Lazy Angle Ruler

I have been on a quilting kick lately, it must be the change in temperature because I have not touched my sewing machine since June.  I have been reading lots blog posts and looking for new patterns.  In my searching, I came across and really cool ruler called Lazy Angle Ruler.

I bought it as a kit, pattern book and ruler, from Soft Expressions which included a book entitled, Lazy and Lovin' It by Lazy Girls Design's Joan Hawley for $39.99.  If you know me, I LOVE new quilting rulers!  It's almost like an obsession!

 

I had some free time this weekend to try it out.  Here are my samples:

 

Lazy Star

Paddle Star

Hollow Star

I was playing around with some 5" scraps and I made these blocks.  They are very easy to make and assemble.  This is a fun ruler with lots of potential!  The pattern book has 250 blocks you can make using this ruler.  The possibilities are endless!  I'm so happy I bought it!

 

In case you are wondering what I am going to do with these blocks, they are going into Hershey's quilt.  Whenever I make a block trying out a tool or ruler, I put it aside for him.  When I am caught up on my projects, I will put them all together and he will have his own quilt made especially for him!

T-Fal Iron Review

This iron, T-fal Ultraglide Easycord Ceramic Soleplate Steam Iron, is the second iron that I have owned in 5 months (but that is another story).  When I went to get the replacement for my first one, I read lots of reviews on the irons available at Kmart (that's where the first one was purchased and they were accepting it as a return).  Here it is:

 

I love how it sits on the cord.  I am a quilter so I was looking for an iron that produces a lot of steam to help take out the wrinkles from my fabric.  Another feature that I wanted was a smooth bottom.  This was the fabric did not get caught up in the recessed holes.

 

It is also a smooth ceramic plated bottom.  It glides over the fabric with ease!

 

The cord does not swivel but moves up and down so it is not in your way when you are ironing.  It also has a large opening for filling with water.

 

Overall, this is a great iron for only $39.99.  It has not leaked (yet) and is working like a charm.  If you are in the market for a new iron, for quilting or every day use, I would recommend this one!

Herstyler Grande Hair Professional Curling Iron Review

I was approached in by someone in the mall recently to try out some new hair product by Herstyler, a clipless curling iron and a ceramic flat iron.  I really liked the results but the cost was obnoxious, $150 for one for $200 for the set.  So when I got home, I googled it and found the same clipless curling iron on Amazon for $25.  Here is the one I bought:

 

 

I have poker straight long hair of medium thickness.  Here is the back of my hair naturally:

 

 

I have always wanted curls and/or wavy hair but the curls never take or stay.  I am also hair challenged and I have never been able to use curlers or a curling iron with positive results, plus I am impatient.  So I used the Herstyler curling wand for the first time the other night when I got home from work after it arrived.  Here are my results:

 

 

I found this to be relatively easy to use!  I was able to accomplish these results in about 20 minutes with little effort.  All I did was wrap about 1 inch of hair around the barrel with the tip pointed down so that the barrel could not be seen.  This produced nice tight curls instead of waves.  I did not anything to my hair before or after curling it.  I did this around 5:30 at night and when I went to bed at 10, it is super wavy.  By morning is was still a little wavy and would have needed some major touch ups.

 

I would highly recommend this clipless curling iron!

Crochet Hooks from Polka Dot Cottage

A few weeks ago, I began to see an ad on the bottom of Ravelry for Polka Dot Cottage.  So I clicked on it and got lost in Lisa's world of crocheting.  What a cool blog and store!  So I splurged and ordered myself some custom made crochet hooks in the sizes that I use most for amigurumi (E, G and H).  After anxiously waiting, they finally arrived today.  Here they are:

 

 

Aren't they very pretty??!!  I love the granny square pattern so much!  I am very happy how they came out!  I chose Boye crochet hooks with thumb rests.  I have been using my "naked" Boye hook lately and it will feel so much better with a polymer clay handle.  I used it for over 2 hours last night without a problem.  It is nice to hold and it is super smooth!  I love crocheting with them!

Thanks Lisa for making them for me!

 

My Memories Suite Review and Giveaway

I was recently contacted by Liz Gardner, a representative from My Memories, about giving an honest review of their digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite, in exchange for a free copy of the software to keep for myself.  Plus as an extra bonus, I am able to give away an additional copy to one of my blog readers.  Are you interested?  Keep reading to find out how!

