Kid Giddy in Where Women Create

Can someone please pinch me - I still can't believe it... I'm in Where Women Create Magazine.

In the late summer of 2011, I saw Heather Bailey on the cover of the WWC magazine. I had just met Heather briefly while attending my very first quilt market and had to get the magazine, soak it up and dream. Someday I thought, I'll be in this magazine. Not by way of prophecy, but more so a wish, or a goal, (and seriously high hopes). My craft room wasn't as pretty as the spaces in WWC, but it worked for me and as small as it was, it was a great way to start. I was proud of it and loved every inch. I tried to find Jo at the next CHA to see if she would be interested in my craft room, but that proved difficult.

I should've emailed her, but I ended up writing a book and began negotiations with Sizzix to have them produce a line of dies with me. At that time my husband and I also began major renovations in our home. The new studio was in the works and my once cute craft room became our make shift bedroom. My space was gone. After a long 6 months, the studio space was nearing completion so I decided to get in touch with Jo again at the next trade show I was attending. I met Jo Packham while attending CHA2013 during a random encounter in a hotel lobby. I think I acted like we were best friends...even though she didn't know me at all! lol. I decided to share my interest in having my then almost done studio shared in a future publication. After seeing Jo more often at quilt market, things clicked. I got an email from Jo after quilt market in May 2015, and the ball was officially in motion.

I lined up this local photographer (Kevin Brusie) that my husband had worked with on previous jobs and had him come to the studio. After all these years, regardless of how excited I was, I was so nervous and wanted to be on the other side of the camera.
Kevin asked me to go about my day and do things I would typically do in my studio.

I started cutting out some of my Sizzix Fox die pieces in one area, pinned a little and started sewing. He captured it all. Even the way I tend to stand at my cutting table every single day...barefoot (in summer when it's not freezing) and one foot behind the other.
There were so many amazing pictures that Kevin captured, which were shared in the magazine. These pictures in this post, we're not, but were some of my favorites so much so I had to share them.

We probably could've done a fun spread of just out-take and photobombing pictures. This one had us all laughing for a while. Kevin took a picture of this pin "Are you wearing space underwear? Cuz your butt is out of this world." on my magnetic board. The pin was from my retail days working at an Express store in the mall, 20ish years ago. All of the associates had to wear one of many different pins with a different pick up line. As Kevin was photographing the spur hanging around the neck of my 1/4 scale body form, someone thought to put the pin on the butt. So we did. I couldn't let this photo go unseen. Lol

We tried to coax our daughters out of hiding to get in a few pics, but they refused most of the day. Eventually, I got my oldest daughter to come hang out, and take a few pictures with me. Except...she remained a bit cynical and sarcastic in her smile to ensure the pictures wouldn't end up in the magazine.

We laughed about that for a while. She's a smart cookie.
I'm so grateful to Jo and her team at Where Women Create to give me the opportunity to share my space with everyone, and to share my story. I hope you'll pick up a copy of this issue at your local bookstore before it runs off the shelves. You can also get it on stampington.com

For those of you that haven't had a chance to read Where Women Create, they are allowing me to giveaway a copy to one of my readers. But that's not all...they are also generously giving a copy of Where Women Create Business, and Where a Women Cook. Have you read them yet? Before recently, I hadn't read an issue of either.

I had this image of the CEO corporate world in WWC Business but was pleasantly surprised to find it's an extension of Where Women Create from the business side (and still all of the eye candy). In business we all go through ups and downs, we learn a lot in our journeys, and have a willingness to share those moments to help others. This magazine is chock full of business tips and pick me ups for those down days. It's proof we are not alone and there are always brighter days ahead. 

I used to love cooking before having kids. As my girls got a little older and were eating regular food, they became picky eaters and my desire to cook changed. Now being gluten free (not by choice) has me disliking food and my kitchen at all costs. I eat healthy, but I don't prefer to cook and be creative. Maybe this magazine is just what I need to get back into my kitchen. The stories and recipes have me wondering if I can quickly find the passion again.  

For your chance to win one of these three publications, find the above image on my Kid Giddy Instagram page for more info.

Sign up below for my emails to get info about new patterns, new dies, future sales and other fun stuff. The first one is coming soon...don't miss out on the first bit of giddy goodness.

Sewing with "Story"

I was so excited that Carrie Bloomston asked me to sew up some fun stuff with her newest fabric line "Story" by Windham Fabrics. Although I've made a few other things - the project and "Story" I wanted to share with you today, is this sweet little mouse I've named Pearl.
What's my story? I love making. I love sewing. Sometimes the smaller I can make something, the better (but I am from Texas so big is never a bad thing). I love living in my imagination and taking the things that I see in my mind or dreams and making them real and tangible. I hope to make a connection between the two, connecting it with life, other people and things around me. Life is crazy, and making things with my hands, is way more fun.

