Kick off

Today, Rebecca Velasquez kick's off the Simply Crochet Blog tour, go visit her and see what she has to say about her cover project for Robyn Chachula's new book.

I'm still here

Yep, I'm still here.  It feels like I fell off a proverbial cliff. The Thanksgiving Holiday and the incessant rain has knocked us all off our routine. I'm determined to get back into the saddle today. Deadlines are still there even if I don't squeeze in work.  It was a nice holiday though, we had a nice dinner, we took the kids plus niece and nephew to a play, there was a volleyball match thrown in.  But back to work and reality and I'd better pick up the pace.  :P

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's Chief with his third grad classmates in their interpretation of the First Thanksgiving. Chief was the narrator.

Yo-Yo Purse

Here's the Yo-Yo Purse that I mentioned yesterday. It is also a web bonus offered by Crochet! Magazine.  I put it and the Tipsy Blanket up on Ravelry.

The Big Deadline Push

I've got my to-do list down to a manageable number, but most of the remaining items on it are all due 11/15, so I'm in scurry mode. :)  I'll post tomorrow about some sort of inspiration! Any requests?

Tuesday

I got nothing. LOL.  I'm just busy, plugging away. I have plenty of work. I'm working on a new article for an upcoming magazine, so I can't really show you a sneak peek of that.  I will say that the word "stitch" appears in it multiple times.

I'm bummed that I won't be at Professional Development Day tomorrow for the CGOA's Fall Conference in Greensboro, NC.  I hope everyone has a great time and enjoys and learns from the scheduled speakers! I hear Susan Sullivan from Leisure Arts will be one of the keynote speakers!

I did place an item in the Design Contest, somehow I forgot about the fashion show. But if you are there, look at the Design Competition Table and look for an item from me.

Is anyone going? Are you excited about any classes that you are taking? Have a great time everyone!  (Above, from the Minneapolis show in July, L-R Joan Davis, Cari Clement, Tammy Hildebrand, Kimberly McAlindin)

Photo Friday

Think cool thoughts as we hit one more blast of summer.

25 ways to wear a scarf!

What a great little video by Wendy's Lookbook on YouTube.  Here's the link. LOVE it.  I feel more Chic just watching.

Enjoy!

Here's a non-chic moment that could have used a really great scarf.... dyeing yarn... out in the yard.  Love how I'm working the rubber gloves?

Most productive time of day?

It's a long story, but Nanny and Pappy got a new cat.  Yes, they just got Toby from a shelter a few weeks ago and that didn't work out.  Toby got re-adopted by a family with busy young children. :)  They found this kitty, Little Bit, who's owner just couldn't get his cat allergies under control.  Little Bit is going to be great!  It took her a week or so to acclimate, but is a loving, happy-to-be-held cat. :) 

Crochet Wise.... Being a productive crocheter can be hard.  What is your most productive time of day to work?  I'm not a morning person really, but my brain does seem to function better between 9am and 2pm than any other time of day. (Then it goes down from there?)  LOL.  All I know is that if I haven't been productive before 2:00 I feel like I missed my chance for the day!  How about you? Are you a late at night crocheter or a crocheter who focuses in small bursts through out the day? or a morning stitcher?  Mostly, I'm guessing that if you are like me, you stitch every free minute you can!  A few minutes here, a few minutes there... it eventually adds up.

Join me for a live chat tonight 9pm-10pm EST (Wed, 4/6/11) on Ravelry, you have to be a member of Ravelry (it's free!)  The chat bar is on the right side of the group page.  Here's the link to the group page:  Tonight, I hope you'll tell me all your hopes and dreams for crochet magazines of all kinds! 

Valentine's Day Tradition

Grandma Glenda came by on Sunday to help the kids make their Valentines. This is the third year for the tradition and the kids love it.  They were the only children to do handmade valentines in their classes and it was a fun way to spend the afternoon.  You can see my empty chair... with the line up of motif middles in stacks of 5 for easy counting. (Sneak peek, sorta).

To do list

Everyone is back to school or work today.  Thank goodness.  I think we'll still be having a mild menu today and taking naps, but we're on the mend.

I just deleted an item off my to-do list as if it were done.  I'm calling it 'thinking positively' and 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. LOL.  

When are you getting off the couch?

Charlie wonders when we are going to get off the couch.  Chickee and I are in recovery mode today trying to focus on nutrition and preventing dehydration. The Captain is home sick today but it appears he has a much milder case than what Chickee and I had.  Today, I am weak, but able to crochet, which is so important because I have a deadline Friday, so I need to ship tomorrow.

Fasten off Coma

There seems to be a trend with me lately.  I have been working so hard that with each Fasten off, I go into a little crochet coma. I just shipped another finished project and the idea of jumping into the next tight deadline is just not appealing.  So, I'm playing a little computer, did a load of dishes, ran an errand or two, etc, trying to gear up to get moving on the next item on the to-do list.

Many designers use their 'fasten off comas' to straighten their office.  I really should use the time to sketch or swatch or even knit, but for a few minutes, I might just sit here and stare out the window. Maybe I'll even paint my nails or leaf through a magazine. 

The photo, is not out my window, but inspired the next project on my to-do list. 

Happy New Year!

Thanks for your patience... I'll be back Monday... Tuesday at the latest...

Chickee

Chickee got a pottery wheel for Christmas, she is having fun with the gooey mess. We are doing more Christmas today, and I have a luncheon tomorrow, and a dinner tomorrow night... I guess we are still celebrating.  I'm looking forward to getting back in a routine, especially since the deadlines aren't waiting. 

Chief finds a turtle and on my hook today

Still working on a super secret project in Malabrigo yarn. It's very nice and I'm excited by the prospect of getting to keep this project eventually. Pattern designing for me seems very slow. Very deliberate. Definitely this is not a project I can work on at soccer practice! Right now, at soccer practice, I'm working on a little cotton lunch bag that Chickee requested. It is in Hobby Lobby 'I love this cotton' yarn.

The turtle was trying to cross the road... So Chief collected it and put it in the tall grass by our pond.

Wouldn't this be awesome in Red, White & Blue?

I've been crocheting like crazy in between swim meets and practice and swim photos and getting Chief's cast off! YAY! I have come up with some swatches that I am very excited about. (I hope they get chosen!). I'm completing a GROUP of large projects that I have been working on for quite some time. Those are going to be so much fun to show you and will be part of my 'Great Color in 2010' trend.

Wouldn't this Zoe 'one day' dress look great in Red, White & Blue? And you actually have 2 days to do it! The cool cotton is a great choice! Instead of a flower you could put a star! What fun.

The PDF is $6.00 and it has been professionally tech edited.

New Goals!

For the last few weeks I have been having trouble coming up with my goals for TNNA. There are of course the usual goals of meeting people, having fun, paying attention to trends, thanking companies who have contributed yarn to my projects, etc. But this morning, I woke up with 2 goals... one that I absolutely can make happen and the other one that I can work on and it will be a happy bonus if I manage it!

Above are photos from last night's first swim meet of the season. Chief had to get a new cast yesterday anyway so he chose yellow for team colors. Look at the focus and determination! Chickee said that she tried to smile at me during her backstroke. Silly Chickee.

Ok, I gotta run if I want to prepare to succeed on my new goals (nothing like last minute inspiration!). Have a great weekend everyone!