Episode Four - The Fold Line and Knitting Pipeline Recap

Episode Four of the Bag Bliss Podcast and other announcement....

Episode 4 of the Bag Bliss Podcast - click here

Recap of the Knitting Pipeline Cornerstone- 

The Weather in Washington Ill was seasonally warm but cool in the mornings and nights. What a charming little town! We mainly congregated in the Washington Room which was part of the Cornerstone Inn. We ate our included dinners in the Washington Room and had one group dinner at a local restaurant who accommodated the entire group and had amazing chicken and pasta dishes.

One of our "break out" classes was learning the Knit Companion app which is available on the iTunes App store for your iPhone and iPad. The KnitCompanion Class was led by, Debbie, debr57 on Ravelry, but other retreat attendees all joined in offering their knowledge of this great knitting app which helped all who participated. There is a free version of the app as well as a paid for version with loads more options. The paid for version is 9.99 for a year subscription. I can confirm the Knit Companion App works in Airplane mode on your iPhone or iPad making it very useful to access your patterns while you are traveling. 

First ever Vendor Market with two project bag vendors - Prairie Bag Works and MariaElenabliss, as well as some wonderful raffle prizes which included a much coveted fall color way gradient yarn set from Karen Grover of Sevensistersarts. Karen also graciously gifted each of us a small sample skein of her yarn. Thank you so much Karen. And while we are on the subject, please leave a comment on the Third Episode of the Bag Bliss show notes to win a full skein of Sevensistersarts yarn in her NEW color way in her Meridian base fingering yarn in the Cripple Creek color.

Also, part of the retreat, was a much anticipated lunch at Paula's beautiful home! I know Paula sometimes describes the area where she lives and her back yard full of nature, on her podcast, but truly nothing can compare with being there. Fall was at its peak off her lovely deck and we were able to see the chickadees and other birds which visit her bird feeders as well as a fox which came to visit us. Our lunch was so yummy and included some special deserts which had us guiltily going back for seconds. We brought our knitting and were able to see shawls which Paula had knit or designed. We also had a demonstration of the iron Paula had mentioned in one of her podcasts the Euro Iron 1000W which was amazing. Some of us took turns being interviewed by Paula for her podcast, so if you would like to get a flavor of the day....you can click here! 

A few of us who attended had joined and finished our Summertide MKAL Shawls by Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade. Many others had joined the MKAL and were in the process of knitting their shawls but had not finished. The finished shawls were inspirational and Summertide Shawl in particular by Isewfor4dance (on Ravelry), inspired the purchase of a special skein of speckled yarn during our Yarn Hop at the Cornerstone Retreat! I will be using my skein to make the Elowen Shawl by Judy Marples .

The other announcement concerning the MKAL Summertide is it will close tomorrow, October 31st and there are some great prizes to be won. So if you haven’t yet finished, I hope you will be motivated by the skeins of yarn from of Skein and Meadow yarn, The Bliss Bag from my Etsy shop in the Tokyo Train Ride fabric. Link to MKAL Sponsors!

Knitting: 

2. Third Whispering Island Shawl in SevenSistersarts Atlas worsted weight 100% Corridale yarn in the Platinum color way. Karen Grover's lovely yarn is on SALE!!! So please follow the links on this blog to get some of your very own! I am making this one out of worsted to get the biggest shawl possible and this one is for me. I have already gifted my first Whispering Island and will gift the second Whispering Island in Arcadia yarn for the Holidays.

1. Also on the needles, it the Oak Flat Road Shawl  by Romi Hill in her new book  New Lace Knitting , Designs for Wide Open Spaces, in Quince and Co Tern. I have chosen to knit mine in two colors..I am knitting the neck or border of this shawl in a darker tern…Wampum and the body of the shawl in Dusk. The original shawl is made from Q & Co Tern in the Kelp color way which is a rich gold. The instructions and chart for Romi’s patterns are amazing and clear and once you finish one of her shawls you will be impressed with not only the shawl itself, but your knitting ability and yet, step by step it is interesting and relatively easy to knit..I promise..I highly recommend this book which promises hours of great knitting and beautiful projects.
2. Continuing on the needles- I made good progress in the Ravi Jr. I am making for my youngest granddaughter, Mia. Ravi Jr. is a pattern by Carol Feller, of Stolen Stitches. I have knit the Ravi sweater for myself and my Mom and now knitting the child version for my granddaughter out of Q & Co Tern in the Wampum and Dusk color ways. making it two colors. 

