June 30, 2011 · 8:35 am

Tech Idea Thursday: Cure For Green Garbled Flash Videos


This is the story about a garbled video and finding its cure.  If Google sent you over here, I’m guessing you’re having some video trouble.  Does this screen shot look familiar?  If so, you’re in the right place for a solution.

You know how I love steam punk and Halloween and this is one of the coolest masks ever! Photo courtesy of Pamela Quevedo, aka @TotusMel on Twitter and the writer behind http://totusmel.blogspot.com. Click the photo above to check out her designs!

Back-story:

I follow @TotusMel  on Twitter.  Her tatting work is amongst the best I’ve ever seen and a lot of it is nicely steam punky.  I’m not as involved with the steam punk scene as I’d like to be, and I don’t create as much steam punky stuff as others, but I do drool.  Drop by and visit her blog and if you’re a steam punk fan, check out her wunderkamer too.  I totally recommend her work, blog and all.

Anyway, she posted the link of an awesome project video from Air Pirates the other day.  If you’re into Sci-Fi and steam punk, go check them out.  They need our help to save the world!  (Hmmm… wonder if the t-shirt comes in women’s…)

Since @TotusMel always has interesting things to post, generally if she posts a video, I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy it.

I clicked on over to watch the video and then it happened.

I got this:

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This same kind of garbled video appeared on my screen earlier this week too, while trying to watch a video on meditation.  The picture was all garbled, but not the sound.  Confusing, but I figured it was some sort of file corruption on the video itself.

However, when I tried to watch the Air Pirate video, here I was seeing it again. Garbled video, but the sound was fine.

It was confusing at first, because in this case, the fictional audio script indicated that “someone from the future” was trying to contact the past and it was written to include the idea that the characters were having trouble with their video feed!  (I’ll say!)

I played the video a few times, same thing.
A garbled mass of pixelated goo.

However, it just didn’t seem right not to be able to see anything.  I tried other videos and didn’t have a problem seeing most of them, but then certain ones – yep, all green and garbled.  Something’s going on here, and I suspected it had something to do with Adobe after the recent update.

Turns out it was the Flash player.  And I discovered a fix.  It’s simple, quick and doesn’t require a reboot either.  So if you have experienced this, read on so you can get back to watching those videos.  NOW!

First, right-click on the offending video.  You can pause the video, or not.  Doesn’t really matter.  It should bring up an Adobe Flash Player window that looks like this.  Click on “settings.”

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After clicking on “settings” it will bring up a window that looks like this.

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Un-check the box that says “enable hardware acceleration.”  Then click “close.”

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Lastly, refresh your page and voilà: you’ll be in business and get to see what you’ve been missing!

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Save the Air Pirates! Go to http://AirPirates.org!

Now you’re ready to go!  I can’t post videos directly on my blog hosted here at WordPress.com, or I would totally embed the Air Pirates video in my post (they have the code on their site to share).  But if you’re curious, head over to their website, enjoy the fun and support their cause.

Later y’all!

Go ahead and click a link below to “share this.”  You know you want to!  : )

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June 28, 2011 · 1:28 pm

New Term Tuesday: The Difference Between UFO’s and WIP’s (And All Manner In Between)


For today’s post, I thought I’d explain some abbreviations that you will find used in crochet and knitting circles.

The first is what is termed as a “UFO.” 

I have this theory that yarn and Sci Fi are magnetic to each other for some reason.  Perhaps it’s the popcorn. 

However, though many of us yarnies (see below) are Sci Fi geeks too, a UFO is, in yarn geek terms, an “Un-Finished Object.”

Usually this term is applied to a project that has been started, but has been set aside.  It lends to the “unknown” feeling induced by it’s Sci Fi counterpart, since a yarn related UFO has not been witnessed in its final or complete state yet.  As such, it could be “unrecognizable” to others.  It might even get lost in a closet or drawer and never become an FO (a finished object).

One of my UFO's. I doubt you'll have any idea what this really is until I finally write about it in an advanced technique article. It's stuffed in a bag somewhere, maybe already packed for the move.

However a yarn related UFO still has some sort of connection to the knowable world in that at least it’s creator knows what it is supposed to be.  If said UFO does get lost in the closet (or under the bed or a variety of other places crochet can migrate to in its maker’s home) and is later discovered, but the knowledge of what that item is supposed to be(come) has since been lost or forgotten, it’s label is now demoted to the realm of UO or URO: an Un-Recognizable (or Un-Recognized) Object.  “I started this at some point, but now I don’t know what the heck it was supposed to be.”  It happens to the best of us.  If recognition does indeed sink in, it can then go back to its UFO status.

This 5 foot tapestry project for my mother-in-law took me about 10 years to complete. The amount of times its status alternated between "UFO" and "WIP" might have actually endangered the space-time continuum.

In contrast to UFO is the term “WIP.”  A WIP is a piece that is a “work in progress.”  This means it is actively being worked on.  Or at least thought about in the forefront of the mind, such as in the case of “I’m stuck, I haven’t figured it out, but I haven’t put it aside just yet.”  The term also lends to the air of “whipping” something together, but mainly denotes progression of the creation process (as opposed to stagnation in the corner of a closet).

The amount of times a single project can go back and forth between being a UFO or a  WIP is indeed infinite. 