MyMemories Suite 3 is the #1-rated scrapbooking software.  Here are some reasons why:

• Create in minutes.  Fast, and easy to use. Simple enough for beginners, yet powerful enough for a serious scrapbooker.
• Make it Easy.  Setup and cleanup are as easy as the exit button. And the savings over traditional scrapbooks is huge!
• Speaks for itself.  Video, music, and narration can bring all your memories to life.
• So, go ahead, show off!  Countless ways to share your creation with family and friends again and again—and again.

Making a Scrapbook

MyMemories Suite will help you create your beautiful pages from scratch or build an entire album using one of the many professionally-designed scrapbook templates provided within the scrapbook software. A large collection of papers and embellishments are also included and available at your fingertips to help you make each page uniquely your own.

If this were any other scrapbooking software, you might be finished. But with My Memories Suite, the real power-and fun-of this software is just beginning. There are so many ways to save and share your memories, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

Affordable

With over 1,500 papers, over 1,000 page elements, and over 30 album templates (including 10 new for v3), MyMemories Suite lets you hit the ground running with your very own scrapbook or photo album in a matter of minutes. It’s easy-to-use and affordable—and compatible with both Windows and Mac computers. Don’t put off your important memories any longer, add MyMemories Suite to your shopping cart now.

You can make a beautiful scrapbook an interactive memory experience for anyone who sees it. Use simple one-click options to enhance your scrapbooks, with music, narration, video, and even the Internet. Go beyond pictures by showing off video of the birthday party, or record a narration to capture the memories that pictures alone cannot. With My Memories Suite you simply don't look at a scrapbook-you experience it!

I downloaded my copy of My Memory Suite and I found it easy to use, navigate and to create my own custom digital scrapbook pages instantly without much difficulty.  Here are some simple sample pages:

My cousin, Jessica, had a baby on Friday.


Here are the new parents on the left and the new grandparents on the right.

I used Sweet Boy Quick Page and Home Sweet Home Wordart along with a flourish that was included in the software to make the above pages.

I used Rescue Me Extras free kit to make this page.

Then I decided to try a quick page and I added my own journaling:

I used Snowflake Winter Page Sample kit to make this page.

It was fun, easy and addicting!  I instantly wanted to keep making more pages but I had other things I should be doing too!  LOL!  All of the pages above were created using some of the free kits available from My Memories.  Currently, there are over 200 free kits available to fit your scrapping needs.  Check them out for yourself over at Free Kits!

So would you like to win your own copy of My Memory Suite digital scrapbooking software?  Please leave me a comment telling me what you like best about the My Memories Suite software along with your email address to contact you if you win.  The contest will close on Sunday, November 18th (on my 40th birthday)!  Good luck!!!

If you are not the lucky winner, you can purchase your own copy of My Memories Suite through me and save $10 by clicking on the banner below or on the side of my blog, costing you only $29.97!

My coupon code is: STMMMS7100

A special thanks to Liz from My Memories for contacting me and allowing me to review this amazing digital scrapbooking software!

Crochet Hook Comparison

Today, I am discussing a few different types of crochet hooks that I have in my collection.

Boye Aluminum Crochet Hooks

These are the ones that my mother always used so these are the ones are learned on.  They are reasonably priced at under $2 each and come in a large variety of sizes.  They are available everywhere from Joann's, Michaels, AC Moore to Wal-Mart.  I have been using these for a while until December when I started getting a cramp in my hand from crocheting too long while making Christmas presents.  I needed to look for alternatives.

Clover Soft Touch

These were the help I needed from my cramping hands.  These hooks feel weird in your hands at first but I got used to them.  I was able to crochet longer without a problem.  These are priced between $6 and $9 each and come in sizes C through J.  These are available in craft stores like Joann's, Michael's and AC Moore and on-line at various knitting websites.

Knitter's Pride Aluminum Hooks


Then I discovered these!!!  OMG, I'm in love!  These also solved the hand cramping like the Clover ones but are not as ackward and feel more natural in my hands.  These sell for $2.99 each and are available at Web's on-line or in Northampton, MA.  These are available in sizes B through J.

