old and young peer pressure ...

Hi Everyone,

It seems when I hear of peer pressure it is in reference to teens and or young kids.  However, I find that even as an adult I am swayed by peer pressure.   I can see my Mom telling me to stand up and do what I want (she was like that).   "What were you doing? Sitting there with your finger in your ear?" Mom would say.

The problem is even though I am older, and I like to think a little more savvy, so are my peers.  They are not even being mean, these folks are my friends.  They want me to be happy no matter how much I don't like it.

Good news:  no new crapy tattoo like the last time this peer pressure thing happened (I was in my twenties then).   Don't get me wrong. I love me a nice tattoo.  I don't have a nice tattoo.  My tattoo is a La drunk guy and flash.  Sad thing is my friend that I went to the tattoo place with was peer pressured my me.   Yes, that is the insidious thing about this very problem.  You can do it to others without knowing or even trying to.

What did I do?  I got my hair dyed brown.  Not a big deal.  I know.  However, I liked the color my hair was before: a pretty soft darkish blondish brownish.   I spent 100 bucks (I can ill afford to spend) to change one of the aspects of my appearance that I LIKE.  Man.  and darn.  And I want my 100 bucks back.   And I would like a spine, ninny that I am.

11/29/10

The color has mellowed and it looks good up close as well as from a distance.
Peace out,
Mary

PS: Just a little note to the men folk out there.  When a woman (any woman - friend, lover, wife, sister, Mom, stranger on the street) asks you what you think of the new hair cut and color.  Do not say that it "looks good from a distance."   Yes boys and girls he said "looks good from a distance."   Close friend or not I like you a little less now (not really but - ouch).  The worse part is that the hair dresser said the very same thing.   "No! he didn't" (you would say if you were here).  Oh yes, yes the hair dresser did.
m

Ear flap caps

Hi All,
I am in the workshop working on warm caps that cover the ears!  Yup and Yep.  It is getting cold and don't I know it.  I hope to have photos for you tomorrow.
Sew Buttons,
Mary

Miss Joie in a proto-winter cap.

San Francisco Bike Expo Fashion Show!!!!!!

San Francisco Bike Expo Fashion Show!!!!!!

San Francisco Bike Expo Fashion Show!!!!!!
Three alloneword Caps...

More to come.

Peace out,

Mary

super fast day...

Hi Ya,
I just can't get it.  It is time to go to sleep.  What happened to my day?  I worked hard, completed task, went to appointment, ate dinner... then poof... the day was gone.
See you tomorrow.
Mary
PS Everything has been kinda fast once I got home from Philadelphia.   Even when I was flat out with a hurt back... quick  ... gone.  Is it the holidays?  Already?
m

Special Order Cap for Shenita Strecher of the Liberty Belles

last names...

Hi Everyone,
I was watching  Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie today.   Suddenly, I remembered that when I was newly divorced I would look at movie credits for a new last name (as I no longer wanted my ex's last name and no longer felt like a maiden).  You know try on a few new names to hear how it sounds.   Sometimes, I would try out famous author names, or the parents of authors I like.  My favorite is Mary Shelley's mothers last name: Wollstonecraft.
Peace Out,
Mary
PS I'm looking for a home for my friends cat named Toby.  He is healthy and 16 years old.  See, my friend had a baby boy who is allergic to cats.  (drat)  If you are interested in having the coolest cat in town live with you leave a comment on this blog.  I'll get back to you directly.
m

Tough as Nails -- alleycat race with Prizes (one of my caps...)

Hi Everyone,
Cool event for those Alleycat riders.  Looks like fun and it is for a wonderful cause SFMBA (broken bones fund).   Lots of nifty prizes too.  Maybe I will see you there.  :)

One of my Lupe caps is a prize.  :)

More to come.  
Yours,
Mary

alloneword booth in Philadelphia Bike Expo and in San Francisco Bike Expo

Hi Everyone,
Here are my booths in Phila and San Francisco:

Philadelphia Booth

San Francisco Booth

Both Expos were wonderful and I meet so very many great folks.  I can't wait for next year -- in Phila and SF.  

