Missing my mind . . .

I miss my mind. It really irks me when I can't put my hands on something -- like a particular pattern I want to make. Oh well.

Today's pic is of a coaster I made several years ago. I'm pretty sure the pattern was from one of the Annie's Attic group of magazines but I just can't put my hands on it right now. I remember making a set of them out of heavy cotton. Of course, once I post this, the pattern will magically appear out of nowhere.

I mentioned previously that I collect patterns. I probably have over 50 different magazine titles just for crochet. Some of those titles have in excess of 300 issues. Plus, I download patterns from the Internet almost daily.

OK, so where do I keep this staggering amount of patterns? "EVERYWHERE!" groans my husband. Well, that's not entirely accurate. Most of the magazines are stored in boxes in my study. The online patterns I download, convert into PDFs (if they're not already in that format), and burn to CDs.

Patterns are then printed out in color and placed alphabetically in topical 3-ring binders for easy access. (Yes, I am a bit obsessive-compulsive!) For example, I have binders for snowflakes, coasters, postholders, shawls & wraps, and doilies.

I've also been known to scan/photocopy patterns from my magazines for my personal use. That way I can blow up (I'm nearsighted) or mark up the copy (notes on hook size, thread/yarn, highlighting rows as they are completed) without damaging my original. When the project is completed, I enter my notes into a database and destroy the copy. Since I own an original and destroy the copy without passing it on, it is considered fair and personal use. Besides, if I bought a copy of your pattern, took it home and shredded it for the cat box, what would you do? Sue me? I think not.

Now, before anyone gets a burr under their saddle about copyright issues, I'm NOT sharing copies with anyone. (Mean MammaKitty!) I'll be glad to share the URL or other publishing data that I might have but PLEASE don't ask me for the actual pattern. That's not fair to the author and brings a lot of bad karma to everyone else involved.