On the road...again

You know you've been away from blogging too long when folks start to inquire whether you're OK. Thank you so much for the concern, I'm doing fine! I've just been (mostly) offline lately, very busy with life stuff. I'll try to be better!

Last month, we went to this place:

Many of you will recognize this as being the view of Cinderella's Castle at Disney World as seen from the ferry. The blurriness is a result of using the zoom on a boat with my point-and-shoot camera (I decided to leave my Nikon at home; I may rethink that choice next time, as most of my vacation photos met or exceeded this level of awfulness).

And some of you will understand what a huge undertaking that trip was when your kiddos are both autistic. But I am a Disney junkie (a result of having lived just a few minutes from Disneyland during my formative years--thanks Mom and Dad!) and this was the first time I was able to share this magical place with my husband and boys. It was hard work, exhausting, and wonderful. Disney is so accommodating to the needs of special guests, and it made all the difference for my family. If you're planning a Disney vacation, I highly recommend this book; it helped us think of every little detail for a perfect trip.

While we were in Orlando, we found out that we're moving! Again! And this time it's to Indiana!

postcard from Jassy 50

This will be the 11th state I've lived in (see #7 for the others). I've been racing around getting our house ready to put on the market and packing as we are moving later this month (actually, it's more like two weeks from now, ack!). My lovely fabrics are all stashed away so there won't be any sewing for a while *sniffle, deep breaths*, but my patterns will be available throughout my move.

Fortunately, I will again be able to have my own room for sewing, but it will take some work to settle in and get things just so. I'll share that process with you as I go along.

So tell me...what do you know about Indiana? Favorite quilt shops? Fun places to go with kids? I hear there's a place called Santa Claus that we simply must visit. Or have you been to Disney lately? You know I want to hear about it.

TTFN, (did I really just type that?)
Kim

April showers

I certainly hope you're having nicer Spring weather than we are (sleet, wind, it's generally brrrrrrrr)!

If April showers are getting you down (or maybe even if they aren't), you might like to try out my Cloudy Day Applique Tote tutorial over at Craft Snob. The colorful clouds and raindrops will remind you of the gorgeous May flowers to come.

Happy Sewing!
Kim

Two things

1. Make sure you catch my tissue holder tutorial over at Craft Snob. And when you print the pattern, make sure that the print settings under "Page Scaling" is set to "None" so your pattern piece prints at the right size (it will print too small if the setting is set to "shrink to printable area", don't ask me why).

2. Be sure to take advantage of my sale, tomorrow is the last day! Enter coupon code SPRINGSALE20 at checkout in my shop. The patterns in the sidebar are already discounted.

Have a great week!
Kim

Fair and Square

Just stopping in to let you know about my guest blogging appearance this week at Craft Snob. I've got a cute patchwork coaster tutorial for you (and those coasters will go along perfectly with my tea cozy pattern!).



Don't forget that I'm running a sale this week, 20% all patterns and finished items at Retro Mama with the coupon code: SPRINGSALE20. Patterns in my sidebar are already discounted!

Happy Sewing,
Kim

Spring sewing

The snow is melting, the sun is shining, the unmistakable sound of sewing machines revving up for Spring sewing...and a Sale at Retro Mama!

Everything is on sale in my shop, all patterns, kits, and finished dolls.

Use the code SPRINGSALE20 when you check out at my Etsy shop for 20% off your entire order. Patterns purchased through my sidebar are automatically discounted, no code necessary. The sale will run through Tuesday, April 12.

See you there!
Kim

Under the weather

I'm in bed sick with the flu this week...but I've briefly crawled out of my cocoon of covers to direct your attention to the lovely blog Craft Snob where I'm a guest blogger this week and for the next 3 weeks with a series of introductory sewing lessons.

So if you're interested in learning to sew, or maybe you'd like a little refresher, clicky click on over there and check it out. And while you're there take a look around--Sara has got so many cute ideas for you to try out!

See you there!

And now, back to my regularly scheduled nap...
Kim

signed, sealed, delivered

Well, this post is long overdue. Remember way back when I was working on this? Those bits and pieces did eventually transform themselves into a table runner (double sided):

and a mug rug...

Then perhaps I found a sweet little vintage Pyrex bowl that might have stowed away in the box to my swap partner

Such a fun swap, from beginning to end.

And what did I receive?

Just this fabulous bunch of goodies from Jolene of BlueElephantStitches

I know. Wow. Thank you Jolene for thoroughly spoiling me! I love every detail on every item. Be sure to check out her gorgeous photostream, she is such a talented gal.

If you'd like to join in the fun, swing by the Spicing Up The Kitchen swap group to check for updates on the next round.

Until next time!

Kim

Hopping Along

I have some egg-citing news to share (I know that was awful, but I couldn't resist)! My fabric Easter eggs are featured in the April issue of Crafts Beautiful (published in the UK), which is currently on newsstands!

My free tutorial for the fabric eggs can be found here, and there is also a new link in my sidebar for easy reference.

Because I am very frequently asked about the fabrics I used for the eggs, and they are so hard to find, I've listed some Easter Egg sewing kits in my shop. Choose between Retro Ruler and Hello Betty (click on the photos to go directly to the shop listings):

The kits have nice sized cuts for little patchwork projects, too.

If you are one of my readers in the UK, I have a request: I would be thrilled if one or two of you could send me a copy of the April 2011 Crafts Beautiful magazine as it is not available to me here in the middle of Dairy Country, USA. I would love to offer you not only my eternal gratitude, but a couple of patterns or kits of your choice from my shop in exchange. Please e-mail me if you would be able to do this. The Hello Betty eggs pictured directly above are also available if you do not sew. All set! Thanks to everyone who offered!

Kim

Shop Update

This doesn't happen very often...but I've listed some finished dolls and softies in my shop! I really do miss making critters, so you may see more of these pop up from time to time.

Without further ado, I'd like to introduce:

Astrid

(You already know) Greta

Ruthie

Ginny

And a handful of bunny softies:

and you've already been introduced to Basil:

(Betsy is already on her way to her new home in Australia!)

See you soon!
Kim

cottage license

You've been asking about it, and I've heard you! It is so very flattering that many of you want to try your hand at selling items made from my patterns, and I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about it for a long time.

If you have asked me about this recently and not heard right back it is because I have been inundated lately with these requests and needed some time to think it over. I love to support indie businesses, and honestly, my reaction when someone points out to me a shop that is attempting to sell items made with my patterns is more along the lines of, "Awww...they did a nice job!" and "Wow, that is cute!" as opposed to, "How dare they?!". And then I have to go put on my Big Meanie face and ask them to stop, which stinks.

So. I am now allowing individuals to make items for sale with my patterns. My terms are simple: give me credit in your item listing and hang tags ("This item was handmade using a Retro Mama pattern"), let me know where you are selling your wares (I might want to feature you on my blog or offer you the opportunity to host a giveaway), and the items must be handmade by YOU in your home-based business. See the full terms of my policy here.

Thank you and good luck in your sewing business ventures!

Kim