ABOUT THE CLF

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Everywhere, No where
I started the CLF as a joke on Ravelry, back in July of 2007. The joke was on me, we're a real group, that seeks to liberate ourselves from stereo types about our craft and ourselves. Other than being called "Fearless Leader", I'm a designer, mother, editor, wife, hand spinner, yarn addict, incessant reader, and over all geek in the coolest of geeky ways.

Beware Defamers of the Hook!

Beware Defamers of the Hook!
Like Joan of Arc, and the Scarlet Pimpernel we are here to seek Justice!

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Official Blog of the Crochet Liberation Front

Monday, March 30, 2009

End of March....

Wow! What an (Inter)National Crochet Month it has been!

The party on Ravelry has been a blast (wish I could have been there more often!), we've had great topics on the CLF HQ message board on Ravelry, and of course our very first annual Crochet Awards, the Flamies, happened with not too many glitches!

CLF members don't forget we have a nominating group on Ravelry, so keep your eyes posted for beautiful designs, books, patterns and more throughout 2009 for next year's awards...Cause hey next time we'll know what we're doing!

Remember we're doing the make up show for our winners that got lost in techno-land, TONIGHT on Getting Loopy! Looking foward to being there, join us at 9pm EDT/6pm PDT on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mary-beth-temple (Getting Loopy!) or download it via iTunes :)

See ya tonight!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Flamies: Part DUH

That's what we're calling the Grand Finale of the Finale Process on Getting Loopy this coming Monday Night (March 30th, 9pm EDT/6pm PDT). For those not in the know, the first annual Crochet Awards (known as the Flamies) happened on March 16th 2009. The last eight winners/categories got lost in technoland.

Poor Mary-Beth found that her virtual switchboard had "poof" disappeared, along with the guests...We had odd thoughts that leprochauns had abducted our winners to get at the statuettes...but alas it was merely a technical glitch.

So tune in tomorrow night, Monday March 30th for the CONCLUSION of the Flamies on Getting Loopy with Mary Beth Temple! If you can't join us live, please download the archives...

For some reason she's willing to have me back on the air, and once again I promise to be good, and I'll talk louder...I'm terrible about that, I actually have a rather loud voice and so I tone it down not to blow out speakers and often over correct...sigh...

Anywho...More fun news about the CLF!

We are in the very first issue of the New UK magazine called Inside Crochet! I look forward to seeing what they have to say about us there! (link to come...I'm on dial up at the moment, so it's torturous...Tuesday I'll reblog with all the juicy links)...

The CLF First Ever Book is being reviewed in the May-June '09 issue of Quick and Easy Crochet magazine! That was so exciting I couldn't sleep after I found out!

And...I and several other CLF members have been interviewed by Crochet Today Magazine about the CLF and our wacky ways...That should be out in the July/August '09 issue in time for our Second Anniversary!!!!

Now just in case you think my head's getting too big...think again. I would like to remind you I am the mother of teens...My ego gets dented back into shape on a daily basis ;)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Picot Freeing Jacket!


bolero jacket
Originally uploaded by amee16

CLF Member Amee16 made this beautiful bolero, from Doris Chan's pattern " Mei Mei Crochet Jacket" .http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mei-mei-crochet-jacket


Gorgeous work on this beautiful design...

Amee16 you are duly awarded the Set My Picot Free for wonderful crochet skills! Congratulations!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Yarn Companies: RENT A CLUE

Dear Crochet Enthusiasts,

Get ready for another rant.

Your Humble Servant,

Fearless Leader


I cannot begin to count the number of discussions on the CLF HQ message board on Ravelry, where CLF members have brought up the disparity in pattern availability for crochet from various well known yarn companies. Let me list a few: Bernat, Berroco, Cascade, Phildar, Malabrigo, Dale of Norway, Noro, Lopi. Again just a small list of yarns, not all of them terribly spendy, nor difficult to find.

