To Simplify...

There was a day that I could manage all my little blog categories.

This goes here, that goes there, but I'm just either

too busy, or too old now.

If you follow this blog, and want to keep up with me, scoot over and follow Crush Party because this one is going to disappear soon. I've sorely neglected "me," and Crush Party too for that matter, but here's my posting strategy: 

I'll post on Crush Party when it's more than a picture to share.

My everyday life is on Instagram @champagnemaker.

Crush Cul de Sac will remain my overall tumblr inspiration board.

Counting Stone Sheep is my knitting tumblr inspiration board.

I'll keep my Pinterest boards, mostly recipes and wish lists.

And, last but not least,

Stitch Poet will be there for you knitters until a new Website is revealed.

(such a tease!)

I know, it doesn't seem like much simplifying is going on does it? Especially when you consider that I have a "day" job. (That is a joke to you all that know the midnight candle I burn...ok, 2am candle.) But simply eliminating just one thing makes me feel better. I hate to do it, as this little blog gets alot of weekly traffic even though I'm silent most of the time over here... I think you're using my sidebar to navigate maybe, but I need a mini-me and don't think I'm going to get one, so follow me on CRUSH PARTY if you wanna keep up! Ciao... April is dooms day!

Catching the Spirit!

Remember last year's little penquin painting that

I created for Alexander Youth Network?

I was honored to be asked to contribute artwork again this year!

Help me CATCH THE SPIRIT of the season by purchasing these

cards and make a difference in these kids' lives!

We have some of them @ Cottage Chic on East Blvd!

(You can also put quite a dent in you gift list while you're there!!)

(@CottageChicCLT ~ instagram, pinterest, and facebook!)

"The mission of Alexander Youth Network is to provide quality, professional treatment to children; irreplaceable components of such therapy are love, affection, and compassion. Each year, Alexander serves over 5,700 children with, or at high risk of, serious emotional and behavioral problems often induced by neglect or abuse. A majority of the “kids of Alexander” come from low-income homes, some are separated from their natural families, and many live in the care of therapeutic foster parents."

To learn more about Alexander Youth Network, go HERE.

 Read more about how you can help and contribute to make a difference.

You can Purchase Holiday Cards or even Donate to the Angel Network.

Currently Stitching . . .

Today, someone asked me, "What's on your needles?"

Now, you know I couldn't give just one answer, because

I think every needle has something on it. 

It's a little problem I have, so...

I said, "You mean which needles currently have my hands on them?"

...That would be my 3's...

And this is what's on them.

Manos del Uruguay Serena

Kettle Dyed 60% Baby Alpaca, 40% Pima Cotton

Solid: Color #2318, Multi: Color #7325

It looks like Sea Glass to me!

And no, as usual, I have no idea what the finished

garment will look like, but it's a top-down animal graph.

I'm sure, being on size 3's, that it will take me through the

upcoming Bachelorette season, so we'll just call it Emily for now.

If you follow my knitting adventures, you know I knit at least

one project during the Bachelor/Bachelorette season.

This season was filmed here in Charlotte!

Watch and knit something with me!

What's on your needles?

Counting Stone Sheep!

Hey y'all, I've added yet one more blog to the roster.

This one's dedicated to knitting visual inspiration.

It's a tumblr log of all the wonderful images that fill up my computer.

Again, I'm making space and saving it elsewhere to share with you guys.

Have a visit and bookmark it for when you can't sleep!

~ Counting Stone Sheep ~

Of course I'm still HERE, as in right here.

Stitch Poet Patterns live HERE.

My Crush Party lives HERE.

The After Party, Crush Cul de Sac, is HERE.

I still blog for Rooney Robison Antiques HERE,

and have added an Interiors tumblr for her HERE.

Oh and sorry, sometimes I can't keep it all straight and you'll find a

hand-knit cabled cowl blogged in with a French antique farm table.

Just go browse and I hope you enjoy the eye candy!

How'bout them Dawgs!

Alexander Youth Network

I was recently asked to create a 

Holiday Card to benefit  Alexander Youth Network.

My inspiration came from all of the photos of

bundled Penguins in New Zealand after being cleaned of the oil spill.

"The mission of Alexander Youth Network is to provide quality, professional treatment to children; irreplaceable components of such therapy are love, affection, and compassion. Each year, Alexander serves over 5,700 children with, or at high risk of, serious emotional and behavioral problems often induced by neglect or abuse. A majority of the “kids of Alexander” come from low-income homes, some are separated from their natural families, and many live in the care of therapeutic foster parents."

To learn more about Alexander Youth Network, go HERE.

 Read more about how you can help and contribute to make a difference.

You can Purchase Holiday Cards or even Donate to the Angel Network.

For Molly . . .

...soft pastel on sanded paper...

Extra Baggage!

My friend Page (we go way back to Middle School!) came to our Monday night hen party toting a big ol' fuzzy, green, felted "samsonite" and annouced "HELP" when she waltzed into the room. Yikes...it had these long brown felted handles tied in a knot and a super long loop to catch her beautiful horn toggle. The toggle was the only thing going for this felted project. Of course I said, "Page! hahaha gimme that thing, I'll fix it!" Honestly it took me forever to get to it (sorry Page), but I had a ball once I gave it a "haircut!" (Page, why didn't we take before pics!)

After I trimmed all the wild fuzz away (not a fan of the fuzzy felting..break out a razor!), I immediately cut the long handles off! GONE! Those were bad. I used hemp to wrap the top edge to give it some shape and hide where I sliced off her handles. Tied the long toggle loop in an overhand knot to shorten it up a bit and added some handles from my stash. The animal print is just a bit of free-form needle felting and we decided one side was enough. 

I lined the bag with fabric left over from PrettyStuff's apartment and gave Page plenty of pockets. I added a covered, firm bottom to the inside. I don't like a droopy bag. 

Thought y'all would enjoy seeing the end product

and it might give you some ideas for any unfinished

felting projects gone bad. 

I love the way this turned out!

Love you Page!

Biggy Size the Chip Bag with a KIT!

Knit Picky Yarns in Winston Salem, NC

has KITTED! the Big Chip!

...If you visit their site and can't find it online...

CALL THEM!

Email: knitpicky@bellsouth.net
Phone: 336-768-5599

They did a wonderful job pulling the kits together!

They have a great selection and have even chosen linings!

Another Giveaway . . .

Don'tcha just love free stuff?!

And I get the biggest kick out of giving it away.

The trail starts HERE!

Go Win!

Never Toss a Remnant!

When I shop for the fabric linings for my bags,

9 times out of 10, I'm going to choose a ~ Westminster Fabric ~

...Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Rowan, Free Spirit...

always a winner!

Order Status? SHIPPED!

I'm so excited to see my new stash!

I ordered this Berroco Link which is this gianormous chain yarn

calling for something like size 50 needles!

Wonder if I will even knit this? 

I might just put it in a bowl!

You know how much I love kid mohair... and this was on sale... 

...Queensland Collection Caracara...

I got enough to make the Wrapigan!

What do you think?

The Wrapigan in kid mohair?! YES!

I can't believe it's taken me this long to try that!

...and because it was on sale,

and this color would be AMAZING in my new family room...

Yes, enough for a small throw for the chaise is on it's way!

...and last, but certainly not least...

Berroco's new Boboli

It reminds me of Noro, which I can't get enough of.

I knew I'd have to have some when Debbie @ The Fibre Studio

teased me with it last time I was there.

Again, no idea what I will do with it, but it too

would look amazing in my family room as a throw 

on my robin's egg blue sofa!

I know, I've got some stitchin' to do!

I think the next bachelor season project will have to be a throw.