As September Comes to a Close

Hello my crafty maker friends. I have been a little quiet here on the blog, although I have been busy design-wise. In addition to my latest pullover design and article in Knitting Traditions inspired by Raymonde de Laroche, the first female to receive a pilot's license at the turn of the 20th century, I have also self-published a new knit cowl design - The Coleman Cowl - named for Bessie Coleman, the first African-American of either gender to earn a pilot's license. That new design is also the anchor for an e-book remix of several other knit designs of mine inspired by the early females of flight. We are also, in my Ravelry group, working on several of these designs in a maker event that will conclude mid-October. There is still time to join in (and an equal number of crochet and knit designs are eligible for making, so everyone is welcomed!), and you know I will be awarding fantabulous yarny prizes when it's all over.

However, one of the reasons why I have been so quiet here is because I have been contemplating how to proceed with my blog. I have been mulling this over for quite some time, so when I recently read Grace Bonney's excellent and in-depth take on the state of Design*Sponge's blog and blogging in general, I sighed with, admittedly, a fair amount of relief. It's always nice to get confirmation from others what my gut has been feeling for quite a while.

Now to be certain, I am not in the same league as Bonney's blog. My blog has always been a deeply personal space, unencumbered by any desire on my part to monetize it. In fact, I wrote about just this topic - the lack of ads - here two summers ago. I refuse to feed the content monster, opting to create and post only the content I choose (it's pretty much an extension of how I design). If people want to read this blog, they are welcomed to do so.

Still, I write on a fairly wide range of topics, and I genuinely enjoy the writing, yet I have provided no way for readers to express their appreciation with money - especially if a reader likes the blog content but is not necessarily a maker (so paying for a pattern is probably out of the question). I know that I have made donations in the past to other designers (most notably, for using font they have created).

So with today's blog entry and going forward, I will provide a Voie de Vie donation link at the very end of the post. Any amount (in whole dollars, please) a reader wishes to donate in an appreciative expression of this blog - and my design and creative life generally - will be graciously accepted and deeply appreciated.

This blog will continue with new posts for the foreseeable future. It is a place where I have been able to express myself since 2010 (amazing!), and it will continue, without reservation or condition. 

And of course, if you like what you read, don't hesitate to hit that donation button. :)

(Just Another) Melange Monday

Raw materials for my latest
completed design.

Happy Monday, everyone. I write this keenly aware that the Boston Marathon is being run today. I wish all those involved - either as athlete, spectator, or race support/infrastructure - a gloriously happy event. Forever strong Boston. Forever strong.

                                                          
                      ********************

I have a new design to announce ... as well as a test. As I blogged about previously, I donated a design to an upcoming e-book project, Knitting for Gold, that aims to raise funds for childhood cancer research. I am supremely pleased to be able to show you the finished project:


Say hello to my newest favorite accessory: the Amber Bling bag. This 5 1/4" high x 6" wide bag is all kinds of blingy fun and rather adorbs, wouldn't you agree? The interplay of textures and materials made it fun to create. Superwash merino puffs are interspersed with wool stainless steel rows that are studded with size 6 seed beads in a medley of amber hues. (FYI - gold is the color of childhood cancer awareness.) It's lined with a double thickness of semi-sheer organza, is attached to a lovely purse frame and then topped off with pre-made chain link that's been adorned with a little more wool stainless steel and beads. The lobster claws at each end make it easy to remove the handle and use it as a clutch. I am rather pleased with the final result, if I do say so myself. I also want to thank Lion Brand Yarn for generously donating the yarn for this project. 

And now for the test part. I am in the process of working out a good place on Ravelry to put this pattern through its paces. If you would be interested in joining the test (which should get underway sometime this week), do feel free to leave me a comment here on the blog, along with a good way to reach you electronically. Once the test site is worked out and the test thread is set up, I'll contact you and you can come on over and participate. There are no prizes or anything; you'll be doing this for a gorgeous new bag as well as tester glory (very important, in my book).

And an update on Kellie Huffman's daughter Bronwyn, the impetus behind this childhood cancer research project. She received a new heart a little over a week ago. I must tell you that I cannot wrap my brain around the concept of someone else's heart beating within me. While the initial reports from Kellie are positive concerning Bronwyn's recovery from the heart transplant, I wonder if she feels like she's having an out-of-body experience. Just amazing.