Crochet In Chains...The Second Book

Ok, so I have the fourth pattern formatted, I've sent out three of the four for editing, and am going to send out the fourth in just a few minutes.

One of the things that will be different about this CLF book, will once again be the articles. Since this is our "adult" book, I'm taking the opportunity to use the book as a vehicle to discuss some "touchy" subjects, that are often swept under the carpet or seen as taboos.

Again, this book is fully intended for adults, and there are subjects that adults should be able to discuss in a rational manner.

What will the articles be about?

Body Image
Sexuality/Sensuality
Trust
Reproductive Health and Safety

Of course these will all be handled with the same humor and respect that all subjects are dealt with by the CLF.

I put this information out to you now, just so you know there may be an article or two that might make some uncomfortable, but I think more people will find that the articles are mature and thought provoking.

I don't believe you can truly separate any issue into a little box. The patterns are fabulous on their own, but their intent is to be sexy and fun in the bedroom, you just can't leave sex out of the equation in this... So why not talk about it?

As with all things CLF I stand by the axiom; "We are people first, people who crochet!"

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.

Back to taking over the world...

Ok, I am so not giving into this bizarre moment in time...I have a life and it includes taking over the world with crochet...DO YOU HEAR ME! We're TAKING OVER THE WORLD WITH CROCHET!

I feel significantly better now : )

So, how are we dominating the globe with our hooks?

1) Still accepting submissions up until Februrary 20th for the Adult Crochet Book :) See the writers guidelines for more details. If you are going to submit, PLEASE read those and follow them...especially the PHOTO guidelines which are at the BOTTOM of that web page.

2) An in print magazine requested the Crochet Liberation Front First Ever book for review! I sent it off yesterday!

3) We're working on the first annual Crochet Awards "Flamie", and are partnering with Mary B. Temple of Getting Loopy!

4) We are in the early planning stages for our Retreat in 2010

and I am busy making plans for Porltand in May for the CGOA regional meeting at the Knit and Crochet Show, and saving my pennies to shuffle off to Buffalo in August...I've already decided to take the train, because well it's more sedate than flying! I make a five hour stop in Chicago on the way, so anyone who wants to do an event with fearless leader can contact me :) GRIN

Great things afoot at the CLF

Hey there folks :)

Well we have some lively discussions happening on the CLF Message Board on Ravelry.

Plans, dreams and goals for 2009 abound, we are currently organzing the first ever Crochet Awards (like the oscars but you know for crochet :)) all are welcome to help in the planning, we're shooting to host those in March, which as you know is National Crochet Month (or International Crochet Month, since we decreed it so to not be exclusive of folks outside the US of A)...

We'll have a nominating process up soon :)

We also have ideas of having a "Christmas Present" Challenge for each month so we don't get caught behind again next holiday season (or like we do every year)

We have the yahoo group for file downloads and now have them on Box.net, see the Ravelry thread for more information for the box.net, or join the yahoo group to have access to these great downloads.

I have finally drafted the letter to Michaels Stores Inc, and have a copy for minions to send en masse, you'll have to send it snail mail though, because I haven't had a lot of luck finding email addies for those folks. I have my own letter I shall be sending and will post a copy of it once I have it mailed off...

Finally, the last podcast is finally up...and I promise to do better getting those up in 2009!

Back from Vacation and to work....egads...

Hey there folks...

Ok, I'm still sick, but finally recovering. Had a great vacation, I even got to crochet! WHOOT! And as I wait for the PDF to finish distilling I will be uploading the revised book, with all the necessary changes. Hopefully tomorrow AM our beloved Technogoddess will upload the new version of the book cover...which should me a better thumbnail on Amazon.com....YAY...

Some of the very nifty changes that we made since we were redoing things anyway was to include page numbers...They would have been in the first version but unfortunately my computer was not cooperating, and I was stressed and tired and opted to live without it versus killing my laptop.

In a more relaxed frame of mine I have included these things so that they actually show on each page (long story), and now have a table of contents that reflect the page numbers (time consuming by worth it)...Also, Carol Ventura granted permission to flip the skull chart for the Tapestry Crochet UFO Bag so that lefties don't have to flip the chart in a mirror! YAY...I'll try to get that posted on the errata page tonight for you wonderful lefties who already purchased the book!

