Wednesday

Phoebe's Birthday TNNA Book Launch

by Joanna
On Friday morning I left to catch a plane to Columbus, Ohio, for TNNA. The day started out very promising- we saw a beautiful balloon on our way to the airport.


Our plan was to launch our new book, Phoebe's Birthday, at the Brown Sheep booth at the show. As of Friday morning, neither Eric or I had seen the book yet, so we were cutting it close. As soon as I go to the convention center, around 5:30 on Friday evening, I slipped into the show floor and went to the booth. There under the table were the cases of books I had been waiting so long to see!


Four cases of books had arrived safely to the booth, not a day too late for the show. Early the next morning, a big delivery of books arrived to Eric and the children at our home. 


They were just as excited to see if as I had been... (but I have to confess that the entire weekend felt surreal in a sense, since Eric and I hadn't seen the book yet together.) I had a wonderful space at the Brown Sheep Company booth to display the new book and trunk show of knits.


I had a lot of fun meeting Margaux Hufnagel (a fellow "Jersey girl") whose Interweave Knits design in Brown Sheep Nature Spun Chunky was on display at the booth. She was so excited to see her design on display!


I also had a great time with Norah from Noni Designs along with Beth from Susquehanna Knitting Company. I am just smitten with the newest Noni bag designs... but I can't show them to you yet, until they are released to the public. Trust me, they are amazing!


The funnest part of the show for me was spending an evening with the Petite Purls Girls- it was so fun to visit and reconnect my friends, who happen to be very talented designers and wonderful women to boot: Angela Tong (Oiyi), Brandy Fortune (Pixie Purls), Melynda Bernardi (French Press Knits), Jill Zielinski (Knitterella), Kate Oates (Tot Toppers), Joan Beebe (SSKnits), Alison Stewart-Guinee (author of Fairy Tale Knits), Allegra Wermuth (Fiddlestix Designs), Laura Nelkin (Nelkin Designs), and Anne Weil (Flax and Twine). Truly the best company.


I have to say, though, that the best part of the trip was getting back to Colorado and riding home from the airport with Eric. It was then that the whole experience started to seem real to me. We created a third book. Together. And we can't wait to do it again.


But for now- there are orders to pack, books to ship, plans to make, and a big road trip to prepare for. If you ordered a book- it is on its way to you. Let us know what you think of it if you get a chance.


P.S. I don't have time for a big "Loot Bag" blog post- but here is a glimpse of some of the treasures I brought home from this show: Silk and Wool yarn from Himalaya Yarn, a Soak Box from Soak, the Rippled necklace kit from Nelkin Designs, a Knitty project bag, the Noni Ella's Going Out bag kit, and some amazing Yak/Merino Fiber from Anzula. Just a little sampling of the great finds at TNNA this June.


The Books are on the Truck!

by Joanna

The books left our printer in Fresno, California on Tuesday, and are headed east to us! Phoebe's Birthday is literally on the road- in Nevada this morning, and at the close of the day, in Valley City, Utah. Guess who has been updating a tracking number with the freight company?

Saturday

Phoebe's Birthday Book Tour

by Joanna

We are happy to announce a summer book tour! I will be visiting yarn shops, fabric shops, book shops, and knitting events throughout the summer doing book signings and trunk shows. So far I have eleven states on my calendar... am I coming to a shop near you? I hope so! Happy Trails!


June 23-25 Book Signing at TNNA in Columbus, Ohio
Brown Sheep Company Booth # 1008

June 29 2:00-3:00 Book Signing at the Quilt Cottage
Hays, Kansas

June 30  2:00-3:00 Book Signing at Hillcreek Yarn Shop
Columbia, Missouri

July 6 3:00-5:00 Book Signing at The Book Nest
Blairstown, New Jersey

July 7 11:00-12:00 Book Signing at Stitches with Style
Newark, Delaware

July 7 2:00-4:00 Book Signing at Loop
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

July 12 6:00-8:00 Book Signing at Knitty City
New York, New York

July 20 1:00-2:00 Book Signing at Athena Fibers
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

July 21 12:00-1:00 Book Signing at C. R. Yarn
Rapid City, South Dakota

August 18 11:00-12:00 Book Signing at Ewe Count
Cheyenne, Wyoming

August 18 2:00-3:00 Book Signing at Cowgirl Yarns
Laramie, Wyoming

August 25 11:00-1:00 Book Signing at The Wool Basket
Loveland, Colorado

September 14 7:00-9:00 Book Signing at Fancy Tiger Crafts
Denver, Colorado

September 15 1:00-3:00 Book Signing at the Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair
Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Friday

Phoebe Mermouse Doll

by Joanna

The Phoebe Mermouse Doll is my first published sewing pattern... it is included at the end of our new book, Phoebe's Birthday.


This doll pattern uses fabric from Amy Butler's gorgeous line, Soul Blossoms, and only has four pattern pieces. It is simple enough for a young stitcher to create on her own with just a little help.


Phoebe Mermouse has a special meaning in the new story, so I won't spoil it for you here. The little gal is rather sweet, if I do say so myself. I cannot wait to see the little mermouse-es (mermice?) that you stitch up!


Phoebe's Spool Quilt

by Joanna

I am just "over the moon" to announce that we have a quilt pattern included in our third book, Phoebe's Birthday. I approached Amy Butler over a year ago about providing fabric support for this new book, and her interest in the project was really inspiring to me. I first started quilting about fifteen years ago and have made dozens and dozens of quilts since. Amy Butler's fabrics are just stunning, and it was a real treat to design a quilt based around her gorgeous Soul Blossoms line of quilting fabric.


I adapted a traditional spool quilt block for this pattern, and used strips of gray solids between the rows of blocks to mimic the look of spools neatly lined up on shelves. I love how the ivory background offsets the vibrant colors of her prints. Detailed instructions, including yardage requirements, cutting instructions, layout and assembly, and quilting ideas are all included at the end of Phoebe's Birthday. I have a feeling this particular quilt will end up on our daughter's bed very soon, but as for now, it is next to me here in my studio as I write, and it brings a smile to my face every time I see it. 
Happy Stitching!