After many months of working with Kate Godfrey at OkayKate, I am pleased to announce that not only do I have a new logo, I have a new look!  Kate was wonderful to work with while developing the logo, and made the process seem effortless.  I wanted something timeless; that hinted at my desire to educate the public about social issues through my work... I wanted something that let people know that the pieces I offer are made by hand... I wanted a "look" - and that's what Kate gave me!  Here's my new business card:

Kate announced my new look on her website in this POST - and showed these images of my new design package.  When I talked with Kate, I explained all my needs to her, including the desire for a logo that would easily translate from business cards to buttons to labels for my knitting and weaving projects.  The stationary and envelope (pictured below) are exactly what I wanted; something professional that hinted at my varied interests... something restrained and "adult" looking, and with the logo combined, new colors and font style, Kate certainly delivered!

Some people might be interested in seeing what some of the "in progress" logos looked like.  At this stage, the specific colors and refining hadn't been done on the logos... Working through the process of printing out the sample images and really thinking about them and what message they conveyed was a wonderful exercise.  I was quickly trained to not immediately respond, but to take my time and a few days to study the options.  With time, the thoughts changed, and with each revision we got closer and closer to the final look.  Kate has a way of "hearing" what the client says, even when the client doesn't have a clue they're saying it.  Witnessing the evolution of the design is a treat and an added bonus to having a professional designer guide you through the process.

Kate is available to help anyone who is looking for a new logo or look.  She works wonderfully with designers (such as me), companies (she designed the new logo for Blackthorn needles) or an individual with a desire for a beautiful logo and stationary for the home or estate (check out this beautiful logo)!  For those who have shops on www.etsy.com or sell designs on www.ravelry.com, this is a great opportunity to add a sense of professionalism to your website(s), mailings, and advertising!

She is reasonably priced, fun to work with, witty, and thorough.  After working through the process I must say it was a great lesson in learning what it means to have a brand, how to think about myself as a company, and added to my thought processes with regard to the considerations made when posting online, designing a patttern or writing a proposal.  Visit Kate's website and contact her to discuss the possibility of working with her. 

In addition to other fun projects soon to be announced, I will be teaching two workshops at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.  First, a basic "Learn to Knit" class that will introduce anyone who has an interest in knitting but has never learned, and second, a more advanced "Banded Hats" workshop that will teach knitting in the round, fair isle and "jogless" stripes while creating a Navajo-inspired hat using Churro wool made by the Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.  If you live in the San Jose or San Francisco areas, and are interested in taking a class, visit the museum's website and register.  Following are the details of the workshops and the corresponding exhibits.  For my knitting friends, Primary Structures will certainly be a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand knitting as art.  Click the link below for the exhibit postcard:

June 26, Sunday
10am – 12pm
(Plus one hour additional free knit & gallery walk through with exhibition curator)

Learn to knit! Beginners will learn how to cast-on, bind-off, knit, purl, and read a basic pattern while making a cotton washcloth or sampler. Workshop will cover basic concepts, common mistakes, and some of the pattern variations possible using just these techniques. This is a great introduction to the world of knitting and will introduce you to the basic skills necessary so that you can continue with projects on your own. You will leave with a better understanding of the craft, along with a "learn to knit" scarf pattern that will allow you to further practice. No experience required! Knitting materials are included; all you have to do is show up! The instructor will be available for students who have additional questions or need further assistance for a one hour "free knit" after the workshop. Come knit with us!

Skill Prerequisite - none
$55 – workshop fee includes needles and yarn
$45 members
Needles and yarn generously provided by Skacel.

Knit a hat inspired by the work of the Black Mesa Weavers using beautiful handspun Navajo Churro wool. In this 3 hour workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn the Fair Isle technique, as well as how to create "jogless" stripes in the round on double-point needles. Students should already have basic knitting skills, including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing. Supplies, including Churro yarn from Black Mesa Weavers, and double-point knitting needles from Skacel, Inc. are provided. Reference materials will be provided with the course. You will leave well on your way to completing a hand knit hat that connects your passion for knitting at the Museum with the Navajo shepherds. A portion of proceeds from this workshop benefit Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.

