Gettin’ It Pegged…Loom Knitter’s Clique

My eldest daughter has an ability that I don’t have…or choose not to employ, lol!  She uses eensy weensy crochet hooks, embroidery thread, and her own imagination…and creates magic.  She can just think of something and create it right out of her head.  Like modelling with clay, but with thread.   :) 

For my younger daugher’s birthday this year, she decided (promised) to make a little doll, along the same lines of a doll that she had already created for herself a few years back.  A little monkey out of braided hemp, with magnetic hands and feet, and little crocheted 18th century clothes.  He’s quite a little gentleman, and has even appeared in his own major motion picture!  (a science project for school that Emily created…a stop motion animation starring her very own…Cedric!)

For her sister, she decided to create a cat…almost an Anime creation.  This is what she came up with…

Click on the pics to see a tad bigger…these little guys are awesome!  And that’s not just because I’m a proud mama…     Even Noreen Crone Findlay would approve, I’m sure!

Bethany~

PS: Sometime soon I’m going to see if I can show you Cedric’s movie…it’s very well done, and quite entertaining!

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~

Just check out the PILE of…

what is it?…dirty laundry?…contents of my linen closet?…

NO!  :)  This is the absolute HAUL the girls and I made at the yearly fabric sale at Walmart!  You’re looking at over 55 yards of fabric…all for only a dollar a piece!  Yippee!!! 

Okay…we went kinda nuts going around touching, and ooooohing over every design and texture.  But, we do have a sort of plan for most of the fabrics we purchased, so it wasn’t just frivolous…I’m telling myself… 

The first item has already been sewn up complete…a black skirt that Megan needed for her Spring Strings Concert last night.

I whipped up this simple little thing without a pattern.  I just made sure to measure her really acurately, so it would fit correctly (hopefully) when done.  It has two slits up the sides, which Megan thinks are the bees knees…and the skirt fits to a tee! 

I’m at the moment trying to download a little video for you to have a peek at the concert…it’s very cute to see the young budding musical talent…kids are just cute, period, so this is just extra fun to watch. 

I’m having a little difficulty getting the link to show up here on my site, but you can go here to see the video on youtube.  And here’s the finale.   Enjoy!

Bethany~

Whoa!!  I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday, and I haven’t posted this week yet!  Yikes…that’s the longest I’ve gone without saying “hi!”.  But, I didn’t do it without thinking of you all…I really meant to post yesterday, but my computer crashed!  :(  I can’t tell you how nerve wracked I was when I couldn’t get the blasted thing to turn on!  All I could think of was all the things I had on there that I hadn’t backed up.  After over an hour on the phone with tech support and $80 + bucks later I had a working computer again!  Yippee!  It’s amazing how much we rely on technology.  I also made a trip to the store to pick up a 2 gig flash drive to back up my important stuff fairly easily…   so no more worries. 

Well, to make up for lost time…this will NOT be a wordless post!

About my weekend…my little Meggyloo turned the big, but not yet “teen” 12 years on Friday.  We had a wild party planned at the roller skating rink, with family and friends, and then she had a friend over for the night.

When I say “wild” I’m speaking about the idea that my darling daughter had of wearing furry mustaches, neon gangster hats & sequined bow ties!  I couldn’t believe my ears when she told me she wanted to do this…and at a public skating rink…but, she took a poll with her friends and they all definitely wanted mustaches! 

Go figure! 

So, I ordered the loot, and let them have at it.  I think the idea of wearing these funky items was more fun, than the actual wearing, because most of them took them off pretty quickly after sporting them for pictures. 

One of the games we played was a treasure hunt… well, it was a one person hunt…we left clues for Megan to find her presents! 

Before the party, I collected gems, and bobbles, special coins, some jewelry pieces (some made by me!) and created a clue that looked all old and worn, and put them all in a box that looked like an old book.  (I found this at Michaels in the home decor section…very cool find!)

At the party, my eldest daughter and I created clues about each person that was there that Megan would be able to figure out, but would still be tricksy.  We gave out the clues secretly, and in order, so that each clue would lead to the next, and then to the box, and then to the big gift… which happened to be a new bike that my sister brought with her and kept hid in her truck. 

All in all, everyone had a really great time.  Megan even said that it was one of her most favorite birthdays! 

And one of my most favorite parts…I didn’t have to clean my house extra for company… and I didn’t have to clean up after the party!  ;)  Definitely an added bonus!

**Happy Birthday Megan!** 

You were a beautiful baby, and you’ve grown into an even more  beautiful “almost teen”!

Bethany~

 This is one of my all time favorite bags!

I just love the colors, and shape, and of course, the all important fuzzy goodness! 

This project is perfect for holding all kinds of Easter treats…

~Or~

It makes a fabulous Spring Handbag! 

Either way, it’s a must have pattern…

SO…

to get yours,

just pop on over to the Peggin’ Pages

to get your copy today!

*Enjoy!

Bethany~

PS: There’s something slightly familiar about this little bag, isn’t there?…Just look up to the very tippy top of this page, and you’ll see why! 

Happy Valentine’s Day!     

 In honor of the occasion…

I thought I’d share one of my favorite Valentine crafts…

*Beading Hearts!*

Just click on the pic to see the tutorial on how to create these adorable little things with the ones you love most!

Enjoy!

Bethany~

Hey check it out!  I finally made it to         Top Momma! 

To help me stay there…at least for a little while ;)  please click on the button and then click on the cute little girly wearing the Chill Chaser Cap and kissin’ a bunny…Thanks! 

Bethany~

Here’s the newest kidlett craft for the Southwest Washington Family Magazine…

Sweet Lil’ Love Birds…

just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Just click on the pic to see the instructions close-up…Enjoy! 

Bethany~

Click to join GettinItPegged

In celebration of our little clique topping 1o,ooo views…we’re holding a little contest!

Details:  Pop on over to the new Gettin’ It Pegged!…Loom Knitter’s Chat Clique, and sign up for membership.  Within a day, your membership will be approved, and then the fun begins…

We will begin our new Clique Pics page by uploading your favorites from the projects offered here at the site.  From these pics, a few will be randomly selected to grace our Clique Pics page, and will occasionally be rotated with others, so that everyone has a chance to shine!

For each uploaded picture, your name will be put in a drawing to win a $10 gift certificate for Decor Accents, Inc!  The more the merrier! 

So, hurry on over and get set with your pics!  I can’t wait to see them!  

Bethany~
Click to join GettinItPegged

As promised…here is the pattern for cozy, easy to knit,  one piece Mittens!

I’ve included adult & kid size.

Click here to go to the Freebies Page to download the pattern.

**Also…check out the new “Twisted Stitches” page…where you’ll find 2 tutorials on cast ons that are frequently used in patterns found here at the Loom Knitter’s Clique!  Enjoy!  

Bethany~