Newest Bags for Ana Cross Stitch

Here are a few of the new bags I created specifically for knitting projects. They will be available at Ana Cross Stitch in Anacortes, WA very soon.

Newest Projects & Musings

It's been awhile since my last post here on Red Dog Designs. I am currently very busy with projects. I just finished a sweater for myself...my first knitting project just for me in a long time. I made the coat on the cover of the fall Interweave Knits magazine 2009. I used Cascade Ecologica Yarn in a chocolate brown color. It turned out beautifully...although a bit large for me...and it is very heavy...I figure it will be more like a blanket or very stylish and expensive snuggie. I enjoyed knitting the pattern repeat and mostly pleased with the instructions. I might add some belt loops and a belt to help hold it on since it is so large for me.

The second in-progress project - a wholesale order for Ana Cross Stitch in Anacortes, WA. I just finished the first large knitting project tote and am thrilled with the results. I should be able to get the others done and shipped to the shop by the end of next week. I love it so much I am going to make one for myself. The bag is very sturdy- made of pet screen like the others...but has a magnetic closure, inside zipper pocket, a grommet to pull yarn through, and a detachable matching zipper pouch. I will include photos soon.

Third ongoing project: I am now calling it the Sampson Project named after the great, late, Samuel P Plumpinheimer...the most fabulous Jack Russell. I am working with my boyfriend Dan on a book series featuring some of our favorite pets...and I am tasked with illustrations. Again...will post photos as things progress.

Etsy Shop- NEW LISTINGS

Hi Everyone! Please check out my Etsy shop...link the to right (Red Dog Designs Shop)...for new listings of bags and hats still available. I will be posting new items often...hats soon to come...Tell your friends, too. Also...I've added a link to my other blog...The Opinionated Pooch...for everyday musings.

Flowers

Just had a wonderful weekend and very successful craft fair! The addition of knit, crocheted, and felted flowers to my hats proved very popular. I wasn't sure how they would be received, but when I put them all out on the table, I saw how beautiful they were and felt very proud of my work. The little zippered and velcro pouches sold out...as well as the eco lunch kits. I have some great ideas for next year...and met so many nice people. My next project is to work on my first wholesale order for Ana Cross Stitch in Anacortes, WA. I am excited to outfit my bags to serve the needs of knitters. I've ordered some great fabric...so will post as things progress. I want to send a thank-you to everyone that has supported me in this endeavor of Red Dog Designs. An especially large thank-you to Dan, who is always enthusiastic, helpful, funny, and full of great ideas.

Snow King Christmas Bazaar

It's that time of year again...time for the Christmas Fair. Up at 6:30 AM to unload the car and set up...8 intense hours of talking and showing and selling...then hopefully...enough money to take Dan out to dinner and to purchase new tires and some supplies...and then....sleep. This year I will be focusing on hand knit hats...since they seemed very popular at the fair last year. I will have a few bags with me and some small items as well. Right now the bag-making has slowed a bit...due to lack of time...but after the fair...will pick up again with some special orders...and my first wholesale order for a shop in Anacortes, WA....called Ana Cross Stitch....a wonderful knitting and needlework store...in beautiful downtown Anacortes. I am very excited about this.

Winter Tree Painting

This is one of my new acrylic paintings from 2009. I am very proud of it. It is actually a collage, difficult to see from the photo. When creating the painting I first layer tissue paper onto the canvas with gel medium to suggest texture. Once satisfied with the layout, I paint the image over the top of the paper collage. Fun! I was thinking about using this image for Christmas cards this year...

Creepy Sheep

This is creepy sheep...usually she is sitting atop the hutch in my work room staring at me. She is incredibly soft and squishy and friendly. I made her a couple of years ago and took her to the office where she sat atop the computer console and stared at all who dared to enter the dispatch office. One day a ranger entered the office and looked at sheep...and his eyes got big and he stated "wow, that's creepy." Ever since then, she has been fondly known as creepy sheep.