Craftster Hoopla Along for March: Mythology

Who is ready for another month of the Craftster Hoopla Along?  The theme for March is: Mythology. Have a favorite deity? Dig that crazy siren's song? Wanna ride a unicorn? This month's theme is for you! As always, you have a chance to win a prize!  Check out the details below:

Craftster March Hoopla Along

You have from now until March 31, 2016 to post your hoop on Craftster HERE. 

There will be a random drawing for a 20.00 Amazon gift card. You have to post a hoop on Craftster to be eligible for the drawing. 

Read more about the hoopla along on Craftster.org. 

December Craftster Hoopla Along

This month's Craftster Hoopla Along is Winter!

Do you love the snow? The holiday season? How about stitching by the fire? If all these things appeal to you then show your winter pride in Hoopla form! This month's theme is all about winter and the reason you love it or hate it. Are you stitching presents for the holiday season? Show those off too! 

Now for the details:

• You have until December 31st to post your project and be eligible for the random drawing. 
• Prize: 20.00 gift card to Amazon
• Post your hoopla HERE

See past entries and join in the fun on Craftster.org. 

November Craftster Hoopla Along

Can you believe that it is November? Where did October go? This month's theme for the Craftster Hoopla Along is so easy and so much fun. It is: Your Pick! Stitch what you love! Check out the details below. 

Details:
Time to kick back and relax. Put your feet up on the table, grab a blanket, a beverage and stitch up your favorite thing. November is all about what you love. It's a wildcard! You can stitch anything just as long as it means something to you.

You have until November 30th to post your project and be eligible for the random drawing. 

Prize: 20.00 gift card to Michaels or JoAnn's (your pick)

Post your hoopla on THIS THREAD over at Craftster.org. 

Check out past hoopla alongs and more details about this month's theme HERE. 

Craftster Hoopla Along: Monsters, Myths and Legends

September is here! Going against the trends, I have decided not to make September's hoopla along about pumpkin spice. Instead, the Craftster.org Hoopla Along is all about monsters, myths and legends. Check out the details below. Come on over and join in the fun! 

Details:

Bigfoot, the jackalope, the banshee... fact or fiction? That is up to you to decide. This month's theme is all about monsters, myths and legends. From gnomes to the legend of Sleepy Hollow; monsters, myths and legends are perfect for stitching as the September weather gets a bit cooler and days a little shorter. Just don't stitch in the dark, who knows what you might meet there and it's bad for your eyes! 

You have until September 30, 2015 to be eligible for random drawing

Prize:
20.00 Gift Card from Amazon. 
Post your hooplas on Craftster.org HERE. 

Craftster Hoopla Along: Hot Fun in the Summertime

I can't believe July is already here! We say goodbye to June and hello to July and a new round of the Craftster Hoopla Along. July's theme is Hot Fun in the Summertime. From dipping your toes into the ocean, to camping under the stars, to fighting off mosquitoes... summertime means fun time.  Stitch up your favorite or least favorite part of summer. 

Details: 

• You have until July 31, 2015 to be eligible for the random drawing
• You must post your project on the THIS THREAD at Craftster.org 

Prize for July:

A 20.00 gift card from Joann's or Michael's (your choice)

You can read more about this month's theme and see projects from past months on Craftster.org. 

Craftster April Hoopla Along: Nature!

April is here and that means another month of the Craftster Hoopla Along. This month's theme is Nature. The details of the monthly hoopla along are below and don't forget to check out Craftster.org for more details and to post your stitching. You could win a prize in the monthly random drawing! 

Details:
We have officially shaken off those winter blues and are ready to get out and enjoy nature! This month's theme is all about the outdoors. You can stitch up anything to do with nature: birds, bees, animals and flora. Feel the sun on your face as you become one with nature and one with your hoop.
You have until April 30, 2015 to be eligible for random drawing

Prize:
Your choice of a Craftster Skully T-shirt

See this month and past months challenges HERE. 

Craftster Find: Baroque Lovebird

If you are on Craftster than you are familiar with one of my favorite members, Ludi. Her needlework is absolutely amazing in every way. She is constantly pushing the envelope with technique, color and size. The piece featured here, Baroque Lovebird, was part of a Craftster swap. The entire piece is about 4.5 inches in size. You can read more about it and see more of Ludi's beautiful stitching on Craftster.org. 

Craftster's March Hoopla Along: COLOR!

