R-e-s-p-e-c-t

Since spending some QT with a few professional crochet designers a few weeks ago I realized that more than ever I need to approach my design career with the respect that it deserves, including taking time to recharge. For example I've been turning off my email around 6pm each night and paying attention to Cleo & Chandler, having a proper dinner at the dining room table, etc. Next came the guts to actually take weekends off from designing. That's not to say that I won't work until all hours or over the weekend to meet a deadline, because I have and I will. But not every weekend has an uber-strict deadline looming at the end of it and those are the times that it's good to stop. Rest. Recharge.

Over this past weekend I rested, took a little day trip outside of Houston, and I also started a new project (see photo above). It's the Anniversary Sweater from Knitty.com and I'm using a yarn from Malibrigo, a kettle dyed pure merino wool from Uruguay.

Sadly, I must reveal that I did not go to Ikea over the weekend as I had hoped. Maybe next weekend... I have a hankering for lingonberries...

Weekends Aside

That being said, here is a big box of yarn that I received for a project that I'm making for one of the crochet magazines. Isn't it cool? I must repeat myself here: one of the best perks is getting to crochet with all these great yarns, even if they are just borrowed! I'm pretty sure I can make this deadline without using weekend time. I wish I could tell you about the project, but alas, I'm a *coughprofessionalcough* and cannot divulge that info yet. Stick around though, I promise to let y'all know when the issue comes out.

Saturday Sky - July 29th

I took a little road trip outside of Houston today and this is what the Saturday Sky looked like along the way:

Men At Work

Yesterday was spent swatching and moving stuff. I swatched until I could swatch no more. Then I switched from swatching to the moving of the stuff. It took some time to de-wire everything from the stereo and t.v. then move it all, then rewire it all again. Every time I move the t.v. (a few times over the last five years) I swear that I'm going to make the wires all neat and bundled and put them in those tubes to make them disappear. But for some reason it's impossible. Must be a quantum thing. I gotta start watching the Nasa channel more. Which, btw, is a wonderful channel to watch if you need to relax and/or sleep deeply. There is nothing like watching the shuttle sit on the launch pad for four days without commerical breaks.

The t.v./stereo finally in the family room. Last night I was so comfortable laying on the sofa, watching The Daily Show, that I fell asleep and didn't wake up until after The Cobert Report. That's craziness folks!

This is the newly found space in the newly declared studio. The blank area on the left is where the t.v. once stood. The loveseat on the right is piled with the swatches that I've been working on. I wonder how busy it will be at Ikea tomorrow?


They're Stackable

To save space in a multi-feline household, The Crochet Dude(tm) recommends only having patent pending Stackable Kitties.

Monsoon?

No, just a tropical "low" that is swirling in the Gulf of Mexico and has pretty much been dumping rain on Houston nonstop since yesterday morning. You know what that means, don't you? Crochet weather! It's fun to hunker down inside with all the curtains drawn and crochet all day! I've been concentrating on getting a bunch of swatches made up that I've had in my head for a few months. I want to have them all shipped out to the various mags & yarn companies before I head to LA to tape that certain show. Have I mentioned that yet?

Eleventy Hundred

That's the number of "step-outs" that I have to get ready for the taping. A step-out is the little segment of the piece that you are demonstrating on camera that is partially finished and ready to be worked on at that point of the show. I went over my segments with the producer the other day and highlighted the step outs that I need to make. And, just to be safe, they recommend that I make several of each step out in case they have to reshoot that step and I'll have an extra ready to go. One would think that one would start this right away. One would think.

Bugmatoes

I'm sorry I forgot to mention what type of bugs those are living on the tomato. Several commenters wondered what they were, a couple even knew what they were, and I wanted to verify that these are indeed "Assassin Bugs" or "Wheel Bugs". They are beneficial insects that eat lots of the non-beneficial insects in the garden. And since my garden is pesticide free it's important that I allow them to thrive (that's for those of you who suggested a quick and decisive attack on the critters).