The yarn companies like to say that crocheters are "cheap" or don't buy good yarn, or patterns.
Ok, you folks know that I have not always been "Fearless Leader", I actually have worked in the business world, suits, good shoes, and a lovely briefcase to boot...So, let me explain some very SIMPLE business principles to these companies.

Yup, free business advice (and some of the "too big to fail" corps may want to pay attention, because this is old fashion business practice and has NOTHING to do with creative accounting)...

1) Sales aren't always based on patterns. The majority of crocheters buy yarn without having a project or pattern in mind. (80% according to my own survey).

2) Putting down potential clientele is a way to turn off consumers, and is a great way to not make money.

3) In the list above, only a few can be described as "premiere" brands. Folks like Bernat and Berroco need to understand that their glory days at "The Yarn To Buy" rest back in the 1950's and has declined ever since. They are not premiere brands, they are affordable, decent yarn, that many people use to substitute for more "expensive" and premiere brands. In other words, instead of insisting we (the crochet community) are cheap, recognize that you aren't the spendy yarn in the market and you're biting the hand that feeds you.

4) Fashion and function are two separate issues. Just because something is in fashion one year, doesn't mean it will be forever. Functional yarn will always be in style, even if color popularity rotates. Fads are temporary...

5) Online the majority of crocheters are an average of 35 years old. They do more than one craft, and enjoy many kinds of fibers. 60% of online crocheters use patterns. 69% live on either coast of the USA.

"Cheap yarns" sell more than any other kind of yarn, putting it down doesn't change the fact. They sell to all kinds of fiber artists, from crocheters, to luceters, to knitters, and tatters. If you think knitters buy less Red Heart Supersaver think again my friends.

High end, price tags will make a certain amount of money in any business, but they don't sell consistently and in volume.

As I once admonished a sales person I managed, "I don't care if you brought in the big account three months ago, you haven't brought in anything since then. Mr. X brought in 20 accounts in the same amount of time, they may not be as big, but it spreads out our income."

So, shut up about the cheap comments, because truly and honestly I only buy Bernat and other similar yarns when I'm making items for bazaars, or for family who won't take care of more special projects. I'm not the only person who chooses to do this, in fact most of my knitting friends feel similarly.


Oh one last thing, we buy lots of yarn, all kinds of yarn, and we don't have to do so to crochet. We can crochet with anything that bends around a hook. We are not limited to garments, we can make House Cozies if we want to... So if you want more money, it's called marketing.

Market to us, and gee you just might see an increase in sales.

CLF Helping Out with Saving Camano Island Library!

What? When and how the heck did that start happening?

Ok folks, I started talking about this on Ravelry. I work out of my local library A LOT! Why? Because, I can only get dial up at my home, and I refuse to get a satellite service because of a) the expense, and b) the speeds aren't worth the price. The library on Camano Island, has high speed internet, I can use wifi, and I have zero problem donating to the library for the use.

Problem: The Camano Island Library is a pilot project and we may not get to keep it on the island. May not is the key phrase, because with enough community support and some fundraising, we can very much keep our library on the island.

I got involved with the friend's group, and offered to chair the fundraising efforts. While we await our 501c3 #, we can do a long term project or two. One of these is the Save Our Library Penny Drive. Kids (and grown up kids) can save their pennies and when the bring them into the library they get a cute wiggly worm crocheted by either my friend Ann in Stanwood (Ann is a member of the CLF) or some of the wonderful worms donated by CLFers across the US of A!

Here's a FABULOUS news article from yesturday's Everett Herald Newspaper!

Thanks CLF!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Fearless Leader Dork Alert...

I must apologize to Takhi Stacy Charles Yarn, actually more to Stacy Charles. I spelled his name wrong, and gave Darlisa the information incorrectly. So it's totally my fault.

I feel kinda like a dork...but that's nothing unusual right?

I do thank Mr. Charles for attending the Flamies. That was pretty darn cool!

In fact I think it was pretty good the corporate types all showed up to recieve their accolades. Because we spend oodles on yarn and products...and knowing they appreciate our business is encouraging.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Shamrock Earrings are KITSCHALICIOUS!


