Ah Mother's Day, what a bittersweet holiday this is. If we still have our moms with us, do we love and forgive, and if we have lost our moms do we remember with joy and happiness?

My mom passed in 1998 and each year I have struggled less and less with this decision. I now can easily go right to the joy and happiness of her ever-present memories and not focus too much on the loss and separation that death tries to pin our relationship.

Mom was the best at "just being there".  She was ALWAYS there even after going out on my own, she was always just a phone call away.  "How do I boil an egg?"; "Will bleach hurt my blue jeans?"; "Will my broken heart mend?".  And she was there to patiently comfort, instruct, encourage (and many times to rebuke). 

One of her favorite sayings was "I won't take credit for your successes if you don't blame me for your failures".  She was humble that way, never going around bragging about her kids, but always filled with pride for each and every accomplishment we were making on our own. 

Most of all she taught me to be gentle -  because everything in this world is fragile from friendship to work to hugging your mother.  It all should be held gently and cared for as precious.

Don't you love her handwriting? She was a lefty.

There are two things that represent the years I was blessed with Mom's presence: coffee and crochet. 

She taught me to crochet when I was five years old and I took to it quickly.  I mostly just used up her odd scraps of skeins and made a bazillion potholders.  My abilities grew and we helped each other figure out some of the most complex crochet designs I had seen even to this day.  And during the period when she went through some major challenges herself I sat with her and we crocheted and I listened as she worked things out.

Even though Mom didn't finish high school or have a "career" she worked hard to make sure that all her kids had the essentials like food and clothes.  But the one thing she could afford was to go for coffee with her sister in our little town.  As a young boy I would go along of course and pretend that I was reading a book but I was really listening to my aunt talk about her husband, and how hard work was that day, and mom would look so happy and safe there.  As I grew into a teen we would go for coffee just her and I and we would talk about how hard school was that day, and mom would look so happy and safe.  All was well as long as the bottomless 25 cent cup of coffee was in front of us. 

Now I do know how deeply Mom touched me growing up.  Her passing has left a large hole in my heart that I'm convinced even all these years later, will never be filled again.  When I look into the emptiness there, the quiet void where once there was a comforting voice and strict admonition I can start to smile now because I'm filling it with one of the biggest gifts she ever gave me: crochet.  And I hope she would be proud.


Mom and I when she came to visit me in Mexico, circa 1994

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I got my copy of his new crochet design book when I was at CHA (the Craft & Hobby Association) trade show back in January! So yes, mine is signed to me so you can't have it.

Here are a few of the 13 garments to choose from! (click image for biggy view)

Shannon did a great job pulling together this urban collection and his partner Jason Mullett-Bowlsby did all the book design, layout and photography too!! What a team!!

You can get more info and see how to order the book here:

So, I can offer up two copies of Urban Edge, and to enter all you'll need to do is leave me a comment on my blog below - this time to celebrate the urban, I want to hear which is your favorite city and why.  Giveaway will end one week from today and the winner will be chosen using a random number generator.  Good luck!

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If you have ever had the opportunity to spend even a few moments with Kathy (aka Crafty Chica) you most likely have never forgotten it. Her warmth, happiness, joy, and generous spirt surround her and everything she does. She is truly one of the best influences on the craft industry that I have every encountered. In my effort to collect all things Crafty Chica, I got my hands on her wonderfully inspired book: Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life.

The result: I want to listen to Mana and go face down in vats of glitter for the next three years...

Seriously.

Anywho, for those of you who haven't heard about La Chica, she is an award winning blogger, accomplished reporter, best-selling author, and entrepreneur extraordinaire! You can find her Latin inspired products from Michael's to Lowe's! 

Within this gorgeous full-color book she has packed lively, colorful and inspiring projects that you will want to make as gifts. Or better yet, make them for yourself (you deserve it!) and then make them for gifts.

For those  of us who love everything Mexican (I once lived in Guadalajara, Mexico for five years), this book reminds us of the richness of the culture with its brilliant colors, mixture of textures and celebration of life. For those of you who are not as familiar with the Mexican culture, hang on because you are in for a lot of fun. (And if you are ever in Houston I make awesome chilaquiles!) 

*all images clickable*

Having said that, I needed some visual and tactile stimulation/inspiration. What better place than at a fabric store? The colors, the textures, the atmosphere, all get my creative engine running! Here are some photos of fabrics that really turned me on this time:

*all images clickable*

I know publishers would love it if I were to do book reviews the moment I get my hands on a new book, but alas, i would love it if the tree in back yard would grow $100 bills and my cats could help me crochet the projects that are due last week.

Anywho.... here is one of my fave recent books! And by recent I mean from 2008. Just saying is all.

by Christen Haden, aka NeedleNoodles

Haden explains that the inspiration for this book comes from her love of zombie movies.  And this passion has served her well for this book is a delight. I mean c'mon, who doesn't love a crocheted monkey with a vest & fez? 

You will also learn to make many other Creepy Cute Crochet projects including a Devil, a Queen Vampire, Skeleton Bride and Groom and Cyber Zombie - 20 patterns in all!!

Here are the details of the book:

Hard cover: 96 pages - 20 patterns

Quirk Books (April 1, 2008)

English

ISBN-10: 1594742324

ISBN-13: 978-1594742323

Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.5 x 8.8 inches

These are really fun projects, but perhaps not for beginner crocheters as you need to know basic stitches, spiral crochet and how to make amigurumi base shapes, which are Japanese-inspired crochet and knit stuffed dolls. Having said that, won't it be fun to bump your skills up a notch with little project such as these?

The patterns are in both written and chart form and are easy to follow with step-by-step diagrams, commentary and full-color photographs. Each pattern indicates difficulty.

I like that Haden put in Tools of the Trade to get you started on the right path. Her useful instructions cover just what you need to know such as how to make fringe-type hair, polymer clay eyes, color changes, clean bind offs and the Magic Ring start.

Haden also provides abbreviations, a stitch guide for patterns, information on hooks, yarns and instructions on stuffing and joining pieces.

How often to you get a crochet book that has a heading like this one: Embellishments and Weaponry. 

For more information on this fun crochet book check it out here:

Even my sister Dawn showed up wearing one of my designs! 

I had a booth that included all my products for sale and what a hoot to be able to be there and talk to everyone that stopped by! 

*all images clickable*

The dude on the left looks spookily like my brother, and I had to make him take a photo. The entire weekend I would look up and jump because I kept thinking my big bro was there! The next photo is from the Where Women Create booth where they had the pages from my eight page spread displayed. That issue is still on the newstand and you can also get it here. Then there is the woman who showed up wearing her original vintage Isaac Mizrahi crocheted sweater. It was so beautifully designed and constructed. The goofy dude on the right, well, you know who that is.

One day I was able to get out of the market and go to the fashion district with my friend Brett Bara. So much fun! 

And in case you are one of the few people who don't watch Project Runway, that last photo is taken inside Mood, the fabric store that they use on the t.v. show. It's huge, and amazing, and I wanted to move my studio into the back corner permanently. But Brett wouldn't let me even ask! Can you believe that?

Then of course there is an infinite number of ways to have fun in New York City. If I were 23 I would do whatever I could to live right in the middle of it all. It's a great city to explore!!

Yes, yes I did eat my way across Manhattan...

I was also able to hand out lots of postcards that I created just for the event...just saying.

I kinda wish the cruise were this weekend! I could use some pink sand beaches and turquoise water right about now!!