Skill Prerequisite: Basic knitting skills including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing.
$80 for class
$70 members
Needles generously provided by Skacel.

Click the link below to read the press release for this exhibit detailing all the related workshops:

Primary Structures will explore how innovative artists using simple linear elements in combination with unconventional materials can broaden our understanding of the familiar by transforming the stitch structures of knit and crochet into large scale and compelling art. With work ranging from the architectural to graphic abstractions, from pioneers and established artists as well as contemporary emerging artists, the upcoming exhibit continues to showcase the emergence of sculptural art knitting as a 21st century medium of imaginative and cutting edge artistic innovation.

Exhibit Co-sponsors: Lion Brand Yarn, The Indian Store, San Diego North Coast Knitters Guild, Stitch Diva Studios, The Knitting Room with in-kind donations from Skacel Collection, Inc., Crystal Palace Yarns

This is a unique exhibit and the first of its type to focus exclusively on banded blankets. These utilitarian and simply striped blankets showcase the rich cultural tradition of the Pueblo, the Navajo, and the Spanish Colonial Rio Grande blankets of the “Four Corners” area of the American Southwest. United by common elements of stripes and indigo coloration these blankets are elegant in their design composition, sophisticated balance and amazing variety.

Collector Roger Moss said, “When my wife Jean and I started collecting banded blankets it was because we admired this marriage of utility and beauty and because their virtues had been long overlooked.” Curator Deborah Corsini added, “The understated simplicity of the stripes is a powerful contrast to the visual graphic intensity that resonates with kinetic movement.” Southwestern Banded Blankets provides a special opportunity to examine the austere beauty and subtle variations of three traditions of these rare, well used textiles. A catalog of the exhibition will be available.

Supported by a grant from the Christensen Fund.

A number of years ago, I enrolled in level I of the Master Hand Knitting Program offered by the TKGA.  It's a 3 level program that allows knitters to become "certified" Master Knitters.  It's not easy; that's for sure, and it requires a HUGE level of dedication.  I have spent a few years looking at the program and only a week or so ago decided that it was time for me to start working on it.  There is no deadline for completing the program.  This is what makes some of us enroll, then wait.

Level I offers the opportunity to research stitch, cast-on and bind off techniques as well as writing a report on how to block knitting.  Most of us think we know how to do these things, but when it gets down to the "knitty gritty" (pun intended), a lot of us just do what we were shown without ever having spent some effort to see if what we have been doing is the correct methods.  Basically, we are instructed to knit swatches, answer some questions, and write a report.  We also knit a striped hat.  All easy stuff... the caveat being that we are to follow the directions.  If they specify to decrease 3 stitches in, that means 3 stitches in.  When it's time to be graded, they will be counting.  Everything.

I'm not saying that there's a "wrong" way to knit.  Actually, I'm suggesting that there are many ways that ARE correct... and that we should understand WHY we knit a certain way.  THIS is what the Master Hand Knitting Program will help me understand.

SO, with that in mind, I am announcing that I am going to be working my way through the program.  Level I at least, and I started with swatch #3; seed stitch.  Basically I'm going to follow the directions, and guide myself through this process.  I'll be chiming in from time to time on here to let you know how I'm doing. 

Want to join me?  The course is currently $90 and requires a membership to TKGA ($30).  Visit their website for more information.  I also have it listed on my ravelry projects page if you're there... feel free to add it as a favorite.

This program looks like a lot of work, and it is... but if I have learned anything in my life it's that good things come to those who dedicate some time on long-term projects.  THAT's how I ran a marathon and got my degree... one step at a time... with a basic plan in mind, and keeping the end reward in my thoughts.

Happy Knitting, all!