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One more way to help Haiti

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:08:29 +0000

Hello! How are you? I meant to blog sooner but I’ve just had a lot going on. I’ve received some lovely emails about Knit the Season and the new paperback of Knit Two — thank you so much! — and I’ve started up with book club call-ins for 2010. And I hope you’re all doing well and you enjoyed the holidays.

Isn’t the situation in Haiti shocking? The images are so devastating. My older sister, who lives in Canada, was already in process of adopting from Haiti and so now things are up in the air; she’s doing all she can to find out more. But none of us are powerless, even if we may feel that way sometimes. One way to truly have an impact is to donate to the charities doing amazing on-the-ground work in Haiti. My husband and I have donated to the relief efforts, as have many of our friends. And, bit by bit, it all adds up. So, please, if you haven’t already done so, please consider donating to the Red Cross. You can make a donation directly on their site or — how cool is this — by visiting Starbucks!

Here’s a video from Haitian musician Wyclef Jean about how easy it is to donate at Starbucks:

You can even donate $10 to the Red Cross right now, wherever you are, from your cell phone by texting “HAITI” to 90999.

Thank you! I know the women who read my novels are the smartest, kindest, most caring women out there because I hear from you every day about all the wonderful things you do — the charity knitting, the volunteering, the community and school fundraising, and simply “being there” for your friends. So I’m not trying to add one more item to your to-do list. I’m sharing one easy thing — a quick donation when you’re at Starbucks — that I believe will bring you a sense of connection and satisfaction and also have real impact.

Be well! Keep reading! Won’t wait so long to blog again and catch up…

Birthdays and Bestsellers!

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:59:45 +0000

Well, I got home after the whirlwind tour and basically went into hibernation mode (except to celebrate Baxter’s very happy 4th birthday)! I was so tired from all the flights and such. But I’m finally mostly awake and I wanted to let you know some exciting stuff: KTS is #20 on the NYT Extended Bestseller List and Knit Two paperback is on the NYT Bestseller List, also at #20. So my favorite number of the week is 20!

There are many photos from tour still to post, especially from my most wonderful visit to Cricket Meadow Tea in Litchfield, MN. What a lovely shop in a building with original painted tin ceilings — like stepping back in time. Now, Juli Johnson is the owner of Cricket Meadow and she is also a member of the very first book club I ever telephoned. This group has been so supportive of my

novels, and when Juli told me that FNKC and the character of Georgia inspired her to follow her dream of opening a shop, I was bound and determined to find a way to stop in! And it was lovely to see the book club again and meet the townspeople of Litchfield. Not only that, but I was sooo close to where my grandparents were born in Minnesota…I had to keep to my schedule but I wished I could have made a detour. I remember vividly the family vacation we took to see the old farmhouse when I was about four years old.

Last week was much fun overall, with stops at Jennifer Knits and Barnes & Noble in Edina and in Fullerton. One highlight was the huge turnout at the St. Louis Library — and thanks again to Kirkwood Knittery and Borders for bringing knitters and books — and then capped off by a lovely luncheon sponsored by Warwick’s at Burgundy Grill. We had a drop-in from Vancouver (Hi, Laura!) and two guests on vacation from Sweden, and I met Jean, whose book club I’ve called and who is the organizer for my Dec 3 event in El Camino. So it was a fun mix!

Just bought my 2010 date book and I’ve started scheduling Knit Two call-ins…

Top Hats!

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:22:56 +0000

It was all about hats this weekend – wonderful, handknit creations for the Lands’ End/Warming Families charity drive – and there was a nice, fat pile each at Books and Company in Oconomowoc and at Next Chapter Bookshop in Mequon. I am so proud of the generous contributions from every knitter; we even had mittens in the collection this weekend. Another nice thing? Seeing many of the same faces from a previous visit to Mequon; this book tour is just like traveling around to meet old friends. Truly a joy. (I especially appreciate the large crowds because I know Sunday was a Packers game…)

In fact, everyone in Wisconsin is so welcoming! I met a wonderful group of knitters at the Lands’ End store at Sears in Madison Friday, including one dear woman who brought in bags and bags of hats she had made on her own. We truly had ourselves a knit-in. What fun! (As you can imagine, I have oodles of photos to put up from tour; below are a few snaps.)

Saturday in Chicago

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:06:28 +0000

Chicago was so warm on Saturday! Here I’d packed all these toasty sweaters and it was practically spring. Met some wonderful readers up in Gurnee at the Warren Newport Public Library — and hats off to librarian Debbie, who not only emailed me a while back to personally invite me (and I’m so glad), but who also knit two hats for the Lands’ End/Warming Families charity hat drive. Good stuff! I also met another writer, the delightful Marilyn Brant, author of According to Jane.