“Yarnies” (a term I used above) should be mostly self-explanatory.  A yarnie is someone who works with yarn.  The term usually refers to the crochet or knit modalities, and generally with a little obsession tossed in.  In other words a yarnie is a yarn geek – the person you see at the store petting all the Tribbles, what my husband calls my yarn stash. Much like the Klingons, you would think my stash was his mortal enemy.

Ahhh, and now I think we have found insight into the Sci Fi – Yarn connection! 

Another “yarnie” interpretation might borrow from the circus term “carnie” to indicate someone who knows and loves yarn so well, that they can coax it into amazing feats of entertainment.

So there you have it – new jargon for your crochet reference!

Go ahead and click a link below to “share this.”  You know you want to!  : )

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June 27, 2011 · 8:15 am

Crochet Doodle: What’s On My Hook


Well, on one of my hooks anyway. It’s basically a circle surrounded by funky interconnected loops.

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These loops are made by leaving the first stitch loop on the hook until the very end before working off

I’m exploring shapes for my pins right now. Hurt my hand last week trying to dismantle a bike gear for DD’s (darling daughter’s) steam punk ideas. So keeping it light. Kind of. I guess it’s a matter of opinion. I just realized this doodle would be considered advanced by international yarn standards.

Maybe I should take notes and write it down.

(Oh, the yarn is a boucle with elastic.)

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Here you can kind of see the loop as it naturally sticks up. Icecream anyone?

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Here's the doodle laid out with all the loops turned inside out

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Here's the same doodle, with every other (inside out) loop alternated to the center

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Here's the doodle with all loops right side out and "naturally" falling into place. Kind of looks like a carnation now. So much for octopod, but I think I have a new idea now that I can apply elsewhere.

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June 25, 2011 · 9:26 am

Should I Sell Puppet Craft Kits In My Etsy Store???


Blue Puppet Critter

I need to decide what to do and I would like your help.  It’s about my sock puppet critters.

People liked my puppet critters at shows.  They are cute and entertaining, they use recycled milk jugs for the mouth pieces, they’re good for story time, they make you smile.
What’s not to love?

(If you’d like to learn more about how I came to make these, it involves school plays and a young man suffering from leukemia.  You can read the back story on my Flickr page here.)

However, there are several factors involved.  Which has caused me to hold off making more and putting them in my store.

The puppet critters are really time-consuming to put together, which increases the cost involved.  Plus, ping-pong balls make the eyes work so well, but they are not easy to use or make.  Not to mention they are difficult (and dangerous) to cut for use as puppet eyes.  I need to build a jig just to help prevent injury.  Additionally, they are hard to find without a logo printed on them (I learned the hard way logos don’t come off without melting the ball).  AND, I can’t in good conscience sell these as toys someone might get for a toddler, because although ping-pong balls look really great as puppet eyes, they are not safety eyes.  Not to mention there’s glue involved.  Round ball-shaped safety eyes are not only expensive, but they are heavy, don’t look as good or work as well in this kind of application (on sock puppets).  That kind of safety eye expects you are using the eye in a stuffed animal kind of shape, with plenty of puppet flesh to embed the eyeball into.  Not a sock that needs to float over your hand, devoid of pointy uncomfortable parts inside.  Ping-pong balls are lightweight and look great.

Pink Puppet Critter

Sooooo, with all that rolling around in my head: though people on the one hand really liked them at shows, my thoughts were to sell the puppets in kits that people can put together on their own.  The kit would contain the ready-made yarn sock, ping-pong ball already cut for use, stuffing, mouth form and stencils for the pupils.  This would also allow customer to make the pupils whatever color they want and stare in any direction they want.

Offering kits instead of selling ready-made would save construction time on my end that I’d have to charge for.  It would take care of the any danger involved with making the puppet eyes, for instance, because they’d come to the customer already done.  They would just need to assemble them.  Plus I could label the craft kit for above a certain age group, saving me heartache over whether a customer would buy the puppet for a baby or not.  And it would also give the customer more freedom to customize the puppet as they like and save them some money.  Kits would be easier to ship too.

But would people buy them?  What do you think?  Would a kit to make a puppet critter be worth it to a customer at about $18?  Thanks for helping me out with your thoughts!  The poll will be open until July 31st midnight.  There’s even a place to type your own answer.

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June 24, 2011 · 8:15 am

Tech Help For Crafters In A Left-Brain World: IP Address Conflict


Tech Ideas For Right-Brainers

Alright, I know I’m not the only one who works with computers, yet doesn’t always understand the problems that can arise.  It’s actually pretty common in the artistic, right-brain type worlds – after all we’re wired for music and art, not necessarily programming.  But we all know by now that we have to market and connect by using computers, even if we aren’t computer experts ourselves.  So I’ll try to share tips and fixes as I experience and come across them, in layman’s terms.

"Things I love that hurt me so. On the fast road to carpal tunnel." Have you met fellow Texan Stephanie Toppin, the crochet personality behind @ObeyCrochet? This awesome drawing is here thanks to her. I'm a total fan! Click the photo above to check out the ObeyCrochet site and subscribe to her humorous and ingenious crochet musings! Hook on sistah! (And tell her you want a T-Shirt!)

Today’s insight comes from personal experience: when a little bubble pops up on your screen and tells you that your computer has an IP address conflict with another computer on your network.  What to do?

