If you’ve visited the picnic over the last month or so, you’ve probably noticed a poll I installed in my sidebar to gauge what readers enjoy most about this blog. I admit, I put it up out of sheer curiosity and to make sure you all are still having a good time. Here were the final poll results (gathered by PollDaddy.com).

Does this surprise you? I guess I wasn’t that surprised. Here in the background, I usually only have the time to notice what pages are most popular and it’s almost always one of my patterns that is sparking your collective interest. I’m glad I took the poll, though, because I learned that even though my free patterns are the reason why most of you visit, there are a lot of you who appreciate my little squirrel mascots and the weekly smiles I try to offer. Here are some of my favorite comments from people who chose to enter their own in the “other” section.

• “I enjoy the upbeat messages. They ARE something to smile about!”
• “Sweet inspirational quotes/sayings and the overall happy mood of your blog!”
• “The SMILES I get every time I visit – and the patterns, of course! Love it!”
• “It is always cheerful and makes me smile :)”
• “Both. The squirrels are adorable.”

Thanks to everyone for voting and letting me know what you love most about this site. You can be assured, I will continue to offer free crochet and knitting patterns and tutorials, as well as comics, films, and somethings to smile about.

Speaking of all these features, I might as well tell you a little bit about my plans for 2015. I’m currently working on a series of teddy bear patterns that will be accompanied by more tutorials on how to add faces to your amigurumi. We’ll explore another basic embroidery technique, crochet techniques, and painting! I’ve already started working on the next Make It! Challenge, which you can expect out in February.This year there will also be more costumes and accessories for your squirrel friends to look forward to.

But the biggest announcement that I have is that I am writing a book. (Thank you, Anna Cull, for your continued encouragement!) It will feature a Hodge and Podge adventure AND free crochet patterns, so everyone should be pleased. The current plan is for me to self-publish it in 2016. So if I’m not around for a while, please don’t despair. It just means that I’m hard at work on something very exciting for you!