• Blog

    Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part III

    Oh my gosh did I have fun working with the Hairpin lace from the early 1900s and will continue to work on patterns. I’ll share my progress as they come together. This week I’m working on crocheted lace from the old magazines. Lace trimmings were very important and popular during the early 1900s If women wanted lace trimmings they had to make them. I’m constantly amazed at the creativity of these women in creating their own designs. One of my favorite projects to make for new babies is a receiving blanket with crocheted edgings. After hemming…

  • Blog

    Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part II

    Oh boy! Reading through the needlecraft magazines from the 1900s I found one from 1908 … wow! There is so much history in these magazines I feel very fortunate to have them and be able to look through these treasures whenever I wish. I do fear I may have permanent damage to the eyes, though! Maybe with a few days rest the vision will return to normal. The lace work throughout the magazines captured my heart as crocheted lace is my favorite to make. Hairpin lace, referred to as Maltese Lace in…

  • Blog

    Fran’s Creative Corner, Lace, Part I

    I was blessed several years ago with a gift of 20 Needlework “magazines” from the 1920s. I lovingly take them down from time to time and look through them,providing me a respite from the fast pace of my daily life. Can you see the date on this magazine?  December 1915 !  Wow … talk about a trip through the past. Each edition is a real adventure. While recently spending some time with my treasured magazines I came across several articles about hairpin lace and how to join them for different projects. Two articles caught my attention and…

  • Blog

    Royal Hat Contest

    Have you received your invitation to next month’s royal wedding? We’re still waiting for ours. We’re sure it’s in the mail. After all, it does take extra time to get across the big pond. But let’s just say we’re all invited! Won’t that be fun? But now the dilemma! What on earth will you wear? You don’t want to show up the Queen or anyone in the wedding party, but we do think hats are acceptable. One rarely sees the Queen without one! And Kate’s been known to sport a…

  • Blog

    International Textile Expo in Viva Las Vegas

    International Textiles Expo in Las Vegas   The time to travel had arrived and I scurried about packing – first my demo and model suitcase with all my tools and fabric, etc., needed to dazzle the attendees with our new products.  I worry more over that case than the one with clothes and makeup.  After all, there are always hotel gift shops and clothing stores close by! Las Vegas is always an exciting place with all the glitz and activities going on … so much energy that you can’t help…

  • Blog

    Show and Tell

    We, at Clover, receive so many e-mails from you all sharing your projects made using Clover products that we decided to have an ongoing SHOW AND TELL section on the blog. If we show your project, you’ll be eligible to receive a fantastic Clover product that will surely spur you on to more creative products. The drawing will be held the end of each month. All you have to do is send a picture of your project and tell me a bit about yourself and the Clover tools you used. I would be…

  • Influencer

    Featured Guest: Maria Nerius

    Hi everyone. We’re adding a new feature to the Clover blog – guest bloggers! Today we’re excited to share a project from craft extraordinaire Maria Nerius. Maria is a designer for FaveCrafts.com and calls herself “a Clover tool freak and pom-pom queen”. “I have everything Clover!” she says. “They’re great tools that make crafting fun and easy.” Pom Pom Flowers by Maria Nerius Have you started your Spring Cleaning yet? It’s an annual tradition here at Nerius House & DogHouse Studios. The house gets sparkling and the studio, well, the…

  • Blog

    Creating For a Cause

    I hope this is an awesome day for you all. The news these days is filled with stories about strife and turmoil the world over, and we in America are quick to offer help to those in other countries who are in need.  We’re also quick to reach out to those in our own country that need that little touch of love to brighten their lives. I’ve enjoyed making knit hats for preemie babies so much that I am doing a search for other great orgnizations that offer love and comfort through handmade items.…

  • Blog

    Finishing Sew Expo

    WOW! What a ride SEW EXPO was! We all had a ball meeting and visiting with the awesome attendees. The Clover crew really treasures the opportunities to spend time with the end consumer of our products and the creative force that drives the market. Working a retail show is fast paced and hectic and we all have moments that can only be handled with fresh scones and raspberry jelly, mini doughnuts, barbecue sandwiches …. and TUMS!  It’s a fun few days and I truly hope you all have the opportunity to…

  • Blog

    Sew Expo Puyallup, Washington

    The Clover team is in Washington state working the largest sewing-stitchery show in the U.S.  It is set in the fair grounds in Puyallup, and the weather has gotten excited about the 30,000 expected attendees by giving us little samples of snow, rain, winds and a wee bit of sunshine … BUT … “the mountain”, Mt Rainier, has not shown itself .  It can be shy, but when it decides to come out it is breath-taking! Thursday was the first day and we were excited to meet the talented people coming…