Monday, August 3, 2009

Contests and Camp


Hey everybody!!! I know its been a while, but there's tons of exciting stuff happening here. I just got back from being a counselor at a Christian Youth Camp. It was amazing, and God really met us there. I just got my new laptop in the mail today, so I will be able to create more video projects since this one hopefully won't crash on me all the time like my old one did. Speaking of video, I made the finals in a youtube contest sponsored by A1 Steak Sauce. Check out the video and vote here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDPb2553Sc4&feature=PlayList&p=34C8B7D0A978ABF8&index=10
Also, I think I've finally got everything ready for the grand opening of my etsy store! Look for that soon.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I hope you all have a great day, and please be careful if you're shooting off fireworks!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Patriotic Concert Series


Hey! For those of you who don't know, I also play the piano. To celebrate the 4th of July, I'm recording a some patriotic songs and posting them in a concert series on youtube! Thus far, all the songs recorded have been from Catherine Rollin's "American Medleys and Variations." Today's pieces are "America the Beautiful" and "A Star-Spangled Fantasy."
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B4E73A597BF009C0

Coaster Pattern




As promised, here is a free pattern perfect for the summer! These coasters are great to put under any refreshing summer beverage. In addition, it requires crocheting in a round, so if you haven't done that before this is great practice! This is the same basic technique I use to create my hats and dolls; master this, and you'll be ready to try making a hat when the weather gets colder! Also, try using furry yarn for one of the stripes; it makes these really fun and funky. Remember, all patterns are Copyright 2009, Angela Marshall. You may not use these patterns for commercial purposes without first gaining permission. You may, however, print them out and share them with your friends!

Striped Coaster Pattern

Materials needed: ~1 crochet hook. I used size I, but most sizes will work for this project.
~Two colors of yarn if you want to make a striped coaster. You could also complete the pattern using only one color for a solid look. Try using specialty yarn for one of the stripes

1: Do 3 chain stitches. Connect both ends using a slip stitch. Now you have a small loop.
2: Do 2 chain stitches. Now, using the center of the loop as the foundation for your stitches, do 8 single crochets. Use a slip stitch to join your last stitch to your first. If you are making a striped coaster, change colors now. If you are making a solid coaster, ignore directions that tell you to change colors.
3: Do 2 chain stitches. Going around the circle, put 1 single crochet in every odd numbered stitch, and 2 in every even stitch. Use a slip stitch to join your last stitch to your first. Switch yarn colors.
4: Do 2 chain stitches. Put 1 single crochet in the first stitch and 1 in the second. Put 2 single crochets in the third stitch. Work your way around the circle, continuing this pattern. Every third stitch should receive 2 single crochets. Join your last stitch to your first with a slip stitch and change yarn colors.
5: Do 2 chain stitches. Put 1 single crochet in every odd stitch, and 2 in every even stitch. (This is the same pattern of stitches you used in step 3.) Continue all the way around the circle, alternating between 1 and 2 stitches. Join your last stitch to your first with a slip stitch, completing the circle. Change yarn colors.
6. Do 2 chain stitches. Using the same pattern as step 4, work around the circle. Complete the circle with a chain stitch and change yarn colors.
7. Do 2 chain stitches. Put 1 single crochet in every stitch around the circle. Complete the circle with a slip stitch, and complete the pattern by cutting your yarn and tying a knot so your coaster won’t unravel!
8. Protect your furniture in style this summer!

If you have any problems completing this pattern, email your questions to pianofortedesigns@hotmail.com. And, if you finish this project and think it looks terrific, send me some pics! I'd love to see them and possibly post them!
~Angela

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Summer Patterns



Hey! I just wanted to show you some of the cute patterns I'm developing. I'll try to have one ready for tomorrow. These brooches and coasters are the perfect way to use your crochet skills in the summer time, when scarves and hats just aren't a practical accessory! I've also been experimenting with some soft sculpture patterns. If you include some potpourri with the apple's stuffing, it makes your room smell delicious!

Rook and Shadow


Well, due to some unforeseen bank issues I wasn't able to get PayPal set up. So, it looks like I won't be opening my Etsy store tomorrow as I had planned. :( However, I'm taking the time I had planned to spend posting items and working on my novel, Rook and Shadow. The picture is the cover I designed. My friend Whitney (of Generation Gap on Etsy) agreed to model for me. She also chased ducks in the park so I could get a shot of an extended wing. I had hoped to use an actual rook's wing, but every time I get near one they fly away! The ducks, however, were much more hospitable. The picture was taken in a park, although I edited it to give it a more mysterious feel.
All in all, I like the cover. Now I just need to finish the book! When I get a first chapter edited more completely, I'll be sure to post a sneak peak here for you!
Rook and Shadow is a twist on the traditional fairy tales I read and loved as a little girl.
Blessed with beauty at her birth, Princess Sayonra is considered a national treasure. However, she is tired of serving as the court poets' muse. After realizing her parents intend to use her beauty to attract a suitable ruler, rather than training her for the job, Sayonra runs away. Knowing nothing of the real world, Sayonra joins a group of bandits that are determined to overthrow her!
I've been working on this for a long time. Its currently 200 pages long and in its second revision. I plan to self-publish it so I can use my artwork on the cover. I'll keep you posted!
Stay tuned! Since I can't open my store yet I'm going to post some free pattern soon. I'll start with some really cute brooches, a perfect way to accessorize with crochet in the summer without dying of heatstroke. I'll also be posting patterns for some really cute summer coasters. Enjoy your beverages without ruining your furniture!
Remember, all photos and patterns are Copyright 2009, Angela Marshall

Monday, June 29, 2009

Cinderella Doll




In addition to making hats and other accessories, I also love to do soft sculpture. I'm not sure if I'll offer dolls in my store yet because it takes me a really long time to make one, so I would have to charge quite a bit to make it worthwhile. Also, once I've finished a doll, it feels more like a friend than a craft, and I have a hard time parting with them. So far, I've only given them to close friends on very special occasions.
Last year I worked as a costumer at my college with my friend Whitney. (She also has a blog "A glimpse at my world," an etsy store "GenerationGap," and a web show on youtube called "Whitney Sews" (I thought of the name:) ) The school performed Cinderella, which meant we had 94 costumes to make! And, due to the nature of the play, many of those were ballgowns!
Fortunately, we had some help. Several of the school administrators helped us design and create many of the costumes. I'm not sure what we would have done without Dallas and Dr. Hall! To thank Dallas, I made her a doll wearing the dress she designed for the queen. She loved it and proceeded to play with it during the breaks we had backstage. I thought you might enjoy seeing this creation, so here she is.