I love Surprises

Good Morning Everyone, 

Snowing again but we finally reached double digits this morning.  I really, really do not like snow, ice and cold. 

Something happened to cheer me up though,  I received 2 surprises in the mail. 

One was a copy of my new book LACEWORK FOR ADVENTUROUS CROCHETERS. I had not seen it yet, so I was happy to have it.  I want to thank Tatyana Mirer for doing the chapter on Bruges Lace, it is a great chapter. Tatyana does amazing designs in Bruges Lace and has contributed to a few of my books.  I also would like to thank my daughter, Sharon Hubert Valencia, for designing the child's lacy vest. Sharon has also contributed to several of my books, and I love it when she has the time to do this. When I received the book, I immediately went to amazon.com and was delighted to see that the book was already on the second page of the best sellers in crochet. Thanks everyone, for ordering it, hope you like it as much as I do.

Lacework for Adventurous Crocheters: Master Traditional, Irish, Freeform, and Bruges Lace Crochet through Easy Step-by-Ste...

Margaret Hubert

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Publication Date: February 1, 2013

Spiral-bound

List Price: $24.99

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24 used & new from $14.72

My second surprise was a package that I received from my editor, Linda Neubaurer. When I opened the package I did a double take, it was several of my books translated into foreign languages.  I knew that some of the books were being translated, but I had never seen them, so it was really fun getting this package.

This must be some kind of record, the month is not even over yet, and this is my third post. I hope that I can keep the posts coming. I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read them and I would also like to welcome the new followers that I have joined in the past month or so.

Have a great day everyone,

Margaret

Rewards of Teaching

Good Morning Everyone,

It is a beautiful sunny day in New York, snow still on the ground from last week's storm, heading into the 40's today, BUT- we are in for below freezing weather heading our way. Single digits they tell us, brr, and possible more snow.  I really do not like the cold weather and my car refuses to leave the garage when it snows. There is a bright side however, I tend to get a lot of work done when I have to hibernate.

I am prompted to do my second post in a very short time because of two happenings this week.
I received a lovely email from one of my students, who attended my Free Form Class at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. In the class, I start students out making a small bag, and send them home (hopefully) with enough knowledge to complete the bag on their own. One of my greatest pleasures is receiving photos from students of their completed projects. Cathy sent me photos of her completed bag and I just had to share them with you. Beautiful job Cathy, I LOVE it!

Another side benefit of being house bound so much, is that, I start cleaning anything in sight. Closets were the first things that I tackled. I was filling a bag of clothing to bring to the thrift shop and I came across a sweater set that I had not worn in years but I loved it. Just as I was about to put it in the bag, I remembered something. While attending Stitches East in Hartford, I met Kristin Omdahl talking about her new product called WRAPTURE and I had to have some. Wrapture is a eucalan product, www.eucalan.com, a no rinse, delicate wash for fine things, and smells heavenly. I had not tried it yet and here was the perfect opportunity. I used it on this ancient sweater set, that I was about to toss into the thrift shop bag, and it totally revived it.  Two days later, I wore it, and everyone was asking me where I got my beautiful "new" sweater. Thanks Kristin, this is a great product and it really works.

Have a Happy Sunday Everyone

Margaret

Goodbye 2012

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been a while since I added a blog post, but 2012 was a very eventful year for me. It started off with a bang right at the beginning. On Jan 5th, after a routine doctors visit, I received very bad health news. Not too many people knew about it, and I wanted it that way. I was just finishing up a new book LACEWORK FOR ADVENTUROUS CROCHETERS, and was facing the unknown. Scary times for me.  I am happy to report that I am really doing well, and I am almost up to my usual energy level.

Lacework for Adventurous Crocheters: Master Traditional, Irish, Freeform, and Bruges Lace Crochet through Easy Step-by-Step Instructions and Fun Projects by Margaret Hubert (Feb 1, 2013)

With a lot of help from my editor, who is just the best support ever, tech editors, and my contract crocheters, I managed to finish the book.  I also had a lot of teaching scheduled and was not sure that I would be able to do it all.  My wonderful doctor assured me that I would be well and not to cancel any of my appointments.

Not too long after all this, I was asked to do another book.  I was on the phone with my editor, when another call came in,  It was Cari Clement, informing me that I was just voted into The Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame. I could not believe it, on one line, my editor discussing another new book and Cari on the other line about the honor. The year was barely beginning and  I was on a roller coaster of highs and lows. 

It was decided that I could ask some fellow designers to help out with the new book, RUNWAY CROCHET, which will be out soon and is one fantastic book. I have to thank
Shelby Allaho, Doris Chan, Ellen Gormley, Tatyana Mirer, Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby and Sharon Hubert Valencia for their great design contributions. 

Runway Crochet: High-style Patterns from Top Designers' Hooks to Yours by Margaret Hubert (May 1, 2013)

I was able to keep all my teaching appointments, I attended the CGOA conference in New Hampshire, where I was formally given the honor of being inducted into the Jean Leinhauser Hall of Fame. At the conference, they showed a slide show of my work, and included tributes from fellow crocheters. My friends, Prudence Mapstone and Myra Wood contributed to this and blew me away. My daughter, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were all present, which made the night really special for me. If that was not enough, I  also attended the Reno conference  where they repeated the slide show from NH, and had the fun all over again. 

Teaching for the year ended up with a full teaching schedule at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. This is usually my last teaching scheduled till the Spring.

In between teaching etc, I did book signings at various events, which are always fun for me.

Oh and - I also started another new book (title still under wraps), so the "energizer bunny" is still going and going.

My first book 1978 (you've come a long way baby)

Kimberly McAlindin and Me after receiving my award in NH

Bobbie Matela, me and Kathleen Kisor Sams

Vashti Braha, Diane Moyers and Me celebrating after the ball.

My fashion show entries never arrived on time, so I had to improvise with a long vest that I had made a while ago, it was a huge hit and every one wanted to know more about it.

Myra Wood, Me and Jennifer Hansen in Reno, they make beautiful bookends :-)

Me, book signing at VKL in New York City, at Knitty City Booth (literally days after I had the bad news that I was facing surgery, don't know how I managed to smile all day)

Me book signing at the Elegant Ewe Booth at Stitches East in Hartford, CT.

During the year, I even managed to finish my sweater made from antique doilies, not your weekend project, but lots of fun and I love it.

My son thought that after this crazy year, I needed a new photo, so Chris, thanks for this photo and for making me look good!

As I said, it was quite a year of highs and lows for me, and I am starting the New Year by wrapping up another book. I don't know why or how I continue to be so lucky, but all I can say is someone up there continues to watch over me, and I count my blessings every day.  Happy Healthy 2013 to all.

Margaret