Last Call for Creative Reuse Ideas!

I bet you're wondering when your FIRST call was, right? Well, I'm a little late jumping on this bandwagon but here are the details in case you've got a few tricks up your sleeve and can get a submission in before January 5th:

"Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books is an international publisher of high-quality visual and idea books for design professionals and creative enthusiasts—crafters, artists, and designers. (Check out our distinctive books at: www.quarrybooks.com.)

We are seeking submissions for 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, an upcoming book by Garth Johnson of ExtremeCraft.com, which will feature 21st Century craft and design, all made with recycled, upcycled, repurposed and reused items. We are looking for the best examples of paper and book arts, jewelry, clothing, home and personal accessories, furniture, art, and miscellanea for possible publication. We invite designers, artists, visionaries and crafters of all stripes to submit their work.

High quality photography is essential. We are looking for photographs of the finished work, not step-by-step shots. All images must be AT LEAST 1400x1750 pixels at 300 dpi. There is no entry form for the book--all we need is the Grant of Rights form and an image list in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Please upload them with your images."

Deadline: January 5, 2009

Click here to download the call to entries and submission requirements.

I would've loved to enter my pillow case recycled aprons, vintage fabric and button recycled brooches, and Ryan's recycled plexi-glass artwork. :( I hope someone reading this still has the chance and will to apply. Good luck!!!

Happy submitting,
Kelli

All grown up and ready to sew!

This past weekend I visited The Stitching Post just down the street (5928 NW 16th St, OKC) to finally invest in a new sewing machine and serger. During my high school and early college years, I had a Kenmore sewing machine. I left my peddle in San Diego (no, that's not a country song), and never replaced it. For a brief time, I used a vintage Singer that I found at a thrift store but it also stayed in California. A friend gave me a 1960's Singer after I moved to Oklahoma City almost two years ago and thought I could make it last, but that wasn't the case. I was way overdue for good quality machines and sick of thinking about all the things I could make but couldn't without the right equipment.

I invested in two used machines:


Singer Quantum 9940


Janome Magnolia Serger


Robin, her family, and all of the other employees are extremely kind and helpful. I got a great deal, too! Robin supports local DIY designers and upcycle fashionistas to the core. This may sound like an advertisement, but really, I'm just beyond excited about my machines and am even more excited about supporting local businesses! I've only made our Christmas stockings so far, but I plan to sew a jumper for myself this weekend. If I could sew on these machines all day, I'd have it made. I'm totally in love with Quantum Leap and Magnolia, as I've named them. :)

If you've been waiting forever for your very own serger, save up your Christmas money and talk to Robin about investing in a machine you can actually afford. I'm pretty sure they even do lay-a-way. You won't regret it!

Love always,
Kelli