Category Archives: PigSkinParty

Pigskin Party 2017: Call for Sponsors!

We are looking for Sponsors for

the Down Cellar Studio Podcast

2017-2018 Pigskin Party KAL Season.

KAL Runs from September 7, 2017- February 5, 2018

New to the Down Cellar Studio Podcast group and wondering what previous sponsors have said?

“The Down Cellar Studio Podcast reaches a very broad audience. Since the KALs are multiple month long events, it gives the opportunity for the large body of participants to come in contact with the sponsors and their offers repeatedly throughout the course of the KALs. I think that is quite valuable.” – Fibernymph Dye Works

When asked if the sponsorship brought in new business for Fibernymph Dyeworks: “Yes, but just as importantly, it has been another way to put me in the sight line of past and current customers as well. I think that’s significant, because when KAL participants who have purchased from me in the past are reminded about my presence through the KALs, they seem more likely to shop with me again due to that recognition. Also, when they see my business participating as a sponsor in an event that they are also taking part in, I think it adds an element of cohesion to their knitting community. (That latter point is purely speculation, though!)”

Plum Deluxe says “… prices are very affordable for small business and I never worry about how my business will be represented… We always receive kind, thoughtful new customers from our DCS sponsorship.”

Knitters Brewing Company shared “I enjoy working with you because you are very organized and communicative. I can count on you doing what you say you will, and I hope that I reciprocate!”

“I found a rapid return on my investment through sales and great exposure.” –Colorful Eclectic

Are you ready to join the party?

We have two types of Sponsor options.

  • Field Sponsors (unlimited availability, unpaid option)
  • Pro Shop Sponsors (limited availability, paid option).

Once you decide what’s right for you, fill out the Google Form to apply for your spot. You’ll receive a confirmation from me complete with a reminder of what I need from you and the links to make it easy!

Field Sponsors

Required:

  • Donate a prize.
  • Mail prize to winner once I contact you with the details.
  • Post details of that prize in the prize thread before September 1.

Optional:

  • Provide coupon code
    • Must use coupon code “pigskinparty17”
    • Must post details in the Coupon Code Thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group.

What you can expect from me & the Down Cellar Studio Community:

  • All sponsors will receive at least 1 mention on the Podcast.
  • Good press from happy customers.
    • Participants will be granted 4 Special Teams Points for using a product from a Field Sponsor which should encourage them to buy, use and share your products!
    • Participants will be encouraged to share your products as they use them on social media.
  • Exposure to a new audience in an established, engaged community.
  • Link to your business’ website from the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group (currently over 1950 members) when prizes are announced.

Pro Shop Sponsors

20 Pro Shop Sponsor spots will be available on a first come-first served basis

Keep in mind- while the Pro Shop spots are limited, there is no limit for unpaid sponsorship & there are other opportunities this year for me to spotlight your business.

Required:

  • Donate a prize to be given away during the KAL. Mail prize to winner once I contact you with the details.
  • Post details of that prize in the prize thread before September 1.
  • Pay $50 fee via PayPal (Note: do not send this fee until you receive confirmation)

Optional:

  • Provide coupon code for participants.
    • Must use coupon code “pigskinparty17”
    • Must post details in the Coupon Code Thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group.
  • Create a custom item that relates to the Pigskin Party 2017.
    • This is certainly not required, but if you are a Pro Shop Sponsor and would like to create a Pigskin Party themed product, I’m happy to support you in that! The Down Cellar Studio Podcast community is very engaged and committed to our KALs. A good portion of the exclusive products created for the 2017 Splash Pad Party sold out eventually if not immediately. I’d love to bring my audience to your business and expand your reach.
      • Note: it does not have to be football or sports themed in any way. The item must be exclusive to this KAL for 6 months from the end date (2/5/18)
    • If you do create a custom product for the Pigskin Party, you’ll need to post it in the appropriate thread in our Ravelry Group.
    • Note: Field Sponsors are not approved to create Pigskin Party themed items, and they will not be advertised on the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. If as a Field Sponsor, you already have football related items in your shop, there is obviously no problem with that, but the option to promote and offer extra KAL points for Pigskin Party Products is reserved for Pro Shop Sponsors.

