Thursday, December 27, 2012

End Of The Year Super Sale All ePatterns 50% OFF in our Bonanza Booth


These prices are good until midnight, December 31st. All of our ePatterns for Machine Knit are on sale in our Bonanza booth. Some have the Graphs for Hand Knitting, many require DAK. Others are written instructions for just about any machine. 

Original Machine Knit and Hand Knit ePatterns 50% Off
http://tinyurl.com/cyq86zs

We're also including our Cross Stitch ePatterns in this sale. These are available in Hobbyware's .pat files or in graphs.

Original Cross Stitch ePatterns 50% Off
http://tinyurl.com/bmesbol

When checking out, you must use the coupon code: fifty  to receive the 50% off your order. This discount only applies to items in my booth at the above two URLs for my original ePatterns. Please do not use it in my other categories or I'll have to cancel the sale. :( 

Now if you do not wish to utilize Bonanza to purchase these at 50% OFF, that's fine. Send me a list of the items on my website's Patterns Pages that you wish to purchase and I'll invoice you via PayPal.

 

Keep on Knittin' Folks!!

Monday, December 24, 2012

SHE WON!! SHE WON!! WOO HOO

Congratulations to Chef Alex Guarnaschelli -- she's the newest IRON CHEF, and very well deserved, Alex.  I've been pulling for you all along.


You truly touched my heart when you did that show where you had to use throw-aways from commercial kitchens, grocery stores, suppliers, etc.  I could see the pain in your eyes when looking at all that waste.
         CONGRATULATIONS, ALEX!

From your longtime fan, Marge

Saturday, December 22, 2012

This Holiday Season

This holiday season is going to be so very difficult for so many.  My self included since I lost my husband last May.  But family and friends are keeping in touch regularly and that is a true comfort to me.

Please keep the families of the  Sandy Hook Elementary School  Shooting in your thoughts and prayers.  I am.

Marge

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Ever Remember!!!

Thank you, Will and Family, from PAWS CIRCLE and PRAYERS for sharing this lovely memorial list you made:







Prayer Circle -- Please Join!


Posted with permission:




So Devastating!

It has taken me all weekend to work on an article for this blog.  I wanted to,  right away ... but how, how, how, do you get your mind functioning properly where there has been such a horrific event!!

CHILDREN!  TEACHERS! Brutally struck down.  

I cannot watch long segments of television.  It hurts too much.  And now that the immediate shock is waning, they're now into all the politics --- what to do --- how can we protect --- is it a medical condition --- a syndrome --- birth defect --- drugs --- lack of parental involvement --- is more gun control needed --- more mental health awareness --- stricter laws ... they're recycling the reasons over and over.  Hour after hour - day after day.  

Yes, we need to figure out some practical way to better protect our children.  But at the moment, we need to give those  poor families, friends and townspeople whatever they need to get through this.  They are suffering.  I pray so much for them and I do feel a sense of peace wash over me from time to time during prayers.  That allows me to get back up on my feet and DO something constructive rather than sit around, glued to and yet avoiding the news shows, sitting mesmerized by the horror of what happened just a few days ago.  

Marge

Sunday, November 18, 2012

SIX MORE DAYS - Then The Mayhem Begins

Black Friday.  Only 6 mere days away.  Do yourself a favor this Holiday Season ... SHOP ONLINE!

Here's a few of the 200+ items that we have in our Bonanza Booth.

 

I've already begun my shopping ... how about you??

Marge

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

All the hustle and bustle of the RenFaire is now over.  I miss it already!  Had bunches of fun, but now it's back to more business!!

BLACK FRIDAY is rapidly approaching, along with Cyber-Monday!  Are you READY??  I am.  Been getting out a bunch more odd and end items, taking pics and will have them up online throughout the next week.  So do keep on checking my MKDesigner booth.


Added these yesterday
And then these today!  
I guess by these two items recently put up, I'm diversified!  LOL  

Not exactly Marge-type things but kids outgrew the fins and the gloves are waay too small.





