I just wanted to let you all know that 5 of my designs have been accepted to be in the new 101 One Skein Wonders Crochet book.  I'm really tickled.  I just found out yesterday.

They will be sending me a copy of the patterns as they will appear in the book so that I can review it before it goes out. Before I release any designs for my site, I have them tested by several people to make sure they are easily understood and typo free.  I want I'm pretty sure I went over them with a fine toothed comb but I want to make super sure.. I know that the local yarn shop will want me to make them a copy of each of the designs so I'll be able to get them all tested. The local yarn shop in town sells that book series there and I think I'm their only designer in town.   I wish I could do a book signing but all of that wool in there kills me.  I can hardly stand being in there for longer than a few minutes before my face and eyes start to get all itchy.

It's a long process.  According to the letter I was sent I will be hearing from them again and getting my original designs returned in July!  That's a long way off.  I wonder if it was a typo and it's actually January lol.

So here are the ones that will be in the book..
Lucky Dog
Sweet Kitty
Niles the Crocodile
Robotic
Batik Bunny

I have been published in a bunch of booklets, magazines and free pattern pulls at stores but this will be my first one in a book that sits on a bookstore shelf.  After we get moved and settled in, I'll begin working on designs to submit for a book of my own.  I have 3 boxes started already believe it or not... yes, I have been holding out on you all.  I have several designs that have been shelved for the hopeful publication :)
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My newest crochet pattern, Courting Frogs, was released yesterday.  Who knew that a frog would look fabulous in pink?  Hey, why not!  Frogs come in all sorts of colors.  I personally think that everyone should make stuffed dolls in unusual colors.  It is just fun.
What's next on my crochet hook??
I am going to be holding a teen crochet class at the public library on July 7 - that isn't too far away from now so I need to get cracking on designing a project.  I decided to make Beastie Balls.  I can not say any more than that... I have a picture in my  head.  I know what I want to make.  It will be quick, easy and adorable... that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

The Beastie Balls will be made available on the website in July.
I also have some bugs that I have been working on.  I have 4 done so far but must... make... more.... bugs....!! 


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Snap the Dragon 06/04/2011
 
June 1 brought lots of heat here in Alabama.  It is not just hot - it's stinking hot.  That's the only phrase for it.  You walk outside and just melt.  It's almost hard to breathe.  It's been in the 90's with that Southern humidity for the past week and a half and it's going to stay for at least another week and a half.  We've had no rain to cool things off and water the garden.  The forecast says we *might* get some thunderstorms in 5 days... we'll see.  I suspect that the garden will be relying on the sprinkler for some time to come...  Southern summers are brutal.

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But in honor of the heat, I introduced Snap the Dragon.  What better way to say hot than a fire breathing dragon??  Mine is a sweet, docile dragon but he is easily adaptable to become a fierce dragon as well :)

I spent a lot of time with the shaping of his body and his wings.  I love love love the way his wings came out!

Yes, there will be more dragons in the future :)

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A few weeks ago I posted about the Susan Bates Crystalite Locking Stitch Markers that self destruct when they are used....  I spoke with a representative about it.  This is a new product and they were unaware of a problem with them.  I told them that every single one of them snapped in half on me and that the plastic was too brittle.  I really wanted to like them.  I absolutely adore other Susan Bates products - especially the bamboo handled crochet hooks. 

Well... they asked if I had any of the broken markers and I said I had several of them.  They are sending me a self addressed stamped envelop for me to return them in.  I offered to post them out but they insisted on sending a postage paid.  They are also sending me a replacement package of them and another similar product for me to try out that is also new... which you know I will gladly give a go...

I'll let you all know what happens with the replacement ones as well as they mystery item they are sending along.. Hmm... I wonder if it is the split ring ones.  I have actually wanted to try those markers...!!


