I have a book review coming on Friday, but before I post it I wanted to share with you a change I've made in my book review policy. When you've got a blog with a good-sized audience marketers of all sorts reach out to you asking if you'll write about their products. Mostly I say…
Book Review- Seams Unlikely: The Inspiring True Life Story of Nancy Zieman
In March of 2004 I left my teaching job to be home with our newborn daughter. She was tiny and fussy and I was going through an identity crisis, having abruptly transitioned from an exciting, interactive profession I’d done for many years to being at home, alone during the daytime, learning to be a mother….
Book Review: Sew Fun by Deborah Fisher
Making art is all about solving problems. How can I form this shape? Which two colors will look best here? What material should I use to make this part sturdy? If you think about it, you are facing and solving hundreds of tiny problems throughout the process of making something. Every one of us develops…
Gift Guide: Craft Books 2013
I love books, and I especially love a good craft book. This year I've reviewed a number of new releases and any one of them would make a terrific holiday gift for a creative person in your life (or for yourself!). Here's my 2013 craft book holiday gift guide! I Just Like to Make Things,…
Book Review: Creature Camp by Wendi Gratz
Designer and sewing teacher Wendi Gratz has a new book out with Stash Books called Creature Camp: 18 Softies to Draw, Sew & Stuff. Wendi is known for her clear easy-to-follow sewing instruction. She creates videos and tutorials demonstrating sewing techniques especially designed for beginners. Wendi has also taught hundreds of kids to sew during…
Book Review: Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love by Kerry Goulder
Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love, by Kerry Goulder, is a new project book with 18 softie sewing patterns. Kerry lives in Southern Maine and is a mom to two girls. Before writing this book designed five patterns for Anna Griffin, a well-known brand of stationary, home, and gift products. Kerry also sold her handmade…
Book Review: Sew & Stitch Embroidery by Alyssa Thomas
It's rare to find a craft book now that contains projects I haven't already seen somewhere else. We're so surrounded now with projects and tutorials that it's easy to feel like everything has already been done. Every now and then, though, I come across a book that's truly new. Sew & Stitch Embroidery by Alyssa…
Book Review: Stitched Blooms by Carina Envoldsen-Harris
I've always wanted to be good at embroidery. It's sewing that's portable. How appealing! I've tried many times over the years, but I was never really sure how to transfer the patterns to my fabric. Am I supposed to trace this with a pencil or a pen or what? And then once I started, my…
3 Interesting Soft Toy Books from the 1980’s
I collect vintage soft toy books. I have about two dozen titles and I acquire new ones when I find them. A new-to-me softie book is like a new-to-me sewing blog. First I spend some time doing background research. Who is this author and how did she get into designing toys? Then I read the…
Book Review – Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing
Sometimes a single image can have a transformative effect on your life. At least it can on mine. My older daughters are now 7 and 9-years-old. They are aware of what I do, that I sew and write books and write a blog. They come into the studio while I’m working and ask, “Can I…