TREASURIES!!

WOW!! I think this is a record!! I just found myself on 4 different etsy treasuries!! THANK YOU!!!

Brace Yourself
C'est l'amour, non?
Happiness is...
...Purple Nurples

I'm the Etsy Twitter Shop of the Week!!

Check out this awesome feature of my etsy shop at the Etsy Twitter Team Blog!! And be sure to TWEET it up!!!

Vote for Me!!

One of my etsy groups, The Eclectic Artisans Team, is having a spring contest. My newest item, the Pink Blossoms Wrap, is entered. Please stop by the BLOG and vote for me!! PLEASE!!! Mine is #1.

UBP Winner

Thanks to everyone who commented on my Ultimate Blog Party Post. I had my mom pick a number between 1-12 and she choose 7! Congrats to Mommyof2Girlz!! You have won any finished item in my etsy shop valued up to $25! Please let me know what you would like!!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment!! Sorry I was so busy this week...but I have been having a wonderful time visiting with my mom!!

Etsy Trunk Show!!

I am going to be in my first etsy trunk show tomorrow!! I will also be going first....so get there on time!!! You can read all about it on the EART Team Blog!! Hope to see you there!

Yarn Goodies and Doggies!

Ok, so I think I have the coolest neighbor and friend, Michelle!! (You can see her in my newest free crochet pattern!)

So....my birthday is in a few weeks...and my mom is visiting this week...so Michelle decides to throw me a small family birthday party yesterday!! It was so sweet!! She wanted to do it now because my mom is here! We had cake, balloons, and a huge gift basket of YARN!!! And I am drooling over the Spring colors!! I think I will be making an afghan for my house out of them. Anyone have any cool pattern suggestions???

Also, I wanted to let you all know about the new category of products in my etsy shop! If you have four legged friends, you'll love these items!! Right now I only have some collars listed, but I plan on adding some crocheted sweaters and maybe even some treat!

Ultimate Blog Party 2009!!

It's time to PARTY!!!!

The Ultimate Blog Party has started over at 5 Minutes for Mom!! YOU need to check it out!! There are so many AWESOME prizes to be won!! You can even win any woman's hat in my etsy shop (valued up to $25)!!! How cool is that!! Click on the banner above to find out how to enter!

And just for fun, if you leave a comment here, I'll even enter you in a drawing for any finished item in my etsy shop valued up to $25!! Just tell me in the comment which item you would like and be sure there is a way that I can contact you in the comment. Contest is open to US and Canada residents only and includes shipping! Winner will be chosen on Friday the 27th at noon MST.

Have fun visiting all the blogs!! See you at the party!

Sneak Peek

On it's way to the magazine!

The Video from Last Night

I'm going to be on TV!!

If you are local to Grand Junction, be sure to watch NBC, KKCO channel 11, tonight at 10pm!! I was interviewed for a story that is scheduled to run tonight!

If you are not local, you should be able to watch it LIVE by using THIS LINK or click on the logo above. Remember, the time here is Mountain. So if you want to watch the 10 o'clock news, that would be 9pm Pacific and 12am Eastern.

I will also be on LIVE tomorrow morning at 5:30 am!! (4:30 Pacific, 7:30 Eastern) Wish me luck getting up at 4am!! LOL!!!

Now I'm off to raid my closet to find something crocheted to wear!! LOL!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

March Free Pattern ~ Great with Jeans Poncho

Here you go!! The new free pattern for March 2009!! I designed this poncho for myself and absolutely love it!! I hope you all do too!!

Again, please respect my copyright at the bottom of this post and if you want the PDF copy, you can download it here.

Great with Jeans Poncho
by Jennifer J. Cirka, aka Jaybird Designs
A fun, asymmetrical poncho to dress up those casual jeans.

