betz white

acorn-acopia

2009-11-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

In the aftermath of my first online workshop, I cleaned my studio this weekend. In doing so I came across a bag full of acorn caps, felt balls and an assortment of lovely autumn-colored felted sweater scraps. We're staying home for Thanksgiving this year and I thought it would be nice to make up a few napkins and napkin rings for the occasion. (Hmm, so much for cleaning the studio, eh?)

For the napkins I cut 18"x18" pieces of print cotton. (I don't remember buying this fabric or where it came from!) Then I used my special hemmer foot that makes a double turned hem. Weeee! The corners are a bit fidgety but otherwise they came together quickly. Wish I had had orange thread on hand. That would've been ideal.

For the napkin *ring*, I used a part of a sleeve cuff from a felted wool sweater. I sewed it into a loop (about 4" in circumference). Then I cut a few oak leaf shapes freehand out of my felted scraps and sewed them to the cuff. The acorns are my old stand-by made with pre-made felt balls glued into found acorn caps. These can be stitched or glued to the leaves.

If you'd like to make your own acorns, you can follow my acorn tutorial. You can either buy feltballs or try making feltballs yourself! If you'd rather just buy some pre-made acorns, visit Lil Fish Studios for some beauties!

The holidays are coming up fast, aren't they? The second session of Felt and Stitch Holiday, my online workshop begins today, yippee! I've a few holiday shows, both my kids birthdays next month, family visiting, etc.

Hold on tight, it's going to be a fast, busy ride!

in the cards

2009-11-04T12:09:00.009-05:00

Thank you so much for your kind comments about the felt illustrations I did for the holiday Kleenex box es from a few posts back. I really feel fortunate these days to be able to hang onto some of my former freelance connections. By the way, I have heard about many sightings at Target from you! I went back to mine and they were cleaned out of the holiday boxes already! Rats, that's what I planned to give everyone for Christmas this year! (By the way, if you do buy some of the holiday Kleenex boxes, be sure to hang on to them. They make great gift boxes! I know, it's kind of weird, but that's how I roll.)

Speaking of felt illustration...do you remember these coupl'a birds?

I created these two felted designs ages ago to photograph for a set of holiday cards. They were fairly popular last year, so I decided it was time to offer them again!

I went with a new printer this year and I am very happy with the results. The felted images reproduced well on the cards. However, the cards themselves are a bit challenging to photograph. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it. :)

Each set of 4 has 2 nest designs and 2 partridge/pear designs. They are available now in my etsy shop.

New this year is a set of 4 cards with 4 different photographs of my favorite wooly cupcakes!

Each set has one card each of: the Cupcake Pincushion, the Cupcake Tapemeasure, the Cupcake Ornament, and the bird's eye view of the Cupcake Pincushions. These would be fun for your own correspondence or you could give the set to a friend as a gift. These are ready over at etsy as well.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to step away from this computer. I hear there's a beautiful fall day outside and I don't want to miss it!

Crafty Tree Trimmings: eBook

2009-11-01T21:31:00.014-05:00

I'm excited to share with you a new ebook I was asked to contribute to:

Crafty Tree Trimmings is a beautiful ebook collection of ornament projects, designed by a talented group of crafters. Inside, you'll find step-by-step photo instructions and templates to make:

Crocheted Flower Ornament, by Linda Permann
Felted Gingerbread House Ornament, by Betz White
Bead and Button Sparkle Ornament, by Susan Beal
Vintage Treasure Ornament, by Kayte Terry
Gossamer Thread Three Ornament, by Diane Gilleland
Paper Globe Ornament, by Patricia Zapata, who is also the book's designer

These projects range from beginner to intermediate level, and use a fun variety of readily-available materials. The ornaments themselves are perfect as small gifts, gift toppers, or to adorn a wreath or tree.

This is my ornament design, a little Felted Gingerbread House.

• 15% of all proceeds from Crafty Tree Trimmings will be donated to Project Linus (www.projectlinus.org), a nationwide organization that collects handmade blankets and gives them to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

Crafty Tree Trimmings is available now in the Craftypod Shop until December 31, 2009, so hurry and order your copy!

