Kim Werker's blog
Twitter, Dude, Days and Travel
An update in three parts.
Part the First
You've perhaps noticed some inconsistency in our server upage in the last few months. I've discussed it here before. The good news is that we've put our finger on the problem; the optimistic news is that we're confident we'll be able to fix it... soon. So we've set up a Twitter account, and urge you to follow us there so we can let you know about things should the server go down. (Since Twitter is its own program, it's unaffected by our server, see, so we can still communicate with you easily. Sweet.) [Thx to Whipup for the inspiration.]
Part the Second
This is the coolest recent use of the Amigurumi Dude pattern I've seen. Rock.
Have you caught wind of the Day in the Life series Robyn has sparked over on her blog? I wrote up a weekend and weekday of my own, and loads of other crocheters have joined in. Julie just posted about more days-in-the-life to come in June, too. Makes for a really cool look into the daily life of crochet people, if you're into that sort of thing.
Part the Third
I'm going on a proper holiday tomorrow. I'm not bringing my computer or my cell phone. Also, my cell phone would be useless, as I'll be in London, England. Yes. Yes. Yes. I'll be doing things like riding a ridiculously enormous Ferris wheel in an urban setting, attending some musical theatre, drinking tea and beer, visiting good friends, buying Doc Martens for it's time they make a comeback, and relaxing in the countryside. Emma Jane will be keeping her keen eye on the site while I'm away, so do send her some hugs and yummy yarn wishes, eh?
Double Stitch Chicago Book Launch May 29th
Save the Date: Thursday, May 29, 5:30-8pm
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum Residents' Dining Hall
800 South Halsted
Chicago, IL
The book launch includes an official book-signing event and runway presentation featuring the designs from Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista by Erika and Monika Simmons (Interweave Press, May 2008). Don't forget to bring your copy of the book for Erika and Monika to personally autograph! (Books will also be available for sale at the event.) Desserts and refreshments will be served. Please rsvp to info-AT-doublestitchwear.com.
I had the pleasure of meeting Erika and Monika during the TV taping a few weeks ago, and they're awesome. About the sweetest uber-cool people I've ever met. I wish I could be there to celebrate their new book. You'll have to tell me all about it!
Calling Crafty Authors: Take the One Star Challenge
It's no secret here that I'm a sci-fi fan. As such, I occasionally read the blog of best-selling author John Scalzi. Recently, he posted a few of his favourite Amazon.com 1-star reviews of his books, and discussed that, really, he's okay with them. He challenged other authors to do the same, to possibly find entertainment in them, and ultimately to just "get past them." I obliged at the end of a rambling post on my personal blog. (Note: I'm very okay with negative reviews. I like positive reviews a lot more.)
And then this morning my life as a geek got very, very sweet indeed, for Scalzi listed me amongst some very talented and accomplished authors who also participated in his challenge.
And then Media Bistro covered it, and singled out the lone crafty girl (I suppose as a member of an even less-mainstream genre than sci-fi).
And so I just have to call upon all the crafty authors out there (scroll to the end of the post) to join in the challenge, too. Post your favourite negative reviews of your books on your blog. Let me know on my blog or let Scalzi know on his blog, for all the world should know we crafty authors can get past the negativity, too. And they should be entertained while we're at it.
Go.
Getting Loopy: New Crochet Podcast
Author and crochet designer Mary Beth Temple (look for a design from her in the summer Interweave Crochet) has started a new Blog Talk Radio show about crochet. Her first guest is Amy O'Neill Houck, and the show is really great. Check it out!
New Crochet Mag: Chiq
Looks like a new online crochet mag is in the works, to launch on 15th June (the editor is already writing a blog). I'm psyched to see so much more online crochet content in the works!
Knitting Daily TV Taping - Overview
What a week! It's amazing what an evolution five days can involve. I posted all sorts of photos from our Knitting Daily TV taping on Flickr, if you want a pictorial overview. The show will start airing on public television in the US in July. Let your local station know you want to see it!
