From the Accents, Inc. 2009 Bookmark Challenge collection.

The Monday “What have you done lately?” accountability post, where I announce my Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy program promotion goal for the week and fess up on last week’s goal.

Last week my goal was to send out a newsletter to shops and Bookmark Challenge Participants. I thought this would be totally easy, but I’m an idiot. It’s in progress as I type. You see, my mailing list program hiccuped. Since I am unable to fix the hiccup at all, let alone in a timely fashion, the program asphyxiated and died. At least, that’s what I think happened.

Hours later, I uploaded a new one.

But it doesn’t work. I’m awaiting a response from Tech Help.

Yadda, yadda, yadda; I’m sending the messages “by hand,” which is to say Very Slooowly.

In other Stitching for Literacy news, do you remember when I mentioned that Alan, The Bookmark Collector and Battle of the Bookmarks buddy, seems to have a tendency to take an idea and expand it exponentially? Well, the idea for a Battle of the Bookmarks is now an actual plan for the

FIRST VIRTUAL CONVENTION FOR BOOKMARK COLLECTORS

On February 20 and 21, 2010 the first convention for bookmark collectors will take place online. For 24 hours, bookmark collectors from all over the world will meet to give and attend seminars, view galleries, shop, swap, and socialize with other collectors and enthusiasts. For many collectors, this will be the first time they will have the opportunity to meet and discuss their passion with other enthusiasts, live.

If you collect bookmarks, make bookmarks, or are curious about bookmarks; if you are interested in ephemera, biblio-paraphernalia, craft samplers, book history, small art, or collectibles; or if you are interested in seeing the first virtual convention for collectors of any sort, then stop by the website and register for the Bookmark Collectors Virtual Convention.

For announcements and updates, read the blog or subscribe to the newsletter

No idea if we’ll get a Battle together for this year or not, but I remain optimistic. Alan gets stuff done.

I plan to offer some sort of program at the convention, but I’m not sure what it should be, exactly, or how it will operate. I have much to figure out, but I’m majorly excited about the possibilities.

This week my Stitching for Literacy program promotion goal is to approach librarians via a library list serv about getting on board the Bookmark Challenge. I’d like to get a list of libraries interested in receiving bookmarks so that I can match them with shops and guilds. I’ve been too shy to post about the program, but I’m going to screw up my courage and just do it.

If you’re a librarian (or library media specialist–ahem) reading this, and you want in on the bookmark action, send an e-mail to mail at funkandweber dot com with your name and address–and I will try to match you with a nearby group.