Crocheters go to Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland

Ok, so last year I missed out on the Voodoo Doughnut experience, this year I was determined (especially after seeing the place on a Foodnetwork TV show) to make my way to this very bizarre store!

Sara and I, went with Jorel and Melanie Gill (aka Mel), into this tiny little place on NW 3rd in

Portland. OMG, this is a riot! It took us a while to figure out what we wanted, well ok I knew I wanted the voodoo doll shaped doughtnut 'cause that's too hilarious ;)

So, here's the girls making up their mind, and Jorel and her lovely smile outside the bakery...

Sara got the Tex-Ass mongo sized doughnut!

I got the voodoo doll ;) And I liked it.

Oooh and I gave them CLF Postcards, because one of the girls there is crocheting up a dozen doughnuts! ROCK ON! The hooks shall rule the UNIVERSE!

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!

Awards, Books, Action...

Hello Minions!

Ok a few reminders here, I've had some fabulous submissions for our second book, which will smaller than the first book, which will keep costs down for folks :) I still need a few more designs...so PLEASE get up the courage and submit a design. Right now, I'm designing a cute little "nightie"...I could use something for the guys though :)

I haven't really been able to think of something crocheted and sexy for a dude...Maybe you can ;) LOL...Pitch me an idea...I'm willing to extend the deadline for another week or so if you need time. Remember, currently submissions are due on Feb 20th...I'm not in a rush, so if we need to push it Feb 27th, fine ;) Go to the CLF Website and check out the writers guidelines! Thank you!

Next, our awards, folks if you are a member of our group on Ravelry.com, go and make your freaking nominations already.

To be honest I'm a little cranky... People, ok I started this group as a joke, but then I made it a real deal, I've risked my time, money and energy on this group, and we're for action.

I'm not the only person who needs to act though... It doesn't take much time or energy to down load a letter of action, or to draft one yourself to shoot off to businesses, and organziations!

If we are going to put our "money" where our mouths are, we need to do more than complain, we need to act! Otherwise we're what they say we are...a bunch of whiners...And folks, I do not whine...I abhor whining...

So, pony up, get active...do something...stand up straight and tall (and if you are annoyed at this because you are active, then DUH this message has nothing to do with you)...

To those who do act, YAY...We need more folks too!

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!

CLF Book News

Ok, the books files are all up loaded YAY! It will still be a week or so before things are back up and running the way we'd like them too, but in the mean time Gail's Yarns has 10 copies of the First Ever Printing of the FIRST ever book and a wonderful insert for the errata made by yours truly!

If you are itching for a great book, it's just as gorgeous as the second printing, and the errata is all nice and neatly there for you! PLUS Gail can offer GREAT shipping to International buyers!

So head over to Gail's to get these fabulous books!

Her store for US sales and shipping

International Orders go HERE!! (She can give the BEST deal on international shipping!)

So speaking of Errata...more to come on the website... I missed most of Andee Graves article on how to keep your hands healthy...That's a nice long article I'll give that baby it's own little web page ;) And for some reason, and I think it happened when I resized the book, I missed the end of Jennifer Reeves Dragon Scale Sock pattern... Now if you are on Ravelry, all the Errata for patterns is listed up on our Errata page.... I have yet to get Andee's article up...but it's coming, this afternoon if all goes to plan actually!

So hooks up! Keep hookin'!

Get your historic copy of the Crochet Liberation Front First Ever Book!

Drum roll please...

THIS IS HOW WE CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL CROCHET DAY!!!

You can now purchase the book!! It's available on both our createspace.com e-store and on Amazon.com. If you want the special CLF Member discount join our group on Ravelry.com, we have a locked/stickied thread with your extraspecial discount code.

For LYS purchases and other book sellers I have a special wholesale code for you too (no minimum purchase either) please email me!! and I'll send you YOUR SPECIAL code.

So here are some of the pretties that are in the book...

Broomstick Lace Wrap by Tracie Barrett (aka Traciecrochets)

Sea Horsin' Around by Jennifer Reeve (Craftkitten)

Veritas, Equitas by Danielle Krasner (Laracroft) Not only is there a killer pattern here with color chart, she also has TWO photo tutorials on this phenominal technique!!

Yin Yan Ball Keychain by Mimi Alelis (mimicat)

There are 36 fabulous patterns, 13 articles all by crocheters FOR crocheters!

That's right folks, we are crochet lovers and we show it!

Everything from Purple People Eaters to beautiful fingerless gloves, smart sweaters and funky doodle socks!

We rock...and this book shows just how hard!

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.

"Hooked on Murder" Setting our Picot Free!

The Crochet Liberation Front would like to award the author, Betty Hechtman for setting our picot free with her book, Hooked on Murder.

First of all I wish to applaude her for making us our own mystery novel with crochet playing an integral role. I have to admit being a mystery lover I've been a wee bit jealous of all the pointy stick action.

As far as books go, I have to say it's not a bad read, it's good light reading, and I really enjoyed getting to know the main character Molly Pink. I found myself wanting to help ease her frustration and confidence as she learned to crochet...

I see a huge potential for the series to mature and bloom, as will Molly's crochet skills.

But hey we hookers got a murder mystery, and an author who cares enough about hooks to give us some juicy sleuthing! YAY!

Betty Hechtman you are duly awarded the Set My Picot Free Award for liberating the hook from literary oppression!

(For the record this group started in July 2007, the book came out in 2008, LOL...no I didn't start the group because of the book...and yes I've been asked that question :) LOL)