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

[Lynn]

Your book is just lovely. My favorite is the X is for Xis and O's and how you incorporated your girls game into the design. This is now a part of your family history.

[Kathy C]

I just placed My order through Amazon for this fabulous book and it should be here by Thursday I can't wait to get stitchin....

[MarciaW]

U is for umbrella -- April showers comes to mind. I enjoyed your stories. With 5 grandnieces, I would like to make an alphabet embroidery sampler a-z. It would be such a cute teaching book. This will be my first instructional embroidery book if I am fortunate enough to win.

[Naomi]

I really loved the Q is for Quilt one! I'm totally quilt crazy at the moment!!

[Cindy A.]

Just one!? It's a toss up between the umbrella (love umbrellas but hate rain) and the cute little dress. I'm with you on the Peter Pan collars and puffy sleeves. I just wish I had a little girl still on which to inflict my creative passion.

[Aish]

Thankyou for the giveaway..your book looks very pretty. I do embroidery and this would be a nice addition to my collection.
Thanks again,
Aish.S

[Cindy]

I enjoyed the "x" story. How fun to include your children and build that memory into the project. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Pam]

All the designs are darling! I choose "Q is for Quilt" as my favorite. I love how you use the running stitch to make it look just like a quilt. Thanks so much for writing the embroidery book " S is for Stitch". I am an embroidery beginner and I need all the help I can get, so I think this will be a good book for me!

[vicki seals]

I like the one with the quilt. Thanks for the giveaway. vickise at gmail dot com

[Rossetta Hanna]

I adore your book. I like "forts" because it can be used for boys. You don't see much out there for boys! Thanks!

[Roopali]

What a creative way of writing a book.. I love all the anecdotes with quilt being my favorite here.. Would love to have a copy of this book.

Thanks,
Roopali

[Sandra]

I have been knitting and sewing for a while and due to increased work load I kept telling myself I should ind a portable hobby. Bought some first-timer kit, but really I need a good book with basics and inspiration. Would love to have one ! And would be ready to pay for shipping as I live in Canada to get the hardcopy! ;)

[Kelly]

I am in love with your book! I love that you give "boy" options. Having 2 little boys I love stitching them things but find it hard to find things that aren't so girly. I also love that you gave directions/advice on your stitches that you used. So excited to see this book and for the opportunity to win. Thanks!

[Carrie]

I like the dress story because I love peter pan collars!

[Gina snyder]

Love the little dress! so heirloom.


Would love to win this! My new baby granddaughter would love a blanky with her name stitched on!

Gina
Gina@gigglekidsboutique.com

[Chris]

I love the j is for jump rope. The chain stitch jumped off the page. It has been a long time since I have embroidered and your book is giving me some. Inspiration.
Thank you,
Chris

[Cindy]

What sweet little projects. I love that you did a boy/girl mix and match any way you want.

[Kathy Bruner]

It would be hard to choose a favourite, but I guess it would have to be "J for Jump." What a lovely little book you have done here!

[Krin W]

Having a hard time deciding: A is for ant, U is for umbrella or X is for Xs and Os.
You book looks so lovely, I would love a copy of it.

[Jo]

A is for Ant - that little fella is so cute! I think I have an animal preference, because my other favourite is the Snail - extremely cute. I always wanted to make an alphabet quilt for my girl, and these stitcheries are very inspiring. Love the book.

[Pilar]

Q is for Quilt is my favorite, as you say no words are needed the emboidery talks for itself! I just would love to have a copy of your book, every note makes it feel personal as...as if reading a diary. Congratulations!

[Jasmine]

Please pick me, i would love to own this book and impliment the techniques and sketches in my baby's room. :)

[Melissa]

I love the Kk for kitten and robot is so cute!! The umbrella anecdote is my fave of the above ones discussed. Would love this book! Such adorable designs!! Thank you for this opportunity!

[Lucy]

The feather is my favourite - simple design but effective.

[Lori]

All are great....but especially love the baseball!