Studio 2.0


I finally began the task of moving the t.v. out of my studio space and into the family room (now that the family room has furniture). When I first bought this house this room was always intended to be a proper studio. There were several renovations that took precedence though and my crochet has been neatly strung throughout the house. Once I get this room cleared out I'll be making a trip to Ikea (oh yeah!) and putting in lots of storage and functional work surfaces. The room itself is 10 X 17 so there is plenty of space. It's a bit ironical that the space that I use the most is the space that I'm renovating last. But hey, when my peeps are toes up in the guest bedroom they won't have to look at a pile of swatches or a nekkid dress form, right?

King of the Tomato

I've spent the last two hours trying to catch up on emails (that's catch up, not catsup). Wow, it's amazing how far I can get behind on those in just a week or two! I think I'm going to have to start answering every single email immediately which I'm sure is what most *coughprofessionalscough* do. I have been prioritizing them where the most critical get answered immediately, then some get set aside for a day or two while I try to make my deadlines. The end result is usually having to dedicate three or fours hours one day just to catch up. Mmm, catsup...

Workin' For The Weekend

So I've been telling my peeps that I would be taking weekends off in order to pace myself and end up with at least a shred of my own sanity (quit snickering and you know who you are). However, what do you do when your latest design is sitting there half-finished right in front of you as you try to watch King Kong, but the design is beckoning you to keeping working on it, but there is a boat, and Skull Island, and a humongous ape, and don't even get me started on how that movie ended because y'all, why can't movies have a happy ending? Why? WHY??!!??!! Anywho, so I ended up spending a lot time this past weekend working on that design and it's almost finished, and guess what? I have more than a month before the actual deadline! Woo hoo!!!

Why I Can't Harvest My Tomato

Saturday Sky - July 22

Last evening I took this photo of an approaching storm. Then I turned off the computer just to be safe. It's sunny this morning, but the Saturday Sky looked like this:

Scrappy Doo

You've heard me mention my brother Don a few times. He's the one that is out in Nevada and has a home inspection company, remember? His new girlfriend is very into scrapbooking and together they put together a little scrapbook for me for my birthday. (I just got around to blogging about it. I wanted to devote an entire entry because it's really cool, and a very special thing to do for my birthday.) Thanks Don & Lynn!!

*click for biggy view*


This little montage shows me from right going clockwise: elementary school, jr. high school, and a senior photo


Apparently me and the cats, we go way back. I'm the one in the sailor cap.


That's me on the left, Don on the right (in both photos). He had come to Michigan for my high school graduation. The tag I'm wearing says "I Are A Graduate", O. S. I. R. In the bottom photo I had just returned from senior trip (to the Bahamas). Doesn't Don look trustworthy? Call him up, he'll inspect your house...


Several looks from the past. Remember, it was the 80's... acid wash jeans were in fashion back then! And despite the implications on the right, the wine drinking didn't come until much later...


And of course because getting this little gem of photos, most of which I had never seen, wasn't enough, they threw in this photo of my mom... whenever I see an image of her without warning it always feels like someone just punched me in the gut. Maybe it's her saying "don't even think of putting that on the Internet!"


Cleocatra and Chandler when they were just kittens. So. Dang. Cute.

Fade to Sepia

I just spent multiple hours (I believe, but I didn't really time it, but y'all, this being a *coughprofessionalcough* is exhausting) on the phone with perhaps a certain producer in a certain studio in a certain city in southern california, and while we were going over all the details and she was all perky and happy and so thisisjustanothernormaldayinhollywood, I got that glazed looked come over my eyes and considered taking on a new health regimen that includes red wine, or chocolate, or both... Anywho, getting ready to tape multiple episodes of a half-hour craft show is a LOT of work, and I have a BAZILLION little steps to crochet, and a script to approve, and tell me how I can lose 35 pounds in 10 days please? I hope they use Oprah-cameras. I'm just saying.

Swatch On, Swatch Off

I finished up a large proposal and sent it off to Super Cool Yarn Co. V, (yes, that's V as in five) this morning. It took me about a day and a half to completely put it together. I implemented several aspects in the proposal that I learned last week, so we'll see how the response is. Hooks crossed!! I have another idea to swatch & propose for Super Cool Yarn Co. VI (are you keeping track of these? I'd better take notes so I don't get them mixed up). But that will all have to wait until I get all the little steps for the taping crocheted.

Twins!

