Mid February News from Kristin Nicholas Designs
Hello Colorful Friends!
Oh boy - it has been a while since I sent you a note. It's been a busy couple months since the holidays. I hope you have settled into 2019 and are enjoying the long evenings for some kind of stitching or making project.
Me? I have taken up my crochet needle once again and am work on a second hexagon afghan. Maybe you saw it on Instagram? The hexies are a playground for kitties Bobby and Gracie. I've been finding them all over the house - both the hexies and the kitties! Here is a link to the free pattern.
It is difficult to stop making these hexies but I really have to start getting them put together. I'm using my own yarns - Color By Kristin and Julia- which are both sadly discontinued. One of my readers asked me what a good substitute for my yarn is and the closest I can find is Webs/Valley Yarns Northampton. Check out the color range here. If anyone else knows of a nice wool or wool blend worsted weight with a long color range - including brights - I would love to hear. My yarn had a content of 50% wool, 25% alpaca and 25% mohair.
The big news here is that after about one entire month of work, I have a new website! I have been so excited to share it with all of you. The last time I had a website built was 2013 - just before everyone went mobile. I was in dire need of an upgraded site but needed to find the time (and a lot of it) to build it. I interviewed several of the on-line platforms and decided on something called Big Cartel. So far - so good. I'm hoping you all will hop on over to it and check it out. I can't wait to hear what you think.
Here is the logo I designed for the header of the new website.
I have been a busy bee sewing and restocking my Tea Towels with some new designs that are now available in MY BRAND NEW WEBSHOP. Next up, I'm gearing up my ceramic production now that I have my very own website to sell it on.
In other news - we are knee deep in lambs! On my header above, you can see some of the little ones. We will have fewer lambs than we usually do because I downsized the flock while The Farmer was nursing back to health after his hip replacement and subsequent complications. The good news is the number is manageable for him to care for and he is loving being with his animals and caring for all the little ones.
You can see more sheep photos on my blog here and follow along with lambing on my Instagram here. Or on Facebook here.
I have lots of interesting links saved up for you. Here's what I'd like to share with you today.....
• Textile icon Kaffe Fassett's fabric designs are the cornerstone of the new Fall 2019 Coach Collection. Check it out here. See the entire collection over on Vogue.com here. Thanks Cathy.
• I have been following the hashtag #persiantilesblanket on IG. Incredible crochet blanket design by Jane Crowfoot. I do not think I have the patience for it but it sure is a stunner.
• Here is a use for plastic bottle caps that will blow you away! Thanks Susan G.
• I made these and they didn't last long.
• If I were going to London soon, I would not miss the Bonnard show at The Tate. I love Bonnard.
• A fantastic article in the NYTimes on pattern and color as done by a group of "Eccentric British Designers. Stunning photos of interiors. Thanks Stephanie.
Have a great weekend everyone and be sure to check out my new website!
Yours in color and creativity,
Kristin Nicholas
Here is a video of my Talk at Google. I went to Cambridge, Massachusetts and spoke at their offices there in late June.
A fun video of our farm, our farmhouse, and my family. Our farm is located 2 hours from Boston and 3 1/2 hours from NYC. We are at the northern most part of western Massachusetts bordering Vermont. Our farm is 15 minutes off of Route 91, the north/south highway connecting Montreal to NYC.