In the first booth they supplied the white curtains and metal poles.  I thought that was normal and would always be curtains at all expos.   But, no they are not.  This is why it is good to read the entire rental agreement.  The poles and curtains are an "extra".  My plan of hanging my caps al a Phila would not work.  After a few minutes I got an another table, and put them on end, covered them up with fabric.  Then the booth was looking good.  It looked like I knew what I was doing.  Nice.

A few folks remembered my caps from the Handmade Ho-down from last year, and the Dia Di Los Muertos from last month.   So very happy.

Peace out,

Mary

Home again Home again.... S F Bike Show here I come...

I can see my house!

Hi Everyone,

I'm home safe and sound.  The trip was great and here is a little photo log of my travels.

I'm glad that I am home.  And looking forward to the San Francisco Bike expo this weekend (alloneword booth #189)

See you soon,

Mary

Inside Independence Hall Looking at the entry doors (note the big old lock)

The Key to the entry doors  of Independence Hall (yup, I'm holding it!)

The Armory (Where the Phila Bike Expo was held)

Ultimo Coffee Bar -- thank you very much!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick shout out to my peeps at Ultimo Coffee Bar right here in Philadelphia.  They gave out free -- YES -- free coffee all day on Sunday at the Phila Bike Expo!  Saved me they did.  Not only was it free but it was wonderful tasty coffee.  It was pretty hard getting going for the second day of the Expo.  But Ultimo Coffee did the trick.  Thank you guys very very very much.

A big shout out to all my new pals in Philadelphia.  I am so glad that I got to know you.  I hope to see you soon, or at least next year.  Because, I am coming back to Philadelphia as soon as I can.   Maybe you will be at the San Francisco Bike Expo.  If so I will see you next weekend at the Cow Palace.

I broke even or pretty darn close to it at this show.  Never thought it would go that well.  I was just glad to come and get my name and a few of my caps out there.  Well, that is done and a whole lot more.  

I'm missing Luna and my home.   See you soon,

Mary

Love this town -- Philadelphia and these folks...

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update.  Everything went really well at the show.  I talked to so many very kind and wonderful folks - many of whom bought caps (not required but very nice).

I got to get going and do it all over again.  :)  and  I am looking forward to it.

See you on the flip side.
Mary

This is how happy I am... new bike happy.

alloneword all set up in Phila ... finds out she has some love here waiting for her.

Hi All,
I got my booth all set up.  It looks very good even if I do say so myself.  :)

Got to talking with these cool guys (Matt and Patrick) from liberty sports magazine.  Found out that they did a write up about my caps (and me).  Patrick even took some pictures of the caps and my insanely cool booth.  I think he is going to write about my caps again.  Give them a look see.  As I said pretty darn cool guys, and a great zine.

Well, peace out all.  I gotta wake up before 8 tomorrow.   Harsh man harsh.  :)  (wake up and have MaryBeth make breakfast for me just the way I want it!  Nice.... I tell you this place is so good.)  Then a 4 block walk to the Expo.  After that look at beautiful handmade bikes... talk to cool folks.  Yeah.  It is harsh.   :)

Miss you,
Mary

The Lippincott House ... my home in Philadelphia

Hi Everyone,
I am loving Phila.  It is just a great town.  I went to Independence Hall  today, it was even better then I had hoped.  Wonderful, wonderful town.  It is past 3 am here and I am pretty tired so I'm going to keep this short.


However, I want to give you a link to the place I am staying in Phila:  Lippincott House.  The folks who run this bed and breakfast are so kind and attentive.  It feels like home.

I set up my booth at the Expo tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday are show days.   I feel really good about this.  I have the tools and materials I need.  Now, just off to the races (as my Mom would say).  Or as I say: Let's get her done.