April Link Roundup
Crochet flowers - Myosotis sylvatica:LISUI's
Ok, I lied. I'm not in Ohio yet. I'm up early in an attempt not to be terribly jet-lagged tomorrow morning. I'd thought my flight today was super early, but I was wrong. So I just set my alarm for 6:30 (really, it would have been more effective if I'd set it for 5:30, but I'm not masochistic enough).
So here are some links I've been surfing while trying to be quiet so as not to wake up the very-appropriately sleeping man.
Aren't these crocheted flowers stunning?
And speaking of stunning, check out Helle's post about the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef plus her own Rubbish Vortex in New York. I wish I could go!
Check out Charm & Whimsy's cottage tea cozy. Such attention to detail!
The Purl Bee is at it again, this time with a crocheted baby blanket in lovely, muted colours. I love baby stuff that isn't pastel.
Danielle Kassner is at it again (she designed the amazing tapestry crochet socks in the current issue of Interweave Crochet), this time with one of the most stunning combinations crochet and knitting I've come across. Rock on, Danielle.
Finally, I adore this rag bag by Boutique Pink Designs. Not only do Iove rag projects, I also love thinking that spring might eventually get here, and the colours of this bag make me smile. (Actually, I believe spring will arrive in Vancouver today, just as my plane takes off.)
Make some yummy crochet this week, eh?
TV-land and an Apology
Consider my Icelandic Turtleneck in a bowl after washing evidence of my impending trip to Ohio for Knitting Daily TV taping. My nails are done, my hair is coifed (which shouldn't be taken too literally—my hair: I do not coif it), and soon my bags will be packed. I'm psyched!
But now to the apology. I blogged recently about CrochetMe.com being in need of a new webhost. We've experienced a lot of downtime in the last few weeks (this afternoon, most recently), and our web host has experienced a massive technological glitch, and I thought the two were related. It turns out I wasn't asking the right questions when I was submitting my support requests—our server isn't actually affected by the web host's other problems. Our downtime has been caused by our own database problem, which is hopefully now fixed.
I apologize both to you, dear crocheters, for the inconsistency of the site of late, and to our dear web host, whom I inappropriately blamed.
Have a great weekend, and a great week. Pictures and updates later, gators!
Time for Drastic Measures
In the last couple of months, this site was down about a handful of times. Each time it was for an understandable technology-related reason, but taking a higher-level perspective makes the inconsistency in service frustrating and unacceptable, and I can only imagine how baffling it might be to you, our dear members and visitors, to come to CrochetMe.com to find a blank screen or a confusing error message.
I've put off looking for a new web host for three reasons. First, I've really enjoyed working with our current host. They're friendly and responsive, though not quite as good with their up-time guarantee as I would like. Second, our current host's fees are relatively low, and I've been concerned that a switch would result in a fee increase we simply couldn't afford. Third, switching web hosts is a royal pain in the patootey.
However, like with most issues, there comes a point where the costs of maintaining the status quo outweigh the (potential) costs of change. We've reached that point and we need your help.
First, if you have experience renting a dedicated server, we'd love to hear your recommendations for a great host. (We've far outgrown shared hosting, so please only weigh in if you're familiar with dedicated hosting services.)
Second, we could use some of that awesome community spirit that makes this site so special. Months and months ago I thought we'd be revitalizing our languishing CafePress store, but that fell through. If you're a talented graphic artist and would be willing to donate your skills and art in any small or large way so we can raise some funds to support CrochetMe.com, please be in touch (there will be goodies in it and undying gratitude from thousands of crocheters, and hopefully your crochet and CrochetMe.com-themed work walking the streets and adorning caffeine-delivery vessels the world over). I'm also very open to suggestions for engaging our active and caring community to push this site (and crochet) as we enter this transitional technology period—there are many improvements yet to be made to the site, and the more people get involved, the better the site will be!
I'm going to trample my inclination to feel great stress over this hosting situation and rather will channel my energy into making this into opportunity to build our community even more. Won't you come along for the adventure? It won't be the same without you.
Thoughts?
