Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

A weekend with nothing scheduled became a rich experience when our Turkish friend, Lemis' (Larry), invited us to attend the Chicago Turkish World Festival at Navy Pier . After a sumptuous breakfast together at a new restaurant in the suburbs, we headed to the nearest Elevated train stop and made our way to Chicago on public transportation. Larry had not ridden the El before and although it is not any shorter, it is way more relaxing. We took the Blue line from Cumberland and then transfered to the red line at Jackson Street in the Loop where we just had 3 more stops to Grand and then a six block walk to the Pier. The sky was clear and the temperature in the high eighties, but the closer we got the the Pier, the more refreshing was the lake air that surrounded us. We walked the length of the pier enjoying the sights, sounds and smells all along the way to the very end where the festival was taking place in the grand ballroom. From a distance we could hear music and entering, we ...

I'm going to be a grandmother and I am READY! I can remember a time when I wasn't ready to be a grandmother, like before she was married. That wouldn't have been cool! AAabout a year ago, I began to atart getting ready. Before that, it just didn't seem like me. Then, little tidbits started coming out in conversation with the new mom, Nicole and hubby, Jeff. Gradually, I started getting used to the idea and getting excited about what all it means. Now, I'm ready in many ways. Eotionally, I am excited about a new little being I can pamper and we were especially THRILLED last Saturday when they told us it is going to be a GIRL !!! I like girls! Schedule wise I am ready. My book is done. Yeah, yesterday, I turned in the final edits to the editor.I've been at it for fifteen months and it is a relief and a pleasure to be done and to go into "waiting mode" for the book, The Fine Art of Crochet , to be released in Spring 2010 ! Of course, crochet-wise, I...

My dear crochet friend, Dee Stanziano (www.crochetwithDee.com) started a lively chat this week about her experience with her "Barbie" doll and how "she" was the inspiration for many creative hours of crocheting for Dee. BJ responded passionately about how she is "anti-Barbie" as a feminist who worked hard to climb up the ladder of success. BJ doesn't like the Marisol dressed in crochet, 2005 i mage projected by Barbie about women. As a feminst mom myself, I didn't allow my girls to have Barbie's. I even refused to get caught up in that 80's marketing ploy for the "Cabbage Patch" dolls. I refused to stand in line and pay that kind of money. To this day, my girls tease me about how they were traumatized by not having an "official" Cabbage Patch Kid. (I bought the plastic heads and made the bodies myself!)Finally, I did break down and give in and buy them each a Cabbage Patch baby, but by then there were no lines to stan...

Recently I have been teaching a bright young woman friend how to crochet. She is a clleague at work so we have spurts of time when I can teach her a stitch or answer a her cro-quandries. She is learning quickly and very apt at understanding the concepts. On her own, she explored JoAnn Fabric and Crafts and found some yarns to make a special scarf for her mother. After her first lesson, mom requested the scarf, so the pressure was on! I talked to her about the differences between acrylic and natural fibers and also the price point differences. Her new exctiement about crochet and her carry-along project revealed to her that she also knew others who loved to crochet. She saw some other neat projects friends were doing and Two or three scarves later, I thought she was ready for her orientation to the Local Yarn Store. I chose "I'd Rather Be Knitting" in Long Grove, IL not because I have any allegiance to this store but because of its convenient location for us both to meet t...

The Northern IL Chapter of CGOA proudly presents its third annual "Crochet Buffet" Open to the public, we strive to bring attention to the wonder of crochet and to introduce our group to whoever might be interested in immersing themselves in our world of sharing and caring about our favorite craft. When I conceived the idea 4 years ago, all our chapter members were enthused about displaying their work and we had a great response from the community. Many of our members were just as amazed as the non-crocheters when they saw the "delicous" variety and beauty that crochet can be. Come and enjoy a "feast" of crochet techniques, ideas and displays! A free gift will be given to the first 30 guests! Rolling Medows Library, 2nd floor from 10 AM to 3 PM You'll be glad you came to see the "tempting" array we have prepared for you: fashion, accessories, beads, afghans, free form, thread, filet, granny squares, double end, Irish and more!

You're invited to shop at my new Etsy store. Go to www.etsy.com and search for Crochetkween1. Thant's me and you will find the whole line of patterns I designed for Himalaya Yarns, most use "Tibet" which is recycled silk made from saris. Reasonably priced at $4.00 per pattern, I hope you enjoy!

Many, many thanks to my wonderful Jubilee Crystal Celebration Committee, Dee Stanziano, BJ Licko Keel, and Sharon Devrol. Also much appreciation goes to Vashti Braha, our liaison from the board of CGOA. We pulled off a wonderful online contest to get a logo designed for our 15th anniversary festivities and for a commemorative pin that will be available at the conference in Buffalo in August. Big congratulations to the winner of the online voting by members of CGGO: Mary Servillo!! Mary designed a logo that is fabulous and conveys our excitement about the upcoming celebration; and she won a year's membership in CGOA, an autographed crocheted book plus, of course, a pin! May 19, 2009 Thanks to Dee Stanziano (crochetwithdee.com) for getting the 15th anniversary celebration blogs started all over the world. It is indeed the 15th year of CGOA and that is cause for celebration. June 4, 2009-WE'RE CELEBRATIONG WITH A LOGO DESIGN CONTEST! I am delighted to be working on the Jubilee C...