Category Archives: Have You Seen This?

Did you see…..

March 3, 2009 – 10:53 am

that I did photography for the new issue of twist collective?  Yes! I’m so excited to finally share this with everyone. The story I shot is called Big Sky. You can check out this pattern of Kate’s right here. The models are my good friend and her daughter. (who is 15 if you can believe it!)

It was so much fun to shoot and the best part was combining all of the things I love into one job.  We have a pretty cool shoot set up for the summer issue so you’ll just have to wait and see what that’s all about. I also dyed the yarn used in the Barberpole socks too!

Wanted to post again about Sock Club sign ups in case anyone missed it.  Round 4 of Scout’s Swag Sock Club is here! I have tried my hardest to keep the prices down but the last two years I have been hit each time the USPS increases their shipping prices so I had to up the price by just a few dollars so I don’t lose money.  I wish I had control over this but it seems as if every year the prices will increase so I need to increase the club prices as well, to cover shipping and Paypal fees. :(

This time around there are 60 full spots, divided up as follows:

  • 6 Month Subscriptions ($168): 40 Spaces
  • 3 Month Subscriptions ($84):  36 Spaces
  • 1 Month Subscriptions ($32):  12 Spaces

To help the signup process move smoothly, and ensure that everyone gets a fair shot, a lottery draw will be used. Starting at 6 PM MST on Thursday, March 12th, you’ll be able to cast your name into the hat for one of the spots listed above. The signup form will be up for 48 hours, so be sure to submit your name by 6 PM MST on Saturday, March 14th. There is a definite chance I will make the club bigger if the response is bigger. Last year I allowed over 100 spots…..so it just depends! Bookmark this page as it will be where the signups are.

To signup, visit this page in the 48 hour time window, and the signup form will appear. (If you don’t see it, try refreshing your browser). Simply enter your Name, E-Mail Address, and select the spot you are interested in. If you’re a member of Scout’s Indie Swag Round 3, then click the checkbox marked Round 3 Member. All existing members who sign up will be entered into the drawing twice. We will be checking this against the current member list, so please do not check that box unless you are truly in the club.

This year there will also be a box to check if you live outside of the US. There are additional shipping charges if you do. For each month you sign up the charges are roughly $11.00 more for Canada and $13.00 for any other country. For example if you live in England and get a 6 month spot you will need to pay an additional $78.00. I will only mail Priority Mail because with First Class you do not get tracking. I would hate for anything to get lost overseas and not be able to track it. Unfortunately the USPS rates go up every year and I have no control over this expense. I wish I did!

Please note that signing up on this page does not guarantee you a spot in Round 4 of the Indie Swag Club, it just puts you into the random drawing to determine the winners. Also, please don’t signup if you aren’t 100% sure that you want to join. Another point I would like to make is that anyone who signs up for a 1 month spot also takes the chance of getting yarn in ANY one of the following months. April, June, August, October, December, February. So there is a definite chance you won’t get your yarn until February 2010. I know that seems like forever away and want to make sure you understand that! Also, yarn is mailed the last week of each one of these months so you usually get it the by the 1st or 2nd of the following month.

Once the signups are complete, the winners will get an e-mail, along with a Paypal Invoice for the cost of the membership. Then you can sit back and wait for your awesome yarn! Good luck everyone!

By ScoutJ | Also posted in Call out, Scout's Sock Club, photography, twist collective | Comments (13)

Vogue Knitting Winter 2008-2009!

January 22, 2009 – 12:39 pm

Eeeeek. So exciting. Check out who got not only one but TWO Hot Pick mentions!

They link up my exclusive Martini Sock Blockers and my Protect the Swag Sachets. I’m beyond thrilled. I also still have nine Cali Zuma Limited Edition Eggplant bags for anyone looking for it. I know that most people are sold out and once they are gone I don’t know if and when I will get more.

By ScoutJ | Also posted in Cool Stuff, Holy Crap! | Comments (13)

Eggplant Zuma Eye Candy!

