Last minute handmade shoppers should take advantage of Barbara's sweet deal for a $2.95 Priority shipping upgrade from her already Free Worldwide Shipping (til Dec 31!). Shop Floridity and visit her blog for more! Happy Holidays and thank you, Barbara for all your kind support this year! xo
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Appliqué Your Way Giveaway Winner is...
Laura Bray who left this adorable comment...."This is going on my Amazon Wish List NOW. Unless, of course, I happened to be the lucky winner???? Pretty please? With appliques on top?" That, however, wasn't the reason she won...this handy little tool was...
Congratulations, Laura! (who also has a really crafty sweet blog-Katydiddy's and shop herself!)Please send me your mailing address! xoxo
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Appliqué Your Way Blog Tour Interview with Kayte Terry!
A formal introduction probably isn't necessary for my special guest today! Most of you already know and love writer/stylist/crafty lady for hire, Kayte Terry! I am tickled pink to have her stop by today as part of her blog tour for her beautiful new book, Appliqué Your Way-35 Pretty Sewing Projects and Patterns!
I fell in love with Kayte's vintage-handmade-modern-crafty style the moment I came across her blog, This is Love Forever. That must have been about two years ago now! I immediately posted about her work on my blog and left her love notes of admiration in the comment section of her blog until eventually we became internet pals. She was a super sweetheart to invite me to contribute a project to her new book...which was beyond fun and exciting for me! Thank you, Kayte!
Kayte's sewing basketKatie: Are you a sketchbook keeper? I hadn't heard you speak of it on your blog. I know I've never been able to keep one for very long. How do you go about collecting and formulating your ideas? Do you keep a sketchbook or some kind of catalog system? I know you juggle several design jobs at once and wonder how you keep it all organized!?
Kayte: I am like you, I can’t keep a sketchbook for long. I always have good intentions but it just doesn’t stick so I have millions of half finished books lying around. That’s one of the reasons I decided to start a blog: so I could keep a record of all the things I loved in one place.
Besides the blog I have lots of inspiration books & little portfolio books that have clear plastic sleeves to hold all of my magazine tears. I have them organized by things like “craft", “rooms and interiors” , “fashion”, etc. I am an incredible magazine hoarder and book buyer.
Kayte's Fabric Watermelon
Katie: Do you have any unusual times or means of working out your ideas?
Kayte: I am actually a morning person in disguise as a late-night person. I love staying up late and claim that I get a lot of work done then but really, my mind is clearest early in the morning. As I get older and have less desire to stay out late, this has become an easier task. I am a serious multi-tasker and it’s pretty hard to get me to sit down and do one thing. I’m trying really hard to get more focused. Since I seem to always have a million things going on, I like to break down my task list into tiny little things so I can cross a lot off and feel accomplished! I make lists constantly.
Doily Trivets-Appliqué Your Way-page 64
Kayte: I have a little alcove in the corner of our loft for all my crafty stuff. I keep everything either in bins on restaurant supply shelving or in this old metal cabinet I found at a flea market. I like things to be out in the open but also shelved and organized. My sewing machine is always out and ready to go and all my sewing supplies are neatly stored near-by. I love to play around with displays of little bits and bobs that inspire me, like vintage millinery supplies or jars of buttons. These things are functional but also beautiful.
Kayte's loft- and her perfect-for-craft-supply-storage medical cabinet!Katie: What are the top five tools/supplies you keep within reach at your creative workspace?
Kayte: 1. My Bernina 2. Straight Pins 3. Lots of scissors- I’m always losing them! 4. Thread in tons of colors 5. Rotary cutter
Kayte's work area!Katie: Where do you think you end up sourcing inspiration for most of your project ideas? I know you like to revive vintage crafts as well and wonder how you resolve the situation of making the project new and uniquely yours?
Kayte: That’s a really interesting question. I guess I try to think of ways to honor the technique and the craft but still to make it my own. I like to deconstruct quilts and patchwork, and make them geometric and modern. I do love nature too and I am always inspired by it but in a kind of remote abstract way. I live in a big city and what I make is often part of a yearning for nature and simplicity. I have a tendency to romanticize nature because I haven’t lived around it in many years so I am inspired by it. I guess I sort of take what I like from nature and try not to think about the rest!
How Does your Garden Grow Apron -Appliqué Your Way-page92
Katie: Are there specific places, things, music you like to visit, observe, or listen to when you're seeking inspiration or motivation for a new project?