After Christmas, I purchased the full set of Clover Soft Touch hooks.  Then I ordered a size 7 crochet hook from Knitter's Pride to give it a try since I did not have that size.  After using it, I needed all of them!  So I sold my Clover ones to someone on Ravelry and bought the whole set of Knitter's Pride hooks at Web's this past Saturday during my recent visit!  I am so glad that I did!  These are amazing and comfortable!

Knitter's Pride Tunisian Crochet Hooks

I wanted to write a review of my newest toys, Knitter's Pride Tunisian Crochet Hooks, that I purchased from Web's in Northampton, MA.  Here they are:

Here is a single Tunisian crochet hook:

Product Description: Knitter's Pride Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Set includes US sizes E, G, 7, H, I, J, K, and L. This set also contains 4 cables (one 24", two 32", and one 40"), cable connectors, 8 end caps, 4 cable keys, and a clear vinyl case. These beautiful hooks are made of strong, lightweight wood with a polished surface that ensures effortless glide and a groove that prevents stitch slippage. The hooks come in a palette of beautiful colors that are easy to identify and organize. The resilient, no-kink cables easily connect to the hook tips with a smooth join that enables superior stitch glide without snagging.  They sell for $54.99.

OMG, these are the smoothest crochet hooks that I have ever used!  I love how they not as slippery as metal hooks but not as grippy as bamboo.  So far, I have only made 3 dishcloths with these hooks but I found it to be a pleasant experience.  I also love how each hook is a different color for easy identification.  The size is stamped on the hook and is engraved on the nickel base so you don't have to question the size.  This is a plus over my Knit Picks knitting needles that are not stamped.

To use with this set, I purchased one set of 40", 47" and 60" cables.  I also purchased some other hooks that were not included in the set.  They are the size F (3.75 mm), M/N (9.00 mm), N/P (10.00 mm) and 12.00 mm.  Two of them are on backorder and should be arriving soon!

I am going to try using these hooks to learn knooking too!  I'll let you know how that works out later on!  I would highly recommend these hooks!!!

KNITFreedom Ebook Videos

I thought I would share some recent knitting purchases with my fellow knitters that follow my blog.

I subscribe to the KNITFreedom newsletter.  It is great!  She has tons of helpful videos for newbies and seasoned knitters alike.  The videos help explain how to correct common knitting mistakes, shares free patterns and even teaches new techniques.  I received a 25% off coupon via email yesterday on single videos so I purchased:

1) How to Knit Continental Style

2) How to Knit Faster

3) Beginner Socks - Top Down (2AAT)

I purchased all of these through Ravelry!  You can also get them through the links above.  I personally bought them through Ravelry so I could have them saved into my ever growing library!

I started watching some of the videos for learning to knit continental style.  I think I need to finish my current projects first so that I don't get confused.  If it is as wonderful as it claims, I am going to be so happy!

I have already learned how to make two socks at-a-time from the top-down from 2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern! by Melissa Morgan-Oakes.  But sometimes it is harder to do learn from a book than from a video.  I have been wanting to make a full sized pair of socks (I've only made the sample socks so far) using this method so this ebook will be very helpful!

I was also able to save all these ebooks on the home page of my iPhone just like an app.  I now have these videos with me away from home.  Thanks Liat for your help with Knitting Faster!  It is working now!

I have used "Learn Magic Loop" Video E-Book and "Toe-Up Socks: One Or Two-At-A-Time On Magic Loop" Video E-Book with great success!  Liat explains everything throughly and precisely and her voice is very gentle.  I am so happy I discovered KNITFreedom!  I don't think that I would be the knitter that I am today without it!

Yarn U - iPhone App Review

I received the Yarn U app for my iPhone for free in return for a review from Mary Beth Klatt, the app owner, through Ravelry. 

I played around with it last night and it is quite interesting!  It lists tons of yarn by brand name or by weight and has all the specifications about it in one place along with a link on where to purchase it.  It is quite helpful!

A cool feature is that there are pictures of the yarns.  If you have ever been into a large yarn store (I live in Massachusetts so Webs is local to me - don't be jealous!), it can be very overwhelming in finding something specific.  Knowing what the label looks like is very helpful!  Another cool feature is that users can post comments about the yarns listed.  Some comments listed were regarding current sales, wearability and quality of the yarn.  It is helpful to have in case you were trying to decide between yarns.