Then it was on to the Oakbrook Borders, where I had a chance to reconnect with one of my favorite bloggers, Amy Artisan, as well as meet Carol, the owner of Amy’s favorite yarn shop My Sister’s Knits. (I’ve known Amy for a few years now and she’s been a great supporter of all of my books. In fact, when FNKC was brand-new and I was on my very first book tour in 2007, I was scheduled to be in Milwaukee but not Chicago. And Amy drove all the way from her Chicago home back then just to say hello and get her books signed.) We were laughing at the memory because I had just a handful of folks at that 2007 signing and we had a much more robust crowd last night! Today is a drive back to Wisconsin, to Books & Company in Oconomowoc and Next Chapter Bookshop in Mequon. Looking forward to it!

Notes from the road

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:24:14 +0000

I can’t believe it’s already Friday! Had so much fun in Atlanta on Wed and Dallas last night. Everyone had lots of questions so I was chatting my head off. And we’re all eating a lot of chocolate, btw! It’s very good for us. It is! Antioxidants and all that.

Now, on every tour, I pop around to do what are known as stock signings — autographing books at stores in the local area in addition to my announced event. And everywhere I go this week, it seems I am running into other writers! Just in from the airport on Wed afternoon, I was signing copies of KTS and K2 paperback at Borders and I looked up to see Haywood Smith, author of The Red Hat Society and Ladies of the Lake. Now, Haywood and I shared a stage at the Decatur Book Festival in 2008, so it was a real treat to catch up. And then, on Thursday in Dallas, I met first-time novelist Patricia Falvey, whose The Yellow House is coming out in Feb and, I hear, getting great reviews. Even more small world? I mentioned at my signing at the Dallas Barnes & Noble that I saw Patricia — and one of the readers told me she and Patricia go to the same hairdresser! So you see? I write about community and supporting each other, and we really, truly share all these little connections to one another. I wonder who I’m going to meet today as I head to the friendly Midwest…

A Face-to-Face Tweet!

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:22:10 +0000

Meeting Pam, one of my Twitter followers, at The Georgia Center for the Book. Enthusiastic group - asked lots of super questions!

New! New! A book club visit giveaway

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:33:49 +0000

I want to come and visit your book club! Yes, I really do!

So please enter the giveaway and let’s hope the computer randomly picks your name. I’ve done similar giveaways and made personal stops at book clubs in Grimsby, Ontario, Canada; in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and in St. Joseph, Missouri – where Sherri renamed the book club in honor of The Friday Night Knitting Club series!

I’ll take care of my own travel, bring bookmarks and chocolates, and then sit down with you for a great chat about Knit Two and Knit the Season. All you have to do is supply your own good company! Read all the official rules and other good stuff here. (FYI: The newsletter tote bag giveaway and the book club visit giveaway run from separate databases so make sure you’re entered for both!)

A Great Event & 86 Hats!

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:13:09 +0000

All smiles at RJ Julia in Madison CT as I celebrate the collection of 86 hats for the Lands’ End/ Warming Families charity drive with the owner of Madison Wool.

Thank you, knitters! Let’s keep at it!

On Sale! K2 & KTS

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:41:56 +0000

Tuesday is the big day: Knit Two paperback and Knit the Season arrive in stores. I’m in New York City to kick off the book tour at Lion Brand. Now, I overpacked as usual — but I’m not worried because Jon is coming along to carry it for me, nice husband that he is! I think Baxter must have known something was up because he trailed me from room to room as I gathered my clothes, my knitting (for my Lands’ End hats for charity), bookmarks, chocolates. Just you wait: Someday I’m going to bring the Baxter on tour, teaching him how to sign books with his paws.

Wanted to let you know that I’ve made sure to leave room in my writing schedule over the next few months so that I can telephone Knit Two paperback book club meetings! (And we can definitely talk about Knit the Season as well.) I”m up to about 250 book clubs so far this year talking about FNKC and Comfort Food…

BTW, a reader recently emailed to ask if I still do my tote bag giveaways. You bet I do! I’ve given away tons of totes. The most recent recipients of totes include Karen in Medford, MA and Erica in Fruita, CO. You become eligible to be chosen when you sign up for the newsletter — it’s that simple. (Or you can be my mom, who gets a new tote bag every time I have a new book.)

Hope to see you on my travels…

Happy Thanksgiving!

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:51:04 +0000

If you’re in Canada, that is. So, wishes for a wonderful turkey dinner to all my friends, family and readers up North.

I’m working on my hats for the Lands’ End/Warming Families charity campaign. I hope yours are coming along too! It’s easy to get started — here’s the pattern designed by Vickie Howell (click here) — and I will have a box at every book signing where I can collect your finished hats and forward them to Warming Families. (BTW, Vickie has a wonderful new pattern book, AwareKnits, that’s out now.)

Speaking of books, things are gearing up for my Nov book tour! November 3rd is the big day! I can’t believe it’s almost here — and that KNIT THE SEASON and the paperback of KNIT TWO are coming out in just a few weeks. The new covers for both books are gorgeous and KNIT THE SEASON is covered in this shiny foil that reminds me of a fancy gift.

The book tour fun kicks off in New York at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio and then it’s on to RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT that night. And then Atlanta, Dallas, Madison, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis, LA, Fullerton, and San Diego! The addresses and map/directions info is on the Events page. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Lands’ End Hat Pattern: http://www.landsend.com/lp/feelgood/feelgoodbeanie.pdf