Let the Dance Begin!!

The TNNA Preview Promenade begins today and I am so far behind!!! And it is not going to get a lot better anytime soon as I am scheduled to be up in the mountains this weekend starting my ski instructor career. Luckily the travel gives me time to knit and I will be able to work on stuff during the evening. I will DEFINITELY have two new product offerings and possibly four new offerings if I can get my act together in the next few days.

This is the one of the projects in progress for one of the new Skill Builder patterns that I am going to be offering at TNNA in San Diego. I will have the project complete by the time I am back from skiing -- so keep watching -- you are going to love it!

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A New Look

So -- if you are a regular visitor, you have already noticed that I have a whole new look to my blog!!! I am trying to get a coordinated look for my various sites on the web. I am really hoping to have my new website up in the next few days, I am getting ready to launch new products for the TNNA show in a couple of weeks and I am launching the SSK Knit A Long next week. It is a busy time!

Stop by again soon -- I have all sorts of new stuff to share!

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The Experiment

So I am participating in a marketing experiment around the TNNA show in January held in San Diego. Details still need to be worked out, but I am expecting to have more information in the next few weeks. It is all about previewing products that are being "unveiled" at TNNA and building interest. I will be interested to see what happens! Keep watching for more information!

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Apparently I Am Worth Quoting!

Some time ago I wrote that a magazine had contacted me to ask about my experiences "business blogging". Quite honestly I had pretty much forgotten about it. But a couple of days ago, Wheat mentioned that CNA had published an article about blogging. So I grabbed my copy which had just arrived earlier that day and low and behold, I am quoted in there!!!

CNA is an industry magazine focused on all types of crafts. Their tag line is "Speaking to the entire creative industry community". So this is actually nice coverage!

When I told Arlis, his first concern was that I didn't sound stupid!!! No, I assured him, my quoted statements actually are solid advice. So now it is even more important that I finish my website rework and get it uploaded! No pressure!

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Thanksgiving Weekend

Based on the date of my last post it is becoming obvious that the hustle of the holidays combined with getting ready for TNNA in January has already taken hold. This is what we did for the Thankgiving holiday weekend:

We had to go to Utah and the coverage wasn't the greatest -- but we had more skiing than our legs could take!!!

This week is getting prepared to beta test a new class as part of the Class In A Bag Teaching System. Also, we are finalizing the changes to a whole new look to the Knitability website and then I need to get out a newsletter. So there is a lot to do!

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Fun at Stitches East

So this is what I was doing last weekend. These are some of my closest knitting buddies. Of course, as I always say, knitters are nice people, so I actually have a lot of knitting friends, but many of these gals I see at most shows. All but one is a teacher for the XRX folks. This was taken at the end of Thursday evening's sneak peak preview for student/teachers only and after a long day of travel (I got up at 4:30AM) it was time for a quick drink and then to BED!! If you have not ever attended a knitting conference, you need to try it -- at least once -- because it is such fun!!!

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The New Blog is Ready

I just finished putting together my new blog for the Sample Stitch Kimono Knit-a-long. I am actually pretty proud of how it looks. We already have more participants than I actually expected and we still have a couple months to go before we actually get started! Hop over and see how it looks!

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The Sample Stitch Kimono Knit-A-Long

I recently decided to host a Knit-A-Long based on creating strips of knitting utilizing different texture techniques. The strips are then assembled into a great looking Kimono. So I announced it on my Knitability Newsletter and I have already had a wonderful number of sign ups. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get out the introduction packages just yet because I was waiting on getting my yarn to determine the "correct" gauge and yardage estimates.

Well the two choices for the yarn arrived today. Both are Louet Sales yarns the one on the left (Gems) is 100% wool and WONDERFULLY soft. The mustard yarn on the right (Merlin) is 70% wool / 30% linen blend. It is not quite as soft, but based on my other experiences with linen, I expect it to become wonderful.

So now I get to swatch and see which one wins for the Sample Stitch Kimono knit-a-long project. If you want to join in, just hop over to the website and sign up. It should be a lot of fun and I expect we will have some amazing results!!!

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Guess What This Is....

So this is what I am currently working on. Any guesses as to what it is supposed to become? It is a prototype for a new Skill Builder pattern and I want to get it done before Stitches East so I can show it to Marilyn of Black Water Abby Yarns as it is made up in her yarn.

If you want to know more, visit my educational blog -- The Knitting Professor. Not only will I tell you what this is to become, but I also talk about solving the "rippled edge" problem of working with heavily cabled fabrics.

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Knit Biz Publicity

Nothing is quite as good as getting a little free publicity! Recently the question was raised about a knitwear designer webring and one of the Knit Biz members recommended the Knit Biz webring (see the logo to the right). So this morning when I checked my e-mail I had about 5 - 10 new requests to join. So a big THANK YOU to Dawn for the mention on the list. The more who join, the better for EVERYONE! Welcome!

