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

[Nettie Crain]

I think this is such a sweet book! Love to stitch in my spare time.
My favorite quote is: X marks the spot.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Nettie

[wendy]

I LOVE this book! There are several of your little anecdotes that touched my heart, but, I think my favorite is the comfy little quilt. Thanks so much for putting your little bits of personality into it.

[Christine M]

Congratulations on such a lovely book. It is on my wish list (will have to start dropping some hints for Mother's Day!). I have enjoyed this hop. I love the X marks the spot!

[Rina]

As a quilter I like the Q is for Quilt. I like how you hung it on a clothes line to give it movement. Thanks so much for the giveaway and a big CONGRATULATIONS on the book.

[Patricia M.]

Who can choose! Each one is more unique than the other.

Congratulations!

[Ellen M.]

I love the X is for X marks the spot. I've always felt that treasure hunting would be very exciting! Congratulations on a lovely book!

[Polly Hada]

Not fair to make us choose just one! They are all adorable, but that jump rope looks like it will jump right off the page! Have loved the book tour and thanks for introducing us to some wonderful new blogs. Sew fun! Thank you.
pollyhada@gmail.com

[Corina]

I love F is for Fort. You could have chosen lots of other words but it reminds me of how playful and imaginative kids can be (I remember having so much fun making forts as a kid, and forgot about how awesome they were!). I would love to win this book because it looks incredible, and I went to my local quilt shop and they were SOLD OUT! I did see your lovely samples though, they look even better than in the photos!

[Diana Fields]

I liked everything in the descriptions of you book. I especially like the Peter Pan dress. My mother used to make those for us. I love to embroidery. I would like winning the book, but if I don't, I will definitely be ordering one from Barnes and Noble! Congratulations on the book, very exciting.

[Beth]

I think your book is lovely. I like the info by the jump rope, it's nice to have the stitch information with the picture. I love your blog!

[Susie Johnson]

I love your book, the comments by you are what make me want it! I love the Q is for quilt!
susiejohnso@gmail.com

[Donna S.]

Ahh, love it all!! The umbrella is an especially sweet thought.

[victoria]

I love how the book was started out of love for your daughters. I have three daughters that are now grown and I loved every moment with them when they were small. What a special gift for us, you and your girls.

[Andrea]

I love all your anecdotes - are you sure I have to select one?! But if you say so, I think I'll select the umbrella, no wait - the dress. You have a wonderfully fresh writing style that makes your book come alive. I definately want a copy after reading today's post! :)

[Debbie J]

I love the Ant and the Picnic comment! I purchased the e-book, but would love the actual book as well. Lovely, lovely lovely!
Debbie

[Jennifer]

I love the X marks the spot because my children loved treasure maps when they were young. Congratulations on your wonderful book and thank you for the chance at the giveaway

[Karen K]

I love your book! Darling embroideries.....envisioning using as initials for my grandchildren wallhangings for their rooms. Congratulations on a job well done!

[Lisa]

I love a Peter Pan collar on a little girls dress and the way it smells after it rain on your umbrella and I could jump rope for hours as a little girl. I love the tic tax toe board it reminds me of all the times my daughters and I played the game while waiting for the doctor on the exam room table paper. This book is just so full of terrific memories for me! Love it.

[Bari Jo]

I've enjoyed your book so much! And it has been great to read - like having a conversation with you! Over a cup of tea! Great job! When does the next one come out? :O) xoxo B

[Karen Shackleford]

I love them all! Makes me want to make an embroidered alphabet quilt. If I have to pick just one, I choose the dress--where each stitcher can add their own touches in the skirt of the dress. Good job, Kristyne. Congratulations again!

[Laura]

I liked the next to last anecdote for X where you wrote about the personal connection to you and your daughters. That personal touch lets your captions sing. I enjoyed this book tour/hop alot and hope I win a copy of your book.

[Dhonna Schwertl]

I love that your book grew from something that you created for you daughters!

[Barbara]

What a lovely book .....I adore the X's and O's.
Two of my grandchildren are at my home, almost
daily, and my grandson loves to beat his sister
at tic tac toe. ( He is 5 and she is 8. )
The games are so much fun to watch.

