A Winner, and Weekly Giveaway #6
Hello, friends!
Hope you had a great weekend. It was beautiful and sunny here, perfect for a trip downtown to my new favourite yarn store, The Knit Cafe. I picked up a book I've been looking for for a long time (Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson) and some beautiful yarn. I've got a new project in mind; I needed something small and portable to carry with me next Saturday on the upcoming TTC Knitalong and I think I've found just the thing. I can't wait to get started.
Of course, there is some business to attend to first: this week's winner. Congratulations to...
...Wendy! Wendy is one of many of you who said that your favourite craft for the road is taking pictures to put into albums or on the wall. Wendy, I think you'll get a real kick out of the Unibind PhotoBook Creator Starter Kit and the coupon for two free products (with free shipping) from RocketLife. Keep an eye on your inbox for an email from me.
As for Giveaway #6...heads up, knitters! I've got a copy of Stitch 'n Bitch, a knitting book with attitude, AND six balls of beautiful angora/bamboo yarn from Patons. I've been working on an afghan with this yarn and it's fabulous - I love the bright colours, and the angora/bamboo combo gives this yarn both incredible softness and a lovely sheen. I think you'll enjoy working with it too.
For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favourite craft resource is. Do you have a great quilt shop just around the corner? A yarn store with a knit night? Or do you prefer to order your materials/get your instructions online or from magazines? I'd love to know. As usual, you have until this Friday (June 5) at 5 p.m. to leave your comment; I'll post a winner next Monday, June 8. Good luck!
June 1st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I just love Etsy... for supplies and for inspiration! Locally, a new quilt shop has opened up in town and I find the staff really helpful. It's a small town so there's not much selection but I still shop there.
June 1st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Wow! Thank you so much for randomly generating my lucky number 13! Can't wait to start my Photobook!
As for buying craft supplies, lately I've been shopping at http://www.artfire.com.
I don't knit though: I had to draw the line somewhere!
Thanks again! Your blog rocks! Go Canadian crafters!
June 1st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I'm actually with Emily here. I order a lot of fabric and notions from Etsy. For yarn I love Elann and trading on Ravelry.
June 1st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Hi, Austen!
For inspiration and to learn new techniques I love to browse Ravelry. Of course Etsy is also in the list but I have to be really careful on not spending loads of money there... lol
Martha Stewart's web site is a good one too but several times I end up googling something.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I order by phone (toll free of course) a lot of my crafty/arty things from DeSerres (formerly Loomis & Toles, and from a few other online haunts. After reading these comments I'll be checking out Etsy more often for fabric, yarn and notions.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:22 pm
My best resource is....other crafters! I love to see what someone is working on and then adjust it to suit my needs. My latest project is recycling plastic shopping bags and crocheting new large beach totes!
I have never heard of 'Etsy' before - I love Michaels crafts.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:57 pm
My favourite craft resource is probably the second hand store down the street! I loved trying to find my materials for crafty projects second hand, and combining them with something new to make one-of-a-kind art.
June 1st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Congratulations Wendy!
My favourite craft resourse is the internet! Places like: Canadian Living are great places for ideas, information, how-to, and hints on places to go.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I am always at the library to check out books and magazines for new patterns. I visit several different branches so I get a bunch of different resources! And all for free.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
We have a great store in town not far away, named Sarnia Craft Supply. I got all my daughter's scrapbooking supplies there, and they've always had what I needed, or ordered it in.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
My favorite resource is the internet. I spend so much time online it cuts into my crafting time! LOL My favorite spot is Ravelry, but there are tons of great blogs and websites with lists (like CrochetPatternCentral and KnittingPatternCentral).