Ah well, do have a great day and give thanks for all that is good in your life!
... I'm off to hunt up more stuff. 

Marge

Sunday, October 28, 2012

By your leave, M'Lords & Ladies, Most wondrous baubles! Browse Our Shoppe for Comely Bargains!

Ah ... 'Tis comin' to the end of the Grand And Glorious ~ 4th Annual Online RENAISSANCE FAIRE ... A scant 3 days to go.  All the participating booths have discount coupons to save you $$$!  Have you visited this lovely faire which has over 220 participating merchants?  Ye have 3 days to save big!

A Bit Of Something For Everyone at our booth of over 190 items …


Mikasa Salad Luncheon Plate Peony Bouquet Heritage Collection
Mikasa Peony Bouquet Soup Bowl Heritage Collection

A Matter Of Time by Beverly Byrne © 1987 Collectible


Art Deco Pink Post Style Pierced Earrings Retro
Vanilla Blossom Body Lotion and Body Spray NEW

Ribbon Remnants Glitzy and Glittery 30Yds Minimum


Celtic Dance – Forever Green Enchanting Music
Leap Of Faith Memoirs Of An Unexpected Life Queen Noor of Jordan

Sons of Camelot – The Fate Of An American Dynasty


Stunning Vintage Blues Faceted Glass Stone Clip Earrings
Renaissance Style Blue Stones Silvertone Pierced Earrings & Pendant

Holiday Snowman Tea For One Stacking Cup And Teapot Set


Periwinkle Bulky Chenille Yarn 1195 YPP 2 Lg Balls 8oz Total
Gingerbread Girl Ceramic Holiday Tea Light Holder

Christmas Beaded Votive Candle Holders NIB Home Interiors

And don’t forget to use our Published Coupon for 35% OFF when you check out. 

Coupon Code: renfaire

Please be sure to visit our FREEBIES section. 12 Fabulous items.
Thanks For Looking
Marge

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Hand Knit & Machine Knit Magazines SUPER Sale!

Here are some fabulous buys in Machine Knit and Hand Knit Magazines!  ONLY good through the month of October, and THAT date is approaching VERY rapidly!!  :)  See these and many more items at my RenFaire Booth!

For Machine Knitting ...


Hand Knitting ...

Please visit our Bonanza Booth for over 180 items from a wide variety of categories ... A Bit Of Something for Everyone!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Ahhh ... The Joys of RenFaire!

My entire booth has a great, money saver discount available, so please be sure to use the coupon code:  renfaire
during checkout to receive that 35% discount at:  MKDesigner's Booth

Here are just a few of the items I have celebrating RenFaire 2012!!



Many of our Custom Designed ePatterns are also available in Cross Stitch as well as Hand Knit Graphs or Machine Knit DAK files.

We also have numerous items in our other categories of:

China ~ Pottery ~ Glass
Jewelry
Craft Books & Magazines
Books & Magazines
Cook Books
Collectibles
Craft Supplies
Health & Beauty
Original MK/HK Patterns
Original Cross Stitch
Digital Collage
Freebies
CDs Music, Games, etc
*~Gift Certificates~ *
Thanks for looking!! Enjoy the Renaissance Faire with over 220 Booths participating in this 4th Annual event!
Marge

Sunday, October 14, 2012

You Really Should See All These...




These are just a few of the items from my Knits 'N More booth on Bonanza.  Over 220 Sellers are participating in the 4th Annual Renaissance Faire ... ALL ONLINE!!  

Click on the picture at the right to be whisked instantly to Renaissance Faire!

Don't forget to use the Coupon Code: renfaire when checking out. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

RenFaire 2012 Off To A Roarin' Start!!

Oh, my GOSH!  You really need to take a peek at this HUGE online Renaissance Faire!! Over 200 booths filled with something for everyone!! Holiday Shop EARLY!!!