Yahoo! Another month of Craftster's Hoopla Along. This month's theme is COLOR! 

Details:

Pick a pattern of your choice and brighten that sucker up with either tinting, fill in stitch or some other way to show off all the color. Try stumpwork for your fill or maybe watercolors or crayons for tinting. It is totally up to you, but your piece must be full of color! It's March and spring is right around the corner, so shake the greys and bring some color into the scene. 

You have until March 31, 2015 to be eligible for random drawing.

Prize:

20.00 gift certificate to 123 Cross Stitch 

Post your hoopla over at Craftster HERE. 

Craftster Hoopla Along: 3 New to You Stitches

It's that time again, kiddies! Craftster Hoopla Along is up and running and waiting for you to jump in. This month's theme is: 3 New To You Stitches.

You can stitch up anything you like as long as you use 3 stitches that are new to you. It's time to challenge your skills and win a prize. This month's random drawing is a 20.00 Amazon gift card. 

Entries are due by February 28, 2015. One entry per person. 

You can check out all the details HERE.  

Craftster Monthly Hoopla Along

Hoop from Craftster member Rockingbearranch

A new year and a new round of the famous Craftster Hoopla Along.  Come join along in the fun! You could win prizes and meet awesome stitchy people! You can read more about the Hoopla Along HERE. 

Monthly Update for Hoopla Theme:

Sarnky, Sweet, or Silly Quotes
Details:The holiday season is over, no need to be nice. Let your silly and snarky side show! Just can't bring yourself to be snarky, then how about some sweetness (maybe being sweet is new to you!). Stitch up your favorite snarky, silly or sweet quote. 

You have until January 31, 2014 to be eligible for random drawing

This month's prize is:
25.00 Etsy card

Craftster December Hoopla Along

I can't believe that December is already here. I'm not ready! Can someone please tell time to slow down. Another month means another great Craftster Hoopla Along. This month's theme is Winter/Christmas/Winter Holidays. 

Do you dig cold weather? Love a snow day? Are you crazy for Christmas? Having a Happy Hanukkah or maybe a solemn Soltice...whatever the case may be, stitch up your wintery goodness. You might even be the opposite of all that cheer and hate the cold weather-that's cool too, just pull out your floss and fabric and let us know! 

You have until December 31st to be eligible for a random drawing. The prize this month is a 20.00 Amazon gift card.

Come on over and join the fun!

Craftster November Hoopla Along

It is time for the November Hoopla Along over at Craftster.org. This month's theme is Vintage, Retro and Nostalgia. Do you wish for the old days? Feel like you are living in the wrong time? This month's stitch along cries out for the days of long ago. Stitch up your favorite retro or vintage image...something you are nostalgic for. It can be any time period, any image. 

You have until November 30, 2014 to be eligible for random drawing

Prizes:
This month's prize is: Craftster mug filled with goodies

 

You can read more about this month's theme HERE. 

October Craftster Hoopla Along

Hello guys and ghouls! Craftster is at it again with it's October Hoopla Along.  Promote ghostly interest this season by stitching up your favorite fall or Halloween themed pattern.  It can be anything related to the fall months or my favorite holiday, Halloween. Get out that glow in the dark thread you have been hoarding and create something simply dismal....

You have until October 31, 2014 to be eligible for random drawing.

Prizes:
This month's prize is: Craftster skully needle t-shirt

September Hoopla Along

I can't believe September is already here. It seems like yesterday we were just starting the summer and now we are heading into fall. I am excited for the new month because it means a new stitch along on  Craftster.org. This month's theme is Home Sweet Home. The details are below:

They say, "home is where the heart is," so why not prove it with this month's theme, Home Sweet Home. Stitch up anything related to your home. It can be a quote,  a piece of furniture, or maybe a sampler. It could even be your dog's house or a dream castle. It doesn't matter-just anything home related! 

You have until September 30, 2014 to be eligible for random drawing

Prizes:

This month's prize is: 20.00 JoAnn's card

You do have to be a member of Craftster to be eligible, but it is super easy to get an account set up. Come on over and enjoy the fun! Check out more Hoopla Alongs HERE.

Embroidered Shrine

If you have not been on Craftster lately then you are missing out on one of the most talented embroiderers out there today. Ludi's work is so haunting. She is able to create small works of art with a needle and thread. The above piece is a shrine that she made for a swap. Below is a side view so you can see all the tiny stitches. 

