LionBrand - Free Obama Finger Doll Pattern

Lion Brand yarns is offering a free Obama crochet finger puppet doll pattern. There's also a McCain doll pattern. You'll need to register on the site and then get the pattern. Enjoy!

Xenobia Bailey now on etsy

Xenobia Bailey (b. 1955) just ROCKS! I once met her when she gave a presentation at Hallmark Cards, Inc., my former employer for seven years. She wore this magnificent crochet coat and shared that she crocheted her suitcase the night before. She stunned the audience with her energy and her immense creativity. She lectured on "funk" that day. I couldn't believe that someone in the audience asked her to define funk! I remember she also told us that she had visions for creating a crochet city. Mind you - this lecture was at least 10 years ago!

I was on the Craftzine blog and came across this photo of this SINGLE CROCHET hut. Arwen O'Reilly shared on the blog that this 1993 piece by Xenobia Bailey was in the group exhibition "Six Degrees of Separation 2" and is titled "Sistah Paradise Great Wall of Fire Revival Tent."

What vision to know you can CREATE a house with yarn! I do wonder what makes the structure stand upright. Where there other pieces that went with this tent or hut?

Just this week Xenobia Bailey shared on her blog that she is starting to sell her crochet hats on etsy (xenba.etsy.com). Best wishes!

Crocheting - Easy Granny Square Swimsuit

Most sistah quilters I know are involved in multiple crafts .... doll making, knitting, or crocheting. Remember making granny squares? There's an interesting blog, Granny-Along, devoted to the squares. Following various links, I came across this granny square swimsuit. I love it! You can download the instructions, I don't know the language, one blogger says its Turkish. I probably wouldn't make the suit (ok, wouldn't WEAR it), but maybe modified as a summer tank top? What do you think?

Sistah Crafter & US Patents

Two-hundred and ten years ago, the US Patent Office issued patent number 572,985 to Julia Terry Hammonds, an African American from Lebanon, IL. As she wrote in her patent application, Her invention "was especially adapted for ladies who use yarn, silk, cotton, and other light materials for knitting and crocheting and does away with the necessity of having some one to assist with holding while winding."

Thanks Julia! I remember my mother asking my brothers and I to hold out our arms while she transformed the loop skein of yarn to balls. My arms wished we had Julia's invention!

Crochet Buffet - delicious!

Today will be a slight departure from quilting news. What a fun joy to visit Crochet Buffet photo gallery - this sister has created a delightful hamburger and fries and more feast (photo).

Crafty Brother Todd Paschall

Introducing Crafty Brother - Todd Paschall. I first became acquainted with Todd's unique crochet portraits in an Atlanta Constitution 1997 article. Todd's works then sold for $250 to $10,000. He won a 2003 People's Choice award at the Crochet Guild of America conference by capturing Billie Holiday in yarn - yes, that's simple single stitch crochet!