I woke the other morning searching for answers to many questions...as I pondered my week, I thought of Carrie's fabric again, with the moon and the stars, I thought of this little mouse looking out a window and a little bed. So I made it real.

Here's Pearl's story...

Pearl is little in size, but large in heart. She has big dreams of being the First Mouse Astronaut, and loves to look out her window at night before getting into bed. She used to live in a big city, but the street lights were always on and flooded the night sky making it impossible for her to see the stars. Pearl decided that since she wanted to go up in space some day, she would need to see space and learn all about it, so she move up north. She talks to the moon when it's not covered in clouds and tries to reach for it when it's really big. It looks so close, but it's still out of her reach.

It's getting pretty late, so Pearl decides to climb into bed, and invites her little bear to come snuggle for reading time.

Tonight they are reading "New Century Book of Etiquette", because every little mouse and bear should have good manners and know how to behave in all different places, even in space.

Finally Pearl and her bear start to yawn ("He's real" she says, "so he yawns too"), so it must be time to put the book down and go to sleep. Pearl tosses and turns a bit, and counts all the stars when she can't fall asleep very fast. She hopes a shooting star will pass by but hasn't seen one since the last meteor shower. Eventually all the stars fade as Pearl slips into her dreams, soaring into space.

I hope you had fun visiting my blog today. Carrie's amazing Story fabric is so fun and versatile, and if you'd like to win some, visit her Such Designs blog for more info. If you'd like to make a little mouse of your own, you can buy a copy of my book through my Kid Giddy Etsy Shop. I'll even sign it for you. Although I was given this fabric for my own use, my thoughts and opinions are all my own.
Happy sewing and storytelling!

6 Weeks of Softies Guest Blogger on Sew Mama Sew

I'm excited to be a guest on the Sew Mama Sew blog today for their "6 Weeks of Softies". It's been a very long time since I was on the Sew Mama Sew blog, with my Mini Tent Tutorial (in 2011), so I'm glad to be back. Of all the options and avenues to explore for this 6 week intensive on all things Softies, I decided to gear my post towards Storytelling and Sewing. After all, my book Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love: 18 toy patterns for the storytelling sewist, is just that, a lot of sewing and a lot of stories. A perfect fit - right?!

F&W was kind enough to allow use of my Casco the Dolphin pattern straight from the Coastal Waters section in my Sewing Tales book - so download a copy and get sewing. It's among the five easiest patterns in my book - and can be easier if made a little larger, esp for children. I can't wait to see your dolphins, and hear all about their awesome adventures. Share your pics and stories on Instagram and tag me @kidgiddy and #kidgiddy.

Last week I was in Southern California filming some demo videos for my upcoming Sizzix dies and will share some behind the scenes pics, so check back soon.

Happy sewing and storytelling!

Sewing Tales with Felt

Do you sew with felt? I don't normally. I love quilters cotton - the feel, the smell (you know you do too) and all the bright amazing colors and patterns just can't compare. The durability is great too - so that is what I have always loved to create with. Finally I decided to step out of my self made comfort box and have some fun sewing with felt. The verdict - I'd do it again.

A while ago I contacted National Non-Wovens (not an affiliate link) for some color samples of their felt. I had randomly used their felt in the past, that I had purchased at a craft store. This time I wanted make some Sewing Tales projects from my book, as well as bonus projects like the Canoe, and try out the feel of their wool and bamboo blends too. This is not a review of the wool and is not a sponsored post. They sent me some samples and I love working with it. I enjoyed working with good quality felt so if you haven't tried it yet - you should. It's good to break out of our boxes - right?

The polar bear cub was made with the Xotic Felt (bamboo/rayon blend) which feels amazing (again just my opinion) my girls want a bigger cub in this felt to cuddle with. I cut out the tiny pieces and began to sew it together. By the time I had gotten to needing the ears and the tail I realized I wouldn't be able to move the pieces under the foot to stitch the curve because the ears were all the way under the foot.

I cut some little rectangle pieces longer than needed and stitch the ears and tail. After sewing it as a larger piece, I was able to cut it out and turn the pieces right side out so much easier. 

The little teeny tiny bump on the left - is the same size as the piece from the pattern - so you can see it was impossible to get a usable ear from it. I actually felt like a dork for not realizing sooner that would happen - but oh well. The ears worked so much easier sewn longer and then cut down to size.

If you don't have turning tools - there's no way you'll be able to turn it right side out. I actually had to say quite a few prayers and probably had a few beads of sweat above my brows thinking it was too small to turn or I'd rip the fabric. I only went through the seam once (but it was actually in between stitches) whew!

