The Name Game: Clover & Violet/Fusion Blanket Crochet-along/Giveaway!

 It's true--when it rains, it pours. Well, unless you live in the central valley of California, where it hardly ever rains. But today we have two special things going on, and a giveaway!

First, the Name Game. Jennie is here today from Clover & Violet. Jennie and her mother, Clara, are a mother-daughter team who design, quilt and sew. In fact, their tag line is: stitch.sew.quilt.embroider.  Along with many great tutorials, there is Embroidery 101, with tons of useful information.

How did you choose the name for your blog?  

Our blog name, Clover & Violet, is actually our legal business name as well, Clover & Violet, LLC.  Choosing a name was a challenge because we wanted it to be versatile.  Our initial intention was to start a baby and children's shop, but we wanted a name that would be able to change and grow with our shop, and a good thing because who would have guessed that we would be pattern designers instead!  We knew we wanted a Westie in our logo (as we once had a Westie and they're so cute!), so we went with that idea and then thought of some cute names.

Were there other names you considered, and can you share any of them with us?


 We went through a few baby-ish names before we decided to stay neutral.  Our next main choice was "Violet & Co."  However {and here's a little legal knowledge for you}, if you use the word "Co.",  "Company", "Corp.", or "Corporation" in your business name, you also have to become a corporate entity, and we knew we wanted to form an LLC, so that ruled out that option. So we decided to add a little something else and settled on Clover & Violet {it just seemed natural that Clover should go first!}.

Now that you are recognized by Clover & Violet, are you happy with it, or do you wish you could change it to something else?

 A fabulous Garden Steps Stitch & Quilt-Along(details here)

I am happy with it!  There is a small part of me that wants to change it up sometimes, but not to anything specific or for any real reason, just because I get like that {I usually opt to change our blog design instead!}.  It is fun to have a unique name and to be able to be known by it...and it's nice to know that even if our blog/shop change directions, our name will still work!

 And a great block made with selvages--this is definitely going on my to-do list!

Thanks so much, Jennie! I hope everyone will pop on over to say hi, and spend some time looking around. There is much to be seen at your place!

And next up, it's the Fusion Blanket Crochet Along. Corey found this really great idea that involves crocheting around fabric squares. It was originally done by Heidi of Sewing Daisies, and you can see her luscious blanket, complete with a tutorial. Corey's first block is so cute:

She thought a crochet-along would be a fun way to share a portable project, perfect for doing in the summer, and we could help and encourage each other along the way. I hopped on board, and then talked to my best friend, Deborah, who does a lot of crocheting. And voila! The three of us bring to you the Fusion Blanket Crochet Along! Today we each have a fun giveaway to help you get started. Corey also has the list of supplies, the blog button and a link to our Flickr group.

If you haven't crocheted before, this will be a great way to give it a try. I'm pretty rusty myself, so I'm giving away The Happy Hooker-- because the name always makes me laugh and there's a lot of great information for the beginning crocheter--a size G crochet hook and some crochet cotton.

Leave a comment here and also check the other two giveaways. We'll be picking the winners next Monday, July 2. I'd love to know--have you crocheted before?