Hank of Yarn, Ms

Took trip out of state on Friday-only 40 minutes from my house, to Hank of Yarn. Kathy had invited me to come down and talk about a class on my ornaments. What a blast! These ladies are really a great group. The store was a buzz with activity and everyone was happy to be in their element. I do enjoy the fact that it is a crochet friendly shop...they speak crochet and knitting, not just knitting. The store was bursting with beautiful yarn, every color every size.

I loved talking about crochet and especially my ornaments. They are going to teach some classes so check with them to see when that might be. They are located at 7075 Malco Blvd, Southaven, MS, www.hankofyarn.com.

From left, Jenni, Kathy, Hank and Cheryl

Back in the blog saddle

Since my last post I have been laid off from my wonderful job at International Paper. It wasn't a surprise, we knew it was coming and they did right by us all. This has freed me up to finish my book while I look for another job. I have even started another book on crochet earrings. I will post some pictures soon.

I have a busy day with a birthday lunch with my BFF's (Happy Birthday Vicky) and then down to a yarn shop in Southaven , MS. They have invited me to stop by and help set up a class to teach how to make my ornaments, how cool. I'll take some photos and post them when I get home.

Planning what to do this year?

I have so many plans in my head that it just might explode.

When I am not in the "Crochet Designer" mode, I have a job outside the home, I am a Sustain Test Planner for International Paper. I love this job to it's very core. It allows me to do what I love best, which is plan and it allows me to be creative. I work with a manager who know how to work with my creativity and let's me run wild. He knows I will get the job done right. He is so open to my ideas and believes in me. What a knock out combo.

Back to the planning. I plan everything, my day, my week, my month and my year. My work at my job is a given, I plan every morning. My life is a bit more complicated because there are so many variables. My family and my business. I want to do it all so I plan in small stages to make sure I can account for all the variables. I don't like to be too constricted to one single plan and not let in any spontaneity. This seems to work for me.

This week I will be planning for the year. I have some great creative ideas for my crochet I will share soon.

So many ornaments, so little time!

My sister Mary and I went shopping in Collierville yesterday. Our target was Charming Charlie's, a really must go to shop for everything that a woman wants in accessories. You name it, they have it....bling city is what I call it and at really affordable prices. (Commerical over) We had driven in kinda behind and to the side of the store and we were focused on that only.

An hour later when we came out, right before me was this display. Angels sang and clouds parted for the sun to shine down on these ornaments.  How could I have missed them? My second thought was how cool would this be to cover them with my patterns? Silly I know, but wow. I came up with all kinds of visions of us coming in the middle of the night to paint my patterns on them. I also wondered where do they store something this huge when not in use? Inquiring minds want to know.  I want to be there next year when they bring them in. Just so cool. Hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas season.

Book 3 Ornaments

Here are 2 of the ornaments from Book 3 coming out soon.

I had truly hoped to get these out before Christmas, but it doesn't look like that will happen. This book has been a long time coming, but if anyone knows me it must be right before I send it forth into the world. Ha.

I can say this, most of the ornaments in this book require more crochet knowledge, not that the stitches are difficult, but a little more counting than I am use to to, just not as simple as the first 2 books.

I really should dedicate this book to Sandra, you know who you are, who has written me every year asking when my next book will be ready.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Thought I would post a word before I get started on my pumpkin pies. I have had a glorious week so far just doing nothing but crocheting. I am on vacation from my job and decided to get Book 3 finished and I hope to have it out in the next few days. I am looking for today to be nice enough to get out and take some photos. Wish me luck and have a wonderful day. I'll post a photo of one of my new ornaments by this weekend so stop back by.

Craft Show In Reelfoot

A couple of weeks ago my sister, Mary and I took off on a Friday for an adventure. Since my husband retired from the Navy a few years ago I miss all the traveling. Anyway, we had planned a trip to Tiptonville, TN to the annual Reelfoot Lake Craft Show. This happens every year, the first weekend of October. I had heard nothing but praise for this show. I kinda wanted to scout it out to see if I might want to sell there next year. First photo is my sister Mary.

We arrived at 9:00 and found a great parking spot at the beginning of the show. We were delighted and excited to see how big it was! For the most part it was outside but there were a few buildings with vendors. We walked and walked and walked and walked some more. Three hours later we sat on a bale of hay and shared a plate of curly chips.

Should have taken a picture before we started eating, it was piled high!

I was amazed at how much crocheting was being sold at the show. Usually you see one booth, but I saw no less than 8. One booth was a woman 90 years old in a wheelchair making baby afghans. Her daughter was the salesman and said her Mother just loved to crochet. She had so many beautiful afghans to show for it. My only concern was that she was all but giving them away. The daughter said she tried to get her Mother to sell them for more, but she just did them for the love of crochet.

Here I go on my soapbox, the reason crafters do not make much is because most are willing to give it away for the love of the craft. I am not speaking of doing your craft for chairty. I am speaking of not selling yourself short, you are worth at least minimum wage for your labor. If it takes you 1 hour to make an ornament cover to sell, you have to charge at least $5.00 for labor and then the cost of material. Why would you sell it for less? If someone wants your product they will pay the price because they obviously know the value of you time and effort. Period!

The day was a blast, I bought some candles, and a "Papillion Crossing" sign. The day was beautiful and the crowds were starting to get thick when we left right at 1:00. Here I am hiding in some flowers.