(Cue balloons).

Welcome to the Blog section of this website. This is my introduction and official blog starting point of the internet madness. May it be an adventure!

My name is Karen.

I grew up in with a less than affluent childhood which I felt inspired my creativity at an early age to create when something lacked (over just buy it). After all who needs to buy it if you can make it?

I was introduced to crochet somewhere in elementary school (somewhere in the mid-1980’s), knitting (somewhere mid-1990’s), discovered plastic Addi Express “machine knitters” and later the CSM (2012). What an exciting creative time! One is only limited by one’s imagination and patience.

With regards to the CSM I continue to be creatively inspired and with that I’ve wanted for some time to organize my creative wanderings. Historically having found Ravelry to be a wonderful “notebook” style record keeping option (they have forums too but personally I don’t feel they provide an easy medium). I discovered a few CSM Yahoo Groups way back then and when those lost their popularity (people stopped posting there), it seemed most of us merged over to the vast array of CSM groups on Facebook. Unfortunately (or fortunately) there are just so MANY CSM Facebook groups with all sorts of moderator approaches. If someone wants to participate they have to A) be a facebook user and mostly B) locate a busy CSM Facebook group and request to join. If you want to reach many people you have to cross-post (and often that’s frowned upon).

Alas even Facebook can be quite limiting with posts automatically dropping any shared photos in a PHOTOS section and uploaded videos later being accessible in the VIDEO section - the problem I found was that if you were seeking a post by viewing it from the PHOTO section it often didn’t lead you back correctly. An active Facebook group sometimes gets a little flustered and incorrectly lists the timeline of individual shares. Photos shared in the comments section of a post often aren’t added automatically to the group photo section. But for something FREE - what more can you ask for?

Thus I’ve decided to dance a new tune. Enter this website and Blog. :)

BLOG GOALS?

This resource is being made available to all without payment and is aimed for anyone wanting to peek over the fence of what might be happening in some CSM areas on my side of the fence. This site will NOT be mirroring any content posted by others on Facebook. I still believe those CSM Facebook groups are useful and do enjoy reading everyone’s contributions. YAY.

I certainly do not know everything (I believe we are ALWAYS learning) however if what I have learned thus far, and/or if my adventuring helps you in some way then my goals will be achieved.

May your own journey be as inspired as mine is.

CSM Love,

Karen Ramel, Vancouver, BC Canada

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