Posted on 42 Comments

looking back looking forward

Glad to hear the pattern booklets are landing safely and I can’t wait to see your creations. More booklets have been reordered…and more thank you cards and more mailers. whew! The business of business, there’s a lot of it huh. Tim is very excited that people actually like these things and is eager to get going on the next set of patterns. I’m working on it dear. I’ve successfully recreated the butterfly and now the turtle.

The the biggest challenge for me in all of this is trying to balance going back and making patterns and tutorials of previous work with the desire to keep moving forward. I’m itching to get started on some new projects and designs. I have a set of twins to make stuffed animals for and I have been trying to come up with something new for them. And for the embroidery I have big plans, overambitious maybe a kid’s book type of plans. At the very least I hope to get a few embroideries together for a little set of notecards soon. Then there were those fabric designs and oh yeah, poor neglected thriftcraft. And bunnies! I’m working on a big batch of big footed bunnies to add to the store. And again there with the overambitious. Are there enough hours in the day to learn how to smock?

On the other side of the to-do coin are the patternbooks. I’m hoping to get two more sets done by Fall. The hand sewing set with turtle, snail and butterfly (and maybe a new design) and the robots and space toys which will be a much bigger book than no. 1 with more patterns and variations. And then, phew, that’s it. That’s as far into the future I can think!

42 thoughts on “looking back looking forward

  1. well i got mine, and it looks great! thank you so much! i am also working on a woodland animal booklet for fall…you are so ambitious! i think one a year is about all i can handle…

  2. The turtle is adorable, even cuter than the orange one, I think. All of your plans sound so exciting! I totally understand trying to find that balance between repeating something (for me, an attempt to get better) and moving on to the next idea. There just aren’t enough hours in the day! You seem to be doing a terrific job of both, though – congratulations and good luck!

  3. As a photographer, I hate going backwards..reprints etc. So thank you for going backwards!! That turtle…I have the pic you posted with the orange turtle bookmarked so I can look at it now and again because it makes me happy. Actually makes me happy.
    So thank you thank you for going backwards and forwards too!

  4. I so love your little turtle that I have struggled to develop my own from the picture of the original orange one. It’s horrible and has never even been stuffed! I can’t wait for a pattern book of it so that I can actually make one that I would want others to see! He makes me very happy as well, each time I look at his little face!
    Thanks for inspiring us all and doing such great work, we are all better handcrafters thanks to you!

  5. Oh, this next booklet is the one I’m waiting for! I love this little guy. So sweet.
    I know what you mean about the frustration of dealing with “old business” before moving on. I feel it every day when I struggle with paying off money already spent, taking off pounds for food already eaten, and, last but not least, when I am looking online at fabrics I so desperately want: how can I justify, when I’ve already got 50 yards in neat little stacks, waiting to be sewn with.
    But thanks for dealing with “old news” for us!

  6. I got my patternbook on Monday (so fast!) and have been savoring it ever since. It is so cute. I can’t bear to throw away the envelope yet with the little stamp; I keep the thank-you card in there still, for that just-opening feeling. Thank you so much for all the hard work you (and Tim!) put into it- it is just adorable. Can’t wait for the next one!

  7. The pattern book arrived yesterday and I am already sewing the face of a kitty for Eleanor.I can’t believe how fast it went together! Fun for both of us.

  8. What a cute little turtle!

  9. such a nice peek into the future for your “fans”! i cannot wait for all those things–especially for the embroidery projects as i so love them!

  10. Thank you for thinking of the next generation of crafters! I am always on the look out for unique ways for Evan to express creativity. We’ve never been good at coloring, drawing, etc; making something come to life is where it’s at for our family. Your booklets are such a delight!

  11. i love the turtle! so cute! and i cannot wait for my booklet to arrive so that i can make a little kitten. i think that what you are doing with your patterns is just wonderful. it’s really nice to have someone share their amazing creations with anyone who wants to try them. thank you!

  12. I received my book and it’s terrific! I think even a sewing neophyte such as myself can follow the directions. And the card is so sweet.
    Can’t wait for the next book! Thanks for working so hard on these, Hillary and Tim.