This didn’t become an issue for our family until the kids acquired wireless laptops for the ever-increasing demand for their school work.

Suddenly, we had fatal printing failures popping up every where.

Now if you’re like me, when a message like that appears, you’re wondering what the heck is up, you’re worried if someone has hacked into your computer and you have no idea what to do.

I just want my computer to work when I turn it on.  I didn’t know what the heck to do about a technical address.

Well, it took some doing, but I did find a fix and from my research it’s my understanding that unless you are using a wireless network, this probably doesn’t affect you much.  But in our case, where every family member has a computer, and everyone prints wirelessly to the only printer in the house AND they all connect to the internet wirelessly through our router, when that message pops up, someone is going to suddenly be unable to print their documents at all.  Not fun when homework is due the next day.  Not fun when a work deadline is due either. And especially not fun when none of the computers run on the same version of Windows either.

I came across a lot of ideas on fixes, ranging from rebooting to hand typing a new address (which I never did find out where that would be done anyway).  I found no solutions that were straight forward and made sense and worked for us.

Until I came across the simple command based type solution.  That makes sense to me.  It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s logical and it’s simple to understand.  And I come from the era of learning to program Atari computers in Basic and the world of PROFS when I worked at IBM (administrative), so yeah work with me – typing commands DOS style makes sense.

This fix was found in the recesses of Microsoft.com’s discussion areas (go figure).  I have since cleaned my caches and lost the link to it, or I’d share it with you.  Luckily I made myself notes in a Word file for reference, so here it is for your reference:

The fix at least for a PC:

First get an idea which computer(s) on your network probably have the conflict. If everything’s fine until dear daughter turns on her laptop, it’s a clue.

1. On the offending computer, open your start menu.  This is usually a button on the lower far left corner that says start, or displays a Microsoft flag on it.  Click it.

2. Then click on run.

3. Type “CMD” (with no quotes) and press enter.  This will open a black command box.

4.  At the command prompt type:  IPCONFIG/RELEASE.  Press enter.
(This releases the IP address your computer is currently using.  It’s possible this will take a few seconds for your computer to process.)

5. Then at a new prompt type: IPCONFIG/RENEW. Press enter.
(This will assign a new IP address to your computer.  It is possible this will also take your computer some time to process.)

And that’s it!  Done.  Works!  Isn’t it simple?  Doesn’t it make sense?  Once the command is carried out and your black screen shows you the new IP address, close the black command window and you will be back in business.  You don’t even have to restart your computer.

The why’s of how this IP conflict happens? Well, I’m not that technically educated in the matter, but from what I gather, our computers are generally set up to automatically assign each one a unique IP address to use while working on the wireless network.  This way each computer can be told apart as they all connect and print and do their things on the same network.  But occasionally, an IP address is duplicated.  When this happens, it causes computer confusion on the network as it looks like the same computer exists in two places.  And we all know from our sci-fi movies that this eventually leads to breakdown.  I don’t know all the ins and outs, but hey, I got this much and it seems to be a fairly common, yet benign problem.

So there you go, a not-so-easily-found quick little fix, for apparently a fairly common problem.  And no it won’t hurt your computer.  Hope you find this helpful and stay tuned for future tech ideas for the right-brain focused! Please remember to thumb this post up and share if you found it helpful!

So until next time… see you then! 😀

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June 22, 2011 · 8:05 pm

Project Mr. Right Now: Vintage Jewelry Renewed in Crochet


I love to take vintage jewelry and give it new life and enthusiasm by combining it with crochet embellishment. Sometimes I do this by recreating them into a new piece of jewelry, like a necklace, but they also make wonder hat pins for my hats.  These are some of the latest vintage finds I’m brainstorming with. Except in the case of broken jewelry (or lone earrings), I prefer to keep the original jewelry piece intact, so no chance of destroying a future collectible. Pictured here: an emerald green rhinestone flower/circle pin, a gold earring turned into a button and an ornate square enamel pin. We’ll see what all I come up with.

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June 21, 2011 · 8:15 am

New Term Tuesday – What Does “Frogging” Mean?


This cute "Frog King" crochet frog is designed by Barbara S. of Amigurumi Paradise. Click the photo above to download this free pattern from Barbara's website and check out her other awesome critters!

In crochet as well as in knitting, the term “frogging” refers to pulling your yarn stitches out.  Confused as to what frogs have to do with that?  It’s because when we frog something made of yarn or thread, we “rip-it, rip-it” apart! (Get it? Rhymes with “ribbit?”)

Hence you’ll hear phrases about how many times someone had to “frog” a project to get it right, or how far someone got before they had to “frog it all.”

“Frogging” can also be used as a handy yarn world curse word of sorts too.  As in the case of, “Well, ain’t that just froggin’ great…!”  We could also carry that on to the variant “so sorry to hear that – how froggy that must be.”

Why yes, we are yarn geeks after all and we do experience frustrations from time to time in our work.  Perhaps yarn art vernacular will evolve further someday and instead of something being totally “wicked” or “bitchin’,” maybe we’ll say it’s “totally froggin’!”

Errrrrr…  Well… maybe not.

And so now you know what the term frogging means!  😀

That’s it for this day’s post for New Term Tuesday!

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June 20, 2011 · 8:00 am

Stitches Make A Difference, Crochet!