June 1st, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I try to support my local knitting store whenever possible. It's great to be able to feel the yarn and see the projects they have on display.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 am
i have a really fabulous family owned sewing store really close to my house, they're my favourite resource for new items. they've been in business for over 20 years, so their kids have all grown up in their store. they also have a lot of old stock, which i love, so i'll go in there and plop myself down on the floor and pull a box of old zippers out from under the fabric rack, searching for the perfect one to match my project. (i'm in there often enough that i know where the extra stock is stored, so i can just get it myself.) they recognize my voice on the phone!
for art supplies, there's an amazing independent art store in a nearby town that i go into almost weekly sometimes. they sell gifts and artist made goods, and in the back of the store they have way more variety of art supplies than you'd ever imagine fit in the space! i've become friends with the owner, and she'll order stuff in for me, or even lend me her own bottle of whatever, so that i can try it first. i love it.
i also use etsy a lot for things that i can't find locally, spend a lot of time thrifting for 2nd hand supplies, and i go into vancouver to dressew for notions, they have an incredible selection.
for idea resources, i love blogs and websites like http://www.craftster.org
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:21 am
My favourite craft source is my sister who always seems to know how to approach a project and what I should be looking for. We both adore Michaels and spend a lot of money in there on everything crafty, such an inspiring place. Good for the artistic soul
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
I think my best resource for crafting would have to be my mother and sister, between the three of us we've tried alot of different crafting projects and when we get together we always end up comparing our latest projects and sharing tips.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 am
My favourite craft supply store is Micheals. Even though they are expensive, I never pay full price. I cut out the coupon from their flyer and only buy something at a discounted price.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
I look to about.com for all kinds of free projects, patterns and ideas. There is everything for beginners to experts. Videos and written instructions.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Since I live in a remote northern community in Ontario, I have to wait patiently until we travel to the city (4 hour dirve)to get to any craft source. I usually have a long list of required items and more often than not I come back home with a little more.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I love knitting and my favorite for patterns, ideas, solutions and yarn is ravelry. Locally, I support my local yarn store which has some yummy yarn and wooden needles.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I get craft supplies from yard sales. other ppls leftover junk makes excellent stuff to create new and interesting things
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
My favorite resource is hands down, Ravelry. Signing up for Ravelry has undoubtedly made me a better knitter (and even a crocheter!
)
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:58 am
It has to be Ravelry.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:40 am
I love buying craft supplies at garage sales and flea markets! You can get great deals and find some really unique supplies to work with!
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I don't have one! I used to live in an area where these were tons of craft shops. Now there is only one near me, and it is super expensive.
However, I can get a lot of alread-made crafts at Granville Island. It is an AMAZING place, and a great place to get ideas.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
My mom. She is the most inspirational resource i know, she is very craft oriented and knowledgeable.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I love ebay. If you can't find it on ebay it may not exist.
Dollar stores are pretty good for beads & scrapbook do-hickeys.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
My favourite craft resource is all the awesome craft blogs I subscribe too! They are always full of new and fun ideas for projects, as well as places to pick up supplies. Yay craft blogs!
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
I live downtown Toronto so there are quite a lot of fabric shops I frequent that have almost everything! I also check out the thrift store a couple times a month for fabric pieces and old moo-moos that might have some nice patterns.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:37 am
I love trolling Value Village, Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. I find that many crafters donate their leftover crafting materials and supplies (I haven't had to buy any knitting supplies since I took up the hobby!) Plus the racks of clothes provide plenty of inspiration for tailoring and reinventing; if it doesnt' quite turn out the way I wanted, I'll rip out the stiches & seams and use the fabric for other sewing projects.
In addition to being a great economical resource, it's very green!
June 4th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
My favorite places to look for supplies are the thrift stores. I love to find old sweaters,blankets, etc. and pull them apart and get yarn from them. The last four sweaters I have knit, have cost me a grand total of $6.00 and that includes buttons. I get much gratification from doing this and feel I am doing my part on reusing-keeping it green.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I have done most of my shopping at Michaels and Frabricland but am on the lookout for a good yarn store in the area.
June 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Well I guess my favorite resource for information has been the net, like this blog. Magazines like Canadaian living, and I live near a thrift store and have found wonderful woolens for felting.
Still want to learn knitting though and those balls of yarn look wonderful.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Shop at many different stores for neat yarns, wool, etc. Even one of our local grocery stores (that stays open 24-7) carries a big line of yarns, patterns, etc. Also, love making scrapbooks for all my grandchildren. Add family trees and a lot of genealogy to each one.
Would love to be the receipient of your 'Bitch & Stitch' book and the angora yarn. Used to knit with angora in my younger years. Thanks for the consideration. Have a great day! Elinore.