Here are a few of the things I found around the web this week from the people in the industry that I know and love:
Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude, has an iPhone/iTouch/iPad app! How cool is that? Here it is: The Crochet Dude Application
Kristen Tendyke launched her pattern line called Caterpillar Knits
Marly Bird, The Yarn Thing Podcast, announced a new knit sweater pattern (Trail Hoodie) that is soooo pretty! Here is a link to it: Trail Hoodie Knit Pattern
Tahki Stacy Charles sent me a super secretive new yarn to work with and I wish I could tell you about it. Just know that it is shiny and sparkly and I'm having a great time thinking about all the fun things I want to make with it!

My half-way deadline for THE BOOK was last week, and I am ahead of schedule. That always feels so good to say! This week, I finished up ordering yarn for THE BOOK. I am so grateful to know so many wonderful people in this industry! I always choose yarns for my books based on the relationships I have with the people working for and owning those companies. The problem is narrowing down the list to the 20 or so projects I make for each book, because I wish I could feature yarns from all the companies I love!
Here are a few of the yarns that will be featured in THE BOOK:
Alpaca Yarn Company
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Gold
Coats and Clark
Lantern Moon
Lion Brand
Lornas Laces
Malabrigo
Naturally Caron
Tahki Stacy Charles
Tilli Tomas
and much more!
Today, FedEx is delivering galley proofs of "A Knitting Wrapsody". Since I only saw the cover so far, I am very excited to see all the photographs and the layout! I will have about a week to proofread the entire book so the rest of my work will be sidelined for a few days, but I usually pencil this into the schedule. Proofreading is an intense and extremely important part of writing a book.

Talk about some #knitcrochetlove ! Google found some really lovely reviews of my books this week. Here are a few:
Crochet So Fine Review
Crochet So Fine Review
Crochet So Fine Review
Wrappd In Crochet Review

I'm still hung up on the Minimalist article I read a couple of weeks ago and desperately want to scale down "my stuff". I just know it is going to be a lot of work to set up the sale. Don't be surprised if you find my ebay store chock full of cool stuff in the next couple of weeks, though. Purses, knitting bags, yarn, clothing, stuff, stuff and more stuff. I'm just saying...


This was the first week back to school, and I think we are off to a great start. We also received surprise visitors from Arizona and I am over the top excited to see them! I've been cooking (no surprise there) and here is a list of some of the menu items from this week:
Lasagna, garlic bread, banana chocolate sundaes
Cheesy chicken, bean, corn, chiles enchiladas, tomato, cucumber, feta salad (Israeli Greek Salad), fudge popsicles
Sausage & Peppers Flatbreads with parmigiano-reggiano and homemade sauce, watermelon & feta salad
Baked Ziti, watermelon & feta salad
Kale, bean & parmesan rind soup
Roast beef mini sandwiches with homemade garlic/cheese spread
Spinach smoothies
Mini corn muffins
Chocolate cake
I have visitors that are younger than Shark Hunter and they are picky in their own unique ways. My challenge is to fit their taste preferences into my cooking repertoire. Stay tuned! :)

I don't know what I would do without my inspirational quotes. They are the best little pick me ups throughout the week. Here are some of my favorites from this week:

The worst thing that someone can say about you contains some truth about them. ~Deepak Chopra
The individual who says it is not possible should move out of the way of those doing it. ~ Tricia Cunningham
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. ~RevRunWisdom
Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. ~Ella Williams

It has been a busy week, both professionally and personally. Around these parts, it is the last week of summer vacation and my little Shark Hunter returns to school on Monday. We have tried to squeeze in last minute summer fun while I am still writing, stitching, rehearsing and meeting deadlines. Needless to say, I have been burning the midnight oil!

The cover photo of my newest book was released this week. I am excited to share a photo of the cover of "A Knitting Wrapsody: Innovative Designs to Wrap, Drave & Tie" with you!

Designer Kristin Omdahl showcases her signature motif designs and experimental construction in an 18-pattern collection of beautiful scarves, wraps, skirts and shawls. In A Knitting Wrapsody, you will also find elegant patterns that incorporate reversible stitch patterns, unique knitted edgings, and other clever elements. Sidebars throughout cover key techniques such as reversible stitches and interesting closures. On the enclosed bonus DVD, Kristin demonstrates new or unusual knitting techniques step-by-step and will help build your skills in edgings, stitch motifs, constructions and more. With her passionate attention to stitch detail and one-of-a-kind motif designs, Kristin offers a wide range of projects in A Knitting Wrapsody for a variety of time commitments. Expand your wardrobe with bold, stylish shapes and add form-flattering pieces perfect for layering. Pre-order now at Amazon.com -- release date is February 22, 2011.

Did you listen to Getting Loopy on Blog Talk Radio Monday night? Kristin Omdahl was the guest and if you missed it, you can listen to the recorded version on iTunes or BlogTalk's website. Kristin's Interviews, Radio and TV Appearances

Interweave Crochet Magazine announces 25 finalists in the Chain Reaction Afghan Square reader competition. Vote now for your favorites! I couldn't choose just one - I voted for 6! Only 10 will win: VOTE HERE

Big news at Interweave Press! Congratulations to the new editorial directors Karin Strom Jaime Bogner Marlene Blessing and Tricia Waddell on their exciting moves. Click here for the full PRESS RELEASE

Have you seen this? Interweave Crochet Magazine Fall 2010 preview is up! It features one of my designs: The Birch Vest. This is a simple, top down raglan shaped yoke with a very pretty lace stitch pattern for the lower body section of the vest. The sizes range for 34" to 50" bust and the yarn is so soft: Malabrigo Silky Wool. I love the color variation in this colorway (acorn #433). Click here for additional photos and more information about the magazine: Interweave Crochet Magazine Fall 2010

Check out this sneak peek from episode 504 of Knitting Daily TV when I interviewed the incredibly talented and super sweet Jared Flood in Designer Spotlight segment from TNNA Long Beach, CA.