What you can expect from me & the Down Cellar Studio Community:

  • 1 advertising spot on the podcast (100-150 words)

    • You provide the content. I’ll share it on the show! Ideally it’s best if this ad is customized for my podcast to encourage listeners to listen but that’s up to you.

  • Good press from happy customers.
    • Participants will be granted twice the number of Special Teams Points (8 instead of 4) for using a product from a Headline Sponsor which should encourage them to buy, use and share your products!
    • Should you create an exclusive product, we will award 16 points to each participant who uses the product as part of an FO during the KAL.
    • Participants will be encouraged to share your products as they use them on social media
  • Exposure to a new audience in an established, engaged community.
    • Your business will be featured on at least 1 post on BostonJen1’s Instagram featuring your business (current reach- over 5800 followers).
      • If you have an image(s) you prefer, I can use that- or I will find one from your shop.
      • Link to your business’ website from the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group (currently over 1950 members).
  • Link to your business from show notes that accompany every episode from September 2017 through February 2018.
  • If you create a custom item for Pigskin party and send me a photo, I will advertise it on Instagram for you with a minimum of 1 post on instagram.
    • You are also welcome to post anytime in the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group.

Optional Add-Ons
These options are available to both Field Sponsors & Pro Shop Sponsors.

Advertising Spots

  • There are 11 additional ad spots available during the course of the KAL at a rate of $20 each (first come-first served- max 2 per sponsor).
  • I limit my advertisements to 3 per episode so your ad spot will stand out.

Opportunity to Sponsor an Interception (No Spots Remaining)

  • We always have Interceptions during the KAL. These are mini-challenges that last anywhere from a weekend to 1 month in time. There will be 4 Interception Sponsorship Options this year.
  • If you’d like to be the primary sponsor for one of these interceptions, you’ll be announced as such on the podcast episode where the Interception is announced and any other episodes during the Interception (and your business will be linked in that episode’s show notes). I will also feature you as the Interception Sponsor on Instagram.
  • The rate for this sponsorship is $25 (limit 1 per sponsor) and the donation of an additional prize (at least a $10 value) to be given away to one of the winners of this Interception.
  • We can work together if you have an idea for an interception that might relate to your business. Or, you can rely on the Down Cellar Studio Team to do all of the work and you just provide a prize.
    • Please note: Depending on the intensity of the Interception Challenge, there may be other prizes awarded from available KAL prizes, so your prize will not be the only one available for this challenge, but your business will be the only one announced in combination and advertising of this challenge.

Interested in signing on?
Here’s what I need from you.

  1. Please click on this link which will bring you to a Google Form. Fill out all of the required fields, click submit and it will be sent to me.
  2. Look for an email from me.
  • I will be in touch after your application is completed.
  • If you’re looking for a paid sponsorship spot, I will be in touch to let you know your total.
  • Please do not PayPal me the fees until I have confirmed your spot(s).
  • Once you sign up, I will send an email with all of the details and links you need to make this simple!

Episode 108: And The Winners Are…

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 108 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

  • Yarn: Fish Belly Fiber Works, Tributary Base in the Bougainvillea colorway (fingering weight held doubled)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Pattern: KitKat Hat by Andre Sue KnitsIMG_8739
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50- Imprim Ciel Colorway
  • US 1 (2.25mm) needles
  • Pattern: OMG HeelIMG_8563
Mary, Millie & Morgan (skirt + cardigan)

On the Needles

  • Pattern: Gradient Angles by Janice Hamby
  • Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix: Colors= Spooky Purple, African Violet, Mona Lisa, Tickled, Sakura, Anthurium
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)IMG_8656

From the Armchair 

 
A thought about 2016 FOs: One pair of my shortie socks with softer yarn didn’t stay up. In the future I am going to stick with Regia or harder wearing wools in future and knit at a denser gauge.
Making My Life Easier– I back up my photos from my phone and my computer to Google Photos. It acts as a back-up but also makes it easier for me to add photos to my Ravelry Project Pages. because there is an option upload from Google Photos.
Book Review: Heart on My Sleeve. Knit with Care conceived and coordinated by Emily Wessel and Alexa Ludeman of Tin Can Knits.
  • Designs by Shannon Cook, Romi Hill, Bristol Ivy, Tanis Lavallée, Joji Locatelli, Alexa Ludeman, Jane Richmond, Ysolda Teague, and Emily Wessel
  • Visit their website for more details.
  • For details about their KAL check out this Ravelry thread.

