A snowman sweatshirt created by Bonnie Wedge of Albert Lea is featured in the January/February issue of &uot;Crafting Traditions,&uot; a magazine received by more than 400,000 subscribers across North America.

Saturday, January 26, 2002

A snowman sweatshirt created by Bonnie Wedge of Albert Lea is featured in the January/February issue of &uot;Crafting Traditions,&uot; a magazine received by more than 400,000 subscribers across North America.

&uot;I like designing and coming up with original designs,&uot; Wedge said. &uot;It’s the repetitive stuff I don’t like.&uot;

She had actually submitted the sweatshirt design for a contest some time ago, after she’d won a contest the magazine had sponsored for patriotic crafts. Her winning design then was a &uot;Stars and Stripes&uot; sweatshirt, which used grosgrain ribbon and stars. The magazine has also featured an Amish star design of hers as well.

She said she was notified by the magazine that her snowman sweatshirt hadn’t won, but that they’d like to buy her design.

Of her design, the magazine wrote: &uot;You’ll have a ball building this jolly top from Bonnie! Besides showcasing a cute snowman, the garb features eye-catching colors and country touches.&uot; It also says the sweatshirt mixes in &uot;folksy stars, big stitches, button ‘snowflakes’ and a bright border. On a blue shirt, it all has a cheery air for January.&uot;

When entering a contest for the magazine, people must include instructions and drawings with their entries. &uot;I try to be real specific in my directions,&uot; Wedge said, adding she’s been frustrated by incomplete directions many times herself.

&uot;Crafting Traditions&uot; isn’t the only magazine to which Wedge has sold her ideas; &uot;Better Homes & Gardens&uot; has purchased a total of 13 of her designs.

Now, Wedge said, she’s started making dolls and is experimenting with sewing, painting and beadwork on them. &uot;It’s been fun,&uot; she said.

Her daughters have inherited her creativity. Cary is an art director and Lora does publications for a non-profit organization.

&uot;Crafting Traditions&uot; is published bimonthly and carries no advertising. Pictured in full color along with complete instructions and patterns, the original projects included in each issue are designed to brighten upcoming holidays, family gatherings, seasonal celebrations and festivities such as weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, reunions and more.

Every issue also contains a craft contest, gift- and cake-making projects for birthdays, Christmas designs to work on year-round, easy-to-make home decor, and family apparel, plus recipes for special occasions.