angry chicken

I'm in Seatle Right Now!

Come by and say hi!! I will be at The Quilting Loft tonight with the lovely Miss Emily Black Apple.

Hope to see you!

The Quilting Loft

Thursday December 3rd, 7PM

2601 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 706-0445

In Seattle this Thursday

I am very excited to be headed to Seattle to The Quilting Loft this Thursday for my book signing, and also to see some friends, do a little shopping, and have some quality time with the delightful Miss Emily, who will be accompanying me on this road trip.

I'm not even going to say how long it's been since I have been to Seattle (6 years! And we used to live there. For shame!) or how long it's been since I have been overnight somewhere without at least one of my children (Never! Unless the 5 hours between being in labor and having a baby counts.) So excited! I think I will feel like I'm in college again. Minus the super-cheap food, over-plucked eyebrows, and excessive flannel.

At the event, I will be giving away a tote bag with my book and my labels, chocolate, and of course there will be treats, silly antics and much tomfoolery. Please come and say hi!

on the merits of glaze—

I made this cake for our new house this weekend. We have been in our house for one year now (it's not a new house, being born in 1968, but it's new to us) and we thanked our house for a good first year. We also shared what we liked best about our house, which was the bunk beds, so said the children. This is funny because we had the bunk beds in the old house too, but you know how it goes. Pete likes the yard (as do I) but my favorite feature is a bathroom off of our bedroom. Oh, how I wished we had that wonderful luxury when I was pregnant 3 times, lugging up and downstairs 5 times a night having to pee. I almost considered sleeping in the bathroom.

Moving on, we ate the chocolate cake and I made a glaze instead of frosting. I found myself wondering why I don't always make glaze instead of frosting. I am not a huge frosting fan, but glaze I love! I kept the extra in the fridge to heat up and use on just about anything. Fruit, ice cream, crepes, you name it.

The cake recipe (my favorite chocolate cake recipe ever) is here in this PDF cheat sheet I made a long time ago and the glaze is simple and very forgiving— 6 oz chocolate chips with about 1 cup heavy cream. You heat the cream, pour it over the chips, let it melt, stir it up, and pour in on the cake.

Unrelated:

Joanne's is selling McCall's and Simplicity patterns for $1.99 until Wednesday (this was in our local paper, but I assume it's all over? Not sure, so call your local Joanne's first so you don't swear at me later.) I am going to stock up. Seriously, I never regret buying patterns when this sale hits, because my favorites always go out of print! I have marked down this blouse for sure.

Mailorder #5 re-issue! Now a PDF!

I am excited to re-release Mailorder #5, in its entirety, as a PDF you can print at home! You can buy it right here! And you can see examples made from this issue here in the Mailorder Flickr group.

This is a fun issue that is all about cross stitch. And don't worry if you haven't done it before—it includes a helpful how-to, perfect for beginners.

Here's what you get:

• Official Mailorder Sampler counted cross-stitch chart (shown in the first photo above)
• 3 small and equally charming counted cross-stitch mini-charts (perfect for the holidays!!)
• Mailorder recipe card
• Marvelous and handy you-color-in recipe card stand (print this on cardstock and color it in!)
• Secret word to unscramble, which after solving will earn you a very special prize.

Just in time for the holidays! The 3 mini-cross stitch projects would be lovely gifts/holiday ornaments which wouldn't take too long. Also, a nice gift might be this PDF, all printed out, with some linen and some thread all wrapped up pretty for that special someone who would love a project to start. I love giving craft projects as gifts, not necessarily finished items, you know? Less work for me and I like giving the gift of creating something.

You can buy it here ($8) and don't forget to hit "return to kingpod" after you pay. If you forget, just e-mail me. And this is a PDF, not anything that is mailed—instant gratification!

donut holes.

Details are here and hope you can come by!

(I have a new fall banner and new links up, too.)

book siging coming up this thursday!!

This Thursday I will be at Bolt for a book signing! I will show examples from my book—with tips, hints and humorous stories, and then we can all chat, hang out, and one of you will win this tote full of Bend The Rules Love! It contains supplies, a copy of my book, fabric from Bolt, the Bend The Rules Gift Labels—how cool!

Please come on out, I'd love to see you!

Thursday, November 5th at Bolt (Bolt has a cool blog, too, just so you know.)

2136 NE Alberta St · Portland, OR 97211 · 503.287.bolt

7PM

Woot!

**I will be in Seattle on December 3rd at The Quilting Loft for a book signing, too.

New Prints—Folk Art Series

I've been working on these 3 hand-drawn prints for a long time now, and I finally finished them! I am quite happy. There are printed on super fancy heavy-weight archival watercolor paper—you won't be disappointed. There are three in this series. Silvija is shown here (the frame is not included.)

This one is titled Come Home.

And Crest. They are over here at my Etsy shop, which seems to be the best place for me to sell my artwork. Please take a look and my, what lovely holiday gifts they would make! 

book signing this sunday!

Okay, I will be at Powells this sunday for a book-signing. I'm pretty excited. There will be a question and answer portion (Questions don't have to be limited to this new book of mine, by the way, they can be from my first book too, or whatever you want to ask, actually, as long as it's not really hard questions about science or something.) I also will have the real life projects from the book to look at and discuss and I will also be hosting several cakewalks. Fun! They are small cakes, but still big enough to feel very special as long as you don't share, which I wouldn't.