Click on the graphic at left to see what all I have for you during RenFaire 2012 at MKDesigner 

Monday, October 1, 2012

Ah, Glorious RENFAIRE !!!

Don't miss this ...

The ENTIRE month of October (1st thru 31st) is the 4th Annual Renaissance Faire on Bonanza.com.

200+ sellers are participating this year!

Join the FUN & Frolic! Click the banner at the left to be whisked into the magical world of RenFaire! 

All of the participating sellers will be offering their own individual discounts and all are using the same coupon code: 

renfaire



How very handy to have an entire month to browse and shop the Renaissance Faire!  But don't delay in your purchases, items go VERY fast during this whirlwind month celebrating the mystical, magical and glorious world of RenFaire!  

And there's such an eclectic array of items available in those 200+ booths!  Here are some of the categories of our RenFaire booths:

Antiques  ~  Art  ~  Books  ~  Business  ~  Industrial  ~  Collectibles  ~  Crafts  ~   Dolls & Bears  ~  DVDs & Movies  ~   Electronics  ~  Everything Else  ~  Fashion  ~  Shoes & Accessories  ~  General Merchandise  ~  Health & Beauty  ~  Home & Garden  ~  Jewelry  ~  Pottery & Glass  ~  Specialty Services  ~  Toys & Hobbies  ~  Video Games
 



 

Friday, September 21, 2012

What's New!

Knitting. LOTS of knitting.  There are several online markets opening up in the coming months as well as craft fairs and such locally.  I'm busy building up my inventory on Bonanza in both my MKDesigner Booth and my Knits 'N More Booth.  They'd been depleting faster than I could keep up! (sales have increased lately), which is a good thing!!  

But with all the upcoming seasons (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa & Christmas) I needed to do some serious inventory replenishing!  Both for online and offline venues. 

One of the sites has an online fair that goes on for three months!  The Professional Crafter's Holiday Craft Fair!  It's a lot of fun and quite affordable. Great sales, too!

Gotta get back at that knitting & posting some great finds!!

See ya!

Marge

Monday, September 10, 2012

Tough Times

I lost the love of my life on May 11th, 2012. We had 43 glorious years together and I miss him terribly. I was so very fortunate to have known this highly intelligent, loving man, adoring father to our 3 children. Jerry was truly a Renaissance man.  I've meant to write this out for some time.  Just didn't have it in me until now. Let me tell you about this fabulous man that I loved and still love with all my heart & soul ...

Jerry Lee Parker was born in Casper, Wyoming on December10, 1946, and is predeceased by his parents, Elmer Orville Parker and Addie Ruth (Foster) Parker and a sister, Margaret (Parker) Anthony. 

Jerry passed away at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada on May 11, 2012 after a long illness. Jerry is survived by his wife of 43 years Margaret (Pratt) Parker of Sparks NV, Two sisters Janice and Judy Parker both of Sacramento, California, his brother, Max Parker of Rapid City, South Dakota and his sister, Mildred (Parker) Sherrard of Witchita, Kansas.   

Jerry was the father of three children;  Eric Parker of Sacramento, CA, Wade Parker of Sparks, NV and Jessica (Parker) Dent of Northern, OR.  He had 6 grandchildren; Alan Dent, Mercedes Dent, Mikala Dent, Jedediah Parker, Jonathon Parker and Arrie Parker.

Jerry moved to Oroville, California with his parents in the late 50s and worked many different jobs until he returned to school in 1988. He earned a masters degree in History from Chico State in 1993 and relocated to Reno NV to pursue a doctorate. He taught at Truckee Meadows Community College and published numerous historical articles until his retirement due to his failing health.

It's been tough.  Lots of sleepless nights, lots of tears, quite a bit of laughter as I browse various photo albums and tons of pride in the memories of all our time spent together.  I wish everyone could have watched him give his history lectures at the college.  Students were fascinated and always remembered the classes they had with him.  I don't know how many times we were out and a former student would come up and thank him!  I've heard from so very many of them since his passing and their heartfelt admiration of Jerry warms my heart. 

