Hey, Dynamos!
I've been a busy, busy gal this last week. It seems like every free moment I have is spent crocheting away. I've got multiple skeins strewn around the house and I just bounce from room to room and pick up a project and work away until it's time to change rooms. And when I'm not at home it's even worse. I've crocheted on a train, on a subway, in museums, in the lounge at my mechanic's while I waited for the car to be fixed up, on the lawn at Mims's school, and I would have crocheted at the movies but the popcorn makes my fingers too greasy. LOL!!
I'm finally done with all of my projects for the argyle book, which looks like it's going to be ready in time to go out next week for my ONE YEAR BLOGEVERSARY! Woot! I'm planning to offer it as a FREE download on Amazon on the 29th. I'm so excited!
As you know, I'm a non-sponsored, completely independent crochet designer (although I'm not opposed to it, if you're interested in placing an ad on the blog or sending me boxes and boxes of free yarn... :D Um, back to what I was saying...) and I'm trying to figure out the best way to get the word out about the free download day for my new book... Jake and I have been thinking of all sorts of ideas, but I thought I'd run them by you guys and see what you think. This whole thing is one big, lovely experiment, so if you've got a better idea, leave a comment or send me an email. I'm open to anything right now...
In the meantime, I was thinking of having a two big giveaways next week, plus some small giveaways... I thought I might enter everyone who helped me promote the new book into one drawing for a $20 gift card to Joann's or Michaels. Then I thought I'd do another giveaway for a second $20 gift card for all of the lovely people who leave a review of the new book on Amazon (or if it's a lovely critique, send it to me directly so that I can improve the book for everyone).
Then I thought I'd do a bunch of small giveaways and enter anyone who tells me that they downloaded the book. I ended up with a ton of leftover yarn from this book (some of it doesn't work for this technique, some of it I just didn't use) and I thought I'd clear out my artist space (otherwise known as the dining room) and share the yarn-y love.
Okay, so let me know what you think. I've got to get back to work on the book (one week left!) but I'll check in regularly to see what you think.
And in the meantime, you can check out a tiny preview of what's coming!
This is Jake. He's a good sport. I love the way his hat turned out. I think it looks so cool. He's holding the (finally!) finished argyle baby blanket. I have to say I was surprised at how crisp and awesomely different it turned out. I am so excited about this book, Dynamos!
xoxo
I'm really excited about this book. I downloaded your other two and my daughter and I have big plans as soon as we finish our projects (they're never ending sometimes! ;-) ). I find the argyle very intriguing... Plus it's one of my favorite fabric patterns! Thank you for the distant inspiration your blog gives me. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHi Camille! Thank you so much! I love argyle fabrics too, and it's so much fun to be able to create the patterns myself!
DeleteAnd thank you so much for downloading my other books!!! Big squishy e-hugs to you and your daughter!!!
xo Jaime
love his hat.
ReplyDeleteHi Renee! Thanks!
Deletexo Jaime
Love it! and as to your ideas for the giveaways...yes, yes and yes!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I heard through another designer that she gets free yarn sent to her (or huge discounts) from big yarn brands. The whole "and this pattern uses xxx yarn". Not sure how it works or how she gets in touch with them or what rules they have about it, but might be worth the time to investigate.
Hi Bri! Thank you!! I was hoping that the giveaway ideas would be okay, it's the best we had come up with! LOL!!
DeleteI think there's a lot of networking through trade shows and needle craft associations, but until I affiliate myself with any of them, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be making my own purchases. LOL! I actually kind of like the punk-rock I'm-not-working-for-the-man attitude I get to have by being self-supported and independent. But every once in a while I just throw stuff like that out there, just in case there's someone reading who has rad independent yarn company who wants to be a renegade with me! Ahahahaha!!
xo Jaime
I can't wait for the book to come out! The hat and blanket look mah-velous.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth! Thanks so much! I am so excited too!
Deletexo Jaime
Whew! SO glad you're not dead! ;)
ReplyDeletethe sample items look awesome and tantalizing! Keep up the great work!
:)
xoxo!
Yes, I'm sure you were terribly worried! LOL!! Hey, I've got discovered I had another skein of that yarn, so the next time you're over I'll try to remember to give it to you.
Deletexoxo ♥ETF♥
*jumps up and down* I'm soooooooooo excited! I've been having a hard time just sitting down and working on something so that blanket looks like just what I need.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! It's so much fun, I'm sure you'll find a bunch of ways to use the technique to create all sorts of awesome projects that I never could have thought of.
Deletexo Jaime
Love both the hat and the blanket(Jake's pretty cute, too)The argyle turned out really nice. Great colors
ReplyDeleteHi Nanaliz5! Thank you so much! I'm really happy with how it turned out. And Jake wanted me to tell you thank you very much and that you totally made his day ;D
Deletexo Jaime
Hi Jaime,
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for a little while now, but have never posted a comment before. After seeing how wonderful the argyle hat and blanket look, I couldn't hold back! Wonderful job and I look forward to seeing the other amazing argyle patterns you've come up with in your book. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with the rest of us!
