Lots of stuff happening!

I think I'll do this update point by point in order to make it easier to read. Those of you who only read from the feed on Crochet Pages, I apologize in advance that you'll be missing most of the info, unless you click through to the blog.

1) I've finally got the photo posted for the Mini Teddy Bear. I hope the shot properly shows it's scale.

2) I got the Envelope Clutch pattern posted. This was the winning pattern for the preview of my book.

3) With Ren Faire season now over, I'm hoping I might be able to wrangle a couple of new patterns from Jessy, but no promises.

4) The book is well under way at this point. The layout is falling together pretty well and I only need 2 more patterns before I'm willing to call it finished. I apologize if anyone was hoping to get it in their hands before Christmas, it's not likely to happen at this point.

5) I do not intend to take a Christmas break from the website at this point. For a few reasons:
a) I just got started on this regular monthly update thing, if I don't keep going, I don't know what might happen.
b) I honestly don't see any reason why I'd need to at this point. My boss isn't let me make any headway in my frameshop, so I doubt I'll get pulled to help others.
c) I need to start getting ready for the move to a new host. My Tripod account has served me well for roughly 10 years now, but I am quickly running out of space. Regular updates are going to make that happen sooner. I'm nearly 3/4 of the way to capacity.
d) I still haven't built the web-home I promised for Because We Care. I feel really bad about that, I really need to get in touch with Anita about it.

I think that covers everything. Any questions, let me know.

And the Handbag wins

I've decided to close the voting on the pattern poll early, there's been very little activity and the clutch style handbag, was far and away the winner. (As far as if gets with 7 votes, anyway.)

So, look for the Envelope Clutch pattern to be posted soon. I still need to get the photos and then it'll be up.

I'll let you know.

Firefox Rocks, again.

So, awhile ago I switched to Google's Chrome for my browser, it looks slick, works well and promises to be the most powerful browser ever created. Plus, I use Google for everything else. But I do have to say if you use Firefox, or have ever considered using Firefox, you need to check out some of the new add-ons. I think I'm switching back! I love Fire.fm and ReminderFox!

Keep 'em coming!

Keep those votes coming in.  So far the small clutch-style handbag is winning.  If you've got something to say about it, please do!

Also, on my end, the bag pattern booklet is well underway with a total of eight patterns finished and another nearly there!

Votes, please!

So far, I've gotten 1, yes, 1, single vote on my poll.  This is your chance to get a say in Crochet Pages!  Head over to Other Pages and vote.  It only takes 3 clicks.

Some (belated) Halloween Pics

Me dressed as Amaranth from Tales of MU,  Dave in drag.  We realized later that we sorta accidentally dressed him as Steff (also Tales of MU).

Carl as a deranged hippie with Dave.

Minor Edit and an extra chance to vote!

I just finished making a very minor edit to the Granny Square Drawstring Bag pattern.  I linked the granny square reference to the granny square pattern page.  Like I said, nothing big.

Now, the chance to vote.  The US Presidential Election is over, with results that I'm quite happy with, actually, but you're not reading this to find out my political views.  You're here for crochet stuff.

How about this.  I'm working on a booklet of bag patterns.  I'm planning on having about 12 patterns in the book, but to help encourage people to check it out, I want to preview a couple patterns on the website.  I'm including the Granny Square Drawstring Bag pattern, mentioned above, that's already been posted on the site for a few years now.

But, I'm not sure what I want to use as the other "preview" pattern.  So, I'm gonna let it up to you.  Hopefully, I get some feedback.  I'm probably going to let the voting open until December, so you have about a month.

Major Pattern Edit Posted

First of all, thank you to Peggy for bringing this to my attention.  I appreciate that you let me know.  I can't express how much it means to me that you all enjoy my designs enough that when there's a problem, you email me and give me a chance to fix it, rather than deciding that I suck and finding something else to do.

Peggy emailed me with a concern about the Oh! Danny Boy doily pattern.  Turns out, I somehow managed to leave out the entire "notes" section, which details the specialty stitches used in the pattern.  I've gotten an update posted now, and I believe it covers all of the issues.

Thank you, again, Peggy!

Long Lost Patterns

So, I found a whole bunch of patterns that never got posted to the website.  I knew I had been designing more that what was getting posted, but I couldn't find the proof.  Now I have it.

What I'm thinking, is that I'm gonna hoard them for the time being, and if I don't have time to come up with anything new in December, I'm gonna post the "lost" stuff.  I've got a couple of ideas brewing, but I'm not sure what I'm gonna have time for, beings as work my own me once Thanksgiving gets here.

I pride myself on being able to keep my shop going well enough that they can keep up without me.  Hopefully, I can pull that off again this year.

Also, if you have any pattern requests that you would like in time for Christmas, I suggest getting them to me soon if there's going to be any chance of me coming up with something.