Halloween 1977

2009-10-29T21:01:00.004-04:00

In 1977, Star Wars changed everything. It feels ironic that 32 years after my brothers and I dressed as the Star Wars trio you see above, my own sons are poised to be Anakin Skywaker and Jango Fett this Halloween.

My brothers made their costumes themselves. Back then, most people did. Or at least we always did. Middle brother (14) made his own paper maché Darth Vader mask and a chest plate with electronic parts and switches. Oldest brother (16) made his R2D2 costume out of a cardboard drum and weather balloon, also paper machéd. He had a little tinted panel to see out and rigged a light that he could light up by pushing a button from the inside! Very high-tech. And then there's me (12), Princess Leia in a sheet and a tin foil belt. I had a brown wig that my mom twisted up into the iconic cinnabon hair-do. :)

Every year we impress upon our boys how important it is to make your Halloween costume. We allow them $15 a piece for materials or any accessories they might need to complete their looks. Um...that may have back-fired a little this year! Their costumes are pretty complicated and took a LOT of time to make. In fact, I think my husband started the Jango Fett costume in July!

I will try to update this post later when I get a photo of them together. In the meantime, watch their favorite video if you like Star Wars and John Willians music!

Have a great Halloween and may the force be with you!

Post Halloween Update: The Star Wars saga continues...

...with a blurry lightsaber action shot!

sneezin's greetings

2009-10-28T15:42:00.006-04:00

I'd like you to meet a few friends of mine...

Hiya!
*
*
*
*

Oh, Hello!
*
*
*
*

Mind if we join you?
*
*
*
*

The gang's all here!
*
*
*
*

Last spring I was hired to design this lively group of Kleenex boxes for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. You might remember that I did a box for them last year. This group is being sold exclusively at Target! (Oh, like I need another reason to go to Target! I have to go stalk my Kleenex boxes now! lol!)

With their style direction, I drew and cut and stitched and appliqued these pieces in felt. They photographed my finished artwork and had it reproduced on the cartons. It was a lot of work on a short short deadline, but I loved doing it! This is the kind of project I never turn down. In fact, I'd love to illustrate a kids book someday with felt applique. It's been on my *someday* to do list!

I love the new wedge shaped packaging, don't you? So fun to arrange. And how do they get all that Kleenex in there?

I don't know the official in-store date on these. (This set came straight from the company) But if I know Target, they'll have their Christmas stuff out in full force November 1st! :) Please alert me of any sightings!

You Asked For It!

2009-10-26T09:14:00.010-04:00

Due to your requests, I’ve decided to squeeze in an encore session of my Felt and Stitch Holiday Workshop!

Announcing my Online Workshop: Felt + Stitch Holiday II
November 9 - December 4

Join me for a second session* of my first-ever online workshop! No matter where you live we can gather together online to make wonderful felted wool projects for your holiday décor and gift giving. I’ll be teaching and working with you along the way through a combination of blog posts, downloadable PDF’s, and videos posted weekly, where participants can communicate with each other and with me. Projects will include ornaments, home décor and small gifts, designed especially for this workshop and are not available in my books or anywhere else!

just a peek of a few projects: top right and bottom left made by workshop participants!

Felt & Stitch Holiday II is jam-packed with ideas, techniques and projects you can start making right away. Inspired my book, Warm Fuzzies, this workshop will focus on small projects made with felted wool sweaters and/or craft felt. You will learn the basics of working with felt, a variety of applique and embellishment techniques, experiment with needle felting methods and more. Each week I will post wonderful holiday projects for you to make applying these techniques. I will share with you tricks of the trade. Even if you have never worked with felted wool before, you'll complete this workshop feeling like a pro! You might also feel a bit like Santa with all of the gifts and décor you’ll create.

The 4-week workshop begins November 9 and runs through December 4. The cost of the workshop is $40. Once registered, participants will receive a password (via email) granting access to a special blog page created just for the workshop. Each Monday I will demonstrate a technique. On Wednesdays I will post a project for you to make using that technique. In addition to the workshop blog, there will be a private Flickr group where you can share your photos each week, ask questions and take part in discussions. Feel free to take the course at your own pace on your own time! All workshop content will be available to participants through January 15th.

Registration opens today! Visit my shop for more details and to sign up now!
*Please note, this is a repeat of my first Felt & Stitch Holiday Workshop that ran in October*

I'm really excited to be able to offer this to those of you that missed out the first time. (The first session gathered participants from 11 different countries! How cool is that?) If you have questions you'll most likely find the answers in the workshop listing info. If you think of something else, please feel free to ask!

***Now sold out, thank you!***

me and the boys

2009-10-21T09:17:00.006-04:00

Lately I've been feeling very sentimental about my boys. They are biggering and bettering every day. While I am loving each and every stage of their lives, I find myself replaying my baby and toddler memories of them. Oh those days! They were so challenging yet so so sweet. Which isn't to say that these school-age days aren't challenging and sweet...just in a different way.

Like most moms, I tend to focus on the kids more than I do myself. But one thing I've always wanted since I became a mom, was to have some kind of mommy necklace. I've never quite found any that suited me. Until now.

That's why I was thrilled when jewelry designer Lisa of Lisa Leonard Designs contacted me. We arranged a trade and now I have the perfect mom necklace, customized just for me.

Lisa's handmade jewelry is unique and perfect for everyday. Each piece is hand-cut, hammered, antiqued and polished sterling silver. The design I chose is called Open Circle. It has a nice weight to it without being too bold. I've been wearing it nearly every day and I am so happy with it! You can see more of Lisa's design at Lisa Leonard Designs.

It's not easy being a mom, but I can't imagine my life any other way. Best. Job. Ever.

********************************************************
Oh, and I just wanted to add a little bloggy shout out to Amy at Progressive Pioneer. She's interviewed me this week as a part of her "Mama Views" series. Thanks, Amy!

Indian Summer

2009-10-15T06:26:00.022-04:00

Autumn. The sky shifts, the air becomes crisp, the leaves burst with color. Familiar landscapes are cast in new light. Everything feels refreshed.

Inspired by the season, I've recast the colors of my organic print line in a rich palette of Indian Summer. Brilliant Goldenrod, Bittersweet, Orchid and Moss are grounded by Mulberry, Peacock and Chocolate Brown.

I've printed my line on a new base fabric that I know you're going to love: 100% Organic Cotton Sateen. It's got a smooth hand, a lovely drape and a luxurious sheen to it! It's 4.5 oz and is ideal for apparel, home decor, craft projects and personal accessories. The line is available now in my shop!

The deets: All of my original fabric designs are professionally printed in the US using digital printing. The process utilizes water-based, non-toxic pigment dyes and minimizes waste and water consumption. Heat and pressure are used to finish the fabric instead of harsh chemicals. In addition, I have my fabrics printed on demand in an effort to eliminate fabric waste.

Seen here: Peacock Sprig, Indian Summer Floral and Stripe

The flowers really pop off of this chocolate brown background! I'm planning to make a skirt...

Sweet Mulberry Sprig, I see a blouse out of this. (also available in Peacock)

Deep Bright Stripes...so lively and mixable.

Oh, and Wood Pile revisited! Did you see the scarf made with it?

I'm thrilled with the new color range and this gorgeous sateen! Please visit my shop for more details. I've also got new designs in the pipeline, but I was too excited to hold onto these any longer. I will release the new prints as they come!

*yum*

Spot-on Reversible Scarf

2009-10-13T06:21:00.007-04:00

Fall has arrived and I have just the scarf for cool autumn weather: the Spot-on Reversible Scarf. It's got yummy repurposed cashmere with reverse applique on one side. The other: Luxurious organic cotton sateen...in one of my new print colorations for fall!

You can find the instructions for making this scarf in the Fall 2009 issue of Stitch Magazine, on newsstands now. This is a great issue, packed with sewing projects featuring sheer fabrics, Japanaese crafts, accessories and my favorite, delicious wool.

It's such a kick to have a project featured in a magazine, but this time it's extra special for me. It's the first time one of my organic fabrics has made it into a magazine! This print, along with others, will be available in my shop later this week! Stay tuned for the full reveal...

Yay! and Boo!

