Spin Off Magazine Fall 2012 and My Secret

Well it's not a secret any more.  I submitted an article to Spin Off magazine and they accepted it!  I was very secretive about it because I didn't want to jinx anything until I knew it was definitely in print.  Now I know it is available I'm comfortable telling you about it!  

The article gives the instructions for making my coiled yarn scarves I've also been careful not to put any pictures of them on my blog or anywhere online so unless you've seen me in person you may not have seen them yet.  

When I submitted this idea I also submitted a proposal to Jane Austen Knits for my beaded bags which was rejected.  I was sad about that but only for two or three seconds when I saw that the Coiled Scarves article was accepted!  I have to say it was great working with Spin Off, they were very helpful to me  with writing this article, something I have never really done before!  And I have lots more ideas that I will submit in the future.  Also I discovered that I wouldn't die of the pain of rejection, so I'm ok with that!  If you have ideas for patterns or articles I encourage you to try!  It's fun!  

 You can learn to make coiled yarn by watching Jacey Bogg's dvd Sit and Spin 

http://www.insubordiknit.com/video

or take one of her workshops or read her book!

 If you'd like to buy a scarf I do sell them and will be posting new ones in my Etsy shop soon.  OR if you want to make one using the instructions from the article and you don't spin or spin coils you can purchase coiled and other specialty yarns from me also in my Etsy shop.

So everyone run out and buy the Fall issue of Spin Off!  Or order it online http://www.interweavestore.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Fall-2012.html

 Because it is cool and there are so many great articles to read there.

Also just so you know I am going to be putting some free patterns on my blog in the coming weeks.  So keep an eye out for those!

Shopping the Fashion District and a little sewing project

One of the best things I've discovered in recent years is the Fashion District in downtown L.A.  It is like Disneyland for sewists and costume makers.  On downtown shopping days I leave my house right after rush hour and make my way straight to the roof top parking on the corner of 9th and Maple.  This sets me right next door to Michael Levine-what JoAnne's wishes it was with awesome bins of $3 a yard fabrics as well as all the standard and luxury fabrics- and Mikey's -great for sparkly stretch fabrics that belly dancers love- and the feather store, along with others on my favorite block of fabric stores.

If it's trim you want just walk north-east on Maple to the corner 8th and Maple, there you will find aisles and aisles of trim -the nicest man owns this store...be prepared to be to be thoroughly complimented on your stunning beauty.  Since you have already wandered over there go 1/2 a block to the right and check out all the beads at Berger's.  While downtown make sure you watch out for random vintage bags of buttons and trims that are leftover from the 60's I have found some real treasures.   I have also heard that some people like to go dumpster diving downtown because they find amazing stuff being thrown out...I don't know $1 a yard & $3 a yard deals are good enough for me...I prefer to avoid hanging in the alleys that much.
As far as yarn goes, I haven't found much downtown.  Michael Levine does have a small yarn section but the prices are the same as any yarn store.  But there are a lot of cheap ready made items when you venture out of the 9 and Maple block, especially good if you need crazy yellow boots or a hoop skirt for  a Halloween costume and you don't want to spend a fortune.
When you are ready for lunch make your way back over to Santee between 9th and E. Olympic for the food court.  There used to be a fantastic Indian food spot there, but there are still plenty of other choices that will suffice.  You can use the restroom at the food court for free with your food receipt.  Be warned there are not a lot of restroom choices downtown (you can use the restroom in Michael Levines as well) and if you are fastidious you may want to be sure to bring some hand wipes, this is not the suburbs people!  Lots of germs and smells etc...it doesn't bother me (after all I'm not moving in) but some people may be more delicate.  Across from the food court also on Santee and wrapping around the block towards E. Olympic you will find a row of stores with ready made beaded things, veils, and exotic belly dance type items.  All of the stores take credit cards but if you have cash you can usually do some bargaining -especially great if you are buying for a troupe.  And many of the stores offer an option if you can buy wholesale.  Santee alley is on the other side of Olympic, it's not on my usual path but occasionally I go there if I'm looking for cheap belts or bras and I need lots of them.
                                    

On my last trip I found some calico fabric with a spinner shepherdess printed on it I couldn't resist that!  Just enough fabric for silly placemats! Next time I downtown I will take some pictures to share more visuals with you!

So here is how you get there!

 maple and 9th los angeles - Google Maps

My booty from Convergence 2012

I didn't get to attend Convergence but since it was in Long Beach I had to go!  Robert was sweet and tolerated me and a little shopping.   Now what to make? hmmm...

Labyrinth of Jareth-Costume fun

Every year I look forward to the Labyrinth of Jareth costume ball that is put on in Los Angeles.  I was lucky to have my surgery scheduled after the ball because I bought these tickets months ago.  And in the last few weeks my husband was offered an opportunity to play his music at a show in Westlake the very same night!  I suppose a dutiful wife would have gone to his show but I guess I'm not dutiful.  Instead I bought 2 more tickets and brought my daughters and daughter in law and we made it a ladies night.

There was much tying and tightening of corsets of course....



This year I dressed as a Unicorn!  And since it was also the first night of the Tour de Fleece on Ravelry, I had to do some spinning for "Spinning in the most unusual place" challenge.  I think anyone who spun on a beer bottle at a masquerade ball should have won, but I guess they choose the winner randomly and not by actual unusualness!

 Luckily we have a lot of costumes in our house.  Jade found the parts to make her "Fox" costume and then had Jared (my son) make her a paper mache mask.  Jillian wanted to be a dragon...she made her headpiece.

 Jasmin is a really good seamstress and made herself into a mermaid with all kinds of shells as details.

 I found my friend Adam the Juggler there.

We found the Junk lady from Labyrinth

 And we saw an aerialist by the full moon.

 Every year I see Sean and his friends in their interesting costumes which he designs and makes.

 Well if you saw Spirited away you get this one right?  And of course it's perfect...Jillian the dragon and the spirit...

One day...maybe next year, I will make myself a copy of Sarah's dress (played by Jennifer Connelly) from the movie.  I also love the headpiece she wore, it was so delicate.  This would also require me wearing a fall, I think I can manage that!

Tiny Hats

Earlier this summer I went to do a show with my friend Karma, we saw these little hats and were going to buy some but we forgot...

Then I was sick in bed for 3 whole weeks with bronchitis!  Yuck!  Anyway, I didn't have the strength to deal with a complicated project and all this required that I just crochet and experiment.  It was perfect for my energy level.

I finally hit upon a formula I liked.  I will write up the recipe/pattern and share you all soon!  For now take a look at my tiny offerings.