Shipping News, Sneak Peeks, and Good Links
Good Afternoon Friends!
Today as I sit here writing you this letter, the snow is falling down again outside the window. This has been the coldest and snowiest winter we have had since we have lived in our farmhouse. In fact, I think it is the snowiest winter I have ever lived through. We have almost finished our 8 cords of wood and will now have to purchase some oil. We are muddling on, as they say. The Farmer is re-thinking his "lambing in January" tradition. The winds and low temperatures have been taking a toll. We shall see if the summer heat alters his views on winter lambing.
I have had a very busy week here packing orders of Crafting a Colorful Home books and getting them to the Post Office through the snow. I am happy to say that every order has left the farm except for the ones that were received since Friday. Look for yours soon if it hasn't yet arrived.
On Friday afternoon, I got good news that Crafting a Colorful Home has been reviewed very positively in Library Journal. You can read that review on-line here - it is the last review on the page. So very thrilling for me to think that libraries throughout the USA may think to purchase my book to share with their patrons.
I am extending the FREE Shipping on Crafting A Colorful Home until the end of February. I will also continue to include the Kristin Illustrated Bookplate and the set of Kristin Postcards. As always, my family and I thank you for your support of our farm. Hop on over to my website to order here. If you don't do Paypal which I know many people still are not comfortable with, you can still order. Here's how:
Send a check for $27.95 written to Kristin Nicholas to PO Box 212, Bernardston, MA 01337 along with your address. I will send you the book.
Below, you will find some more new sneak peeks from Crafting a Colorful Home of featured projects. If you have received your copy, I would love to hear your thoughts. Pop me an email at kristinnicholas@gmail.com.
Julia and I are looking forward to watching the Grammy's tonight. It will be hard to top this performance from 2012 but I hear Sir Paul will be performing again. Julia is looking forward to Taylor Swift and Sam Smith. I must say that music is one thing that can unite and divide the generations but I love the fact that Julia has very diverse taste in music - from Frank Sinatra to The Ramones to Taylor Swift.
If you are looking for something to knit during the Grammys or this week, I have a quick to knit heart themed mitten pattern. Valentine's Day is next Saturday! Two designs, multi-sizes for $6.00 on my website here or on Ravelry here.
I have two public speaking appearances coming up where I will also be signing and selling books:
March 5 - Keynote Speaker at Opening Night of the Roslindale Public LIbrary Yarn and Craft Book Sale. Check it out here.
February 18th - Evening talk at Black Sheep Knitting in Needham, MA. Space is limited. Check it out here.
Here are some interesting things I have found on the web this week.
• My friend and fellow knitter NYTimes best selling author Debbie Macomber was the final guest on Benjamin Levisay's Fiber Hooligan podcast. Check it out here.
• One of my readers alerted me to the Churchmouse Yarns and Tea website. They are featuring my new Regia Design Line Colorations Sock Yarn in a ribbed scarf pattern. Check it out here.
• Have you seen this fantastic video by the band Maroon 5? It sure is worth a look. So fun.
• If you are a fan of eclectic interiors, check out the Moon to Moon blog. Always something interesting.
Thank you for reading and supporting my work in craft and color.
With best wishes,
Kristin Nicholas
Pom poms are so much fun to make. When they are made with wool, they are soft and squishy and so tactile. I thought it would be fun to use them as a textural element on a pillow for the living room chapter in Crafting a Colorful Home. I came up with a sunflower themed design that combines pom poms with appliqued wool petals and leaves on this turquoise pillow.
This is one of my favorite projects in Crafting a Colorful Home. It is a painted top for a table that sits on our summer porch. I painted various sized circles on a piece of plywood to make a colorful table top to our coffee table. I give complete directions, including how to finish it to be waterproof. Mod - I must say.
Here is a beautiful shot of the mural I painted in our dining room. I love how the dappled light is hitting it. I give complete instructions for how you can paint your very own mural.