Materials
• Approx. 900 yards sock yarn (Sample shown in Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn, 75% Washable Wool/25% nylon, 1 ¾ oz (50 grams)/ 215 yards, color- SY-800
Sonatina, 5 skeins.
• US G-6 / 4mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers

Finished Size
One size: adult large

Gauge
21 sc / 16 rows (in Puff Stitch pattern) = 4 inches

Skill Level
Easy
Special Stitch Pattern
Puff Stitch (Pst): YO; (insert hook in specified st and draw up a loop to height of a dc); [YO, insert hook into same st and draw up a loop to height of a dc] 3 times. YO and draw through all 9 loops on hook. Pull snug to close. Pst made.

Poncho Front
With MC, ch 66.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch1 sp); *Skip next st, Pst in next st. skip next st, dc in next. Repeat from * across. Turn. (16 Pst, 17 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch across. (65 sc)
Row 4-87: Repeat rows 2 & 3, placing markers at row 55.
Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends. Block to 14x29 inches.

Poncho Back
With MC, ch 66.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch1 sp); *Skip next st, Pst in next st. skip next st, dc in next. Repeat from * across. Turn. (16 Pst, 17 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch across. (65 sc)
Row 4-61: Repeat rows 2 & 3.
Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends. Block to 14x20 inches.
Sewing Instructions
Sew row 1 of the poncho front to row 1 of the poncho back. Referring to the schematic, sew other ends together as follows: Sew point A to point D, and sew point B to point C. Be sure to match sc rows of front piece to dc’s in back piece.

Schematic

Neckline
With RS facing, attach yarn with a sl st to the seam at the row 1 joining.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in same sp as joining and evenly sc around neckline by placing one sc in the end of each sc row and 2 sc in the end of each Pst row. Dec at neckline “V”. Join with a sl st to first sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, do not turn. Sc in same st as joining; *dec over the next 2 sts, sc
in next st. Repeat from * around. Joinwith a sl st to first sc.
Round 3: Repeat round 2.
Round 4: Ch 1, do not turn. Sc in each sc around. Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends.
Optional Fringe
Cut 66 pieces of yarn 14.5” long. Using three strands at a time, attach fringe at 3” intervals around hem of poncho.

Copyright
This pattern is for personal use only. You may not reproduce, transmit, or distribute this pattern in any form without author consent. This consists of ALL parts of the pattern including, but not limited to, images, diagrams, and text. You may print out copies for your own, personal use, but they cannot be distributed for free, sale, or through any form or any venue, including, but not limited to, photocopying or other electrical or mechanical means, recording or any other information storage and retrieval systems. All violations of this copyright are punishable by law and include fines and/or imprisonment. © Copyright 2007-2009 Jennifer J. Cirka/Jaybird Designs. All rights reserved.

Edited Patterns!

I am now in the process of having some of my patterns professionally edited. So far I have two done, the Garden Trellis Neck Wrap and the Going Green Tote Bag. If you have previously purchased one of these patterns and would like new -edited- copies, email me at sales [at] jaybird-designs [dot] com. All I ask is that you answer a simple question for me so that I can verify that you already purchased the pattern. Then I will be happy to send you a new copy!!

Happy crocheting!! Hopefully I will be able to post my new FREE pattern this week!

Introducing...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

...the newest "official" member of my extended family!!

My favorite aunt, who is more like a sister to me....she is only 8 years older than me, adopted her second child this week!! Cora and her amazing husband Glen are now the official parents of two!! They make the cutest family!! They've faced many ups and downs with these two, but the Lord has given them the strength to get through!

I so wish I could've been in California for this special day! I love you guys!!

More Cuties!!

I just received these great customer pictures today!! Aren't they adorable???

Lisa over at This Yummy Life of Mine asked me to make matching hats for her two kiddos!! I LOVE these pictures! Check out her blog to see more!

And Sandy sent me pictures of her granddaughter wearing the striped sweater that she made for her. OMG!! I am LOVING the hair on this little girl!!!

Crocheting and Knitting in School

My father-in-law just sent me this neat article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette!! It's about a school that starts teaching sewing, knitting and crocheting in Kindergarten!!!

