9Holiday Afghans - The Crochet Crowd

Mike y
Oct. 22nd, 2015
In This Issue
9
Benefits of Weighted Blankets
Holiday
Afghans
*Cuteness Alert*
Little Emily Schools Dela
You make me smile
Hawt off the Hook with Mikey
During Creativ Festival, we had a young
visitor plop herself down during one of
our formal workshops. Meet Emily, on
front cover. Dela’s our awesome Tunisian Expert,
I had been walking around the booth
and saw Emily sitting in one of our
chairs during Dela’s class. If you know
Dela, she’s one of the most patient and
sensitive people I know. Emily’s dad
was leaning on a table looking on as she
watched his young daughter crochet.
She already knew the basics and yarn
manipulation skills.
But wait… Dela didn’t wrap her hook right and Emily will not stand for it. Emily doesn’t realize
Dela is doing another technique. Emily definitely has the skills and are correct for what Emily was
up to. It was time for Emily to step in and school Dela!
This is the exact moment you can break a child’s creativity in half and for them to walk away feeling defeated. This is one of the moments I am most proud of from the Creativ Festival as well. Dela
encouraged Emily to show her method and Dela played along in pretending to learn the skills from
Emily. Is this so wrong? Absolutely not.
Emily was then schooling Dela. Dela could have switched this around correcting Emily for not
doing the skills that were in the class but instead, embraced what Emily had to learn. This, in turn,
gave Emily a sense of accomplishment and teaching skills. It was a win-win.
Us adults around the crochet igoo know what’s happening and that Dela could have schooled Emily but she didn’t. Dela allowed the tables to turn to embrace the creativity that was being shown.
Therefore, giving Emily a moment to shine. What a gift!
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Contents
3 Yarn Talk
4 Granny Noel Throw
5 Step Ladder Afghan
6 Dusty Snowflake Throw
7 Christmas Wreath Throw
8 Creativ Gallery
10 Holiday Afghan
11 Peppermint Swirl Throw
12 Mikey’s Video Library
13 Spinrite E-Tent SALE
mini tent sale!
14 Poinsettia Throw
15 Holiday Balls Throw
16 Facebook ?s with Jeanne
17 Holiday Stripes Throw
18 *NEW* pumpkin tutorial
19 The Pumpkin Bash Goes On
20 Facebook Shares
Halloween
22 Ideas from Yarnspirations.
com
24 Benefit of Heavy Blankets
25 Globetrotter updates
26 Remembrance day Poppy
27 Facebook shares
28 *NEW* Jewelled Ornament
29 Facebook Meme
30 Aloha our 2017 Cruise
31 Diva Dan’s Thoughts
32 Past Issues
:)
This week
I think sometimes us
adults, including myself,
need to silence ourselves
and let the kids teach us
too. It is the time when a
child feels comfortable in
sharing knowledge they
have and for us to embrace
what they have learned
and are offering us. The
skill building exercise from
this moment is critical to a
child’s development.
Dela thought it was sweet to have been taught as there are not too many
children as young as Emily crocheting today. Dr Phil has this saying that
I appreciate, “Is it better to be happy or better to be right?” In this case,
it is better to be happy. In time, Emily may come to learn Tunisian but
this wasn’t the time. It was her time to shine and thankfully Dela recognized that moment and embraced it.
Happy Hook’n to you
Emily. We wish you
a life time of crochet
happiness. -Mikey
Yarn Talk
Assorted Pillows
Christmas Tree Skirts + Mini Yarn
Trees
Crochet Baby Sampler Afghan
Holiday Home Collection E-Book
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Granny’s Noel Throw
T
his week we are giving
you ideas for the up
& coming season. Get a
head start on your favourite
afghans and throws so they
are ready for gift giving
time.
T
his Granny Noel Throw
is as basic as it can get.
A combination of one large
granny square and four
grannies put together to
form a larger one.
Both Right and Left
version are available
to watch of the Large
Square
Right hand is available
to watch of the small
squares
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
4
Step Ladder Afghan
T
he Step Ladder Afghan
using Bernat Blanket
Yarn is a quick and lovely
textured Afghan. Using
holiday colours, you can
decorate and snuggle with
the warmth of the season.
M
ix and match according your holiday colours or the personality of
whomever you are gifting
it to.
Right and Left hand
version are available to
watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
5
Dusty Snowflakes Throw
T
his stunning snowflake
afghan is partially an
optical illusion as the white
is mixed in to give it a 3D
texture effect. It’s not as
hard as it looks.
A
little worried about
learning this one.
