Archives for September 2006

Butthead

Published on 29 Sep 2006 at 1:15 am. 8 Comments.
Filed under Crazy Cat Lady, Uncategorized.

 

Awwwwww, wook at the cute widdle cuddle buddies! Chi-Chi and Mike wuv each other sooo much.

 

Note to self: Don’t kiss Mike’s head for a while.

(They were like this for at least half an hour. Mike was marinating in there!)

 

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I Survived

Published on 24 Sep 2006 at 9:05 pm. 20 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

 

 

 

And my dignity seems to be intact. The signing went well yesterday, thanks to all who came out to support me! And thanks for all the good-luck wishes in comments and email, too.

Charlene embroidered this for me to keep me from freaking out during the reading. How amazing is this? She made it based on a Simpsons episode where Lisa’s substitute teacher gives her an inspirational note that says “You are Lisa Simpson”. Awwww. So Sweeet! I put it on the table with me when I was signing books. It definitely helped.

 

And with Dot’s kind help, the Traveling Trunk Show (lovingly nicknamed “The Bin of Uglies”) was a hit!

Very early Saturday morning, a group of us caravanned out to Webs to start the day with a little yarn party. In attendance were:

Kellee, Elisa, Kristen, Cynthia, Wendy, Maryse, Marcy, and Cate.

Yarn was bought and bargains were had. I scored a sweater’s worth of Elizabeth Lavold Silky Tweed in color number 08 for just $4.49 a skein! I know I should have branched out with a different color, but I can’t. I’m powerless against a tweedy, flecky green. I also got some Trekking XXL in a lovely brown for Jon. Well, for socks for Jon. I haven’t got him knitting yet, but we still have the rest of our lives.

After yarn and a number of escape attempts, I was shuttled off for a drink before the reading. During the entire trip, I went through a range of emotions including but not limited to: denial, rage, fear, anger, panic, despair, . . . is wanting to bite people an emotion? I also lashed out at Kellee, who was driving at the time. I thought she was my friend, so why was she making me do this? How could she be driving in the direction of the book store? It felt like she was taking me to the vet to be neutered. I felt betrayed. She probably would have been better off putting me into a pet carrier at that point.

We had some bar food and I had a generously proportioned gin and tonic at Chilis, which all really hit the spot perfectly at that point and we were on our way. After a couple more attempts at bolting out the door, resulting in my being physically restrained by at least three people (I was only half kidding that time), I made my way to the back of the store where I was greeted by lots of cool things.

My husband and my friends/downstairs neighbors Charlene and Laura made the trek from Boston for the signing. Here is Laura with something I never in my life thought I’d see. Seriously, if you had shown me this poster a couple of years ago, I would have fallen on the floor laughing and the very idea.

 

 

I was also greeted by the lovely and charming Sara aka togbean, who books events at the store. Oh man, is she awesome. She has been invaluable during this whole process. She answered all of my questions about what is expected of someone doing a book signing. Turns out that my instinct to bring cookies for everyone was unfounded. That was a relief! She was so accommodating and even had a chai latte waiting for me when I got there. ~sigh~ And, she lent the MOKS an heirloom poncho for the Traveling Trunk Show!

 

And here are the customers just clamoring for the book. Note the Wall o’ Kitschy Stitches?

 

The whole thing is now kind of a blur, but I think I managed to stay the same color through the whole presentation, I didn’t break out into a sweat and I didn’t just dissolve into a puddle. It helped that I either live with or had just been at a bar with 90% of the people that showed up. :) There were a few other attendees who I’ve never met, but I could just tell they shared out love/hate relationship with the granny square. I feel like each event will be better than the last. I now have two weeks to prepare for the October 6th signing in Brooklyn and I think I’m going to be ok at this. Not Harlot-brilliant, but Stitchy-good.


 

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Can't blog, gotta go!

Published on 22 Sep 2006 at 12:29 pm. 10 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

 

 

 

OK, I’ve been writing blog post after blog post for the past two weeks, but they never seem to make it out of my head. And the pictures never seem to make it to the camera. But today, I will remedy that. But not right now. I’m about to head off on the third attempt to give my book to my high school creative writing teacher. I keep missing him. The bummer is that I’m from NH, which means I have to drive an hour to get there. (yes, I know I should just make an appointment with him, but what fun is that?)

 Anyhoo, I just wanted to post a reminder that I’ll be doing my first signing at the Barnes and Noble in Hadley, MA this Saturday (holy crap, that’s tomorrow!) at 2:00. It’s just half an hour away from Webs, so I don’t see how you can resist. The address is 335 Russell Street.