Peace out,

Mary

out the door... almost...

Hi All,
I'm almost ready to go.  Just a little packing and a tiny bit of sleep.
Please wish me good luck.  I miss you already.
Cheers,
Mary

Phila Bike Expo-- booth number 1044 (not the battle of Hastings but cool none the less).

Hi Everyone,

I got my booth number for the Phila Bike Expo.  I'll be at booth number 1044.  I'm sharing the booth with this great company called Fabric Horse.   Her stuff is great -- well made and cool looking.

I am sewing & packing and all that jazz.  I'll post photos of the big box o' caps I'm bringing to the show.  I just decided to bring my earrings too.  Now to find boxes for folks to take them home in.

Luna and my head for business.

Part of my prep for this show was getting a credit card reader for my iPhone.  It is pretty cool and it will work well.   However, while I was setting this up I watched a bunch of tutorials about the app and how to use it.  Part of the sales pitch (for me to buy the reader) was that most Americans buy twice as much with a credit card then without one.  I knew that this was true for me as well.   Humm.   Kinda made it less fun.

More soon,
Mary

Days of the Dead in Hayward

Hi Everyone,

The Days of the Dead Festival was fab!   The dancers were amazing.  I haven't smiled that much in such a long time.  I can't wait for next year.  Please don't miss the art exhibit in Meek Mansion.  It is really good.


See you soon,
Mary

Pedal Savvy and alloneword...

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have been sewing and more sewing.   I love it.

Look at this nifty blog -- Pedal Savvy.  It is all about me.  :)

More soon.
Cheers,
Mary

NPR and Radio Lab...

Good Morning,

Often I listen to the radio while I am sewing.  I have a new favorite RadioLab.  Two shows ago they did a program about the ways Language effects thinking and the brain.  It was very interesting.  The theory was that words and language facilitate thinking so much that it actually creates the ability to think.  Like I said it was a great show.

It got me pondering whether language was the only discipline that has this effect.  Or rather scientist look at language because it is the easiest to test.  How would one test for thought and its effects of music? Or Dance? Or Color Or Math?  It seems to me that these would have create the neural passageways and the electric jump of creativity as well as language.  Maybe it would be too difficult quantify?  Science is limited by what is testable.

Any thoughts?  Any shows or music stations you would like to suggest?

Have a great day,
Mary

Yippie! a new iron for Mary.... it is just like Christmas...

Hi Everyone,
It is just like Christmas too.  I'm not sure if that is sad.  You know being so over the moon happy that I got my new Iron in the mail to day.   When I was a kid and my Mom got some kind of practical gift - and she was happy about it - I would think to my self: Self I never want to be that old.  Excited by undies!  or worse socks!   Now here I am  Super excited over my new Iron.  I really am - Super Excited.   Even though it is  almost midnight I am going to sew sew sew.  :)   With a big smile on my face.  Because I got a new Iron.

Boys and Girls let me tell you a bit about fine bit of equipment.   First a beauty shot:

Continental Platinum Dry Iron

It is a dry Iron.  That means that the sole plate is smooth and that it does not emit steam.  What I use instead of the steam is a spray bottle with a water and Sta-Flo (starch) solution.  This way I am able to control exactly how much starch I want to use and the flat sole plate does not leave waffle marks on my fabric.    Extra bonus, I mix the Sta-Flo myself so I don't use any of those nasty for the environment spray cans. 

I got this beauty for 30 bucks plus shipping from the The Vermont Country Store.  If you haven't checked them out you should.  They sell bread in a can, lots of yummy candies, and really good household items that are hard to find since 1960.

I have a personal theory that some things and ideas are named incorrectly.  For example I think that my iPhone is a "smarter than me phone" not just a smart phone.   Sailing should be called Swimming -- at least for me.  Another example of this pet theory is Sewing, I feel that it should be called Ironing.  Simply because I iron more than sewing, cutting, or even shopping for fabric.

