Happy Almost Leap Day!

In celebration of Leap Day, and also because it's (sortofnearly) Spring and I want to give you a reason to jump into sewing, I'm having a

Use the code LEAP15 for 15% off all felt and patterns at my Etsy shop. The sale runs through Thursday 3/8/12. The patterns on my blog are already discounted, no need for a code. So...

Hoppy stitching!
Kim

love-ly day

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you're spending it with your sweetheart...

XOXOXO
Kim

A little winter sunshine

If you were wondering about my shop announcement last week, we just returned from gorgeous Florida! It isn't especially cold here in Indiana this winter, but it was still wonderful to get away from the unrelenting drizzle and enjoy sunshine, blue skies, and 70 degree weather. We embarked on our (now) annual family trek to Disney World, and again experienced amazing improvements from both of our kiddos. As you may remember, our boys are both autistic, and not only was this trip a vacation, it was also a year's worth of therapy crammed into a week. Entirely worth every sore muscle from pushing a 60 lb. kid around in a stroller all day.

The highlights:

Remembering to not step on the metal plate below this umbrella in order to avoid literally Singing in the Rain (Hollywood Studios)

Getting an earful from the 3 amigos that my clever husband called over to us just as I was opening a package of cookies. If you want to see Kim squeal and freak out, just watch what happens when birds approach her while she's holding food (long story short: picture an 11 year old Kim innocently eating french fries + a vicious pack of seagulls at Sea World. Yeah.)

The expression on this guy's face on the carrousel

The expression on this guy's face at the Primeval Whirl (I have just one word for this ride: Dramamine)

Ice cream cookie sandwich from Sleepy Hollow at the Magic Kingdom

And speaking of cramming, I have no idea how these guys all fit in one teacup. But the result? Best tea party ever.

If you're not a Disney nut like me, then thanks for humoring me with this post. If you are a Disney nut, then you'll definitely want to read this book for planning your next trip, and subscribe to Touring Plans if you are interested in finding less crowded dates to visit. And if you want to keep up-to-date on the new Fantasyland expansion, keep an eye on this website.

Happy stitching!
Kim

finding Bliss

It's been rough-going, attempting to emerge from my post-Christmas cookie haze. There hasn't been time to spend in my sewing room with the kids home from school (more on that later), and we've all been fighting cold after flu after gosh knows what other plagues the boys brought back with them from their vector school buddies. So it was with great joy that I discovered the Fat Quarter Shop had provided a great excuse to play with fabric without getting my (hopefully non-contagious by now) germs all over it.

I started with 2 gorgeous prints from Liz Scott's new Domestic Bliss line and expanded on her fab color scheme. Then added a dash of spring green--yummy! And, apparently, rather fashionable as well.

This is making me want to sew right now.

Go play with fabric!
Kim

Merry Happy New Year

2012 is approaching fast--get a fresh start on your New Year's crafting by stocking up on patterns and felt! Use promo code FRESH15 for 15% off your order at my Etsy shop now through Jan. 1. Patterns in my sidebar are already discounted, no code is necessry.

Happy Crafty Holidays!
Kim

P.S. Zakka Style is now available through Amazon (link in my sidebar)!

12 days of houses

There might be a few more than twelve houses below. But they are all adorable, and they were all made with my free fabric house pattern! Thank you, everyone, for sharing your creative little houses.

Kirsten of Gemini Stitches

With or Without Nap

Hannah of Hannah Handmade

Helena of Craft and Creativity

Emily Elizabeth of EmmmyLizzzy

Irinelli of Made by Irinelli

Anna of Yards and Yards

I know I missed a few...if you've posted photos of houses that you made with my pattern, please leave your link in the comments!

Happy stitching,
Kim

Start spreading the news

I haven't mentioned this before, and you all know I can't keep a secret (I'm pretty sure you already know my next 3 patterns), so I have been bursting to be able to share with you that one of my brand new projects is going to be in a book! This lovely gal's book, to be precise. Rashida has put together an amazing group of crafters that I am so proud to be a part of. And after seeing a few preview photos, I know I'm going to want to make every single project in the book.

Here's the part where I tell you that you have a chance to win a copy of Zakka Style: Head on over to Stash Books and enter today! You have until Sunday, December 11 to enter. (By the way, my project is the round hot pads in the lower right-hand picture in the first photo collection.)

You can purchase the e-book right now, look for it in your local quilt or book shop soon (the books are just now beginning to ship), or pre-order Zakka Style through Amazon. I'll squeeze in a link on my sidebar, too.

Happy zakka-making!
Kim

P.S. I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase anything through one of my links to Amazon on this blog, I will earn a wee commission on the sale, as in, a few cents. Just so you know :)

Meet Ruthie

Introducing the newest addition to the Retro Mama PDF sewing pattern family...Here's Ruthie Bear!

Pink rosy cheeks? Check.
Sweet sleepy eyes? Check.
Mary Janes? Polka dot ears? Cute dress? Check, check, and check.

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record when I tell you about my patterns, so this time I'll just share some feedback I've received for my Greta doll, so you know what you're in for:

"My nieces are all receiving these for Christmas! Fantastic pattern! They turned out great!"

"Already have a doll in the works. Such a cute doll and easy to follow instructions. Thank you!!! I'm sure this will make a couple little girls really happy!"

"Great pattern with very clear, well written instructions and pictures. I can't wait to start stitching. Thanks!"

"My first attempt at doll making was a success thanks to your very clear and simple instructions! Thank you!"

So if you were wondering whether you'll be able to make a beautiful doll for your little ones, the answer is, "Yes, you definitely can!". And if you ever have any questions while you're stitching, I'm happy to help you out, just send me an e-mail.

By the way, my Doll Dress & Cape pattern fits Ruthie, yay!

She's super cute without all the dress embellishments, too.

Also, I've just restocked all my wool blend felts. Keep an eye out for some Christmassy combos this week. If a bundle that you like isn't available, please let me know! And I'm happy to do custom felt bundles, as well.

Happy Stitching!
Kim

Misc. & giveaway

Just a coupble bits and bobs:

A Retro Mama pattern spotting at Quilt Market. (Thanks for the heads up, Misty!)

I finally got my first smart phone (goodbye, flip phone from 2008!), so please be patient with me as I figure out Twittering, Instagramming, and all that good stuff. Also, my apologies to the lady I accidentally crank-called twice yesterday and once today, I'm still perfecting my finger aim on the iPhone keyboard.

And last, but obviously not least:

Enter to win 3 Retro Mama PDF sewing patterns of your choice (along with a truckload of other awesome prizes) over at Birdsong. Hop on over there for all the details!

Have a lovely day!
Kim

making pretties

Spent yesterday making some pretty patchworky and buttony hoops.

And a tiny bit of news...I have finally joined The Twitter, which means it's probably time for the rest of the world to move on to the Next Big Thing, right? But until that happens, come tweet with me!

I'm also on Pinterest, you may have heard of it? *wink* So many wonderful projects to do, so little time...

Happy Twinning! (tweeting + pinning)

Kim