Shamrock Earrings
Originally uploaded by CrazyOphelia

Ok, sure yesturday was St. Paddy's Day, but heck guys I was making up for a lot of lost time! LOL

These cute little Shamrock Earrings were designed and made by CLF Member Valeryalta! These are deserving of an arbitrary CLF Award...

Valeryalta congratulations you have been granted the Kitschalicious Award for cute crochet in a holiday theme!

I love these...and oooh that yarn sounded very yummy indeed!

Check out more of Valeryalta's projects on Ravelry.com!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

More March Madness! By Gosh and Begora!

Ok, the jury doesn't need me this week! YAY! Thanks to Bec Thomas I was reminded to call the courthouse after hours number to see if I had to drive the two hours, Bec is my bestest buddy, and brilliant art photographer (and I'm not just saying that cause she used to provide me with raw mohair) check out her Blog to see some GORGEOUS photos of the Pacific NW. THANK YOU BEC! For saving me from the evils of waking up at 6am.

So now I get to start work on more March Crochet Madness...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In honor of the day I've been teaching my daughter how to make Irish Crocheted leaves :)

I'm just waiting for a few more patterns to arrive in my in box and then I will start working on the book in earnest...but me thinks we got a few lovely patterns that show the fun, and foxy side of life!

I've just run across an e-zine called Croqzine, I had to look at it, cause someone involved is out of Oregon, my old stomping grounds...which is why I don't think I'm all that radical. I mean really, isn't standing up for what is right, and just, and good just what people do? Honestly, I don't think speaking your mind, refusing to live in fear is all that radical, it's just how I live my life. But then again, I'm a granola born and raised in Oregon, so at least I have an excuse (must be the water)...

Anyway, I've enjoyed the little blurbs I've read so far :)

OOOH Other big news, Marly aka The Yarn Thing starts her new podcast on Blog Talk Radio TONIGHT! 9pm Central, which is 11 Eastern and 8 Pacific, catch her TONIGHT!!!!! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing


And other news...Um Fearless Leader is a DORK again! I apologize to David Burchall and the crochet community at large for MISSING THE FREAKIN' IDES OF MARCH! BAH! What was I thinking? Well I obviously wasn't! I meant to announce his award here on Sunday, but um...Ms. Mom, Ms. Busypants, Ms. Honey-where-is-my, Ms. Fearless Leader, forgot :(

Next year I promise to be more organized!

Monday, March 16, 2009

The Flamies

Um…just like March, "In like a lion, out like a lamb."

Well, minions and crochet enthusiasts all, the Flamies (first annual Crochet Awards) came off, but not without a hitch! Good old Murphy's Law was right there with us, reminding us that if we ever decided to take ourselves too seriously, to think again.

We kinda need a Mulligan (or do over) for the last third of the show since poor Mary-Beth had her switchboard completely disappear on her!!! Which means we lost the last and most prestigious award announcements! They shall have their day in the sun! We vow that!!!!! In fact the Mulligan happens on March 30th! Stayed tuned for more!

It's still worth listening to the two thirds that went somewhat more smoothly than anticipated! (Never start feeling cocky that's all this Fearless Leader has to say!)

To top it all off I'm going to try to get all you fabulous award winners the link for your awards but um….I start Jury duty and have to be up before the birds to get there in time…So I'm problem solving on the fly. Let's hope for WiFi somewhere near the County Courthouse!


All in all it wasn't too bad for another "Hey Gang, Let's put on a show event from the CLF!"

If you can hear me blush when Doris Chan complements my pirate hat, you won't be wrong. First off I love my pirate hat, secondly I think it's cool that Doris Chan likes my pirate hat, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and like one of the cool kids J !


Ooooh and how cool was it that the industry people actually showed up for the awards! Thanks to Mary Beth for contacting them on behalf of the CLF! I'm glad they did show up, and actually appreciate the votes by our beloved crochet community!

They should, we spend buckets of money on yarn, hooks and patterns each year J

Best Crochet Magazine 2008


And the Winner Is….