In the meantime, I did pick up some more Clover ones.. OKay.  I just lied.  I had hubby pick them up at Joann's.  He was brave going in to the craft store somewhat on his own ... he called me from the store but did bring home the goods... as well as pizza for dinner.  Can't shake a stick at that even if you tried  :D
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A few years back, I designed a sheep for Caron yarns.  It is in today's Caron Connections!  I love when they release something I designed so that everyone can enjoy it!  It's a cute pattern and works up pretty quickly.  You'll either learn to love or hate the loop stitch though... Here is a direct link to the pattern....

In other crochet news... I have 2 new designs coming out on March 15... I'd say it's time to go retro!  No sneaking peeks yet!  It's only a few more days away!

I'm also working on a new series as well which I won't share any real details about - except that they are absolutely adorable in my opinion.  Yes, I can be biased since I did design them!  I think they will be pretty popular.  I just adore them!!
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Happy Valentine's Day to all of my crochet friends out there!


My website - www.CraftyDeb.com will have its two year anniversary on Monday, Valentine's Day!
It has been a great two years.  I have designed a slew of things and have many more to come.  I can not tell you how many things are on my to do list!  It truly is endless. 

I have already begun working on something new that hopefully will be ready to spring in to action next week.  It *might* be a little late thanks to that horrendous ear infection that knocked me down - never and I mean never have I had an ear infection that got so bad, so quickly and robbed me of my hearing except for a loud constant ringing and the sound of my own heartbeat echoing in my head... miserable I tell you, just miserable... but I'm on the mend now thanks to a great ENT doctor I saw yesterday.  I feel like a new woman!  Anyhooo... I have begun working on a new project and it's one that I have had drawn out for a really long time so I'm super excited to get to work on it.  I also have some new robots coming around soon and lots of other things up my sleeve... and on top of it all, I am working on designs to submit for a book proposal.  I'm very excited about that prospect.  Hopefully it will get picked up and published.... Only time will tell!


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Back to the Stuffed Candy Hearts!  I know that's why you are reading my ramblings anyway :D

They are new!  They are stuffed! They are freeeeee!!  Free is awesome, isn't it?

The arrow will work on all three of the hearts so don't feel obligated to use it only on that specific one - go wild! Embroider your love messages on them! Give them to your sweethearts!  Make a few and scatter them across your couch, bed, car!  Give them to everyone you know!  They are THAT quick to make!

I am planning on making a fourth one possibly over the weekend and I'll upload a youtube video on how to join the sections.  It isn't tricky, but a video is worth a thousand words.  I will have other videos coming up soon now that we have begun the CraftyDeb Designs Youtube channel
So far, there is only one video on how to make Big Bunny Foo Foo's nose.  That was a request - and you know that I'm always open to requests!  I love getting them!  I'll let you all know when the next youtube video debuts!

Til then - Happy Valentine's Day!
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Ever since Realistic Bona Fide Skeleton was released, it has dominated the #1 position at CraftyDeb.com.   All I can say is, move over, Realistic because Make  Your Bones Skeleton is here to knock you off your pedestal!   

What's not to like about a smaller, cuter version of something big?  Most of us really love babies and think that little kids are just too cute - when they aren't screaming or writing on the walls that is.

Make Your Bones Skeleton is no different - he's a smaller version of Realistic.  He'll be on sale until the end of the month.

What's next?  Oh, something wicked this way comes and it'll be all wrapped up nice and neat.  There will also be an accessory for Make Your Bones Skeleton that will have everyone talking... so stay tuned!  Sign up for the CraftyDeb Newsletter
and follow me on FaceBook.  Don't miss a thing!
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I just received my Caron Connections Newsletter in my inbox and wow!  I knew that  the monkey designs were going to be released but I feel just honored that Vickie Howell wrote such nice things about me and those designs!  It just makes me sit up a hair taller knowing how well received those projects were!

If you aren't signed up for the Caron Connections newsletter and you crochet or knit, definitely sign up for it - it's a great newsletter packed with all sorts of great info.   Vickie Howell writes it for Caron and it's just a great newsletter all around!
Here is a link to the Not Monkeying Around issue - issue #91 - yeah, I think that whenever I am having a bad day I might have to read this newsletter!
http://www.caron.com/connections/connections_091_H.html
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