Out Of The Ashes Comes A Rising Phoenix

*Brushes off the dust from his jacket*

My God, nearly four years since I have posted to this blog and updated my podcast.

It's sad that it has taken this long for me to be able to pick up the pieces and begin anew.

I know that I have probably lost most of my audience, but let me say that Crochet For Men will, in fact, be returning very shortly (weeks if not days).

My life is back on track, I am stronger and healthier than before, and I want to bring this podcast back to those who so dearly enjoyed it once more.

Sincerely and with gratitude to those who have stayed, hoping for my eventual return,

Jude "The Crochet Guy" -- Sorry, Dude's been taken!

PS -- If all goes well, I will be adding a NEW podcast discussing all the many avenues of crafting available to men, and eventually through funding I hope to have a VIDEO podcast show.

Stay tuned - It's about to get exciting!

CFM to Return Soon!

Greetings, crocheters,

Jude has asked me, Mike Conway of the RPG Showcase podcast, to let you know that his illness has been passing and he's getting his life in working order. I dare say that he's looking better by the day.

He appreciates all the prayers and e-mails he's recieved from all of you, and he looks forward to beginning the podcast anew. Within the next few weeks, he will be working on a new edition of Crochet for Men, and he hopes that you will enjoy it.

God Bless,

Mike and Jude

Brief Hiatus

Greetings, crocheters,

This is Mike Conway, and I host a podcast called RPG Showcase, and I am a good friend of Jude's. I'm leaving this message here to let you know that Jude has taken ill in a very bad way and is unable to continue doing the podcast at this time. Make no mistake, doing this podcast is a labor of love to him, and he wishes to continue soon, but for right now, he must let his body heal.

As soon as he's able, he'll be posting here once more, and the show will continue. Please pray for him that he'll get better soon, and keep checking back.

If you would like to send him a get well e-mail, click here. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

God bless.

Technical Difficulties & Such

Dearest readers, listeners, and all others,

Please forgive me, but I have had the following happen to me:

1. I currently live with friend's family and, due to some recent equipment bought by the Aunt, there is now a horrible hum and feedback in the background of my podcast. This hum drowned out my voice several times, so I am going to move the computer to a different location and try recording the podcast again.

2. Also due to the electrical interference caused by the Aunt's flourescent light and air purifier, I get repeated disconnected from the internet (I use a wireless modem). Thus, I cannot upload even the 'bad' podcast if I wanted to.

3. I received more information by email for my theme, some news stories and a book to review. So, here is my promise to you:

No matter how bad the hum, no matter how intermittent the connection, I will have this week's podcast up no later than Tuesday (if not, rest assured you will all be informed). Also, I will do two podcasts this week - you can expect the next one at the regular Friday time.

Finally, in the coming days, I will be adding an email subscriber to my homepage so that an email will go out to you whenever the podcast has been updated. I hope that this will help you all!

Thank you again, and please remember to pray for those involved and volunteering for the disaster known as Hurricane Katrina!

~Jude

New Info & Updates!

Hello and welcome to all of my listeners, readers and subscribers!

I wanted to take some time and update you on a lot of information that has now been updated, and also explain why my next podcast will be late by a day.

First off, due to some helpful hints and suggestions, I decided to do away with the fonts on this website. So, for now on, this site should be much easier on the eyes and not require much to be downloaded again to view it.

Secondly, we are now OFFICIAL! You do not have to update your podcast software, but for those of you who would like to update your links, the new address is www.CrochetForMen.com

This also means I have a new email address, which is Jude@CrochetForMen.com

Finally, I have received a lot of great information today for the next podcast, so I am postponing it until tomorrow. So do not worry nor fret - the podcast will be live, 'on the air' this Saturday evening. Be sure to tune in, for we shall be covering Premature Births, the March of Dimes and how you can help! Let's all make a difference and raise awareness of this epidemic.

See you all tomorrow, and please have a good night!

~Jude

2005-09-02 Charity 1 of 4

Welcome to all my listeners! I am so glad you could make it!

This podcast is one of a series of four that will be covering news stories and information on how crocheters like us, men and women, can make a difference. I hope you all enjoy what I am presenting to you, and I am so very happy you are here.

News

As you have heard (or will hear) in the News section of my podcast, I covered a lot of stories including Warm Up America! and Blankets for Canada, Martha Stewart and Lion Brand Yarn's Charity Connection. Below you will find the links for more information:

To send your completed squares and/or afghans, please send to:

Warm Up America! ......... Blankets For Canada
2500 Lowell Rd. ............... Suite 217
Gastonia, NC .................. 214 - 905 - 1st Ave South
28054 ......................... Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4M7 MediaSyndicate: 'Coming Home' Poncho report

• Michael's craft store
• Fayetteville Online
• Martha Stewart
• Save Martha!
• News story covering Freedom of Martha Stewart

• Lion Brand Yarn's 'Coming Home' poncho pattern direct link
• MediaSyndicate: Charity Connection by Lion Brand
• Direct link to Lion Brand's Chrity Connection

Free Items of the Week

Want to help out Warm Up America!, Blankets for Canada or another charity that needs baby blankets, lap-ghans and adult afghans? Or perhaps you are looking to make that special gift for this Christmas/Chanukah/Yule? Please enjoy the links I have provided below.

Also, please email me at CrochetForMen@GMail.com with pictures of your finished projects! I will post them here for all to see, just include your first name, last initial, what book or website you used for the pattern(s) and finally your location. That's it!

I look forward to your submissions! Now, here are the links to the free patterns!

• Basic (and a few intermediate) Afghan Squares from Warm Up America!
• Beautiful and fun designs from Crochet-N-More!
• Chez Crochet's Celtic Triangle and Square
• Chez Crochet's Mile-a-Minute: Stacked Hearts, Victorian Fans & Frames w/ Open Fans
• Chez Crochet's Mile-a-Minute: Single Shell & V's and Christmas Trees

Hurricane Katrina: YOU CAN HELP!

If you cannot listen to the podcast, please do stop and have a moment of silence for the families that are hurting and are in need of help due to Hurricane Katrina. Many have died in this hurricane, and being that Peter Franzi, owner of the Men Who Crochet yahoo group, cannot reach his family in Mississippi, we were unable to procure an interview at this time. Please keep Peter and all of those who have been affected by this travesty.

If you would like to help, click on one of the pictures below and show your support! Thanks!

..................

Book Review

As promised, below is the direct link to Vanna's Favorite Gift Afghans. Please enjoy this book as I have!

Thank you again for listening, and have a great evening! May God Bless you all, and remember - Just because it says it has no dye lot, doesn't mean the colors will match! Good night!

~Jude Thaddaeus~

*Update* New Time, Same Channel

Hello to all my listeners and readers,

Crochet For Men's podcast is officially moving to Friday. That's right, Friday.

I thought that this change would be best for everyone, and just think - All my listeners can start their weekend right with some great news, reviews and some interesting interviews!

See you all there, and feel free to drop a comment (it should be fixed so that *anyone*, not just Blogger members, can post)!

~Jude~