Gordon collects action figures. (Please don’t send him any. He already has pretty much everything.) When a new package arrives to the house, he almost always informs me that the purchase is a “preorder.” As in, it wasn’t a recent splurge, but something that was paid for long ago.
I don’t care if it’s preorder or not. My husband can buy all the action figures he wants. In fact, I recently bought a new shelf for him so his collection can be better displayed. But for some reason he persists with the preorder label. It’s become a thing. When I bring his packages in, I announce it as “Honey, your preorders are here.”
I haven’t been buying yarn lately. First I’m 86% into cross stitching project, according to my app. Second, we were super busy trying to finish the “novella.” Third, I have reviewed the state of my craft room and had a serious talk with myself regarding the fact that I do truly have enough yarn.
However, as Magic Claims drew to a close, I kept seeing these beautiful yarn advertisements on Facebook, and I finally gave in and ordered some yarn from a shop I’ve never ordered anything from before called Yarn Love. I used my incognito work email for it. I have two work addresses, and they are the only email inboxes I check on regular basis because that’s my life. One address has all the bells and whistles, with a link back to website and #1 NYT Bestselling Author and all that. The address I used has nothing to indicate what we do, no links, no website mention. The signature just reads Ilona Andrews.
The yarn arrived today and none too soon. I had to go to the doctor last week for a minor medical thing and when they took my blood pressure, it was 130/90 which is a shocking number for me. We’ve been going there for years, and I’m never over 120/80. So I am under strict doctor orders to relax.
The state of our roof and our yard might be a contributing factor. Roofers are hammering, and every time they pound on the roof or walk by, the dogs go ballistic. And you can’t correct that behavior because we do want them to go ballistic if strange people start making loud noises. Also, Texas is so pretty right now and we are stuck inside because the back yard and the front yard are a war zone.
So my yarn arrives. I inform Gordon that it’s my preorder and open it up. It is gorgeous.
There is a card. How nice.
I flip it over.
You can find this yarn and many others at Yarn Love website.
????????
Your facial expression made that story. Thank you.
I’m sorry your cover got blown.
I don’t knit but every time you talk about knitting and yarn I get this urge to buy yarn and learn to knit. I used to sit and knit rows when I was a kid and staying the night at my grandmothers….that’s the extent of my experience. The yarn you bought is gorgeous!
The facial expression says it all. My favorite part of your post!
Gorgeous yarn & such a lovely message. Imagine creating something with a yarn that was created by someone listening to something else you created – wonderful!
That’s hilarious! The expression says it all!
The yarn thing got me a little teary-eyed. You give us so much love and joy and you should know you are loved too. You both deserve this little unexpected hug of appreciation from a fan.
This is wonderful! You definitely deserve that love! Also, did you know that one of your books was mentioned on tor.com yesterday?l hope you’ll check out the article.
Yes, we’ve all seem that lovely article, wasn’t it so good? 😀
(Here’s the link in case anyone else wants to read https://www.tor.com/2023/04/17/master-of-the-craft-ilona-andrews-magic-bites/)
We purchased a no-bark collar for our German Shepherd/Malinois x. He goes ballistic if someone walks along the sidewalk – because it’s his, you know. He goes ballistic if he sees a dog 2 blocks away – because he owns that property too. He goes ballistic if anyone has the audacity to come up to our front door – because how dare they. Every time he goes off, I jump 3 feet. This dog is so loud that when he barks you could go deaf. (He has had lots of expensive training.) The brand is DogRook. We didn’t want to hurt him with a shock; and we didn’t want something spraying everywhere. This collar makes a Beep warning for the first bark. The next bark, it vibrates. He hates it. It’s funny the first time; the dog looks around like “who did that?”. He doesn’t wear it 24/7. We put it on when he goes outside, so his barking doesn’t drive the neighbors (or me) crazy. And we put it on when he is watching TV with Husband, because he’ll bark at animals and sometimes people on the screen. The quiet is lovely.
I am cracking up both at the photo and because I flipped from a tab open to Ravelry’s Yarn Love repository (what can I do with this neon yellow and green varigated? What?), and over to here. Ha!
A Green Bay Packers something!! (*the something being dependent on time & yarn purchased) 😀
At my doctor visits, I have better BP numbers if I wear the cuff first, take deep zen breaths, then stand up and step on the scale/weigh in afterward. For some reason for every doctor, the protocol is weigh in first and I make a special request to reverse the order.
I would recognize your name too.
I make soap.. but I found but accident that it turns to slime once allowed to soak in water. Now in 2020 I put that liquid into spray bottles. now I found it and the last bit in the bottle was still white no mold or discoloration. it’s a good cleaner. ( fat water and castic soda.
chuckle. Your fame precedes you. How sweet. Also drool on the yarn. whimper
I *love* her yarn– I’ve been buying from her for years. I did Copper Canyon with with a skein of Shiny Penny to do a cowl that a ton of people have tried to abscond with — I bought those two colors again and a skein of Verdigris to do a three color shawl recently. Glad I got those now before she sells out for ages 🙂
The first yarn I tried to order sold out before I could check out 😂 I’d never heard of her, but it’s gorgeous yarn.