The details:

• Book signing—Powell's, September 20th Sunday 7:30-9 PM, downtown location.
• Cakewalk*—to enter in the cakewalk (of which there will be many, like more than 10) you must either bring my new book or buy one. I know, kind of tricky, but hey.
• I will also be giving away 2 boxes of Bend the Rules Labels to anyone who brings a project made from my newest book. If there are several of you, I will have my daughters choose—you can take it up with them.

*Cheating is encouraged, if you can figure out a way to cheat in a cake walk, more power to you. That doesn't mean not buying my book, yeah, I'm on to you. Mariko, our cakewalk DJ, is accepting bribes. I suggest you bring sour candy and/or colorful mechanical pencils and pens.

labels and stuff to do with them

I am so stinking excited to have these Bend The Rules gift labels on hand for gift giving. These are the ones I wrote about a bit back. I have been using them for all kinds of things—like here on a box. This one says "I totally want to get one of these for myself, so let me know if you don't want it."

on tags, boxes, and cards—on the tag it says, "It's a gift for you! (But secretly for me.)"

And "I made this, just so you know. So, don't say anything mean about it." They are very handy.

They are published by Potter Style and are available in gift shops and book stores and also right here. I say, stock up for your holiday gift giving!

I am giving away a box of labels—leave a comment with your worst gift giving or receiving experience. Preferably handmade in nature. Like, I had a knitting teacher who would knit sweaters for her boyfriends, they would take months and months, and then they would always break up with her right after she finished the sweater.

One of my favorites which is not a handmade gift story, but still amazing, is a dear friend who gave her dad the soundtrack to O' Brother Where Art Thou, but knew he hadn't seen the movie—so she gave him the movie too, but rented it. So, he had to return it to the video store after he had watched it. Classic!

Okay, I will leave this up a couple days and then we will do a random number generator to choose the winner. Thanks!! (And I will be giving away 2 more boxes at my book signing at Powell's on the 20th, too.)

************************************************************************************************************************

Okay--WOW that was a lot of stories! I laughed, and some were so sad! Kind of like a big long This American Life segment. You all are amazing.

Alright—the Random Number Generator has chosen #168. Congrats Cay!

point & shoot

 

I gave these ridiculously cool ceramic Ghost Cameras to my photographers as thank-you gifts for collaborating with me on my book. (The mighty talented Matt Wong and Alexandra Grablewski.) I now am kicking myself for not getting one for myself. They are designed by Yellow Owl Workshop and made here locally in Portland by Mudshark Studios. I just noticed they also have the cameras at Urban Outfitters, which is awesome, but buying them directly from the artists is even awesomer.

Unrelated:

• We saw It Might Get Loud last week and it was so good. I realize that the 14 year-old boy really comes out in me when I am watching Jimmy Page play air guitar. (Yes, this really happens in the movie) There's much to discuss in this film, and it's not a perfect documentary by any means, but I really really liked it, and if you have ever liked Zeppelin, U2, or Jack White—it's worth seeing for that alone.
• Glee. Thank god for Hulu because we don't have television. I wanted to quote something from it, but how to choose?
• Just got word of a new blog Portland Loves: Local which is all out Portland shops, events and all that. Nice! Perfect resource for out of town visitors, too.

and the winning quotes are—

"Burn like a screaming eagle."

From Kelly who says: No, seriously. Giovanni Ribisi signed an autograph for me (that a friend begged him for) with that one. I have no idea what it means, but I can see it in a yearbook for sure.

"Dude! I will never 4get that night at the pits. And dinners at Moxies or lunch at Wendy's. U rock!" 

From Cheryl who writes: Sad, but so true. How did we ever think we were intelligent?

From Jen who says: Okay I must have been hanging out with a very immature crowd compared to everyone else commenting.... in the crease of the binding of almost ALL of my yearbooks is written:

"I AM WRITING IN YOUR CRACK. DOES IT TICKLE? HAGS!" (Have a good summer.)

Pete (the judge) says:

There were several "crack" quotes (disturbingly.) This one was randomly chosen within that group of quotes.

Runner Up:

Ivy said...

"The blacksmith and the artist, reflect it in their art. They forge their creativity, closer to the heart."
-- Rush

And Honorable mention:

Jeannine said...

Lickin' a Lobster for luck-KITH
See you round like a donut.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Okay— these were so fippin' funny we were dying reading them!!! Thank you all so much! And thanks to husband who took his job very seriously, it was a lot of quotes to read. It was pretty much all we talked about since Tuesday.

Stay tuned for another giveaway at the end of next week. Have a hot weekend, but stay kool. Later Vader!

(I'm now trying to work in yearbook quotes in daily life—surely annoying to all around me.)

my new book, a surprise, & a giveaway!!

I am pretty much ecstatic to announce that my new book, Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More is now available. I haven't been out to see if it's in the shops yet, but I know the ship date is today, so if you pre-ordered, you will get it soon. It will also be in all the big chain bookstores (Borders, Powells, Barnes and Noble) very soon, if not already, and hopefully your local independent bookshop will have it as well. If not, please ask them to order one for you!

