Two summers ago, I received an email from Susanne Woods, then the Acquisitions Editor at Stash Books, inquiring whether I would be interested in writing a book.
After a few months of thought and discussion with my family, I decided to go for it.
The end result, so many months (years!) later is a sweet collection of dolls, stuffed animals, puppets, pillows, and more - all reminiscent of handmade toys from the 1940s and 50s. All of the projects were inspired by vintage toy patterns, old illustrations from picture books and vintage greeting cards, and photos of old toys themselves.
Half of the 16 projects are dolls (including the main doll pattern I use and the topsy-turvy Goldilocks above) and the other half are nostalgic toys. There is something for everyone - boys or girls of all ages.
I really can't wait to show you more over the next couple months.
While some online stores, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, won't be shipping the book until December, you can order directly from Stash Books and receive your book in November! Perfect timing for those of you hoping to make a toy or two for the holidays!
I am on my way to order it now! Your blogs and your dolls inspired me to make my 25 year daughter a doll to replace a beloved doll her sister destroyed years ago. I followed your hair tutorial and the way you create your eyes and everyone loves it!
ReplyDeleteMaria
That's great to read, Maria! :)
DeleteCannot wait!!!
ReplyDeleteMe neither!
DeleteCongratulations it looks wonderful. Well done,I can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny :).
DeleteCongratulations!!! What exciting news!I can't wait to see it! Handmade toys are the best.
ReplyDeleteThey are! Thanks :)
DeleteWonderful! Congratulations! I look forward to seeing more about it. The only thing keeping me from preordering it right now is my concern that I couldn't sew a thing in it --you are so talented!
ReplyDeleteThere are some simple projects, too! Thanks for the encouragement, Jenny :).
DeleteThis is so exciting! Congratulations! You have so much talent and all of your creations are beautiful and inspiring. I can not wait to purchase this book and create some of these beautiful things for my kids!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea ;).
DeleteI just pre-ordered! I can not wait to get it! CONGRATULATIONS on being a published author!
ReplyDeleteMaria
Thanks for letting me know :). I hope you like it.
DeleteThat's amazing! Congratulations!!! It looks great.
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Johanna. My girls and I spent some time looking at your zombie dolls today. They think the dolls would be perfect decor for our mantle this Halloween. :)
DeleteI cannot wait to receive your book! Unfortunately I ordered it last week from Amazon, not knowing Stash would ship a month earlier. Oh well, it will be a wonderful Christmas present for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on my daughters one piece doll in my few-and-far-between moments to spare. She will be a well loved doll!
Congratulations on your book!!
Julia D.
Thank you, Julia! Hopefully it will ship early in December! The main doll takes a while, but there are some quick projects in the book, too. I plan on using a pattern in the book to make some stocking stuffers for Christmas this year.
DeleteCongratulations! Didn't even finish reading the post before I ordered it. I had been hoping you would write a book since I found your blog. So, so excited to see it!!
ReplyDeleteI smiled reading this. Thanks!
DeleteCongrats!!! You deserve it too... I'm a huge fan of your work, it's all so beautiful! Can't wait to get my hands on the book :) Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteLouise@loulovesthis
Thanks, Louise!
DeleteYay, Jill!! You so rock! How cool it is to see your work published :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
Thanks, Beth! And thanks for your help testing my pattern and your continued encouragement...
DeleteI've been waiting for this! I peruse your images regularly, but the idea of figuring out my own doll pattern seems so intimidating. And I'm a trained seamstress! I can't wait to get the book! I emailed and called my husband to make sure he put this on my Christmas list.
ReplyDeleteYou'll figure it out in no time! Now I"m always grabbing stuffed toys and trying to deconstruct how they're made...where the darts are, the gussets, etc. :)
DeleteOMG!!!!!! Total shock, and total excitement!!!! My dreams have been answered. I want to make one of your dolls for each of my girls for christmas and finally I can. Yayyyy!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI sort of disappeared from my blog for so long...but that's what I was busy working on! I'm glad it will be out in time for the holidays!
DeleteCongrats. Although I could never master a doll such as yours, I pre ordered the book, so I can enjoy the lovely dolls inside.
ReplyDeleteOh Kellie...your work is incredible. I always look forward to your latest creation. Must be hard with four little ones! I know it's hard with just 3!
DeleteJust pre-ordered my copy...you know I can't sew, but I still can't wait to get my hands on your beautiful book! So proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara :)
DeleteYay! A book! I have been holding my breath waiting to see what the project was. So much more than I could have guessed. Can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteAh, I hope you like it, Sascha!
DeleteThis is such fabulous news!!! I had so hoped to find a pattern of your dolls one day and now it has happened! Congratulations. You must be terribly excited! I have already put the book on my amazon ordering list and am so looking forward to it.Wishing you much luck with this as well as many future projects. Greetings from Germany
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear, Claudia! I hope you find the book helpful!
DeleteCongratulations! Your work is so beautiful, it's very exciting to see this fabulous book will be available to all of us soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda!
DeleteTHANK YOU for linking me. I definitely want your book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it, April!
DeleteINSTANT CLASSIC and must have
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your art in this manner!!!
Oh, thank you, Anne :)
DeleteCongratulations, and Thank You! You have made us all very, very happy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Anita! I hope you like the book :)
DeleteHow did I miss this amazing piece of news! Yay! I can't wait to see your book!!! The cover is so beautiful. So excited for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI have added this to my wish list on amazon. Hopefully my christmas present wish (amazon vouchers) comes true and i can buy this book shortly after its release in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across you book on amazon yesterday and ordered it today. Your dolls are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI have ordered my book and can't wait. I was very lucky to get amazon vouchers and the first thing on my list was this. It will take a while to come as it has to come from the states, but I can't wait.
ReplyDelete