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Discipline -- the Verb Not the Noun

I just looked up the word discipline. I had never thought about it before but it does make sense that it is both a noun and a verb. Technically I have problems with the verb -- specifically the first difinition in the Encarta dictionary (found in Word). It says:

1. make yourself do something regularly - reflexive verb to make yourself act or work in a controlled or regular way

I am guessing that most folks that know me would think that I have a lot of discipline, but I have decided it just isn't true. Doing things that are easy, that are fun, that are directed by another force doesn't take discipline. Fortunately for me, most of the TRULY important stuff in my life falls into the above categories. But I realize that I need to do some of the other things that actually do require discipline. So my question of the day is:

How can you develop discipline if you don't already have the discipline to develop discipline? See the problem?

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Flowers!

So I found a quiz that seemed like fun:

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

The interesting thing was I was just talking to my mother yesterday about getting some Canna starts from her for the yard. Kinda weird?!?! I have also signed up for a landscaping class, so gardening is on the mind a bit. Try the quiz, it is fun!

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Let the Insanity BEGIN!

Two weeks until TNNA in Indianapolis. I am NEVER ready. It is not like it is a big surprise, but then again it is. I am always shocked that the date creeps up on me so quickly. I have at least two new Class In A Bag kits to get ready and then all the supplemental stuff like marketing materials and the like.

One of my new classes is "Take It From the Top". It is building a sweater from the top down. In class, students will complete a baby size sweater. Isn't it cute?



I am supposed to be getting a new printer which would speed up my processing GREATLY. Hopefully it will arrive early next week. Ah...the joys of the knitting business!

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Mother's Day Tradition Renewed

Years ago, when I used to live near my folks, I kind of established a Mother's Day tradition of driving into the foothills to visit the local Iris Farm. Mom and I both enjoy growing Iris and because they are so easy to share they are a great gift! Give one one year and two to three years later recieve divisions for FREE!!

Although I have been back in the area for several years now, it just hadn't occured to me to reinstitute the tradition until last week. Since I now have a flexible schedule, we decided Friday would be better (less crowded) than the weekend. Well it was BEAUTIFUL!!



Surprisingly we left only doing a minimal amount of financial damage ($20 for 5 plants). That may not seem like an accomplishment, but prices range from $3 to $45 per plant. So now we just have to wait until August when they are ready to pick up!

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Setting an Example

So I consider myself BUSTED!!! A few days ago I was asked to be interviewed for an article about blogging (I believe because of the KnitBiz webring) and of course it has been more than a month since I have written. I could continue to use the excuse of my shoulder surgery, but the fact is as of Tuesday, I officially can start using it (with some limitations). So the excuses have dried up -- AGAIN!!

With the Summer TNNA show on the horizon, I have been focusing on developing some new products for the Class In A Bag line. I think I have several good new additions, but I am going to need to get knitting on a couple of them!!! I will try and provide a preview shortly.

Okay -- new recommitment (again) to writing regularly. REALLY!!!!

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Cheatin' -- Kinda

So this is a bit of a cheat since it isn't a completely Gwen composed post, but with the shoulder out of commission, it seemed like a good substitute!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

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Spiritual Retreat

This past weekend I spent 72 hours on a Spiritual Retreat called the Walk to Emmaus. It was one of the most powerful events I have ever attended. Tomorrow I go in for shoulder surgery which will leave me significantly incapacitated for at least a week or two. The rest of March is going to be strange for me and I anticipate that April will be only slightly better!!

I am not sure where God is leading me right now. I don't know if knitting will continue to be a primary focus. I cannot even be sure if I am properly equipped (education and skill wise) for my upcoming journey. But I am going to utilize the down time to try and figure it out.

I ask for prayers and thoughts of clarity of purpose and quick healing!!

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I am a Knitting Goddess

At least that is what came out from the Quizilla site see:


You appear to be a Knitting Goddess.
You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with

reward, you simply want others to love

knitting as much as you do. If someone wants

to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there

for them. If someone wants to learn short row

shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in

knitting, only opportunities to grow.

Everyone should have friend like you around

if they want to learn to knit, and there's a

good chance that your passion has rubbed off

on a few others.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

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Stitches West 2006

So I am back and starting to get myself together after Stitches West. This was an interesting show for several reasons, a) for the most part we only sold patterns in the booth, b) I had two other designers featured in the booth and c) this was the last time I would be doing a retail booth.

Only selling patterns is WAY easier to prepare for, but you have to sell a lot of $5 patterns to pay for a booth. The flip side is that dropping $5, $10 or $15 dollars is an impulse buy and thus easier to make the sale. I also think it helped that all three designers samples were mixed together. However, we found it interesting that even so, as customers would jump from one piece to the next, they would still be looking at only one designer. This was particularly interesting given that they were not marked in any significant way and although our styles are somewhat different, there is not a drastic or what we would consider obvious difference. Even though the process was interesting and much easier than before, I am still glad I am done with trying to do both a booth and teaching. Teaching is my passion and it is just too hard to try and do both.

I wish I could tell you about some new something or another, but I honestly did not get ANY time to wander the show floor. So we will both have to wait until August for Stitches Midwest. It will be here before we know it. Tomorrow it is off to Tahoe for a ski trip -- need to get in as many days as possible before shoulder surgery later next month!

