President Obama on why it's okay to discuss Romney's business dealings with Bain Capital:

Quoted directly from a Q & A given on May 21, 2012 at the NATO conference:

This is part of the debate that we’re going to be having in this election campaign about how do we create an economy where everybody from top to bottom, folks on Wall Street and folks on Main Street, have a shot at success and if they’re working hard and they’re acting responsibly, that they’re able to live out the American Dream.
     Now, I think my view of private equity is that it is set up to maximize profits.  And that’s a healthy part of the free market.  That’s part of the role of a lot of business people.  That’s not unique to private equity.  And as I think my representatives have said repeatedly, and I will say today, I think there are folks who do good work in that area.  And there are times where they identify the capacity for the economy to create new jobs or new industries, but understand that their priority is to maximize profits.  And that’s not always going to be good for communities or businesses or workers.
And the reason this is relevant to the campaign is because my opponent, Governor Romney, his main calling card for why he thinks he should be President is his business expertise.  He is not going out there touting his experience in Massachusetts.  He is saying, I’m a business guy and I know how to fix it, and this is his business.
And when you’re President, as opposed to the head of a private equity firm, then your job is not simply to maximize profits.  Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country has a fair shot.  Your job is to think about those workers who got laid off and how are we paying for their retraining.  Your job is to think about how those communities can start creating new clusters so that they can attract new businesses.  Your job as President is to think about how do we set up a equitable tax system so that everybody is paying their fair share that allows us then to invest in science and technology and infrastructure, all of which are going to help us grow.
And so, if your main argument for how to grow the economy is I knew how to make a lot of money for investors, then you’re missing what this job is about.  It doesn’t mean you weren’t good at private equity, but that’s not what my job is as President.  My job is to take into account everybody, not just some.  My job is to make sure that the country is growing not just now, but 10 years from now and 20 years from now.
So to repeat, this is not a distraction.  This is what this campaign is going to be about -- is what is a strategy for us to move this country forward in a way where everybody can succeed?  And that means I’ve got to think about those workers in that video just as much as I’m thinking about folks who have been much more successful.

I haven't posted much lately and I'm not sure I've ever made a political post on this blog, which is odd because I am very interested in politics... anyway. Obama makes a lot of sense and I thought this was one of the greatest retorts to the constant mantra about Obama not being good with business. Our country isn't about being profitable and he elaborates on this idea so beautifully I had to share.

Hexagon Market Bag

Made from pattern available from Lion Brand Yarn: here

Adam Yauch, MCA of the Beastie Boys died today

At least 20 times a day, during random conversations or something I overhear, I start to sing a Beastie Boys song because the overheard words trigger my constant B-boys soundtrack.

This is so very sad. Sad for me personally. Sad for the world. Sad for music. Sad for the other B-boys. I'm sorry his life had to end so quickly.

I almost bought a sweater at a department store today!

That's sacriledge, I know, but I have to go to my husband's office Christmas party next week. I am having surgery to remove a cyst from my cheek tomorrow (which requires stitches that won't be out before the party), so I am really self-conscious anyway and the idea of trotting in there with all of his beautiful co-workers and me all gross in my pajama pants doesn't make me feel very pretty. I stopped myself though. How on earth could someone who literally spends all of her free time working with yarn purchase a random cheap sweater?

Ug, I still dread next week. And for that matter, I dread tomorrow.

Nothing I am trying to do is working. I've moved my studio space and am working on getting it ultra functional (and a little pretty), but it seems like I am moving in slow motion or perhaps somehow getting stuck in a time-space continuum of sorts that makes it seem like even though I work at this all day everyday, I never get any farther ahead. I have people asking me to make them things (that's awesome!) but when they ask how much I want, I ALWAYS say "oh nothing, you don't have to pay me". Literally every single tiime. "No, no, I enjoy being poor! Thanks though".

I need a business manager. I read the heck out of The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin and I can intelligently accept the things she says and theoretically understand all the priciples, but when it comes to actually doing the right things, I just cannot manage to get it right.

