Highest of Highs [no not that kind]

There's been a lot of really high highs, and really low lows this week for me. One of the highs: My book is up on Amazon! [link to Knots In Thread on Amazon] And I've even had a few sales so far, which makes me ridiculously happy.

Other good things this week include finally writing up a pattern that I'll be putting up for free here [so keep an eye out], making headway on patterns for the new book, the birth of a bonus-nephew, new dice, and a very, very excellent cup of coffee this morning.

It's DONE!!!!

I am so happy right now! I received my second proof three days earlier than expected. And it's perfect! (Okay, not quite, but I know it will never be truly perfect, so I'm calling it done.)

It will take about a week before it's available to purchase on Amazon. But if you can't wait, you can get it right now at my store on CreateSpace. :D

On it's way...

The second proof copy of my book is on it's way! This could be IT! I am hopeful that this means I will be able to have it for sale by March 19th. Why that particular date? Because I've agreed to be one of the "experts" at a local DIY fair, hosted by the library and the Arts Place Collective. The Arts Place is a very cool local organization that is sort of a cross between an art gallery and an art school. They organize all kinds of really great art and craft events. I've worked with them before to teach various types of classes at their center.

I've been to events to demonstrate tatting before, but never as the singular expert. I've taught several classes, both locally and at the Finger Lakes Tatting convention [which I've been unable to attend for two years now, sadly.] But somehow this event has me more nervous than any of the others did. The idea is to simply sit at a table, do my tatting thing, and talk to people about the craft. I'm comfortable with all those things, so I'm not sure what I'm so nervous about. At least I don't have to have a huge display of tatted items, so that's a relief. Wish me luck though! I may need it. :)

Proof!

I have the proof! The proof copy of my book that is. And I must say that it is really exciting to see all my hard work actually printed on the pages. Almost exciting enough to drown my frustration out. But not quite. Because I need to retake the photos. Again. Now, I'm no master photographer. And I'm working with a point-and-shoot camera and very little know-how. So there's been a lot of trail and error here. A lot. It's been a good learning experience, though. I feel confident that this time around will be it. Fifth or sixth time's the charm? At least for the next book I'll [hopefully] have figured it out enough to not make the same mistakes.

And speaking of the next book, I already have plans. See all that pretty new thread? Most of it was bought in preparation for my next adventure. I don't want to say too much, since I haven't actually started working on it, beyond what's in my head. But I will tell you that it's actually going to have patterns in it. So for those of you thinking "well, that beginner's book is nice and all, but I already know how to tat"... this ones for you!

It's not tatting, but I did something...

I got my new thread in the mail! I'm always impressed by how quick Handy Hands is with their shipping. I'm also impressed with their customer service. The ball of Lizbeth in Autumn Spice that I got had white spots in it. I emailed them, and within the hour they got back to me and offered to send a new ball. This is why I prefer to buy directly from them, rather than through a retailer.

Alas, I have no tatting to show with this new thread though. I spend most of my weekend and the week sewing. It's something I'm still very novice at, but I enjoy doing it. Here's what I made:

This is my bf, showing off his jedi skills in the new costume I made him. He's been waiting two years for me to [start] finish this, so I surprised him with it on Valentine's Day. And yes, we are total gamer geeks. And we dress up in costumes. And like it.

Then today I made this:

front

back

It's my first attempt at sewing a stuffed toy. I made this for my son, who needed something to snuggle with. He really, really likes balls. A lot. The ears give him something to hold onto.

Messing Around

When two hobbies combine (in this case tatting and vector art), you get stuff like this.

This is just a little doodle I did in Adobe Illustrator, the same program I used to do the illustrations for the basic book. Vectors are fun. :)

Now Comes the Waiting

Well, it's on it's way! The proof copy for my first book, that is! I've been going through the process of uploading, reviewing, and re-uploading all week, and I finally got to the proof ordering stage. After all the hard work that's gone into it, it hardly seems real. I probably won't actually believe it until I'm holding the proof in my hands. Still, my excitement is barely contained!

And of course, I'm already plotting my next book. This one will be a pattern book, and I put in an order to Handy Hands for thread yesterday. Cause, you know, I needed the right colors. And if I happened to order a few... extra, so what? You can never have to much thread, right? I can't wait to get it so I can get started.

Seems like that's all I'm doing this week. Waiting. Impatiently. Maybe I'll go make up a little pattern just to keep my mind busy.