Today I am giddy with excitement for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, to introduce you to Mary. Mary and I met at Quilt Market this year through a mutual friend in Sheree. And although we've only met recently, I can tell Mary is a kind, no-nonsense kind of gal. And exactly my kind of person.
So when she and I talked about me taking part in her blog tour for her new book, "Little Girls, Big Style", well, let me just say, I was completely honored and humbled.
And now, after getting a preview of the book, I'm even more honored and humbled. "Little Girls, Big Style" is jam packed with inspiration, tips, how-to's and the sweetest girl clothing you can imagine!
And so that you can get to know Mary a bit, here are a few Q&A's about her!
1. When did you start sewing and at what point did you realize it was a passion of yours?
My mom sewed so often when I was a child and I know that made me want to learn how to sew. I remember checking out a book from the library when I was about 8 years old and raiding her sewing supplies to hand sew probably the world’s ugliest pillow. LOL! I sewed off and on for years but didn’t really fall in love with it until my daughter was born in 2004. I really missed my mom, who had died three years earlier, and sewing for my daughter seemed like a way to connect two people I loved dearly but could never meet.
2. What other creative outlets do you have besides sewing?
There’s a reason my blog is called “Confessions of a Craft Addict.” I think I’ll probably try anything once. Outside of sewing, I think my biggest passions are photography and writing.
3. Where do you find your inspiration?
I have sketchbooks and notebooks filled with ideas. This book sort of evolved from a desire to stretch myself to change up the patterns I had — which I knew fit my daughter — and see how I could make them look like something different. Even though the book is out, I’m still devising ways to change up those same patterns! I have some really cool hacks of the peasant top/dress in mind and hope to share them on my blog so folks can get even more out of the book.
Thank-you so much, Mary, for taking the time to give us a glimpse into your life. And I, for one, would love to see pics of your "world's ugliest pillow"! I'm betting a better word for it would be, "charming"!
Ok, so for those of you who have made it this far, you guessed it, Stash books is offering up a copy of "Little Girls, Big Style" to you, the readers of sewtakeahike! All you have to do is leave one comment and you'll be entered in the drawing. I'll leave the comments open until this Sunday, Dec 12th.
And make sure to check out the other stops of the blog tour for other chances to win!
- December 6th The Domestic Diva’s Disasters
- December 7th Blue Moon River
- December 8th Juicy Bits
- December 9th Sew Take a Hike
- December 10th Boutique Café
- December 11th I Heart Linen
- December 12th Sew, Mama, Sew
- December 13th Stop Staring and Start Sewing
- December 14th True Up
- December 15th Bari J
Comments now closed :)
This looks a great book!
Count me in please!!
Gill
Posted by: Gill | 09 December 2010 at 07:05 AM
please count me in the drawing! i really want to start sewing for my kids.
Posted by: Jenny | 09 December 2010 at 07:15 AM
What a fun book!
Posted by: Deserae Fiedler | 09 December 2010 at 07:15 AM
With all of my granddaughters, I know I would love this book.
Posted by: Mary | 09 December 2010 at 07:25 AM
Well, I HAVE to have a copy one way or another. Our blonde pigtailed graddaughter would be so cute in these designs. Thank you for the chance to win.
Posted by: Arlene | 09 December 2010 at 07:27 AM
I would love to win this book!! She is such an inspiration!
Posted by: Meghan | 09 December 2010 at 07:29 AM
The clothing is fabulous! Mary had done an amazing job. Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Michelle | 09 December 2010 at 07:32 AM
Adorable clothing! Looks like a wonderful book and I would love a copy! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Cindy | 09 December 2010 at 07:39 AM
I have 3 girls to sew for...what fun it is!
Posted by: Cindi C | 09 December 2010 at 07:45 AM
I have two 8-year-old girls and my brother has twin-year-old girls so I'd love to win this...
Posted by: Kristen | 09 December 2010 at 07:46 AM
I am so in love with this book! I can't wait to get one. I LOVE little girl clothes!!!
Posted by: Amanda | 09 December 2010 at 07:49 AM
Sew cute!
Posted by: robin | 09 December 2010 at 07:49 AM
Lovely to read about Mary's inspiration. There's just something about sewing for a daughter!
Posted by: Ange | 09 December 2010 at 07:50 AM
Congrats, Penny! I am smiling at the sweet little girls as I smile when I visit you, HMMMM, no wonder she sought you out! Love to you, Em
Posted by: Em | 09 December 2010 at 07:51 AM
Wonderful -- these looks adorable!!
Posted by: The Hungry Crafter | 09 December 2010 at 08:05 AM
That little top and cropped pants (final picture) is just too adorable. Please don't enter me in this drawing as I only have boys to sew for (and I'm limited to making pajamas for them). I just wanted to wish you congratulations. :)
Posted by: Linda | 09 December 2010 at 08:09 AM
I would love to win this book!