It’ll be a multimedia extravaganza with words, images, real live artifacts from the Traveling Trunk Show, and me, sweating and trembing with horror before your very eyes. Should be a good time. Hope to see you there!

I’ll be back later today, I swear.

 

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Sheep . . .

Published on 13 Sep 2006 at 2:08 pm. 12 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

 

 

 

 . . .  they’re not just for wool (and dinner) any more.

Now there’s even MORE of them to love!

(How cute is their logo? I’ve never seen a sheep more fixated on a task. Ooh, and you can play with the ones in their webite’s header. Click on ‘em!)

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Rhinebeck Blogger Bingo update

Published on 12 Sep 2006 at 12:25 am. 8 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

 

 

 

OK, I created an official page where I’ll keep a list of rules as well as participants. Here it is, it’s over on the left sidbar, linked with the Dolores button. Feel free to redirect your links to it for the latest info.

I also created a Cafe Press store featuring the amazing artwork that Franklin created for the Players and the Squares! FYI, Cafe Press does cheap shipping for buttons and stickers.

For everyone who inquired about new web/sidebar buttons using the images Franklin created for Players and Squares, I don’t actually have those images sized for buttons. I’ll see if Franklin has any time to come up with any, but for now, you can just use the lovely Dolores in her non-Brazillian bikini waxed glory.

So far there are about 85 participants! Woooo! I listed everyone so far on the new page according to Square/Player/Saturday/Sunday status. If I’ve miscategorized you, or something changes, please let me know so I can change you in the list. There are going to be a bunch of different cards and I want to make sure I don’t give Sunday only Players a card with Saturday only Squares or vice versa. I’ll be updating the list in the evenings and I’ll try to do it daily.

I added a rule that you can only mark people off your list while you’re at the fairgrounds. That way, people going to pre-Rhinebeck meet-ups won’t have the leg up. I guess this Bingo game isn’t really a race like normal bingo, there aren’t any prizes for whoever fills up their cards first. You can compete amongst yourselves if you’d like, but since I might not be in the same place all day, so there’s no real way to turn your cards in.

Also, I’ve found a vendor who is kind enough to let me sign books at his booth! David of A Craftsman’s Touch Alpaca Co. and RedMaple Sportswear is going to give me a home away from home. Thanks to Mel of the blog Cabezalana for setting us up! I’m so excited, I can’t even stand it, I have an Official Sponsor! I feel like the Michael Jordan of the fiber world. I wonder if I can get some alpaca high-tops. I’ll be using some of his fiber to whip up some cool prizes.

And Carol of Go Knit In Your Hat and Black Bunny Fibers is going to dye up something special as a prize, too! If anyone else in interested in being a prize sponsor, let me know.

uuuuuhhhh . . . I think that’s it. Oh yeah, I still knit occassionally and have actually finished some stuff. Now I just need to remember how to work the dusty old camera and we should be back to business.

 

 

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uhhh- WOW!!!

Published on 7 Sep 2006 at 12:14 pm. 27 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

 

 

 

Um, hey, so go check out Boston.com NOW!!!! I’m on the front page of the news section. Weird. Totally weird. I don’t know how long it will take for someone ther to realize that I’m not a serial killer or something, and therfore not entirely “newsworthy”, but I’ll ride the wave while it’s rolling. And if it’s no longer on the front page by the time you read this – I swear it was there. Here’s the article that is featured in today’s paper. It’s worth buying the papaer because it has color pictures from the book. Suh-weet fancy Moses!

If you came here from Boston.com, welcome. I’m a total dork and filled with girlish glee to have you. hee hee!

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Rhinebeck Blogger Bingo!

Published on 6 Sep 2006 at 12:45 am. 51 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

 

 

**Check out the Official Rhinbeck Blogger Bingo page for all the updated info you’ll need. New particpants are added nightly!**

Looking for a way to meet some fellow bloggers? Want to put a face to the yarn stash you’ve been ogling online? Do you enjoy winning fabulous prizes while attending one of the best fiber festivals around? Well, then Rhinebeck Blogger Bingo is just the thing for you! And with a glamorous spokessheep like Dolores, I don’t see how you can resist. (A huge thanks to the Amazin’ Franklin of The Panopticon fame for lending his talents and his roommate to add pizzazz to the festivities.)