My only complaint is that there are many brand names and different products within them that are not listed; but a nice variety is available. For example, they have Knit Picks yarn available (which is my favorite place to buy yarn lately) but only 12 types of yarns are listed when there are so many more. I know, there are tons of yarns out there and I cannot expect all brands to be listed.

I would like to suggest adding some of the more inexpensive and readily available brand names found at Michael's, AC Moore, Joann's and Wal-Mart such as Lion Brand, Red Heart, Caron and more.  As a newer knitter (I began knitting in January), I still have a hard time spending money on expensive yarns for my every day projects.  I will often try a new pattern on Red Heart before diving into some hand dyed yarns such as Dancing Dog Dyeworks that I have splurged on.

Another suggestion would be to have the ability to compare yarns.  Often times, as a newbie, I want to get the suggested yarn for a project.  If I could compare it to another one, it could simplify the process of finding a substitution.

Overall, I think that this is a very useful app for anyone who knits or crochets.  A special thanks to Mary Beth for allowing me review this app for her!  :)

New Toys!

On Wednesday, hubby and I went to Northampton, MA to have lunch at Sakura's Japanese restaurant.  We are both on vacation this week and came home from Lancaster, PA early due to the enormous amounts of rain from Saturday to Tuesday and about 2" per day perdicted until Saturday.  So we came home.  Since we were headed to Northampton, I was able to go to Webs for a little yarn shopping.  I got 2 skeins of Plymouth Sockotta yarn for me and 2 skeins of Valley Yarn Northampton Bulky to make hubby some wool socks.  Plus while I was there, I bought myself two new toys:

It is a plastic and metal umbrella swift and a Royal ball winder.  Here is the link to it from Web's store.  I have been eyeing a ball winder for some time.  Also, since I have bought some hanks of sock yarn thanks to Knit Picks sock yarn sale a few weeks back, I needed a swift to help me wind them.  So far, I have only played with the ball winder.  I love how it makes round "cakes" of yarn that feed from the center.  Boy am I going to miss winding my yarn by hand and making my infamous egg (it was supposed to be a ball but it never is).  I am really happy with these two products and I would recommend them to anyone who is in the market to purchase them!

Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Needles - Product Review

I really loved working with the circular needles for the market bag project.  I found them to be more comfortable than straight needles and I do not hit the cat or the bearded dragon in the head with the ends!  LOL!  I wanted to get some but if I was to buy them individually between all the needle sizes and different cord lengths, it could cost a fortune.  So I did lots of research and discovered Knit Picks Options Interchangeable needles.  I purchased the Try It needle set that contains a size 6 Harmony Wood, size 7 Nickel Plated and size 8 Zephyr Acrylic needles along with (2) 24" cords, (4) end caps and a cable key for $19.99.

My needles arrived on Wednesday and I took them out to play right away.  I used each one for 30 minutes by casting on 10 stitches and did several rows of knits, purls, yarn over and knit 2 togethers using 100% cotton yarn which I have been using the most lately.  This way I got a feel for how each one handled all the stitches and techniques that I use regularly on my favorite yarn.

I used the Zephyr size 8 first.  When I was reading some forums about this needle, the biggest complaint was that they squeaked.  It was recommended that you wipe down each needle with warm soapy water before using them.  I did that and I did not hear any squeaking!  I loved how light they felt in my hands.  The fact that the needles are clear did not bother or confuse me while knitting.  I can see that it will be helpful when working with darker yarn.  The needles are super pointy and sharp which comes in handy since I have a tendency to knit tight.  This needle will be great if I decide to try knitting something lacy in the future. 

Next I used the Nickel Plated size 7 needle.  I loved the little bit of added weight above the Zephyr needles.  This needle has the same sharp tip as the Zephyrs.  It is a little slicker but I have always liked using metal needles when working with cotton yarn since the yarn does not have much play.  I also liked the fact that the whole needle is all one piece unlike the other two where there is the metal base and the different material inserted into to it for the tip.

