Skip to main content

Posts

December 2024: Looking Back on 2024

I'm thinking of year-end today; 2024 seemed like a whirlwind with both positive and negative things to ponder. I usually start a new year with positivity and with hopes of continuing to grow and to love life. I believe that staying active and engaged in that which is interesting to me is the best way maintain my vitality.  I have had my interests in politics off and on during my life; some times more enthusiastic than others. This year began with this thought: "I  can't just sitting around  whining and complaining. I need to do something or the anxiety will be dangerous to my health! I foretold what was to come with my post in February 2023 when I decided to exercise my rights as a US citizen and began to speak up with kindness and communication. I switched to spending more time on Facebook to get my message out to a wider audience. Memes were taking off as a way to speak our peace, philosophies or views. I had an increasingly growing supply from friends nationwide who we...
Recent posts

May 2024: Crochet Guild of America ~ Its Organic Beginnings

Officially, CGOA will begin its 30th year in Auguist 2024, so today I am looking back on how it all began. More news, view and fun is on its way as the year progresses! As the Founder of the Crochet Guild of America, my journey to bring crocheters together began organically in late 1991. I wrote a letter to the Editor of Threads magazine with several questions that struck a nerve in crocheters: "Are you tired of the same-o-same-o; where are the famous crocheters; why aren't they offering classes; If knitters can learn and cruise together, why can't we?  The many, many responses from avid crocheters like me, prompted me to start a crochet newsletter. It included many ideas, much creativity and a mutual desire to get to know each other in each issue. By January 1994, I had  in over 200 "pen pals" from 38 states and 8 countries and was spearheading the plans for the first ever Confrerence for Crocheters.  I got to personally meet a few pen pals who happened to live ...

Book Review: Crochet Stars by Noreen Crone-Findlay

  Noreen has long been an inspiration to me because of her many books, her kind and vibrant personality, and her willingness to share her creativity with everyone! Crochet Stars is no exception! The star is a universal symbol that conjures many emotions including fantasy, amazing hopes/dreams, and guidance. As Noreen points out, "Humans have always used stars to navigate." As you navigate through this book's dynamic design, colorful and clever projects, you too may find comfort from sorrow or the pleasant moments that creating brings! Noreen has created over "25 customizable projects full of love, laughter and inspiration." As you crochet your way through the patterns Noreen has skillfully provided, you will find the "glimmer effect" that she has inspired you to create for every room of your home. From a tragic family loss, Noreen has "crafted comfort with her crochet hook as she moves through the difficult path of grief and mourning." Her in...

May 2024: Thirty Years of CGOA: Looking Forward; Looking Back #CGOA #yesCGOA

As the Founder of the Crochet Guild of America, I am so proud to be celebrating OUR Thirtieth Anniversary! It has been a journey that led to much crochet happiness; we came together, shared our passions, our skills and our committment to develop CGOA into THE organization exclusively for crocheters!  For 30 years we have have steadily moved forward to meet the needs and passions of crocheters everywhere, broadening our range of activities and moving into an online presense to meet many and varied interests of those near and far.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey alongside new and  loyal members of our organization, CGOA!  Impressive Board members have brought energy and amazing skills to their positions over the years. Challenges, at times, were met head on and we continued to move forward. We created traditions and earned status within the Craft/Yarn industry.  This could not have happened without the many, many contributions of members who also brought pr...

March 2024: National Women's History (Herstory) Month ~ My Story

During this profoundly important month of celebrating women, I'm going to tell you my story; I hope you will tell me yours here where it is safe and remains anonymous, if you wish. I grew up in a blue-collar family in a small-ish town in Indiana. I wanted to be a nurse but had expectations of studying at a hospital nursing program. It was just happenstance that I graduated from the Baccalaureate  program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in 1970 Married before graduating, Alan and I wanted to join the Peace Corps. My first plane ride ever was when we went to Los Angeles for our Peace Corps interview! My world started to expand from there! With little more than six month's hospital experience, I began to run an out-patient clinic in our Honduran village of  Las Vegas de Santa Barbara. It is there that I learned a new language, worked with humans who looked different than me, and experienced a culture and level of poverty that I could not have previously imagined. Dedi...