Knitting in Passing

  • I shared a story about connecting with another Weight Watchers Member on knitting. I helped her with her first sock.
  • If you’re a new sock knitter you may want to check out the Tin Can Knits Rye Sock Pattern. Great resource for a knit sock knitter because it explains the construction.

KAL News

  • Click here to find about more about this KAL.
  • Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
  • The 12 Months to Christmas KAL is a craft-a-long that helps you prepare for the busy winter holiday season. Complete gift projects each month (or just in the months that you choose) so you don’t have to scramble in December. Find some cool new gift ideas, cheer each other on, and we’ll provide some motivation in the form of the potential to win prizes!
  • First Quarter Prizes:
  • Declare a WIP from 2016 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you’ll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8.
  • In March we also have a prize from Fibernymph Dye Works. The winner can choose a resist-dyed sock blank – either with sparkle or without – in their choice of colors.
Pigskin Party
Our 3rd annual make-along hosted in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group that runs during the NFL football season September 8- February 6th (Monday after Superbowl- you can knit and post photos on that last day) The more projects you finish, the more touchdowns and field goals you’ll score and the more points you earn. You can also increase your score by using products from our awesome sponsors or meeting other challenges and by recruiting new team members. The more points you have, the more entries you get for the prize drawings. We also have lots of prizes reserved for participation  on Ravelry and Instagram to keep it fun and light if you’re not a hardcore player.  You can participate in as much or as little as you like. In short- it’s 5 months of fun, chatter, some good healthy banter and of course PRIZES!
Pigskin Party ’16
 
Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!
Key Details Mentioned in this Episode:
  • January & February Huddle & Instagram Winners
  • 10 Grand Prize Winners
  • Sponsor Love Thread Winners
  • 10 Grand Prize Winners

Events

  • Join me for my GoodReader class – March 25 from 4-6p at the Stitch House in Dorchester, MA ($30) 

Life in Focus

February: Memory keeping
The Plan:
  • Determine a sustainable plan for documenting memories through scrapbooking (paper and/or digital) in a creative, sharable way that doesn’t overwhelm me.
  • Find, print and hang more photos in our home.
 
Why?
  • I scrapbooked 2005-2009 of my life and then again for part of 2013. I am so grateful to have documented the stories of that time in my life, especially as my nieces and nephews were born. I want to fill in the gaps and document those stories before I lose them. Kids were still so little then. So many cute photos, memories, milestones. funny things they said.
  • I have boxes of photos & memorabilia my mother thoughtful saved for me. I want to organize it and purge what I don’t want and find a system for making this into something worth saving and sharing.
  • I want to remember and celebrate my life. I want to share stories with my family and pass along wisdom where I can.
IMG_8548
What I’ve done so far:
  • Identified an approach- Stacy JulianLibrary of Memories approach combined with Project Life divided page protectors
  • Sorted through childhood memorabilia based on these categories
  • Assessed finished scrapbooks.
  • Sort through emails and journals. Momento app all to pull social media.
  • Reorganize 2014 photos already printed into LOM approach. Started scrapbooking them!
    • Heard tip to put photos in divided  Pocket Pages first. get that finished. Did that while binge watching with dan and my friend laura. felt productive but didn’t take as much brain space as actually scrapbooking. Easier to batch and liked that I could do it from the couch.
  • Working on Project Life App for 2017 and 2016 photos. Appreciate that the app allows me to scrapbook on my phone anywhere.
IMG_8554
Resources
Apps:
IMG_8554
Podcasts:
Websites + Blogs
March- my focus will be about automation. If you have any tips for me, please come share in the Ravelry group.