2009-10-08T21:37:00.010-04:00

Thanks to all who entered the give-away for a spot in my online workshop. Let's hear a big YAY! for Christine who was randomly chosen as the lucky winner! I will be emailing her details asap as the workshop begins Monday October 12th.

Now let's hear a big BOO! for the rest of us...a nice Halloween *BOO* that is. I've had this pumpkin idea in my head for a bit and finally had a moment to whip one together. It's time for Halloween decor, Stat!

Do you remember Hoopie the Snowman that I made last year? Well Jack the Hoop-o-lantern is the new guy in town! He's made from a scrap of felted wool sweater placed in an embroidery hoop that I spray painted black. Then I pinned yellow felt to the back and reverse appliqued the features with black embroidery floss using a backstitch. After stitching, I cut away the orange to expose the yellow. The stem is a rolled piece of felted sweater ribbing, fringed, and glued on top of the hoop where the screw was. (see last year's snowman post for more details)

Wouldn't a whole row of these look adorable? That's my intention...to use different size and shaped hoops with a variety of "carved" faces. For now, though, he'll have to hang amongst the florals on my studio wall. He's a easy going guy, I don't think he'll mind.

Want more embroidery hoop ideas? My pal Maya recently posted her beautiful hoop dreams. She thought her doilies looked sweet and nostalgic. I thought they'd look great with a big black spider lurking on one of them. But that's just me. :)

Hope you have a chance to make a few of these this weekend. Oh boy next week is going to be a doozy. My online workshop begins Monday. (If you're a participant, look for your log-in email later today!) Also next week: my new organic fabrics for fall!

Give-away: Felt & Stitch Holiday Workshop

2009-10-06T08:28:00.005-04:00

As promised, this week I am giving away one free spot in my online workshop! (Please check my earlier post about the workshop details) I've had such an overwhelming response that I needed to close registration to keep it manageable. In appreciation of your enthusiasm, I thought the least I could do was to offer a give-away, yay!

To answer one of your questions: Yes, I will do more workshops in the future. Please sign up for my email newsletter in the little white box on my website homepage to stay informed. (I promise to send out the newsletter well in advance of registration!)

To enter the Give-away:
1) Comment on this post

2) Tell me what you'd be looking for in an upcoming online workshop. I want your ideas! More recycled felting? Easter projects for next spring? Repurposing projects? Needle felting? One specific type of project? Do tell...

3) Be sure to leave your email address or make sure your comment links back to your blog, etc. If you win I need to be able to contact you!

4) Give-away will close midnight EST October 8, 2009. One winner will be randomly selected and announced here on the blog Friday, October 9th.

Good luck!

**Contest and comments now closed, thank you!**

Happy Friday, Happy October!

2009-10-02T09:34:00.006-04:00

Quickly I want to mention that my workshop is now SOLD OUT! Wow, I am touched an honored by your response. Seriously, you guys, you knocked my socks clean off into the laundry hamper. If you signed up, thank you! If you missed out, stayed tuned...I will be giving away one free spot in the workshop next week!

OK, I have to tell you about this new knitting book! My sweet friend Susan B Anderson has done it again. (do you remember her booties?) Itty Bitty Toys is her 3rd book and I was lucky enough to get an advance copy. It's release date is not until November, but she is having a give-away right now! She's giving away 3 copies and the deadline is Oct 5th, so visit her blog for details!

Ok, on to the book...I fell in love when I opened it to this page. Susan is that master of kid knitting, I tell ya. Look at these Christmas characters. Oh, I am having a cute-fest over here. Roly poly Santa!

All of the Itty Bitty books have a hard cover with a spiral binding so they open up flat. The babies are adorable and photography is top notch. These knit nesting boxes look like a great project for beginning knitters.

Susan is one inventive knitter. Itty Bitty Toys has 5 different reversible toys! This one is Cat to Mouse and it couldn't be more fun. There's also a nice boyish Bear to Elephant. I love the novelty of 2 toys in one.

Who wouldn't love a bowl full of felty bouncy balls? I can't wait to make some of these. They'll have to sit in my knitting queue for just a bit, though. I'm about a third of the way finished with my new Shalom Cardi. If I could just sit still long enough to knit! :)

Have a great weekend!