Interweave Croc het

The Most Crochet Friendly Yarn Company


And the Winner Is….


Lion Brand

There are no nominees for this next award, this was at my whim!

Fearless Leader Award for a Crochet Friendly Yarn Company.

I am giving this award because of the many fabulous tales of equity, artistic freedom, and respect this company has given my colleagues. This yarn company is well known and beloved for how they treat crochet as an equal fiber art! The winner of the Fearless Leader Award for a Crochet Friendly Yarn Company.is:

Tahki/Stacy Charles


Best Crochet Hook by a corporation.

And the winner is by ONE vote!!! Boye


Best Online Crochet Magazine

And the winner is! Crochet Insider http://www.crochetinsider.com/



Best Crochet Blog 2008


And the Winner is ! The Crochet Dude
http://www.blog.thecrochetdude.com/


Best Crochet Podcast


And the winner is:

Getting Loopy
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mary-Beth-Temple


Best Crochet Hooks (handcrafted made by individuals and available for sale or by auction)


And the winner is!

Jimbo's Hooks
http://www.jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/
\

Best Instructional/Technical Crochet Book 2008 Only books published in 2008 qualified for nominations.


Blue Print Crochet, Robyn Chachula

Crochet Pattern Book 2008 Only books published in 2008 qualified for nominations.

The Winner is!

Crochet that Fits: Shaped Fashion without increases or decreases, Mary Jane Hall

Best Crochet Instructor 2008

The Winner is!

Robyn Chachula

Best Crochet Design for Adults (men's and women's fashion, plus accessories)


And the winner is! Dragon fly Shawl by Lisa Naskrent (Ravelry ID crochetgarden)

Best Design Home Décor

The winner is!

Sunburst Bowl by Carol Ventura (ravelry ID Tapestrycrochet) who is currently in Paris with her Art History Class…sigh…Felicitations! Vive le crochet!

Best Crochet Designer for Women's Fashions 2008


And the winner is!

Doris Chan (RavelryID DorisJChan)


Best Crochet Designer(Accessories: Hats, Scarves, Jewelry, Socks etc) 2008

And the winner is!

Kim Guzman (RavelryID CrochetKim)


Best Crochet Designer (men's wear)


And the winner is!

Drew Emborsky (RavelryID thecrochetdude)

Best Crochet Designer (for children, children's wear, accessories, toys)

And the winner is!

Candi Jensen (Ravelry ID Candijensen)

Best Crochet Designer (Home Decor: afghans, pillows, rugs, etc.)

The winner is!

Ellen Gormley (Ravelry ID Gocrochet

Best Free Form Designer

The Winner is!

Margaret Hubert (Ravelry ID MHDesigner1)

Best New Designer

The Winner is!

Tracie Barrett ( Ravelry ID traciecrochets

Individual Life Time Achievement Award Winner


Margaret Hubert (MHDesigner1)

First of I want to thank the CLF minions for carrying the Flaming hook of Justice in their project bags!

This year's prize for Most Deserving of the Flaming Hook of Justice goes to …

David Burchall!


Congratulations to ALL of our nominees and winners! I love you all, you represent the hook well, and I invite all CLF members to join the Crochet Award Nominations discussion group on Ravelry.com! You can find it by going to "The Mother of All Stickies Thread" on our CLF HQ Group message board!

Once again a huge thanks to all of our members who helped me organize this and figure out how to do the dang awards! Thanks to Mary Beth Temple on Getting Loopy for hosting us! And Thank you to all who called in, including those who got "disappeared" by some weird technological snafu!

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Hi guys and dolls!

Today is THE day for the first annual Crochet Awards!!! The Flamies will be announced on Getting Loopy with Mary Beth Temple at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific!

Everyone needs to tune in! This is going to be so much fun! Thank you again to everyone who helped me get organzied, and special thanks to Darlissa Riggs for her fabulous artwork on the awards! I'll be emailing the winners starting Tuesday with the webaddress where they can pick up the fine goodies!

