anniversary sale

One year ago today I opened up a shop to sell my patterns.

Gosh, I can't believe it's been a year already.  Time sure does fly.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about what I do ... as a person ... in the world.  Sometimes it feels like what I do here is trivial - you know - compared to people who work tirelessly looking for a cure for cancer or risk their lives fighting for human rights. 

And I often think about how I personally benefit from the passion and determination of strong, incredible women who blazed the trails I take for granted and my daughters and I walk on so comfortably today.  It's easy for me to feel ... I dunno ... not useful.

I'm no Mother Teresa or Madame Curie, that's for sure.

But I'm growing more comfortable accepting that what I do have is a creative spirit with a need to make things and a knack for writing instructions. 

I love imagining new designs, creating them and sending them out into the world to be enjoyed by others.  I'd like to think there is something maybe just a little bit noble about that.

So to celebrate the fun I've had this past year - and as a show of my thanks and appreciation to all of you for helping me feel useful - all patterns in my shop are 40% off from now through Sunday, August 25th.  Just enter the code PRETTY at the checkout.  Sale has ended.

Thank you so much!

Comments

[Lee]

You are so very right that it does not seem like a year could have passed since you opened the shop. So, I need to wish you a Happy Dad's Birthday! I know this is a special day for you and know your Dad is smiling at your success. What you do does matter because it brings smiles, and there are not enough of those in the world. Now go out and have a cupcake or something.

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

Happy Birthday, Dear Pretty by Hand Shop!!! I agree with Lee. There are not enough smiles in the world, but you change that one blog post and pattern at a time! So happy for you! Thank you for gifting us with your discount! :)

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

K, just purchased the wallet and pencil case patterns in pdf form. Thanks again!

[Hildy]

Happy Anniversary to you, little shop! And Krstyne it matters to a lot of people what you do. You bring something pretty in our lives and I love to have my (almost) daily pretty fix:-)
Thank you for being you you're my most favorite canadian girl! Birthday kisses Hildy

[Rachel]

Hiya, love your blog so much, in such a stressful world it's incredibly uplifting and joyful to be able to follow,learn and share with people like you from all countries and backgrounds, gentle kind creativity goes a very long way to counterbalancing the negativity, many thanks xx

[Kristy]

Happy one year anniversary. We have each been given different gifts to share...you are fortunate to have found your gift. Each one of us is important to the whole. You touch many lives....and for that we are thankful. Kristy PS. I just found your book at our local library.....so exciting.

[Mary]

Yes, you are a lucky girl. But you are also extremely talented; thank you for sharing your gift with us.

[Barbara]

Oh talented, generous, loving one.........you create beauty and spread smiles to so many.
And you teach your family that beauty shared with others can change ones days from dreary to hope filled. Do not ever think that you are anything less than special! Your talents with a needle and with a pen......teach and that is a very noble calling!

[Sylvia]

You make the world more beautiful, and that is indeed a huge thing. :)

Like Miss Rumphius... Do you know the children book? Such a beautiful story!

Happy anniversary!

[Lucy]

Hello Kristyne,
What you are doing is so important. You are creating beauty, (in a world ever increasing in the opposite!) preserving and passing on very important skills to future generations! Never under estimate the joy you bring to others. I am so glad you share so much on your blog. When one little child wraps her or himself in a quilt you inspired, and feels the love from the hands of someone who loves them - what could be more important than that?
XO, Lucy

[Elizabeth]

I can only say that you are as important as anybody who is researching for cures of disease. You are keeping a tradition alive and teaching skills that could be lost.

[Elizabeth Smith]

Happy Anniversary , your work is very important. You help other people find the beauty in life, weather they make something they learned from you, to make some one else happy or to build confidence in themselves. We all have to find happiness where we can and I smile just looking at your talent.

[Amy DeCesare]

I'm so happy you are very good at what you do. You bring lots of beauty to the world. I've just treated myself to two of your lovely patterns. Thanks so much for the great discount, and happy anniversary!

[Karen]

You have wonderful creative gifts and I am so glad you share them. I really enjoy reading your blog! Not only are you creative and talented, you have a wonderful sense of humor. You contribute so much! I can't wait to use your generous discount to purchase one (or more) of your patterns. You truly inspire! Keep up the good work and Happy one year anniversary!

[Lori Hunstad]

Kristyne, your work is an inspiration and an escape for some of us.. Lately, things haven't been very rosy in my world, but there are two things that cheer me up: watching my taped soap opera and getting email notifications that you have a new post. There is beauty and creativity and hope in your creations. Your honey bee bag made my mom so happy when I gave it to her she teared up. So, there's a purpose in all of us. Whether it's curing cancer, fighting global warming or inspiring a girl from MN to English paper piece...it's all important.

Always a crafty cohort!

~LH

[Barb]

hi Kristyne, I know everyone else has said it - but just to reiterate: you have more than an amazing gift for making patterns and giving clear instructions - yep, no doubt about it, you do. But...you also have an incredible gift for writing - I ADORE the updates from Pretty by Hand - they make me feel happy, content, serene, and that all things are right in my world! You inspire me...all the way to New Zealand!
Don't ever doubt there's an angel on your shoulder....you are a blessing.
Barb

[Karen Shackleford]

Congratulations on the success of your shop and hitting 1 year! You know, Kristyne, we need as much "pretty" as possible in this crazy world we live in today. Artwork and good writing and humor are as important as finding a cure for something. So keep up your great creativity, and thank you for sharing it with all of us!