Posted by: liveacolorfullife | 09 December 2010 at 08:09 AM
I would love to add this book to my sewing library. The added inspiration from this book would put a smile on my little diva granddaughters. Thanks for the chance to win:)
Posted by: Pauline | 09 December 2010 at 08:12 AM
I saw this book t Hobby Lobby yesterday and it is fantastic!!! Fingers crossed! Otherwise, I definitely will have to go back and pick it up!
Posted by: amanda w | 09 December 2010 at 08:12 AM
I hope to get my mitts on a copy of this very soon! It looks FABULOUS!
Posted by: Karen | 09 December 2010 at 08:17 AM
Wow - looks like some great stuff in there!
Posted by: Jess | 09 December 2010 at 08:24 AM
Oooooh how I would love to win this book. I could do some serious damage @ the fabric store if I had this in hand. :)
Posted by: Rebekah | 09 December 2010 at 08:38 AM
I would definately put this book to good use sewing for my daughter. Thanks for the opportuntiy!
Posted by: Sabrina Feller | 09 December 2010 at 08:53 AM
I want to win this book so much! Can't wait to see it in person!
Posted by: Beth | 09 December 2010 at 08:58 AM
What adorable clothes!! Please count me in!
Posted by: Merry Made Quilts | 09 December 2010 at 09:04 AM
Oh! This would be a great x-mas present to me. Thanks for the great Giveaway. Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Feanna Otta | 09 December 2010 at 09:15 AM
What an awesome book! I have 3 daughters that would just look precious in those wonderful outfits!
Posted by: Tiffany | 09 December 2010 at 09:26 AM
Danyelle loved the little polka dot capris with the top. She's outgrown this book, but I do know a budget-compressed single mom who out of necessity would love this!
Thank you for the giveaway and for highlighting this book!
Posted by: Glynis Cozza | 09 December 2010 at 09:26 AM
I'm always amazed at Mary's creations - how she can just "whip things up" and this book looks amazing - thanks for hosting a stop :-)
Posted by: Amber | 09 December 2010 at 09:26 AM
Oh wow! What a treat! I love em all.
Posted by: Challice Neipp | 09 December 2010 at 09:31 AM
that looks like a precious book. i love the ruffle bottoms in the first photo. my daughter NEEDS some of those.
Posted by: amandajean | 09 December 2010 at 09:31 AM
LOVE this book. Would love to own a copy!
Posted by: DeLane | 09 December 2010 at 09:41 AM
Happy holidays, the clothes from this book look so sweet!
Posted by: Anita | 09 December 2010 at 09:44 AM
Those little girls are just darling! I love Mary's story of inspiration and connecting her mom with her daughter through a shared passion. My heart is blessed. What a treat that you're highlighting Mary's work here, Penny!
Posted by: Dayna | 09 December 2010 at 10:04 AM
I would love to have a copy of this book to make things for my daughter!!
Posted by: amy | 09 December 2010 at 10:10 AM
These look so lovely. I can just see my granddaughters in these.
Posted by: Teresa Mitchell | 09 December 2010 at 10:12 AM
Thanks for a chance to win!
Posted by: Anna McD | 09 December 2010 at 10:28 AM
Would love to own this book--although I only have boys we know LOTS of little girls with style! :)
Posted by: Mary | 09 December 2010 at 10:29 AM
oh yay! this book looks so fantastic. I would love to make some more clothing for my 2 yr old!
Posted by: Becky | 09 December 2010 at 10:45 AM
Would love to win that!! And on sunday on my bday;) What a fun prize!!
Posted by: Janna | 09 December 2010 at 11:00 AM
that looks precious!
I started seriously quilting in part because of how much I missed my Grandmother.
Posted by: beingvfox | 09 December 2010 at 11:12 AM
What a beautiful book. My friend has two gorgeous little girls; I can see them wearing thesensweet clothes!
Posted by: Rachel | 09 December 2010 at 11:25 AM
Enjoying this blog hop and reading Mary's story!
Posted by: fleurette | 09 December 2010 at 12:16 PM
Cute clothes! Thanks for a chance to win.
Posted by: Janet | 09 December 2010 at 12:44 PM
Oh My!!! Sophie would love to be wearing these clothes, the book looks gorgeous.
Posted by: sue brown | 09 December 2010 at 01:04 PM
This is a must have book for a beginner (like me) with a dd that loves style... (last year she cut into her cardigan 'cause she wanted it shorter...lol)... thanks for the opportunity !
Posted by: My 1st Bambina ! | 09 December 2010 at 01:19 PM
Oh I love the look of that book, it is on my christmas wishlist now but that is already so huge, I hope I win so baaaad.
Posted by: Bec Clarke | 09 December 2010 at 01:27 PM
I would love to win this book--it's on my wishlist too!
Posted by: Vicki | 09 December 2010 at 01:35 PM
What a cute book! And I love her blog name (maybe because mine is Confessions of a FABRIC Addict!) My granddaughter would look so cute in those clothes - so count me in for the giveaway!!
Posted by: Sarah C. | 09 December 2010 at 01:50 PM
itching to get my hands on this one!!!
Posted by: Becky | 09 December 2010 at 02:39 PM