After some prompting from peers on the matter, I’ve decided to at least occasionally write about technique on my blog.  I’ve crocheted for over 33 years now, so there’s a lot of information and observations in my head and much of it is outside of the box.  I don’t always think about it, but some of it might be helpful to others as we continue together to promote and explore the art of crochet.  So though I’ll have to work on these entries in bites, we can add all this to the learning community.  I’ll also see in the future if I can get some of my peers to chime in and lend their expertise as well.  After all, crochet is a very large umbrella with many specialties.  And who knows, maybe we can drum up some give-aways here at some point.  I’m short on time, but I’m up for some game time fun.  You too?  Please remember though, if you find a post helpful or interesting, please be sure to give it a star rating, thumb it up and share it with others.  I appreciate it!

Today I want to illustrate the possibilities in creating soft structure that remains as comfortable to sensitive skin all crocheted up, as it feels on the skein.  I have learned a lot over the years from creating crochet for chemo patients who have extremely sensitive skin.  I also have always marveled at what people will create and put on babies, especially preemies and newborns, who also have very tender skin.  A good test is to rub your proposed end fiber (in a stitched swatch) on your inner wrist for a few seconds.  If it feels even a little uncomfortable, it’s not going to be comfortable to an infant.  And unfortunately, not only can they not tell you, they can’t stop you either.  This is always an issue to me when it comes to donations for preemies – please remember your end product’s actual comfort!  Use quality materials and careful stitches.  You can read more about crocheting for preemies here and chemo patients here.

OK, so let’s talk about structure.  What you see pictured here is just one of three different proto-types of a pattern I’m working on.  I wanted an eclectic look, something outside the usual “rectangle” style scarves you see.  However, I did not want to sacrifice warmth or the soft feel either. One of the reasons a rectangle scarf is a classic is not only its ease of creation, but the physics behind a single layer of stitches wrapped around a neck.

Carnival Twist Prototype

However, everyone has a classic style scarf.  When you are competing for attention, or simply want something different, you need a new edge of some sort.  In this case, I chose a new “twist” to the idea of soft structure.  This is one of my favorite design pieces, just for achieving a striking unique look and comfort simultaneously via stitch work alone.  This numbly scarf is buttery soft, made from some of the softest materials I’ve ever worked with.  And it was carefully crafted with the right kind of stitches so the feel of the yarn was preserved in-stitch.

Wondering what I mean?  Well, your stitches really do have a lot to do with how soft your end product will be, no matter how soft your fiber is on the skein.  It is entirely possible to take an incredibly soft (and expensive) yarn and crochet it into an incredibly uncomfortable and scratchy feeling garment on the skin – all based on your stitches.

One of the easiest ways to ruin the feel of your garment is to make your stitches too tight.  Tight stitches have their place.  You need them in many lace techniques.  You need them for many amigurumi techniques too.  But when you are working with something to be worn against the skin, take extra care to watch your tension.  Too-tight stitches make it difficult to frog errors and to work with fine yarns altogether.  And unless you are creating an industrial style piece that needs to be stiff and strong, I recommend a looser tension or a larger hook to carry out your goals.

As far as our example here, this particular scarf design also utilizes a-typical stitches as well, which lend to the shape as well as the skin sensation at the touch.  So when you are getting ready to create something new, take notice of the structure of the stitches you are preparing to use.  Some stitches are best suited for strength, as when being applied to a belt or a purse.  Others are more conducive to flow.  And some, like broomstick lace, are somewhat of a combo, with the large flowing stitches that show off the beauty of yarn, combined with locking stitches.  When softness is important to you, I highly recommend swatching, not just to be sure your gauge is correct and that your yarn will look good in that stitch, but also to test on your wrist and feel the result of the texture you will create.  You are also testing to see how your fibers behave.  You can get different results from equally soft yarns in the same stitch based on how those yarns are structured and what they are made of as well.  Alpaca and cashmere do not behave the same.  Equally, when you mix either with silk.  All are incredibly soft, but may feel dramatically different in the stitch.

So give it a whirl and make some swatches to see what I mean.  Leave your comments or write an article about your experiments and link it here.
I’d love for you to share your experiences and photos here to help others while we continue to promote the art of crochet and expand our creativity.

See you soon!

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June 18, 2011 · 9:20 pm

I Made A Piano Bench! :)


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I made a piano bench for my baby grand piano today!  If you follow my blog, you know I’m also a pianist who aspires to become a piano technician someday.  I’ve already played around with fixing my antique upright.  But today I made a bench for my antique baby grand which came to me without one.  Making a bench alone doesn’t have a lot to do with piano tech work (ok it can if you are restoring), but I’m excited because it’s been needed, I love my baby and I finally found just the means for what I wanted to do.

Earlier this week I found a bench minus the seat, along with about 6 yards of beautiful turquoise velvet corduroy “braid” fabric at our local thrift store that benefits our food pantry. All those years watching Christopher Lowell’s show when the kids were little paid off! Ages ago he demonstrated how to turn a coffee table into an upholstered ottoman.  Well, someone gave me an old couch cushion this morning and I was in business!  I probably should have stopped and took pictures of each stage, but I was just so excited and into the project, I was pretty consumed once it got started.

Not too shabby! 😀

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June 12, 2011 · 9:10 am

Mini Bullions with Cobalt Czech Glass Choker


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Mini Bullions and Czech Glass Choker. My “sleepless so might as well quietly crochet” idea.  Not exactly a quick project, but fairly simple.  And not bad for a proof of concept piece.