Well, enough of my geekout.  I gotta go Sew -- I mean Iron.  :)
Much Love,
Mary
PS I also love socks now.  Especially Sock Guy Socks because they are wonderful, comfortable, and they make me laugh. m

3 Square cool tees by Emma Rose..

Hi All,
My 8 yr. old house mate is designing and decorating tee shirts.  And I just gotta say: they are GREAT.   Here is a link to 3 Square.  She has an Etsy site just like me.  Emma Rose the little kid is just that good.

The Artist At work!

This little guy is my favorite

Mass props and much love to her, her Mom, and brothers.  I am sad that she will be moving out.  Glad that they found a great place, but sad I won't see her create great stuff as often.
Peace Out,
Mary

Hayward Days of the Dead

Hi Everyone,
I have been sewing and sewing and .... wait for it..... sewing.   I ordered two more BOLTS of fabric.  That's right bolts of fabric.   Each bolt equals 18 yards of fabric or 144 caps.  This will be the third bolt of Black fabric I have ordered.
I also ordered several new colors of thread--nifty variegated thread for the name tags and construction.  
My next show is in Hayward on the sixteenth of October.  Here is a link to the event 16 Days of the dead 2010   Please stop on by and say Howdy.
Cheers,
Mary
PS LOVE the Days of the Dead logo!  LOVE. m

Interbike Fashion Show!

Hi Everyone,
Exciting news!  My caps are in the Interbike Fashion Show.   Really.   I know I can hardly believe it myself.   And alloneword is included in a bike blog too, a really cool one called Cyclelicious.   I am hoping to get pictures of my caps on the cat walk (I mean cat ride).

I'll post them as soon as you email them to me.   :)

Peace out,
Mary

Another alloneword folk...

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick picture of Gwen in a soft gray and plaid cashmere cap by alloneword.

Seems that the folks who wear my caps are very photogenic.   :)
Cheers,
Mary

Happy alloneword Folks

Hi Everyone,
Here are photos of two alloneword caps and the folks who love them.

Owner of the cap.

Kid of the owner of the cap.

Have a great day!
Mary

San Francisco Bike Expo! Featuring.... alloneword Cycling Caps :)X

Hi Everyone,
Exciting news.  I'm going to the San Francisco Bike Expo.  Yippie.  It is on November 6th at the Cow Palace.   Look at this!

I am so excited about this.  It is the bike show that inspired the Philadelphia Bike show I am going to be in October 30th and 31st.  Both shows have fashion shows too.   Which my caps will be in.  Nice.  

Lots of Love,

Mary

PS to my NiaH peeps from Sunday.  It was wonderful to have you in the shop!   Thank you for reading my blog too -- Valerie and Lisa.  You made my day happy.

M

What runs the internet....

Hi Ya,
As you well know... cute pictures of kittens and well pictures of pussy - cats.

Here is mine:

Shauna (my housemates cat).  I just could not put mine on the web.

Have a great day/night.  Enjoy all the net has to offer.

Mary

Party People...

Hi Ya,
Almost at 100 sales on my Etsy site.  Nice.  Feel like I'm doing the right thing.

This news just in:

One last chance to get--

Yup.  I have just enough fabric for one more Just the plaid Man.   I can't get anymore of this fabric... Strike now while the iron is HOT.

Yours,

Mary

Crustacean Time .... can't touch this....

Hi,
Here is this cool ... thing ... I put together today.

Broken Watch + vintage Lobster = Crustacean Time
It's like Hammer time but with out the dance .. and pants.

Cheers,
Mary
PS the 8 bucks is not a price.  It is how much money I owe Dolo.
m

My New Workshop! It is great

Hi All,

Here are some pictures of my workshop:

I am so happy working here.  

