🧶Meet my sparkly friend, Tina

Knit Stars | December 1, 2024

🧶Meet my sparkly friend, Tina

BY SHELLEY BRANDER

I’m writing this week’s newsletter a few days before Thanksgiving, so I’d like to tell you a little story about a person in my life I’m especially thankful for. ❤️

But before I do that, I need to let you know we’ve re-opened our Knit Stars Season 10 SuperEarlybird signups, starting today for one week. We did this based on a number of reader requests. Some friends wrote in to say they had been displaced by one of the recent hurricanes during the first week of signups, so would we please offer it again? Also, we had a lot of requests to offer a crochet-only SuperEarlybird package, so we’ve added that.

You can sign up for our star-studded Knit Stars 2025 anniversary Season at the lowest price, and get the full SuperEarlybird Experience with “making-of” updates as we go, at this link.

Now let me tell you a little bit about my friend Tina.

A couple of years ago, I was at a pretty lonely place in my life.

Yes, I had met a new love, and yes it was amazing. But I had also moved halfway across the country away from the only home I’d ever known, leaving a lifetime of friendships behind.

In today’s busy world, it seems, it gets harder and harder to maintain adult friendships – and even harder when you get divorced and move away.

But just before I moved from Tulsa, I discovered Hot 26 yoga, a series of 26 postures that’s become a lifeline for me, so restorative and empowering. And when I moved to Florida, through the practice of Hot 26, I met Tina.

In Tina, I saw not just a fellow yogi, but a kindred spirit…a person who sees the good in people and in this wonderful life. A fellow “growth junkie.” A creative. A seeker.

Naturally, she loves dogs. She even has a big lab with the same name as my older son, Sam. She’s a native of Austria, and of course, she can knit. But her current creative passion is hand-made greeting cards.

The first time I walked into the studio where Tina teaches, I noticed a spinning rack of the most beautiful cards. As I leafed through them, I was touched by the heartfelt sentiments and impressed by the clearly handmade quality.

When I found out she made them, I tentatively asked if she might consider making me some custom cards that I could send to friends and customers to help them feel special.

A few months later, when we had become close friends, she surprised me with the most beautiful set of cards! She knew the current Knit Stars Season theme was “Permission to Shine,” and she said she wanted the cards to reflect the way that I “sparkle.” 🥹🥹🥹

“When I studied graphic design in Germany, I became fascinated with the varieties of paper. I collected moss, bark, and dried flowers on walks in the woods with my dog, then glued them to the cards, making small nature scenes, and gifting them to family and dear friends,” Tina said. “I always enjoyed giving something special and handmade and seeing a face light up with joy when someone took the time to craft.”

“I think there is nothing better than receiving an unexpected handwritten card in the mail to let someone know that they are important, that I thought about them, that I care to put a smile on their face, to lift them up to comfort or congratulate them,” she said. “I like to call them Cards From The Heart.”

So I asked Tina, if I shared these with my newsletter readers, could she handle the orders? After all, she leads a very busy life with a full-time job as a graphic designer, plus teaching yoga, plus Sam.

But she said YES!

Since this is Tina’s first time offering her handmade cards to a large audience, she put together a few collections – “Sparkle,” “Holiday” and “Birthday.” The price for each set of 10 cards is $60 and includes shipping. She can also create custom cards on a limited basis.

To order any of these collections or place a custom order, please email Tina at this link.

I hope that sharing this with you helps spread some of the sparkle and joy that Tina’s friendship has brought to my world. ✨

xoxo,

Today is the day!

It’s the official Premiere of Knit Stars Season 9: Permission to Shine ✨

If you’re enrolled in Season 9, you’ll find all 10 masterclasses have been added to your student portal. I highly encourage you to treat yourself to a brief “binge” of their lifestyle documentaries. They’re all so unique and so inspiring. And be sure to visit the Season 9 pop-up Facebook group to share your thoughts and feedback with our team and our Stars!