I laughed my head off. I do cross stitch also. Have for years.
Wow, that colorway is spectacular! It looks incredibly vivid in the picture. I too, am trying to work my stash into a more manageable size….with varying success. The project on my needles is with the Knit Picks Preciosa: it’s like having velvet on your needles without the fuzz. I wish that they hadn’t discontinued this line of yarn. I cast on while listening to the new Graphic Audio production of “Magic Bites” I’ve just preordered “Magic Burns” and am looking forward to my needles clicking while I live through Kate’s adventure.
Happy Knitting!
REALLY..!!! you thought you were anonymous? now that’s really funny.
what a nice way to be recognized.
Girl you have the cutes face I swear it make me smile. 🙂 My husband and I both use the “Preorder” excuse. bahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! I think it’s because we NEED a new back door (one corner of the metal door is rusted and a little light can be seen from the inside of the house), a new deck (bout the fall off the house), a new window in the master bathroom (one block is cracked) and are those things getting done NO but preorders keep coming in. I figure it’s the small things. 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
The BDH is ERRYWHEREEEE! <3
When you are a fan, you know! She sounds like a very personable vendor. And I love your color choices. And merino wool! Enjoy whatever your project will be.
That’s some absolutely lovely yarn. I just clicked the link you so kindly provided and placed an order. I love that she wrote you a personalized note and is a fellow House Andrews fan!
I’m so glad Katie recognized you and took the opportunity to thank you both for the hours of joy and entertainment. You deserve it. But somehow it means a little extra when it comes unexpectedly. And it’s lovely that it’s so non-intrusive.
I Love IT!! And Not surprised at all. Great minds think alike: Yarn and UF a la Ilona Andrews!! Your picture is Priceless. Thk you for the smile!
The yarn is very pretty. Any ideas on a project?
Three cheers for Katie! She who had an opportunity to express thanks and appreciation AND did it in a quiet non-stalkerish way.
Years ago, my husband and I had taken our sons to DisneyWorld in Florida and recognized a professional basketball player with his family. The boys wanted to go say hello and ask for an autograph. We told them no. Yes, the man whose job entailed interaction with the public was out in public. But taking his attention from his wife and children when he was “wearing his family time hat” was the wrong thing to do.
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Way to go Katie!
You’re a popular author, what can we say!! The yarn is beautiful.
You cannot hide
We could be wrong, but
we will take the chance to, a)
Thank you or b)
Let someone know there is an awesome story teller of that name out there
WHOOT! 🫶🏾
May I ask the name of your cross stitch app? No apps existed when I last cross stitched 25 years ago.
I’m addicted to Pokemon Go ($$$ each month). However, the developers is helping me quit with their latest bad decision. Now that I find myself with some free time and money, I want to return to previous constructive hobbies like cross stitch and stained glass.
Hi Helen,
There are a few cross stitch pattern sources recommendation in these post:
https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/stitches-and-floss-riches/ and
https://ilona-andrews.com/2023/crafting-and-other-weirdness/
Also looking through Ilona’s comments:
There are several. Pattern Keeper for Android has a good reputation, although I haven’t used it. This pattern is comes from either a Russian or a Ukrainian designer, and they use CrossStich Saga. I honestly love it. This pattern comes from Sofia Belenko.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SofiaMBelenko?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1197751489
The wool is so beautiful. But seriously, did you really not expect to be recognized? Your name is synonymous with great books with fabulous stories.
I do understand the thing about the wool(Canadian here) though. Have a shop in town that Carrie’s some of the most amazing locally produced wool and the temptation is so great but my stash cupboard is overflowing but……….
Please show what you create out of this beautiful wool.
There is no such thing as too much yarn! I tell my husband that all the time, and he’s learned to smile and nod as he plays with his “preorder” trading cards 🙂
I love this card… just shows how loved you two are.
Hi, ModR. Ilona has probably seen this article, but if not, then hope she enjoys it https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2023/04/yarn-con-2023-recap/
Thanks wingednike 🙂, I’ll make sure to pass it on
thank you!
Love it.
I am a long time Yarn Love club member. I still have my copper canyon. Still haven’t found the perfect project yet.
How cool that she knew your books. That means you guys have made many an impression. Fans are everywhere.
I wish I knitted or crocheted. I love yarn. I’m inept.
So much for anonymity!
Dear Ilona, I must share a disaster happening 10 days ago: Lulu, my 14-month old kitten, swallowed a 3-inch thread with the needle when I put down my thread to remove some stitches in my cross stitch. After one entire night in ER, Xray and endoscopy, the needle and thread were retrieved from Lulu’s stomach with no lasting impact.
Thank goodness Lulu has pet insurance. (A major reason I got that for her is seeing the Camille’s advantures from your blog in the past. So thank you!) Cats and cross stitches…. watch out!