In my spare time recently (I can't believe I just said that) I finished up another Bobbi Bear. Now it's on my newfangled electronic to-do list to put faces on them. I predict they will be finished by August 15th. I love how that photo looks like it was taken in the 70's and faded out. How long was that nap I took the other day?

Goo?

This week has been spent implementing a lot of the ideas that I learned at the conference. I had dinner with my mentor (did I tell you about her?), attended an all day Professional Development Day, and took a class called "Turning Pro" (in that order) and there were several concepts that seemed to be consistently presented. You know, stuff like: be organized, present your work professionally, answer as many questions in your proposals as possible before they are even asked, etc. So my to-do list is now electronic and I have a few more spreadsheets that will help me track proposals, ideas, invoices, etc. It may seem obvious on an intellectual level, but on a practical level sometimes it's nice to have real pros tell you that it's a big part of their own success stories. I think I'm going to start renovating my studio soon. I need more storage and I have a pretty good idea now what types of work stations I need, and I definitely need a skylight!!

Swatch Watching

I spent the morning swatching some yarn that I was given in PA last week. As soon as I saw it I had a few ideas of what it could become and hey, I might as well get some swatches into the editors' hands while they still remember me, right? (Something about striking while the fire is hot, but that just sounds so violent, kind of like "The Crochet Dude San Andreas".) Which reminds me, I have to go to the office supply store this afternoon. I attended a session called "100 ways to drive an editor crazy" and, well, I need to make some corrections to how I go about presenting my ideas, there were a few things on that list that I have done. What can I say? I'm a puppy with big paws; sometimes I knock things over.... it's just part of the learning curve.

ChiaoGoo

Doesn't that sound like something you have to clean off the bottom of your shoe? It's actually a really cool hook that I got and I'm quickly falling in love with. I've been wanting a size L/11(8.00 mm) hook for a while and I got this one from Diva Knitting. It's very smooth and has a place for my thumb (a requirement for this dude if he wants to crochet quickly).



It's made from Chinese Moso bamboo, one of the largest and strongest babmoo species in the world and the hook is handcrafted. They also make knitting needles. Sweet. Phat. Crazy wicked stupid. (I'm getting so street it's starting to scare me.) The best part is that now I have a size "L" hook in my collection! Woo hoo!

Recovery

I ended up taking a three-hour nap yesterday afternoon. I'm happy to report that the dark rings under my eyes have diminished and that today I feel pretty much back to normal. Normal energy-wise that is. Inspiration-wise I'm still flying pretty high. I can't really describe how it feels to have one's eyes opened to fresh ideas and directions. All I can suggest is to surround yourself with inspirational people and to be open to the direction that creativity has taken them. That's what the Crochet Guild of America has definitely done for me!

The Haul

I packed no extra room in my suitcase on purpose before going to the meeting last week. The last thing I needed to do was have a stash-enhancing experience whilst in PA (that goes for the belly too, but that's a whole-nutha-subject) but alas sometimes the best intentions are thrown out the window (if your room has a window, and not just mirrors because if you throw your intentions at a mirror they just bounce back, which I'm sure makes you think I've had wine at 10:00 am but it's just. Not. True.) Anywho, this is what I brought back with me (click for biggy view).

I do have to mention the two hanks that I purchased (on the left side of that photo). Do you ever walk along, minding your own business, and then something(s) just whacks you upside the head and you realize that you can't resist it? I call it the Borg Factor, because indeed, "resistance is futile". The Borg Factor hit me big time when I walked up to the booth in PA that had all these hanks of fiber, in the most incredible color combinations that I've ever seen. If I had had mucho dinero I would have bought much much MUCH more of this stuff and hung it on my walls as art. It's so soft, and so vivid and in such unexpected color combinations. Here are some detail photos (again, click to make them biggy, you won't regret it!)




Her booth was called "Create A Rainbow!" and her name is Christine (of Tochay's Farm Fibers & Yarn Emporium). She said it all started years ago with two sheep that she received for mother's day! No website to direct you to but she has a shop (by appointment) in Jonesville, Michigan, in case you are in that area. She also attends a lot of the fiber/sheep markets around the country.

