School is back in session--or about to be--and although the weather is still hot, it's time to think about fall!

The New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, held in October of each year, is one of the premier fiber events in the country and is a favorite of many fiber fanatics. I'll in Rhinebeck this year, thanks to the nice folks at Webs.

I'll be teaching two classes: Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs and Making Connections. I'm particularly excited to be teaching these two crochet classes, because they cover topics that both knitters and crocheters have been asking for.

Beyond the Square covers many of the techniques in the eponymous book, like the best way to change colors and how to avoid ugly end-of-round joinings. Making Connections is a brand-new class that covers at least a dozen ways to join crocheted motifs. If you've been wondering how to put your crocheted motifs together, come join me at Rhinebeck. You'll find the joining is as much fun as the stitching!

I'll also be presenting two programs at the Mother Earth News Fair at Seven Springs Resort in Pennsylvania on September 25 and 26.

Mother Earth News Fair, launched in 2010, is a family-oriented sustainable-lifestyle event, featuring more than 200 practical, hands-on demonstrations and workshops from the leading authorities on renewable energy, small-scale agriculture, organic gardening, green building, green transportation, natural health and more. The Fair also includes an eco-friendly marketplace, organic local food and beverages, children’s activities, musical entertainment, and outdoor equipment and livestock demonstrations.   This promises to be different from my normally strictly-fiber-related event. I'm looking forward to learning more!

It's hot here in Virginia, but I'm still stitchin'...

My favorite place to "work" is at my little cabin in the woods. There's no air conditioning, but it's OK if I stay in the shade and don't move much. The only internet is what I can get on my Blackberry, so I'm not distracted by web-surfing. For all of you who have heard me say, "I'm headed for the lake", here's where I'm bunking. 

Please listen to my podcast visit with charming host Mary Beth Temple on Getting Loopy. MB is always good for a laugh. You can always (and forever) download the free podcast at the iTunes store.

After the long holiday weekend, I'll be heading to Manchester, New Hampshire for the Crochet Guild of America's Professional Development Day (July 7), followed by the Knit & Crochet Show--three days of knitting and crochet classes, fiber market and FUN! I'll be presenting a break-out panel on Wednesday (Designing for Publication), signing books at the market on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and generally hanging out. Come find me and say hello!

The following weekend, I'm headed up to Illinois for the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair. I'm looking forward to this, because it covers a mix of fiber arts--and I want to learn them all! Click on the link on your right for more details.

Well, the humidity and afternoon thunder showers have arrived here in the Shenandoah Valley.

It must be summer!

After a big graduation weekend here in Virginia, I'll be heading off to Columbus, Ohio for The National Needlearts Association trade show. This is the trade show for the fashion yarn industry, and it's always a fun, exciting, exhausting, educational weekend. I'm sure I'll come back with a notebook full of ideas and potential projects cramming my brain.

The show is closed to the public, but open to industry professionals. For anyone attending, I'll be doing a book signing on Sunday, June 11 at 11:00 am at the Unicorn Books booth. I'll be giving away copies of Around the Corner Crochet Borders! How's that for a deal?

On, Monday, June 21, I'll be giving a program at the Staunton Public Library in Staunton, Virginia.

This one's free and open to everyone. I'll have copies of my books for sale, and lots of swatches and samples for participants to fondle. I'll also do some demos. And, of course, we'll be knitting and crocheting. Please come join the fun!

To see pictures of my studio, and the record snowfall we had this past winter, read my blog interview at The Designer's Studio.

Every few weeks, Faina Goberstein does a nice job of talking with different designers about their work; this month is my turn!

Let us know what you think!