I live in a college town that is all about trendy stuff and there are a ton of boutique shops that I KNOW would sell my stuff, but I cannot go in. I have this very strong feeling if I did it would be much like the fabulous negotiations I have managed so far. You know the, "please take this all for free" sort of business plan. I figure I would end up in something where I agree to constantly provide, free of charge, millions of new things with zero profit involved (and actually a good bit of loss, if you think about how much cash I spend on yarn-even the recycled yarn is costing me a bit.)

Ag, what do I do?

Free Zig zag, ric rac -ish crochet pattern

Any hook appropriate for the size of yarn you use. Example: I used a fine cashmere and a 1.90mm steel hook. This creates a delicate zig zag and I use it for bracelets, though this could be used as a trim or applique (similar to actual ric rac.) I've also made it with a aran weight and a 4.25 hook, obviously this is much thicker, but still makes a great pattern and really a neat thing to work with.

Terminology and abriviations:
Chain: ch
Double crochet: dc

Zig Zag aka Ric Rac

Start: chain 4
Row 1:  3 dc in 4th chain from hook, ch 3, turn
Row 2: 3 dc in last dc from previous round. **((I'll explain/illustrate after pattern.)

Repeat row 2 as many times as desired to reach whatever length you'd like. I have also pre-strung some small glass beads onto my yarn (remember to string in opposite order of what you would like them to be on the item) and put beads on the points created by the zig zag.

**After each round you are going to have a triangle (or hump, depending on how sharp and tightly you work this), when you turn to start your next triangle (because this is essentially a string of alternating triangles) turn your work so the "point" of the just finished triangle is pointing downwards (towards your lap or elbow). Use the last dc you made, which should be closest to the top now (farthest away from your body), and put all 3 dc into the loop formed between last and 2nd to last dc. At first this seems weird and may look funky, but after a few triangles, you will get it down nicely. It's easy to do and quick, so if you mess up and finally get it down, you can easily pull out the mess and start over with your new info to create a neater line.

This pic above is a good way to look at the triangles and when you turn how you want them to be. Looking at my pointer finger (farthest to the left) notice the 3dc making the triangle that has beads at the top is all worked into the last dc of the previous "row". If I were working from this triangle, I would turn the zig zag so that I am looking at the flat line you see on the bottom of the same triangle, having the flat line point away from my body.




Here's a bracelet I've made with this pattern:

I'm fairly sure this makes only a little bit of sense. If you want to know something, please ask, I'll try, in my long and drawn out way, to explain it. Or if I've made a mistake, also please tell me. I prefer to get it right than to just think I am right.

I tried to use my built in webcam to show a tiny video of me making the triangle and then doing the turn to make this easier and for some unknown reason, my webcam has "disappeared" from my laptop. I mean, it's still there, but no matter what I do my laptop will NOT recognize it's existence. Hmm, maybe they are fighting. I don't know. I typed this pattern out about 2 weeks ago and have left it in a draft folder in hopes of fixing the evil webcam, but hey screw it. Good luck with my nutso pattern.

Beautiful crochet bowls, perfect for a Christmas gift

Or maybe just something stunning to keep on your own table as part of your Christmas decorations.
Both bowls are crocheted with a bit of floral wire to make them more rigid and able to sit and hold things beautifully on your table.

I can also make these in any colors you would like. And in most any color you would like.

From 2011-10-18

Black Friday deals, available throughout December

Check out the sidebar slideshow on the left of my page. I have all of these items ready to ship (or hand deliver if we live near each other). I also have most everything in my picassa albums available for wonderful Christmas presents. I will be happy to wrap them for you and add all the pretty bows and tags you'd like. Also remember I am thrilled to take custom orders and have an extensive library of patterns as well as the ability to design many things you are able to describe. Please, contact me and let me know what I can do for you. I'd love to help you make someone you love smile with a beautiful handmade gift.
crochet work available for sale

This is just a bit of what I have. This cowl, infinity scarf is long enough to easily wrap cozily around your neck twice. It's made of 100% recycled wool and the cream is 100% recycled cashmere wool. Sooo beautiful and so soft and warm.