But I'm managing to get my life back into some semblance of order.  I've started crafting again, which has helped me focus.  Jerry was always a staunch supporter of my crafting whether it was machine knitting, hand knitting, crochet, cross stitch, crewel embroidery or whatever. 

More on what I'm up to at a later date.

Marge 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Where did March GO??

Busy ~ Busy ~ BUSY!!  I've been knitting up several storms lately.   All to do with my YardSellr sales.  Such fun, great folks, and I'm getting more sales on there with HandCrafted than I have in the past 6 months on either Bonanza or Etsy!  Amazing.

These larger Diagonal Tuck Stitch dual drawstring bags have been so popular with folks wanting soft carry-alls for their Kindle or Nook readers.  Some are acrylic, some are all cotton.  They knit up very quickly on my Brother 890 punchcard machine (love that old workhorse of mine!)  I've been using Card #11 from a Toyota set of punchcards. Quite popular.  They're also great as a soft lunch bag.  Tons of different uses!  Great gift bags, too. 



These little Soap Sliver Saver Sacks zip right out the door!  These are quick to knit on a standard gauge knitting machine.  I like to use various fibers rather than all cottons.  Some are blends, some are a roving wrap, some all acrylic.  I was only making all cotton until I got requests for acrylics & blended yarns!  Another use for this lacy little bag is to put a sachet of potpourri (in fine netting) inside and hang it over a hanger hook in your closet, or use it in a drawer.  I like potpourri in my dresser, but never did like just having it in the netting.  So I started using these little lacy sacks to diffuse the scent a bit.  Sometimes, those scents are a bit overpowering!! LOL


The soap sacks usually get shipped out along with a set of my Facial Scrubbies.  The ones here are all cotton, but I have had requests every now and then for acrylics.  Maybe they have a cotton allergy?  Dunno.  I put finger loops on mine, some do, some don't.  I have arthritis and boy, that loop sure comes in handy when you're trying to hold on to a slippery wet scrubbie!   :)  I've had folks tell me they use them for washing up delicate china, too.  
That's what's happening with me and my knitting & crochet. :)  Leave a comment and let me know what crafting you've been doing lately.


Keep on crafting and SMILE!!
Marge

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Machine Knit Items NOT Handcrafted?? I don't THINK so!!!!!

Time for me to get on my high horse or soapbox or whatever one calls it these day.


MACHINE KNIT ITEMS >> ARE << HANDCRAFTED!!!!!

What has caused me to start waving the flag of HANDCRAFTED??  There are two sites online where you need to have your items designated as handcrafted or made by you.  I am soooo tired of the infighting on one of those two sites; they natter at anyone who DARES to put up an item that is machine knit and put it in their handmade/handcrafted areas.

Well, let me tell you ... it takes a LOT of work to create a machine knit item.  You don't just stick the yarn on the machine and then VOILA ... it comes off completely done.  Doesn't work that way, folks.

You decide on a pattern. Either one you create your self or one that is available commercially.  Then, you need to choose your yarn and any of your patterning to the knit fabric you will be creating.

So you thread the yarn onto your machine.  Cast the stitches on over the required number of needles.  Set all the parameters to knit that lovely item you chose.

You begin knitting, moving the carriage back and forth.  It's a nice rhythm and you enjoy your craft. Maybe, you're adding eyelets or cables or another stitch technique as you go along.  You've reached the end of your pattern and your FABRIC that YOU created is done.  Finally, you have to cast off your work, even if you're using waste  yarn.  

Then, you have to put your precious item together.  There may be more than one piece that you've had to knit or maybe it's a single piece item.  Doesn't really matter.  It still needs to be stitched up!!  Put together!!  Whatever. 

THAT is HANDCRAFTING!!

