August « 2009 « Blonde Chicken Boutique

Fighting the Someday Syndrome & Learning to Knit

By Tara, on August 31st, 2009%

Today I’m interviewed on the Someday Syndrome, which is a website dedicated to helping you move past the “somedays” we all have. It’s a short interview and I talk a bit about the pity party I had for myself before I started selling yarn.

If you’ve come here from the Someday Syndrome: Welcome!

If you’re not a knitter, but you think you might like to someday start, why don’t you sign up for my free Maybe-knitter Mini-course?

Maybe-Knitters FREE Mini-Course Email Address:*

You’ll get 5 little tips on finding a local knitting group or teacher, the resources that I used to teach myself to knit and an early-bird discount when my Learn to Knit kit goes on sale.

. . . → Read More: Fighting the Someday Syndrome & Learning to Knit

Fiber Friday – Cotton-licious Edition

By Tara, on August 28th, 2009%

I’ve heard from a few of you that you’d like a little notice when things are new in the Boutique. Since I add new things daily, it seems reasonable to do a little weekly round-up. And what day is better than Friday for rounding up?

This week it was all about the Handspun Organic Cotton, in candy colors: Cherry

Hydrangea

Rosy

Butter

Leaf

If you’re not sure what to make with Handspun Organic Cotton, check out these suggestions.

Speaking of making, I loved this interview with crocheter/artist Ana Voog.

What’s your fiber-y week been like?

. . . → Read More: Fiber Friday – Cotton-licious Edition

How I came to be a Blonde Chicken

By Tara, on August 27th, 2009%

How the Blonde Chicken gets her name. Warning: Adorable Story Ahead . . . → Read More: How I came to be a Blonde Chicken

Handspun Organic Cotton Yarn – Free Patterns & Tips

By Tara, on August 25th, 2009%

Not sure what to do with that delicious handspun Organic Cotton? Here are some ideas! . . . → Read More: Handspun Organic Cotton Yarn – Free Patterns & Tips

Seattle A-Go-Go

By Tara, on August 17th, 2009%

Seeing it all in Seattle. . . . → Read More: Seattle A-Go-Go

Summer Manifesto – Glad to Be Home Edition

By Tara, on August 13th, 2009%

Each season I make a little list of the pleasures I want to soak in. I call them manifestos, but they’re really just love letters to the season. These seasonal lists are my own little things-to-do-before-the-moment-passes. I hope to keep listing these, every Thursday, as a reminder to soak it in over the weekend (and as a mid-week cheer-up).

After 2 weeks of endless travel (in order: plane, bus(ses), train(s), car, trolley, truck, plane(s)), I am so grateful to have amazing friends and family to visit and a snuggly family to come home to.

This coming week I want to stick close to home and enjoy all the local treasures:

Photographing my new shawl (pictured at the top of the post) and listing it as my first pattern for sale! Local library. I LOVE my library and have a summer reading list a mile long (you can keep up . . . → Read More: Summer Manifesto – Glad to Be Home Edition

Week in Numbers

By Tara, on August 10th, 2009%

1 week = last 9 days

72 lb suitcase (spinning wheel + yarn + clothes for a 2 week trip)

2 planes (Tri – Cin, Cin – Sea)

1 great afternoon with Eileen (lunch! cupcakes! epiphanies!)

12 hours talking to awesome Seattlers (and some fabulous Vancouver-ites, including my dear Kim Werker).

2 yarn stores in Seattle (Hilltop Yarn, Fiber Gallery)

2 hours spent talking to Jessica of RoseKimKnits

1 lunch with crafty rockstar Sister Diane.

2 moments of oh-my-gosh-I-took-the-wrong bus! in 2 (!) cities

1 night with 4 fabulous businesses-women at Cairene’s.

2 yarn stores in Portland (Knit/Purl, Close Knit)

1 missed flight (my husband)

1 missed train

54 minutes on the phone with Delta to get the missing luggage sent to our hotel.

1 extra night in Portland

37 hours on a train (Seattle to Portland, Portland to LA, LA to Oceanside)

$40 for some snacks on the . . . → Read More: Week in Numbers