In an effort to cash in on the efficiency of frozen leftovers so I had more time to work (and finish up summer vacation), here are some of this week's menus:
Baked Ziti, watermelon & feta salad
Sauteed Catfish with white wine sauce, cucumber & feta salad, chocolate cake
Cheesy Enchiladas, peach cobbler
Grilled Steak and mushrooms, grilled pineapple

I've been working out very minimally. I hope to get back into a routine when Shark Hunter returns to school. In the meantime, my super cool (albeit weird) barefoot running shoes were in the news: Barefoot Running Article

Here are my favorite quotes of this week:
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher. ~ Dalai Lama
Everyone and everything around you is your teacher. ~Ken Keyes Jr
If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends, you talk to your enemies. ~Moche Dayan

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

It's been a busy week here. Between returning from vacation, to summer nearing the end, to a book manuscript deadline duedate, it's been busy to say the least - but always fun! :)

I'd like to give a few shout outs to some of the interesting things I've found on the web this week:

Happy Birthday Elisabeth Zimmerman! If you know who she is, please celebrate her! If you don't, read this lovely article called "An Ode to a Pioneer: Elisabeth Zimmerman" on Etsy.com : EZ Article
Gina Wilde, the beautiful and talented owner of Alchemy Yarns is painting silk in beautiful greens for Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2011 Collection! What an exciting week. I sure wish I could see photos! It must be exquisite!
Stephanie Japel talks aobut knitting and math fun/geekery on her blog. What is not to love about that! Here is the article: SJ Math-Knit Article

I'm working on a project to TAKE BACK MY KITCHEN! Through years of rushing and disorganization I have come to the realization that I probably spend double what I should be spending on groceries because of my lack of efficiency and organization in the kitchen. I gave myself a fixed budget, in cash per week, of what I can spend on groceries. I think putting cash in the equation (instead of the magical debit card) I am valuing what I spend a lot more. I am also calculating how to store the produce best and using it all instead of throwing half out. When I make a big meal, the leftovers go in the freezer immediately. And, I am threading the special fresh ingredients I buy for the week throughout the week's menus.

Over the last month, I have reduced my grocery spending by 50%!!!

Here are some of this week's menus:
Entrees: Chicken Cacciatore, Parmegiano-Reggiano Fritatta, Garlicky Chicken Thighs, Cheesy Enchiladas, Baked Ziti with sausage.
Sides: Bean & Kale Soup, Greek Roasted Potatoes, Cucumber salad with crumbled feta, Cucumber/apple/salami/onion/lettuce/cheese chopped salad
Desserts: smores bars (like rice crispy treats but with Golden Graham cereal and chocolate chips), chocolate/banana sundaes, chocolate/banana milkshakes

Last Friday night I was invited to be on Planet Purl's live Webchat. It was so much fun! I talked about Crochet So Fine, Knitting Daily TV and lots of other things, answered viewers questions and had a great time. The photo of the cover of my new knitting book "A Knitting Wrapsody: Innovative Designs to Wrap Drape and Tie" debuted on the show. The photo is only available there, so far! And, the book comes out Feb 2011, so be sure I'll post more info soon. If you attended the webchat, thank you! If you had other plans, no problem! The entire show will be available to watch as a recording sometime this week. When it's available I'll add the link!
While on Twitter, I found a very nice review of "Wrapped In Crochet"

On my hook this week: SWATCHES!! I'm working on a new crochet book that will have a stitch dictionary included! I'm really excited about this project but it brings new meaning to the word SWATCHES!! I wish I could tell you more, but you know the drill. :) The best part about working with swatches (especially when the kids are on summer break) is that they are PORTABLE! I have crocheted swatches at the pool, at the beach, at camp, on the train, on an airplane, in a waiting line, while watching a movie, etc... you get the point. In this photo, I'm watching my Shark Hunter body surfing at the beach while crochet swatching with Caron Yarn's Simply Soft.
On my needles this week: a beautiful knit sweater I'm working on for my Styled By Kristin pattern line. It is in Blue Sky Alpaca's Melange in cornflower and I'm knitting with Lantern Moon Destiny Circular Needles, size US5. When I'm a little further along, I'll show photos. At this point I only have 1/2 of one sleeve finished. Not much to show yet. But I think it will be STUNNING soon!

I am on a committe for a St. Jude Children's Fundraising 5K Walk right now. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 20, 2010. I am going to have a fundraising drive on the website here, starting very soon. If you are in the area and can join my team of walkers, that would be wonderful! I'll have an invite link here soon, too. In the meantime, please save the date, ok?

Here are some of my favorite inspirational quotes from this week. The first one I want framed at my desk:
~ A new day has dawned, and you can choose to make it the best day ever!
~ Many great achievements in this world were acomplished by those who were tired and discouraged but kept working anyway! Rev Run Wisdom
~ When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears. Anthony Robbins
~ Today tell yourself, "everything is possible, no matter what!" Deepak Chopra