Guest Blogger ~ HodgePodge Crochet!!!!

Today we have a special treat for you!!! We have a friend of mine and an amazing talented woman. Tanya from HodgePodge Crochet!!! When I first started REALLY following other crochet sites on Facebook, she was one of the first pages I started to follow. I have loved her work since day one. I was so pleased when she asked if I wanted to do a guest blogger swap I was doing my happy dance. So with out further ado I would like to introduce..............

My name is Tanya and I began crocheting as a young child. I never really had a passion for it but I would marvel over the freehand dolls my mother would create every Christmas, seemingly out of thin air. She didn’t follow a pattern or know what the stitches she used were called. She simply did what she loved and every year I delighted as the small army of dolls she crafted made their way out of our house and into the arms of her eager customers!

These days, her crochet style would be considered freeform by die-hards of the craft and I’m proud to say that HodgePodge Crochet (http://hodgepodgecrochet.wordpress.com) was born out of that organic beginning.

Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time learning and mastering new techniques and building upon my own hodgepodge style to come up with something that represents the crocheter I’ve become. I feel that my style is reflected in every stitch of the patterns I put out. HodgePodge Crochet has become my passion—it defines my very lifestyle—and I mean that quite literally. My blog embodies that journey, and the response from those who read it, or come in to find something new, is what inspires me to write the next amazing pattern.

Ever since I started crocheting, I’ve been drawn to overly textured looks. You can see examples of that with my Diamond Mermaid Cocoon (http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/other/diamond-mermaid-cocoon-photo-prop/13240) 

or my Ari Wrap Wristers (http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/accessory/ari-wrap-wristers/64129). I love the way the light and shadows play on the surface of a beautifully textured crochet piece.

So it seems fitting that I’d do a tutorial on one of my favorites, the tunisian treble crochet stitch.

HOW TO WORK TUNISIAN TREBLE CROCHET

Ttc: Tunisian treble crochet: Forward: Yarn over twice, insert hook—from right to left—into front vertical bar of next st, yarn over and pull up a loop through st, [yarn over and pull through 2 loops] twice, leaving last loop on hook.

Return: Yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, *yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, repeat from * to end.

If you’d like to work a fun neck cuff project with this stitch, head on over to HodgePodge Crochet (http://hodgepodgecrochet.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/ripple-stitch-nuff/) for a FREE pattern!

Where you can find HodgePodge Crochet:

Email: HodgePodgeCrochet@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HodgePodgeCrochet

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HodgePodgeCrochet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHodgeCrochet

Blog: http://hodgepodgecrochet.wordpress.com/

Online Forum: http://hodgepodgecrochet.forumotion.com/

Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/user/400300/pattern-store

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/hodgepodge-crochet-designs

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thehodge

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/TanyaNaser/

 Check out my guest blogger spot over at HodgePodge Crochet!!!

I shared all my clay coloring tips. You won't want to miss it!!

Happy Crafting


Stephanie

Feature Me Friday ~ Week 6

This week I am excited to share with you the very first crochet blog that I started following.  She was also the one that helped me get my first big fan rush on Facebook when I entered into a giveaway of hers as a vendor.  I have learned a lot since I started following her and really look up to her as an yarn artist. This past  December she did an a post on adding labels to finished crocheted items that you sell in your shops. I found it to be so interesting and I can't wait to do this for myself.  So lets give a big warm welcome to Tanya from

Adventures in Label Making!

"For those of you that might not be aware, crocheters (or really anyone for that matter) who creates items designed for children are expected (by US law) to label them. The law actually went into effect August 14, 2009 and basically says:

…manufacturers…have (to affix) a tracking label or other distinguishing permanent mark on any consumer product primarily intended for children twelve and younger. The tracking label must contain certain basic information, including the source of the product, the date of manufacture and more detailed information on the manufacturing process such as a batch or run number. The scope of this provision is quite broad in that it applies to all children’s products, including, but not limited to, items such as clothing or shoes not just toys and other regulated products.

You can read more about the law here: Tracking Labels for Children’s Products

Now, a lot of people might look at that and shy away from it because basically–everything you make that is intended for young kids HAS to be labeled…and that can get expensive. But it really doesn’t have to be! If you have access to a printer, a graphic program (you can use paid ones like Photoshop or free ones like GIMP, or Sumopaint), some plain white ribbon, T-shirt transfer paper, and a hot iron–you’re set!"

To see the actual process on how Tanya created her handmade labels hop on over to her Blog Page to get the details. You can also follow her on her Facebook Page. 


If you would like to be featured here on Feature Me Friday's than please send me a few good quality photos, a description about yourself, your item you would like featured and what inspired you to make it. Also include a link to your blog post and any other links you would like added.
 Email them to smalltowndreamz@gmail.com   subject: Feature Me Friday



Happy Crafting,
Stephanie

Giveaway Kickoff

Let's kick off the weekend right!!!!!

Today starts is the first day of the Smalltown Dreamz Celebration Giveaway! Entry Details and the Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway can be found by clicking on the Celebration image below. I will be giving away 2 free patterns of winners choice. The winner that gets to pick their patterns will have 1 year to choose. I hope you get a chance to enter. I look forward to another great year with you all.

Also in some other giveaway news I am a vendor in the HodgePodge Crochet Giveaway. Details can be found by clicking on the giveaway image below

 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and even though I don't have to really worry about to much, I am still feeling behind. I do have 2 local craft shows coming up here Dec 1st and the 8th. I am so excited. This will be my first round of craft fairs that I will participate in. I have to admit I am a bit nervous but I have decided that even if I don't do well at those, I will try again at some different shows next year. 

Well I hope you all have a great weekend. What projects will you be working on?

Happy Crafting,

Smalltown Mama

Giveaway Reminder

Pattern Giveaway and a Celebration!!

Just a quick reminder that I am contributing in a massive giveaway

 over at HodgePodge Crochet. She is celebrating getting over 2000+ fans. Hop on over there and say hello and sign up for some amazing prizes! There are over 80 vendors!!!!! How exciting. For the giveaway I will be giving away one of my patterns. (Winners Choice)

Click on the photo below to quick link over to HodgePodge Crochet for all the details. 

Good Luck to everyone who enters and CONGRATULATIONS again to HodgePodge Crochet on getting to 2000+ fans!!

Happy Crafting

Smalltown Mama

Pattern Giveaway and a Celebration!!

I am so very pleased to be helping HodgePodge Crochet celebrate her 2000+ fans by giving away one of my patterns in her MASSIVE Giveaway. You have to go check it out. There are so many fabulous vendors. By clicking on my giveaway photo below you can quickly be linked over to HodgePodge Crochet to get the details on her wonderful Giveaway!

Good Luck to everyone who enters and CONGRATULATIONS to HodgePodge Crochet on getting to 2000+ fans!!

Happy Crafting

Smalltown Mama