Cheers,

Mary

Bond, Heat and Bond

Hi Ya,
Sometimes I feel like things happen to me that don't happen normally to most folks.   Case in point: Heat and Bond.  I use heat and bond film when I am sewing.  It is a simple process iron on what looks like paper to the fabric.  Peal off the paper and iron the fabric unto the other piece of fabric.
I have been making the bills for caps the last few days.   I am not sure how the next part happened except that I am very active while sewing.  A piece of the Heat and Bond without the paper backing got on my hip.  Well, it has been pretty darn hot here in Alameda and I am usually warmer than most folks.  You guessed it I Heat and  Bond-ed myself to my clothes.  Ouch.  Right on my hip too.  ouch.
It is too hot to sleep but I am going to try anyway.
Mary

The home workshop is great and...

Hi Everyone,
I have a workshop in my room!  Yup.  It's all done up fancy like too.  I have photos to post... soon.  I even have some crafty organizational tips.  Yes, that's me all organized.  :)X

I do mean all organized.  Every box I moved the last few moves was opened and unpacked.  Old photos have been sorted.  The clothes that are to big for me have been given to charity.  Things I don't want or need sold or donated.  As of right now the items in this room plus two bikes and a large sewing machine comprise all that I own.

I feel pretty good about it too.  As my things here become more compact my caps are going out to far away countries (Finland, Norway, France et. more).  Such is the dichotomy of existance for the objects in my life.

See you around town,
Mary

PS I just got back from putting the last load of clothes in the washer.  On a whim I double checked the pockets.  Volia!  My iPhone.  :)X sans bath.
m

Silk Screen Printing and more...

Hi Ya,
So, I went to this book shop with a friend for coffee (it is her favorite coffee).   Dangerous for me to be in a bookshop- any bookshop.  Of course I found a book that I like: 1,100 Designs and Motifs from Historic sources by John Leighton of Dover Press.  Here is a sample page:

At first I'm just looking at the pictures thinking of them in an Art History kinda way.  Then I think how cool these images would be on ... well lets say a cap.   Only the size is all wrong and I will want to use only parts of some of the patterns.

Then it hits me!  I can change the size of the motifs.  I can change the colors of the motifs.  I can mix, match, and over lap the designs.  Because all I have to do is scan the images in to the computer and burn a screen for printing.

Then it hits me -- again.   Copy right laws.  I don't steal ideas from anyone.  Not in school and not now.   I take a look at the back of the title page and the heavens open up in song:

"You may use the designs and illustrations for graphics and crafts applications, free and without special permission"

 Yippie.  and Sweet and also Nice.

Thank you Dover Press.

Cheers,

Mary Elizabeth

Just a small note to say... stay away...

  Found near my home

 Yours,
Mary

Just the Plaid Man ... going, going ... gone.

Hi Ya,
Well, one of my favorite caps is sold out.  I found this beautiful gray plaid last year and bought several yards.  Now, of course I wish that I had bought the whole bolt.   I can't get any more of that fabric so no more Just the Plaid Man cap.  Here is a picture:

First alloneword cap to sell out.  Darn nice cap.

Peace out,

Mary

Just Keep Swimming... and repeat

Hi Everyone,
Still trying to get things organized.  However, I took a bit of a break to make my second favorite cap.  Here it is:

It is based off the Montano Velo shop Logo.  I was inspired by it and kept thinking about it.  Then I had to make the logo into a cap.

I hope you like it too.
Yours,
Mary

blogger fighting back ... I'll fix it in the am...

Can't Sleep... perchance to dream

Good Morning,

I still can't sleep.  I worked very hard today (the 27th).  Still no sleep.  Just keep thinking about business possibilities and listening to Luna snore.  Let me explain.  There is a potential Retail/Work Shop space in Alameda for my cap business.   Can I afford it?  How long of a lease?  Would I need insurance?  Would I hire an employee?   Would I need an alarm system?  How much does that cost?  Up front, per month?  What about health insurance?