Kayte: I love to travel and I always have a list a mile long of places I want to visit when I go to a new place. I just went to Art Basel in Miami and it was just incredible. The amount of art I saw was almost overwhelming but I was buzzing with excitement for days afterward.
When I get blocked creatively, I just go for a walk: I can walk fro miles and miles and daydream and clear my head. Walking is also great for people watching, anther big inspiration for me.
Katie: Who are some of the artists/crafters/designers that you find yourself repeatedly looking to or admiring?
Kayte: I am inspired by so many crafters and designers that it’s hard to pick out just a few but as far as artists go, right now my favorites are: Jean Shin, Eva Hesse, Louise Nevelson, Cézanne, Louise Bourgeois, Andy Goldsworthy, Ghada Amer, Patrick Dougherty, Simone Pheulpin, Megan Whitmarsh, Holly Farrell, Tara Donovan, the list goes on and on.
Thank you for sharing, Kayte!
And lastly, I can't help but share my project-
The Garden Party Headband- page 36!
The Garden Party Headband- page 36!
That's pretty Kayte herself modeling the headband!I am so completely honored and proud to be a small part in Kayte's craft masterpiece! I am so in awe of the artful details in the book- from the clever projects (my holiday break plans include the Butterfly Swarm Sweater!), the pretty vintage graphics and typical sweet Kayte stylings, to the sweet pocket full of patterns in the back! If you don't have your own copy by now- please leave a comment on this post to enter your email address to win a free copy of Appliqué Your Way provided by Chronicle Books! I'll pick a random entry from those entered by midnight EST tonight and announce the winner tomorrow! oxo
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thank you, Decor8!
Please visit Decor8 today for my super easy and fun
Yarn Candelabra Tutorial!
Many Many Thanks to Holly Becker for her kind comments about
my work and for the incredible opportunity to be featured
on her most BriLLianT Blog! xox
Yarn Candelabra Tutorial!
Many Many Thanks to Holly Becker for her kind comments aboutmy work and for the incredible opportunity to be featured
on her most BriLLianT Blog! xox
Monday, December 14, 2009
Not Made in China
Winter Nest Assemblage 2007I've always been enamored with the idea of licensing a few pieces of work to be manufactured for a wider audience. While I'm not keen on the idea of my work being mass produced overseas...I'm AlwaYs looking for a way to help myself financially-or rather not be totally stressed and strapped! I figure letting a few pieces go for the sake of being able to continue with my artwork wasn't "selling out" to me. I also can no longer afford to create the small ornament type items that I so love to spend hours of time on! I finally had an opportunity arise where a large collectibles company was interested...I created a Winter Wonderland series of ornaments and assemblages that you see here. However, after three years of waiting, contracts signed and broken, hopes up and down, I can finally share with you what I was working on. The most incredible aspect is that I've actually received some of the works back in my possession-the ones they weren't interested in. I just hated to see them go to waste...so finally I can show them to you and even offer a few for sale in my Etsy shop! So, all is not lost and I can honestly say I learned a lot!! xox
Winter Bird Ornament
Winter Doe Ornament
Winter Bird Nest Bell Jar Assemblage
Winter Bird Nest, detail
Dancer and Prancer Bell Jar Assemblage(Available)
Electric glitter window candles.
Pink Pomander Ornament
Blue Pomander Ornament
Winter Nest OrnamentSunday, December 13, 2009
The Fat Finch Giveaway Winner is...
Susan from confessionsofasineater.blogspot.com!
Thank you to everyone for leaving all your wonderful comments! Roberta and I really appreciated your enthusiasm and kind comments! I'll be having a special guest this Wednesday with another fantastic giveaway! Please stay tuned!!
Again... A big Thank You to Roberta of The Fat Finch for her generous giveaway and support of The Constant Gatherer! xo
Again... A big Thank You to Roberta of The Fat Finch for her generous giveaway and support of The Constant Gatherer! xo
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Last Day to Enter The Fat Finch Giveaway!
Just a reminder that you have until midnight tonight to enter our giveaway contest for the darling Bari J. bag below...brought to you by The Fat Finch! See this post for all the details! Thank you to all the folks who have entered so far- your comments have been wonderful and so very much appreciated by Roberta and myself! xox
Violet Bella
I'm delighted by the sweet birdie charms and dainty details in the handmade jewelry by Laura of Violet Bella Jewelry on Etsy. Her pieces are super affordable too! Violet Bella's work really reminds me of the early design work of my dear friend and favorite jewelry artist, Heather Wynn! xo
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