Watch Mikey’s tutorial. it
would be a breeze. He simplifies it in easy terms so
you can be successful to.
Right and Left hand
version are available to
watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Christmas Wreath Throw
I
f you are a crocheter that
like to repeat the same
square while doing a movie
marathon, this afghan is
for you! Creating solid and
half tone squares, you then
create this wreath afghan
according to the pattern
design.
M
ikey says to choose
your friends wisely
if gifting this one. It’s a lot
of work and you will want
to give it to someone that
appreciates your time.
Right version is
available to watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Creativfestival
Photo Gallery of Creativ Festival Highlights
We had a lot of fun last week. Many highlights of the show included
teaching in the amazing crochet snowflake igloo! What a magical experience it was. The show was busy with people all around but when you
entered the igloo you felt wrapped in a wonderful cocoon. The snowflakes represented all of our individualism connected together like the
INTERNET itself and wrapped together to cocoon the feeling of warmth
and love shared by all that contribute to our passion. We had a enchanting reaction and enjoyment teaching in the igloo. The Crystal Chandelier by Cathy Lund was perfect! It was the perfect blend allowing light
to shine through! When the sun came out you could see the rainbows
coming through the crystals and onto the snowflakes.
It was the Igloo that attracted the attention of Breakfast TV.
The reaction of Jennifer (the Host) was nothing but amazed
and wowed. You can see the
interview here! (it will play
after the commercial)
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The Nutcrackers were another highlight! Literally, they stopped
people in their tracks! It is a bustling show, people are moving fast
to get to the next booths but when they came around the corner,
the camera phones came out! It was like the paparazzi. All we can
say is WOW, what a great response. The team of 4, Mikey, Kevin,
Karen and Diva Dan did a Fabulous job. We are hoping that they
we be displayed in Ottawa and then back to Toronto for the Nutcracker ballet season. We are so excited!
Part of our booth we sold yarn. It’s a great chance to really see what
customers are buying! But it also
a fabulous chance for us to dive in
and think of all the wonderful ideas
and patterns we can play with. Our Friend Kathy came all the way to California to
help out. The first day she dressed up as an elf. No elfing around here, she was our
amazingly comic relief. Thanks Kathy! Kevin and Karen also did a superb job on the
Christmas Tree. We had a number of Elves decorating the tree and it got plenty of
attention and awes.
Dela Wilkins, our Tunisian Expert, is a patient as a can be. She is such a wonderful
teacher and a huge love for Tunisian. If you ever take a class with her, you will learn
lots! We love having her with us! Colleen was helping on cash. She is the most cheery
person ever! We love her long, long time! :D
Behind the scenes we had much help with garments and getting our
props to the show. We have to thank hugely for the team of Yarnspirations.com and Spinrite. Thank you!
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Holiday Afghan
A
gain another granny
square idea. Change
the colours for a more festive look. What makes this
such a great holiday afghan
is the tassels!
D
azzle them with sparkling yarn and be
creative. There is plenty of
ideas you can do with this
afghan.
Right and Left hand
version are available to
watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Afghan made by
Donna Bishop
Peppermint Swirl Throw
W
e have featured this
afghan a few times
and it still goes to the top of
our list for popularity.
O
ne of the most complex afghans but made
simple by Mikey. This
afghan is ALWAYS a show
stopping in any house
F
or those who love
county fairs, this afghan
design has won several
awards all over the globe!
Hint Hint! :D
Right and Left hand
version are available
to watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials
Arrow Stitch
Foundation Double Crochet
Basket Weave Stitch
Star Stitch
Crinkle Stitch
Extended Moss Stitch
If love the teaching, the patterns and the down to earth nature of Mikey, then take the time to subscribe
to the Crochet Crowd’s YouTube Channel. You will get updated with all the latest videos that could spark
your next project!
Click
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Alpaca
Bamboo Chunky
Monsterball
Big Ball Blended Wool
It’s a Mini Tent Sale…
Tent Sale Yarns Reduced…
Boucle
Pipsqueak
Pooch
KW
Chunky
Worsted
Big Ball Wool Blend
Big Ball Chunky
October 20th to October 26th, 2015
Ends Monday Night at 11:59 pm (EST)
12 different brands to choose from...Don’t miss out!!!
Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through
Spinrite’s E-Tent
Try out these patterns from Yarnspirations.com with your new order!
Snow Capped Ornaments
Quick & Easy Blanket
Figure Eight Cowl
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Poinsettia Throw
W
hen we first had the
chance to see this
throw, let us tell you it was
AMAZING!