Now that the family is waking up, I guess I can get back to moving furniture before the window guys get here later.

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June 7, 2011 · 12:34 pm

Maybe I Will Change The Blog SetUp…


I have a dilemma.  I like to write.  I like to crochet.  I like to write about crochet too.  But I don’t just want to write about crochet.  I have created several blogs in trying to allow for all my outlets/subjects.  It’s not working.  It’s a pain.  Not to mention less effective for SEO.  What I want is a single blog with two columns.  One running the latest blog entries from my crochet world.  One for the latest entries from anything else I feel like writing about, whether family or volunteering or just whatever.   And I don’t want to use tabs to do it.  In my experience, if it’s not an article plainly displayed on the front page, people don’t generally click around to look at it.  Only about 1 in 150 visitors ever click on one of my other tabbed pages on this site.  My post about spider webs gets better results than the tabs do!  So the way I see it, the best optimization is to keep a running commentary on the front page where the majority of the hits will land.  Two live columns running different subjects at the same time. (sigh)  I’ve been reading everything I can find this morning, until my eyes feel crossed now.  Ugh.  Time to stop.

So how to do this?  I’m still trying to figure that out.  I know how to program it into FrontPage for a regular website.  (Yes, I know FrontPage is old, but it’s what I have.)  I don’t know if it’s possible in WordPress and I’m not in an educated space to re-write CSS, yet.  I’m playing around with ideas, thinking maybe using an RSS feed in the side bar widget is the way to go.  But not sure if I like the results yet.  So the site will be evolving a bit as I have time. Having some thumbnail photos is important.  Having a variety of content is important too.  For now, you’ll notice an RSS feed for one of my other blogs in the side bar.  I’m not sure if I’ll keep it or not, but will let it be for now.  Maybe see if it results in anything quantifiable.

Mind you, I’m supposed to be packing for the move today.  Right now.  My world should be packing boxville.  But I need a break.  I need an outlet besides hands and knees sorting.  Good Knight!  I had no idea I had that many books!  Or that much yarn!  I thought the 180+ skeins I’m going to sell off cheap was about 1/3 of my yarn stash. It is not.  Try more like 1/5.  And I’m not even counting what I donated.  Me and my short-term memory forgot I stored some things already.  But in spite of all this craziness with moving and repairing and painting and real estate research…  I need to know that my website and writing are going to be OK.  I need to keep my toes cool in the pool of handmade reality.  I can’t afford to forget and lose momentum in a field I’ve worked hard in, just because I need to move to a new home and it won’t be as easy as I hoped.  I need to keep at least one toe in each reality operating in my life.  Deadlines for the winter show season are already being laid and even though the holidays are far away to everyone else, for those of us in the handmade world, it’s time to make final decisions and solidify plans and commit $$ to table fees banking on shows months away from now.  I’ve put in application to both Heartsy and Quite Unique, hoping to help thin my inventory down so it does not have to be packed up in a hot warehouse for the summer, potentially ruining my product.  But they are both currently behind on applications.  And I’ve already donated more than I should for business.  Which means I can’t pack or sell the majority of my product right now and I still have to be concerned with the appearance of my websites and yada, yada.  Bah!  Too much!  I need to use my outlets to stay sane.  That is after all how I got started in them.  I am a much nicer person when I get to write, or crochet, or play my piano, or beat on my drums.  Much nicer.  More patient.  I smile more.  Or frown less as the case may be.  My son keeps saying I need to hug my Ugly Dog more.  Perhaps I need to listen.

Crochet is necessarily mostly packed up, so that isn’t really a satisfying outlet right now.  And I need writing to be easy.  I need to write about more than just my crochet news or research.  I am bored with the same things all the time – I want something different.

So we’ll see.  As it is, I know just enough about how to do some coding, but not enough to keep from being dangerous and screwing it all up.  Sometimes I just want to take a hands-on class, but without all the homework, ulcers over grades and late night studying.  Understanding better what I’m doing would save me time in life.  But keeping up with technology can be a full time job in and of itself.

Then I have to evaluate whether it’s all worth it or not.  Part of me says I need to be careful about investing time too heavily into the virtual world.  Virtual time spent is not time spent with my kids, my friends, I’m not even sure arguably that much time spent with my customers.  The energy invested into it cannot really be inherited by my kids when I die.  If the virtual world disappeared tomorrow, what would there be to show or prove for all the work?  After all, the only reason why it exists is because we say it does.  We give it permission to.  We give it importance, value and existence it would not otherwise have and honestly doesn’t have to a majority of folks who don’t know it or aren’t interested.

Well, there I go getting philosophical again.  But after all, life is shifting.  It’s time to think on evolution and the merits of what we’ve gained so far.  Is it really all that?

Well, OK.  Time to get back to laundry and boxville and a nice dose of paperwork after that.

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May 6, 2011 · 9:46 am

The Gift of a Mother


I don’t often share my poetry and prose.  But today, I finally share this as my Mother’s Day Gift to you, dear reader.  If you like it, please thumb it up and share the link back to my blog post.  Thank you for sharing.

The Gift of a Mother
06-10-2005


It just happened,
The Way
She was lying in bed
When I chanced
By her open door,

That her silhouette
Suddenly appeared
Just as that
Of her 3 year old self. 