She has an etsy shop, The Imagination's Heart, in which you can purchase your very own small piece of art.

Craftster Hoopla Along: Whimsical, Nonsense, Free Range.

Craftster is hosting another round of its famous Hoopla Along. This month's theme is anything whimsical, nonsense or free range stitching.

Have you been dying to try doodle stitching? Do you have a pattern that is a little quirky or better yet, just want to do some "free range" stitching to save your sanity? This month's Hoopla Along is perfect for you. You can stitch anything you want from snarky to sweet, a little off or just downright weird. 

You have until August 31st to post your project on the THIS THREAD. If you are a new member and haven't posted before, just provide a link and the images will be brought over for you. 

There will be a random drawing at the end of the month. This month's prize is: 2 tea towels, DMC floss and needles. 

Time to have some whimsical fun and get your stitch on! 

Inspiration: Up Hoop

So many people love the Disney movie, Up. At our house, we still use the line, "cone of shame," when we see a pup in a medical cone. QueenNinjaMonkey at Craftster.org created this hoop based on the movie as a treat for herself. I am dying over the clever use of buttons as balloons. The blue felt background is a perfect contrast to the stitching. 

Portrait of a Young Man and His Hen

Each month on Craftster.org we have a Hoopla Along. There are various themes, prizes given away and we sit around and chat about stitching. It is like a virtual stitchy group! Last month's theme was Altered Images. One of my favorite members, Ludi, created this Young Man with His Hen. I absolutely love the sly look on the fox's face. Is he thinking of dinner or maybe keeping the hen as a pet? Only the fox knows for sure. You can read more about this wonderful piece at here and also participate in the Hoopla Along. Jump in any time! July's theme is Food and the prize is a $25.00 Etsy card. 

Craftster is Turning 10!

Hello from Craftster land! So much has been happening on Craftster that it is hard to keep up! 

First, Craftster is turning 10! I can't believe that it has been that long! What better way to celebrate then to have a little crafty challenge. You can check out all the details on Craftster.org. There are some amazing prizes! Entries are due between August 7th and the 13th. 

If you are new to Craftster, we have some fun for you too! We have just started a Newbie Craftalong. You can go over, introduce yourself and join in the fun! Who knows, you might learn a new craft or meet your best friend. 

Now on to the Hoopla Along! The theme for June was summer. We had so many wonderful entries! 

Beautiful stitching from: Mandobug, kittykill, alwaysinmyroom, pottermouth, lindyV321, silentblair, deathbeforedishes, wreckstangle

July's theme was your favorite word, quote, saying. I didn't think the entries could get any better but they did!

Big thanks to: mandobug, amigurl55, bushbaby, alwaysinmyroom, pottermouth, lindyV321, silentblair, deathbeforedishes

The theme for August is 10. It could be 10 of anything! Colors, numbers, hoops, it is totally up to you! 

Whew! Are you tired now? I am! I'm ready for a cup of tea and some peaceful stitching time! Have a great week! 

A Challenge!

Hey there all you wonderful stitchy people! Are you up for a fun challenge? Over at Craftster we are doing an altered image needlework challenge. Check it out! If you are not a member of Craftster, go and sign up right now. It's super easy and ten tons of fun!


Special thanks to Phizzychick for making such awesome art! 

Details of the challenge:

YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF CRAFTSTER.ORG!

Stitch up an altered photo. You can use any type of material and any type of stitch (embroidery, cross, felt...) and post your entry with picture DURING THE PROPER TIME!  The image can be old, new, but it must be a photo.

The rules:

• The project must contain a photo (old or new) and must have some form of stitching on the photo-see explanation below*-the picture must be incorporated into the piece, not just stitching a frame for a picture
• It needs to be a project you haven't posted on Craftster before.
• Each person may only enter one project
• Entries may be posted between March 1st-7th
• Voting will happen March 8th-15th
• The winner will be announce March 16th
  
  On March 1-7, to post your entry, simply start a new topic on this challenge board (the needlework challenge board). Post a picture and a little bit about the piece. DO NOT POST YOUR CHALLENGE HERE! Easy, peasy!
  
  

* The picture has to be incorporated somehow into the stitching. You can stitch on the picture or sew the picture into fabric. You don't necessarily have to actually sew onto the photo unless you want to but it you also can't just create around a picture.  The picture has to have some sort of stitch involved in it. The picture has to be altered some way.

There will be prizes and you will be featured on Craftster and on Feeling Stitchy.