So hopefully in a day or so I can approve the book to be a go again, and we'll be on our way to Crochet History!

Prudence Mapstone at Seattle Yarn Gallery

(CLF Members Smurf, PrudenceM, and Camanomade (aka, Alison, Prudence, Laurie)

Ok gang! I got to meet THE Prudence Mapstone today...sigh...she is not only brilliantly talented, but also very kind and sweet! It was indeed a pleasure to meet this vibrant, innovative, and creative person!

(Left to Right: Virginia, beautiful vest, Prudence)

On top of it all I got to meet Virginia, owner of Seattle Yarn Gallery, and let me tell you they go STRAIGHT to our Crochet Friendly LYS list! Great shop, good selection of everything. Virginia is a wonderful lady, gracious, informed, and a jewel! Her daughter (who's name I didn't get) is quite a talented needle worker, and as accepting of all that is fibery goodness too! located in West Seattle on California street, good parking and not hard to find! Check out their website HERE.

(Alison/Smurf and baby Smurf both sweet as can be!)

BEYOND on top of it all I got to meet our dear member, Smurf (aka Alison in real life) and her new wee baby who was such a dear through the whole workshop! He slept like a little lamb, and is cute as a bug! So awesome to meet her face to face, especially since she'll be heading back to Oz in the late fall/early winter!

I also got to meet Kathleen (who's card is in my jeans at home, and I'm borrowing bandwidth at a friend's house...long story don't get me started!) who organized the cruise that is taking Prudence and some very lucky folks up to Alaska! So glad they got to deport from Seattle! Kathleen is a lovely lady, so glad to get to meet her!

And LaCheryl, last but certainly not least her, I got to meet her in Oakland last fall, and boy were we surprised to run into each other at the workshop! LOL...She's one of the lucky one's heading up to Alaska with Prudence! All in all it was a great day and very cool to represent to CLF and enjoy such grand compnay! (And find another yarn store!)

CLF Updates: Book, Podcast, Website

I've been a little less visible online as of late, mostly because my non-virtual life was exceptionally busy with crochet related, and yarn related activities (designing items for my local fair entries, writing my CLF Yarn Club Newsletter, and doing handspinning demonstrations). So, I thought I would let you know where we stand with some of our very cool projects!

CLF First Ever Book:

Still working on it! Working as fast as I can, keeping as accurate as I can, and organizing as fast as I can, so I can shoot it off to editors. Working very closely with our wonderful Technogoddess and her marvelous graphics skills...Let me tell you, that cover will so rock your socks off!

Podcast: CLF Global Domination Report...

Working on it! I have to edit an interview I did with my friend Bec Thomas, who is not only a brilliant nature photographer, but a rearer and shearer of Angora goats (you know, the cute fuzzy things that give us mohair), interesting talk about the history of the breed and it's uses as yarn, and kinds of mohair yarn. Be prepared for some chummy banter, she is my best friend after all, and well if you think I'm outrageous...Um yeah, that's why I'm editing :) LOL...

I will also go a little into just who this "Fearless Leader" person is, and why I started the CLF...the real reasons, not just the joke part...and how you guys have unwittingly helped me over come one of the most difficult years of my almost 39 years on this planet.

Website:

CHECK THIS OUT! It is still being developed, and I'm working on that too...LOL this only having two hands thing is getting TERRIBLY old!

http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/ is now our home domain! Cool huh?

Feel free to check it out, I'm still working on making more pages and CLF fun, but for right now that's where we stand!

Last but not least, if you are heading off to Manchester, NH for the CGOA Chainlink in July you have about 1 week to get your orders in for our Manchester, NH '08 Ltd. Edition buttons!

These are made in America, and are fair trade...well ok, I do all the printing and cutting, and putting them together..so it's my sweat, and my labor in my living room :) These are fun and they go away July 6th! So get 'em while they are hot!

Our Store: http://www.thesecretsofyarn.com/CLFStore.html


Proceeds help me get us to Portland for the Fall Knit and Crochet Show. Guys I need help to get there...but that's an issue for the podcast.