Felt + Stitch Holiday '09

2009-09-25T14:20:00.029-04:00

Announcing my NEW online workshop: October 12th to November 6th!

Join me this fall for my first-ever online workshop! No matter where you live we can gather together online to make wonderful felted wool projects for your holiday décor and gift giving. I’ll be teaching and working with you along the way through a combination of blog posts, downloadable PDF’s, and videos posted weekly, where participants can communicate with each other and with me. Projects will include ornaments, home décor and small gifts, designed especially for this workshop and are not available in my books or anywhere else!

Felt + Stitch Holiday is jam-packed with ideas, techniques and projects you can start making right away. Inspired by my book, Warm Fuzzies, this workshop will focus on small projects made with felted wool sweaters and/or craft felt. You will learn the basics of working with felt, a variety of applique and embellishment techniques, experiment with needle felting methods and more. Each week I will post wonderful holiday projects for you to make applying these techniques. I will share with you tricks of the trade. Even if you have never worked with felted wool before, you'll complete this workshop feeling like a pro! You might also feel a bit like Santa with all of the gifts and décor you’ll create.

The 4-week workshop begins October 12 and runs through November 6. The cost of the workshop is $40. Once registered, participants will receive a password (via email) granting access to a special blog page created just for the workshop. Each Monday I will demonstrate a technique. On Wednesdays I will post a project for you to make using that technique. In addition to the workshop blog, there will be a private Flickr group where you can share your photos each week, ask questions and take part in discussions. Feel free to take the course at your own pace on your own time! All workshop content will be available to participants through the end of the year.

Registration opens today! Visit my shop for more details and to sign up now!

I'm really excited about this and I hope you are too! If you have questions you'll most likely find the answers in the workshop listing info. If you think of something else, please feel free to ask!

***EDIT 10/2/09: The Workshop is now SOLD OUT! Thank you! To find out about future workshops, sign up for my email newsletter here.***

freebies

2009-09-24T06:44:00.007-04:00

Hey there crafty friends. My publisher, STC Craft, has put together a collection of 20 free patterns from their books. Plus, a craft book give-away if you comment on their blog by September 28th. Now is the time to get a jump on your holiday crafting!

The Produce Bags, are the freebie pattern from my book, Sewing Green. These would be a great gift tucked inside a shopping "tote trick" tote, don't you think?

And for you knitters, there's a free pattern for this felted scarf from Alterknits Felt by Leigh Radford...

The adorable Meathead pattern from Knitalong by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown...
Sweet stripe socks from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick...

And some kick-a** arm warmers from Punk Knits by Share Ross and Bam Ross...just to name a few!

Head on over to the STC Craft blog to download these (and 15 more!) free patterns. Don't forget to comment there for a chance to win a book as well. Go now, contest ends soon!

photos courtesy of STC Craft

knit-WIP

2009-09-22T13:09:00.003-04:00

Ok guys, after all of your super helpful and supportive knitting comments, I'm back at it. This is the start of my second (ok, third!) attempt at the Shalom Cardi. With some new yarn and the help of my new Squam pal, Laura, I am on my way.

Good golly this yarn is delicious. If I could eat it, I bet it would taste like cinnamon or nutmeg or curry or hazelnut or maybe all of them mixed together somehow. It is called Esperanza from Schaefer Yarn, color: Julia Child. Hmmm, no wonder the color reminds me of flavors! I'm knitting in the evenings while my husband and I catch up on old episodes of LOST on Hulu. That show is like a drug, I had no idea! Hope it doesn't screw up my gauge, sometimes those shows make me tense. We are only part way through season 2, so don't tell me anything! No spoilers, please!

P.S. Don't worry about the fate of the first attempt at this sweater. I have a tall friend I intend to gift it to!

playing with color

2009-09-18T12:02:00.003-04:00

I love color. I am working on my next print collection so I am pulling together all of the yummy fall colors that feel so good to me right now. Plum, magenta, orange, brown, a little tealy-turq...and of course lots of green.

Just a litttle sneak peek to get your mouth watering for my fall prints! I hope to have them ready and in the shop by the beginning of October!

