Day 8 - S is for Stitch - AND a Giveaway!

Today's the last day of my book tour and so I guess it's my turn. 

I can't exactly "review" my own book ... that would be weird.  But I can share with you some behind the scenes stuff. 

The 26 girl alphabet designs were purely labours of love for my daughters.  I had absolutely no intention of turning them into a book.  I didn't have a blog and didn't know I was going to start a pattern company.  And since I've never taken art or design classes of any kind, I certainly didn't feel qualified to write a book.

But one thing led to another and my just for fun project became a book.

I didn't want S is for Stitch to be another "here are some designs and instructions" sort of craft book.  So I wrote much of the text as if I was having a conversation with you - my imaginary readers.  But it was all about the technical side of embroidery and not so much about the creativity.  And when I was reviewing an early draft of the book - all organized and laid out with the "how to's" - I thought it was missing something and found myself wanting to share more personal information.  I really wanted to connect with people like me - people who have a creative spirit, but who don't feel "qualified" to design. 

My solution was simple:  beside every one of the 52 designs in the book, I wrote a little something.  Because, as it turns out, even though I wasn't formally schooled as a designer I have somehow learned a few things over the years about how to make embroidery interesting ... and pretty ... and easy to stitch.

Sometimes I wrote about what I was thinking that dictated my design decisions:

Sometimes I wrote about "arty" techniques I used to achieve certain features:

Sometimes I wrote about exploiting specific stitches:

Sometimes I wrote about how you can change my designs to make them your own:

Sometimes I wrote about how I made the girl quilt very personal for my daughters and me:

And sometimes, when I was at a complete loss for something to say, I just wrote ... something!  LOL!

I hope my little anecdotes make the book interesting and informative. 

And now how - exactly - does one end a book tour?

Tada?

The End?

Oh.  Right.  A giveaway!  You didn't think I'd forget, did you? ;)

Please leave me a comment (with your name and a valid email address!) telling me which one of the above anecdotes you like best and you'll be entered to win a copy of S is for Stitch!  If you are a US resident, you'll be sent a hard copy of the book.  If you live elsewhere, you'll receive an eBook.  All the giveaways close Thursday April 4th and the winners will be announced on Monday, April 8th.

I really hope you enjoyed these special peeks into my book and that you're totally motivated to pick up a needle and get stitching!

And a great big thank you from the bottom of my heart to Stash Books, Allison H, Amanda, Amy, Anne, Lori & Sherri for playing along.  Couldn't have done this without you! xo 

Comments

[Debbie R.]

Congratulations, Krystine, on a wonderful book, and great blog tour to celebrate it. Lots of stitchy fun and beauty, brightened and enlightened with your creative bent and sparkling personality.

My fave from the letters you showed? Well, it would have to be Q is for Quilt.

[Sharon Bourque]

I love the X & O motif as I play this game with my 6 year old granddaughter. Thanks for the opportunity to win this great book.

[Lisa]

I LOVE the X's & O's one! It's really cute, childlike and creative. When I think of X's and O's, I also think of hugs and kisses! Thanks for your inspiration!!!

[Lisa]

I love the little dress - I immediately started imagining how I would embellish to add my personal touch ... you've sparked my desire to embroider again. I took a break after my last project and haven't found one to begin again. Now I have!

[Lisa Q]

I'm really into stitching right now and this book looks great! I love your anecdote about the tic tac toe game...so fun!

[Cheryl]

I love the stroy about the jump rope and the stitched jump rope

[ellen]

SO SO cute! you crack me up girl!!
the umbrella is my fave. something about the positioning - so quaint!
thanx to all for your reviews - love it!
ELL

[Anita]

Q for quilt is my favorite, of course! It has been a great book tour, and I would love to win a copy of your adorable book..

[Babychaser]

Reading all these reviews has me reeeeally wanting to have your book so I can learn how to really do this. I think I could learn from you better than just any book. You write in my style of understanding! :) Please pick me!!!! Haha.

[Chris]

a is for ant makes me think about that cheeky ant dashing towards a forgotten biscuit! The book looks great.

[Heather (mtl)]

Gosh, what a lovely book! I especially loved your anecdotes, particularly the dress, the rope, the umbrella... Ok, all of them. Your personal touches are, I think, what will make your book stand out. Kudos - your daughters must be proud!
I can only hope I am lucky enough to win this gem!
Thanks for the chance to win,
Heather (mtl)

[Kelly Wenhold]

What an adorable book - love the X marks the spot!

[Renee]

The baseball holds a special place in my heart at the moment. My son is graduating from college in May and is currently playing his last season of baseball there. Bittersweet times...

[Shari Morrison]

I love this book. On every stop on the tour, I see such cute designs. Love this book!.
Thanks

[Sharon - IN]

Oh! D is for Dress! It reminds me of a favorite childhood dress that was white & green striped and I loved to twirl in it! Lovely book and blog.

[Pamela]

My favorite is the baseball. That's a great tip for detail accuracy!

[Penny]

I love the unique pictures you used for the alphabet instead of the typical fare. It looks like a great embroidery book. Thanks for the giveaway.

[lynaeve]

I love the fort. thanks for the chance!