T
he bases of this throw
is single crochet with
some granny squares. The
stunning and gorgeous part
is the cross stitching, creating the amazing pattern
and detail!
E
ven though it is time
consuming, it is beyond
festive! This one would be
for that perfect spot in the
house.
Right hand version is
available to watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Holiday Balls Throw
T
he Holiday Balls Throw
is another simple and
decorative afghan that can
be whipped up quickly.
C
reating a circle and enclosing the circle with
a square, you can do this
quick, colourful and ready
for that special someone!
W
ho says Christmas
Balls are red and
green? Come on gang, use
your imagination with lots
of colours. Think about
Christmas lights!
Both Right and Left
version are available
to watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Facebook ?s with Jeanne
I sure don’t understand it. Yarn
weights...let’s take for example worsted
weight 4 (in U.S.). When I buy say Red
Heart super saver in a solid color it is
thicker than Red Heart in a variegated
color. So how do they (the yarn makers)
come up with the weights and how can
“worsted” weights be different thickness?
I don’t get it. Thanks in advance. from
Caren G
Does anyone know if you are permitted to take a
crochet hook on a US plane? from Cindy Y.
I see this same question asked all the
time. It’s can be surprising, but the
answer is YES! In fact, on one of my
recent travels, I was frogging a project
while in the airport and a very nice lady
moved over next to me to wind the yarn
while I pulled it out. It’s a great conversation starter. I even carry small plastic
round tip scissors with no problem. If
you need to travel with scissors bigger
than 4”, then be sure to put those in
your checked bag. Also, another no-no
for carry-ons is those circular thread
cutters, although I have taken mine
on wearing it as a necklace. My friend
Nancy explained that the reason is because the circular cutter contains a blade
that can be taken apart. If you are
ever in doubt, here is a link to the TSA
where you can search on any item. TSA
Carry-On allowed.
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Yarn weights sometimes can seem like
a big mystery, but fortunately there is
a solution. The Craft Yarn Council is
the governing group which sets the
standards for the weights of the yarn.
Yarn comes in many sizes from Lace
to Jumbo. Within each category, there
is a range that the yarn will fall into.
Think of it this way, if you are wearing a size ladies medium shirt, not all
people who fall into the medium sized
shirt measure the exact same measurements. We will vary by a couple
Hey there Crochet Crowd family!
inches either way. The same would be
Does anyone have a trick when you true for yarn. The medium 4 worsted
have to connect a chain without
weight yarn will fall into a range of
twisting the chain? from Margaret thicknesses. Check out this chart from
S.
the Craft Yarn Council to see the ranges for all the yarns. Craft Yarn Council
When making a long chain, I try
Yarn Standards
to let it hang as much as possible.
Then when joining it into a circle, let it out flat and smooth it by running my finger thru it from one end to the other, then slip stitch to
join. But while browsing the internet, I stumbled across this “method” of holding onto the first chain. I have not tried it yet but it looks
rather interesting. How to Join a Chain
Jeanne is looking for questions on Facebook to answer.
Holiday Striped Throw
W
e did a sample of this
afghan changing the
colours to Diva Dan’s Santa’s Toy Workshop colour
combo. We were surprise
how it turned out.
T
his pattern has a fabulous border. Another
very basic pattern that is
mindless and fun to do
while watching the latest
talk on TV.
Right and Left hand
versions are available
to watch.
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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*
W
E
N
*
Crochet a Large Pumpkin
Learn how to crochet your own
Pumpkin for Halloween, Fall or
even Thanksgiving. These make for
fabulous home decor items for a
center piece or strategic fall decorations.
Having a unique stitch pattern
called the puff stitch, this pumpkin
has a fabulous texture.
Mikey used Bernat Super Value
therefore making his pumpkin a
little bit bigger but make sure you
give it lots of stuffing, you don’t
want a deflated centre piece.
Both Right and Left hand versions are available to watch
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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My pumpkin looks dull and mundane here. Don’t be fooled by appearances. They can be deceiving. You will fall for my pumpkin once you see
what I have done. Bah hah stand
back stitches and prepare to be
amazed! - Cathy
There isn’t an embellishment in
my stash that isn’t making its way
onto my pumpkin....I have even
saluting (albeit smugly) my challengers with some crochet embellishments too! Let’s just say this pumpkin in
no longer blank! I may go down in the pumkin decorating hall of fame with
this project. -Carmi
Well my crafties, prepare to weep as I am putting on the final touches. My
pumpkin design is already relaxing and just waiting for me to straighten his
tie. My pumpkin is ready to sing and dance down the yellow brick road. See
you in Oz! - Jeanne
Okay, I started this mess and now
I need to deliver on my threats!