Hope it's feelin' fall near you...happy weekend!

some knitting

2009-09-15T19:41:00.003-04:00

I got distracted from my honey comb hat and scarf and knit a few other things instead.

These are the sweet little baby booties by Susan B Anderso n I told you about. Super cinchy to make! I knit them out of soft soft alpaca and they are for a baby shower gift.

I love the blocky toes, so much like chubby baby feet. I added the felted I-cord for the bow. These are for a boy, but Susan shows little rosettes on hers for a baby girl.

And...here is my Shalom Cardi. I looooved this pattern when I found it on Ravelry. HAD to make it! I didn't have the right yarn in my stash and new yarn is not in my budget...so I compromised and bought Lyon Brand Wool-ease. Made this for under $20! The original pattern only had one button but I wanted three. I also shortened the length a bit.

The jury is still out on the finished result. I'm feeling a liiiittle like the yoke portion is too long on me. If I re-do this (argh) I may shorten each section by a few rows. It's looking a little too much like...I don't know, an Egyptian Cleopatra collar? The original just looks...better. Not liking the 3 buttons now either! Gah!

Oh well. Regardless of my inability to bond with my new sweater, this was a blast to knit and it went quickly due to the nice thick yarn. I wouldn't mind knitting this again. Kinda.

So, what do you do when your knitting goes awry? Rip it out and start over? Give it away?

weird + wonderful

2009-09-13T19:04:00.006-04:00

No, I'm not still talking about my hair. We went on a little nature walk this weekend. You never know what you'll discover.

Amber globs of sap, decorating a tree.

Something shed and left behind...

Mr. Toad, chillaxin' in his tree stump...

Bright and amazing looking fungi...

...the size of dinner plates!

I'm so looking forward to fall, my favorite season! Really, the jeans and sweaters just can't come fast enough in my opinion. Speaking of weird + wonderful, my boys are already ramping up for Halloween. Yes, we are well into the costume planning stages and have even started some assembly. And for me this fall? Knitting will take center stage. I've already made this cardigan but it needs buttons. These baby booties are on my needles for a shower coming up next weekend. I'll show you both when they are done.

What weird + wonderful things are happening with you?

friday silliness

2009-09-11T13:58:00.004-04:00

I got a badly needed haircut yesterday. Nothing drastic, just a good trim. Seems I have finally "figured out" my hair after 40-something years! Anyway, about 10 years ago I was having a hair identity crisis (one of many...) and decided to go to a salon that had hair-do imaging. They took a photo of me and then digitally mocked up any hair style I chose from the menu. I KNOW! So cool. I don't think it did much to help me make up my mind, but it sure was fun. I can't even believe I am sharing this with you:

Ha! Oh I get such a kick looking at this. It just illustrates why we obsess over our hair, doesn't it? It makes such a difference in how we feel about ourselves and how others view us. I can just imagine the different "personalities" each version of me up there might have.

Have a good weekend and do something silly! :)

Easy Repurposed Pillows

2009-09-08T14:43:00.004-04:00

Pillows are a pretty easy and inexpensive way to change the decor in your home. Most of the time when I make a pillow, I sew the cover together leaving a small opening. I stuff a pillow form inside then hand sew the opening shut. This technique has served me well, but it's not suitable for changing covers on your pillow forms. If you 're one for swapping out the covers with the seasons, for example, you're better off with a pillow cover that either zips on and off or has an envelope back.

I made these using nice soft second-hand sweaters for the face of the pillows. They are all wool, but only the blue stripe and the fisherman cable have been felted. Really, you could use any kind of sweater or fabric, for that matter. Cut a square the same dimension as your pillow form (16" x 16" or whatever). If you use an unfelted sweater, overlock or zigzag the raw edges.

For the back of the pillow, cut another square out of an old flannel shirt, denim jacket, suit coat, dress shirt, suede vest, etc! Anything that already has some kind of placket or closure will work as your ready-made "envelope" closure for the back of your pillow.

You can center the placket, off set it, put it at a diagonal, however it works. Sew the pillow front to the pillow back, right sides together, around the entire perimeter. Turn right side out, stuff it with your pillow form, then button it back up. Done!