I was about
Morning Chores

When Suddenly
Out of the Corner
Of my Eye,
I caught Her
Sleeping Visage. 

Back turned,
Laying sideways,
Head buried
In her pillow

Bedclothes piled around,
There she was…

My Toddling Little Girl. 

 I stood There,
Caught. 

The lighting
Trickery
Brought out her short
Tousled Curls,

Back when
It was just finally
Starting to grow. 

Head turned,
Her Face appeared
Smaller
And Younger. 

I felt the pangs
Of Beauty
Of Sorrow
Of Fear
As I turned to continue. 

Sorrow that Time
Seems to pass so quickly

That I Haven’t
Held
My Baby
As Much
As I’ve Desired. 

Fear that Time will
Escape
From my grasp
Completely

And I might
Forget
Or Lose
This Moment Forever. 

Beauty because a single Glance
Holds an Infinity
Of Joy
And Knowing. 


As I passed on
Through the house
Capturing
The Reflection in my Mind,

I Saw that it was
The Gift
Of a Mother

To see Her Child
So. 

To Know Her
So. 


For a Mother has the Privilege
To See Her Child in Ways
Even her own beautiful Child
Will never See. 

 To watch Her Child
Grow and Develop.

To Remember
The Quirkiness,
The Sweetness,
The Sheer Innocence,
The Purity of Heart. 

To Remember
Their Boldness,
Their Courage
And Determination,

Their Worries,
Their Challenges.

The Privilege to
Nurture them,
Teach them,
Guide them,
Protect them,
To Set Them Free… 

It’s all Summed
Within a Glance. 

As I came back
By her room…
There She was again.

Face returned,
Angelic in her dozing,
Cuddled into blankets,

Transformed
In a second

From
The Toddler
To the Girl. 

All that She Is,
Flooding Back
To Me
In Pride
And Joy. 

A rare Moment
Of Experience;
Remembering
With Feeling
Yet again,

How our Time
As Parents
Of Little Ones
Is so Small. 

I have Seen
Beauty
That no one else
Will See,

Nor ever can. 

I have the Privilege
Of the Truth:

You don’t know Her
As I Do.
You haven’t seen
What I have Seen. 

It is My Prize.
My Gift.
As a Mother. 

It is the Gift
Of my Mother. 

To See
The Face of God.

Copyright © 2005 by Julia Meek Chambers, All Rights Reserved.

She turns 14 soon, but it is still the same as 6 years ago.

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April 28, 2011 · 7:35 am

A Roomba for the Lawn…


Sighing, I gaze at the lawn after pulling into the driveway.

“I wish I had a Roomba for the lawn,” I say.  “Only to cut it, not vacuum it.  A Roomba lawnmower…. yeah….”

In his completely genuine, yet most logical Spock-like tone, my 11 yr old son quirks his eyebrows at me from the passenger seat.

“You do realize that if you did, someone could hack into it and go on a killing spree.”

Blink.

No.  That was not the first thought that came to mind Son.

Not at all.

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April 25, 2011 · 10:48 pm

It’s Broken… :(


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One of my favorite hooks, made by WoodByC. Its handle is made from lapis and petrified burl, complete with a tiny quartz crystal that formed in one of the cracks in the burl. (sigh) Someone sat on it at a show.  And I don’t work with stone and wood fusions. I misplaced one of the pieces for awhile. Hopefully I can get it mailed to her now and see if she can repair it.

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April 20, 2011 · 7:35 am

“It’s Life Blood…”


“What… the hell…!” My hubby bellows.

He holds up the near empty coffee carafe with an incredulous look on his face.

“Oh no,” I say. “I only had 2.5 cups of my mug’s size.” I display my best “don’t even go there” look.

John’s notorious for his “manly size” mugs.  I’m not exactly sure how much they really hold, but it’s gotta be more than 16 oz.  And our coffee maker makes 12 cups.

“But there is always enough left after my two cups to take a travel mug to work!”

Sitting over at the table, our son throws his hands to his head and exclaims,  “Would you all please stop arguing over COFFEE?!”

All cool and nonchalant, our 13 yr. old daughter responds aside with a slight smirk.

“You have to understand –  it’s life blood…”

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April 19, 2011 · 1:16 am

Flamies 2011 – What A Great Time!


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I only took a couple pictures early on before we really started anything. Too much else to do.  But never fear, my friend Katie and her assistant took lots of photos for us!

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April 18, 2011 · 7:05 am

Musical Hair…


It’s Monday morning and I’m cracking up. Must be a good sign of starting the week off right!  I never start a Monday off laughing!

We’re watching the morning news shows, drinking our coffee, and one of the anchors mentions Jefferson Starship. A clip of “We Built This City (On Rock & Roll)” is played.

After the musical clip our son pipes up.

“Daddy? Why is it that people who played good rock and roll in old bands always have weird hair…”

I just about spit out my coffee.

“….and poofy heads?”

And then I nearly choke.

John always has a ready answer though.  And that’s when I died.

“Because Son… Aqua Net was a very popular product back then.”


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April 16, 2011 · 9:41 pm

Having a blast at the Knitting Nest with the Crochet Liberation Front!