December 19, 2008 – 4:50 pm

This is what some of you have been waiting for…….the limited edition, Namaste Eggplant Zuma is now up for pre-orders. This was the color that won in the Ravelry contest and I am finally allowing people to buy them because we know they will get here by mid January. I ordered 50 and I’m down to only 19 left. If you have been waiting for this bag make sure and grab one before they are all gone. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love purple and I can not wait for this to get here. I don’t care that I already have a Peacock Zuma!

There is a chance they may order more of these bags but as of now this is it. Wendy talked about it on her blog so they have been selling quickly.

Oh, and to update you on T. check out his Christmas present! I paid the deductible for the new hardware in his elbow. Seriously.

By ScoutJ | Also posted in Cool Stuff, Seriously, photography | Comments (4)

Have You Seen This?

November 11, 2008 – 8:48 am

As always the poor blog suffers from the craziness of my life. Along with the normal busy I’ve had a number of big photography jobs over the past few weeks which just ads crazy to crazy! However, I have a few things to share! A lot of people ask me about my photography and my camera and how I get my images to look like they do. One of my secrets is that I do a lot with post-processing. After I shoot, I open up everything into Adobe Lightroom first.  This is what it looks like. Click on the image to see the larger version.

I do a number of things in this program like adjust the exposure/fill light/shadows/contrast, etc. See all of the things on the right? Lots of little tweaks. I highly recommend this program to anyone who takes digital pictures. I can’t imagine processing with my images without it.  I also have hundreds of presets and actions I play with. If you are unfamiliar with what presets and actions are, they are a series of tasks that you play back on a single file or a batch of files - menu commands, palette options, tool actions, and so on. I have some actions that I use on almost all of my images that were created by two of my good friends Cindy & Lauren and they are finally selling them! The presets are for Adobe Raw files and the actions are for Adobe Photoshop.  Here is an example of what they can do.  The top left image is sooc (straight out of camera) and the rest of them are with the actions they are selling - (click to see bigger)

I use Lauren’s clarity on almost all of my portraits. I have literally hundreds of actions and presets and these are my favorite ones. They created a group on flickr too if you are interested. - Cinnamon Rose Actions and Presets. I know a lot of you are really into your pictures and playing around with the post-processing so go get these! They are selling them for really great prices.  I have seen other actions selling for hundreds of dollars and you can get everything from Cindy & Lauren for just $30.00. It’s a steal if you ask me. Let me know if you get any. I’m more than happy to answer any questions about them too. If you join the blog they check in there regularly to answer questions as well.

As we approach the holidays I wanted to share another link with you. My friend Pete started up the coolest business. Straight from Santa - Personalized letters from Santa postmarked from the North Pole. Make great Christmas gifts and it helps spread the Christmas cheer. :) Choose from one of our different themes, answer a couple of questions, and then check out. It’s that easy! Your child will receive a specially personalized letter from Santa in the mail. Each letter is sealed with an embossed Santa seal and comes with an authentic postmark from the North Pole. You know I love supporting my friends so please spread the word about this one. It’s such a cute idea.

I just finished reading a fantastic book. It was one of those books that kept me up until midnight every night until I finished it. The book is called Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

“An American journalist researches the notorious roundup of Parisian Jews and uncovers her French family’s war-era secrets, in this page-turning, interconnected novel of modern-day Paris and occupied France Paris.” Just trust me when I say you should get this book and read it.

Well kids, I think that’s it for today. T. took the day off to help with the kids so I can write. I am almost done with chapter 4 so my goal for the day is to be done done done!  Hope you are well!

By ScoutJ | Also posted in Buy this!, Cool Stuff, photography | Comments (13)

Have You Seen This Tuesday!

September 30, 2008 – 7:58 am

Let’s start with these cool new Needle Gauge Pendants I got in a few days ago. I’ve wanted them for quite a while and am so excited to finally have some in stock. I already sold out of a few of the colors and new ones are on their way to me right now. I should have them within a few days so just check in if you wanted another color.

The hottest new accessory to have!
This 1-1/2″ x 1-1/4″ light weight gauge is as beautiful as it is accurate.
US goes from 0 - 17.
Use it as a pendant on your favorite chain, as a key ring or bag charm.
It even makes a useful zipper pull on your knitting notions bag.
Show your knitting pride!
The numbers on the gauge are lasered in. There is no paint to ever wear off.

