I took very few pictures on my trip to Vermont last weekend, and this is by far the best. There were several of these doctored signs on a steep, winding road into the mountains, and we enjoyed them so much we had to pull over and take pictures.
Highlights of my weekend: the incredible foliage driving through NJ and NY state (Vermont was already a bit past peak as you can see in the photo above); spending all of Saturday lying on a couch in the corner of the room where everyone else was taking classes with Annie, alternating between knitting, reading a great book (Middlesex), and staring into space in a vegatative state; eating lots of beef stew, scones, granola, and other goodies, most from Trader Joe's, and some brought by other knitters; enjoying the company of a dozen fantastic women.
Now that I'm back, and my ponchos are turned in to Vogue, I'm in a bit of a funk. I need a break. The weekend was great, but it was a long drive back on Sunday after teaching in the morning. And I returned to rejections from Vogue (for the designs I submitted for their Spring/Summer issue) and Interweave. I tell myself "Better luck next time," but I also recall how stressful it was knitting three ponchos in three weeks and wonder whether it's worth it. I have a great job. Maybe I don't need to be a professional knit designer.
Speaking of my great job, I'm late for work.
Great sign picture Alison! I'd have taken pics too.
Don't worry about your rejections. Remember--Vogue has already said you are worthy, and not just in a one time magazine, but in a book people will have on their shelves!
And you do need a break! And you will live to submit another day LOL
Posted by: Lynnette Kopetsky | October 27, 2004 at 11:33 AM
That's just too funny!
Just because your designs were rejected doesn't mean they aren't good. The magazines so often have a trend in mind that may or may not be something 'we' like. You could find another way to publish your designs.
Posted by: Margene | October 27, 2004 at 11:38 AM
Thanks Margene and Lynnette,
I do try to keep rejections in perspective, and I will probably try to develop some of these designs and publish them myself or submit them elsewhere. It's just frustrating coming on the heels of having no fun knitting the ponchos on a tight deadline. But I know I'll get my groove back eventually....
Posted by: Alison | October 27, 2004 at 11:57 AM
great photos! my first time posting here, though i read your blog often...don't give up, your designs are beautiful! i like the idea of publishing them yourself...
Posted by: mrspilkington | October 27, 2004 at 09:33 PM
The road sign is great!
Posted by: Katie | October 30, 2004 at 12:43 PM
You are an exceptional designer. Your work is intruiging, fun to knit and technically very impressive. Not only that, you're a terrific person, a great teacher and a fun traveling companion.
Editorial choices seldom have anything to do with the intrinsic worth of a design - they have more to do with a pre-determined "theme" in a magazine (and we see how well that's working for Vogue...)
I actually have a design proposal for you - I'd love to email you about it privately.
You're someone I admire very much - and for some odd reason I've been in a bit of a funk since the retreat, too! (Culminating in a sponge throwing incident with my husband...) It's the same feeling I used to get the day after opening night - the letdown. It'll pass and enthusiasm, joy and excitement will return! Hope is always waiting for us!
Posted by: Annie | November 02, 2004 at 08:13 AM