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Look, it's the blues vs. the reds! LOL! ;D

OK, I tried to squat down a little bit so I didn’t cover up someone’s face, but here we are taking a moment to pose.  You can see Marcy Smith, Linda Perman, Karen Whooley, and Laurie Wheeler all in a row to the middle left.  Many thanks to Stacy (far right next to me) and everyone at the Knitting Nest for hosting a wonderful party and to Stacy for winding off my Malabrigio while we were all visiting!  Thanks so much!  Also thanks to our business coach, Judith Manriquez, for taking photos for everyone (not pictured).

Oh, and Linda told me tonight that she would be back up to Austin for a book signing at the Knitting Nest on May 22nd, so mark you calendars for that!

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April 14, 2011 · 9:27 pm

The 2011 Flamies Crochet Awards Live in Georgetown, TX!


The Crochet Liberation Front’s Annual Flamies Crochet Awards are coming live to Georgetown, TX April 18th, with classes from Crochet Liberation Front founder, Laurie Wheeler and designer Karen Whooley in the Austin area all weekend. This is part of what’s been keeping me busy lately!   😀  I’m really excited!  Some of you are probably going to wonder what all this is about, so I’ll try to explain and tell a bit of the story.  Go to http://CrochetLiberationFront.com to register for the event though!

What on earth did Julia get involved with? 

Well, here’s the back story – as told by me!

If you’re here, then you already know I’m a crochet designer/artist. My main work is in the arena of One of a Kinds (OOAK).  And though each year I tend to make mainly what I’m asked to (more hats than anything else), I don’t really align myself with any one specific crochet medium either.  Clothing, throws, jewelry, miniature, free-form or tapestry crochet (not to mention my fascination for spider webs and love of hook carving) – whatever catches my whim is what I work on.

I have one main rule, that crochet is a love for me and it’s gotta stay fun, because honestly, that’s where the creativity comes in.  If my heart and passion isn’t in it, then frankly, it won’t be nearly as good and I don’t want to burn out on something that I find largely meditative and expressive.  It’s one of the few escapes I can take with me just about anywhere.  So no – I don’t really want to lose that.  The fact that my crochet creations ever turned into something people were interested in buying was a complete surprise to me and as far as I’m concerned it’s a bonus.  Like any art, you have to do it for love, in spite of everything else.  I crochet whether anyone buys it or whether I donate it for cancer or not, and so if someone loves what I make enough to buy it, kudos to me for being able to justify my obsessions.  I say we all have a “madness” or two of some sort, and crochet just happens to be one of mine.  All that being said, no where in all my talk about loving the creative process am I supporting under-valuing one’s work, time or expertise.  Better believe I charge for my skill and time.  I’ll save more about this sad occurrence of under-valuation for a future blog post.

“What is the Crochet Liberation Front – some sort of hook wielding terrorist organization?”

I hear such comments from time to time when I mention The Crochet Liberation Front.  And I just chuckle, because it’s nothing of the sort and all in fun.

There was a time it would never have occurred to me to look for crocheters online.  Largely because I’m not a joiner by nature.  Oh I’m social, but just not into memberships and clubs much.  I spent a lot of time at shows lecturing and demoing about crochet and expanding the horizons of the masses when it came to the possibilities of crochet.  Some of you met me that way.  Maker Faire Austin was my absolute favorite experience, setting up a nook for kids and adults to just hang out to learn and crochet or finger knit with each other.  I was there both years it came to Austin and really missed it when it couldn’t come back.  That perfectly suited my personality, being absorbed by the simple joy of making.  No labels, no judgments, no “right” way. (I’m really not into drama and politics. As far as I’m concerned it gets in the way of true creative joy.)

However, three years ago I found a group that worked for my individualistic personality.  I became a member of the Crochet Liberation Front (CLF) about six months after it began, helping to promote and preserve the last fiber art left that cannot be replicated by machine.  They shared the same passion for innovation and preservation I already had and I found friendly camaraderie without expectation or labels.  I had spent a lot of time feeling like a lonely voice when it came to education and pushing the boundaries of expectations in crochet.  It was amazing to find others “like me.”  How could I not?

At its heart and intention, the CLF is a bunch of crocheters who just want to have fun, complete with a sense of humor to go along with it.  We do however seek to broaden the horizons in our industry, and promote the beauty and innovation present everywhere in crochet.  Many of us have felt general dissatisfaction with attitudes, industry dynamics, treatment of crochet designers and patterns available, especially in the US.  I’m not super in touch with the common industry at large because it usually fails to supply much of anything innovative, technical or unusual enough for my tastes. Not to mention the fact that I do not use patterns. And besides, after all, I AM Aberrant Crochet and it wouldn’t be much in keeping with my personality to be keeping step with the Jones. That makes me a little different, because personally, if everyone else is doing it, I’m much less interested.  Even if I started it.  Seriously, if the world starts obsessing over crochet spider webs, I will be the first to lose interest.

However, all that being said, even I have noticed what seems to me an odd perception that crochet is only beautiful if it’s from somewhere else, like Russia.  As if the only thing that exists in the US are granny squares, shawls and doilies.  Don’t get me wrong, I have a very healthy respect for the history of crochet and its development.  And granny squares, etc. can be awesome.  However there is so much more to our fiber art.  And I know I don’t appreciate being pigeon-holed as to what my art is supposed to look like.  If you’ve seen photos of my work, you can totally get where I’m coming from.  I’m pretty proud of the fact that customers at shows so often marvel at my creations and the fact that they never thought crochet “could look or feel that way.”  Education at its finest!

