It is no secret that I love Sanae Ishida. Her elegant style, thoughtful prose and intense awareness are a constant source of inspiration for me. She is the kind of blogger that I visit in order to “draw from the well”, so to speak. So it is not an understatement to say that I am quite literally thrilled to be a part of the book launch tour for her new book Sewing Happiness*. (P.S. feel free to scroll to the bottom for giveaway information, there is no shame in that game!)
[Photo by Michelle Porter]
This book is more than a collection of projects. It’s the story of Sanae’s path back to health after a debilitating disease and work exhaustion and the role that sewing played in re-finding her balance and happiness. She honestly stitched her way back to health. The book is an open, honest, raw and vulnerable conversation about how making things can heal us. It also includes season by season projects that accompany Sanae’s journey. It’s so different from other craft books on the market. Of course, the photos are characteristically gorgeous and inspiring. I absorbed this book into my pores in a matter of days. This book speaks my language and my heart so happy.
There are so many great projects to pick from and in my standard overly-ambitious mode, I dog-eared most of them. I mean, I can make all the things. Right?! Of course, I only got around to making two of them and I’m already using the heck out of them. I made both a daily planner cover and a work apron adapted from Sanae’s pattern for a journal cover and kitchen apron. I love the original patterns and was so happy they fit exactly what I needed.
First, I made myself a messy-work apron. I made my apron in a durable black canvas and plan on wearing it for all of my grungy, dirty, painting projects. It has a crossover back, which means it covers so much of me and I can safely wipe a messy hand while I screen-print or mess around with ink. This sucker is a workhorse of an apron but still so pretty!
I adapted the pattern by attaching twill tape at the top hem instead of fabric. Not only do I love twill tape but it saved me from having to sew through a million layers of thick canvas. Also, I am holding and admiring paintbrushes. I know, it’s mildly confusing.
Guys. Here is the thing, I am getting into watercolor. I have always blown off watercoloring as either impossible or just overly-precious. My trip to Craftcation, however, completely flipped that on its head. And, I promise a larger conversation about Craftcation soon (talk about honest, raw, vulnerable conversation!) but let me just share that I did so much fabric painting, surface design and watercoloring and it was awesome. I’m digging it. Just an aside: watercoloring is ruined for us by those crappy, hard-to-use paints of our childhood! The ones where you have to rub and rub to get any color! Uck. It’s all about the paint in a tube. Amazing what you can do. Anyway, admire the slight goofy paintbrush pictures. These guys are my new friends.
My second project, a cover for my daily calendar, is another bit of beautiful genius in my life. I can’t function without a write-in-a-pen-so-I-remember daily calendar. We have a family google calendar but I need this paper calendar the way I need my left arm. Indispensable.
Sadly, the kind of calendar I like for its open pages, removable tabs, and weekly planning view doesn’t come with a very pretty cover. I was tolerating this calendar for months so it makes me so happy to now have it in gorgeous fabric! I would so much rather reach into my bag and touch amazing fabric, anyway.
And look at this fabric! It’s so delicious! It’s is Lei Nani from Nani Iro’s 2016 collection. I received it from the always amazing Miss Matatabi. I cannot get over the gorgeous watercolor-like blue background mixed with the white and metallic flowers. Plus, it is a soft double gauze. Such an indulgence for a daily planner, right?! I love it.
The pattern in book has a lovely elastic strap over the front and I added a second one so I can also easily access the current week. It was super easy but still makes me feel so smart.
One of the other projects in the book that I think is totally original is an origami pillow. I’m all set to make three or four of these soon. They are so cool and will look perfect in our living room. (This image is from the publisher, by the way. Taken by George Barberis).
Now for the giveaway! This is a good one. I’m so excited to be able to really spread the Sanae Ishida Sewing Happiness* love! They are letting me giveaway such good stuff:
+ One copy of Sewing Happiness by Sanae Ishida
+ $45 gift card for Miss Matatabi!! Choose from her spectacular selection of japanese fabric!
Yay!!
I’m pretty old school when it comes to giveaways so I’m going to keep it simple, leave a comment and share one of your favorite crafty bloggers. Sanae is one of mine, what is yours? I will leave it open for one week, ending at midnight April 28th. I’m sorry international friends but only US entrants can win. Curses international shipping rates! (If you aren’t able to leave a comment, I had some reports of difficulties, please email me at ahappystitch@gmail.com and I will consider that a contest entry. Thanks!)
Good luck! THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. RANDOM.ORG CHOSE COMMENT #5. Congratulations Gigi W.!! I will be in touch soon.
Now I can reply to everyone’s lovely comments, you guys wrote the nicest things and I’m excited to check out some wonderful new blogs. It was killing me to stay silent for a week. 🙂
*This link is an affiliate link. Thanks for your support! Please note: I was given a copy of the book and a yard and a half of fabric to use free of charge. My opinions, however, are always my own.
Ruth L says
What a wonderful book! There are soooooo many wonderful bloggers out there. Justine at Sew Country Chick is one of my favorites.
Melissa Q. says
Oh, I will have to check out that blog…I’ve not heard of it. Thanks!
Patricia says
Tatertots and jello.
Would love to win!
Melissa Q. says
Thanks for entering. I love Tatertots and Jello, too.
homemadefarm says
Is it wrong to say that I like you as my crafty blog? If I don’t win this book I’m buying it for the apron pattern alone:)
Melissa Q. says
Oh my goodness, you are seriously the sweetest. It’s nice to know I’m not speaking into a void! I hope you make the apron. It’s already getting so much use for my messy projects.
Sarah says
love this review! My fave is a tie between SouleMama and Imagine gnats, but there are so many to glean from! thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Melissa Q. says
Yes! Both of those blogs are so inspiring and have such human voices. Thanks for the comment.
Gigi W says
Love the planner cover! I’m a fan of the paper calendar too. My favorite blog is film in the fridge. This is an awesome giveaway!
Melissa Q. says
Hey! Congrats #5! You know it was truly a random process since it picked a close friend! P.S. I love Film In the Fridge too. She is so dang talented.
Sara says
How can I choose? I’ve been loving everything Teresa at Dandelion Drift has been posting the past few weeks 🙂
Melissa Q. says
I haven’t checked her blog recently, I’m glad for the reminder. I love your taste so I’m sure I will be delighted.
lesley says
this is hard to pick one!! all about ami comes to mind first
Melissa Q. says
So glad you recommended her! I just checked it out, her photos are stunning. Make me want to crochet.
Karen S says
Love the pillows there 🙂
I want to hear about this craftication & thanks for sharing Sanae Ishida with us 🙂
Melissa Q. says
Those pillows are right up your fabric-architecture alley, girl!
Brenda says
I am really enjoying Sara Curtis at Radiant Home Studio right now. Thank you for the chance to win this beautiful book!
Melissa Q. says
Yes! Sara is wonderful. Thanks so much for the comment.
Lodi says
I like that Melissa kid. She has everyday things, and crazy things like sparkly leopard dresses! Always a treat! I also like LLadybird. She makes simple makes, and more complicated ones with thorough explanations for my learning curve. She’s also FUNNY! For quilts, who doesn’t love and respect Amanda Jean? I could go on, who could choose one?
Melissa Q. says
Oh you! How sweet. I will have to check out your other recommendations, I especially love funny bloggers. Some people can write so well.
Kristen gilmore powell says
Ok your calendar cover is beautiful. Favorite blog? Well I love yours!! Lotta Jansdotter is another fav. Thanks for a chance, this book looks lovely!
Melissa Q. says
You are the best! I love Lotta, too. We should do a workshop of hers together, sometime. It’s so close!
Juliana says
I love Lucky Lucille and Lladybird for sewing and Wendy Knits for knitting. Those are the only crafty things I can do right now. I love your book cover!
Melissa Q. says
Thanks Juliana! Great recommendations, I can’t wait to check them out. LLadybird was recommended twice, so interesting!
Lia says
Beautiful apron! And paintbrushes are my true loves! I’m a freelance illustrator who works almost entirely in watercolor and welcome, you’re going to have so much fun (and pain. Sssh). I also recommend grabbing a tube of white gouache – it’s expensive but I mix it with different tints of watercolor for opaque effects. Also I was always taught that it’s okay to cheap out on paint if your brushes and work surfaces are nice. I’m looking forward to seeing your paintings! : )
Back in the day I would have said How About Orange…but lately it’s been Seamstress Erin!
P.S. I managed to not upload my comment the first time somehow…so if shows up twice in slightly altered form, apologies! Or heavens forbid 6 or 7 times! I punched that reload button good.
Melissa Q. says
Ha! This cracked me up. Yes, the reload button can be obnoxious sometimes. The comment submission can be….annoying. Thanks for the watercoloring tips. I’m loving it so much! Mixing the colors is so difficult but a very cool process. Thanks for the blog tips. Seamstress Erin looks very cool, my kind of chick!
