Guest Blogger Week 99 ~ The Lovely Crow

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Elizabeth

from The Lovely Crow

I never know quite what to write when I'm invited to blog.  

First, a huge thank you to Sue for inviting me to do so, and also for her patience with me in the process. 

I've been more than a little scatterbrained lately, and Sue has been so sweet and understanding.

I love what I do. 

First, I'm an U.S. Air Force spouse to my sweet husband of almost 15 years.  

We've been together since I was 15 years old. 

Second, I am a mother to our 6 beautiful children, and guardian of one more special little girl. 

 Here's a secret... We are expecting number 7 later this year!  

I plan to have many new beautiful baby designs now that I will have a new model, 

and renewed motivation. Third, I crochet.

I think crochet becomes a lifestyle.  

You quickly fall in love with fiber art, and it becomes an obsession.  

Yarn colors, yarn choices, patterns, alterations of those patterns, and so on, become a part of your brain.  

A part of your heart.  

At least that is how it was for me.  

I have a passion for sharing that passion with other people.  

I get so much joy when a novice crocheter writes to me, 

sharing photos and pride in something they've accomplished.  

I remember that feeling myself. 

I have a wonderful family, and beautiful friends.  

Among them, a group of testers who are like my second family.  

They are my secret keepers, my encouragers, my sounding board, 

and the sweetest group of women ever.

That's a little bit about me.

I guess I'd like to talk a little bit about why I've been sort of absent over the past year or so.  

I was cranking out designs like crazy, and then just sort of... stopped.  

We've had a challenging couple of years. 

 My husband was deployed for 15 months. 

 During that time, I moved myself and my children from Maryland to Tennessee 

(my home state, and close to family.)  

While we were there, I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease, 

and had to have a pretty major surgery on my spine, a 3 level cervical fusion.  

Shortly before my husband returned, I moved myself 

and our children from Tennessee to Georgia (where my husband is currently stationed, 

and where we plan to retire.)  

We moved into a rental home here, and just three weeks ago, 

moved into our newly purchased home, which is where we plan to FINALLY settle. :)

It seems that the past couple of years have been trial after trial, emergency after emergency, 

and finding time to design, write, etc. has been exhausting.  

I'll let you in on another secret.  

My mother has been behind the scene, answering questions, sending patterns, 

and helping to take a lot off of my plate over the last 2 years.  

Without her, I would have had to close shop, 

and discontinue selling patterns, so I owe SO much to her.  

She's been my lifeline.

And now... my plans for the future. :)  

Well... obviously... NEW PATTERNS!  

And a new baby (due in August) to play dress up with!  Fun!  

Also, a new doll that I've designed, and lovingly named Bubbeez, 

after my 5 year old daughters nickname.  

I'm giving Sue a sneak peak of the doll, 

and also a sneak peak of my new ComBrat Cap pattern 

that will match perfectly with the ComBrat boots pattern.

Next, I would like to go back to school 

and really learn the software I need to be able to turn my patterns into interactive e-books. 

 I have a vision for the future of being able to send a pattern 

to a person with links so that they can easily click, and be watching a video, 

able to ask questions on a forum, etc.  

I'll admit, I'm quite a ways away from seeing that dream come true, 

but it's something I have a passion for, 

and hope to begin working towards that goal this year.  

I hope that one day "The Lovely Crow" will be one of the first places a friend sends 

a new friend who wants to learn how to crochet.

Lastly, as a thank you for being invited as a guest, 

I'd like to offer your readers a discount.

The link to my Ravelry page is http://www.ravelry.com/designers/elizabeth-alan

Here's a coupon code for %20 percent off your entire purchase.

lovelyaddict

Be SURE you look for the coupon code field at checkout!  

It can be easy to miss!  Enter that code and your discount will be reflected at checkout.  

This code will remain good until February 15, 2014.

Links

My different shops

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/elizabeth-alan

http://www.ebethalan.etsy.com

http://www.thelovelycrow.etsy.com

Social Site

http://www.facebook.com/thelovelycrow

To sign up for my newsletter, and receive announcements of my newest patterns, and occasional sales, go to 

https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/C173464E9E10DD67

Wow thank you ever so much Elizabeth.

You and your family have been through so much.

I am so glad your mum helped you so you could carry on!

I am so honored to have you on my blog.

I have always loved your patterns and look forward to seeing what you make.

I hope things start to get easier for you!

I am absolutely thrilled at seeing your new patterns!

They are fantastic as always!

I will be using the discount code.

My niece has just been born and I am sure she will look

fantastic in some of your designs!

I hope you will join me in thanking Elizabeth!

I also hope your check out her sites and patterns as they are fantastic!