My Crochet Wish List

I have fun window shopping on etsy this morning. Check out my Crochet Wish List!

It has:
yarns
hooks
stitch markers
patterns
cases
and more!

What I'm Working on Wednesday

Wow, I feel like I haven't gotten anything done this week crochet wise! I'm still working on the same three items for publication and waiting on the edited patterns from my editor. And now I just got the most amazing book in the mail and want to put all my projects down and make myself a fabulous new fall wardrobe!!! But alas, I can't! I have deadlines to meet. THEN I can make myself some new stuff!

What is this amazing book you ask?? Of course it is "Crochet It. Love it. Wear it!" by the amazing and talented Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude! I plan on making "Debra" because I have been looking for a great basic cardigan to wear on chilly mornings. I also want to make "Laurie" because, like the pattern says, "...a criss-cross top like this one is flattering on nearly every woman..." I also want to make "Investing" because I think it will look awesome with my new skinny jeans!!!

Since I've lost so much weight over the past year, I really need a new wardrobe this fall. And this book will help add some fab crochet pieces to it!! I just need to shop around for the perfect yarn since I can't quite afford the amazing ones used in the patterns.

OK, time to clean the house and then off to kickboxing. This afternoon will be spent working on my crochet projects so that I can get closer to making things for myself!! Have a great day!

Fun & Funky Half Hats

I'm happy to introduce you all to my first design in Crochet! Magazine!!! These fun half-hats were inspired last year during a craft show when I saw someone wearing something similar!! I love how fun these are to wear....just think of all the color combos! And best of all....not hat hair!!!

CMT Awareness Week - Donation

Well, I didn't sell as many patterns as I had hoped last week, so I donated a flat $20 to CMT Research! Thanks to all who had purchased patterns during the CMT Awareness Week! We appreciate it! And hopefully they will find a cure or treatments soon!

If you want to donate a little yourself, click HERE!

Thank you and Happy Monday!

What I'm Working on Wednesday

Hello again! It's Wednesday and I've had a busy week!

I'm still working on that surprise design for publication. I'm a little worried that it is not turning out like I imagined, but I'll figure it out!

Just found previews for two new designs in magazines! Be sure to check out my PUBLISHED DESIGNS tab at the top to see them! I'm happy to announce that the Half Hats are my first design in Crochet! Magazine!!!

This week I received some yummy Cascade Yarn in the mail for another design I am working on for publication. And I also got back my AWESOME photographs from Naturally Red Photography for my independently published designs!

I'm also listing some fun and ready-to-ship items in my etsy shop...so be sure to check them out! I have more to list today!

And in my free time....WHAT free time? I am reading a new book. Designing Knitwear by Deborah Newton. I'm not far into it, but am learning a lot. Or at least verifying what I have learned so far. Even though it is written about knitting, it does help with my crochet designing.

OK, more work to do! Hope you all have a great day!

Building Blocks Blanket

Look what I just found on the Crochet Today website!! I love this sweet little blanket!!

Building Blocks Blanket

CMT Awareness Week

For those of you who know me well, you know that my amazing husband Ron...along with many members of his family... has a form of Muscular Dystrophy called CMT. (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) Now, even though the name has the word TOOTH in it, it has nothing to do with your teeth! LOL!! It is actually a disease that affect his muscles and nerves. We are happy to say that our daughter is NOT showing any signs of CMT!!

From the CMTA website:

There is currently no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), a progressive neuromuscular disorder that affects an estimated 2.6 million people, causing them to live with limited ability and mobility, as well as deformities and frequent pain.

But now, more than at any previous time in the history of CMT research, hoped-for treatments and cures have an excellent chance of becoming a reality.

One of the reasons I design crochet patterns is because of his disease. I hope to some day be able to help support our family with my designing income. For this week...Sept 19-25, 2010...I will be donating $1 from every crochet pattern sold to help find a cure! So please, if you ever wanted to try one of my crochet patterns...now is a GREAT time to do it! Check out the link along the top of the page to find out where you can purchase my patterns.

Also, be sure to follow CMT on Facebook and Twitter. I am!!

What I'm Working on Wednesday

How about a new theme on Wednesdays?? I'd love to tell you everything I've been working on for the past week!

Currently, on my hook and for myself, is this great little item from Designing Vashti! My Mr. Stretchy ( I LOVE THE NAME!) is being made from Patons Stretch Socks in Licorice. It's about half way done and going slowly. First because it is still in the low 90's here during the day and I can't seem to think about fall yet, and it's just the same stitch over and over again and I'm getting bored...sorry Vashti!

This weekend I sent 4 new independently published patterns off to my editor and I am patiently waiting for the pictures from the photographer! I hope you all love the new things I have planned to release this fall!!

And now I need to hop into Spring 2011 mode!! I've had one new design accepted for publication somewhere new that I'm really excited about!! I get to use a wonderful high-end yarn for the design and it is a type of item I have never designed before! Watch out!! I am also currently working with another new place to have some patterns published. I believe this one has some great potential!! And, of course, I am busy sending off new design proposals!!

So, yes I am busy. All this plus running my house/family too!

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week - Jusshar

I'm back to featuring some of my fellow designers on the Etsy Twitter Team! This week's shop is Jusshar!! Beth has been a great friend to me for YEARS....I'm not even sure when or where we met online...but she has helped me so much and I'm proud to call her a friend! She is one of my regular crochet pattern testers too! I'm so happy to feature her today!!

One of my favorite items in her fully-stocked knit & crochet shop is this fun red cloche with rainbow flower! My daughter would LOVE it! This week, to celebrate her feature, she is offering % off your purchase when you mention "SOTW" in your purchasing notes!

As usual, be sure to stop by the Etsy Twitter Team blog to read the whole interview with Beth! You can find her etsy shop HERE and follow her on twitter!

Autumn Ruby for Women

Visit Ruby for Women

I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful magazine, Ruby for Women! Their Autumn issue is now available and you will be happy to find a crochet pattern of mine in it. I usually also have a few recipes...but I didn't get any in on time for this issue. There is also a fundraiser going on right now that benefit this wonderful ministry....so if you are a fan of Scentsy items, be sure to stop by!

Ummmm...Hello??

Is anyone there?? I'm sorry I've neglected you for so very long. Life is crazy at times. But I am hopeful that things will be better now.

If you haven't noticed already, the old Jaybird Designs website disappeared a few months ago. My web host fell off the face of the planet and left me high and dry without a website. So over the past few weeks I made it my goal to re-design my blog and use it for my NEW website!! You can now access it directly from www.jaybirddesigns.com! I hope you all like the layout and if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know!! You can contact me directly at jaybird [at] acsol [dot] net.

So now what? Well....I have a bunch of independently published patterns in the works! YAY!! Some of them I am very excited about! Here is a sneak peek of one!-------->

I also have a pattern or two scheduled to come out soon in magazines and am working hard on new submissions! Hopefully I will be dominating the crochet world soon.......{evil laugh!}

I also plan on updating my blog on a more regular basis. I'm not sure I will be able to do it daily, but I will update as often as I can!

So, enjoy your weekend and I'll be sure to post something new on Monday!