Lesley says
Stitched in Color
Melissa Q. says
Thanks for the comment, Lesley. I will check that out!
Mony says
Just love that Apron…… Would love learn who to make it:) The book sounds wonderful
Melissa Q. says
Thanks Mony!
Laura Henneberry says
I love Imaginegnats and Lucky Lucille! So much great apparel inspiration on those 2 blogs. Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to win!
Melissa Q. says
I was just on Lucky Lucille for the first time recently! You are right, it’s great! Imagine Gnats is a long-time love of mine as well. Thanks for the comment.
Debby says
I love Stitched in Color. And I am on the hunt for some pyrography blogs as I am just learning how to do this craft as well.
Melissa Q. says
Ooh, pyrography! Fun!
Gail says
I read Sew4home for small ideas … but I’ve been sewing for so long, and some of the things blogged about are so basic ….or focused on dresses for little girls. Lately, though, I have been reading many historical reproduction blogs for tips, and pattern advice.
I have discovered quilting stores for nice cotton – as the choice in central NJ is poor at best. I miss my daily commute walks down 40th St when the fabric stores were street level!
Melissa Q. says
Hey! I’m in NJ, too! Did you know that? Have you wandered into Pennington Quilt Works, they are kind of in Central Jersey. Up north, of course, is the amazing Rock Paper Scissors.
Kirsten says
Oooh I’ve been stalking Miss Matabi forever! I love Red Pepper Quilts blog…she has such an amazing eye for color and design! Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book!
Melissa Q. says
Ooh agreed! Red Pepper is amazing. And, who isn’t stalking Miss Matatabi…right?!
Hannah Fjeld says
Awesome journal cover—-I’m obsessed with the spring Nano Iro line. I mostly follow crafters on Instagram—you, @sevenpretty, @sugarhouseworkshop, my local quilt shop, many others. Thanks for the chance to win!
Melissa Q. says
Hannah, the spring Nani Iro is SO GOOD! If you are going to obsess, do it over the good stuff. Thanks for the comment!
mary frances. says
Hiya Melissa! Am I allowed to say that YOU are one of my faves? so glad your blog & business is going strong ! and I would love to win this bundle to try to jumpstart my own making habit again. (also: Amy Karol and Erin Harris are longtime inspirations and always the best, amirite?)
Melissa Q. says
Hello friend! So nice to hear your voice! Amy and Erin are landmarks. Absolutely. I hope you are able to jump back in to making soon, I miss you!
Claire Ross says
What a fabulous giveaway. My favourite blog is Handmade Jane x
Melissa Q. says
Thanks! I will have to check that out!
Chuleenan - C Sews says
Sounds like a great book! I follow sewing blogs more than crafting blogs (Sew Busy Lizzy and Ginger Makes are faves). ABay Area Sewist member has baking/crafting blog I like so I’ll pick that one as my fave craft blog – Baking Making and Crafting.
Melissa Q. says
I will definitely check these out, thanks for the recommendations!
Julie Manouchehri says
Sanae is my absolute favourite, but I also love Craftiness is not Optional and Soulemama. The internet provided such a wonderful space for creative inspiration and friendships, what a delight!
Melissa Q. says
Isn’t it! I couldn’t agree more, I love all of those blogs and I love this wondrous world of makers on-line. <3
Doris McCarty says
I like Crafty Gemini. But there are many others I like too. I love Miis Matabi. Thank you for sharing!
Dmac5958ataoldotcom
Melissa Q. says
I keep hearing about Crafty Gemini! Gotta check that out. Thanks!
Laura says
So many great crafty blogs! For style inspiration skirt as top is probably my fave, and oonaballoona makes me laugh the hardest.
Melissa Q. says
Yes! Yes to both of them! Oonaballoona is so funny, and gob-smackingly good at sewing. Skirt as a top is so great! Love them both.
MaLora says
Oooh I want this book! I love her classic style. Simple yet elegant. My fav crafty blogger is SewFearless. Her blog SewFearless.com is magical and her clothing, crafts and projects are family friendly too.
Melissa Q. says
I can’t believe I’ve never seen Sew Fearless. Gotta get on that, apparently! Thanks for the comment.
Stacy says
I LOVE Jen Hewett and all of her print making, sewing wonderfulness. It is so fun to see a project start to finish. I love your site too, but felt a bit obvious on that note;)
Melissa Q. says
So sweet! You are going to love this…I actually sat and chatted with Jen Hewett at Craftcation. She is even more lovely in person and so talented and inspired. I felt so lucky. Love her!