  13. He is such a cutie! And you are just so darn talented! It’s wonderful…your ability to inspire. Thanks for inspiring me! Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these patterns~

  14. Oh yay! I’m so glad you’ll be doing more books! I went camping and missed out on the first set!
    The turtle is so cute that I can hardly stand it!

  15. I LOVE this turtle. He is soo cute! My daughter (2 years) would go crazy over him. You are very talented and I love that you share your creations with us.

  16. I love the book and the card they are both completely fabulous and perfect!!
    I understand the want to move forward but also allow past projects to flourish. I am looking forward to seeing your resolution to this dilema as I am sure it will be brilliant!

  17. This little guy is so cute! I’m on the waiting list for the book and I can’t wait!! Do you have patterns for the embroideries like the one on your past post of the little girl? I know it’s hard to go backwards. I have a pattern out and I had to go back and re-make everything to write the instructions to make sure it all made sense. Your things are so cute and I can’t wait to make some of them!

  18. My book arrived safely this morning – thank you. I can’t wait for the next one and the one after that!

  19. Oh Godness, this is fantastic, lovely, sooo sweety, i am brazilian and i don’t know so many adjectves, but even so i knen they wouldn’t be enough to express how much i loke this soft… very good stuff honey, congratulations, one day i’ll do something so good as this one!!!

  20. That turtle is one of the cutest things I think I’ve ever seen! Will be looking forward to that pattern! Have you thought about embroidering the eyes on him, instead of buttons, for little kids? Just a thought. Love him just the way he is though!!

  21. yup, three cheers for a re-order!! darn vacations. goes to show i should have stuck at home or have more people offer up their wireless connections to the masses. can’t wait!

  22. i got mine and i love it! i have to admit, I enjoy reaping the benefits of your overambition! 🙂
    that turtle is killer. can’t wait for round two.

  23. I received my book, and it’s great! I can’t wait to try one. I love the turtle, too.

  24. someone give that girl a drink!

  25. eliot wanted me to share my book with him, can you believe it??!! i said in the nicest voice, “im sorry, but this is mommies” and promptly put it on the top shelf.
    i think if you learn how to smock i will fall over…

  26. I got my book and I love it! Thank you! I can’t wait for more!

  27. you are a star!! and that turtle with the crown has me in tears. it hurts! and can’t wait to see the cards (and kids book!! do it!!)

  28. My book just came today. I absolutely can’t wait for more, and am looking forward to starting!

  29. love the turtle and can’t wait to get my book on the re-order (plus the next two installments!)

  30. can’t wait for the next book! i received mine yesterday and cut out the patterns alreay …
    i hope you order more than 250 for your next books!!! i think you can see that they definitely will sell!

  31. your turtle is oh so sweet.

  32. I love this version of the turtle!! I’m not usually into making plushies and the like, but your cute work is making me rethink that. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration via your blog! ♥

  33. Phew! I am tired just reading your post. One day at a time girlie. I love the turtle, his crown is ridiculously cute.

  34. I can’t wait for robots & space toys! I like butterflies & turtles too, but I absolutely ADORED Hobbibot, and would love to make my own!!!
    Congrats on the booklet, and good luck finding that balance, it’s a difficult process sometimes!!!

  35. very exciting stuff! i can’t wait for the turtle book 😀

  36. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait!!!!

  37. I was sitting here reading last Wednesday night about the pattern book being available at 10 am Thursday. Mental note, come back and buy. I FORGOT! My 13 yr old DD nearly had my head when I told her they were sold out. She loves your animals and has already made the bunny. We are SO looking forward to the reprinting of this and the other 2 books (me for the butterfly/turtle and shes wanting the robot toys.) So save us one of each for us! ha Inspiring little animals, we’ve been buying fabric in anticipation of making them.

  38. Love your turtle 🙂 I can’t wait for your next pattern booklet to come out!

  39. That turtle is the most adorable thing ever.

  40. Oh, yea!! This is the one I’ve been waiting for… I’m going to learn to sew, just to make that turtle, if for no other reason!! I just adore that little guy.

  41. I really love your turtle and can’t wait for the butterfly/caterpillar pattern. Thank you so much for all of the hard work!

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