Viking Attack

I was trying to show a non-knitter yesterday why the Norwegian Purl is the best thing since Risgrynsgrot and she got this glazed look in her eyes and I could just tell she was planning her escape. So of course instead of changing the subject or moving away from blocking the only exit I bumped up my own enthusiasm hoping that she would understand. Sort of like speaking english much louder to a non-english speaking person, thinking it will magically translate for them. Which happened at my highschool graduation party back in the 80's when the mom of a dutch exchange student was sitting outside at a picnic table with my mom who was talking so loudly that it scared the ducks away and just then a gust of wind came up and blew the plate of potato salad out of Mom's hand and right square in the face of the dutch lady which I'm sure was an answer to her prayers because indeed, that was her cue to skadoo. The oddest thing was that this nice lady spoke perfect english and Mom knew that but still couldn't stop herself from trying to be polite and speak clearly and LOUDLY. Bless her heart. She was such a kind woman.

Who Needs a Nap?

Oh. So. Nice. To. Be. Home. I'm still exhausted even after a good night's sleep in my own bed. (Chandler was very happy to have me home. She likes to sleep next to my pillow with me. That may be TMI for some, but I'll take my chances. Cleo is a calico, I don't think her elevator goes all the way to the top floor, if you know what I'm saying...I seriously doubt she even noticed I was gone. I missed her though and I guess that's all that matters.)

Anywho, Friday through Sunday was crazy. Pandamonium y'all. So much so that I found myself many times without my camera, or so busy that the camera stayed in its case. But I'll do my best to describe what happened. Also, I'm so tired that I apologize in advance for the following rambling that most likely will include many a type-OH...

Friday

After breakfast it was a non-stop schmooze-fest. I met some more people in the industry and was able to show them some of my completed designs (like the twinset, Dawn, Julia, Jennifer, some of my vests and a peasant top) which allowed them to see not only the design but also the quality of my work. This is a professional industry and they want to see professional results, right? There was seam tugging, and stitch spreading, and they tried on the cardi from the twinset so they could see that it does indeed fit a bi-armed humanoid, etc. It seemed they liked what they saw, and I anticipate that I could get some work out of the experience.

I also helped out at the CGOA booth putting together afghans for Warm Up America. During the professional development day presentations there were piles and piles of yarn for us to make afghan squares:
Then the rest of the week anyone who wanted to could take a break and sit at the CGOA booth and help join some squares together. We were able to present Warm Up America with multiple completed ghans by the end of the conference!

In the afternoon the CGOA had its annual member meeting, then I had a class with Marty Miller (Look on page 28 of the September 2006 issue of Crochet! magazine...so. much. talent.) Anywho, the class was about foundation stitches (no need for a beginning chain! this has changed my life forever!) and also linked stitches (where you link the next stitch to the previous stitch changing the drape and look of the fabric. No more holes at the beginning of dc rows!). Marty did such a fantastic job helping us (hey, a 6pm to 9pm class on a Friday has to be a tough gig) and I learned so much more about crochet!!! If you ever have the chance to take a class with Marty don't miss it. It's a life altering experience!!

That evening. Well, what happens in King of Prussia stays in King of Prussia. I'm just saying.

Saturday

Wow, I took another incredible class, this one from a teacher called Beth Brown-Reinsel and we learned the Norwegian Purl, along with working with two colors of yarn utilizing the Norwegian Purl. What's this intriguing stitch you may ask? Well, any knitter knows that in order to do a purl stitch they have to bring the yarn forward and then to do a knit stitch they have to return the yarn to the back. Over thousands of stitches that a lot of extra movement! And the Norwegian Purl is worked leaving the yarn in the back! It's magic. It's scary even (well not really scary, but it's scary how easily we all learned it, but the key to that is dynamite....teachers...lol you thought I meant you knit with sticks of dynamite didn't you...anywho, I'm sleeped deprived so slide me some slack....) Between learning celtic cabling and now Norwegian Purling, I may have to start designing in knit too. But don't quote me on that just yet.

My friends Connie & Kevin drove down from Jersey with their adorable daughter Jerrah, and we met at noon and had lunch in the Knit & Crochet Cafe. It was so nice to spend some time with them (they once-upon-a-time lived in Houston and ever since they moved it's been so quiet around here). Jerrah (you've seen pictures of her. Search the archives, she's very cute) has grown so much it's amazing. They bought me this amazing birthday gift:



I've never worked with roving before, but Linda of Grafton Fibers (the booth where we found it) had a some samples of crochet items that had been felted and they were incredible. Connie also bought herself a handmade hook there too.