Die-hard crocheters seek to preserve this art and promote its continued genius and development.  Crochet is the very last fiber art left that cannot be replicated by machine.  At all.  Not one iota (yet).  I kid you not.  Google “crochet machine” and you will find machines made in China that knit a chain, but they use the term “crochet” interchangeably.  However, crochet is purely and always created by a hand and a hook.  No machines.  There is always a cap on just how much one pair of hands can create at any one time.  Even that mass produced crochet you see at the store?  All of it was created with a human hand and a hook, and all too often by children.  (I’ll save the subject of repetitive motion injuries in children for yet another blog post.)  You can see a bit of where our passion for our craft comes from.

OK, what’s the deal about the “Flamies?” How does that fit in with crochet? Did it simply catch fire?

“The Flamies” are a grass-roots (I almost typed a grass-fire!) style annual crochet awards that we started some three years ago, and their popularity has grown by leaps and bounds. The CLF itself was started somewhat as a joke by Laurie Wheeler (we call her Fearless Leader), looking to provide a fun home for crocheters around the world to commune, talk shop and celebrate crochet. Something different and outside of the usual boxes available to folks out there.  And BOY do we have fun! Well, the group took off.   And not too long after, due to disenchantment with the yarn industry’s lack of support or celebration for innovative crochet (in the US in particular), it was decided to create our own awards – the Flamies.

The Flamies, you ask? Umm, yeah. Kind of a long story, but it’s a reference to the Flaming Crochet Hook of Justice, which has been waved liberally over the years.  And yes  – the Flamies are a nod of fun to the Emmys and Grammys as well.  In fact, my tapestry crochet charted pattern for my Flaming Crochet Hook design was published in the Crochet Liberation Front: First Ever Book.

Long story short, a bunch of us decided to stop waiting for the industry to provide what we wanted and we began creating it ourselves. We even created our own crochet awards.  And you know what happened? IT TOOK OFF! Today, yarn companies, magazines and designers are competing for the Flamie crochet awards and this year a whopping 30,000+ turned out for voting! The winners will be announced live this year!  Talk about becoming the change that you seek in the world! 

The Landmark Tavern – Georgetown, TX

The event? It’s happening a bit on the fly, but the Flamies are coming LIVE to Georgetown on Monday, April 18th. The editor of Interweave Crochet magazine, and designers from both coasts are flying in for this event, including Mary Beth Temple from Getty Loopy, along with Fearless Leader kicking off her US Tour here in Texas! Nothing like this has ever been done in our niche industry before. It might be just crochet to everyone else, but this is big for us!

Tickets are being sold to the live event held at the Landmark Tavern, (wonderful neighborhood wine bar) on the Georgetown Square where we will have a red-carpet event with photographers, April 18th 7-11pm. And I’m so lucky it’s right here practically in my own back yard.  If you want to come and hang out with crochet creative types (you don’t have to crochet, but you must be friendly), it’s $25 a ticket which includes a drink ticket and snacks.

This is a semi-formal event! Wear your best crochet if you have it! If not, wear your favorite fiber thing!  We’ll be walking the red carpet at The Landmark, so it’s a chance to dress-up. Businesses also have the opportunity to buy tickets to this events in blocks. For a minimum of 5 tickets, the price drops to $20 per ticket.  Go to http://CrochetLiberationFront.com for more details on registration for the event and about the CLF in general.

I hope we’ll see you there!

Calendar of Weekend Events:

April 16: 11am‐ 2pm Meet & Greet in Georgetown, Texas at Dukes BBQ (right on north bound I35): This is a family friendly event, free for crocheters to attend to meet up, admire each others’ crochet and organize local meetings and relationships. We’re expecting a lot of people to attend this event.

April 16: 7‐9pm Fearless Leader & Friend’s soiree at The Knitting Nest in Austin, Texas. A more adult evening of wine and song. Promoting all that is crochet in one of the leading yarn destinations in Texas. So far at least 25 people confirmed.

April 18: 7‐11pm The Flamies LIVE! Red carpet event in Georgetown, Texas at the Landmark Tavern (a gorgeous wine bar). This year’s awards ceremony will take place as per tradition on the Getting Loopy Podcast with Mary Beth Temple, and at the live event which will be web cast so the millions of crochet fanatics around the globe can see the best of the best! Party goers will receive a drinks ticket, nibbles, goody bags and prizes! We have room for 120 guests!

Go to http://CrochetLiberationFront.com for more details on registration for the event and about the CLF in general.

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April 12, 2011 · 8:57 am

UPDATE: Flapper Purse in Silk and Rust


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Well, it’s not quite done, but here’s where it’s at now.  I haven’t lined it with the golden rod yellow satin yet, but this is how it’s shaping up.  I debated on whether to use some beading on it or not, but I think the hybrid claw stitch I used makes a nice texture on its own.  I also have an ornate trim I thought about running around the top, but again, not sure it would really add to it.  What do you think?  Any suggestions?

You can read more about this purse here: https://aberrantcrochet.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/my-next-flapper-purse-in-silk/.

You can read more about my other silk flapper purse in blue and stone here: https://aberrantcrochet.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/beaded-flapper-purse-in-silk/.

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