Monday, October 10, 2011

Busy Monday: Bits 'n Pieces Series - Teeko the Polar Bear Softie

Hello everyone,

It is late Monday night and I had to get this little Teeko the Polar Bear post up on my blog, before flying off to neverland! I still cannot believe the year I have had. This adorable little Teeko marks the end of the "bits 'n pieces" series! This latest holiday issue (Nov/Dec 2011) of Crafts 'n things Magazine is officially out on stands...and is as cute as can be! You won't want to miss it.

A year and a half ago, my life was totally different. I blogged feverishly, I struggled to sell anything on my Etsy shop, I took my girls to school, went to karate, ran, biked...did all the normal things I would - well - normally do! Then one day a friend told me to submit something to Crafts 'n things Magazine! I thought - there's no way I could do that. But I resisted the urge to run and hide, and contacted them immediately. To my surprise - they loved my work.

I found out what they were looking for and shot an email back only 10 minutes later. Then I got an immediate response - they loved my Owl. Now I was ready to run and hide again! I had never written a pattern up - at all! I thought it had to look, sound like, and be as confusing as the store bought patterns! lol! And I certainly didn't follow those - let alone know how to write one up for others to understand it! I worked really hard on it. I wrote some of it - and struggled to write the rest. I just didn't have the confidence. I still wanted to run and hide. Finally, the day before the due date - I convinced myself it's now or never, and did it! I did the same thing when I accepted the challenge to do an entire series for the magazine! I wanted to run and hide - but told myself - "it's now or never!" So I did it. And I couldn't be happier!

I don't know how many Crafts 'n things Magazine readers are reading my blog. I don't know how many people like or love my designs. All I do know, is that I stretched myself. I didn't run and hide - when Heavenly Father knows I could've! I dug deep and I climbed my mountain. I have learned so much from this series, this experience, and I sincerely hope you have all enjoyed the new plush friends we've made together: Heddy the Hedgehog, the Tufty Bird Family, Sammy the Seahorse, Carter the Crab, the Reversible PumpKat and now Teeko the Polar Bear! Eventually, when I get my act together and have less work to do - all of these patterns will be available as kits in my Etsy shop, or my own web store. But we have time!

Thank you for taking this journey with me! I now know a few of you, from the Kid Giddy Facebook page and the Kid Giddy Flickr group, from the pictures you have posted, and I am grateful! There will be more fun stuff on the horizon - but my lips are sealed! Thank you to Abby & Annie for this journey! I hope you all have a wonderful night! See you soon!


24 comments :

Just Jaime said... [Reply]

Your bear turned out so well!

I stumbled this =)

Michelle * Viva Revival said... [Reply]

Congrats! That is really awesome that you have you work in a magazine. Your tutorials look great and that's nice that you offer them on your blog. I hope to have more of my own tutorials (non-sewing, I wish I could! :-)
Good luck, your animals are so cute! (from the BYW forum)

Mary C. Nasser said... [Reply]

Wow! You are so prolific and inspiring!!

So nice to meet you through BYW.
I am your newest blog follower! :)
All the best,
Mary
Mary C. Nasser Art Blog

Kerry_Kid Giddy said... [Reply]

Thank you Jaime, Michelle & Mary! I appreciate the support and sweet messages! (and the follows!)

Anonymous said... [Reply]

What a great post! I know how you feel. A few years ago I got up the courage to submit a few projects to a beading magazine and was so excited when they accepted them for publication. My plan is to get back into submitting projects to magazines again and Crafts 'n Things is on my list of mags to try to get into. Congrats on your series!

Teeko is adorable. Learning how to sew has been on my list of things to do for so long, but I just haven't gotten to it yet.

Christy said... [Reply]

How darling! I love this little bear. What an exciting year you've had! Your blog is lovely, and it's clear you've been working hard. Congratulations on this adventure!

(via BYW)

Lisa @ Cozy Condo Living said... [Reply]

Wow. How exciting. It sounds like you took a chance and it panned out. I could learn from you. Hope your learning lots in the BYW course like I am :)

Ann@Glamourshoes said... [Reply]

Great story! It's amazing what happens when we stretch ourselves! And Teeko is really a sweet little bear. Good luck with the next chapter. And see you in the BYW forum.

Tiffany said... [Reply]

Okay, that polar bear is too stinkin' adorable. I am super impressed!

Heidi said... [Reply]

So glad that you jumped out of your comfort zone to contribute to Craft's n Things! You should be so proud of yourself. I just LOVE your creations! I am a terrible seamstress, so I am REAL jealous! :)

KH said... [Reply]

Sometimes you just need to be brave and take that step! Teeko is ADORABLE!
Found you via BYW, happy to meet you!

tammie said... [Reply]

good for you! i'm a fellow BWY'er.

Miss Candee said... [Reply]

Oh, I love Tekko the Polar Bear! Lovely!!!
Congrats on your work, it's amazing and inspiring!
What a blast that you got to work for Crafts'n Things Magazine. You must be really proud of yourself.

It was wonderful to have found you on BYW! Will become a follower :-)

noreen said... [Reply]

Congratulations on challenging yourself and getting outside your comfort zone. It's important, but not easy!

Happy weekend!

Anonymous said... [Reply]

How lovely to read your story - and great that you went for it and didn't let the fear stop you. And Polar bears are my favourite animal ( from a safe distance ) so absolutely love this one ! Congratulations ! ( and happy to have discovered your blog from BYW )

Val/senseandgrace said... [Reply]

Congrats for your work in the magazine. Great idea the blog hop around . I was here before as you comment a lot . I think you and your blog are so sweet.
a friend from byw.
Val

Anonymous said... [Reply]

Hello there, fellow BYW student. Wow! I'm sitting here in my dark studio that definitely needs organizing and it's very gray outside (and cold) and I'm reading your story and perusing your blog. This is wonderful. So pleased for you. Would love ifyou would visit my blog and give me some feedback - when you have time. Marrianna in Flagstaff, AZ, USA

Linda Leyble said... [Reply]

Hi Kerry - what a great story. You took the plunge - and then found the confidence. And you were up to the task.

Love your work - and your blog.

Glad to meet you via BYW.

Linda

Liz said... [Reply]

Really nice!
Your kids are really lucky! =)
A big smile from another blogger of Byw

Laura / K niin kuin koti said... [Reply]

That bear is gorgeous! It's got such a kind facial expression. So well done!

And inspiring to read your story as well.

Laura (BYW)

Carol @ The Red Painted Cottage said... [Reply]

Hi Kerry, It was so great of you to encourage those of us at BYW to check out one another's blogs. I really like yours and just followed you. If you get a chance, please check mine out, too. It's tough going when we first start out. I've only been blogging since June. Love to hear back from you, if you can.

Ada (new york) said... [Reply]

Congrats!!!! How wonderful when we walk through doors that open for us (sometimes seemingly magical. BTW:I LOVE the polar bear!

Liz @ Arty McGoo said... [Reply]

He is so adorable! Perfect fabric and such a sweet face. Good on you for going for it and taking on a new challenge. I find myself feeling the same way and doubting my abilities, but I have to remember: Nobody knows what they're doing! :D We're all just doing the best we can and doing what we love. If others enjoy it, then that is an added blessing! Congratulations to you!

Fabrics said... [Reply]

It looks so fluffy, wondering if what kind of fabric is it made of, I think I'll start making some by next year as it is my dream ever since I enter the world of sewing.

Post a Comment