However, I could make a greater selection of hats and caps.  More space = More room for customization of caps.   I could even have a "haute couture" fitting room...  fitted caps to match your kit or your bike or both.    I would have room to dye fabric...  Silk screen images  I create   ... make patterns ... Sew and alter clothes for the bike commuter -- Tweed and non tweed alike.

Can I afford it?   Sometimes I wish that I could have a little capital to get things going...  alloneword is going so well at this point.  Even with the state of money these days.

That settles it.  If I am still awake in one hour I'm going to Peet's for Hot Cocoa.  And no one is going to stop me.

But for the grace of Hot Cocoa and bikes go I,

Mary

philly bike expo -- getting ready

Hi All,

Joie in earflap cap 2009

I am getting caps ready for the Philly Bike Expo in October.  Every time I get nervous about it I sew some more caps.  I need to get my winter caps up and running too.  I want to have two types of warm earflap caps.  One the traditional style like I made for Joie last year (see photo), and one with a twist (to be seen soon).

Daruma-San Silk Screen Print by me

Fabric has also been bought for a messenger type bag.  Like the one I made for myself (if you have seen it:)  Only the new bag will be made in this nifty black, gray, and white cotton that I am going to silk screen Daruma-San on top of.  The big question is flap or no flap?  I have this beautiful plaid wool that is for bags too.  That one will definitely get a flap to keep water out!  (A problem I had last winter with my current flap-free cotton bag.

I can't decide if I should bring my earrings to the Philly Expo.   Or to the Hayward, Days of the Dead show on the 16th of October.  Humm

See you around town,
Mary

Shop Move...

Hi Everyone,
I have been so busy.  Just running around trying to keep up.

The retail shop where I work moved last week.  "The Shop" is Needle in a Haystack" and I love working there.  Now I love working at the new there.  Come by and check it out.

Also, I have been sewing up a storm.  Lots of new caps and new styles coming down the pike.  I have been making trim from yardage.  Everyone seems to love the new look.

I hope to see you soon,
Mary

two turn tables and a ...

Hi Everyone,
It has been a while.  It is always strange to me how it seems nothing and everything has happened at the same time.

I have been house and hound sitting for the last week.  The hound busted out of the back yard. She came right back.  I was in shock for a bit.

I bought more fabric and thread.  I have almost all the fabric ironed and ready to sew.  I got 10 yards of batik fabric ironed and cut in to strips for the cap head bands.  Nice.  Now I have a gray/black and purple binding.

Just in the last few days I received via Etsy 2 orders for Just the plaid man caps.  One to the East coast the other London England.  If I get them done tonight I can mail them in the am.  So, even though I worked very hard all week -- more to do.   Lets get it done and then we can play a bit before sleep.

Cheers,
Mary

the anti anti bumper sticker movement.

Bumper sticker in Alameda on my way in to work

ONE LESS FIXIE

nice,
Mary

When working with a new product...

Hi Ya,

I have been trying out different techniques for team caps.  You know with the Logo of the team and the name all spelled out.  Well, any hoo.  Todays lesson was in Iron On Transfers.  And the results were ... mixed.  I mean filled with great features.  Such as having your team name easily read by drivers in passing cars looking through their rear view.  

The next great, um, feature is seeing how interesting the effects of types of transfer paper.  Notice how the top one is not so much with the easy reading.  And the bottom one looks wonderful when you hold your laptop up next to a mirror.

The nice thing is that, after reading the entire directions, I learned a new way to put fancy images on caps.   I also a few ways to make them interesting as well as fancy.

I hope you enjoyed this time at Mary's Craft Corner.   A quick shout out to Peter D. - my peep over at Team Alameda.  Fun guy to work with.  :)  I am glad he liked the image ( you know once I fix it).

Lots of love to you all,

Mary

Planning trip to Philly ...

Hi Everyone,
I have decided to go to Philly a day early to see the sites.  I will be downtown near the Armory.   I would love to hear your suggestions of must see sights.  So far I know I am going to go to Independence Hall.

