Hope, Love and Optomism

As Insit here and watch the casket that is carrying Jack Layton's body, I am crying. Grieving the loss of an amazing man. The crowds are vast and respectful. So cool to see the orange colors. I feel for Olivia Chow and for Jack's children and grandchild. This is just amazing.

Joy McPhail (former Deputy Premier, BC) is one of the honorary pall bearer. I knew Joy from when I lived in BC. Prime Minister Harper had some really nice things to say. Reverend Hawks (Hox) had the chance to speak with Jack before he passed away.

Jack Layron and Myself-July 2008

My personal connection to Jack was back in 2008. I had convinced my hubby to come and listen to the announcement of Ray Martin candicacy.  Hubby has always been a die hard Liberal supporter. I spoke with Jack and be took the time to speak with my husband. He was so impressed with Jack that he got behind the NDP and "Team Layton" right then and there.

I am going to miss you Jack! We will carry on!

 

So I got a request on Ravelry to pass on a pattern, which I had paid for.

I was non committal and said I needed to find out what was going on. As you know I had purchased the Angry Birds crochet patterns and I have been slowly working on the set. I actually have three done: The Cardinal, The Goldfinch and The Blue Bird. I am halfway done the The Bomb Bird (its all the black yarn) then need to crochet the Green Bird and the White Bird, with its own egg. Then, last is the pig. Hubby loves the birds and still plays the games.

So lastnight, after a long day at work I got this message:

Hi CraftyGal,

You’ve probably already had several questions like mine, but as I’ve look all around the net, there are not much options left than to send you a message.

It’s about the angry bird patterns…I was half way through crocheting them, when the patterns were discontinued! I only bought the red bird and the green pig and was gifted the white and black bird (not finished yet). So I don’t have the goldfinch and bluebird.

Would you mind to share the pattern with me? So I can complete my collection?

I don’t mind to send you a small gift in return.

Thanks for reading!

Greetings all the way from the Netherlands!

Mar10a

So needless to say I was a bit shocked! Everyone knows my stance on copyrighted material, I simply do not share. The reason being is that designers work hard to do what they do. I have learned a lot about copyright from Alan Dart, Pheony Knits and other designers that they lose payment for designs etc. It is not a win win situation at all!

So I gave a non-committal response back:

Let me talk with the designer and find out what is going on.

So this is what is happening...saw this post on Karla's blog, Itsy Bitsy Spider. It is the second post on her blog.

The end of the Angry Birds

It was a lot of fun while it lasted. I got to know people from all over the world and I got to share my patterns in a way that made people happy. But it's over.

On Tuesday, I was asked to stop selling the Angry Birds patterns. I cannot get into the details, but suffice it to say that I stand to lose more than just my business if I continue.

The patterns have been pulled from Etsy and pattern sales have been deactivated on Ravelry. They will not be re-listed or re-activated.

I will continue to sell my other original patterns in both venues and I have some new designs that should be released very soon. I am truly sorry to everyone who did not get the opportunity to get copies of the patterns.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

This is a very similar situation to Mazzmatzz and the BBC. (Website: mazzmatazz.co.uk Ravlery: mazzmatazz) 

More recently, I have had wranglings with the BBC, after they served me with a C&D for sharing free patterns based on characters from the TV show, Doctor Who. This became an international news story, during which Russell T Davis - a huge driving force in bringing Doctor Who back to our screens as well as being the producer and writer of many episodes - was said to have very much liked the patterns I created. Further developments have led to me being in talks with the BBC, and I hope the end result will be the re-release of these patterns, fully endorsed.

Following on from the news story, I was offered a great deal of work, including guest patterns in printed publications, and also a whole pull-out supplement which the Guardian produced, known as the Rebel Knitters Guide.

For now, however, things are fairly quiet on the knitting front, and I am taking time to enjoy projects for myself, and my friends and family. I post these up on Ravelry, which is a kind of Facebook for knitters and crocheters. I highly recommend this site if you do knit.

So there you have it, two designers hit wit a cease and desist order on the designs. Mazzmatazz's were free, Karla's were not but they were reasonably priced and Karla was using the extra cash for her daughter's medical care, which isn't cheap in the USA. Oh and to add insult to injury for Karla on the Angry Bird Facebook Page they have an album for Angry Birds Fan Art. In fact the green crocheted pig that is picture in this album is Karla's design!

What a sad day!

Cora

Sorry it has been a while...so much going on!

Well I started a new job. I had the first interview 2 weeks ago which was a fluke in and of itself. I had gone to the Telus kiosk (run by Smart Communications) in city centre to replace my step-son's cell phone which had the screen busted and when you text as much as he does you really do need the screen. So it was time to get another one. This time I made sure there was a manufactures warranty and one that could be used after a year. We pay $7 a month for it but the replacement cost is way cheaper than having to buy a new phone. So while we were talking I found out the gentleman (David) is a manager of several locations. So I flippantly asked if they were looking for people...turns out the were and to send in my resume. So I did.

I had a second interview on July 29 at 2:00. This also happened to be the day we had the BT Promo for Wienerama, so I had been up since 5:30 am to do the show. Leo did very well that day. He loved socializing with other doxies. I wasn't sure what to think of how the interview went, Michelle and I talked for an hour or so. The office I was being interviewed at was being renovated so Michelle was having issues find things so I kinda started blathering about dogs and the show, etc. So I was told I wouldn't know until Friday by 5. I was on pins and needles waiting for that call let me tell you!

So the upshot was that I got the job, not the one I originally applied for, but I got. So I work at the Optik Lounge in Southgate. Here is what is says on the Southgate job board.

We have opened a brand new concept to showcase Optik TV called the Optik Lounge.  The goal of the Optik Lounge Project is to create an opportunity for potential and existing Optik TV clients to experience Optik TV.  It has been installed in Southgate Centre and will be open  for at least 6 months.

General Objectives:  Maximize TELUS Optik TV brand awareness.  Showcase Optik TV and how it is light years ahead of cable.  Attract new clients and retain existing valuable clients.  Create a competitive differentiator for TELUS Optik TV.  Convert the “experience” into a sale at the nearby store.

Optik Lounge at Southgate-where I work :)

 I work with some amazing people and Troy, the manager is amazing! I am just hoping my voice lasts as I hadn't realized how much talking there actually is...lol.

On the knitting front I have finished some really cute test knits and patterns. In no particular order....

1) Kunterbunt Test Knit

Some Rebecca Danger Designs as well. I had a bit of fun with one of them...lol.

Toothy Joe on my BB.

1)This is Toothy Joe-The Mailbox Monster.

He is available in the Big Book of Monsters. He is a very simple knitting project and I learned how to use the magic loop method of knitting on this project. Not sure why I was scared of it...it is easy peasy to do ;D

Toothy Joe looking at his project page on Ravelry.

2) #23 Harriet the Haberdashery Hippo

Knit Simple Magazine, Fall 2011

Harriet-Front Side

Harriet-Back Side

She is one of 3 Rebecca Danger designs in the magazine. I actually knitted 2 of these in 3 days...new record for me. She turned out awesome.




Now I am onto 2 test knits, one is fingerless gloves (Macrocystis Mitts ) using Noro Kureyon and the other is a knit toy for yarnmiracle (aka Emily Ivey). You can find Emily at website (http://yarnmiracle.com) or on Ravelry at YarnMiracle at her Etsy Shop: yarnmiracle or on twitter: emilyivey.

Gotta run, blogging is cutting into my knitting time.

Cora