Another special thank you goes out to Mary Beth Temple of Getting Loopy and Hooked4Life Designs for allowing us to cause chaos and mayhem on her show!

Don't forget to tune in TONIGHT, and if you do forget don't worry you can download the show starting Tuesday :) You may want to anyway, since we may go over time and that's all recorded!

Happy Universal Crochet Month! (Yes, I'm quite sure the folks on Alpha Centuri prefer crochet)...

Hooks Raised CLF Salute!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Fabulous...that is the word for the day...

How are you? FABULOUS I hope! How am I? FABULOUS!

How can we not be during Crochet Month! (International/National/heck why not UNIVERSAL!)

I'm blogging on a Saturday! That means I'm up to my old Fearless Leader tricks!
Getting everything set and polished for Monday night's Flamie Awards! You'd better show up folks, you gotta see the talent! See who won! I'm so excited I could "squee"...

I'm also getting ready to start the second book in our little CLF series! The adult themed book, working title being "Crochet in Chains~ the clf all growed up!"

So excited! There are some beautiful patterns, silly patterns, fun patterns, and yes, it is indeed adult themed! But last I checked, that really isn't a market served now is it? It's like some how (I'll spell it out so we don't say it...) S. E. X. is bad and awful...Last I checked if it weren't around neither would be my kids :)

It's been interesting to see what the various interpretations of Adult themed were in the submission process!

This book will be smaller than the CLF First Ever Book, which may I remind you is still for sale on Amazon.com or on the CLF Website and NOW as a PDF for only $9.99 on Lulu.com. The more you support the CLF in purchasing the books the sooner we can start actually paying some real money to designers! And take over the world...but that's a secondary goal :)

Enjoy your National Crochet Month, and DO NOT FORGET THE FLAMIES!!! TWO DAYS!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mary-beth-temple Monday Night 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

FOUR DAYS! Ah...Ah...Ah...

I kind of feel like The Count from Sesame Street...Five days...ah ah ah...Four days..ah ah ah...FOUR DAYS until The Flamies! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH....

Not that I'm excited, but I'm excited! Don't forget the only place you can hear the awards is on Mary Beth Temple's Getting Loopy!

I have promised to be a good Fearless Leader...grin...Not too much trouble will I cause...In fact I'll be SOOO good I'll be outrageously good :) GRIN....Now you guys know that requires effort on my part so I want you all to tune in so you can witness me, being good :) GRIN...

I'm still gonna be silly though :)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

FIVE DAYS!!!

Five days until the FLAMIES!!! OOOoooh I'm so excited!

Mary Beth Temple and I have been hard at work organizing the line up for the show on Monday! If you haven't heard, the Flamie Awards (first annual crochet awards) will be announced LIVE on Monday March 16th, 2009 on Getting Loopy 9pm EDT/6pm PDT.

If you want to know who won tune in! It's going to be grand!!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Hookalicious Yarn!

Curious Creek Yarn owner, Kristine was on Getting Loopy, Monday night with Mary Beth Temple...

I so enjoyed listening (via telephone, because of my damned dial up situation!) that I had to call in and award her a HOOKALICIOUS award!

1) Because she learned crochet and loves it for awesome reasons!
2) Because she gave honest and great information about "handpainting" yarn.

As you may or may not know, I'm a handspinner and dyer, and I have often gotten annoyed when people try to claim that handspainting isn't dyeing. Yes, it is. It's just a matter of definition and techique, and when Christine said the MAGIC words of "It also makes it sound prettier"...I wanted to hug her ;)

So check out her site here! http://www.curiouscreek.com/


AND DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN TO GETTING LOOPY! MONDAY NIGHT, MARCH 16th at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific! FOR THE FLAMIES! 2009 Crochet Awards!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Grammar Police Where Are You?

