Ok. So I'm not really writing this from the beach. But this photo was taken just a few days ago... Summer is here. Woooo!

And just in time for longer days, family vacations, and lemonade, we have a fab issue for you! It's full of nifty projects to spiff up your place, along with some accessories to spiff you up, too. From table decoration [1] to recycling clothes [2] to recycled silk [3], we're covering all the bases. Robyn Chachula's dog accessories [4] will make you want to get out of the house with your beloved pooch, and Marlo Cairn's kitty toy [5] will make you howl with laughter (it definitely cracks us up. And it's definitely tongue-in-cheek, so no worries).

To top it off, we're making a habit of publishing new content mid-issue, so you'll have more to read and do come July. You've told us that makes you happy, and we're all about making you happy. So if you're not already on our email newsletter mailing list, this would be a good time to sign up (just go to the homepage [6] and fill in the form)! In addition to letting you know when new content is published, we share all sorts of Crochet me news, links, and occasionally even a newsletter-exclusive pattern. Run; don't walk.

Speaking of staying in touch. We are beside-ourselves-squirming-excited to have partnered with Missa of knitpixie [7] to present mycrochetblog.com [8]! If you've always wanted to start a blog but have been holding off for some reason or another, here's your chance to get a free crochet blog. Check it out! In the future we'll have more gorgeous blogs up for adoption, and we'll be offering a really affordable paid option so you can do even more with your blog. Seriously, everybody's blogging. Consider this low-risk peer pressure to jump on the bandwagon.

And on the topic of wagons, I'll be taking the Crochet me Blog [9] on the road quite a bit this summer. Look for city-specific [10] blog posts and drop me a line [11] if you want to meet up for some tea and crocheting! I'm most excited about two trips, specifically:

1. Several amazing Crochet me designers and I will be meeting up in LA in July to tape a few episodes for a new TV show that will air on the DIY Network [12] in 2006. Look for more info on that in the coming months.
2. The Crochet Guild of America's [13] national ChainLink [14] conference will be held in Oakland, CA from July 20-24. If you'll be in the area, I urge you to register for a class and check out the FiberArts Market [15]!

Okay, A LOT of Sour Patch Kids have gone into the preparation of this issue. I'm going to go for a run to burn off some of the sugar high. Enjoy!

Cheers,

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