Gettin’ It Pegged…Loom Knitter’s Clique

Yippee!  It’s over!!!! 

I know…April is a very nice month in it’s own right, and I normally think so, too.  After all, this is when my first daughter came into the world 16 years ago.  But this year’s April was a killer!  WAAAAY too much stress and struggle!  Whew that it’s the last day.  :P 

We are all done in the other house.  We spent all day Sunday and Monday doing the last packing & loading & scrubbing.  Let me tell you, I think I almost asfixiated myself with cleaning fumes!  I was using bleach and Windex in the bathroom, and then in the kitchen, and added oven cleaner on top of it.  I didn’t even know I wasn’t feeling well until we broke for a late lunch and I felt dizzy, and my “lung pipes” were a bit raw.  I kept laughing hysterically at everything everyone said, even if it was “please pass the napkins”, lol!  My advice to anyone doing major cleaning…follow the instructions on the warning labels of the cleaning cans…they mean what they say!  ;) 

Things I’m looking forward to in May…

• getting settled in our new home
• going to my nephew’s wedding shower  (he’s the first of 10 nephews/nieces to be married)
• my hubby’s birthday
• Mother’s Day is always a shining light on the horizon!
• planting flowers in our new backyard
• Narnia movie #2 comes out!  (I think there are other’s I’d like to see opening this month, too, but I can’t remember…all the stress has knocked them clean outta my noggin’)
• getting a new loom along going in the Loom Knitter’s Chat Clique!  Most likely the Arm Chair Caddy!

By the way…the Peggin’ Pages Moving Sale is still going on all day today!  Hurry…sale ends tomorrow…as tomorrow brings a new day, month, and new happiness right along with it! 

Bethany~

Well, in the spirit of my family’s recent move to a new (and bigger!) house…I thought it would be fun to hold a moving sale! 

All the patterns located on Peggin’ Pages will be 50% off from now till the end of the month!  Just pick the patterns you’d like, and the correct price will show up at the checkout…no code needed!

Movin’, movin’, movin’…let’s get those patterns movin’! 

PS:  For those of you in the Loom Knitter’s Clique interested in the next loom along, you might want to stock up on the Arm Chair Caddy pattern…hint, hint! 

Bethany~

If there are any kinks in the process, just let me know at:  Bethany@GettinItPegged.com  

Today is the last day for the online class on how to create the little baby booties.

I’ve had a lot of fun…this group has been so wonderful to spend a week with!  :)  And everyone has created (& are creating) absolutely adorable booties!  I’d like to be able to post some on the Clique Pics soon…

Now…I’m off packing!  Yep, it’s time again to move my little family…our house is just way too dinky.  Our last move was not planned, as the house we were renting ended up being sold, so we had to hurry and scramble around to find someplace to park, if only for a temporary solution…and one that would except pets (our cat & bunny) was even harder to find.  So this temporary solution has lasted for a year and a half, lol…and we’ve finally found a suitable replacement, again that would accept pets.  Now my husband doesn’t have to worry about being chased out of our only bathroom by us 3 girls, lol!!!

So…off I go…busy, busy, busy!  I will keep my eye on the computer, though, as I know that there still may be postings in the bootie class today.  Thanks again for an awesome online experience!  It was a lot of fun…we’ll have to do it again soon…maybe this little item?…

Bethany~

See the post below to  join in on the bootilicious fun! 

Bethany~

This is how the Knifty Knitter version of the new booties turned out…

Pretty cute, huh? 

The pattern is all set to go for the class beginning tomorrow!  Yippee!!!  If you still haven’t signed up…now’s your chance…just click on the bootie and join in on the fun. 

**Your TO-DO list:

• Join the Loom Knitter’s Chat Clique.
• Once you’re there, officially enroll in the class through the Database.
• Download the Supply List in the Files section.
• Gather everything in a handy location, ‘cuz the class starts tomorrow! 
• Of course, you can comment here too!
• While you’re waiting for the class to begin…pop on over to Isela’s blog and see what she’s all geared up to do for a great cause…sponsor her for a chance to win a very superlicious prize!

Bethany~

…come on…click it…you know you want to! 

* Wanna’ get in on the fun? *

Just see this post for all the info…

*Class Date: April 1st-7th

Can’t wait to hear from you! 

Bethany~

Aren’t they SOOO cute?!!