Sewing:  There were lots of compliments at the retreat for my new Combo Top- from the Handmade Style Book by Anna Graham and the Sorbetto FREE sleeveless top pattern by Collette. I also entered this with my first Whispering Island Shawl as an ensemble in the Curious Handmade Wardrobe Challenge. And hope you have joined this event on Ravelry. The Handmade Wardrobe Challenge was discussed at the KP Cornerstone retreat and many who attended entered and posted their fO’s in the thread and spoke about being inspired to start sewing or dust off their sewing machines and begin sewing again…thank you Helen…you truly are inspirational The Curious Handmade Wardrobe Challenge will also end tomorrow October 31st, so if you haven’t posted your pictures of your challenge be sure to do this on the Finished Object Thread on the Curious Handmade Group in Ravelry. Also, Helen is offering her annual Knitvent Collection for pre purchase right now, at a discount for this wonderful Collection of six patterns including two Shawls.

The biggest news in Sewing is the creation of a "Ravelry like" community Sewing site called TheFold Line. Make sure you join the community and get your fold line ID as soon as possible. I am also mariaeb on TheFoldLine. So think of Ravelry when it first started, but for sewing. There will be free patterns. So sign up to socialize, keep up to date with sewing news and make friends. 

If you love podcasts I highly recommend a new Sewing podcast called Seamwork Radio. There are currently three episodes on iTunes and they are wonderful interviews with various sewists. There is also a blog and a Seamwork magazine for you to subscribe to.  

So, to recap: 1. Curious handmade challenges, Summertide MKAL and Handmade Wardrobe Challenge both closing tomorrow, so post your Finished Objects

2. Check out the KnitCompanion App for a wonderful way to follow your knitting projects and stay on task.

3. The new book by Romi Hill is a great addition to your knitting library, this book is by Interweave Press

4. Register for TheFoldLine to keep current on sewing news and patterns as well as make new friends

5. Leave comments on the show notes for Episode 3 of the Bag Bliss Podcast for your chance to win a skein of SevenSistersArts Meridian base yarn in the CrippleCreek color way. I will keep this open for another week to give others a chance to leave a comment and will randomly draw for this skein and announce on the 5th episode of the Bag Bliss podcast. 

6. Remember to sign up for the Bliss Bulletin my Newsletter, join the Bag Bliss group on Ravelry, Like the FB page to keep up with specials and news from my Etsy shop and follow the MariaElenaBliss IG posts and subscribe to the podcast. 

Have a wonderful weekend, a great new start to November and happy sewing and knitting!  

Music for the show “Springish"was provided by artist Andi Gillicuddy with his permission from freemusicarchive.org site. Andi is a young guitar artist and lives in Germany. If you love his music check out his site: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/gillicuddy/Plays_Guitar/

Third Episode of the Bag Bliss Podcast...and Give Away!!!

New Combo Top with Whispering Island Shawl

Hello, Everyone and thank you for joining me today! Episode 3 of the Bag Bliss Podcast,  "A Rolling Stone Gathers no Moss", is now live and you can either link from the MariaElenaBliss FB page or you can click here. In Episode 3, I wax on poetically about the Indigo/Shibori Class at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat, which Karen Grover of Sevensistersarts held for us. She had two sessions in which she so patiently guided us through the history of this fun new art and helped us decide what "design" or "relief" we would like to use to dye our silk scarves. I cannot wait to wear mine and after a final rinse which Karen explained mine is ready to wear! If you would like to see pictures of the dyeing process use the #kpmaine and you can see those along with general pictures of the fun which was had at this wonderful retreat! You can see my Indigo Dyed Silk Scarf on the FB page.

Thank you to Needlesbythemarsh, one of my Project Bag Club customers and winner of the Third Prize in the Where in the World Is MariaElenaBliss Contest on IG, for coming to the vendor fair and meeting us! It was a true pleasure to meet you in person! The contest continues, so if you have a MariaElenaBliss Project Bag, make sure you post a picture of the bag and yourself or you latest knitting project on IG with the hashtag wwismariaelenabliss (#wwismariaelenabliss) for your chance to win a project bag from the shop on December 31, 2015! The person who posts the most pictures, wins!!! It's that easy!

Knitting Needle Notes: Off the needles is my MKAL Summertide Shawl by Helen Stewart. There are so many gorgeous shawl pictures of the MKAL Ravelry spoiler thread and I encourage you to take a look at those and if you would rather not have your shawl be a mystery the pattern is for sale and you can purchase and start knitting your shawl with a picture of the end result. There will be several Give-Aways for this MKAL and MariaElenaBliss will be providing a Bliss Bag in the Tokyo Train Ride Fabric for one lucky winner! 

Off my needles is the Whispering Island Shawl also by Helen Stewart. After a long hunt for just the correct yarn I found my skeins of 100% Cormo DK in Portland Main at Port Fiber. A picture of the Shawl is the first in the show notes along side my "Combo Top" and I can hardly wait to wear both to the Knitting Pipeline Cornerstone Retreat in Washington, Illinois on the 21st of October! And yes, folks this is why I feel like a Rolling Stone! Not only is the shop super busy filling orders from the 2015 Project Bag Clubs, orders from the Maine Retreat, Etsy Orders, but I am also getting ready for yet another wonderful Knitting Pipeline Retreat! YEAH! I will be knitting the Whispering Island Shawl again, it was such an enjoyable knit! And soon gorgeous! Be sure to knit this one in a DK Weight yarn to get the results shown.

On my Sewing Needles: The 2015 4th Shipment of the Project Bag Clubs are being created this weekend along with all the extras! Thank you so much to my very patient club members for allowing me to take my time to get this shipment to you! 

Off my Sewing Needles: Are the orders from the Knitting Pipeline Maine Retreat vending, some super large orders from the Etsy Shop and my "Combo Top". I am so excited and proud to have been able to create this top, which fits so nicely and here is what I did:

I was originally going to make the Tunic Top from Anna Graham's new book Homemade Style, but after some thought, I decided to make the Tunic Top so I could wear as a dress instead of a tunic, and did not have enough of the fabric I purchased to add length. What I loved most about the Tunic, besides the placket front were the sleeves. I used two patterns to create the top shown above. 

I had a FREE pattern for the Sorbetto Top from Colette.com patterns which I had already made in a voile fabric and loved the fit of this top. Soo...I put on my brave hat and laid the two patterns one on top of the other matching waists and shoulders and viola, a Combo Top! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the results. Now, when I was matching, I was careful to match the two pattern at the waist and shoulders, the neck was a bit higher on the Tunic Top, but that was exactly the way I wanted the top. If you would like more instructions on how I got this done, let me know (email:mariaelenabliss@gmail.com) and I will post pictures of how I did this on my next blog!

The fabric I used for the Combo Top is Helen Luckett Bakers' Double Gauze in the Plus Dots in Plum color and I purchased this from Stashfabrics.com.  In the meantime download the Sorbetto Top with its lovely front placket and get started sewing! You can see many pictures of the Sorbetto Top on the web! 

The Give-Away!!! Thank you, so much to Karen of Sevensistersarts for this lovely skein of fingering weight yarn in her Meridian base and her NEW Cripple Creek color way (click here for picture of her three new yarn colors)for one lucky blog comment to win! Simply post a comment on this show note and I will randomly choose a winner once I return from the Knitting Pipeline Cornerstone Retreat at the end of October. That gives you plenty of time for your comment and lots of time to check out Karen's other beautiful skeins. Either introduce yourself and let me know how you are enjoying the podcast, share any pattern you might make with this lovely yarn, or let everyone know if you have used Karen's yarn before. But most important, please, please leave me information on how I can contact you if you win! Best of Luck!!!!

I will be sending out a Bliss Bulletin early next week! Please sign up for the Newsletter to receive a 10% code good in MariaElenaBliss Etsy shop. Be sure to forward the Bliss Bulletin to your BFFS (Best Fiber Friends) and share the fun! 

Follow me on IG, FB and don't forget to join the Bag Bliss Group on Ravelry.

You can contact me at: mariaelenabliss@gmail.com

Happy Knitting and Happy Sewing and as Always, Thank you for finding my Bliss!

Episode 2 of the Bag Bliss Podcast - "My Bags are Packet and I'm Ready to go!"

 The Bag Bliss Podcast... a podcast where sewing and knitting joyfully unite!!!

 Follow me on Ravelry, Instagram, FB and Etsy as MariaElenaBliss. Use hashtag: #wwismarielenabliss to win prizes at the end of December 2015!

Knitting: 

1.Wildflower Cardigan by Alana Dakos of Nevernotknitting using Cascade 220 in the Heathers color # 2438 which is a greenish heather 

2.Barley Hat by Tin Can Knits from Sundara Merino Worsted in Blue for my daughter

3  Summertide Shawl MKAL by Helen Stewart  curious handmade on social media and Hellsbells on Ravelry. If you haven’t joined is MKAL you are truly missing out! There is still time as we have all just received Clue 2. 

4 Rose City Rollers ankle sock pattern  by Mara Catherine Bryer (free on Ravelry) and will be knitting them for my Mom for Holiday gifting and using Sundara Fingering Merino I have in my stash. Using size us1/2.25mm dpns and making the small size. I great pattern for sock pattern for South Florida. I may knit another pair for her out of Arne and Carlos Regia

Sewing: Chambray Dress from the Handmade Style Book by Anna Graham and her Caravan Tote and matching Clutch to use for my travel and projects. I will be using the clutch for storing the Rose City Rollers ankle sock pattern (free on Ravelry) and will be knitting them for my Mom for Holiday gifting and using Sundara Fingering Merino I have in my stash. Using size us1/2.25mm dpns and making the small size as my Mom has very tiny feet. I great pattern for sock pattern for South Florida and I will make her a matching Pillow Case out of Liberty Lawn upon my return.

KP Maine Retreat: My Bags are packed and on their way to Kennebunk before me- If you are near Maine on Tuesday Sept. 22nd. join us at the Franciscan Inn on 26 Beach Avenue for the vending fair!!! Paula has opened the vending fair for anyone who would like to attend...such great news!!! Listen to the latest Knitting Pipeline Podcast for information on time and parking options at the Franciscan Inn. Hope to see you there!

Indigo Dyeing : Clara Parks and Knitter’s Review Newsletter I will be taking a piece of fabric to indigo dye and using to make a project bag! 

Susan B. Anderson: workshop of her dolls she designed for Quince and Co. Mary, Millie and Morgan…soo cute. After making Susan’s Spud (sheep...see picture) I can’t wait to tackle one of the little darling dolls!

Remember to sign up for the Bliss Bulletin my Newsletter and receive a 10% discount code in my Etsy shop! 

Music for the show “Springish"was provided by artist Andi Gillicuddy with his permission from freemusicarchive.org site. Andi is a young guitar artist and lives in Germany. If you love his music check out his site: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/gillicuddy/Plays_Guitar/

Hello, everyone,
and welcome! Happy Labor Day to all my U.S. readers. Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and day off of work. The First Episode of the Bag Bliss Podcast is now live...YEAH! I have wanted to start a Podcast for a long time and here it is. Hope you enjoy this first "attempt" and will come back for more. In this first Episode I announce the winners of the Where in the World is MariaElenaBliss Contest on Instagram (IG). I discuss the upcoming Knitting Pipeline Retreat in Kennebunk Maine, the guests which will attend the retreat and I review two NEW books for you...one sewing (bag making) and one knitting (Lace). Here are some links I discuss:

Bliss Bulletin (Subscribe for a Discount Code in the shop!) Newsletter
Praire Piper - On Ravelry
Susan B. Anderson - Blog
Hannah Fettig- Knitbot, Hannah Fettig Stashbot (Apple App.)
Handmade Style Book by Anna Graham of Noodlehead
Lace Knitting Designs for Wide Open Spaces by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
Bag Bliss Group on Ravelry

Thank you for finding my Bliss!!!
ps please comment on the new Podcast Episode!

Fall is right around the corner!

Happy Tuesday!!! Hope your week is going great and you have had some time for your favorite craft!
Thank you, thank you to ALL who have purchased and continue to purchase my AT Last Shawl pattern on Ravely! I can't wait to see ALL you finished Shawls! Please make sure you post your finished or in progress shawls on the pattern page so we can all see! I will be posting a picture of a larger version of the At Last Shawl to the pattern page in the next couple of days...it's blocking right now! I knit the larger version out of Fleur de Fiber Atlantis yarn in the Dragonfly color way. The fabulous skein was gifted to me last Christmas, by my son and his lovely wife and it is AMAZING! I never thought Rayon and Nylon would be so luscious! If you are one of those who are allergic to wool this yarn is for you! With 710 yards a skein and some beautiful colors, see if it is still available! Wait till you see, but trust me on the feel and drape of this one!

ETSY SHOP: The NEW Knitting Ditty Bag has been a huge hit and the Large size actually sold out! Now the Large size is back in stock for a limited time in the Jolly Farm UK fabric, so get yours! However if you are a sock knitter or shawl and accessory knitter/crocheter, the small and medium size is in the shop and available for immediate shipping! At a reduced price, but with wonderful features, this new design to the shop has been a hit. Customers are also loving the options section of the shop and there is already feedback for the internal zipper option! YEAH! It's wonderful to be able to create a project bag that is made special just for you! Get ALL you want or no extras...but get it your way! You can add options to the Large Zippered Project Bag Build a Bag or the Large Knitting Ditty Bag!

If you have been to the shop lately or follow MariaElenaBliss on Facebook, you have noticed some clear crisp new photos for some of the shop's project and notion bags. I was lucky enough to have a professional photo shoot for the project bags with product photographer, Mandy Bennett! Mandy was the photographer for the At Last Shawl and I feel so lucky to have been able to secure her services for the Etsy shop. Now you can see sharper pictures of the shop's project bags which will help MariaElenaBliss customers make a more informed purchase decision.

The Shop's XL Macaroons have been very popular! More and more of you have been discovering the charm and solid construction of this accessory! Make sure you add one of these to your project bag order and see for yourself what a piece de resistance this charming XL Macaroon truly is...two sizes available and two different price points!

EVENTS: Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend an amazing sweater design workshop with non other than Carol Feller! The class was in Sarasota at A Great Yarn yarn store and was so well attended! Carol is a wonderfully caring, informative and lovely person, but as a structural engineer, she is the perfect teacher for this topic. It was great to see Carol again and if you ever have the opportunity to attend a class given by Carol, don't hesitate! If you want to have the benefit of having Carol in your own living room, make sure you sign up for one of her Craftsy classes! She even has a FREE Short Rows Craftsy Class! Get her free Craftsy class and you will fall in love with her Ravi Sweater she wears to record this class...I have knit two already!!! It is a great sweater and interesting design. There is even a Ravi Junior. pattern available which I will be knitting for my brand new, granddaughter, Mia! Carol has also just released two new shawl patterns which are gorgeous, so check out her Ravelry shop or her blog, Stolen Stitches, to get the latest news on both of these available patterns.

LIFE: Well, for many of us, school is in session! This means, crazy schedules and a lot less time for the crafty life we love. I hope you find the time to work on new projects as well as those you have on your needles. Be good to yourself first! 

For my US customers, this weekend will be Labor Day. I hope all of you have fun plans for this much celebrated holiday, or are looking forward to spending an extra day with your family and friends. Maybe even some knitting/crochet/spinning/sewing time will be in the near future! How ever you plan on celebrating, please be safe! I look forward to blogging with you next time. And as always, thank you for finding my Bliss!

Maria

The At Last Shawl is LIVE!!!

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

My first shawl pattern is posted on Ravelry and the At Last Shawl pattern is live! For a limited time (thru 8/31/14) get your copy of this design for 50% off the $4.00 regular price with coupon code:atlas50!

Thank you to my lovely model and amazing photographer, who both helped to make this pattern more professional than I could have hoped!
Hope you enjoy this knit and love the shawl as much as I do! Click here to purchase.

Welcome!!!

Hello and Welcome, to the first post on the MariaElenaBliss...knits and snips, blog! You can also find me on Etsy, Ravelry, Facebook, Instagram and even a Monthly Newsletter! All links are on the blog, so visit all these often, but especially my Facebook page, where I post, sales and new designs for my Etsy shop regularly. Please "like" the Facebook page to make sure you don't miss a thing!

My vision for this blog is to keep you informed not only about my new designs but about knitting and sewing in general. I plan on having sewing and knitting tutorials which may expand your sewing and knitting adventures, depending on your current knowledge of both of these crafts and your desire to learn more.

One of my knitting passions is Lace Shawls! I have been knitting lace for a few years now, and have continued to challenge myself with every shawl and lace project. I am so excited to be releasing my first Lace Shawl design on Ravelry in the new week and am offering a 50% off code for anyone who would like to try my At Last Shawl.  When the design goes live, please use code:ATLAST on Ravelry to get your pattern for the reduced price.
Here is a "sneak" preview of the pattern!

RAVELRY: my id is Mariaeb and there is also a Bag Bliss Group on Ravelry which I would Love for your to join! I have already had a bag give away for the first 50 members and am planning on a pattern give away once we reach 100 members in the group! So, please join and introduce yourself, and also respond to one of the other threads in the group. Let the other members about project bags and project bag designers you LOVE. It doesn't have to be a MariaElenaBliss Project bag, as this group was created as a forum for ALL project bags and project bag designers, but mainly to share our love and passion of project bags.

ETSY: New to the shop is a Knitting Ditty Project Bag in three sizes! The Large size of this bag is customizable and you can even personalize it with your or a friend's monogram! Now there is a project bag in the shop you can gift and make it truly special. The NEW Knitting Ditty Project Bag is at a new price point in the shop and still has that same ability to stand on it's own! Check it out!
Also, NEW is the Build a Bag Project bag! This listing allows you the ability to create your own project bag, just the way you want it! The same interfacings and substantial qualities offered at MariaElenaBliss will always be included, but now you have the option to include or not include any features you feel will add to your knitting/crochet/fiber projects through your project bag. So...if you have always wanted to try a Large Zippered Project Bag in the shop, but don't care to pay for a padded detachable handle, or an interior divided pocket, or an interior tab with a lobster claw clasp...why pay for it??? Makes sense, right??? Now is your chance to get a project with your personal touch, one truly made for you! How, do you get started, you ask... here's the process:
1. go to this link and choose one of the many fabrics offered for the exterior of your project bag.
2. go to the "add an option" section of the MariaElenaBliss Etsy shop and add which ever options you would LOVE in your project bag...OR NOT!

Maybe you don't want any options at all, in this case you can bypass the second step in this process and you will receive a Large Zippered Project Bag with your choice of exterior fabric, a matching lining, a 4" gusset, and a long pull zipper which extends beyond the bag for easy and extra visibility, all for the basic bag price of $31.00 (US) plus shipping! WOW! Where else can you get a Large Zippered Project Bag for $31.00?

Or maybe you have purchased one the shop's quilted bags and you already know how substantial and wonderful it is to have a fully quilted exterior on your project bag! So, if you would like your Large Zippered Project Bag with a quilted exterior...add that option! What if you want this same project bag with ALL the extras? Just keep adding options to your cart, once you choose your exterior fabric and rest assured your project bag will be AWESOME!!!  And your very own! Don't forget to add one of the shop's Clear Zip Notion Bag, for an extra "pocket" you can remove and use with your other project bags, or for a true indulgence, a Macaroon!!! My Macaroon customers, cannot get enough of this truly unique notion accessory!

You can get the Bag Bliss...UP TO YOU! New August issue of the Bag Bliss Newsletter which explains the new shop options now. Please subscribe to the Newsletter, even if you receive it now, and you will be given a 10% off code to use in the shop! The link to the Newsletter is below.

TO COME: I am also planning on starting a podcast, so keep posted for ALL the new things to come!
Thank you for finding my Bliss and please share the shop, the blog and the Bag Bliss Newsletter with your friends and family!

Have a wonderful week and I hope to see you in a couple! Best Always, Maria