Dear Grammar Police,

I would like to entreat you to accost those who list handwork out of alphabetical order. You have no problem letting me know when spell check has missed my homonyms, or typos, or my over use of commas, and semi-colons. You, the Grammar Police, love to point out incomplete phrases, and run on sentences, you have skills, and I wish you to put them to good use. You can correct me any time you want, and often do, but why oh why don't you get a hold of yarn companies, and catalogues for writing "Knit and Crochet" instead of "Crochet and Knit" ?

A list should be in alphabetical order: point blank.

Now, here are my reasons: I recently contacted a yarn company regarding their use of "Knit and Crochet" and politely asked them to revise their website to reflect the alphabetical listing. I wrote stating that it was obviously an oversight, because they have not ignored crochet as a market, but that we (the consumers) often feel like we're getting second billing.

Their response was less than desired; I felt talked down to, I felt like was I was patted on the head, and frankly I was really annoyed.

To paraphrase what they wrote me; they use knit and crochet because of how the phrase flows.

Hmmm... I had years of voice lessons, classical voice lessons; if you've ever studied classical voice then you will understand that learning to enunciate while singing is a skill that requires years of practice. In fact, "electrocution" (elocution) lessons were a great part of my classical training. Did you know it's easier to sing in a Latin root language than in English? Did you know why?

Vowels and consonants. Sound is carried on vowel sounds, and soft consonants (m, n, s,z), hard consonants end sound, (t, p,k,d)...So I want you to pronounce with me...let's say this together phonetically, and if you think I'm wrong, that's okay. I just think if they are going to say it's a word flow issue, we should test it out :)

NihT anD croshay

Croshay and nihT

Which has the smoother flow?

See I find when I pronounce the "t" in knit that the t is a hard sound which breaks up the flow of the sounds in the phrase. When I say crochet (ay) this flows with more liquidity with two consecutive open vowel sounds and you'll find you may pronounce the d of "and" softer too, with the t at the end of knit softer but still final. T is always a final sound when you pronounce words in English; It's a hard, staccato, versus and open legato... :)

So next time someone says, it's for the flow of the sounds and not about billing, I'll just have to point out how very wrong that is....

You can fool part of the people, part of the time; but you can't fool all the people, all of the time.

I think saying crochet and knit sounds more equal and less of a billing issue than vice versa...not because of the alphabet even, because of how the word sounds flow.

But pronounce it yourself and see what you think for yourself.

Another Hookalicious Award!


Picture 304
Originally uploaded by Crisssti

I've been so swamped with getting the Flamies organized, I haven't been awarding our dear CLF members for their FANTABULOUS efforts!

It's time to get back to business!

CLF Member Cristi, made this GORGEOUS crocheted and felted bag from a pattern called, Inga's Haekelbeutel found here at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ingas-haekelbeutel.

This is just too cute! I love the bag, it's a lot of fun, is funky, and has a nice finished look to it!

Congratulations to Cristi! You are hereby awarded the CLF Hookalicious Award for a fun, funking, and fiberlicious crocheted bag!

Hooks Raised, CLF Salute!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Politics may interupt CLF activities! EEP!

Ok minions, I try to stay completely away from touchy subjects that have nothing to do with crochet on this blog.

I have written political statements, because I believe in fair trade, and fair wages for people who produce quality goods and services. Especially those of us who work with our hands...and now I'm going to have a mini rant, and give a link to another mini-rant about how Washington State's Legislature's decisions may impact the CLF.

It's indirect mind you, there is no bill outlawing the liberation of crochet, but our dear legislature in the infinate cowardice have chosen to smackdown on the SMALLEST agencies in the state of Washington for the biggest budget cuts, which does very little to nothing to solve the $8+ billion elephant in the living room.

They are asking State Parks to take on the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, WHILE demanding an almost 25% cut from our budget. Folks, State Parks doesn't even get a whole percent of the budget under normal circumstances. PULEEZ.

They keep stating that the areas that need to be cut can't be cut because it would be unconstitutional to do so.

That is ALL or nothing thinking; which is ridiculous!

