Handmade Memories Newsletter

March - April 2010

Spring - Yeah!! - the good thing that I have discovered about getting older is that since time seems to go buy so fast - at least short dark days go by fast and it's Spring again before you know it. I love leaving work in the daylight - not in the dark. Welcome Spring!!

We had a wonderful 9th anniversary party! Thanks so much to all of you that helped make it such a great day and a great last 9 years. I say, lets make the next nine even more fun.

Haiti - We were all trying to think of a way that we, as a group of knitters, could help out in Haiti. Of course they don't need warm hats, blankets or scarves so Bea came up with a great idea. We are all making a 10" by 10" square out of blues, greens & purples. After all of the squares are finished they will be turned into an afghan and raffled off. We will have the finished afghan in the store for everyone to come in and see. Of course after you see it, you are going to want to buy tickets for a chance to win it. Tickets will be $1.00 each, so we can all buy lots of chances. It's a great chance to help where help is needed and also possible to win a beautiful hand-knitted afghan. Of course all proceeds go to Haiti.

Contests - We had really gorgeous entries in our Felted Bag Contest. I know it was a hard decision for our voters, but the winner was Cindy with her green flowered bag - we have a picture of the bags on the bulletin board, so if you missed seeing them, come on in and check it out. March & April Contests - Our regular rules apply - all you need to do is buy your yarn from Handmade Memories specifically for this contest and make any pattern you like. After that, we display all entries for a week and everyone gets to come in and vote. Everyone gets a vote, so bring your friends. The person with the most votes at the end of the week wins a $50 gift certificate. March contest is a "Baby Sweater &". That means a baby sweater and booties, blanket, hat, leg warmers or whatever goes with a sweater. This contest ends March 31st. April contest is "Felted Decorated Slippers". This contest will give all of you who like to make felted slippers a chance to make a pair and add needle felting or other technique to decorate them. This contest ends April 30th. If you haven't tried a contest yet, now is the time, and when you are through you will have a baby gift and cool, one of a kind slippers.

The Yarn Of The Month - Check out our Yarn of the Month. We have a table right inside the door with a yarn on special for the month. You never know what it is going to be - but it's a terrific deal so you are going to want to come see what it is each month, and get a great deal on a great yarn.

Felting Machine - Yes we do have a felting machine at the store - It is there for those of you that don't have a washing machine that will felt. You are welcome to use it for free if you buy the yarn for your project from Handmade Memories. If you didn't buy your yarn from us, there is a small charge. Now there is no excuse not to try felting.

Midnight Free For All - Just in case you haven't joined us before - I'll fill you in on what happens - Once a month we all get together and sit and visit and knit, crochet or work on whatever needle work you want to do. Some of us stay until midnight, but you are welcome to come and go as you please. Feel free to bring a snack to share if you would like (or not - we don't have many rules.) Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend. March's date is Friday the 5th and April's date is Friday the 9th.

Classes - We are still doing our beginning knitting class on a "come on in and learn to knit" basis. Any time you are ready to learn to knit - just come in, buy your needles and yarn from us and there is no charge. If you bring in your own supplies, there is a $15 charge. In the beginning class you will learn to cast on, knit, purl & bind off. From there on the sky is the limit - you'll be a knitter!!

Weaverville - As I mentioned earlier, time really seems to go fast - so now is the time to plan for Weaverville. This year's Creative Escape is planned for the 23rd, 24th & 25th of July. If you have gone before, you already know how much fun it is, and if you haven't, trust me, you will love it. Every year we take an opportunity to get out of the coastal fog and spend a weekend in Weaverville in July. We go to the Weaverville Victorian Inn on Friday afternoon and stay until Sunday afternoon. The all-inclusive price covers your room, meals, snacks, beverages, an 8' table in the conference room, goodie bag, games, prizes, classes and a ton of fun. You can take any craft projects you would like to work on and leave them set up in the conference room all weekend. We are next to the pool and of course if you would like to shop, there is beautiful downtown Weaverville. You are welcome to join in all or none of the activities as you please. We are just there for fun.I will fill you in on the details later - I just wanted you to put it on your calendar. You are welcome to call me for more info.

Handmade Memories
Bella Vista Plaza
1225 Central Ave #14
McKinleyville, CA 95519
Phone: 707-839-2447
email: handmadememories@suddenlink.net
website: www.handmadememories.org