Finally I used the Harmony Wood size 6 needle.  I did not like this one at all.  This needle was too sticky when working with the cotton yarn.  It also felt too delicate to me and I was afraid of breaking it when I tried to knit 2 together.  Also, the colors within the wood grain bothered me and looked too busy.  I had a hard time focusing on the yarn on the needle.  This needle is not for me!  Phew, they are the expensive set!  LOL!

After trying out all three types, I really wanted a full set of the Zephyr AND Nickel Plated needles.  Since I purchased the Try It set, Knit Picks sent me a promotional code for $10 off a full set of Zephyr needles before my Try It needles arrived.  So for $39.99 how could I resist??!!

I bought the full set of Zephyr needles along with a size 15 needle, 40" cables, view sizer and clear needle cable case.

Then it gets even better!  I was surfing on Ravelry and I saw a post under the Knit Picks Options group that someone was selling a full set of Nickel Plate needles, some even unused, for $60 including shipping!  I had to grab it for that price!  Now I have both sets that I loved!!!!

Knitting needles are a very personal purchase.  You can read all the reviews and forums about every brand out there, but you do not know what works for you until you try it yourself!  I would recommend checking out your local yarn store to see what they have in stock to touch and try.  If you do not have local store, then I would recommend purchasing the Try It needle set from Knit Picks.  These are the most reasonably priced interchangeable needles on the market.  They offer a great well-made product and even better customer service with a one year replacement warranty.  Since the needles in the Try It set come in the most common sizes, you will use them even if you don't buy a whole set or you will have doubles of the ones that you use the most if you do.  These three needles will not go unused in any knitters collection of needles.

If you are end up purchasing any of these needles from Knit Picks, please take a moment to watch this video from You Tube on how to use the cable key.  When I first screwed on my metal tips, they kept unscrewing until I tightened them the right way.  Now they do not even move!

Happy knitting and shopping!

Denise Interchangeable Needles - Product Review

Well I thought I had my mind made up about which brand of interchangeable needles to buy, but I was totally wrong.  I went to my local yarn store, Mt. Laurel Yarn Boutique in Sturbridge, MA, to get more information and to see first hand what they had to offer for interchangeable needles.  They had Denise, Hiya Hiya, Addi Click, Rosewood Interchangeable by Plymouth Yarn and had Clover but it was on the way and not in store yet.

It was very nice to see and touch all these brands of interchangeable needles in one place.  Plus the store was very quiet so I was able to ask lots of questions without feeling like I was hogging their time.  The owner uses Denise as her primary needles while the other woman used the Hiya Hiya.  The owner said that there are several regulars to her store that use Denise needles religiously as their primary needles even some busy knitting teachers.  I told her that I did not mind spending the money for quality needles that will last.  She still recommended the Denise needles to me.

Here are some things that sold me on the Denise interchangeable needles before even using them.  The set included needles from sizes 5 to 15.  It also had six cables from size 5" to 19" along with 2 connectors to make them longer and 4 end caps to save your project or make them as straight needles.  This whole set was only $50 in a nice storage case.  Denise offers a lifetime guarantee!  If anything ever needs to be replaced, I can bring them to the store OR contact the manufacturer myself for a replacement at NO COST.  Finally, and probably the most important selling point to me, the are made in the USA!  In addtion, I purchased the companion set (in lavendar) and the size 19 needle.  I will be getting the size 17 needle too but they were out of stock.

After switching out the fixed circular needles that I borrowed, I was able to play with them for over four hours.  Here is a picture of the just about completed bottom of my hexagonal market bag:

I had some difficulty using the longest cable by itself since I did not have much room to play.  So I squished it together and added a connector and another cable.  This worked much better.  As you can see, I am using two different sized needles right now.  I am completing the knit row using the 10.5 needle from the 5 needle.  I just twisted it off and changed it.  I will be knitting the mesh part of the bag next with both of the 10.5 needles until I get to the top.

By the way, I was bad on Monday.  I bought the rest of the accessories for the Denise needles.  I got all of the long cords, to do Magic Loop, in 30", 40" and 52", size 17 needles, size 10.75 needles and the Denise organizer in red.  I am so glad that I tried these needles and did not follow the advice of several other reviews and forums.  I am very happy with these as they are functional and were not super expensive even after buying all the accessories.  I would highly recommend these to anyone in the market for interchangeable circular knitting needles!!!