Would you tell a person who does a lot of sewing that theirs is not hand crafted?  They CHOOSE a pattern. They BUY the fabric (ahem ... I'm MAKING MY OWN FABRIC - neener-neener) , they CUT it out, they SEW it up.  They complete the project.

Isn't that what *I* just did????  Using my KNITTING machine to MAKE the fabric???  How is this different???  I just don't see it.

I've removed all my handcrafted items from one site and am seriously considering doing the same on the other.  It'll only take ONE more comment / email / forum posting for me to yank my HANDCRAFTED items from that site as well.

I don't tell folks it is HAND MADE, I tell them it's HAND CRAFTED.  And it is.

Okay, stepping down off my soap box / rock / horse now.

Marge

Monday, March 5, 2012

Oh My GOSH! Happy Camper Here!!

Things are really popping at YardSellr for me.  I woke up this a.m. to even more positives in my decision to really market more of my items through them.  2 Sales and an offer.  Doing the happy dance here!!  


If you've never been to Yardsellr and are considering marketing your items, please go there.  Free to join, only need a Facebook account and it's a kick!!


Back to emails ...


Marge

Friday, March 2, 2012

Double-Scallop Trim

Double-Scallop Trim …

We did this at a seminar umpteen years ago 
( I think it was in Sacramento back in the 80’s) and I unearthed the hand-out sheet with my own notes so wanted to share this with you.


I once again drug out this little pattern and was playing with it on my Brother 390 Machine in 9mm mode.  Oh, it looks so nice!  Hmmm now to come up with some uses.  Anyone have suggestions?

Needle Setup:  ( Definition – “I” = working or “B/D” position, “O” = non-working or “A” position)

I I O O I O O I O O I I

Use a closed edge cast-on (e-wrap or latch-on) over the working position “I” needles.  Get ready to add weights after the first row! 

·         Machine on HOLD (Russell Buttons/Levers UP)
·         Put the two single “I” needles into “E” position. 
·         Knit 6 rows.
·         Release HOLD feature on your machine, knit 1 row.
·         Pull the two single “I” needles back out to “E” position, machine back on hold and repeat these steps for as long as you want your trim.

If your machine does not have the HOLD capabilities, it can be done manually.  I've got the HOW TO and pictures in the FILES section on the Yahoo Group:  Fun With Big Brother for those with bulky machines.  Look in FILES > A LOT OF TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR BULKIES > ManTuckStitch.pdf  

The principle of knitting off your HOLD needles with ravel cord or something similar will be the same for putting the above "I" needles into HOLD.  Takes longer, but the results are quite good. 

Marge






Thursday, March 1, 2012

Latest Projects

Most of my hand crafted items are doing fairly well on the various markets, but there's one that is really taking off lately and that is Tatted Flowers.  They're tiny, made with various thin crochet cotton threads (i.e. #10).  I've been doing them up in batches and listing them.  Currently only on Yardsellr.



These are great to glue onto mixed media, ACEO's, greeting cards, all sorts of applications. There are 'tails' on each of them for ease in handling them when adding them to your work. We used Aleene's Tacky Glue which dries clear, folding back the tails to the backside of the flower, then clipping close after it's glued to prevent unraveling.

I used to make tons of greeting cards, gift tags, even embellishing my business cards and such with these little tatted flowers.   I bought more shuttles and am working on variegated greens, parakeet blue, more yellow, plum and raspberry colors.  

Marge

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Pros & Cons When Considering Change

Not a total change ... not yet.  But with the way things are going on Yardsellr, I'm seriously considering a more permanent move.


I've been on Yardsellr.com for a bit less than a month.  And if I remember correctly, Yardsellr ranked quite well in the polls which were on Auction Bytes.  I decided to give it a try and it was worth the effort.   Sales are more than I'd received on Etsy (2 shops there) and Bonanza (2 booths there) combined in that same time period.