Before attempting the tiny polar cub - I tested the same felt with a somewhat larger project (the Edie the Light Bulb from my book (still using the pattern size as printed in the back [not enlarged]). The white one went together really well. I'm still working on the other colors - so I'll post more pics once I finish the project for quilt market.

After working with felt - for these Sewing Tales projects - I almost had a desire to write a whole book with some fun felt projects. Almost. Not yet though. I will def stew on it and see what comes to mind. Until then - if you are going to try sewing some projects from Sewing Tales with yummy wool and bamboo(blend) felt - have fun - and please share some pics.

Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by.

The Need for Sunshine and Little Miss Lily

It is now mid-March. There is still way too much snow on the ground for my liking, and it's still freezing. Actually, my husband just advised that he started a fire in the wood stove. It's cold. I'm cold, and it's been a very long winter that seems to be lingering despite my constant prayers. It's during this time of year when I feel beyond depleted of vitamin D and sufficient sunshine to make me happy. It usually starts by late January, and ends in April. I have a ways to go. Truth be told, I found myself wanting to crawl into a hole, hibernate, and never come out most of February. Not just because of the cold, and snow, but because of people judging me, my book, family things, parenting things and then I got sick. All these things added up and it became the loneliest feeling and one I don't wish on my worst enemy. It was then that I started praying for sunshine. I certainly didn't leave out blue skies and birds chirping, but of all the things I needed....it was sunshine.

A few weeks had passed and I get an email from a dear friend, Laura Kelly. She had emailed a slew of friends/bloggers to join her rainbow blog hop. I've participated in a two of her hops, and they are always fun. Truly. But I was in that deep dark hole, and didn't want to come out. She must have sensed something, because I didn't reply right away - and posted a message for me on facebook to see. She told me to check my email - and to hurry up with a reply so I didn't miss out. I ended up emailing her and said "I was trying not to reply". I didn't want to do a fun blog hop, because I was feeling quite the opposite and was too much in a slump to think of anything fun. I didn't want to sew - was even at the point of packing up my brand new baby bernina and putting her deep into a closet. I didn't want to do anything. But she convinced me to reply, so I did....reluctantly. While that was going on - I was in the process of making a huge duck tape house. With my girls playing on occasion, and collaborating with me - I was able to stop thinking of everything that brought stress or sadness.

I continued to think about the package Laura was sending and what would I make with random green things. Yep - I thought she was sending me green. SO I had this grand idea...and when I got the package - I tore into it and saw tons of yellow. What??? Yellow - Laura? Seriously. I could've sworn she'd mail me my favorite color, but she didn't. Now what? What am I'm going to make with all this yellow.

Somehow, someway - she must have gotten a message. A message passed down from a prayer. ANd this was my answer. I needed more sunshine in my life - and she sent me yellow. One of my most favorite and special patterns from my book is the Gnome Doll. I decided to make a yellow Gnome. A little girl that brightened my days, as I worked on her. She gave me hope. I debated her name, as did my daughters, my mom and my sister...and ended up on Lily. Little Miss Lily. I could've named her Sunshine, or Summer, or Daffodil, Lemon Drop, Lemonade....but Lily seemed like a more gentle name. Most lilies are white, but many are yellow too.

As sad as it will be to see her go, I have decided to spread the sunshine and send her off onto new adventures in a new home. In a way she saved me. She helped me to think of spring and summer, and all the beautiful good things to come in just a few short weeks. I can hold on a little longer now. If you have gotten to the end of this - thank you. If you are feeling the same way as me - I'm sorry. And yet - I'm so glad to not be alone. The sun will come out tomorrow. That is my hope. That is my wish.

So here's the deal - visit me on Instagram....I will post this giveaway image (above - the one with the extra fabric/thread and Maine candies) on Monday...follow the instructions on there for your chance to win this most special Gnome. Did I tell you - this will be the first Gnome I've given away? She can be yours - if you try your luck. Thanks for reading my long winded sob story. Thank you Laura for inviting and encouraging me to participate in your rainbow hop, and for giving me yellow! Please visit Laura's blog for a list of the other participants and to see what they made or see links below.

To find out more about my book Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love, click the book link to the right. To sign up for my newsletters, click the link below.

So sorry to Laura for leaving out the fun Rafflecopter! Enter for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Sewing Tales for the Holidays Contest Winners

Hello hello - I'm so excited to announce the winners of the Sewing Tales for the Holidays Contest, but before I do that, I'd like to give a huge shout out to the sponsor companies, the judges along side me: Linda (from Sizzix) and Kim (from Prym/Dritz) and all the participants. You can see all the details of the contest here and see criteria for the judging.

