party Tutorial should be #8.

Fast Followers – Something to note, Twitter parties are fun and fast!

Hope to see you there!

Craft.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Craft Corps Blog Up!

vickie — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Hey there! I just sent out the very 1st Craft Corps Weekly Newsletter announcing, among other things, that the Craft Corps Blog/Website is live–woohoo!

Subscribe now and you’ll meet a new crafter every week, have the opportunity to tell your own story (and be added to our links section), become eligible for future giveaways, and so much more.

I’m so thrilled to be a part of the craft world and hope you’ll join me in celebrating that community, by Joining the Craft Corps. Take a look at the website and discover some of the amazing men and women from around the world, who have been kind enough to give us a glimpse into their creative lives. Trust me, it’s hard not to be inspired by some of their stories–enjoy!

xo,

Vickie

P.S. The 1 year countdown until Craft Corps the book, (May ‘10, Lark Books) has officially started. Stay tuned for more details!

Pop Goes Crochet E-Cards & Giveaway!!!

vickie — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Ok, I’m so freakin’ excited today because thanks to the support of Lark Books and the computer wizardry of Websy Daisy, Pop Goes Crochet E-Cards are now available on my website!

Add a little POP to your friends’ days by sending them one (or as many as you want for FREE) of four choices of Pop Quiz trivia cards. If the recipient also happens to be a crocheter then bonus, because the e-greeting will also give them a sneak preview at a project from the book!

The cards are all animated, but here’s what the front image of each looks like:

Card #1 (For Friends and Band Peeps)

Capelet Design by: Whit Larson

Card #2: (For Anyone Bringing Sexy Back)

Felted Clutch Design by: M.K. Carroll

Card #3 (For Anyone Who Rocks)

Shrug Design by: Sue Rock

Card #4 (For Cowboys & Cuties)

Poncho Design by: Nikol Lohr

In honor of these 4 card designs, I’ll give away free, signed copies of Pop Goes Crochet to the 4th, 44th, & 104th person to forward their sent e-card conformation to: contests@vickiehowell.com. Good luck!

SEND CARDS NOW, BY CLICKING HERE!

Snap, Crackle, POP!,

Vickie

FREE Pop Goes Crochet Preview Pattern in CRAFT Magazine!

vickie — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:20:00 +0000

The latest issue of CRAFT Magazine (with Amy Sedaris on the cover) is out now–along with loads of other, inspiring projects of all shapes and sizes they were cool enough to include one of mine. The very first sneak preview inside my upcoming book Pop Goes Crochet (available for pre-order now), is offered in the issue!

Pick up your issue (or subscribe to the digital version) to check out the yarn-inspired fashion spread which includes my “Erykah” jacket (seen on the left, below).

Then type over to the CRAFT website for downloadable pages from Pop Goes Crochet: the FREE “Erykah” pattern!
Pop Goes Crochet Trivia Question: What neo-soul inspired this coat’s design?

This jacket is crocheted with VHC Vegas yarn and a large hook, making it relatively quick to make. Start yours now and have the perfect piece for both winter and spring. Oh, and bonus, the pattern’s written for sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2X & 3X–so Skinny Minnies and Curvalicious Misses, this one’s for you!

Happy hooking!

xo,

Vickie

Austin Craft Mafia at Blue Genie Art Bazaar!

vickie — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Hey all. The annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar started this week including oodles of amazing wares by Austin artists of all types. ACM is participating with a small booth including crafty goods from Vickie Howell, Naughty Secretary Club, Hot Pink Pistol, All Dressed Up and Shy, and Sublime Stitching. This holiday season, support your local artist and buy handmade.

Just a few of the goodies availavle at the Austin Craft Mafia Booth!

Blue Genie runs through December 24th. Check out their website for deets.

We hope to see you there! xoxo

Birthday Bash Book Giveaway!!–35 for my 35th!

vickie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Today’s my birthday and I want to celebrate! Well, what better way to do that I say, than with gifts for you? Ahhhh, presents.

Thanks to the generous participation of Lark Books, I have a copy each of 35 (one for each year of my life) of their best-selling craft titles to give away!

35 for my 35th!

Come to my blog, for details on how to win! xo, Vickie

PROJECT: Mario Mushroom Wrist Warmers!

vickie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:19:00 +0000

This holiday season whip up a cozy little gift, for the game boy (or girl) in your life. They’re quick, they’re cute and the pattern’s adjustable! Get the pattern here! xo, Vickie

What you need:

Worsted Weight Wool (amount varies based on size, but 100yds/110m usually does the trick!) in color: White

Scraps of Worsted Weight Wool in colors: Red & Black

Size US 6(4mm) DPNS

Tapestry Needle

Size

Adjustable (see “What to do”)

Gauge

20sts x 28 rows=4″ (10cm) in St st.

What to do:

Measure around the circumference of the future wearer’s palm, excluding the thumb . If said wearer is unavailable for measuring, you can go by the measurements I usually work off of when making wrist warmers: Smaller Kid= 6″; Larger Kid= 7″; Woman= 8″; Man=9″.

Because these are meant to fit snuggly, subtract 1″ from the palm measurement. This will give you number “X”. For example: Child’s palm measures 6″-1″=5″. “X” =5

To figure out how many sts to cast-on, multiply “X” by 5 (number of sts per inch). Once you have that number, round it up to the nearest multiple of 4 (to give you a workable number for K2,P2 ribbing in the round). For example: 5″ x 5 sts per inch= 25. Nearest (rounded up) multiple of 4= 28. CO amount= 28 sts.

There you go! Ready to start? Well, ok then.

Cuff:

CO “X” sts. Distribute sts evenly on dpns. Join rnd, taking care not to twist.

Work in K2, P2 rib for desired length of cuff (I recommend about 2 1/2″ for Smaller Kids; 3″ for Larger Kids; 4″ for Adults).

Beginning Main:

Next Rnd: Begin working in St st (knitting every rnd.)

Continue in St st until ready for thumb hole (I recommend 1″ for Smaller Kids; 2″ for Larger Kids; 2 1/2″-3″ for Adults).

Thumb Opening: ( This section WILL BE KNIT STRAIGHT, not in the round.)

Next row (RS): Knit all sts. Once you’ve knit the last st on the last needle, flip piece over.

Next row (WS): Purl. Once you’ve purled the last st on the last needle, flip piece over.

Repeat last 2 rows, 4-6 more times (depending on size you’re making).

End Main: (Return to working in the round)

Next rnd: Knit, rejoining the piece (this will close the thumb-opening top).

Repeat last rnd 1-4 more times (or until piece is 1/2″ shorter than desired length)

Return to K2, P2 rib for 3 rows. BO in rib st.

Finishing:

Using scraps, tapestry needle & Duplicate Stitch, follow the chart to embroider mushroom on the front of each wrist warmer.

Duplicate Stitch Chart

(Need a duplicate stitch refresher course? See pg. 83 of my book, Knit Aid.)

Weave in ends. Block if necessary. Enjoy!

PROJECT: Last Minute Skull Caps

vickie — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:10:00 +0000

There may only be 4 days left until Halloween, but it’s never too late to knit-up another trinket of terror. These “Skull Cap” beanies are made with bulky-weight, organic wool and have painted faces making them a cinch to make in a sec! Get the scoop on how to make ‘em here!

Skeleton smooches!,

Vickie

P.S. Looking for other, quickie Halloween projects? Try my Boo-tree-licious ornaments, Trick or Tote bag, Frankenrumi Toy, or Skully appliques!