Frankly, there are places in EVERY agency that can and should get cut. One of the most frustrating things about being married to a Park Ranger, is watching the political maelstrom that he can do nothing about. One of those things is having to hire outside engineering firms to "study" as situation for up to MILLIONS of dollars, only to have it not work (as the Ranger was trying to tell them when they started).. Another great one is when the state has to hire a private contractor, because the law says they have to, instead of allowing the qualified personnel available to do the job. Then the contractors do a crappy job, do not put in parts correctly, cut so many corners there are safety issues, do not meet deadlines or budget constraints and there is NO RECOURSE....

If it happens in state parks it happens in the Dept. of Transportation (way bigger folks), it must happen in the Department of Social and Human Services, and lord only knows what happens in the Office of Superindentant for Public Instruction. The latter has zero teeth to enforce Washington State Ed. Law, and runs millions of dollars worth of studies and silly programs (I know I used to work for one) that really only look like they help (on paper) but do nothing in reality.

And so they want to cut affordable, healthy recreation in a time of economic crisis?

How does this impact the CLF? Well, I can safely say that my husband will not lose his job. But we will most likely end up getting "bumped' in the system, not be on Camano Island anymore, and end up somewhere else in the state...

In fact it works like dominoes, Someone's park will close, they will bump Jeff, Jeff will bump the next guy, he bumps someone else, down the line three more times....and more unemployement.

Make sense? Yeah... So, fingers crossed that the good legislators of Washington State will be engaging their brain in a little more long term thinking than they are most want to do..., but who knows...They still haven't really started talking about the budget, but rest easy the guys from Seattle just may get that money they want to refurbish Key Arena!? >.< GRRRR,,,,

Some days I could smack some politicians with a "Get Smart" stick...

So stay tuned, cause this will affect the retreat in 2010 if the 25% cut happens.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

What are you doing for National Crochet Month?

It's National Crochet Month folks! What are you up to?
Are you playing games with us on Ravelry? Are you whooping up on Crochetville? Are you out in public, crocheting in coffee houses, doing charity crochet, deciding to do something new and exciting with your skills?

I've just registered for the Spring Show in Portland, Oregon the CGOA regional. Boy it sure was tough making a decision about what classes I wanted to take. My daughter whimped out and didn't want to take classes, she just wants to hang out and go shopping. So I decided to sign up for a mere two classes. But that's cool, I'm going to Buffalo in August, so we'll see what I can do there :)

I'm taking the train with Sara down to Portland, I figured I would at least break even considering what gas costs, and parking fees. I saw no point to parking my car for 3 days in Portland, because we'll take MAX anyway.

I'm taking Jennifer Hanson's Broomstick Lace class, and Myra Wood's Advanced Free Form. I shall enjoy these I just KNOW IT!

Oooh and by taking the train, I get to crochet instead of drive through Everett and Seattle Traffic! Now that IS a winning proposition!

I'm going to sign Sara up for a CGOA membership down there, and that will be AWESOME! She's still on the shy side, and I think she would be totally down with a youth membership and activities when the CGOA get that really going!

Looking so forward to that trip I can hardly stand it!

Oh and for Natcromo? I just keep hooking folks, just keeping on with the hook :)

The FLAMIES! March 16th!

Ok folks, as you know the votes are in, the winners have been decided, and they will be announced LIVE on Getting Loopy with Mary Beth Temple!

This airs March 16th at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific LIVE! Yes, we're hitting the glitz folks!

Don't forget to sign into Getting Loopy, ask for a reminder, you don't want to miss this folks, we're making hookin' history!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

March: In like a Lion out Like a Lamb...

Well the wind did howl as March first came...and so did the wirlwind of voting for the Flamies!
The votes are in, and tabulated, now dear Ms. Fignations (Darlisa) will be a busy bee engraving names onto the plaques for the winners!

Ooooh, this should be just nerve wracking for all of the nominees! Egads, I'm sure glad I'm not them! (*evil chuckle*)...oh, did I make it worse? MUWAHAHAHAHA...

Ok, I'll stop and be nice, I won't torture the nominees (much) in the ensuing weeks :) )

In the mean time please remember that the CLF First Ever Book is available for sale via Amazon.com, our CLF Website, and now in PDF version on lulu.com.