So without further ado, the Grand Prize winner is: Kristi from Schnitzel and Boo
Kristi will receive(approx $475 Retail value):
1 seriously awesome FABI from Sizzix
1 Dritz Sewing Bundle Valued at $75
1 - 3 Month Subscription to Quilty Box (this will be the Oct, Nov, Dec boxes)
3 Brand New Titles from F + W Media
A Signed Copy of my Book
1 Pair of Fiskars Scissors
6 Fat Quarters of Heather Bailey's "Lottie Da" fabric collection
3 yards Bosal Foam Create - A - Pattern paper

The 1st Runner up is: Deborah from Fish and Museum
Deborah will receive(approx $200 Retail value):
1 Dritz Sewing Bundle Valued at $50
1 Month Quilty Box
2 Brand New Titles from F + W Media
A Signed Copy of my Book
1 Pair of Fiskars Scissors
2 yards Bosal Foam Create - A - Pattern paper

The 2nd Runner up is: Kim from Babes and Brides

Kim will receive(approx $120 Retail value):
1 Dritz Sewing Bundle Valued at $25
1 Month Quilty Box
1 Brand New Titles from F + W Media
A Signed Copy of my Book
1 yard Bosal Foam Create - A - Pattern paper

I hope you'll take a moment to read their posts and leave a comment. The details in all of them are outstanding. Congratulations everyone. Again I'd like to thank all the other participants who worked so hard to enter the contest - even into the wee hours of the night before the linky closed. The stories that brought your characters to life were so fun to read. I am so grateful for your support of my book and glad to see the fun you all had!

Thank you to the sponsors below for their support and generosity!

Have a great week! To find out more about my book Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love, click the book link to the right. To sign up for my 'lovely' newsletters, click the link below.

Sewing Tales Book Blog Hop: Day 5 and A Turkey Bunny Cover-Up

Good Morning everyone.

Today is the last day of the Sewing Tales Book Blog Hop, someone pass me the tissues. It's been so much fun seeing all the projects others have made and their stories; the why or who they have made it  for, and the memories it sparked.

Later today I will take a much needed nap, and make chicken noodle soup in the hopes of curing this cold that is just now running through our house. I will probably go back through the week of posts and enjoy reading them again and all the comments - and you should to. Why? Because some of them are giving away some of the goodies. Until then, let's read the bloggers posts for today:

Emily Levey - Strawberry Patch Ramblings

 Nicke Cutler - Kiss Kiss Quilt
 Cathe Holden - Just Something I Made
 Kate Henderson - Two Little Banshees

I was working last night on the final bonus project but it wasn't shaping up as I hoped it would. I'm going to rework it today and post it when it's ready. In the meantime, you can enjoy those blog posts up above, and come up with a funny caption for my trial and error photo shoot from last night, before I decided that going to bed would be my best defense against this nasty cold. Isn't she so funny?! She was having a giggle fest in her little get up and couldn't help herself and finally fell over laughing!

Ok - off to reworked this outfit, and then get some thumbcovers shipped, then a nap while soup simmers on the stove.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I hope you have entered for your chance to win a copy of my book and a goodie box the size of Texas to go with it on my giveaway post!

If you haven't already, please click that link below and sign up to receive my newsletters. Have a great day.

Sewing Tales Book Blog Hop: Day 4 and All the Little Extras

It's the second to last day of the Sewing Tales Book Blog Hop and I don't know about you, but I am having a blast! I really hope you are too, esp with all the free bonus projects. Have you made one yet? If you have, I'd love to see it. You can tag me on social media (I'm @kidgiddy everything), and you can use the hashtag #SewingTalesBookBonus too. Then I can see what you made.

In the meantime, please go have a looksy at what these 4 bloggers made from my book:

Shari Butler - Doohikey Designs
Jodie Carleton - RicRac
Jen Goode - 100 Directions

Justine Henshaw - Sew Justine Sew

"All the Little Extras" are here. Many years ago when I first created the mouse pattern that is in my book, I also made it into a Kitty, Puppy and Bunny. Check out today's free bonus project sheet, so you can convert the mouse pattern - into a Kitty, Puppy or Bunny instead.

Thanks so much for coming by and for supporting the blog hop and my book. Make sure you stop in tomorrow for final 4 bloggers and the final Sewing Tales Book Bonus project, I'll try not to cry if you won't! It's been so much fun, I hate to see the hoppin' party end. If you haven't already, please click that link below and sign up to receive my newsletters, to find out when other fun things are happening. Have a great Thursday.

Enter for your chance to win a copy of my book and a goodie box the size of Texas to go with it on my giveaway post! Giveaway ends November 14th. 

Thank you again to the Sewing Tales Blog hop sponsors. You can click on this image below and find out more information about each sponsor. Thank you Fairfield, Dritz, Fiskars, Bosal & FreeSpirit.