Looking for our "Look"

While in Richmond with Erin working on layouts for our new sections on Planet Purl, we took a morning off to wander Barnes & Noble to check out travel, cooking, & knitting books to find things we liked (and lots that we didn't like) about book layouts. Since Deep South Knitting is the planned to be the first of several in the series, we need to develop a "look" that will be distinctive and still be versatile enough to be used in the other books. There are some really boring-looking books out there.

Several hours later, we took home a stack of books that each had some element we liked to start a basic layout so we can map out how to approach research, photography, and the various elements of knitting, cooking, and traveling. It was a good thing my luggage was pretty empty as the books almost put me over the weight limit for my checked baggage. So while Erin maps out screen shots for the new pattern search and shop search features on Planet Purl, I've been left to run amuck for the rough design of Chapter One for Erin to take apart. You know I love you, Erin.

I figured it would be best to pick a city that I really love, so Savannah, Georgia gets to be my guinea pig. Great architecture, lots of scenic spots and tourist activities, terrific food (mmmmm, pralines!) and of course, yarn shops.

The research is turning out to be fun -- just like planning a real vacation. Since I am the official vacation planner for my family, it's a familiar role. I'll be planning a long weekend to visit some inns, eat some fine Savannah cookin,' and hit the yarn shops, probably in April.

If you've been to Savannah and have a favorite restaurant or inn, I'd love to hear about it.