Cheers,
Mary

blog in new colors!

Hi ya,
I have been trying to do a little silk screen printing.  Well, I have been stenciling and stamping (with my own hand made stamps and stencils).  It is turning out really well.  I even did a wash test and it worked!  Now more team caps... I hope.   And I can design my own fabric.    It is just hard to find axolotl fabric in the shops these days.  Coelacanth fabric is pretty much extinct too.  However, I am going to make some!  With glow in the dark ink too.  Nice.
Pictures some time soon.
Made a cap for a great gal named Kim.  She came by the new shop to try it on and pick out trims.  She has great taste and the cap is super cute.  Win Win.
Night all.
Mary

Going to Philadelphia! For the Philly Bike Expo...

Hi Ya,
I am so excited.  I am going to the Philly bike Expo.  Here is a link:

philly bike expo

I'll have a booth for my caps and my alloneword caps will be in the fashion show too.
Cheers,
Mary

New Workshop Pictures.... :)

Hi Ya,
Just like I promised a picture of my new workshop.

I love it.  Big window with a fab tree... so close I can touch it.  Nice.  

What is not shown in the picture is all the boxes in the hall way and around the room.  I have lots to do and I am going to get to it.

Much Love and Thanks to Everyone,

Mary

Taxi Cap has a new paint job....

Hi Ya,
Hey, I'm writing here.  Here are some quick pics of my Taxi Cap with its new paint.

Thank you for stopping by,

Mary

Aids/LifeCycle 2010 Keith G. Mark E. and The Red Pencils

Hi Ya,
Just a quick shout out to my peeps starting the  Aids Life Cycle #9  tomorrow.  

Ride Safe, Have Fun, Drink Water!    -- I can't wait to read your updates.--

I received a beautiful email from Mark E. who is part of the Red Pencils.   I could not be more proud to be associated with a group of folks.

The Red Pencils

Aids Life Cycle 2010

With Sincere Gratitude,
Mary

PS You can still donate.  Just click here.

<--- Mark E. (photo to darn cute not to show off & look at that fine cap.)









m

Just the Plaid Man ... going on the Aids Life Cycle....2010!

Hi Ya,

Check out this cool guy in my plaid cap.  He has an interesting blog too.  Here is a link to his blog and a review of said cap:
teamlope

Cheers,

Mary

Just the Plaid Man ... going on the Aids Life Cycle....2010

Hi Everyone,
Just got an order a few days ago for one of my favorite caps -- Just the Plaid Man.  And, it going with him on the ALC 2010 ride.  Nice.  Here is a picture of the cap...

I am hoping he will send a pic of him in the cap on the ride.

The Aids Life Cycle 2010 starts this Sunday.  If you are going to the launch party on Sunday I will see you there.

Much love and good wishes for the riders and families.
Mary

I am making a little Axolotl ...

Hi,
Happy to be home again.  Yes, there is quite a lot to set in order.   Still it is good to be home.

My friend Phaedra found a great pattern for a crochet Axolotl on Etsy.   Here is a link: axolotl-amigurumi-pattern.  The pattern is very easy to read.  I hope to have one to photograph soon.

I'm very tired.   Glad I'm home.  Glad Mary Frances is home.
Mary

Last Night at Point Richmond...

Hi Ya,
I'll be glad to get back to my regular life.  However, the living here is pretty easy.   I'll miss all of the roses, the extreme pizza, the cats, the really big bed, the bath tub, and of course The Hound.  The Hound has slipped into torpor mode again.  My dog, the little poodle, is camped out in this huge hound bed.

While the hound and I are snug on the love seat.  All is as it should be.  Well, almost as it should be. I broke a lamp.  I called Mary Frances and told her.  She asked "which lamp?" I explained which one.  Her response:  "Never did like that lamp".   Yup she is the nicest gal around.  I miss her very much.  I can't wait to see her tomorrow.

Peace Out,

Mary