Have you been caught up in the purging/organizing mania that’s sweeping (so to speak) the country? I’m all for it! Many of us have too much stuff, which makes it hard to know exactly what we do have and where to find it when we need it. I’m pretty tidy, and I like my environment uncluttered, but there is always room for improvement. Usually I’m motivated to reorganize a category or area when something frustrates me. For example, I have a few similar tablecloths and couldn’t tell what the dimensions were, which cloth would fit which table, and how many table leaves they would cover without unfolding them and trying them in place. Not very efficient. Recently I measured them all and pinned tags on with that information. Now I can find the right one easily. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure out such a simple solution, but better late than never. I did the semi-annual yarn purge recently (my stash goes to the Kennett Area Senior Center) and am very happy to have a few empty bins!
Yesterday I was at Longwood Gardens. It’s their orchid festival, and the Conservatory is filled with orchids of every shape, size, and color. I particularly liked the display that looks like pansies at first but turned out to be mass quantities of orchids. The hanging baskets are also stunning.
The photo doesn’t do justice to these hanging baskets of orchids
It was a chilly day but nice to walk around outside as well as in the warm Conservatory. When the weekend crowds are oohing and aahing indoors, the rest of Longwood is delightfully empty.
I’m not currently working on a crochet pattern book, which gives me the opportunity to branch out a bit with my crafting. I hope to partner with some interior designers to create custom pieces for their clients. I’m starting by getting in touch with top local decorators, but I would certainly consider commissions from designers at other locations. I made a short (1:30) video to acquaint them with my work. All inquiries welcome!
Big news: three of my classes were accepted by the Crochet Guild of America for the July Chain Link Conference in Manchester, NH. I’m thrilled! I’ll be teaching “Designing Crochet Patterns for Fun and Publication,” “Mosaic Crochet Magic, Including Cowl Pattern,” and “Lilytopia Shawl: Lightweight, Round, and Fabulous!” If things work out, I’ll also have the opportunity for a Delicate Crochet book-signing sometime during the conference. I’ll share the details with you as soon as I know them.
Conference registration starts soon. You can find the details on the CGOA website. It’s the 25th anniversary celebration, which should be very special. I’m most excited about connecting with other designers and crocheters. I would love to meet you—let me know if you plan to attend.
We are getting ready for some colder weather here in Pennsylvania, but nothing like the polar vortex descending up north. The forecast isn’t just for character-building cold but for dangerous, seriously frigid temperatures, the kind of cold that makes you feel like your eyelids are going to freeze shut and your teeth might crack. I hope all of who are affected by that stay safe and warm. If there were ever a time to have plenty of yarn on hand, this is it.