Carry me - Book Review

 I'd been battling back and forth if this book would be worth it to get and finally just found it through my local library. My library is amazing that it connects to about 100 or more others so if they don't have it someone else can send it to my branch. Anyways back to this book. From the cover I could tell this was clearly a Japanese translation, their books just have this certain clean look about them. As much as I like Amy Butler's books and all their pretty colors it can also get me distracted from working on the project at hand. This book was also suggested by Interweave magazine so I thought it would be a worth a gander.

As expected from a Japanese craft book, even though it is translated it still has all the exact some clean beautiful photos. The detail photos are always important to me to see the pockets and notions used to make it complete.

I was very intrigued with this bag and it's multiple rivet's. In another picture it shows how the smaller bag clips inside the larger one with the rivets and some alternative strap and accessory attachments using the rivets as well.

Per the style of Japanese craft books all the pretty pictures are at the front and the meat and bones of the making is at the back of the book with a small picture of the project.  The instructions were very clean and direct with some nice illustrations to help understand where you are at.

 This book is perfect for someone who wants everything exactly step by step handed to them but a bit dry for the more creative person since it is very word heavy and all the illustrations are in black and white. But that is only half the book, the first half is still all the pretty pictures to inspire you.

Another nice thing is that all the patterns for the bags are included with the book. The Translated version is a bit different then how I am used to seeing them in the Japanese Craft books. Usually the patterns are all crammed into one sheet only identifiable by their different types of lines (dashes, dots, diamonds, circles, etc) and turned every which way. But in this translated version everything is laid out nicely such as a typical garment pattern would be laid out.

Over all I think this is a great book but if you follow them for materials you might have a tough time. Some of the bags require special notions that you can't just run down to Joanne's and get. These bags are also very nice and well made from good materials so if you want to do the exact project step by step plan ahead to be ordering some things online and that it might be just as costly in materials as it would be to buy a bag on your own. I think that can be said with a lot of nicer sewing projects though.

Not a keeper for me but I will be checking it out from the Library again so I can make the square bag and perhaps the rivet bag for my own personal uses.

Weekend Crafting

Over the Weekend I was a big slug.  I ate too much, played video games and crafted much.  I started off going to Sew to Speak on Saturday with my friend Claire.  What started off as innocently taking her to the fabulous fabric store for the first time ended up in me spending $35 I didn't need to on fabric to make an Amy Butler Gumdrop Ottoman. It was a quick and easy project took me just a few hours on Saturday night and about 8 bags of fiber fil stuffing.

It turned out much bigger then I anticipated (I hate to do the dimensions on pillows before I start them).  You can see it is about half the size of our new couches.  Granted the couches we got are smaller then conventional couches but still it is unwieldy.  It is working out better as a spare chair and cat throne.

 In other Craft news I continued to work on a second Sock to this one I had finished before Christmas and simply lost my interest in.  Since my scaled crochet project is finished I felt the need to pick up and finish the sock.  Wisely I am using the already complete sock as my yarn guard/holder whilst I make it's mate.

I also got into my Japanese Tatting books!  Very excited for this because their charts are so easy to read and I completed several small flowers and a lace heart for valentine Cards. I'll post pictures tomorrow and perhaps a book review.
 

To end my wonderful weekend of relax and craft I started another Entrelac cowl out of this luscious silk/wool/cotton/nylon blend of Noro in sweet pastel colors.  The colors just make my heart flutter and the silk makes my fingers sing in the softness being worked in my hands.

Amazing what amount of things I get into when I'm not stressed out with a grad school application.

Amy Butler

Randomly I got to meet Amy Butler at a Sew to Speak event that was rescheduled.  It was just one of those random awesome things.   I had actually forgotten about the event because I had another appointment and earlier had to take my fatty kitties to the vet who just confirmed they were fatty kitties.  With my other appointment canceled I figured I would have a great open night to spend working on my wedding dress.  Then magically I remembered that Amy Butler would be at Sew to Speak and I still had an hour to possibly meet her.  I had missed her previously when she spoke at CCAD.   If you have no idea what I am talking about she is a pattern designer and seamstress who lives in Granville, Ohio but is known worldwide for her unique fabric prints and colors. 

Anyways it was PACKED at Sew to Speak and they are not a large store.  She took the time to sit and chat a little bit with every single person in line.  I think that alone is pretty amazing.  I told my friends there "If that was me I would have a power point presentation and do a Q&A session because I hate to repeat myself when people usually have the same questions over and over again".  

I was about to leave after being in the store for an hour but then I saw the line was only halfway and no one else was coming in so I continued to chat to my friends Olivia from Wholly Craft, Emily of Umbrella Girl Productions and Michelle of Baby Gee's.  Michelle was thrilled she loves Amy Butler and has met her several times.  This is the Picture we took with her.  I look a MESS!  No makeup and super tired from wrestling with the cat's at the Vet just before this.  Amy Butler is TALL, she also was very well accessorized with hints of ice on her hands.  I like how her smaller diamond bands and solitaire stones probably equated to 5 carats on just one finger yet she dressed more conservatively but fashionable like someone who appreciates Diane Von Furstenberg  (yes I am probably over identifying her because I have been watching too much NYFW)

My one honest fan question was pretty lame sounding but it was "What sewing machine do you personally sew on and what brands do you like?"  She said he used a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 but it had too many bells and whistles so she preferred her 1972 Singer ( which is of course a beast but great classic machine and well built).  She had a Janome at one point which she really liked but she gave it away to a friend and she somewhat regrets that since it was a great machine that she really liked and it was gifted to her by Janome.

Another funny fact is that an old friend of mine from high school's parent's moved to Granville and they are neighbor's with Amy butler "We live on the same Hill"

To be honest I like her fabrics and patterns but I wasn't a huge fan.  I thought they were nice but didn't quite understand the entire rave about it.  I am selective about my fabrics and even more my color choices.  But after the trunk show and meeting Amy in person I was really wowed by her how personable she was and genuine.   I also got to take a look at her new line Soul Blossoms and was happily impressed with the more complex patterns in the fabrics.  I think my favorites are from "Passion" below.

 Images of Store are from Michelle at her Baby Gees Blog

Other images from Amy butler website clipped by me.