 

I am also thrilled to tell you that in about 5 days (on September 1st, to be exact) these Bend the Rules Gift Labels will be available from Potter Style. These have the copy I used years ago for the holiday labels I made as a PDF. I am thrilled to have them professionally designed and published by this fabulous imprint. They are printed on thick label paper and come in the nicest sturdy box. The packaging is really impressive. They say things like, This seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm not so sure. And, I totally want to get get one of these for myself, so let me know if you don't want it.  I'm going to show and tell about these more in the next week or so, but I thought it would be really lame to wait until September 1st to tell you about them. If any of you want to buy both the labels and my new book right now at the same time—the combined shipping would save you a little dough. Just sayin'. I will give away 3 boxes of labels when I get them—so stayed tuned for that.

And speaking of giveaways:

You all are amazing and there is no way I would have ever been able to write my two sewing books and do what I do without all of you reading, commenting, and giving me support. BIG thanks to you all. I want to give away 3 signed copies of the new book here on the blog and I feel very strongly about personally inscribing a cheesy quote in the front. So, please leave a comment with your quote of choice (I'm thinking yearbook style—like a quote from a movie or from your favorite heavy metal song) and if your quote is chosen, you will get a free book with your ridiculous quote written in the front. Awesome! The only rule is no Pink Floyd lyrics—that's way too easy.

I am going to let my husband choose from the quotes, so you all can send any complaints to him later. This is a 24 hour thing, so by this time tomorrow I will close comments and get out my sharpie.

Thanks you guys!!!

*************************************************************************************************************************

Okay, I have closed comments, thank you so much! Pete has his work cut out for him. These are so good, I love the year book jargon! I will report the 3 winning quotes very soon. Thanks for all the new book and new label love!

flotsam & jetsam

I was so flattered and excited to put together this Guest Curator bit for Etsy that you see above here. I love their blog, The Storque, and all its features, how-tos, interviews, and whatnot. Etsy is so flippin' huge now and their blog helps me feel like I can get my arms around it.  The theme I chose was "Summer at the Beach." Of course, I love everything I chose immensely, please check these items out.

I also have a new podcast interview up over at Craftcast with Alison Lee. This is a really fun eclectic show she has—a little bit of everything. My interview is in the middle, right after the song. Alison is amazing, and we talk about my new book coming out, keeping my blog real, and the merits of blogging the mundane. It's always great talking to her.

And thanks for participating in the clog/sandals socks poll! Who knew? Well, now we know. I love the poll thing so much, I will try not to abuse it.

new (old) ragdoll sewing pattern!

I am super excited to be offering this ragdoll sewing pattern** for sale as a PDF available right now. This originally appeared in mailorder #6, about 2 plus years ago, and sold out immediately and has been out of print since then. I had been getting lots of requests to make it available again, so here it is. It's a fun pattern—great for sewing boy or girl ragdolls, and you get sewing patterns for the clothes, too. It's perfect for using up fabrics from your stash and is a great sewing project for kids to try, with help, of course.

This is a PDF, so you can print it today! Remember to have your printer set to 100% and hit that "back to kingpod" button after you go through paypal to download the file. If you miss this step—no biggie, just shoot me an e-mail and we can figure it out. Enjoy!

**Just to clarify: this is just the ragdoll sewing pattern, not the full mailorder #6 issue.

eMailorder #10 is available starting right now.

Okay, here it is! This fun-filled eMailorder #10 is all about papercutting. It's a bit more of a challenge than my first group of papercutting patterns (which you can try in eMailorder #8.)

In this issue you will find 4 original papercuts designed by your humble secretary, all of which will frame up beautifully in a standard 8” x 10” format. Of course, the Official eMailorder Recipe card is included and boy—it's a good one. Get your x-actos out and put on some good tunes.

This a PDF that you print at home, so don't go to the mailbox for this one—you can get it within seconds of buying it! (although have a little patience when printing, it's a big PDF)

It's $8. Please hit the Return to Kingpod button (on the paypal page after you pay) to get the download. If you forget in a crazy freak-out, just e-mail me, we will set you up.

Your faithful secretary,
Amy Karol

it's coming soon! (sorta)

I am jumping-up-and-down excited to let you all know that my second book, Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More (Potter Craft Summer 2009) is now available for pre-order!

Here's a sneak peek inside. I was able to work with the same ridiculously talented team on this book as my first (photography by Alexandra Grablewski and design by Amy Sly) which means this book looks amazing, is clearly organized, and puts a big smile on my face.

This book is all about altering fabric—and not all the projects require a sewing machine, so it's great for sewers, and non-sewers alike. Woot! Here's a painted toile artwork project shown with an inexplicably creepy mask.

Here's how to make t-shirts for your family band. These say It's not my bedtime. You will freak out when you try this technique—it's silk screening without photo emulsion or drawing fluid or Gocco. Life changing, I tell you.

And the Uncle Pete and Aunt Sarah dolls make an appearance, of course.