[Baye]

I liked your point that a child would leave the umbrella on the floor--where else?!

The stitch used for the jump rope is just perfect.

[Sarah N]

I like the Xs and Os best, makes it even cuter to know that your daughters played that grid :)

[Kathleen B]

Kristyne, I like the Q is for Quilt (and U is for Umbrella) the best I think. You are so right about the design of the running stitch and colonial knots adding just the right touch to bring it to life. Congratulations on your first wonderful book!

[Ledys]

So very lovely! I lived all the anecdotes, especially umbrella!
Thanks for such a beautiful giveaway and best wishes on the advent of your first book!
Ledys
ledys(dot)e(dot)chemin(@)gmail(dot)com

[Mari]

It is sooo hard to choose a favorite. All the images are sweet. I am looking forward to stitching all of them!

[Dara]

I really like the x and o game. It reminds me of all the hours I spent with my siblings playing.

[Kathi]

X is for X;s and O's is me for sure... using my kids to stage my work! Love that :) Would love to read what you have between the hardcovers of this book if I could be lucky enough to win one! I live in the USA in Florida :) Kathi kathibc@yahoo.com

[Sharon K]

I love the little dress pattern. My 3rd child is a girl and this is just how I love to see her dressed!

The X's and O's is a close second. I love to play with my children.

Congrats to you!

Sharonbk68[at]gmail[dot]com

[Cheryl]

Your gift for simple, beautiful design is inspiring. Tho' I love them all, your peter pan collared dress is my fav. Makes me think of my childhood, and fond memories of stitching with my girlfriend on a quilt -- love that you are keeping this skill and art a cherished craft.

[kc]

I have enjoyed the blog hop featuring your book. What a delightful book. I couldn't wait to see if I won a copy or not so I have ordered it. I can't wait for next Wednesday to arrive. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

[mountain girl]

I like how you "exploited" specific stitches for a purpose. The book looks great!
mia@pocoleon.com

[Ronda]

I have had my eye on this book since its arrivail in the stores! my favorite is the jump rope. shoeing how the different stitches that make it pop and I love the quilt (that is my passion). Thanks for the wonderful blog hop book review and thanks for the chance to win one your wonderful books.

[Gigi W]

I've wanted a copy of your book since I saw it on your blog. I read each and every review in this book tour and I love what everyone said about it. I love the dress, I think that might be my favorite so far. Thanks for all the chances to win your wonderful book.

[Margaret Doro]

D is for dress is the one I like best. I love the peter pan collar and puffed sleeves on the dress and the skirt has been left blank so the individual can personalize or embellish as required.

[Kathy h]

I really like the fort idea. It is more interesting to see both sides, great idea. I like little hints like that.

[Nancy B]

I can't wait to see this book and hold it in my hands! I love the jump rope as it brings back memories of my youth.

[Melodee]

I have to say Q is for Quilt is my favorite saying. What a lovely book you have put together, a nice addition to anyone's library.

[MissMary]

My favorite was X marks the Spot - quite inspiring to think of doing a larger-scale map - maybe even letting my nerdiness loose to create a whole Middle Earth map? ;-)

[janie]

i like when you wrote you "made it personal for you and your daughters. That's what makes it so special. so personal. like a secret message that only you and your daughters would always share ! wonderful !

[Terri M]

I love the lil umbrella and the kitty, and all of them! I would just love to win this masterpiece!

[Kathy]

I love D us for Dress. Reminds me of the dresses I wore as a young girl. If I don't win, I will be buying your book.

[Sheryl]

I love both of the X's. What a creative way to do the harder letters.

[Leah]

I love the ant! A picnic indeed! :)

[Anda]

I like how you recommend tweaking patterns and stitches to make them your own....what a stunning book! awolk at rogers dot com

[Deb]

The jump rope caught my attention first. I'd love this book!
debgirotti at gmail dot com

[Katherine]

The X's and O's one is my favorite.

[vintage grey]

A beautiful and sweet book and it was fun to see all the tours! I love the quilt! Wishing you a beautiful Easter weekend! xo Heather