READ the article

Now....to see if they have a school like this near me, LOL!!

Wanna hear me???

Check this out!!!

And the winner is....

First Place Finished Item-#4 Leprechaun Hat by Charlene
SmartStart one hour business consultation
Autographed copy of Top-sy Turvy by ME
Surprise box of yarn/crochet/knitting goodies
Handmade soap from Mollycoddle Soaps


Second Place Finished Item-#6 Sweetheart Sweater by Wendy
Knitware Software
$20 Jaybird Designs Gift Certificate
Tea to Go Wallet from Sidhe Designs


Third Place Finished Item-#8 Pink on Pink Glamour Girl Scarf by Crystle
Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten AND First Grade Books
$10 Jaybird Designs Gift Certificate


Thanks to all who entered and played!! I will be contacting the prize donors today and if you do not hear from them by Friday please let me know!

***************And I will soon be sending everyone who entered and not placed a $10 gift certificate to my site!******************

Random Drawing Winners
Handmade Soap from Mollycoddle Soap-#80 memoriesforlifescrapbooks
Handmade Scarf from JusShar Designs-#43 AmandaSue
Tiny Tote from AggieBags- #63 TiLT
Baby Beanie from Monarchdancer-#47 jasmine
$10 Jaybird Designs Gift Certificate-#37 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug)

Treasury #2!!

WHooo Hoo!! I find myself in another pink themed treasury!!! UnravelMe has some really sweet crocheted items in her shop!! I am loving this halter pattern!! Thanks for including me!

What a Day!!

OH my!! What a day I had today!! I woke up this morning to an email from my local NBC station wanting to interview me! We set up an appointment to meet at my LYS tomorrow morning!! Well, after last weeks interview, I realized that my hair looks like crap....so I needed to get it cut!! I couldn't find my friends new phone number, so I jumped in the car and drove to her house! LOL!! Boy, was she surprised to see me at 9:30 am on her doorstep! LOL!! We agreed that she would come over later today and cut my hair. WHEW!!

So, since it is Monday, I headed home to clean and do laundry. While I was crocheting and waiting for her to arrive, the phone rings. One of my local radio stations saw my interview from last week and wants to feature me on his radio show!! And he wants to come over in half an hour!!! Well, I don't know about you...but I clean in my scrubbies clothes....plus everything else was in the wash!! HURRY! HURRY!! Make-up....throw on some still damp jeans...pull my hair up!

He arrives to tape me and takes tons of pictures, LOL!! And then my girlfriend arrives to watch. The three of us chat for over an hour!! All the while he is taping bits and pieces for a 1.5 minute show! LOL!! He leave ready to adopt a Greyhound!! LOL!!

Then I get my hair cut! We end up chopping off about 4 inches! WOAH! But it looks much better. Only wish we had time to color it too! OH well. Now, to figure out what to wear for the TV interview tomorrow!! YIKES!! Maybe I'll crochet me a new belt tonight....

OK, so that was my day. How was yours?? I'll post links to the interviews when they come up!

I'm in a Treasury!

One of my EART Teammates featured me in their spring themed treasury!! So I'd like to feature one of her favorite items here on my blog!!

Pnkgreeni makes some of the sweetest handmade cards I've seen!! Right now my favorite is this "Thanks for all you do" card!! I adore the little flowers with jewel centers!! Be sure to check out all of her amazing cards! added my pink bobby pins to her

The Ugly Hat

It's finished! Hope it's ugly enough for her, LOL!!

Last Day to Vote and Win!!

And boy is this contest close!! Be sure to vote here for your chance at winning some great prizes!

And speaking of prizes, have you checked out this software yet from Knitware?? I've been messing around with the free downloads and boy is it cool!! Did you notice that she is also offering all of my readers a discount on a purchase??? You can get $5 off with the code JBD05!!! How cool is that!

