Book Signing

So...the book signing. I signed with Meg, shown, the author of Craft, Inc. She's lovely, and her book is really useful for anyone trying to make money off a hobby. The signing itself wasn't particular successful for either of us, but I'm glad to have had the opportunity. It's fun just to be there and talk to people about crafting.

I definitely recommend checking out the new Chronicle Books Store (1846 Union in San Francisco) - it's well designed, well stocked, and a great place to look for holiday gifts. There are several boxes of labels I'd like to have, and their craft section is growing rapidly.

New Chronicle Books Store+ Signing

Chronicle just opened their second store, at 1846 Union Street in San Francisco. The Grand Opening party is this Saturday, December 1st. I'm going to be signing, along with a bunch of other cool folks. Stop by if you're in the area!

• 10:30-11:30: Children’s author Bob Barner will read from Dem Bones and will be signing copies of his books

• 1:00-2:00: Peggy Knickerbocker co-author of The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market Cookbook and Georgeanne Brennan author of A Pig in Provence will be signing copies of their books

• 3:00-4:00: Get crafty with Alicia Bergin, author of the Crochet to Go Deck, and Meg Mateo Ilasco, author of Craft, Inc.

• 5:00-6:00: Artist Rex Ray will be in the store signing copies of Rex Ray Art + Design

Craft Magazine Interview + Free Pattern!

Craft magazine posted a feature on my Crochet to Go Deck on Friday! You can check it out here. The editor, Natalie Zee Drieu, did a beautiful job. There's a link to a free pattern (the cover wrap top), too. You'll also find an interview with yours truly, with everything you ever wanted to know about the first project I crocheted, favorite patterns, and what I'm making next.

Halloween Costumes

I'm really pleased with this year's efforts. Of course, I didn't make anything last year, so it was certainly easier to top nothing. Here's the whole path of events:

In August, Adam requested a pair of white fur pants to wear to Burning Man (nighttime wear; it gets cold out there in the desert.) I've never made pants before, but it was surprisingly easy. Here's what a few yards of fabric and two hours will get you.

October rolls around. We still have about a yard leftover of what I've been referring to as "chicken fur." Adam has been prepairing for a major presentation, leaving me with way too much time on my hands. Inspiration struck on the train last week - a chicken costume!

The entire costume is a single piece of fabric with elastic bands at the top and the bottom. I wrapped a blanket and two towels around my waist and secured with a belt to create the bulk. The hat is also a simple tube, secured at one end. The red top is felt, sewn at the base.

Finally, here's Adam again. We added a pair of horns to turn his fuzzy pants into a satyr costume.

Lion Brand Crochet Box

I received a real, final copy of the Costco edition of my patterns last night! It's massive and just beautiful. Rumor has it that the kit will be in stores within the next week. I think this is going to be a great gift - it has 50 patterns (25 from my Crochet to Go Deck, 25 from Melissa Leapman's Cozy Crochet Kit), yarn, and instructional booklet, and several hooks. Adam and I are driving to Costco today to see if it's there yet.

The Interior

Here's a few samples of how the photography turned out. Gorgeous!

Life Changes

It's been quite a while since the last post--I've gone from almost total inactivity to 110% in the last few weeks. It's great, if a bit tiring. I started a new job three weeks ago at a San Francisco design firm. I'm struggling to find good lunch spots, but other than that can't complain. The people are great, the office easy to get to, I have an awesome, huge computer, and--best of all--they actually pay me to organize things! I think there really is a perfect job for everyone.

I'm also writing a crochet book for chronicle--Crochet to Go, due in SP07. If you know how to crochet (or live near me and want to learn), let me know! I'd love to have some people test my patterns. The project list isn't final yet, so email if you have any great ideas for stuff.

My friend Brooks asked me a few weeks ago what was going to take the biggest hit from the new job--reading or tv/movie watching. TV viewership is definitely way down (though thanks to the crochet, I'm still logging in about an hour a day on the couch). Books are suffering, but not as much as I'd feared. So don't worry--it looks like I'll have at least 6 titles to review this month, maybe more.