Last year I was so busy putting life together in March, I didn't get a chance to do the Natcromo Free Form Game hosted by Kaet, I'm making myself do it this year! She's working via inspiration, and it's been fun so far! Especially to see how everyone interprets her "prompts".

If you are ravelry, check out our projects! If not, you can see what I'm doing on my personal blog. March 3rd is kinda funny....at least it was at 11:30 pm when I was trying to photograph my stuff and a certain feline got into the act! Egads!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Last Day to Vote, and more March Madness

Hi folks! Today is the LAST day to vote for your favorites in the first annual Flamie Awards :)
As of tonight 12am PST the vote closes and we get to work to make the real fun start!

So if you haven't voted, GO VOTE!

Remember you don't have to be "qualified" you just have to know what you like! If you haven't had a class, then obviously you won't vote for the teachers :) Etc..etc...etc...

NOW here's some real exciting news. The Crochet Liberation Front First Ever Book is now available as a PDF download for only $9.99 now that is a total steal!

I could have released it earlier, but I thought I'd wait for (inter) National Crochet Month!
Enjoy!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Name Corrections :)

Bah and humbug ;) I have a few names spelled incorrectly.

Darlisa Riggs, is spelled with ONE s and not two :)

Danielle Kassner is misspelled in the survey as Krasner, though I finally spelled her RavID correctly.

Oh and the CGOA regional meetup in Portland, Oregon's like should be this: http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com. I plugged that link into the last post incorrectly.

To err is human, to royally screw up is to be Fearless Leader ;) GRIN....Nothing like these types of things to keep you humble ;)

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Day 1 of National Crochet Month

Hey there boys and girls, gents and ladies, damen und herren!

It's National Crochet Month (International Crochet Month to the CLF), and I would like to do my part as a very proud CGOA member to say that if you aren't a member of the Crochet Guild of America then what better month to join!

The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) takes members from around the world, so you don't have to be from the USA to join! Why join? Well, if you love crochet, and want to connect with others who love crochet then this is the group for you! If you have professional aspirations this is a grand group to join, and if you aren't wanting to go pro it's still a grand group to join!

I never knew how much I craved the company of other crocheters until I went to my first event. There I was thinking I was perfectly fine with my private and public crochet solo efforts. Then I sat with a group of people who loved their hooks, and yarn, and understood when I ripped out my project 16 rows, and we all said, "Rip it, Rip it, Rip it!" Suddenly I met brothers and sisters that I hadn't even known were lost to me!

I didn't join for the magazine, or the newsletter, I do love the internet community, and it's worth going to just one CGOA event, or finding a chapter...I stay a member because I not only love my craft and long for it's promotion, but I value you the dear friendships that I have made as a result of finding the CGOA in 2005. I am so glad I joined! I hope you do too!

If you are a member, you could gift your friends and relatives that crochet with a membership! I'm buying my daughter's membership, and we're going to the CGOA regional in Portland, Oregon this May. We're going to take a few classes, and can't wait to meet up with new friends and old alike...and we're going to party with CLFers in Portland too :) WHOOT!

Happy National Crochet Month!

Whoot! March is here at last! Yay! That means one thing it's (Inter) National Crochet Month!
National Crochet Month was started by the Crochet Guild of America, and the CLF has made it our business to whoop it up!!

That's why we are sponsoring the Flamies! If you haven't cast your vote, get busy will ya? We end the voting on Tuesday, March 3 2009.

Remember we are announcing the winners on Getting Loopy with Mary Beth Temple on Monday, March 16th! Be there or be square.

Other activities: Check out the many crochet blogs our in blog land, with over 3140 members (we're just growing by leaps and bounds folks!) there are bound to be fun crochet posts all over the net! In fact, why don't you blog your crochet?

If you are on Ravelry, check out the Crochet Party Group! We have ever so much fun, we're all really busy this year, but you can pop your head in say hi, and join in with the crochet sillies! I know you can!

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