angry chicken

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!