After spending a couple of hours with them, I had to excuse myself to do some more schmoozing, which I don't even know if that's a word or not, but in my noggin it sounds like it is. Anywho, then I had to go back to my room which was no longer Cleopatra's Tent because y'all. Too. Many. Mirrors. It's just too disturbing. So I ended up in a room ten floors down and while it didn't have more than just the one mirror over the sink, it also didn't have a plug so that I could power my laptop and I ended up using my manly muscles to pull the t.v. cabinet away from the wall and had to sacrifice the lamp for the laptop. Light is overrated anyways...) I got back to my room and changed for the evening's festivities which included the Chic Street Dinner and Fashion Show and Bra-vo Auction. (I tried my best to ignore all the crocheted brazzieres lined up in a row because I seriously blush very easily, and lets just say that one of the artists placed dark blue in an unfortunate location on each cup and I swear that it was looking at me and no matter where I stood it followed me. Don't you hate when that happens?)

The twinset didn't end up making her debut after all, but Dawn, Julia and Jennifer strutted their stuff on the runway and the crowd seemed to react positively. There were so many amazing examples of crochet and knit designs on the runway. What a great experience.

Here are some photos from those two days:



  

  

  

  




  


And this is what I looked like at the Philly airport waiting to board the plane:



  


I need a nap.

Classy! Flirty!

I was in classes all day yesterday and I can honestly tell you that I have learned more about crochet and knit than I have learned in a long time. The CGOA and TKGA have done such a fantastic job putting this event together and it's an incredible resource for us! I can't imagine missing another one from now on! Well worth saving my pennies for!!!

Melissa DidItellyoushesmymentor Leapman taught Celtic Cabling in the morning session. And as I've told everyone (so I don't sound like a total stalker-dork) that I had signed up for this class looooong before I had even asked for a mentor, let alone be assigned Melissa Nowihavehercellphonenumber Leapman. And after a few hours of class (and immeasurable patience from the teacher) this is the celtic knot that I was able to complete:



At the end of the class Nicole introduced herself and let me know that she has completed all the squares for the Flying Afghan and is in the process of finishing the joining. Isn't that amazing! What a thrill to hear that. If I hadn't been wearing long sleeves I could have photographed goosebumps. But I was so I didn't. And, just in January she was only making afghans that were all double crochet stitch, and now she's completed the Flying Afghan? Oye, the competition's getting younger...



Then I met up with Tracy in line for lunch and we decided that a table for two was much more fun than two tables for one!


At lunch this was the table next to us. Notice how all the food is at one end of the table and the other end is left free for some knitting? I think there are some sweatshop laws being broken here...


After lunch I had a class called "Turning Pro" with someone I won't keep repeating her name but her initials are Melissa Ididntwearblacktoday Leapman. Her skirt was Flirty! Fun! Would make a great Sister/sister set! (That's an inside joke between me and my classmates and the teacher. It has something to do with the sample design proposal that we had to come up with on the spot and to which I proposed a naughty candy striper with matching knitted go-go boots that would be a great mother/daughter set...anywho...)





The evening was a great fun with a keynote speech by Carol Alexander (I made her hug me. I couldn't resist. She's just so huggable!) Then the market street preview with famous authors signing books, all the market was open, there were snacks and free wine (which is why I didn't take my camera) and lots of people having a LOT of fun. So much that I don't think I can even blog about it. You'll just have to attend next time!

I got back to my room (which happened to be the Cleopatra's Tent fantasy suite that they switched me to because of one reason or another and y'all, it had no window, and mirrors on every single surface and a king sized bed sunk into the floor with a big canopy and gold pillows and a nice stereo system and a jacuzzi tub and well, I was way too exhausted from the 18 hour day that I had just had to take photos. But you can picture it I'm sure. I'm in a normal room now which actually has a desk, and Internet access. And I don't have to turn off all the lights to put on my pajamas.) Now I'm on my way to help the CGOA booth join some charity squares, and then meet up with yarn company people, then the CGOA Annual Meeeting, then the "After Hours Lounge"......a place where the crochetiers and knitters can sit around and mingle without scheduled activities. This week is going way too fast.

