What's New?!

Oh, there is so much going on this time of year! The sun is out and the weather is finally warming up (seriously, it's about time). Weddings, graduations and new babies are all the news. Trees are blooming, gardens are going in, vacations are being planned. What a wonderful time of year, so much to celebrate and look forward to.

It's the same for Stampin' Up!

On Monday the list of products that are going away forever was released. All of the retiring products, both stamps and accessories, are available until they run out or until May 31, 2014, whichever comes first. So don't delay!

You can find the complete lists on the promotions page of my Stampin' Up! website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/clothpaperstring/promotions

And a free shipping special started! All orders placed by Friday, April 25th at 11:50 pm Mountain Time (except expedited shipping) qualify for free shipping. What a perfect time to make sure you don't miss out on your favorites from the 2013-2014 catalog. Again, just click on the link above to find out more. Only a few more days


And what happens next? A new catalog of course! Though we are sad to see some of our favorites leave, there will be so many new products, I can't wait to share them with you. Of course we all have to wait a little bit longer for the new catalog beginning June 1, but isn't that just the story this time of year?

Exciting! New! Lots to look forward to!

Free Shipping Starts Monday

Starting Monday! It's a great time to order those stamps and supplies before they go away. A new catalog is coming out shortly and some products will be retired. You can browse products and place your order clothpaperstring.stampinup.net

  

Live Happy!

A treasured colleague is retiring this month, so I wanted to make a special card. The “Live Happy” sentiment so perfectly sums up my wishes for her as she embarks on this new adventure. The design for this card is based on one shared by Charlotte Hollingsworth. I used Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper, Calypso Coral Stamp Pad, Summer Starfruit Stamp Pad, You’re Lovely Stamps, and the Deco Labels Framelits.

You will need the following items:

·         4 ¼ by 5 ½ inch card (8 ½ by 5 ½ folded)

·         5 ¼ by 3 inch patterned paper

·         1 x 4 inch contrasting patterned banner

·         ½ by 3 inch solid banner

·         ½ by 5 ½ solid strip

·         Scrap of ribbon

Stamp the flower frame using StazOn ink and color in the flowers. I used the blender pen with the Summer Starfruit Stamp Pad. Squeeze the closed pad to leave a little ink on the pen, then use the blender pen to color the flower. Stamp the “Live Happy” sentiment. Cut the design using the smallest Deco Label. Stamp the card front with the flower strip stamp. Layer and adhere the papers, starting with the largest and working down to the smallest. Add ribbon. Place three Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the sentiment frame and adhere to the card, centered over the banner strips.

Voila!

Ginny's Cardigan

After about two and a half months of travel knitting, I have finally finished the most complex knitting project I have undertaken, Ginny's Cardigan from The Unofficial Harry Potter Knits (http://www.interweavestore.com/the-unofficial-harry-potter-knits-2013). 

When my girls saw the cover, they both demanded that I make them one. Over the last couple months, I have carefully followed the instructions, looked up things I didn't know how to do, and asked for advice from a seasoned knitter when I didn't understand the pattern instructions. All in all it wasn't too difficult, I was able to figure most of it out quite easily.  

I do most of my knitting in transit, either on a bus during my daily commute,

 or when I am flying or riding in a car or train on long distance trips.

It is a great way to pass time. Especially for a nervous flyer or backseat driver (both of which I am). 

Over the weekend, I blocked it, to even out the stitching, draw out the lace design, and give it the right shape. I had never blocked a project before, and I was a little nervous about getting it right. It was surprisingly easy, quick, and effective. 

And finally, tonight I sewed on the buttons. We found the perfect ones this weekend, they look very Hogwartsy. 

I should mention that my sweater is made using Cascade 220 Superwash in Colonial Blue. It has a lovely soft feel, and it is washable. So here is the finished treasure! 

My Ravenclaw is quite pleased with it and that she got it first! I'm sure my Gryffindor will be counting the days to make sure hers is finished just as quickly as this one. I will do my best. Good thing I have some travel coming up. 

Little Laptop Pouch

After years and years of wanting a laptop, and years of buying them for the kids, but never for me, I finally purchased one all for me! I wanted a little one that would be easy to carry when I travel, so I went with a 10.5 inch screen, and I love it. I searched for days for a little bag to keep it in, but could only find covers for larger laptops. That's when I decided to bust my yarn stash a bit and knit a pouch, but again, I could only find patterns for larger laptops. So I decided to design my own pouch, and here it is!

This is only the second item that I have made up on my own, and the first that I have written out the pattern for. I'm quite excited to share it with you. I wanted cables because I thought they would provide a little more protection. So I went with a standard "rope" cable stitch. Then I put a few columns between to add to the cable design.

It's a pretty basic design, and was quite quick to knit up, just two flights between DC and Detroit (2 hours ish), and a drive between South Carolina and mid-Florida (about 8 hours). This version fits an 11 1/2 by 9 inch laptop, but could be easily adapted for a larger laptop by adding one or more cable column sets and knitting it to the length needed to wrap around both sides of the laptop.

Little Laptop Pouch

Designed by Julie Brewer

Materials:

·         1 skein Chunky (4) Yarn >200 yards

·         U.S. size 8, 24 inch circular needle or size needed for gauge

·         Cable needle

·         Markers

·         Yarn needle

I used Loops and Threads Impeccable in Burgundy

Gauge: 4 stiches per inch

Special Abbreviations

C6F: Slip 3 to cable needle and hold in front, knit 3, knit 3 from cable needle.

Laptop Pouch

Cast on 62 stitches.

Rows 1, 3, & 5 (RS): K2, P2, K2, *P4, K6, P4, K4, rep from * once, P4, K6, P4, K2, P2, K2

Row 2, 4, 6 & 8 (WS): P2, K2, P2, *K4, P6, K4, rep from * once, K4, P6, K4, P2, K2, P2

Row 7 (RS) Cable twist: K2, P2, K2, *P4, C6F, P4, K4 rep from * once, P4, C6F, P4, K2, P2, K2

Repeat rows 1-8 until piece measures 17 inches, begin decrease

Decrease:

Row 1 (RS): ssk, ssk, continue in established pattern until last four stitches, K2tog, K2tog

Row 2 (WS): P2, continue in established pattern until last two stitches, P2

Repeat two decrease rows 10 times.

Button hole row (RS): ssk, ssk, continue in established pattern until middle cable section, P4, K1, K2tog cast on 2 using backward loop, K2tog, K1, continue in established pattern, including decrease Row 2.

Repeat two decrease rows 3 more times.

14 stitches remain. Bind off. Cut thread, weave in ends. Add button.

 

I hope you enjoy this project, and I very much look forward to hearing from you. As I mentioned, this is the first knitting pattern I have ever written, so I would like your thoughts on how I can improve next time.

 

 

Welcome to Cloth, Paper, String Crafts! I have started this blog and this work to provide a creative space for women. We are all busy with the day to day activities that pull us in a hundred different directions. Creative time is time for us to reconnect as women, and to make something unique, and beautiful, and have a little fun. Taking time to play helps us re-center and be better wives, mothers, friends and selves. I hope you enjoy the journey and join me in making a beautiful life, beautiful friendships, and many beautiful memories.