As I mentioned last week, Namaste will have a new bag called the Zuma that is coming out in November.  People have asked for the details on this bag and this is what Namaste has to say:

Here she is- the newest little sister in the Cali Collection of handbags. We call her “Zuma” but we hope you call her the answer to your requests for a smaller version of the Cali bags. She’s smaller (17” x 9.5” x 11”) but still packs a punch because, despite her compact appearance, she’s larger inside than you’d expect. The exterior pocket on the front has an accordion-style pocket inside, allowing for individual slots to separate or store whatever tickles your fancy. (please note that these images were taken for the contest on Ravelry and professional shots with more detail will follow!)

I have started to take names for pre-sale orders for this bag. It will also come in all of the other regular colors as well as the seasonal lime color. All Zuma’s except for the new eggplant color should ship out by the end of November. The eggplant color will be coming in a bit later and will ship in December. If you don’t mind the wait, just get on the list. As we get closer to the time for me to order them I will have you purchase your bag! Just email me to get on the list.

Let’s see. How about a few links to things people shared last week? I think these cable needle necklaces are super cool and only wish she would wholesale them so I could carry them! Bev shared a link to this cool Knit Light. This is a totally cute book. I also got a new little gadget a few weeks ago.

Yeah, I got a new iPhone. I was really unhappy with the service I was getting with Verizon and the inability to really check my email on my phone. Now I can actutally work when I’m not at home which is a bonus since I’m running around all day long. This app is called Esteem Aid and it’s hilarious. You shake it and it tells you all kinds of things to make you feel better. The funny part is that it pulls from your contacts so it puts people’s names in randomly which makes it even funnier. And for anyone who has an iPhone and works on a PC with Google Calendar? Dudes, check this out. Coolest feature evah!  www.nuevasync.com wirelessly syncs Google Calendar with your iPhone. Yes it’s true my friends. I am a total geek. Things like this make me SO HAPPY!

If you have any good links of cool stuff leave them here! Hopefully I will have enough stuff each week to keep this going.

By ScoutJ | Also posted in Cool Stuff, Scout's Swag | Comments off

Contest Time!

September 23, 2008 – 7:54 am

Nikon D300 - 70-200mm lens - sunrise this morning

I think I might try and play a game on Tuesdays called - Have you Seen This - Tuesdays. One of the ways I find cool swag for the shop is through YOU. Yep. I have people who email me cool links to things they have seen that I don’t carry in the shop and most times I buy them! I love when people do that. Epecially when no one else really has it yet in their stores. You also know how much I love showing you the coolest stuff out there in knitting/crochet land!  For the first day of Have you Seen This, I am going to give away three pairs of the new Harmony Needles. Have you seen them? They are super pretty. I love pretty, so I love these needles! I I will give you until Thursday night to leave me comments linking me to cool stuff you’ve seen online that I don’t carry in the shop. Then I will randomly pick three people to win these needles. So show me some cool stuff! And even if YOU have cool stuff of your own to share maybe I will feature it on the blog next Tuesday.

Have you seen this? My good friend Jennifer Lippman-Bruno, the inventor of the GoKnit Bag Pouchesselling her patterns put up a brand new website . She has been a designer for a long time and has some really beautiful patterns. Her husband finally got the new website going this week and you should definitely check it out and spread the word because I think she’s really talented.

Have you seen this new book that just came out - Zakka Sewing? I saw it when I met with Melanie back in July and thought it was such a sweet book. Here is a gallery of some of the projects.  It made me immediately think of a number of my crafty friends out there who love to sew. Leslie? This is the book I was telling you about! And for a limited time you can download that cute little squirrel pattern. Check it out.

Have you seen this group on flickr - how I knit, purl, crochet or spin! It’s fun to see how differently everyone does their crafts. They also were featured on Craft.

Have you seen Jessalu’s new Etsy shop? I’m hoping to get a little bag soon and will share it with you when I do!

That’s probably good for today. I’ll save more for next week. I can’t wait to see what you have to share with me. So come on…..show me cool swag! I will announce the contest winners on Friday.

By ScoutJ | Also posted in Contest!, Cool Stuff | Comments (27)