It’s time to put my hook into the
wind and let the Yarn Whisperer
speak through my hands! Daniel
is pushing for me to crochet fish net stockings. Don’t tell Colleen though, she’s
been dying for leotard crochet designs and I am in denial that she ever asked
me that! Maybe this apple and worm would be great!- Mikey
The Great Pumpkin, Design Off begins with four crafters
in the corners of the ring! The boxing gloves are off as
we pull out our hooks, glue sticks, sewing machines, scrap
booking supplies and more. Oh my pretties, this is going to
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get ugly!
Shares of Halloween
BOO Ghost! Lori made this for her
friend’s birthday
What a great idea. Nails and yarn to
created designs by Donielle!
Maghan’s daughter is happier that
she made Boba Fett better then the
store version
Kelly has created the Bride of Frankenstein. Scary!
Jack Skellington from the Nightmare before Christmas by Peggy
Monte’s Day of the Dead Skulls on a
coffin. Neat idea!
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Nina Lynn’s little minion is ready for
Halloween. Very Cute!
Nesha is so proud of her wreath. She
did a great job!
Jennifer’s little autumn arrangement
is very well done !
Shares of Halloween
Great Oogie Boogie Man made by
Ashley.
Pumpkin hangers are ready to be
put on the doors by Aurora
Gillian’s Halloween Hat! Love the
veil! it looks great!
Awesome fall wreath by Jessica
Lots of Canady Corn. Graci made
this set for her craft show.
This little devil is ready for Halloween by Cynthia.
These are many samples of what
The Crochet Crowd Community
is doing for Halloween.
Many of these patterns are ideas and inspiration created by the
crowders themselves. Also you can go to our Facebook Page, Click
‘Photos’, them ‘Photos Posted by Others’ and scroll down to find
what you are looking for. Don’t forget to say you love their Creativity!
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Get Your Own Card
Imagine free shipping anytime exclusively for members of The Crochet Crowd! Need an
emergency order of yarn, get your code and keep it on file! Only at Yarnspirations.com.
Does not include any sales from the Spinrite E-Tent.
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Ideas
Witchy Lily
Witch Dishcloth
Treat or Treat Wreath
Witch Hat
Halloween Bat
Spiders
Spider with it’s Web
Jack’o Lantern Dishcloth
Bat Dishcloth
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The Benefits of Weighted Blankets
An interesting thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. As
summer changed to fall, my flannel sheets and heavy comforter
came out of the closet and onto the bed. It was the best night’s
sleep that I had in several months. I never woke up or turned
over once the whole night.
I didn’t give it too much thought that I was enjoying better sleep
until I stumbled across an article on the internet about ‘weighted
blankets’. It was the first time that I had ever heard that term, so
it caught my eye. What I learned is that heavy weighted blankets can help people with Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID). This is a condition that can be associated with autism and learning disabilities. The weighted blanket has a soothing and calming effect that can
possibly help people with this disorder.
Well, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true this can be. My son has ADHD, his foot
never stops moving, and yet he cannot sleep unless he is wrapped from head to toe in a heavy blanket, no
matter the time of year.
Then I remembered being young myself and piling blankets 6 deep on my bed each night. Not because I
was cold, because it just made me feel secure. It was only recently in life when those dreaded hot flashes
began that I started not sleeping with extra blankets. Maybe I’ll keep piling on the blankets and just turn
that thermostat down more in the summer.
The Beauty of crochet blankets is that they are heavy and made with love. I love using the Bernat blanket
yarn. It creates the weighted attention needed for this theory. Now I have seen people use Mega Bulky as
well. Using Mega Bulky creates amazing weight and the throws are very heavy. Give it a try. It might help
and like most of us, we all need a real good night sleep.
Jeanne
Try These Weighted Blanket Ideas
Easy Going Crochet Blanket
Using Mega Bulky
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Tunisian Honeycomb Blanket
Arm knit 3-hr Blanket
Using Bernat Blanket
Learn from Mikey
Using Bernat Blanket
See how to Arm Knit
Enjoy Crocheting the
Globetrotter Shawl
Try this amazing and stunning New Challenge.
A new Crochet Along featuring a brand new pattern with
Mikey has begun. Mikey will be teaching the Globetrotter
Shawl as seen in the picture provided.
The shawl features a technique called bruges lace and Mikey
had never heard of it before being asked to do this crochet
along for Yarnspirations. He learned new techniques and
had a lot of fun expanding his own skills.
