So, I finally got a tattoo today.

After years of saying I would, I finally got some ink!


These were taken right after I took the bandage off, so the tattoo was about 2 1/2 hours old. Hence the smudging, purple residue from the transfer and the shininess form the ointment.

Holy Page Views, Batman! What happened?

I'm not totally sure what I did or didn't do, but Crochet Pages had over 1500 pages views yesterday and more than 62,000 this past month. Thanks to everybody who stopped by, your support in appreciated!

A test.

I'm going to try something here. I'm gonna see if it works to have my blog posts come through as a groups newsletter post. I'll keep an eye on my inbox to see what comes through, but I do ask that the rest of you please let me know if anything flakey happens.

Thanks all!

Ballerina was a hit

So, the ballerina pixie was a huge hit. Lin's father just passed away and she's going through a rough time. If you've been following this blog, you know that I lost my step-dad last December, so I certainly understand what she's going through. One thing that has stuck with me from that, is there's nothing that you can say that actually what the person needs to hear. All you can do is let them know you care and be there if they need you.

So, to that end, I made that ballerina pixie for Lin, because she used to be a dancer. And it had the exact effect that I was hoping for. I meant a ton to her that I cared enough to make her something, and most importantly, she hasn't been able to look at it even once without getting a laugh from it, which is really what I was aiming for. When you're going through a hard time, I think the best thing someone can do for you is give you a reason to keep laughing.

I know I've been promising pics of the pixies for days now, but with my camera on the fritz, it's unfortunately gotten to be somewhat unpredictable when I'll have access to one.

I think, though, that I've hit on what the pixies are really about to me. They're quick, they're easy to personalize and they're a great way to share a little love. Plus, you finally have something to do with at least a few of the damn grocery bags that everybody has too many of.

Another Pattern Book

So, yet another pattern book in the works. I guess that it might seem counter-productive to have so much on the table at once, but I've gotta do the patterns as they come to me and now there's a place to put them as they come up. I know I'll eventually do more dolls, doilies, and bags. There's certain things that I always come back to.

I love the idea that crochet is not just something for little old ladies and middle-aged housewives to do. I love the fact that more and more kids are getting into it. I pride myself on taking a somewhat wacky approach to an art with a centuries long history. I have said before that I don't 'get' freeform, but I do love to take something very traditional and give it a modern spin.

Doilies have been done for years, but rarely with repeats other than 2, 6 or 8. I've done 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 20. I plan to keep doing this.

People crochet flowers all the time, but outside of amigurumi, you don't often see cartoon-type flowers.

Lots of people crochet doll clothes, but again, outside of Japanese patterns, you don't see very many dolls that are entirely yarn.

I'm not saying all of this to brag, that's not the point. I'm genuinely proud of what I do, and the fact that I do it a little different from everybody else.

What this post is actually about, is a little bit of a preview of things to come. A modern spin on traditions.

In the coming months, here's some things I'm hoping you'll see on Crochet Pages:
- new patterns every month
- crochet related merchandise (t-shirts, buttons, etc.)
- more chances to participate in things
- possible revival of the weekly stitch along project
- revival, in some form, of the Newsletter
- pattern books for download
- if interest allows, some form of crochet exchange

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions of things you would like to see, gimme a shout! Drop a comment or send an email

Pixies on the Brain

Apparently, I've accidentally become obsessed with pixie dolls, now I've made a ballerina. I'm debating between posting all of them to Crochet Pages and posting a few of them and then putting together a book with a whole bunch of them.

Also, found a place that sells dolls by local artists on consignment, so I might try taking some stuff over there. I guess it depends on whether anybody is interested in this stuff or not. My friends all think that they're great but they're by no means an accurate representation of the world at large.

New Pattern - Yarn Pixie (in the works)

So, one thing lead to another and the yarn pixie pattern is actually going to be a pair of patterns. A girl and a boy. The boy pattern is still in the works, so it may be another few days before everything is posted.