There are plenty of sewing projects with patterns as well, and they all come with ideas, techniques, and tips on altering fabric to make it your own. I really think you guys will dig it (I hope so!) Please pre-order it, how's that for a hard sell?

It's available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local book shop (I didn't see it yet at Powell's) and it will be out in the world, for real, the end of August. I already have a book signing/party set up at Powell's here in Portland the end of September (and I will have one at Bolt, too) and I just want to say two words. Cake walk. I'm serious.

 

easter bonnet

Easter is approaching and the girls' heads continue to grow, which is a good thing, I know. So, new Easter bonnets are in order. I am using my handy bonnet pattern (conveniently displayed above) which is also for sale. This pattern comes with 3 sizes—baby, child, and adult. Last year I also made a variation without the brim, as shown here, and was thrilled with the storybook cuteness of it. You can see more bonnets made up from this pattern in the flickr mailorder group.

I think for Easter this year a neutral linen would be lovely for the bonnets, with a sweet calico lining. Then we can wear them when we make our butter. Okay, really, no one in the house digs the butter making as much as I do, but they sure eat it up with no complaints. I think I need to try the jar method, so they can actually get into it more.

new art print for sale

I have a new print for sale. I drew this a bit back and am super excited to see it printed all fancy on this wonderful heavy watercolor stock I am using. It's almost like a board, it's so thick and the colors are rendered so nicely. I feel a comic coming on very strongly. This piece is called Nurture.

just so you know. . .

 

Hey, thanks for the paper cutting love!

So, a few of you asked in the comments how to do this, or where to learn how. Well, I can't pass up the opportunity to direct you to eMailorder #8 where you will find directions specifically written for first time paper cutters. You'll get 4 awesome paper cutting patterns (if I can say that about my own designs, which I just did) and a recipe sure to delight. Please note the little heart design there, perfect for your special valentine, it's just the right size for a card.

This is a PDF that you print out at home—it's not mailed.

I am loving the little house slippers from eMailorder #9 that are popping up in the mailorder flickrgroup—so cute!

eMailorder #9 is here!

 

I am sincerely excited to present to you eMailorder #9! This is a PDF file you download and print at home. It's not mailed to you. So, that's sad if you are missing the old red envelope, but happy if you want it right away—way cheaper for everyone!

In eMailorder #9 you will find:

• An eMailorder sewing project - House Slippers and Matching Travel Bag Pattern in 3 sizes (fits women's shoe size 5-10.) Please watch the extremely informative and mildly amusing video tutorial of how to sew this project.
• An eMailorder paper project - 2 door signs kindly asking your visitors to remove their shoes upon entering your home.
• A card containing a recipe sure to become a new favorite.

It's a mere $8 and It's right here. Please note the fine print about hitting the "return to kingpod" button after you pay for it with paypal, otherwise the PDF won't be sent to your computer (just e-mail me if this happens, no worries.)

You will need some 5/8" FOE (fold over elastic, available at SewZanne's) and you can revisit the FOE tutorial I made over here. 

Thank you kindly,

Amy Karol

Your eMailorder Secretary

The fruit go to the city.

I made this paper cut for a special birthday girl earlier this month. Those January b-days are so sneaky.

It's monday and I need more of the weekend. I have a ton of projects on deck—some involving fake fur. What the?

Even more exciting, I am 99.9% done with eMailorder #9! It will be available very soon as a PDF download to print and sew at home and there's even a special video tutorial companion to it. Someone take my Flip away from me. Woot!

some press related items

I hope everyone had a good Turkey Day. We sure did. My cousin's wife made the most amazing sweet potato dish ever. When I get the recipe I will post it. It is life changing.

I am thrilled to have a project included in this great new book, Handmade Hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters, put together and edited by the amazing Hello Lucky sisters. I have been a huge fan of their letterpress cards for years. They have a great book here, full of amazing talent. I am super flattered to have been asked to contribute a card design.

Here's my project in the book—an ornament card. Miss Delia graces the page there. Please check out this book and buy it. It's full of great projects and would be a wonderful gift for your crafty friends.

Next up, I am in BUST magazine this month (Oct/Nov) with a deodorant recipe. It's a star-studded crafty issue—Alica's book is featured along (with an apron how-to), and The Small Object has a card project in there, from the Handmade Hello Book, coincidently. There's a great round up of homemade craft projects for easy holiday gifts—it's a great issue

I also was pleased to be interviewed by Collectors Weekly about my apron collection and vintage clothing passion. I have said it before, this site is amazing and huge. If you ever need gift ideas, inspiration, or just want to spend hours researching, please take some time to check out this amazing resource. The interview is long (you know how I can talk) but I was able to bring up both vintage aprons and Blade Runner in the same interview, so that's something, anyway.

Bend-The-Rules Sewing turns 1! (A few weeks ago.)

Like I need an excuse to make another cake—Bend-the-Rules Sewing turned 1! Last month actually, but the book had my 3rd child's b-day to compete with and that is one tough baby. Here's just a smattering of some recent projects from the BTR flickr group. Completely awesome. I get giddy every time I am over there looking at all the amazing projects. Please click on this mosaic to get to see the photos individually.

