Design Ideas

Do you have ideas for silk ribbon designs, or seam treatments?

 ...Or just general project that you want to accomplish? Thanks to my muse...my head just overflows with them at times.Usually, when I'm no where near my computer or sewing room! And, sometimes...after I have written them down...I can't locate the paper I wrote them on when I need it!So, I decided that all the odd scraps of paper, steno pads, and note cards just had to go. I needed to get more organized!But what would keep everything I wanted to remember in one place? It needed to be large enough to be usable...but small enough to put in my BOHO bag. Then it would need be "at ready" when sitting and waiting for an appointment (or on the bus/train commute? baseball game? ballet class?)AND, since I can't draw a straight line without a ruler...the pages jut had to be "graph paper" style; BUT not printed so dark that I could not see what I did draw...just barely showing,  a guide to help me draw my "artistic" ideas neatly.

 Plus, an area for notes would be needed! To remind me of what project my sketch goes with; or where I saw this cool seam treatment (so I can give credit for the inspiration, if I ever used the seam)...

 "Could others use this type of sketch book too?" my muse asks.Well, could they? I think so... So, viola! The "My Crazy Ideas Sketch Book" was born.

 It is over 120 pages of grid paper w/note sections...and has some pages at the front with instruction on how to start sketching your own ideas.

 So, if you are looking for a great little sketch book..that YOU are the author of...and you don't want to spend a lot of money on it...I hope you will consider ordering a Sketch Book from ShawklDesigns. These also make great little gifts...and can be used by folks who don't even do Crazy Quilts...any notes can be included...crazy or not! At $8.40 they are priced well enough to get more than one. I have one that is only for CQ Seams...and another for Project Ideas and Motifs.And, if my muse doesn't slow down and take a few naps...I might have an entire "library" of these filled up before long!
 

Taking Pre-Orders for Autographed Books!!

My first book is about to come off the presses! We just spend 3 days in re-write and revision. The books should reach me in just a few days...and I'll autograph on a first come basis. So, if you want a great book for your library...jump on over to my Studio and check it out!

 Here's the new cover front...I like the blue much better than that wine color. The book includes charts for all of the TDiTM stitches and more...150 in total. They are also shown in 3 different scales. Four pages of templates are included...plus...104 monograms! ...plus...over 60 embroidery motifs. Want to see some sample pages? Thought so...I can only do screen print images...so they aren't the best...but here goes....
Here are how the stitch charts will be...

And...monograms. There are four completely different alphabets...

And embroidery motifs!

I have enjoyed working on this book...and it has taken months to get to this stage. My head is full of more ideas...a shadow applique book, a quilt pattern book, and more crazy quilt motifs of course!

But first...back to get some stitching done!

Woot! Woot! I'm so Excited...

My very first book is in the proof stage! Here is the image of the back/front cover!!

 

Actually it's the second book I've written...but the first one is still in production...and this one just flew right through that phase...and jumped in front of the other one! How great!

All of the TDiTM stitch charts...and more will be in this...in three different scales! And four complete sets of monograms...104 total! And more than 50 embroidery motifs (I'm getting really good with Illustrator!!)

I'm so excited...the book proof is supposed to be in my hands next week. I have to make sure all the content is correct...and the print quality is good...and a hundred little details. Then, it goes to full production!! I hope to have it for retail by the end of February or March!! Yeah!!!

So celebrate with me!! Woot! Woot!