Jun
15

Where’s the love? ;)

Sometimes all of the stars align and this whole working-mom gig goes off without a hitch. Other times,  I find myself a day late and a dollar short on accomplishing anything even close to an ideal amount of tasks.  Preparations for yesterday’s Knit Aid signing, alas, fell under the latter category.

These events can be so hit or miss anyway, but without the extra effort to really promote them, a knitting author at a book store–well at least, this knitting author– will likely find only luke warm attendance.   Such was the case for me at Book People.  I was bummed about the small showing because I’m not touring for Knit Aid so this will likely be one of the only signings I’ll do.  Also, with Austin being my hometown and BP being one of my favorite shops, I was hoping for more interest.  It’s hard not to take these things personally sometimes, but I can’t really blame anyone but myself.  Although I did post about it here and on several boards, I didn’t do much more to spread the word.  My kids are out of school now though and it’s a challenge to both entertain them and spend hours glued to the computer spreading the book-signing gospel. It probably also didn’t help that yesterday was Worldwide Knit In Public Day which in Austin, included an all-day Knit In at the capitol.  It’s also biker rally weekend.  But I digress.  
Special thanks to “The Jens” (Perkins, Medford & Artnson) for coming to show their support and the others who came and listened to my little talk, asked great questions and bought books I really appreciate it! 

My favorite part of the day though, was that my mens got to be there with me.  Dave, of course, is always there when he can be but this is the first time that my sons got to see this aspect of mom’s work.  Usually what they experience is seeing me in my pajamas in front of a laptop, sewing machine, or with a hook or needles in hand.  So, in that respect, yesterday was pretty dang cool.  Here are a few shots that the hubby took:

Me with my entourage, heading into Book People. 😉

A puppet show’s a really hard act to follow.  Seriously.

Shelved.

Unrelated, I got my copy of the new issue of Interweave Crochet and was thrilled to see that my yarn was shown a little love–or is it that a little LOVE was shown?  Hmmm.


Robyn Chachula (aka Crochet by Faye), one of my favorite crochet designers & contributor to my upcoming book, Pop Goes Crochet (formerly Catwalk Crochet), designed a fantastic motif vest out of VHC Love in color: Jack & Sally. Its really beautiful, smart and classic.  Grab the issue out on stands now, and the yarn over at Southwest Trading Company’s site.

Gladiolus Vest
Alright, back to working on a lacey project for Eco-Stitch.  It’s going sloooooooooowly, so I’d better not ignore it for too long.

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there!

xo,
Vic

filed under Events, Knitting/Crochet.

17 Responses to “Where’s the love? ;)”

  1. Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica

    Don’t feel bad, it happens to all of us at one point. It’s a badge of craftiness! The highs and lows!I remember with my La Casa Loca book, my first signing was on the day the US invaded Iraq. Not only was my signing empty – but there was a HUGE protest march on the streeet in front of the bookstore. I was like “Craft anyone?”
    xo,
    Kathy 🙂
    p.SW. Happy Dad’s day to your family!!

  2. Linda Woods

    Don’t blame yourself! This happens to all of us authors who have been book touring. It’s just part of the game. You never know what will happen and some book stores don’t promote as well as others. The STORES have to promote, TOO!!!
    That moment of sitting there talking to yourself is bad, though, I know 🙂
    UGH!
    🙂

  3. Crafty Mama

    I’m sorry your book signing was a disappointment. Maybe the biker scene needs more encouragment to come to the dark side of needles and yarn!
    I had to leave a comment of appreciation for you because I learned to knit while watching you on Knitty Gritty. Grandma doesn’t knit, and watching the backwards angle on knitting videos left me knitting in the back of every stitch and totally confused.
    As a work-at-home mother, I know how frustrated you can get when stuff doesn’t turn out right, but keep up the good (hard) work!
    Wow, I didn’t intend to leave this long of a comment- I’ll shut up now!

  4. Saints and Sinners

    >>A puppet show’s a really hard act to follow. Seriously
    thats EXACTLY what I was thinking when I looked at the marquee!! LOL

    Sorry it wasn’t as big as it should have been. Maybe its a travel weekend, with being going on vacations, maybe the store didn’t promote well, but it certainly isn’t you or the book thats for sure!

    At least it was local (no traveling!), and you had the little men with you-that makes it a little better!

  5. margknittinaround

    hi vickie! don’t despair – i think it’s just part of the process – sometimes people slack off with their knitting & crochet interests during the summer months- your book is fabulous & has really raised the bar for all of us knitters, crocheters & authors! I just got Crochet Today & checked out your very cool pattern 😉 marg

  6. Renna

    If I lived in Austin, I’d have been there. Too bad it was scheduled on a day with so many big events going on locally.

    I’m with Crafty Mamma, being able to watch knitting through the view of the knitty cam made knitting make sense for me; and your upbeat personality and contemporary projects made watching Knitty Gritty so fun! 🙂

  7. Dave Lowe

    Reminds me of a certain video;)LOL!

    Second billing to a puppet show…you can’t make this stuff up.

  9. The Badens

    What a nutty day it was in Austin over the weekend. I was almost run over by the plethora of Harley riders, and the Pride Parade and the other assorted 5K runs this weekend.

    I am truly bummed I missed the signing as I was hoping to get your siggy on a book to gift to my crafty cousin! Please do let us know if you do anything else local… I promise to attend (if I can avoid being run over by motorcycles!).

  11. Vickie Howell

    Thanks, guys. I really appreciate your kindness. This post came off a little more pitiful than I meant–I mean, this ain’t the first time I’ve had a crappy event. I think I was just feeling a little hometown blue.

    You guys are the best, though!

  12. diva mcknitster

    vickie, i’m sorry you had a bum day. i’m sure your next signing will be better! now you know why i asked you about the signed book plates – i live in the middle of nowhere on the east coast and have to drive 3 hours in four directions if i want to see someone crafty and fabulous!!

  13. Andrea

    I wish I would have known you were doing a signing at BP! Arg!

    I happened to stumble upon someone’s blog that let me to your blog, today.

    *sigh*

  14. amy

    i am so bummed, i was at book people last week when i was visiting austin and didn’t see the sign saying you would be there on saturday. urgh. i guess since i was there early in the week, there were other events still up. sigh. what a drag!!

  15. lourdes

    Wow! You had a “Spinal Tap” moment! I am green with envy!! Come on Vickie, take it up to 11!!!