So here's some book pimpin': The flickr group is now up to a whopping 1700 members with over 3400 images of items made from the book. There are discussion questions galore and great vibes—thank you so much for participating and making this such a cool group. The book went into it's 4th printing in June and is now (or soon) will be carried at your local Michael's, which is thrilling!

And the second book is almost done. Here's a sneak peek that I shouldn't be showing. I have about 2 weeks before it's all due—so I am crazy, which is why I am doing things like making my own deodorant. I am super excited by the huge range of projects in the next book, including this hand printed fabric using a technique I wanted to call "Look Ma, it's an easy silk screen method with no photo emulsion!" but that's kind of a mouthful.

a bunch of stuff about me

Okay you crazy sewers, BTR just went into it's third printing this week!!! Woo-hooo! I am so proud and excited—thank you!!! It's funny, many people have asked (or suggested to me) that writing a book is like having a baby. It's not. I did both at the same time, and it's really not the same. Writing a book will not give you swollen ankles. However, that book also won't smell good. But, one similarity is—once you put them out there, the book or baby, they have a life of their own. I love it when I get compliments on my book (or my babies) and try not to take it too personally when I get criticism. (Ugh.) Ultimately, it feels like they have less to do with me, and more to do with themselves and how people relate to them. Enough of the baby/book analogy! You can see the life Bend-the-Rules Sewing has over on the Flickr group. There are more than 2000 photos now—seriously!! Never in a million years did I think I could help/inspire sewers to make so many things. The discussions and question topics are so great too—and I just added a topic regarding what sewing machine to buy for you newbies, so hopefully that will spark some good recommendations. Please visit this group, look at the photos, upload your own, and ask your sewing questions. I visit often, and the ever diligent group members are super fast (thank you!!) so someone will help you out lickety split.

Okay, in other news, I just finished up an e-mail interview at mamazine, thank you Amy. I try to not be too repetitive. And my blog b-day (3 years!) is today, or tomorrow, not sure. I wanted to do a give-a-way or some cool PDF thing, but haven't gotten to it yet. Um, you saw Alicia's amazing dishtowel embroidery designs she posted as PDF for free, right? Can I just use that as my gift? Alicia, I will bring you caramel corn that has been on fire, okay?

And, when not starting a fire in the microwave (I didn't really) I am in the middle, in a dead heat ,actually, of working on book #2. Yup. I am very very excited about it. It's going well and taking up all of my brain time and craft time and everything in between. Oh, the time management is hard—it's like blood from a turnip, man. I still hope to squeak out some Easter dresses and all that, but there has been not much play and a lot more work around here. Good work, but work nonetheless. Creative work, which at times can be an oxymoron.

So, the Blog Birthday. It's all such a trip and I am not feeling particularly articulate right now (obvious?) but it's safe to say almost everything in my life, creatively, has changed since I started this blog and my kingpod site before that. Thank you all for reading this blog and buying my book, and laughing at me. I have come to realize that my two favorite emotions are humor and empathy. I think they go hand in hand. Oh, I am worried this all sounds cheesy! (Two kids have a fever today and I am still trying to avoid sugar so I am a bit crazy. I should edit this, but I am not going to.) Anyhoo, it's all good. That's what I mean to say. Blogging is fun and writing book #2 is fun (remind me of this in 3 months) and seeing all the BTR projects on flickr is WAY fun. So, thanks you guys, very much.

eMailorder #8!

It's here! Please head on over to kingpod to get yours now. In this special PDF issue you will get 4 paper cut designs, along with helpful directions and a mailorder recipe. I hope you enjoy cutting these as much as I did

Print these out at home on any color paper you like. Now you don't have to worry about transferring the paper cut design. How handy! And, what a lovely Valentine's Day gift these would make!

A brief note to special Mailorder subscribers-

The last issue for subscribers was #7. . .so you have them all. I know, number 7? This is because the first subscription round was 3 issues, and the second was 4. . . hence the silly 7 number, so this # 8 is a new issue and a pdf only. No worries, the red envelope has not gone away, we are just trying some different formats for fun and excitement. Like, we need more around here.

promote-y

See you tonight!

more halloween stuff

It's pretty much the same Halloween decor here as last year, but I still have to show it. This garland is from mailorder #4, the one with the earflap hat pattern, and I realized while moving around boxes last night that I have about 20 left. It's a great one, with a pumpkin spike cake recipe card and cool paper projects for Halloween. E-mail me if you would like one (they are $12 which includes shipping)

Okay-thank you! They are gone! I am 99% sure that eveyone who has e-mailed me is getting one, you will be hearing from me shortly. . .

I am getting a new camera-see that weird purple?? My girl M gave me the lovely porcelain faux bois vase lurking back there. I love it so much.

These are new. Halloween Sonny Angel Kewpie dolls to add to my collection, from the eggplant of course. So flippin cute and funny, boy parts and all.

I also am now organized enough (new print run) to sell bonnet patterns wholesale, so if you have a brick and mortar shop or an online shop and want to sell some, please send me an e-mail! Thanks!

bend-the-rules sewing update

Here's an update from the crazy world of Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I am super excited to announce a booksigning at the glorious Portland fabric shop, Bolt. I am sure all you Portland sewers already know Gina, but if for some reason you don't please come by. Her selection of fabrics is outstanding and it's just a dang cool store. The signing will be in about a month (I will blog about it again in a few weeks) and I will be there along with no less than 3-5 dozen donuts. Now if that's not a temptation -- come on. . . I'd love to see you! And bring some projects to show and tell!