I’ve already gotten 3 requests to knit these babies up in assorted colors for people at my work…I even got to try them on a real live baby, and they fit just perfect!  (she was about 2.5 months)

But the real reason I’m knitting up little baby booties is to begin our Loom Knitter’s Clique “Online Classes Club”!  These will be held at the Gettin’ It Pegged Chat Clique, that you can join here.  This first class (series, I’m thinking) will be free!…and most thereafter, for that matter. 

 …the only thing you need that maybe not everyone has at the moment, is a loom capable of knitting in a fine gauge. 

The one I used on the booties above is from Decor Accents and can be found here.  But any fine gauge loom will do.

I would like to get a feeling for how many people would be interested in joining this project class in April…could you please leave a comment on this post to let me know?  Thanks so much!  This should be a fun looming endeavor!  :) 

Bethany~

PS: EDIT!!  To join the class, just click on the link above to join the Gettin’ It Pegged…loom knitter’s chat clique, which was started just for the purpose of holding classes…and occasionally contests, etc!

Also, I’ve gotten a lot of requests about whether or not it’s okay to use an Extra Fine Gauge loom for these little cuties…the answer is…Of Course! :)  You just need to do a little swatch and adjust the pattern as necessary…these knitted up at 11 stitches for every 2 inches using #4 Cotton Ease by Lion Brand yarn.

Also, this project is knit in a flat panel, so the loom just needs to have at least 40 pegs…more as needed for EFG looms 

And Everyone…Thanks a Bunch for your wonderful comments, and willingness to loom along with me…Stay tuned for more details as I work out all the kinks in the process…and don’t forget to comment here so I can keep a good count…Thanks!!!

Bethany~

Michaels Community Message Boards
 

Re: All Classes Canceled  
      02/25/08 08:28 AM

Over the past year, as part of our Consumer Insight strategy, we have asked customers what they like most about our stores, how we can improve, and what we are missing. When asked about classes they had lots to say. Currently the customers’ experience varies so greatly from store to store that we are taking their feedback to heart and implementing a class & event program that can deliver an outstanding experience in all stores, which is a good challenge for a chain of our size (nearly 1,000 stores!). Michaels is transitioning from a heavily class-driven program into a program offering more FREE demos, events, and Make-it / Take-its for all of our customers to enjoy. We are focusing our efforts on building better programs that customers have told us they would like to see at Michaels. For example, we are working closely with our vendors to create more excitement outside of the classroom and share the joy of crafting with their products with more people. This is but one way that Michaels is working hard to make certain that we offer our customers the best products, creative outlets, and overall store experience they deserve.

_________________________________________________

 I have spoken of my employment with Michaels Crafts on this site very little, if at all, since I felt that this would be leaning to the side of creating a conflict of interest, and I didn’t want to do anything that would seem unprofessional or unethical.  I have been an Event Coordinator and Class Instructor for the last 3+ years.  I took over the position when our store could not possibly get lower on the list of class sales for the district.  For the first 2 years, we saw such an increase in our program that actually put us on the top of the list for both years.  Last year, we finished 2nd.  This progress was not accomplished without taking the program and pouring my entire self into it and creating something that we could all be proud of.  This included myself teaching  at varying times: loom knitting, beading, scrapbooking, book altering/making, birthday parties, floral design, kids camp…the list goes on to include any number of craft workshops that would be fun for the community to participate in.  It also included seeking out talented and professional instructors, making connections in the community, and just being there for everyone who wanted to be a part and feel connected to something crafty.

I am trying very hard to take the news of the cancellation of all classes at Michaels, except Wilton Cake Decorating, with the attitude that the Michaels.com Editor spoke of it above, on their website message board.  I am trying to get over the pain in my gut that happens when I think of all the hard work, and encouragement given to all my wonderful teachers…just to have to tell them they are no longer needed.  Some of these instructors have been with me since the beginning.  Yes, I am glad to say, that Michaels did authorize my manager to offer all our instructors part time associate positions, if they are so inclined…and my manager is so sensitive to how all these people feel, that she encouraged them to do so…and I hope they will.

In all this…I hope that down the line…Michaels Corporate will begin to have an inkling about how valuable the class program really was.  You cannot sever such strong ties to the community without experiencing repercussions in some way that defines who you are as a whole.  This is written to help ease what I’m feeling inside, and to help me vocalize the hope that eventually, we will see the class  program reinstated…and not just something that has to be followed “by rote”, but that can highlight the amazing talents of artistic individuals  throughout every community in a special and unique way…

…after all, that is what true creativity is all about.

Respectfully,

Bethany~