By Hand, Knitting, Crochet, Crafts - Ardeana Hamilin

Maine stitchers write for national magazine

Stitchers and needleworkers Mary Bird of Orono and Robin Hansen of West Bath have something in common beyond the fact they are accomplished knitters. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 3/9/10 | 506 views

Reviving wounded veterans of childhood

Several weeks ago, a pair of injured veterans of childhood past came to my attention — two 25-inch Raggedy Andy dolls made in the 1970s with love and attention to detail by a grandmother for her … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 3/2/10 | 386 views

Events to keep you in stitches

For those of us who knit, sew, crochet or engage in other kinds of handiwork, there’s never a dull moment. Our calendars fill up quickly with notices of classes, meetings of stitch groups, museum … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 2/23/10 | 580 views

Pine Kneedlers Knitting Guild takes shape in Greater Bangor

Cheryl Zeh moved to the Bangor area from Sacramento, Calif., six months ago, and she brought with her a passion for knitting and new idea to share with area knitters. She has organized the Pine … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 2/16/10 | 1091 views

Revel in vintage style at the Farnsworth

A perfect way to brighten the winter doldrums is to head to the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland to see the exhibit “Elegantly Attired: Victorian Apparel and Accessories in Coastal Maine.” From … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 2/9/10 | 662 views

Sorting photos launches trip of a lifetime

Picture this: Vintage photo albums and framed photographs piled in two 20-year-old cardboard boxes. For the last four or five years the boxes sat on the floor of a closet with a high moisture … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 2/2/10 | 357 views

A list of 10 things I can’t sew without

This is my Top 10 list — the 10 things I can’t sew without. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 1/19/10 | 1049 views

Don’t call me a ‘sewist’

I’ve been called a lot of things in my time, but the one thing I don’t want to be called is a “sewist.” My awareness of that term arrived recently at my desk in an e-mail newsletter. There it … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 1/12/10 | 1099 views

New year inspires a spate of hoeing out the craft room cultch

The advent of the new year always inspires in me an impulse to organize and clean the room where I stash my sewing, knitting and craft stuff. This is no small calling given the fact that a lot of … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 1/5/10 | 908 views

Blue Hill Library to exhibit items created by local weaver

Libraries are wonderful allies when it comes to exhibiting fiber art, and the Blue Hill Public Library sets the standard for such displays. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 12/29/09 | 735 views

Bad sweaters of Christmas past now a treasured family memory

I remember the Christmas of 1959 as the one of the very bad sweater, knit and given to me by my grandmother. Actually, it was three very bad sweaters because my mother and sister also got one. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 12/22/09 | 845 views

Take a holiday break: Craft something

It’s never too late to sit down for an hour or so alone or with the youngsters in the family to make simple decorations to add to the festive ambience of hearth and home. Sitting down with craft … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 12/15/09 | 712 views

Samplers reflect the charm of an earlier age

Ann Young, 11, stitched on her sampler in the early 1800s. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 12/8/09 | 1009 views

Indian basketry a holiday sale season favorite

The 2009 Maine Indian Basketmakers sale and demonstration is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Collins Center for the Arts, University of Maine. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 12/1/09 | 818 views

Sewing room brimming with fruits of ideas, time

One day late in October, my friend Liane Giambalvo and I drove through Bangor and into the gold and green countryside that took us through the backcountry of Glenburn, Levant, Corinth and Exeter. … more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 11/24/09 | 735 views

Quilters share pieces of work and themselves

In October, I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker at a semiannual meeting of the Area 5 chapters of the Pine Tree Quilters Guild. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 11/17/09 | 911 views

Books to help you give this season

The season of gift giving is upon us — time to make things by hand. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 11/10/09 | 875 views

Bangor, Ellsworth shows offer wide array of arts and crafts

The 15th Designing Women fine arts and crafts show will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Dyke Center for Family Business at Husson College. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 11/3/09 | 751 views

Volunteers needed for pillowcase project

Quilter Sue McIver of Baileyville is asking for pillowcases and for volunteers to sew the pillowcases. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 10/27/09 | 1074 views

Goodwill can help you channel your inner ghoul

It’s October. ’Tis the season for bending one’s brain to the task of fabricating the perfect Halloween costume. more

By Ardeana Hamlin
BDN Staff | 10/20/09 | 702 views