We are really close to hitting 1000 photos on the Bend-the-Rules Sewing group on flickr! (I'm gonna make a cake and eat the whole thing when we hit 1000, I will take photos.)  The projects keep coming in and they are continuing to blow my mind. Look at the Puppet Theater from domesticali. Just awesome. This is one of my favorite projects in the book and I am thrilled people are actually making it.

Here's an n adorable Sweet Wee Jacket and Woodland Elf Hat from Bertha79 (Look at the booties!)

An ingenious fabric box from sharon-lizette (Her own clever design.)

to house these way cool Mixy Matchy Napkins!

And the coolest Baby Bib ever? I think so. From leyvadiana. Her other BTRS projects are stellar too, check them out. And is craft blog photography getting more amazing each month? I think so, I need a new camera, man. Don't miss the discussion section of the flickr group is growing everyday. It's full of great information--not just BTRS topics, but general sewing topics as well. I really appreciate all your love for the book in the discussions (Thank you!!) and your truly helpful criticism too. (Like, I totally hear you that making enlargements of the patterns suck. Word. I will pass that along to the publishers.)

In other news about the book, I just got word that it is being printed in Polish!  Znakomity! I couldn't be more thrilled.

Lastly, I have a new podcast interview with Alison Lee on the excellent Craftcast. This interview is a bit different than my others. I talk more about my crafty/artistic process and about blogging, and it's only about 30 minutes long, not 1 1/2 hours like my other ones. (gads.) Alison's show has different segments which make for a nice variety. She talks a bit, reviews a movie, shares a song (a tearjerker) then I am interviewed. . .and I get all woo-woo and arty, so prepare yourself. Thanks Alison!

 

gettin' bonnity

 

After a series of odd mishaps, user errors, and bad luck, The Bonnet pattern, (as originally published in Mailorder #2) is finally here! It comes in 3 sizes; baby, child and adult and is perfect for keeping little ears warm this fall. You can see photos of the bonnets made up over here on the flickr mailorder club. I find it especially thrilling to see so many adult sizes made up.

When I first designed this pattern, I never thought it would be so popular, but I also didn't realize how hard it is to find a basic, non-poofy, bonnet pattern. This is close fitting and very sweet--hope you like it!

Bonnets for everyone! You can get your very own pattern right here.

The book!

Next week my book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing, comes out! It's been such a crazy month. So exciting and so overwhelming. . . all in a good way. Never in a million years did I think, while I was working on this book almost 18 months ago, that I would be having a baby the same week the book hit the stores. The crazy game of life, I tell ya!

These are some of my favorite photos. I love all the photos in the book so much, I still pinch myself when I look at them. My photographer, Alexandra Grablewski, shot this all with film, not digital, and the result is lush photos with such depth and warmth, they make my heart flutter.

I hope you all enjoy this book. I smile big when I look through it, and I hope you will too. My intent is to help, inspire, and demystify sewing-while trying to get a laugh out of you all, and I think I've accomplished that, which feels pretty awesome. I have heard a few of the pre-orders have landed already and you can find it online and in major bookstores near you soon. The official release date is June 19th. And I have set up a group on flickr to share images of projects and tips-please join up and show and tell.

And, most importantly, thank you all for reading this craft blog and for all the support you have given me. I say this in my acknowledgments and can't seem to say it any better now, so I will just type what is in the book:

Handmade is where it is at. It has the real heart and soul, and craft bloggers are at the forefront of this movement. Mining sites and images all over the world, craft bloggers can spread information and enthusiasm with incredible force and speed, and they are the pulse of the new DIY movement. I would have never written this book had it not been for the amazing time I have spent getting to know other craft bloggers and maintaining my own craft blog. For everyone out there reading and contributing, I thank you for being part of this amazing movement.

I bow down to you all. . . thank you so very much.

aw, man!

Oh, my brain. This recipe card that comes with the mailorder #7 has an omission. For the topping, it doesn't state exactly how much butter to use. . .it should say 1/2 stick of butter (Which is 4 tablespoons.) Sigh. I blame the heat, this big baby in me, and my mushy brain. Deepest apologies!

Up this week in our kitchen is strawberry shortcake. I was inspired by this over at the small object and although I don't really need strawberry shortcake more than once or twice a season, I do need it. And I have this handy whip cream canister, don't you know, making several helpings in a few days that much easier. That gadget is seriously dangerous.

mailorder #7-you can get it now. . .

Hello and happy Thursday.

It's hot here and people are excited and also freaking out. Lots of guys walking around shirtless all of a sudden. I always wonder, do they actually leave the house with no shirt on? Or do they decide, mid-walk, to take it off? I never see shirtless guys carrying their shirt. . .I think they must tear it off and throw it away, maybe in the bushes, and then give a really big yell or something. That's what I would do.

