World Maker Faire New York, in Photos
So I went to New York for the 2012 World Maker Faire. No big deal. Rather than try to use words to tell the tale, here are some photos. Ok, wait. I’m a words junkie, so here are just a few: Haley Pierson-Cox is my new favourite person, and I went from never having met her in person before to spending, like, a total of twelve hours in her company and never wanting to leave it. I had lunch with my agent, who is even more awesome than I already knew her to be from the internets and the telephone. (It’s a very cool thing to be able to say, to have had lunch with one’s agent, so...
Read MoreLand & Sea Baby Blanket Pattern
I posted lots of updates about the Land & Sea blanket as I made it, and now the pattern is ready so you, too, can make one! A simple feather-and-fan pattern is just as easy to crochet as a ripple, but has a bit more elegance to it. Two self-striping colourways interchange from one end of the blanket to another in Fibonacci stripes. Worked in fingering weight yarn, the result is a delicate baby blanket that’s not at all fussy. Adjust the size of the blanket easily, and work it in any yarn weight for varying effects. This is an appropriate pattern for beginners, and it’s a satisfying,...
Read MoreVancouver Mini Maker Faire 2012, Visual Recap
I love Maker Faire so much I became a founding member of Vancouver’s Maker Foundation, which was set up this year by Emily Smith, the woman responsible for launching the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. We have big plans. I’m so very excited to be a part of it. I had Mighty Ugly going all weekend, with the unwavering help of four of the most dedicated, amazeballs volunteers in the history of working for free. Diana, Donna, Fiona and Amanda, THANK YOU. My brain hasn’t fully recovered from the whirlwind, after which my parents stayed in town for another week of awesome visit,...
Read MoreMy 2011, in Crafts
Just like I didn’t read as much in 2011 as I usually do, I also didn’t make as much stuff as I usually do. But after spending the first half of the year too tired to concentrate on anything beyond the simplest of projects, I have gotten some stuff done. From the looks of this list you might think my crafting world revolves around babies now, but do not be deceived! Unrepresented here are the projects I have not yet finished. Like the Rock Island shawl with lace on both sides that I was nuts enough to start before Owen started sleeping through the night. I’ll pick that one...
Read MorePrying Control from Your Cold, Cramped Hands
Remember this, people. With a couple of important yet not universally applicable exceptions1, you cannot control what others do with your work. The minute it escapes your possession, your work will be interpreted, judged, manipulated and sometimes downright defiled by people you don’t even know. One day I’ll tell you the story of how Greg reacted when his parents hung one of his stunning mosaics over the toilet2. This is the nature of creative work. Hell, this is the nature of some dude on Twitter overhearing your vacuous conversation on the bus. And I’ll argue till I’m blue in...
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