These pillows look nice, are comfortable and are meant to be used. You can have fun thrifting around for just the right front and back to put together. Or make them a little more meaningful by creating them out of a favorite garment that can no longer be worn. A while back I made one out of my son's long outgrown cashmere fisherman sweater. He loves being able to *keep* his old sweater and to curl up with it on the couch.

Amanda's Handmade Home

2009-09-04T06:29:00.006-04:00

Have you taken a stroll through this lovely book yet? Handmade Home is Amanda's Soule's follow-up to her very popular book, The Creative Family. If you love sewing projects that repurpose well-loved items from the home and for the home, you won't be disappointed. Amanda's sweet perspective on life, family and appreciating the little things that we've come to love on her blog comes shining through in her new book, Handmade Home.

I was fortunate to meet Amanda in person last spring at the Squam Art Workshops. We took the rustic playhouse stage together, along with three other authors, and chatted with the attendees about our books, publishing, and what it means to put your baby (book) out into the world. (speaking metaphorically, that baby is Harper, Amanda's real baby)

Amanda's and my path had crossed previous to meeting via blogging and emailing each other. At one point, many months ago, we had compared notes about my then-work-in-progress, Sewing Green, and hers, Handmade Home. Both books with sewing projects, both focused on repurposing and reuse, but from different angles and in our own voices. It's a wonderful surprise to finally see her efforts come together. Amanda brings such a sense of nostalgia, history and an admiration for family past, present and future. She articulates it in a way that makes you feel as though you've been friends forever.

*********************

And now I'm off on a tangent:
I find the act of publishing so fascinating. Creating books (our babies, our labors of love) and sending them out into the wild...they take on a life of their own. I hesitate to keep comparing it to parenting, but I can't get away from it. Seeing your book go forth without you, for better or worse, is like sending your child off to kindergarten.

Will she make friends? Will people see her good traits, the way I do? Will she do well?

As a parent (and an author) there is only so much you can do to prepare, nurture, and encourage your children (books). Soon enough they join the masses and all of your love and hard work is on display for the public. To be adored or to be dismissed. To be revered or to be criticized. I have to say, it is a bit daunting. No, books are not human, but they come from the heart. And like parenting, I consider being an author an incredible honor. I'm pretty sure Amanda would agree.

blissful blogging

2009-09-01T10:23:00.002-04:00

Yesterday the mailman brought me a copy of Blogging for Bliss, A Guide For Crafters, Artists & Creatives of All Kinds, by Tara Frey.

Last year when I was asked to be a part of the book (find me on page 24!) I was flattered. Me? I'm no blogging expert! But turns out, that's kind of the point of the book. Blogging can be for anyone that wants to be part of this amazing creative blogging community.

In Blogging for Bliss, Tara guides you through setting up a blog, finding your voice, blogging manners, photography tips and more. In addition, there 50+ profiles of your favorite bloggers as well as wonderful ones you may not have come across before. Even though I have been blogging now for 3 1/2 years (this is my 412th post!) there is some seriously helpful stuff in here. I recommend it for newbies and veterans alike!

I was so giddy, flipping through this for the first time. I felt like I had just gotten my high school yearbook! (What page am I on? Oh, look at her! She's in here...and so is my other friend) And like a yearbook, I feel like this book will hold special meaning for me. It's like a snapshot or a time capsule. Look at how much has happened with the internet and social networking in just a handful of years. What will the next handful bring?

for butterflies

2009-08-30T13:20:00.010-04:00

Who gets more butterflies in their stomachs on the first day of school, parents or kids? I waffle back and forth between feeling/acting like the beginning of the school year is a big deal and trying to downplay it.

Tomorrow is *the day* and we've gotten our supplies, visited the classrooms, and tried on every pair of pants in the house to see if any of them are still long enough. (of course not!) I've got my reusable sandwich wraps ready (pattern in Sewing Green and here), a few snack bags (lots of tutorials all over the web) along with these new organic cotton canvas food sacks (below left) from Graze Organic that I won from Mindful Momma!

I thought this might be a good time to get back on my soap box about packing trash-free lunches again. Last spring I wrote a post about it after I spoke to our school's PTA. The statistics about the garbage one school can generate is staggering! Check it out.