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Math versus Verbal

So once again I was just over visiting my good friend Annie Modesitt's blog and was once again thrown into a deep depression. Well, actually, it is probably more a fit of jealousy than depression. Let me explain!

Most of our lives we hear (and see evidence of) that people tend to be strong in math and science skills OR they tend to be strong in language and verbal skills. Although I believe it to be more of a cultural thing, men fall in the math camp whiled women fall in the verbal camp. I always thought that it was cool that I was "unique" being female and very strong in math skills.

But then you meet people like Annie and I just want more! If I were to ask her, she would probably say that her strength is in the verbal arena, and it is clear from reading her blog, but I know her math skills are nothing to sneeze at. And then with all that, where does creativity fall?

So the question remains, are we really math or verbal dominant, or can we have it all?

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Whatever Happened to Arsenio Hall?

Does anybody else remember Arsenio Hall? I would not say that I was a big fan, but I always loved "the things that make you go - hummmm?!" When I first tried blogging, I would end my post with a question, something that would make me go - hummm?!

Being one who likes to have a plan, the whole free-form blogging thing is a little bit hard for me. So I think that I have decided to go back to my original format and end with a question. I don't know if it will really work, but there is no harm in giving it a shot.

My big news is we were able to upload the website changes last night. There are always more things that need to be done, but honestly, if you wait until it is perfect, it never gets done! Now my goal is to at least perform minor updates at least once a month -- it will be interesting to see if that actually happens!

So whatever did happen to Arsenio Hall?

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Devil in the Details

For anyone looking for a Superbowl free post, this is it. I didn't even know who was playing as of late yesterday (was having a great day skiing instead) and for the evening we went to an EMPTY theater and watched a great movie Matedor. Now, I wouldn't call it a family film by any means, but it was well-written and well acted. A surprise that we kind of took a chance on and very glad we did.

I was hoping to have my updated website up, but alas, I still have to check a few more things before we put it up, but I SWEAR we will get it uploaded tonight! And then I will begin with the flurry of e-mails letting folks know about the new Knitability Club and Teacher's Retreat. But today must first focus on getting order prepped and sent out!

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Planning Fun

So I am in the process of updating the website and one of the fun parts is updating the Teacher's Retreat information. This really is a fun event that I have developed -- even if I do say so myself! Luckily the participants say so too! Each time I update the website I get to go back over the pictures from the previous events. For example, these are from our first event in 2004 during our ride in the limo to yarn shopping and dinner:





Fiber artist are really nice people and there is always instant camaraderie since we all share a similar passion. In the past we have held the event in the Spring, but due to a number of factors (not the least of which is the fact I need shoulder surgery) we have moved it to the fall. So I won't get my inspirational dose of fun until later in the year. But that is probably okay since it is just before the busy teaching season. Nonetheless, it still makes me smile!!

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More News from San Diego

So as the first week ends after the show, I think I really am pleased with the outcome! My little printer is going like made to get materials ready and I am looking into a replacement, but good on the whole!

Probably the best part were my two helpers Jeanne and Beth. I had to teach during the first hour of the show, so they both helped cover until I could get there. They also were great fun for going out afterwards!

Jeanne and I just barely met in KC prior to my leaving, but became fast friends. Although she has be a knitting instructor, she is now focusing on designing and is fantastic. Knitability has a few of her designs licensed prior to her starting her own designing business Nature Speaks. She is a treasure!

Beth and I are teachers at the big conventions and were roommates last year at Stitches Midwest. She only lives a few hours away in SF making it possible to see each other occassionally. Beth and I also "mind melded" almost immediately and are working on developing a GREAT project (more later). Beth also does design and I love her company name See Jane Knit.

In addition I got to see my good friend Annie Modesitt. She and I met at Camp Stitches East many moons ago and we were "sturdy girls on little chairs". Ask her about it sometime!!

Anyway, it is always nice to catch up with friends -- especially knitting friends!

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Welcome to the New Year -- sort of!

So this post is a little late to really be about the new year, but at least we are still in January (barely) and of course I haven't taken down the Christmas tree yet, so it still FEELS like the beginning of the year! Yes, I know, it is pathetic, but the craziness of consulting back in the business world resulted in my loosing an entire month!

I got to January and realized that not only had I done basically nothing for the business, but I had a booth at TNNA (the wholesale trade show) in three weeks (last weekend) along with teaching and I had done (for all practical purposes) NOTHING!!! So two days were taken up with panic stricken paralyzed. Then I figured out what the new line was going to be and worked like business depended upon it (and it did to some degree) and made a reasonably good showing last weekend.

One of the two classes I taught was sold out at 50 students!!! I received lots of very positive feedback in the booth, so that was great. The new product line was very well received and I finally feel like I know where I am taking the business. Having a mission and focusing on it (Taking Knitters to the Next Level) really has made a difference.

So now it is time to get the website updated. I am expecting to do two updates in relatively short order. The first one will update the general content, but not the look. The second should be updating the look to better reflect the mission. Keep an eye out -- I am dedicated with a new level of energy -- watch out!!

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