A peek...from a photo shoot for this cowl pattern, to be released soon from the talented Elizabeth Elliott Knits. It's a good thing the cowl has such strong graphics or the eyes would take over the whole photo. Made ya look!
Are you attending TNNA in Las Vegas in January ? Thinking of it ? Do it! I am looking forward to teaching three classes there. Join me!
The class sizes will be smaller than the June summer show. We can really get into helping YOU and make sure you leave with new skills and a customized plan. Plus--what a hoot? ! We'll be in Las Vegas?! Actually the whole show is going to be more personal, in a mart format. It's a great chance to connect with others in the industry. I love the hustlebustle of the summer show but it can be hard to do more than a quick chat that week. Building relationships takes at least a MaiTai by the pool, right? (JOKING!) I am not even sure what is in a MaiTai.( I'll have tequila, thankyouverymuch). I do think it'll be a great opportunity to meet yarn industry folks worth knowing.
I am teaching
Become Insta-Savvy: Instagram as Community Builder
with co-teacher Beverly Army-Williams. We'll help you get on board or smarten the way you use my fave social media platform. It's a very powerful and fun way to stay in touch and connected to your customers, or meet new ones. Words, pictures, planning, nuts and bolts...we cover it all. I am amazed how much real business gets done on Instagram. You can find me on Instagram almost daily. Follow and say hi!
Beverly and I are also co-teaching Simplify The Newsletter . We know small business owners and creatives have trouble finding time to put together a newsletter, so it gets sent irregularly. Or haphazardly. We'll take a second look at how to apprioach the newsletter, help you streamline the way you create content, make it fun, and make a plan that will work for you, specifically. Start 2018 with consistent and eagerly awaited newsletters to your email list!
Lastly, I'll be teaching my beloved I-Phoneography class*. It's a fun, hands-on chance to discover how easy it is to make smartphone camera photos fabulous. The reason I enjoy teaching it so much is everyone leaves happy. I see them posting great images right away, after class. I share tips, and tricks that are easily put to use, as well as demo a free creative app that helps you make strong, professional looking images that pop out on social media. Or anywhere, really. The beautiful Backyard Fiberworks yarnballs above? A quickie smartphone photo just as it was getting dark out.
If you are in Connecticut, Beverly and I are also teaching at a very cool new place, The StoryTellers Cottage in Simsbury CT. We're teaching a three part class (sign up for as much as you want/need to learn) on blog writng and photography, and also a Creating Haiku Postcards Valentines Day workshop. You can find these plus a lot of other fun opportunities, on their calendar.
Do you do needlepoint? Is there a needlepoint FB page you like or forum? Where do needlepoint folks hang out online? if you know, do tell!
* BTW? I teach this class inside th yarn industry and outside it, as well. If it would be useful to your organization, company, sales staff, civic group, institution, whatever....give me a shout , I am happy to come teach an in-service.
It started innocently enough: I was invited to teach at the Mohonk Mountain House Knitting Weekend March 17-19th with Jill Draper, Kirsten Kapur, Cal Patch, Clara Parkes and Paula Kucera of White Barn Farm. Yes please! I've always wanted to go to that grand old lodge in the Hudson Valley of NY, and this is a group of knitters I adore. They'll teach knitting and I'll teach Iphone-ography and Learn to Make Granny Squares. Kirsten and I will also give our slide show/multi media Drop Dead Easy Knits talk, with trunk show and booksigning. Lovely!
Didja catch that? I'm teaching granny squares! Oh, the humble granny square. So strangely satisfying. So old fashioned but bold. So fun to play around with color and contrast. So much not what I usually teach.
Which explains why I thought I'd play with leftover Noro Silk Garden to make samples, showing how crocheting yarn with long color changes makes easy squares, with beautiful color but no need to stop and think about changing colors or make any decisions.
Three squares in, I had to be honest. They looked mushy. The geometry of the granny square wasn't shining through. I ripped out all but that one on the left, above. I switched it, as shown on the right: Changing colors every round, mixing the leftover bits and skeins I have on hand. So much better. I figured I'd make 4 squares.
But I can't stop. I was away last weekend, took a sweater project that went untouched. But granny squares? Oh yes.
I've moved fully into can't stop/won't stop. How serious is it? I am starting to stalk Ravelry for small destashes because my bag o'Noro bits is almost empty. (Do you have any to get rid of? No!just kidding! But..not really..... I mean, I'll use small amounts.....) I'm having a blast with it.
FYI: I thought I'd be super clever and use only my iPhone to shoot these granny squares. Get it? Because those are my two classes at Mohonk Mountain House Knitters Weekend.I really can't wait.
There are just a few spots left . Its fabulously timed to treat yo'self. See you there?
