Hello to my DIY friends out there!!

I know I have several bloggers, friends, etc that stop by each day - I just don't seem to have a lot of "chatty" passer-bys. :) (aka - few comment-ers)

I know I love a good tutorial/DIY project and it seems that most who are stopping by here do as well. We have decided to offer a NEW Tutorial from us every month! There will be at least 12 new projects to inspire you by the end of the year!! excited? we are!

So look for Tutorial Tuesday HERE the second Tuesday of each month! and if we have more ideas that we want to post that month, they will be posted on Tuesdays!

Since we are on the topic of tutorials (geesh, how many times in one blog post can I say "tutorial". Oh! did it again!) take a "scroll" down the right sidebar and you will see that the Tutorials section has been updated. We realized that about 12 links were missing! *gasp*

Have fun browsing through. Maybe you will see something that peeks your interest!

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USB 3.0 In Action at CES 2010

Lucky CES attendees are today getting a sneak peak of the next generation DisplayLink USB 3.0 virtual graphics technology.

DisplayLink USB 2.0 virtual graphics technology is found in peripherals from dozens of of vendors today, providing excellent support for productivity applications and even full-screen video playback.

USB 3.0 will take USB virtual graphics to the next level, providing:

• Ultra-high resolution support across multiple monitors
• Full HD (1080p) video playback
• Support for 3D gaming over USB
• Plenty of bandwidth for other peripherals, such as hard drives, gigabit Ethernet, MP3 players, and video players, without any impact on video performance
• Seamless fall-back support to USB 2.0 for legacy platforms

The USB 3.0 graphics technology at CES is expected to be included in future DisplayLink chips, being released later this year.

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HP and DisplayLink Create a Buzz at CES 2010

At CES Unveiled, a press only event in Las Vegas, DisplayLink and HP demonstrated HD resolution USB graphics adapters and the HP USB 2.0 Docking Stations. Our friends at PC Perspective took a great shot of the product in action.

DisplayLink will be showcasing USB 3.0 innovations and new docking stations, adapters and other peripherals in the USB Tech Zone (30769 South Hall) this week at CES 2010.

Visit the booth, mention this blog, and nab a USB graphics adapter while supplies last.

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New Pattern....Brassy Bunchy Scarf

It's the first new pattern of the year with others to follow!

Please welcome the - Bunchy Scarf Pattern Booklet.

A bold full color booklet with step by step instructions, photos, illustrations and designs for 10 different Bunchy Scarves!

This pattern booklet is available in the Brassy Apple Shop for retail and wholesale purchase! Please see our site for all the details!

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So now that all the "business" stuff is out of the way, here's a bit of behind the scenes or the rest of the story.............(read on if you are interested)

When I first debuted our Bunchy Scarves back in September, I loved them, but didn't realize how much all of you would. And I thank you for that.

Our shop was overwhelmed with requests for more quantities and more colors and the biggest question of all - "Will you be releasing a pattern?"......hmmmm............The initial thought was no, then yes, but wait............why not? I took some time to consider the pros and cons and if I did, how to make the pattern the best it could be. Then the other comments started rolling in like, "If you aren't going to release a pattern I will just copy what you have done and figure it out myself."......hmmmmm..........not really what any designer wants to hear. But alas, the pattern was already in the works.

The demand for scarves was so huge I thought it would be best to share the pattern (to ease the demand) and allow you to be creative and enjoy crafting them up as much as we here have enjoyed sharing our designs with you.

The Bunchy Scarf design is a labor of love. I hope you enjoy the pattern booklet. I have truly enjoyed reading your experiences wearing them, gifting them and receiving them that have been emailed to me - thank you.......xoxo Meg

edited to add: We have been a getting a few of the same questions over and over so we wanted to address them here. :)

1. "Will you be offering this pattern in a PDF downloadable version?"
answer: As of right now we will only be offering the printed version. We will keep it in mind though!

2. "What is the sewing level for this pattern?"
answer: Great Question!!! We love projects and patterns that are easy to sew up so we try to produce patterns and tutorials in that same manner. Our estimation for sewing level would be advanced beginner - intermediate+. We chose that level because everyones idea of beginner, intermediate, etc is different. We hope that is helpful.

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New year.....new fun.....lots of NEW to come!

Oh now that the crazy "sugar haze" of the Holidays is over, things are getting back to their orderly way around here. And thank goodness too!

The studio has been buzzing with ideas. Some fun "new" designs, features, patterns, etc to come this year!

We are excited to announce a new pattern (yeah!!!), a monthly blog feature and a new change to the Brassy Apple Shop!

Stop by Wednesday to see the first "new" item of 2010 revealed!! until then........

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Erie Basin

True fact- I have a secret and repressed jewelery fetish. I don't wear any jewelery at all because of a highly developed tomboy streak and my humorously Amish fear of self ornamentation. Okay, I wear a watch and own a single ring. That I do not wear anymore.

Behind this closeted jewelery obsession is a store. A store that spins out a sticky spiderweb of irresistible impossibilities so dizzying even a seasoned antiquer needs to hold on to her hat. Erie Basin, how I love you.

Grace Bonney got me this little 1930s celluloid compass button for christmas and my heart jumped about ten feet in the air. Me? Own something from theee Erie Basin? I'm inching toward, nay, resolving to take the jewelery plunge this year. Just like I'm resolving to go eat some ice cream now.

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2010

Twenty-ten. Two thousand and ten. Two Zero One Zero.

I spent last night at Ginny's. Confetti everywhere. Wore a fancy old dress, kissed my sister and best friends at midnight, waltzed around in a party hat and drank champagne out of a little plastic champagne flute. Ate raspberries and cookies and whipped cream by the spoonful. Died of happiness.

This past year was very good to me and I'm so happy I was able to share it with you. In 2010 I promise to be on time, tame my cats, wash dishes as soon as I finish with them, take lots of classes, practice the guitar, bake more pies and not beat myself up if I don't give this list a second thought after today.

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