Angel Play is the first step of a new direction that I am exploring. I've used a serger for years for garment sewing. I've been playiing with using it for "creating" yarn from sewing thread. Here I serged a chain made from metallic and rayon emboidery thread. I then crocheted my thread yarn to make my angel. The angel was appliqued to the raw edge appliqued background.

Happy Groundhog Day ?

I had one eye on Good Morning America this morning, while getting dressed & had to smile when the groundhog had his annual dose of 15 minutes of fame. I didn't catch what the prediction was. I live in Atlanta, GA, where there really hadn't had much of a winter, so I 'm not concerned about when the season would end. However, the groundhog was a sign that I need to start working on my spring wearable art stuff.

I learned to crochet while in high school during the 70's, and made my share of long vests, skirts & bags. I traded in the yarn for fabric when I learned to sew over the summer of '74 . I periodically dabbled, (ie a quick scarf or sweater) when my daughter was young until she was 9 or 10. I remember teaching her in either junior high(I think). I never learned to knit - I tried to learn from the same girl friend that taught me to crochet, but somehow I never got it. Now after discovering these wonderful new yarns, the shows on DYI & HGTV, I have picked up a crochet hook again to experiment in freeform. When I learned what freeform crochet was it was a moment of epiphany. I've always been challenged when it comes to following directions, so I know there have been some freeform projects in my past. At the time, there was no name for the process.

I have noticed that a lot of attention has been given to the knitters, while crocheters seem to be treated like the proverbial stepchild. I am willing to try again to learn how to knit, but don't have resources to pay for a class, or video. That's why this magazine called Easy Knit & Crochet Ideas, caught my eye earlier this week. I like what I see in the premiere issue of the Woman's Day publication. (I had a moment of sticker shock about the $4.50 price - I remember when I could a paperback novel for that price.) It has "how to" articles for both knit & crochet, quick one day projects and a bunch of patterns! I would suggest this magazine to anyone who wants to learn or take a refresher! I'm off to Wal-Mart to buy some knitting needles & maybe some yarn for those spring projects.