Sewn by Hand blog tour and giveaway!

"Hand sewing is a bit like taking the two-lane highways instead of the interstate. It's a bit slower, but the character, charm and unique soulfulness of those back roads are priceless beyond hours"-Susan Wasinger

...yes. I have indeed come out of hiding today, and I have the perfect reason to do so.
With the past few weeks being full of business as I work on a very exciting project, there have
been "much needed" moments to take a good little pause and slow down a bit. Susan Wasinger's new book from Lark Crafts has fit that need perfectly, and I cannot be more thrilled to introduce this book as part of her current blog tour.

..Sewn By Hand: Two Projects Stitched With Needle and Thread is a wonderful book that takes Slow Food's way of living into the sewing world. With just a handful of stitches to learn, one is able to create projects ranging from a Thread Caddy with Pin Holder to a Buttoned-Up Tote with
Handmade Buttons (a personal favourite of mine). I love how Susan included a Portability Factor rating for each project, allowing readers to selectively choose which projects may work best when toting a project with them. (think cafes, subway trips, relaxing at the beach, sporting events, etc...)



..yes. I have been indeed busy, and nothing was more needed than a book that allowed me to take some much needed moments to breathe and take pause. A book that allowed me to sit amidst the hectic sounds that surrounded me and focus on the one sound that mattered...the sound of each hand-sewn stitch as I guided it through the fabric. A sound that calmed my soul, and reminded me of why I love to sew.



...As part of the blog tour, Lark Crafts is offering my viewers this lovely package that Susan has put together! (don't you love all of the accompaniments?) Is there a place you like to create?
If so, please leave a comment below....and spread the word! Twitter, blog, Facebook.....I will count a vote for each, giving everyone up to 4 chances to enter.(just please leave me the links)
You have until Thursday at 10pm EST...good luck!

...Make sure to join the rest of the tour:
4/4 Blog tour kickoff at LarkCrafts.com
4/6 Sew Daily blog
4/8 Click here for a free travel thread caddy project from the book!
4/11 Pink of Perfection
4/13 Artsy-Crafty Babe
4/15 MayaMade
4/19 WhipUp
4/20 CRESCENDOh
4/22 MummySam
4/25 Feeling Stitchy
4/27 Zakka Life
4/29 BurdaStyle blog

and the winner is....

using the random.org site to come up with the winning number, I am happy to announce that
the giveaway book goes to Michelle! according to our winner...

"Think me and the kiddiwinks would have fun with this book "

Congratulations Michelle! Please e-mail me your address, and Big Little Felt will be heading to your home :)

Thank you everyone for participating, and have a wonderful weekend!

Big Little Felt Giveaway time!!!

...When my youngest son ripped open the envelope containing the book, Big Little Felt Universe from Lark Crafts, my eldest son's immediate reaction was one of disapproval. He was clearly "too old" for this type of book, and that was quite evident as he continued to spend an hour looking through each page carefully. He was still adamant on his beliefs, even after writing a full page list of all the projects he anticipated mummy to make. Seconds later, he was downstairs emptying my bins and trying to figure out which project to make first. He was completely hooked... it just took a little while for this cool kid to finally admit it.



...my youngest son, on the other hand, was instantly captivated once he saw that s'more. Within seconds he had followed suit by writing down every project he thought would be fun to make in one afternoon. (which, for both boys, ended up being everything but the purse and make-up. Just 75 projects in total...)

...I was completely taken away by not only the number of projects that Jeanette Lim was able to create for this book, but also the amount of step-by-step projects dedicated for each piece. I can only imagine how much time it must have taken for Jeanette to prepare such a book, and found myself just tired thinking about all of the work that must have gone into this project. The boys really enjoyed the ability to see the step-by-step process, which helped keep their patience up as
mummy worked with them on their chosen piece.

...The only frustrations I found in the book were not in the projects themselves, but in the book's presentation. While I found the step-by-step photos very helpful, many of the detailed shots had to compete against strong shadows, often finding it a bit tricky to see the fine detail of what was being demonstrated. It also took me a bit to figure out who wrote the book. (aside from looking at the cover...) There was no mention of Jeanette on the back cover, which took away from the personal connection I often like to have with a book. Yes, I did soon find more about her near the end, but I would have like to have been emotionally pulled in right away.

...That being said, the book truly is a wonderful book to add to one's collection. While many of the projects take some time and patience, Big Little Felt Universe by Jeanette Lim is perfect not only for crafting alongside your children but also a perfect resource for making many a gift.

...Thanks to Lark Crafts for giving me this copy, I am able to offer it to you for a fun "Big Little" giveaway! Please leave a comment below, and if you have the ability to make note of the giveaway on your own blogs (or twitter..facebook...etc), I will count you for an extra vote! Just include your link, and good luck! The giveaway runs until WEDNESDAY at 10PM EST.

*** note: there are still winners from previous giveaways that have not contacted me. If you are one of them, please send me your info so that I may get your treasures out...thanks! ***

BOOK TRAILER: Fanciful Felties from mummysam

a fun little video on youtube for you all to enjoy... please spread the word!

the start of a long journey...

road trip: embroidered linen 4"w x 5ft long

I am about to embark on an intense month of work, and begin a project that I never envisioned having the chance to do. It's something that must be devoted to in its entirety, and one that requires me to drop everything at hand and just go for it. Someday there will come the time that I can scream it from the rooftops, but for now it is something that must be kept with me as I work feverishly like a hermit for the next few weeks. I will try to pop up every now and then to say hello, but for the majority of April you will find me holed up at every non-kid moment in my "cozy" little basement. (and by "cozy", I mean completely damp and full of spiders...)

I will be halting all shipment of fabric orders placed in April until the beginning of May, but will ship any orders placed through tonight (April 1st).

have a good weekend!