Hob Nob

I've been hobnobbing with the movers, the shakers, the powerful and the elite of the crochet world today at the CGOA Professional Development Day. I've been so starstruck but have tried to not embarrass myself. But, how can you not be when all the names that you see around the industry are on the tags of the people around you?

*all clickable*

I'm amazed at how much I learned today. There is so much to being a designer from how to submit a design proposal to how to protect your copyright. I'm so grateful there is an organization like the Crochet Guild of America that supports and promotes crochet and has experienced members that are willing to share their insights and experience. Such a generous spirit!!

I actually took a bazillion photos but didn't want to upset those that are on dial-up by including too many of them! Tomorrow I'm taking a celtic cabling class in the morning and a designer workshop in the afternoon. Woo hoo!

Forge, the Other Valley

I woke up this morning in Houston. 8:ooam. I had pretty much packed everything that I needed for the week last night. Good thing I have a guest bed now; it's the perfect spot to lay out all the stuff then pack it up! For those of you being super observant you'll notice that I added a green six foot circular deep shag rug to the room, which has nothing to do with packing for the trip, but thought I would point it out nonetheless. After having eggs and salmon for breakfast (gotta get those Omega-3's!) I headed to the airport at 8am.

Not a pretty sight this early, eh? Granted I had just taken off half my clothes going through security. Wow, those people are thorough....


After arriving, checking in (which could be an entire blog entry, but I won't bore you with the details now) I warshed my face, brushed the fangs, and headed over to the agreed upon meeting point where I waited to meet my CGOA Professional Mentor. Have I told you that it's Melissa Freakin' Leapman? I'm tragically early so I got to sit in the lobby of the hotel for a few minutes where I saw a man at one end of the counter saying "I was given a smoking room and I wanted a non-smoking!" and a lady at the other end of the counter saying "I was given a non-smoking and I want a smoking room!" and watched them both be given the same answer "I'm sorry, we're sold out". If they had only been standing ten feet closer to each other they may have figured out a solution.

Anywho, dinner with Ms. Leapman was so. much. fun. We laughed, we cried, we shared, we ate, we may or may not have had some wine, okay we didn't cry, but we did laugh a lot. I brought her a bag of my designs, some purses, the twinset, etc. She looked over each one carefully and gave me very valuable feedback. Have you ever had the one person you admire the most in your industry actually literally physically look at your work? It's an amazing experience. Here is photographic proof that I'm not imagining the whole thing...

Forge, the Other Valley

I woke up this morning in Houston. 8:ooam. I had pretty much packed everything that I needed for the week last night. Good thing I have a guest bed now; it's the perfect spot to lay out all the stuff then pack it up! For those of you being super observant you'll notice that I added a green six foot circular deep shag rug to the room, which has nothing to do with packing for the trip, but thought I would point it out nonetheless. After having eggs and salmon for breakfast (gotta get those Omega-3's!) I headed to the airport at 8am.

Not a pretty sight this early, eh? Granted I had just taken off half my clothes going through security. Wow, those people are thorough....


After arriving, checking in (which could be an entire blog entry, but I won't bore you with the details now) I warshed my face, brushed the fangs, and headed over to the agreed upon meeting point where I waited to meet my CGOA Professional Mentor. Have I told you that it's Melissa Freakin' Leapman? I'm tragically early so I got to sit in the lobby of the hotel for a few minutes where I saw a man at one end of the counter saying "I was given a smoking room and I wanted a non-smoking!" and a lady at the other end of the counter saying "I was given a non-smoking and I want a smoking room!" and watched them both be given the same answer "I'm sorry, we're sold out". If they had only been standing ten feet closer to each other they may have figured out a solution.

Anywho, dinner with Ms. Leapman was so. much. fun. We laughed, we cried, we shared, we ate, we may or may not have had some wine, okay we didn't cry, but we did laugh a lot. I brought her a bag of my designs, some purses, the twinset, etc. She looked over each one carefully and gave me very valuable feedback. Have you ever had the one person you admire the most in your industry actually literally physically look at your work? It's an amazing experience. Here is photographic proof that I'm not imagining the whole thing...