Kristin's Knit Crochet & More Week In Review 9/3/10

Kristin's Knit and Crochet Week In Review 9/3/10

On the web this week:

Do you remember when you first visited Knitters Review? I remember being so grateful for Clara's detailed yarn reviews. Back then, I was choosing yarns online for my ready-to-wear collection that I sold to boutiques. It was challenging to order yarns from websites and I trusted and appreciated her reviews. The forums were especially fun because it was my only contact with other knitters at that time. Please help me wish Clara Parkes and Knitters Review a very Happy 10th Anniversary. When I read Clara's thoughts on the anniversary, her list of how old other relevant sites are in comparison to Knitters Review is quite interesting. Knitters Review 10th Anniversary

In preparation for my first season on Knitting Daily TV, I whipped up a crochet lace tunic just before jumping on the place to the set. A few months later, that design was re-crocheted for Interweave Crochet Magazine's Fall 2010 issue. Now, there is a September 2010 Crochet-A-Long (CAL).

If you are interested in modifying the pattern for the CAL, don't forget about the blog I wrote for Crochet Me. This is the original periwinkle blue sweater I designed for Knitting Daily TV with elbow length sleeves and hip length sweater. Basically the length of body and sleeves are modified but the essence of the pattern is intact. Photo courtesy of Shark Hunter aka French Photographer (long but funny story).

Have you seen the current issue of Yarn Market News (Fall 2010)? Crochet So Fine is featured in the book review section and it is a really nice review. Thank you!
Craft Gossip wrote a very nice review of Crochet So Fine this week. Check it out: Crochet So Fine Review

On the needles this week:

I am still proofreading "A Knitting Wrapsody" and am almost finished. Soon after, it goes to the printer! The book and DVD set will be available in only a few more months. I'm really looking forward to sharing the photo preview with you! Soon...

On the hook this week:

Oh boy, where do I begin?!?! I am approaching my final deadline on the super secret new book and there are a lot of projects flying around here. I worked on blankets, shawls, scarves, hats, pillows and SWATCHES galore this week. Some of the yarns I used are Buffalo Gold Moon Lite, Malabrigo Rios (brand new SUPERWASH merino worsted), Naturally Caron (new rich colors), Lornas Laces Honor (new alpaca/silk blend), Tilli Tomas Plie, Alpaca Yarn Company Glimmer and Caron Simply Soft. My Adobe Illustrator skills are improving, too! My charts are looking more respectable every day. :)

On the menu this week:

Sausage & peppers, garlic & parmesan flatbreads with homemade sauce (fresh tomotoes, peppers & garlic pureed)
Lasagna, garlic bread and watermelon/feta salad
Cinnamon French Toast with maple syrup
Spanish Rice (my childhood favorite) but updated from scratch. My mom used to "doctor up" the Rice A Roni version. This is the dish I would ask for on my birthday. :) My first attempt at making it from scratch was a success and Shark Hunter approved!

I taught a friend to make my cheesy enchiladas and her party was a success! Woohoo! I'm so happy to hear that.

Inspirational Quotes this week:

You are here for a reason. Ask yourself: How did I make a difference today? What talent did I uncover?
Kindness gives birth to kindness. -- Sophocles
You are who you are when no one is looking. ~Rev Run Wisdom
*Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter. ~Terri Guillemets
*Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. ~William Morris
Silence is the true friend that never betrays. ~Confucius
If a man does what is required if him, he is a slave. If a man does more than is required of him, he is a free man. -Chinese Proverb
Seek the company of those who are looking for the truth. Run away from those who have found it--Vaclav Havel (via Deepak Chopra)

* On a personal note, the Terri Guillemets and William Morris quotes really impacted me this week and I began my pledge to create a minimalistic lifestyle by setting up auctions on ebay (thanks to my sister for setting up the auctions - they are quite time consuming!). Every week, I plan on having a dozen or so auctions until it is ALL GONE! These auctions end Sunday. If you or someone you know is interested, here is this week's sale, including purses and knitting bags: Kristin's EBAY AUCTIONS