finishing up Mr Scrooge, and a National Nonwovens feature

Bit disconcerting to be glowered at by these guys the whole time I'm sewing. I just smile benignly back at them. Because I'm having fun! 

The tiny details on Mr Scrooge's grumpy face give him so much expression, so they are totally worth doing. Stiffened felt eyebrows, card stock nose, pipe cleaner pork chops and goatee. Don't forget to redden the end of his nose and his cheeks. It's pretty cold and dark at his house, remember. Stingy ol' skinflint that he is. As always, I give super detailed instructions, diagrams, and tips to make assembling his face easier. You can do it! (And I also suggest alternatives.) 

This pattern isn't available just yet, but will be soon. I'm finishing up the final touches on the four samples (two in each palette) and planning my photo shoot. I'm hoping for a nice, sunny day tomorrow so I can make that happen and begin the final round of edits.

In other recent news, National Nonwovens featured my patterns in their special Stay At Home issue of Felt News. Thanks, guys! That was so kind. I have to agree, wool felt crafts are the ideal isolation projects.

giving my first talk

Putting together a display board for my Twelve Days series of ornaments. It's a good thing I'm only up to number 7 or I'd have to make another board. I'm thinking when the series is complete I'll need an actual white Christmas tree especially for them (instead of foam core).

The display (and these bags of samples) are for a talk I'm giving at the Madison Station Quilt Guild meeting next week and I don't mind telling you I'm a little (VERY) nervous about it. Talking. Out loud. About my stuff. In front of actual people. My sister is currently serving as guild president so she'll be there for moral support or perhaps to heckle me from the front row.

Tucker's mouse in Homespun magazine, followed by a PSA

Hey Tucker, look, your wee mouse with his little book was featured in the December issue of Australian Homespun Magazine! And what a pretty cover! Thank you, Homespun.

I still can't upload new photos, so recently made crafty stuff will have to wait a bit. My Mac Mini had to have a hard drive transplant and an OS upgrade, and I'm still moving in. It's a good thing my nerd husband can replace computer parts (that's right, he is not just eye candy). Hard drives fail, folks. We've had to replace mine several times over the years. They are a moving part, so they will eventually break.

While I'm on the subject, may I suggest that you have at least one backup? Learn from my mistakes. I've lost data and precious photos in years past, and that is why I now have a remote backup running all the time (remote means to a distant server that is not located in my house), as well as a local backup to an external drive. I have 15 years of freelance work, photos, and music on my tiny Mac. You probably have pure gold sitting on yours too in the form of photos, purchases, music, etc. It's way too vulnerable to roof leaks, house fires, burglars, peanut butter and lightning strikes.

And if you are a blogger like me, consider backing up your blog too. Blogger offers a way to export your blog to an XML file, which I do periodically. Because you just never know when a server is going to throw a rod. Back up, y'all! PSA over.

as seen in: Homespun Magazine

If you are a Homespun magazine reader you will see a nice mention of my Flora Needle Book pattern right there on page 20 of the October issue! Thanks very much, Janai! That's awesome!
(I should clarify that Homespun is an Australian publication, so you won't find it on the shelf in America. My apologies!)

I loved browsing through my copy. Homespun is substantially thick and chock-full of colorful photos and well-done DIY projects. I love the matte finish of the pages. Here's a random sampling:

Beautiful quilt!

Craft studio envy!

One of the features I really appreciate is this handy at-a-glance spread with photos of all of the included projects and their page numbers. Well done, Homespun! (Hey, look, I actually have on nail polish in these photos. Are you impressed? It isn't Pinterest-worthy striped or polka dotted or spangled or the ubiquitous ombre - but it is nail polish.)

thank you, Rachel Shippy and Ladies' Home Journal!

I was very excited when Rachel Shippy, professional lovely person, contacted me about featuring my oft-pinned foyer plate wall in the September issue of Ladies' Home Journal. Understatement. And there it is! Our entryway on page 30. Things 1 & 2 were impressed. Michael said, "I think I see some dust on the plates." Thanks, Babe. (Probably true.)

 

And here is Rachel herself in the editor's letter on page 8, next to a wonder wall of her own making. Hi, Rachel! I'm loving your chevron wall.

kids' crafternoon books

 Image via Hardie Grant

When talented Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up contacted me last year about contributing to a kid's papercraft book I was, to say the least, pretty excited. Just to be in such great company was very gratifying, and of course you know my feelings about papercraft. And now I find that my owl cards are on the cover of the book! Well, now, THAT's a head sweller. I'm feeling a bit giddy in fact. La la la la! (twirl) I don't have a copy of the book in my little hands yet, but you can read some details on the Hardie Grant website.

 Image via Hardie Grant

Papercraft and Sewing (above, featuring the work of Lizette Greco on the cover) are the first two of four great titles in Kathreen's Kids' Crafternoon series. Felting and Beading are coming in the fall. All four books feature projects by crafters from around the world.

Of course, you'll be seeing more about these books soon on the blog but I could not help sharing the sneak peek of the covers!