Yes, Yardsellr has some good features ... and of course, bad as well.  Their listing program takes some getting used to, but I think that's the same with any site you go to, none of them are perfect.  All of them have difficulty to some degree or another.


The Photon$ thingy is still rather confusing to me, but I'm slowly catching on and have been able to get some great bargains by using the Photon$ when purchasing.  AND, it's lots of fun 'gifting' Photon$ to others who comment or purchase your items.


I will be moving more items over from Bonanza & Etsy as time permits and also as the popularity (sales) of my Yardsellr items increases.  For now, just a hundred or so.  We'll see how it works out.  I'll always keep some of my original ePatterns on both sites since I do have somewhat of a following there and get the occasional sale of them from repeat customers.




At least it doesn't cost anything to list on Yardsellr!  You can't have a quantity there that will count down as you sell items, but that's okay. There's a quick & easy relist option which I've already used.  They are based through Facebook so there's lots of exposure of your items that way.  

The friendliness and helpfulness of the other sellers is fabulous!!  It's that camaraderie that is all important to me.  I've made a wealth of new friendships and it grows daily.

Yes, it's there on Bonanza, but the sales on there and keeping the gold membership was starting to cost beyond my sales income.  Not a good idea business wise.  Perhaps it's just a lull but I decided to venture out into other avenues for selling.   I've not found that closeness to be so on Etsy, seems to be a lot of in-fighting (MY Opinion!!).  

So I've decided to give Yardsellr a good shot.  How long?  My usual minimum on a site is about 2-4 years so I can get a good idea over a long period of time.  So far, so good.  Making sales almost every day. And that makes Marge a very happy girl!


Marge

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Hubby Now Home!

Jerry is now at home and doing quite well. He still needs the walker and his cane to get around, but he's HERE!!!! That's the best part. After 4 months in hospitals and rehab facilities, it was so good to see him come home.

And I want to thank the folks at Life Care for their excellence in helping Jerry through the rehab process. They're such lovely folks there, always remembering your name and smiling. I think that's one thing which really impressed me. No looks of drudgery, no frowning, nothing like I've seen in other places. And they always responded quickly to Jerry's needs.

He really liked the food, the camaraderie with not only the staff, but the other residents. Everything was made to feel like home with a great deal of respect. You can't beat linen table cloths & napkins with goblets & good quality cups in the dining room to make you welcome.

If you have a loved one who is in need of extended skilled nursing, PLEASE contact your insurance provider and see if LIFECARE is on their list of authorized facilities. You won't be sorry.

Marge

Friday, January 27, 2012

It's Taking A LONG Time...

I'd posted information about the Bonanza RenFaire back in early October, 2011. Well, so much has happened in my life since then that has delayed any posting to my blog. My hubby, Jerry, went into the hospital around the middle of that month but was able to come home in a few days.

Then, at the end of October, the 27th, he had a massive heart attack and back into the hospital he went. It was not looking good at that point. They thought he may have a blockage, but then they determined he did not have that, the angioplasty was cancelled. So they had to do a Hypothermic procedure (not sure of the exact name of that) on him which basically froze him for a couple of days, to help his body heal. He was there, in CICU for a few weeks.

He was there for several weeks, then he went to a transitional facility (Tahoe Pacific) for a couple of weeks, then on to Renown ReHab for several more weeks. He came home on December 21st and was back with yet another heart condition on the 23rd. Days later, he was transferred to Life Care here in Reno. He's doing quite well now and we have high hopes that he'll once again be home within a week or 10 days.

This has been a bit of a rough time for us, so knitting and designing has not been at the forefront of my mind. Until shortly after the first of the year, when I decided I NEEDED to get back into my fiber crafts in order to keep my sanity. I've been able to get a lot done and have many more things on the drawing board.

My sincere thanks to all my fiber friends for their continued emails of support and their prayers. God has been watching over us all through this and frankly, Jerry's continued progress has amazed his doctors. Thank you!

Marge