And have you had the chance to check out the "Let's Get Ready ..." Books?? I sure wish I had these last summer when Heather was getting ready for Kindergarten/first grade! I'd love to get my hands on a copy just to look through them...but whoever wins them will have to tell me more about them!

So, hurry and get those last minute votes in!! I can't wait to see who wins!

New Items in my Etsy Shop!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Let's Make a Deal!!

Today, if you see anything in my etsy shop that you like, make me a deal!!! BOGO??? % off? Barter/trade?? Contact me and let me know! I really need to get rid of some of this inventory!! There are lots of cool stuff for babies, children and moms!!! Lots of hats, great gifts, and more!! You can convo me through etsy or email me at sales [at] jaybird-designs [dot] com.

My Mom's "Challenge"

So I get a call from my mom today:

Mom - "We're having an ugly hat contest at work in two weeks, think you can crochet me an ugly hat?"

AN UGLY HAT!?!?!?!?! Now that goes against my nature...hmmmm...of course I can do it...but...did she realize this would be a challenge for me?

Any suggestions???

Crochet Chat!

I thought I'd just talk today about crochet stuff that is going on in my life.

I just finished this adorable baby blanket for a friend. I love how it turned
out!! I used this
pattern by InnerChild Crochet and this
one
by Beth Parsons. The yellow and white are NaturallyCaron Spa and the blue is
Sinfonia.



I'm also currently working on my new free pattern for March. I hope to get it
out late next week because I need to get to work on a pattern for publication.
All I'll tell you about the free one is to start looking for your favorite sock
yarn!

I'm also busy stocking my
etsy shop with lots of finished items. I got all my inventory back from The
Pink Zebra and now I need to list it all. There are some great deals!! And if
you see something you like, make me a deal!! I'd love to get rid of some of this
stuff....I have no idea where to put it all!!

And I'd like to introduce you all to Miss Mimi!! Isn't she the sweetest??? I've
been in need of a good head manni for a long time now....and I finally found the
perfect one!! Now, if only I could find a cute child sized head manni! LOL!!

Lately I've also started listening to the Getting Loopycrochet podcast by Mary Beth Temple! Unfortunately I don't get to listen to it live on Monday nights, but I love listening to it on Tuesdays or Wednesdays while working on the computer. This week her guest was Amy of Crochetville and I loved last weeks interview with Vashti on crochet fashions!

OK, enough blabbering for now! I need to get back to listing on etsy and working on my new crochet pattern!! Happy crocheting!

Video Added!!

They added the video to my interview!!

See it here!

I was interviewd!!

For my local newspaper!! There are currently a few errors in the article, but nothing major. Hopefully she'll fix it soon!

Read it here!

Contest Sponsors - Etsy Shops

Some of my great friends have offered to sponsor my contest with prizes from their etsy shops. So I thought I'd feature some of my favorites from their shops!! You'll find excellent quality knitted and crocheted items, fun and whimsical soaps, trendy yet functionable tote bags, and a lot more fun items!! Go show them some love and HEART their shops! Or better yet....make a purchase and tell them Jaybird sent you!!

March is National Crochet Month!!

Hip Hip Hooray!!! I just love March!!!

For those of you who don't know, March is National Crochet Month! And to celebrate, I have marked all my original crochet patterns down by 20%!!! You can now get some AWESOME deals on those few patterns that have been on your wish list!

Look for them on my website and in my etsy shop.

What are my other plans for this month?? Well, I'll be having a Crochet Open House at Tangle Yarns on the 12th! I'll be signing copies of my book, helping people learn to crochet, and offering demos. Plus.....and this is my favorite....I am teaching Heather to crochet!!!! Last night we sat down together and I taught her how to chain. She did very well for a six year old beginner! LOL!! Her chain ended up over 3 feet long, so I just tied it together and she is wearing it as a necklace, LOL!! Our goal is for her to make 2 dishcloths for Mother's Day to send to her Grandmas!! How sweet!!

Ok, back to my project! Happy crocheting!