[Joyce Carter]

I like the "D is for Dress". This is still my favorite type of dress on little girls today.I love your book. Thank you so much for the chance to wi n it.

[Sophia!]

I like the tic-tac-toe the best! It's nice to hear how the book evolved. If I don't win a copy then I'll have to buy one! I'm just a beginner in sewing and embroidery, but I like the look of embroidery adding character and interest to sewing projects.

Best of luck! I so enjoy reading your blog and seeing your creations.

[Leslie]

I love your jump rope but I adore the comments that you have made throughout the book and I would love to have a copy to share with my daughter.

[Karrie smith]

I love A is for Ant!!! Thanks for the chance to win. This book looks so amazing!

[Tatiana]

Wonderful embroidery, I love them all

[Jan Richards]

I love the dress comment. I too love the peter pan collar and puffy
sleeves....remember my girls wearing them as babies and toddlers.
Thanks for a chance to win this beautiful book. Well done.

philrwa@mashell.com

[Jan Richards]

I love the dress comment. I too love the peter pan collar and puffy
sleeves....remember my girls wearing them as babies and toddlers.
Thanks for a chance to win this beautiful book. Well done.

philrwa@mashell.com

[Nicole]

"F" is for fort is my favorite! It reminds me of the forts that I would draw and make as a kid. Your book looks wonderful! Thank you for the chance to win :)

[Lou]

I like them all but the Q for Quilt is my fav since I am a quilter:) Love the book so far!

[Jennifer Bell]

Kristyne,
"I wrote about how you can change my designs to make them your own."
What better way to converge the techniques & instruction with individual creativity....especially for beginners (like me).
Congratulations and good luck with your book. Thanks for the fun tour!

[sheila]

my favorite sidebar has to do with the design of the tic-tac-toe block. i love that it began as an actual game. those are the sort of personal things that you will remember each time you look at this quilt. when my daughter got married she added lots of things that had meaning for just us as mother and daughter and when we look at the wedding photos we "see" all those little touches even though others can't.

[Susan]

This is the cutest stitching book...my fav has got to be the fort, and truly it is because you see it from a corner...all about different...LOVE IT...

Thanx for the chance to win....Susan

[Lisa]

What an awesome book. My favorite letter so far is J for jump rope! The rope is just too much fun! Great job!

[Eva]

I love the treasure map ! My children are both very into pirate stuff at the moment.
Love all the stories really and how your book came to life too.
Thanks,
xEva

[karen Combs]

Yoour book is lovely-- i hope one finds it's way to my sewing room soon!

[Julia]

What I like most about all your anecdotes, is how it feels like you're sitting at my table talking to me...Sorry I couldn't just pick one!

[Dianne H.]

I love the dress. It reminds me of the dresses my daughters wore when they were little. Some I bought, such as the Polly Flinders smocked dresses, but most of the time I made their dresses. I also like the jump rope and the way that particular stitch makes it stand out. Thank you for creating such a great book.

[Shanna Gibbons]

I love the jump rope. It reminds me of when I was a little girl. That was all we did at recess every day was jum rope. Fond memories. Thanks for the chance to win such a great book.

[Anita]

My favorite anecdote above is the xs and os one. I think this book looks gorgeous and I will be adding it to my collection even if I do win an ebook. Thank you for the chance to enter and for your insightful blog post about your book.

[Leah Carpenter]

i am new to all things thread, needle and fabric. I have three small children that i school at home. This would be such a sweet addition to our library! I am no more deserving then anyone else who left a comment but would love to be chosen!
keep up the lovely passion and vision!
leah

[Ruth]

I love your comment about the quilt. The handwork shows and the comforting worn look adds to the charm.

[Cecilia]

My favorite is Q is for Quilt. I do love that little quilt hanging there on the clothesline, it's very sweet!

[tammyCA]

Your book looks so cute...I love doing hand embroidery, but I bet there are a lot of tips I don't know about. I think I like the J is for Jump rope the best...very creative.

[Tina Marie]

My little guy and I made the pillow last week. We borrowed a copy from the library and really need to win a copy. Check it out! ps. he did the embroidery and the piecing

http://aretrocatholicfamily.blogspot.ca/2013/03/stash-bash-holy-week-edition.html

[Sandy]

I love this book, the projects are so cute.

[Colette]

So many cute patterns. I think I like the D is for Dress the best.

[Angela]

I love the tic-tac-toe- my boys love to play that game and I love the idea
Of freezing it in embroidery!

[Darcene]

It was so very difficult to choose just one...but I can't help but smile when I read (and re-read) the umbrella quote...with five grandchildren I will certainly be able to find the perfect embroideries for each one...thank you for the giveaway...

[barbara woods]

i liked d is for dress

[Patti]

My favorite should have been U is for Umbrella because I live in England or Q is for Quilt because I have become a quilting addict but it is D is for Dress because as old as I am, and I'm a Grandma, I still love wearing Peter Pan collars and puffed sleeves. It's been a great week and I adore your book.

[Pam C]

I liked the umbrella, the map, tic tac toe and the ant the most, but I enjoyed them all. Very nice book.

[Teresa]

Hi: The ant is absolutely gorgeous. You are right, the smile says it all.

Thanks for the giveaway.