[Cheryl]

I really appreciate tithe way you share your ideas and creativity each time you write to us. You make me smile. I feel like I know YOU.
By the way, what did you create for back to school backpacks and lunch boxes this year?
What size do you make the placemats that go with the lunch boxes? Would love it if you could share the pattern for the lunch bag that you have made many times and the cute zip around one that you made last year.
Cheryl

[Meredithe]

What you bring is joy and happiness - love what you do, so please keep doing it! You're a very valuable person for my girlfriends and I. xo

[Saartje]

Happy Anniversary!

I think you should know that in any society, artists are just as important as farmers, bakers, doctors, teachers and scientists. I have always been creative with my hands, in color, texture and shape and I have a good friend who is a fantastic musician. We both went into medicine, because being an artist is not a 'proper' job. And while we love our 'real' work (I wouldn't give it up for the world, even though it's not always easy now, with a husband and a bunch of kids), we couldn't live without our art, and we realise that we need artists in our lives to be complete, to be human.

I always think the most compelling proof of what I'm saying is that humans throughout history, all over the world, have always found and continue to find a way to have art in their lives, no matter how little resources they have. So you'll find great professional musicians in the poorest countries of Africa, drama groups in wartime Europe, and women who created the most beautiful quilt from the tiniest scraps during the recession.

And your art is important to me, personally. I love reading your blog, it's pretty and positive and makes me appreciate life more!

My tiny hexagon 'quilt' is getting along, by the way. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. A pouch, a pin cushion and needle book (if I cut it in half I should have enough), a mug mat, the possibilities are endless!

[Elaine]

I don't know what your beliefs are, but it is NO coincidence that I have been grappling with the exact same issue and wondering in the "Grand scheme of things...: And I read I Tim. 4:14 that says "Neglect not the gift that is in you" (bestowed upon or endowed to you specifically) So I think that it's about time that we accept and appreciate that we impact the world in the little details that some people really enjoy! And by the way, I have been wanting to buy your pencil case pattern for some time, NO coincidence at all!! Thanks for the tiny details and just the way you make things pretty by hand. ; )

[Bari Jo]

I agree with the rest. What you don't realize is the THERAPY you have given me, free of charge. All the inspiration, eye candy, tutoring, mentoring, not to mention the laughter... more often than not, I am LAUGHING MY FOOL HEAD OFF reading your posts - it is good medicine, you know? It's a few moments respite in my day with a cup of tea to sit down and look at some favorite blogs and get recharged and even if I can't get to projects I want to (yet) it is a place to dream and learn and get inspired. A very pretty place of calm in what feels like a world of chaos at times. So, my friend, thank you for ALL you have given me. xoxo B

[Kathleen O'Grady]

Congrats on your shop birthday! Time flies when your having fun. I so love your blog and all the beautiful things you make. You have a wonderful talent and your followers would be so sad if your went away or changed it. You are doing a wonderful but silent job for all of us that want to do what you are doing but can't. So, you just keep running with that torch for all of us, and we will be cheering you on! Just purchased your wallet pattern and can't wait to make a couple. Thanks for what you do :)

[Laurie Baldwin]

Love your blog and inspiration you provide! What you do is equally as important. You help us working ladies by providing a way for us to unwind. Everything is connected. Keep doing what you do!

[Sandra (Cherry Heart)]

Happy Anniversary to you! You are a very talented lady, you sew beautifully, your patterns are well written and you are funny too. I think that's very worth while. Thank you for the fab discount - I don't mind if I do!

S x

[Joan]

I think we all have those "What am I doing with my life" moments...But I'm writing to say that at this moment of your life, your blog and all the lovely things you make with your incredible talent brings delight and wonder into the lives of many readers, including mine. Happy Birthday! to your blogging life, and carry on!

[Rishia]

You do contribute to the betterment of the world at large by being a moral person for starters. Your blog benefits many in ways you could never imagine, and will never know.

If you STILL feel like your taking up a more noble persons air...lots to easily do within your own community that will provide you and any children in your family old enough, .. by becoming a DRIVING FORCE in your local food bank.

Think a tad on ALL you, and ONLY you could bring to that empty table (:

Take Care, Enjoy Your Life,
Sincerely,
aka Flipper

[Tiffany]

I know your anniversary has passed, but I just wanted to let you know that I was reading my newest issue of Quiltmaker and I saw your book, S is for Stitch in the QM Inspirations section. I was instantly drawn to how adorable the designs on the cover were. I am fairly new to this whole sewing thing and embroidery never interested me at all. When I saw a book preview on amazon, I felt the urge to gather all the supplies and sit down and learn. I then stumbled across this blog and your tree and bunny pattern has sold me 100%! I will learn how to do this and that tree and bunny pattern will be my Everest!
My Husband, Daughter and I just moved across the country and I have been in a bit of a funk because it's an isolated posting and we miss our family terribly. I wanted to let you know that you inspired me. It might not be the equivalent of curing cancer, but it made me feel better and I am very appreciative of that. If only I had found the blog 2 days earlier!
Thank you :)