The crochet along is one video featuring all components
involved with the shawl. It’s one of the longest videos in
Mikey’s video collection with over 1 Hour and 40 minutes.
He left no stone un-turned so that you can be successful.
To learn more about this pattern and/or order your yarn
supplies to make these exquisite projects, please visit
Yarnspirations.com Blog for all the Details
Right Hand Version and Left Hand Version
WIP by Susan
Anna has done the Lace
Colourful job Andrea
WIP by Elaina
Beautiful work Barbara
Fabulous by Jeanne
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Remembering with Poppies
Remembrance Day is coming up. Lest we Forget! We
have a Poppy pattern and video BUT please don’t forget to support the Veterans handing out the traditional
poppy. If you choose to wear you own crochet poppy, do
make a donation in honour of their fight for freedom. It
is the least we can do.
Pattern
Video
I Think this is a neat idea. It is the Mystery afghan but with Flowers
on it by Shay B Archi. The flowers look like Poppies. Very fitting for
Remembrance Day (Canadian)/ Veterans day (U.S.) coming up.
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Shares from Our Community
Fatma’s Blanket is looking AWESOME! Wow, what a pop of colour!
The Bricks afghan came out great by
Tracy! Nice touch with the colours.
Breat job on the Triangle Scarf Beth.
Love the yarn. It look sgreat on you!
Love, Hope and a rainbow. Nice
touch Emily!
Jorja decided to finally make the
Peak Hat. Well Done!
Iris used the Stitch-cation motifs
to makes this charming top!
The Broomstitch Lace scarf is lacy
and fabulous by
Lindsey’s octopus family for a wedding. Ok thats is too cute!
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*
W
NE
Jewelled Snowflakes
*
This absolutely stunning Jewelled Snowflake Ornament is
fabulous and one of the most exciting patterns I have done
in a long time.
I love how this ornament sparkles with Caron Simply Soft
Party Yarn but also that it is three dimensional. The interior circle has thickness as there are two centre motifs put
together to give it weight and structure.
You could put potpourri in
between the two centre motifs
for air scenting. I definitely
wouldn’t put Cat Nip in this
as your cat make go rangy all
over your Christmas Tree.
I felt in this pattern that if you
don’t have the hanger made, it
would be an amazing topper
for prepackaged gifts like tin
cookies or even hang from
the neck of a bottle of wine or
champagne.
Give it a try!
Pattern, Video, and
Blog click here
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Check in with us, we will
post on Facebook, the
photo Mfeme of the day.
We like you to come up
with something clever for
the photo. We will pick
the one we like, then add
it to our Magazine!
What would your meme say?
“I didn’t think this is what
they meant when they said I
was gonna meet a real Yarn
Head!”
Mom did say if I hook
to much that I would
turn into a yarn ball!
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Crochet Cruises Update
ALOHA!
We have announced our
dream
2017 Crochet Crochet
Cruise!
Yes, It is a trip to HAWAII! Can you imagine!
February 2nd, 2017
15 days! From San Francisco and back
For more
information on staterooms and how
to book
please click here.
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Diva Dan!
It so good to sit back and relish hard work!
We had a fabulous Creativ Festival! Seeing
many of our Crochet Crowd Community
Members and new people, I am so proud
of our team for working painfully hard! We
have never used our feet so much on this
show before. Michael and I are still limping
after 4 days and so are our volunteers!
After every show, and on the way home,
there are moments that we laugh so damn
hard over nothing. I believe that it might be
called exhaustion. Those are the best moments.
Looking back, laughing and feeling proud of
what we have done and not making sense of any of it. LOL
Michael being silly!
Well, we are glad that Creativ is done until next year. We do know what our theme is for 2016 but
that is not until next year. I am also glad that we can move onto our next adventures! We have
something really exciting planned for June 2016 that will be involving us Canadians. It is going to
be launched in January 2016. So Canadians, look forward to the new launch! We hope to see you!
*wink*
In the meantime, work begins as usual, lots of videos are planned, ideas for the holidays season is
coming up, Michael and I are planning to launch an E-pattern book of some of our designs. It will
be free, of course! Lots to do! And I still need to get a new fridge. Using a small bar fridge really
cuts down on the shopping list!
Today is a beautiful fall day. Take the time to breath in life. It is wonderful! Crochet for love and I
thank everyone for helping us and seeing us at Creativ festival.
Diva Dan
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This newsletter is produced by Michael Sellick and Daniel Zondervan, Creative Directors of The
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© 2015 TheCrochetCrowd.com
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