In Cro News: Crocheter Detained Because of Drawing in Her Sketchbook

photo of SUV wearing "Homeland Security Blanket"

This is beyond bizarre.

Keene artist had hard time getting back into US
Keene artist struggles to get back into US
By LOHR McKINSTRY
Staff Writer CNHI News Service

KEENE VALLEY -- Keene Valley resident Jerilea Zempel was detained at the
U.S. border this summer because she had a drawing of a sport-utility vehicle in
her sketchbook.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers told Zempel they suspected her
of copyright infringement.She was released after more than an hour in custody at
the Houlton, Maine, port of entry from New Brunswick, Canada.

Her release came only after she persuaded border guards she was an artist
doing a project that involved a crocheted SUV as a statement against America's
dependence on oil and love for big vehicles.

continued . . .

Crochet Commuter Chronicles: Stylin' and Stitchin'

Someone gave me this photo, and I love it! I would sit next to him everyday on the train. Not only is he crocheting while commuting, but he's doing it while sporting his crochet ensemble. He is truly repping for crochet.

GROWL!

cheetah print for Spoonflower fabric

I received my first order of custom fabric from Spoonflower last month. There are some things I'll tweek for my next order, but I was very pleased with it. I originally wanted to use it for a specific project that combined sewing and crochet, but I missed the deadline. So I'm undecided what to do with it. One fabric was a simple stripe and the other is a cheetah print with a turquoise background. It is from a painting I did a few years ago. Spoonflower is a printer of fabrics that are custom designed. The company is still in the beta phase so there is a waiting list for new customers.

You can see both my fabrics on the Spoonflowering Episode 8 video on the Spoonflower blog. First one is the turquoiz cheetah print and the second is the turquoiz/red stripe shown later in the video. :D

International Crochet Day Debut: Blusa Queen

Here she is! International Crochet Day was the perfect day to finally show Blusa Queen online and in public. I wore her to work and received some nice compliments. I was happy to say that today is International Crochet Day. "Is there really such a thing?" Yes. Yes, it sure is. Next year the holiday should be even more known if the current buzz continues.

I quickly took this in the morning before work. I'll take some more pictures later and be back with some commentary about what adaptations I made to the original pattern and other observations.

2nd Annual International Crochet Day

The second annual International Crochet Day is this Friday, September 12, 2008. Crocheters around the globe are asked to find a way to participate and show your crochet to the world. You can read Jimbo's blog to learn more about this holiday. Spread the word.

I already CIP (crochet in public) almost daily so I'm already repping for crochet on that tip. I'm going to wear something crochet to work on Friday. In fact, I'm going to debut BLUSA QUEEN. I know she's long past due. She has actually been completed for a while now, but I haven't felt up to pictures.

In other crochet news, I spotted eight crochet items in the current issue of Belle Armoire, plus some crocheted lace in one of the articles.

eta: Make that NINE crochet items. There is a really cute crochet sweater shown with one of the ruffled skirts.

The Bar Has Been Raised

Everyone is going nuts over the new Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Crochet. People had been visiting the website daily (some several times a day) last week to check and see if there had been an update about the new issue. I wonder how many visitors IC had last week.

I have to agree after looking at the previews that this looks like it will be the best issue ever. I'll just have to add these designs to my long wish list of projects I want to crochet.

All the designs look upscale, yet very wearable. One day I'm going to have one my designs in this magazine.

Blusa Queen Update

Blusa Queen is finished. She's being blocked as I type this.

My time has been devoured with working on crochet designs and submissions. I now have a few crochet designs floating out there so we will see what comes of this.

My first published crochet design will hopefully appear this winter. When it happens, I'll be here to shout with all the details.