Also in Sewing Green is my pattern for the Lunch Tote, seen here made in organic cotton from Harmony Art. My boys are still clinging to their Transformer and Superman lunch sacks, so I haven't been able to make ones for them yet. Maybe next year. I've seen a few Lunch Totes already pop up in the Sewing Green Flickr Group and they look great!

Ok, I'm off to label school supplies and bake cookies. Tummy butterflies are much calmer when you give them cookies, you know. :)

tote trick 1 [Flickr]

2009-08-27T17:22:10-07:00

betz_white posted a photo:

recover your ugly canvas logo totes!

tutorial at betzwhite

tote trick 2 [Flickr]

2009-08-27T17:22:08-07:00

betz_white posted a photo:

recover your ugly canvas logo totes!

tutorial at betzwhite

table runner 1 [Flickr]

2009-08-27T17:08:31-07:00

betz_white posted a photo:

Table runner made using organic canvas from my Family Cottage Collection.

betzwhite

table runner 2 [Flickr]

2009-08-27T17:08:30-07:00

betz_white posted a photo:

Table runner made using organic canvas from my Family Cottage Collection.
betzwhite

table runner 3 [Flickr]

2009-08-27T17:08:29-07:00

betz_white posted a photo:

Table runner made using organic canvas from my Family Cottage Collection.
betzwhite

How To Sew a Table Runner

2009-08-27T19:34:00.004-04:00

Go for a stroll over at Craftzine and check out my new Table Runner tutorial! I made it using my Family Cottage prints on hemp/organic cotton canvas and paired it with a nice solid brown canvas (also organic cotton!). Of course I had to add a dose rickrack, cuz that's what I do.

These prints are available in my shop in 4-Pack Sample Sets. Each set, a warm and a cool, has 4 cuts measuring 9" x 13". To make the runner, I cut each of the sample cuts in half, approx. 9" x 6.5".

Of course, you could also use whatever prints you have in your stash. This is an easy way to showcase your favorites!

tote tricks

2009-08-26T15:32:00.008-04:00

So, are canvas totes the new T-shirt or what? You know, as a promotional tool. Go to an event, come home with a canvas tote. I'm sure you have acquired a bunch like I have. I use them for groceries or library books, but...meh. BOOOOR-ing.

I always think I'll whip up a few cute printed totes instead, but I don't have a lot of time or patience for *sigh* making the lining or *ugh* making the straps all precise and what.ev.er. Anyhoo, I've been dying to put a little brainstorm I had to the test: Use a ho-hum canvas tote as the lining AND the straps, and just add the cute print to the outside. WOOT!

All you need is a canvas tote and an equally sized piece of fabric. I used a thrifted tablecloth that's been waiting patiently in my stash to be reused as something.

1) Turn the ready-made tote inside out and place it on a piece of fabric folded back on itself. Align the bottom of the tote with the fold. Using the tote as your template, cut the print fabric along the sides and across the top, leaving an extra 1/4" of fabric extending past the top of the tote.

2) Put the tote aside. Refold the print fabric with right sides together and stitch the side seams. Press the 1/4" extension across the opening to the wrong side.

3) With your canvas tote "liner" inside out, slide your print "outer" tote over it so that wrong sides are together. Pin the pressed hem along the top edge of the liner.

4) Topstitch around the opening. Smile to yourself because you are done.

Not only did you save a lot of time, but you have a nice finished lining. It would've also been very easy to add a pocket to the inside before attaching the outer tote. (One more tip, if your fabric has a directional one way print, you will want to cut out 2 sides and seam the bottom in step 1. Otherwise your print will be right-side-up on one side and upside-down on the other.)

Hooray for tote tricks! I can't wait to make more!

***UPDATE: Thanks for your responses! Just wanted to mention that if your ho-hum tote has some dimension at the bottom, you can "box" the corners of your outer fabric to match the depth and make it fit better. Here's a link to a tutorial that shows how to make box corners. Also, if you want to show off your "tote trick" pics, join the "Show Us How You Sew Green" Flickr group for a chance to win a craft book! Visit the STC Craft blog for details about the giveaway.***