just a note

... to say I hope you had a merry, merry Christmas. I have had some happy feedback from this blog, and I thank you. Here's a little gift from Garrison Keillor. It's a favorite of mine.
I'll give a little post-layoff update in the next couple of day. And in the new year, I have some new plans for this blog. Sign up for an RSS feed so you know when these posts arrive.
And enjoy the rest of the holidays. Give your loved ones a hug. Give yourself a hug.
Cheers.

Word up!

Interweave Crochet Names Marcy Smith Editor

Loveland, Colo., December 16, 2008: Interweave announced today that Marcy Smith has been named Editor of Interweave Crochet magazine, effective today. She will report to Marilyn Murphy, Interweave's President and
Publisher of the Fiber Group.

"Marcy's strong background in print and online journalism, plus her passion for crochet, makes her ideally suited for this opportunity," says Murphy.

Smith joins Interweave Crochet from The News & Observer daily newspaper in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she worked for 10 years in several positions, including four years as the Crafts Columnist and most recently as the Literary Editor. Prior to The News & Observer, Smith was a copy editor at The Winston-Salem Journal.

Smith has been a crocheter since age 8 and is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crochet Projects, Illustrated (Alpha Books, 2007). Plus she's a knitter, spinner, and weaver.

"Five years ago if you had asked me to imagine myself in my dream job, this would be it. I'm thrilled to be joining Interweave Crochet and look forward to building on the magazine's success and continuing to push the boundaries of crochet in new directions."

Smith has a PhD in American Literature from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, an MA in English from Wake Forest University, and a BA in English and Education, Albertus Magnus College. Smith will work remotely from her home in Cary, North Carolina with Interweave's Colorado office, at 201 E. Fourth Street, Loveland, Colorado.

About Interweave Crochet
Interweave Crochet is a quarterly magazine and website devoted to the creative possibilities of crochet, with fresh, smart, and stylish designs contributed by some of the most respected crochet designers in the country. For crocheters, knitters, and new crafters exploring the hook for the first time, there's something for all skill levels, all occasions, and all personalities with designs ranging from clothing and accessories to home décor. Website:www.interweavecrochet.com

About Interweave

Interweave, a unit of Aspire Media, is one of the nation's largest and most respected arts and craft media companies, with businesses in magazine and book publishing, online media, television and video programming, directories, and events. The Interweave Publishing Group features 18 subscription magazines and many more special interest newsstand publications sold on newsstands nationwide. Interweave has more than 250 books in print and
annually publishes about 40 how-to books on the same subjects as the company's magazines. Linda Ligon founded the company in the 1970s when she began publishing Handwoven and Spin-Off magazines. Since then, the company has grown to employ more than 100 people throughout the country, with corporate headquarters located in Loveland, Colorado and other offices in New York, New York, Malvern, Pennsylvania, Santa Fe, New Mexico, San Diego, California and Stow, Massachusetts. For more information on Interweave, visit www.interweave.com.

SOURCE: Interweave

Websites:
www.Interweave.com
www.InterweaveCrochet.com

B is for bodacious

OK, really, I'm not messing with you. I can't tell you what my job is yet. I have to wait for the press release to come out. (Now you're really intrigued, aren't you?)
But I can give you a peek into my first day of work.
I went downstairs and logged on to my computer. Ta-da! I was at work! I had some phone conversations, I sent some emails. The emails were curious, because I didn't have a functional "B" key. I was supposed to hook up with IT, but really, I needed to fix my B first.
I couldn't send IT an email, because he has a "b" in his name. So I found his phone number and left a message that I was off to the Mac store. I got an email on my iPhone saying he'd be in touch later (for those of you unused to this, as I am, I'll clarify: He was working around my schedule).
Later, B key intact, we talked on the phone as he guided me through the process. We reached a point where I needed a password. I said, "I can't access that code right now." He knew and I knew and you know that I was really saying that I couldn't remember the dang thing. But he didn't suss me out. He gave me some instructions on how to download later. Then we talked about how to access email from my iPhone. He gave me several options. I wondered which was best. He chuckled gently and said, "You decide what will make your work day move along in the best way, and we'll make it work for you."
I know! Isn't that crazy?
I'm still swoony.