Crafting a Craft Proposal

It's been a while, like, a seriously long time, since I've blogged here. But that's not to say I haven't been spreading my words all over the place. In addition to writing various freelance pieces (my recent favorite is this sea glass essay in the May issue of Horizon Airlines magazine; p. 104), Kerry and I have been helping others to shape their ideas into viable book proposals and overall educating folks on the Business of Books.

Judi Ketteler is helping to spread the word. A fellow craft author, I met a then very pregnant Judi at a craft trade show last summer, where we were doing all sorts of make and takes. And I was just blown away by her book Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution, a reading book as much as a project book.

She recently invited me to do a Q&A on her blog about the unique challenges of putting together a kick-ass craft book proposal. If you're crafty at all, I'd recommend checking out what I have to say on the matter, and spending some time on Judi's blog. You'll be inspired in more ways than one.

Students rock the Simple Gifts globe project

I just got the best present in my e-mail box! A 4th/5h grade class in the Seattle area just completed the papier-mâché globe project from Simple Gifts. Over the course of three days, they layered gooey strips of paper and dried each layer overnight. When done, they had a cool globe that could be used as an ornament. Jerry, the awesome teacher, said that his kids were elated with how they turned out, and super excited to take them home. Jerry personally liked the project because it wasn't "Christmas" themed but could be used for the holidays if desired. Check out the crafty madness!

Free workshop & wine this Thursday, 11/11!

As the holidays approach, my first thought is always, "What is tinsel doing in Bartell's already?" My second thought is, "Aw, nuts." While I love, love, love the traditions and gatherings and waves of love that sweep through the holiday season, I seem to be behind the 8-ball when it comes to gathering up appropriate, meaningful gifts.

Sound familiar?

So last year, I seriously switched on my DIY light and made candles, caramels, magnets, pajama bottoms, baby blankets, and assorted other goodies for friends and family. I only spent a couple hundred dollars, leaving me with a generous budget for booze when it came time for my holiday open house.

While I was in Chicago and Michigan this summer, I showed a few friends and family members how to make nifty magnets out of old maps and greeting cards. And they were off! My stepmom hustled me over to Michael's so we could pick out materials so she could whip these up after I skipped town. I think I know what's in my stocking this year...

So, take a deep breath. You can make a lot of gifts this year AND have fun in the process. On Thursday, Nov. 11, I'll be showing you the secrets of these easy-peasy magnets while also signing copies of Simple Gifts. And did I mention there's wine? Come to the free event at Ballard's Secret Garden Books and I promise that you'll have several people crossed off your list within the week. And you know, a signed copy of Simple Gifts makes a grand gift for any crafter in your life.

What: Simple Gifts booksigning and free make 'n' take workshop

Where: Secret Garden Books, 2214 NW Market St., Seattle
When: Thursday, November 11, 6:30pm

Simple Gifts book signing this week!

If you're in Seattle and need some root vegetables and a book of 50 kick-ass gift projects, look no further than the Queen Anne Farmer's Market! I'll be there this Thursday, Sept. 23, from 5-6pm signing copies of Simple Gifts at the Queen Anne Books table. I'll bring along a few of the book's projects so you can see exactly what you can make quickly and inexpensively. As evidenced by the Halloween candy in my grocery store, the holidays are afoot so you'd best get crackin' with the craftin'.

Support your local farmers, bookstores, and authors!

On Thursday, September 23 from 5–6 pm, I'll be hanging out and signing books at the Queen Anne Books booth at the Queen Anne Farmers' Market (at W. Crockett & Queen Anne Ave. N). Buy your root vegetables and artisan cheeses, support your local farmers and bookstore, and pick up a copy of Simple Gifts while you're at it!

Simple Gifts contributor kudos: Shanon Lyon

It takes a crafty village to make a book. I wanted to give a shout-out to the lovely and ingenious Shanon Lyon, a professional writer and author herself, who showed up to my friend's birthday party with the cutest knitted wine sleeve. She told me it was made out of a sweater she accidentally shrunk. A trip to Goodwill later and I was in business. In fact, I even found the same striped Gap sweater she had used for hers! What are the odds?

What have you made out of stuff lying around the house?

Simple Gifts is hitting the market soon!

I just got my advance copy of Simple Gifts and after a long, long, looonnnggggg journey, I have to tell you…

It's gorgeous! Since you can only see pictures of the cover, let me tell you a little about the physical book. It's 160 pages of full-color goodness (the talented Gregg Snodgrass took the photos and Michaela Murphy lent her talents as stylist and model; she really is a good woman to know). The matte-laminated hardcover has spot lamination over the title and the paper stock is thick and yummy. The book feels as good as it looks, which is saying something.

The book has a long history, which I won't go into. But it was originally conceived as an illustrated book and when Voyageur Press decided to publish it, it became a book with loads of photography. Which meant I had to make all 50 projects look really faboo for the photo shoot. I can't even tell you all the random places I had to pick up materials, tools, and props but I will say that the men at Home Depot readily helped me cut down a slab of pine so I could make a kick-ass tool box (it may have helped that I was wearing a dress).

The reason that the materials were so random is that the book is chockablock with projects for everyone on your list—mom, grandpa, newborns, kids, pets, hostesses, co-workers, significant others, and anyone you really, really like—and they range from easy and quick to "Hi, can I borrow your table saw?" The projects assume you're a beginner and walk you through knitting, sewing, felting, candle-making, wood-working, hammering, embroidering, book-binding, papier mâché, découpage, cooking, baking, and everything in between. And, heck, if you don't make anything else in the book, the salted caramel recipe is worth the $20 by itself (but with 50 crafts, each project only costs 40 cents!).

I'll be sharing more about Simple Gifts as the books roll in and events get scheduled, but I had to gush a little (and let you know that you can preorder your copy now). I'm always a bit giddy whenever the first real advance arrives.

Skamania Lodge event cancelled

I just wanted to let y'all know that due to extenuating circumstances, the Skamania Lodge Bed and Bookfest with me has been canceled this weekend. So if you want to learn how to make fizzy bath bombs or bind a book, you'll just have to buy Backcountry Betty: Crafting in Style or the upcoming Simple Gifts: 50 Little Luxuries to Craft, Sew, Cook & Knit.