You can buy mailorder #7 right here (paypal only) and it's the print overrun (as usual) so there aren't a ton of these, just so you know. Please note the the 2 prices: one for USA/Canada and one Outside the USA, and please send me an email if your address is different than what paypal has for you. Thank you!

**sold out***

Wow! Okay, you all are crazy crafters! That was awesome. It's going to be a busy weekend. I will e-mail you if I have questions or you will hear from me soon if I said I would invoice you (like if you are in Australia and couldn't make the sale) Thank you!!

the next mailorder. . .

Issue #7 (the last of the year!) will be on sale over at kingpod this Thursday, May 31st at 8am (PST) as a single issue. I have been getting e-mails from some of you loyal subscribers worried that your subscription has run out-it has not! If you have received any of the issues #4-6, you will be getting this one as well, so worry not. I hope to get the subscriber issues mailed out by this Friday, so expect it sometime next week.

This #7 summer issue includes:

-The Mailorder Sewing Project: Learning to make foundation blocks with complete directions/patterns. Included are 4 designs (3 of which are shown above)
-Illustrated ideas for potential projects with these blocks
-The delightful professionally printed Mailorder Recipe Card
-The mailorder paper project: Kitchen Friend Stick Puppets
-The Mailorder Merit Badge
-And the Mailorder Secret Word (which will award you a secret prize when found and entered onto kingpod)

Sounds like a rip-roarin' good time to me! And just a heads up here; I decided to do 4 designs of blocks and included 2 copies of each block in this issue-one for practice, and one to make more copies from. So, for future projects, you will need to make more copies of these. . .I hate sending you all to the copy shop, but it was that or provide only one design with more copies, which seems not nearly as valuable.

For those of you in Australia (or other) where the time of the sale is evil and horrible, please send me an e-mail and we can work something out. And, as usual, I will be sending out a reminder e-mail to the mail list (you can sign up on kingpod) when this issue can actually be purchased.

Thank you!

no boots!!!!

Mailorder members, the most alarming issue has been brought to my attention:

The ragdoll pattern is missing the boots! Oh, I can not tell you how distressing I find this, and the dolls are so upset as you can see. Please accept my apologies for the gross oversight. The PDF for the boot pattern (as it ought to have appeared on the bloomers/pant page) is available right here. I will also put it up on kingpod under "mailorder/downloads" in the near future.

Update: when printing the PDF, please make sure your settings are at "actual size" or 100%, often the default for printing PDF's are smaller-so please check. . .thank you!

Thank you for your attention-your humbled secretary,
Amy Karol

you can get it now!

Hello Mailorder Members!

You can get your single issue of mailorder #6 right now! Just head on over to kingpod and hit that big ol' buy button. If you have questions during the sale, please e-mail me. There aren't many of these and they tend to sell out pretty fast, so please jump on over if you are interested.

Thank you so much! The single issues are all gone now.

Don't forget to look for that secret word hidden in this issue, it's worth it, I promise. (Enter it on kingpod when you find it and please let me know if you are having any issues with the prize, a PDF file.)

coming next week. . .

It's almost that time again! Coming soon, (next Wednesday, March 28, at 8:00 AM PDT to be exact), the single issues of Mailorder #6 will be available for sale.

In mailorder #6 you will find in your red envelope:

• A full-sized ragdoll sewing pattern, suitable for both boy and girl dolls
• 5 doll clothes patterns: Pants, shirt, dress, pinafore, and bloomers
• Full color professionally printed official mailorder recipe card
• Mailorder merit badge for the merit badge plaque
• A hidden secret word, which can be entered on kingpod to redeem a prize
• A mini paper project - an illustrated hanging portrait of the ragdolls

Okay, a word to my Australian friends, please e-mail me if this sale in the wee hours for you, we can work something out. You special subscribers will receive your issues sometime in the next week (or the week after for you international members) and don't forget your subscriber issue will include the Official Mailorder Embroidered Patch! How exciting!

If you sign up on my mail list over at Kingpod, you will get an e-mail reminder when it's on sale next week.

 

Big News! (but not for 5 months.)

Okay!! I am thrilled, thrilled, to show you the cover of my book that is coming out in June. June 19th. A long time from now. It's called Bend-the-Rules Sewing; the essential guide to a whole new way to sew and It's published by Potter Craft, an imprint of Random House, and should be available all over and on Amazon, right now, as a pre-order. Whoo-hoo!

It's got a front section all about learning how to sew and how to have fun while do it and 30 sewing projects geared toward beginners, but I really think seasoned sewers will like it too. There's an assortment of fun projects like napkins, coasters, bags, quilts, curtains, pillows, smocks, bibs, and of course, aprons, and many more projects as well. A little of everything, including stamping and painting on fabric to make it extra cool. My goal was to design projects that were fun, easy, and captured that Japanese craft book aesthetic of playfulness that I love so much. . .and I am so very happy with how it turned out! I was so lucky to work with an amazing team; photographer, art director, stylist, editor, a truly amazing group of people.

I could go on and on here. It's actually so hard to write about, it's been such a big part of my life for so long now. I turned in the writing, the directions, the finished projects, and over 200 illustrations last April, but the design of the book was actually started in Fall 2005. It's been there, in my life, for a long time. I have learned so much about the publishing world, taking on a project this big, and trying to balance it all with family and life-it's been amazing ride, and I am so grateful to have had the experience.