On a Happy Note

  • World of Difference Shawl– has been a huge hit! Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response.
  • Visiting with friends. Binge watching, Season 3 of the Affair. The Crown. Black Mirror.
  • I had a good appointment with my Physical Therapist.
  • Weight Watchers is going well. I met a new personal goal!
  • I spent time this weekend my niece and nephew.

Quote of the Week

 
Having the best things is no substitute for having the best life. When you can let go of the desire to acquire, you know you are really on your way.
Oprah Winfrey.
 
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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 106: So Much Pink!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 106 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • From the Armchair
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Pussycat Project Hats: 6 complete so far

On the Needles 

  • Pattern: Gradient Angles by Janice Hamby
  • Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix: Colors= Spooky Purple, African Violet, Mona Lisa, Tickled, Sakura, Anthurium
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)img_7622
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50- Imprim Ciel Colorway
  • US 1 (2.0mm) needles
  • Pattern: OMG Heel
img_7620
  • Pattern: Sunwalker by Melanie Berg
  • Yarn: Sun Valley Fibers MCS (Merino Cashmere Silk) Fingering in Kensington Colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) img_7621
 IMG_7794
 

From the Armchair

  • The Other F Word podcast: conversations about failure
  • Minimalism; A Documentary About the Important Things  available on Netflix in the US.
  • The Bletchley Circle on Netflix
  • What I Know For Sure: (audio book of short stories/essays written and ready by Oprah Winfrey
    • A favorite quote from the book”…when people say they’re looking for happiness I ask ‘what are you giving to the world?’ It’s like the wife who once appeared on my show wondering why her relationship with her husband had broken down. She kept saying “he used to make me so happy. He doesn’t make me happy anymore’ what she couldn’t see was that she was the cause of her own effect. Happiness is never something you get from other people. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love or happiness you’re able to give. If you think something is missing in your life or you’re not getting what you deserve- remember there is no yellow brick road. You lead life. It doesn’t lead you.” Oprah

 In My Travels

Vogue Knitting Live NYC

  • Class with Bristol Ivy (highly recommend)
  • Visiting with friends!

IMG_7676 IMG_7714 IMG_7724 IMG_7731 IMG_7769 IMG_7748 IMG_7671 IMG_7656

  • Declare a WIP from 2016 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you’ll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8.
  • Start planning your February project. Must post in thread by February 5
Pigskin Party
Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!
Key Details Mentioned in this Episode
  • Mini Skein Interception- sponsored by Fibernymph Dye Works- ended January 15th. Prizes Announced!
  • Small & Self Indulgent Interception– Sponsored by Knit Knight Designs
    • Cast-on on/after January 1. Finish by January 31.
    • Create project 300 yards to less- that you plan to keep for yourself. Could be something to wear or something for your home. Anything that will be a bright spot in your life. Just tell us why it brings you joy to make/have etc.
 

Life in Focus

  •  January Happiness Project Update (in progress): Minimalism
  • Interesting Things to Read:
    • Things I don’t need
    • Join the Clutter Free Revolution
      • “I think a handful of brilliant and recklessly deceitful entrepreneurs have convinced us that our individual value as human beings is more closely tied to the things we own. Here’s the really weird bit: We know. But we pretend that’s not what’s going on. Instead, we proudly show off our new stuff, and say things like, “You’ve got to get one of these!” Sure, it’s fun and that excitement is real. But in most cases, we haven’t really done our homework. We skip that step and go straight to believing if something’s for sale, it must be good. We’ve not learned about where our stuff comes from, what kind of harmful materials went into making those things, whether or not the people who made that stuff were treated fairly, and if there’s an environmentally responsible way to safely dispose of all that stuff when we’re done with it.  So, here we are; this peculiar species, frantically racing about – consumed with doing anything we can to make enough money to buy these curious things we’re convinced will make us happy. The truly astonishing thing is how fleeting our happiness has become. It’s almost like finding the thing has become the source of our joy – even more so than the thing itself. Before we know it, we’ve become preoccupied with finding the next thing, and the next thing.”   Evan Zislis
Quote of the Week

“Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time. It is the ability to resist failure or use failure that often leads to greater success. I’ve met people who don’t want to try for fear of failing…It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case you fail by default.”   ~ J. K. Rowling

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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: