I’m writing this post on the plane flying from Los Angeles back to Boston after a weekend spent at Craftcation. This is the first conference I’ve attended that’s related to the work I do now. It was a sacrifice for my family for me to leave for four days and I want to first say…
Archives for March 2015
How to Keep Blogging When You Really Don’t Feel Like It
It’s pretty easy to start a blog, especially when you’re excited about it. Brainstorming names is fun! Deciding on a platform takes some work, but it’s still pretty neat. Making a banner? Fun. Before too long your blog is set up and you’re ready to write your first post. The whole thing might take a…
Bear Sewing Patterns for the Six Weeks of Love for Softies Contest
The Six Weeks of Love for Softies contest over at Sew Mama Sew is in full swing. Take a look at all of the entries that have been submitted so far. The contest is running through April 5 so there’s still time to whip up a softie (or three!) and enter to win. Categories include:…
Looking Out For Ourselves
A few days ago I got an email from a member of the marketing team at F+W Media, a major publisher of craft books, asking if I’d consider reviewing Kim Kruzich’s new book, Retro Mama Scrap Happy Sewing. I love Kim’s work. She’s a meticulous sewist and a great designer with a focus on softies…
Why “Where’s Your Inspiration?” Isn’t a Good Question
I snapped this photo on Wednesday night. It was 8:24 pm. I’d just finished wiping down the kitchen counters and sweeping the floor. Josephine was tucked into bed. Simon was in her pajamas and Roxanne had just headed upstairs to take a shower. I had put down my laptop and my many legal pads and…
Teaching People to Use a Sewing Machine
For four years now I’ve been teaching groups of women (and some men) here in Wellesley to use their sewing machines. My class takes place at a sewing school down the street from my house. It’s an upstairs room in a two-story building and we all come in panting from lugging our heavy machines up…
Podcast Episode #45: Heather Moore of Skinny LaMinx
Today on the While She Naps podcast I’m talking with textile designer Heather Moore of Skinny LaMinx. Heather lives in South Africa and I live in Boston so it was pretty amazing to chat with her and learn about her business and daily life on the other side of the world. Fabric scraps by Skinny…
Unicorn Puzzle Ball
I love softies that are interactive. The more they can pop up, flip around, or turn inside out, the cooler they are. Everyone wants to play with them, no matter how old we might be. A few months ago I created a book of animal puzzle ball toys for Annie’s that will be coming out…
Studio Update
I have a few interesting things from the studio to share today. First, I have a project in the new issue of Mollie Makes (#51). At Thanksgiving an editor there emailed me asking if I might rework the flying squirrel pattern I designed for Wild Olive to create a clothes pin bag for laundry day….
Book Review: Stitch Love by Mollie Johanson
I bought Stitch Love because I’m friends with the author, Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive. I love Stitch Love because it’s a valuable and charming book that I’ll use for years to come. Mollie designs all sorts of crafts: embroidery patterns, printables, quilts, sewing projects, softies, and more. Her signature design element is a little…