Okay, I'm not going to say much more about it for a bit now, cause really, you can't even see it until summer, but I sure hope you all like it!! It's irreverent, down to earth, and will hopefully take the mystery out sewing and will make you laugh at the same time. 'Cause laughing is good, right? And thanks family and friends who have heard the saga of all this for the last 18 months. Really, thank you.

mailorder #5 single issues now on sale!

Hello and happy Thursday!

Okay, the mailorder #5 single issue is available right here for those of you interested who are not subscribers. (And the subscription spots are now full, not to be annoying, but single issues are all that's availble now, and on all future issues, until Fall 2007)

it's sold out now, thanks so much you crazy crafters!!

#5 is full of the following fun filled items:
-The mailorder counted cross-stitch sampler chart project
-3 smaller cross-stitch projects (smaller = less time for you)
-The popular professionally printed recipe card with a super yummy recipe
-A paper project; a recipe card stand that you color in (to match your kitchen, perhaps?)
-The merit badge (And now anyone can download the merit badge plaque, which up until now was only available with issue #1, go to kingpod and look under downloads.)

Wow! That's a lot of stuff. Please join in the fun. There aren't many single issues this time, I'm just sayin'. Okay thanks and happy stitching!

mailorder #4!

Mailorder #4 is now available for sale! It will be available from now until the end of the day Saturday, the 23rd as subscriptions (4 issues) or as a single issue for #4. As your mailorder secretary, I am thrilled to present the following items in issue #4:

-a Halloween Garland Paper Project
-The Annoyed Silhouette Hanging Plaque Paper Project
-the Earflap Hat Sewing Project in 3 sizes (adult-child-baby)
-a special riddle (and a special PDF prize if you solve it)
-a professionally printed recipe card

So much goodness! Perfect for the weather turning colder and evenings indoors (apologies to the many Australian members!) You can see photos of the finished projects here. Okay members, if you subscribe, you will also receive (along with a little discount) an Official Mailorder Club Embroidered Sew-On Patch for your bag, hat, or perhaps even a jean jacket? Oh, how wonderful to share solidarity with other Mailorder members! Please note that this patch will come in an upcoming issue, not in this one-it's a surprise which one. . .

The subscription offer is only available now, while this sale is happening. Then each issue will go to a limited supply of single issues only, which will only be a print over run-not many copies at all. Upcoming Mailorder issues will include a needlework sampler and a rag doll sewing pattern, along with the usual recipe cards and other general crafty fun, like secret words, puzzles, and tiny treasures - sure to delight and entertain. Canadian members, please use U.S. shipping when you order.

The sale is now closed-thank you all so much!

Please e-mail me if you are having problems, or are out of town and please know that I will be printing/stuffing/packing after this sale, so allow 10-12 days after the 23rd to get your issue #4. I will be going as quickly as possible so you will have plenty of time to decorate before Halloween.

mailorder #4 coming soon!

Fall is almost here and so is mailorder #4! It goes on sale next week, for 4 days, September 20-23 and will be available as a subscription for the whole year (4 issues) or as a single issue for #4 and here's a sneak preview. We have a Halloween garland, and a lovely Halloween Silhouette plaque. . .

 

And an earflap hat sewing pattern (3 sizes included) just in time for the cold weather and the holidays. More info will follow next week, like all the pricing ($43 subscription/$12 single issue within USA and Canada) and oversees info with the prices for that, how to pay,etc. Excitement abounds I say!! And the hat does come in an adult size, just so you know.  There will be the usual secret stuff and the professionally printed recipe card--all that goodness. I will write an email reminder next week to the mail list. If you would like to be notified when you can buy, please sign up on the mail list over on kingpod.

What else. . .oh.I am doing the sale for 4 days and then the subscription offer closes for the whole year. You can then only get single issues as they come out and they will be only a print overrun, so there won't be very many. I do this not to be annoying, but to deal with the printing and package quantities upfront. . hope this is cool and it doesn't create too much frustration and/or cursing at your mailorder secretary.

quilt monday-small quilt cards!

We are back from the coast and it was rainy but really nice to get away. I came back, got organized (sort of-clothes are still on the floor, but I went through the mail.) and got some computer time in so I can show you the new small quilt cards:

"the long walk home." and "I keep my stuff in there." are featured in this pack (these notecards are details from the small quilts here) 10 postcards and 10 bright green envelopes (how festive!) all tucked into a clear resealable baggie. They would make the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for that special sewing someone in your life, don't you think? I sure do. Like the other card pack, they are $10 plus $2 shipping and they will be up on king pod later this week (I am trying to give pete a break, here.) but you can buy them right now by clicking this handy-dandy paypal button:.

**please e-mail me if you are overseas and I will send you an invoice. thanks!

quilt monday-small quilt cards

The small quilt postcards are here! I got them back from the printers last week and am so happy with the level of detail. You can really see all the tiny stitches and fabrics. They are available now over at king pod under the new "paper goods" category.

these two designs are in a pack. 5 of each postcard, 10 cards total. You can buy them by clicking this button right here: