PURPLE 2PC HANDMADE CROCHET BIKINI SWIMSUIT
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Yet, most people don’t understand the term. Some patterns even tell you that it very important to block the finished crochet project to complete the item!

In fact, matters about blocking are very common questions, and while some people try to answer it, they just shake their heads and say they don’t understand why this is necessary! Are you one of those people?

In most cases, blocking helps to retain the shape of the completed home crocheted garment. This process (blocking) is a onetime event and insures that the garment will retain its shape for the length of the garment.

Here’s another problem to face if you are thinking about blocking your finished project – you need an electric iron. Most households don’t own such a thing, or others say they have never used it and don’t know how to use the simple iron! Well, if you want to block your home crocheted projects, maybe it’s time to learn how to use that electric iron taking up space in your cupboard.

Okay, so some of us have blocked some home crocheted sweater before, but made a mess of the sleeves that are attached with ribbing – so what was the purpose of blocking? I really can’t say as I blame you because blocking directions aren’t complete most of the time and more importantly, they don’t explain themselves very well in most cases.

Unfortunately, the first time I home-crocheted a sweater and tried to block it (which I found successful, except for one area), I also blocked the ribbing at the wrist area. All this did was to stretch the ribbing so that the ribbing was too large for my wrist size!

I learned from that experience. Now, I never block ribbing on a home-crocheted item.

But you may be asking yourself, why do you need ribbing on a crocheted sweater and how do you get the ribbing there?

I attach the ribbing with a sewing machine once I have finished crocheting the sweater. This is a common practice and used by many people. It seems to give a finished look to the sweater so that the home-crocheted sweater can be worn for any occasion.

I sometimes attach ribbing to the bottom of the finished sweater, and believe me; it doesn’t look out-of-place. In fact, it looks like it should be there and would look funny without it.

You have to be an experienced home-crocheter to be able to do the above. You also have to be an experienced home-sewer to finish the garment to your satisfaction (if you are as picky as I personally am)!

If your crocheted garment is made with the right tension and laundered correctly, you should never have to block this garment more than once.

Blocking does have its advantages.

Soon, you will be thinking that blocking is nothing – just another step in finishing that crocheted garment!

This should ease your mind somewhat about “blocking”. No, it’s not a carpenter’s term in this case, but it is essential to the look of the finished garment in the home crocheting world and adds to the look and feel of the garment.

There is a wealth of information to be found at http://learningeasycrochet.com.

Not only is there information, but it supplies encouragement as well.

When you get stuck, as we all do sometimes, leave a question in the comment box and you will get an answer within 24 hours.

When you sign up for a membership, you will receive a crochet pattern of your choice along with the help you may need to complete that project!

In the members area, you will shown “how to” and much more along with tips and tricks to speed up your progress.

Check it out today!

Author: Loretta Crowder
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Arts and Crafts Motif IV – Framed Art Print
List Price: 74.99
Price: 74.99

Educate Others in the Art Form of Creative Scrapbooking

One of the fastest ways to turn yourself from an unknown scrapbooker into a creative scrapbooking “expert” is to teach a class on the art of creating a fabulous, memorable scrapbook.

Though you might initially be wary that if you tell others your creative scrapbooking “secrets”, they won’t use your creative scrapbooking business, that usually doesn’t happen. Instead, what occurs is that your students see you as a professional in the arena of scrapbook design and development. Thus, when they want an important scrapbook (e.g., for their daughter’s Bar Mitzvah or husband’s retirement celebration), they will immediately think of you. After all, they might enjoy creative scrapbooking, but they don’t necessarily feel confident enough to construct a special scrapbook on their own.

You can work with many community centers, schools, college campuses, and libraries to offer your creative scrapbooking courses. Expect to spend a bit of money on advertising, room rental (though you can often snag a free space if you’re a start-up), and creative scrapbooking paraphernalia, though it’s still much less of an investment than if you paid for a full page, 4-color ad in the Sunday paper.

Write About Scrapbooking

Another way to become an instant creative scrapbooking “guru” is to write articles or tips about creative scrapbooking. Sometimes, smaller community papers will print such items as “filler” for their circulars. Alternately, if a local sewing center or arts and crafts store offers a newsletter to patrons, you might be able to become a “guest columnist.” (Or perhaps you can offer to write your own “creative scrapbooking newsletter” gratis if they agree to pass it out to consumers.)

Will you receive a ton of creative scrapbooking business from this type of subtle “marketing”? Probably not. But you will be building your reputation as your area’s premier creative scrapbooking authority. You will also be able to tell prospective customers that you’ve published items on the topic of creative scrapbooking, always an impressive credential to tout (and a resume booster as well.)

Start a Scrapbooking Blog and/or Web site

In today’s cyber society, blogs and Web sites are fairly inexpensive, so there’s no reason not to get online and start talking about your creative scrapbooking know-how and burgeoning creative scrapbooking company.

For example, you could quickly set up a blog 100% devoted to the tricks of the creative scrapbooking trade in an effort to attract persons from around the world to your site. Though most of them won’t become clients, you stand to gain instant exposure. And who knows? The family down the street may wind up stopping by your creative scrapbooking Web site and hiring you to redo their three sons’ baby books!

Never Stop Selling Yourself or Your Scrapbooking Abilities!

It’s critical that you never stop selling yourself and your creative scrapbooking business if you are serious about succeeding in this infant industry with huge profit potential.

This may mean stepping out of your “comfort zone” and becoming a master at self-promotion. If you have an innate fear of networking, it’s time to overcome your worries and learn how to shake some hands. Remember that you won’t be the first entrepreneur who took a plunge into the unknown.

To become a better press generator on behalf of your creative scrapbooking business, you’ll have to force yourself to try again and again. However, if the process becomes achingly difficult and hampers your desire to scrapbook, it may be time to hire someone to promote your business on your behalf. Yes, this is a “last ditch” measure, but if it keeps your dream alive, it’s worth the cost to bring on a partner who isn’t afraid of a good sales pitch. (And many individuals will work with start-ups on a commission basis, which is terrific news for your budget!)

A Final Note about Ethics and Your Scrapbooking Venture

Though it’s imperative that you keep up standards and operate ethically and legally (the tax man will cometh whether you like it or not!), that doesn’t mean you can’t be innovative. Constantly seek out ways to differentiate yourself from other scrapbook artists and allow yourself to grow personally and professionally.

Love your work, and that positive attitude mingled with creative scrapbooking talent will draw customer inquiries and have you wondering why you didn’t begin your creative scrapbooking company sooner.

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life Imprints, a creative scrapbooking [http://www.lifeimprints.com] supplies company also offering contemporary picture frames, in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.

Author: Michelle Cardello
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Leave no soapstone unturned! Soapmaking has always been a popular craft with a dedicated group of followers but with the explosion of urban homesteading and people looking to go green noncrafters are now joining in on the fun. Whether it’s making natural soap to live greener give as gifts save money or make money The Complete Idiot’s Guide(r) to Making Natural Soaps has everything the new soap maker will need to create organic natural soaps of all kinds. *Includes recipes to make a wide array of molded poured and liquid soaps *Contains soap recipes for body as well as household and even petsLeave no soapstone unturned! Soapmaking has always been a popular craft with a dedicated group of followers but with the explosion of urban homesteading and people looking to go green noncrafters are now joining in on the fun. Whether it’s making natural soap to live greener give as gifts save money or make money The Complete Idiot’s Guide(r) to Making Natural Soaps has everything the new soap maker will need to create organic natural soaps of all kinds. *Includes recipes to make a wide array of molded poured and liquid soaps *Contains soap recipes for body as well as household and even pets
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Arts and Crafts Motif III – Framed Art Print
List Price: 99.99
Price: 99.99