The newsletter Jennifer guest authored this month (July 2008) was Yarn Can Make This! from the web site YouCanMakeThis.com. Although the web site recently turned two years old, this was the first issue of Yarn Can Make This!, a newcomer in addition to their other two newsletters, You Can Make This! and You Can Sew This! If you’re a subscriber to the newsletter, I hope you enjoyed my adjustable ring tutorial! If you’re not (yet!), you can see the archived issue online.

Two other methods of forming a ring include joining a chain and crocheting into the first chain (see my tutorial). These have their uses, of course, but I hope some day all crocheters will have the adjustable ring in their repertoire. I include it in nearly every round pattern I design for publication, hoping the editor will have it illustrated for the the how-to section of the book.* I’m on a mission, folks! ;-)

*One of the places you can see the adjustable ring illustrated is in Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution by Kim Werker (page 130). My design in that book is the Circle Rug, made of 60 circle motifs joined in a unique and sturdy fashion (page 125).

Second, yesterday I found out I was the winner of the November monthly drawing at Black Purl Magazine. I won ColorWorks: The Crafter’s Guide to Color. Another yay! Thank you L’Tanya!

*psst* L’Tanya is fabulously creative and I’ll be writing more about her magazine and her free e-course soon!

Third, I called my LYS yesterday with a quick question. The owner answered the phone, and no sooner than I had uttered my first sentence did she say, “I recognize that voice.” And I said, “Yes, it’s me, Donna.” She’s such a sweetie, and is ever so patient with me.

Fourth, a nice, little (well, okay, big), brown truck arrived and left a leather coat at my door (in a box, of course). I’ve desperately missed my old one, which had to be retired after many, many years of faithful service. I’ve been wanting a new leather coat for years, but haven’t been able to find the right one. I even ordered one two Christmases ago but sent it back because I didn’t like it. It has to be just right, you know? A leather coat is a big commitment to me. Not only do I adore this one, but by procrastinating in ordering it, I got a teriffic bargain! (Like, a ninety-dollars-less-than-I-saw-it-in-the-catalog type of bargain.) I look forward to many years with it. Can I say yay again?

Fifth and last, this is the due week for my projects for the book. I’m excited to be sending my little babies off into the world. These projects have been keeping me insanely busy, so I want to thank everybody for their patience! If you’ve e-mailed me or commented in my blog recently, I’ll be getting back to you by next week at the latest. You guys are all great!

Well, enough blabber. For those of you who have either fallen asleep by now or skipped right through to the end *wink*, here’s a photo of what my guest bedroom has been looking like since I’ve been working on my projects for the book. Yes, I do sit amongst all that stuff on the bed and crochet! I know, I know, I need a better work space. Soon!