Hi Cathy!! I'm so glad that you commented, and that you liked what I'm doing! Thank you so much! I think the argyle stuff is so fun, I can't wait for next week to see what you guys all think of the finished book!
Deletexo Jaime
Wow, I am SO impressed with what you have achieved, especially as an "indie" designer! Kudos to you. I had to laugh imagining you crocheting in all those places, I do the same - last night we went out for sushi and my partner always takes longer to eat than I do, so I managed to get half a hat finished in the time it took him to polish off his California rolls. If I got odd looks from other patrons, I didn't notice.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck for the release of your book, I hope you go from strength to strength.
Happy wishes from South Africa x
Thanks so much, Jill! Happy wishes to you, too!
Deletexo Jaime
Jaimee, your skills and artistry never cease to amaze me. As Cathy posted above, you have indeed been blessed with a wonderful gift, not only in the art of crochet and design but also in the gift of sharing.
ReplyDeleteI marvel at how you designed your argyle pattern and can't wait for the book. Do you think this is something a beginner could master? I learned many moons ago, but still consider myself a novice.
I probably don't have any clever ideas for 'marketing' you book, because my networking is pretty much limited to email between friends AND checking out blogs like yours. BUT, I'll be happy to pass on a link to this post to all other crocheters in my family.
The best to you and yours...
Lois
Hi Lois! I really DO think it's possible for a beginner to do it. It's more about managing colors than mastering stitches and once you figure it out I'm confident that everyone will be producing beautiful argyle. I'm really hoping everyone will at least give it a try!
DeleteAlso, sharing with your friends is awesome! Thank you so much!
xo Jaime
The hat is so unique looking and the blanket is beautiful. I am really looking forward to your new book, your patterns are always fun and creative and the commentary always enjoyable :)
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts and prayers your way and wishing you huge success :)
Syl
Thank you so much, Syl! Unique is EXACTLY what I was going for! I'm so excited about this one!
Deletexo Jaime
oh my goodness! Cannot wait until book comes out!! I haven't been this excited about something new in a long time!! thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda! Me too! Thank you so much! It's been a lot of work, but I TOTALLY think its worth it!
Deletexo Jaime
I have a little blog, but a pretty big group of FB fans. I will definitely promote about your book regardless of the contest. I'm son intrigued by this that I dreamt about it...seriously!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO AWESOME, Lori! I really do want to get the word out to as many people as possible, so thanks so much for your support! Argyle crochet for everyone!
Deletexo Jaime
Wowza!! Thank you for sharing...no offense to the man, but the blanket and hat is amazing! You have a gift! I wish I had it...I will learn to make those argyle patterns that you have crafted so beautifully! I have a dilemna, thank you for the inspiration, but can you help me to get my family to give me a break so I can crochet these wonderfully, talented, inspirational patterns...I have been so inspired by your blog, I just can't seem to get a break!!! I look forward daily to your blog! I delete most emails, but yours I always have to read and pin!!! Thank you again.... You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet are you, Nancy?! Thanks so much for the lovely words! You can send your family over any time and I'll teach them to crochet so they'll want to make cool stuff with you, too! LOL! (wouldn't it be wonderful if it was that easy?)
Deletexo Jaime
When you first mentioned argyle, I didn't think of it turning out like that hat and blanket!! Fantastic! Cannot wait for the book to investigate the possibilities..
ReplyDeleteHi Darlene! Part of the fun for me was trying to figure out what to do with the argyle pieces when you've created them! LOL!! I'm really hoping you'll enjoy what I've come up with!
Deletexo Jaime
Yipee! I can't wait until the 29th. The hat and blanket are beautiful. I hope my project(s) look half as lovely. No wonder you have a smile on your face each time you post a picture, you have a very handsome and good man at home. Best of luck to you on the 29th.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn C.
I sure do, JoAnn! He's my lovely assistant AND he does laundry! I kind of am the luckiest girl in the world!
Deletexo Jaime
Hi Jaime, those projects look great. I would love to try them. I got your pattern for the striped cross body bag from craftsy. It came out great! Was so proud of myself for putting in TWO zippers! (lol) I made the wallet to.
ReplyDeleteWill there be a way to get your ebook if you don't have a kindle?
Gail O.
Hi Gail! Oh my gosh, I am so proud of you too!!! I am so glad that the bag turned out so great!!! I'm sending you a big, squishy e-hug!!!
DeleteYes! You can get the book even if you don't have a kindle!!! You can download the kindle software for your computer, smartphone, or other non-kindle tablets. I know from personal experience that the software works great on my PC, and my husband uses it to read books on his phone when he's at work (shh, don't tell his boss!). I have another friend who said it works great on her iPad. The best part is that the software is totally free! :D
xo Jaime
Thanks! I'll have to check it out :)
DeleteGail O.