Calendar is updated!

I have posted my new Michaels Knit & Crochet class schedule for September - November 2015.

My August schedule will remain the same.

You may notice that I will be offering less classes.  Michaels wants classes to be scheduled more consistently nationwide so we have been given specific days and times to offer classes. I have less available days and times now but I was able  to squeeze in a few each month.

In addition to the NEW classes, the kids weaving and crochet classes will continue.

Let me know if you have any questions :)
~Denise

Pssst.... Want a sneak peek?

I mentioned before that there would be new Michaels Knit and Crochet class projects. Since YOU are a a loyal follower of my blog, YOU are getting to see them first here!

Crochet Beginner 1                      Crochet Beginner 2

                           
Dishcloth   Skinny Scarf/Cowl            Crochet Scarf     Tech Cover


Knit Beginner 1                               Knit Beginner 2

                            
Fingerless         Hat with Pompom        Striped Scarf        Coasters
Gloves


I plan to have my new class schedule posted in the next day or so. Be sure to check back here -  my calendar to the right or on my Facebook's event page - UntangledStitcher.

You may also be happy to know that Michaels will be offering FREE classes each month.  You'll have the opportunity to learn Arm Knitting, Jewelry, Painting, Drawing and Floral.  If you receive email and text updates from Michaels you may have already received information about these classes.

As always, I look forward to knitting and/or crocheting with you soon!
~Denise

I'm on a roll!

  

I have finished all of the knit samples for Level 2 of my Craft Yarn Council certification!  The only things left are to create lesson plans, design, write the pattern and knit and crochet a sweater.  Piece of cake :)

I am feeling good about getting everything finished very soon!

I'm not normally a procrastinator so I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to get this all finished.  When I worked on Level 1 of the certification, I did it very quickly. I will complete Level 2 very very soon!
~Denise

You may have noticed...

I deleted all of my September Knit/Crochet classes at Michaels.

There is a(nother) change coming!

I will still be teaching at the Avon Michaels but beginning in September, some class days and times will be set by the Michaels Corporate offices.

Once I get final approval I will post my new class schedule that will begin in September.

**My July and August knit & crochet class schedule 

will remain the same**

Back at it!

Hairpin                         Cro hook                   Cro hook                   Broomstick Lace
Lace                                                             Reverse side

Because I finished my newest Flava Fresh! 12 art pieces 3 weeks ahead of the due date and because I didn't want to have to ask for another extension I decided to get back to work on my Level 2 Knit and Crochet Certification.   I only had 3 more crochet samples to complete which I did.  These were all new techniques for me so after teaching myself, I made the 5 inch squares.

Now I'm going to work on my 10 knit samples and then I'll go back and do all the writing portion which includes a paragraph about my teaching experience and lesson plans for both knit and crochet.
THEN I'll design, write pattern and knit and crochet sweaters.

Once that's all submitted I'll have a phone interview with my Master Instructor.

I've submitted my teaching hours (15 are required for each knit and crochet) I had a total of 47.5 for crochet and 17.5 for knit.  That only included the classes I taught at Michaels in the past year.  I'm sure there have been more hours but I tend to only give a class evaluation the first time a person comes to a class.  That's how I track my teaching hours.

The key for me finishing is to NOT be distracted by other projects.  Last week I crocheted 2 lanyards and a water bottle holder ... for myself.  :)

There are some changes coming to the classes at Michaels which will include new knit and crochet projects so I really want to have my Knit and Crochet Level 2 certification process completed.

Time to knit!
~Denise

I'm hooked!

My new favorite thing to crochet are Mandalas.

The word Mandala means 'circle' and they're often considered to be sacred and used in meditation and as a ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism.

I just think that they're pretty and allow for lots of creativity  :)

For the Flava Fresh! XII Exhibition Series for 2015-2016, I knew that I wanted to create crocheted circles (I did Granny Square variations last year) and of course I planned to include some Mandalas.

From what I've read, as for crocheting, the difference between doilies and Mandalas is the type of fiber and colors used.  They can both be a wide variety of sizes ranging from coasters to wall art. Mine are 23 inches in diameter.

Simple Mandala

Rainbow Mandala

StarFlower Mandala

I chose to attach mine to large quilting hoops and was challenged with how to cover the hardware that attach the 2 hoops. With the first one the Mandala is crocheted onto the hoop so I extended some of the stitches and glued yarn to the part of the hoop that extends past the hoop.  For the 2nd two, I made the Mandalas larger so they cover the extra part of the hoop.  

For all three, I used burlap as the background. I make canvasses using burlap for my other crochet pieces so I wanted them all to be consistent. 

These will be on display at the Garfield Park Arts Center from 

August 1-29, 2015.  

Crocheted Mandalas are not that hard to make and very easy to create your own design.  Just experiment and see where your hook takes you!

~Denise

Flava Fresh! XII 2015-2016

The Exhibition Series has begun!

The 1st Exhibit is at the Indianapolis Artsgarden until July 27th.

My art in the display case

Blooming Pineapples
&
Suncatching Pineapples

The 2nd Exhibit is at the Indiana Interchurch Center.  This display will continue until August 28th. There will be an Artists' Reception on Friday, July 17th from 6-8:00 pm.

GrowingDreams the crocheted piece
and yes,  it can be touched :)

GrowingDreams the poem

ALL events are FREE, Family Friendly and open to the public.  Stop by if you get a chance.

The 3rd Exhibit begins on July 31 and I am crocheting all new pieces for that one too.
Here's a sneak peek at the first one.

"Simple Mandala" being blocked

All 3 will be mounted on 23 inch diameter quilt hoops.  This is creating a challenge on how the hanging wire will be attached but my Michaels framing friends are helping me to figure it out.