If you decide to play, here’s a sidebar button for you! (Please don’t hotlink the image, save it to your own server before you upload it.)

Here’s how it works:

There are three ways to join the fun; you can be a player, a square on the card, or both. Players are not required to have blogs, but you must have one to be a square on the card.

The names of participating bloggers will be randomly placed onto the bingo cards. Players will be sent a card electronically at least a week before the festival so you can scope your targets out beforehand. Maybe they’ll even offer hints about how to identify them. Just print it out, take it with you to Rhinebeck and let the games begin! It’s a guaranteed good time as you seek out the bloggers on your card.

Everyone participating will be entered to win something cool from an array of fabulous prizes, and we’ll also give out prizes for classic bingo patterns, like Straight/Diagonal, Postage Stamp, Picture Frame, or Black Out! You must turn your card in at a location To Be Determined to enter to win for a bingo pattern.

At some point in the not-too-distant future there will be a separate page for all Blogger Bingo updates and info. Keep an eye out for info about meet-ups as well as a growing list of participants so you can check out the competition. I’ll post any updates here as well.

The rules:

1. If you would like to participate, send an email to me at “yarnpants at yahoo dot com” (you can just use the link on the bottom right sidebar) with “Blogger Bingo” in the subject line. For best results, please enter by October 8th to give me time to add everyone to the cards and email them out. Be sure to include the following information in your email:

-Participation: (Player/Square/Both)

-Name

-Email Address

-Blog Name (if applicable)

-Blog Address (if applicable)

-What day(s) will you be attending the festival?

2. Participants whose names are on cards must prominently display the official “I’m a Square” logo identifying them as such. (the image is forthcoming. I have Franklin tied to the radiator until he finishes it.) We’ll be selling buttons, tote bags and other stuff in a Café Press store, or you can print out the image and display it some other way. If someone is on your card but is not displaying their “I’m a Square” logo, take it as a sign that they may be feeling overwhelmed and need some bingo-free time. Our intent is not to impose on those not participating, so please be respectful.

Please extend your respect to those participating in the game, as well. If they’re in the middle of a transaction with a vendor, deeply involved in a conversation or appear to be engaged in aggressive negotiations over a fleece with a fellow festival attendant, please wait until they’re finished to approach them. This is especially important in the latter case. Situations like this could be eruptive, so it’s best to back away slowly, without making any sudden movements. You may actually want to hide behind something until it’s all over and the fleece is no longer flying.

3. Use whatever means you choose to mark off squares on the card. Bingo dobbers, sharpies, a size 2 dpn, whatever.

4. While it is a lot more fun to say a quick hello to someone before marking them off your card, it’s not required. If you recognize someone and feel uncomfortable approaching them for whatever reason, you can simply mark them off and move along. Just remember that everyone signed up to play, and as long as they’re wearing that button, they’re expecting you. Don’t be shy!

So, whaddaya say? Wanna play?
 

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Mock and Roll 2006!

Published on 4 Sep 2006 at 9:47 pm. 7 Comments.
Filed under Uncategorized.

The Mock and Roll Tour 2006 is ON!

9/23 – Hadley, MA – BARNES & NOBLE, 2pm (335 Russell St)

10/6 – Brooklyn, NY – BARNES & NOBLE, 7:30pm (267 Seventh Ave)

10/13 – Cambridge, MA – PORTER SQUARE BOOKS, 7pm (25 White St)

10/14 – West Hartford, CT – SIT-N-KNIT, 1pm (33 LaSalle Rd)

10/18 – Paramus, NJ – BARNES & NOBLE, 7:30pm (765 Rt 17 S)

10/28 (may change) – Concord, NH – THE ELEGANT EWE, 1pm (71 S. Main St)

There are a few other dates in the works, but these are the ones I have so far. The date for the Elegant Ewe may be changing, so I’ll keep you up to date. I’m also looking for a place to lay my butt in a chair at Rhinebeck for a few hours over the weekend, so if anyone has any good leads, by all means, let me know!

I’m going to be putting up a tour page soon, but I wanted to get these up so people can start making plans. As nervous as I am, I think the appearances will be fun. I’ve got the MOKS Traveling Trunk Show featuring real live kitschy artifacts. I’m also bringing along a Polaroid camera and a scrapbook so I can make sort of a yearbook of the folks who pop in to see me. I just know at least one of you is going to end up in a granny square vest. heh. Plus I thought it would be cool to have people leave their marks and people at future events can see some familiar names – blog or otherwise.

 

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